Music
Press
‘Blimey, that was a bit good! It's not often that a debut single grabs you by the cojones and commands attention, but this one certainly did.
Bristolian Alfie Kingston has come up with a string drenched, hard driving, melodic slice of classic rock, crossed with seventies pop that crosses too many boundaries for its own good, but still manages to command attention.
The other track on the double A side, "Regard Me 14 Days", is more introspective and intimate, if a wall of sound production can ever be truly intimate, but props to producer Paul Miro for a bang up job. And as for the spiralling Dave (sorry David) Gilmour like guitar lead, it's heart wrenching.
This may make me a big girl for liking it, but I'll take my chances. Well done to Whimsical Records for snaffling this one up.’ - Stuart Hamilton
You will be blessed by ‘The Girl With The Crooked Smile’ - a pleasing classic pop song with a constant ‘feel good’ tempo. - Pitchfork
The creative sounds of the early 80s Scottish post-punk contingent are certainly played upon in the modern day, with Jack Butler's impressive second single release 'Boy vs Beast'. Emerging with a sound prominent in jangly, stop-start synthesised guitar noise, tracks sit on the indie-pop/indie-rock fence, interchanging genres at the flick of a switch.
Like the by-product of a marriage between Soft Cell and The Smiths, sounds blend to create a beautifully harmonious riot where gritty vocals, tinged with Celtic charm at times, unite with intricate instrumentation to give an amorphous quality of sound and feeling. Its inspirational sounds feel almost experimental in form, and ticks all the boxes with everything from synthesised siren, quality rhythm guitars, to charged vocals, making them one to watch this year for sure.
Matt Clutton (4 stars) www.clickmusic.com
- www.clickmusic.com (JACK BUTLER review)
Discography
ALFIE KINGSTON released his debut single 'I will wait' on Whimsical Records in 2006. The 3 track single also included 'The Distance' and 'Regard me 14 days'
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JACK BUTLER's 'Surgery 1984' is featured on the single 'Boy vs. Beast' released August 20th 2007 on Whimsical Records.
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SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB released their debut single on Whimsical Records in 2006 - 'The girl with the crooked smile'.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
ALFIE KINGSTON:
As a compulsive and talented songwriter, Kingston draws from a range of influences whilst maintaining a distinct individuality that sets him apart from his contemporaries.
He has also established a formidable reputation as a live performer, in recent years becoming an important part of Bristols thriving live music scene.
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JACK BUTLER
Described as one of the UKs most exciting bands Scottish four-piece Jack Butler had been causing a stir in Independent circles well before the release of their debut E.p. Hows This For Leverage? After a series of high-profile gigs and victory in BBC Radio 1 Scotlands Demo Derby the band are on the brink of mainstream success.
New Single Boy vs. Beast, released on August 20th , showcases the bands well-sculpted, yet original, funk-tinged indie which saw Rocksound Magazine declare them as the missing link between Minus the Bear and Arctic Monkeys. Jack Butler offer no gimmicks just a raw passion for music that is hard to ignore.
Regular air play on XFM Scotland and impressive support from local press have helped to raise their profile further. The highlight of the bands career came this summer with an appearance on the T-Break stage at the world renowned T in the Park Festival.
Liam and Lowdon go back a long way as original creators of the band, they went on to recruit Greg and then later a chance meeting brought Allan into the picture. They had no pre-conceived ideas on which direction they wanted their music to go, just immense commitment and self-belief.
Their simple desire to create music and perform has impressed all that have met them in the last two years. Young and exciting, Jack Butler stand on the verge of being this years breakthrough act.
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SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB
The SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB have emerged from the studio somewhere in deepest, darkest Norfolk with a couple of slices of beautifully layered apple pie pop, resulting in a tight-as-a-gnat's-bell-end debut double A single release, leading with 'The girl with the crooked smile'.
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