Dept of Misinformation
Dept of Misinformation formed in the summer of 2021 when poet (Nick Knibb aka The Archbishop) joined forces with a punk band (Tin Fish) and decided to make music together. There was something of an inevitability about this as Nick and Steve Clarke had entered the music business back in 1979 after watching an underwhelming punk gig and had formed Alternative Noise. This band were later to slim down to a three-piece punk band called Noize and featured in reviews in Alternative Sounds after gigs in Birmingham as well as The Climax Club and Swanswell Tavern in Cov.
Noize also recorded a track ‘All The Old Dudes’ which found its way onto the iconic ‘Tale of Two Cities’ CD; a collection of the best of punk rock and alternative music from Coventry and Birmingham at the end of the seventies. Coincidentally, another band featured on this release was The Accused with David Browne on guitar and who were later to bring in Steve Clarke on bass.
And 40 odd years and a lot of bands later, here we are. Dept of Misinformation grew organically from a songwriting project between Nick and Steve, to adding experienced musicians David, Ellie and Jake to complete the line-up. Steve, having played previously in bands with Nick, Ellie and David was the catalyst to make this happen. Ellie’s keyboard wizardry gives the band a full, dynamic sound - add to this the energy and power from the drums of Jake and there you have it; a combination of ages, talents and styles that have given them their distinctive style.
Dept of Misinformation and their mix of passionate positive power pop, ska songs and out and out rockers have already started to make ripples in the local music scene and are gaining momentum among local audiences at their live performances as well as on local radio.
In January of 2022 they recorded their debut EP ‘Agenda’ at the legendary Woodbine Street Studios which is available on Spotify and Soundcloud with videos supporting the release on the Dept of Misinformation YouTube channel.
Since their formation, Dept of Misinformation have played gigs all over Coventry and Birmingham and are always on the lookout for more.
The Band
Review for ‘Gotta Run’ by King City online
https://www.kingcity.online/post/dept-of-misinformation-gotta-run
Over a beer the other night and competing with the sound of someone shovelling their wages into the bandit, I tried to define the term ‘power pop’ to a group of mates as we discussed that era when punk rock had descended into parodic surgically sterile safety pinned headlines before the likes of Nick Lowe and the Rich Kids pushed it all aside and took centre stage to rescue us.
I shouldn’t have bothered trying; Dept of Misinformation have done the job for me in 2 minutes and 48 seconds of pure unadulterated unashamed rock n roll with ‘Gotta Run’. This song doesn’t subtly begin – it kicks down the front door, grabs you by the ears and drags you on to the dance floor. Tamlaesque bass guitar runs and fierce thumping drums drive this monster truck of a song along and nothing is going to get in the way.
Add to this a keyboard wall of sound, searing guitar, rasping vocals with more than a touch of the New York Dolls and a singalong chorus to die for and there you have it; Dept of Misinformation. This is the first release from the band and is available on YouTube for all to see. Their EP ‘Agenda’ will follow shortly and I for one, want more.
Stephen Pennell
COVENTRY
Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
I was thrilled to learn Coventry Music Museum’s Poet in Residence AKA Nick ‘The Archbishop’ Knibb was in a band.
I just knew it would be something a little different. I wasn’t wrong, having just received their four-track debut EP entitled ‘Agenda’, I was delighted there were elements harking back to the style of the new wave sound of the 70s (with a modern twist).
I get elements of The Stranglers, The Ruts, The Jags and Eddie and The Hot Rods.
I use these fine bands as a compliment and as a written aid to give the reader some idea of what to expect rather than an attempt to pigeonhole such an original sounding unit.
Having a poet in the band it’s inevitable the lyrics are going to be classy and clever, and take it from me, they are.
Pete Chambers
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