Band Feature; 'Whitecliff' Signed To The Libertines' Gary Powell’s Record Label ’25 Hour Convenience Store’
Formed in 2011, LIPA band ‘Whitecliff’ have made regular appearances in and around Liverpool, building up a rather large fan base with now over 1000 likes on facebook. Having recently signed to the Libertines’ Gary Powell’s record label ’25 hour Convenience Store’, their horizons appear bigger, brighter and better. The self stated Indie-Pop/Rock band supported the Libertines on September 27th at Alexandra Palace in London where the record label is based, this providing clear evidence of their development and current success.
The band have recently played up and down the country in places such as Leeds, Brighton, Birmingham, London and of course, Liverpool. Post Libertines show, they have been focusing all their attention on their new two track single release titled ‘Everybody Knows’ which came out on the label October 6th and on iTunes October 13th.
The song wears Whitecliff’s influences on its sleeve, from Albert Hammond Jr (the Strokes) rhythm guitar style to The 1975-esque vocal tone and catchy lyrical melody, especially within the choruses. However, the vocals as a whole appear to suffer from a limited range even when accompanied with harmonies. With smooth transitions between the different sections, the most prominent example of this is in the pre-chorus where staccato rhythms are played by the rhythm guitar, bass and drums.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxPYT-lFXJo]
The lead guitar is not the most notable feature within the song, but becomes the focal point in the second verse,playing a fluid catchy guitar riff; not too high in the mix yet still ear catching enough to garner the listener’s undivided attention for the short while it is present. The next time the lead guitarist is brought to the listener’s attention is during the guitar solo in the first half of the middle eight. Whilst not a flashy show of virtuosic talent, it features a memorable melody and pleasant tone.
When the chorus repeats for a final time, the drum beat varies into a rolling augmentation of a standard “money beat” with a slightly gypsy-esque marching rhythm incorporated; adding colour and interest to a rather repetitive song.
With heavy competition currently around within the Indie-Pop genre, it is for us to see how much attention the band’s catchy new single will receive and if their Strokes and Arctic Monkey’s heavy influence will aid them in reigning in an even bigger fan base for what I hope will be a successful and bright future for Whitecliff.
For more info on the band visit their Facebook and Twitter pages. To listen to Whitecliff visit their Soundcloud page.
Rosa Weiner
