livemusicreview

14 November 2011: Yuck - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, England, UK

2011-11-16T13:32:00.002Z

I've been waiting a long time for this and it turned out to be extra special.

I Missed most of Fanzine (early starts - again) but the last two numbers sounded good and they should be well worth another listen.

Yuck appeared at about half eight and set up their own kit and back banner. Another 15-20 minutes passed before the lights dimmed and the band reappeared, fully instrumented and ready to roll.

They started with Dinosaur Jr. sound-a-like, Holing Out before crashing into The Wall, at which point I'd expected the crowd to mosh into a frenzy. Strangely, and I've noticed this more and more recently, there was very little crowd movement at all tonight. If it'd been 1990, there'd have been no place to hide from the mosh pit.

Shook down then mellowed us out again, with the lovely lyric "And it's been a week.
And it's been a week too long" which just seems to be one of those lines that strikes that special chord.

Georgia sped it up again and raced us into a beautifully accoustic Suicide Policeman, which seems to be everyones favourite Yuck tune.

Milkshake was a suprise becasue I'd not heard it before, but it pressed all the right buttons in all the right places.

There seemed to be a bit of an issue with the guitars during Get Away, but I didn't notice anything out of place and it sounded like rainbows to me.

I think Soothe Me was a new song, but once again it all fitted together nicely and was a great addition to the bands arsenal.

I think it was Daniel that related the story of how, on the bands first tour, they used to play all these far away places and then travel back to stay at their friends house in Nottingham. So they'd play Glasgow and then drive back to Nottingham to save money. I love these little info-snips that bands give out when they come to a town, it gives a you a piece of their lives which you don't get if you don't go to the gigs.

Operation was next, a Sonic Youth inspired aural assault with lead vocal duties switched.

They closed by announcing that these were the last two songs and then played us out slowly with Stutter and then mashed us up completely with a long, long version of Rubber, which fed back deliciously and left the ears ringing nicely at the end of the night.

Much better than I'd expected and I'd expected a lot. The Jesus and Mary Chain better watch out, Yuck are coming to steal your noise pop feedback crown....[more]

02 April 2011: IQ - The Robin 2, Bilston, England, UK

2011-04-07T12:31:00.000Z

My first IQ gig and it was a bit of a special one - the first of their 30th anniversary shows. There was no support band at this gig, instead we got a slideshow of photographs from the past 30 years projected on three screens playing as the band arrived onstage to play a two hour-long set with a few surprises...

Despite a recent lineup change (the addition of Neil Durant on keyboards and return of Tim Esau on bass), the band sounded well rehearsed and professional. Peter Nicholls' onstage presence is incredible to watch - direct and confrontational with a more subtle and emotional edge to his voice. All of this is contrasted by his onstage banter with the rest of the band, genuinely relaxed and witty with the ability to put the audience at ease...[more]

12 March 2011: Levellers + The Wonderstuff - Rock City, Nottingham, England, UK

2011-03-15T13:09:00.001Z

Has it really been twenty years?

The Wonderstuff arrived on stage at a very early 10 to seven-ish and blazed there way through a greatest hits package which included “Welcome to the Cheap Seats”, “Give, Give, Give Me More, More, More” and “Don't Let Me Down, Gently”. Thankfully there was no “Dizzy” (at least from what I heard - I missed the first few minutes), which I was dreading, and the packed crowd really enjoyed the set, and judging by the look on...[more]

04 December 2010: Pendulum - Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, England, UK

2010-12-06T21:05:00.001Z

What do you get when you combine a visual master class in rock god posturing with solid drum and bass mayhem, a great night out at Nottingham Arena.

Although they lack the stage presence of The Prodigy and the aggression of Combichrist the performance was strangely compelling and there will definitely be a place for electronic rock over the next decade, Pendulum have finally come of age...[more]

19 April 2010: The Primitives - The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham, England, UK

2010-05-07T12:42:00.000Z

Another day, another reformation. These usually fill me with dread as, with the odd exception (The Jesus And Mary Chain), the happy memories of some wonderful tunes are stealthily stolen away and replaced by a reissue and another hole in your pocket.

But hang on, this one might just be worth it...

Arriving fairly early I was concerned to see that...[more]

11 April 2010: Airbourne + Black Spiders + Taking Dawn - Rock City, Nottingham, England, UK

2010-04-29T12:34:00.000Z

What better way to spend a Sunday night than going to a gig where you’re only interested in a support band?

The opening act of the evening were Taking Dawn from the good ol’ US of A. For me they were an unknown quantity with an amusing Wikipedia entry which was either penned by the band themselves or some marketing exec trying to build up the hype and shift a few units. First impressions were of being trapped in a time warp from the late 80s or early 90s. Taking Dawn looked and sounded very much in the same vein as...[more]

16 January 2010: Pressgang - Elm Tree, Cambridge, England, UK

2010-01-19T13:20:00.001Z

I had a few problems getting to (and finding!) the venue, so the band had already started by the time I got there. Shame really, because they were on top form.

