The Monochrome Set

Event Information

THE MONOCHROME SET
A return to one of their favourite venues, The Continental, for THE MONOCHROME SET!

The band features original Monochrome Set members Bid (guitar/vocals) and Andy Warren (bass) with Athen Ayren on keyboards and Stephen Gilchrist on drums.

The Monochrome Set formed in 1978, and were heavily influential in the post-punk scene that evolved after the initial scorched earth of punk. The band's early releases were on the legendary Rough Trade Label before signing with Virgin offshoot Din Disc. They also released several albums on the Cherry Red label, making a notable appearance on that labels' well known "Pillows and Prayers" compilation.

Though The Monochrome Set split in 1985 the next decade saw several reunions for both live gigs and further studio recordings. After a hiatus of over a decade the band reformed full time in 2010 and have since toured all over the UK, Europe, Japan and the USA, whilst also releasing eight new, critically acclaimed, studio albums. Now in their 48th year, they are beginning a new series of gigs promoting their new album and playing songs from throughout that time.

14 ICED BEARS

14 ICED BEARS started out being dismissed by a jaded music press as a generic twee outfit but over time developed into an undeniably ground-breaking indie band whose psychedelic excursions set the template for the early 90s shoegaze sound, which is enjoying a huge renaissance today.

Formed in Brighton in 1985, by Robert Sekula and Nick Emery the band featured a shifting line-up of musicians across their initial seven-year run, centred on songwriter and vocalist Rob and guitarist/songwriter Kevin Canham.

Their jangly indie pop was characterised by a fuzzy protopunk-influenced guitar sound, and saw them receive modest critical acclaim in Britain's music press and approval from John Peel who requested a couple of sessions from the band. The group released a handful of singles for a variety of labels, including "Come Get Me" for the legendary Sarah Records, and two full-length albums: the eponymous 14 Iced Bears (1988), and Wonder (1991).

After their LPs were reissued by the boutique Optic Nerve label, 14 Iced Bears reformed in 2010 and toured the US east coast, the US west coast in 2011, as well as some concerts in London and Indietracks festival before fading into the background again, although front-man Rob Sekula continued to play solo and put out occasional singles. But over the last couple of years there has been a resurgence of activity from the Bears, and they have played a number of Pop Fests in the UK and Europe finding new fans who recognise their status as indie-pop greats.

PLUS DJ DAVE CHAMBERS