The Next Big Thing (No.39) : Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs

It’s not a secret that We’re a fan of a highly touted guitar band. This week, we have the ones to watch, they are Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs. Charlie Boyer grew up in the Forest of Dean, which is a very rural area in the middle of England. To take some opportunity, he moved to London and was in part of London’s Electricity In Our Homes. Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs were formed in the early of 2012, the band was initially Charlie’s formulas to be a solo performer since he’s been around playing in other bands. After having the settled line-ups for his vehicle to realise his vision, The Voyeurs finally consist of Danny Stead (bass), Sam Davies (guitar), Samir Eskanda (drums) and Ross Kristian (keyboards).

Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs’ idea is to keep the band classy, primitive, and sexy. The Voyeurs also perform their music differently, as they are adding a touch of glam in their music, which is what the guitar band has been lacking lately. Charlie’s yowling vocal reminds us to New York’s Television frontman Tom Verlaine and the band perfectly channels the sound of 70’s art-punk. Not only being Charlie’s vehicle, the band ties his performance with a tight-toned guitar playing plus a bit of groove-based jams.

On May 27th 2013, the band released their debut album ‘Clarietta’. The debut is produced by by the former frontman of Orange Juice, Edwyn Collins, who also produced The Cribs’. Edwyn smartly shaped the band into a new stroke of Heavenly bands who are mostly having a psychedelic influence in their music, such as Toy and Temples. We are so thrilled with the grinding guitar and a frantic drums playing that are making the album into another glorious work of art. It somehow gives us chill with the avant sound that covers most of the tracks in the album. Andy Welch of NME describe the album as “Recorded with Edwyn Collins in London’s West Heath Yard Studio, there’s a distinct lack of reverb or dressing on the album, giving each of the 11 songs an ‘upfront’ sound, as if the band are actually in the room with you, singing directly into your head. Not that ‘Clarietta’ needs any help on that score. It’ll be under your skin in no time.”

If Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs were born in 1970s music scene, they would be nicely fit along with Blondie, Talking Head, and ofcourse, Television. Just because of the avant-garde looks and Tom Verlain-ish vocals, we don’t think the band are losing their originality. They surely are going to build their identity easily. One thing for sure, Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs are making sure that the guitar music is still alive and sounding.