Artist description Early influences included Radiohead, Led Zeppelin and Teenage Fanclub but the band very quickly developed their own distinctive sonic identity. Their sound is a fusion of powerful harmonic vocals and sublime guitar melodies driven home by a dynamic rhythm section. The unique sound is the result of 4 very different record collections. The band realise that this gives them a distinct advantage over many of their contemporaries and has happened as a result of the four band members being close friends first and musicians second. It is unlikely that any of the members would have responded to a classified ad placed by one of the others in the search for potential band members. Giz is the 'pop svengali', Paul is the 'rock god', Toby is the 'Indie kid' and Marcus is the 'retro revivalist'. blutarsky is not the sound of one identikit record collection but the often bloody results of four different mouths gasping for the same supply of oxygen.

Music Style Smashing Pumpkins messing with the Beatles songbook

Musical Influences Teenage Fanclub, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Elvis Costello

Similar Artists Teenage Fanclub, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Elvis Costello

Artist History blutarsky were born from the ashes of other musical enterprises during the spring of 1998. blutarsky hold a shared desire to write and record their own particular brand of emotionally rewarding guitar-based music. After writing upwards of 50 songs the band decided to name themselves blutarsky as a tribute to the late, great, John Belushi. John 'bluto' Blutarsky was the character played by Belushi in the 1976 cult film 'Animal House’ and the band quickly realised that his philosophy towards life was very similar to their own.

Group Members Paul Cutcliffe, vocals/guitar, Gareth Davies, guitar/vocals, Toby Ellis, bass, Marcus O’Shea, drums

Instruments y'know, everything...!

Albums maybe in the next world

Press Reviews Blutarsky - West One Four, London, 3 February 2001As the opening chords of 'Widescreen Blue' bounced off the faces of the audience like summer sun off a cracked mirror it was apparent that we were in for a rare treat. The meandering riff, not dissimilar of Radiohead's 'My Iron Lung', buckled as the bass and drums entered the fray. Then from noise came calm as Paul began to sing. The pre-gig description of blutarsky as "Smashing Pumpkins messing with the Beatles songbook" seemed uncannily accurate.Next up were fans' favourites 'redwhiteandblue' and '10, 000 marbles' from the first two EP's which demonstrated the band's pop sensibilities and keen ear for melody. After a whirlwind opening salvo it was time for a change of mood and the band played a new song called 'no plain talking.'Every band needs a breakthrough song and judging by the audience reaction to this latest creation, one of the first to be composed by Giz on keyboards, 'no plain talking' could be it. An eerie hush descended as the lilting chords were delicately dished out and Paul sang a perfect accompaniment. At the songs end there was a moment's silence as the entranced audience gathered themselves before unleashing the biggest cheer of the evening. The response to this song was noticeably more enthusiastic than previously and it seemed to affect the band who looked stunned by the reaction.Not surprisingly this level of intensity could not be maintained and blutarsky played the rest of the set well but could not quite match what had gone before. 'September Song' hit a groove and rattled along seductively, sounding at once like Elvis Costello and Wire, and a hi-octane 'Coming to a Close' underlined the skill and harmony of Toby and Marcus in the rhythm section. 'Rope' was the usual delicious mix of urban blues and disco (Doves go pop anyone?) and the throwaway cover of 'Sunny Afternoon' finished the set in style.Ultimately though it was 'no plain talking' that stole the show and this band are definitely worth tracking down. Heard once, never forgotten. Jeff Dreadnought

Location London, London - United Kingdom

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