The Answering Machine have announced a string of five UK shows for October.

Catch them at the below dates:

Wednesday 14th October 2009 – Bristol Louisiana
Thursday 15th October 2009 – Nottingham Bodega
Friday 16th October 2009 – London Borderline
Saturday 17th October 2009 – Leeds Cockpit
Tuesday 20th October 2009 – Glasgow King Tuts

I went through a stage earlier in the year of loving The Answering Machine a bit too much (here), and sort of run out of energy. However this video re-ignited my passion for them, a perfect fit to their new single, Oklahoma, which is out on 11th August.

I’ve been a bit supporter of The Answering Machine lately here on TGTF. Normally not my sorta thing, this bunch of Manchester indie kids have bags of talent.

Think of the Strokes. Take away their pretentiousness, and add in some Manchester style. You’re halfway there. They’re loud, they’re raucous, but above all they have great tunes – mainstream enough to (hopefully) get radio play, edgy enough that they won’t do a Scouting for Girls or Hoosiers on us. As a randomer behind me put it so eloquently when I caught them in February supporting Ra Ra Riot, “They’re like the Strokes if they’d been to Art School and didn’t have money, together with Franz Ferdinand if they’d bunked off Art School or if they’d not spent years poncing around”

From the “oooh-ohs” of “Obviously Cold” to the statement of intention of “Another City, Another Sorry” via the sadness and rejection of “The Information”, you can’t help but think that this is a very accomplished debut album. One that is far superior to their years, and one that if they improve on they should soon be doing massive tours and conquering the pages of the NME.

In “Oklahoma” you have some brilliant Strokes-esque guitars and a chaotic chorus which should get everyone moving. “The Information” is a personal highlight, and the only slow one of the album, and the collection has much more diversity because of it. Slow, heart-wrenching and vulnerable, I love Martin’s lyrics – “I’m trying hard not to make you stay / ‘cos you’re not interested”. Much like the rest of the album, it’s youthful, innocent and honest.

The Answering Machine’s debut album, Another City, Another Sorry is out now.

MP3: The Answering Machine – Another City, Another Sorry

Always loving a video that’s a bit out of the ordinary, The Answering Machine have decided to make the new video for their single “Obviously Cold” at an ice rink, going Curling.

The band celebrated Record Shop day on Saturday by compiling an online fanzine called Revolutions Per Minute on their blog.

‘Obviously Cold’ comes out on the 18th May 2009. It precedes their debut album, ‘Another City, Another Sorry’, on the 1st June, both through Heist or Hit Records.

We first mentioned The Answering Machine on Snow Day (wow, seems so long ago now), and then caught them live just a few weeks later. They’re pretty amazing, and now have their debut single out on Monday, 9th March. Their shiny new video features the likes of Sesame Street Characters (for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the one, but I’m sure one of you geniuses will be able to remind me in the comments!)

Cliffer is a pretty great song – it’s got a confident, meatier punch than some of their earlier songs, providing a strong call to arms for our generation. From what we’ve heard so far, we love The Answering Machine, and genuinely can’t wait for their album – needless to say, you’ll be hearing all about it when it comes out!

Catch the video below, and also download a free MP3, ‘cos we’re nice like that.

MP3: The Answering Machine – Another City, Another Sorry

Anyone not in the know might have thought tonight was a joint headlining show. Such was the strength of main support, Manchester’s The Answering Machine. We could use many phrases to describe them, however we’ll nick one from a guy stood behind us to his mate: “They’re like the Strokes if they’d been to Art School and didn’t have money, together with Franz Ferdinand if they’d bunked off Art School or if they’d not spent years poncing around”. Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Angular, fast paced and smartly dressed at first we thought they were going to be a bit of a cliche – good, but not great. However, they certainly had the energy (our poor camera couldn’t keep up with lead singer Martin), racing through their 7 song set with great professionalism. Gemma (pictured right), their bassist, was stood right in front of us and calmly drove the whole thing along whilst Martin and Pat really went for it. A great band you need to check out – and to get you on your way, there’s a free MP3 below.

MP3: The Answering Machine – Another City, Another Sorry

Most people were there for Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot, the indie darlings slowly taking over Vampire Weekend’s mantle of the UK’s favourite US indie pop band. We caught them in August last year when they struggled to fill Water Rats in Kings Cross. Tonight they’d sold out Kings College. Quite a jump in such a short space of time, for any band.

Lead singer Wesley was on fine form, bouncing around the stage, however it must be said that he seemed a lot less lively than when we saw them in August – throughout their 50 minute set we had a feeling of a band going through the motions. They were good, but not amazing – no tangled cables or crazy omg-they’ve-broken-everything moments. Still, the show proved just how good they are – even when going through the motions they have bundles of energy, and a repertoire of songs that would make many bands blush. Catchy, they appeal to an audience as wide as irritating Rugby lads through to the minuscule bag-of-bones arts students.

Every track got a huge cheer, however the final three were the clinchers for many that took it from a so-so gig to a good one. Ghost Under Rocks was their catapult to the big time, whilst Dying is Fine has one of those choruses everyone loves, and ended with highfives from Wesley to the crowd.

Read the rest of this entry »

A friend introduced me to The Answering Machine a couple of days ago. His way of selling it to me wasn’t great, but when I checked them out I realised he actually was telling the truth – they’re pretty good. Then I found the picture at the top of this post, and decided that any guitar band that can get out glitter and sport the nerd-chic glasses that bassist Gemma is wearing is ace in my books. The Manchester-based four-piece have spent much of 2008 holed-up in North Yorkshire working on their debut album with the legendary Manic Street Preacher’s producer Dave Eringa. If you get a chance, check them out. They release new single, Cliffer, on 9th March, and it sounds amazing on the myspace page.

MP3: The Answering Machine – Another City, Another Sorry

We haven’t written much about The Parlotones (pictured right) since we caught them back in 2007. The South African band have just signed up to support Starsailor on their UK tour, and in return Starsailor will support the Parlotones in South Africa. To celebrate their UK return, they’ll be releasing the rather cool single “Overexposed” on 23rd March – cool animated video below.

Whilst checking out our friends over at The Line of Best Fit, we came across an artist they were raving about, Thee Single Spy. Think vulnerable, yet arty, acoustic yet fun. Their piece and interview introduces Thee Single Spy far better than we ever could, so check that out, and expect more coverage over here at TGTF over coming months. If you want to catch Thee Single Spy live, they play the Slaughtered Lamb on 28th Feb.

Been listening to Tellison for a few days now, loving their fast paced indie electro pop. They’ve just announced that they’ll be playing a very special night at the wonderful Kings College in London along with Canterbury, Loverman and Super Tennis. NME commented that “with their jerky dance- punk rhythms smoothed out into melodic choruses the trio pose the best kind of dilemma – should we try and dance or concentrate on learning the words?” – exactly what we think! Tickets are on sale now, priced at £8 each.

Expect more music news as we continue to stumble across new music today, when we should be working on our uni project.