Paul Kelly Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Joe Greatorex Bass Guitar
Jason Sweeney Drums
Influences
daniel johnston, partridge & moulding, holsapple & stamey, darren hayman, alex chilton, david gedge, brian wilson, j. richman, k. barnes, andersson/ulvaeus, sparks, bowie, eno, r. davies, you know the kind of thing.
Sounds Like
For UK bookings please contact:
pauljosephkelly at hotmail dot com
Sweden/Scandinavia:
christian@grooverrecordings.com
'YOUR SINCLAIR' album
1. Murry & Audree
2. Don't Want To Talk
3. Really Cursed
4. Frost
5. Mod Val
6. Summer Tweed
7. Kicking And Screaming
8. Duality
9. Contemptuous Disdain
10. Finale CDON.com(EU/Scandinavia) Kool Kat Music(USA) Not Lame(USA)
Paul Kelly adopted the name when Christian Örjestål discovered his melodic indie-pop on the 'net and subsequently released material on two compilations by the man’s celebrated Groover Recordings imprint as a result.
Following a favourable reaction across the international pop underground, an EP, “Do It Riot Grrl” was the precursor to the début album “Your Sinclair”.
Recorded in Stockholm with Shout Out Louds producer Ronald Bood, “Your Sinclair” evokes 60s beat, 70s new wave and 80s indie - with a few moments of intense guitar abuse thrown in for good measure. The band toured Norway and Sweden in 2007 to promote the album following positive critical acclaim and continue to enjoy some popularity in that hemisphere.
So far the fickle UK scene has yet to catch up however “Your Sinclair” was album of the week on BBC Radio Scotland’s Tom Morton show. What does he reckon?
"The Martial Arts...roots rooted grand-pop confectioners with guts, glamour and all the potential for glory. The Swedes love 'em. Why can't we?"
It’s not altogether clear how a bunch of youngsters from Glasgow can combine the sounds of Halfnelson (pre-Sparks for any young ‘uns) and The dB's with likes of Hefner and the Violent Femmes, but if any of the aforementioned do it for you then chances are that The Martial Arts will push similar buttons.
"The Martial Arts are in a blissful time warp that traps bands between the 60s and the present day. Equally excellent, check out both "Summer Tweed" and "Finale" to get your daily dose of radiant, sunshiny indiepop." - LOOSE RECORD
“As fortune would have it this album landed with me a matter of days after I narrowly missed seeing them live. A shame really as this is a thoroughbred collection of quality guitar driven pop. The production coupled with a generous use of keys - from theremin to synths - keeps the sound fresh making the influences harder to pin down. 'Contemptuous Disdain' is good example that mixes everything up well and even features a hint of ska. Upbeat opener 'Murry & Audree' is reminiscent of 60s beat but could just as easily be pulling from mid seventies Flamin' Groovies. Not that it matters, it’s three and a half minutes of timeless pop. Don’t Want to Talk continues in the same vain. Four songs in and 'Frost' changes tack a bit - a not quite ballad anchored by piano. Straight away 'Mod Val' kicks in and accelerates away as the guitars are reasserted in something of a punk out. 'Summer Tweed' is another stand out bit of tunesmithery from Paul Kelly - California style pop conceived in Northern Europe. Talking of which, this would have probably been my album for the summer months if it was not already pissing October.” - IS THIS MUSIC?
“Jaw on floor, dancing boots in turbo, absolutely marvellous, marvellous stuff. Expect great things - if not, you’ve only your damn selves to blame.” - THE SKINNY
“I’ve had this album on repeat since I got it!” – Lennart Wrigholm, Musiklandet.se
“An enchanting pop explosion” – Lisa Olaison, Sundsvalls Tidning
“Buy This Record!” – Dalademokraten
“The Martial Arts are the creators of this years indie summer” – Arbetarbladet
“Amazing melodies....the sky is the limit for The Martial Arts” – Groove Magazine
“Almost perfect” - Falu Kuriren, Borlänge Tidning
"An extremely recommendable disc for all" -blondie.cl
"The first words on this great album, are also my last - “Listen up to good advice” - listen to The Martial Arts." - Will Campbell, sohostrut.co.uk
The Strange Boys @ The Admiral, Waterloo Street, Glasgow. Thursday 20th Aug 2009. Signed to "In The Red" Records, home to amazing bands - Black Lips, Vivian Girls, The Horrors, Jay Reatard and King Khan. "Our new favourite band" The Rolling Stone. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thestrangeboys
Tickets available from www.tickets-scotland.com 0141 204 5151
Debut album “Metal Heart” out now! 9/10 Orkus 9/10 Gothic 8,5/10 Reflection of Darkness 5/6 Medienkonverter 7/10 Release Magazine 7/10 Zero Music Magazine
Listen to it on MySpace!
THE FIVE ACES ROCKIN’ DANCE PARTY. A night of rockin’ soul, rock n’ roll and rhythm & blues featuring live music from The Five Aces, The Bottleneckers and The Privates Hammond Orchestra. Mikey Collins will be DJing which makes this an unofficial pre club to the last night of the mod weekender. Tickets £5. Doors at 7pm, 1st band onstage at 7.45pm sharp Last band offstage by 10pm latest.
