Tony Smith, the North west based music and gig photographer has had over five years experience covering the cream of Manchesters unsigned bands. Not just restricted by the boundaries of Macunia, Tony has covered popular venues in Liverpool, Chester, Northwich, Crewe , Stoke, Newcastle, Leeds, York, Bradford, Oldham, the list goes on.
His unique style of portraiture for live bands, gigs and music goes before him. He is genuinely interested in music and musicians. His own interest in Punk, Rock, Jazz, all things 70's , 80's & 90's makes this an ideal sector to be in. The website at www.hotpix.org.uk and also at www.hotpix.freeserve.co.uk coversmany genres of his experience.
Youth projects, in particular work from his involvement with the Northwich based DAN ( Development of the arts in Northwich ), BANNED! project was his training ground. As he comments, "It was the BANNED network that was my first real foray into music photography. From the first gig I covered, 'Orange Deluxe' at Winnington Rec' I was hooked. A whole stream of bands followed with the talent to go much further. Definite mention goes out to 'The Smashers' , 'Alone' , Madchesters 'Gabriels Wish' , Golbornes 'Jumpin Landmines' .
The list of venues is truly mind numbing.
Adom Flawed The Immigrants For the Money & bungle Nation of Alcoholics For Tomorrows The masque venue Liverpool
over 100 bands in venues such as the Liverpool Lomax, summer free festivals in Oldham with Dodgy & Audio web, gigs at Maine Road Manchester supporting Bon Jovi, local Jazz music at the Band on the wall, Swan St Manchester, The Roadhouse, Boardwalk, the Night & Day, university and poly (now certainley Metropolitan University!), the castle in Oldham. Some of the North Wests finest unsigned and recently signed bands are listed below :
Me & Three Others, Go Go Ghidora, R. Moses, Dr Rinse, TK4, Ak47, Mia, Space Hopper, Bracil, Trader, Deadset, Loafer, Stagefright, Shake, Opal, Shallowater, Analog, Slam, Standard Milk, Change Nothing, Stanley, Transelement, Phantom 5000, Scapa Flow, Sparehed 3, Starki, Starkey's Walk, Charlie Dont Surf, Beat Science, Hiatus, Beau Normal, Flawed, Playmaker, Cab Yellow, Rubberdog, Robbie's Angels, Gibbon, Jobe, Soberskin, Albert's Ginger Wig, Ambient Mike, Albino Red, Robitaille, Publicide, Elbow Room, Inbred Quarter, Gabrielle's Wish, Gabrielles Wish, Embryonic, Tyburn, Suburban Vegetable, Tucana, Escape- formerly Harlequin, Moccasin, Necessary Angels, Loci, Cecil, Jack Hassall, Rocketbaby, Ricker, Hucker, Jackie O, Gecko Levy, Tuco, Moco, Recognized, Second Skin, Jacques La Ckadaisical, Micron, Red Vinyl Fur, Budd, Madee, Nudge, Bodhi, Indigo-Dub, Ordinary Joe, Midnight Blue, God's Dice, Godsister Helen, HedzJellmo, The Angry Red Planets, The Agents Of Groove, The Broken Kwartet, The Breakfast Club, The Black Rose, The Circle, The Cardinals, The Carbonas, The Disciples, The Damian Shrub, The Edge, The Frightened Prisoners Of The Kraken, The Gentle Scars, The Gentle Scars, The Haze, The Id, The Known Associates, The Kirtz, The Medicine Bow, The Obsession, The People, The People In The Bassment Formerly The Skillbillies, The Superdead, The Strange Days, The Sonar Yen, The Soma, The Solid State Of Independence, The Smallprint, The Shamrock, The Scribes, The Urban Terrorists, The Underground House Orchestra, The Virus House, The Weiv, One Window, The Zans, Tread Gold, Stealth Munchin, Dreamland, Oceansize, Beecher, Electrodiesel, Speedway, Green, Sleepwalker, Freestyle Remedy, Freestyle Disorder, Sweet Venom, Freeworld, Weeks Of Sandwich, Scenario, Agenda 21, Twenty Twenty Vision, Agent Olive, Cleon, Shep, Everstrong, Overtone, Omerta - Formerly Foghead, Crescent, Poets Corner, Hoffa, Reformasi, Jegar, Page 82, Roger, Sighing Gaia, Highrise, Drgs, August, Ithaca, Sphere, Dahl, Nohomeuk, Mahon, Tribeca, Void, Slide, Bridge, Original 89, Amigo, Neil Burton, Evilation, Smiling Politely, Grimace, Animated Sedation, Khime, Crimson Roze, Rainstone, Trip 69 Sixty Nine, Tripwire, Stircrazy, Thirty Three 33 Hurtz, Thirty Nine 39 Phoenix, Thirty 30 Day Hex, This Product, Reis, Twister, Exit 52, United Nation Intelligence Team, Keith Nash, Shiver Slinky, Cujo, Like I Care, Dekoder, Unkown Pleasures, Cola Moon, Delaney, //lanstraum, Pulby, Valerie, Tyler, Wulf, Kolida, Calis Star, Splitscreen, Politburo, Milk, Bull Goose Loony, Roller
