Gig Diary December 2012  

Darren Hayman/Withered Hand/Jamie Lockhart @ the Hop, Wakefield

As is normal for me when I attend 'On the Ride' events I have no idea what the music is going to be like. My view is that if Gary and Dave Cotton are putting it on its going to be ok.

First up is a familiar act though - Jamie Lockhart (aka Mr Mi Mye). As usual Jamie shies away from such crowd pleasing stuff as big choruses and playing an in-tune guitar. Despite this he wins us over with his usual charm and slightly off kilter pop songs.

When Withered Hand (who is one bloke and acoustic guitar by the way) comes on stage and starts speaking I am slightly concerned. He recently cancelled a gig due to a bad throat and his voice doesn't sound in that good shape. My worries are proved groundless though as he powers through his set. Although not Scottish he resides in Edinburgh and is part of the Fence collective. His songs are melodic and catchy. The lyrics are also pretty interesting. There are a lot of oblique and obvious religious references in them. I get the impression that although possibly not religious now he was bought up in a religious family. Anyway he was very good.

Darren Hayman used to be in Hefner. Hefner are a band that I heard lots about but never got round to listening to. Anyway his latest concept album is about some witch trials that went on in Essex during the English Civil War. About half of his set is made up of a condensed version of his album. Its not as grim as it sounds and his commentary and explanations are very interesting as he draws parallels with the modern world. If I was being honest I would say that he was a more aqcuired taste to my ears than Withered Hand. However most of the audience hung on his every note and I bought an album at the end of the night.

Sour Cherry/The Encounters/Nathanna @ the Plug, Sheffield

I have to admit this is more of a duty gig rather than one for the pleasure of hearing new music. The previous night was my work xmas party and I am very much the worse for wear. I've not slept much and been on a course. I've then jumped straight on the train from work to go down to Sheffield for this.

Anyway tonight is a big gig for my nephew and his band the Encounters. This is the biggest room they have played so far. They are second bottom on a 6 band bill. Hence the need to rush from work.

First up are Nathanna. On the positive side they were very tight and I liked the lead guitarist's style. But on the debit side they were very derivative of the Arctic Monkeys and had nothing to distinguish themselves from a lot of a similar bands.

Next up are the Encounters. First difference is that George is playing an acoustic guitar. Second difference is that he has a co-vocalist, Jenny. They start off with a cover of a song by Of Monsters and Men. Must admit to knowing little about these. The cover is good though with several bits to the song mixing folky elements and synth (apparently its quite a different arrangement to the original).

However after this things go downhill as it is obvious that there are issues on stage and with the sound. The best song of the night is live favourite 'Roller Skate' but the rest of the set is ruined by various problems.

George is seething as he comes off the stage. A couple of days later he has calmed down enough to tell me that they got no soundcheck despite arriving in plenty of time and both the band before and after them getting one. That combined with no audible sound coming from the monitors made it very difficult.

I recognised the soundman as some one I've seen work with Slow Club before. A band who frequently suffer from sound problems at gigs.

In a weird way though I thought it was the best performance I'd seen the Encounters play. Although their set was much more erratic than either of the other two bands I saw it was also encouraging to see that they were trying to do something different. Their use of a synth; the quality of lead guitarist Chris's playing; new member Jenny's vocals and the style of the songs mark them out as different from the pack. I think in a more convivial environment it could have been a really good gig.

I stopped for a couple of tracks by Sour Cherry. They were frankly pretty dull. The singer was technically ok but really shrill and a bit full of herself. The band were obviously more proficient than the Encounters and made a point about the fact that they were playing all original material. That counts for nowt when what you are doing is absolutely bog average. 

Pete Roe/Emily and the Woods/Witch Hunt/Hot Feet/Sam Brookes/Gary Stewart/These Men @ the Gaslight Xmas Party @ Holy Trinity Church, Leeds

There are two givens at the Gaslight Xmas party. Firstly there will be some good music. Secondly the sound will be iffy. Despite what you might think a proper church with high ceilings isn't the best venue for some kinds of music. If you add in the fact that the soundman is used to Oporto which is a completely different shape and size. You know there will be issues.

