'NO*TOKYO EP' OUT NOW!
Purchase a Digital Copy of the EP by clicking HERE
No*Tokyo have taken their time getting to the point where they are happy to put out studio material, concentrating instead on becoming a consistent live act, renowned for the incendiary intensity of their gigs. This incarnation of the band have been plugging away for a couple of years now and whilst they have not exactly been avoiding time in the studio, it has certainly not been a priority. Until now.
At five tracks and twenty-seven minutes, their debut release is packaged as an E.P. but we are almost in mini-album territory here. Lead track, 'Ego Healer' is possibly the heaviest song they have yet constructed, with Ernie Robinson's guitar firmly set to level rock. Daz Whittaker sings of seeking inspiration and, perhaps, something to relate to. 'More Than You'll Ever Know' is the most radio-friendly offering on the E.P. and the dance groove is in complete contrast to the opening track. Here, Whittaker muses over a girl who is not all she claims to be, a total contempt of fakes being a theme that runs through No*Tokyo's songs.
'Renegade' is quite rightly the centrepiece of this release. The song is a seething blast at the current state of popular culture, in particular the music scene and you can sense the frustration in Whittaker's yearning plea to be heard. "How can they deny us, if they don't know?" he ponders malevolently, over a wall of guitars. 'Flickering Lights' finds a paranoid Whittaker, in an intoxicated struggle over which path to take. Robinson's noodling guitar is the perfect contrast to Lee Graham's understated bass line in a song that has become a staple of the No*Tokyo live set. Including a song that clocks in at just one second short of nine minutes is a brave move but not a second of '40 Skies' is wasted. Dale Baker's stoic drumbeat maintains the pace, whilst Whittaker reminisces over the regret of leaving behind something so close to perfection, that it hurts. This is a space rock groove that The Verve circa 1994 would have been proud of.
The level of No*Tokyo's resolve not to rush this release is matched only by their conviction to be themselves and not mould their sound to the latest musical fad. "We're not content to be the same" pleads Whittaker in 'Renegade' and that determination oozes through everything they do. The studio-feet have finally and decisively been found and the sky really is the limit for No*Tokyo.
[Source] AllGigs.co.uk
I last ventured to Manchester's 42nd Street (now simply '42s') some seven years ago , when still in my (late) twenties. Even back then, I felt old in what was clearly a student domain and made a decision that there were plenty of other nightclubs in the city for people my age and moved on. Whilst I never ruled out a return to the place, I never really expected to end up back here. Four lads from North Manchester changed all that tonight. Not a lot has changed in the intervening years but I don't recall a queue stretching up the road and around the corner last time I was down this way. Something special is clearly occurring tonight.
No*Tokyo have been plugging away on the live scene for some time now. They have proved themselves to be an incendiary live force, full of intensity and passion. This night is, however, all about the launch of their debut E.P. Being very much a live band, No*Tokyo always test new songs in the live arena before entering the studio to record them. It is therefore no surprise at all that two of the opening three songs are brand new. 'All My All' already sounds entirely comfortable in the set, the brooding mood making it the perfect set opener, whilst 'Shadows & Strangers' ambles along, thoughtfully. Sandwiched in between is live favourite 'Flickering Lights', singer Daz Whittaker musing over which path to take, over a noodling guitar line.
The rest of the set is a delicious blast through the songs that make up the E.P. 'Renegade' is cheekily dedicated to Prince Harry, on the eve of his brother's wedding but is actually a seething rant at the state of popular culture. "We're not content to be the same" sings Whittaker and you can sense that he means it. Those present have clearly been listening to the record since its digital release some three weeks ago. Words are sung back at Whittaker throughout the bass heavy 'Ego Healer', the lead track on the E.P. Guitarist Ernie Robinson sets the dance groove of 'More Than You'll Ever Know', as the crowd turns into a heaving mass of rhythm. The nine minutes of '40 Skies' brings the set to a mesmerising close, Dale Baker's stoic drumbeat driving the song on and giving Robinson and bassist, Lee Graham the freedom to express themselves. The acclaim of the two hundred or so present is fully merited and the No*Tokyo E.P. can be declared well and truly launched.
No*Tokyo can no longer be considered as simply a live band. The scope and diversity of the E.P. has seen to that. However, to fully appreciate the majesty, the passion and the intensity of this band, there is no better way than to catch them on the live stage. Oh, and if anybody is interested, the moment the gig ended, I was out of the door. 42s remains for the young 'uns.
[Source] AllGigs.co.uk
