Cohesive unit with collective goal

JUST as baggy had its Northside, so Britpop has its Northern Uproar indeed, every new UK pop movement should have at least one proudly parochial band from "oop north", just to keep the London luvvies from dominating pop's geography. T'Uproar are four snotty young Scallies still in their teens, and their name signifies their intent, i.e. to cause a bit of a commotion in Britpop's cosy hierarchy. They may be the newest band off the blocks, but they're determined to push their way to the head of the queue.

Strangely enough for a band which has been dubbed "The Teenage Oasis", Northern Uproar did not swagger arrogantly on to the Olympia stage last Friday, and lead singer Leon Meya did not adopt an indifferent Liam Gallagher hands behind the back pose (perhaps he was too busy playing the bass guitar). Instead, Meya and the other three, Paul Kelly, Geoff Fletcher and Keith Chadwick, concentrated on their delivery, working hard to keep the songs pumping out at full pressure.

Uproar's music fits all the usual criteria of Britpop, including the 60's grab bag of guitar styles, the inherent Beatle worship, and the added flavours of The Jam on top, and this mix keeps them fuelled up through a short, snappy set. Leon's dark, McCartneyesque looks make him the immediate focus, but he studiously avoids playing front man, with the result that the band come across as a cohesive unit with a collective goal. That goal is still a long way off, but at least Northern Uproar is willing to have a go and shout to the top.