The year 2020 is probably not an ideal time to start a new musical project given that there is no chance of any live performances on the other hand it gives the opportunity to hone your songwriting and get an outfit tight as a drum before being unleashed on an unforgiving public.
Londoner Jake Hussey came to Wales with an impressive set of songs composed Prince like in demo form, a chance work encounter with drummer James Phillips led to them discovering that they had many similar musical influences (more of that later), the band grew during lockdown to include Jake’s brother George Hussey on rhythm guitar / vocals, Ceri Ellis on lead guitar/vocals and Kirsty Thomas on Bass/vocals, all veterans (yet still in their twenties) of various local ensembles. Coaches take their name from the Coach and Horses pub in Abergavenny where all the guys n gals used to meet to for a weekly pub quiz and to plan world domination.
This reviewer has been reviewing bands and artists since the late eighties and musically the valleys have been a hot bed of metal and punk which is fine by me but it is rare that I receive an Indie gem such as the Pandemic Tapes, emblazed with nods to the past but with a fresh urgency that bodes well for the future. The E.P. opens up with Control Us a frenzied call to arms which has all the raw emotion of the Manic Street Preachers in their You Love Us era, Weight Of The World has 100 MPH guitar ala Gedge in the Wedding Present prime and a big shouty chorus.
The pace slows on Surreal with a haunting melody with shades of Oasis with a sprinkling of Fontaines D.C. bass underpinning it all, a heady cocktail indeed. Don’t Listen To The Crowd gets the buzzing chainsaw revving again with a feel of second wave British Punk to deliver a short sharp shock. Purgatory is cut from similar cloth and has shades of S.L.F. (interesting has a major influence is Greenday in the band bio, memories of the fabulous Hi Fidelity film).
These six songs make a great opening statement and the guys save the best till last, Dreamers is like the Stone Roses vocalising over The Cure guitar meanderings. On this evidence 2020 not been a total right off for music. Coaches have taken a blend of influences and mixed them together to make for a welcome tonic in these troubling times.
Live Music be back soon and to paraphrase Frank Zappa, Don’t make a fuss and get on the …….Coach.
Chris Phillips
Keep Cardiff Live