High Peak band once supported by Oasis hoping for number 1 single
A High Peak band who were once supported by Oasis are now looking to bag their first number one.
The Catchmen was formed in 1988 by Michael Knowles and Ian Livingstone.
Michael said: “We were tipped to be the next big thing. We were working with someone who would go on to become Adele’s manager and the Gallagher brothers were our warm up act in 1991 at the Boardwalk in Manchester.”
Despite early Radio One play and industry interest, wider success eluded them, and the band split before they had the chance to realise their ambition of creating ‘lush, orchestral indie music’.
But decades later Michael and Ian’s paths crossed professionally and the duo wanted to make music again.
He reconnected with Ian, who is an Ivor Novello winning composer whose work spans film, television and global gaming franchises, while working on the feature film ‘Book of Love’.
Michael said: “Music matters, it connects people.
“Everything I have done with my life I always come back to song writing.”
The Catchmen’s newest single England is from their acclaimed reunion album ‘Stockport Syndrome’.
The album completes the emotional arc the band began decades ago, returning to old memories with newfound depth and wisdom.
‘England’ begins with images of an imagined England and then moves in its second verse onto the realities of mobs on the street.
The middle 8 reflects on the diversity of English talent from Shakespeare to Benjamin Zephaniah, Monica Ali, and Harry Hill.
The song finishes reflecting how there is a dissonance between the imagined England and the reality. But the talent and diversity is what should be celebrated and what makes ‘England’.
Michael said: “We always wanted the big orchestra and music that swells and grows and we’ve done it - now we want to get to number 1 in the Heritage chart.
“We are currently a BBC introducing artist and at number 6 in the Heritage chart with our song England.
“This is a great opportunity for us as BBC introducing is normally for the young ones, so it's great to hear our music- from people who have lived a little more - being played.
“It gives you hope to keep chasing your dreams.”