The seed of Westside Cowboy can be traced back to Billy Bragg’s Roots, Radicals and Rockers, a book on the history of skiffle that guitarist/vocalist Jimmy Bradbury was reading while working a shift at Johnny Roadhouse — a local music shop frequented by Oasis, the Smiths, and Paul McCartney. “It’s sort of the first U.K. DIY scene,” he says. “It’s the U.K. in 1954, and people hear Elvis and all of a sudden every kid in the country wants to learn how to play guitar. But there weren’t many instruments, so people would get a washboard, or a tea chest bass — a double bass made out of a wooden crate and a broomstick handle, with a piece of string to make a drone — and just give it a try. I really liked all that. And we at least had guitars — let’s try and do something.”
From there, he got into a room with friends — Reuben Haycocks, Paddy Murphy, and Aoife Anson O’Connell — and started learning covers, but originals flew out, grounded in heartfelt Americana, hometown swagger, and the golden haze of ’90s alt-rock. Less than a year out from the release of their debut EP, This Better Be Something Great, the Manchester up-and-comers are already ready with their next. And it boils down to a deceptively simple ethos: “If a song is good, at its essence, nothing else really matters.”
Read more: The symbiosis of Liam Gallagher and John Squire
Coinciding with So Much Country ’Till We Get There’s release, Murphy took us through their favorite Manchester bands. Dive in below.
Holly Head – “No Gain”
A formidable band, arguably the best rhythm section in the country and a singer/lyricist worth listening to. The recordings do not do them justice. You must see them live.
Formal Sppeedwear – “A Dismount”
Though technically from Stoke, they very much feel a part of the music community in Manc. This song in question makes us want to go back to the drawing board.
Dove Ellis – “To The Sandals”
We came up through uni with this don, and a few of us played in his backing band for a time, too. One time me and Reuben went to his house and hid the entirety of his kitchen cupboard and utensils around his house. He was still finding bags of microwave rice in his sock drawer six months later. Anyway, listen to his album, [Blizzard]. It’s one of the best debuts of last year, hands down, and it has been a privilege to come up in Manchester with him. We’ve both seen each other in a number of different bands and projects through the years, and seeing his music get the recognition it deserves is so great to see. I remember the first time he played this song to us in a practice room. Felt like my jaw was in an Ardwick sewer soon after. Massive shoutout to Matthew Deakin on the drums and Long Fred Donlon Mansbridge the third on the saxophone, too. They are invaluable components in bringing the songs to life, live and in the studio.
Mandy, Indiana – “Pinking Shears”
Salford still counts! Their music is hard to aptly describe in a couple of sentences. You should just listen, honestly. I saw them at the White Hotel and thought the world was ending. It was that good.
TTSSFU – “Upstairs”
GarageBandcore. Expertly written pop songs from a bedroom in a Wigan suburb. Listen to any of her releases and it’s been there from the off.
Tigers and Flies – “Adaptive Release”
The Style Council on amphetamines. Fast, tight, and with its own unique sense of humor. It’s great to see them back gigging again.
All Girl Arson Club – “Ant and Dec”
“I’m so far behind, I think I’m coming in first.”
SILVERWINGKILLER – “HOLD UP (ALL FIREARMS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM)”
Electronic duo with enough energy and volume to flatten a forest. In all seriousness, though, no one is making music like this better in the U.K. right now.
Wyatt – “Hole in My Heart (Live)”
Jeff Tweedy and Conor Oberst passing their respective sad white man torches on to these guys. Amazing use of the trumpet as well. This song in particular is a worldy. Go and buy it on Bandcamp.
Hole In My Heart (Live) by Wyatt
Shaking Hand – “In for a… Pound!”
We share a practice space with these next two bands! Sort of post-rock, sort of Midwest emo, sort of slacker. No one really cares what you call it — it’s sick. One of the only bands that can justify a song over four-and-a-half minutes.
Martial Arts – “Defector”
Manchester’s guitar hunks. Few bands can rattle a room like these. When all three guitarists hit the same low D at the same time, you know about it. Once again, you have to catch them live.
The Great Unwashed (not to be confused with the offshoot of the Clean)
Salford post-rock that takes its time, without becoming boring or too self-indulgent. Reuben, their vocalist, is an awesome singer amongst it all as well. We listen to this band, even though their guitarist sits down onstage.
Brown Wimpenny – “I’m Often Drunk”
A massive inspiration to us. They have to be seen to be believed. See them live at all costs.
Brown Wimpenny (Live Demos) by Brown Wimpenny
YAANG – “Speed McQueen” and Hopalong Gretzky – “A Mighty Long Time” (an Oliver Duffy double header)
Every time our old bands would play with YAANG, we would have the worst shows of our lives. Such is the power of the YAANG. Oliver Duffy is a classic-rock guitarist for the ages. Like Pete Townshend crossed with Bob Stinson or something. Check out his solo project, Hopalong Gretzky, too, where he leans into these and more lo-fi stuff more heavily.
New Order – “Age of Consent”
Heard good things about these guys. Haven’t caught them live yet, though.
