The Merge

"Raw and energetic, unpretentious and self-assured" - ManchesterMusic.co.uk



The Merge story should already be the stuff of legend; a rip-roaring rock’n’roll odyssey set to a backdrop of U.K pop culture at its very best.



From their days in St Helier rehearsing 6 nights a week in an old fort in Jersey to the fully established Manchester band they are today, to gigging alongside Kasabian, Razorlight, Snow Patrol, Editors and others - not to mention a number of appearances at several top festivals including Jersey Live (twice), The Merge have emerged as a force to be reckoned with.



With only main songwriter Ross Edgar on vocals and keys player Nick Healey being the only surviving original Merge members after the original members headed back home, Gary Farnsworth took on the mantle of bassist, and few could have imagined the impact he would make. Farny gave the band a powerful edge which would soon prove to be a perfect foil for the next Mancunian to join the ranks - Paul Murphy on drums, who's power and impact was there for all to see.



The Merge soon forged a new sound - a newfound sense of groove, a brooding, darker side to what they were used to but one which retained the riffs, power and purpose that established them to the masses in the first place. The energy was back.



No matter what obsticals they confront, they will always confound the critics. The Merge know what they're doing & it's only a matter of time before the mainstream realise what they're missing.



REVIEWS



"Some of The Merge originally came from the Channel Islands, but it's clear Manchester was always their spiritual home. With their raw and energetic, unpretentious and self-assured indie rock they'd be hard pushed to deny a big Oasis influence, but unlike a lot of bands who share that they're not prepared to just churn out easy tributes. As well as the requisite piles of power guitar there are some delightfully squidgy synth sounds that have more in common with Daft Punk than lad-rock." - Cath Aubergine, ManchesterMusic.co.uk



"They owned the stage they stood on and delivered a set that oozed Indie from the first twangy guitar riff to the last infectious drum beat, laced together with perfect harmonies." - MANCHESTERISMUSIC.CO.UK



". few words are needed to describe The Merge, their songs, the way they play or their presence on stage. A few of the words I used in my notes for this review include 'the next big thing', 'awesome', 'arena fillers', 'glasto', 'should be signed'. - RYAN MORRISON, BBC RADIO JERSEY.



". and if you were under the impression that Indie was pretty much dead then prepare yourself for the second coming. Guitars, melodies and 5 boys with sensitive souls make The Merge one of this years top finds according to Bomp Productions. These boys live and breathe Indie. Their harmonies are great and their choruses will stitch themselves to your eardrums. You'll be humming them for days." - JANE DELMER, JERSEY EVENING POST



"The Merge delivered their own original brand of indie rock that has seen them take the local scene by storm in recent months." - JONNY PEARCE, FRIDAY EXTRA MAGAZINE



"Talented local group The Merge gave one of the best performances of the night, clearly undaunted by the prize on offer. Their blend of indie and rock had the crowd hooked and a sea of people could be seen jumping to the bass lines. they were victorious." - Natasha Egre, 24SE7EN Magazine



TRACKS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM WWW.INDIESTORE.COM/THEMERGE