ANTO O'KANE
Strat and Vocals
RAY LAWLOR
Tele and Vocals
SHAZ MORGAN
Bass
BRIAN STEENSON
Drums
Influences
The Clash, The Jam, The Saw Doctors, Wire, Sly and the Family Stone, Dylan, The 13th Floor Elevators, The Futureheads, Amon Tobin, Radiohead, Rory Gallagher, The Specials
Sounds Like
Here is a list of the bands we've been told we sound like
The Libertines, The Clash, The Jam, The Levellers, The Saw Doctors, Supergrass, Billy Bragg, XTC, Gang of Four, Thin Lizzy, The Hives, Iggy Pop, Belle and Sebastian, Stiff Little Fingers, The Specials, My Morning Jacket, The Ordinary Boys,
It's getting longer everyday.
Breaking rules comes easy to the Tin Pot Operation, whilst many of their contemporaries were finding simple niche sounds that were out-of-the-box ready for plastering over that oh-so-touching scene where the new pretty-but-quirky doctor loses her first patient, the TPO were locked in a old Linen Mill in West Belfast hammering out a sound they wanted to make, a sound that defined their own experiences and that felt right.
Keeping it simple, stripped to the bone; guitar, bass and drums and just building songs from the bottom up. The members draw influences from Motown, Bowie, The Clash, Talking Heads, Hendrix through to Radiohead, The Pixies, Aphex Twin and Spearhead.
Their approach needed some serious hard work and nerves of steel to pull off. The early gigs left audiences confused and struggling for comparison, so it was necessary to beat them into submission. Clocking up almost 200 shows in 2 years debuting new songs and sounds at every one, the cream started to rise to the surface. The audience began to become fans with the songs stuck in their heads and on their lips, something was clicking.
Next TV appearances on local, regional and then beyond: being featured in a documentary on the Franco-German arts channel Arté resulted in a whole new audience for their music
An early 14 track sparse and fractious debut album "Manufacturing Dissent" staked their agenda fair and square. No-nonsense, uncensored and passionate. The TPO just bared their souls.
Followed by a more melodic pop-centred EP "Here!" which started whispers that this band had something special - reviews noted "Melodic riffs and emotional commitment it's impossible to ignore." Culture Northern Ireland. Starting to earn descriptions like the Belfast Clash the TPO released their most accomplished release to date, the download single "Blackeye". A blistering, foot to the Floor tirade borne from the killing of a brazilian electrician following the London bombings.
Again the reviews were glowing identifying the band with the sounds of Stiff Records circa 1982 and declaring "[Blackeye] is nothing short of monstrous"
Still building on a tremendous live reputation the last 18 months has seen support slots with The Stranglers, The Damned, Aslan and a slot at the Belfast NYE celebrations alongside David Holmes, Foy Vance and Ocean Colour Scene as well as a tour of some great venues in France alongside local heroes Tchiki Boum.
At present the TPO are locked in a studio crafting their 2nd album entirely of previously unreleased material. The LP to be titled "Human Resources" is destined for release in Late Spring 2008 and is already being eagerly awaited.
BELOW IS THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE NEW SINGLE "BLACK EYE"! ENJOY!
QUOTES
"...A-Bomb On Botanic AvenueDefinitely a reminder about what's good about the Libertines here..." Roadhouse Mag
"...It has a lot of appeal for a lot of people, with hints here and there of The Police (cough), and their pop rock is colourful and bouyant. As the band poised to take the classic NI complaint-as-lifestyle into the 21st century of music they have potential, given that everyone loves nothing more than a west belfast missive..." Ciaran Tracey, Fastfude.com and Metal Ireland.
"...this is a gang of four observing the anger of a post ceasefire Belfast youth who arent just concerned with The Troubles. The war in Iraq, the media and racism all get a kicking on stage through some upbeat and well crafted songs. To mix music and politics in the North is brave but in the TPOs case not stupid." Charlotte Dryden, The Fly
coming across like a hybrid of The Jam and The Levellers Politics seemed to be the central theme to their songs They finished off the set with a rousing self-penned punk stomper called Bored With Belfast which met with mass approval from the audience, and rightly so. Bored is a killer punk tune and if TPO keep coming up with material on a similar par, then I reckon they have a bright future indeed. Definitely one to watch out for. PunkandOIUK
I saw this band from Belfast first on German television. Believe me, it was short. 10 seconds in their rehearsal room. But I was thrilled to hear more... Undoubtly influenced by bands like The Clash, they have the power to transport emotions without being emo or too trendy. It´s the genius simplicity, the two sided vocals, combined with heartful lyrics, a kid like me can mirror in. Music reduced to the must haves. I hope to see these guys live real soon. Until then I play their songs as loud as I can. On my ipod, my stereo and of course on my German Punk Rock Radio Show... Adde Neumann, FM Radio FREI, Munich.
