Just a quick update for you. After I informed you about Alan Pownall a few weeks ago it has come to my attention that he has a new single out next week on the 5th April. Called 'Chasing Time' it's a very catchy yet laid back track, suitable for someone dubbed the British Jack Johnson. It has a bit more punch to it than some offerings by Johnson though and will certainly get him plenty of space on the radio airwaves and a lot more fans. You can watch the video for the single below.
Oh, and as an added treat you can also download Alan's EP for free from his website.
Comprised mainly of the die hard Feeder faithful, with the exception perhaps of a few girlfriends/boyfriends dragged along for the ride, the 200 strong crowd poured in to the tiny back room at the Hoxton Bar and Grill for what was to be the last of a six date mini tour under the moniker 'Renegades'. Cue cries of 'I knew we should have got here earlier' from those sandwiched against the bar. 'I recognise a few faces from the other gigs so thanks for spending some money', Grant quipped later in recognition of the loyalty shown by sections of the crowd.
I didn't see much of the support band, Man or Mouse, but they utilised a saxophone to great effect. More bands should use saxophones.
And so to the main event. Renegades took to the stage and wasted no time in launching in to 'Barking Dogs', the heaviest of the four offerings on the 'Renegades EP'. Two out of the three remaining EP tracks were also wheeled out, 'Sentimental' and 'Renegades', with the biggest cheer saved for the eponymous track. The raw and stripped back sound really suited a smaller venue and you could tell that the band loved going back to their three piece routes. In between the EP tracks we were given brand new material like the epic 'Down To The River', and the storming 'Home', all of which would sit comfortably on Feeder's first two albums 'Swim' and 'Polythene'. The biggest cheers of the night however were, understandably reserved for the trio of 'covers'...'Tangerine', 'Sweet 16' and 'Descend'. 'Tangerine' was particularly well accepted as it has been a running joke between the band and their fans, with fans calling for it at every gig, whilst 'Sweet 16' was touchingly dedicated to their original drummer, Jon Lee. Undeniably though the high point was the almighty 'Descend', once again gracing the stage in its extended, eight minute form. It was an ending that left fans almost rediscovering the band that they had fallen in love with over a decade ago.
If you want to see what you missed out on or want to relive the gig then there's a video of 'Sweet 16' below. You can also find an interview with the band here.
The recent departure of drummer Mark Richardson for a Skunk Anansie reunion seems to have shaken up Grant and Taka, the two core members of the band, and the mysterious 'Renegades' campaign is the result. As of yet it is still unclear whether this shroud of mystery is a clever promotional device to whip up anticipation ahead of the latest Feeder release or a new side project. However, the recent announcement of a packaged mini tour, including three nights in London, complete with a four track 'Renegades EP' would seem to hint at the latter.
Due to the small scale nature of the shows some have already sold out but you may still be able to get tickets through Feeder's website. The package includes a ticket to the gig of your choice, a limited edition 'Renegades EP', a special Renegades t-shirt, and a selection of badges.
They seem to have retained the sound from 'Silent Cry', making it even heavier in places, especially in 'Sentimental', which can be found below. The latest offering 'Renegades' can now be downloaded free of charge from the link above.