Artist description Beware: these songs have hooks. Infectious singalong tunes that will get into your head. And only after a while will you realise how good the lyrics are. Two-Goal Cushion make songs the old-fashioned way, working from an idea and a chorus rather than towards a manufactured, pre-conceived (and regurgitated) end product.The Cushion sound is one of beautiful melodies, tuneful harmonies and a carefully layered sound designed to augment - not disguise - the message of the words and the song.Get yourself comfortable on a Two-Goal Cushion.

Music Style Pop tunes, dark lyrics

Musical Influences Beautiful South, Beatles, Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, Teenage Fanclub, Travis

Similar Artists Beautiful South, Beatles, Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, Teenage Fanclub, Travis

Artist History The two friends at the heart of Two-Goal Cushion, Craig Gittins and Gary Parkinson, have been playing music together since they met at college in wintry Hull and realised the only way was up. That was seven years ago, but it’s only in the last seven months that they’ve started to make themselves heard, plugging in the electric and recruiting two bold young rhythm sectioneers in bassist Taz Dirania and drummer Simon Horsley. The foursome have recorded a party-pack of hook-filled, unashamedly melodic songs: tales of cross-generational shifts in expectation, rebuilding self-esteem after a failed relationship, resistance to the technological control of society and the desire of the common people for any hint of success – and that’s just these first four songs.Craig writes the songs and gives them their distinctive shape: who else these days bothers with pre-choruses and middle eights? He draws on 27 years of experience to weld imaginative themes (the four above are only typical examples, although he regularly has to be stopped from writing tunes about his beloved Mansfield Town) onto good old-fashioned tunes which you’ll find yourself humming at the bus stop, mainly thanks to Craig’s angelic, and unusually high, melodies.He then hands them over to Gary, who polishes them by adding a word or a chord here and there to make sure they’re in the classic tradition for which Two-Goal Cushion strive. This is most obviously achieved with the distinctive harmonies Bolton-born Gary provides, which represent much more than half-hearted background furniture. Gary, 25, also adds a few unfussy but layered guitar parts to flesh out the sonic surroundings.That done, it’s time to wheel in the rhythm section. Mancunian Taz (it’s short for Tariq) met Craig while working in a music shop, and the 22-year-old’s knowledge of systems, instruments and set-ups means he brings much more to the table than just the odd funky bassline.Taz’s college colleague Simon Horsley completes the line-up. A ferocious drum warrior of only 19 summers, Simon – or Cheeks, an old nickname which is thankfully a facial reference – brings infectious enthusiasm and dry Scouse wit to the band. As well as a solid backing, of course.Since hitting stages in London, TGC have been coming on in leaps and bounds. Initial dates were so successful that venues had no choice but to get the Cushion in again for prestigious weekend slots at venues like the Bull & Gate (Kentish Town), Red Eye (Kings Cross) and Halfmoon (Putney).Despite concentrating on London, the band - Northerners to a man - have found time to pop back to Huddersfield for a Battle of the Bands. Lined up against TGC were a group of young tyros being courted by top-level managers. But Two-Goal Cushion won the day in front of an audience of several hundred fans when the jury unanimously voted TGC the best band.Influences are as broad as usual, but the main namechecks would have to include The Beatles, The Housemartins, Teenage Fanclub, Oasis and Blur, Bruce Springsteen, The Jam… anyone who has prioritised songwriting above sloganeering and melodies above melodrama. So sit yourself down and get comfortable on a Two-Goal Cushion.

Group Members Craig Gittins (Vocals) - Main songwriter Craig's angelic, and unusually high, vocals carry his beautiful melodies right into your head - whereupon you realise the words can often be quite dark, but are always worth listening to. Wishes he was Elvis.Gary Parkinson (Guitar, vocals) - Gary takes Craig's songs, tidies them up if they need it, adds harmonies (often even higher) and a few guitar parts, briefs Taz and Simon on their bits and then sits down and has a fag. Wishes he was John Lennon.Taz Dirania (Bass) - Taz is the facilitator of the band. Used to work in a music shop, and it shows - he's never happy unless he's tuning up. Or buying things. Or adding his funky basslines to Two-Goal Cushion songs. Wishes he was Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai bassist).Simon Horsley (Drums) - Si is more commonly known as Cheeks. Don't worry, it's a facial reference - they tend to flare up while he's turning in his powerhouse drumming. A Scouser by birth, he's therefore obliged to be called Ringo. Wishes he was under the sea, in an octopus's garden.

Instruments Craig Gittins - Vocals Gary Parkinson - Guitars & vocals Taz Dirania - Bass & occasional gob-iron Simon Horsley - Drums

Albums A place that no one sails to

Location London, England - United Kingdom

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