Bullet Proof Monks, Belle Vue, Fallinline, Pelloquin, Hollow, Hilltop, Solmen, Fi-Lo Radio, Palo Alto, Nylon Plyon, Tulsar, Delta Nine, Melted Cat, Phluid, Solus, Silva, Silva Surfa, Velvet Shore, Silver Bullets, Ugly Rondo, Tumbler, Samcity, Pamela Nude, Somewhere Outside Tokyo, Semi Professional Noise Makers, Lummux, Remote, Tompaulin, Numpti, CkMung, Ten Kingdoms, Von Rectumstien Coalition, Son/Of/The/Mourning, Anna Kashfi, Innabula, Innasence, Tend, Fonda 500, Nine Acre, Menephes, Kinesis, Moneyshot, Zenfo, Kangaroo, Kings Of Hong Kong, Pink Fluffy Cloud Machine, Monkey-Shine, Synko, Danko, Wonky Alice, Danny G, Monomania, Gunpowder Plot, Monro Stahr, Sins of Society, Censa Faye, Fantastic Trevors, Wintergreen, Mantis, Fanucci, Two (2) Tone Karma, Two Foot Two Tall (2foot2tall), Myoho, Project Mogul, Lookin, Aroma, Atomic Finger, Atomic Bass, Neon-Neon, Moonburn, Mooncalf, Stonebaker, Stone Fusion, Flood, Proof, Loose Canon, Goose, Brothers With Different Mothers, Scout, Frozen Stunt Badger, Appease, Superstring, Rupert Thee Transformer, Amplifier, Depon-Eye, Empty Quarter, Liquid Sky, Gur, Gur, For Tomorrows, Aura 4, Paradigm, Strange Weather, Carbon, Circus, More Than Here, Directed Anger, Wired Fish, Irregular John, Forena, Irresistible Bitch, Barfly, Maria Jordan, Karigma, Dark Matter, Gerl, Earl, Karma, Kermitz Middle Finger, Born Idle, Bernard, Morning Star, Heroic Trio, European, Xerox Malfunction, Eurphoria, Purple People, Dorrage, Surround, Mirrorfly, Durruti, Gorski, Northern Sounds, Nortilus, Peruvian Gamblers, Gary Cooke, Los Nachos, Descarga, Rise, Basement Lard 256, Riser, Obsessive Compulsive, Obsidian Moon, Rising Inertia, Casini, Visitor, Jasmine Walk, Association Football Club, Desolation Angels, Inspector 71, Loss Leader, Less Than Zero, Missed Her Bliss, Mystery Roach, Dustfly, Mostly Toast, Act 3, But Emily Loved Him, Pet Yeti, Sgt. Sandy Flange, Kitch, Fate, En-Tito, Extinguish Her, Outmeasured, Autokat, A Top Pop Band, Autos, Astro*, Lets Not Lose Mars To The Commies, Fatshaft, Matt Hill, Little Plato, Kauai, DoublejoHngrey, Saucerman, Enuff Squirrel, Tsuji Giri, Soundblast, Eruption, Four Miles Out, Bluscuba, !Bushack!, Novachord, Five Years Later, Levein, Seven Years Dead, Vivid, David R Black, Bow Echo, New French, Lewinsky, Six Disc Runner, Mexican Alibi (formely Silva), Sexy, Oey, Fly, Fly By, Gay Crocodiles,
Newish band writes own material a bit like coldplay meet radiohead who then meet OCS who in turn meet the Verve. Quite a lot of influences anyway!! ,New wave soul commando garage punksters with a mission ..... ,Name changed to 'Like I Care'. ,Musical project featuring ex.invincible instrumentalist Yves Altana. ,"Music file from a band with a variety of influences, currently including Tubeway Army, OMD, Doors and Human League. ","Most unlikely four piece in Manchester, with a lead guitarist that is the worst in the world. ","Mix of progressive, gothic, classic rock and metal. Emotional high energy rock! ",Metal/Punk vibe. ,Mentalist nonsence. ,"Melodies, noise, synths, experimentation, guitars, beats, creativity - everything you ever wanted! ",rock. ,Rock. ,rock four piece from Westhoughton & Blackrod. ,Retro Punk Rock 'n' Roll . ,"punk / new wave, from Moston. ","indie/punk, from Moston. ",hard rock. ,guitar power pop quartet. ,and tuneful alternative rock with a dash of pine. ,"Melancholic, alt.country leaning, dark & twisted songs. Compared to Costello & Richard Buckner. ",Maximum