The
Hearing
The Hearing are a musical collective from the concrete
village that is Coventry, Warwickshire. They like
to make noise. Lots of it. They like to use multiple
amps and effects pedals. The more the better. They
believe that music should be felt as well as heard
and that vocals are a pleasant extra rather than a
necessity. Their songs are often very long, but can
also be short and almost radio friendly. The music
tends to get described as “post-rock”
but that, like most labels, is an overused term dragged
out when a consumer is baffled by a lack of an appropriate
genre.
They have been around in various forms for almost
2 years and have played alongside bands including
Electrelane, Redjetson, Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies,
Kasabian, Chikinki, The Edmund Fitzgerald and ForwardRussia.
Although there are similarities between some of the
bands listed and The Hearing, they are in no way alike.
The Hearing like the music they play, as do many
other people. They have been gigging steadily, without
overexposing themselves, throughout the Midlands and
occasionally in the nation’s capital. Please
read the reviews below for some kind words. If you
want to add some kind words yourself please feel free
to do so. They like kind words, and often enjoy the
unkind sort.
Review:
Now I have a confession to make, the last time I saw
The Hearing I left early. Don't panic, it wasn't really
their fault, but I had a splitting headache upon going
to the gig and their show didn't help. They operate
on two very distinct levels, the gentle, almost passive,
swells and falls of sublimely melodic music; the other
level is senseless earsplitting noise with no remorse.
On that night a few months back it was too much for
me so I was forced out the back exit, chased by a
maelstrom of sound. Fortunately this time the sound
guy had them far more controlled in their rage. Their
sonic attacks more malicious and intense, their full
on assault was really something to behold, it matched
up with their recorded sound, a spectacular uncompromising
distortion!
On stage they're very low key, murmuring thanks between
songs, nicely understated, you never really find out
what the names of many of the songs are, though it
doesn't matter particularly. Lost somewhere at the
back of the room, I find The Hearing are a band you
don't necessarily have to watch to enjoy, their sound
just swirles around the room, encircling us, but this
time I don't try to escape.
Review:
"Coventry born and bred postrockapunk? Yes. The
Hearing find influences where S Club fear to tread
angry, swirling guitars, heart-stopping rhythms, strung
out instrumentals no gameshow would dare use as a
theme tune. They wear their Sonic Youth and Mogwai
influences like a faithful old band shirt and you'll
wear your chin round your ankles once you've seen
them. "
They hope you enjoy their music. They enjoyed making
it.
Website:
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thehearing
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