Upcoming teenage band The First Ones are launching their first recorded songs at a live music venue in Huddersfield this month.
Drummer Will Wright, of Denby Dale, and Emley brothers Doug James, guitarist and lead vocalist and bassist Dan, play a high-octane blend of crunching distortion, melodic harmonies and punching basslines.
They are influenced by Wakefield heroes The Cribs and bands like The Jam, Ash, Supergrass and – more recently – alt rockers Biffy Clyro.
The boys have played covers and original material in a number of venues across West Yorkshire including The Parish, fundraising events, the Emley Show and private parties.
Guitarists Doug, 15, and Dan, 14, first performed with Musica Rock School at a Christmas concert in Dewsbury Town Hall in 2016 with their original drummer Christian Bates. They didn’t have a band name and were referred to as “the first ones” on stage and the name stuck.
Musica Rock School’s teacher Tom Merry continues to mentor the boys and has been a guiding presence throughout. They were the closing act at the Music for Youth National Festival at Birmingham Town Hall in 2018 receiving rapturous applause.
Schoolfriend Will, 15, joined the band three years ago. They began to write more songs and record them with talented Emley guitar teacher Andrew Beal, who has been tutoring the two brothers since they were seven.
Doug said: “We just love playing our music. Going to gigs and playing at gigs is just the best thing. We’re very grateful to Tom and Andrew for getting us this far and can’t wait to share our songs with more people.”
During the various lockdowns and Covid restrictions, the boys continued playing and writing songs, sending videos to each other and live streaming gigs from home.
They wrote their track Apathy to harness their feelings of frustration about home learning, stitching together video they had to shoot separately. Their heartbreaking ballad Arthur’s Song is a tribute to their young cat who was run-over and killed.
All three Shelley College students are accomplished musicians playing at grade 7 and 8 standard. They hope to pursue music as a career.
Their gig to launch EP Enjoy it While it Lasts takes place on May 13 at Venn Street Social (formerly The Parish). The First Ones will be supported by their musical friends from rock band Sooner or Later (Stan Mills, 13, and brothers George, 15, and Alf Poddington, 13) who also live in Emley and are mentored by Andrew Beal.
To buy tickets, click on The Parish, Huddersfield – The First Ones at Venn Street Social (parishpub.co.uk)