rock n' roll from Wigan. ,"Manchesters musical reflection of the heady days of 1977 Factory Records but this isn't punk, it's dark, New Wave, alternative, played Y2K style. ","Mad, high energy, distured nu metal band. ",Low end funky indiepop from Warrington. ,Lo fi eclectisism to get down with your bad self to. ,Like a whisky at 15. ,"Leftfield dance artists, from Wigan. ",Jazz / funk meets rock. ,'It's only a matter of time until these boys make it big.' ,It's just music. ,"Instrumental soundscapes that revolve around simple, soft guitars. ","Influences include Fugazi, Weezer & NIN. ","Influences from Air, Massive Attack, Primal Scream, DJ Shadow, Les Rhythmes Digitales. ",Indie-punk-pop. ,Indie/Rock. ,Indie/Acoustic/Alternative. ,Indie. ,Indie rock. ,"Indie rock, from Denton / Ashton-U-Lyne. ",Indie rock from Macclesfield. ,Indie pop rock. ,Indie folk psychedelic from Stockport. ,Indie / rock. ,Incendiary rock / Irresistable melody / Youthful enthusiasm. ,Immaculate guitar pop at its shiniest. ,"If you like this kind of thing, this is the kind of thing you'll like... ",Horizontal Buzz and Hum. ,Highly eclectic punk-based indie rock 3 piece. ,High energy punk band from Preston. ,Heywod or do we mean Heywood based Rock band. ,Heavy with hip hop and noise elements? ,"Heavy rock, punky, and grungy, with expression and passion. ","Heavy Rock Band based in Warrington, Cheshire. They play a mixture of 70's Rock covers from Metallica to The Kinks with a dash of their own material. ","Heavy Metal Beatles/Gothic CSN+Y. Sometimes perform under the name ""Bane Overlord"". ",Hard rock with a funky / heavy twist. ,"Guitar-based organic, Coldplayesque...- from Bolton, Manchester. ",Guitar pop / modern rock with 3 part vocals. From Maccelsfield. ,Guitar driven music for the 21st Century. ,Guitar based with Tribal and Ethnic influences. ,Guitar based indie lite. ,"Groovy four piece male / female pop combo - great image, great tunes! ",Groove metal. ,Gripping psychedelic groove-laden sonic genius ,"Green Day / Blink 182 style, from Rochdale. ",Great British Rock n Roll from Chorlton. ,'Go and see them and make your own mind up'. ,"Gerl are a simple blend of alternative, pop, hardcore, metal. ","Gerl are a simple blend of alternative, pop, hardcore, metal. ","Fuse punk, indie, grunge, and classic rock for original sound. ","Funnily enough to the Kirkz, punk rock actually means punk rock. We also like to throw a bit of ska in there coz we can. ","Funky, Rock, Jazz & Soul. ",Funky pychedelic rock and roll pop. ,"Funk, grooves, nu-blues. ",Fucking Rock n Roll. ,'Fucking Brilliant!' - AC & The Obzerva. ,"From the urban jungle of Macclesfield, Wired Fish are a blend of Ska and......something. ","From Chorlton, occupied leftfield, Exit 52 attempt to move on post Brit-pop ",From breakbeat rock n'roll grooves to bluesey funkblues. ,"Fresh, funky and fantastic live - based in London and Manchester. ","Four piece reminisent of The Who, Circa 72. Mod influenced and full of power. ",Four Piece punk band. Range from Ska to Emo but always put on a good show! ,Four piece outfit described as 'excellent' by City Life Magazine. ,4 piece noise core. ,Four piece guitar based with tons of energy. ,Four piece formed in '98 in Bolton. crossover of rock/pop and indiefunk. Technically brilliant and awe inspiring. ,"Four piece band with truly original tunes, delicious melodies etc. ",Four piece band that specialize in both out and out metal and power ballads ,Four piece band producing an original set. ,Four piece alternative/psychedelic band from the dreary town of Wigan. ,"Four piece alternative rock, based in Rossendale. Influences such as Radiohead, Mansun and Nirvana. This band can be found most Sundays at The Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall along with other local bands. ","Formerly known as Diverse, a four piece funk/punk band from Worsley. ","Formerly known as