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THE LINES, (Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Feb 23 2008)

16-01-2008

They haven’t released a single yet, but already they’re playing significant local venues. As Mat Danks explains The Lines have built their reputation the old-fashioned way by playing live – and the new-fangled way by going online.

To me, of the many, many benefits to stem from the onslaught of the internet into every nook and crevice of our everyday lives has been the opening up of an entire world of music.

No longer are the careers of musicians and bands determined by shadowy figures in record company offices.

The rise of sites such as Myspace means that the curious lover of new music can easily explore the furthest reaches of alternative music, for free.

It has famously kick-started the careers of bands such as Arctic Monkeys and The Enemy and many – including indie label guru Alan McGee – predict it will mean the death knell of record companies as we know them.

Black Country rising groove-wizards The Lines are another band which – without the necessity for indentured servitude to a major label – has already built up a massive following on the back of live shows, digital demos and word-of-mouth.

Formed in earnest in 2005, The Lines hail from Dudley and Wolverhampton and in February, mark the release of their debut single ‘Domino Effect’ on Weekender Records with their biggest gig yet at Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall.

That a band without a record release to their name can confidently play a 1,000 plus capacity venue like the Wulfrun shows just how powerful a force the on-line alternative music community has become.

Fronted by Steve Marriott look-alike Alex Ohm, over recent years The Lines have sharply honed not only a masterful collection of rock ‘n’ roll anthems but a searing live show as well.

Venues at virtually every gig are dominated by ‘The Lines Army’ a fanatical group of acolytes who follow the band around the UK and know every word of every song off by heart.

Traditional set-openers ‘Tracey’ and ‘Loudmouth’ set the pace with rhythm section Ryan Edwards (drums) and Chris Titley (bass) lay the foundations, leaving Alex and guitarist Dean Bate to build the crunching wall of sound reminiscent most obviously of The Verve’s tumultuous whirl.

Experimental moments aside, The Lines’ set is pretty much highlights all the way with ‘Let It Go’ and ‘Foundations’ particular favourites amongst The Lines Army.

Show closers ‘Domino Effect’ – a three-and-a-half minute burst of agitated and splintered romance which, to my personal dismay, has become the traditional post-match song at the Molineux – and ‘No More, No Less’ wrap things up, leaving audiences baying for more, as any great band should do.

Normally, with a band like the Lines you’d urge people to get along to see them now before they start to play big venues.

It’s too late for that, so get along to see them now before they start to play massive venues.

Visit The Lines at www.myspace.com/wearethelines

Have you seen The Lines? How good are they?

Any other up n’ coming local bands we ought to know about?

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