Mod sound is marching on

MOD outfit . . . It is the definitive style of music, they say

IT'S A bold statement, but Tameside band The Transmitters insist they're the best mod band around, so why not check them out and see if you agree?

The band ­- front-man Dave Lees, guitarist and founder member Martin Bailey, drummer Danny Short and bassist Tony Dallas - are not signed to a label yet, but the numbers are good, audience figures are consistently high and recent EP release 'Out on the Street' sold out its first batch of CDs.

The Transmitters are consistently gigging and enjoyed a terrific 2016, and that's arguably been a pointer to just how resurgent the 'mod' sound and movement is at present.

Bailey said: "Mod is the definitive style of music that's lasted from day one, right up until today.

"Through different variations, and the way it's evolved and what have you, it's still mod music now ­- and people love it.

"They might say that they don't, they might say 'what a load of rubbish', but they don't, they love it because they realise that there are all these other bands out there that are influenced by mod music.

"We're a mod band, however, we've got that ability to rock it up a little bit, and also just tone it down a bit.

"You know our songs straight away, and yes, we're the best band around."

Formed in 2014, the Transmitters have made great strides, with their hard-edged sound winning plenty of admirers.

Incredibly, though,when Lees was invited to take up the vocals role by Bailey in early 2014, it was his first foray into band surroundings.

Effect

Lees said: "I was always a Jam fan, and my mum and dad were always playing the Beatles and even Slade, who I class as good old English rock n' roll.

"When Dr Feelgood came on to the scene, they probably had the same effect on me as they did on Paul Weller.

"Once he'd seen them with his mum at Guildford, that was it, the Jam took off into a new direction.

"For me, though, I just wanted to be in any band really, but never did that.

"I was a 22-year-old lad with glasses by this time. I couldn't play an instrument, so I was never going to be fronting a band. I'd always been out watching bands live, maybe twice a week. Even now, if the Transmitters haven't got a gig one weekend, you'll see me out and about.

"I'll stand at the back, watch, support and clap a live band.

"The Transmitters are up to 50 or 60 live gigs in total now, though, and I'm loving it."

Despite their clear mod leanings and influences such as the Jam, the Who, the Kinks and Dr Feelgood being prevalent, it's also about the Transmitters making sure they put on a great show, as Lees added.

He said: "We entertain an audience, because the minute we walk on stage, we know that's what people want.

"That's how we got some of our early support slots with From the Jam, The Beat, The Chords and even Dr and the Medics.

"As a support band, you get 30 minutes if you're lucky, and you're not supposed to do any covers.

"You are kind of forced to get on with your own stuff, but you've also got to communicate with the audience, and talk to them in between songs.

"So many bands don't do that. When you see the Transmitters play, we don't just stand behind the mics, it's massively about the entertainment."

Despite having Facebook fans in Canada, Russia and across Europe, the Transmitters' current gig list does have a more-local feel about it right now.

Included on their long list of north-west shows is one in Oldham, on Saturday, March 18, when they will headline 'Live at Lees' at the Legends Club, supported by Carl Morris and Dave Broomhead.

The band will play the Hartlepool leg of the March of the Mods charity showcases on March 4 - having played Manchester and Chester in previous years - and support local outfit Last Race Home at their single launch night on March 10.

Meanwhile, the Transmitters also have a new single - 'Weird Place' - set for release in March.

They have been filming a video for their new track at a venue with an OL postcode, I'm told!