I was going to bed one evening after having done a hard day's work on 'Teletubbies', it was my day job at the time. Whilst I was taking of my clothes, I said to Jenny (my then girlfriend), I'm going to start a record label. She was used to me saying such stupid things and was in the habit of rebuking me. But on this occasion she simply said, "go on then".

That night, it was one of those evenings when you'd rather be at home than out at a gig. I walked into the 'Jug of Ale' pub, to find it packed to capacity. I asked what all the fuss was about, and the promoter, Arthur, told me that Parachute were playing. After hearing just two songs from the set, I decided that this band would be my first signing. Since then I have made three records with them. The 7 inch single was the first, we got funding from the arts council to make that. Then, after I linked up with Music Mercia, we made 'Pocket Jukebox' and now their last release an EP, 'Moving Still'. Which has done remarkably well with the press. It received reviews in Q magazine, NME, The Fly, Scootering International, and was single of the week in the Big Issue as well as a whole host of fanzines and electronic media.

The EP was produced by Miti, a Radio One producer. He has worked with the likes of Hefner, Elastica, and Gomez. What a genius he is.

The band are currently going through some personnel changes.

>> DOWNLOAD FREE PARACHUTE TRACK NOW! <<

Latest extracts:

>> ON GOD'S SHOULDERS (Debut release 7" single) <<

>> SERMON ON THE ROCKS (Taken from Pocket Jukebox) <<

>> NATURAL HYENA (Taken from Moving Still mini album) <<

MAGAZINE / INTERNET REVIEWS

MOVING STILL
Q MAGAZINE
Still, presumably congratulating themselves for changing their minds and deciding not to call their album Coldplays, Midlands's trio Parachute launch themselves on an eager world with this interesting five-track mini-album. From Stripped Bone Naked's musty vocals to the (relative) jauntiness of 'Give Me Some Hope Now Baby'!! (who's exclamation marks suggest the song is a lot more deranged that it is), 'Moving Still' spreads itself out like a rope bridge between the quietest ever moments of Paul Weller at his faux folksiest and the most acoustic moments of Terry Callier. An intriguing debut, whose brevity makes one wish for more. Not a lot more, but more nonetheless.
David Quantick

MOVING STILL
NME
If only all the bands from Moseley Birmingham were this idiosyncratic. Accomplished songwriters with hat-full of odd ideas, Parachute are Hefner after a few intensive months down the local gym. And proof positive that 'indie'-whether we're talking about sharp, honest guitar-songs or bands even bothering to release a third single on a minor regional label - is alive and well, and, in the case of 'Stripped Bone Naked' asking the important question; what would the Tindersticks have sounded like had they been fronted by Tony Hadley? Stranger still, 'Natural Hyena', could well be David Sylvian kicking back with Turin Brakes on a flyblown Alabama porch. Good songs with a twist - it really isn't rocket science, is it?
Tony Naylor

MOVING STILL
THE BIG ISSUE (SINGLE OF THE WEEK)
Tired of all those stadium rock acts and Bowie fanatics shovelling verse after chorus after verse down your neck? Try this new single from the so-indie-they-almost-aren't-signed Parachute, which falls somewhere between Edwyn Collins and Joy Division. These near Goth, wire-frame guitar tunes might not appeal to everyone but they deserve thanks for sticking their necks out.
Eddy Laurence

MOVING STILL
FUSED MAGAZINE
They've gone and done it again. Parachute seem to get better and better. From the low-key announcement of last years Pocket Jukebox EP to this new Mini Album called 'Moving Still' you sense a real difference. This new CD suggests maturity and a cocky confidence not noted before. Maybe it's the simple, effective production influences of Radio Ones Miti, (Gomez, Elastica) or the beautifully understated tones of the first track 'Stripped Bone Naked', but once you dare to put this CD into your player, you'll be loathed to take it off. I'll give you ten to one that this band will soon be getting their just desserts. About time too.
David O'Coy

