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Graduate’s band review hits the right note with Fred Perry

12/12/2016

A former University of Wolverhampton student is hitting all the right notes with his indie band, Semantics – having been singled out recently in Fred Perry’s Subculture review of “20 Birmingham bands you need to hear now”.

Subculture is Fred Perry's new music initiative highlighting the brightest young talent on the music scene, alongside the cream of British music artists that have a long standing relationship with the brand.

Joshua Rochelle-Bates, currently a Graduate Intern in the Alumni department at the University, graduated in Business Management two years ago and plays bass guitar as well as managing and marketing the alternative, post punk. indie four piece band.

All based in the West Midlands, the band was formed in 2014 and is well-known for playing Birmingham’s live circuit, having released their debut EP earlier this year.

The Fred Perry review said: “The stand out feature of this indie band is undoubtedly the quality of Rob Lilley's haunting voice, which is at once brutally minimal yet velvety smooth in its delivery.”

Josh said:  “We were rather surprised to have been mentioned in the Fred Perry Subculture Birmingham Sound piece, especially alongside other great artists.

“It’s just nice to know that someone is actually listening to us! We’ve been rather humbled to have been played on BBC Introducing this year as well as getting airplay in the United States, Russia and Amsterdam, but this has just topped it off for us. We can’t wait to get into the new year and record new material as well as play more shows in and out of Birmingham.’’

Find out more about the band on Twitter@SemanticsUK, on Facebook and on Sound Cloud. Band members are Bridie Green, Josh Rochelle-Bates, Rob Lilley and Simon Lees.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 13th December 2016

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