MinionTV is a post-rock/soundtrack influenced band based in Liverpool consisting of five members. Those are (from earliest to last) Stephen Johnston, Justin Bailey, Barry Fearns, Sion Keir and Simon Monkhouse.
Our debut album is out on the April 1st. Clicking on the Album Cover on the left will take you to the official facebook page.
Contact us at info@miniontv.co.uk
Album News
2010-03-09
On April 1st we will be releasing our debut self titled album. About four months in the making this album contains ten new recordings which are listed below. The album will be available to listen/purchase on the bandcamp website followed by itunes and other distribution portals soon after.
The artwork was created by the fantastically talented Alice Rix. More news to come!
01 We Are Ghosts
02 Battleships
03 Take A Bullet For The Rest Of Us
04 I Hit, I Miss, I Fall
05 No Grave But Sea
06 When Skyways Are Highways
07 Marla The Big Tourist
08 Daggers At Lily
09 Robot Meets Girl
10 Don't Burn The House Down (While I'm Away)
Here's a couple a gigs we're playing.
Korova 18th of March
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=304065154225&ref=mf
Masque 1st of April supporting ASIWYFA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=298026603269&index=1
Marie Curie Cancer Care Gig
2010-02-17
As mentioned in the previous post we're playing a gig in Korova on the 18th of March for Marie Curie. There will be an auction and the whole event will be filmed. Hope to see you there!
Diary #10 - No Brit Awards For Us.
2010-02-17
It's been a month since the last post so quite timely for a new one I feel. The album is coming along nicely indeed, we're very much near the mixing stage of the process which Justin and Sion are undertaking quite well considering experience. We have finally decided that this is a 10 track record and have compiled a tracklist which I will be revealing once it's sunk in for all of the band. What I can tell you right now is the the album title and release date. It will be self titlled and will be available to listen to in full as well as purchase on BandCamp before it goes through other vendors. It'll be released on April 1st and no that's not a joke. We're all extremely proud of it so I hope you'll all enjoy it as much as we have making it.
You may notice that the 'msg boards' tab has been replaced with a 'bio' tab. Here as you may of guessed is the current band biography along with a recent photo. Nothing pretentious here - just the facts. I can't stand band biographies that start with 'From the depths of mordor 5 strangers met and the moons collided ensuring a magical collaboration was created'.
The 'MinionTV Video Project' is going extremely well and better than expected. At the moment we have 12 film makers from all ranges of talent using our new tracks to create videos from their own inspiration. Nearer the time we'll be divulging further information of what we intend to do with these videos.
Right, 'any gig news?' I hear you cry? Well, yes we have a couple of important dates coming up, Firstly we are headlining at a charity gig in Korova on the 18th of March. I'll add some more details of this gig in the next post along with the poster. Secondly we're once again supporting 'And So I Watch You From Afar' in the Masque on the 1st of April. This date also coincides with our album release so it's a bit of a special occasion. There is a facebook event for that gig set up HERE.
Right that's it for now. I'll leave you with a photo of Baz recording his vocoder part for 'Daggers At Lily'.
[Stephen]
A Balance of Creativity - Do you make films?
2010-02-08
Our goals as musicians are to make music and put it forward to not only be enjoyed for personal experience but to also be
used creatively and complimentary in other industries. As a band we've already had some of our music used for adverts and TV
shows but we're always on the lookout to explore more creative avenues. That's why as we approach releasing our first independent album in the next couple of months we're hoping to encourage any budding film makers out there to put some video to our music.
We're after people who don't mind working for free as this could be a good opportunity for a portfolio and to get your work seen. So please if you're interested, get in touch now using the email address at the top :)
It'll be interesting to see how different film makers approach our music (even the same tracks) and we're not just looking to work with one but many different people so there will be a good range of creativity. On Easter bank holiday weekend we'll be showcasing all the videos here on the site and commenting on the message boards so sign up now!
