November 2010

november 2010

free

www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands

AND: WIN TICKETS AND RETURN TRAVEL FOR DEADMAU5 AND FRIENDS ON HIS ARENA TOUR, PLUS TICKETS TO SEE ZERO 7 AND 2020SOUNDSYSTEM IN BIRMINGHAM, FRIGHTENED RABBIT IN WOLVERHAMPTON AND CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR FOUR. ENJOY.

o b t u n s iness w o d g n w it

ith

get

also inside: pendulum, DJ sam redmore, flip animation festival and the lowdown on supersonic festival. plus: christmas party plans revealed, birmingham’s best independent clothes shops AND your full gig guide for november

simian mobile disco

ress!

new add

Brum Notes Magazine: Issue 14, November 2010 Brum Notes Magazine 120 The Greenhouse The Custard Factory Digbeth Birmingham B9 4AA info@brumnotes.com To advertise contact: advertising@ brumnotes.com Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: Tom Pell, Ross Cotton, Lyle Bignon, Lee Hathaway, Matt Beck, Andy Roberts, Saima Razzaq, James Collins, CassiePhilomena Smyth Pictures: Drw-images, Matt Higgs, John Bentley, Jade Sukiya Design: Ryan Killeen, Andy Aitken, Sleepy Design All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine.

While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses claimed to have been incurred by any errors. Advertising terms and conditions available on request.

Twitter @BrumNotesMag Facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine’ www.brumnotes.com

Moseley’s urban oasis, p10

Look who’s back, p4

Flip out in Wolverhampton, p8

Shooting history, p9

Crystal Castles - knock out show? See live reviews p16

contents NEWS 4-5: The party season is on its way so celebrate in style.

COMPETITIONS 6: Win tickets to some of the hottest shows coming up, including Deadmau5 at the Ricoh Arena.

FEATURES 8: Flip Animation Festival We get the lowdown on the highlights at this year’s event as it returns to Wolverhampton.

9: Muzik Kinda Sweet A look behind the lens with Birmingham photographer Pogus Caesar who has spent years capturing the finest black music legends.

10: PROFILE: Bulls Head We go behind the scenes of Moseley’s shining beacon of cool.

11: Sam Redmore One of Birmingham’s most respected DJs and promoters on where it all began.

12-13: Pendulum Inside the hectic lives of Australia’s most surprising rock phenomenons.

14-15: Simian Mobile Disco The techno duo reveal their love of warehouse raves.

REVIEWS 16-17: Live The Lines triumph on their homecoming gig, plus Supersonic Festival and the

best of last month’s gigs.

STYLE 20-21: Hidden Hems We look at some of Birmingham’s best independent retailers for those who want some individual style.

FOOD & DRINK 22: Drink of the month Winter warmers to help you get the party warmed up.

23: News and reviews The verdict on a landmark eatery, plus what’s hot for food lovers this month.

GIG GUIDE 28-31: Ignore the weather, go to a gig. Find out which ones and where here.

page four

news IN BRIEF: A shop showcasing Birmingham’s creative talent opens its doors this month. We Are Birmingham will launch on November 13 in Kings Parade, Dale End. Customers will be able to buy products designed and made by creative talent from across Birmingham and the West Midlands. It follows the Created in Birmingham store which ran temporarily from a unit in the Bullring earlier this year.

A Midlands-wide survey has been launched in a bid to boost the folk music scene across the Midlands. The Birmingham-based Traditional Arts Team, launched in 2000 to bring together established and emerging folk singers and storytellers, want views from as many people as possible to find out more about what is already taking place and what audiences and performers would like to see. Answers will be used to help increase the numbers of traditional artists, events and audiences. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a prize draw for a pair of tickets to the Bedworth Folk Festival which runs from November 26-28.

Visit www.folkmonthlysurvey.info to complete the survey.

Bargain hunters can search for vintage gifts at a series of Vintage Christmas Fairs taking place in Birmingham. The Soak in Selly Oak will host stalls on November 9 and December 2, with events also taking place in the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, on November 6 and December 4, with clothing, accessories, jewellery and homeware from ÂŁ1. Entry is free. Stalls are still available for sellers, call 01527 857993 for details.

The Germans are coming

Around three million visitors are expected to soak up the mulled wine, beer and sausages when the Frankfurt Christmas Market returns to Birmingham this month.

The market launches on November 18 in what is its 10th anniversary year. It is described as the biggest authentic German festive market outside Germany and Austria and is said to boost the city economy by nearly ÂŁ90 million.

The usual sights, sounds and smells of the market will take over Victoria Square and New Street seven days a week until December 23, with more than 180 stalls and bars operating from

10am to 9pm each day. A host of craft stalls will also run alongside the food, drink and gift sellers.

Traditional stalls offer handmade toys, decorations and jewellery, the helter skelter and carousel return for younger visitors, while the copious amounts of German lager, Gluwein and grilled sausages will draw the crowds, overseen by familiar friends the singing reindeer, scary Santa and the friendly beer bear.

We want your pictures! Send us your photos of the Frankfurt Christmas Market in full swing - arty, funny, matey, laddy or just plain stupid. Whatever they are show them off on our Facebook or Flickr pages and the best ones could win Christmas Dinner for four courtesy of Soul Food Project @ the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath. facebook.com/BrumNotesMagazine

BRUM NOTES christmas PARTY RETURNING TO THE VIC! We are celebrating the festive season in style - by throwing a huge FREE party! We’ve teamed up with uber-cool DIY record label Speech Fewapy Records and premium ale extraordinaires Purity Brewing Co to bring you an exciting night of live music and DJs. Purity Brewing Together we will be taking over the upstairs of BirCo is the Warmingham’s coolest city centre boozer, The Victoria in John Bright St, on December 17, the last Friday night wickshire home of tasty tipples before Christmas. including Mad Goose and We’re keeping the line-up details under wraps for UBU and they now but rest assured we will be bringing you some know a thing of the city’s finest musical talent, while a devilish mix or two about of DJs will keep the party going into the early hours. parties with taste, while Speech There will also be some tasty food and drink on offer Fewapy Records know a thing or throughout the evening and into the night - and best of all, it won’t cost you a penny to come and enjoy the two about parties full stop. highlight of the party season. Forget the office party, As an added Christmas treat we’ll get your baubles around this instead. be giving out a prize a week every week until December 17 - all you Last year’s Christmas Party saw people packed into have to do to be in with a chance of the venue to see the likes of Chew Lips (pictured), winning is tell us you’re coming by Scarlet Harlots, Is I Cinema and Little Palm whipping up a winter storm - and this year’s shindig promises to signing up to the event at be even better, with the partying carrying on until 2am. facebook.com/BrumNotesMagazine.

page six

COMPETITIONS>

Email all answers to info@brumnotes.com

< ZERO 7 (DJ set) Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Nov 12

With 3 consecutive Gold-selling albums and countless appearances on compilations and at festivals worldwide, Zero 7 are a household name. Their latest release, Record is a collection of favourites past and present. Their appearance in Birmingham is a rare chance to hear the music that continues to inspire them.

To win a pair of tickets for the show just tell us the name of their 2001 debut album. Answers by Nov 10.

2020SOUNDSYSTEM LIVE! > Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Nov 13

Birmingham house promoters habit and Audio Therapy join forces to bring Ralph Lawson’s 2020Soundsytem band to the Hare & Hounds for a special intimate show as part of a worldwide tour, showcasing their talent for combining original material, live performance and record mixing skills.

To win a pair of tickets for the show just tell us the name of the second album by 2020Soundsytem, released earlier this year. Answers by Nov 10.

