Harry "Bunter" Worcester - Lead Vocals Janet Thompson - Keys and Backing Vocals Tiggy York - Backing Vox Emma Kemp - Backing Vox Neil "Flash" Etheridge - Guitar Andy "Riff" Pett - Acoustic/Electric Guitar & Lap Steel Steve Lamb - Bass Paul Holmes - Drums
Influences
Joe Cocker, Tom Waits, Procol Harum, early Genesis, Pink Floyd.....
Sounds Like
The Listening Device...WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF TOM WAITS BECAME LEAD SINGER OF COLDPLAY ? The answer perhaps is The Listening Device, each song tells a story, emotive and thought provoking. We leave the rest to your perception....
The Listening Device are somewhere between Ray Charles and Nick Cave...JOOLS HOLLAND
We are now on FACEBOOK serch for "The Listening Device"
HUMAN GOLD NOW AVAILABLE ON iTUNES, NAPSTER & AMAZON
Two years since its inception the Listening Device's second album Human Gold finally sees the light of day.
As ever the music does not fit into easy categorisation. Jools Holland described it as "somewhere between Ray Charles and Nick Cave", whilst other observers have suggested it is "what would happen if Tom Waits became lead singer of Coldplay" and "Bruce Springsteen for the white collar worker".
Lyrics on the new album do not disappoint, once again covering a wide subject matter including erotic fairy stories, the legacy of Tony Blair and the autobiographical "The Day I Became A God". There is also a track exploring the hitherto unexplained concept of why the Listening Device fan base is bigger in outer space than here on earth!
All the songs are again written by keyboardist Janet Thompson and lead vocalist Harry Worcester. The contrasting guitar styles of Neil "Flash" Etheridge and Andy "Riff" Pett, along with the rock solid bass of Steve Lamb, give the band a slightly harder edge and there is also beguiling support from backing vocalists Tiggy York and Emma Kemp. Production duties fall to Janet Thompson, assisted by Phil Legende. There is also additional production from Johnson Somerset, who has worked with Steve Winwood and Bryan Ferry amongst others, and he sprinkles some of his manic fairy dust into the mix.
The LISTENING DEVICE - HUMAN GOLD Album Review by Green Man Music….”Although there is some solid and occasional blinding guitar work, the basis of the music is keyboard based. Janet Thompson’s deft fingers and, I should imagine, an array of technological wizardry, combine to give us light piano flutters, warm washes of synth, heavy electronic soundscapes and everything in between. But there is more to the band than just the two lead players. In fact, on this album, there are eight of them, but the wisdom of age and the experience of musicianship enables them to remain restrained and not overplay the songs. Dancer is one song that epitomises this upbeat, less is more approach, but still has room for lots of wonderful harmony vocals and an infectious guitar hook. Another stand out track is the opener, The Day I Became a God, mainly for its unusual lyrics, slow dynamic build and brilliant finish, swamped with exquisite lead guitar and banks of choral work.”
GIG NEWS.....
4/7/09 - JOOLS HOLLAND + Special Guests, The Listening Device.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring DAVE EDMUNDS and guest vocalists RUBY TURNER & LOUISE MARSHALL will be performing at Vivary Park, Taunton on saturday 4th July 2009. Support comes from The LISTENING DEVICE.
7/07/09 The Wilmington Arms, London with Valentine Guinness & Loyd Grossman’s band THE NEW FORBIDDEN + The DACOITS + KUNK
Please check back soon.......
Past Gigs...
RIFFS BAR, Saturday 28th Feb. - Loyd Grossman’s band – JET BRONX & THE NEW FORBIDDEN + The DACOITS + The LISTENING DEVICE
The last person you would expect to have been involved in the punk scene is LOYD GROSSMAN.
But, a punk he was, and a punk he'll be again this February when he gets a band together to play at Riffs.
Grossman and his band JET BRONX AND THE NEW FORBIDDEN first got together back in 1975 when he moved to the UK. Amazingly, the rockers hit No49 in the UK charts with their debut single, called Ain't Doin' Nothin', released in late 1977. Now, almost 30 years later the man we all know and love for his turns on Through the Keyhole and Masterchef, has been convinced to dust off his leather jacket and safety pins and assemble a new Jet Bronx!
The DACOITS: "an exciting return to the days when indie was genuinely alternative. The Dacoits might just be the band who can rescue indie rock from the Coldplay clones..." OXFORDBANDS.COM
JOOLS HOLLAND + Special Guests, The Listening Device.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring GILSON LAVIS, special guest vocalist MARC ALMOND and guest vocalists RUBY TURNER & LOUISE MARSHALL will be performing at Westonbirt - The National Arboretum on Friday 18 July 2008. Support comes from The LISTENING DEVICE.
TRINNY, Sorry no SUZANNAH :) - Friday 29th June 2007...
Yep, we were on with the legend of style at The Beaufort Polo Club's Gala Evening in aid of the Nelson Trust.
HIGHCLERE ROCKS
The Listening Device play HIGHCLERE ROCKS with Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Bryan Ferry and more!
Highclere Rocks, a picnic concert was held on Saturday 20th May 2006 at Highclere Castle, Hampshire with The Band Du Lac featuring Gary Brooker, Mike Rutherford, Andy Fairweather Low & Paul Carrack. With special guests Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Georgie Fame, Nick Mason.
Support came from The Listening Device. Thanks to all who made this a special day for us.
Check out the pictures section :)
About The Listening Device....
Lyricist and Vocalist Harry Worcester and his band combine to bring an originality to the world of music.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF TOM WAITS BECAME LEAD SINGER OF COLDPLAY? The answer perhaps is The Listening Device, each song tells a story, emotive and thought provoking..... We leave the rest to your perception....
