I Still Believe In…. NINE BLACK ALPS

Bands will always come and go. Some stick with us, individually, for as long as we choose. In a new series, I want to show my torch is still lit and shines bright for some great bands.

An unusual rock n' roll name, NINE BLACK ALPS took their name from a Sylvia Plath poem. Historically known for it's alternative and dance boom in the 90's, Manchester England also produced a band or two who could rock big. Maybe though, none as gritty and grungy as NINE BLACK ALPS.

The year I started at WCYY, the ALPS released their debut album, Everything Is in the states on Interscope Records. It saw minimal success which is unfortunate cause the states are still overflowing with fans of pissy rock, grunge and things related. I still listen to this record plenty to this day. Well produced and boombastic. This band has some versatility too. They were modern rock and catchy as much as they were grumpy grunge. They had a very very slight touch of their Manchester predecessors Oasis and the Smiths on a couple of their toned down tunes They certainly didn't look look a scary rock band.

Around 2005, maybe into '06, the band played a low dough show for CYY at the Big Easy. Great show. Nice and loud and early too. I think it was maybe happy hour time when they laid it out. I remember watching this band and thinking how the singer and guitarist looked like they could be in Echo & The Bunnymen or Radiohead. Someone had a sweater on and maybe even a mock turtle neck. Hair parted barely enough so you could see one sad eye peering out. Never judge a book by it's cover! They blasted that room like a bunch of dirty jean, scrappy rockers.

Although nothing else really happened for them in the states, NINE BLACK ALPS released four more records, including one just last year called, Candy For the Clowns. They're alive and active overseas for those who care!

Hey, the states aren't the end all be all for bands. Ask Blur. One of the biggest bands in the world in the mid 90's, but people in the states know them for one song, which isn't really like them at all. With only one band member change, NINE BLACK ALPS are still in tact as was and making cool music. When you're a fan of music you seek out and stay close to the bands you believe in and you collect that music no matter what their success level is. They don't have to be playing at your local EnormoDome or on the cover of some fragile dying egotistical publication or riding high on some BS chart that means nothing to normal people. The only thing you need to be a fan, is love for the band and the music.

I still believe in NINE BLACK ALPS. If you do too visit them at the places below!

New to the band, watch these below. It's never too late to be a fan of a band!

Most people who listen to CYY (back around 2005) would remember this song...