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Cheatahs – Cheatahs

Cheatahs’ self-titled debut finds the UK-based quartet working within a slim range of genre styles, but with no specific one that defines the sound of the record. Even so, there is a very familiar line that strings throughout the entire listen.  Predominantly ruled by a driving, 90’s post-punk vibe, with a hint of ambient shoegaze, the guitar tones are heavy and noisy, yet comfortable like an old pair of pajamas. So while it is not necessarily innovative, it feels like they perfectly captured a sound from a bygone era while still injecting a new and unique twist that makes it sound fresher than a blatant pillaging of their influences.

Cheatahs frontman Nathan Hewitt and guitarist James Wignallmet in a Camden pub eight years ago and instantly connected, drinking and raving about their love of Seinfeld and their immense passion for Rock & Roll. Nathan had just moved to London from Edmonton, Alberta, while James, originally from Leicester, had moved to London after studying in Leeds.

Over the next six years the two would play in various bands around town until one day when Nathan asked James decided to collaborate on a few songs James had been fiddling with. Their musical connection was almost as instant as the birth of their friendship years earlier.  They soon recruited two friends to fill out the lineup, producer and bassist Dean Reid, and German drummer Marc Raue

Dean would go on to produce two quick E.P.’s for the band before a gig in east London, where they happened to meet Ben and Mark from Wichita Recordings.  After a brief conversation about music, material, and the direction of the band the duo from Wichita quickly inked the band to a deal.

2013 saw the band branching out, hitting SXSW, followed by a short 6-week U.S. tour supporting Wavves, as well as appearances at Primavera, and some opening slots with Dinosaur Jr. During this busy year the band was able to write and record a full-length debut album for Wichita. They managed to escape to the countryside, isolating themselves in Cornwall at an old stone cottage,before finishing up in proper studios in Camberwall and Hackney.

Cheatahs self-titled debut represents a big creative leap from their first two E.P.’s. The album is a great example of modern guitar-based music; a wonderful blend of heavy tuned guitar riffs a la early 90’s Pumpkins, Breeders, and Creep-era Radiohead, combined with ambient drone fuzz, with lyrics dealing with disassociation, self-identity, and the complex world of relationships.  

Where to get the Cheatahs’ self-titled debut:
CD/LP: http://smarturl.it/CheatahsShop
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/cheitunesnow

http://cheatahs.tumblr.com/
https://soundcloud.com/cheatahs
https://www.facebook.com/cheatahs
https://twitter.com/cheatahssuck

Cheatahs will be playing a few dates stateside before a slew of dates overseas:

27/02/14    Los Angeles, Echo
            
01/03/14    San Francisco, Brick & Mortar Music Hall
            
01/03/14    San Francisco, Amoeba Records
            
04/03/14    Brooklyn, NY, Baby’s All Right
            
05/03/14    Philadelphia, Boot & Saddle
            
06/03/14    Washington, U Street Music Hall
            
09/04/14    Hamburg, Hafenklang, Germany
            
10/04/14    Berlin, Urban Spree, Germany
            
11/04/14    Krakow, RE, Poland
            
15/04/14    Bologna, Freakout Club, Italy
            
16/04/14    Milan, Lo-Fi Club, Italy
            
18/04/14    Alicante, Sala Stereo, Spain
            
19/04/14    Barcelona, LA (2) Apolo, Spain
            
20/04/14    Dijon, Festival MU, France
            
23/04/14    Brussels, Botanique, Belgium
            
24/04/14    Nantes, Universite de Nantes, France
            
25/04/14    Lille, La Peniche, France
            
19/05/14    Amsterdam, Melkweg, Netherlands
            
20/05/14    Paris    la Fleche d’Or    France
            
22/05/14    Manchester, Deaf Institute
            
23/05/14    Glasgow, Stereo
            
22/06/14    Hilvarenbeek, Best Kept Secret Festival, Netherlands
            
09/08/14    Skipton, Beacons Festival

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