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It might sound like I’m damning Cast with faint praise by saying they’re only the third most legendary rock band to come out of Liverpool, but that’s only because number one and two on that list are The Beatles and The La’s, respectively. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s highly respectable to come second to them, and it’s still a feather in Cast frontman John Power’s cap all the same since he was the bass player in The La’s as well. In fact, if you listen to the last track on the only album that The La’s ever released, you’ll hear that the line that closes the album is “The change is Cast”. Power, a songwriter himself who was frustrated by Lee Mavers’ erratic nature and their lack of any new material since 1986, decided to leave the band in December 1991 and made that lyric a very prophetic statement indeed.
After leaving The La’s, Power shopped around looking for a band to play the songs that Mavers had vetoed while he was still in The La’s. He started playing some sundry acoustic shows, including one at a free festival in his home city of Liverpool, where he was spotted by another bass player who’d just split from a reasonably successful rock band, ex-Shack man Peter Wilkinson. Taken in by Power’s songs, the two of them met up and Wilkinson became the first addition to the newly formed Cast. They started gigging in the middle of 1992 with a multitude of different line ups, but it was going nowhere fast and he’d yet to extricate himself from the record contract he’d signed with Go! Disks while still in The La’s.
Power split up the first incarnation of the band in the summer of 1993 and managed to worm his way out of his contract. Newly free, he set up Cast again with Wilkinson still by his side, and by November 1993 he had recruited Keith O’Neil and Liam Tyson into the fold on the drums and guitar respectively. They started gigging together in January 1994 and it was clear to all who saw them that Power had finally gotten it right, Noel Gallagher himself would later describe the bands live show as a “religious experience”. In no time at all the band secured a tour support slot with Oasis, who were by then pretty much the hottest band in the country, and as a direct result of those shows they were approached by the head of A&R from Polydor Records, who couldn’t believe that they were unsigned.
Needless to say, they weren’t unsigned for long. They signed to Polydor on the 13th of December 1994, three years to the day that Power left The La’s. Cast spent the rest of the decade as one of the most acclaimed bands in Britpop, scoring three top ten albums in the forms of 1995’s debut album “All Change”, 1997’s “Mother Nature Calls” and 1999’s “Magic Hour”. They also scored ten top twenty singles between ’95 and ’99, their highest charting effort being 1996’s “Flying”, that peaked at number four on the charts. Unfortunately, they didn’t see in the new millennium so successfully, with 2001’s fourth album “Beetroot” tanking spectacularly and one month after its release, the band split.
Power spent the rest of the decade playing solo, O’Neill became a tour manager, Wilkinson played with his old band Shack and Tyson joined Robert Plant’s Strange Sensations. However, the band reformed in June 2010, initially only for a tour to mark the 15th anniversary of “All Change”. By the time the tour had finished Power had written an entire album of Cast songs, which became the bands fifth album, 2012’s “Troubled Times”. Any fan of rock and roll would agree that it’s a pleasure to have one of the best bands of the 1990’s back in the fold, and playing some of the best gigs of their career to boot. For that reason, Cast come highly recommended.
Críticas en vivo
It’s strange how Britpop pretty much threw up the entire spectrum of success stories over the course of its brief nineties heyday - Oasis, the titanic stadium-fillers, Blur, whose constant reinventions never harmed their commercial appeal, Pulp, the critical darlings, and then the likes of Cast, who you can probably chalk up as one of the genre’s examples of nearly men alongside the likes of The La’s. Funnily enough, the band were formed in 1992 after frontman John Power left The La’s, and despite the fact that Noel Gallagher offered a ringing endorsement - comparing their live show to a “religious experience” - they never did quite take off as perhaps they should’ve.
After a low-key split in 2001, though, they reformed in 2010, eventually putting out a new album, Troubled Times, but primarily with the intention of touring. They’ve now completed several circuits of their native UK, remaining faithful to the classics whilst slowly but surely increasing the number of new tracks with which the set is peppered; the gradually increasing size of the crowds, too, is testament to how well the comeback has been received. The opportunity to see for yourself presents itself this coming December, with a lengthy lap of the UK pencilled in.
Joeg_67
An integral piece of Liverpool's esteemed rock history, 90s outfit Cast are alt-rock and britpop royalty. All seemed to be lost in the early 00s when the band announced a creative burn out and parted ways with no sign of any further recorded material in the future. Yet from the ashes rose an impassioned and invigorated Cast in 2010 formed of John Power, Liam Tyson and Keith O'Neill.
With a new album of solid tracks aptly titled 'Troubled Times' now in their discography, the band are
performing with such energy as they clearly have great confidence in this new music. It is great to see the original fanbase seems to have stood the test of time and continue to re-attend the tours meanwhile the influence of early tracks such as 'Sandstorm' and 'Flying' have inspired younger fans who may have discovered the albums during the hiatus. It is a fast paced and succinct setlist that blends the old and new expertly whilst demonstrating a brilliant musicianship that was always associated with Cast. Lets hope that the hiatus was a mere glitch in the history of this Liverpudlian band.
sean-ward
My 8th Cast gig this year and one of the best. Attended both the finale Liverpool shows. Both gigs they played all the favourites as well as new songs ready for the new album release in Spring 2017. You can’t go wrong with this band, whether you’re an earnest fan or only familiar with their work it doesn’t matter because when live they really rock. Every gig they will give you 100% + youll get footstomping anthems, songs for reflection or a decent sing-along. Musically they’re tighter than they’ve ever been and John Power clearly enjoys belting the songs out. The band give their gigs their all. Their fans are friendly and up for a party and the Liverpool crowd did not disappoint in welcoming visitors and welcoming Cast home, like one big family party. Liverpool was buzzing in the pre-Christmas run up and the excitement and anticipation blew into the O2. Friday was a firestarter but Saturday really blew the roof off. Great music, great atmosphere, great fans. Brilliant band
lijtay
They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!They are playing Glasgow this December but not showing up here?!
ChrisDegnan
I've seen Cast twice this year... First time at the Venue in Derby and last night at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and I can say without a doubt that they are one of the best bands I've seen live. There music is as good now as it was when it first came out... Cracking tunes... John Powers voice has stood the test of time unlike some of his other contemporaries. I would highly recommend going to watch them as they are truly superb!
Matt1983
Cast were indeed brilliant, the drummer had a great time, and for me stole the show. They played their classics, and some new tracks from the upcoming Album, and it was LOUD, :-)
I'd see them again, they've still got it.
craig-judd
