Newcastle based alternative-pop duo Slurs have been cited by the Evening Chronicle as “set to burst on to the North East music scene this month” [May 2015] bringing their own set of catchy, fuzzy jangle to the fore.
Even though Slurs are quite a new band, their two members Mark Simpson (vocals & guitars) and Fintan Dawson (guitars & vocals) have been playing together for years. The pair first sat down together with guitars back at school in late 2001, and have never really stopped since. The pair formed Involution in 2006, and before their split in 2009, played venues all over Newcastle, the height of which was a sold out headline show at the Academy 2. Fintan has been active in the local scene since, drumming for the bands Cult Image and Retriever.
Slurs formed in the summer of 2013. Inspired over the years by many different genres and styles, the pair have blended the best of what they’ve come to love. They draw influences all the way from the melodic verses of The Housemartins and Elvis Costello through to the fuzzier riff-driven choruses of The Kills and Sonic Youth, to create their very own unique blend of upbeat, relatable, noisy pop music.
After their formation, Slurs spent a good deal of time developing their song craft. Armed only with a drum machine and 10 guitar strings between them, they spent what time they could over the next 12 months adjusting each other’s creations to compile their first EP, Northern Electric, which is packed full of punchy riffs, catchy choruses and driving guitars. Without time or money on their side they set to work on recording and mixing all six tracks themselves, over the course of a month or so.
By early 2015 the EP was complete. Artwork was designed by Fintan, using one of his photographs of the late, iconic Trinity Square car park, Gateshead. The pair are extremely passionate about their local heritage and their shared love of the north east of England.
Keeping true to their DIY roots, the lads organised their first gig themselves at The Cumberland Arms, Byker – 30 May 2015 to promote their first self-release to fans and local promoters alike. Off the back of this gig will be many more to come – Slurs have hit the North East.