The stage was tiny and the venue was one of those narrow pubs that mean that wherever you try to stand you feel in the way - probably great if you just want a pub, but not much good for gigs. Especially bands like Pressgang where people do get that strange urge to dance around a lot...[more]

19 September 2009: The Wildhearts + Black Spiders + No Americana - Rock City, Nottingham, England, UK

2009-10-06T08:53:00.000Z

First support was provided by No Americana; 4 young fellas, sounded alright, not really my bag though. The second support act was Black Spiders; loved this lot, whiffs of Sacred Reich, Motorhead and AC/DC which is meant as a compliment, rocked hard and heavy without resorting to the just-need-to-be-fast-to-be-heavy angle - highly recommended. They’re supporting The Answer (a.k.a. poor man’s Black Crowes) soon and I might go along just to catch the Black Spiders.

Rock City had filled up by this stage and I’d guess wasn’t far short, if at all, of being a sellout. It’s great to see people coming out for The Wildhearts once again after a brief lull in their apparent popularity (or marketing)...[more]

19 June 2009: Southside Festival 2009 - Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany

2009-06-26T15:12:00.000Z

Thursday 18th June

Arrived in Zweibrucken to beautiful sunshine and a beautiful smiley face of my friend Iris who was picking me up and driving me to Saarbrucken where I was to spend the rest of the day in her garden eating cherries straight from the tree and annoying her cat with a long/thin stick. Later the same day we had a lovely dinner at a rather picturesque local old brewery come restaurant where I was introduced to...[more]

11 June 2009: Eastfield + Garden Gang + Paul Carter + Chris Butler - Victoria Inn, Derby, England, UK

2009-06-18T12:03:00.001Z

It was much later than I had anticipated when I arrived at Derby's Victoria Inn and I was dreading missing the first artist but, a bit of good fortune for me, it was much later than anticipated when Chris Butler appeared on the stage at about 20:30 and consequently I managed to catch all of his set.

Less fortunately, Chris's set had to be cut short to fit all of the acts onto the bill. This meant that we only got four tracks. But, oh, what tracks they were.

Chris is a folk-punk-protest singer and his songs are story-telling...[more]

29 April 2009: The Sizzling Gypsies - The Enterprise, Camden, London, England, UK

2009-06-11T11:26:00.001Z

Fortunately for the 30-40 foot-tapping music loving audience in the Enterprise last night, 5 males have been drinking gallons of the stuff.

Raucous vocals, drooling riffs and boundless energy were the first impressions I got from The Sizzling Gypsies. Put these traits together with an ability to write and perform huge songs and it seems all the ingredients are in place. Granted, I’ve only known of the band for roughly 48 hours through my friend Kev who has known the members of the band for several years, but having witnessed 30 minutes of material last night it’s easy to get pretty excited....[more]

24 May 2009: The Specials - Millennium Square, Leeds, England, UK

2009-05-28T15:47:00.000Z

Young and old skankers alike turned out in force on Sunday, to welcome legendary Two Tone ska band The Specials back to Leeds. After a thirty-year absence, Terry Hall marked the Millennium Square leg of the group’s long-awaited reunion tour by apologising for “taking so long to come back”. All was forgiven though, as the diverse congregation of contented cider-infused spectators (save for the few miniature offspring of original ska aficionados) were just thrilled to be present on such a momentous day.

The absence of Jerry Dammers prompted the question of whether relations are quite what they once were in the rude boy camp, however the evening was not sullied by this one exception and the remaining members-Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Horace Panter and John Bradbury-performed as passionately and energetically as they did back in 1976, when they first notably Rocked Against Racism...[more]

06 May 2009: Ginger + Laika Dog + Dear Superstar - Seven, Nottingham, England, UK

2009-05-07T12:35:00.000Z

When Junktion 7 closed down at the end of last year I feared for the future of live music in Nottingham. Thankfully, somebody saw sense and rebooted the venue and here I am back at, the renamed, Seven for another Ginger gig.

Other than the name, nothing much else has changed, and the venue remains probably the best small venue in the city.

For once, due to unprecedented levels of organisation, a little luck and deliberately ignoring the fact that the Champions League semi-final second leg was on the Telly, I found myself in the venue before the first band had started.

Dear Superstar were enthusiastic, slick and...[more]

21 March 2009: Re-Play Music Festival - The Grove Tavern, Wimbledon, London, England, UK

2009-03-24T16:07:00.001Z

Some days are better than others and last Saturday was one of the better days. I’d go as far as to quote Lou Reed “Just a perfect day, problems all left alone”.

That bright and warm thing in the sky that you kids call the sun was beaming down relentlessly which is most unusual but very welcome after months of simply miserable weather. The only problem with these early sunny days is the pasty white legs and spare tires on show. Although this is a small problem, catching a sight of the offending body parts can be blinding if the sun reflects from them at a particular angle.

