The Black Bloc

_____________________________________________________________________

Biography:

“Some Sunday nights we all stop when the session’s on. We put down what we’re doing and just listen. This was one of those moments that stopped you in your tracks…one of the best sessions we have ever had” (BBC Introducing)

The Black Bloc are a ferocious live act combining a curious hybrid of sounds. Primarily rooted in all things Post-Punk, with shades of Electronica, Dub and Krautrock in the mix, the band create a truly unique live experience. They’ve been affectionately described as ‘Rage Against The Machine on Acid’ and have been creating quite a stir over the last year.

Currently being championed by the BBC and The Joe Strummer Foundation for new music, plus having several major festival appearances already under their belt, including Glastonbury, Shambala and Wychwood, The Black Bloc’s “Ferocious, seriously tight and relentless” shows are not to be missed.

The Band are currently taking a short break from touring to put the finishing touches to a new batch of songs, in preparation for recording Spring 2010.

To join The Black Bloc mailing list please e-mail your details to theblackbloc@hotmail.co.uk

History:
The Black Bloc formed in the autumn of 2006, when 4 like minded individuals came together, Michael Bush on lead vocals, a singer with “a raw intimidating aggression, who grabs your attention instantly” (Leeds Music Scene), James Bush “a West Yorkshire Tom Morrello in the making” (Vibrations magazine) on Guitar and Paul Stewart on bass who’s “deep funk grooves” (The Sunday Experience) sit perfectly with, Drummer, Ady Hoyle’s “awesome: ferocious, seriously, tight and relentless” beats (Venue Magazine). The band spent the following 10 months locked in their rehearsal room, endlessly jamming and creating new material.

In July and June of 2007 the band went in to HD1 Studios in Huddersfield with producer Steve Whitfield to record their “self titled 10 track debut…which by rights should be getting hammered by the undergrounds clued up cognoscenti” (The Sunday Experience) showcasing the bands “politically charged space-punk bursting with ambient hooks.” (Translate Zine) Tracks from the bands debut have been picked up by various radio shows including BBC Humberside’s Raw Talent, BBC Bristol Introducing and Sheffield’s Radio 2XS. The album is available to buy online now form the bands myspace page and is also for sale at Jumbo Records in Leeds, Revo Records in Halifax, Muse Music in Hebden Bridge and Klog in Hebden Bridge, or alternativley you can buy a copy directly from the band at any gig.

In September 2007 The Black Bloc took their songs on the road and have since become “renowned as one of the hardest working bands due to their epic touring schedule, with a hunger for live performance like no other” (Noisebox) notching up over 100 gigs throughout England and selling out the 500 capacity Hebden Bridge Trades Club twice in their first 4 months of gigging. In 2008 The Black Bloc continued their heavy gigging schedule and managed to secure slots at several music festivals throughout England including Glastonbury and Wychwood.  The band were also invited in to do a live session for BBC Introducing in Humberside where the shows presenter commented “That’s the Black Bloc and that is one of the best sessions we have ever had…This show’s been going for seven years so I don’t say that kind of thing lightly, but that was absolutely brilliant!”.

In early 2009 The Black Bloc took a short break from touring to concentrate on writing some new material and then were straight back on the road, with more festival appearances including the The Bath International Music Festival, Wychwood, Shamballa, Birmingham Artsfest and The Bristol Festival, amongst others.  The Band also secured their first national radio play with ‘Death Of A Culture’ receiving airplay on BBC Radio 6.  The boys were also invited back to the BBC Introducing studios in Humberside for another very successful BBC Live session.  The Band are currently putting the finishing touches to there second album, as yet untitled, which is due for release in June 2010.

__________________________________________________________________________________