The Entertainment Experts: German metallers Electric Callboy cement their meteoric rise with emphatic album ‘TEKKNO’

Rishi Shah on 20 September 2022

When Electric Callboy introduced their new singer Nico Sallach to the world in the depths of the pandemic via ‘Hypa Hypa’, the domino effect of fame and laughter that would ensue could not have even been anticipated by the band themselves. Two years on – with a rebranded name and a momentous live set to match – the band have pioneered their way to the forefront of a genre that is capturing thousands of hearts and minds all across the globe. Their latest album TEKKNO proves just why this ambitious blend of cheesy choruses and monstrous metal has lifted them to arenas – and beyond.

Despite the unprecedented reaction to ‘Hypa Hypa’, it takes a seriously talented and innovative artist to follow it up with five new singles that are currently trending higher on streaming platforms. Indeed, the likes of lead singles ‘Spaceman,’ ‘Pump It’ and ‘We Got The Moves’ exemplify Callboy in their full strength, mixing spectacular hooks with throbbing verses before descending into anarchy via the notorious crushing breakdowns associated with their roots.

You know what you’re getting with Electric Callboy. They’ve managed to carve out a new identity through the lens of costume-laden, hilarious music videos featuring wigs, workouts and all things weird and wonderful. This identity centres around collaboration and community, with the captivating vocals of Conquer Divide soaring through ‘Fuckboi’ being just one example among rappers, YouTubers and other personalities.

The harsh synths of ‘Mindreader’ prelude arguably the album’s most explosive, old-school riff, providing a more minor, darker twist in the heart of the album – Callboy can still do the basics just as well as any other band. The form mirrors the content in ‘Tekkno Train’, transporting us straight back to the party we all signed up for – with the accompanying palpitating rhythms, of course.

‘Arrow of Love’ and ‘Neon’ are two standout tracks on the record, where Sallach flexes his vocal cords with impeccable highs to equilibrate the bellowing lows of Kevin Ratajczak that have added this newfounded dynamism to Callboy. A stadium-like closing number, the reflective nostalgia of the repeated lyric ‘We were ready to fly / we were nothing but close to the sky’ is an emotional end to an album filled with flair and entertainment.

London’s cavernous Brixton Academy will play host to the show of a generation next April, when Callboy play their largest ever UK headline show following a string of more intimate dates later this month. A deserving stage, for a band who has crafted a unique character and mastered that craft, with unparalleled dare and ambition.

‘TEKKNO’ is out now, and you can find an interview with Electric Callboy from Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds in June 2022 here.

A Fever Dream: Johnny Marr to visit iconic Leeds record store

Rishi Shah on 21 February 2022

Leeds’ Jumbo Records will play host to one of the most influential musicians of all time next Thursday 3rd March, when Johnny Marr will be visiting to sign copies of his new full-length album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4. For fans to have the chance to spend time up close and personal with Marr is no doubt a priceless opportunity, given the size of the rooms he has and will continue to fill in his illustrious solo career.

The last time Marr visited Leeds was back in September, where he played a glorious sold out show at Leeds University Stylus. If this show felt intimate enough, it is but a taster of the chance to actually meet the man himself in the snug environment of a record store. Marr is certainly made for the grandest of stages: just a few days later, he slotted in as main support for Courteeners at Old Trafford, and spring 2022 will see him fill arenas around the UK in support of Blondie.

Fever Dreams, effectively a collection of four EPs serving as a double LP, has thoroughly impressed so far, with hit singles ‘Spirit, Power and Soul’ and ‘Tenement Time’ particularly starring over the course of the first three instalments. The fourth, completionary part will be released this Friday 25th February, as Marr’s full project Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 takes physical form in an indies exclusive turquoise vinyl pressing.

His visit in Leeds will be the last on a whistle-stop tour of record stores around the UK, including his hometown Manchester’s Piccadilly Records on release day. His self-proclaimed ‘most ambitious solo project since The Smiths’ is out this Friday, and album bundles to access his Jumbo Records signing are on sale here.

Neck Deep: A Headliner Elect

Rishi Shah on 20 February 2022

This would prove to be their self-proclaimed ‘best ever Leeds show’, yet something tells me that will certainly be topped when they take to Slam Dunk Festival.

Community and Carnage: Turnstile bring ‘GLOW ON’ to the Refectory in Leeds

Rishi Shah on 7 February 2022

One of 2021’s most critically acclaimed albums, transforming the dream-punk of Turnstile’s ‘GLOW ON’ into a live environment posed a new challenge for the Baltimore hardcore outfit. As the band’s growth leads them into larger rooms, the ever increasing gap to the barrier makes the stage diving that is synonymous with their live shows all the more difficult. 

Yet, in the historic setting of The Refectory, which now serves as a University canteen with a balcony cafe, the room – and upper tier – was transformed into a diving board for fans and band members alike to launch themselves off the balcony into the raucous army of followers down below. Quite the upgrade from a chilled morning study space.

