Two former members of the traditional miners' band that inspired the film Brassed Off are launching a surprising new club night in Manchester this October.
Trumpet player Dave Moore and drummer John Watterson both had stints in the very traditional Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which was formed in 1917 as a leisure activity for the workers at the South Yorkshire colliery.
But now the pair of friends, having earned their stripes playing brass band marches and classical arrangements, are starting a new night at The Deaf Institute, called Indie Brass Club.
Combining live brass with indie rock, Moore and Watterson, along with Adam Bidgood on trumpet, George Hardwick on trombone and Conall Gormley on sousaphone, will play two energetic 45 minutes sets of indie classics, leaving the audience to provide the vocals.
Crowd pleasers will include well known indie anthems from bands including Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, The Courteeners, The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, James, The Smiths, The Fratellis and Pulp.
The six-piece have a bunch of indie credentials between them.
As session players, they have performed with legends including James, Shed Seven, Lily Allen and Embrace. Earlier this year, the band were gatecrashed by Stockport band Blossoms whilst playing at a recent wedding at the historic Victoria Baths.
Last summer, they went down a storm at Big Feastival, held at Alex James from Blur's Cotswolds farm, on a bill that included Faithless, English Teacher and Rizzle Kicks. Friday night headliner Nelly Furtado was so impressed, she asked the band to join her on stage.
Royal Northern College of Music graduate Moore said:
We're giving The Deaf Institute a brass-powered indie makeover!
If you ever wondered what anthems from This Charming Man to Sit Down and Mr Brightside to Don't Look Back in Anger would sound like played by a brass band, then this is the night for you.
