DARK SPARKS:
Leigh Greenwood - Voice and keys
Adam Greenwood - Guitar
Steve Charlton - Guitar
Simon Green - Bass and backing vox
Tez Brown - Drums
影響
the past, the present & the future
風格近似
DARK SPARKS are a band with ten eyes on perfection.
Previous recordings have already garnered them some critical acclaim; Into the Dark was a Steve Lamacq ‘track of the week’, Red Skies was playlisted on German national radio and Blood Petrol Fire had John Earls of Channel 4 Teletext talking of ‘slavering fanbases’ in his 4-star review. Even the NME threw a bit of hyperbole their way, labelling them ‘ace’ in their Radar section.
However an enforced line-up change in late 2008 already feels like Dark Sparks’ greatest progression to date, as a search for a replacement drummer also led to them welcoming an additional guitarist to the band and placing a keyboard into the small space in front of the singer.
The new line-up might be in its infancy but the extra muscle provided, plus the hours spent in rehearsals have added a texture and precision that had been missing from earlier incarnations. Instruments build and fade to suit the mood, but melody is at the forefront and the song is at the centre.
For the band it is a natural progression. Weaving sounds of venom, dread and sadness to words that catch in the throat is easy when you’re of the right mindset. The latest recordings, laid down at the famous 2Fly Studios in Sheffield, show a pop sensibility too.
Live the new line-up has started well, enjoying rapturous responses at Club NME shows and in sellout slots with the likes of Red Light Company and Grammatics. Add those to an impressive list of supports that includes Blood Red Shoes, The Enemy, The Rumblestrips, Boy Kill Boy, The Courteeners, The Rifles, The Whip, Larrikin Love and The Subways and it appears that Dark Sparks’ star may soon be on the rise.
With the collapse of the economy leaving record companies “totally bloody skint ”, Dark Sparks are determined to spend their year building a fanbase without one, through regular writing, recording and gigging. Work hard and let fate take its course. Because you get what you deserve.
For free songs, videos, live sessions, pictures and social networking links visit the website ilovedarksparks.com or click the picture below.
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Dark Sparks are not alone in thinking their songs are excellent - these people do too....
ALEX BAKER, KERRANG RADIO
They're like an art rock horror show - they sound amazing! I love Dark Sparks.
24-7 MAGAZINE
‘We Are Just Flies’ and ‘Crying In The Spotlight’ are both exemplary slices of dramatic indie-rock that any of their contemporaries – The Editors, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers – would be proud to put their names to. High praise? Deservedly so.
NEWSHOPPER
Sheffield band Dark Sparks have a presence.
Their fresh, but ever so slightly moody, set was crammed full of razor sharp guitars and retro keyboards.
Flamboyant lead singer Leigh Greenwood is reminescent of a young Jarvis Cocker and his vocals convey all the pathos and melancholy of disaffected youth.
The band has the energy, confidence and cool charisma of a group who are destined for more than just playing gigs in half-empty, dingy, dark basements, stinking of stale beer and vomit. Dark Sparks are made for better things and if it wasn’t for the poor sound system distorting the band’s wickedly electrifying sound, the gig would have been a spine tingling musical experience.
DESTROY BEFORE READING
All spider webs and nightmareish visions, the band have already racked up an impressive list of support slots and i hope to check them out live as soon as possible!
THIS MUSIC WINS
The whole effect of Dark Sparks' music is adrenaline pumping to say the least; If they keep this up, Dark Sparks are surely a UK band with great things to come.
IS THIS MUSIC?
An exciting air of the dark - think early Suede, The Auteurs, Placebo when they’re not being too melodramatic…and you start to get close. Worth checking out. 4/5
24-7 MAGAZINE
Well, they'e certainly got the drama and drive of past mood pop heroes such as Echo and The Bunnymen and The Smiths but these boys bring an altogether more rambunctious attitude to their pop tones, with a healthy dose of grainy dissonance among the grandeur. Bullet in the Eye even manages to combine Editors-esque gloom with the vocal desperation of '80s post-punk demi-gods, Theatre of Hate and PiL.