< DEADMAU5 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Dec 11 Electronic music phenomenon Deadmau5 heads to Coventry’s Ricoh Arena next month, with support from Zane Lowe and Magnetic Man, as part of one of the biggest dance music tours of the year. We’ve got a pair of tickets to the show AND return coach travel to the arena from Birmingham, a package worth more than £100! Travel comes courtesy of Big Green Coach, an official ticket retailer which operates low cost and environmentally friendly coach services to Deadmau5 Winter Tour locations around the UK. For details and to book your seat visit www.biggreencoach.co.uk.

To win tickets and travel for two to the show simply tell us the real name of the electro mastermind behind Deadmau5. Answers in by November 31.

FRIGHTENED RABBIT > Slade Rooms, Wolves, Nov 30

Scottish indie popsters bring their everexpanding outfit to Wolverhampton to showcase their blend of lo-fi folk and shimmering pop melodies.

We have two pairs of tickets to give away. Just tell us the name of Frightened Rabbit’s founder member. Answers by Nov 26.

Rizzla Brumnotes_print.pdf

1

25/10/2010

11:31

page eight

FLIP animation festival The Flip Animation Festival returns to Wolverhampton this month, showcasing the finest animators, artists and filmmakers not only from across the region, but from around the world. Now in its sixth year, festival director Peter McLuskie talks us through the origins of the annual event and draws up some of his top picks among this year’s contributors.

“Flip grew out of an animation forum, which was held regularly at Light House in Wolverhampton from 1999,” explains Peter. “The idea here was to give animators a chance to get together and showcase interesting work from the region. Then in 2003 we had the idea that maybe fewer but bigger events would have more of an impact. That’s when Flip arrived. It started as a regional event, and mainly featured West Midlands-based animation, companies and contributors. But we quickly realised that if we want to show the rest of the world how great we are, then there was no point talking amongst ourselves: we had to go international. Since then we have featured an international line up of contributors and receive over 250 film submissions from more than 30 countries.”

Clare Kitson Clare is a bit of a legend in the animation world; she was commissioning editor for Animation at Channel 4 during the 1990s and has written books on British animation and animators such as Yori Norstein.

Clare has put together and is introducing a programme of personal favourites – a sort of desert islands discs for animation.

Nov 6, 11.15am-1.15pm

Andy Gent Model maker Andy has worked with some high profile directors, Tim Burton and Wes Anderson. He’s coming along to talk about his work as supervising model maker on films such as The Corpse Bride and The Fantastic Mr Fox

Secret Cinema John Bates screens 8mm films in strange, intimate places, such as cellars and canal boats. For FLIP he is presenting a special animation themed screening in our library – watch out for Dastardly and Mutley, Son of Kong and other high brow titles.

Media Molecule This small, Guildfordbased game studio made the Playstation 3 usergenerated platform puzzler Little Big Planet and has just launched LBP 2. The team is coming along to talk about its work.

Nov 6, 2.15pm-4pm

Nov 5 and 6, 10am-7pm

Nov 5, 2pm-4pm

FLIP Animation Festival takes place at Light House, Wolverhampton and other venues in the West Midlands from November 4-6, with spin-off events throughout the month. For full details visit www.flipfestival.co.uk.

P A N S

page nine

HAPPY

Birmingham photographer Pogus Caesar has spent three decades capturing some of the most influential names in black music using his trusted Canon Sure Shot.

From Stevie Wonder to Jay Z, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry to Grace Jones, as well as shots of significant events including the Handsworth Riots, Birmingham Tornado and regeneration of the Bullring; this extraordinary collection of black and white images has now been published in a new limited edition book - Muzik Kinda Sweet. Here he casts his mind back to some of his favourite musical moments.

If you had to pick a favourite picture which one would it be?

The picture that means the most to me is Dennis Brown who sadly passed away in 1999.

I photographed him outside Alpha Tower in 1987. We had just conducted a great interview for Central Television, he was a warm, open and funny person who you liked instantly. Bob Marley said he was his favourite singer, calling him ‘The Crown Prince of Reggae’. Every time I listen to the Visions of Dennis Brown LP I’m reminded of what a true superstar he was.

Is there anyone you would have loved to be able to shoot that passed you by?

The artists who passed me by were the ones I was privileged to see.

People like Marvin Gaye (Bingley Hall), Ike and Tina Turner (Top Rank), Bob Marley (Odeon New Street) and the legendary night when Earth, Wind and Fire supported Santana at Birmingham Hippodrome, that was truly a mindblowing experience.

What made you pick up a camera in the first place?

It was by accident. While visiting New York in 1982 I started photographing people on the streets using a Minolta 110 camera. That resulted in the exhibition Instamatic Views of

New York at the National Museum of Film and Photography in Bradford, 1985. I then progressed to Canon and Nikon Autofocus cameras - they gave me the freedom to capture the moment without too much technical fuss.

Your encounter with Stevie Wonder must have been an incredible experience?

Stevie Wonder is everyone’s great all rounder.

The encounter came about through my working at Central Television as a presenter on Here & Now, a multicultural series. I was asked to direct scenes for a video which included Stevie Wonder. He was staying at the Holiday Inn and came to the music studios over two nights. The experience was humbling - remember this was someone I only knew through LPs, radio and TV, so having tea and biscuits and joking with Stevie Wonder at 1am in the morning was interesting to say the least.

When you compare how close you got to him in 1989 with the entourage that surrounds stars these days, how much have you seen the treatment of musicians as change over the years?

Back in the 70s when we started sneaking into clubs you could get really close to the to stage - imagine being 4ft away from Barry

Pogus Caesar, pictured

by Dee Johnson White, Bob Marley Fleetwood Mac and Roberta Flack, they all performed at Odeon New St. Barbarellas was another great venue holding concerts

by Thin Lizzy and James Brown to name a few. Today is completely different, but that’s progress.

Clearly your love of music has not dwindled since you first picked up a camera?

My love of music increases all the time, there is so much good music still to be unearthed.

Also returning to my old records and finding new tracks is great.

The project Muzik Kinda Sweet first germinated when I took the very first shot of reggae legend Burning Spear in 1985. To find inspiration in music is an ongoing quest and will continue whether in jazz, rock, hip hop, R&B and classical - music is a brilliant healer.

Muzik Kinda Sweet is published by Punch Records and OOM Gallery. Images (LtoR) Stevie Wonder, Grace Jones, Dennis Brown, by Pogus Caesar (© Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive).

page ten

BULLS HEAD, MOSELEY

profile

WHAT: Pub, club, live venue WHERE: St Marys Row, Moseley HIGHLIGHTS: Friday clubnight Freestyle, intimate live music Wednesdays and Thursdays.

DETAILS: Facebook or www.bullsheadmoseley.co.uk

Despite being hailed as the cultural capital of Birmingham’s music and arts scenes, Moseley is somewhat short of venues to showcase live music and reputable DJs. But the Bulls Head has proved a beacon for harbouring local and international talent in an effortlessly cool setting - and the 2am licence at weekends is a rare treat in B13.

“The Bulls Head is a labour of love for all those involved,” explains manager Dean Brennan.

“It’s run by music enthusiasts who want to offer people more than just a pint and a pack of crisps.

Its about celebrating local artists and giving them a space to perform. Its about bringing club nights back to the idea of people partying together in an intimate space, not bouncing around a soulless super club.

“There are so many nondescript pubs and bars in Birmingham playing pop music and showing X Factor on big screens, there needs to be an outlet for those of us who want something different.”

One of the bar’s undoubted strong points is its cosy but cool urban oasis styled courtyard, with an upper terrace and a groundfloor garden, with the two areas maintaining an intimate ‘house party’ vibe. But it is indoors and upstairs where the magic really happens for most, with one of the most close knit and atmospheric clubbing and live music spaces in the city.

