Hyde & Beast
Album: Hard Times Good Times
Label: Tail Feather
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.hydeandbeast.co.uk/home.html

Hyde and Beast are a duo made up of Dave Hyde from Futureheads and Neil Bassett from Golden Virgins. Both Sunderland based bands; there must be something in the water up here in the North East of England, for these guys certainly do have a thirst for music.

Having previously seen these two at the Corbridge music festival, I knew what Hyde & Beast were capable of. Causing quite a stir in the family car as I listen to this, I and the Hirst family rather enjoy this EP.

Admittedly it's not the first thing that I would pick up in my selection of CD's but after hearing them live and knowing their previous music history, something about them and their music is infectious.

Having read in a previous interview on Living North that they were both originally drummers in their separate bands, it is good to see that this time round in Hyde & Beast are putting down their drums and are playing bass and guitar instead and it works really well.

Ok, enough of the background check let's get down to what you FATEA readers really want to know, is what their EP sounds like. Opening with their titled track Hard Times Good Times, it is a statement of a track to this EP. Grabbing the listeners' attention straight away Hard Times Good Times has that 70's vibe to it but still has that modern flare so all us young'uns out there can listen to it.

My favourite track from the EP, Get Up. The duo just want you to go get up an open your eyes and see the world for what it is. It's an upbeat and jazzy number, reminding me of The Beatles it is something you can get your groove into.

The EP as a whole is really easy going/ listening, if you are into that soft soul/bluesy/folk music then Hyde & Beast will be right up your street.

Gemma Hirst