A GUIDE TO CURRENT BARNSLEY MUSIC #1: ORIGINAL BARNSLEY BANDS A – L

I often get emails from bands, both from Barnsley and also from elsewhere around Yorkshire. Often they are looking for gigs; they ask about local venues that support live music or the various promoters that are working at any one time. Often I give them details of bands that work within the same genre – encourage hook-ups and encourage contact.

Recently, We Are Barnsley launched their local music page, which after eight months of promoting the page, they launched this month with just 12 acts (inc also covers bands and solo acts), many of which had already been previously featured in The Chronicle.
So, inspired by that, I wanted to show you the real deapth and breadth of talent this town has right now. So first up, I thought I’d list for you all currently active bands either performing or writing original material. By currently active, I mean performing live or shown to be writing/recording in the last 12 months.

This will be done in two parts; Bands A-L, then Bands M-Z. I will then follow that with a list of solo artists performing and writing original material. And if I’ve missed anything, feel free to send me details and I promise to include it.
Explore. Enjoy. Get following and liking. Find bands with a similiar outlooks, hook up and collaborate.

ANDWHATARMY: Alt Rock / Metal. Forged from members of Dirty Jeans, Better For Nothing and Paradine Case. One demo release now, now working on securing a UK tour and a debut record. http://www.facebook.com/Andwhatarmy

ANTESAINT: Alt Rock / Grunge. Female fronted alt rock bands, featuring ex-members of Majority Vote and most recently, Black Echo. Two tracks recorded, more to come. http://www.facebook.com/antesaint

AZTEC DOLL: Female front darkly gothic alternative rock band – think Siouxsie, PJ Harvey, Depeche, Chameleons. First EP released on Of National Importance Records. https://www.facebook.com/aztecdoll

THE BAR-STEWARD SONS OF VAL DOONICAN: Three piece comedy folk band, taking famous songs and inject some mucky Barnsley humour into them. Massive discography, and some big support slots to their name with folk, glam and rock royalty. http://www.facebook.com/thebarstewardsons

THE BLACK LAMPS: Alt Rock/Post Punk band made up of members of Creatures of Habit, Party Day, the Danse Society, Biff & King Palooka. Easily one of the best bands in Barnsley, and definitely one of the most apathetic. https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackLamps

BLACK SHOES: Indie folk influenced by Kings of Leon – played Tramlines Oxfam Stage, BBC Introducing and the Leadmill. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Shoes-uk/104561022941591

THE BLACK VINES: Hard Blues/Dirty Rock band made from the DNA of Barnsley bands Grande Casino, Mr Moon, Sondance, Thin Kings, Ella Guru and roots going back to bands of the early 1980s. A couple of EPs and now a second album to their name. Very popular, established band. https://www.facebook.com/blackvinesclub

BODY HOUND: Instrumental math rock/prog featuring members of Redmist Destruction and ex-members of Rolo Tomassi. Formed 2013 and already touring the UK. No releases at present. http://www.facebook.com/Bodyhound

BRAINBOMB: Punk band with lashing of classic pub rock and soul. Evolved from just classic punk cover to now performing quality original material, and what a voice. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brainbomb/121556061257544

CALLUS: Metal band with hints of thrash, back on the live circuit after a brief hiatus and line-up change. http://www.facebook.com/CallusMetal

CAMBODIA: A fusion of punk, Oi!, folk and reggae, fronted by the bellows that is Jethro Platts and made up of members of X-Rippers, Spunksters, Barmy Surplus and Playground Bully. https://www.facebook.com/groups/278066908880046/

CF BUNDY: Seriously deranged, nasty and catchy death metal formed 2007. Great riffs and great shows, regulars on the metal circuit. Cracking crowd pleaser called Fisted By The Lesser Known Chuckle Brother – youtube it. https://www.facebook.com/pages/C-F-Bundy/169749651376

CAVORTS: Possibly Barnsley’s most successful metal act right now. Formed from the ashes of G.U. Medicine, first gig played with Skindred and Therapy, then went on the road with Defiled and Dragonforce. Signed, EP released, debut album coming soon. http://www.facebook.com/cavortsmakenoise

