Tigercub
Tigercub are a three-piece rock band from Brighton, UK. The band are Jamie Stephen Hall (vocals and lead guitar), James Allix (drums) and Jimi Wheelwright (bass). Tigercub have released two EPs, Repressed Semantics (2015) and Evolve or Die (2017), and two full-length albums, Abstract Figures in the Dark (2016) and As Blue As Indigo (2021).
The band are known for their unique eclectic musical style mixing alternative rock, Noise Rock, Hard Rock, translating into their renowned raucous live show, sharing the stage with a widespread of artists such as The Fall, Girl Band, Royal Blood, Pulled Apart by Horses, Blood Red Shoes, Creeper, Bayside, Dilly Dally, The Bronx, performing at festivals such as Reading and Leeds Festivals, 2000Trees Festival, Truck Festival and many more.
With the release of As Blue As Indigo (June, 2021) the band have seen positive critical acclaim and commercial success.
History
Formation & Early Stylistic Development (2009 – 2015)
Tigercub were formed by Hall and Allix in 2011, who met at university in Brighton. In 2012, Hall and Allix were joined by Jimi Wheelwright. They recorded & self-released their Hands E.P. with Ben Hampson at Brighton Electric studios in 2013. The song “Little Rope” was included alongside tracks by Wytches and Rag N Bone Man on the One Inch Badge Sea Monsters Best of Brighton Compilation. “Little Rope” was discovered by Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up, who later asked Tigercub to support them on tour. After the tour, Bigland offered to produce Tigercub’s next single “Blue Blood” with Tom Dalgety. “Blue Blood” was released on Raygun Records in 2014 and was the band’s first commercial release. After the success of this release, Tigercub were invited to tour the UK with Royal Blood.
The band went back into Brighton Electric to record a double AA side Centrefold/Trendsetter with Tom Dalgety, which was released on Jazz Life, the Blood Red Shoes label, in 2014. In November, Tigercub toured Europe with Blood Red Shoes and played their own shows in Berlin & Hamburg.
Despite this early stage, the band’s first releases were supported by heavyweights such as Zane Lowe and Phil Taggart, as well as NME, CLASH, and DIY. Tigercub released double AA side Destroy/You on limited-edition vinyl with Too Pure Records, and digitally with Brighton label Cannibal Hymns. An exclusive CD compilation Meet Tigercub was released with P-VINE Records in Japan and with Smack Face Music in Australia. The band gain significant fanfare from notable musicians such as Royal Blood[1], The Bronx, Gallows and more.
Repressed Semantics, EP1 (2015)
Members of Gallows spotted Tigercub’s growing popularity in 2015 and signed the band to VENN Records to release Repressed Semantics EP (Nov 2015). The five songs were pressed to 10” translucent-yellow vinyl and bundled with their now classic ‘Tigercub R Shit’ shirt and a first-edition Safe Mode zine.
Jamie Stephen Hall said of the release,"Repressed Semantics’ is a bi-polar mixture of songs that represent to us, a cocktail of aggression and restraint, bottled up frustration and an absolute rejection of ideals presented to us by a divorcee-generation of self medicated baby-boomers. The old rules no longer apply.[2]
The EP was supported by Tigercub’s first UK headline tour, finishing up the cycle with a lengthy stretch of dates across Europe with Dilly Dally. The Guardian described their EP as “a self-contained world for you to discover and get lost in,”[3] and Crack Magazine praising "One of Brighton’s most promising up-and-coming bands" [4]
Abstract Figures in the Dark, LP1 (2016 – 2020)
Tigercub’s first full-length album, Abstract Figures in the Dark , was released November 11th 2016, via Alcopop! Records. The album was produced by Grammy-nominated Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, Death Cab for Cutie, Melvins, Pissed Jeans) and mastered by multi-Grammy-winning John Greenham (Billie Eilish, Death Grips, Bad Suns).
Singles “Memory Boy” & “Control” picked up strong support at BBC Radio One, with ‘Control’ nominated as Daniel P Carter’s Rockest Record and Annie Mac’s December New Name. Huw Stephens played Abstract Figures in the Dark in its entirety.
The press response was positive but highlighted the album’s difficult themes and genre-defying content. CLASH Magazine said that the release was "jagged and harsh. It is a pill that isn’t easily swallowed, nor digested; it is emotionally overwhelming and entirely self-aware. It doesn’t fit neatly into a box on the shelf marked “punk” or “grunge”', rated 8/10[5]
Recorded during the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, many of the lyrics on the album reflected the band’s political interests.
Drowned in Sound said that "If there’s one comfort to be taken from the lunacy that 2016 has so far bestowed upon the world, it’s that often the best art comes from adversity. With that in mind, and based on this offering, it’ll be thrilling to see where Tigercub go next." The band toured heavily for 14 months across the UK and Europe.[6][7]
Evolve or Die, EP2 (2017)
"Evolve or die" was the mantra and title for the next step in their creative evolution.
The Evolve or Die release began with a physical 'manifesto' letter, which was posted to fans and included a secret announcement of the EP and a password to a protected website. Fans were able to pre-order Evolve or Die with one of the world's first pay what you want 12" vinyl, alongside streaming access to the first single, “The Divided States of Us”. The public were able to access the exclusive offering upon decrypting the password hidden in The Library of Babel.
The original pressing of Evolve or Die sold out within 24 hours.
