“We like it a lot” Steve Lamacq
Optional Wallace is a band from Manchester, United Kingdom. The self-titled debut album ‘Optional Wallace’ is out now, on Squealing Beagle Records. You can order a copy at the Optional Wallace shop.
Website Manchester Music.co.uk describes the band’s music as “urgent post-punk indie laced with darkness and claustrophobia”, which we like.
The reason for the band’s name involves a supposed mystery fourth member, who has, as yet, never shown up. Optional Wallace have had radio play on BBC 6 Music, Xfm, The Rev, GMR, BBC Manchester, Rock FM and North Manchester FM, plus on Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy’s shows.
Optional Wallace is:
- Matthew Anderson – drums
- Wallace Benson – vioin/concepts
- Dan Foster – vocals/guitars
- Neil Meehan – bass/vocals
“It’s Brillian. Listen to it.” – Steve Lamacq on his BBC 6 Music Single of the Week, ‘Generation’.
“Moving Targets” is a melodic and searing gem. An intensely original and powerful EP…” – JA Manchester Music (Demo of the week 4.5 / 5)
“We Like it a lot” (Code of Silence)
– Steve Lamacq
“Mixing their influences of 20+ years ago with the dark sounds of here and now, make no mistake, Optional Wallace are ticking all the right boxes.” – SECONDCITYUK.COM
“Heap praise on Optional Wallace”
Manchester Evening News
“An aural onslaught of hefty, soaring melodies, churning guitars and the melancholic delivery of Interpol.”
The Fly
“Slicing 80s guitar-play, yearningly passionate vocals, deep rumbles of bass and almost gothic drumming.
– Cath Aubergine – MM
“…a barrage of screaming guitar machine gun fire…”
– Colin Warhurst – BBC Manchester Online
“Edgy, energetic and exciting music.”
– Dominic – Brash Magazine (www.brashmag.com)
Optional Wallace 