Films of Colour

It's up to Films of Colour to bring out the big guns then, and true to form their crescendoing, ethereal build ups give way to choruses that burst through the speakers like Chapel Club on heat.

Although not dissimilar to crowd-pleasing, widescreen bands such as Delphic, Editors and even - at times - Coldplay, the band also have a subtle shoegaze edge to them, while Jonny Greenwood's scratchy lead guitar vibe is never far away.

The band deliver an awesome final blow with recent single (and David Bowie cover) 'Slow Burn' - which packs so much intense epic-ness it feels like it could burst at any point, but stays tight nonetheless. It could even be one for the DJ sets in a few months time... - Artrocker

If you're a lover of David Bowie like I am, then you're probably bummed out by all those rumours that he's quitting music for good. But might there be another act to follow in his footsteps?

Word has it that Mr. Stardust was so wowed by a new cover of his 2002 single 'Slow Burn', that he's decided to promote it on his official website, along with a free download of the track.

Here's what original song's producer Tony Visconti had to say of Films Of Colour's rendition: "But Films of Colour had altered it so much they had clearly made it their own. I think Bowie is one of the most difficult artists to cover, since his versions of his own compositions seem to be the definitive versions. After I heard Films of Colour's version I was completely won over." - NME

Films of Colour have been attracting a lot of attention recently, so it’s no surprise that The Bull & Gate is crammed full of eager onlookers this evening, hopeful to see what all the fuss is about.

After two memorable performances at Beach Break and Isle of Wight Festivals, the band have recently been featured in the Guardian’s ‘New Band of the Day’ section, a promising sign for the Guildford 4-piece.

The band – made up of Andy Clutterbuck (vocals), James Hatcher (bass/synths), Jack Allinson (guitar) and James Rees (drums) - have an electrifying stage presence; plenty of excitement and leaping around from a band who still manage to produce some seriously good rock songs. They have perfected a remarkable density of sound, incorporating layers of synths and emotive guitars (much like prog-rock geniuses, Foals), offering a refreshing change from the mono-chord indie pop bands sweeping the mainstream.

Clutterbuck’s vocals are spacious and irresistible, but it is the band’s wall-of-noise intervals that are the real highlight. Their songs are littered with atmospheric interludes of thrashing guitars and the impressive drumming talents of James Rees; the sort of moments that take your breath away and make you really fall in love with live music.

The band finished their set with debut single ‘Actions’; an anthemic romp that tugged on the heartstrings of everyone watching and left them wanting more. Although in their early stages, Films of Colour boast an intelligent, atmospheric sound that takes some bands years to perfect. - Rock N' Rolly

On stage the band exuded a confident swagger, showcasing a selection of their back catalogue for a crowd made up of other bands artists, journalists and music executives and, fortuitously, not a dickhead in sight. They saved most of their energy for the final number, ‘Actions’, a glorious, hook-filled foot stomper complete which is to be released as a single over the coming weeks. Of all the bands on the indie scene in East London, Films of Colour are amongst the cream of the crop, serious musicians who clearly put their heart and soul into what they do; so please buy their new single or they might be forced to sell out and get dickhead jobs in media! - David Harfield

Films Of Colour, an elusive and curious name that hasn’t ceased to confuse me since I first heard it. (Colours of Film, Films in Colour, you get the gist.) Set to have their first single ‘Actions’ released on Label Fandango in October things are really starting to fall into place for them. And so they should do, these guys have been travelling the length and breadth of Blighty to put their music out there. Not that this is any different to large number of bands, but it shows dedication you know? Apparently they sound a little bit like Delphic and Boxer Rebellion mixed in a stew with Miike Snow. Perhaps this could sum up their sound rather fittingly but heck, it could for all sorts of bands again.The reason for paying extra special attention to Films Of Colour is simple. They just do what they do. But they do it brilliantly. Moody, epic, and the ability to write a chorus that would give even Snow Patrol a run for their money. Big things are yet to come, and all credit to them for it. - Hey Man, Check My Band

Films of Colour - Actions

FOC, currently found on many "Ones to Watch" lists, inhabit the same highly melodic, post-ladrock space as early Coldplay. - The Independant

The background: Films of Colour have just signed to Label Fandango, an offshoot of Fierce Panda, and have been described by the indie imprint's founder Simon Williams as the best band they've had on their books since early Coldplay and Keane. And Steve Lamacq is apparently a fan. The patronage of these two ex-NME scribes from the paper's 90s glory days makes sense: Films of Colour (FOC to their friends) would have been exactly the sort of band they would have raved about in said journal's pages more than a decade ago, when Doves and Travis and Starsailor – and Coldplay and Keane – were the dominant force, in the dark ages before the Strokes and the White Stripes brought about a sea change and wiped epic balladry off the indie map.

They're still only playing venues such as the Bull and Gate in London so let's not get carried away with predictions on their behalf. Yes, they've got battalions of A&R people trudging along to see them whenever they plug in, but then, who hasn't in these desperate times? But you can see why someone – perhaps someone lacking in adventure and avant-garde spirit – might want to take a punt on them. There hasn't been a successful four-piece band purveying this sort of windswept, rain-lashed mournful but majestic indie-rock since, ooh, White Lies at least. And although Rushes and Red Light Company, to name but two outfits from the last couple of years hoping to grab some post-Interpol/Editors action, failed at the first hurdle, you'd like to think there was still some mileage – and moolah – to be gained from this area of endeavour.

FOC's first single, Actions, is highly accomplished – an accomplished approximation of the Coldplay/Keane sound, that is. The B-side, Circles, is rave music for depressed graduates who've just failed their finals. They've recorded a version of Slow Burn, from David Bowie's 2002 album, Heathen, and made it sound like a Delphic track, quite an achievement all told. If You Ever Speak is another one that sounds like an electronicised Coldplay, and Clutterbuck's voice is strikingly Chris Martin-ish, which will either make your year or fill you with homicidal fury, depending on whether you feel there is room for another bunch of serious young men plying pensive, plaintive indie-rock for the planet's stadia, crooned ever so decorously by a bloke who can fake sincerity with the best of them. - The Guardian