TRYING to make a name for yourself, even on the East Lancashire music scene, can be difficult for young bands. A bit of friendly advice is often essential as you try to find venues to play or battle to understand the workings of studios as you record your first demo. ROB and JOHN YATES, from Read, explain how brothers in different bands can help one another strike a chord.

ROB YATES, bass player with indie rockers Missed Her Bliss, says the fact that his younger brother plays in local band Scapegoat has been a good learning experience for both of them.

Rob, 19, of Read, said: "John and I started in different bands at the same time.

"We did play in a band together at one stage but it didn't work out.

"We got our first gig about a month before theirs.

"Then we were playing at a party so they played too and that was their first gig.

"Every time we have a local gig we see if Scapegoat want to play.

"Their fans are our friends and vice-versa, so it's really good atmosphere at the shows. Because John is only 16 I help out with the transport, giving them a lift to gigs and taking their gear in the car.

"He often comes along with me when our band is playing. We are both learning from each other. This is the first time that either of us have got this far with a band.

"It definitely helps when you are trying to arrange things, because you get to know some good contacts.

"For example, our band sent a demo to a promoter in Halifax and now John's band are hoping to hear from him about a gig. Once one of us has played a gig or met someone then it opens a door for the other."

Although they are brothers, their musical style is slightly different, with Missed Her Bliss taking a slightly less brash rock style than their younger counterparts. "John's band have got a bit more energy in their music than us but we tend to be a bit more atmospheric in what we do," said Rob. Missed Her Bliss, whose influences include The Cure, The Velvet Underground and Placebo, recently changed their sound with the addition of 18-year-old cellist Katie Chatburn, from Langho.

The band have written eight songs for their next demo, which they hope to record in Manchester within the next two months.

Singer and guitarist Matt Richardson, from Great Harwood, said the new material would show a tougher sound.

The four-piece, whose line-up is completed by Chatburn drummer Scott Turner, 20, also hope to release a double A-sided single with London band Mylo who they have made friends with during trips to the capital.

Missed Her Bliss have pencilled in an appearance at the Cellar Bar in Blackburn on March 20.

SCAPEGOAT

ALTHOUGH John Yates and his brother Rob didn't last long in a band together, the helping hand from Rob's Missed Her Bliss has been gratefully received.

John said: "My brother's band got us started properly and we have played our first few gigs together.

"Recently we've played together at The Works in Blackburn and also in Manchester."

A combined love for heavy bands like Metallica saw John and guitarist Anthony Roberts practising together when they were aged just 12 and it wasn't long before John's best mate Tim Crabtree got in on the act. Clitheroe drummer Neil Clarke, the only band member not from Read, joined later. Tim, 17, is a sixth former at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, while the rest of the band are all 16-year-olds studying at Burnley College.

John said: "We started off listening to stuff like Metallica and, while we're still into that, we now listen to things like The Doors and Radiohead which are a little bit more weird."

John, who is studying music at Burnley College, said: "We try to write songs as a band but a lot of the ideas start off with Tim and myself. I might write something at home, just a riff or maybe a whole song, and then bring it along to rehearsals.

"Each of us then put our ideas in.

"The lyrics are about philosophy and life in general and our sound is sometimes heavy but at other times a little bit weird.

"In a year or two I would love to get a van and just start touring round the country, because I prefer playing in front of an audience.

"Working in a studio for the first time has been a bit of an education as our last demo was recorded live."

Scapegoat play Manchester Roadhouse on February 17 and The Adelphi in Preston on February 27

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