Tin Pot Operation *HUMAN RESOURCES*'s Friend Space (Top 16)
Tin Pot Operation *HUMAN RESOURCES* has 2287 friends.
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Tickets are selling fast for this year's Urban Arts Academy. All courses will take place at the Belfast Waterfront Hall between the 14th July and 8th August.
Each course costs only £50 for a full week of training and some courses have already sold out, so call now to book your place!
Courses on sale are:
DJing Beginner & Intermediate; Rock Music; Music Production - Electronic & Live; Aerosol Art; Film for Music; Game Design; Comic Book Art; Street Theatre; Free Running; Fashion Design; Street Art Masterclass; Radio Production; Photography; Journalism; Graphic Design; Gig Promotion; Documentary Film Making; Urban Dance; 3D Animation Urban Sports (Skateboarding and BMX); Beatworks - Live Drumming for Dance Music
To book a place on any of this years courses contact the Waterfront Box Office.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 90 33 4455
For further information on any of the courses and info on all this years events, gigs and seminars click the link below for the Urban Arts Academy/Trans 2008 website.
Hi everybody, We've finally moved the repair workshop from Jamaica Street to Otago Street in Glasgow's West End. We'll be open for business again on the 21st of June. Check the website for more details.Thanks for all the support,
Our new EP "Lights! Camera! Action!" is online from today, and only be available (in the meantime) at any of the upcoming gigs we're playing, the first being Thursday 12th June at Remix in Hitchin. See flyer below for details, and other gig dates..
12 Jun REMIX, Hitchin, UK 14 Jun SECRET SHOW, Shefford, UK 21 Jun CAMDEN BARFLY, London, UK 21 Jun THE EDGE BAR, CROYDON, London, UK 28 Jun THE TOGFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL, Milton Keynes, UK 2 Jul CORN EXCHANGE, Hertford, UK 12 Jul RIVER FESTIVAL, Bedford, UK 15 Jul CULT STATUS @ 333, Hoxton, UK 19 Jul THE HAT FACTORY, Luton, UK 8 Aug EARTHWISE 888 FESTIVAL, Berkshire Downs, UK 9 Aug EARTHWISE 888 FESTIVAL, Berkshire Downs, UK 10 Aug EARTHWISE 888 FESTIVAL, Berkshire Downs, UK 14 Aug THE HAT FACTORY, Luton, UK
We've just taken delivery of some amazing Gibson Custom Shop 335's! We have the Limited Edition 335 Diamond in Pelham Blue with chrome hardware & Pearl Black with gold hardware (stunning!!). We are selling these at £1999.
Also at £1999 we have the Gibson Custom Shop "Inspired by" Dave Grohl DG-335. This guitar is ebony with chrome hardware, Burstbuckers and a Trini Lopez/Firebird headstock. Killer guitar - complete with custom case and certificate signed by Dave Grohl.
We only have 1 of each and they're also on our eBay shop so move fast!!...
Call into the the shop to buy now or check them out here:
"Made on a laptop. Extra instruments: trombone, melodica, clarinet, french horn, fretless bass, plate, crisp packets, table, clay bells, radio, kaoss pad, field recordings.
Tickets for the 2008 Urban Arts Academy are now on sale!!
All courses on this award winning programme will take place at the Waterfront Hall between the 14th July and 8th August 2008.
Each course costs only £50 for a full week of training.
Once again Sonic Academy are one of the key partners in this event, delivering courses in DJing and Music Production (Electronic & Live), alongside a brand new course for 2008, Film for Music!
Courses available are:
* DJing Beginner & Intermediate..
* Rock Music..
* Music Production - Electronic & Live..
* Aerosol Art..
* Film for Music..
* Game Design..
* Comic Book Art..
* Street Theatre..
* Free Running..
* Fashion Design..
* Street Art Masterclass..
* Radio Production..
* Photography..
* Journalism..
* Graphic Design..
* Gig Promotion..
* Documentary Film Making..
* Urban Dance..
* 3D Animation..
* Urban Sports (Skateboarding and BMX)..
* Drumming for Dance Music..
To book a place contact the Belfast Waterfront Hall Box Office on +44 (0) 28 9033 4455.
Don’t delay as this programme has sold out every year. See you at the UAA 2008!
For further information on any of the courses and info on all this years events, gigs and seminars click the link below for the Urban Arts Academy/Trans 2008 website.
