New Leicester bands 2011

This page is part of the bands section

This page is about bands from Leicester/shire that have started playing in 2011.

Read about new bands in 2012

12th November

Over Olympia

We saw this band for the first time last night at the Shed. The five piece started out in about February 2011. Free standing lead signer Oscar Curtis did a good job with the lead vocals but I didn't see much in the way of backing vocals. Their melodic songs had a hard rock feel, rather retro than contemporary. They got the crowd clapping along to their songs and peppered their set with some ear pleasing metally riffs. They have a new single coming out in December.

Over Olympia on Facebook

9th November

Wave of Brine

Wave of Brine started life early in 2011 and played their first gig in April. They were at the SoundHouse on Friday 4th November where they played Aneurysm by Nirvana. Essentially an original songs group, they include some covers in their shows. Dave Dhonau is the bassist and does backing vocals and occasional lead vocals and Luke O'Neil is the drummer.

Singer Andy Garrett, also guitarist and songwriter, was in a band called No Hope In New Jersey, which released the album A steady Diet of Decline on Atlantic records, the single Narcolepsy and its video being played a lot on MTV2 in 2005. Although they had positive reviews from NME and Kerrang, they were dropped by Atlantic when our A&R man moved to Warner.

Since then Andy went and played on Cruise ships for three years. Now back in Leicester, he has formed Wave Of Brine. Describing themselves as a "balls out" rock band, they draw their influences from Sugar/Bob Mould, Frank Black Pixies, Nirvana, The Smiths and The Beatles.

You can see Wave of Brine on on 25th November at the Queen Vic in Coalville.

See the band's new page on Facebook

Listen to Narcolepsy on YouTube

6th November

New band to play experimental hard core

Glory for a Dead Man launch on to the stage on Thursday 10th November, at the SoundHouse. Also on stage will be The Unknown Bullet (see below) and Clouds In Contrast. Details of the show are on Facebook.

4th November

New band plans EP

Having started in March 2011, Flip Like Wilson are now planning their first E.P. release which will have six tracks on it. The pop punk trio ( Josh Vale: Vocals/Guitar, Jack Nejzer: Guitar/Vocals, Joe Greenough: Bass/Vocals) are in the process of recruiting a new drummer and hope to be gigging again in December.

Find out more about Flip Like Wilson on Facebook

Our review of Flip Like Wilson at The Shed

3rd November

Band makes a comeback

Three guys got back on stage at the Shed last night after a bit of an absense from the road. Jack Gutteridge (King Brick band), Kevin Driscoll and Sean Driscoll make up the Former Miss Czech. Their set of post-rock, ambient, experimental tracks were impressive and highly listenable. Apart from a bit of vocalising from Jack, the band's set was mainly instrumental, following in the footsteps of local guitar legends Maybeshewill. An altogether compelling half hour of finely executed playing with some stunning guitar work from Kevin Driscoll and solid drumming from brother Sean.

Former Miss on Facebook

28th October

The Unknown Bullet

Having formed about four months ago, The Unknown Bullet is formed from Lewis Anderson (Rhythm Guitarist), Matt Fraine (Bassist), Sam Brownlow (Drummer) and
Alun Davies (Vocalist). We caught them at the Shed tonight but didn't get away from Kasabian early enough to see them on stage. They describe their musical style as being Easycore, based on rock, punk and post-hardcore. You can see them on 24th November at The Soundhouse with The Black Tears.

See Unknown Bullet on Facebook.

26th October

Flux

Having been going for about four months now, the quartet of 17 year olds known as Flux played tonight at the Shed. Other musicians, from both local and touring bands, made favourable comments about their set, so it looks like these lads have a future ahead of them. In our photo: Dom Bryan, Cameron Flavall, George Z and Ashley Kirby.

You can see Flux at Lock42 on 11th November and again at the Shed on 17th December.

Flux on Facebook

Midnight Wire

New Leicester band Midnight Wire have launched their Facebook Page with a set of new songs on it. With band members Alex (Rooster) Van Roose (ex The Heroes), Adam Horton (ex The Beats), Chris Merriman (ex Razmataz) and Arjun Johal, this is bound to be a successful band and the new songs bear that out.

