London’s Grand National are undoubtedly a band to watch. Their recent show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC was filled with not only the usual A&R crowd, but also a legion of die-hard, dancing fans. Though the band doesn’t have label representation in the US, consistent support from KCRW, as well as positive reviews in magazines like Spin, Billboard and BPM, have heightened this band’s profile stateside with the real music heads and those who pride themselves on finding the next cool band first. Well, if you haven’t already figured it out, you can end your search right here. Blending influences like The Happy Mondays, The Charlatans UK, New Order, and especially the Police, Grand National have put together an album that is sure to turn on the dance heads, the rock kids and maybe even some reggae fans. The brainchild of Rupert Lyddon and Lawrence “La” Rudd, Grand National is already reaching star status throughout the UK, Europe and Australia for their album Kicking The National Habit. A perfect blend of up-tempo dance offs and chill out grooves, the album wastes no time in showing the listener who’s boss. With a quick, disco-esque electric guitar strum, album opener “Drink To Moving On” will start your head nodding in instant approval. By the time you get to tack three, the Police-inspired “Playing In The Distance”, the listener will have utterly no control over their body and will find it spinning, gyrating and hand clapping with no regard for others in the room. “Dance or get out!”, you’ll tell your friends. And you’ll mean it. It’s only a matter of time before someone licenses this album for the US and signs the band to a nice recording contract. Radio guys, get on this early. Download “Playing In The Distance” on iTunes. Ask us for a copy. Do what you need to do, but don’t be the one who starts playing this three months from now because some major label is calling you about it. Be the cool guy who plays it before anyone else (well, except for KCRW).

Grand National
Unsigned

1. Kicking The National Habit
2. Grand National Makes The USA Its Next Target
3. Live – New Yorkers Dance To Grand National… Yes, Dance
4. Grand National’s Debut Gets North American Release
5. Live – Grand National @ Hiro, NYC