Suave Martyrs

Manchester’s Suave Martyrs have gone from strength to strength, quickly building their reputation as one of the city’s most exciting prospects.

They return with new single ‘Footsteps,’ the first to come from their forthcoming EP, and falls to the more psychedelic side of their aesthetic.

Blending elements of ‘60s West Coast rock, Madchester era indie and psychedelia, the five-piece manage to embody all that makes Manchester what it is, while avoiding the pitfalls of swaggering Gallagher-esque clichés.

Following up on the previous single ‘Gimme a Reason’ the guitars are laden with delays, reverb and vibrato. The bass filling the space with an almost dub inspired pattern, forcing the song forward alongside spring tight percussion.

Lyrically, it’s one of Suave Martyrs’ darker offerings, depicting a battle in the protagonist’s own head, metamorphosising in the second verse, becoming an unknown assailant in a dark forest. The face of neither are seen. The nature of which reflects the universality of the implications of battling demons both internal and external.

Comprised of Brad Miller (vocals), Ben Greenhalgh (vocals, guitar), Sam Brunt (vocals, guitar), Stu Maxwell (bass) and Biscuit (drums), the band garnered a reputation for their incendiary live shows, so much so their debut headline at the much-missed Jimmy’s sold out in less than 24 hours, affording the band the chance to headline some of the city’s best-known venues, including Band on the Wall and Academy 3.