BIRMINGHAM POST 
March 18th Submitted by Richard Kikonyogo

Friday March 14th was the first band showcase for Freakin Legend, and it was, considering the awful weather that seems to have dampened moods across the city, a great success.

With roughly 60 people in the upstairs events room at the Island Bar, what began as idle chatter on myspace, became a worthy reality.

Of the four bands that played, two were excellent, one fabulous and one, slightly overwhelmed.

Pick of the night was the not so out of town punk rock band, Pressure, from Derby, whose front man and songwriter Ben Liverman executed the lovable nutter routine to perfection.

With a tight sound that is reminiscent of Madness and Billy Idol, and catchy lyrics that are easy to grasp if verging on the barmy, 'Are you gonna get abducted today?' as but one intriguing example.

Pressure impressed with their enthusiasm, professionalism, humility and excellent musicality

"For us, success tonight means filling up our mailing list," said Liverman, before he went on stage.

The band, which already has two CDs recorded, is hoping to get a music video aired on television in the near future.

Pressure "Start Again" EP reviewed!
Demos Reviewed - www.myspace.com/demosreviewed - Monday 25th February 2008

Here we have another example of how credible bands the Derby music scene is. This energetic, rocky 4 piece have a lot of promise, which is well translated in 'Start Again', the first track and name of their EP. Well crafted, with impressive use of backing instruments, it's a fine start.

The rock vibe is then kicked up a notch with the impressive 'Abducted Today', which sounds slightly more distorted and heavy. Both tracks here are featured on their MySpace page, with the EP including 'Stop and Stare' and the storming 'Wanting Away The Week'.

Hopefully this isn't the last we'll hear of this band, and the Pressure they clearly put themselves under to come up with great songs is paying off.

Pressure up In Leicester.
Arts in Leicestershire - The Shed, Sunday 6th January 2008

Derby band Pressure played at the Shed and put on a strong, energetic performance to bring out their set of catchy, idiomatic songs.

Pressure gives us a very characteristic sound, the lead guitar having been replaced by a Saxophone, expertly played by band member Rebecca Liverman.

A band that has been playing for over 9 years, Pressure's polished live act has been dubbed as "Sax Rock", and in the hands of this band, this really works.

Weaving Sax in and out of songs, with attractive melodies and clear, crisp vocals, the driving, crunchy guitar work pushes ahead with a pounding rhythm.

A rounded mainstream rock sound with a punky edge and the red and black colour scheme of the band members, make this a visually and musically exciting band.

Passion and vigour in copious quantities, Pressure brought a great set to the Shed and left the audience wanting them to come back again soon.


The Pressure Is On.....
It's Only Rock n Roll, Mick Moonshine, 2006 [www.itsonlyrocknroll.info]

"Started off at the Harley Rally at Lumb Farm, Marehay. Usually on the Friday night it's everybody get together and chat and chill out, then a band on the Saturday night, this year it's two bands on Friday and one on Saturday.

'These Days' are the first band on and it's classic rock covers all the way with male and female vocals, really good stuff, then comes 'Pressure' a band I've heard a lot about but never seen before.

Rock, a bit of newer stuff and some of their own material, a really good sound that was made even better by adding sax, even better with a female sax player, Rebecca Liverman. The band rocks along at a fair old pace with, Ben Liverman, lead guitar/vocals strutting around and every now and then charging from one end of the venue to the other. The classic Queen stomper 'We Will Rock You' sees Rebecca swap the sax for the drumsticks and sticks man Jonathan Smith joins Rob Hales and Ben Liverman on guitars.

'Pressure' give you a one and a half set of rock, including some of the old classics plus a large helping of their own stuff. It's a set where you can sit and listen or leap about and dance, it's all down to you."


Epic Frenzy
Sandman Magazine, 2005

"A four-piece that create a melange of funky bass lines and pounding drums with strains of sax perfectly audible over everything else. They play their stuff well and end in an epic frenzy."


Certain Something
Plus One Magazine, 2004

"Bags of stage presence, energy and enthusiasm, which went along so well with their bouncy catchy songs. They appear to have that certain something that makes a crowd warm to a band."

New Sound
www.saggy-pants.co.uk, 2004

"These guys have that new British rock sound that leaves you breathless and proud of it."

Modern
John Holmes, BBC Radio Derby, 2003

"Brilliant modern sound!"

These fellow musicians and music fans from around the world, reviewed "Rotaway Town" on Garageband.   You can hear it now in the media section, or click on the link to read some more reviews.



me like 
great bass intro here. There's a good beat to the song, and it sounds very 'with the times'.

The vocals are good as well. Lots of attitude to them.

The guitar playing is great, and i like the way in which you change between having the guitar in the left and right channel.
I noticed that you only use a guitar in the left channel in the chorus. Having a guitar in each channel here would probably lift the chorus a lot.

I like the sax solo as well. It's a nice change from the traditional guitar solo and it works just as well.

That's not to say that the lead guitar at 3:15 doesn't work. It sound fantastic and the drumming is brilliant. I like it when the pace of the song slows down a bit here, and the fact that the song is ended with another sax solo rather than another chorus is a very good choice indeed.

Good song

Extra Credit: Beat, Mood.

aromsoe, Stavanger, Norway, on February 17th 2006 

City Style Lively 
I've made up my mind and decided i like this song. I'm not quite sure what the vocals remind me of, but it seems fairly original. The drummer is fast, talented, very beatfull, and good at style shifting. I love the bass, it just has a great vibe to it, making it lively and fun. The only thing I disliked was the productoin.

The guitarist was high pitched and seemed to work together with the bass like they were siamese twins. As soon as I began to get afraid the guitar and bass were about to get repetitive they instantly changed style. Keeping this song fun, fresh, and wild.

The vocalist had great lyrics to work with and had a bit of thrashy voice. Kind of a grungey punk voice, but with a livelier mood. He knew when to sing and when not to sing, as to not take the spot light constantly.

The drummer was great and when given the breif solo chance to shine used it. Used it well. The drummer was quick too, just wouldn't get tired or take a break. At the speed the drums were getting hit you think the drummer would've collapsed gasping for breath.

I think all this song needs to become an incredibley fun and lively track is some better Production. I also gotta say I loved the saxaphone, gave this song a great mood.

Extra Credit: Male Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Bass, Mood, Originality.

thestratocaster, Bellingham, Washington, on February 9th 2006

Where's my beer?
Nice fuzzy grungy sounding guitars chugging and grinding away.
Nice beat...easy to listen to..makes me want a beer. Would be fun live i bet.
I like the vocals alot they are rocking.
Kind of hard to make out the lyrics, but it all sounds good.
This is what i think of when i think of good ol rock n roll.
Nicely done! 

JUNKBOXMUSIC from Tujunga, California, on 7Feb 2006