Shane Meadows’ critically acclaimed film ‘This Is England’ may have brought the desolation and wild beauty of Grimsby and its surrounding areas to our attention with its stunning photography but The Brightlights could well turn out to be its aural equivalent.The band’s debut single, ‘Inspired By’, will be released on new indie label Distiller Records in October.The song is about growing up in a dead end town and the choices that face its youth whether to slide into a life of lethargy and crime or to try and do something positive and take responsibility for yourself and your actions. The B Side, ‘Stops and Starts’, deals with first impressions and judging people, often wrongly, in an instant. The single will be limited to 500 7 vinyl only. It will also be available to download.The video for ‘Inspired By’ was shot in Grimsby and directed by Jay Burridge, who won a CAD for his art direction on Hot Chip’s ‘Boy From School video. He found The Brighlights on myspace and was so impressed that he contacted them directly to offer his services. Rising star and friend of the band, Tommy Turgoose, who stole the show as troubled pre-teen Shaun in ‘This Is England’, will feature in the video.
The Brightlights, aka Leon Blanchard (vocals, guitar), Adam Featherstone (bass), James Buxton (drums) and Luke Parker (keyboards, bvs), - all 18 - have been gigging for less than a year but have notched up over 130 shows (including support slots with Air Traffic, The Rushes, The Moths and The Hoosiers) and have recently recorded tracks with Steve Power (Blur, Julian Cope, Robbie Williams) and Grant Nicholas from Feeder.
They met when they formed the midfield of a successful local youth football team. Indeed it was only a serious injury that stopped singer Leon going on to turn professional, such was his talent on the pitch. Luckily for him, and us, Leon is also blessed with a great voice.
The Brightlights will be playing the following dates:
13th September- Pier, Cleethorpes 14th September- Matrix Club, Grimsby 16th September - The Social, Nottingham 21st September- The Boardwalk, Sheffield 26th September- 93 Feet East, London 12th October- The Civic Centre, Immingham