Polytechnic

Genre: Rock Hometown: Manchester UK
www.wearepolytechnic.com

Saturday, March 18   8:00 p.m.
Exodus   (302 E 6th St)

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  Polytechnic - Pep
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“Sometimes I get worried looks from the crowd,” says a bemused Polytechnic drummer Tim Warren. “When we play live it’s always a very energetic performance, it’s a just very contained kind of intensity.” But there should be no need to worry about the fervour that emanates from within Polytechnic. With the force of their mesmerising sun-drenched melodies, they’ve single-handedly pushed Manchester that little bit closer to the equator.

The inner core of Polytechnic is found amongst Dylan and Yuri who have been playing music together since their schooldays in Devon. The resulting sound was often ear-blistering feedback and mechanical beats. Re-locating to Manchester after university, the pair decided to advertise for a drummer. “We were ok,” says Yuri sheepishly, “it was mainly strange Krautrock and experimental stuff, but when Tim and Denny came along it really gave us direction.”

With the addition of Tim on drums, by the beginning of 2005 they’d named themselves The Conversation. Although Tim was already playing in several bands, he graciously resolved to concentrate on “sorting out Dylan and Yuri” on the condition that he could occasionally indulge in his alter-ego as percussionist for a Welsh hip-hop act. With the addition of Denny, whose musical CV includes gigging with the legendary Damo Suzuki from Can, the band began to create an immense buzz at house parties and DIY club nights around town.

True to their uplifting, shimmering sound, the ‘Pep’ demo captured the bittersweet tone of the band during the summer of 2005. Coinciding with a change of name, the band now known as Polytechnic recorded their material in Yuri’s bedroom. The intense head rush of beguiling hooks and Dylan’s soaring vocals attracted the attention of Steve Lamacq who unabashedly proclaimed Polytechnic to be his new favourite band.

In order to capture the sound of their recordings, it seemed only right to invite bookish keyboard genius Peet into the fold to blend their Sonic Youth guts with the blinding catharsis of Tortoise. “We just keep adding more and more members until we get better…soon we’ll have the full brass section and gospel choir,” laughs Denny.

Without so much as a centre spread in Heat magazine, fan sites dedicated to Yuri have already sprung up across the internet. They’ve also found themselves supporting everyone from The Breeders to Doves and The Strokes, as well as stepping out with fellow Mancunians Nine Black Alps and The Longcut. Excited at what the future holds, but taking it one step at a time, Yuri sums up the band’s laidback ambition; “to be a band, playing outdoors, in the sunshine.” It’s fortunate they’ve created the perfect soundtrack for it.

Discography

17.04.06 –
Polytechnic – Won’t You Come Around / Let Me Down (Trangressive Records)

03.06.05
Polytechnic – Running Out of Ideas EP (White Label)