When comparisons are made to Suicide, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Can, Gong, James Chance, you will know that Hastings’ Column258 tread the outer edges of formulaic rock+roll.  They are a true experimental collective, combining spoken word + improvisation.

Maybe it’s the abundance of small venues accommodating free entry gigs or promoters like WVR and Freakz, that enables the East Sussex seaside town to develop a scene comparable to New Yorks  late 70’s No Wave movement.  

Column258 can count themselves as one the burgeoning scene’s protagonists. Their shows combine mischievous art-rock with a psychedelic atmosphere.  Blending analogue and digital, blue note brass, Korgs, screaming vocoders and hypnotic guitars with inventive song cycles. Multi-vocal looping, poems written on the back of gas bills and electric pinecones, the band exemplifies the unexpected.

Column258’s live foundations are in warehouse parties, roof top gigs and art galleries.  It’s only been over this last year they started playing more traditional rock venues resulting in tightly honed performances through years of playing but considered “new players” to promoters and gig goers alike.

‘This is music as a force for change, seeking escape from the tyranny of conformist predictability.’ (David Erdos, International Times).

“Jazz punk stylings cleaving more closely to The Stooges and James Chance than cosy dinner party bebop.” (Kate Hodges, Shindig)

“If Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy fronted Future Days era Can”  (Sean Kitchin, the Quietus)

COLUMN258 Facts

When Hastngs pier was dismantled afer a fire, the 258th Column was missing, never to be salvaged.

A surprise supporter of the band has been 6 Music DJ Gilles Peterson, who played their flexi disc Black Jaguar on his WWFM internet show then stepped up further by playing last single Silver Stream on his 6 Music Saturday Show.

The Black Jaguar flexi and latest single Drop Dead were Qodus single of the day on Soho Radio’s Morning Glory show.