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| I've
just finished a stretch of seven gigs over seven days in seven
different venues all within the city of Wakefield. My constant
companions on this bizarre marathon have included Mrs Windbag and a
bearded bloke wearing a white dress. I'm talking about the Philiphobia Seven Year Itch. A celebration of seven years of Philiphobia records which started back in 2008 and since then as become a bit of an institution in Wakefield. It offers a home to a whole generation of Wakefield musicians who's main common interest seems to be being socially awkward. As a person who works in IT I emphasise with this completely. Anyway its being an entertaining seven days (although I am now looking forward to a peaceful night in). ** The opening night was held in a pop up shop called WE ARE. This was part of the Art Walk which is a bi-monthly event that takes place in Wakefield. The evening started with the premier of a short film about Long Division 2015. This was followed by a performance from the latest incarnation of Mi Mye. This mainly featured new material which was reassuringly strange and beautiful as ever. I had my concerns when I saw Jamie (who's brainchild Mi Mye is) wearing double denim. But obviously fashion plays no part in his creative workings.  ** Philiphobia
products are available at most gigs featuring the various acts. There's
also a big section devoted to them in Wah Wah records. And of course as
a 21st century institution there is a presence on the web. Just look here for the opportunity to buy music on CD, vinyl and download plus other merchandise.My number one recommendation is to start by getting 'We PHOPPHED Something In The Water' which is an excellent sampler featuring most of the main bands plus lots of interesting side projects and more obscure acts. ** Thursday's
gig was at the Hop. This is quite an important venue in Wakey. It took
over the mantle from Escobar as the venue that regularly put on acts
that have some national profile. Overall despite the good ales and all
the good gigs I've seen there its not my favourite venue. Mainly because I think the sound is a bit iffy.First up were Yard Wars which are something of a supergroup featuring two ex-members of the Lapels (the first release on Philiphobia was a single by the Lapels). Tonight the lineup is radically altered from last time I saw them with Michael Ainsley on drums & Harry Rhodes on bass - both played guitar last time. They do a competent if somewhat noisy approximation of their album. But that's just my opinion. Natalie Lawrence was moved to buy the album on the strength of the performance! Next up were Buen Chico who I've never seen before. They stick out like a sore thumb on the Philiphobia roster because the guitar tone is not fuzzed up and scuzzy. Instead its clean clipped and somewhat funky. They have some ace tunes and are definitley the act of the night. I particularly enjoy the fact that the guitarist can regularly push his glasses back up his nose whilst keeping in perfect time. Headliners Piskie Sits are one of my favourite local acts. But for whatever reason it didn't quite click. Maybe it was the lack of keyboardist Al or the fact that singer Craig was playing his first ever sober gig. It all seemed a bit loud and it lacked the chaotic unhinged elements that made the last time I saw them at Long Division 2015 so compelling. Still the last song 'This Good this Bad' was as striking as ever. ** My number 2 tip in my guide to buying Philiphobia music is 'Creature Feature' by Piskie Sits. There is a myth that all Philiphobia bands are in debt to Pavement. Like all myths though there is a sliver of truth to it and the Piskies have definitely heard a Pavement song or two in their lifetime. That said this is definitley the album where they lay that ghost. Its full of great tunes and live anthems. You can buy it here. ** We were at the Red Shed for Friday night's show. This is a good venue. Literally it is what it says on the label - a shed that is red. Full of opinionated regulars and good beer. The first act were the Compression. I know nothing about these although I recognise two of the members from other bands. Apparently this was their final gig that they should have played a few years back. They sounded alright if a little generically Philiphobia. Next up were St Gregory Orange. Another of my favourites. To my mind they are basically a 'bedroom band'. What I mean by that is that they record their music in their bedrooms - although actually I believe they record in a basement. Their recorded music is made up of complex soundscapes. The core duo of Tim and Harry don't attempt to recreate this. Instead Harry accompanies Tim's dark tales on piano and guitar. Another success. Finally we had the Do's. These are an extremely tight duo of guitar and drums. They are technically excellent and a pretty exciting live act. They just lack a couple of killer tunes. ** The observant amongst you will have noticed a strange reference to a bearded bloke in a white dress at the start of this article. The man in question was none other than Rob Dee. He is the evil genius behind the behometh that is Philiphobia music. By day a mild mannered biologist (definitley not a chemist as I made the mistake of suggesting). By night a record company mogul, writing big cheques, running round the city signing bands and for one week only to be found wearing a white dress.  It all began with the promotional poster for the Seven Week Itch - above. It was then suggested that Rob should wear the dress at some point. In the end the concept became that he would wear the dress every night.  Rob is a great character and is one of the stalwarts of the local music scene. Encouraging and supporting loads of acts and giving them an outlet for their creative urges. The quality of the Philiphobia output is excellent. Not just the music itself but the artwork and the effort put into presentation. Take another look at the online store. A record can stand or fall on its image. I really love Rob's enthusiasm as well. A couple of months ago I was asking him what was upcoming for release. He spoke with real passion about The Grand album and other stuff in the pipeline. You would have thought that it was his first release not his umpteenth. ** Players is the venue for Saturday. This is a resurected venue from the 80's and 90's. I spent that time in Newcastle & High Wycombe so I have no idea what it was like in those days. It is a great rock'n'roll venue though - with a nice high stage, good sound and atmospheric lights. SWORDS unfortunately have pulled out so first up were Alpha Shallows. I know nothing about these but they appear slightly older (late 30's maybe?). They play a heavy brand of alternative rock. Pretty influenced by 90's grunge I'd say. They grew on me to be fair - but the singer need's to get a style of jeans more appropiate to his age. That just off your hips style - showing your undies - is not flattering for us older types. The main band were the Spills. I have a confession - I've never really taken to the Spills in the past. But for whatever reason tonight seemed to be the moment when the penny dropped for me. All the little riffs all seemed just right and the individual songs sprung out from what before always seemed to be a morass of guitar noise and shouting. **