CLAY GARDEN: Fantastic new psychedelic, dark indie part. Maybe just be one in quite a big local scene but these guys stand out. Frontman Tom was great in the band Northern Way and first signs here are impressive. Material recorded and playing live now. http://www.facebook.com/ClayGarden/

THE DANSE SOCIETY: Originally formed in 1980, this post punk/goth band was originally part of a big Barnsley scene but then went on to the heady heights of Radio 1, John Peel sessions and London shows, until they disbanded in 1987. Always cited as an influential band of the gothic genre, the band reformed in 2009, with new vocalist Maethelyiah and have since recorded a couple of albums. https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-DANSE-SOCIETY-REFORMATION-PLOT/227357422417

CRYWANK: Anti-folk duo based Barnsley/Manchester. Quite big on the Sludge Metal scene over their with many support slots. Think Nick Drake and Sufjan Stevens reading Morrissey. https://www.facebook.com/jamesisgoingtodiesoon

DEMOGRAPHIC: Popular indie pop band formed in 2010.The jangly guitar pop shaped by bands like Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend and The Cribs. Debut album released summer ’13. https://www.facebook.com/DEMOGRAPHICuk

DISLOCATOR: Much loved Self-deprecating Barnsley thrash metal, with overtones of socio-political rage, now it its seventh year. Known for playing live at any opportunity and often plays acoustic gigs too. https://www.facebook.com/wearedislocator/

DROP DEAD ANGUS: Alt rock band influenced by Stone Sour, Linkin Park, Alter bridge, Train. Often tour Sheffield/Stocksbridge area. First EP released and on bandcamp. https://www.facebook.com/DropDeadAngus/

THE DRAMA SUMMER: Formed late ’09, acoustic rock duo influenced by Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory and The Starting Line. 10 track demo on bandcamp. Currently on hiatus? https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Drama-Summer/176735012359252

EUTHEMIA: Barnsley/Leeds big, grandiose piano, fuzzy guitars, atmospheric alt-rock fused with hints of glam. Think early Killers, Muse and Radiohead mixed with some vintage Mott the Hoople and Bowie. One absolutely blinding EP and loads of UK gigs to their name. https://www.facebook.com/Euthemia/

EVERYONE AN ARMY: Originally formed in Scarborough and now based in Barnsley. A superb alt rock band mixing influences as wide as Nine Inch Nails, Echo & the Bunnymen, Deftones and Elbow. One of the best bands I’ve seen in ages. Lots of music available on bandcamp. http://www.facebook.com/everyoneanarmy/

EXIT CALM: Other than Kate Rusby, Saxon and Kathryn Roberts, Exit Calm are our biggest export right now. With a number of singles and two albumstheir name, they have just released one of the highlights of 2013. Brooding, dark, atmospheric – simply saying ‘indie’ is a massive disservice. This is the year they take the UK by storm. https://www.facebook.com/exitcalmmusic/

THE EXHIBITION: Regular collaborators with of National Importance Records and have released a number of amazing records through them. Recent line-up changes aside, this band is atmospheric, dark, intense and beautifully downbeat. https://www.facebook.com/theexhibitionsounds/

EXPLORERS SOCIETY: Self proclaimed ‘three piece purveyor of warm sonic soup’, consisting on guitar, keys, cello and even sitar. Debut is currently being records. These guys have been gigs in venues including Barnsley Civic, Sheffield’s Millenium Gallery and soon The Polish Club. https://www.facebook.com/theexplorerssociety

F.D. Pop duo consisting of Faye and Danny, performing original material. Often appearing at open mics and also popular amongst the local metal scene. https://www.facebook.com/fayendanny/

FLAW 13 Sam and Annie are an acoustic indie/pop duo from Barnsley. They play mostly chart covers at the minute but are now also writing their own material. They’re influenced by artists like Ed Sheeran, Bastille, Jessi J, and others. They take popular songs, tone them down a little, then but their own acoustic stamp on it.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FLAW-13/380100265458463

FOLKUS: Original five piece folk group from Penistone. Already familiar with the folk festival circuit. Plays a mix of traditional songs and self-penned contemporary songs. https://www.facebook.com/FolkusBand

