Blag (band)
Encyclopedia
Blag are a four-piece band from Norwich
, United Kingdom. Their sound combines elements of punk
, Ska-core, and Hip-Hop. Their lyrics tend to focus on social commentary, pop culture and politics. They have played as supporting act to The Toasters
, Capdown
, Sonic Boom Six
, 4ft Fingers
and Barbar Luck
among many others.
and George Martin
as patrons).
With thanks to college it was not long before Blag found themselves playing shows all over the UK.
In 2004 the band self financed their first EP "Introvert", this soon established Blag into the Norwich ska scene. This found them playing regally at The Ferry Boat Inn
.
By 2005 the band released a 6 track ep called "Bling Bling". In conjunction to this recording they filmed a music video with the BBC
for the title track of the ep.
This gave the band some much needed exposure which led to support slots with bands such as Capdown
and Voodoo Glow Skulls
.
In 2006 the band were signed to small indie label In An Emergency Dial and recorded the album Guess Who at Purple Studios, Norwich. With the release of Guess Who Blag embarked on a two week UK tour and support slots with some of the biggest bands of their genre (Capdown
, The Toasters
, Spunge
, Sonic Boom Six
).
From the success of Blag's first UK tour Blag where signed to Fandangle's label - Party House Records. From this signing Blag set out on another UK tour with label mates Splendid Eddie in 2007.
Summer 2008 - Drummer Shea briefly left the band to go travelling in Thailand. Scotts cousin Daryl was brought in to fill in on drums. That year Blag found themselves playing their first large festival, Eastern Haze. Sharing the stage with bands such as The Blockheads
, Thunder
and Ozric Tentacles
.
2009 saw Blag having to say farewell to original drummer Shea Warnes due to University commitments. His replacement was Daryl Blyth who had helped them out over 2008.
Blag went back into Purple Studios to record We're In It For The Money. The EP features new drummer Daryl and is available as a free download via Blags website.
The band have supported many of the biggest and most influential bands of their genre. Bands such as Crazy Cavern, Long Tall Texans, and The Peacocks.
Another band Daryl plays for. The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo (this band also features members of V8 Rumble) a skiffle
revival band that have recorded 2 Albums; The Great Skifflebilly Train Wreck and Live at Western Star.
The band have been featured on many rock and roll compilations and BBC
television.
More recently the band will be featured on a forthcoming cd celebrating British Rock n' Roll. All the cds content was recorded at Western Star Studios and features many Rock n' Roll legends such as John Leyton
.
and Bruce Brand of Thee Milkshakes & Thee Headcoats
.
The project focuses on writing and recording theme and advert music for the use of production companies. The style is very much routed in '60s beat music
and all vintage music equipment is used for the sessions.
The recording sessions take place at Gizzard Studios London who have recorded artists such as Mudhoney
, Cornershop
and Billy Childish
.
and Mike TV.
Though the band has a strong following Cherry Blossom Melodies has not yet been offered a record deal they have agreed with. The band is currently on hiatus after the departure of Drummer Ollie.
Dumb Luck is based in Norwich and has put on many large gigs in the area featuring large bands that are popular mainstream and underground.
Sonic Boom Six
, The Aquabats
, Big D and The Kids Table
, Allister
are among some of the artist Dumb Luck has put on in Norwich.
.
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, United Kingdom. Their sound combines elements of punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, Ska-core, and Hip-Hop. Their lyrics tend to focus on social commentary, pop culture and politics. They have played as supporting act to The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
, Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
, Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six are a five-piece rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. Their eclectic sound combines different elements of several genres and has been described by Kerrang! as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid"...
, 4ft Fingers
4ft Fingers
4 ft Fingers are an English punk rock band from Cheltenham, United Kingdom, formed in 1996.-History:4 ft Fingers were formed in Cheltenham in 1996. The mid nineties was a time of a minor musical revolution in Cheltenham, spearheaded by bands such as Vicious Rumour and the Axiom centre...
and Barbar Luck
Babar Luck
Babar Luck is a songwriter and musician based in the UK. Born in Pakistan in 1970 & moving to London at the age of 8 years, Babar Luck found solace in the world & sounds of music....
among many others.
Career
Blag formed in 2002 after meeting at Norwich based Access to music (a music college that can boast Jools HollandJools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
and George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
as patrons).
With thanks to college it was not long before Blag found themselves playing shows all over the UK.
In 2004 the band self financed their first EP "Introvert", this soon established Blag into the Norwich ska scene. This found them playing regally at The Ferry Boat Inn
The Ferryboat Inn
The Ferry Boat Inn was a public house and live music venue in Norwich, UK, which closed in 2006.- Current Situation :The Ferry Boat Inn is now closed and in January 2010 was sold to the Borthwick family, who have recently received planning permission to build Norwich Backpackers on the site...
.
By 2005 the band released a 6 track ep called "Bling Bling". In conjunction to this recording they filmed a music video with the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
for the title track of the ep.
This gave the band some much needed exposure which led to support slots with bands such as Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
and Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California by brothers Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill...
.
In 2006 the band were signed to small indie label In An Emergency Dial and recorded the album Guess Who at Purple Studios, Norwich. With the release of Guess Who Blag embarked on a two week UK tour and support slots with some of the biggest bands of their genre (Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
, The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
, Spunge
Spunge
Spunge are a ska punk band from Tewkesbury, England...
, Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six are a five-piece rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. Their eclectic sound combines different elements of several genres and has been described by Kerrang! as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid"...
).
From the success of Blag's first UK tour Blag where signed to Fandangle's label - Party House Records. From this signing Blag set out on another UK tour with label mates Splendid Eddie in 2007.
