SCENE and HEARD – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Phase II Album Review

SCENE and HEARD – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Phase II Album Review

FYYPP PRESS RELEASE…..
we have found some papers relating to reviews that Some Bloke did before he was so cruelly taken. Here is the first.

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Phase II album.

Listening to Joe Symes latest offering ‘Phase II’. An album that tells the tale of a long and winding road. Where the first album evokes a nostalgic nod towards Merseybeat and that new rock & roll of the era, this album brings that British sound right up to date. A modern slice of Mod, pushing on from bands like The Jam, The Chords and The Prisoners, and with a focus on a more melodic rock under base, they have created an album that is more open and honest.

This album sees the band going beyond the initial influences and, in as sense, confines of those influences. It’s amusing that for a band that released such a strong first album echoing so completely their Liverpool heritage they found it difficult to find good gigs in Liverpool. As if somehow being musically proud of the city and the sound was not good enough for certain Liverpool ears. Luckily the band found much more welcoming attitudes outside of the city. Gaining audiences not just in Britain but globally. Funny how bands from outside Liverpool, rehashing the Beatles are lauded in this city by certain sections, take a bow Oasis.

Now with years of touring behind them, the band return with a musical maturity that sees them spreading their musical wings and bringing in a bigger sound. A little dirtier, a little wiser and a whole lot more today. Merseyside has seen a resurgence of that Mod/Rock/Pop sound, led by bands such as Shardy and Chester’s Hollywood Eyes, and Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, are the flagship band. This album rightfully places them up there as a band not only rooted to this city, but gaining critical acclaim across the pond in that there US of A. But this band have led this invasion on their own. They have put in the work, they have bled onstage, they have travelled the miles.

They have tread a very long furrow and now with this release they have raised the bar for themselves and others. Nearly every track has an anthemic feel. Foot tapping, sing along, feel good tracks abound, such as ‘Blame It On Yourself’ and my personal favourite (for now), Track 10 ‘Turn Me On, Turn Me Out Tonight.’ Songs such as ‘Summers Almost Coming’ feels so expansive, it almost jostles you to breathe deep breaths and dream. This is such an uplifting album, that at its heart recognises Liverpool as its birthplace, but is music for the world, (including this city).

The dreaded 2nd album has been well and truly blown away by ‘Phase II’. Every track offers something. There are no fillers, shortcuts or cheap shots. The band have given so much of themselves in this work and when you mix that in with their live gigs, it provides a heady cocktail of great rock & roll and passion for music.

Go like their page. Buy the album, support a local band!

Liverpool Local Bands – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Music Interview

Liverpool Local Bands – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Music Interview

1) How did you all meet?
JS&TLK – Me (Colin – drums/percussion/backing vocals) and Joe (vocals/guitar/harmonica) have know each other for many years. We’d been in our own separate bands, but had always met up to have a drink, and talk about what we were listening to, and such. When those bands split, we immediately started working together, as deep down, we had wanted to for a while. Andy (bass/backing vocals) answered an ad we’d put online for a bass player after his old band split. It’s worked out very nicely.
2) When did you form the band?
JS&TLK – The official line up got together in 2016. There were other member before then, but they were session players helping us out. It feels longer than what it actually is, as we’ve done so much, met so many people, and been to so many places in such a short time. Ha! Ha!
3) What got you involved in the first place?
JS&TLK – In playing music? Taking what we heard at home growing up to the point where we thought, “I can do this.” I think once it gets under your skin, and you can’t shake it off, you can never stop.
4) Who are your influences? What style would you class yourselves as?
JS&TLK – Combined, our influences go right across the spectrum. Beatles, Doors, Kinks, Stones, Bunnymen, Smiths, R.E.M, U2, Genesis, Motown, Stax, Burt Bacharach, all the great crooners, various types of Jazz, blues, and classical, even great film and TV composers like John Barry, Bernard Hermann, Lalo Schifrin, Ron Grainer, Laurie Johnson and Barry Gray, to name a several.
I don’t think we could stamp one permanent label on us. The first album was a mixture of Rock, Dah-Dah, Psychedelia, Jazz, Country, and Easy Listening, but the second album and single is a variety of heavy, catchy Rock/Pop songs, or as we called it: Heavy Pop. That’s us at the moment. No doubt the next releases will be different again. We always feel the need to change, as we get bored very easily.
5) What label are you signed to/independent?
JS&TLK – Truly Independent Records, which is out own label. We like to be our own bosses, but if a big label came along, and wanted to distribute any future releases, we’d negotiate something that we were happy with, and on our terms. No one likes to get ripped off, do they?
6) What do you do outside of music (hobbies etc) that inspires your creativity?
JS&TLK – We all do our own little things when we’re not playing. Writing, painting, reading, designing things, odd jobs around our houses (which is very therapeutic), watching classic films and TV shows.
7) Who is the joker in the band? Examples?
 
