MEET... The Clause

What could be more fun than bouncing around at an indie disco, eloquently as possible trying to recall and exclaim lyrics to fill up Debbie Harry’s Heart of Glass, still riding the buzz of an Arctic Monkeys classic, on the back of a disco biscuit. Being on stage in a band that creates that kind of youthful carefree glee, that’s what. The Clause bring that energy in abundance.

In Birmingham’s thriving creative scene, from cultural hot spots and post-industrial places, comes a history of underground music successes spanning genres, from the likes of MIST, The Streets and The Twang. It is no wonder The Clause are riding a wave headed by accomplished DIY indie bands that have flown the nest from the city, such as Peace, Swim Deep and JAWS. The four Brummie lads that make up The Clause are keen to carve out their own course – with sold-out UK crowds and an ecstatic army of local adolescent fans.

Self-described as “60s swagger 80s groove and 90s attack, The Clause are a four-piece rock n roll band based out of Birmingham. The youthful lads who on stage with their sartorial swagger look like they could be board members at The Style Council, were originally made up of lead singer Pearce Macca (Vocals), Niall Fennell (Drummer) and Jonny Fyffe (Bassist) in 2015. In early 2016, Liam Deakin (Guitarist) completed the gang. The band bring a youthful and tenacious energy to rock and roll music with a focus on big choruses with guitar-driven and approachable lyrics akin to the big hitters of Courteeners and Catfish and The Bottlemen.

Their 2018 track release speaks about a fictitious public epidemic originating in the Midlands which sweeps the nation with the craze ‘Tokyo’. The song title and lyrics nod to the affects of ‘Tokyo’ used by ‘The Peaky Blinders’ in the hit television series written by Stephen Knight. The link between the Brummie gang and The Clause really is not too far apart, as the suited dressers exude a surging energy accompanied by an almost brash yet charming self-confidence – they certainly have a mixed following of both females and lads all with smiles on their faces.

The release of ‘In My Element’ brilliantly plays the weekend night out antics of youth. Tongue in cheek lyrics are intertwined with soaring edgy euphoric guitar riffs, subtle synths and bass backing vocals imploring listeners to let loose “flying high in the sunshine”. That’s exactly what the crowds did across their sold-out headline UK tour which included 12 nights, with an especially hot performance in Birmingham’s 02 Academy in December 2019. 

The Clause headline gig at 02 Academy Birmingham – 21 st December 2019

https://youtu.be/bey1M-fyxko

They haven’t stopped during lockdown too, swaggering their way through the pandemic with a series of classic covers on Instagram Live, including pop disco floor filler Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Continuing to deliver performances to their fanbase, they played virtual sets including ‘Lolla 2020’ this year’s virtual version of international Lollapalooza festival, (recorded at The Mill in Digbeth, Birmingham), as well as a poignant acoustic performance of In My Element, Live from Universal Studios, London.

In My Element (Acoustic) - Live From Universal Music Studios UK – March 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq8G08-9CyM&feature=emb_title

Looking forward to next year the band are set to play what is there biggest stage yet, supporting bastions of the last decade of BritPop including The Wombats, The Zutons, The Pigeon Detectives and Catfish and The Bottlemen. They are also set to play on the same stage line-up as Manchester legend Ian Brown, gig veterans Reverend and the makers, strumming Scot Gerry Cinnamon and current chart big hitter Sam Fender at Neighbourhood Weekender festival, Warrington – 28 th -30 th May 2021.

So, how soon can you get your fix of West Midlands of indie rock ‘n’ roll vigour in the band’s hometown? They are imminently supporting The Twang, seminal Birmingham band and purveyors of bouncing guitar music, for a sold-out evening show. 

You better be quick, you can still get your hands on the few remaining tickets for the matinee performance on 27 th September here...

https://sonicgun.seetickets.com/event/the-twang-acoustic-set-matinee-performance/the- britishoak/1621848

- Joey Lee

@joeyyy_lee