Anyway no problems for the first act. The opening set by These Men is in danger of becoming a tradition. For those of you who don't know this bunch are an acapella group. This year sounds more harmonious than ever to my ears. The five guys sing beautifully and the songs are pretty good as well. Its kind of sweet the way they all have to ensure they are all in the same key before starting each song as well.

Next up is Gary Stewart, the gaslight's regular host. Unusually his guitar playing sounds slightly rusty. He tells me later that he has let his nails grow a bit. Bear in mind as well that he's spent a lot of the last couple of months playing bass with the Escapades and drums with Hope and Social. Its swings and roundabouts anyway because his vocals sound better than normal. Plus he does 'Bucket of Stars' which I love.

Sam Brookes starts off with a bit of acapella before running into a countryish number that is reminiscent of Ryan Adams. He has a great voice and I like his guitar playing. His songs sound pleasant enough but don't blow you away. They sound too reminiscent of other people's stuff. Very promising though.

I'm a bit wary of Hot Feet because they have drums. Drums in Holy Trinity can be a nightmare. As it happens the sound isn't great for them. But their talent shines through. They have a great singer who is apparently suffering from a cold. I would love to hear her in full health because she sounded excellent as it was. She has a great range and a kind of conversational style of singing. None of that Mariah Carey style over emoting. The rest of the band (with Pete Roe helping out) sound great. Special mention to the drummer who also plays piano (not at the same time!)

The last time I saw Witch Hunt I was blown away. But that was after 15 or so mopey singer songwriters at Oporto. In this context they jar slightly. Their cold gothy sound isn't in keeping with the warm folk music. Still they are interesting proposition and another great singer.

I'm not entirely sure how Emily and the Woods (actually its just Emily there are no woods that I can see) got to play higher on the bill than Hot Feet, Witch Hunt and Sam Brookes. My gig going companions had mixed views on her - delightfully quirky or dull. I'm afraid I'm in the dull camp. Her guitar playing is limited, her songs all sound the same and her voice is a bit one dimensional.

Thankfully Pete Roe restores my faith. Backed by Hot Feet he plays a great set. I enjoyed him at the Brudenell last month supporting Lucy Rose. With a backing band there is a new dimension to what were already good songs.  He's another good singer who doesn't need to over do it as well. The whole sound is a bit reminiscent of 'Bryter Later' era Nick Drake to my ears. This is a good thing.

Michael Ainsley Band/The Do's/Harry George Johns/Jack Winn @ Velvet, Wakefield

Friday nights in Wakefield often have a hint of danger about them. Tonight is a case in point. To paraphrase Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz - 'We're not in Escobar anymore Toto'.

Velvet bar occupies the space once occupied by Escobar but its got its own clientele and not one that necessarily appreciates the Wakefield DIY music scene.

The bar is pretty empty as I arrive and a weird thing happens. Harry George Johns pops over and greets me like an old friend. Funnily enough this happened to me the last time I bumped into him when he played the Hop as part of Dinosaur Pileup. In another life he was a barman in Oporto and perhaps that's where he recognises me from. Either that or I've got a doppleganger somewhere who Harry knows. Anyway I just smile and act like this is all normal.

Pretty soon Jack Winn is on. Now I have every respect for people who get up on stage in front of complete strangers and bare their souls and show off their musical chops.  To be honest though I'm not really struck by Jack's songs and delivery.

