Indie band Six Towns celebrate successful year

Six Towns, Hippy Horror Festival

Stoke of Genius:

MTV finalists Six Towns enjoyed a storming 2012 becoming one of the most highly regarded bands to venture outside of Stoke-on-Trent.

As well as impressive sets at the The Rifles' after show party in Shepherds Bush, the Hanley Christmas light switch on and the Manchester O2 Academy, the indie rockers were also named as one of 20 UK finalists for MTV's Brand New Unsigned for 2013.

The group are growing into a well-respected four-piece thanks to a year of triumphs and celebrations.

18-year-old drummer Josh Morris was a spring addition to the band and has settled in and grasped the style and concepts of the group perfectly.

Pic: Maanik Chadda - The Reginald Mtichell Wetherspoons

Speaking in October at local Halloween music festival, Hippy Horror, the band told of the potential success the MTV shortlist could bring.

Cheery bassist Matt Litherland : “I spotted this thing on Facebook and all you had to do was create a profile so I signed us up to it.

“Next thing we know we get an email through saying we've been selected in the final 300.”
Guitarist Simon Harrison joked about their chances: “We're pretty sure we're going to win so it's OK!”

“We're definitely number one of the 300, probably number one out of 20 too,” added frontman Liam O'Brien.

The list got narrowed down to the final 20 in November with Six Towns in with a fighting chance against other acts including The Volantes, Brooke and the Kicksters and eventual winner Ebony Day.

The boys achieved great publicity from the competition and went from strength to strength as the year grew to a close.

Liam O'Brien and Simon Harrison,
Christmas Lights Switch On

During a cosy interview in a winter's Wetherspoons corner of Hanley's The Reginald Mitchell, the band spoke of how pleased they were to be asked to perform.

Liam was impressed with their achievement: “I've never ever seen or heard of a local act that's played it.”

Minutes later they emphatically opened the stage for a memorable Christmas light switch on.

It doesn't stop there though! The group were overjoyed to be main support for growing London band The Rifles the following week.

Along with fellow local acts The Ruby Dukes and The Fortunas, the guys played a successful Movember charity gig at the end of the moustache-growing month.

Following numerous Sugarmill gigs throughout the year, the band ended on a high-note with a brilliant joint-headline Xmas Spectacular last month.

This growing recognition has not gone to their heads though. The four will always remain as Stoke-on-Trent's friendliest and most down-to-earth guys.

Ahead of their final gig of 2012, the group were more than welcoming at their private rehearsal.

As well as tracks 'Wasting Away' and 'Ride', new material was tried out in-between the swapping and changing of instruments.

Simon Harrison, Rehearsals

Covers including Alex Clare's 'Too Close' and a rendition of their festive favourite; Slade's 'Merry Christmas', were practised.

There were smiles all round in a comforting chilled rehearsal space despite singer Liam being called out to work on the roadworks just yards away. Fortunately he was able to dip in and out to make a cup of tea and lend his vocals every half an hour!

The band are currently taking some time out to work on writing and recording an album.

Look out for this bunch of talented and ambitious rockers as the year progresses. You will not be disappointed.

Photography courtesy of Jovi Mullen