"The Listening Device are somewhere between Ray Charles and Nick Cave..." JOOLS HOLLAND
A Brief History
The Listening Device was formed in September 2004 by Harry Worcester, Janet Thompson (Keyboards and BV's), and Philip Legende (Drums) who then spent the next Six months writing the material which would become their Debut Album "Scented Waters".
April/May 2005 was spent recording the album at The Music Workshop, Potterne, Devizes, with session musicians Andy Skiterall (Guitar) Matt Pound (Acoustic Guitar) and Ian Styles (Bass)
Taking to the road in late 2005 Emma Kemp (Backing Vocals), Tiggy York (Backing Vocals), Neil Etheridge (Guitar), Andy Pett (Electric/Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel) and Geoff Curtis (Bass) completed the touring line up.
Gigs in France and Italy followed plus a spot at Highclere Rocks with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Nick Mason Brian Ferry and Friends. Also sell out shows were performed at The Half Moon in Putney and Riffs Bar in Swindon.
Late 2006 saw the start of recording the second Album.
Geoff Curtis left the band late 2006 to be replaced by Malcolm Thorne.
Malcolm left the band in June 2007, Steve Lamb and his legendary Edgar Fretless now joins us for Bass duties.
The second studio Album "Human Gold" was released early 2008 followed by a sell out album release show at Dingwalls in Camden. After the release of "Human Gold" Phillip Legend left the band to concentrate on his new Recording Studio project in Malmsbury.
May 08, we would like to welcome Paul Holmes who joins the band on Drums.
We now have one of the finest Rhythm sections in the country! Come and check us out soon :)
To be continued......
Riff and Flash play hand made Sovereign Guitars http://www.sovereignguitars.co.uk
Hehe ... I do of course still love your music guys, (just to make my last comment absolutely clear, it reads badly don't it lol x) ;o)... thought you and Joshua Radin were both at the same gig ... but note from Joshua's profile, that he is appearing on the 10th.
Guess the talent needs to be spread out a bit... too much of a good thing all at once to have you both appearing on the same bill hehe
Hello TLD !! Long time no see... Good Luck with the gig tomorrow x .... TLD AND Joshua Radin... NICE!!! .... I LOVE Joshua Radin's music .... should be a good gig
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Haha ... yeah of course I read your news, I check for stuff everyday.. lolx
'myspace' is soooo quiet these days... I post bulletins up for you (TLD) and the bar, but I don't know if anyone bothers to read 'em... I ask folk to re-post but it rarely happens.... just one on my listing will re-post occasionally ... grr.
Think everyone's vanishing onto Facebook... grrr... come back!!! hahahaha
Just watched Billys video of the Lloyd gig... I'd already seen the vid he'd posted of TLD's session.... looks like you all had a blast.
That Billy's a darling ain't he ... great guy... tell him I say Hi... haven't seen him for ages now ;o(
Hope all is well with you all in the band AND at Riffs. Say Hi to Tigg... and give Ella a hug from me ;o)
The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website.
You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Hi Guys, Hope you enjoy yourselves out in Paris on the 19th ... Oooh la laaa haha Go on girls raid the shops while you're there,make the most of it and have a shopping spree ;o)) hehe
Hello TLD... Hope you're all keeping well.... I'm hoping that Bunter has some more great songs in the writing, as I'm wearing out BOTH my current albums... both GREAT.
Yeah!! Ye Olde Rain Dance.... glad it worked... I decided to keep me clothes ON this year, thought it best, after last years disaster. !!! Seems to have done the trick ;o)) hahaha PMSL
(Note to Self... In future NEVER remove clothes, it frightens the sun, birds, bees & small children etc ;o) x)
Looks like you had a blast ... good on yer!
Glad Mr Holland found your set great, and why not I say x Take care LoL Anne x x
Hi TLD, What a good move, placing "The Day I Became A God" on the playlist.
BUNTERS GOT A U.S. FAN !!!!
Looks like it isn't just me that LOVES this song... my dear sweet and multi talented friend "April ~Atomic Swindlers" ( www. myspace. com/theatomicswindlers ) has just posted me a comment (part pasted here)...
QUOTE: "what a GREAT!!!!! song....i do love his voice....i gotta tell ya my friend!" END QUOTE.
Well, there yer go... I only mix with the BEST people ... those that appreciate talent ;o) hehehe
I went to my profile and 'The Well' had disappeared and somehow automatically 'September Sun' was playing .... well, September Sun IS one of me favs x
I see you've uploaded 'THE DAY I BECAME A GOD' ;o) Sweet, so as I can't seem to stop playing this track... guess what... yeah ! that's right ... I added it to my profile.
Thanks for that.... at least I can listen to our Phil drumming ;o)) hehe .. Well, I never DID get to see you/him live... Oh B*g**r !! bit pissed about that one (lol) ... haha Maybe we can get Phil to re-audition ;o) hehehehe ...lmao.
Hope all is well with everyone Take care LoL Anne x x
IT'S SAD TO SEE OUR PHIL GO FROM THE LINE UP... BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH A BODY CAN MANAGE I GUESS, AND THE LAST THING PHIL WOULD WANT TO DO IS TO LET YOU GUYS DOWN.
GOOD LUCK WITH FINDING ANOTHER DRUMMER AS BRILLIANTLY TALENTED GUYS.
TO MY DEAR FRIEND PHIL.. I SEND THE BEST OF GOOD LUCK WISHES FOR THE STUDIO PROJECT. WISHING YOU EVERY SUCCESS WITH IT MY FRIEND, TAKE CARE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND AND ABOUT SOMETIME.
Online Now!
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