They're still rocking...
Midway Still are one of those bands you want to have a beer with because they'll definitely have some stories to tell. Here is a group that have been making waves and commanding attention for two whole decades, grabbing column space in Melody Maker and NME when some of us were still learning our A-B-C's. They were drop-kicking Reading and tearing up Europe when today's rock scene were swigging from their baby bottles rather than cans of lager (unless they were exposed to misguided parenting.) The release of their latest record, Always Ends reaffirms their position on the scene they have trudged for so many years before, and does so with real conviction.
The on-off nature of this band's history has meant there have been a few gaping holes in the chronology of Midway Still's back catalogue, but this album certainly continues to make up some of the groundwork re-established by 2010's Note To Self. There is still the full flavour of their nineties roots- elements of stoner rock and undertones of grunge subtly lacing the predominantly indie rock sound. It seeps from every pore of the anthemic surge of Left Behind, This Is How It Ends and No Guarantees... all prime belters to be included in any live set. They also still know how to excite when let loose with a guitar and a few crunching riffs- just wait until the intro for Seeing Red kicks in.
While there is a lot to sink your teeth into, there is a slight question of where Midway Still will manage to slot into within 2012's scene. If any parallels were to be drawn in terms of style, there is a resemblance to your Feeder types (we reckon they would have loved to have got their hands on a track as good as It's Easy), but even the dashing Grant Nicholas seems to have dropped off the radar a little of late. However, our reservations shall be held back for now, because if anyone can do a cover of Mister Blue Sky as well as Midway Still have, well, that's good enough for us.