What are we Talking About?
This band! This band is exactly why we do Yeah Buddy!, it's not a job, it's a hobby, it is a few independent music lovers heralding the amazing material that is out there and can be found if you are willing to dig a little deeper. Like going to a new city and rather than loitering on the main square, you have an adventure and find some real treasure. Takotsubo Men are one of those treasures and we're happy to share it with you all.
Summary
Takotsubo Men are a band of supreme talents. Members formerly of 90's indie-rock heroes Cecil / Voy. 'Turn Every Switch' is the bands insane, unhinged and glorious debut E.P. The 3 piece formed in 2014 and this E.P is trio flying their creased and frayed flag high. Takotsubo Men put on quite the awesome display across the 3 tracks that form the E.P.
Singer Ste Williams has the vocal drive of James Dean Bradfield with the maniacal lyrics of Andy Falkous. Rhythmic flurry's, pelting drums, harmonious yet fast-paced riffs all combine perfectly with the snappy song lengths to give me this desire to repeatedly listen to each track, which is exactly what I did, I was flipping that vinyl like a pancake.
What Hooked Me?
More or less every vocal line on the E.P. Ste Williams is a lyrical fisherman and he had me well and truly hook. This E.P in fact is a vocal hook frenzy. Here is a list of the vocals hooks that the E.P (which lasts for less than 10 minutes) boasts;
'I am not the prick/mess/drunk/man you think I am, I am a Takotsubo man
'A Takotsubo Man can hear you call
A Takotsubo Man can catch you when you fall'
'Were on our way, We're on our way to your hearts and when we get there we're gonna pull it apart'
'We well pull it apart/ we will blast it with guns'
'Over me over me over me over me over me over me over'
'Turn every switch up to the maximum'
So that is 2 ridiculously catchy lines per song. This band has a bottomless pit of hooks. It's slightly exhausting by the 80th listen yet they still don't any less catchy
Key Lyric
It has to go to 'I am not the prick you think I am, I am a Takotsubo Man', the first line of the E.P and what a way to introduce yourself. Fantastic
Artwork
Well it is an uncomfortably close picture of the bands frontman looking crazed with 'Takotsubo Men' tattooed across his head. I'd say it was a pretty apt representation of the bands entire sound and aesthetic. No need to ask for more
Feedback
Takotsubo Men are setting their sights on an album next. I am always apprehensive about independent bands doing full albums but judging from this E.P, Takotsubo Men are definitely prepared for it. I would like to see them really work themselves into a position where they will be getting the album covered in national press. Getting themselves on the festival circuit and getting a strong press campaign behind the album is exactly what i wanna see.
Line From The Band
Singer Ste Williams told us; "We released the E.P in the summer of 2015 via pledge music. All of the tracks were recorded live in Zanzibar apart from the vocals. We are back in Edge Studios at the end of February to finish off the album, hopefully it will be out in Autumn."
Vital Info
The E.P can be purchased here, it is well worth it;
www.roughtrade.com/albums/94563
Listen to tracks from the band here;
This band! This band is exactly why we do Yeah Buddy!, it's not a job, it's a hobby, it is a few independent music lovers heralding the amazing material that is out there and can be found if you are willing to dig a little deeper. Like going to a new city and rather than loitering on the main square, you have an adventure and find some real treasure. Takotsubo Men are one of those treasures and we're happy to share it with you all.
Summary
Takotsubo Men are a band of supreme talents. Members formerly of 90's indie-rock heroes Cecil / Voy. 'Turn Every Switch' is the bands insane, unhinged and glorious debut E.P. The 3 piece formed in 2014 and this E.P is trio flying their creased and frayed flag high. Takotsubo Men put on quite the awesome display across the 3 tracks that form the E.P.
Singer Ste Williams has the vocal drive of James Dean Bradfield with the maniacal lyrics of Andy Falkous. Rhythmic flurry's, pelting drums, harmonious yet fast-paced riffs all combine perfectly with the snappy song lengths to give me this desire to repeatedly listen to each track, which is exactly what I did, I was flipping that vinyl like a pancake.
What Hooked Me?
More or less every vocal line on the E.P. Ste Williams is a lyrical fisherman and he had me well and truly hook. This E.P in fact is a vocal hook frenzy. Here is a list of the vocals hooks that the E.P (which lasts for less than 10 minutes) boasts;
'I am not the prick/mess/drunk/man you think I am, I am a Takotsubo man
'A Takotsubo Man can hear you call
A Takotsubo Man can catch you when you fall'
'Were on our way, We're on our way to your hearts and when we get there we're gonna pull it apart'
'We well pull it apart/ we will blast it with guns'
'Over me over me over me over me over me over me over'
'Turn every switch up to the maximum'
So that is 2 ridiculously catchy lines per song. This band has a bottomless pit of hooks. It's slightly exhausting by the 80th listen yet they still don't any less catchy
Key Lyric
It has to go to 'I am not the prick you think I am, I am a Takotsubo Man', the first line of the E.P and what a way to introduce yourself. Fantastic
Artwork
Well it is an uncomfortably close picture of the bands frontman looking crazed with 'Takotsubo Men' tattooed across his head. I'd say it was a pretty apt representation of the bands entire sound and aesthetic. No need to ask for more
Feedback
Takotsubo Men are setting their sights on an album next. I am always apprehensive about independent bands doing full albums but judging from this E.P, Takotsubo Men are definitely prepared for it. I would like to see them really work themselves into a position where they will be getting the album covered in national press. Getting themselves on the festival circuit and getting a strong press campaign behind the album is exactly what i wanna see.
Line From The Band
Singer Ste Williams told us; "We released the E.P in the summer of 2015 via pledge music. All of the tracks were recorded live in Zanzibar apart from the vocals. We are back in Edge Studios at the end of February to finish off the album, hopefully it will be out in Autumn."
Vital Info
The E.P can be purchased here, it is well worth it;
www.roughtrade.com/albums/94563
Listen to tracks from the band here;
Reviewer Profile
Krystian Hudson is one half of YB!HQ. He is co-founder of Yeah Buddy! and the proud owner of a Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine that (potentially) cost over £50.
Front man Salt the Snail (Keep your eyes peeled). Krystian writes from time to time but spends most of his time helping to make Yeah Buddy! awesome.
He is a support worker by trade but moonlights in promoting unsigned bands via Yeah Buddy! online, live and co-promoting Liverpool Calling festival.