We Are The Ocean

by Simon T Diplock

UK youngsters set to ride a wave of success

"Back in January this band were on every buzz list, eight months later and they’ve got the Best Newcomer category wrapped up almost everywhere that hands out such awards, and there is a rabid fanbase, strong enough to justify the band embarking on headline tours already, foaming at the mouth to make these boys big."

What We Are The Ocean are doing really shouldn’t work. Ok so they might not have been going long but so far the London-based quintet- Dan, Liam, Alfie, Jack and Tom if you want to get personal- haven’t struck a single note that you could honestly qualify as inventive, new, or terribly fresh. Instead theirs is an easily recognisable mix of earnest singing and gnarly screams, sexy licks, skinny jeans and floppy hair. But somehow the band are making a proper shot at this rock’n’roll stuff, somehow they sound like real contenders, and somehow, while still in their teens, they’re poised for genuine success.

It’s not just us that’s noticed how well WATO are doing. Back in January the band were part of every music magazine’s buzz list, Rock Sound citing them as “one of the hottest young prospects”, eight months later and they’ve got the Best British Newcomer category wrapped up almost everywhere that hands out such awards, and there is a rabid fanbase too, strong enough to justify the band embarking on headline tours already and foaming at the mouth to make these boys big. They’ve not enamoured everyone though.

Some folks have been quick to call attention to how quick WATO have exploded, almost out of nowhere, others have suggested they are mere style over substance, and indie-schmindie mag The Fly even went as far as calling them “adolescent tripe”. But dues have been paid here. The band have been around since 2006, originally named Dead But Still Dreaming, ducking in and out of Barfly venues and witnessing the toilet touring circuit first hand. From there they’ve built up an electric live reputation in the capital, organised a headline tour, and will be backing up bills for The Blackout, From First To Last and My American Heart over the next few months. And they’ve taken the same attitude to the studio and beyond too.

Despite causing a furious record label bidding war the band have decided to self-release their debut disc and while the self-titled seven-tracker sticks within a definite template, the songs on it are the real bona fide reasons why this band have got so far so quick. It might be the influences they’ve chosen- aiming for the swagger and style of Alexisonfire, Underoath and Saosin rather than those at the, ahem, less interesting end of the emo-rock spectrum. Or it might be the peers they’ve picked- hanging out with similarly fresh-faced but highly successful acts like Tonight Is Goodbye and You Me At Six can’t be hurting. Or hell, it might be some other secret ingredient that New-Noise is now just too long in the tooth to identify. It doesn’t matter, whatever it is, it really works. And all this and they’re barely out of school too. From here, anything could happen.
ollie and ophie :) said on October 16th 2008 [report abuse]

Woop we're first to comment. Seen them 3 times and amazing :) All hotties :) xxx

alicee:) said on November 10th 2008 [report abuse]

my favourite band :) i fucking love these guys, i met all of them in glasgow at The Blackout gig. cant wait to see them again at My American Heart on the 23rd :D xx

Add your comment