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Introduction To Sharp Class
Bio
Sharp Class are a British power trio whose music fuses the DNA of punk, soul, power-pop, Brit-pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. With two albums under their belts, the trio are blazing a trail of catchy, power-pop-laden songs.
Having already performed at Y NOT Festival for BBC Introducing, headlined a stage at Splendour Festival, performed in multiple cities in the USA, and been namechecked by Green Day, Sharp Class are certainly on the rise. The band take pride in delivering their live shows with energy, excitement, vigour and passion as they believe “that’s where it really counts”.
The band have been described as “Refreshingly Vintage” which seems like a juxtaposition, but Sharp Class make it work. It could be down to their dress sense, as they don an image that would slip in with the height of the swinging sixties yet still feels understood and relatable within the 21st century. Maybe it’s the fact that their music is tinged with the sound of treasured bands from the seventies, eighties and even nineties, whilst written on the canvas of today. It’s definitely, both of those things.
ABOUT SHARP CLASS
The Beginning
Formed in 2020, Oli, Declan, and Billy started out by performing at various clubs, bars, and boozers honing their craft and captivating audiences and punters with their raw appeal. These early performances served as the building blocks for the band, allowing them to sharpen their skills and establish a strong presence on stage. As they continued to immerse themselves in the local music scene, Oli, Declan, and Billy dedicated their time to both performing live and their songwriting and recording abilities. As their hard work paid off, it would lead to a string of single release and a complete album entitled ‘Tales of A Teenage Mind’. Notably, all of their music has been released on vinyl, adding a unique and nostalgic touch to their artistic endeavours. During these formative years, Sharp Class received various airplays in the US on the likes of Rodney Bingenheimers radio show on Sirius XM and has been championed by the man himself.
However, during 2023, the band would venture where they never thought possible. The USA.
2023
2023 kicked off with the release of their debut album, released on all platforms as well as vinyl. The album was received well and helped to spread the word about Sharp Class. From January through to March, Sharp Class toured with The Vapors at various iconic venues across the UK, including The Cavern Club, The Cluny, The Crossing, Thekla etc. Straight after finishing the Vapors Tour, the band supported Billy Sullivan (The Spitfires) and Block 33.
As May rolled around, Sharp Class reached a huge milestone as the trio travelled to the USA to perform their first shows in the USA. Their short tour of the states saw the group perform in Providence, RI, Portland, ME and Somerville, MA.
The first show Sharp Class performed when arriving back in England was at The Cavern Club.
Throughout the rest of 2023, Sharp Class went on to headline the courtyard stage at Splendour Festival, perform their first show in Scotland at Doon The Watter festival, host their first headline London show in Camden and support Neville Staples of The Specials.
2024
2024 has been another great year for Sharp Class. The first quarter of the year saw the trio pull no punches, hitting the road as soon as the new year started. Performing at BETA, inside of Rock City for the annual Beat The Streets event to performing at The Garage in Islington and The Chinnerys in Southend. Just over a month later, the band would return to Nottingham to headline the BBC Introducing Showcase, hosted by Dean Jackson. Dean would then go on to offer the trio the chance to perform on the Quarry Stage at Y NOT festival, once again for BBC Introducing. Not to mention, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day let slip that he was a fan of the band during and interview with Vulture Magazine.
As the year continued to fly by, Sharp Class would perform at 229 in London for a sold out Mods May Day (hosted by AGMP), reach the grand final of the Isle Of Wight Festival Competition, perform their first show in Ireland and return to the USA to perform in Somerville MA and New York City.
Nine days after returning from the USA, on the 20th September 2024, the band released their second studio album “Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World) to a standing ovation from their fans and following. The album made it into the top 40 on the iTunes Alternative Album Charts, and was loved by BBC Introducing, gaining daytime radio play the week of the release. As anyone would expect, Sharp Class line up their 2024 album tour to celebrate the release of their album
Press Photos
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Music
Sharp Class writes and releases music that captures the essence of power-pop, punk, soul, Britpop and rock n roll. Listen to Sharp Class here https://lnkfi.re/listentosharpclass
Streaming Links: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Amazon Music | Deezer
Debut Album
Between November 2022 and January 2023, Sharp Class released their highly anticipated debut album “Tales Of A Teenage Mind”. The album was well-received by the band’s fan base both in the UK and internationally. Online music magazine Add To Wantlist described the ten songs on the album as “well-executed,” stating that “only a cynic would dismiss the jolt of excitement that Sharp Class brings to the table.” ThisIsTheMusic, who have supported the band for a long time, hailed the album as “glorious, triumphant, and full of catchy songs.” Furthermore, the album received adoration and appreciation from radio stations worldwide, with BBC Introducing declaring that “Sharp Class tracks are sounding authentic and showcasing the band’s unique style and talents.”
The album “Tales Of A Teenage Mind” has been made available on all leading digital platforms along with physical formats such as CD and 12-inch vinyl.
