Anta + Nope.O

ANTA (Bristol) Loud and heavy organ-led instrumental progressive post-rock FFO Magma, Tarkus era ELP, big riffs. Ears still ringing from their last gig here in 2024. https://anta.bandcamp.com/album/organesson NOPE.0 One-note-wonder double-drumming repeato-rock ‘supergroup’ revisit their early stuff feat. members of Lands & Body/That Fucking Tank, Cowtown, Mucky Sailor and Holodrum. Also very loud. https://obscenebabyauction.bandcamp.com/track/weird-staff-demo at Puzzle Hall Inn, 21 Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2RF 8pm – 10pm FREE ENTRY with donations for bands gratefully accepted. Done in time for trains back to Leeds / Manc.

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ANTA “We’re old and familiar friends. These compositions represent the thing that happens when we get together. They aren’t representative of one individual, one moment in time, or one chain of decisions. Some are ancient refrains, beginning life as habits and warm-ups, in-jokes; others are distilled jams; more still are refined from MIDI sketches and ideas whistled into voice notes. On whatever terms these elements become something we’re happy to stand in front of you and play, to put on record, so be it.” So ANTA describe the process behind 2024’s Organesson. Characteristic of the Bristolian Sci-Prog quartet, the record weaves together mesmerising, muscular riffs in insanely loud compositions that extend well into excess. Less typical is the polarisation at play, where granular polymeters will yield in an instant to passages of one or two-note simplicity. The record strides from one raging refrain to the next, lurching between devastation, joy, chaos, and stirring the themes accumulated along the way in exposition. “It comes down to those precious sweaty hours” the group suggest, “in which we get to vibrate these sounds into your face and chest, and you can dance and laugh with us. This is the stuff we remember and plan for, the moments we talk about the most when writing these songs.” ANTA’s live shows, ceaseless onslaughts of deafening riffs, have been notable for maintaining the same intense energy among festival crowds or to three people in a basement. Walls of amps going full-pelt. Pounding, ornate drums and metals, wherein drummer James King is relentless in discovering strange and mighty rhythms. Full-drawbar organs, electric pianos, piercing synths from keys-man Alex Bertram-Powell. Joe Garcia’s growling bass that strides rather than walks. Ben Harris’ all-encompassing, dizzying guitars. Hypnotic, communal, compelling, indefinite energy. Organesson is the latest effort to put this feeling on record.

NOPE.0 Formed in 2008 as a side project for members of Leeds 6 DIY scene regulars That Fucking Tank and Mucky Sailor, NOPE was an umbrella for a rotating cast of friends and collaborators to play semi-improvised maximal-minimalist noise rock eventually settling into the quartet of Andy Abbott (guitar/synth), Steve Nuttall (drums), Jon Nash (Drums) and Patrick Dowson (vocals, synth, guitar). In this format they recorded two albums, 2012’s ‘Revision’ and 2014’s ‘Walker’, honing their own brand of long-form kraut and psych-inspired progressive repeato-rock. NOPE toured UK and Europe sharing stages with Richard Dawson, Nissenenmondai, Acid Mothers Temple, Owls, and a final gig with Boris in 2016. Ten years later they are returning in a stripped back form as NOPE.0 for a second revisit of their droning one-riff origins. http://www.yvonnecarmichael.com/nope2010/ https://obscenebabyauction.bandcamp.com/album/the-whitewood-sessions https://obscenebabyauction.bandcamp.com/album/revision https://obscenebabyauction.bandcamp.com/album/walker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNnToHufMjY “One of the most thrilling and intense bands residing in our fair, bustling city of Leeds. This ferocious four-piece mix in some of the meatiest, furry rock riffs to the riot of sound. I’ve heard literally tons of psych bands in the last few years. None have quite that verve, imagination, heaviosity or spirit NOPE have.”
9/10 Norman Records “Nope are masters at finding one brilliantly brain-lodging guitar hook and pounding it into the ground, extracting every last nuance and leaving it in a squalling mush.”
The Skinny