In the times of pandemic and cost-of-living crisis it`s easy to forget about small things: choosing a nice outfit, putting on makeup and going out. Many of us had to sacrifice everyday pleasures for almost two years and what used to be a frequent arrangement suddenly feels like a very alien concept.
Hands up who misses entering a club, all dolled up and feeling like a million pounds? The thrill of meeting friends, having a good time and then returning home with a big portion of fast food bought from the last open chippy at 3 am cannot be confined to the bin of history for too long. If you are currently plotting a return to the scene, then we have good news for you. Manchester based The Empty Page have done a public service and wrote us all an anthem to help us get back onto the dance floor.
“Dry Ice” is nothing short of a triumphant return for the band, especially if you take into consideration that they had to part ways with their long-standing drummer Jim Cattel in August this year. Family commitments and personal health may have forced Jim to stop touring but luckily, we can still hear his powerful drumming on the single.
The song may be just three minutes long but there is so much going on that I really don’t know where to start. “Dry Ice” seems to have it all: pulsating bass line, raw post punk guitar work, captivating melody and hidden synths. All elements are nicely tied by lead vocals that range from rebellious shouts to mesmerizing choruses.
I can’t believe how much breathing space is contained in “Dry Ice” – like the planet`s whole atmosphere was squeezed into this track. It reminds me a bit of “Wide Open Space” but rather more upbeat, more joyful. Another influence that comes to mind is Salad/Cowboy Racer. Kel Page is like Marijne Van Der Vlugt – her intonation and way of delivering lyrics is perfect, nuanced and almost instantly recognizable.
“Dry Ice” is a chameleon of a song. As a single it is polished, layered and flowing, in a live setting it possesses this raw punk quality, almost grungy riffs and proper punch to the nose. Most of it thanks to band`s guitarist Giz (Lee Mark Gibbs) who in my humble opinion is one of the most innovative shredders in the North. People focus on the Johnny Marrs or John Squires of the world but won’t give a credit to somebody they can meet in Northern Quarter on a regular day.
If you want to see The Empty Page slay it on stage, here`s a nice video recorded by Shaun Morris of Rock and Roll Exposures at the famous Night and Day Café. You can see what a combo Kel and Giz are on stage.
I`ve been a fan of The Empty Page for several years and once it is safe for asthmatics and other vulnerable folks to attend gigs (for us pandemic is still a thing), I will want to see the band live. I can’t wait for them to drop a new album (apparently to be released for 2023!). If “Dry Ice” is a taste of things to come we can expect quite a record. Full or thrill, radio friendly choruses and some jaw dropping guitar parts.
A word to my colleagues in the industry: it would be nice if some high ranked A&Rs dropped to Manchester sometimes and signed a few local independent artists. The Empty Page are one of those bands that fit nicely in a catalogue of a major label. They are not only from the City of Music but also would be liked by audiences Stateside for example. So, once you guys end up signing every nepotism baby on the Isle of Wight, please come to Manc. And do it pronto before our Council shuts down all the venues and fills every nook and cranny with concrete and flats for the uber rich.
For the rest of us: “Dry Ice” is a banger you will need for the upcoming festive season, even if it’s a kitchen disco. The single comes out today (18.11) and has been produced by the mysterious Morton Kong, at the vintage gear heaven that is Eve Studios in Stockport.
You can follow The Empty Page on socials:
https://theemptypageband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thmptypg
https://twitter.com/thmptypg
https://www.instagram.com/thmptypg/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheEmptyPageofficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@thmptypg
https://theemptypage.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/the-empty-page
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qWwVAQahrqNPgG8pEkcwM?si=bllLFi8wQyikVgIpdZTAhA&nd=1
Recognition for the single:
https://getinherears.com/2022/11/18/track-of-the-day-the-empty-page-dry-ice/
https://allmusicmagazine.com/scuzzy-anthemic-post-punk-dry-ice-new-single-from-the-empty-page/
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 