Yes, really...*Ben Pearce* is many things.
A high profile DJ, tastemaker, label owner and producer, the Mancunian artist is most commonly associated with the varied strands of house.
It's a little known fact, though, that Ben Pearce has a little discussed love of emo, punk and feral shades of rock. It's something which dominated his youth, and - to an extent - can be felt in his deeply independent approach.
Set to play We Are FSTVL this weekend, Ben Pearce agreed to piece together a quick emo playlist for Clash.
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*Brand New - 'Guernica'*I have to start this off with Brand New, they seem to define niche in this genre. Their shows sell out in minutes all over the world and they're without a doubt my favourite band. Lyrically one of the best I've ever known and constantly changing their sound.
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*Taking Back Sunday - 'You Know How I Do'*I saw them again recently in Manchester and they were amazing. A classic band, still going despite numerous troubles with members leaving etc. Also the best mic skills displayed by Adam Lazzara
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*Thursday - 'Cross Out The Eyes'*Can remember so many good times had to this song, both live and otherwise.
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*The Ataris - 'San Dimas High School Football Rules'*I was driving to a gig with a good friend recently and we were blasting this out up the M6, reminiscing.
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*Alexisonfire - 'Side Walk When She Walks'*One of the best voices in rock music with Dallas Green, heard they've got back together for festival shows this summer so fingers crossed I get to catch one.
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*Funeral For A Friend - 'History'*Another band I go to see whenever I can, one that has consistently being doing their thing for a long while and killing it. This is a favourite of mine.
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*The Used - 'Cry'*It's impossible to do this genre without mentioning The Used - 'In Love & Death' is probably the epitome, album-wise. The reason I'm choosing this song is because I saw them this year and they opened with this track. It provided in about 30 seconds they still have exactly the same impact as a band and the same energy (maybe except the screaming until throwing up on stage). They define this genre so well for me.
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*Senses Fail - 'Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning'*I've always loved Senses Fail and I completely concur with the title of this song.
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*Thrice - 'All That's Left'*When this song starts, I still get goosebumps. Another rumour to be getting back together, I definitely need to see Thrice again.
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*Something Corporate - 'Konstantine'*One of my great regrets is never being able to see this band live, this is probably one the best arranged tracks I know, it's epic. Andrew McMahon went onto some amazing other projects but this album is the one on my iPod.
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Catch Ben Pearce at We Are FSTVL this weekend (May 30th - 31st).
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