Featuring bassist SIMON JONES and guitarist/ keyboard player SIMON TONG from Britrock heroes THE VERVE, THE SHINING are the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes to fly their own freak flag high over the early 21st Century. TIM PEACOCK discusses the future (and occasionally the past) with their vocalist DUNCAN BAXTER.
Despite the Chinese whispers doing the rounds for some time concerning the whereabouts of former members of legendary Northern bands THE VERVE and THE STONE ROSES, a new unit linked to both motherships appears to have materialised as if from nowhere.
I say linked, because while THE SHINING features both SIMON JONES and SIMON TONG – both very real lynchpins with THE VERVE – there aren’t any actual STONE ROSES on board. However, both vocalist DUNCAN BAXTER and drummer MARK HEANEY (also briefly an ex-SEAHORSE) were involved in ROSES’ guitarist JOHN SQUIRE’S much vaunted new band, which somehow never quite got off the runway over the past few years. Add Salford-born guitarist DAN McBEAN to the equation and – Hey Presto! – We’ve got the North-West’s next killer rock quintet in our midst.
“John (Squire)’s band was never called RELUCTANCE,” says Duncan, scotching one persistent myth.
“The band never actually had a name, but yeah, I was working with John about two or three years ago. Si (Jones) and Mark (Heaney) came down and gradually we just naturally went off together instead. Then Tongy (Simon Tong) got involved and here we are.”
Sensibly, Blackpool-bred Duncan wants to introduce THE SHINING gradually to the public arena as the weight of the past could otherwise become an albatross. Thus the release of the band’s debut single “Quicksilver” on limited 10-inch EP only.
“Yeah, well, let’s just put it out was our idea,” suggests Duncan. “I mean, a low-key introduction’s right, ‘cos no-one knows who we are – yet!”
“Besides,” he adds warily, “You could look foolish making, like, big proclamations about yourself.”
Too right. However, judging by “Quicksilver”s righteous, full-on power – instantly recognisable, quality swaggering Britrock with an emphasis on songwriting and Baxter’s ROBERT PLANT-influenced vox, rather than THE VERVE’S orchestral leanings – they shouldn’t have too many problems in carving out a niche.
“Quicksilver” is about something, but I’m not gonna spell it out,” retorts Duncan, quick to suggest we draw our own conclusions.
“In any case,” he continues, “I’m not always the lyricist, though me and Tongy are the main songwriters. It’s certainly not THE VERVE again, though.”
Naturally, Baxter’s right to stress this. I can’t help feeling he’s going to have to endure the inevitable RICHARD ASHCROFT comparisons for a while though. He’s anticipated this.
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“It’ll take time for people to see that I’m not him,” shrugs Duncan, philosophical to begin with. “I’m quite prepared for the comparisons, but y’know, I don’t move like him, I don’t sing like him. We’re not remotely the same.”
“The only similarity I can see,” he adds sarcastically, “is that I lived about 50 miles up the road from him, y’know what I mean?”
One VERVE tradition that THE SHINING will be looking to extend is a fantastic live reputation. They’re touring heavily in support of the single throughout April. Duncan’s, ahem, mad for it already.
“Should be great, yeah” he muses. “We’ve got a great 50 minutes or so ready to go and it sounds the business. Dan (McBean)’s not in the NICK McCABE mould, either. He plays really heavy riffs and lots of nice melodic patterns all his own style. He’ll surprise a few people.”
Amazingly, Duncan tells me their debut (currently untitled) album’s already completed.
“Yeah, it’s already finished,” he nods. “Should be out sometime later this year.”
I noticed YOUTH (ex-KILLING JOKE bassist and former producer of THE VERVE and more people than you can shake a stick at) produced the single. Did he stay on board for the whole album?
“Yeah,” says Duncan. “He’s great – especially for me because it’s my first album. He was dead patient and we had weeks of just doing the vocals. Recording’s a different discipline. You’ve gotta be on the case all the time.”
So he didn’t have you carted off to the middle of nowhere and force you to stand you in stone circles and sing like he once did with CROWDED HOUSE then?
“No, no, no,” laughs Duncan. “No, we’ve been recording in a new studio called Fear in Battersea. Nice staff, great atmosphere and Youth’s a guy you can really get close to. He creates a really good vibe.”
Not unlike THE SHINING themselves. I get the impression this is one phoenix that may be airborne for some time. Hitch a ride as soon as you can.
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