So, after deciding not to venture outside preferring the comfort of my friends sofa, I settled down for a 7hrs non stop Rugby. Yes folks, I am one of those people who howl at the TV set.

Sun gone, Rugby over, yours truly well satisfied with the results, it was time to put on some slap and go out. The Idea was to go to this gig at a pub not far from my friend’s gaff, where I spend most of my weekends. I only intended to see one...[more]

28 January 2009: God Is an Astronaut + i concur - Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London, England, UK

2009-03-24T16:06:00.000Z

It was on a typical Wednesday evening in the big smoke of London town. The usual cold, wet and miserable weather playing havoc with ones hair and make-up. Something was certainly in the air. A mixture of happy excitement and tension. Tension due to finding myself running late to a venue 5 minutes walk from my gaff. Excitement because I was about to go see God is an Astronaut.

After the said 5 minutes walk, wearing some killer boots which I shall incinerate later, I got to the venue:Hoxton Bar and Kitchen. The usual bouncer at the door recognized me at once and we exchanged pleasantries before going into this good old trusted venue which hasn’t changed much since it opened and with all due respect it needs some updating and better lighting. It is after all used by the "happening" crowd who wants to be seen and...[more]

14 March 2009: ColouringIN - Club Motherf**ker DEAD!, Barden's Boudoir, London, England, UK

2009-03-17T20:52:00.001Z

This was going to be a two act, double review of Rex the Dog -a great and well known DJ- and Colouring In - a breaking act pushing to establish a new sound.

But on arriving at Club Motherf**ker in Stoke Newington for its final monthly party, the black board on the street announced that Rex would not be appearing due to a bout of Dog flu.

Undeterred I still paid my six quid, and one beer later ColouringIN front...[more]

09 March 2009: Gold Future Joy Machine - Star, Bethnal Green, London, England, UK

2009-03-10T16:05:00.001Z

East London is known most, in musical terms at least, for its role in evolving UK dance music in particular its history of british Hip hop, Grime and Ragga. However a new sound is also evolving in Hackney estates below the radar that maybe has as much to do with Grunge guitars as it does the bleeps and glitsches of Beau Grime or Shoreditch Electro.

Gold Future Joy Machine are a sonic wrecking ball five piece that electrified The Star of Bethnal Green last night, and are the undisputed kings and queens of this new sound. Taking to the stage in rugged monochrome their opening song was called "Sons and daughters". It sounded like J-Dilla being torn apart by the entire past and present roster of the sub-pop label. A brilliant opener. Frontman Johnny Kenton's...[more]

05 December 2008: Levellers + Divokej Bill + Frank Turner - Engine Shed, Lincoln, England, UK

2008-12-08T17:25:00.000Z

Having ended up on the wrong side of the River Witham I missed Frank Turner, but arrived in time to grab a drink before Divokej Bill appeared.

With what seemed to be an infinite number of musicians (well, eight at least) and a bass guitar that tested the eardrums, Divokej Bill pounded through their rock/folk/country/nu-metal cross-over repertoire and managed to keep the attention of the majority of the audience for most of their set.

I failed to catch any of the track titles, but most bounced along nicely and...[more]

16 November 2008: Scouting For Girls + The Days + Sam Beeton - Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, England, UK

2008-11-20T15:47:00.001Z

I normally dislike this sort of venue, but was pleasantly surprised by the Trent FM Arena. I wasn't subjected to a full body search on the way in, I wasn't treated like a sheep on the way in or the way out and I wasn't so far from the stage that the artist was the size of a pin head. All in all quite a pleasant surprise really, although I was standing and I don't think I would have liked the seats very much...[more]

08 November 2008: Eastfield + Obnoxious UK + Addictive Philosophy - Victoria Inn, Derby, England, UK

2008-11-10T15:50:00.001Z

The train to Derby had us all packed in like cattle, which didn’t amuse any of the passengers who’d failed to get a seat. Just one more carriage would’ve made all the difference...[more]

27 September 2008: Levellers + Nick Harper - Royal Albert Hall - London

2008-10-06T15:45:00.003Z

The Royal Albert Hall is an awe-inspiring place. Not for the...[more]

25 May 2008: Mark Chadwick, Jason Pegg, Tom White - Joogleberry Playhouse - Brighton

2008-05-29T07:29:00.000Z

On a warm summer's evening in Brighton we walked...[more]

17 May 2008: Bearded Theory - Derby

2008-05-29T07:27:00.000Z

This new little colourful festie consisted of several...[more]

10 April 2008: James - Assembly Rooms - Derby

2008-04-11T12:43:00.001Z

Arriving in the venue reception area was like...[more]

08 March 2008: Bloom Festival - Koko - London

2008-03-12T13:49:00.000Z

The Bloom Festival, taking it's cue from the likes...[more]