The Northern Line lean into a euphoric liberation with ‘Throw A Fist’
Boston indie band and Mass.-chester quintet unveil an exuberant new single about embracing the future on Friday, April 11
The Northern Line celebrate the single later that night (April 11) at Fireseed Arts Studios in Framingham with The Chelsea Curve and the Britpop Social Club DJs
Advance tickets for Fireseeds Arts dance party
Photo Credit: Harrison Searle
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BOSTON, Mass. [April 11, 2025] – The golden Summer of 1995 brought about the true cultural high-point for Cool Britannia – Pulp masterfully held court as Glastonbury headliners; Oasis and Blur famously engaged in a singles chart battle; and debut albums from Elastica, Gene, and Supergrass fueled the season with a fresh sense of excitement and unlimited possibilities. Thirty years later, the sound and essence of that scene has faded from mainstream view, but taking us back to that feeling of sonic exuberance and unlimited possibilities is The Northern Line, the Boston indie band that releases expansive new single “Throw A Fist” on Friday, April 11.
With a sound unlike anything else making waves at the moment, The Northern Line filter their style of Britpop, baggy, Madchester, and acid house through an invitation urging everyone to bang a drum, throw a fist, and get on the indie dancefloor. And the invite now takes on a literal meaning.
The crisp and emphatic “Throw A Fist” gets the single release treatment on release night at Fireseed Arts Studios in Framingham, pairing up The Northern Line with Boston mod-pop trio the Chelsea Curve and Britpop Social Club, the mad-fer-it DJ team of Michael V (the pill boston) and Lady K.
After declaring arrival with anthemic debut single “Lightning Strikes” this past fall, the Mass.-chester lads of The Northern Line now settle into a delectable groove with the melodic “Throw A Fist,” with both to be featured on their debut EP set for release later this year. It’s a song fueled by euphoric liberation, indebted to memories and moments – and the ability to move on past life’s stresses. It’s a throwback in style while looking entirely ahead.
“‘Throw a Fist’ is a personal song, but it is also a song that connects with anyone who has done the hard work to move on after a meaningful relationship falls apart,” says vocalist Bilvox. “The liberation, the freedom of the ‘fist’ that’s thrown – mostly metaphorically – is throwing away the pain, the failed dream, and embracing the future.”
That kind of optimism harkens back to the halcyon days of the early- and mid-’90s, when all we needed was a melody and a dream. “Throw A Fist” serves a song that truly defines The Northern Line’s sonic exploration; it was the first track that came together after Bilvox’s prior band fell apart, and where “Lightning Strikes” declared a sort-of arrival, “Throw A Fist” is the sound of a band settling into its own creative skin and forging a true super-sonic identity.
Settling in as a cohesive unit – vocalist and guitarist Bilvox joined by keyboardist Mike Ackley; lead guitarist Pete Zeigler; bassist Joshh Magee; and drummer, backing vocalist, and engineer McG – the new single finds the quintet firing on all creative cylinders.
“Our first single ‘Lightning Strikes’ was a shot across the bows – a warning to sit up and take notice of what’s to come,” declares Ackley. “This one hits you straight on with both barrels and punches you in the face. It’s really the core of our sound – this is what The Northern Line is about.”
Adds Magee: “‘Throw A Fist’ was our first song as a band and it made sense to introduce it to the world early on to establish our sound. It shows our ‘snappy pop song’ side, whereas ‘Lightning Strikes’ zigged and zagged a bit. We like to think we’re adept at both.”
That’s because while The Northern Line’s sound is rooted in the British indie that helped raise us a few decades prior, each member brings their own version of that ebullient era – like the old import section of Tower Records or Virgin Megastore that lumped in disparate bands just because they came from England. “Throw a Fist” embodies that sort of contained eclecticism, channeling the energy of bands like The Stone Roses and The Charlatans, but doing so with The Northern Line’s own interpretations of the music that soundtracked our lives.
“I poured a lot of time, thought, and energy into the demo of this song,” Bilvox admits. “I knew it would help define the next band and project I was going to put together and the song needed to ‘go for it’. The bassline was based on some bassline earworm Mike wrote while messing about before rehearsals when we were in my previous band together. That bassline was a thread I kept pulling on as I recorded the demo, it really informed the rest of the song.”
What emerged was a rich and layered earworm that should catch attention on both sides of the Atlantic, from Ackley’s hometown of Manchester, England to the various American towns and cities that The Northern Line members once called home.
