Introducing: Cast
Hometown: Liverpool
Listen to: All Change, their debut 1995 release
Though already a part of the furniture when it comes to discussing bands that paved the way for the rise of Britpop, Cast may have only just revisited the radars of even the most avid indie-rock fans due to the announcement that they will be joining Oasis on their 14-show UK tour next summer. However, Cast are far from being a mere relic of the northern alternative scene – in fact, they’re a rarity within and beyond the genre, marked by their perseverance during times whereby their contemporaries had slowed down, changed direction, or disbanded altogether.
While Cast may only now be catching the attention of many younger alt-rock enthusiasts – perhaps sparked by the revived buzz around Oasis – their extensive discography offers a rich trove of Britpop excellence and genre-fusing creativity that demands a closer exploration. For those only coming across their name today, Cast’s music offers a rare combination of anthemic energy and melodic depth that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly timeless, making them a must-listen for anyone eager to uncover hidden gems of the ’90s that still sound just as good as they did then.
Released three years after their formation in 1992, Cast’s debut All Change – fronted by John Power – propelled the band into the heart of the boisterous movement that was Britpop. The album not only marked their mainstream breakthrough but also solidified their place as one of the most influential and pioneering acts of the era. From this album alone, the band crafted some of their most iconic and quintessential indie tracks – songs like ‘Walkaway’ and ‘Sandstorm’, which continue to define the era’s sonic identity to this day.
Shortly after, a string of albums followed in quick succession – Mother Nature Calls, Magic Hour, and Beetroot, all released within a four-year span. The latter, released in the post-millennium era, marked a significant shift in the band’s sound, reflecting a bold departure in style and level of experimentation unrivalled amongst their contemporaries.
With tracks like ‘Heal Me’, infused with psychedelic and synth-driven sounds reminiscent of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, their 2001 release Beetroot stands out as a particularly captivating gem in the band’s artistic repertoire. The album is a must-listen for anyone seeking to delve into a band with an ability to seamlessly blend their Liverpudlian roots with a bold exploration of genres beyond their original scope.
Yet, their versatility extends far beyond the bold shoegaze experiments of the early noughties. It is evident in the wide range of styles and tempos they’ve embraced throughout their evolution – from the introspective, heartfelt ballad ‘I’m Lonely’ to the rousing, anthemic energy of their 1995 single ‘Alright’ and the riff-heavy punch of ‘Do That’ from their 2017 album Kicking Up The Dust.
2024 marked another significant return for the band, this time with the release of Love Is The Call, their first album in six years. When shuffling through their latest release, it’s easy to mistake some tracks for being older than they are. A defining track is the second on the record, ‘First Smile Ever’, a poignant anomaly on the tracklist with its sombre yet striking lyrics: “As I walk the streets of this town / The empty shops and the arcades / The last chance to believe has closed down“.
Though firmly anchored on the more heart-wrenching side of the band’s stylistic spectrum, this song possesses a weight that demands your attention. With lyrical content that delves into the fragile interplay of love and loss, in addition to the bittersweet nature of change, the gritty and emotive tone of the track compels you to explore your own psyche, prompting reflection on the simple yet profound moments that have shaped your innermost being. All in all, Love Is The Call is the perfect album for those drawn to the sonic essence of ’90s northern indie-rock, searching for a fresh and contemporary reinterpretation of the genre’s hallmark sound.
Few bands fuse nostalgia with a modern twist as effortlessly as Cast. If you haven’t yet discovered their music, now is the perfect time to explore their powerful sound as they gear up for their UK tour, starting with two homecoming shows this month.
Words by Ruby Brown
Read more: Why 2024 Feels Like a Britpop Renaissance
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