Hungry for success

Feed the Kid

IT appears that ace rock outfit Feed the Kid fancy the idea of strutting their considerable stuff right here back in Oldham.

The in-demand five-strong band — front-man Curtis Taylor, guitarists Ciaran Egan and Jake Murphy, bassist Dane Stubbs and drummer Adam Smith — have strong links to the town thanks to a couple of them being ex-Chadderton residents and two being former pupils at Crompton House.

However, Feed the Kid have generally shone their light brightest in central Manchester and have sold out the likes of the Deaf Institute, Club Academy and the Ruby Lounge.

The hard-working and dedicated T-Rex, Stranglers and Doors-influenced band will continue to spread their wings this year with a clutch more high-profile gigs, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t entertain an appearance in what is currently a real hot bed of a musical town right here.

Stubbs said: “We wouldn’t say we’ve never wanted to play in Oldham, it’s more the case that the opportunity hasn’t really arose to do that.

“At this stage we wouldn’t really go and headline in Oldham because we haven’t got a fan base there.

“We’d definitely consider playing there, though.

“Jackson’s Pit is a great venue. It’s a downstairs place that reminds me of Corbieres in Manchester.

“It’s about 10 years ago since the scene was busy there and they used to have some great acts on there.

“Now things seem to be moving back towards north Manchester again.”

They are interesting thoughts indeed, but for now Feed the Kid are focused on a second appearance at the prestigious Kendal Calling festival at the end of July and the Tramlines showpiece in Sheffield.

Kendal Calling — which this year features Rudimental, Noel Gallagher, Madness and the Charlatans headlining — is clearly a favourite of guitarist Egan.

He said: “Kendal Calling has been the best gig of all for me, and basically it was because everyone was so pumped up for it, we played the best we’ve ever played.

“We can’t wait to go again because it’s a top festival.

“I’ve not been to that many festivals over here because I lived in Ireland for quite a while, but Kendal is mint because of the line-up they’ve had on over the past three years, and the way it’s just built and progressed.

“Noel Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen — big bands are starting to really take notice of it.”

On top of what already promises to be a busy year, Feed the Kid are also planning to record new material.

“Tried and Tested” will be unleashed on the public soon, as well as an as yet unnamed new single.

There’s been a switch of mindset this year music-wise, as Stubbs confirmed.

He said: “There is more of a rock ‘n’ roll sound now. We have worked hard on it during this year.

Upward

“We’ve worked on new stuff, and when you compare last year’s music to this year’s, it has completely changed.

“We’ve gone in a different direction and it’s definitely rockier.”

Certainly Feed the Kid continue on their upward spiral and who knows what will follow over the next 12 months or so.

Egan said: “We have come on in leaps and bounds as far as ability and how the tunes sound.

“For me it’s about pushing towards that album now. We all want to build the hype up around that and then, who knows?

“You don’t just get handed that five-album deal any more like Oasis did. It is hard, and it is saturated with bands right now.

“Essentially we’d like to make music our career. That’s the end goal.

“Hopefully by next year we’ll have enough money to tick over, but you have got to take these things in steps if you are to make a career out of it.”

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