Summer 2008 - Drummer Shea briefly left the band to go travelling in Thailand. Scotts cousin Daryl was brought in to fill in on drums. That year Blag found themselves playing their first large festival, Eastern Haze. Sharing the stage with bands such as The Blockheads
The Blockheads
The Blockheads are an English rock and roll band. Originally fronted by vocalist Ian Dury as Ian Dury and the Blockheads, the band has continued to perform since Dury's death in 2000. Current members include Chaz Jankel , Norman Watt-Roy , Mick Gallagher , John Turnbull and Davey Payne...
, Thunder
Thunder
Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the listener, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble . The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within...
and Ozric Tentacles
Ozric Tentacles
Ozric Tentacles are an instrumental rock band from Somerset, England, whose music can loosely be described as psychedelic or space rock. Formed in 1983, the band has released 28 albums as of 2011, and become a cottage industry selling over a million albums worldwide despite never having major...
.
2009 saw Blag having to say farewell to original drummer Shea Warnes due to University commitments. His replacement was Daryl Blyth who had helped them out over 2008.
Blag went back into Purple Studios to record We're In It For The Money. The EP features new drummer Daryl and is available as a free download via Blags website.
Members
- Tom Jennings: Guitar/Vocals
- Scott Blyth: Guitar/Vocals
- Kelle Mulcahy: Bass
- Daryl Blyth: Drums
V8 Rumble & The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo
Daryl plays in a numerous amount of bands one being rockabilly band V8 Rumble (formally Dawg House). The band are currently distributed through Vampirette Records in Germany.The band have supported many of the biggest and most influential bands of their genre. Bands such as Crazy Cavern, Long Tall Texans, and The Peacocks.
Another band Daryl plays for. The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo (this band also features members of V8 Rumble) a skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
revival band that have recorded 2 Albums; The Great Skifflebilly Train Wreck and Live at Western Star.
The band have been featured on many rock and roll compilations and BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television.
More recently the band will be featured on a forthcoming cd celebrating British Rock n' Roll. All the cds content was recorded at Western Star Studios and features many Rock n' Roll legends such as John Leyton
John Leyton
John Leyton is an English actor and singer. As a singer he is best known for his hit song, "Johnny Remember Me" , which reached Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in August 1961.-Career:Leyton went to Highgate School and after completing his national service, he...
.
Librarian Fantasy Music
A project that involves Daryl, TV presenter Austin VinceAustin Vince
Austin Vince is best known for his long distance adventure motorcycle expeditions: twice round the world as part of the Mondo Enduro and Terra Circa trips....
and Bruce Brand of Thee Milkshakes & Thee Headcoats
Thee Headcoats
Thee Headcoats 1989 - 2000, was a band comprising Billy Childish, Bruce Brand, and Johnny Johnson. Childish was featured on guitar and vocals, Brand on drums and backing vocals, and Johnson on bass. The band was the most prolific of Childish's many musical projects, releasing fourteen full...
.
The project focuses on writing and recording theme and advert music for the use of production companies. The style is very much routed in '60s beat music
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
and all vintage music equipment is used for the sessions.
The recording sessions take place at Gizzard Studios London who have recorded artists such as Mudhoney
Mudhoney
Mudhoney is an American alternative rock band. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Original bassist Matt Lukin left the...
, Cornershop
Cornershop
Cornershop are a British indie rock band formed in 1991 by Wolverhampton-born Tjinder Singh , his brother Avtar Singh , David Chambers and Ben Ayres , the first three having previously been members of Preston-based band General Havoc, who released one single in 1991...
and Billy Childish
Billy Childish
Billy Childish is an English artist, painter, author, poet, photographer, film maker, singer and guitarist...
.
Cherry Blossom Melodies
Cherry Blossom Melodies are a pop punk band and features Daryl on Guitar/Vocals and Kelle on bass. The band have toured the UK numerous times and have recorded 3 EPs. They have also supported bands such as The AtarisThe Ataris
The Ataris are a rock band from Anderson, Indiana. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent E.P. was released on November 25, 2010 on the Gainesville, Florida based label, Paper + Plastick. It contained the brand new tracks "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of The Atlantic"...
and Mike TV.
Though the band has a strong following Cherry Blossom Melodies has not yet been offered a record deal they have agreed with. The band is currently on hiatus after the departure of Drummer Ollie.
Dumb Luck Promotions
A promotion company owned and run by Kelle.Dumb Luck is based in Norwich and has put on many large gigs in the area featuring large bands that are popular mainstream and underground.
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six are a five-piece rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. Their eclectic sound combines different elements of several genres and has been described by Kerrang! as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid"...
, The Aquabats
The Aquabats
The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology, in which they claim to be superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music...
, Big D and The Kids Table
Big D and the Kids Table
Big D and the Kids Table is a ska punk band formed in October 1995 in Allston, Massachusetts when its members converged in college. Their first release was on their own Fork In Hand Records label, but have since teamed with Springman Records and SideOneDummy...
, Allister
Allister
Allister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1996 and were one of the first bands to sign to Drive-Thru Records...
are among some of the artist Dumb Luck has put on in Norwich.
Awards
In 2005 Kelle received a BAFTA for an achievement within contemporary popular music and the business management. This was an award put in place by Access To Music. Kelle was awarded the award from Edith BowmanEdith Bowman
Edith Eleanor Bowman is a Scottish music critic, radio DJ and television presenter. She is mostly known for hosting the weekday afternoon show and from September 2009 weekend morning on BBC Radio 1 and for presenting a variety of music related television shows and music...
.
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Introvert EP | self-released |
| 2005 | Bling Bling EP | Self-released |
| 2006 | Guess Who | IAED/Party House Records |
| 2009 | We're In It For The Money | self-released |