SANDBOX (Decent) Indie frontwomen are a rare breed but with a frontwoman described as a ‘Telecaster wielding minx’, Sandbox have started the last three years being tipped as ‘ones to watch’ in Manchester. It’s often the people who are closest to you that are the furthest from your mind. Despite knowing each other for over ten years and being in their first band together, it wasn’t until summer 2008 that Sandbox had the brainwave of turning to an old friend.
After finally finding a guitarist who fits and finishing 2008 on a high with a clutch of radio sessions and a run of their best live shows to date – 2009 sees SANDBOX starting the year refreshed, louder than ever (if that’s possible!) and ready to finally fulfil their potential.
SANDBOX ARE ON FIRE. Here’s to 2009 … See you at the front, jumping around with a warm glow in your stomach, a happy heart and a smile on your face...
KIND WORDS "Are Sandbox the most charming band in the world? I believe that they are. In a rough 'n' ready Saturday night Roadhouse, Sandbox flutter their eyelids at you and make you believe that you're the only one in the room. They seduce you with their melodies; "Thin Ice" and "Million Marlboro Lights" are the musical equivalents of being chatted up at the jukebox, and before you know it; you're writing your mobile number on the back of a beer mat. So, I found myself falling for them again. Am I just easy? or are Sandbox experts at getting you back to their place? Go and find out for yourself. I defy anyone to resist." (Salfordmusic.com)
"They sound most like themselves! They could just break out of this city yet." (BBC Manchester)
"Sounds like Blondie fronting The Smiths. An effortless blend of catchy hooks and early 90s indie. It's Sandbox's reluctance to play the game that will serve them well in the longrun and these songs are already classics."(Designer Magazine)
"One of Manchester's best, and possibly most under-rated, unsigned bands. They are a perfect, indie pop throwback to the 1990s, with just enough 'nowadays' thrown in to make them truly irresistible.”(Guestlist Music)
“... in a sea of rocked-up bloke bands, their female fronted indie makes a refreshing change."(BBC Manchester)
"Sandbox have a Telecaster wielding minx at the front who can sing and play whilst still looking amazing. At a time when there seems to be an influx of bands with exciting sticks men (Arctics/Bloc Party et al), Sandbox have a ‘Matt Helders’ in the making in the shape of their phenomenal drummer. CATCH THEM NOW!" (This is Music Fanzine)
"DRY BAR is in a better swing than yesterday and SANDBOX are a very interesting new wave beat combo. A four piece comprising of three boys and a central girl, who wields a mean guitar and a really smart haircut. Whilst style is ever important here, it is backed up with some well turned out rock, bristling with crack shot drumming and youthfully handled guitars. The singer though has a fantastic appeal, generating a gutsy comparison with Penetrations Pauline Murray and some sounds that aren't that far away either, from the new wave rock sounds of the late 70’s." (Manchestermusic.co.uk)
“Opening four-piece Sandbox single handedly justify the entry cost. This is the band’s first gig this year and, ignoring a few false starts, the set is note perfect. This is a band with raw energy, controlling the stage and captivating the crowd. Lead vocalist / guitarist Lennie oozes sex appeal and performs with power reminiscent of a thin Beth Ditto. This, coupled with flowing bass lines and one of the best drummers in Manchester, makes Sandbox ‘ones to watch’ for the future.” (Sandman Magazine)
“It’s no secret we love sandbox here at guestlist. And with just a couple of listens we are sure you can see why we think this band are one of Manchester’s, no, the UK’s, best unsigned secrets. sandbox take me back to the heady days of the mid 90s when indie ruled the world and female fronted bands were the best they have ever been (not including the legendary Debbie Harry of course). Lead singer Lennie is a force to be reckoned with on stage and sandbox make rocking, power pop melodies. Check out ‘Thin Ice’ just for the thumping bass line and pounding drum beats - jump on the bandwagon before sandbox become as huge as they undoubtedly deserve to be.” (Guestlist Music)
“It’s Sandbox that stake claim to the best female fronted indie band we've seen since Echobelly and Sleeper were last round these parts and frankly wipe the floor with the much overrated and fawned upon Long Blondes. Much of what makes Sandbox great is down to front-woman Lennie who has a striking charisma and vocals that sore above the chiming melodies of the guitars. Each song follows with potential hit after hit.” (Designer Magazine)
"Piccadilly And I" is one of those classic songs about living in the city and escaping the small town life and really should be played out loud on daytime radio to let office workers feel 3 minutes of escapism. "Thin Ice" is all clattering drums and chugging guitar and sounds like Blondie fronting The Smiths. “ (Designer Magazine)
“What else can we say about sandbox that we haven't already said? Just go and watch them. Fronted by a guitar weilding, vocal belting fantasy of many male music fans and featuring one of the best drummers in Manchester they are a perfect, indie pop throwback to the 1990s, with just enough 'nowadays' thrown in to make them truly irresistible.”(Guestlist Music)
“Sandbox are the best band around in Manchester - FACT! They have the tunes and the image.” (Guestlist comment)
New Open mic night every thursday at the whitworth in rusholme!!!!! (opposite blockbuster and varsity) Singers, songwriters, rappers, poets and comedians all welcome! Plus really cheep drinks too :D Come on down!!!!
