Beach Boys, Belle and Sebastian, Buzzcocks, Coral, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Field Music, Futureheads, Golden Virgins, Kinks, La's, Libertines, Morrissey/Smiths, Paul McCartney, REM, Spinto Band, Stellastarr*, The Stone Roses, Wire.
Sounds Like
"From rags to Richmond - 8/10 Is singer Daniel's dream of rock glory leading him to a Mick Jagger-style pad in South West London? Not sure if he'll quite get on to millionaire's row with this slice of sweet summer pop, but he may get darned close. A tale of turning water into wine may not be the most original subject matter, but this has real class." Review by Al Clay (Planet Sound, 02/07/07)
Squares@The Douglas Vaults, South Shields "Sharp funny vignettes about aspirations and everyday life. Hell anybody who sings a song that rhymes Quavers with Savers is a genius in my book. A land of bus shelters, broken hearts and catching the last Metro home. A land of Billy Liar sound tracked by Aztec Camera. Tonight they played one of the most entertaining and frankly schizophrenic gigs I’ve ever been to in my life.”." Review by Steve Newman (The Crack, January 2008)
"The sort of alternative vibe to shift Sunderland into the 21st century...whether they like it or not." "Upbeat riffs...intricate melodies" Review by Katie McMillan (for BBC Wear)
Hello and welcome to the official Squares myspace (not that there are any fan spaces out there, like...) maintained and checked almost everyday by Daniel (vocals) and Martin (guitar). This is the best way of getting in touch with us and finding out what we're up to, so keep checking or you'll miss out!
Like all great bands, Squares is based around a song-writing partnership – Daniel (vocals) and Martin (guitar). The line-up is completed by rhythm guitarist Lee (who also adds mandolin and ukulele), bass player Ben and drummer Kylie (formerly of Squares original line-up).
The South Shields-based indiepop band formed in 2002 but only became serious in 2006 when they started playing live in their hometown and nearby Sunderland.
Not only does Daniel provide the vocals, he also takes care of the artwork and uses his experience as a freelance film-maker to direct the band’s videos. Martin, on the other hand, takes care of the bulk of the instrumentation due to his talent for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, harmonica, glockenspiel, etc, etc, etc, etc...
Squares have amassed around 300 songs to date – with the initial ideas usually springing into Daniel’s mind when in the shower (giving their first demo CD its title, ‘Songs from the shower’).
The songs are inspired by ‘hate, love and public transport’, so it was extremely fitting when the boys were asked by the driver of the E2 to play some songs as they travelled home after a gig recently.
Squares’ music is most often described as a cross between The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian and The Futureheads thanks to their mix of pop melodies, storytelling lyrics and energetic music.
Squares don’t just use MySpace to keep in touch with their fans, they hand out a newsletter, ‘The Lilac Times’, at their gigs. ‘The Lilac Times’ was originally written by the band, but is now steered by two fans, Mark Gibson and Gary Manson.
Squares have released three CDs to date and are currently recording their debut album at The CAVE.
The first CD, “Songs from the shower”, received an 8/10 review on Teletext page Planet Sound. 200 copies of “Lend me your ear”, were handed out free to Tynesiders and gained a brilliant review in NE culture mag, The Crack.
Other info: • In addition to a handful of reviewers, Squares have also impressed: “old musos”, “charvas”, “15 year old Mackem girls”, “gay men”, and “indie kids”. • Martin is said to look like: “Art Garfunkel”, “Bob Dylan”, “Joe Strummer”, “Leo Sayer”, and “Mika”. • Daniel dances so much during gigs that he walks onto the stage ‘hammered’ and exits stone cold sober. • The best and most frequent thing said about Squares is, “Your bloody song’s been stuck in my head for days!” • Of four reviews, Squares’ MySpace address has been printed wrong twice. The correct address is www.myspace.com/squaresmusic.
We're looking for bands to enter our battle of the bands event at 7even in Sunderland.
The winners will receive the following:
*£500 cash *A 10 date national tour *Studio time to record a 7 track EP *3 Support slots with touring bands at Independent *A massive hamper of CDs, vinyl and other goodies *Loads of other stuff
Hello, thank you for the request. Regarding job as a drummer i'd love to only thing is the transport situation may prove to be a problem as I don't have my own vehicle, I live in Blyth which is a bit of a jaunt from South Shields, other than this I pretty much fit most of the other requirements.
our old friends THE LODGER new single / album out on Bad Sneakers with bouncing bass and extra jangle here is their new video which is reallly nice: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=LGQ114DPvuY
finally.... there is a new issue of The Cuckoo Press coming out soon!! watch out for updates.. we have a couple of spaces left for nice adverts, so if you want one.. see you soon!!xx
hey squares, loving the new songs any luck finding a drummer? oh and im working on a web series sit-com and can lilac for the theme or one of your other songs i wont be filming for a while so u can mill it over, and ofcourse id sort out forms etc to sign (p. s if you will alow us we will be forever in your dept, and will make a music video or sumething for you)
Hello squares, do you have any idea of the amount of songs that have to be performed at this music means life semi final thing?? i know its two if we get through to the final but can one of those two be the one you played at the semis....if we get through!
4 OR 5 MAGICIANS At last a believable British retort to the drawling rambles of Stephen Malkmus - think Hefner's Darren Hayman fronting Guided By Voices - Music Week I really like the juxtaposition of the sort of dismissiveness and confidence rubbing-up against each other... a clattering pop-noise - Steve Lamacq, Radio 1
whazzup motherfuckers! hello sqauries its ethan :D its bops birthday this sunday so we're goin out either afta ur gig on sat or sunday, jst wantin to know if yaz wud like 2 join us? xx
