"You will probably have heard
me talking about these chaps before. They play big,
emotional indie, like a fiercer Coldplay, and they
are incredible live. They were on FIRE this night.
The show was just absolutely stunning. You know how
there are some gigs that, regardless of how familiar
or otherwise you are with the band, you know are magical
moments, ones that deserve to go down in history?
This was one of those. It was pretty incredible." Review of Finka @ ULU, Marsha,
XFM and @ www.marshashandur.com
"At Barfly tonight it's the 3 First Cut Award
tour showcasing the winners of the unsigned acts competition.
One of these are Manchester's Finka, a tight little
four piece outfit with a singer who radiates the stage
presence of Johnny Borrel. Their standout track 'Bigger
Boat,' has the anthemic quality of Coldplay meets
Echo and the Bunnymen, with driving Interpol bass
riffs. " Review of Finka @ Liverpool
Barfly, www.subba-cultcha.com
"Finka make spikey pop and have a passionate
first rate vocalist in Jimmy Frith...this was an exciting
live band especially when the bass and drums got working
together - really grooving at times - and the little
sinewy guitar licks underpinning the big vocal. Finka
also have a very powerful and exciting drummer. It
is interesting how they have not signed to a label
yet after some decent press attention." Review of Finka live @ Jabez
Clegg
''Now we come onto the Kings of the night. John
Peel mentioned he had tears of joy every time he heard
a band that was special. Maybe I'm over Blowing it
but Finka almost make you get the same feeling. XFM
and the BBC have
praised the band; tonight the praise was justified.
Marauding melodies are apparent with Radiohead vocals
'Now I'm stuck, wont you come and help me'.
'The Frightening' larks about with
you as Jimmy and the gang move through the well making
sure the vocals echo in your ear. New EP 'the runner'
impresses with its awesome melodic guitars and banging
drums. Finka bring their fine set to a close with
'Bigger Boat' a chance to hear Jimmy blast out his
hollowing and haunting vocals. Its very annoying to
compare bands with other bands but just to fill you
in your talking, Doves, Radiohead, Joy Division and
The Editors. Thank you Finka.'' Review of Finka live @ Joseph's
Well (HMV Showcase), Chris Watson, Glasswerk
"The highlight of the night was Finka. Manchester-based
Finka are truly magnificent. It is hard to sum up
their sound, often you are listening to Stone Rose
wailings backed up with Radiohead electronica.
Terrifyingly brilliant, Finka were
on form tonight with an electrifying performance of
their well crafted ‘45’ and ‘Stuck’.
There were high pitch intonations with progressive
and rousing guitar sounds that kept you addicted,
and took you into some sort of heavenly trance. Other
more emotive songs were on show and new outing ‘The
Runner’ did not dare to disappoint.
A devoted following seemed to be
present to witness songs from the Far East mixed with
a brit pop revival." Review of Finka live @ The
Mixing Tin - Sandman Magazine, Leeds.
"First up were Manchester
band finka, a talented four piece who are starting
to gather an impressive array of plaudits. And from
this show it is obvious why. I do not think it is
an exaggeration to say that I have not seen such a
self-assured performance, from an unsigned act, in
a long time. Quite simply, these boys played a blinder.
Finka have a
sound reminiscent of acts such as Doves or Snow Patrol;
whilst not exactly angst-ridden, the band are certainly
from the School Of Introspection….this gig seemed
to mean a lot to them (had they been tipped that an
A&R man could be lurking perchance?) and at the
end the members shared a series of congratulatory
hugs. They deserved them. Remember the name." www.touchnottingham.com
- Review of Finka Barfly gig
"Back in the realm
of the mere mortals again - oh, alright, back in the
Barfly, if you must know - we're treated to an unexpected,
well, treat, courtesy of Lancastrian newbies F inka
, who leave us seduced and sweaty courtesy of a fiendishly
cunning plan; namely, they start out as prime James,
all anthemic bombast and embracing charm…. and
finish up as Elbow. Yes, Elbow. And, as longtime readers'll
be all too aware, that's not the kind of praise we
throw about lightly. Plus! Vaguely Sean Bean-alike
frontman Jimmy might just be one of the most engagingly
anti-belligerent frontmen we've seen in a good long
while! All of which is extremely good news, wouldn'tchasay?" www.Playlouder.com
- Review of Finka Barfly gig
"There is an intensity about the performance
that drew the crowd in as they watched in amazement
as Jimmy struted up and down the stage, manhandling
the microphone and gesticulating wildly." Camden Chronicle & Islington
Gazette - Review of Finka Barfly gig
"Hooray! Further Barfly joy! This time courtesy
of a night that we make no apologies for bigging up
as a PlayLouder Singles Club gig, one of the finest
yet to these ears, and, remember, these are ears that'd
be draped in a clean sheet if it wasn't for that one
we missed last year. Finka , when they first showed
up in this column some months back, were a marvellous
refreshment, but, my, how they've grown in the four
months since. They rescue that generally beautiful
twangly spangle arsenal from the hideous clutches
of 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' and wrap themselves in
the selfsame billowing grey cloak of drama that U2
and the Bunnymen spent the first half of the 80s tussling
bad-naturedly over, delivered with an affectionate
punch and audacious ambition. Tablecloth On A Fell
Music at its best, we're saying, and look! they can
see the stadium from here!" www.Playlouder.com - Review
of Finka Barfly gig