“The upstairs space is many things to many people,” continues Dean. “The long standing weekly reggae night Jam Jah, where students of all nationalities mingle with old school Brummie dreads; local bands on Wednesdays / Thursdays, offering a space for artists to grow and for people to see cheap live music like nowhere else in Moseley; our flagship night Freestyle every Friday, a weekly social for students and locals playing a melting pot of hip hop, funk, soul, reggae, house, disco, rock and everything else in between; club nights on Saturdays, with promoters getting internationally renowned DJs to come and play at our local boozer.

“I could go on forever.”

For full gig and event listings visit: www.bullsheadmoseley.co.uk.

The Bulls Head’s deck tormentor-in-chief Sam Redmore also heads up the venue’s flagship clubnight Freestyle every Friday.

Having cut his teeth with veteran Birmingham promoters Leftfoot and supported some stellar names, his own DJ skills have quickly seen him establish himself as one of Birmingham’s hottest homegrown musical talents.

James Collins finds out more.

e r o m d sam re

“I started out DJing in Birmingham as the resident for Adam Regan’s club night Leftfoot (now in its 10th year). Supporting people like Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, Roy Ayers, Greg Wilson, Crazy P, Hot 8 Brass Band and Omar amongst others gave me the experience and confidence to start putting on my own night,” says Sam - and Freestyle was born.

“There were plenty of other nights going on that specialise in one particular type of music, but I tend to get bored listening to the same drum beat all night long. What I wanted to do with Freestyle was bring together all the different styles of music that I love and put them together in a way that makes sense, whereby different genres complement one another, rather than clash.”

It has clearly proved a winning formula, with the night having started filling the odd gap in the Bulls Head calendar before going monthly last year and then weekly in 2010.

The musical standards are simple, as Sam explains: “Freestyle is built on the musical ethos of anything goes, so long as it’s got soul - this can include all sorts from hip hop, funk, reggae, afrobeat and soul through to disco, house, latin, rock, d&b and more.

The crowd is very much important to the success of the night - there are plenty of regulars you’ll see on

the dancefloor week after week, many of the DJs I’ve had play I’ve known as people who regularly attend the night before seeing them step behind the decks, and the setup of the Bulls Head room makes it the perfect venue for creating that intimate, house party vibe.

“The majority of the DJs who play at the night are local talent, but every now and again we’ll have internationally renowned artists on the bill, with past guests including the likes of Yam Who?, Mark E, and with Quantic and Metro Area as part of the Leftfoot 10th anniversary celebrations lined up for December.” www.soundcloud.com/samredmore

They’ve gone gone from from guitar-wielding, guitar-wielding, drum drum nn bass bass They’ve crossover novelties novelties to to one one of of the the biggest biggest rock rock acts acts on on crossover the planet. planet. Lyle Lyle Bignon Bignon caught caught up up with with all-conquering all-conquering the Aussies PENDULUM PENDULUM ahead ahead of of their their biggest biggest arena arena Aussies tour to to date. date. tour relentless summer schedule of festival appearances AArelentless summer schedule of festival appearances and live and live shows across Europe Over shows across Europe and Asia.

Overand fortyAsia.

DJ sets andforty live DJ sets and plus live an performances eight date UK performances eight date UK plus arenaan tour to look arena tour to look forward to between and forward to between now and December.

Priornow to that, six years December.

Prior to that, six years of remixing, of remixing, producing, recording and touring. producing, recording and touring.

Welcome to Gareth McGrillen’s world.

Welcome to Gareth McGrillen’s world.

The co-founder, bassist and one sixth of Australian dance rock The co-founder, andfor one sixth of or at the very act Pendulum must bassist be a sucker punishment Australian dancesadist. rock Sounding act Pendulum must be afrom sucker least a professional tired but upbeat for punishment orofata the very least McGrillen a professional North London ahead jaunt to Japan, explains sadist.

Sounding tired but upbeat from North London the group’s mental work ethos. ahead of a jaunt to Japan, McGrillen explains the group’s mental work ethos.

“We use twelve or thirteen laptops during a live performance – bespoke machines running Linux OS and playing a complex “We or thirteen laptops during a live mix ofuse realtwelve time instrument samples to emulate and performance – bespoke machines running Linux recreate the sounds we put together in the studio and on OS and playing a complex of real time record.

Combined with the mix drums, guitar, bassinstrument and vocals its emulate recreate the sounds we put asamples pretty bigtoand intense and set-up. together in the studio and on record. Combined with the drums, guitar, about bass and vocals Heading off concerns a possible onits stage death from a pretty big andMcGrillen intense set-up. sheer exhaustion, confides, “There will be a break from touring soon, where we take ideas and tracks produced Heading offinto concerns about possible on stage on tour back the studio.

Thatasaid, we’re due to hit death from sheer confides, “There Australia and exhaustion, Asia with moreMcGrillen dates next year.

We don’t get will be break to from touring soon, the where wewe take much of aa chance get out and explore places tour, so ideas and produced on to tour intoofthe for us its all tracks about trying local food get back a flavour where studio.

Thatissaid, we’re to at hit Australia we are.” This of course, thedue point which we are and duty Asia with more next year.

We don’t get balti, much of a bound to plugdates Birmingham as the home of the leading chance to get out explore places we tour, so to a diatribe from theand Aussie about the the lack of curry hotspots for its all trying local food to get a flavour in hisus home cityabout of Perth.

To the uninitiated, Pendulum are of where wecounsellor are.” This course, the point at which the Relate in is theofstormy relationship between we are bound tomusic, plug Birmingham as and the bass. home hard rockduty and electronic specifically drum of the balti, leading to a diatribe from the Aussie about the lack of curry hotspots in his home city of Perth. To the uninitiated, Pendulum are the Relate

counsellor in the debut stormy relationship between hard Critically acclaimed album Hold Your Colour, released rock and electronic specifically drum and in 2005, captivated themusic, respective musical camps and united bass.inCritically acclaimed debutbass-heavy album Hold Your them love through driving synths, breakbeats Colour, invocals 2005,and captivated the to jump up and a mixreleased of nu-metal MCing. Music respective and mosh to.musical camps and united them in love through driving synths, bass-heavy breakbeats and a mixenjoying of nu-metal vocals and MCing.

Music to jump Still Top 40 success in the UK album charts with up and mosh to. third album Immersion four months since peaking at Number 1 after its release four months ago, Pendulum have enjoyed a Still enjoying Top 40 success in the UK album charts meteoric rise to fame since relocating to the UK in 2003. with third album Immersion four months since peaking we’ve at Number 1 after its release four months “Recently been playing a whole lot of festivals in broad ago, Pendulum have enjoyed a meteoric totofame daylight – a tougher gig and audiences might berise there see since relocating toor the UK in 2003. any number of bands artists.

That said, the reaction to Immersion has been incredible – fans have been going off to “Recently we’ve been playing a older whole lot of festivals the new material way more than the stuff.” in broad daylight – a tougher gig and audiences might be there to see number ofare bands or forward artists. to That McGrillen goes onany to say the band looking said, the reaction to Immersion has been incredible heading back to the Midlands.

