Press
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“Live session of the year 2008 and 2009”
(BBC Introducing)
“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!”
(Alan Raw - BBC Raw Talent Introducing)
“Standout session of 2008 for me? The Black Bloc in the summer. Some Sunday nights when the sessions on, we put down what we’re doing and just listen. This was one of those moments that stopped you in your tracks”
(BBC Introducing Review of 2008)
“The Black Bloc’s singer is kinetically wired in voice and movement and in common with the rest of the band, nothing if not lacking in confidence. The drummer is awesome: Ferocious, seriously tight and relentless, expansive by his very economy. With the bass similarly locked down it’s left to FX and the guitarists fluid strokes to pain the colour. When they begin they sound like the latest Electro-rock chancers. Venue sighs. But from this point on they fracture and deconstruct their sound with every passing track; percussive, throbbing, spare and groovsome. Anthemic traces remain, like Einsturzende Neubauten dismantling U2’s back catalogue. Impressively, the whole performance is played as if to a crowd three noughts above the 23-odd in attendance.”
(Julian Own - Venue Magazine)
“Warmly endorsed by BBC Introducing”
(Tom Robinson - BBC Radio 6 Music Introducing)
“The Black Bloc have provided a wide spectrum of musical styles which bodes well for the future…..strong male vocals, fierce guitar riffs and a foot tapping beat. Lead singer Michael Bush sings with a raw, intimidating, aggression that captures your attention instantly…..The variance and diversity in the 3 tracks is refreshing and bold, and works remarkably well. I liked all 3 tracks and don’t hesitate to recommend it to other open minded music fans. 4.5 out of 5″
(Leeds Music Scene)
“The Black Bloc in particular were really impressive. I have to say fantastic live i really recommend it - go and see them”
(Gary Smith - BBC Bristol Introducing)
“The Black Bloc number in four and have recently self released a low key self titled 10 track debut full length, which by rights should be getting hammered by the undergrounds clued up cognoscenti. The Black Bloc contest a curious hybrid of sounds - indelibly rooted in all things austere post punk, their core sound mutates from an initial central point that references in the main lost children of the early 80’s The Passage (none more so than on ‘Soul Surveillance” which surges with the same edgy majesty as though fused form the remnants of current loves Talk and The Playrights), ‘Sons Of Fascination’ era Simple Minds and A Certain Ratio - the melodies riddled in mazes of softly distraught friction, austerity and paranoia. It soon begins to entangle its roots into the cosmic climes of the shadowy regions of baggy, Goth psychedelics and early 90’s club floor Indie, paying nods along the way to the likes of The New Fast Automatic Daffodils (especially on the fringe flipping wah wah wooziness of the cosmic trance funk of the ‘The Streets Have Eyes’ with it’s delicious Ozrics side servings) and The Shamen (and here we are talking Shamen in the psychedelic pre ‘En Tact’ period). Elsewhere there’s some stunningly oblique dislocated funk- tonics courtesy of ‘Another Hundred Dead’ and the frantic controlled frenzy of the scarred ‘Death Of A Culture’. Given a healthy supply of radio play ‘Children Of The Sun’ could prove to be a hidden gem in waiting with it’s darkly manifesting take on the Stereo MC’s ‘Connected’ though for us the best of the set by some distance is the parting shot ‘Of All The Lies’. Honeycombed in all manner of low lit spectral shimmers, speckled deliciously with lysergic lunatics, that to these ears sounds like a seriously chilled out psych funk grooved re-wire of ‘Flowers’ era Will Sergeant shimmying with baggy psychedelics My Jealous God. ‘Of All The Lies’ is a smoking head swirling nugget, counter pointed by Michael Bush’s blissed out soul mantras lushly backed by tripping Doors-Esq. backdrops that coalesce sumptuously to ooze sleekly in to the nocturnal ether. The aforementioned debut album is in our sights earmarked for urgent attention.”
(The Sunday Experience)
“Rage Against the machine on Acid”
(The Muso Journal)
“Post apocalyptic proper raw Northern music…With tracks like ‘The Streets Have Eyes’ you’ll pretty much get the idea. Think CCTV, nuclear meltdown and the surveillance state all mixed up with some cracking guitar riffs.
(Strummerville - The Joe Strummer Foundation)
“Slightly bored by the mainstage I wander into the big top and feel like I’ve stepped into another world. I immediately get a sense I’ve happened across something special. Onstage are The Black Bloc - arresting and utterly compelling. Firstly they look great, but much more than that, whilst watching them I get that rare thought of “I haven’t heard this before” and then “why not?”. It’s such a pleasure to hear something original and to watch such a riotous performance. Their sound is hard to describe because it doesn’t really sound like anyone else around at the moment. It’s spacey, punky, rocky with shades of dub and electronica and they perfom with a fury and energy that is quite startling…This band are more than a bit special and are destined for great things. I heard comparisons with Rage Against the Machine and even the Doors. My ones to watch of the weekend.”
(Stroud News & Journal - Milly Moo’s Wychwood 2009 Festival Review)
“Opening with a tight nervy funk and precision-sculpted feedback, it’s soon clear that they feature the most confident, inventive guitarist of the day and probably this writers most interesting recent band discovery too. Making bold use of space and dynamics, like some unholy cross between Rage Against The Machine and a post-rock Spandau Ballet”
(Venue Magazine - The Bristol Festival 2009 Review)
“Northern Rockers with a lot to shout about”
(Itchy Guide)
“The Black Bloc are one of Yorkshire’s finest exports! Renowned as one of the hardest working bands due to there epic touring schedule, these lads have a hunger for live performance like no other. Their music consists of eerie beat driven Indie enchanting listeners who are not afraid of the dark side of rock and roll. Break beats and dub base lines lay the foundations for atmospheric guitars and a voice filled with angst and attitude. New aged Indie with an edge, you would be a fool to miss out!”
(Noisebox)
“Politically charged space-punk bursting with ambient hooks. At times angry, at others completive, but always engaging…idiosyncratic, informed and ambitious in scope in the vein of Gang of Four or Rage Against The Machine but perhaps a little less settled, more eclectic and with colouration form the 90’s Trip-Hop scene…It is, in reality, in the live arena where this band really comes to life. Un-managed, unmediated – immediate and spontaneous.”
(Translate Zine)
“Absolutely amazing”
(Stroud FM)
“Trust us, some of us have been involved in local music for nearly 30 years. We tell you that because The Black Bloc are the band, who have the sound, attitude, opinions and looks to make them the band who might finally make it to a bigger stage and wide appeal”
(The Doghouse)
“The Black Bloc have a nice full sound and they carry it off live too. Thankfully they don’t sound like other bands around at the moment. I like the repetitive sections, it just digs and digs at your head and the ending is beautifully stark.”
(Yorkshire Music Collective)
“Great guitar riffs”
(Gigreviwer.com)
“The Black Bloc are the local bright hopes for 2008, combining deep grooves psychedelic guitar and powerfull melodies to great effect”
(Halifax Evening Courier)
“Had a Listen to The Black Bloc yesterday. Sounded great and the CD is just as impressive this morning”
(Drawn Recordings)