acme rocket, a five piece indie band from Manchester. ",Former quirky space cadets now fully fledged astronauts! ,"Formed in September 1997 in Bury,Iinfluences - ‘The Smashing Pumpkins’ and ‘The Cure’. crossover of rock, pop and a touch of metal, combined with a mixture of self-hate and satirical lyrics . ","Formed in Manchester in '99, they were brought together in search for new musical identities and a fulfillment of their ambitions. Influenced by modern and contemporary styles of music and the individuality and inventiveness forms the basis of their sound. ","Formed in Manchester in 1998, They can be described as dark, alternative, punchy power/post punk, industrial repetition, powerful, trashy, blue and rockabilly. ",Formed in late 2000. ,Formed in early 1999. ,"Formed in April 1998, four miles out of town in Didsbury. Catchy tunes, good looking singer, you name it this band has it. - well worth a look! ",Fluid basslines / funky beats / riff-led guitars / soulful vocals. ,Five balled Pop/Punk band with ball scratching kits. ,"Finest Manchester Ska-Punkage, best served chilled(!) ","Finest Manchester Ska-Punkage, best served chilled(!) ","Filthy grunge, with punk pop overtones. From Preston. ","Female fronted rock band with female lead guitarist. Heavy down-tuned sounds. Main influences Black Sabbath, Rush, Budgie. Website on the way. ",Female fronted groove rock. ,Female fronted experimental rock. ,"Female fronted band from Manchester with influences such as the Doves, Elbow and REM. Formed in June 2001. ",Explosive rock punk pop. ,Experimental rock funk and everything else. ,Experimental fourpiece. They currently have tracks scattered throughout the popwire.com charts. ,Exciting new three piece punk/grunge band. ,Exactly like nothing else! ,Ex Ragweed with harder punk edge. ,"Epic indie soul rock, from Bury. ",Entertaining guitar based alternative rock. ,"Energy fused four pieced mc5/stooges rock, from sunny Wigan. ","Emotionally charged punk rock, from Prestwich. ",Emo punk with a touch of metal. ,Emo punk from Bolton. ,Electronica/Folk from Manchester and Wigan. ,Electronica/Folk from Manchester and Wigan. ,Electronica / Techno from Stockport. ,Electro-acoustic braindance. ,Electic pop/ folk duo from Bolton. ,"Either the next Smiths or the next Gary Barlow. From Salford, Manchester. ",Eclectic en masse. ,"Dynamic, moody, think Radiohead with U2 with Massive Attack. ","Dynamic, moody, think Radiohead with U2 with Massive Attack. ","Dustfly have created a unique and dynamic sound... a diverse musical style of funk, rock, hip-hop, and blues... Strong, catchy vocals, with funky licks, driving rythmns, and accoustic breaks. ","Drifing somewhere in between Dance, hip hop, pop and tribal beats, with a ambience that is absorbed into your soul. ","Dreamy vocals, great sounding synths, kick ass beats, big funky phrases, a choppy but mellow affair. ",Diverse alternative rock band. ,Digital Orgy ,Deep aggressive Nu-Metal. ,David Gray type of sound. Already signed up by new Digital TV channel to write and perform songs. CD EP demo available. ,Darren Poyzer and Andy Goddard. 2 Acoustic song writers putting the fun back in cool and the bop back in pop. ,"Dark, deep, and rhythmic five piece. ","Dark, dark smokin' tunes. ","Dark, country tinged psychedelia treading similar waters as Sparklehorse, Mazzy Star & Giant Sand. ","Dark, beautiful, alternative rock. ",Dance/electronic. ,"Cutting edge rock aspiration, from Stockport. ",Crazy pop! ,Cool noisy indie pop. ,Combining catchy Rock'n'Roll anthems with Epic ballards ,"Cockney reject vocals, ugly guitars and uncompromised hammond - the most unlikely 4-piece in Manchester. ",Club /Dance / Trance outfit from Tamerside. ,Chunky / / heavy / xlent. ,Chilled emo metal. ,"Chill out acid trance, ambient, nrg, funk. ","Cheeky solo artist with a whole lot of soul. Influences include Beatles, Stones Faces, Northern soul (and