Freeq Magazine - Issue 3

THE MUSIC MAGAZINEWITHA CONSCIENCE

MUSIC ARTS GIG LISTINGS ONES2WATCH INTERVIEWS CONSCIENCE

1

proud Nottingham City Council

to present

Great events all year round LIGHT NIGHT / CITY PULSE / SPLENDOUR RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL / GOOSE FAIR ROBIN HOOD PAGEANT / CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL OUTDOOR THEATRE / ARBORETUM FESTIVAL SEASON / BANDS IN THE PARKS BONFIRE NIGHT / CHRISTMAS / PRIDE / MELA ONE CITY ONE WORLD / CARNIVAL / PARKLIFE BLACK HISTORY MONTH / ST GEORGE’S DAY HERITAGE OPEN DAYS / VETERANS DAY CHINESE NEW YEAR / ST PATRICK’S DAY

To find out what’s on when visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

2

3

EDITORIAL Welcome to issue three of Freeq magazine – the music magazine with a conscience.

We’ve been working hard all summer, while you’ve no doubt been off gallivanting across Europe for your holidays, to bring you this limited edition ‘grab-size’ issue of Freeq magazine. We had some excellent feedback for our Goat Issue cover artwork; we hope you like the design this time around as well and we’ll be featuring another member of the Oxygen Thieves on the cover of the next issue.

You’ll notice we’ve got a stronger art element to the magazine this time around and we’ll continue to develop the art / design / illustration / photography aspect alongside the music because that’s what you’ve said you like! Don’t forget, you can send us an email at info@ freeqmagazine.com to give us feedback, ask any questions or to get involved with the magazine. Editor in Chief: Sam Borrett So, what’s up in this issue. I guess I should start by pointing out our main interview with THe PETEBOX – we couldn’t fit in the full unedited version so have a read through now, then go to www.freeqmagazine.com to read the rest; it’s a cracking interview if we can say so ourselves.

We’ve also got double-page spreads on our Launch Party at Junktion 7 in Nottingham and our inaugural trip to Glastonbury courtesy of some hospitality tickets (we took full advantage by kicking it in Jay-Z’s dressing room while waiting for him to finish his infamous Pyramid Stage performance – I still swear I saw his Mum but no-one believes me). There’s more Ones 2 Watch, interviews, and reviews as well as those odd little Music Directory Band Profiles and plenty of other stuff which you’ll just have to flick through and find for yourself.

Thanks to our advertisers in this issue – go and spend your money with them as soon as you’ve finished reading the magazine so we can keep working hard to put together more Freeqy stuff, saving you from the dry monotony of a High Profile, City Life – you wouldn’t want to be Exposed to that. And remember; take this copy with you – our magazine should never be Left Lion around.

X

4

Printed on paper from sustainable forests

Illustration: Julian James

Deputy Editor: Tomi Ajayi Art Director: Mellisa Harrison Music Production: Ryan Nolan Writers: Richard Blackledge, Rachael Bridge, Olivia Cellamare, Kristi Genovese, Martin Guttridge-Hewitt, Rach Hurst, Amita Mistry, Kimberley Ross, Ben Start, Louise Steggals, Alistair White.

Art and photography: Colin Brothwood, Andrew Conroy, Jo Cordon, Sarah Dixon, Geo, Sam Hempton, Robin Hulme, Chris James, Julian James, Gemma Latimer, MIMI, Kate Morgan, Lauren Radley, Paul Tapping.

Cover illustration: Geo Printed by: www.epgprint.co.uk Design: Radar www.radar-pr.com Published by: The Music Directory Limited Advertising: Call: 0115 940 8585 or 07766 118852 or email advertise@freeqmagazine.com Offices: Freeq Magazine DBH House Carlton Square Nottingham NG4 3BP www.freeqmagazine.com info@freeqmagazine.com

Illustration: Lauren Radley

TRAVIS ADDED TO IMPRESSIVE LEADMILL LINE UP

SHEFFIELD GETS A NEW LOCAL The Bowery, situated on Devonshire St (opposite the West One complex) is a brand-new, custom built bar owned and managed by ex-Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson and others.

The Bowery opens to the public on Saturday 20th September 2008 and offers a deli-style daytime menu with sandwiches and snacks sourced from Yorkshire outlets.

In the evening the 200-capacity bar will host live acoustic sessions, quiz nights and DJ sets from a handpicked selection of the Steel City’s finest DJs with occasional special guests dropping in for unannounced performances.

