Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Avant-Garde, interesting, going against the well-established grain and rather good to spend the evening in their company, all the things you need to hear when listening to the band Parlour Flames. There is something else to add to that list that will invariably grow over the next few months as well, Paul Arthurs, the man known to a generation of Oasis fans as Bonehead, has found a kindred spirit and someone who seems to care about him and the music in Manchester poet Vinny Peculiar.

It is a titillating prospect to catch a new band perform live, especially in the theatre setting of the Epstein, when they haven’t released a song or an album. It can throw some people as they have no point of reference to gauge whether or not it’s worth attending. For the homely and sizeable contingent who made their way down to Hanover Street, the answer would have been a resounding yes.

There was a lot to enjoy on the evening, none so much as watching the two main men of the band, Paul Arthurs and Vinny Peculiar, act in a dichotomy, Paul wonderfully controlling the music, keeping it generous and flowing whilst the poetic Vinny Peculiar grabbed the audience with great lyrics and songs that just had to be smiled at. Songs such as Manchester Rain, Jump the Brook Ruth, the excellent Never Heard of You and I’m In a Band all captivated the crowd and kept their attention superbly, something that should be applauded for what is in effect a new band.

After performing the final song of the night, the delightfully titled The Broken Hearted Existentialist, the band used the maxim of always leave the audience wanting more and despite the crowd howling for the men behind Parlour Flames to come on stage once more, it was good to see the phrase being used to its full effect and the audience that had been vocal in their support for just one more song, nodding sagely that they had been treated to a great night of music without having to resort to on stage antics.

Parlour Flames are an intriguing band to catch live and with the debut album out soon, these are exciting times to get on board and stoke the fire.

Ian D. Hall