Tag Archives: The Assist

EP Review, Indie, New Music

The Assist ‘Council Pop Unplugged’ EP

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The Assist, one of the UK’s most established underground groups formed of Mikey Stanton (Vocals), Jorge Poole (Bass), Luke Jones (Guitar), Ryan Stanton (Guitar) & Ben Faulkner (Drums), have released their new EP ‘Council Pop Unplugged’. The Assist have sold out venues across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as well as shared the stage with The Happy Mondays and Blossoms. They also played in Paris with Black Honey and toured the main rooms of the UK’s O2 Academy’s with local heroes The Twang. ‘Council Pop Unplugged’ EP is a collection of the band’s favourite songs from their debut album ‘Council Pop’ which reached #21 in the Official UK chart and received ‘Best Album’ in the Birmingham Music Awards.

‘Council Pop Unplugged’ highlights the impressive musical prowess and meaningful depth of The Assist’s lyrics. Throughout the EP the violin adds a Pizzicato bounce or graceful stride to the band’s vibrant indie pop sound and is enhanced by gentle warm guitar. The tracks are beautifully evocative and showcase the timeless aspect of the band’s compelling sound. Each track is a joy to listen to and is an exciting musical insight into The Assist’s irresistible musicianship.

Stream ‘Council Pop Unplugged’ below


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Assist ‘Television Kid’

The Assist, one of the UK’s most established underground groups formed of Mikey Stanton (Vocals), Jorge Poole (Bass), Luke Jones (Guitar), Ryan Stanton (Guitar) & Ben Faulkner (Drums), have released their new single, ‘Television Kid’.The Assist have sold out venues across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as well as shared the stage with The Happy Mondays and Blossoms. They also played in Paris with Black Honey and toured the main rooms of the UK’s O2 Academy’s with local heroes The Twang. Their 2018 EP, LOST, charted in both Spotify’s “Top 50 most-streamed tracks in the UK” and iTunes’ “Top 10 indie chart”.

‘Television Kid’ is a hook-laden delight that boasts the dynamic and bright indie sound of The Assist. Saturated in radiant guitar riffs slickly weaved between buoyant drums and elastic basslines the track has a feel-good vibe that is simply irresistible. It’s a fun vibrant bopper with sharp and relateable storytelling expressed through eloquent lyrics.  The track narrates “the mischievous nature of a fictional socialite character who we will have all met at some point in our lives. The absorbent kind that becomes over-enthused by the smallest of occasions, takes on the role of Andy Murray during Wimbledon and Tyson Fury when there’s a boxing pay-per-view.” The band enhance this story through earworm melodies, lush guitar solos, sun-kissed atmospheres and upbeat indie rock that is easy on the ears and a joy to listen to again and again.

Stream ‘Television Kid’ below


Author: Danu

Indie, Indie Soul, New Music

The Assist ‘Irrational Movements’

The Assist have released their new single, ‘Irrational Movements’. Prior to the global pandemic the band released their debut EP ‘Lost’ which charted at #10 in the iTunes alternative chart. The Assist toured the EP thoroughly, which saw them play their biggest festival performance to date at Ural Music Night in Russia to over 10,000 people. Over the last few years they have also played Reading & Leeds festival, Isle of Wight, Y-Not, TRNSMT and Kendall Calling.

‘Irrational Movements’ is a funk peppered irresistible anthem that showcases The Assists’ groove rooted musicianship. The band spread a catchy melody over effervescent indie rock and shimmying rhythm while disco drenched synths create the tracks danceable backbone. The lyrics touch on how the band struggle to acclimatize to a modern-day society that prioritizes materialistic possessions over life itself, while the swagger-dipped backdrop ensures the song will stay in your head for days. With sleek guitars prancing through punchy drums and sensual basslines, this infectious bop is a blazing example of The Assists’ dynamic, full-bodied, upbeat sound in all its glory. 

Stream ‘Irrational Movements’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Assist have released a charity single for the NHS

Walsall indie band The Assist have released a charity single for the NHS and they have already raised over £500 via their JustGiving campaign. ‘Life’ is a smashing indie rock number that surges with The Assist’s passionate and breathtaking musicianship. Swirling keys coil and ricochet off the pulsing beat and sharp guitars creating a biting ethereal soundscape filled with raw instrumentation on a sublime funk flavoured backdrop. It’s an honest track that showcases the hard work the NHS staff endure as they continue to risk their lives for others. ‘Life’ is a tight, rich and thoroughly exhilarating number. 

You can donate to the cause here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-assist

Stream ‘Life’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Assist ‘I Don’t Care’

Walsall band The Assist are back with their new single ‘I Don’t Care’. Formed in 2014, The Assist have sold out venues across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as well as shared the stage with the likes of Happy Mondays and Blossoms. They have played in Paris with Black Honey and played UK’s famed O2 Academy with The Twang. Most recently, the five-piece completed a six-date tour across Russia, headlining Boris Yeltsin Open Air at the Ural Night Music Festival, performing in front of over 12,000 people.