Opening with the dreamy, vibrant ‘MYSTERY’, the narrow yet extended room became one gigantic pit of chaos, as fans were treated to this new material live in Northern England for the first time. Nostalgic, older tracks like ‘Fazed Out’ and ‘Gravity’ were interwoven into the set, between a flurry of newer tracks that showcased the complexity and originality of ‘GLOW ON.’ A particular highlight was ‘UNDERWATER BOI’ and its unique structure, as the crowd figured out how to continually match the energy onstage with exact precision.

Whilst bassist Franz Lyons courageously wore a Manchester United shirt with the number 27 on the back, frontman Brendan Yates rapidly abandoned his t-shirt, clambering around the crowd with a hand on the balcony, the whites of his eyes there for all to see – focused as ever. With this album campaign, you really feel the sense of a matured, almost finished article at the height of their powers. Pride and joy resonated around the room, as they closed the set with the unifying ‘T.L.C.’ before departing our shores to tour the USA.

Turnstile headline Manchester’s Outbreak Festival in late June, and tickets are on sale here.

The Night Café show their class at a sold out Stylus show

Rishi Shah on 7 February 2022

Leeds was the focal point of a circular journey for The Night Café over the course of the pandemic. Playing Leeds Festival on the release weekend of their debut album 0151 back in 2019, they would not play a live show for over two years – until last year’s Live At Leeds Festival.

Bassist Arran O’Connell Whittle popped into the LSTV studio for a chat just before that set, where he told us just how excited the band were to finally get out on tour this February and play their Leeds date, showcasing their lengthy debut that is firmly ingrained into this generation’s nostalgic indie rock scene. 

Launching into Leeds University’s Stylus with the timeless ‘Finders Keepers’, the young crowd was sent into raptures as ‘Felicity’ and ‘The Way Of Mary’ reinvigorated the energy that created such a buzz around The Night Café. Despite the forced hiatus, the band showed no signs of a lack of chemistry or a single mistake amidst what was a crisp, cohesive set.

Having supported their Scouse counterparts The Wombats and Circa Waves on numerous occasions, and done the rounds at virtually every major UK festival, this set really saw The Night Café mature into their own, unique headline act that truly demonstrated their capabilities. The ticket sales on this tour demonstrate just how far their reach has grown, packing out sweaty clubs all over the country.

A short encore of ‘Addicted’ and ‘Mixed Signals’ perhaps left some fans longing for more material from their latest EP For Better Days. However, it was really 0151 that represented their coming of age, and it is only natural that they completed such an eagerly anticipated campaign with a stunning headline tour to match that will continue on for the rest of February.

The Night Café support The Wombats at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on 14th April, and you can purchase tickets here. 

Adams laments another draw as Bradford rescue point against Leyton Orient

Rishi Shah on 5 February 2022

Elliott Watt’s deflected strike from range rescued a 1-1 draw for Bradford City against out-of-form Leyton Orient, who had taken the lead through captain Darren Pratley. 

In a tight, scrappy affair where both sides failed to create clear cut chances, a draw appears to be a fair reflection given the fact that both goals came out of very little. A cutting edge was most certainly missing, despite City top scorer Andy Cook coming close with two second half headers. 

Bradford Manager Derek Adams offered his thoughts on a game where Bradford simply ‘weren’t clinical enough’ to get the victory:

On how the game panned out: “We’ve had shots blocked, and haven’t been able to hit the target as much as we wanted to. When the stats tell you that we’ve created twelve opportunities versus five, it tells you that we were the team in the ascendancy.”

On Leyton Orient’s goal: “It was [a scruffy goal], it came at a moment in the game where there wasn’t much in the match, but it was a terrific goal to put it into the top corner. I’m not sure if it got flicked on…but the team showed great character; they go 1-0 down, they try to get back into the match, and that’s what you ask of your team…good fighting spirit.”

On the returning Elliot Watt: “A lot of good play comes through Elliot. He’s one of the best players in this division at taking the ball and moving it, and I’m delighted that he got a goal tonight. He was running around that edge of the box; Andy Cook was probably unfortunate to not score tonight…in the end we just haven’t done enough to get that winner, but we’ve had enough opportunity to do it.”

On Bradford’s thirteenth draw of the season: “We’ve had too many draws. It’s not without trying, we just weren’t clinical enough to get there. I always say, it’s winning that gets you up this league. Draws can be good at times, but winning is the one that propels you really quickly into a better position.”

On City’s character: “They’ve responded well. There was a setback when we went 1-0 down, but they’ve shown really good character tonight. They fought hard to get the point, but in the end we probably had enough opportunities to win.”

On the departure of captain Niall Canavan: “He got the opportunity to go to Barrow, and I had to make a decision. He’s given an 18-month contract, which is great for him and his family, and I’m not in a position to do that. I had to make a decision whether to let him go or not.

On City’s deadline day signings: “We’ve had things moving along, and you have to move quickly. The two we took in, Luke Hendrie and Nathan Delfouneso, were in the pipeline – and it’s just fortunate that we got them in the end. 

They’ve given us experience, I think in this division you do need experience to get out of the division. They’ve added competition for places right away; we’ve got a few injuries at this moment in time and they’ll help us deal with that.”

Bradford City’s next outing sees them take on Harrogate in a Yorkshire derby, this Saturday 5th February.

Image Credit: Rishi Shah