Local guitar sound making waves across Europe

Photo: Mike Atkins

EXCITING times: the Gramotones (from left) Sid Cooper, Ryan Comac, James Cardus and Jake Fletcher.

THESE are exciting times for the Gramotones, and if the buzz surrounding this laidback but driven four-piece from Oldham and Bury persists, their potential will surely be fulfilled soon.

Only three years have passed since the Gramotones’ debut outing in Bury, but in that relatively short time the now gig-hardened favourites of such luminaries as Paul Weller, Steve Craddock, and Squeeze pair Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, look destined for bright lights the world over.

The Gramotones — guitar/vocalists Jake Fletcher and Sid Cooper (both 23, from Oldham), James Cardus (drums, 22) and Ryan Comac (bass/vocalist, both from Bury) — have already made their mark.

Their 2012 debut single “A Soldier’s Kiss” sold well, helped in no small part by the now-famed boiled eggs and toasted soldiers accompanying video (see YouTube for yourself).

The just-released three-track “Gramotones EP” is expected to make significant ripples on the local and national scene.

The harmonic, multi-talented guitar outfit have already supported the iconic Weller, Ocean Colour Scene’s Craddock, and the Charlatans’ Tim Burgess on tour, and of course that has all helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase which is increasing with each passing month.

On the back of the EP release, the band’s first continental tour beckons, supporting Weller during the majority of the dates in Germany, Holland and Belgium, and so it is little wonder Cardus is chomping at the bit.

The drummer of a band (unbelievably still unsigned) described rather quirkily as “quintessentially British”, speaking at their perfectly tucked-away rehearsal room just outside Ashton, said: “It’s set to be a great year. We’re heading out on our first tour of Europe and we’re not playing small gigs.

“Some of the venues in Germany and Holland are of similar size to the Apollo in Manchester — if not bigger. Some, like the Paradiso in Amsterdam, are sold out too.

“It’s not really sunk in yet. Maybe that will only happen when we’re in the van on the way to the shows. It sounds humble I know, but my dreams are coming true. If we just keeping writing our songs and playing the gigs to bigger and bigger audiences then everything should hopefully fall into place.”

The “Gramotones EP” is available online and via iTunes. Check them out on Facebook and Twitter.


HEAR about the band’s early days, the boys’ favourite gigs, and Paul Weller’s skateboard (all will be revealed) by listening to Simon Smedley in conversation with the Gramotones at:

 
http://soundcloud.com/oldhamchronicle/gramotones

http://vimeo.com/96860452