REVIEWS
Reviewed by Tim Holden – Cross Rythmns
Spring Nights EP
“The Lightning Strikes are a four piece from the West Midlands and Spring Nights is their debut release, a four track EP of original indie rock songs. Citing a diverse mix of influences, from Joy Division through Oasis to The Killers, the sound is probably most defined by the complex guitar lines floating over some nice synth and keyboards. The opening "Thief In The Night" has strong overtones of Joy Division, as does "Fantasy World". "When I Let You Down" has an almost honky tonk piano line bashing along under the ever present guitar line. Over all of this the lyrics are delivered in a style very reminiscent of Ian Curtis - with the distinct difference that the content is considerably more uplifting.”
Sunday 28th November @ The LA Rock Cafe, Cannock
Words by Wideawake Promotions
True to their myspace pledge, The Lightning Strikes do make every effort to do more than just turn up and play. From setting up an array of interesting stage lights, which caused a real stir of intrigue amongst the Rock Cafe crowd - to providing free Demo CD's during their set. Their set and sound is varied, lending itself at times to early Coldplay, present Snow Patrol in some places the influences Feeder and even the Super Furry Animals. All in all The Lightning Strikes "tick" many of the "boxes" that any self respecting live band should, they are committed to playing their music anywhere and everywhere and take their whole performance seriously. With a string of gigs lined up and a shed load of ambition and commitment, we reckon these lads have some very good times ahead of them.A good performance, lads well done!
Saturday June 23rd 2007 @ Birmingham Barfly, Words by Ely Price
Regional Showcase Final
The Lightning Strikes
With a name such as this you could be forgiven for expecting a band to burst out all guns blazing. However what The Lightning Strikes actually bring is a melodic mix of keyboards and guitars. Only comprising of three members they offered some thoughtful and well written material and their more mainstream sound is certainly listener friendly. With a sound similar to Birmingham band The Twang they put on a competent set for the evening. In comparison to the other bands of the night theirs was a more sedate performance. Although these guys could do with some fine tuning, one feels drawn in by a feeling of vulnerability on stage, making one like the band even more.
Monday May 21st 2007 @ Medicine Bar - By Stephen Hudyba
The Lightning Strikes – Qualified
In what is quite a simple guitar, drums and keys setup The Lightning Strikes manage to create an interesting, melodic indie sound. Still in need of some tightening up as a band, they nevertheless gave a solid performance and shone on the high standard of their material. Atmospheric, appealing tracks with thoughtful lyrics and haunting melodies, they could do with a little more variation in their sound, yet what they do, they do very well. With a festival appearance scheduled for this summer, it's easy to see why they are attracting promising recognition, and it should prove interesting to see how they fare at the Barfly.
Wednesday April 25th 2007 - By Stephen Hudyba
The Lightning Strikes – Qualified
The Lightning Strikes create a distinctively atmospheric indie sound. Haunting eighties influenced synth-like keys from Rich and rough yet tender vocals from Chris combine for a brooding, sometimes sombre atmosphere that mostly worked well. They have found an interesting and fresh direction and written some solid tracks full of emotion. In places their sound lacked energy and it all could have been tighter, yet there was clearly something different and interesting about their music, and they deservedly progressed to the second round on the musicians vote.