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BIOGRAPHY
Northern Irish upstarts THE BLACK TOKENS are a proper rock band. A band that writes proper ballsy rock tunes. With proper melodies. The way it should be.
Not afraid to put two fingers up to their counterparts who find it mandatory to toe the line musically and visually, they actually are in it for all the right reasons. The distinct, edgy garage-rock sound, coupled with a brawny, raw intensity, provides audiences with a dynamic sound that is missing from much of today’s new music. Think of them as your petulant little brother who refuses to leave you alone.
Last year was an industrious one for this band; their relentless gigging mentality moulded them into an amazingly accomplished live band, not afraid to flex its rippling musical muscles. This reputation resulted in the band being invited to support ASH on all three dates of their Irish tour.
Other performance highlights include playing support to BE YOUR OWN PET, THE BLACK LIPS, MILBURN, RACINE/Wendy James, DELORENTOS and FIGHTING WITH WIRE, a blistering performance at the 2007 Glasgowbury Festival, a much-coveted place at Ireland’s Hard Working Class Heroes Festival 2007, a headline slot at IMRO’s Showcase Tour 2007, as well as showcases across the pond in London and Glasgow.
Early ‘08 has seen what can only be described as a metamorphosis for the band. Not content with the feats accomplished throughout ‘07, they decided to hide themselves away to hone their writing, rehearsing, recording and production skills. This has resulted in a new kicking mature sound, which is ready to tear everyone a new one.
New relationships have been developed with other artists and producers all across the UK, Ireland and Europe, leading to a set of remixes to be released at the end of the summer 2008.
Armed with a brand new frontman, a new attitude, and most importantly a batch of raucous new songs - they’re coming to get you, if you don’t get to them first.
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PRESS
"A band that cuts to the chase, striking a bargain hard and fair - tunes, attitude and sincere intent, you want it, they've got it. There are plenty of people who want what they have to offer. But then that's no surprise - blood-stirring, melody laden rock 'n' roll: The Black Tokens are one offer you daren't refuse."
Alternative Ulster magazine interview, July 2007
"The Black Tokens, with their own brand of indie rock and roll, took to the stage at the Spring and Airbrake to provide support on the night. The lead singer commanded the front line with style, and even brought out his Liam Gallagher-esque tambourine occasionally, as the band cruised through their set of Stonesey rock, much to the crowd's delight."
BBC ATL website, review of TBT supporting ASH 06.06.2007, June 2007
"Serving up good time rock 'n' roll, the five piece band from Belfast aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. They've got the swagger of a young Oasis plus the riffs of Cream or Led Zeppelin and catchy melodies reminiscent of The Yardbirds or early Who."
Belfast Telegraph, June 2007
"Exuding modish charm and effortless cool are five-strong gang The Black Tokens. Following a brief intro of darkly electronic tones they soon kick into their stride of irresistible and brawny rock 'n' roll. Displaying so much swagger and chic you would swear they were Mancunian, at one stage their singer is lost in a frenzy of hair and tambourine. They have carved their own niche in the NI music scene and with tracks like "Movement Sense" and "Man Up There" they have cut a distinct sound that is all raw edge wrapped in slick, melodious rock."
Alternative Ulster Magazine, May 2007
"The Black Tokens - a band making quite a name for themselves on the N.I scene with their energetic performances and unique mod-tinged brand of rock'n'roll."
BBC ATL website, May 2007
"The Black Tokens are an altogether less complicated proposition. Unashamedly retro, they ape the proud lineage of the Rolling Stones, playing earnest bluesy rock. Credit where it's due, what they do, they do exceedingly well, they may sell us short on invention, but you have to admire their craft. Fine vocals and blistering guitar ensure that there is plenty to enjoy"
belFEST 2006 review Alternative Ulster Magazine, December 2006
"The Black Tokens, a thrilling, indie hipster’s choice, swaggered on next, bringing a cool rock n’ roll aesthetic along with them. “How Does It Feel?” is a testament to their capabilities, and by the time the vocalist danced his way around the stage with his tambourine and twangy vocals, proved that their hard-edged, indie dance was a treat and highlight of the night."
belFEST 2006 review BBC ATL site November 2006
"This hard-working quintet have been slugging it out locally now for a while and that gigging muscle pays dividends on their debut EP. It's a retro-tinged melodic rock affair with idiosyncratic vocals that should polarise opinion- in itself highly complimentary. Intriguing."
