Sandman Magazine Review- July 07 Issue
Alternative Influence are unquestionably exploring all avenues for exposure with airtime in Top Shop, Fitness First Gyms and Sky TV. That all well and good but what is the music like?
They build instrumental accompaniments that contrast the whisper like vocals, which although quiet aren’t suppressed by the music. There is a certain 90’s feel to the raspy vocals but it doesn’t sound dated(don’t think Britpop too much, but the higher end of some of the more popular sounds of the time)
Looking into the background of the band they are very much a collective of musicians- come- activists who use music as a channel for their beliefs , which is interesting to see. Important social topics are brought to the forefront of their intentions and the integration with their music requires further investigation if you’re either socially aware or enjoy that 90’s northern twang.
Adam Adshead
Single Review - X-Pression FM 87.7 - Exeter University - 30/10/06
Alternative Influence: Take A Look Inside (Worldwide Domination)
Sounds like REM with a stronger beat and is instantly catchy. The lead vocals are soft but distinctive. With an upcoming tour to promote this debut single they should do well! Have A Listen!
Cassie Eades and Ben Hendry - Heads of Music
Gig Review, Night and Day, Saturday 21st October 2006
As the first of a series of gigs to promote the new single Alternative Influence set about showing the packed crowd at the Night and Day in Manchester what they can expect from the new album ‘Apathy, Cynicism and Complacency are the Enemies of Change’.
Alternative Influence has always been a band based on strong morals and convictions and in the pre-gig hype you wondered if they could live up to this hype; they did.
The set opened up with a video premier of the new single ‘Take a Look Inside’ which is released at the end of the month both online and in several HMV stores around the country.
This is not the normal way that normal bands open their set and was greeted with universal applause at the end of the screening.
The band then took to the stage and commanded the attention of their audience. With lead singer Lee Devenport pulling the strings the band delivered a set of both confidence and quality, pointing to the promise the new album shows and also setting them apart form other acts currently on the tour circuit.
At one point Lee delivered a stinging rebuke for some fellow musicians who whilst flirting with principles have now deserted them in favour of commercial success. Not that Alternative Influence want to avoid commercial success, they just want success on their terms and given the quality of the music on display that night it will only be a matter of time we are all looking to Alternative Influence for our musical and moral fix.
Darren Pearce, Viral Music
Live Review
COME THE REVOLUTION
“Alternative Influence vocalist Lee Devenport describes himself as an ‘activist/anarchist/lyricist/poet with an agenda for war and the truths people would rather not face.'
He is also a charismatic frontman who stole the show at Darwen Live 06. Strutting round the stage like a demon possessed, he captivated the crowd with a performance that most will surely remember for quite some time. Donning a balaclava for the first song and offering the audience the chance of ''The Revolution start here my friends, Sieze the opportunity!''
Further into the set the crowd were asked ''Do we have any Royalists amongst us, any lovers of our wonderful Royal Family!?" Those responding, thinking they had found a 'friend' were then somewhat startled as the song CLASS SYSTEM was declared to be "'This one's about sending back those fucking Germans!" The set reached a climax with the frenzied ROCK'n'ROLLCLICHE - "This one's about all the Rock n Roll clichés who don't give a fuck about you anymore!" -This to me was Rock'n'Roll how it used to be and more importantly how it should be- ballsy,raw, exciting. Good tunes without pretentious 'musicianship', but that's not to say without skilled delivery. After the show I asked Lee what bracket he saw his music falling into-''Some say it's Punk, others Rock, Jangle/Alternative, whatever you wanna try and label it, I say you either love it or you don't -simple as"
It's good to be in love again.
John Harrison-Suburban Sounds
ONE TO WATCH OUT FOR!
- (White Label)- www.alternativeinfluence.co.uk
‘'We're here in your town, recruiting for a cause to throw some fascists out!'' proclaims the poetic charmer that is artist/activist/lyricist, lead singer- Lee Devenport.
Quite simply I would say that this is the best offering I've heard from an unsigned band in the last 5 years. Like most good songs there's almost a simple straightforward air to it. A strikingly catchy hook , the chorus is one sure to ring round your head in no time. The band seem to have captured elements from sounds that have been heard before and thrown them into the melting pot to come up with something that is very original and deserving of its own niche. Inde/Rock/Psychodelic even a touch of dance seem to be the successful ingredients.
The website is as high in standard as the music and well worth a visit. Gigs are to follow later this year and if the rest of the album is upto this standard then surely the ‘mainstream' breakthrough is imminent. Remember where you heard it first.