JS&TLK – I don’t think you could single anyone out. We’ve all got our own distinct type of humour, which compliments each of us combined. There was a time when that combination mixed with a large amount of champagne led to some very funny shenanigans after a gig in Leicester. I’m afraid we can’t repeat any of the details here. 
 
8) Is there any new music you like now?
 
JS&TLK – There’s always great new music coming out all the time. It’d be unfair to name a few,  as some might unintentionally get left out. 
 
9) If you could date anybody in the music industry who would it be?
 
JS&TLK – Ah, come on now. Ha! Ha! Any answers to that question might cause jealousy. 
 
10) How do you feel about the internet and the music industry?
 
JS&TLK – The internet is an odd one. It certain has its pros and cons, and has definitely changed the music industry; sadly in some negative ways. There needs to be a balance where you can have the positive aspects of the net mixed with some of the old school ways the industry worked, so there’s no exclusiveness, and everyone who has something to offer gets the opportunity to show it, if that makes sense. 
 
11) Full time musicians?  What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
 
JS&TLK – That’s something we don’t like to think about. 
 
12) What is the best gig you have ever done?
 
JS&TLK – I don’t think we could name one. The gigs we’ve done on both stages of the 02 Academy Liverpool were very special. Brecon Beacon Theatre in Wales, and the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury are definitely up there too, as one was a full electric gig and the other a stripped down MTV Unplugged show. Both in these wonderful theatres, but each one the opposite sonically. Have to add all the gigs we played at The Box, Crewe: a venue that’s recently been knocked down, which is a great loss to the circuit. Very sad. 
 
13) What is your favourite song to perform live?
 
JS&TLK – Again, we can’t name one. The double A side single Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday is up there. Where Do Go From Here, Summer’s Almost Coming, and Turn Me On, Turn Me Out Tonight from latest album are there also. 
 
14) What are your plans for the future?
 
JS&TLK – At the moment we’re taking time out from gigging, as we’re totally exhausted after two and a half years of nonstop playing up and down the UK, but we’ve recently been back in the studio working on new material. There’s no deadline, so we’re just talking our time. 
 
15) When is your next gig?
 
JS&TLK – There’ll be no gigs for the rest of year, as we’re still recharging our batteries, so it will be sometime in 2020. 
 
16) What is your latest release?
 
JS&TLK – It’s our second album, which is called Phase II, which is available to buy in physical and download form from the band website. 
 
17) On a scale of 1 – 10 how good is your new single compared to your last one?
 
JS&TLK – It’s a great single that appeals to a wide audience. I think that’s what matters. 
 
18) What do you feel is your best song and why?
 
JS&TLK – It’d be impossible to name one. Couldn’t be done. 
 
19) Where can we buy your music?
 
JS&TLK – At our website www.joesymesandthelovingkind.co.uk 
 
20) How can anybody watching this follow you?
 
 
 
 
Davies’s Demos Interviews Joe Symes and the Loving Kind

Davies’s Demos Interviews Joe Symes and the Loving Kind

Interview With Joe Symes and The Loving Kind… Thanks to Joe Symes and Colin White

What made you want to become a musician?

JS&TLK – Being inspired by the music we were brought up with. I think it all just soaked in to the point where you found yourself saying, “Hey, I can do that. I WILL do that!”

Who writes your music?

JS&TLK – Joe is the principle songwriter of the band. He will come in and play the song acoustically, then the rest of us will “colour in” our parts like on a canvas.

Do you write from personal experiences?

JS&TLK – Yeah, some of the songs have been, others from things I’ve been told or heard about from friends, family, in some cases things I’ve read about. The inspiration comes from so many different places.

Is there a hidden meaning in any of your songs?

JS&TLK – Ah, that would be telling.

What’s the worst part about being a musician?

JS&TLK – Good question. Sometimes it can be physically and emotionally draining, but you’ve just got to plow on.

