Totally Addicted to Bass

Exciting news, folks! Over the next month or so, White Heath will be undergoing a change.

We've come to the conclusion at long last that our current set up is inadequate. I know that many people have praised us for it's unconventional nature, but if we're being honest, it was only brought about by necessity. More importantly, it doesn't really have anything to do with the originality of our music: you don't go to concerts based on the size of an orchestra, but on the merit of the composer they've decided to perform. It became apparent during the course of recording the album that the constraints imposed on us by our live line-up were impeding the musical imagination of the band, and with the time afforded us in the studio we were able to explore avenues we wouldn't have previously considered. We've had ideas we can't physically re-create with the instrumentation available to our current live sound, and with this in mind we've decided to get ourselves a rhythm section.

Apart from the utter arse-ache of organising seven people to be in a given place at one time, we're all really excited about it: Adz and I in particular are going to be freed up immensely by not having to have one eye on always covering the bottom end, and I think Sean and Shou are quite relieved at being able to concentrate on what they do best. We're by no means going to turn into a 4/4 rock outfit or attempt to sideline our heavily percussive sound: it's just a way of giving the music more options, dynamics and textures.  It's going to be awesome.

So please give a warm welcome to the excellent Craig Salter, who will be joining as our bassist this very week. We're very lucky that he happens to not only be a damn fine musician, but also a very close friend. And, music aside, it's going to be great to have someone else to piss about with on the train to Glasgow. Everyone loves him; we're sure you will too.

We'll be playing our first ever gig as a six-piece this Friday (17th) in Henry's Cellar Bar at exactly 8pm. Please do come down and give your support. If Craig's lovely face (above) wasn't enough to get you in a tizzy, then remember we're supporting Tom Hingley, the voice of The Inspiral Carpets.

And for god's sake download our single.

Awesome! See you there!

Al

GIG ALERT!

As 2010 draws to a close the White Heath camp is beginning to pack up shop for Christmas.  The album’s recorded and pretty much mixed; we’ve one last day of final editing to go before we can call it a wrap, but all in all it’s pretty much there.  We’ve seen the last of the really big creative decisions, and the only thing left is a little polishing to make it perfect.  It’s nice that it’ll be completed to see the beginning of the New Year; it’s strange how there’s something about that festival in particular which encourages this kind of sentimentality.  For some reason Hogmanay really feels like it has some bearing on how you organise your life, even to the least traditional and superstitious among us.

Anyway, before that happens, we’ve a couple of shows lined up in Edinburgh and Glasgow if you want to see us play one last time before the holidays.

This Sunday (12th) we’ll be heading through to Glasgow to play at the Captain’s Rest with The Red Show and Rollor, both fantastic examples of interesting modern rock and roll, full of an energy and intelligence that drives their music forward.  Oh, and to play the charity card: it’s a fundraiser for children’s care.

As to our home city, we’re playing Henry’s Cellar Bar on Black Friday (17^th).  We’ll be supporting Tom Hingley, the legendary frontman of The Inspiral Carpets, one of Manchester’s most revered and influential bands.  This gig’s going to be off the hook, so make sure you get there quite early as other commitments have meant we’ve had to request one of the earlier slots.

Cool!  See you there!

Al