Ian_HoS

Dom, what I meant by "making use of the tag" was that it got applied to us and we let it. When I wrote the first batch of HoS songs that got us into this whole thing, I had no idea that there was anyone else out there who still listened to that stuff (we're talking five years ago).

I certainly didn't, and would never, "write to order" to fit a genre. What we write now is simply a reflection of how we feel and the sort of music that is currently inspiring us. If we write some songs that sit firmly in the "shoegaze" camp, that's fine, I'm not anti-shoegaze or anything else. What I am anti, is hyping bands that don't have the quality of songs to carry it. That was my point and, I think, Sadpunk's.

...but I won't. Suffice to say Sadpunk's comments are right on the mark for a lot of the bands mentioned. I've seen or played with quite a few and as yet, I haven't seen any musicians that make me think "wow, they have a unique songwriting talent". They're good with their effects, but that's about it - fretwankers, as noted, at least have greater ability to play their instrument.

Exit Calm are a case in point - if I wanted to listen to early Verve, I'd dig out my CDs from the time. The difference is, I would hear some memorable tunes whilst I was at it, because Exit Calm certainly don't have any.

There is also at least one band in the list who must be bandwagon-jumpers of the highest order, because the last time I saw them they were Oasis wannabes with an attitude to match (and I don't mean in a good way). I guess someone told them this was the next big thing.

As for us (Heroes of Switzerland), we made use of the tag while it suited us, but I don't think we ever really fitted into the genre with more than a couple of songs and I don't think you'll find our new stuff will either. But it will have memorable melodies, great musicianship and a bit more innovation than a watered-down Richard Ashcroft fronting an advert for the Boss DD-3. Whether anybody cares or not is a different question, but I didn't start a band to please other people.

I think that's fair comment mate, we played what most people consider our strongest (live) tracks first and the final track was brand new, so that'll get better. More new stuff is on the way and, frankly, it will blow people's minds! :)