MOVING STILL
THE FLY MAGAZINE
It's been well over a year since we were last treated to a Parachute recording. 1999s 'Pocket Jukebox' was an eclectic four-track collection that drew blues together with, amongst other things, contemporary melodies, and though the Birmingham quartet would perhaps have benefited from harnessing their musical eccentricities a little, the record was still surprisingly delightful. 'Moving Still', however, is a much more focused and accomplished effort, and though there is still a touch of Tinderstickesque melancholy, the melodies that dominate each track, particularly the uncommonly catchy 'If You Want My Love (You Can Whistle For It)', are somewhat more uplifting. Comparisons to other outfits aren't actually very helpful in Parachute's case, and although they're as vocally fearless as Coldplay, the style they thrive on is probably as unfashionable as it is wonderful. 'Give Me Some Hope Now Baby' is typical of a band who seem to be able to find light in the darkest spider ridden corners, and the fact that the main vocal are shared means the emotions in question have that much more room to move. The five-track mini-album is a slow burner, despite the magical lull of 'Stripped Bone Naked' you probably wont like it as much the first time you hear it as you will the fifth, but that's just a reflection of Parachutes depth. 'Moving Still' is something like a religious experience. Only real.
Johnny K.

MOVING STILL
MAKING MUSIC
In the course of their mini-albums five short tracks, Parachute manage to be both gorgeously affecting and instantly forgettable. 'If You Want My Love' and 'Wonderlust' indie poppers with a foot-tapping back-beat, are middle of the dullest imaginable road. By complete contrast, the tender acoustics and poignant country of 'Stripped Bone Naked', 'Natural Hyena' and 'Give Me Some Hope Now Baby' - all slide guitars, tear-jerking chords and heart-wrenching melodies - are emotionally charged and absolutely mesmerising. Like a less style-conscious Gomez, the Birmingham four piece excel at understated back-porch laments. Now if they can come up with a whole album of them, they'll be laughing.
D.G.

ON GOD'S SHOULDER'S
WHAT'S ON
PARACHUTE make their 7inch debut ‘On God's Shoulders' c/w North Rider on Renegade XL (Fortune and Glory) label this month. The marks a welcomed return of vocalist Jules Gray former frontman of Birmingham 's sorely underrated Onionhead/Tenderloin projects. Jules shares the stage with ex-L.Kage, Andy Pell, James Allen on bass, and drummer Valentino. The single, recorded using studio cast offs from Brian Wilson, reveals classic guitar band destined to be embraced by alt country/No Depression fans which, given its similarity to past work by Onionhead and L.Kage shows how far ahead of the pack Brum was half a decade back. That said, it stands out side of all trends and fashions as a superb single in its own right. Bloody marvelous in fact!
M.K

ON GOD'S SHOULDER'S
SIREN MAGAZINE BIRMINGHAM
Coming over all husky voiced and country tinged rock like Parachute are a breath of fresh air in a sea of durge filled AOR. ‘On God's Shoulders' is like a Lemonheadesque ode to a brighter future, while B-side ‘North Rider' is a somewhat harder edged slightly more catchy affair. One to watch if this sounds like your thing.
Tracy S

PARACHUTE - LIVE REVIEW (12 Bar London) - The Fly Magazine

Birmingham's Parachute are just different enough to be something special; their varied and complex set suggested a passion and an understated style that most bands can only aspire to. Lanky legged singer Jules Grey sits uncomfortably on a small stage squeezed into an even smaller chair. He twists, wriggles and contorts his body and manages to pull off a commendable performance. He demands attention for the band, his voice booming out like a sonic cannon and exploding into every corner of the venue. But then it all goes quiet, every breath is heard balanced in anticipation as the song ‘Figure 8' rises and falls. Andy Pells intricate and low key guitars jangle and pick away through songs leaving us forever wanting more. The bass pulses and drummer Valentina counts the band to attention. ‘Get Out Of Jail Free' is musically reborn and is closely followed by the bands first single ‘On God's Shoulders' , this time with vocals delivered by Andy Pell, who's voice sprinkles its spider like charm across the faces of an expecting audience. His soft vocal tones add an altogether new dimension to the band and raise the performance level to a new peak. Cigarette smoke entrails wisp around the dimly lit small room as the band finish off with ‘ Sermon On The Rocks' , a slow burner that has the full flavour of a very clever alternative/jazz crossover. Parachute are like the first drag on a Havanna cigar – immensely satisfying and to be savoured as often as possible – ahhhh utter contentment.

POCKET JUKEBOX
ZEITGIEST MAGAZINE SCOTLAND
Now this is interesting. The second release from Parachute sees them moving onwards and upwards. Their aim was to have a CD featuring four tracks that sounded like four different records picked at random from a jukebox. Fortunately for all concerned they've failed dismally. What they have managed to come up with what is one of my favourite records of the year so far.

Kicking off with ‘Sermon' they hit a jazzy riff that sucks you into a sublime groove that you don't want ever to leave. ‘Get Out Of Jail Free' takes a Sweethearts era Byrdsian slant on things, ‘The Itinerant' takes a step back into ‘Sermon'…territory and displays Jules Greys deep, resonant voice at it's best, then they bring it all home with the soul influenced final of ‘Who Turned The Lights Out?'.

This is basically fantastic.

The Editor

POCKET JUKEBOX
LORD LITTER RADIO SHOW ACROSS EUROPE
Extremely unique rock-folk-jazz-wave-blues and more mixture. The British exception these days. I'll be playing this record for a very long time.
Lord Litter

POCKET JUKEBOX
VZONE (Virgin Music)
The second single from new Brum label Fortune and Glory is a four-track EP which veers betwwn the acoustic round the fire strumming to MOR rock to jazzy trumpet interludes, but is almost saved by Jules Gray's strong strong, mildly graveled vocals until he goes all Peter Gabriel on us somewhere around the second track. Your mum would probably love it!

POCKET JUKEBOX
RECORD MART & BUYER
Second outing for Birmingham 's Parachute. ‘Pocket Jukebox' is a four track CD showcasing the varying facets of the four piece Brummy band who have in their ranks ex members of Pop Will Eat Itself. This CD delves into the shady lives spent in the recesses of late night jazz cafes breathing in the heaving smoke and too many Tequilas. Underpinned by Jules Gray's gravel like Tinderstickesque vocals this cool laid back blues pop at its most subtle. Stand out track ‘The Itinerant' belies a seedy edge which gives way to a sublime chorus not unlike World Party. A polished and mature slab of gritty fun.
T.D

FEATURE IN MELODY MAKER - PARACHUTE ECLECTIC GUITAR POP

WHO THEY?
Jules Gray (Vocals), Andy Pell (Guitar), James Allen (bass) and Valentina (Drums). From Birmingham , they sound like the glooped-together remains of your record collection after a particularly explosive fire. Yeah, just like Gomez. Although strangely enough, Jules has never heard a Gomez record, “I did catch a minute of them on telly once,” he confesses. “I remember thinking; ‘interesting enough sound, I wish they had a decent singer;. Ohhh bitch”!!

WHY BUY?
Because Parachute's delicious weaving of Beefheart, Tom Waits, B-52's, R.E.M, Tindersticks, Roxy Music, the Roses, The Verve and Steps (one day, probably) is like the 50-for-the-price-of offer down Our Price. Take their current E.P, ‘Pocket Jukebox', which does exactly what it says on the tin.”Our only rule was that each song should be totally different from the other three”, explains Jules, “so it would sound like four random songs on a jukebox. So at least it's not like Travis! All their songs really do sound the same, Oooohh, double bitch!

TELL US MORE?
They'd like to record a concept album, Groan… “It'd be hip, though” Promises Jules. “ I like the idea of albums you can put on all the way through, which doesn't happen with programmable CDs. Don't worry it won't be a day in the life a hamster or anything!”

BEST LISTENED TO?
“ At home with afew people “hums Jules. “ Who? Um, Elvis, Dylan, Napoleon, Jesus and Buddah?” Don't worry about concept albums: Parachute are damn fine.
Robin Bresnark

 

[back to top]