Filled with dizzying soundscapes and kinetic energy ‘I Don’t Care’ is another infectious indie banger from The Assist. With fizzing riffs weaving fruity squirts of vitality into the luscious dynamic wall of sound this track instantly bursts with youthful adrenaline. The track is a vibrant sun saturated gem with a funk element entwining the bass and rich rhythm in shuffling grooves that wrestle you to the dance floor. The confident attitude soaked vocals resound over the glistening guitars and punchy backdrop. With a catchy soaring melody and light summer atmosphere ‘I Don’t Care’ is a raw pulsing rush of sublime, fresh musicianship from The Assist. 

Speaking of the new song, the band said, “There’s plenty of new music on the way but this track is one we are mega proud of. There are always so many opinions and outlooks on life, what’s right or wrong so that’s what this new track is about. It’s about doing what you want to do no matter what anyone says”

Stream ‘I Don’t Care’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Assist ‘Give It To Me’

Indie four piece The Assist have released their new single ‘Give It To Me’. These guys have had a massive impact on 2017 since their debut EP, ‘Trouble’ was released. Their recent single, ‘Wonderful’, made the Spotify Viral 50 and they’ve played sets at Isle of Wight, Reading + TRNSNT (Jack Rocks/This Feeling) as well as support slots with Blossoms, Rat Boy and The Twang. ‘Give It To Me’ fleshes out their infectious blend of indie rock sprayed with danceable grooves and enough energy to have a live audience going crazy. Infectious melodies are coated in biting guitars and rich shakeable rhythm. Drenched in attitude it’s a no-nonsense belter that is insanely catchy. Just that “do do do” backing lyric will have you hooked – you will have to prise it from you brain. Upbeat immensely energetic and fresh these guys shake thing up with a simple tune that radiates bright scintillation while also packing a nice bit of grit and punch to keep it interesting. Slick guitar lines and groovy bass add a touch of swagger and greasy slickness while the spoken lyrics add a smack of Brummy attitude.  Fine track from the four piece.

Watch the video for ‘Give It To Me’ below


Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Assist ‘Wonderful’

Walsall Indie four piece, The Assist have released their new single ‘Wonderful’ today. With lyrics from the street to accompany an indie dance beat, their sound has propelled them onto some of the countries biggest stages in 2016. Having recently graced both Leeds and Y Not festival alongside support slots with both Ratboy and Blossoms a big 2017 is expected. The band has been strongly supported by BBC’s introducing show and labelled as “Birmingham’s next big thing” by ‘Radio X’.
‘Wonderful’ is an infectious instrumentally dazzling indie track with a sunny gleaming lustre bursting with vibrant energy. Sparkling shimmery guitars teamed with soft soaring backing vocals its effortlessly cool and beaming from the start. The rapid cushioned beat and nimble elastic bass gives a rhythm to dance and bop to. Stop start guitars add edge and zest to the track while it swirls with a magnificent intense luminosity and uplifting vibe. The vocals convey a serious theme of struggling however The Assist give us hope and portray their message in a positive uplifting bright way. Insanely catchy this track fires a little burst of sunshine and scintillating energy into every note. Its a must listen.
You can catch The Assist live at
March 18- Wolverhampton – Grain Store
March 24 – Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach
March 30 – Manchester – Jimmy NQ’s
March 31 – Sheffield – The Plug
April 1 – London – Water Rats
July 29 – Kendal Calling
Watch the video for  ‘Wonderful’ below

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Brit Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Post-Britpop

The Assist ‘Tell Her How You Feel’

The Assist are an indie-dance four piece from Walsall, comprised of members Mikey Stanton (vocals), Ryan Stanton (guitar), Jak Baker (bass) and Ben Faulkner (drums). They have recently graced both LEEDS & Y NOT Festival alongside support slots with both Ratboy, Blossoms and Jaws. The Assist completed a full UK headline tour to coincide with the release of their debut EP ‘TROUBLE’. They were strongly supported by BBC’s introducing show and not long after labelled as “Birmingham’s next big thing” by X radio. They have now released their new single ‘Tell Her How You Feel’.
‘Tell Her How You Feel’ is an animated energetic track bursting with rubbery bounce that rebounds and slaps you in the face with smooth pop melody coated in intense post-Britpop and a dash of R&B. This track flows with a spring in its step with elastic punchy drums and funky bass. Driving strides on guitar adds a zesty flavour and edge to the track. Stanton’s vocals rap the verse with attitude while the wistful soaked catchy chorus displays his emotional and dynamic vocals. The Assist display a well developed track that showcases their confidence as a band with swagger-filled instrumentation that shows their talent and competence while also displaying strong songwriting skills. The Assist are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Tell Her How You Feel’ below