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FELLA / Press

“Fella are a self proclaimed "Skindie band" combining the ska and indie rock genres to create a bouncing, sunshine-tinted set full of energy. I didn't get to see their full set but luckily later that night I was asked to support them in early November in their home town of Maidenhead at The Anchor. I loved their set so much I decided I had to bring it home to The Punk Archive in order to spread the word about this awesome group of lads....”

“It’s rare to find a band who write with wit and talent as well as Fella. Their music is written in a very conversational manner, with little poetry. However, Bunny Boiler is clever, funny and catchy. Clearly about a woman who the writer had a fling with who can’t let go, it’s well-written and reminds me of The Streets due to it’s casual style and jaunty beat....”

“Written by lead singer Pete Bromfield after an altercation at an unnamed festival, the anonymity is probably in the band’s best interests, your ears will be treated to just under 4 minutes of exquisite riffs, brilliantly detailed lyrics and a rampaging chorus that I can’t get enough of. As a huge Reel Big Fish fan (if you played FIFA 2000 you’ll know how perfect Sell Out is) I love it when you can mix brass with aggression and create a finished product full of energy, determination and sheer exuberance. The band tell the stories that we can all identify with and the lyrics accurately sum up the feelings of a generation constantly thwarted by bureaucracy.”

“The days of The Specials, The Beat and Madness came to an end years a go but Southerners, Fella, have found a new way to bring the Two-Tone back. They describe there sound as 'Skindie' which is perfectly represented in their music. 'Overzealous' starts off with a really nice and laid back ska feel that sets your mind to reminiscing about past English summers, before bringing in the conventional horn section which our parents grew to love. Leading in to the chorus it changes direction completely, opening up in to an incredibly catchy, indie felt vocal line that sticks in your head tightly, and has you instantly humming along. Singer, Peter Bromfield, really uses the song to show of his range in singing styles, going from rap singing in the verse, then lifting in to high end indie vocals with definite punk edge. The song as a whole is a spot on example of what created by mixing up the right genres and writing lyrics about the beloved British Bouncer.....”

“Some things just don't mix: chalk and cheese, for example, and Top Gear and Argentina. You might also think that ska and indie don't mix. After hearing A Commoner's Tale from Slough 'skindie' upstarts Fella, I can categorically state that they do, however, go together like strawberries and cream, pork and apple, cider and summer...and so on. Having only recently come across Fella (having seen them live in London at Skadoosh, Walkers Bar), I went into this review fairly blind to the four-piece. Their live show had been exceptionally polished, energetic and catchy, and I was hoping that this was replicated by the band in their EP...”

“Fella are a Berkshire based four piece that describe their music as Skindie, because it blends offbeat Ska hooks and big Indie refrains. Once their debut EP - State Of Affairs was released they embarked on a UK Tour from London to Reading to Glasgow and even performed on the Festival Circuit at Isle Of Wight and Camden Rocks. Fella even supported Mystery Jets and King Charles and as if that wasn't enough, their success in Battle Of The Band competitions saw them win Studio Funding and Festival Slots plus recently Radio 1's Huw Stephens played their popular track Brenda, which will feature on A Commoner's Tale. At the moment the Band - Pete, Steve, Azza and Sly are working on their followup EP - A Commoner's Tale, which is due for release next Monday - Feb 2015. Brenda entertains with catchy pop beats, a captivating vocal performance and well crafted verses - all these elements come together to create an outstanding piece of music.”

“The 5 track EP is filled to the brim with that unique late 70’s early 80’s style Ska tunes but brought bang up to date with their clever lyrics about life today. I try not to use the old line ‘Toe tapper’ but this band have a sound that WILL have your toes tapping and the rest of your body bouncing, after just a few listens to the tracks they will infect your brain (in a good way) and have you begging for more!”

“Today, the 'skindie' band Fella are releasing their second EP 'A Commoner's Tale' on CD at Queen of Hoxton. The EP will be available digitally in 2 days on the 23rd of Feb. The EP has been influenced by the likes of The Specials, Eminem and The Clash and really gives an example of their effortless resurrection of the 'rude-boy' culture. All of the tracks ('Brenda', 'Queens & Fiends', 'The Stitch Up', 'Sideways' and 'Bunny Boiler') feature some sort of reggae infused beat, rock like melodies and raw sounding vocals which give a prominent reminder of The Ordinary Boy's. Also, the addition of rap in some of their songs make their tracks sound more interesting and necessary to check out....”