“The last time we played live – fans have been and going to thewere newso material was at the Academy theoff audience hyped upway they’d moreout than theDJs older burnt to the whostuff.” were supporting us – the whole place was sweating and so for the sake of people’s health we McGrillen on So...we to say the area looking didn’t play angoes encore. owe band our fans killer show!” forward to heading back to the Midlands. “The last time we was at the Academy Known as played much forlive their in demand remixes asand wellthe as uniting audience were soof hyped up they’d burnt out at to the rock and dance fans the post-Prodigy generation DJs who were us – the whole McGrillen place wasand Sonisphere, Spacesupporting Ibiza, Roskilde and Reading, sweating are and thefor sake of people’s health Pendulum inso nofor mood letting up. “We’ve been we didn’t about play an encore. owe our fans a talking remixing TheSo...we Final Countdown

by Europe, killer beefing show!”it up.” And at the other of the spectrum is maybe everyone’s favourite punchbag. “I’d never, ever want to remix Known as much Justin Bieber.

Ever.”for their in demand remixes as well as uniting rock and dance fans of the post-Prodigy generation atthe Sonisphere, Spaceon Ibiza, Roskilde and Pendulum play NIA, Birmingham 2 December.

Reading, McGrillen and Pendulum are in no mood Visit www.theticketfactory.com for ticket details. for letting up. “We’ve been talking about remixing The Final Countdown by Europe, maybe beefing it up.” And at the other of the spectrum is everyone’s favourite punchbag. “I’d never, ever want to remix Justin Bieber. Ever.”

Pendulum play the NIA, Birmingham on 2 December.

Visit www.theticketfactory.com for ticket details.

Designed ByByRyan Designed RyanKilleen Killeen www.ryankilleen.co.uk www.ryankilleen.co.uk

GREAT APES! IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN AND DIRTY WITH SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO.

There aren’t many DJ duos out there who can get away with the indulgence of releasing an album which they readily admit is not exactly “easy listening.” But SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO have earned the right to release what they like. Catapulted close to the realm of superstar DJs in recent years, James Ford and Jas Shaw - originally two parts of indie quartet Simian - have come a long way to become the techno enthusiasts you hear today, garnering cross-genre respect and a call list of collaborators that would make the coolest scenesters swoon.

Between them they boast an impressive CV of remixes, production credits and original material: Ford was the technical whizz behind records from Arctic Monkeys, Florence & the Machine, Mystery Jets and Klaxons; the duo together have remixed everything from Muse to Air; the likes of Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Beth Ditto and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor have turned out as guest vocalists on Simian Mobile Disco albums. And of course they know how to churn up a dance floor.

It’s impressive enough that they find the time, especially when you add to that their latest project - a year long production line of techno 12 ins released on their own label imprint Delicacies while curating accompanying Delicatessen parties. The records have now been collated onto one album, due for release later this month, but that doesn’t mean they show any signs of easing off.

“We’re on a constant tour mainly DJing, we do three or four gigs a week and that’s how it’s been for most of the year,” explains Ford. “It’s been pretty intense. It’s pretty tiring but it’s good fun. I’ve really enjoyed the summer but I’m glad we’re getting to chill out a bit.”The emphasis there was on “a bit.” Simian Mobile Disco continue to take Delicacies out to the dancefloors, heading up parties including a takeover of Manchester’s Warehouse Project on December 3, a show at a secret location in London on November 26 and first up a headline DJ slot at The Rainbow Warehouse in Birmingham on November 12. But despite their regular appearances behind the decks, Ford admits he feels more comfortable in the confined

surrounds behind the production desk. “We always pick the studio,” he says, “that’s the creative bit and the fun bit for us and we’re into the mechanics of record production and all the techniques. We really enjoy that side of it but if you spent your whole time indoors you kind of lose perspective. Getting out there and seeing what works and what doesn’t is essential to all of it.

“The whole Delicacies label this year has been based around that, on making some tunes, going and playing them out, getting a reaction and tweaking them and if they were good and we liked them then we ran with them.

It’s really liberating to work like that.”

Ford is the first to admit this is not music for the home and refuses to even class it as their ‘new album.’

“It’s not really meant to be a record, it’s a series of 12 ins,” he insists. “Someone said to us do we want to collect them together and put them out, so we did.”

It is little wonder then that collectively, they all sound like ‘proper’ dance records.

“They’re all long, in almost 10 minute format and they are meant for playing out,” he continues. “There’s a mixed version as well so it’s a bit more listenable at home, but that’s not really what they’re intended for. We’re not classing this as an album. It’s not meant to be easy listening, it’s meant to be listened to at 4am somewhere dark and sweaty.

“This whole Delicacies thing was that when we make albums in the ‘normal’ sense we try and make them so they are home listening records and we’re always very conscious of the environment the album will be heard in.”

Their latest material should fit in perfectly during their early hours appearance at Digbeth’s epicentre of underground dance music, the Rainbow Warehouse, where they head up a Rizla Recrafted line-up of DJs that includes indie darlings Friendly Fires and Mystery Jets

turning their hands to the decks.

“That’s how we like it, that warehouse 4am vibe, that’s what we’re aiming at really. They are always the parties we always remember, where everything goes a little bit west and everyone’s a bit fucked.

“It’s funny being in a line-up like that, with the Mystery Jets. We started being in a band like them and then ended up as DJs and they are really good DJs as well now. I produced a Mystery Jets album so I know them well anyway. We are normally alongside more techno people so it should be a really interesting night. I saw the guy from Friendly Fires DJ the other night as well and he was really good.” Despite being partly responsible for one of the biggest indie-dance crossover smashes in recent years in the shape of the Justice v Simian version of We Are Your Friends, Ford insists he is not too much of a fan of the emerging trend to mix rock and dance music.

“I don’t really like that, the middle ground between the two [genres], we’re getting more and more into just dance music, although we do get involved with rock bands as well from a production point of view.

“But for my tastes I’d rather it be one thing or another, I don’t like that middle ground of rock bands using electronic music.”

Maybe an unusual comment from the man who produced the debut album by Klaxons, which was hailed as ‘nu-rave’ on its release and seen as breaking down the barriers between rock and dance.

“But they didn’t use electronic sounds,” counters James, “they took electronic influenced music but they made it all with traditional instruments.” But while he may not be a fan of bands that self-consciously try to cross over into dance music by liberally sprinkling their songs with synths and drum machines, James says he is happy to see the traditional differences in audiences and fans of different genres eroding.

“I think music is there for everybody and everybody’s tastes are getting broader and broader. There’s so much music out there for free now, with things like Spotify you can get access to new music without having to spend your couple of weeks pocket money or whatever. The boundaries of this kind of music, or that kind of music are kind of irrelevant.

“I’ve got a lot of vinyl but I don’t buy most of it any more, I get most of it for free, that’s just the way it is now. I love the amount of music I can get hold of now and it’s really nice. But obviously, working with lots of people whose aim it is to sell records - I’m not bothered about people getting rich and I don’t care one bit if big record companies go under - but musicians have to make a living as well at the end of the day.

“Even in producing I’m finding people’s budgets are going down but it’s not always a bad thing, you just have to think of cleverer ways of going it, maybe do it in less days that you would have done otherwise. As with everything, although people aren’t making as much money selling records, there’s ways around it. But even that whole argument about bands making money live, it’s fine for DJs, but for a lot of bands with a lot of production equipment or five or six members in the band, you don’t make your money if you’ve got lots of members so in that way it doesn’t work, unless you’re really big.

“At the end of the day, more people are into music that ever before so there’s got to be a way of figuring it out.”

As for Simian Mobile Disco, their own workload doesn’t show any signs of letting up.

“We’re not really chilling out, we’ve got lots of production stuff on for different people both myself and Jas together and separately and we’re starting to get ideas together for our new record.”

In the meantime, while we await their next ‘proper record,’ it’s time to enjoy their latest release where it was intended to be enjoyed - on the dancefloor.

Simian Mobile Disco are at The Rainbow Warehouse, Digbeth, on November 12 as part of Rizla Recrafted.