Alternative Ulster Magazine, November 2006
"A band that we're really liking the cut of their jib at the moment are The Black Tokens."
BBC Radio Ulster Across The Line Show 94.5FM, September 2006
"The Black Tokens played a stunning set that couldn’t fail to impress! Both powerful and melodic the music kept the crowd captivated. Heads nodded as feet tapped along to the rhythm and cheers rang out between songs."
Glasgow Glasswerk.co.uk, March 2006
"A band who have always been busy, but this year sees them step it all up a gear."
Belfast Telegraph, January 2006
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GIGOGRAPHY
24/04/08 LISBURN, Hague's Bar
27/03/08 BELFAST, Empire Music Hall
19/03/08 BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake supporting BE YOUR OWN PET
13/03/08 BELFAST, Speakeasy Bar
29/12/07 BELFAST, Lavery's Attic
14/12/07 BELFAST, University of Ulster Arts College
14/11/07 BELFAST, Empire Music Hall
05/11/07 BELFAST, Speakeasy Bar supporting THE BLACK LIPS
26/10/07 BELFAST, McHugh's Basement
29/09/07 DUBLIN, Pod Complex Hard Working Class Heroes 2007
15/09/07 GLASGOW, Barrowlands 2
24/08/07 LISBURN, Hilden Beer Festival 2007
21/07/07 EAGLE'S ROCK, Glasgowbury Festival 2007
19/07/07 DUBLIN, Crawdaddy supporting RACINE & WENDY JAMES
30/06/07 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
06/06/07 BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake supporting ASH
05/06/07 LONDONDERRY/DERRY, Nerve Centre supporting ASH
05/06/07 LONDONDERRY/DERRY, HMV Richmond Centre acoustic instore gig
04/06/07 DUBLIN, Temple Bar Music Centre supporting ASH
18/05/07 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
16/05/07 BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake supporting KHARMA 45
01/05/07 BELFAST, Auntie Annies supporting DELORENTOS
28/04/07 WARRENPOINT, Square Peg
27/04/07 LONDONDERRY/DERRY, Nerve Centre
19/04/07 BELFAST, Limelight
14/04/07 LONDON, Brixton Windmill
13/04/07 LONDON, The Fly
29/03/07 BELFAST, Empire Music Hall
21/03/07 BELFAST, Limelight - IMRO Showcase 2007
01/03/07 BELFAST, Speakeasy Bar
19/01/07 BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake
18/01/07 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
30/11/06 BELFAST, Spring & Airbrake - belFEST Showcase 2006
28/11/06 BELFAST, Mandela Hall
04/11/06 LISBURN, Island Arts Centre
02/11/06 LISBURN, Hague's Bar
29/10/06 BELFAST, Speakeasy Bar supporting MILBURN
26/10/06 BELFAST, Empire Music Hall supporting FIGHTING WITH WIRE
21/10/06 BELFAST, St. Galls GAA Club
14/10/06 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
13/10/06 LONDONDERRY/DERRY, Bound For Boston
12/10/06 BELFAST, Speakeasy Bar supporting MY ALAMO
30/09/06 BELFAST, Sasta Bar
15/09/06 BELFAST, Common Grounds Cafe
09/09/06 WARRENPOINT, The Square Peg
07/09/06 BELFAST, The Pavilion Bar
15/07/06 BANGOR, Rock Oddity Festival 2006
08/06/06 BELFAST, Empire Music Hall
19/05/06 DUNGANNON, Common Rooms
05/05/06 ARMAGH, Gildernews Bar
27/03/06 BELFAST, Katy Dalys
25/03/06 DUNGANNON, Common Rooms
16/03/06 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
11/03/06 WARRENPOINT, Duke Bar
03/03/06 GLASGOW, Attic
02/03/06 EDINBURGH, Nektar
01/03/06 ABERDEEN, Tunnels
23/02/06 BELFAST, Rotterdam
17/02/06 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
11/02/06 CULLYBACKEY, Community Hall
02/02/06 BELFAST, Limelight
28/11/05 BELFAST, Lavery's Bunker
17/11/05 BELFAST, Pavilion
15/11/05 BELFAST, Auntie Annie's
29/10/05 BELFAST, Menagerie Bar
27/10/05 BELFAST, King's Head
19/10/05 BELFAST, Menagerie Bar
13/10/05 BELFAST, Garrick Bar
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