See Midnight Wire on Facebook. or on Myspace

The Chasers

Leicester indie rockers, The Chasers have had their new lineup of musicians and songs for a few months now. Having formed in 2009, The five piece band have written a set of their own songs and plan to bring out an EP soon. They have already supported signed bands 'The Vaccines' and 'Kill It Kid'. Heavily influenced by classic rock acts such as 'The Who', 'The Rolling Stones', 'The Police', 'David Bowie', 'Bruce Springsteen', and 'U2' to name but a few, their blend of edgy guitar riffs and organ licks provide for their stand-out songs. They have been reviewed in the Leicester Mercury.

You can see the Chasers at the SBS Syston Festival on Saturday 30th July.

See The Chasers on Myspace.

Cabrillo Beach

members of cabrillo beach

Luke Murgatroyd and Xiang Min Lau (lead guitar)

A tasty new addition to Leicester's bands appeared at Lock 42 on 19th July. Armed with a lead vocalist of considerable stature, Luke Murgatroyd, the five peice ensemble turned out an ear pleasingly set of fresh and distinctive sounds, laced with spanish-esq influences. Luke's strong and characteristic vocals carried the songs across. The audience warmed to the funky two step melodies and it looks like they are set to carve out a niche for their music in the local scene. The band plans to record their first tracks in August. A band to watch out for.

See our article featuring Cabrillo Beach

Find them on Facebook.

Sideline

With Chris Ostler as lead singer, this new band was bound to be a success. After carving out a reputation for himself as one of the foremost rock solo artists in Leicester, Chris has gathered a band around him. Their set of vibrant, melodic rock songs went down a treat. Nicely constructed songs, delivered with presence by Chris, the Lock 42 audience greated their set with enthusiasm. Someone told me the set had "An American Sound" but I guess there nothing bad about that. With a good line in evocative ballads, the only downside was a lack of really memorable tunes. Certainly worth seeing again.

Sideline on Facebook.

Polaris

The members of this particular incarnation of Polaris all study at the University of Leicester. Guitarists Richard Sorrell and Neill Smit had decided in the beginning of the 2010/2011 academic year that they wanted to be in a group that takes a stimulating, unique and progressive approach towards Rock and Metal music. The members met at the University of Leicester's Band and Gig Society jam night. They all had a mutual love of Metal and after a few jams together decided to make an attempt at putting their talents to good use by forming a band. Polaris' sound currently ranges from calming, introspective Prog Rock passages to vivacious Thrash runs. As the group matures, so may their style. The band recently played at the BAGSOC Battle of the Bands competition, coming in 3rd place.

artsIn says: This is one good band with a strong musical offering and we have always loved their gigs. The guitar work is awesome.

See them on Facebook.

The Headstarts

They are a four piece ska/punk band. Jack the lead singer was the former front man of a punk band Kid Vicious. He has supported some of the best punk bands ever. The band formed about a year ago and are going from strength to strength, with an ever increasing fan base and gig list.

See them on Facebook | See them on Myspace

The Paul Moody Band

A Leicestershire band whose members are Lois Frost- Vocals, Jenni Graham-Vocals + Keys/Piano, Joey Bourne- Bass, John Vale- Drums and Paul Moody- Guitarist . They come from Rawlins College in Quorn.

See them on Facebook

Little Forts

We saw this band play at the Shed at a Battle of Bands which they won (28th June 2011). In our view they deserved to win and musically were very tight with good guitar playing and vocals. Their four member band includes a keyboard/synth player and three of the front musicians contribute to the vocals. Their set had a contemporary sound and the vocals were solid and listenable. As a new band they have not yet developed much of a stage presence but we think that will come as they grow in confidence. Their vibrant indie music is well arranged with infectious and punchy rhythms. The band is planning to do a new set of recordings soon (June). Our view: bags of potential, we will follow them with interest.

Little Forts on Facebook | Myspace

Other pages you might like:

Rock gigs diary

Singers

This year's festivals

Leicester bands at Surface Unsigned

The Original Bands Showcase