Sept 25th - Doll & The Kicks @ Sub61 - fresh from 2 sold out Apollo dates with Morrissey, D&TK returun for a headline show in Manchester - £6 from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/50385
LOTS LOTS MORE GIGS ON THE MYSPACE SO CHECK THE FULL LISTINGS......... IF YOU WANT TO PLAY A GIG FOR US MESSAGE US VIA THE MYSPACE
Frank has gone to look for his reel to reel, because he wants to record
a new song,(that I am going to make a 'video' for.)So while he does
that, I thought I would send you this thank you note for becoming a
friend to reema-leema. We want to put up lots of new and old films up
on this site, and we hope you enjoy them.
"Franksworld" - our latest film, is being shown at the Nexus cafe in
Manchester on June 27th, so if you want to see it in its enirety-and
you live nearby, why don't you come along.(See BEATNIK tv space for
details.) Otherwise,you can find clips from it on places like 'youtube'.
Anyway, best wishes-
Brian Little.
ps: here is a new clip from "franksworld" -hope you like it.
THE MANDIGANS - LIVE @ MANCHESTER ARNDALE........ JULY 1ST - 7PM
Its our only Manchester gig of the Summer as we're taking a break to write some new songs - so come on down for your last chance to hear the old Mandigans songs
WHATS THE DATE AND WHAT TIME? Wed July 1st @ 7pm
WHERE? Halle Square - its where JD Sports and Henri Lloyd store are
(Note: There's a very very small chance the gig may get moved to Exchange Square, near Next, so if you dont see a PA system and band around 6.30pm at Halle Square you know where to move to)
ISNT A GIG IN A SHOPPING CENTRE A BIT WEIRD? Yeah, in the UK maybe, but they happen all the time in America.... so come down, make noise, invite your mates and make sure everybody knows the Mandigans are in the building
IM NOT IN MANCHESTER SO CANT MAKE IT? We have gigs throughout the Summer in Wigan, Blackburn, Leeds, London, Birmingham and maybe a few more TBC so keep checking http://www.myspace.com/themandigans
Svarte Greiner (Deaf Center/Miasmah/Type) explores deep into a dark, mysterious and disturbing universe. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Earth, Volcano the Bear, David Darling & Deathprod, the music is draped in Lynchian mysticism and horror film cinematics. "The music of Svarte Greiner is practically perfect. It's like that sound in our heads we've been imagining for ages but had never actually heard." - Type Records.
The Sight Below (Rafael Anton Irisarri/Miasmah/Immune) draws as much on modern genre progenitors like Brian Eno, Robin Guthrie and My Bloody Valentine as it does from the more historic traditions in neo-classicism from Erik Satie and Olivier Messiaen. His album Glider has appeared on Thom Yorke's radar in making the Radiohead's lynchpin's top ten playlist.
His debut album Navigare soon to feature on the Miasmah label, Simon Scott (former Slowdive) is set to be a household name in conceptual music. Simon is the former Slowdive drummer, co-producer of Televise, producer of Seavault, and owner of KESH Recordings label.
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