FOR PETE’S SAKE: Four piece, young, indie rock band influenced by Artics, Pistols, Foals, Vaccines. Already lots of local gigging. Ready for more. https://www.facebook.com/ForPetesSakeOfficial

FRAZER: Popular Barnsley/Sheffield indie band. Formed at music college in 2011, their single Shine a Light has given them a great following in the city of steel. Gigging often in Shef and has played gigs for Burn Down the Disco and over Hoyland way. https://www.facebook.com/FrazerOfficial/

FROM A WINDOW: Synth based pop band, formed in 2012 and fronted by Barnsley’s Sarah Mac. ‘Intricately arranged synth pop wrapped around true stories told with soul-sounding pure Yorkshire charm. Debut single ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ available, with more on it’s way. Lots of successful Sheffield gigs. Sarah also plays solo with piano. https://www.facebook.com/FromAWindow/

FROM THE DOCK: Formed in early 2013 consisting of ex Remains of You’s vocalist and guitarist respectfully. From the Dock mixes elements of metal/hardcore/doom/stoner/sludge and tech. Yet to gig, currently producing first recorded material. Expect them to make a dent in the local metal scene soon. https://www.facebook.com/FromTheDock/

GARFORTH & MYERS: Absolutely quality contemporary acoustic folk acts. Current line-up features Rory Garforth and Emma Johnston formerly of Hotel Brown, Adam Myers and now Imoko Set vocalist Susie Martin. Amazing debut album, second album in the works. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garforth-Myers/149578636931

GILMORE & ROBERTS: Two-time BBC Folk Awards nominees combine astounding lap-tapping guitar & fiery fiddle with award-winning songwriting. Now on their third full length album, Jamie Roberts and Katriona Gilmore are already familiar with the international folk circuit and WILL be the next Barnsley names to take the folk world by storm. https://www.facebook.com/GilmoreRoberts/

THE GLAVINS: Very popular indie act fusing merseybeat pop with eastern psychadelia. Tonnes of gigs down and one brilliant debut EP. http://www.facebook.com/TheGlavins.music

HITOMI: Rock/Pop band formed 2007. Big rock sound with big pop production. Big Chorus’ and many EPs to their name. Came top 3 in Kerrang’s unsigned UK bands competition. https://www.facebook.com/HitomiMusicUK

IMOKO SET: Now long established and popular boy/girl indie pop band mixing 60s mod, Britpop, post punk and electronic. 2013 saw the addition of Susie Martin on vocals and a energy with lots of gigs and now new recordings. https://www.facebook.com/ImokoSet

THE HURRIERS: Brilliant band fusing punk and soul. The Hurriers formed in 2013 with a very specific aim – Anti-establishment, Politics and Poetry with a Socialist Stance. Initially, playing a selection of carefully chosen songs, they now producing their own material and playing some big gigs around the UK. http://www.facebook.com/TheHurriers

INVISIBLE GREASE: Originally a two piece acoustic group, they are now a fully fledged four piece indie/rock bands. Regular support with Pulp Friction, influenced by red hot chilli peppers, oasis, stone roses, blur. https://www.facebook.com/InvisibleGrease/

J-MART: Acoustic duo featuring Mynas keyboard player Martin Thornton. Played for the first time at a One Over the Eight acoustic night, they cover many of their favourite songs in their own unique way, while searching for their own style along the way. https://www.facebook.com/JMartAcoustic/

JUTURNA: Female fronted alternative rock band influenced by Biffy, Alexisonfire, Brand New. Been on hiatus for a little while but now producing new material. https://www.facebook.com/JuturnaBand/

KATHRYN ROBERTS & SEAN LAKEMAN: Kathryn originally played the Barnsley folk circuit in the early 90s with fellow musicians Kate Rusby. They later formed Equation with the three Lakeman brother. Later she paired up with now husband Sean Lakeman. Three albums in, they won Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards in 2013 and were also nominated for their song The Ballad of Andy Jacobs. https://www.facebook.com/kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman

KRAKENGUN: Experimental garage/punk/grunge/shoegaze band. Yet to really play in Barnsley central but often play in clubs in villages around Barnsley. Hit them up with a gig. https://www.facebook.com/Krakengun