“It is one thing to demo a track,” Bilvox continues, “but as The Northern Line came together each of the gents took that original vibe to the next level. Joshh’s bass, Mike’s keys, and McG’s drums; they all brought their best ideas. I remember the first time I heard Pete play the riff – I had an out-of-body experience. They are all so talented and accomplished and the result is beyond my dreams… the result is an absolute banger.”
Bilvox pauses. Then leans into it: “A top-down, hands in the air, summer rocker! …Could it be the Song of Summer 2025?”
If it is, some might say the seeds of that success were planted precisely 30 years ago.
Media Contact: Please direct press inquiries to Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com,
and reach Bilvox of The Northern Line at thenorthernline617@gmail.com.
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The Northern Line is:
Bilvox: Vocals and guitar
Mike Ackley: Keyboards
Pete Zeigler: Lead Guitar
Joshh Magee: Bass
McG: Drums and backing vocals
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‘Throw A Fist’ single artwork:
Art design by Bilvox
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‘Throw A Fist’ production credits:
Lyrics by Bilvox
Music by The Northern Line
Engineered by McG
Produced by The Northern Line
Recorded and Mixed at Studio Lockland in Framingham, MA
Mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Somerville, MA
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The Northern Line short bio:
The Northern Line’s sonic aesthetic is melded from the band members' common love of the hooks of Britpop, the textures and landscape of shoegaze, and the rhythms of Manchester — all polished up and brought into the moment by modern pop sensibilities.
Based out of Boston with a sound that reflects the world, The Northern Line produce music that takes you on a musical journey through sonic textures, soaring vocals, and hypnotic and grooving rhythms that guide the way.
The Northern Line urge everyone to raise a fist, bang a drum, and get on the indie dancefloor. Debut single “Lightning Strikes” surfaced last fall, followed by new single “Throw A Fist” in April 2025.
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Release party at Fireseed Arts on April 11:
Advance tickets and venue info
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Media praise for The Northern Line:
“This is really great stuff — give it a listen!” _Marc Hurwitz on Mark Skin Radio
“With a sound soaked in both Mod and Manchester while clutching to airs of the Boston Rawk scene (think an amalgamation of The Chelsea Curve and Shiverlane), The Northern Line comes screaming out of the gates with an authenticity that’s got major swag and just oozes cool.” _Rock And Roll Fables
“The Northern Line! Basically, the American branch of Manchester: the typical ‘90s sound of bands like The Stone Roses transplanted to Massachusetts, with the same desire to have fun, get high, and dance. Graduated with full marks.” _Dischi del Minollo of Minollo Records
“Boston’s newest band The Northern Line is all that is cool and right about music, they have brilliantly unearthed a sound that is deeply rooted in the past but also serves as a refreshing beacon to the present and future. The debut single ‘Lightning Strikes’ has an energy that is simply electrifying.” _The Whole Kameese
“The first beat drops with ‘Lightning Strikes,’ an inaugural effort that ties together disparate scenes and statements from several decades gone by into one intoxicating cocktail of cool. The only thing that’s missing out of the gate is that ill-advised record deal brokered in a men’s room stall.” _Click Roll Boom
“‘Lightning Strikes’ is heavily Britpop influenced, along with mod and modern alternative. The song doesn’t quite sound like the Britpop megastars you normally associate with the sound. There is some Oasis, but ‘Lightning Strikes’ sounds more like Ocean Colour Scene and Primal [Scream]. Of course, this is a Boston band so there is some grit along with garage rock/indie rock noise. The Northern Line is the type of band that would have taken over my twenties if they had existed way back then.” _If It’s Too Loud
”A proper British-influenced banger infused with funk and indie sensibilities. I think people would have gone crazy for this back in the Madchester days! It’s anthemic, utterly exhilarating and electric! With the comeback from Oasis, I think this one will do well!”_Rock State UK
“Good track with a vintage atmosphere, great vocal harmonies, and a sharp Hammond organ.” _NoEsFm Radio
“[‘Lightning Strikes’] is an injection of energy, bringing to the fore influences of Britpop, baggy, Madchester, and modern alternative rock, all filtered through an American perspective… a true anthem for those who need to free themselves from daily difficulties, celebrating moments of pure euphoria – that moment ‘when the lightning strikes, you feel that joy’.” _Vou Te Contar
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Press Contact: Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Band Contact: Bilvox at thenorthernline@gmail.com
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