aaamusic | On 15, Jul 2010

Sometimes things happen whilst few people are paying attention. So, whilst the arbiters of the cool and the new that inhabit London’s media world were looking the other way, something was happening away from all but the most attentive gaze. It happened with The Stone Roses and The Arctic Monkeys and now it is happening again with The Lines.

As The Lines announce a headline show at Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall you can almost hear the snap of heads turning and the exclamations of ‘Who the hell are The Lines and how can they be playing this venue alongside the likes of Crystal Castles when we don’t know about them?’. Well, here’s a quick catch up to save embarrassment with apologies to those already in the know.

The Lines are a four piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Wolverhampton. Driven in equal measure by the groove of the likes of The Rapture and the life affirming big music of The Verve pre fourth album fall, The Lines have been steadily building a granite hard reputation around the Midlands for shows that explode into being and acquire converts at a rate not seen since missionaries got on boats bound for Africa in 19^th century. Almost off radar, The Lines have supported a role call of inspirational acts from The Charlatans to Supergrass alongside their own ever growing headline shows. Little wonder that Steve Lamacq commented that the band were ‘making big noises in more ways than one’ or local lad made extremely good Robert Plant stated that ‘There aren’t really many good bands coming out of Wolverhampton, just one great band called the Lines’.

The debut single release from The Lines, ‘Domino Effect’, did make its mark, nestling comfortably in Lamacq’s Top Five around its release and leaping on to the Evening Playlist at Xfm but things are changing rapidly for the band and the forthcoming quick fire single releases for August and September, to be followed by the band’s debut album in October, are all set to make a more substantial mark on the nation’s listening tastes.

First, the band are currently offering a free download from to get everyone up to speed. ‘Circles’ is available to download at www.wearethelines.com.

Tickets for The Lines at Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall are on sale from 15^th July via www.wolvescivic.co.uk or The midland box office 0870 3207000 priced 12.50 (subject to booking fee).

The Lines play a rare London show on July 29^th at The Lexington, Islington.

www.thelines.co.uk www.loudhailerspeaks.blogspot.com