CityLife

Bonehead's sucked into The Vortex

Bonehead

PAUL Arthurs – better known as by his nickname 'Bonehead' from his days as rhythm guitarist in Oasis – is a man who likes to talk.

Sat in the backstage area of the Manchester Academy, cigarette and glass of whisky in either hand, the former Oasis man is holding court on hot topics of the day: from the Labour government ("they're in a right f**king mess aren't they? It's weird to think Oasis became really involved with New Labour"), to erm, the fortunes of Gary Glitter (views which are frankly unprintable in this publication).

But most of all, Bonehead wants to expound on a subject very close to his heart – and that's the state of Manchester music.

"There's been absolutely nothing since Oasis has there?" Bonehead insists.

"You look at the bands in Manchester, and it's like one big herd of sheep following what's in fashion. I've heard The Courteeners and I'm not 'avin that.

"They bang on about Manchester, but they sound just like a bunch of Libertines rip-offs to me. The only band who've turned me on in the last ten years are The Vortex – and that's exactly why I'm prepared to play with them."

Pointing to the four lads sat beside him, The Vortex are the band Bonehead has recently been performing with. He's not a full-time member as such, but he has played guitar on the band's new single 'Dirty Soul', and he's also gigged a few times with them.

But most of all, Bonehead seems to be on hand to inject large doses of brash, lairy exuberance (which he frequently does).

Trumpet

That's not to say the rest of The Vortex – Mike Price (vocals), Maz Bedjet (lead guitar), Nick Repton (bass), Sean O'Donnell (drums) and Jaxx (backing vocals) – aren't very good at blowing their own trumpet.

Hailing from Ancoats and Prestwich, The Vortex claim their main ambition is to, "put real Manchester music back on the map again – prove that not all Manchester bands are burdened by the past."

In a short 12 months together, they've certainly got off to a flying start.

They've got the last gang in town thing, they've got the self-aggrandising confidence, they've got the tunes (pulsing indie-dance fusion in a Kasabian/Primal Scream/Ian Brown stylee), but most crucially, they've got the local support; the sort of support that no-one really sees coming, but ends up engulfing the city (and eventually the nation) like a lagered-up ladrock tornado.

Sold out

That much is apparent when, shortly after CityLife's interview, the band (plus Bonehead), take to the stage at the 300-capacity Academy 3 venue. The gig has been sold out for weeks, and outside the venue, the tickets touts are selling Vortex tickets at well over the face value.

Some tickets touts even seem to recognise singer Mike Price as he monkey walks (as Manc frontmen must do) down Oxford Road.

"This is what it's all about isn't?" says Mike. "Every gig in Manchester, we've sold out on our own terms. We've worked hard and we've got amazing songs. That's the reason we've done well. There's so many bands in Manchester who operate in these little cliques, and they've got all these contacts pulling strings for them.

"No-one has done us any favours. We've grafted, and the true music lovers in Manchester recognise that."

Hailing from Ancoats, Mike has only been the singer of The Vortex for 12 months, yet it's hard to imagine him having ever done anything else besides be in a band and make pugnacious quotes to journalists ("I have had one job – driving forklift trucks. But I had to sack that to be a rock star. Ian Brown was my idol for a long time.")

Advert

Mike joined The Vortex a year ago when he saw an advert in Loot for a band seeking a singer. He pretty much got the job the minute he walked into the band's rehearsal room, but there's a good reason why.

"The only other person who came to the audition was a Scouser," recalls Sean. "And we'd never have a Scouser in the band... it's just not on is it? So Mike got the job – and he turned out to be an incredible frontman. One of the best this city has seen."

Like all the best Manc frontmen, Mike does tend to dominate proceedings – in interview and when he's on-stage – but The Vortex are certainly not a one man band. The band's real engine room are songwriters Maz and Sean, the less gobby creative duo who craft The Vortex's rabble-rousing indie-dance mantras.

As proven by debut single 'Dirty Soul' (released next week), The Vortex are a much steelier proposition than their blokey, belligerent reputation suggests.

Channelling the spirit of Hacienda dancefloor euphoria through brash rock'n'roll classicism, The Vortex sound like Kasabian remixed by a House DJ, or The Stone Roses, had there been a third coming.

The band's critics (and they're stacking up) say they just sound like a derivative A-Z of Manchester indie music. But the way The Vortex see it, that's surely a plus.

"As far as I'm concerned, the bands that made me wanna be in a band were Oasis and The Stone Roses," says Sean. "They're the bands who've set the bar. We wanna make music that celebrates our city. We've not afraid or burdened by the Manchester bands who came before us.

From house music to bands like Oasis... we embrace this city's musical heritage. But we try to sound different and refreshing."

Real deal

"We're the real deal," adds Mike, before firmly laying down the gauntlet. "There's no other band in this city who does what we do. I'm sick to death of The Courteeners saying they're the saviours of Manchester music.

"They say nothing about Manchester – they sound like cockneys!

"They're still on that Libertines bandwagon. We're the real saviours of Manchester music – and we'll prove it."

It's fighting talk from a band who clearly believe that bluster and bravado are essential components for any Manc band to rise to the top.

In coming months, The Vortex will no doubt polarise people; their belligerent Manc music DNA will be pulled apart and be viewed as both an asset and a hindrance.

But The Vortex themselves won't be bothered by any of this – like all the best Manc musical gangs, they see success and fortune as their birthright.

And with guru Bonehead on hand, they've got the wise old uncle to steer them through any turbulent waters.

"I'm loving all this," concludes Bonehead. "It really is like the old days of Oasis for me. All these small, sweaty gigs where the audience are going nuts.

"There's a real menace and excitement to this band. I've seen it before with Oasis. And I'm seeing it all over again with The Vortex."

The Vortex play Moho Live on Saturday, and again on October 5 as part of In The City. Their debut single 'Dirty Soul' is out on  October 6. For more info visit – www.myspace.com/thevortexmanchester