Liverpool’s KEYSIDE – and shades of timeless melodies reminiscent of The La’s
THE JANGLE-POP echoey sounds of The La’s, Babybird and Buzzcocks, provide a glorious part of the backdrop to the new four track ‘NIKITA’ EP from Liverpool’s KEYSIDE – the band’s first recording for leading UK indie label, Modern Sky.
The four-piece – Dan Parker (vocs/guitar), Ben Cassidy (lead guitar), Max Gibson (bass/backing vocs) and Oisin McAvoy (drums) – have remarkably combined to allow the Coral-esque ‘Angeline’ to stand shoulder to shoulder with the classic Echo & The Bunnymen vibe of ‘Turn Back Time,’ with ‘Down My Way’ and title track ‘Nikita,’ completing the EP.
“We’re going for a fresh modern sound,” said Cassidy. “Complicated but uncomplicated? Some of the stuff we do musically makes it more complex than it sounds.”
“When I’m in the zone, l try to let songs write themselves,” adds Parker. “Once there is thought of the story, the melody follows. I feel like a mediator when I’m writing something. Also, I sing in the shower. Usually, a song I’m writing. I get good ideas from my subconscious there. There are no distractions.”
While Keyside may well be known as a ‘Liverpool band,’ there’s far more to their DNA with drummer McAvoy arriving in the city via Northern Ireland, and bassist Gibson being half Spanish. And the former is at ease in agreeing with Parker’s interests in the back catalogue of The Police and confirming Stewart Copeland as his favourite, and primary drumming influence.
And speaking of influences, Cassidy adds, “The Coral and Steely Dan. If you can produce tunes like The Coral, and play instruments like Steely Dan, you can’t go wrong.”
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