A new rock band on the block are looking ahead to big things in 2014 after getting airplay on a BBC radio show championing unsigned talent.
The Harlings have been together for less than a year, but their fresh brand of catchy, anthemic ‘lad rock’ has already won over audiences in west London.
Earlier this month, their music was given the seal of approval by BBC London 94.9FM presenter Gary Crowley, who played their debut single Go! on his BBC Introducing slot, showcasing ‘the best of the new and the emerging’.
The DJ described their sound as being a ‘wonderful collision of influences’, including The 1975, Jamie T, The Gaslight Anthem and The Clash among them.
The band is made up of front man James Page, guitarists Ashley Mitch-Holmes and Joe Haden, Joe West on bass, and drummer Charlie Papps.
They all live in Hayes and West Drayton and went to Harlington Community School, in Pinkwell Lane – hence the band’s name.
“We weren’t friends, but we knew each other,” said James, 22. “I was in a band that broke up, and we just came together and we are loving it.”
Since forming, they have played gigs at The Trinity, in Harrow, The Crown and Treaty pub, in Uxbridge, and The Comedy, in Piccadilly Circus, among others.
The video for Go! (below), which has a hint of The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ about it, has already gained more than 1,000 views on YouTube, and eagle-eyed viewers will notice that it was shot in Uxbridge Industrial Estate, off Cowley Mill Road.
The boys have already recorded an untitled three-track EP, available to listen to on Soundcloud, and are now looking to build on their success.
“We just write songs about going out, meeting girls and doing what boys do.
“We want to get the right people to listen to our stuff, get it on the radio and see what happens.”
The Harlings’ EP can be heard and downloaded at www.soundcloud.com/theharlings.
Visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theharlingsuk and follow them on Twitter @harlingsuk