Who are your inspirations?

JS&TLK – Individually and collectively we have so many. The Doors, The Beatles, U2, Burt Bacharach, Motown, Stax, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Who, all the great crooners, film composers like John Barry, so much.

Do you remember your first gig?

JS&TLK – Wow! It feels so long ago, and so much has happened to us. it’s all so hazy.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

JS&TLK – I think a lot the people we’d like to work with are dead, sadly. Paul McCartney would be great to work with.

If you could have any artist (dead or alive) sing your songs who would it be?

JS&TLK – Ah, that could change day by day. I think any of the great crooners could’ve sang our song Ready To Ride from the first album. Yeah, I could see that.

Where’s your favourite and least favourite venue to perform?

JS&TLK – We love most of the venues we play. I think it would be unfair to mention out least favourites. Don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes.

What would be your dream gig? (Your choice of venue and support acts etc)

JS&TLK – Again, supporting Paul McCartney would be amazing. Somewhere like Madison Square Garden.

If you could create a super group of musicians, dead or alive, who would it be?

JS&TLK – I think that’s impossible to put together. The whole super group concept can be so misleading. Certain bands are comprised of certain musicians for a reason, and to mix that up wouldn’t work as good as some people are lead to believe.

What song makes you think, “Damn I Wish I Wrote That?”

JS&TLK – I Feel Fine by The Beatles is up there. Ain’t Misbehavin’ could be added to that too.

With Biopic films growing increasingly popular, if you had to choose an actor to play out your life story who would it be?

JS&TLK – Absolutely no idea.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

JS&TLK – I don’t think we could name just one. The fact that we’re making music that we like, and are proud of, and the fact that people from all over the world seem to like it.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

JS&TLK – The Beatles White Album. Yeah, I think we can agree on that. It’s an album with so much variety that you can never get bored by it.

Is there a message you would like to give to your fans?

JS&TLK – Yes, we’d like to thank them all near and far for believing in us, and loving everything we do. For that we’re eternally grateful.

SCENE and HEARD – Things Get Better

SCENE and HEARD – Things Get Better

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind have released a new track ‘Things Get Better.’
Surfing on the edge of late 60s psychedelia without getting dragged under the waves, they have created a much smoother sounding Rock & Roll. The colourful background in the music imbues the track with a halcyon days aura without allowing the song to drift off target.

The band are all excellent musicians and they guide the song like an arrow, keeping it moving with a precision that cuts through the temptation of getting lost in ethereal scuzzy guitar. Along with the recent release of their latest album ‘Phase II’ these guys continue to ramp up the quality.

https://youtu.be/zpt2UO7EQ1k

Best Ever You – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind

Best Ever You – Joe Symes and the Loving Kind

We are proud to feature Joe Symes and The Loving Kind here on Best Ever You!

September 2018 saw their eagerly anticipated release of the band’s second album: a ten track rock classic that will leave the listener wanting more. The production of this album took place in several locations such as Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios, Oxfordshire, the Motor Museum, Liverpool, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, and Abbey Road, London. According to the late Early Beatles manager/Merseybeat promoter Sam Leach, R.I.P., “Joe Symes and the Loving Kind from Liverpool, U.K, is one of the most exciting new bands to come out of Liverpool!”

Our interview:

BEY: Tell us about yourself? 

JSTLK: Hi, all. Thanks for interviewing us. We’re Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, a three piece band from Liverpool, UK, consisting of Joe Symes (vocals/guitar/harmonica), Colin White (drums/percussion/backing vocals), and Andy Cleary (bass/backing vocals), who play their own style of catchy, heavy rock/pop.

BEY:How did you get to be where you are today? JSTLK: Basically from just being ourselves, doing our own thing, and not conforming to anyone’s brand of rules and regulations.

BEY: Have you ever been fired? JSTLK: Ha! Ha! No, we can safely say that collectively and individually none of us have been “fired.”

BEY: What are your real passions?

JSTLK: Playing and being involved in music, of course would be up at the top. But also we all love creativity of many different varieties. Designing, writing, painting, making videos, watching classic movies/TV, reading. So many things as well as our many objective.

BEY: If you won the lottery, what would you do? JSTLK: Good question. Apart from taking care of family, it would be great to have our own studio built. There would be nothing better musically than have you own facilities at your disposal at anytime.

BEY: What do you do to help others be their best? 

