Saiphon release debut single ‘Cats Can’t Play Guitar’

'Cats Can't Play Guitar' marked Saiphon's (/say:fon/) debut release; a funk-inspired rock'n'roll track with a catchy bassline. This release encapsulated the attitude of the band with fun and playful lyrics, stacked harmonies, and explosive vocals. Bennie's refrain was short and snappy, playing with consonance in a way that listeners couldn’t get out of their heads. The song followed a narrative about a "wannabe rockstar" of an unlikely origin pursuing his dreams. This single marked the beginning of their EP release, which followed in the subsequent months, along with the new music video for the track.

Saiphon was a four-piece rock band based in West Sussex, who drew inspiration from rock giants such as AC/DC and Aerosmith. Lead singer Bennie Hayfield, from Birmingham, was a former musical theatre student who transformed into a rock'n'roll frontman, driven by a hunger for freedom in performance and his love for music by artists like The Beatles, Elton John, and Ozzy Osbourne. Thanks to his variety of influences, Bennie developed a sizable vocal range and demonstrated versatility in style, which shone in this track. Aidan Brion, hailing from the Mediterranean territory of Gibraltar, began his performing career in acoustic groups, with a notable performance at "The Weekender" festival. He then took on the role of lead guitar, crafting roaring solos and blasting out killer riffs. Jude Parker, from Portsmouth, provided the bassline for the band; heavily inspired by prog rock groups such as Rush, he brought nuance and colour to each track. As a psychology student, he was a surprise member of the group, stepping in last minute to save their very first gig and soon became a crucial cog in the rhythm machine. However, the heartbeat of the band came from the drummer, Nicola Oakley. Inspired by a fusion of classic rock and classical music, she added a creative flair to the songwriting process. Coming from the Thames-side village of Cookham, she had a wide range of musical experience, from classical orchestras, playing either percussion or viola, to musical theatre pits.

'Cats Can't Play Guitar' - 2:45

'Cats Can't Play Guitar' music video - 3:17

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