Sharks - Show Of Hands EP
Putting the 'rargh!' in Leamington Spa
British bands always have a bit of a disadvantage. Or at least 'a major difference' when compared with their cross Atlantic peers. They don't get to be from Florida, Southern California or Brooklyn. They're from Royal Leamington bloody Spa.
Not that that's holding Sharks back. Of 2010's crop of shooting stars in the making, they're one of the less prone to the old razzle dazzle, but blimey we're excited.
'Show Of Hands' is their first official EP, presumably meaning last year's 'Shallow Waters' sneaked out onto the web without anyones permission - naughty scamp. Still, that created enough buzz to find the band signed to Best Before and blessing us with this Pretty Damn Amazing offering. They should say thank you.
The EP itself is pure rock 'n roll; from the acapella opening of 'Trains' to the final tones of five minute closer 'Glove In Hand'. There's enough of a Springsteen twist to understand just why Sharks have toured with The Gaslight Anthem, but it's a satisfyingly D.I.Y. take to the often over polished formula.
Possessing a kind of warmth you'd associate more with a British version of The Hold Steady but with Clash shaped undertones in tow, Sharks don't fit alongside the day glo in-your-face crowd; they show signs of a band built to last. Maybe there's something good in Leamington Spa after all.
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