dan - guitar/backing vox/strange and unusual noises/fx
jon - drums/bass/backing vox/keysandstuff
Influences
just take it all in...
Sounds Like
“An awesome racket. The missing link between classic stadium bombast and post-hardcore death noise”
Dan Martin, NME
Single 'History' championed by Huw Stephens, Radio 1
"As soon as you put this on the music system History hits you like a tornado at full pelt, its fast and furious guitars with equally fast punk style vocals leave you reeling." Smartie, The Beat Surrender
"You can tell the seasons begun in earnest when the likes of Fat Northerner start wheeling out their secret weapons. Debut release ‘history’ from Grand Volume is a panic attack stricken slice of psychosis consuming manic art pop the likes of which in all honesty in terms of immediately shocking the hackles into states of alarm hasn’t been ventured with such unswerving intensity since Queen of the Stone Age’s ‘feel good hit of summer’ wired our hi-fi into spasms of seizure fits." Mark Barton, Losing Today
"It isn’t that the amplification is needed to plaster over the cracks, as is often the case with rock, but more that with louder you push their tunes, the more that they reveal the subtleties, nuances and tiny details that make them special.
As intelligent and epic as it inviting and enjoyable, 'Send Me Your Champion' shows off just how strong a band Grand Volume are and how important they could be, as they combine their influences effectively to produce something fundamentally pulsating." BBC Manchester
Grand Volume are a unique proposition in the current musical climate, capable of knocking out two minute punk rock gems with consumate ease but equally comfortable venturing into more sophisticated prog-inspired territory. Of their peers only the Mars Volta and Queens of the Stone Age can match them for combining such musical dexterity with fiercely passionate intensity.
Tommy Sheals-Barrett (Vocals, Guitar), Dan Larke (Guitar, Vocals, Tech) and Jon Green (Drums, Vocals, Bass, Tech) have made a ferocious statement of intent with their debut album for Fat Northerner Records, the provocatively titled ‘Send Me Your Champion’.
Opening track ‘Summon’ throws down the gauntlet in typically thunderous fashion, transporting the listener to the dirty side of early 90’s Seattle before it’s apocalyptic wall of noise eventually subsides and the clear, unashamedly English vocals of frontman Tom Sheals-Barrett reveal that this is a band as in thrall to Radiohead as they are to Soundgarden. Recent single ‘History’ follows and highlights again what a versatile outfit Grand Volume are; as tenacious, disciplined and economical as Fugazi or Minor Threat, yet as musically adventurous and intelligent as Devo or Television.
‘Fire Come Soon’ is another fine distillation of Grand Volume’s prog meets punk philosophy - it’s bombastic fire and brimstone lyrics are consumed in a maelstrom of sub-pop inspired thrash, which occasionally gives way to a gentler, fx-laden, bass-driven groove that wouldn’t sound
out of place on ‘OK Computer’.
Elsewhere on the album Grand Volume merge the quiet/loud dynamics of the Pixies and Nirvana with the grandiose, anthemic qualities of Muse and Placebo to devastating effect. Tracks such as ‘Sleepnot’ and ‘The Person You are Calling....’ could lull the average stadium-gig-goer into lighter waving contemplation before pummelling them senseless with the sort of ear splitting noise that even Mogwai would struggle to match.
The album closes with the beautiful ‘Departure Lounge’, a deeply introspective track that wouldn’t sound out of place on any of the 4AD labels austere 80’s gothic releases. The whole mood of the song emphasises again that Grand Volume are a band well-versed in the whole canon of alternative rock, stretching their sound far further than the majority of their contemporaries.
‘Send Me Your Champion’ is released by Fat Northerner on CD and download on 21st January 2008 and is essential listening for anyone with an ear for dynamically crafted heavy rock music.
The sequel to the lads at work (part1), GV is proud to present: The lads at work (part2)-3 days without the wife. A gripping, exciting and funny insight into life on the road with GV along with some great live excerpts!! enjoy...
Portsmouth...
Colchester...
Bristol...
These three short films were taken from one 20 minute long film. If you wanna see the whole thing, send us a message and we'll send you it on DVD for a small fee.
Boom.
Yo guys you played a mint set in stoke. I would like it if you played summon at my funeral next week. that ok? Anyways yea cheers for been so sound with us and letting us use your drum kit and helping us move stuff off stage. Hope you are all doin ok?
Hey guys thanks for the add. How'd you feel about sending us a CD or some Mp3's for our forthcoming podcasts and maybe playing a gig for us sometime either at one of our house parties or in a more traditional venue?
thanks for coming all the way down to Ghent Saturday. Respect! I know you all had a great time and so did I, especially after I stopped working. Really really really much like the album! We will talk soon for an interview! Hope to see you soon!
![daniel swift [*65kid]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/83/s_390b4be093984b7c9eaa24a9f36a7c63.jpg)