DORK Magazine responded, "Throughout the four-track offering every moment counts, adding up to a journey that feels fleeting but necessary. New depths are explored with ‘Into The Ashes’ conjuring imagery of dystopian-type fallout, while ‘It’s Only Love’ begins as a melancholic number, but soon morphs into a different beast entirely, with a funk-driven heart (...) every second yields either complete devotion or self-realisation."[8]
The band played their biggest headline shows to date at a sold-out Brighton Concorde 2 & London's Scala before writing their next full-length album. After constant touring, the band took a break to pursue other creative outlets, including Hall’s side-project Nancy.
DORK Magazine voted the EP #22/200 releases of the year.
As Blue As Indigo, LP2 (2021)
As Blue As Indigo (ABAI) was written by Hall and co-produced by Hall and Adrian Bushby, who also engineered the record. As Blue As Indigo was later mixed by Tom Dalgety over the course of two years and released on BLAME Recordings.
The title of the album hints at Hall’s introspective approach to lyrical themes, exploring personal topics including anxiety, depression, toxic masculinity, the death of his grandmother and the recent suicide of a close friend. Early singles received strong support from all Digital Streaming Platforms. 'Beauty' was featured on Allison Hagendorf's Rock This radio show on Spotify's, inclusion on New Music Friday's worldwide and cover photo of rock playlists pages.
The album was voted a Kerrang Top 12 album released in June[9] and featured in Rocksound[10] and Guitar Magazine[11] as well as in multi-page spread features in Upset Magazine[12], Total Guitar[13], Ultimate Guitar and more.
The album was reviewed positively with four-star reviews from Kerrang[14], DORK[15] and DIY, with Under the Radar Magazine rating the album 8/10, slating "One of the best rock records of the year" [16]
ABAI was named Rockest Record on Daniel P. Carter’s Rock Show, who said of the release "This highly anticipated album is incredible (...) Definitely in my top 10 this year". Amazon Music celebrated the album featuring the band on billboards across London, including Leicester Square, Euston Station.
As Blue As Indigo reached #11 in the Album Charts, #1 Independent album breakers, #5 Rock & Metal, #11 UK Independent Albums, #12 Vinyl Chart, #30 UK Physical Chart. During this cycle, the band toured extensively with Royal Blood.
The band recording an Amazon Original track, “Overload,” in August 2021. Single 'Beauty' sync'd to NHL in North America, CBC TV, Rogers Sports and Media.
Unique Release Formats
The band built their now cult fanbase beginning with their table email list, also know as direct to fan, Tigercub continue to embrace as a valuable line of communication, unconventional approach to fan communication, both concept and content display.
Tigercub were one of the first to popularise Spotify's barcode scan [17], placing it on beermat's with headline tour dates, mailed to venues ahead of tour.
The band often hide tracks and exclusive material for fans to find on various release formats, such as an entire album single, Warning Sign, released exclusively via red flexi-disc bundled with As Blue As Indigo deluxe editions, Evolve or Die EP's vinyl b-side solely track titled "162158E1/A" exclusive to its pressing.
As Blue As Indigo has found itself as source of inspiration for forward-thinking multi-media artists across the web, selling artworks across crypto exchange markets often exchanging original pieces in NFT from hundreds to thousands.[18]
Members
- Jamie Stephen Hall (Vocals, Lead Guitar)
- Jimi Wheelwright (Bass)
- James Allix (Drums)
Discography
- As Blue As Indigo LP (2021), BLAME Recordings
- Evolve or Die EP (2017), Alcopop! Records
- Abstract Figures In The Dark LP (2016), Alcopop! Records
- Repressed Semantics EP (2015), VENN Records
- Meet Tigercub, CD Japanese-Exclusive (2015), P-VINE Records
- Destroy c/w You digital AA Single (2015) Cannibal Hymns, Too Pure Records
- Centrefold c/w Trendsetter AA (2014), Jazz Life
- Blue Blood c/w I Am Special (2014), Raygun
References
- ↑ Royal BloodDecember 2014, Paul Brannigan 25 (2014-12-25). "10 Minutes With… Mike Kerr". loudersound. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ↑ Subscribe. "Tigercub look to inspire hope with their new 'Repressed Semantics' EP". DIY. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ↑ "The playlist – new bands: Inheaven, Venn, Morning Smoke and more". the Guardian. 2015-12-07. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Tigercub - Pictures of You | Video Premiere". Crack Magazine. 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ↑ "Tigercub - Abstract Figures In the Dark". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Album Review: Tigercub - Abstract Figures In the Dark". DrownedInSound. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ Mobbs, Tim. "Tigercub: Eating Your Dinner In The Gig Economy". DrownedInSound. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ Dork (2017-09-27). "Tigercub - Evolve Or Die EP | Dork". readdork.com. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "The 12 best albums released in June 2021". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "This Is How Tigercub Channelled The Many Faces Of Melancholy On Their New Album 'As Blue As Indigo' - Features". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Introducing… Tigercub, the Brighton trio embracing heartache and monstrous riffs". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Tigercub: "Rock music should be outrageous, it should break all the fucking rules"". Upset. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ Rogers, Ellie (2021-08-09). "Tigercub's Jamie Hall: "The lower the tuning, the bigger the riff!"". guitarworld. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Album review: Tigercub – As Blue As Indigo". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ Dhindsa, Jasleen (2021-06-17). "Tigercub - As Blue As Indigo | Dork". readdork.com. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ O’Malley, Gareth. "As Blue As Indigo". www.undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
- ↑ "Streaming From the Merch Table – Spotify for Artists". artists.spotify.com. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ↑ "BEAUTY | Foundation". foundation.app. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
Category:English indie rock groups Category:Alternative rock
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