Simon Rushworth
Finland might not seem like the most natural destination for the North East’s finest new rock and roll band but a trip across the North Sea could be the making of Fables Last Stand. rushonrock editor Simon Rushworth reports.
They’ve recorded some of their most anthemic tunes at the Vancouver home of Bryan Adams, opened up for blues rock legends UFO and fellow Geordies the Quireboys and last month they finally completed the mix for debut album Love & Exile. But Fables Last Stand want more.
An ambitious outfit hewn from Hexham, Hartlepool and a brace of hard rocking towns in between, the self-styled sleaze kings owe their intoxicating sound to Aerosmith, Guns N Roses and the aforementioned Quireboys. It’s a sound which has seen the band play a live set in front of almost three thousand fans at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena and a sound which makes them the support band of choice for any astute rock act visiting Tyneside right now.
UFO’s notoriously fickle followers were bowled over by Fables’ confident delivery and swagger when they played a set prior to the British stalwarts at Newcastle’s O2 Academy earlier this year and the band nailed a similar show opening up for Sunset Strip legends LA Guns last month. But drummer Phil The Beat and his band mates see themselves as headline acts – hence the decision to dip their toes into Finnish waters.
“We were put in touch with a promoter over there and he liked what he heard,” explained the 24-year-old Hartlepool native. “He has a track record of breaking bands by putting them out on tour in Finland where the fans appreciate UK acts coming out to play. Scandinavia as a whole has always appreciated good rock and roll music and we feel we can give them something they like – with a twist. It’s a huge opportunity for us and we’re determined to take it. From Finland we’re hoping to break into Sweden and Norway so it could be the start of something special.”
Phil is at the forefront of a new generation of young North East musicians determined to build on a classic rock legacy laid down by local favourites David Coverdale, Paul Rodgers, The Wildhearts and The Quireboys.
And the former New College, Durham student revealed: “This means so much to me that I ended up packing in my degree. I was devoting so much time to the band that I fell behind with my college work and had to make a big decision. But this band’s worth it. I’ve always believed that.
“Finishing the album feels like a huge weight off my shoulders. We’ve been working towards that goal for two years now and to hear the final mix of Love & Exile was such an exciting moment. It’s a great record and a great foundation for Fables to build on.”
The full version of this feature appears in the new edition of The Journal’s Cukture Magazine – out today. Go to http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=7d0Ha1C90S8c&PBID=938e5831-8887-495c-a022-d5bab7513065&skip=