Rant
2010-02-01
'Indie' music or whatever it's called now sounds a bit stale to me. Maybe people ran out of ideas of how to play their guitars or they're just playing it safe. To me all I see is a trend of almost barbershop-ish type bands flooding the mainstream (which ironically is more of a drought) and though these are perfectly fine it's just not exciting is it? I mean these are talented folk who have decided to focus on cute vocal harmonies rather than thrash out catchy riffs on their battle scarred strats; is that cool now? I just want to like a band again, a new band and one that doesn't carry the hype the front page of the NME brands them with. I've liked hardly anything pushed into the mainstream in the last few years. The last indie bands I truly liked were the Strokes and the White Stripes, so c'mon why did everything go from 10 to 4?
[Stephen]
Siôn In Magazine
2010-01-22
Mojo 20/01/10
2010-01-21
Diary #09 - New Year etc etc etc
2010-01-18
"It's the first diary entry of the year!" - OK enough of the cliches and let's get down to it. I last posted a sort of bookend to 2009 in the last diary entry but only to gauge how much I feel we've progressed with two new members in a tidy amount of time. That said, it's a new year and new motivation. We want to get these tracks recorded, mix and mastered by the end of February, It's proven to be a bit of a struggle (mainly with a dying computer) but it'll be worth it at the end!
Regarding gigs, We last played in the Zanzibar hosted by Metro Manila Aide on the 29th of December which was a little odd for us as every other band seemed overly heavier than ourselves so I think we stood out a bit, haha. It's always a great gig in the Zanzibar though; the stage is great and the sound guys do a great Job. We're down for playing there again in May (I know, May?!), We also have a gig coming up in April supporting 'And So I Watch You From Afar' at the Masque again. The last time we played with them was amazing, first time on the stage downstairs and it was good. We'll hopefully have some stuff to give out too so buy your tickets!
Finally, we also have a gig in Wednesday in Mojo. It's a venue we have yet to play in and to be honest I didn't even think it was a venue! There's a good vibe to that place though with all sorts of classic music memorabilia scaling the walls so I'm looking forward to that. Plus, we're playing with our good friends 'A Time For Burning' so it's a bit of a post-rock fest. Hmm, should it be post-post-rock nowadays?
Anyway hope to see you at gigs and sign up to the mail list for gig and other news :)
[Stephen]
Live Gig Video Website
2010-01-08
Thought this might be of interest:
Mogwai's performance of 'I Love You, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School' is particularly good.
[Siôn]
A Snowy Scene
2009-12-23
A snowy scene from home.
[Siôn]
Diary #08 - MinionTV : Year One
2009-12-17
This will most likely be the last diary entry of the year so I may as well go over a few things that have been on my mind as well as sort of sum up the kind of year we've had.
To start with I have to say I'm extremely proud of what we've managed to achieve this year. MinionTV basically 're-booted' with two new members who brought about a redefined vision and style which allowed us to move on with confidence and have a hell of a lot of fun. We started gigging in February and from then on went on to play shows all across the main venues in Liverpool and have our music used in various TV and advertising campaigns as well as magazines and newspapers. Next year we hope to build on this with new recordings and our found experience. At this point I want to throw a shout out to all the people who have been down to see us and I know it can sound really cheesy to thank ' the fans' but we I'm been sincere, we wouldn't have the confidence to put another step forward without you :)
Another really great thing about the year has been how much (in our eyes at least) the scene in Liverpool has changed. Bands like 'Metro Manila Aide', 'Capac', 'A Time For Burning' and 'Dead Cities' have provided a fantastic backdrop to an otherwise clinical soundtrack to the city. It's bands like these (and I'm sure there are more!) that motivate us and keep us interested in a developing scene. Having just been to ATP it's so inspiring to see bands you love all in one place, like a post-rock Toys R Us,
I mentioned recording before so I'll just give an update.I suppose it's almost a cliche to state that 'things never run as smoothly as you wish they did' but it's frustratingly true. Don't get me wrong we are about half way through the planned tracks on the list and are securely headed for a 2010 Q1 release it's just with it being the festive period there are many interruptions. Christmas parties, festivals and general festivities all contribute to the frustration but at least it's of no fault of our own. Having said that (and now somehow sounding hypocritical) it's all coming along really well and we can't wait to get stuck into next year with something solid behind us!
