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Elliot Minor
By Kelda Manley
York five piece Elliot Minor carry around a great number of perceptions, opinions and judgements amongst music fans and critics.
The band freely admits they are a pop/rock band but the media's constant comparisons to Busted and McFly are something they wish to move away from.
Forming in 2005 it has taken Elliot Minor until this year to release their self titled debut album. Their classical and choral roots have been discussed massively in the press, along with ridicule of comparisons to Muse and their previously mentioned pop links.
"We deal with it now and expect it." explains frontman Alex , ‘I rememberin one interview I didn't say we were like Muse I said we were influenced by Muse and that gets turned around to people saying 'oh they think they're like Muse.' There's nothing you can do about it."
The band's year has not been a total success. The album didn't reach expectations as Alex explains: "The first week was good. It's just not really selling. I don't think we were being promoted enough really."
Then last month they were bottled at the heavy metal festival Download, ‘we'd been looking at forums and hearing how we'd get destroyed, we were thinking of going on in hockey gear!" laughs Alex, "It wasn't that bad, we just had a few bottles in the beginning."
Keyboard player Ali believes their reception is down to the opinion the British public create: "British crowds really struggle to accept the music style, if it's anything like punk rock or got a slight emo edge to it you get a lot of haters in Britain."
However, the band believe they will gain respect purely by staying true to the band they want to be, "I wouldn't say we turn people but I hope we gain a lot more respect than we used to have," admits Alex.
It's obvious when speaking tothe band they value people's opinions on their music. They are not attempting to convert people, they just want to be given a chance to get their music out thereand get a fair assessment of their work.
The issue for many is the bands fan base which mainly consists of young females.The high pitch screaming which accompanies their every mention at concerts is almost painful and it's difficult to get past. However, unlike those who ridicule the age of those listening to their music Alex and Ali are grateful
"I Ithink our fans are great, there's nothing you can really do about the age. It would be nice to have some older fans eventually" said Alex.
Despite the baggage which follows the band their live shows are where they should be truly judged and on that they can't be faulted.
They are heavier live than onrecord, are constantly interacting with the crowd and seemingly manage to convince even the older members in the audience that their reputation is not to be believed.
They will be aiming for the same reaction at Wakestock on 5 July.
"We played at the Oxford Wakestock but it's in its first year," Alex explains. "The one in Wales is massive so that'll be amazing.'
The band will also play Wrexham in October as part of their UKtour. Their album ‘Elliot Minor' is out now.
