Brought up on a diet of reactionary, energetic and gutsy music and free to spend their youths stalking the woodland and bars around North Yorkshire, The Birdman Rallies felt a need to break away from the Blues, Punk and deli culture of their hometown Harrogate.
The songs freaked out the locals too weird for the bluesers too un-punk for the punks – a good sign. Practising in a stable ice in the cups, huddled round a gas burner in the middle of winter they decided they needed to write some songs which would catapult them out of this situation and onto stages all over the world.
City Beats talks to Daniel Webster from The Birdman Rallies and this is what he had to say.
Tell me about the band and who plays what ?
Ashley Johnson – Bass
Adam Westerman – Drums and Vocals
Daniel Webster – Guitar and Vocals
Emily Rowan – Keys and vocals
When did your band form ?
The Birdman Rallies formed in 2008, we already knew each other from other bands in the York / Harrogate area.
What does the name mean or come from ?
The birdman rallies name comes from some Australian relatives who mentioned a Birdman Rally which they’d seen in Melbourne. It’s where people build a home made contraption and try to fly as far as they can off the end of a pier.
Where are you based ?
York/Harrogate
Your main influences/inspiration ?
The Beatles / The Pixies / David Bowie / Kate Bush
What are your favourite live gigs or achievements so far ?
We supported Gruff Rhys / The Stranglers / Stornaway and The Joy Formidable and have had songs played on Radio 1 , Radio 2, 6music and Amazing Radio.
What’s the name of your latest single ?
A Hammer For Your Fist came out on November 28th and can be downloaded and streamed from iTunes.
Where can we and our readers find you online ?
http://www.thebirdmanrallies.com/home