A Is For Ape

NEWS

16/05/09 New sax player Im delighted to anounce that Paul has joined the family on saxamaphone . Paul is Wolf's brother and as such the on stage banter should move up a notch. 27/04/09 Interview with Bananatown.co.uk Nottingham’s A is for Ape have been one of the UK’s best underground bands for years now, storming their way through infectious horn riffs and inspiring high-speed skanking feet AND fists in pits wherever they’ve been, not least on this summer’s mini-jaunt through their native midlands. Still tired, but visibly refreshed and carrying the beginnings of a promising tan, Nicky B (guitar/vocals) turned up after Jamie dangled some bread off a bridge on a fishing rod. We kept him for a quick chat, during which he lovingly referred to his band, A is for Ape, as “The Apes”, which gave us the giggles. The apes are just home from their whistle-stop tour of the midlands, having taken in every metropolis from Derby to Leamington Spa that they found along the way. “One thing I realised on the road is how good the people of the ska and punk scene are. I mean I can’t imagine it’s our charisma, but people seemed to really go out of their way to help us along. We made some good friends and played with some awesome bands too”, he enthuses, scarcely stopping for breath, “most notably Bigtopp, who rocked the Nottingham show with a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air mash up”. “We’d be on the road more often but unfortunately our student days are over and until Fat Wreck come knocking on the door we have got day jobs to keep us alive, this tour was really a prelude to what we hope to achieve in the summer. We’re just starting to put together some dates and hope to get on a few festivals as that is really where this whole sweet genre really shines, who can resist a dance in the sun?” There’s been talk of a follow-up to “Once More Over the 617” almost since it came out last May, and recent rumours *tease alert* even said that the classic “Winning a Loser’s Game” might get a new tarting up and an outing on the new album. “Since the last record we’ve been writing with the aim to put an album out later in the year”, says Nicky, “but what I’d like is to write, say, 30 songs and then cut them down to 15. That way we can have something that really shines, particularly as this genre is seeing some real talent emerge on the underground scene. The guys are more encouraged since returning from the tour - we’ve had some good times along the way. However, we might have a couple of line-up changes heading our way as people struggle to mix band commitments with the rest of their lives. Hopefully this won’t happen, but, maybe, just maybe, prepare to see some new faces.. New faces, a new record, and some new tour dates. It’s all new for the Apes. After a summer of festivals and shows, of course. I mean, priorities, and all that.. 19/04/09 Tour is over Well I personally had a great time, it was a lot harder going than we'd originally thought and I think we'll all need a couple of weeks to recooperate but there were a lot of good times had by all. Last night at the Old Angel was a fitting end to the last 10 days and a big thanks for all those who turned out to support us. Id like to take this opportunity to thank everybody that made this tour possible: Gaz from Revolution sounds for not only putting on a gig but helping find others, Bigtopp and their chirpy friend, the Bbad family, Babycakes and all his mates, Tom, Peter, John, Andy and Henry, Chris S, Dave and Matt M, The Skints, Jaya The Cat, Phil from Breakout, NSFW and their awesome mates for showing us a good time, Mary from Positive Junk, Dan and Jodie for travelling to the Spa, Clay pigeon for being awesome and nice lads with it, Dirty Revolution, Everyone at Redhouse, The Catch it kebabs for listening and generally being musical legends, Taz and family at West St Live, Howard and Hayley, Jess for putting up with some of us, Ben and Tom, Elaine and friends, Grant and his mates who ALWAYS turn out (legends), Laura for stepping into some saxy shoes, Oli's mates for bouncing where no men have bounced before, Kill the captains, and the rest of the band for not killing each other. 28/02/09 New Review The ska scene's dead? Not with the music scene casting its beady eye over the revival of Madness and The Specials this summer, as well as host of bright new saxophone-wielding bands; A Is For Ape for one. A long 5 year interval separates the recent EP 'Once More Over The 617' from 'Pigs Might Fly' though it's time spent wisely to hone their particular brand of pop-happy ska .The 7-piece's particular talent this time round are upbeat pop-punk hooks, reggae grooves and hop-inducing brass instrumentals - a breath of fresh air for the lethargic emo'd rock scene. Bright, daring and innovative, the rough 'n' ready vocals of singer Nicky B could only be improved with refined lyrics, before the Nottingham lads can step up and be counted. (RockMidgets.com) 20/12/08 New Dates added!!!!! Weve been busy booking gigs for the coming year so whip on over to the Tour Dates page and have a look if we're in your area (ooooooh mrs) New Reviews When the press release for a band tells you they are 'genre-defying' I'm inclined to treat it as something of a challenge, but this lot do come close. There's an explosion of brass and wailing guitars with more than one anthemic chorus, yet just around the corner there's a ska treatment lurking on the final track, so they have got me really. It's all sounds inspiring, and I would imagine live no one could resist dancing to this seven piece from Nottingham / Sheffield. Chris Xenra Sandman Oct 2008 They Grind in with a youth and energy of the spiky haired prepubescent Busted - Do not misconstrue this statement! Their tight licks and crisp riffs drive along this good time Skate Poprock. A is for Ape carry a gleeful sophistication. They forge an alloy of Blink 182, a wee touch of Ska, and a spectacular schizophrenic vocal. One part of the vocal's personality screams Jon Bon Jovi, and the other powers a majestic Axl Rose. If you can't have fun listening to these guys with their catchy melodies exquisitely punctuated by a big brass trombone and a slick 80's saxophone, then perhaps its time to grunt and take your James Blunt back into that darkened room. Track 3 of this EP, 'End of an Era (Don't Go)', is legendary. Get yourself to the front of that stage and sing along! Ray Seraph Sandman Oct 2008