It’s funny how bands change. I first came across Me And Three Others in early 2003 when they aurally raped me with some of the worst songs I have ever heard. Sloppy, basic and with a singer that sounded like he was strangling a cat, I didn’t expect to come across them again sounding quite so good. Truth be told, they’re dwarfed by the sheer talent of Pendleton, who not only sound absolutely huge on this six-track split, but they sound like one of the most promising EpiFat-type bands the UK has produced in years. And I don’t say that lightly.
Although blazing a trail in Manchester, I doubt many people from across the country will have heard of either band. But that will surely change. Pendleton kick off with three astonishingly good songs that reference Ten Foot Pole and Bigwig, with lead guitar riffs peeled off among inventive basslines and drums that rival Michael Shumacher for speed. In the space of three songs they left me slack-jawed at just how talented they are. Note perfect vocal harmonies and some sweet-as-a-nut melodies have left me begging for more. ‘Amerika’ is an absolute must hear for anyone who likes their music hard, fast and heavy. Pendleton are certainly ones to watch very closely.
Me And Three Others bring up the rear with three tracks and, as I said previously, I wasn’t expecting much. But these guys really surprised me. While not quite as good as Pendleton, the band have progressed immensely since they last released an EP. Gone are the terrible vocals, the predictable three-chord guitars and the monotone drum patterns. Instead, we have a band performing with talent and vigour. While not wholly original (let’s face it, in 1998 everyone wanted to sound like NOFX), this is lessened by the fact hardly any bands around now do it well. Both of these bands do it very well. They’re probably Manchester‘s best kept secrets, but I’m guessing they won’t be for much longer…
www.PureVolume.com/PendletonMusic
www.PureVolume.com/MeAndThreeOthers
Paul