Margate | CD review by Maggie Woods

“Determined and sassy, three-piece
rock band Margate has turned ears
in and around Los Angeles, California,
this summer and, back home in
the UK, released a delightful ten-track
album, On The Other Side...”

HAVING BEEN COMPARED TO Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Bad Religion and Weezer, Margate is a talented rock / powerpop / punk band proving it can find its own niche with a new and imaginative album, On The Other Side.

Seasoned veterans of the music scene, all three members of Margate have played in rock bands on both coasts for over a decade. Formed in 2003, Margate has been steadily gaining fans in the Southern California area and beyond ever since. The line-up comprises: Alex (Drums, Lead Vocals); Doug (Guitar, Backing Vocals); and Steve (Bass, Backing Vocals).

Having played the top clubs in LA — including The Viper Room, Roxy, House Of Blues, Knitting Factory, Derby and Hard Rock Café — the band has also performed at street festivals, special events, on the Vans Warped Tour (San Diego, 2009) and on the Comedy Central stage as the house band for a sketch comedy show.

In 2006, Margate released its first self-produced full-length album. Songs In The Key Of Awesome was recorded at Westbeach recorders in Hollywood (The Offspring, Blink-182, Sublime) and quickly became a fan favourite. The album highlights the band's unique blend of hard rock and melody and a creative approach to songwriting.

Margate performed on live syndicated radio on the Frosty, Heidi and Frank show (97.1fm, Los Angeles) in 2007 as part of a segment entitled 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', earning the band a 'Stay' vote from listeners and the in-audience crowd. The band has also received airplay on UCLA campus radio and on the world-famous KROQ (106.7fm, Los Angeles) as part of the 'Locals Only' radio show.

The Margate song Rising is featured prominently in the independent feature film Outside States, which was picked up in 2008 for major video distribution; and another, Time & Time Again is featured in the independent feature film George's Intervention (film festival circuit 2009).

On The Other Side was released in August (2009) on Margate's own Room57 Records and showcases the band's progression over the years along with a newfound gravitation towards incorporating melody, counterpoint, complex harmonies and time signatures into pop rock masterpieces.

The town of Margate, Kent, in the UK was, of course, the spiritual home of both mods and rockers from the Sixties. Margate, the band, evokes a retro rock sound with the creditable album On The Other Side that includes some cool numbers, arresting lyrics and a superb presentation. An enjoyable romp through a great album.

We particularly enjoyed Believe In Steve with its fun element, Circles with its stirring treatment and Unchecked Aggression that begins with a police shoot-out. Time & Time Again and A New Hope are also notable as is My Dog Duke with its retro sound and the theme of a dangerous dog that has had its last strike.

Tracklisting

1 In My Life | 2 Time & Time Again | 3 Saved It | 4 Believe In Steve | 5 It Is What It Is | 6 A New Hope | 7 Circles | 8 Unchecked Aggression | 9 My Dog Duke | 10 On The Other Side

• Margate's On The Other Side was released in August (2009) on Room57 Records and is available now.

"Margate is a talented rock / powerpop / punk band proving it can find its own niche with a new and imaginative album, On The Other Side" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar

Check out margatemusic.com.

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