I quite often take video clips when I'm at gigs. Among the bands I've 'bootleged' - their description, not mine! - are Guile. I've never made great claims for my clips, it's just a way of sharing the gig with friends as far as I'm concerned, but this professionally filmed clip of Guile really does put my amateur efforts to shame!
Hopefully more this footage will see the light of day. It really ought to, for my money, Guile are as good an unsigned band as you'll find right now.
Here's what Clash magazine said about them:
"...fine gritty, dirt-smeared blues that occasionally delves into the dark reaches of Doors-esque psychedelia. With menace and melody cramped into one tight space, it’s like the aural equivalent of the black lung....."
Meantime you can check out more of Guile on You Tube here.
The glorious sonic shotgun marriage of blues, psychedelia and stoned punk rock that is Guile finally breaks cover with a headline gig at the Midlands most remarkable venue, The Public in West Bromwich on Saturday 27th November.
It feels like Guile have been the best kept secret in the Midlands (or possibly the country, having played everywhere from Aberdeen to Brighton...) for far too long now. Fusing dark country, white noise psychedelia and a passionate almost soulful reverence for a lineage that draws from Hank Williams, to the Doors, to the Sex Pistols, to Primal Scream and all points in between.
Yes, Guile really are that good.
In fact, think the Jesus & Mary Chain meet Spiritualized on steroids playing Johnny Cash and The Gun Club, throw in The Saints, with Chris Bailey's alcohol soaked delivery... and you’re halfway to Guile.
As if that wasn’t enough of an incentive, Saturday’s gig marks the release of the first fruits of Guile’s debut album in the shape of a limited edition single of title track ‘Alone On The West’. A coruscating howl of isolation and alienation that has already become a signature part of the band’s live set, the single will only be available at Saturday’s gig, each copy coming with unique artwork as well.
On top of all that there’s the venue. Twelve minutes out of Brum on the metro and probably the most controversial building in the Midlands, whatever you think of it, to have an opinion, it has to be seen!
Packed with technology The Public is an ideal gig setting and is geared up for filming, so Saturday could well be recorded for posterity as well. But don’t wait for that... this Saturday West Bromwich really is the only place to be. Guile links
