Sleepercurve set to rock Perth

Nov 3 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ELECTRO exponents Sleepercurve are promising gig-goers a glimpse into the future of rock ‘n’ roll when they play in Perth this weekend.

The space rockers from South London will bring their multi-media live show to the Fair City’s Twa Tams on Friday, ahead of the release of their debut single on November 16.

Boasting influences as diverse as The Prodigy, Mansun, Black Sabbath and Interpol, Sleepercurve have previously played in support of the likes of Captain, The Rumble Strips, The Dykeenies and Das Pop.

They’ve also got two headlining UK tours and a Download Festival set under their belts.

The video for the trio’s forthcoming single Robots has been directed by Bloc Party, Manic Street Preachers, Rakes and Captain collaborator Matt Simmonds.

Front man Dan Walsh told Music Scene the synth-rock track was written about the band’s fear of an all-controlling state.

“It’s about breaking out from mass control and using your intelligence to escape dystopia,” the singer and guitarist explained.

“The single is basically written for anyone out there who wants to start thinking for themselves.”

Sleepercurve are inspired by science fiction and landmark films like Total Recall, Blade Runner and Logan’s Run, with Walsh describing their gigs as “musical journeys”.

And the frontman is in no doubt that Sleepercurve have found the chemistry needed for them to capture the imaginations of rock followers in the vein of trios before them, like Rush, Muse and Biffy Clyro.

“People describe me as a mad wizard on stage, these weird kind of gestures seem to happen,” said Walsh.

“Visually we’re a triangle that comes together. In between songs there’s proper interludes that bring through the different elements.

“We see this band as a cinematic experience that’s drawing you into our world.”

The trio - who decided to revamp their sound by swapping instruments - also includes Mark Dixon on bass and keyboards and drummer Simon Tomes.

“There was no way we could remove any members so the only option was to change instruments,” Walsh explained.

“I’ve never heard of any bands who’ve done that or play like how we do.”

That may sound to some like an overly bold claim, or perhaps even a foolish one, but Walsh insists Sleepercurve’s debut album will prove him correct.

Despite record company pressure, the band plan to hold off releasing the set for a year to make sure it sounds exactly like they want it to.

“The album has to flow, we can’t just put it out, we need to take time to make sure it’s right,” Walsh declared.

“Our music is not three-minute pop songs. We need to have the material that will create powerful images in people’s heads.”

Friday’s Sleepercurve gig at the Twa Tams, in Perth’s Scott Street, features support from The Debuts and gets underway at 8pm.