Second Album
In September of 2024, Sharp Class released their sophomore album “Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World)”. Oli Orton said “The title track from Sharp Class’ brand new album. Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World) is one hell of a title track. Not only is it an intriguing title, but it sets up the mood and emotion for the rest of the album. It started out with just the title, and that was enough to invite the inspiration in, allowing me to write about the world we live in feeling like one big a dramatised show. Modern day media feeding our lives with constant doses of hysteria, drama and chaos was a catalyst for what to write about too. It’s also the introduction into an album that’s attempting to tell a story of transitioning from a teenager to an adult and all of the realisations that come with that. We’re really proud of the album that we have made. We love the songs and we are over the moon with how it’s been received by the public.”
The album has been described as “Big footsteps into the likes of Brit Pop, Indie Rock and the modern breed of Indie Guitar Pop bands” there is a real lyrical adeptness in these songs that few who cover similar ground manage.”
The title track of the album has been dubbed “New Wave of the highest order.” With comments about the rest of the album being just as fond like “Lights Out wipes the floor with most of the current new big wave of Guitar bands with another killer chorus. The whole offering rarely comes up for air, but does it without the need of a hammer. Ordinary People is built on a killer riff, Where I’d Rather Be has a hint of Wreckless Eric, but the chorus is killer. Ivory Tower is very early The Jam with an added Jangling Riff.”
Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End of The World) features 11 tracks. During the recording of the album the band enlisted friends and fellow musicians.
- Track two, “He Who Dares” features former Specials brass section member and organiser of Quadrophenia Club Night, Drew Stansall on the saxophone.
- Track four features The Chelsea Curve from Boston, Massachusetts.
- Track eight, “Alarm” features Gary Knight on Organ and String arrangement.
The album “Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World)” has been made available on all leading digital platforms along with physical formats such as CD and 12-inch vinyl.
Latest Release
WELCOME TO THE MATINEE SHOW (OF THE END OF THE WORLD)
• Release Date: Friday 20th September 2024
• Format: Digital and Vinyl
• Listen to Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World) : https://lnkfi.re/wttms
Artwork
Latest Music Video
Sharp Class - Sugar Glass (Official Music Video)
Music Videos
Press
“Gosh, there’s this new band from the U.K. called Sharp Class. They’re really good.” – Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) in an interview with Vulture.
“Sharp Class […] bring a refreshingly vintage sound to the indie-rock genre” – RGM Magazine [Online Magazine]
“…phenomenal. Energy to burn and fantastic musicians too” – The Vapors [Online]
“…one of those bands that just sounds so authentic to themselves” – BBC Introducing [Radio]
“…snappy blasts that tie into and out of their jumpy bass and drums. Oliver Orton holds down the front with aplomb and a quintessentially English bark… A bit of blue-eyed soul that runs through youthful veins” – John Keegan at Boston Groupie News [Online Magazine]
“…can really play and this is lyrically excellent original material. The band are a fine Power Trio and what they do, they do really well” – I Don’t Here A Single Magazine [Online Magazine]
“The ten songs on Tales Of A Teenage Mind are so well executed you have to be a real cynic to dismiss the jolt of excitement Sharp Class brings to the table” – Add To Wantlist [Online Magazine]
“there are big footsteps into the likes of Brit Pop, Indie Rock and the modern breed of Indie Guitar Pop bands, but the melody content is high and there is a real lyrical adeptness in these songs that few who cover similar ground manage.“ – I Don’t Hear A Single [Online Magazine]
Milestones and Achievements
Below are a plethora of accolades Sharp Class have achieved
YNOT Festival 2024
Sharp Class perform on the coveted 4000 capacity Quarry Stage, hosted by BBC Introducing, at YNOT Festival in Derbyshire on Friday 2nd August 2024.
USA 2024
Sharp Class return to the USA, performing in Somerville, Massachusetts and New York.
🎥 Headline BBC Music Introducing LIVE
Sharp Class performed the headline slot at BBC Music Introducing Live at Metronome in Nottingham on Wednesday 6th March 2024. Hosted by BBC Introducing and presented by BBC Radio Nottingham’s Dean Jackson.
😯 Official Green Day Playlist Inclusion
Sharp Class had their track “Tales Of A Teenage Mind” picked by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day for inclusion on the Green Day: Oakland Coffee playlist on Spotify. (Now called the ‘Punk Bunny Radio’ playlist)
🇺🇸 First Performances in the USA
Sharp Class travelled to New England (Boston, MA) to embark on their first USA tour (May 2023) The trio performed at: The Parlour in Providence, Rhode Island, Geno’s Rock Club in Portland, Maine, and The Jungle in Somerville, Boston.
📻 First Time on BBC Music Radio 6
Sharp Class achieved daytime airplay on the Craig Charles Trunk of Punk show on BBC Radio 6.
🎸Headline Splendour Festival 2023
Sharp Class performed the headline on the Courtyard Stage at Nottingham Splendour Festival 2023.
📺 First Live TV Appearance
Oliver and Declan performed their track “Tales Of A Teenage Mind” live on Notts TV.
👌 The Vapors Winter Tour
Sharp Class […] supported The Vapors on their 2023 UK Tour, most notably performing at the Cavern Club on the opening night.
🌍 Debut Albums Worldwide Reach
…released their debut album “Tales Of A Teenage Mind,” which garnered airtime across the globe, including the Rodney Bingenheimer show on SiriusXM (USA), Kevin Cornell show on Amazing Radio(USA), BBC Introducing and more.
CONTACT
For all inquiries, you can contact Sharp Class at [email protected]
Contact number: 07758690278