Boxfresh®

Here at Same Teens we don’t limit ourselves to the confines of Manchester, we like to get involved with Teens all around the place. If you’re doing something interesting, you’re doing it with passion, and you’re doing it with teen spirit then it’s all gravy to us. 

We heard some mutual friends down in Exeter were sorting out a night of new music and that another were starting band, as it turned out said band (now going under the name of Pablo Picasso) were being put on the line up for ‘Freshly Baked New Music’ at Exeter’s premier art-y venue The Phoenix we couldn’t help but automatically think of getting diary accounts, Adrian Mole style, of two sets of teens trying to do something new, bold, and most likely all time-consuming and money-losing. Ah well. As is the true face of the music industry, it all starts here…

Blaise is promoting the new music event, and Henry talks about the trauma of actually trying to write a song. Delve in… (all artwork by teens too)

Pablo Picasso artwork by Henry Johns

THE BAND
Aspirations? How many aspirations can a teen in a band have among the dirty sea of today’s industry?

Upon entering the household of the drummer (of whom’s parents believe me to be a smack dealing animal of some sort (maybe dog)), and taking my place on an amp, the silence commenced; the dreaded, inevitable silence always prior to any musical genius. After the practise had truly began, pistons started moving. A drone could see the confidence seeping back into our veins.

The ridiculousness drove us through the evening along with a bare few fairy cakes, each of us vouching that being hammered, indisputably, would prevent us from being able to put things together properly. Guitars seemed intact for the time-being and the ability to improvise was undoubtably a must. As we came to the decision that we’d entwine the whole set together with the manic chorus of “The trees”, I could certainly imagine the crowd losing their minds along with the burdens of embarrassment always strung along with dancing sober…or maybe they’ll all be drunk anyway. As the session continued I couldn’t help but find myself losing momentum due to the Jay Reatard-esque screams and jives; the death of the 29 year old and his enviable music hadn’t left me untouched, I suppose.

As the session was nearing an end, Sam’s announcement of “I’ve got an idea” was music to my ears, much like sounds subsequent to it. The song laid itself in front of me: the idea so bizarre, the chance of a frowning mop droning around in the crowd suddenly plummeted. A sunbeam suddenly fell on the equally anti-aquiescent Kaossilator from Korg and huge wheels began to turn. Unfortunately every steam train has to reach the end of its tracks and the looming morning forced us to come to a halt and part ways.

So, there I found myself, nearing my destination and nearing the gig; Beginning the band. We are definitely not like other bands, which is exactly what I longed for. The bottom line: need more practise. Back next month.
Henry JohnsTHE EVENT
When I first thought of the idea of putting together a gig at a local venue last November, it was fuelled merely by a slight annoyance at the limited number of opportunities for local, young bands to play live, but there was no real drive, no real ambition, no real hope that it would ever take place. However since that moment it has snowballed into an event that will (all fingers-crossed) go ahead within the next two months. 

Now that it is an actuality, the stress has started to set in for several reasons:

·         Will the bands fall to pieces and have a collective panic attack on stage?

·         Will the (ever growing) costs overtake the potential revenue?

·         Will I even sell any tickets?

I’ve had to think about public liability insurance, booking fees, technician hire, stewarding, venue hire, dates etcetera etcetera…at time it would appear easier just to stop, and get on with revising for gcses like everyone else is. But I guess its that challenge that keeps me going- I told myself I’d make it happen before the end of Easter, and since I settled the date of 16^th April a few weeks back, I’m over halfway there- the end is in sight.  Just gotta hope I can hold it together until then.
Blaise Radley

Event poster design by Romek Harley Boyer