The Smitten Ones Reviews
Martin Howden's Live Sounds
International Audience for The Smitten Ones
October 6th 2011, Southport Visitor
Our local music is so good it's getting a worldwide audience later this month.
Southport rockers The Smitten Ones have been invited to be special guests on the website radio station called The Southern Star. It is one of the most listened to rock, country and pop stations with 18 million hits worldwide.
The Smitten lads will do an interview via Skype and three of their songs will be played.
Band Manager Isabel Struthers explained: "I contacted Michael McCormack, the host of the show, last April and asked if he would have a listen to our website. Michael got back to me saying he really liked their music and sent me a booking form. They were interviewed and he played five of their songs. Last week we had a call from thesouthernstar.org saying they would like them to come on their show again for a featured artist special."
The broadcast goes out on Friday 21st October.
Michael McCormack, CEO of The Southern Star Media Group
"They rock the world! The Smitten Ones will go all the way."
Brian's Review of Crooked Cards/Siren via Norman Records
I was trying to remember what the old 90's band Jack sounded like the other day. I always thought they were somewhere between Marion & Tindersticks. The Smitten Ones sound a bit like Jack. They have spidery, twangy guitars weaving out of sweet slices of slightly baroque skanking indie pop with slowly imparted & rather impassioned vocals that don't half remind me of some other singer from the Britpop period, maybe even bloody Pete Wylie (who is from the 80's yes I know!!). The song's rather good in a traditional fashion and leaves you surprisingly satisfied. The other track 'Siren' is a bit more "air-punchy" and less imbued with a sense of drama. The production is really odd, a little Franz Ferdinand maybe, but the singer sounds like he'd rather be scowling at a Nick Cave concert than watching the cheeky Scottish popsters t***ting about. It's a really fun tune mind, blending many disparate periods of post-punk & anthemic indie pop into something more than worthwhile!! It's a bit of a pricy one for a CD single but they pressed only 100 numbered copies AND there's some character/caricature playing cards of the band members in a little envelope inside which is a totally lovely touch!
Martin Hovden's Live Sounds
Why I'm smitten with our latest Band Royale success
April 21st 2011, Crosby Herald
I make no apology this week for heaping praise on Southport band The Smitten Ones.
Their performance in heat three of the resort's Band Royale contest last week just blew me away. It was good, solid, intelligent and hugely entertaining rock - definitely something I will remember for a long time to come.
These guys have been my special studio guests on Live Sounds on Dune 107.9FM in the past, but last Friday night at the Fox & Goose was the first time I have seen the present line-up play live - what a revelation.
Highlight for me - on the recommendation of lead guitarist Chris Dawson - was Siren which has a definitely Joy Division feel to it, but the lads have come up with their own individual sound. And lead singer Chris Struthers has a voice you either like or dislike. I love it. Siren and Crooked Cards are being released on CD by Twister Records on April 29. I urge you to grab a copy.
The Smitten Ones sailed through to the next round on the judge's vote.