In an industry that often feels rigged from the start with a “it’s who you know” culture, it’s refreshing to know that bands like Brother are still standing strong. Far from industry plants, this North Shields outfit have carved out their own path by putting their local fanbase and venues first. This also means that they haven’t absorbed a globalised, trend-influenced sound, but instead they sound authentically Northern with that gritty indie-rock energy, post-punk rebelliousness and 90s Brit-pop vocal melodies. It’s such an essential sound in this era of over-production.
For your introductory taste of Brother, you’ve got to get your ears around ‘Do It Again’, which is a dark and moody dive into the streets of North Shields. A sample of a newsreel sets the tone of riots, raging against the system and a lost generation with a lot of anger and little direction. This is one side of the story of this formerly thriving industrial town where jobs in shipping, mining and fishing were once plentiful. With its decline (thanks largely to Thatcher’s privatisation measures in the 1980s), a wide chasm of unemployment and disillusionment has opened up in the Englands’ North East. This is the fuel that has added to the fire of local musicians, such as the members in Brother.
With the spirit of rebellion firmly in the air, ‘Do It Again’ marches on with earthy rhythms, a sliding guitar refrain and scathing lead vocal, all of which is drenched in atmospheric reverb. It has such a restless feeling, with drums that refuse to sit still and frenetic guitars that create a sense of urgency. As the track progresses, that tension continues to rise with each repetition of the provocative central lyric, “do it again.” What’s particularly interesting is how Brother never lose control, with an intentional restraint that suggests that this band has so much more in the bag.
With momentum growing across the North East scene, Brother is absolutely a band you need to keep on your radar this year.
You can also find ‘Do It Again’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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