There are three bands (just keeps growing, apparently) which go by the name 'The Universal': #1. The Universal is a psychedelic space-rock band from Boise, ID. Formed in 2004. Currently promoting their 2009 full length "Everything Is Everywhere" for sale at http://www.universalgalaxies.com #2. The Universal is a band originally from Geelong, but considering the town's general lack of forward movement, they are now also based around Melbourne. Guitarists Evan Jones and Blair Hall, along with bassist Cameron Urquhart have a fair history of musical involvement stretching back to much more boring school times, and so the band began from these three chaps playing together. In a Spinal Tap-like run of terrible luck with drummers, the Universal had been unable to hold down a permanent fourth member in the early part of its life (running through three in about 5 months) until Isaac Bradbury arrived, all tall and bespectacled and ready to break the horrible curse. It should be noted that, though he has survived for almost a year now, it is possible the curse is lying dormant, ready to strike at any time, so interested drummers should be on stand by. The band plays music in the indie rock style, which is popular with today's youth. The sound could be described as coming from the British school of alternative rock, with jangly, angular guitars and energetic beats. There have been comparisons to bands like Arctic Monkeys and the Strokes, but that's too flattering, so don't be ridiculous. #3. As sharp musically as they are in attire, Liverpool quartet The Universal apply timeless values of upbeat melodic British rock songwriting to a sharp-dressed 2010 model. The band are based around singer, guitarist and songwriter Terry Shaughnessy, who brings a deep-seated love of classic mod culture to crafted, vintage guitar rock. Growing up in Liverpool the ambience of the Beatles was a happily accepted ever-present, but with two uncles playing in bands and a mother an active member of the Small Faces fan club, Shaughnessy's musical education came steeped in classic values of songs with creativity, individuality and fire in the belly. With a dash of the discipline instilled during teenage martial arts lessons, The Universal completed with Gary Chambers on bass, Dave Ormsby on drums and lead guitarist Piet Koehorst - have collected an albums worth of material which is now being fine-tuned by extensive gigging, with dates including a slot on Liverpool's first ever Mod festival confirmed for May. As a calling card, debut single 'Day In, Day Ou't is a two and a half minute blast which resurrects the soulful attack of The Kinks and The Jam, but which knocks aggressively on the door of the 21st centuryís second decade. With their passionate, driving musical vision, an acute fashion-sense and Shaughnessy's motto of 'musician minus ego plus fire', The Universal are set to make 2010 their own. http://www.facebook.com/TheUniversalBand http://www.myspace.com/theuniversaluk http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUniversalUK