Before this week I had never heard of The Monday Club and now I simply cannot get enough of them. The Sheffield band consists of Paul Hawksworth (Vocals & Lead Guitar), Darren Ullyett (Vocals & Guitar), Steve Scott (Bass) and Marc Wragg (Drums). They are an indie guitar rock outfit and are a complete breath of fresh air when you compare it against the likes of most of the drivel that currently resides in the UK chart these days.
‘Up is Up’ is the bands latest EP, released on the back of the bands award winning music video for their track ‘Lay Down and Die’, and it is quite simply brilliant. The whole EP has a live feel to it and you could easily imagine yourself in the middle of an intimate but packed venue bouncing quite happily while singing along to tracks such as ‘Life and Soul’, which has a great retro feel to the guitar introduction. ‘Amateur Commander’ takes you back to the early days of Oasis. ‘Lately’ has simple yet effective lyrics that are sure to have fans chanting along to at gigs, while the instrumental interludes show off the bands prowess. The EP ends with ‘Alive’ which is my favourite track on the EP. Having said that, even though you can hear the band's influences coming through, all four tracks offer a sound that feels new, fresh and invigorating.
The Monday Club sound effortlessly fuses together elements of current British indie music with excellent guitar riffs that you would associate with the likes of Jimi Hendrix. The finished article is what you would expect the guitar-driven pioneering bands of the 60’s would sound like if they were starting out in the modern era. I am certainly keeping a look out for when they gig at a venue nearby as the band pride themselves on their live shows and if this EP in indicative of what The Monday Club are capable of, they would be great to catch in a live environment!
Of course, for every positive, there is a negative and this dazzling, little gem of an EP is no exception. However, the only downside is with only four tracks it is simply too short and you are left yearning for Monday to come around again! For me, 'Up is Up' is the only way The Monday Club can go!
‘Up is Up’ is available on iTunes now.
EP Rating: 9/10
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‘Up is Up’ is the bands latest EP, released on the back of the bands award winning music video for their track ‘Lay Down and Die’, and it is quite simply brilliant. The whole EP has a live feel to it and you could easily imagine yourself in the middle of an intimate but packed venue bouncing quite happily while singing along to tracks such as ‘Life and Soul’, which has a great retro feel to the guitar introduction. ‘Amateur Commander’ takes you back to the early days of Oasis. ‘Lately’ has simple yet effective lyrics that are sure to have fans chanting along to at gigs, while the instrumental interludes show off the bands prowess. The EP ends with ‘Alive’ which is my favourite track on the EP. Having said that, even though you can hear the band's influences coming through, all four tracks offer a sound that feels new, fresh and invigorating.