By now the bar is starting to fill up and not everybody is here for the music. Fortunately Harry George Johns songs may sound like those of a sensitive soul but in actual fact he is no shrinking violet. He's not afraid to have a bit of a dig at elements of the crowd. Thankfully he gets away with it. Musically he's great. I've only seen him doing loud stuff before (in the Old Romantic Killer band and Dinosaur Pile Up). So tonight's set is a minor revelation. He's got a warm powerful voice and he backs himself with sparse electric guitar. Its a little reminiscent of Ryan Adams at times but don't get the idea that this is alt country. Its big old ballads that sound fine as they are but could probably bear a backing band behind them as well.

Thankfully now with the sensitive singer songwriters out of the way its less important that the crowd are getting lairy and noisy. The Do's sound great. They are a duo and keep things simple with riffs that are almost glam rock at times and great drumming. Not a great band for melodies mind. Still the crowd seem to like them - even the heavy drinking bozos.

Suddenly street marshalls appear in the bar and it looks like one or two individuals are being removed from the premises. I'm not entirely sure what its all about. There seems to be a kerfuffle outside on the street. Luckily I'm not wanting to go anywhere.

Finally we have the Michael Ainsley band. Dan Stringer, the drummer, has damaged his wrist in a fall this morning. So the rhythm guitarist who also happens to be a drummer fills in. Before you start to wonder about Dan's injury it was caused by freaky icy conditions.

Its great to see Michael backed by a full band. I've been listening to his great album , Slip Smash - available from Philiphobia Records, for a few months now. As much as I like Michael's acoustic sets they don't really give you a flavour for his record.

The band he's assembled are really good. The bassist I don't know but he's solid and enthusiastic. Its also clear to see that Harry Rhodes is revelling in the chance to rock out and play something a bit more traditional than the arty stuff we get in Piskie Sits and St Gregory Orange. I will have to reserve judgement on Dan the drummer but his substitute does a good job.

Michael of course is his usual charming self. He leaps about un selfconciously and throws rock and roll shapes. On the penultimate song he even hams up the ending getting a kick up the back side from the bassist for his troubles.

Overall a great night of music but having survived to tell the tale it might be wise to pick another less rowdy night of the week for these events at Velvet.

Ryan Spendlove/Serious Sam Barrett and David Broad @ The Socialist Club, Dewsbury

This is the first time I've attended a gig in Dewsbury (which is incidentally the town where I was born). The Socialist Club is a lively little venue containing more than its fair share of characters. Its a rowdy place and not one that you would immediately think suitable for acoustic music.

Still first up are Serious Sam Barrett and partner in crime David Broad. I've previously only seen Sam solo before. So this is slightly different. Both himself and David seem to be heavily influenced by old blues, country and rockabilly. They mix up covers and originals. Sam jangling away with his ancient twelve string and  David with a more conventional six string guitar. They actually go down great guns and despite the noisy crowd the guys (in conjunction) with the PA sound fine. This isn't simpering sensitive singer songwriter stuff. This music was designed to be played in the juke joints and rough houses of the USA. So the backdrop of noise almost suits it.

This place also seems to be the spiritual home of Ryan Spendlove. Even so the level of conversation doesn't drop much for him. Once again though old leather lunged Spendlove is used to playing this audience and belts out old and new alike and gets the crowd joining in. He finishes off with a version of 'Pretty Polly' on which he gets Sam and David to accompany him; after quickly teaching them the song.

JonnytheFirth/Crybaby/Secret Society/William Booth @ the Hop, Wakefield

Tonight is 'Mad Friday'. For those of you who don't know this is the last Friday before Xmas. Everybody has been drinking since dinner time (that's lunch time if you come from down south) and is pretty much the worse for wear. Sirens are going up and down Westgate and punch ups are plentiful When I arrive in the Hop it is pretty hard to move. Thankfully the bar upstairs is an oasis of calm.

William Booth is the first act up. He plays acoustic guitar and mixes covers and originals. His originals sound pretty good. He has a soulful voice and a rythmic playing style. There is a hint of Jon Gomm occasionally (although he's more likely influenced by Newton Faulkner). He even wins himself an encore. So definitley one to look out for.