The Scottish indie band playing the main stage on October 7th a few days after the release of their sixth album Ode to J.Smith.

Emo bands The Blackout, Kids In Glass Houses and Elliot Minor will also be at the Leadmill in October.

Meanwhile, Jubilee offer metal lovers a real treat; Aaron North, Michael Shuman and Jeff Lyn completing a super group of real talent - they play the Steel Stage on September 7th.

ALSO:

• Lone’s Lemurian album will have already dropped off the Dealmaker production lines and in the shops by the time you read this. Its tripped out electronic grooves will be an essential companion and with song titles like Interview at Honolulu evokes exotic mystery.

• Hot US band The Black Kids will be touching down at Nottingham Trent University on Halloween., They made their most recent album available for free.

Man about the seven seas Red Rack’em has got himself a new website, there’s plenty of booty to be had in the form of mixes and podcasts. Check www.redrackem. com • Big sounding Overvibe will be looking to capitalise on the success of their Armature EP released in June with rumours of more material to come in late 2008.

• Model Morning’s debut album was recorded in early August and they will be on hand to headline the Drowned In Sound stage at the Hockley Hustle in early October. Keep your eyes peeled for it in the shops.

ADVERTISE FOR £3O C US TOM E R S CAN’T SEE YOUR ADVERT BECAUSE IT’S HIDDEN IN AMONGST HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF ADVERTS IN ANOTHER MAGAZINE? BE PART OF OUR MUSIC AND ARTS MAGAZINE AND GET VALUABLE EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS. FROM JUST £30 – YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS OUT. CALL 0115 940 8585 OR EMAIL ADVERTISE. FREEQMAGAZINE.COM BUY A FULL PAGE ADVERT ANDWE’LL BUY A GOAT FROM OXFAM UNWRAPPED FOR SOME OF THE POOREST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET. FREEQ MAGAZINE – THE MAGAZINE WITH A CONSCIENCE.

5

ODE TO THE UNSUNG

You’re sitting on the floor of a Victorian basement, the last throws of the night before sporadically spread across the room; spilling out into the garden, down the stairwell, or onto the street and its cold night air or early morning gloom.

Too much to get together and so much to lug and lift before the next party, before the next venue. But this sort of idiocy also rules the airwaves that soundtrack your ride home, because the car’s CD player still doesn’t work.

Simultaneously romantic and tragic, traumatic and entertaining, the world of the unsigned, the nearly signed and the not-yet-paid hasn’t lost its ability to attract, with promises of social, musical and monetary riches.

Musically speaking, these are uncertain times. The internet continues to confound the majors as to exactly how to harness its incredible potential or restrain its ability to damage their rule, while live venues appear to be looking toward the next gimmick, the next unique selling point of their product.

Have we really reached the point of no return, where everything is a profit-based commodity?

Grand statements aside, as the majors battle for digital rights – trying to tackle the lost profits – and as the minors stumble, crumble and worryingly fall, it’s difficult to get noticed.

This is not to say that bands of bygone years had it easy. It’s more an attempt to highlight the fact that in a world full of digital televisions, DAB radios and wireless internet, there’s no guarantee anyone will watch or listen.

The June edition of Music Week reported an announcement by The Coalition of UK Indie Stores, which has plans for it’s own charts based on the sales of bestsellers and new releases.

Kevin Buckle, owner of Edinburgh’s Avalanche Records, is charged with overseeing the group until it’s takeover

by Rough Trade East in London this month. He explains all. “[The chart] is still really in its infancy. The premise though is quite simple in that it has always been a problem to get a chart based on indie shops.

6

“The chart would not necessarily have the worst of TV’s reality products, but it would no doubt still have Coldplay and Duffy – basically it will be an honest and genuine indie chart that reflects what is being sold in the stores,” said Buckle.

With regard to the aforementioned Artist Development service, Moors is clear on its potential.

“I can’t really believe that no-one has been doing this before. It seems like something that would be beneficial to a lot of people.

“It would be good if artists and bands could use the site to work together, promote each other … maybe through collective gigs or something. I don’t think that enough of that happens,” he said.

Old School Tie are an electro-rock band based out of Birmingham, who have been together under their current guise for some two years.

“When it’s good, when the crowd are into it and when it’s going well, there really is nothing better than it,” said Old School Tie member Chris Unwin.

“Our average gig is pretty hectic though. We’ll get home from work, drag our gear from the basement into the van, then two of us will get the bus to the illustration: Paul Tapping venue, set up and then, if we are lucky, we might pop home for some food.

