If you were to look around for one of the most unassuming young bands in the area, then you need look no further than The Atmospherics. Still very much cutting their teeth and striving hard to create their own sound, these four lads probably don’t realise just how far they’ve progressed as a unit in the last year or so. So much so, they have been invited on numerous occasions to support the more well known big hitters in the area and not once have they failed to deliver quality-filled sets.
Vocalist and guitarist David Mangnall is joined by Sam Snibson on guitar, Matthew Yates on bass and latest recruit Luke Gilbert on drums. They will be the first to admit that they are still very much learning the ropes and gaining valuable experience to edge their way to where they want to eventually be. My philosophy is that dedication, hard work and belief are key ingredients in helping reach that point and The Atmospherics certainly are working extremely hard on all those aspects.
Still only at the age of 17 and 18 and students, they have time on their side, but plenty of gigs, including regular stints at The Blue Room, will no doubt bring out the best in this very talented and promising group of musicians. Each of the lads has been around the local music scene for a little while now and have been part of other previous bands. But coming together in this format seemed destined for each one of them and I can’t recall a better camaraderie in any other band. These guys really are best mates and it totally manifests in their music and performances.
Starting out originally as Broken Strings, after only two gigs they changed their name to The Atmospherics and from then on things have gone from strength to strength for the Blackpool four piece. It all came together when they applied to play at the CockRock Festival in Cockerham last summer. In nailing down a spot alongside acts such as The Cribs, Kids In Glass Houses and Reverend & The Makers, they impressed more than enough to secure a good number of live dates in and around the area.
In Sam’s words, “We did a 45 minute slot on The Bar Stage and attracted a big crowd in. The gig went really well and in lovely weather too!”
A decent start, I’d say.
It’s probably fair to say that the band have done their grounding performing tunes by the bands that have influenced them. So, live gigs would (and still do) consist of the occasional Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand songs, but just recently we have begun to hear more of their own compositions and not surprisingly at all, its very nifty stuff indeed. So now they are embarking on their first venture into the studio to cut their debut EP, which will be well worth the wait and should be upon us very soon.
In my opinion, what also makes these guys pretty special and stand out is their ability to network well with bands in their peer group. They are regularly seen at other gigs in the area supporting other young bands and offering encouragement and support. Yes, it is good to have healthy competition, which obviously sets a benchmark to what standard the band is aspiring to, but they also respect other’s work and can appreciate what it takes to make good music, that people will take notice of.
The Atmospherics are also lucky to be backed by top notch guidance from a solid management team, who work very hard behind the scenes, advise well and like most, are unsung heroes. It really is a team effort from all sides and they are all are pulling in the same direction, which bodes well for the future.
Local venues such as The Blue Room, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eaglefest, amongst others, have been superb in supporting the band and giving them the platform they need to showcase their work, which is very much an integral ingredient and important as a developing young band. So hats off to them, for the support and encouragement!
The band’s strength obviously lies in the ability to entertain an audience and get them to their feet, something they find naturally quite easy to do and anyone who comes away from a gig knows they have been entertained, as well as left impressed by the performance. And the band never fail to have smiles on their faces, which shows they enjoy what they do, which is crucial.
http://youtu.be/tdNfu3pJCc0
The debut EP will be one to watch out for and with one original tune already cut and ready, Leave This Place Tonight, the remaining tracks will follow shortly. These are exciting times for The Atmospherics and ones we would like to share with them as they continue their journey.
Onwards and upwards, as they say.
The Atmospherics can be seen performing live at the following venues in the coming weeks and more dates are to be confirmed soon.
April 5 – The Albion, Bispham
April 19 – Society Rocks at The Carnegie, Workington, Cumbria
April 20 – The Blue Room, Blackpool
Follow the band on their official website, on Facebook and also on Twitter.
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