JSTLK: Give them the best advice you could give anyone. Believe in yourself, always strive to be better, learn from your mistakes, and never give up.

BEY: How do you help yourself be the best you can be? JSTLK: Tell ourselves the advice we’d give to others. That’s all you can do.

BEY: What do you like to do in your personal life?  

JSTLK: When we’re not doing anything creative together or individually, we like to hang out with friends and loved ones, watch classic films and TV, just enjoy ourselves.

BEY: What do you hope to accomplish in the future? JSTLK: To get ourselves across to even more people. There’s nothing better than creating something that masses of people love and are inspired by.

BEY: What is a book or two that you recommend? JSTLK: Hmm, there’s so many. We all like a lot of books, and take pride in our literacy. Anything by Edgar Allen Poe, Ian Fleming, Len Deighton,  Stephenwolf by Hermann Hesse is a great one. So many to name.

BEY: Please give us one or two shameless plugs. 

JSTLK: Shameless plugs. Hmm, OK.

Our new album Phase II is out now, and available to buy from our website, which is in the links with this interview. You can also find out all about us on our social media pages. The links are also with this interview.

BEY: What are some of your favorites? (books, websites, etc..)

JSTLK: Well, books we’ve mentioned. We love classic films and TV such as the Rocky films, Bond films, The Godfather trilogy, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Star Wars, Papillon, The Prisoner, so many to name.

BEY: Why do you do what you do? 

JSTLK: We enjoy it; simple as that. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be doing what we do.

BEY: What are a few of your goals? 

JSTLK: To achieve even more, to be respected even more, and to inspire more and more people.

BEY: What do the words “Best Ever You” mean to you?  JSTLK: To show yourself, and other people the best qualities of what makes you you. I don’t thing you can put it any better.

More about Joe Symes and the Loving Kind:

Joe Symes, along with Colin White, founded the band. It was while attending a local gig that the latter suggested to the former the name the “Loving Kind:” something that had been buried in his subconscious after listening the R.E.M song Get Up. After a sip or two of beer, the two agreed, set to work, and following one line up change discovered the wild and charismatic bass player Andy Cleary. The music world now had a powerful, explosive and foot taping power trio on their hands. An act one spectator described as “sounding like nine people on stage, not a mere three.”

The band’s self-titled debut album, released on their own record label, Truly Independent Records, is a resume of their musical versatility. A record containing songs of the rock, psychedelic, dah-dah, easy listening, country and movie soundtrack variety. One international reviewer called it an indie rock classic and two tracks appeared on the Charity Compilation Shoulder to Shoulder alongside tracks by Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Robyn Hitchcock, Noel Gallagher, Pete Noone (Herman’s Hermits) and Wishbone Ash. This collection was organised by David Quaife, whose brother Pete was the original bass player of the British rock legends The Kinks. Creation Records’ Alan McGee even praised the album in question, even adding Hollywood stars like Matthew Modine, and Michael Keaton to the fan-base.

This was followed by the energetic rock orientated double A side single Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday: two tracks that show their current heavy pop incarnation, and gives the listener a glimpse of the direction the second album will take them. The single was not only played during half time at Liverpool Football Club’s ground on several occasions,but was a three-week feature on BBC Introducing. Not too bad for the band’s second official release, spurring into more recordings and shows.

Keeping with the desire to show people more of their musical versatility, the next two releases took a detour down the unplugged route with the release of the Acoustic Variations E.P and the Acoustic Variations E.P Volume two: twin extended plays that show a rock band can translate their compositions from heavy electric guitars and pounding drums to acoustic guitars, but with various forms of percussion and other instrumentation.

Shortly after this diversion, a limited edition single entitled You’re No Friends of Mine was released as a treat to their loyal fan base. During the time-scale of these releases the band have not only gained major airplay and radio sessions in their native U.K but all around the world; predominantly in the U.S, Canada, and Australia.

Follow Joe Symes and The Loving Kind

joesymesandthelovingkind.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/joesymesandthelovingkindUK/

https://twitter.com/JoeSymesandTLK

https://www.instagram.com/joesymesandthelovingkind/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCza-xfDuCsWphAK782F4AiQ

#JoeSymesandtheLovingKind #JoeSymes #ColinWhite #UKbands #Liverpool #AndyCleary #Yourenofriendsofmine #trulyindependentrecords #BestEverYou

 

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