Tickets priced £8 adv / £10 on the door.

Words by Chris Moriarty Designed By Ryan Killeen www.ryankilleen.co.uk

page sixteen

live THE LINES Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton October 8 “I’m a raging bull, El Matador!”, bellows Alex Ohm; chest out with pride at the front of the Wulfrun Hall stage, a stage (lit with so many lights and lasers you’d think you were watching Muse at Wembley) from where The Lines look down upon more than 1,000 fans. Seemingly, they’re not doing badly at all, these boys.

Coupled with an album release, the Wulfrun Hall gig serves as a homecoming for the Midlands four-piece before they jet-off to tour New York. Tonight, they showcase punchy singles Domino Effect, El Matador and Glorious Aftermath, while teasing the majority with first time listens of instant sing-a longs such as Circles and Over and Out. Everything is here; me-

lodic verses, driving riffs, euphoric choruses – and the band know how to put on a show. The aforementioned lights and lasers back up the foot-stomping and crowd-baiting that the four piece produce, with the crowd gleefully responding with additional vocals on the singles.

After a mini-festival of three supports bands, The Lines strutted out to an introduction that was borderline dance music, showing confidence, bravado, and - most of all - something different. This is a band that knows their sound, they know who they are, and they know where they want to be. Don’t miss them next time they come home.

Words by Tom Pell. Photo by John Bentley/Arc Images

CRYSTAL FIGHTERS HMV Institute, Birmingham, October 8 There really isn’t a straightforward way to describe Crystal Fighter’s sound; perhaps a juxtaposition of dubstep and Basque-folk. Not that we’re looking for labels here, it’s about music and my, oh my, do these guys make some exhilarating music. With pounding bass lines alongside rhythmic synths and percussion, Crystal Fighters’ sound is energising and one that could create carnage on any dance floor, as it did tonight.

Crystal Fighters have a charismatic stage presence and are an impressive live act. They have the ability to draw a crowd like moths to a flame and it’s a good sign that their lack of encore was a disappointment.

Words by Saima Razzaq. Photo by Matt Higgs.

CRYSTAL CASTLES Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton October 11 The Toronto electronic noise experimentalists commence amid an explosion of strobe lighting powerful enough to make half of Wolverhampton’s epileptic population dive for cover. And all with fully working ears wince in pain. It’s loud, brutal and bullies you into submission.

Break the music down into its simplest form and it’s incredibly catchy. Start with a bouncing, popcorn riff, build it up with several more complex layers, add a smattering of drums, mix in a healthy dose of mayhem and the result is a Castle formed entirely from Crystals. There are elements of CC’s recorded music

SCARLET HARLOTS

Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath October 6 Tonight isn’t the usual celebratory Scarlet Harlots show that we’re used to. Due to their shock announcement that they are to split, it’s a more subdued, sombre affair - as if the band are ceremoniously burying themselves in public.

They have been frustrating at times yes, constantly tweaking and reworking favourite tunes or cancelling much anticipated gigs, but it shouldn’t be underestimated the effect that they have had on Birmingham’s grass roots scene.

They have brought a fresh new audience to gigs in the city as well as proudly representing Brum on a national scale. Not to mention the galvanising anthems they gifted us, such as Cat’s Eyes, Sunflowers and Halcyon - which are aired tonight with an underlying funereal

SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL Custard Factory, Digbeth Oct 22-24

With edible pansies and psychedelic dragon fruit backstage, Supersonic was well on its way to obscurity, living up to the festival’s uniqueness.

But nobody could quite expect what Pierre Bastien had set out for an eagerly awaiting crowd, at the outside stage on Sunday afternoon.

Kitted out with an array of home-made tranklements and devices, Bastien

that worms it’s way into your soul, Alice Glass has a voice that can convey meaning. But in the eye of the madness, I didn’t feel anything and Alice’s screeching became unnecessary and grating. But the aspect most unforgivable, shortchanged from an advertised 90 minute set cut down to 60 minutes. I’ll never see those 30 minutes again. Ever.

Words by Lee Hathaway. Pictures by Drw-images.

melancholy.

Still, the gloom is only really restricted to on stage; the full house at the Hare is really giving it some.

The chorus of Backlash is belted out by all, with the view of the stage obscured by arms holding video phones aloft, capturing the last moments of this band’s all too short life.

As the five piece exchange brotherly hugs before exiting stage for perhaps the last time together, questions are left unanswered.

Most notably, why would a band that have garnered so much interest suddenly decide to pack up, without much explanation?

Scarlet Harlots inspired wide eyed loyalty from an enviable sized fan base and recently reached a creative and conceptual peak with new material such as Fire and Ivory.

Why disappear now when there is so much there for the taking?

Words by Andy Roberts

DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP HMV Institute, Digbeth October 16

Tales of a greasy spoon cafe in Perry Barr and Midlands memories set the informal and relaxed tone for the night. But as the music started the crowd becomes an instantaneous mass of dancers, each person getting lost in their own world to the clever wordplay of Scroobius Pip and the slick beats of Dan Le Sac. Sipping from a bottle of rosé, Pip engages the audience in banter as the duo work their way through material off both albums, including Get Better, Sick Tonight, Tommy C and Fixed.

The set hits a serious note for Pip to explain how “idiots like the EDL get people on board by ignorance” in reference to the EDL wrongly using their song Stake A Claim to soundtrack a protest video. As the set returned to its buoyant atmosphere, Pip delighted fans by partaking in a spot of crowdsurfing, courteously making sure he hadn’t injured any fans in the process.

Words by Lorraine Teare.

programmed his machinery to create hypnotic clicks and industrial repetition, with a very factory-sounding element that engulfed a mesmerised audience.

Returning Tokyo three piece Nisennenmondai lived up to their legacy, building up their beats with layers of guitar/bass loops and breaking fans into a dancing sweat - their raw, postpunk/krautrock sound was a must-see - before Chrome Hoof took the festival into a whole new, quirky dimension, with the hooded wizards performing

an array of futuristic music genres.

Yet, the most avant-garde act were Blue Sabbath Black Fiji who, outside on the Saturday, certainly knew how to create a racket, with sounds of impending doom and emotional fear, the audience were forced into a frenzy.

Supersonic, is among the most surprising, enjoyable and obscure festivals to hit the UK, never failing to both amaze and open its audience to a whole new world of music that too often goes undetected.

Words by Ross Cotton.

D REF BR EQ U AN UI RB D PM IS NE EN HM W T U EN PG T RA DE

In your room you will find at least the following equipment: 1 x Tama Superstar EFX 5 piece Shell Kit (Vintage Nickel Sparkle) 2 x Roadpro cymbal stands 1 x Ashdown ABM C210-500 Combo and ABM 1x15 Cab 1 x Marshall AVT 150H Stack 1 x Marshall MA50C (50Watt all valve twin channel combo) 1 x Peavey Bandit 1 x Peavey XR8300 PA and 2 x Peavey UL-15 PA Speakers

STUDIOS AVAILABLE FOR AS LITTLE AS ÂŁ8 PER HOUR FREE CYMBAL HIRE, EAR PLUGS AND TEA/COFFEE

A4

61

Boxes will contain the following: 2 x Shure SM58 2 x Neutrik XLR Leads 2 x Wing nuts 4 x Cymbal Felts 1 x Hi-Hat clutch

WALSALL TOWN CENTRE

B4151 From Sutton Coldfield

BR

OA DW AY N

A3

4

RUS HAL

L ST

REET

OR TH

IDG

ES

TR

TR E LS AR PE

T

AD L RO GHIL SPRIN

ET

EE

WE ARE HERE

POOL STREET

REET BATH ST

Tel: 01922 629700

20 Pool Street, Walsall WS1 2EN

admin@jjmstudios.co.uk

SUT TO

N RO AD

AM GH IN RM BI AD RO

A4031 From West Bromwich

BRAND NEW IN-HOUSE PRO-TOOLS RECORDING STUDIO

LOW ER

BR

SANDWELL STREET

AN

JJM Studios is a purpose built complex of six luxury, sound proofed rehearsal studios, professional recording studio and tuition services located in Walsall, West Midlands. At JJM Studios we always make sure you have the best possible rehearsal experience.