“FELLA reveal their new track ‘Brenda’, a record that was premiered by Huw Stephens on BBC RADIO 1 recently. If you can imagine The Specials spending a lazy Sunday on a tandem bicycle with The Selecter and Two Door Cinema Club crashing the party, you might end up with something like this single “Brenda” from Fella....”

“Fella were one of the first bands that I reviewed when I set up WCT last year and their brand of hard-hitting ska has been a welcome presence in my life ever since. With this latest offering they’ve once more provided plenty of cracking lyrics, bouncing rhythms and melt-in-your-mouth guitar riffs to make sure that you’re left feeling completely satisfied. Filled with basslines that flitter between the genres of ska and rock as seamlessly as the song itself, this track is so wonderfully full of that British musical gold that many find so elusive to capture. You’d never get music like this being made anywhere else in the world and, aside from poor old Brenda who gets a good questioning, you’d have to have hips of steel to not want to get up and get that booty shaking when this comes on. Yes, I used the word booty. I regret nothing.......”

“FELLA are an indie/ska band from Slough who are full of attitude and decent music. Their latest EP ‘State of Affairs’ ups the standard for this four piece even more with an EP launch at Camden’s famous Proud Gallery next month, it is needless to say that anticipation is high for FELLA. One thing that can be predicted for this band is that playing some of the UK’s best venues they won’t remain unsigned British talent for long! With such an outstanding EP now under their belts the question remains will they be able to up the anti any more than they already have. Rating - 4.5/5”

“You’d be forgiven for surmising Fella as “some nice lads from Slough“. And as pleasant and innocuous as that may be, it is simply not good enough. This foursome of charming Slough-boys are winning streams of fans with their pop-indie-skank-rock, that is reminiscent of a non-pretentious Ordinary Boys or a slightly more catchy post-uni Terrorvision. The boys are growing as local darling for BBC Introducing and are currently wowing reams and reams of new fans at repeated return shows in hipster-hub Camden (dates available online at fellatheband.com). It is a matter of time before they crop up in your local venue or on your radio station, with impressive live shows and songs that are almost intrusive in their presence in your memory for hours after inception.Don’t be the last of your chums to like them on Facebook or to follow them on Twitter. Their debut EP, State of Affairs, is out 29th June.”

“Fed up of all the ‘grime’ music that cluttered the airwaves in 2011? Need some indie lads in your life? Well then look no further than Fella. The four-piece band from Slough only formed last year but are already building up a loyal following on the London scene. Laddish in name and sound, they sing about everyday life woes in a simple, but effective style that is definitely easy on the ear. They say their influences are The Clash, The Rifles and Jack Penate. Check out their song ‘Donna’ below & visit their Youtube channel to listen some more.”

“Introducing Fella, an aptly named four piece from the musical hot-bed of Slough, home to self professed ‘grit-pop’ rock of [Viva] Brother. Whereas Brother were all hype, bluster and ego, (some would say at the expense of any real musical substance). Fella have adopted a more humble, softly, softly approach which may just serve them well in the long-term. That’s not to say their progress since formation in June last year hasn’t been remarkable, a growing ‘army’ of fans and a recent headline show at The Camden Barfly are only likely to grow the interest. We Are The Foolish is a joyous, jaunty, anthemic indie romp, best enjoyed with your collars turned up.”

“Just been tipped off about "the new Brother". Meet... Fella”

“Since forming in June, Slough four-piece Fella have already received airplay on BBC Introducing, and played their latest gig at Windsor Firestation on Friday, September 16. I caught up with Peter Bromfield and fellow members Josh Tuck, Steve Smith and Arran Johnstone for a chat about banter, Jedward and their thoughts on Viva Brother. (See the full interview via the link below)”

“Fella is a four-piece indie rock band from Slough, featuring Peter Bromfield, Josh Tuck, Steve Smith and Arran Johnstone. The band formed in 2011 and their first live gig was a charity event last month at the Squirrel Pub in Amersham, which raised more than £15,000 for the Jessica Rose Foundation. Since then they have already made their mark in the local music scene with regular gigs around Berkshire and air play on BBC Introducing. The boys, all in their 20s, spent a lot of time coming up with their quirky band name. Peter, 26, said: “We wanted a name that was easy to remember, stood out and said something about the type of guys we are.” Their musical influences come from punk and rock artists like The Clash, Radiohead, The Vaccines, Jack Penate, Oasis, Stone Roses and The Libertines. They describe their music as ‘indie edge with catchy hooks and toe tapping melodies.’ The band aim to release their first EP album this autumn.”