Gramotones are Well good

Photo: Mike Atkins

MOD LEGEND . . . the Gramotones with Paul Weller. They are, from left, Ryan Comac, James Cardus, Sid Cooper, Weller and Jake Fletcher.

OLDHAM BAND GETS A TASTE OF THE BIG TIME WITH A MOD LEGEND

IT’S been a summer to cherish for Oldham band the Gramotones, and one that has edged the foursome that bit closer to national and international recognition.

Jake Fletcher, Sid Cooper, Ryan Comac and James Cardus are building an enviable reputation among the music fraternity, assisted by recent appearances at major festivals. The Gramotones have also taken in a mini-tour of Europe, supporting mod legend Paul Weller.

Mammoth crowds in the Isle of Man, Warwick Castle, Belgium and Holland were wowed during the Weller tour. The town stars are definitely getting a taste for the big time.

Guitar-vocalist Fletcher said: “Sometimes you kind of think to yourself ‘what are we doing here?’

“Warwick Castle was massive - by far the biggest place we’ve played. There were about 10,000 people there. We’ve got a taste for the crowds and on these bigger stages the sound is so much better.”

Former Jam and Style Council front-man Weller, a true giant of the music scene for more than three decades, is a big fan of the band - something that humbles guitarist Cooper.

“In Amsterdam we were talking to Paul for around 40 minutes and it was great to just pick up advice from him,” said Sid. “We got to know a lot more about him as a person, and to be honest it was amazing.

“We did five nights in Europe with him, and he watched every one of our shows, pretty much from start to finish.. It was cool.

“We didn’t necessarily feel starstruck, but to know that he’s a fan is just great.”

After a hectic summer of travelling, the Gramotones are heading closer to home with a slot on the Ramsbottom Festival on September 19 and a headline show at Manchester’s Band on the Wall on October 3.

The Manchester show is guaranteed to be packed-out, particularly given that it will tie in with the band’s latest single and B side release.

Check out the band’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Also check out the interview audio.