Cupids kickin’ in

Photo: Bekka Simpson

Cupids

MUSIC EXTRA: Cupids joint-frontman Jake Fletcher reckons the band could be on the verge of something big with new single “Kickin’ In”.

The raucous new track is accompanied by the Oldham favourites’ first-ever fully-produced video — and Fletcher, fellow guitarist/ frontman Sid Cooper, drummer James Cardus and Ryan Comac (bass), hope it will fire them into the spotlight.

It’s certainly been a successful and almost seamless transformation for Cupids since they changed their name from the Gramotones just over six months ago.

Asked about the new offering, which is now widely available, Fletcher said: “It’s one of my favourite tracks, and it’s one of my favourites to play and sing live. It’s pretty strong; straight to the point and it doesn’t really leave any time for development. It’s kind of just there, and it hits you for as long the recommended airtime allows.

“We had some new material, and this was one of the tracks, but we were doing this kind of stuff in our old guise. It’s one of the older, newer tunes if you like, and it’s a good start, in terms of putting a stamp on what we sound like as a band.

Gigs up and down the country, including in London with Mike Johns’ This Feeling outfit, have gone down a storm lately, while there has also been a Big in 2016 category award win in the prestigious Gigslutz Awards.

Cupids beat off strong competition to win that gong in a national contest which also saw entries from the likes of The Sleaford Mods, Tame Impala, Blossoms, Pretty Vicious, Hidden Charms, the Tapestry and tragic Warrington outfit Viola Beach.

There’s been airplay on BBC Introducing on Radio Manchester and Radio X’s Postbox Podcast, so all in all prospects look rosy for one of the town’s hottest bands in years.

Fletcher added: “We’re going in the right direction, the whole package is ready now. There’s definitely something bubbling for us, it’s just about getting the music in the right hands. It’s a matter of perseverance, and that means time of course, but if we keep working hard at it, who knows?

Cupids play 24 Kitchen Street in Liverpool tonight, before heading back home on April 16, when lining up at the When in Manchester showcase night at Gullivers.