My number 3 tip for purchases from Philiphobia is 'Slip Smash' by Michael Ainsley. This album pre-dates the Ainsley Band and Michael played & sang everything on this album bar one vocal from Tim Metcalfe. Much as I enjoy the Ainsley Band there's a rawness and subtlety on this record that Michael has yet to recapture. Here's my review of it back in the day. You can buy it here. ** Sunday's gig is at the Inns of Court. In my younger days this was somewhere that was on the circuit of pubs that me & my mates used to go into on our get togethers when we were back in town. It was always really quiet in those days. It seems a little livelier now - though a fair portion of the clientele seem to be about the same age as they always were. First up tonight is One Day After School. This is the second time I've seen them with their latest line up and I think they are gelling well. Andy on bass seems to be bringing out the rocker in Dean Freeman who I spy putting his foot up on the speaker/monitor at one point! The main act tonight are the Ainsley Band. They seem to be turning into more of a collective than a band with the guitarist count up to 4 (including Michael playing more guitar than usual tonight - rather than his recent mic stand dismantling antics) and Jack Winn guest starring on bass. The music is almost upstaged by Harry Rhodes decision to show his razor sharp tongue and wit. Having already heckled the support he proceeds to rip the piss out of Dean, Mike and even Rob Dee. Very out of character and very entertaining!  ** Back to shopping at Philiphobia. Number 4 tip is 'Midnight at The Sycamore Lounge' by St Gregory Orange. This is very different to the archetypal Philiphobia guitar band - think checked shirts and Fender guitars. This one is all about the words. Tim Metcalfe tells strange tales which might or might not be autobiographical. They are set in a variety of 'sound beds' concoted over many hours by Tim & Harry Rhodes. You can buy it here. ** Another old old haunt of mine was the venue on Monday. The Bull and the Fairhouse used to be called Friar Tucks in my youth and it was another regular stop on drinking sessions in town. First up tonight was JJ Swimsuit. This is basically another pseudonym for Tim Metcalfe (also of St Gregory Orange & Yard Wars). This time he plays the solo acoustic troubadour. Its amazing how he manages to remember all his many words whilst acompanying himself on guitar. Anyway it was a solid and varied set. Next up were We Are Rocket. I wasn't familar with the band name but it turns out its the new name for the Sunbeams. They played a good set of indie pop.The new single sounded particularly good. The headliners were Fur Blend. A three piece who play a technicolour set of fizzy indie. Somewhere between the poppier side of the Pixies and the B52s. The twin vocalists swapped lines with aplomb and they've got some great tunes. Even Max Mcnally enjoyed them! ** Finally Number 5 tip for 'must buys' from Philiphobia is 'Sometimes Life's Cool' by Mi Mye. As mentioned Jamie Lockhart is the main man in Mi Mye. And in my opinion this album is his first master piece. Jamie's another stalwart of the Wakefield music scene. He is co-owner of Greenmount studios where a hell of a lot of the Philiphobia catlogue was recorded. I would compare the music on this album to somebody like Sufjan Stevens or even Brian Wilson. Maybe not in style but like those two Jamie has that kind of vision of what he wants his music to sound like; and he has the know how to achieve it. The centre piece is probably the title track that reminds me a lot of the Flaming Lips. You can buy it here. ** All good things must come to an end and its appropiate that the venue was Unity for the finale. Unity Works is the re-vitalised Unity Hall which was a legendary venue in the 70s & 80s before sinking into delapidation. It has been bought back into use by a co-operative of which myself and Mrs Windbag are share holders. The first act was Jack Winn. This was his 3rd performance of the series. He uses loop pedals to build up his songs to good effect and finished with an old Runaround Kids number. Next up was Loz Campbell who played a set of acoustic pop - originals and covers - on her distinctive white guitar. Another young'un was next. Head is the latest pseudonym for Charlie Padfield (and friend). The set started slowly but when Charlie played a song called something like 'Astronaut' the set took off. He has a strong voice and he's a dynamic guitar player of some style. Finally playing us out were the Grand. Although they've been round quite a while they're recent additions to the Philiphobia stable. Their set was based around their new album. Their style is very 80's with the bass driving the songs and the guitar full of tension and rhythmic.With a great drummer as well they are an extremely tight band with a great anthemic sound. Like one or two other bands they probably just lack a couple of killer tunes.  ** So that's it 7 gigs in 7 nights. I'm not sure if I've ever done that before. To be honest though - it was pretty easy with most venues been about 20 mins walk from our house at the most. My favourite band of the week was Buen Chico with honorable mentions to The Spills and Fur Blend. My favourite gig surprisingly was the Monday night one. On paper it didn't look too exciting but in practice it was great (and I was sober so I didn't see it through drunken rose coloured specs). Hero of the week had to be Rob Dee although honorable mentions to Harry Rhodes who played four times and did the sound at some of the gigs as well. |
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