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.

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!”

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 and the Loving Kind, a trio of musicians from the Northwest that take great pride in their independent sound, not only churning out catchy, memorable songs, they also cater for a wide audience from all walks of life.

The eclectic flawless band bring a great range of versatility musically, with the band consisting of Joe Symes, Colin White and Andy Cleary, has not only seen their music played at Liverpool Football Club’s ground Anfield, but was also a three-week feature on BBC Introducing.

The band’s self-titled debut album released on their own record label, Truly Independent Records contains a mixture of their musical talents bringing songs of rock, psychedelic, dah-dah, easy listening, country and movie soundtrack variety. 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, Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) and Wishbone Ash.

The diversity of the band is shown in how they can play compositions from heavy electric guitars and pounding drums, to the mellow tones of acoustic guitars and various forms of percussion and other instrumentation.

The band have not only gained major airplay and radio sessions in the U.K, but also all around the world; predominantly in the U.S, Canada and Australia. Feeling most at home is when their live performances take place, the band’s impressive CV has seen them sharing the bill headlining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds After-show Party twice on the main stage of the Liverpool O2 Academy, supporting The Blockheads, Dodgy, XTC, Republica, Alt-J, Bloc Party, Starsailor and The Christians, being part of the Hillsborough Truth & Justice concert at the Royal Court Theatre Liverpool.

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind has a resume of awe-inspiring audiences, with performances at venues and festivals right across the U.K. including Manchester, Glasgow, Cheshire, Sheffield, Wigan, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Northwich, Leicester, Wigan, Crewe, Stoke, Blackpool, London, Stoke-on-Trent and various parts of the North and South Wales.

With the recent launch of their new album “Phase II” the songs bring an array of sleek harmonies, bouldering beats and some heavy hard rock sounds. The album recorded in studios including Parr Street Studios and the Motor Museum Liverpool, has resulted in some finely tuned tracks.

For further information visit www.joesymesandthelovingkind.co.uk

Merseyside is revered for its music and in recent years we’ve seen a real surge in quality bands coming through. La Vida Liverpool Bands is a series that brings you the best local bands — from ones you may know to up and coming ones to watch out for. If you’re looking to discover a new band and find out about more about them such as their biography, music videos and gig details, then check out La Vida Liverpool Bands as we introduce you to the best bands Merseyside has to offer. In this piece, we focus on Joe Symes And The Loving Kind.

Joe Symes And The Loving Kind have been receiving rave reviews both locally and internationally and were described by the late Beatles manager and Merseybeat promoter, Sam Leach, as being one of the most exciting bands to come out of Liverpool. The trio have headlined Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ Afterparty at the Liverpool O2 Academy twice, supporting the likes of The Blockeads, Dodgy and Starsailor, and had two of their tracks included on the Charity Compilation Shoulder to Shoulder alongside tracks by the likes of Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene and Noel Gallagher.

Formed and based in Liverpool, the band (consisting of Joe Symes, Colin White, and Andy Cleary) released a debut album with a self named title via their own record label, Truly Independent Records, that received global acclaim. This was followed by the energetic rock orientated double A side single Things Get Better/I’m Gonna Find Out Someday and 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.

We catch up with the band following the release of their second album, Phase II — a ten track rock classic that took place in several locations such as Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios, Oxfordshire, the Motor Museum, Liverpool and Parr Street Studios. The new album is already receiving rave reviews and the band has plans for this to be a big hitter internationally. Here’s our exclusive interview following the album’s release:

LVL: So what have you guys been up to in 2018?

Joe: We have been touring, we have a new album out called ‘Phase II.’ We have been doing media interviews, radio sessions, festivals, justs been really busy as always.

Colin: The whole year’s been a big build up to the release of the new album.

Andy: All sorts. Touring, recording, and finishing the album.

LVL: What’s the new album all about?

Colin: To me, it’s a great collection of catchy, uptempo songs that leaves the listener wanting more.

Andy: Breaking away from the mellow side, and showing we can also rock.

Joe: For me, the new album is about the next chapter of the band, also for anyone who knows the band and our songs I think it can relate to anyone who has had major changes in their lives if you listen to the songs.

LVL: What’s your favourite track from the new album, and why?

Andy: Summer’s Almost Coming, and Hopeful Hearts. They give me a buzz to play, and to listen to.

Joe: I love them all, I couldn’t pick a favourite song if I’m honest.

Colin: Tough one. It could change all the time. I don’t think I can just pic one. I love them all.

LVL: How would you describe yourself as a band?

Joe: Very honest because the songs are real, and have meaning.

Colin: A well organised power trio that – according to someone who saw us once – has the force of nine people on stage.

Andy: Three equals who don’t conform to the norm.

LVL: Who are your favourite Scouse band since The Beatles?

Andy: Space are cool guys. Gigged with them a while back, and they are really cool guys. But there are a lot of up and coming bands flying the scouse flag up and down the country.

Colin: I do like Echo and the Bunnymen. They has this great dark psychedelic sound. I think there is a little of their influence in us.

Joe: Echo and the Bunnymen.

LVL: You guys have done a lot of touring…..where’s your favourite place to have played?

Colin: I can’t really pick one. I enjoy the whole travelling process, and everywhere we play.

Joe: All the date we have played including festivals have been great, the feedback has been awesome. Really can’t complain.

Andy: I enjoy playing anywhere as long as the vibe is good.

LVL: When can we see you in Liverpool next?

Joe: It will be in the new year. We will be announcing dates in January for 2019.

Andy: It’ll be next year now. Got loads out of town .

Colin: Yeah, the next local gig will be announced as soon as it’s confirmed.

LVL: What are your plans for 2019?

Andy: Promos, gigs, gigs, gigs, couple of new releases. Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Joe: We are looking at rehearsing some stand alone singles. Hopefully start work on our third album, playing festivals, making some videos to go with the new album, but still lots to do in the new year.

Colin: Yeah, just continuing the album promotion until about the Autumn. What have we got planned next? You’ll have to wait and see.

Justin Hopper