Gig-wise next year our plans are just to play bigger and better gigs and hopefully get to play ATP one day. Our last gig of the year is at the Zanzibar with Metro Manila Aide so we'll hopefully see you there :)
[Stephen]
Gig News
2009-12-03
We are playing the Zanzibar on the 29th of December with Metro Manila Aide. Last gig of the year!
Stereo Delay Recording
2009-12-01
Sessions
2009-11-30
Progress
2009-11-25
IR Monster on Photography Website
2009-09-29
Gianni Bianchini produces some amazing work all of which you can view at www.giannib.com. Our track 'IR Monster' has been chosen to compliment his stunning portfolio.
Yardsticks used to Promote 'The Mentalist'.
2009-08-13
Our track 'Yardsticks' is being used to promote a new show on channel 5 called 'The Mentalist'. It should be airing now so keep a lookout ;)
Liverpool Echo Article
2009-08-12
We're on page 8 of todays Echo but you can also read the articleHERE.
Here's a scan of the page.
We Promote Lexus.
2009-07-28
Our track 'Battleships' is used in an advert for the new Lexus IS 250C model.
'Playmusic Pick up' Magazine.
2009-05-24
We're featured in 'Playmusic Pick up' magazine which you can find at almost every musical instrument store (Dawsons, Dolphin etc)
Featured in 'Sober House' TV show.
2009-02-11
Our song 'Don't Burn the House Down' is featured in an episode of 'Sober House'; a programme showing in America at the moment about recovering addicts.
Marla the Big Tourist
NewPath Aug09 @The Leaf
When Skyways Are Highways
NewPath Aug09 @The Leaf
No Grave But Sea
NewPath Aug09 @The Leaf
Current Gigs
2010-03-18 - Korova, Liverpool - Charity Gig - Marie Curie Cancer Care.
2010-04-01 - The Masque, Liverpool - With 'And So I Watch You From Afar'.
2010-05-28 - Zanzibar - Lovely Job Night
2010-07-03 - o2 Academy, Liverpool - Supporting 'The Temps'.
Past Gigs
2010-01-20 - Mojo, Liverpool - Definitive Promotions
2009-12-29 - Zanzibar, Liverpool - With Metro Manila Aide
2009-11-15 - Bumper, Liverpool - Supporting 'The Invisible' for Liverpool Music Week.
2009-10-05 - Carnatic Halls, Liverpool - Student Night!
2009-10-02 - Kazimier, Liverpool - Supporting "Health".
2009-09-25 - The Masque - Supporting 'And So I Watch You From Afar'.
2009-09-03 - The Leaf - Details Soon!
2009-08-30 - Zanzibar - The Matthew Street Fringe Festival
2009-08-28 - The Leaf - NewPath Night!
2009-07-31 - The leaf - We're playing at the leaf on friday.
2009-06-19 - Zanzibar (Liverpool) -
2009-05-26 - Carnatic Halls (Liverpool) -
2009-05-26 - Mello Mello - Headlining for Sound City
2009-05-06 - Liverpool University - Playing the James Brown Stage.
2009-04-30 - Bumper (Liverpool) - First time
2009-04-11 - Barfly (Liverpool) - Supporting 'And So I Watch You From Afar'.
2009-03-20 - Zanzibar (Liverpool) -
2009-02-12 - Liverpool University - Playing at the Bar
Band Biography
They are heavily influenced by post rock, ambient as well as electronic music.
Guitarists Stephen Johnston and Justin Bailey set up the band. They were joined by Barry Fearns on keyboards, Sion Keir on bass, then finally in January 2009 by Simon Monkhouse on drums.
Their first album which is out on April 1, 2010, was produced entirely by the band themselves.
During a successful first year, in which they played the Mathew Street Fringe Festival and Liverpool Sound City 2009, their music was also featured on soundtracks.
One of their songs 'Battleships' was selected by car company Lexus for its advert promoting one of its new vehicles.
Another song 'Don't Burn The House Down' was featured in a VH1 TV show in the US.
The band are also collaborating with filmakers on a variety of projects.