tamla) not to mention funk. ","Car boot samples, live instrument, funky breaks, squelchy organs. ",Cabaret avant-garde post punkfrom Stockport. ,Cabaret avant-garde post punkfrom Stockport. ,Bright & driving pop-punk from Ashton. ,"Breathtaking noise. Dark, feral, sublime. ","Both dark and glamorous, Sexy are the first pop band in a long time who arent afraid to enjoy themselves whilst writing astonishing songs! ","Blues, soul, Rock & Roll. ",Blondie-esque power pop. ,Blissed out pop/rock...spangly tunes. ,Blindin'. ,"Blend of retro guitarpop, lots of melody and catchy tunes. ","Bleeding, severed tongue in cheek dark rock! ","Black / death metal, from Warrington. ","Big loud songs through original patterns of noise, think Tool, C.O.C, Dylan, from Prestwich. ","Big beats, drifting vocals, and atmospheric guitar are all thrown into the mix to create Surround - a three piece based in Manchester. ",Belle Vue are continuing to make loud noises on the live scene to much acclaim. ,"Beats, samples, top pop melodies. ","BANG! Tight, chilled, fast as you can listen to it Punk! The real deal! ","BANG! Tight, chilled, fast as you can listen to it Punk! The real deal! ",Avant-garde Supermarket Music. ,"An innovative combination of guitars, beats and samples - chilled out and melodic. ",An exciting indie/rock band who can boast mani (roses) as a big fan. ,Americana tinged tunes. ,Ambient music with a nice regular pulse. ,Ambient drones through to digital distortion via fat beats. ,"Ambience, Aggression, Electronics, Guitars - blended into melodies and grooves. ","Although the band has unfortunately run its course and folded, their site is still linked to The New French Collective, a loose transient organisation with an interest in the arts in general. ",Alternativism takes on ambience in this clash of visionary experimental eclecticism.....the new sound has emerged. ,"Alternative, metal - from Salford. ",Alternative rock. ,"Alternative Rock, made by young people with brains as well as guitars. ","Alternative rock, from Wythenshawe. ",Alternative rock trio. ,Alternative Rock 4 Piece from Wigan ,Alternative rock 4 piece from Manchester. ,Alternative punk/metal from Billinge. ,"Alternative pop / rock, from Blackburn. ",Alternative heavy rock. ,Alternative garage punk/rock. ,All-girl three piece play energetic and hypnotic grunge-folk ,All information regarding the band can be found by clicking on the icon to the right. ,Album orientated rock (would you call us indie?) ,"Air Harpsicord with added Sleighbells, ok? Website on the way. ","'Adept at writing lovely, heartfelt harmony-drenched songs.' (Manchester City Life) 'One of the best acoustic records I've heard in a while.' (Manchestermusic.co.uk) 'Sweeping vocal harmonies and minor chords.' (Melody Maker) ","Acoustic soul, melancholic love. ",Acoustic hiphop country with sugar metal undercurrent. ,"Acoustic folk/funk/jazz duo from Manchester, Dido-esque. ","Acoustic / rock, from Manchester. ",Absolutley cracking. ,"very catchy, radio friendly 5 piece from Frodsham , formed in May 1999. ",variety of styles from rock to hardcore death metal. ,touch of '60's psychedelia merged with spacey atmospheric rock combineswith the attitude and style that coming from Manchester gives them. ,top 4-piece funk/rock/ band. rock band with funky guitar and brass riffs. ,six piece from Manchester who combine cutting edge break beats with an indie face and a dance sensibility. ,six piece from Greater Manchester. ,"six piece based in Manchester, drums, bass, keyboard, dj, guitar and vocals. Influences from dub to hiphop, funk, rock and possibly drum and bass. ",rollercoaster ride through the heavens. From Failsworth and Stretford areas. ,"lternative rock from Bolton with influences such as 'Nine Inch Nails', 'Smashing Pumpkins', 'The Cure' and 'Massive Attack'. ","kaliedoscopic conundrum of art rock influences, insouciant, experimental