Words by Pruthvi Khilosia
‘WE are not like Catfish and the Bottlemen or the Arctic Monkeys… we’re different.’
So say the Flatline, a Saddleworth and West Yorkshire based combo, celebrating a year in existence this month.
And it’s been a good 12 months as they have notably recently performed at respected music venues such as AATMA, Manchester Academy 3, Club Academy, Parish Huddersfield and Santiago’s Bar in Leeds.
This young band is made up of Jack Dunning (aged 18, vocals), William Leslie (18, guitar), Jamie Walton (18, bass) and Ben Pursehouse (19, drums).
They say their new twist on the popular genre of indie rock defines them from others.
The music produced is influenced by a range of bands including Royal Blood, Rage Against the Machine, the Arctic Monkeys and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
“We’re different,” says Jamie. “We take influences from hip hop and dance and try to combine them together,” he added.
All four currently combine their music with education. Jack studies maths, music and music technology at Greenhead College, Huddersfield and is looking to go to university to further study music technology.
Will, also a Greenhead student, studies chemistry, physics and maths and is also looking to study music technology at Huddersfield.
Jamie and Ben both study professional musicianship at BIMM Manchester University.
The Flatline band started in February 2016 when Jamie asked Jack to fill in on a gig with him three days prior and had to learn 20 songs in the three days.
The two decided to keep gigging as a three-piece with various different drummers.
In the winter of 2016, the pair asked Will to join as lead guitarist, making the band a four piece.
Final member Ben was added when their semi-permanent drummer left to play in Spain.
“Ben replaced him as our permanent drummer in March 2017 and The Flatline was born,” explained Jamie.
“We started writing and performing our own music and have released five songs so far and have about 45 minutes of original material.
“We often include our own music in our cover gigs.”
And raising profiles for a band means success.
“The Flatline are constantly looking for other bands to partner with but for the meantime they’re “rollin’ with it,” says Jamie.
“We have been given loads of advice since we started but the best is to enjoy the journey and being good friends with your band mates is a must.”
The Flatline are now hoping to perform at the Cotton Clouds festival on August 18 in Greenfield.
“We’re hoping to get on the list,” confirms Jamie.
“There aren’t many nights available in Saddleworth so we’re always looking for opportunities.”
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