Jonny Martyr's Website Jonny Martyr - Influences

These are some of the bands that I listen to most of the time, and help shape my own music. 

 

Oasis

 

 

     Before Oasis, there was nothing. Described as "The shoots of vitality in a barren pop land", they breathed life back into the music scene in the 90s, after the desolate musical interlude that was the 80s. Originally built up from Burnage-based band "The Rain" (comprising singer Liam Gallagher, bassist Paul "Guigsy" Mcguigan, guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and drummer Tony McCaroll. Liam's older brother Noel gatecrashed a rehearsal, told them that their "songs were shit" and that he would make them "the biggest band in the world". Well, he was not wrong. The newly formed Oasis toured the country, and were spotted by Creation Records' Alan McGee in Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. 

Upon releasing their debut album, Definitely Maybe, Oasis shot up to superstardom. Their songs were exactly what people wanted to hear- rock 'n rolling guitars, pounding drums and youthful, yearning and defiant lyrics. While Noel claims that he is no lyricist, the power of songs such as Slide Away and Live Forever cannot be denied. Much of this power is supplied by "Monkey Boy, the singer" Liam. His grating vocals and thrust-out chin have become a trademark of Oasis.

     Now, Only the Gallagher brothers remain of the original Oasis. Tony Mccaroll was ejected after the first album, and was replaced by southerner Alan White. After Bonehead kicked down a door in France during the ...Giants sessions, he was kicked out, with Guigsy following soon afterwards. Filling their shoes were Heavy Stereo's Gem Archer on guitar and Ride's Andy Bell on bass.

     With the release of their 6th studio album, Heathen Chemistry, Liam has been officially recognized as a songwriter. His first track Little James was put on ...Giants, but is largely thought of as a bit shit (but the critics loved it). However, his new songs, Songbird, Born on a Different Cloud and Better Man, affirm his status as an important creative input device for the band. 

     Oasis proved that anyone could make it, even coming from the backside of Burnage, and inspired a nations youth. They gave birth to Britpop, back in the 90s, but are still riding on the waves of popularity today. Oh yeah, and apparently the Gallagher brothers don't like each other much.

 

Doves

 

 
     Doves, comprised of singer and bassist Jimi Goodwin, guitarist Jez Williams and drummer Andy Williams, make an odd type of music. On one hand they have the gentle, soothing melodies of songs such as The Man Who Told Everything and Break Me Gently, while on the other are stadium rock explosives such as Cedar Room and Catch the Sun. Both are undeniably powerful and effective, and even when playing live, stripped of their studio magicks, evoke a kind of pleasant harmony with much of the world. There Goes the Fear and Pounding stomp along without a care, while simultaneously providing a thoughtful depth to the layered melodies and sampled sound clips. All in all, one heck of a band.

 

Coldplay

 

 

    Variation, they say, makes the heart grow stronger. Or something. Coldplay exhibit this doubtfully accurate proverb perfectly. Breaking away from the current mould of "back-to-basics" rock music. Coldplay have transcended to a higher state through their music. Their albums contain many examples of the bands' desire to go places. There's the strummy guitar ones like Green Eyes, the clunky piano ballad of The Scientist, the keening, yearning strings of In My Place, and the angry, bash-your-guitar-til-it-bleeds political comment that is, er, Politik. In a day when guitars rule, Coldplay shine like a beacon of originality, lighting up all around.

 

Radiohead

 
     If Oasis breathed life into Britpop, Radiohead knocked it dead. Formed by frontman Thom Yorke from the remains of Oxford band "On A Friday", their first major success came with their second album, The Bends, which features the Radiohead staples of "the quiet bit", "the power chord bit" and "the Jonny Greenwood tremolo solo bit". Songs like Just and The Bends showcased a far rockier side to the band. Often fairly simple to play (much like their enemies, Oasis) their songs have no less effect, from the sinister, looping riffage of Street Spirit (Fade Out) to the slow and steady calm of High & Dry. The Bends also features Fake Plastic Trees, an anthem of lost love in London, and a reason to go and buy the album anyway.

     Upon the release of their third album, OK Computer, Radiohead were hailed as the saviours of the universe. However, their commercial success hid the cracks developing within the band. The band members could not bear to be in the same room as each other, so recording was somewhat fraught.

     Unlike most British bands, Radiohead managed to actually crack the American market. Their debut single, Creep, failed to make an impact on the British market but instead reached out to the entire American audience. The anthem of self-loathing and sarcasm only broke into the British Top 10 after it was re-released later.

     In recent years, Radiohead have abandoned their rock origins and moved in an entirely new direction. After the critically acclaimed "Album of the Year" that was OK Computer, the world was surprised by Kid A. Gone were the screeching guitar solos, as, indeed, were the guitars. In their place were ambient tracks, almost inhuman drum loops, and computer samples. The result was distinctly scary, and the effect was continued in Amnesiac, released only 9 months later. The latest album, Hail to the Thief is more of a return to the past, featuring a mix of ambient, drum loop driven tracks, piano ballads (Sail to the Moon) and rocky guitar tracks (2+2=5, There There) that, yes, you can actually dance to. And Thom Yorke does.

     Throughout the years, Radiohead have been sensible enough to keep abreast of the rock field, sometimes even floating above it, and it is this quality that keeps them in the spotlight today.