P J and Duncan aside, Newcastle has hardly been a hot bed of musical talent.
But Maximo Park may just be about to put the North East on the map.
Given the barren musical landscape of their native city, Maximo Park turn to the north west of Joy Division, the Buzzcocks and the Inspiral Carpets for influence.
There's plenty of fire and intensity in their bellies, and 13 tracks in less than 40 minutes make this debut album feels claustrophobic.
With its post-punk guitars and machine-gun lyrics, A Certain Trigger is simple, raw and, while doffing its cap to some of Manchester's finest, fresh sounding too. Maximo Park deserve to be talk of the Toon and far beyond.
Updated: 16:38 Wednesday, June 15, 2005
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