Gig Diary June 2012  

Long Division @ various venues, Wakefield

I've actually written a review of this day long festival for another publication. See here.

However I saw some other bands that I didn't fit into the review for various reasons (some because I couldn't squeeze 'em in and some because somebody else was reviewing them). So here's a quick summary of what else I caught

I don't know whether it was because I was soberer or they were soberer or possibly both; but Piskie Sits were the best I've ever seen 'em. It was one of those sets that hit you right from the first moment as Harry Rhodes' guitar screamed into life. The set was a normal Piskie Sits set but the way they just tore into it was impressive.

Next up downstairs was Heartships. This was a performance I was really looking forward to. Despite only popping over from Leeds the band seemed to have arrived late and were only just setting up as we got down the stairs ears ringing from the Piskie Sits. Eventually they got themselves together all crowded onto the tiny stage. They started off a bit slowly, grumbling about a lack of soundcheck and preparation (and who's fault was that?) However they got into the swing of things and eventually blew me away with what was the best performance of the day. In particular a song called 'Pinhole of light' was gobsmackingly good. Its kind of hard to describe the music so I'll just tell you what I scribbled down at the time (I was trying to be a bit professional since I was reviewing it for a magazine): Opera singer vocals; effect heavy guitars; a bit prog; lots going on! Hope that helps.

They ended their set with their 'big single' - 'Heart of a Wrestler'. The singer jumped into the crowd during this. Overall it was an amazingly passionate and committed performance that made the next couple of acts I saw pale into insignificance.

One of those acts were a band called Mammal Club. They were pleasant enough playing a set at the theatre but they had no songs that demanded your attention.

Art Brut had to be one of the most hyped up acts of the day and Mustangs was packed when they arrived on stage. Must admit I was underwhelmed. When the front man is a talker rather than a singer you need a good set of tunes to back it up (see the Blue Aeroplanes and the Hold Steady). This band were bog average. I did find Eddie Argos (said frontman) quite entertaining but without good music you might as well be doing spoken word.

Another band getting good write ups were Standard Fare. Once again I couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Bog standard indie with rubbish vocals. 

Chapter 13/The Holy Orders/Glasseye Diner @ Milo, Leeds

This gig diary of mine is rapidly turning into the 'NME' - that's Nepotism Musical Express. First I review my nephew's band; then my wife's party and now a mate from work's band.

First band we caught were called Glasseye Diner and they were doing an acoustic set for some reason (possibly a member being ill). Anyway it was a bit dull with two guitars and bongos. No real melodies to speak of.

The Holy Orders on the other hand were a noisy bunch. I wasn't completely convinced by them but they could certainly play and the vocalist was pretty good. A couple of times he came off the stage and sang without his mike. This kind of behavior is difficult enough with an acoustic band so to do it with guitars, bass and drums behind you is pretty impressive.

Chapter 13 are very much old school punk. Not Green Day cartoon style more 1979/1980 Uk style. Melodic but edgy with their post-punk influences showing. Mick, the singer and my work mate, is a very confident front man and has a strong voice. Although weirdly, for a proud Northerner, his singing voice sounds a bit Cockney to my ears.

Fran Smith/Nigel Stonier/Team Tracey @ The Hop, Wakefield

This gig was an EP launch party for Fran Smith. More of her later.

Team Tracey was on the stage when we arrived. Despite the name she is an individual with an acoustic guitar. Pleasant enough but not really memorable.

Nigel Stonier is Fran Smith's producer and is most famous for being 'Mr Thea Gilmore', apparently. His class is evident in his guitar playing, singing and songwriting. Not my kind of music though.

Fran Smith is a local lass who learnt her trade studying songwriting at college up in Newcastle. She has managed to pull a sizeable crowd of friends, family and fans. Fran plays the piano and sings her own compositions. I've got to confess to being a bit of a fan. Her voice isn't the best in the world and you can hear the occasional bum note on the old pianner. But I think she writes really good songs with strong melodies and lovely words. I hope this doesn't sound insulting but she has a little bit of Victoria Wood about her style. Not that her songs are comedic but she has a great turn of phrase. Case in point is in her song 'Beelines' when she talks about an ex-lover who has abandoned her she sings 'Nobody wants an apple after somebody has taken a bite'. Its both quite witty but profoundly sad.  

Cave Birds/Garnets/Giuliano Modarelli @ the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Its not often that you get to see such a varied set of acts even somewhere as eclectic as the Brudenell.

First act Giuliano Modarelli is a perfect example of why you should always make the effort to catch all the bill at a gig. He is a solo acoustic guitarist and he is superb. His style is very influenced by Indian music. He uses loop pedals to build ragas and accompany himself with percussion produced by banging his guitar. The songs are hypnotic and you can get lost in them. I'm not normally a big fan of instrumentals but this was something special.

Garnets have an array of keyboards on the stage. The main singer plays piano, his co-vocalist plays a little synth and there's a guy at the back with what looks like some sort of organ (ooh - er missus). They are accompanied by a bassist and drummer. Their songs are very pleasant and kind of like Sigur Ros only with more emphasis on songs than atmosphere. So actually a little like Lanterns on the Lake as well. Unfortunately neither the singers or the songs are strong enough and they lacked presence. The singer's voice is pleasant but too quiet once the bass and drums join in. There is promise though. The singer needs to project better; the band engage with the audience more and come up with a couple of stronger songs.

