Larks and Recreation

Photo: Hannah Johns

THE Recreation.

IT SEEMS that 2016 has so far been something of a breakthrough year for Royton indie hopefuls The Recreation.

Big gigs, steadily increasing audience numbers and exciting studio releases mean that the local trailblazers ­- frontman Owen Baldwin, guitarist Tom Atkinson, drummer George Porter and bassist Sam Sumner ­- look destined to make even greater strides next year.

Such is the confidence being exuded by The Recreation at present, they recently took the brave step of putting on their own gig at top Manchester venue Aatma, and it was a roaring success.

Baldwin explained the thinking behind that move, when M60 supported at the three-quid-a-ticket gig and more than 100 punters piled through the doors.

He said: "Since we started we've always done band nights through promoters, and they are trying to earn a living of course.

"But some of them barely give you any money from tickets, they overcharge your fans, and that's not what you want.

"That's why we decided to hire out the venue ourselves, because it was pretty cheap, we kept the ticket prices low, and in the end it was just a class night.

"It was pretty full. It's a 150-capacity venue and we must have had over 100 in. Quite a lot of people just came and paid on the door too, so all in all it was brilliant."

The Recreation have enjoyed some encouragement from Manchester promoters - particularly Michael Hough, who booked the lads to support 'Noasis' at a packed-out Ruby Lounge three weeks ago - but now the temporary focus has switched to the release of the band's next four-track offering - the quirkily-named 'Flowery Bucket Hat' EP.

Named after a natty piece of headgear purchased by Atkinson at the T in the Park Festival in Leeds in the summer, 'Flowery Bucket Hat' features 'Cadillac', 'The Gateway', 'Tonight' and 'Taxi' and is scheduled for release on October 28.

The lads are excited about the Studio Studio-recorded EP, but it seems there's more great tuneage already in the bank.

Baldwin added: "We have got more tracks ready, in fact all the next EPs and singles are already planned out. These were always going to be the next four tracks to release, though.

"Once you've got a solid 30-minute set, like we have now, you can start bringing out more.

"The good thing is that it's not just our mates at gigs any more," added an excited Baldwin.

"There are people turning up because they tell us they love 'You' and 'Sofa'.

"The hard work and graft does seem to be paying off a bit now. Certainly this past half-year or so since we released 'You', that's where we've seen the turnaround."

Check out The Recreation's Facebook page to keep up with all the latest goings-on.

Don't forget, the band support The High at their headline show at The Ruby Lounge on Saturday, November 5. That will be a storming night.