For FREE membership and further details visit A34 From Birmingham and M6 Junction 7

www.jjmstudios.co.uk

NOVEMBER EVENTS ALL EVENTS FREE ENTRY, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ENTERTAINMENT EVERY WEEK DOWNSTAIRS: FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU

TUE 2nd WED 3rd FRI 5th SAT 6th THU 11th FRI 12th SAT 13th

FRI 19th SAT 20th THU 25th FRI 26th SAT 27th

HOWL - MIXING UP A STORM OF FUNK, SOUL, ALTERNATIVE & ROCK Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ROLL VERTIGO - TIP-TOP DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CREATING GENRE-HOPPING DANCEFLOOR MAYHEM SUNDAY LUNCH - SERVED 1-8PM + BLOODY MARYS + 2 FOR 1 COCKTAILS ALL DAY HAPPY MONDAYS - ALL WINE AT HOUSE PRICES (EXCLUDING FIZZ) + PIE & A PINT £9 SOUND AND VISION QUIZ NIGHT - £1 ENTRY AND THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL! POKER @ THE VICTORIA - £5 GETS YOU INTO THE GAME 7:30PM REGISTRATION NEW YORK TUNES - LAID BACK THURSDAYS NYC STYLE - FUNK,SOUL,JAZZ,US GARAGE

COLOUR PRESENTS - FUZZY LIGHTS and MY AUTUMN EMPIRE, 7:30pm, £5 MOSCHINO HOE AND VERSACE HOTTIE - Taking over The Vic! 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RnB and Hip Hop and beyond - 8pm, £3 FALLING & LAUGHING PRESENTS - KIDNAPPER BELL + LookiMakeMusic + PAUL BUSST, 8:30pm, FREE ACE FACE PRESENTS - IN THE CLUB 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s STYLE - Mod + Northern soul + Beat + Psych + Brit Pop + Ska + Garage, 8pm, £4 SHOUT FESTIVAL PRESENTS - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ROCK!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Live music from DRAG + WOMEN OF MASS DISTRACTION, 8:30pm, £3 M4TP - Music For The Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY! - A night that YOU control, 8pm, FREE THE VICTORIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIRTHDAY! Prize draws, balloons, sweets and DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battling it out on the

FREE ENTRY DOWN BY LAW presents THE RETURN OF THE BOOM BAP, Old school hip-hop, Soul, Jazz and Funk, 8pm, FREE ENTRY WIHM? - What Is House Music?! Inspired by London, Ibiza and Miami House scenes, 9pm, FREE SWEAT - The Finest cuts of Funk and Soul! 9.30pm, £3.50 before 11pm £5 after APPLES & SNAKES presents HIT THE ODE Electrifying and innovative spoken word poetry by some of the best performers from around the corner - and the world, 7pm doors, 7:30pm show, £5 THE CAGE - EDDIES NO.8 REUNION with original DJ PAUL JONES, 8pm, £3 until 11pm, £3.50 after JOCKO HOMO - A blend of house, punk-funk, forgotten gems and re-edited party classics, 9pm, FREE

ENTERTAINMENT EVERY WEEK DOWNSTAIRS: WED THUR FRI SAT

FRI 5th SAT 13th THU 18th FRI 26th

CLUB BOMB - FORTNIGHTLY LIVE MUSIC UPSTAIRS, £4/£3 OPEN MIC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACOUSTIC LOUNGE WITH JASON PEGG OUR ALTERNATE WEEKLY RESIDENTS â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;THIS IS NORMALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; & â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;THE BEAT ROOMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CURATE AN ALTERNATIVE SOUNDSYSTEM SPANNING INDIE, ALTERNATIVE, DISCO, PUNK, ELECTRO, FUNK ...

ON THE ROCKS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DJs SPINNING GUITAR CLASSICS FROM ACROSS THE DECADES FOR AN ALTERNATIVE GENERATION

SILENT FILTER - Acorns Charity Fundraiser with KARMA SUITE + RED LIGHT ROOM + RICARDO THOMPSON + JOSEPH HICKLIN + FAT BORIS, 8pm, £5 ATTA GIRL - Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s female vocalist clubnight. Part of SHOUT FESTIVAL! Playing indiepop, post-punk, pop, riot grrrl and all things female vocalist!

8.30pm, £1 ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JUST NOISE presents â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TV BUDDHAS + support acts tba, 8pm, £5 SILENT FILTER presents - JACKPIKE + THE LUCKY 27s + BLEMISH + RIDING GIANTS + CARRIE-ANNE McNALLY, 8pm, £4 AFTER WORK SOCIAL ALL DAY MONDAY & 5-8PM TUES-SAT ALL COCKTAILS £3.50

ISLAND BAR, 14-16 SUFFOLK STREET QUEENSWAY, B1 1LT

WWW.BAR-ISLAND.CO.UK TWITTER: @IslandBar TEL: 0121 632 5296

THE VICTORIA, 48 JOHN BRIGHT STREET, B1 1BN

WWW.THEVICTORIABIRMINGHAM.CO.UK TWITTER: @TheVictoria TEL: 0121 633 9439

page twenty-two

food & drink drink of the month: winter warmers As winter sets in, there’s plenty to keep you warm on those cold, dark nights, not least a selection of warming drinks at Birmingham’s boho drinking hole of choice, The Victoria, which this month celebrates its second birthday. Manager Julian Rose-Gibbs shows you how to celebrate in style.

Drag out your hat and gloves, winter is upon us but before you think of hibernating there are plenty of reasons to get wrapped up and get out and about. This month alone there’s Guy Fawkes Night, the return of the Christmas market and above all, The Victoria’s second birthday!

There are drinks for all these occasions in their own right, but what they all have in common is celebrating.

A celebratory drink should do what it says on the tin, be loquacious, vibrant, colourful and of course contain enough alcohol to get the party started. Add some seasonal flavour - in this case winter - and we find ourselves drawn to either Champagne or spiced, warm drinks which are always popular.

So to combine the two, this is what we at The Victoria will be serving this season: Epernay spice Ingredients 1 ltr pomegranate juice 2 cinnamon sticks Peel of 1 large orange 3 tsps sugar 2 cloves 2 shots of brandy 2-3 bottles of Champagne or sparkling wine Preparation In preparation you will need to mull some pomegranate juice: Pour 1 ltr of pomegranate juice into a sauce pan, add a couple of cinnamon sticks, the whole peel of 1 large or-

ange, 3 teaspoons of sugar, 2 cloves, 2 shots of brandy and simmer for 30 minutes.

You may need to alter the amount of sugar used depending on the strength and freshness of the other ingredients so taste as you simmer, what you are looking for is hints of all the ingredients without any of them overpowering the others, not too sweet or too sour. Allow this to cool and there you have it. This recipe will make 20 cocktails for which you will need 2-3 bottles of Champagne or sparkling wine.

Method 50ml of mulled pomegranate juice poured into a champagne glass.

100ml of sparkling wine - into the champagne glass.

For the garnish take the cinnamon, orange peel and cloves and mix them in half a bag of sugar while the pomegranate juice cools. This will give you spiced sugar.

