Newcastle based WTCHRS officially formed in 2010. Known then as ‘watchers’ (it is still pronounced that way), they quickly put themselves on the map in the north east of England as one of the ‘must see’ live bands with their vigorous and intense brand of psychedelic rock. The band somewhat demanded the attention through performance, and when Barry Hyde of The Futureheads seen them play in Sunderland he declared – “Watchers had psychedelic and original material, they absolutely blew my head off!” – And immediately gave them a slot on the Wearside based SPLIT Festival. Other festival appearances at Friends of Mine in Manchester and Galtres in York brought them equally enthusiastic reviews (which can be read on the EPK link below) and they headed out on a short ‘acoustic’ tour with The Charlatans, doing their best to restrain themselves as the acoustic side didn’t entirely fit into their scope; singer Liam saying “I think we’re more autistic than acoustic”.
A support slot with The Vaccines soon landed on the table and arts magazine NARC went to print with – “At the recent Vaccines show at Newcastle Cluny the widely held consensus was that the Watchers as support outplayed the most hotly tipped band in Britain right now..” – WTCHRS were unfazed and rabid for more.
Since then they have supported many bands including more recently The Fall, Palma Violets, Peace, Islet, Clock Opera and in March 2013 they tour supporting Public Service Broadcasting on six dates after WTCHRS release their second single.
October 2012 – they self-released their debut double A-side single, one track was recorded and produced in London by Danton Supple (Morrissey, U2, Coldplay, Doves). WTCHRS recorded and produced the second of the tracks, Cut The Ribbon. The single was played by Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio, and got play via BBC Introducing and north east stations.
2013 will see WTCHRS continue upwards. They impressed suitably after being invited to play The Bull & Gate in London by Club Fandango in January, and will head back there on April 17th.
1st March seen the digital release of Round & Round which has been getting some play by Simon Raymonde (bella union) on his show via Amazing Radio, as well as Gill Mills on the same station. BBC Introducing and local north east stations are playing the track also.
WTCHRS are …
Liam – guitar/Vocal
Alex – drums/synth
Jack – guitars
Thom – bass
RELEASES …
Debut single: 8/10/2012 (double A-side)
Cut The Ribbon
Every Night I Look Strong (produced by Danton Supple)
Single: 1/3/2013
Round & Round
WTCHRS support Bo Ningen at Think Tank, Newcastle
WTCHRS support Public Service Broadcasting at Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough
WTCHRS support Public Service Broadcasting at The Cluny, Newcastle **SOLD OUT**
WTCHRS support Drenge at Pure in Sunderland
Highbridge Quarter FREE Festival, Newcastle (onstage 3.30pm)
Bull & Gate – London
Cluny 2 – with Air to Achilles (their single launch)
KU Bar, Stockton-On-Tees
The Hop, Wakefield
The Studio, Hartlepool
Brickyard, Carlisle
Kendal Brewery Arts Centre
Think Tank, Newcastle
Bull & Gate, London
Watchers: official single launch in Newcastle, more info to follow soon…
CAMERA night; with special guests Symphonic Pictures at Morden Tower, Newcastle.
Head of Steam – Newcastle
Redcar Rocks Festival
Seahouses Festival – *matinee*
Evening show; supporting The Chapman Family in Hartlepool
Seahouses Festival – matinee gig
Plugged Inn – Sunderland
Watchers support CUD – Hoults Yard
Evolution Emerging Festival
Watchers support ISLET
Hit the NE Radio Session: NE1fm – between 7-9pm
Watchers support The Chapman Family at Morden Tower
RPM, Old George Yard, High Bridge – Record Store Day *FREE (first of 2 shows that day!)
Supporting The Chapman Family – Morden Tower – Newcastle
Watchers support Clock Opera at Ncl Academy
Watchers support Skint & Demoralised at Ku Bar – Stockton
Dog n Parrot – Ncle – supporting Air Cav
Cluny 2 – part of EP launch for ‘Air to Achilles’
Watchers – Acoustic – Lola Jeans in Tynemouth
Help4Heroes charity gig Jan 21st – Cosmic Ballroom
Watchers – Cosmic Ballroom – Faris/Horrors DJ Set
WATCHERS SUPPORT ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE
Watchers play at Mr Lynch’s
No 28 (old Red Rooms) – 4 bands – FREE
The Cluny, Newcastle: FREE GIG!
Cumberland – Byker – with Air to Achilles
Cumberland – Byker – with Air to Achilles
The Cumberland Byker – guests of Air to Achilles
The Cluny, Newcastle, UK – supporting GUILE
Galtres Festival, Crayke nr York.
Rec-Fest – Ashington, Northumberland
The Cluny, Newcastle – supporting The Computers
Three Horse Shoes Festival, Northumberland
Redcar Rocks Festival, Cleveland
Cooperage, Newcastle – The Coral aftershow party
o2 Arena, Newcastle – with AYWKUBTTOD
Cooperage, Newcastle with S.C.U.M
Friends of Mine Festival, Macclesfield
DQ club, Sheffield
Falcons RFC, Newcastle (private party)
Stockton Calling Festival, Stockton on Tees
Riverside, Newcastle – supporting Detroit Social Club
Cluny, Newcastle – with David McAlmont
Riverside, Newcastle – support Doors Alive
The Deaf Institute, Manchester – with The Charlatans
Stockton Georgian Theatre, with The Charlatans
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds – with The Charlatans
Riverside, Newcastle – support The Charlatans
Riverside, Newcastle with The Middens
Jabez Clegg, Manchester – Friends of Manchester Festival
Riverside, Newcastle
Riverside, Newcastle supporting Twisted Wheel
Cluny, Newcastle – supporting The Vaccines
Durham City – supporting The Phantom Band
MGM – Hartlepool
The Den, Newcastle – demo launch
The Telegraph, Newcastle
Other Rooms, Newcastle – supporting Flashguns
Shooters Bar, Morpeth
Ku Bar, Stockton on Tees
Split Festival – Sunderland
Cluny, Newcastle – supporting Chris Helme
Cluny-2, Newcastle
Barking Dog, Wallsend – charity gig
Riverside, Newcastle – support to The Vortex
The Independent, Sunderland
RPM Record Shop – Newcastle
Head of Steam – Durham City
Other Rooms, Newcastle
Trojan Rooms, Whitley Bay
Chase Park Festival, Whickham
Other Rooms, Newcastle
Cluny, Newcaslte – supporting TSDOLE
The Cumberland, Byker – supporting Rangda
The Telegraph, Newcastle