Secret Society play heads down no nonsense melodic rock. If I say Foo Fighters and Gaslight Anthem you'll know where I'm coming from. Every song although new to me sounds like I've known it for ever - this is a good thing. Its anthemic and crunchy. The lead guitarist plays some great bits as well.

Crybaby and JonnytheFirth meld into one given that the personnel are the same: Jonny on bass/guitar; Nicci on drums and Rosie Doonan on guitar/bass. Its about 3 weeks since I last saw Crybaby and they have matured in this time. It all sounds great - spagetti western guitars, memorable bass lines, great vocals from both Jonny and Rosie plus Nicci's drumming. From the outside I would say that Nicci Todd has been a real catalyst. Since she has appeared on the scene she seems to have revitalised Jonny and even Rosie to a certain extent.

As the set flows from Crybaby into Jonny's own there is no let up. This is one of the best Jonny the Firth gigs I've attended. Everything is simulataneously raw but tight. Nicci doesn't even break sweat as she beats the hell out of her drum kit. Rosie's bass lines hold it together and she adds great backing vocals as you would expect. Over it all though is Jonny's fire and brimstone delivery. If I've heard a better version of 'Just the way I'm feeling' I don't know when it was.

Here's hoping that 2013 will be Jonny and Rosie's year.

Mi Mye/Michael Ainsley Band @ the Hop, Wakefield

T'was the night before Christmas. Frankly though Wakey is pretty dead. Obviously Mad Friday (not to mention Crazy Saturday and Daft Sunday) has taken its toll.  Thankfully those magic words 'Free Admission' have done the trick at the Hop and upstairs is pretty packed. All the Wakey indie cognitio are present and correct including a couple of Cribs.

If I'm been honest its not the best I've seen from the Michael Ainsley Band. They mix their set with a few Christmas covers that underwhelm. Its good to see Dan Stringer back drumming though after his previous injury.

Its interesting that the Rhubarb Bomb consensus is that free covers bands are bad. But yet tonight is free and full of Christmas covers.

Anyway Jamie Lockhart (aka Mi Mye) is almost the Wakefield equivalent of Sufjan Stevens in the way he mixes up contrary versions of Christmas classics with his own Christmas songs. Personally I prefer it when he reels out his own material though no matter how miserable it is.

Three Sheets T'Wind/Steel Threads/Boss Caine/Chris Martin/Mark Wynn/Lucas Chapman Smith/The Ramshackle River Band @ Henry Boons, Wakefield

Tonight is a landmark. Steve Chapman Smith has been putting on an acoustic night at Henry Boons for several years. But tonight is the last such show.

First up are a trio calling themselves the Ramshackle River Band. They play a few covers but to be honest the singing isn't the best - it sounds to me that they might have selected the wrong key for some songs.

Lucas Chapman Smith is accompanied by a mate. He has a good singing voice but it all sounds a bit overwrought to me. He's a young lad though and he maybe needs to get this over emoting out of his system.

The main reason I've come is to see Mark Wynn and even by his previous standards Mark's performance can only be described as erratic. To put the tin lid on it he chooses to finish by reading a poem. It sounds a bit flat as he starts to read but as he gets into his stride his weird and wonderful word smithery shines through.

Chris Martin isn't the singer from Coldplay. Instead he's a slide guitarist from Batley. He plays his act for laugh finishing up with a version of 'Ring of Fire' with his mother on kazoo.

Next up is Boss Caine (aka Daniel Lucas) a singer songwriter from York. His set spotlights his excelllent weathered voice. His songs are tidy rather than inspired though.

Steel Threads are a tight trio of guitar, double bass and violin. They play well but the music is a bit turgid and po faced. Kind of half heavy metal half Levellers.

The final act I see is Three Sheets t'Wind. These are Wakefield's answer to the Pogues. Like a lot of tonight's acts they work hard and are competent but are missing that x factor that really makes you sit up and listen.