The Crescent

Take a simple musical format, add the dynamics only achieved through the ease and familiarity of childhood friendships, triumph through adversity and fresh talent and you have The Crescent. Four Liverpool lads who are a contradictory mass of mature determination, post teenage angst and cheeky confidence not yet jaded by ego or industry disillusionment. More treasures from the heart of Liverpool, keen to please, ambiguously nostalgic and refreshing simultaneously.

What is evident here is formed confidence and early Manics-like unity, though these guys certainly seem to be musicians without attitude just now.

A straightforwardly punchy forty minute set sees the constants in the group being Sean's gritted teeth showmanship on bass, the melodic and intricate focal undercurrent of Karl's virtuoso lead guitar, Joe's insanely frantic drumming and the tenacious and assured vocal and rhythm guitar of Wayne Witfield. This energy charged gig is about capability and the excitement only experienced when new talent is born.

The recently released single On The Run ( Hut recordings) is a brief taster of what these lads are about, no sequencers, synth's or special effects, just energy, committment and pure Northern spirit. They own original 60's guitars and they sure can play 'em.

The Crescent have had their comparisons, blanket generalisations stemming from little more than their place of origin. How easy it is for us to make sweeping generalisations and name call ("they're Scallies" quote.).Unlike many others in this industry The Crescent are not 'no-marks' they are leaving an indelible mark already, an imprint, a impression.. The end of the tour is nigh and the band are back in the studio to finish recording their debut album. These guys are here to stay, lets embrace them and all they stand for.....

(Camden Barfly 08.05.02)

There is something very last century about The Crescent although ambiguously they manage to reek of today's youth, raw, angry and highly charged. There is not much of the truly diverse, although their basic characteristics of unity and frantic deliverance are what grab the attention. Two singles and a few months loose on tour have seen the band's confidence grow along with their beer bellies and ego.
Tonight's performance is short though gutsy and in yer face. A few appreciative shouts from the crowd punctuate the forty minute set and the three lads' polished workings of their original Rickenbackers show a musical maturity beyond their years. There is a Stones element to the riffs though less rich in format. What the band may lack in innovation they make up for in noise level and attitude. Unfortunately tonight, the vocal of lead singer Wayne Whitfield is occasionally swamped by the power of the guitars...aaaaarghh, where's the sound man??
The finale to the set is the rabble rousing Spinning Wheel. Release date 16th September (Hut Records) this tune manages to sound both loud and good and sees bassist and showman Sean Longworth at his most cocky and the rest of the band pulling out all the stops in their attempt to make Brighton Rock.
(Brighton Concorde 27.07.02)