The Yards - Press Release - January 2005

Debut Album Out April 18th

York-based five-piece The Yards release their self-titled debut album on April 18th via Industrial Erotica Records/Snapper Music (CAT: SMACD894).

You'll recognize the voice of The Yards before you find out who they are. Chris Helme served his rock'n'roll apprenticeship as frontman with John Squire's post-Stone Roses combo The Seahorses. Since then he's been quietly writing songs whilst enjoying being a dad. In 2002, he formed The Yards with bassist Stu Fletcher, guitarist Chris Farrell, drummer John Miller and Jon Hargreaves on keyboards and they've been honing
their distinctive sound ever since.

The album is a diverse and dynamic showcase for the band's 60s-leaning psychedelia and for Chris' melody-heavy songwriting, which nods to heroes Ray Davies and Neil Young. From the driving and ballsy riffs of Forget Your Regrets (recently featured in Channel 4's Teachers) and The Devil Is Alive And Well In DC to the anthemic, yearning and sweeping choruses of On The Inside and Fireflies, there's plenty here for fans of honest classic songwriting to enjoy. It's a heady mix of biting rock, all-out passion and heart-tugging romanticism.

2004 saw the band playing the Uncut stage at Guildford festival, releasing an EP in Japan and supporting the legendary Love with Arthur Lee on an extensive UK tour. They will be back on the road in May, and will be headlining an Asian Tsunami Benefit Show at York Fibbers on Saturday Feb 12th.

To lead up to the release, 'Get Off My Back' will be available as a download-only single from April 11th.

'an inventive, poetic rock band' - The Fly

'Drenched in the sleaze of the Velvet Underground, the sheer songwriting magnificence of the Buffalo Springfield and the balls-out attitude of TheStooges' - Carling Live

'You can't say that Helme never had a way with a melody and a rousing chorus' - Record Collector

For more info, please check www.theyards.org or call Piranha PR on

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