A.Yuill
Manchester 's next ‘big thing'?
With a track that sounds like a cross between the Smiths and the Stone Roses this deservedly should be tagged ‘ Epic'. But this band are no ‘wanna-be's' or ‘sound-a-likes'.
Charismatic frontman Lee Devenport leads the charge with inspirational lyrics and attitude. The sweet driven music is credited to Devenport/Fortune/Ritchie.
So come on labels, this deserves to be a hit!
Artist: ALTERNATIVE INFLUENCE
Song: Recruiting For The Cause
Marks out of ten: nine
Where can I buy it: www.alternativeinfluence.co.uk
I HEAR VOICES TOO
Alternative Influence “Recruiting For The Cause” (White Label)
There are two things going on here. Firstly there are some confused words and fuzzy politics, the lyrics run “They've (the facists) got bombs and they've got guns, we've got words and deeds”, so you'd assume pacifism was the order of the day, but the cd cover pic of Mr. Balaclava holding a Molotov nightlight suggests a different approach to political recourse! Whatever, the music is nicely weird, being a mad combo of Who-stylee guitars going a bit butch happy, kind of will get fooled again, but beautifully funky ‘n' chunky. Worth noting that the b-side is a surreal treat of Al Stewart balladeering a string drenched, acoustic led smoothie.
It's Happenin' Again.
Alternative Influence? Very Alternative Influence! I find it hard to put any label on this band when it starts to jangle through my speakers. Country punk with a pinch of the Happy Mondays is as well as I can do.
This recording kicks off with a very Jon Bon guitar intro and a great guitar lick that has you thinking of wild eyed gypsy fiddlers cutting a rug before taking over the local common for a big fire and swapping VCR'S. The vocal begins and I hear a rather forcedly stylized voice which grates to begin with but does grow on you as the song progresses.
I am surprised to see from the website that this is a six piece band as the sound is nicely uncluttered but thick with relevant attention to detail and subtle harmonies. This is a simple and well executed song but not catchy in the commonest sense of the word, I feel that this is what the band are trying to achieve. I can see it stirring an audience and like the fact that the band has dared to stay true to their influences, even if it does err on the slightly pretentious at first hearing I get the impression that there is no pretension here at all.
I have heard some of their other songs and this is not my favourite, not really my cup of tea but then I am a coffee drinker! Keep up the good work guys, you are all talented musicians with a proven track record and I think you have a good concept that will take you interesting places.
Unpeeled magazine.- Series 5- no.9-September 2004.
Singles Reviews-Page 5
TRUST ME!
ALTERNATIVE INFLUENCE “It's Happenin Again”(White label)
Ah, new boys. They play all of their Jesus Jones gets raspy n jangle menace cards in the first ten seconds. Nothing wrong with that, especially if you go on to get endearingly messy and barbed.
In strict obedience to the music industry doctrine of recording your best stuff, only, this lot have only the one track on this cd and it's one that leaves muggings wanting more. They live at www.alternativeinfluence.co.uk check em out, we will be.
Band: Alternative Influence
Reviewed: "It's Happenin' Again" (Single)
Skulls (3.5/5): 
Well?: Its always difficult to review bands based on one song because, well, its just one song. And regardless of how good it is, it could well be a one-off.
Anyway, this one song from Alternative Influence, "Its Happenin' Again", is a damn good song, and an albums worth of songs of the same quality could well get 5 out of 5.
The sleeve comes with an Oscar Wilde quote reminding us that the band are from Manchester - not that we need reminding, because it becomes quite obvious where the band are from as soon as singer Lee Devenport opens his mouth. Fortunately for Alternative Influence, the voice and lyrics are probably their strongest and most distinctive qualities, and sets them apart from all the other rock star copycats out there with nothing worth saying or listening too.
The song itself is a Bolan-esque romp of rock n roll brilliance - big chorus, lyrics to remember, 70's punk attitude and a ballsy in-yer-face guitar track.
In fact, the guitar riffs do a good job of covering the non-vocal bits, and actually add extra hooks to the song - not that it needs them. The opening riff in particular stands out. My one complaint with the guitar tracks? Too quiet - turn 'em up a bit!
Anyway, the track, if played on the radio a few times a day, would stick in your brain for the rest of your life - but lets have a few more tunes to go with it!
| The Best Bit: | Big chorus |
| The Worst Bit: | Only one song. |
| Reviewed by | VM |