Roll a maraschino cherry in the sugar and serve on the side of the champagne glass on a cocktail stick.

There you have it, winter birthday cocktail, enjoy responsibly of course.

Julian Rose-Gibbs is manager of The Victoria in John Bright Street, Birmingham city centre. For details on upcoming events visit www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk.

REVIEW Food: FILINI Holloway Circus, Birmingham Atmosphere: We love a bargain. And that means we love vouchers.

Who said you should feel self-conscious whipping out a money off print-out in a classy restaurant? OK, so the voucher was the perfect excuse to try out a restaurant which may otherwise have seemed a bit indulgent. But even without the voucher this is fine dining service without the fine dining prices. The menu looks reasonably priced considering the plush surroundings - mains range from £9.50 (stuffed portobello mushrooms) to £22.50 (fillet steak); pizza and pasta dishes between £9 and £14.50 making it a viable alternative to more well known pizza restaurants. Everything about the restaurant’s surrounds, nestled in the sky-scraping Radisson Blu Hotel, oozes quality; the inviting layout, eye-catching whisky bar and luxurious decor. From the chic-yet-pricey lobby bar up to the first floor restaurant, it is easy to maintain an illusion that you are anywhere in the world, with window drapes shielding you from the less attractive end of Holloway Circus. The staff were knowledgeable, pleasant and accommodating adding to the sense of occasion.

Service:

Overall:

Value: Despite some empty tables, there was still a reassuring buzz of conversation from other diners - mainly couples above an ambient soundtrack of textbook hotel music.

The generous portions of antipasti were a fine way to start and even the small porion of grilled and marinated vegetables was plenty to share.

Having plumped for the most expensive dish on the menu, the pressure was on with the fillet steak, but it was cooked to perfection, while the truffle sauce added an extra touch of class. It’s not all posh food either - the ‘fritto misto di mare’ is just battered seafood, but it’s a cut above your local chip shop. But then for £12.50 you’d expect it to be.

James Collins

news bites:

Soul Food Project are now taking bookings for their Christmas dinner parties at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, featuring the likes of Mad Goose-glazed Turkey, honey-baked ham and a Christmas roast jambalaya. For more info email info@soulfoodproject.co.uk or visit www.soulfoodproject.co.uk.

On November 5, art and food connoisseurs Companis, in association with Eastside Projects in Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, curate an evening Bone dinner based on a 70s food experiment by Gordon Matta Clark. Expect a variety of bone-based dishes from racks of lamb to more obscure offerings such as bone marrow...not for the faint hearted. Tickets are £25. For more info or to book visit www.companis.co.uk or www.eastsideprojects.org.

Michelin-starred Brummie chef-done-good Glynn Purnell has launched his second restaurant, The Asquith in Edgbaston. The Asquith is a 34-cover restaurant based in the former home of Purnell’s ex-employers Jessica’s and aims for a more informal dining experience, based on simplicity and great ingredients. For bookings call 0121 455 0999.

Cafe Ikon, based in the Ikon Gallery in Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, has unleashed a new tapas menu for autumn and winter, featuring the likes of pan fried duck and pears, hake with cider and Trout with ham, as well as a handful of new bespoke Spanish wines, including four new style of Rioja. To book call 0121 248 3226.

this month we shall be...

Picking up portions of homemade ravioli & Italian cheese from Anderson and Hill Delicatessen, in the Great Western Arcade, Birmingham city centre • Heading to the Fighting Cocks, Moseley, to get stuck into another pint of Brooklyn Lager on draft • Getting the lowdown on Jamie’s Italian, Jamie Oliver’s new restaurant due to open in the former Borders store in the Bullring •

THE ADAM & EVE Bradford St, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0JD NOVEMBER LISTINGS:

Friday 5th: Whomanity live. DJs & MCs: reggae, dancehall, dub, break beats and roots Saturday 6th: Bollywood Mash Up. Live Ska and Reggae with The Cracked Actors + Skewwhiff. 2am onwards - Zombie Prom after party!

Sunday 7th: Silent Filter presents...

Thursday 11th: Loop Promotions presents...

Friday 12th: 360 + FRIENDS! Saturday 13th: Recovered: Old School Rock and Roll to modern day indie classics. 2am onwards - Zombie Prom after party!

Wednesday 17th: HAMILTON LOOMIS: FRIGHTENINGLY TIGHT FUNKY BLUES ON TOUR FROM TEXAS ! FREE ENTRY Thursday 18th: Fingers Crossed Cabaret: comedians and cabaret followed with live music from Who Shot Who? Friday 19th: Betty and the ID + The Graham Parsnip Liquidizer Torture Think Tank. + CLICHE GUEVARA: alternative, progressive and wonderful.

Saturday 20th: tbc Sunday 21st: The Infamous Big Bren’s 40th. An all night Sunday Xpress. Poetry, lyrics and acoustics. Everyone welcome!

Thursday 25th: Birmingham Ska and Punk Promoters presents XOVA + London based Jakal + Generic Eric Friday 26th: Punky Reggae Party with Alcohol Licks Saturday 27th: Dubstep and Trance night followed by Zombie Prom after party Sunday 28th: Silent Filter presents…..

Accommodation available, 7 newly decorated en-suite rooms only £20. Ring for details - 0121 693 1500. www.theadam.co.uk Friday 3rd December: The Subhumans + Septic Psycho + Rotunda + The Banditos + The Nerks + (Velvet Underpants members’ new band).

Early bird tickets @£5 available online at www.theticketsellers.co.uk.

THE ALL NEW ADAM & EVE HAPPY HOUR !!

MON-THURS 4PM-7.30PM CARLING, STRONGBOW AND CARLSBERG £2, FREE POOL! FRIDAY WARM UP - 4PM-9PM CARLING, STRONGBOW AND CARLSBERG £2, FREE FOOD, FREE POOL! Every Saturday from 2am is the Zombie Prom after party.

Free entry and drinks promos: Carlsberg, Vs, glass of wine £1.50. Apple Sourz £1.

EVERY MONDAY IS BROKEN AMP, WEEKLY ACOUSTIC NIGHT BREAKING BIRMINGHAM’S BEST ACOUSTIC ACTS. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: AN AUDIENCE WITH HOWARD MARKS, AKA MR NICE FRIDAY DECEMBER 17TH, £9 www.theticketsellers.co.uk

page twenty-eight

gig guide Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide?

Send details to: info@brumnotes.com All details correct at time of going to press.

Check with venues before setting out.

While every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of listings, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses incurred from errors which may materialise.

