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Saturday 10 May 2014

Single Review: The Rainband - Sirens

I might be completely alone on this one but when I see loads of hype around a band or an artist instead of making want to know why they are supposedly so incredible it makes me even more sceptical. Almost looking at it in the same that you look at that deal for a cheap 2nd hand car… ‘Ok, that’s amazing but how long will it be before the wheels fall off, where’s the catch?’

A quick scan of the internet and social media reveals nothing but praise for this band and the feeling that it’s not a matter if they will hit the big time but when. I don’t think 5 blokes from Manchester have ever had better credentials and more of a co-sign from the industry than these guys. Theoretically everything is in place for Martin Finnigan (Vocals) Phil Rainey (Guitar) Joe Wilson (Guitar) Sam Wilson (Bass) and Steve Irlam (Drums) to go out and make their fortune. Have a look at this -

They have previously been hand-picked by Jim Kerr to support Simple Minds, have just been chosen by Paulo Nutini to support him on the Italian leg of his tour this July; they played Glastonbury last year, have been endorsed by Noel Gallagher and featured by the likes of 6 Music and Rolling Stone Magazine. Oh and Phil Rainey is a former bandmate of Peter Hook’s. (Yeah that Peter Hook) You can’t do much more than all that!

It was actually while reading all of those amazing things that I came across probably the best story of all. I am a massive Moto GP fan and I discovered that with James Toseland they wrote and recorded a song for the Simoncelli Foundation. Marco Simoncelli was a Moto GP rider who was tragically killed in an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2011, and the foundation was set up in his name. The song the band recorded was called ‘Rise Again’ and all of the proceeds went to the foundation. What a gesture.

Now for the music.

This track was released at the back end of March and is to my mind the perfect indie-pop single. It clocks in at a shade under 3 minutes, it’s catchy and has a real feel good factor. The vocal is great, the cool little bridge halfway through adds to the track without disrupting the flow, it’s just an all-round good record. The band mentions that they like The Doves and I think that you can hear a little bit of that in here. The track is absolutely tailor made for Radio 1 and a mainstream audience.


I began this review as a sceptic, but now I am firmly a believer. Everything looks to be in place for these guys to launch themselves into the mainstream consciousness, and importantly they have the music to back up the hype. So many great bands have come out of Manchester down the years, and I hope these guys are ready because they could well be next. 

The Rainband headline the O2 Academy in Birmingham tonight. (10th May) 

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