Cave Birds I've caught before in a support slot at Oporto. This time they are headlining as this is their single launch. They don't impress me as much as last time I saw them. I'm not convinced that they are ready to headline a venue of this size just yet. They have charisma and a couple of decent songs. They are also good musicians. However too many of their songs are average at the moment including the new single (to my ears anyway). Also I have to say that the bassist should stop being a fashion victim. If you are going to wear tight drain pipe jeans you really need to have legs like pipecleaners.

Charlie Bath/Thomas J Speight/In Fear of Olive/Mike Medved & the Redcoats/Look Yonder @ Oporto, Leeds

One way of ensuring you get to see some good bands is to find a promoter who you know puts on quality bills. Nick of Dead Young Records/Communion is one such individual. Tonight is nominally an ep launch for Charlie Bath but all acts get a good crack of the whip.

Look Yonder is a tatooed guy with a ukelele. Disappointingly despite his obvious Yorkshire accent he isn't really called 'Luke Yonder'. Instead he takes his name from a Nick Cave lyric. There are obviously limitations to singing songs over a ukekele but all the same he's a talented charismatic performer. One of his main selling points is his voice which kind of reminds me of Beirut (that's the American alternative music act rather than the city in the Lebanon).

I have a friend who has a passionate hatred of people who aren't American singing in an American accent. Well Mike Medved gets away with it because he is American. He and his Redcoats play a muscular brand of American blues rock. Its very well done and the musicanship is very good. However it lacks a bit of excitement and I also feel that they play a couple too many songs. To be fair to them they pull the biggest crowd of the night.

On next are In Fear of Olive. They have the same kind of lineup as the last band (guitarist/singer, lead guitarist, bassist and drums) and play a similar kind of music. However the difference is in the songs and their arrangements. The songs are less cliched with rockabilly influences and even the odd touch of Vampire Weekend style jangly guitar. The drummer is absolutely manic as well. A real breath of fresh air and a name to watch out for.

Thomas J Speight and his band are much more sedate but there is a touch of class about his music. He also has an authoriative stage presence (I compared him to a school teacher and he didn't disagree).

Its a while since I've seen Charlie Bath. Apparently she's moved down to Wiltshire (she was based in Leeds last time I'd seen her). Her music sounds better than I recall. It could be the backing band. Still she was far from the best act of the night

Diane Jones/Ryan Spendlove @ the Hop, Wakefield

Another night put on by promoters with good quality control. Dave and Gary Cotton have been bringing good Americana acts to Wakefield for a few years now.

They usually ensure that a local act is also on the bill and this time its Ryan Spendlove. I'm a big fan so its great to see him play to a relatively large and appreciative audience. He's starting to slip a few of his new songs into his set and they sound good. He also gives a shout out to me and Mrs Windbag which is nice.

Must admit I knew nothing of Diane Jones. As usual, with On Ride gigs, I was pleasantly surprised. She plays sparse roots music. I think she's quite influenced by the music from the Applachian Mountains. Her voice is distinctive rather than an object of great beauty. One of the highlights of the night is an unaccompanied song that she wrote about Dave and Gary's father. 

Wiful Missing/Fran Smith @ All Hallows, Leeds

I think a lot of people thought it was a strange decision to go to a gig rather than watching the England-Italy game. In the end I think I made the right decision.

The night started with a support slot from Fran Smith. Her songs are definitely her strongest suit. Her singing can seem a little flat. Mind you she's not exactly as bad as Ian Brown and people are paying god knows what to see him.

Wilful Missing are absolutely brilliant. I may have damned them with faint praise previously comparing them to Mumford and Sons. To be completely honest Mumford and Sons don't have a multi instrumentalist of the quality of Sam Lawrence in the band. His electric guitar playing is amazing. But this band are about more than musical virtuosity. Their songs are excellent with some great tunes and interesting lyrics. To top it all they throw in a handful of interesting covers including Ryan Adams, Turin Brakes and Big Star.

Ellen and The Escapades/Flocks/Ella Janes/Gary Stewart @ the Gaslight Club, Oporto, Leeds

Its obvious that Ellen and her Escapades have outgrown the Gaslight club. All the chairs and tables have been removed in order to fit more people in. In the absence of Glastonbury this is billed as Gastonbury complete with a projection of the pyramid stage as a backdrop.

As usual Gary Stewart is first on playing a short and sweet set.

Ella Janes is yet another woman with an acoustic guitar. Actually though she has the 'X Factor' which allows her to stand out from the hordes of non-descript performers. There's something slightly mad about her and a happiness that you don't normally get.

Flocks feature a couple of people out of Hunting Bears. I'm not sure if they are an offshoot of said band or if said band have broken up. Anyway they have two bassists (a double bass player and one playing an electric five string) but don't really stand out other than that. The singer is a little flat at times and there are questions over the drummer's timing.

Ellen and the Escapades are of course marvellous. They ease through all the favourites even finding time to re-work 'Yours to keep' into something a bit more funky. They finish with a version of the Band's 'The Weight'.