I love songs that bring out the melancholic and nostalgic sense in me. Music is a way to escape the harshness of the real world. It is also a piece of art that makes you feel in a certain way depending on your frame of mind. Joe Symes & The loving Kind just released their newest single called You’re No Friends of Mine, which is also timely considering that we have experienced losing people in our lives due to religious or political reasons. It is kind soundtrack of regret to those days when we thought relationships would never end but that is life. You have to move on. And you take that piece of your pain and turn it into art so that others may glean at the wisdom of your experience.

Here’s a little bit about the band:

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind are an original three-piece band from Liverpool UK.

They got major support slots from The Blockheads, Dodgy, XTC, Block Party, Alt-J and Starsailor, while their debut album received major raves in the United States. They have an original sound and their music goes down smoothly. The single was recorded At LIPA, Alex Gidman Producing, Mastered at Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios April 2017.

To follow were Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, a three-piece band from Liverpool who brought a brilliant layer of scouse charm, upbeat tunes with attitude and a notable instrumental flair – an almost garage-like grittiness to their sound. This is a group that is going places, as having released their debut album, they’ve since played Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Aftershow Party, featured at a number of festivals and have a second album due late 2017/early 2018.

For a three-piece, this is a group which delivers surprising depth with their drive – and their live instrumentation is particularly effective. The animated and diverse drumming was particularly notable: using a range of textured sticks and techniques to create a swift, semi- psychedelic rhythm. At times the intensity of the beat was at risk of rolling over the vocals, which seemed fairly low in the mix, but thanks to the band’s creative flair, complete with mouth organ (played by Joe Symes himself) and a kazoo-like instrument dropped in by the drummer, their set came together in a high-energy musical mash. This is music with positivity but far from empty, packing a power through confident, captivating bass and the buzz of Syme’s slick guitar playing, which as aforementioned, gives them a garage edge.

This Week’s Featured Band is

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind!

Since The release of their début album, Joe Symes and the Loving Kind have embarked on a non-stop journey across the UK, performing in cities and towns from London to Glasgow.

Taking their self-titled début album in an assault around the country has seen them pick up some major support slots including The Blockheads, Dodgy, XTC, Block Party, Alt-J and Starsailor, as well as hitting the festival circuit.

With the release of the double, A side single ‘Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday,’ the band showcased how they have evolved a heavier sound, but still keeping their distinctive feel found on the first album.

In 2016 the band were asked to play Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Aftershow Party once again at the 02 Academy Liverpool, as well as featuring on LFC TV (Liverpool Football Club’s official TV station) Bay TV’s Arts Aliveshow, and Radio City Talk (105.9 FM).

Later in the summer they performed at Festivals around the U.K alongside bands such as Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Space, The Farm, The Icicle Works, and The Christians, and being part of the Hillsborough Truth and Justice Delivered Concert at the Royal Court, Liverpool.

This year the boys have been travelling again supporting The Christians to a sell-out crowd at the Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury. Headlining the lovely Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon, Wales, along with supporting Republica on the main stage of the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

Joe and the boys have also commenced work on their long awaited second album being recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios in Oxfordshire, and also at the Motor Museum, Liverpool.

Their second album is due to land in late 2017/early 2018 and has been preceded by the ‘Acoustic Variations E.P,’ released in January 2017, along with the limited edition one-sided single. ‘You’re No Friends Of Mine,’ which landed in May 2017.

Now Joe Symes and the Loving Kind are back with their ‘Acoustic Variations E.P Volume Two‘ released earlier this month. Let me just say, each track warrants its place on the E.P, the songs are richly textured and coupled with Joe’s flawless vocals, the boys have raised the bar with ‘Acoustic Variations E.P Volume Two.’ I can’t wait to see what they do with their second album.

Head over to Joe Symes and the Loving Kind’s website to purchase your copy of their latest E.P. Also check out their Facebook and Twitter page and don’t forget to tell them Pop Culture Pipe Bomb sent you! Be sure to catch this brilliant band on the dates below!