Monday, Nov 1 Nigel Kennedy Symphony Hall Birmingham Paloma Faith Civic Hall Wolverhampton El Guincho Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham Tuesday, Nov 2 Stornoway HMV Institute Birmingham Cancer Bats Kasbah Coventry Sum 41 O2 Academy Birmingham I Blame Coco O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Jody Has A Hitlist O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Raul Malo The Glee Club Birmingham Wednesday, Nov 3 Foals O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham Buddy Whitting-

VENUE DIRECTORY BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; HMV Institute, High St, Digbeth B5, 0844 2485037; NIA, King Edwards Rd B1, 0121 7804141; LG Arena, NEC, Solihull B40, 0121 7804141; The Flapper, Kingston Row B1, 0121 2362421; The Victoria, John Bright St B1, 0121 6339439; Sound Bar, Corporation St B4, 0121 2362220; Hare & Hounds, High St, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4442081; The Actress & Bishop, Ludgate Hill B3, 0121 2367426; The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway B5, 0121 6327656; Symphony Hall, Broad St B1, 0121 7803333; Town Hall, Victoria Sq B3, 0121 7803333; Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4434725; Alexandra Theatre, Station St B1, 0844 8472302; Bulls Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; Poppyred, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0121 6871200; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; The Wagon and Horses, Adderley Street, Digbeth B9, 0121 772 403; Scruffy Murphys, Newton Street B4, 0121 236 2035; WOLVERHAMPTON: Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St WV1, 01902 552122; ; The Slade Rooms, Broad St WV1, 01902 552122; Alchemy Bar, North St WV1, 01902 711998; Robin 2, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14, 01902 401211; WEST BROMWICH: The Public, New St B70, 0121 5337161; COVENTRY: Kasbah, Primrose Hill St, CV1, 024 76554473; Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, CV4, 024 76524524.

ton Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton 3 Daft Monkeys Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Fighting With Wire Hmv Institute Birmingham Mary J Blige LG Arena Birmingham Tellison The Flapper Birmingham The British Kicks O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Luvdump The Wagon & Horses Digbeth, Birmingham Thursday, Nov 4 Apocalyptica Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton The Peacocks The Flapper Birmingham Andy White Hare & Hounds Birmingham Sanctified Torture Actress & Bish-

op Birmingham Sham 69 Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Friday, Nov 5 White Wizzard Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Akala O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Mystery Jets HMV Institute Birmingham Chromeo O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Little Fish Kasbah Coventry 4s a crowd Unplug Digbeth, Birmingham The Noose Actress & Bishop Birmingham Agents of the City The Sunflower Lounge Birmingham Sam Amidon The Glee Club Birmingham

Saturday, Nov 6 Mike Peters (The Alarm) O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Less Than Jake O2 Academy Birmingham Magnetic Man Hmv Institute Birmingham The E-Gos Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Them:Youth The Rainbow Digbeth, Birmingham Momentum Sound Bar Birmingham The Coyotes Actress & Bishop Birmingham

Sunday, Nov 7 Failsafe The Flapper Birmingham Gundogs O2 Academy 3 Birmingham The Reasoning Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Monday, Nov 8

Cheap Trick Civic Hall Wolverhampton Omd Symphony Hall Birmingham Philip Sayce Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton There For Tomorrow + Me Vs Hero + Deaf Havana O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Tuesday, Nov 9 Devildriver Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton Yann Tiersen Glee Club Birmingham Baths Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham Nouvelle Vague Hmv Institute Birmingham Wednesday, Nov 10 Job For A Cowboy Slade Rooms Wolverhampton The Strawbs Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Thursday, Nov 11 God Is An Astronaut O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Birmingham The Damned Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Marina & The Diamonds The Copper Rooms, Warwick Uni Coventry Patrick Duff Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham Goo Goo Dolls O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham Voodoo Johnson Slade Rooms Wolverhampton

The Glass Gods Actress & Bishop Birmingham

Paul O’Brien Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath, Birmingham

Friday, Nov 12 Anberlin O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Elliot Minor (Acoustic) O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Red Light Room Unplug Digbeth, Birmingham Waler Scruffy Muprhys Birmingham No Americana Actress & Bishop Birmingham One Ton Bullet The Sunflower Lounge Birmingham Ruarri Joseph The Glee Club Birmingham

Tuesday, Nov 16 Paramore LG Arena Birmingham We Are Scientists Hmv Institute Birmingham Lulo Reinhardt Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath, Birmingham Abe Vigoda Hare And Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham

Saturday, Nov 13 Drive By Truckers O2 Academy Birmingham Corsairs Actress & Bishop Birmingham Sunday, Nov 14 Sciattica Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Miriam Ayling Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath, Birmingham Kate Walsh The Glee Club Birmingham Monday, Nov 15 Ellie Goulding O2 Academy Birmingham Edwyn Collins The Glee Club Birmingham Kele HMV Institute Birmingham Ohooley & Tidow Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton

Wednesday, Nov 17 Owl City O2 Academy Birmingham Divine Comedy Warwick Arts Centre Coventry Bellowhead Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Gorillaz NIA Birmingham Chase & Status Hmv Institute Birmingham Francesqa O2 Academy 3 Birmingham HAMILTON LOOMIS Adam & Eve Digbeth, Birmingham Thursday, Nov 18 Kids In Glass Houses O2 Academy Birmingham Lost Boy O2 Academy 2 Birmingham The Blood Arm Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham Alasdair Roberts Hare & Hounds Birmingham Joanne Shaw Taylor Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton

Friday, Nov 19 Michael Bolton NIA Birmingham A-Ha LG Arena Birmingham Steve Lukather Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Annihilator O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Bicycle Thieves The Flapper Birmingham Blue Nation Unplug Digbeth, Birmingham The Turn Actress & Bishop Birmingham Greenwood Park The Sunflower Lounge Birmingham Betty & the ID Adam & Eve Digbeth, Birmingham Saturday, Nov 20 The Animals Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Klaxons Hmv Institute Birmingham Deftones O2 Academy Birmingham Brigade O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Cattle & Cane The Flapper Birmingham James Walsh (Starsailor) Kasbah Coventry Sunday, Nov 21 Jimmy Eat World O2 Academy Birmingham Holy Fuck O2 Academy 2 Birmingham From The Get Go O2 Academy 3 Birmingham The Dreaming Tree Robin 2 Bilston,

Wolverhampton Monday, Nov 22 Sarah Blasko Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham The Parlotones O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Matt Berry O2 Academy 3 Birmingham The Twang Kasbah Coventry Tuesday, Nov 23 Skunk Anansie O2 Academy Birmingham Monster Magnet Hmv Institute Birmingham Joe Brooks O2 Academy 3 Birmingham The Acorn Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Shooglenifty Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Wednesday, Nov 24 Motorhead Civic Hall Wolverhampton Young Guns HMV Institute Birmingham Emily Portman Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath, Birmingham Mike Fantastic O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Emily Portman Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath, Birmingham The Aynsley Lister Band Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Thursday, Nov 25 Arch Enemy Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton Cast O2 Academy Birmingham Hazel Oconnor

& The Subterraneans Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Straight Lines The Flapper Birmingham Kindred The Family Soul HMV Institute Birmingham Strangle Kojak O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Sam Licks The Wagon & Horses Digbeth, Birmingham XOVA Adam & Eve Digbeth, Birmingham Friday, Nov 26 Paul Weller LG Arena Birmingham Heaven 17 Hmv Institute Birmingham Interpol O2 Academy Birmingham The Mummers Hare & Hounds Kings Heath, Birmingham Mostly Autumn Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Vampire Weekend Civic Hall Wolverhampton W.A.S.P Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton Talons The Flapper Birmingham Magazine Gap O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Young Rebel Set Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton Faderhead Eddies Rock Club Birmingham Black Heart Generator Actress & Bishop Birmingham Dinky The Sunflower Lounge Birmingham Saturday, Nov 27 The Drums Hmv Institute Birmingham

As I Lay Dying Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton Jedward Symphony Hall Birmingham Fake Blood Hmv Institute Birmingham Furthest From Ithaca Actress & Bishop Birmingham Guile The Public West Bromwich Sunday, Nov 28 Marc Almond Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Sonic Syndicate O2 Academy 3 Birmingham The Bluetones Slade Rooms Wolverhampton Pama International Sound Bar Birmingham Paul Smith (Maximo Park) The Glee Club Birmingham Monday, Nov 29 Steve Hackett Robin 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton Voodoo Hussy The Flapper Birmingham Engineers O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Tuesday, Nov 30 Squeeze Symphony Hall Birmingham Frightened Rabbit Slade Rooms Wolverhampton We Have Band O2 Academy 3 Birmingham Best Coast The Glee Club Birmingham To The Bones The Flapper Birmingham