pop and declarative dance action. ","jolly old school punk band, from Macclesfield. ","great live band, rocking it hard with influences such as The Stones and The Who. ",funky four-piece with great tunes and even better haircuts. They are currently recording their debut album 'Mind Your Head' which should be available sometime before the end of the world - hopefully Summer 2001. Watch this space. ,fresh new angle to a venerated rock sound. ,four piece indie/rock combo based in Wigan and surrounding areas. ,four piece indie band from Manchester. These lads play regular gigs on the live indie circuit and currently have a release on their own label. ,four piece based in Manchester. Their music fluctuates between deep breathing grooves and howling folkadelia. ,"four piece all girl band from Stockport. Superb web design, check it out! ","five piece. Their sound is derived from diverse influences such as psychedia, reggae, hiphop and soul. Generally music flavoured. ","five piece, drawing on influences from The Band, McGuiness Flint, James Taylor, Small Faces to the Super Furry Animals and The Beta Band. ",five piece rock band based in Rossendale. ,five piece indie band from Stockport. ,five piece from South Manchester. ,"five piece from Salford, these lads have been writing their own stuff for about a year. ",five piece epic/rogue/pop type band from Stockport ,five piece band from Stockport. ,dark and passionate hybrid of female-fronted punk-folk-grunge alchemy. ,cool breed of groovy funk rock. ,"combination of unconventional guitar sounds blended with traditional funk rhythms, live trumpet phrases, samples, effects, strong vocal melodies and drum n bass patterns. ",brand of rock music that is remarkably difficult to catagorise. ,band currently being put together in Bury. Very eclectic influences. ,70s style noisy punk band. ,5-piece band based in the South Manchester Area. Their music is indie/rock orientated and they have been in their current line-up since 1996. ,"4 piece rock/soul/dance cross from Stockport with a whole string of influences including : Beastie Boys, Isaac Hayes, Janes Addiction, Marvin Gaye, Faithless, Public Enemy and the Chemical Brothers. ",4 piece rock/pop/indie band from central/east Manchester ,"4 piece rock band from the Manchester area, influences are Pearl Jam and Led Zepplin. ",4 piece quirky indie/pop combo from Bury and Bolton areas. Writing totally catchy tunes ,"3 piece with bass, rhythm & lead guitar, vocals. samples etc. Fairly upbeat with fun indie stuff and cheesy pop. Influences such as Mansun, Gomez, Feeder, 5ive, B*witched & Fun Lovin Crimininals...........apparently! ",8 piece Latin band with award winning horn section and female. ,"6 strong, truly intense....a stunning live act. ",5 piece Rock 'n' Roll from Burnley. ,5 piece rock band. More Beer! From Copull & Standish. ,5 piece Metal band. ,5 piece guitar and Hammond driven rock/indie band from Salford. ,5 piece Funk/Rock Band. Mix between Red Hot Chilli Peppers & Fleetwood Mac. ,"5 piece band who write and play own material, currently playing local and Manchester venues. ",4 piece trip-rock band with a hint of drum'n'bass. ,4 piece rock/funk/punk/metal compared to the 'Chilli Peppers' and 'Incubus' ,"4 piece alternative indie band playing guitars, keyboards, drums. We do not play boring guitar music, but make our music interesting using a wide variety of styles, influences and sound effects. ",3 piece indie/rock band ,21st century space rock. ,Spybase, Snyde, Raygun76, Laymar, Drystone, Mazeppa, Buzzweasel, Buzzwagon.
In no particular order, they represent the greatest British body of talent outside London.
Believe us, Manchester is the UK's second musical city, accept no substitute!
.....................................................................................................................................................................................