GUILE
Formed in their hometown of Cannock, Staffordshire – ‘Guile’ take their name from the noun of witchcraft etymology; referring cunning devices, mischievous deceit, shrewdness or intelligent manifested astuteness.
Holed up in a once booming but now defunct mining complex, a tireless work ethic has enabled the band to evolve a brand of psychedelic blues narcotica, that’s all their own.
Fusing the psychedelic influences of ‘the Velvet Underground', ‘the 13th floor elevators’ and ‘the Doors, the scuzzier elements of ‘the Jesus and Mary Chain’, the country and folk styling of ‘Johnny Cash’ through to ‘Robert Johnson’ and a blues rooted soulfulness reminiscent of ‘Muddy Waters’, ‘Chuck Berry’ and sometimes even gospel artists such as ‘the Staple Singers’… ‘Guile’s’ twisted, swaggering, wall of white noise is a unique proposition.
The four piece have adopted a retrospective gigging ethos; one that’s particularly refreshing in this cyber age. The band have already covered the UK on three massive independent tours and a one off debut European date early in 2008. It’s easy to forget that at the time of writing the band are just 18 months old as a gigging ensemble.
This no nonsense approach to getting out on the road is continually helping to build the band a loyal fan base. Ask anybody who was trying but couldn’t get into the Castle gig in December, they’ll tell you that ‘Guile’ are no longer just a shadowy secret.
‘Spacemen 3’ were at one such ‘caboose of a train’ gig and went on to publicly praise the band. ‘Guile’ have also gone on to share a stage with some formidable names and were invited onto the 'Howling Bells' Little Civic show, one of only two sell out shows on the Australians tour. Guile have also enjoyed supporting ‘the Boxer Rebellion’, ‘the Departure’, ‘We are Scientists’, ‘Amusement Parks on Fire’, ‘Scott Matthews’ and ‘Dead Meadow’ to name a few.
The independent promotional release of ‘Love Around Here’ picked up radio and press attention from BBC 6 Music, XFM, BBC WM, Revolution Radio, Kerrang, Sandman Magazine, Penny Black Music, Room 13, Clash Magazine among others as well as numerous online blogs.
Despite media attention the band are more determined than ever to push their dynamic psychedelic, alternative blues to the next level. From within the industrial walls of Cannock, Guile are a creative uprising poised to take you with them …
