According to Americana UK, The Whybirds "...sound like Pearl Jam having a fist fight with The Allman Brothers in Don Henley’s back yard. But what’s more important is that The Whybirds might just be the hardest working and hardest rocking band in Britain right now – a band destined for greatness".



Americana UK review of Rhythms of the World performance (Review by Jonathan Aird)

The Rhythms of the World (ROTW) used to be a 2 day free festival run in the Hertfordshire town of Hitchin, but due to the abuse of the town's hospitality over the last few years it has now moved to an enclosed site on the edge of the town, and charges a fairly nominal £5 entry fee for each day. At times it appeared that on this first day that the aim was to convince the crowd that there were only two kinds of world music - gospel choirs and jazz in various forms.

A ray of sunshine was The Whybirds, billed as an Americana act they hail out of Bedfordshire and struck me as 1 part Uncle Tupelo, 1 part Lynnyrd Skynyrd and 1 part early Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. This matches up quite well with their own estimation of themselves on their web site. With drums, bass and two guitars which alternate lead and rhythm duties they output high volume southern tinged rock. All band members also share the lead vocal duties, which gives them a bit of a Band feel when the drummer is singing. Many of the songs showcased driving guitar solos, and the whole was presented with dynamism, determination to impress and an assured swagger.

Most of the songs played were off their new eponymous titled debut album (which subsequent listening to reveals it to also be pretty good). I didn't get a set list but they definitely played "Girl is on Fire" and "Hauling" (which has a catchy "dum-dum-dum-pause" refrain and easily picked up chorus).

It was a shame that they'd been put on early in the proceedings as their stage hadn't yet gathered a big crowd, but they were well worth catching.

Read the full review here.



Americana UK Interview with The Whybirds

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Americana UK live review

This is Americana UK's review of our performance at The Ent Shed in Bedford on 14th March (supporting Peter Bruntnell):

‘The Whybirds’ – unknown to this correspondent but not from now on. They blasted into their set with a two song segue that dropped many a jaw. Here were four men plainly in love with 1973, beards from The Joy of Sex, four part harmonies and ‘twin axe attack’. Skynyrd meets The Faces meets Steve Miller and Bob Seger in East Anglia. And the songs… the songs were complex West Coast and Little Feat, all sung by different members at different times. They took the roof off the Shed and looked good for another hour. These boys have the songs and musical chops to be very big, if the Kings of Leon can fill stadiums then so can The Whybirds.

Read the review here



themusicmagazine.co.uk review

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Hunts Post said:

"HAVING caught Cambridge’s latest sensation at the excellent launch party for The Cornerhouse venue in Newmarket Road, on Saturday, I can safely say any hype surrounding this harmony-driven fourpiece is much deserved.

A classic rock band with a fresh twist, all four band members sing note-perfectly and harmonise to devastating effect.

While musically it’s refreshing to find a group that isn’t trying to cross-genres, they are very simply a rock band, through and through. With a sound that gives a faithful nod to acts such as The Black Crowes, Bruce Springsteen and even Pearl Jam, the songs are punchy, catchy and often uplifting.

Saturday’s headline performance found the band on top form."



penseyeview.com Interview with The Whybirds

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Oxford's Nightshift magazine said: "The Whybirds are one of the most consummate and charismatic British bands I've ever seen. They have four lead singers of great quality, and in taking their turn, each subtly changes the texture of the band. By the end I don't want them to leave the stage, the crowd whooping and hollering, and I think, I really wouldn't want to follow that."



Bedford Roar Club said: "Great big rollicking honkytonk harmonies jump into a kingsize water-bed with songs made out of tears, beers and cactus."



Cambridge Bands website said: "The Whybirds are without doubt one of the best bands I've ever seen. Two guitarists, a bassist and drummer - unbelievably tight and energetic - and they all sing! If you get the chance to see them or even book them for your venue then do it."



Martin Stapleton, Esquires, Bedford (17/5/08) said: "The Whybirds are a quartet heavily driven by 70's country A.O.R. and have the appearance to match. Long shaggy hair with bushy beards to boot! Plus, what they have in bundles is the ability to make sweet music."

As well as the rich tuneful harmonies, there is a timeless quality in the lyrics. "What it Means" is a case in point. A delicious composition, full of feel-good combinations, it takes time out to include a raunchy guitar solo midway through. This upbeat spirit continues with "Four Little Letters", which for this reviewer should spell g-o-o-d! "Turn Right (I'll Turn Left)" is a Whybirds standard that resoundingly builds to a forceful crescendo. "Make Me Numb" is my favourite. It's a real foot-tapping, head-nodding jaunty drinking song and tonight I need no prompting! If I knew all the words I'm sure I would join in, but it's only the chorus I can follow and it's easy to sing "I'm still at the bar", and that's good enough for me!

"Hauling" is catchy and inviting. It reminds me of something that legendary country rockers The Band would have composed. The quartet are in unison as they sing "blow out the candles and haul away". Also from the new album is "Girl is on Fire". Again this possesses an emotional melody. The guitar solo once more takes the ear. It almost brings to a close a marvellous and entertaining set by a band pretty unique locally to us at Esquires. There is still time, however, for the ironically titled "Before I Go Crazy", which is something surely no-one will suffer when they are in the company of The Whybirds. A very talented band of musicians.



Nightshift Magazine, Jericho Tavern, Oxford (3/5/08) said: "At first sight, The Whybirds look like a bad accident with a time machine. They are flowing haired, Lynyrd Skynyrd-style rock stars that have stumbled off a tour bus from Okie Fanokie, USA circa 1969. But titter ye not, they turn out to be one of the most consummate and charismatic British bands I've ever seen. They have four lead singers of great quality, and in taking their turn, each subtly changes the texture of the band. By the end I don't want them to leave the stage, the crowd whooping and hollering, and I think, I really wouldn't want to follow that."



Seatwave.com, 12 Bar Club, London (1/11/07) said: "The Whybirds are a mix of Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and occasional Eagles. They are a four-piece with four lead singers, two lead guitarists, great harmonies and terrific songs. A very tight and competent band."



Martin Stapleton, Esquires, Bedford (9/6/07) said: "The highlight of the evening comes with the appearance of The Whybirds, who produced an electrifying set. They play as a tight unit, especially with the bluesy sound of 'Hard to Find', and a storming finale of 'Rosalita', which are both performed so expressively. If the album is as good as the live set then it should be an essential purchase."



Beds on Sunday, Esquires, Bedford (9/6/07) said: "The Whybirds don't look like they sound. Appearing on stage like a bunch of slightly scary headbangers – a wash of flannel and AC/DC t-shirts – you'd fully expect a gargantuan moshpit. However, they deliver a slinky little mix of a grit-and-sawdust saloon singer fronting The Kings of Leon. Makes you want to kick back with a sasparilla."



JamLounge, Bedford (4/1/07) said: The Whybirds are an honest to goodness rock 'n' roll band. The shampoo requirement of the ensemble must equate to the size of a small village pond each month. Stripped down as an acoustic unit, the band were able to demonstrate how tight and together they are as a group. They didn't miss a note, beat, harmony. Very impressive and very enjoyable.



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