School - Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 27/5/2012
by Dixie Ernill
published: 23 / 6 / 2012
intro
Cardiff-based band the School give a lesson in twee-pop. Dixie Ernill is keen for a double lesson
The fact that the sunshine has finally reached Manchester means there is only a sparse crowd in the Ruby Lounge tonight, even though 80's hit-makers the Primitives are headlining. However it doesn't detract from Cardiff twee-poppers the School putting on a good show in support, despite being a tentacle short of their usual octet with second violinist Steph absent. Keen to promote their just released stonking second album on Elefant Records entitled 'Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything', six of their ten song set are taken from it. Indeed, they open with lead single from the album 'Never Thought I'd See The Day' which sets the pace nicely for a classy collection of 60's girl group indebted pop, the highlights being 'That Boy Is Mine' and 'Stop That Boy', both of which could sit easily on greatest hits compilations by Sandie Shaw or Petula Clark. Singer and keyboard player Liz Hunt is the obvious focal point, but her songs are wonderfully fleshed out by Ryan (bass), Ivan (guitar), Harri (guitar and percussion) and Rich (drums) along with Kay on violin, who is coyness personified, and Fran who smiles throughout when she is not belting out some fine trumpet parts that belie her slight frame. They finish the set in great fashion with 'Why Do You Have To Break My Heart Again?', 'All I Wanna Do' from debut album 'Loveless Unbeliever' and a grear cover of Jonathan Richman's 'When He Kisses Me', but sadly the bell goes all too soon and the School are over.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/theschoolbandhttps://twitter.com/theschoolband
http://theschool.bandcamp.com/
http://theschoolband.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/how-to-pre-order-our-new-a
http://elefant.com/en/disco/15350/Reading%20Too%20Much%20Into%20Things
http://elefantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/reading-too-much-into-things-
Picture Gallery:-
Visitor Comments:- |
559 Posted By: Myshkin, London on 26 Jun 2012 |
Just a thought, if education secretary Michael Gove gets his wishes will the group be forced to change their name to Academy?
|
interviews |
Interview (2015) |
Dixie Ernill speaks to Liz Hunt, the front woman with 60's-influenced indie pop band The School about their forthcoming third album, ‘Wasting Away and Wondering', influences and the current indie pop scene |
Interview (2012) |
soundcloud
reviews |
Wasting Away and Wondering (2015) |
Initially confusing but quickly compulsive third album from Cardiff-based indie pop band, the School |
When I Fall in Love (2014) |
Reading Too Much Into Things Like Everything (2012) |
All I Wanna Do (2008) |
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