Let's hope they retain these fine qualities when the majors come a-knocking.
CHANNEL 4 TELETEXT - demo of the week 8/10
They've supported The Paddingtons and Subways and are far better than either.
Leigh Greenwood has the same hard-won optimism as Tom Smith, as the band unleash propulsive classic '80s indie fire behind him in The Bunnymen mould.
There's an ambition here that deserves to be matched by a slavering fanbase.
SANDMAN
Music that is full of energy and desperate yearning for substance
in an otherwise watercolour world. It's a passionate cry for attention, bass driven, pounding drum beats, as if Editors had the new-youth drive of Bloc Party. Headliners Louie can't but fail to live up to the energetic performance of Dark Sparks.
OUR IRON LUNG
Dark Sparks took to the stage in a burst of feedback and distortion. Slowly, from this mass of noise emerged the crisp sound of well crafted song after song. As forthcoming single Into The Dark burst forth from the stage, it felt like a special moment was dawning over the night. Suddenly people were dancing, reaching out over the monitors to the twitching singer and equally electrifying guitarist and bassist. Dancing with vigour and energy to the relentless pulse of forward thinking yet palatable music.
HIGH VOLTAGE
Dark Sparks could prove to be something quite special. 4/5
FLAVORPILL
Quartet Dark Sparks have garnered comparisons to Bloc Party, Interpol and various '80s indie acts, but the as-yet-unsigned band has a much more autonomous personality. Vocalist Leigh Greenwood's charismatic vocals tussle with the sharpest of guitar hooks in recent single "Blood Petrol Fire," and the rest of their catalogue is peppered with pop-friendly post-punk. – Joe Rudkin
Yep, I am defo up for it, it's been ages since I saw you! I'm already on the cheaplist (You-V-Me's) but thanks anyway! Shall also tune in to the internet
A mini Sheffield festival 4th-6th September. Spread across two great venues; The Harley and The Wick at Both Ends. Click the poster for full line-ups.
Headliners include: The Crookes, Max Tundra, Paul White, JFB, Dark Sparks, Shmoo, Findo Gask, Ed Maker (Reverend & The Makers), Party Horse (Ex Tiny Dancers), Hallo...I Love You (Ex Elle S'Appelle), Squire Of Gothos, Pygmy Globetrotters & many many more..
Issue 10 of Sheffield Music Scene contains a massive 37 page feature on Tramlines Festival; a feature we've called "Where Are They Now..." about the new projects that have arisen from the ashes of some recently split bands; as well as live reviews of Soundclash (Elephant Keys, Alvarez Kings, Glass youth, The Ratells), Reverend & The Makers, Sarah Mac, Doncast Live Festival, Rosie Electro, and Ruberlaris; Album/Single/EP reviews of Reverend & The Makers "A French Kiss In The Chaos", The Whiskey Works, and Dark Sparks; Daz's pick of the demo's including The Book Club, All The Damn Kids, Kartica, and TheDismissiveATTACK; plus an interview with Athlete!
We've also got FREE Downloads from The Magi, and Dark Sparks EP (as reviewed); and for Footy fans, in association with White Circus Fever, we're going to be bringing you monthly updates on a league containing a number of local bands and the like!
hello boys, thank you very much! the pixies...a well known band and a very nice one but i dont think that we have things in common or sound like them...nice to meet you guys.we'll talk soon...
Hi - Were good friends with Dark Sparks. Were looking for a singer for a new project. If you'd be interested please go on our page and get in touch. Thanks x
cheers lads,just been listening to your tunes,they are great,missed most of yor set.was in hospital the night before so didn't hang around too long Odeed on sudafed nasel spray so be aware if you suffer from hayfever its driving me fucking crazy.see you soon hopefully
Hi Fellas! Youse seem to be doing so good across the pond. Won't you please come play in NYC?? If not now, do you have plans to or atleast somewhere in the States?
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