The Displacements - This is the sunshine baby - by Rob Massey The East Midlands Beat Revolution is going from strength to strength. Get yourself down to Leicester and check out this quartet that are gaining a reputation across the region and beyond.

The band is: Andy Stone - guitar/vocals
Nick Eversfield - bass/vocals
Joe Wilson - guitar
James Stone - drums

They've been together for some four years. And they're delivering a contagious brew of rock and roll, indie and soul. They've recently been in the studio and the results can be found on www.myspace.com/thedisplacements . One thing is certain - they won't disappoint. Highlight of the four songs is the awesome “King Laugh”. With a slow, soulful start it moves into an infectious tune underpinned by a quality ska punk guitar . “King Laugh here comes the sunshine baby”, sings vocalist Andy Stone. Listen to two or three times and you‘ll be hooked.

“Lady Loss” is another one which will grab you. Its a delicious guitar fuelled and harmony-driven slice of spiky indie pop. Then there's “ Hey Jane”, this time with an acoustic guitar, a perfect vehicle for those fantastic soulful vocals. And in comes that lead guitar. There's a an “Exile on Main Street” feel about it all. And the whole thing is rounded off by “Timbucktwo”, a neat, fast piece of rock and roll.

They've done some quality gigs, both in Leicester and elsewhere. From open air events to clubs. Rob spoke to the band recently about the past, the future, their musical influences and more. When did the band form?
It all started when Andy met Nick in the hot summer of 2002, over a love affair of The Clash, and decided they wanted to be in a band. Andys brother James was asked to join followed by Joe Wilson. The Displacements were born.

Whereabouts is the band based? Is that where they hail from?

We hail from Leicester, born and bred.

Tell me a little about the local music scene .

The Leicester music scene is starting to get a bit of a buzz, theres some quality bands about; Leicester just doesnt get the publicity it deserves.

Sum up your sound
Charlie vs. Otto

Tell me about the Cds you have released.

We have released 3 Cds in the past, selling more than 1500 copies. We are just about to release our latest EP, King Laugh, which is our best yet.

Which songs would pick as being special to the band?
Hey Jane girls


What is your experience of playing the songs live?

Weve played our songs all over the country, some of the best nights we have ever had have been playing gigs.

What are your most memorable moments of the band so far?

Theres been quite a few, it was quality playing to 4000 people on bonfire night 2005, driving for SEVEN hours to Brixton getting out of the coach, walking straight on stage and playing an absolute blinder, or maybe its just watching the crowd sing our songs back to us at gigs.

Who are your musical heroes?

Andy: Has to be The Stones & Johnny Marr
Nick: Robert Smith & Jeff Buckley
Joe: Bill Ryder Jones & George Harrison
James: Ian Brown & Khalil

Are there any new bands out there at the moment who you particularly like?

The Holloways and the Guillemots oooooof

Tell me about your plans for the future.

Well after the stadium success we will have with The Displacements, James will become a zen-like Buddhist Monk, Joe will become the next Tom Jones and Nick and Andy will ride off into the sunset to film the sequel to Brokeback Mountain.

Finally, if you had to pick one life-changing record from another band/artist what would it be - and why?

Andy: The Libertines: Up the Bracket
Nick: The Cure: Disintegration
Joe: The Coral: The Coral
James: Shaggy: Angel....Menu