“We played at the 2,000 Trees festival recently, our biggest gig in terms of exposure and crowd. As soon “There will be teething problems, like a lot of the 7”s as we got on the sun came up, everyone was well into don’t have barcodes and we can no longer manually it. Really amazing vibe,” said Unwin, discussing the trials input the serial numbers, so what to do about things and tribulations they have experienced. like that is an issue we have to address,” he added.

At the same time, our friends at The Music Directory prepare to launch their Artist Development service, a resource for artists to engage and immerse themselves further with the community that must surround them in order to succeed.

“About half way through our second song there was a power surge, which took out the keyboards and James’ guitar. Silence descended and a few lairy people started singing ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’, so I decided to get the whole crowd in on it.

The service is set to include Q&As with professionals, job and gig opportunities for acts, industry guides and articles such as ‘Why I don’t Need a Record Deal to Make Money from Music. Is this optimistic or opportunistic?

“We ended up improvising for about 20 minutes, because the crowd were so up for it [and it] went really well. I mean, I was gutted in a way that we hadn’t been able to really play our show, but I think we made the most out of it,” Unwin added.

Feast of Fools, a Manchester-based indie band aired on XFM Manchester, has a self-released single due out soon.The band, together for 18 months, performed at Manchester’s ‘In the City’ (ITC) 2007 festival – one of the world’s foremost industry platforms for unsigned acts.

“We played a good gig at Troff. It was a bit badly organised though; Ben had to stand on a couch to sing and we played acoustic as there were mic problems, but it felt intimate,” commented drummer Nick Moors.

And so what of the indie charts or the Artist Development service?

“I’m not sure the event is really for bands at our stage: unsigned, little label interest. I don’t think that is a problem with ITC in itself, but there are just too many bands around here trying to get signed,” he added.

“I think that anything – any venture that is trying to push something that is a little leftfield and doesn’t have the financial backing or big label support – is a good thing. Music used to be the level playing field; whoever you are, if you’re good enough, then you should get discovered. Any enterprise trying to level that again is worthy in my eyes,” he replied.

If these comments are anything to go off, the response to such schemes and initiatives will be positive. But as for their impact, only time will tell if they can truly help those at the grass roots of the scene.

Martin Guttridge-Hewitt

7

INDUSTRY PROFILE Simon Hall is no stranger to the many layers of the music industry.

The 25-year-old has his own electronic music label, Shrink Records, based in Nottingham. A true multi-tasker, he also finds time to make music and DJ as well.

“I thought the best way to get my music heard would be if I took the bull by the horns, so to speak, where not only could I release anything I wanted, but I could also find other producers with a likeminded attitude,” he says.

The DIY approach certainly seems to be growing with popularity, with many big bands increasingly cutting out the middle man. So what makes Shrink Records worthy enough of being the middle man for other artists? “I’d like to think of it as building a small community of DJs, producers, artists and photographers that works and sell records.”

While the job of promoting and releasing great music is rewarding, it does come armed with a lot of hard graft. “You’re lucky if you have a 9-5 job,” Simon explains. “I often have to speak to people in different time zones, so I could be up really late to speak to somebody in San Francisco but then be up again really early to speak to someone in Japan. It’s quite hard juggling the business with trying to be creative.

Good time management is something I have had to learn.”

8

Being up all hours calling contacts around the world is just one aspect of his work. When he’s not liaising with distribution companies, records shops and artists, you’ll find him scouting for talent, promoting Shrink Records and squeezing in the time to do his own DJ shows. Such a hectic schedule often means he forgets to eat. A true sign of dedication.

The next few months will be busy for Shrink Records, with several artists releasing EPs and a small US tour to arrange. Simon will also be visiting music courses at universities

to take a look at what America’s electronic music scene has to offer.

Any dreams for the label’s future?

“I basically hope Shrink Records will be in the radar for big names in the electronic music world and to carry on signing and pushing artists – I’ll never give up. Oh, and hopefully Shrink will be able to pay for itself to run!”

In the mean time, he recommends checking out the artists on his label, who include Matthew Burton, Max Cooper, Raw Hedroom, Nick Lawson, iamboi and Pollyy (his own project with fellow studio partner George).

For anyone still interested in going

down the same path as Simon and launching their own label, it’s worth knowing that it’s time-consuming, extremely hard work and not always glamorous; but it is hugely enjoyable.

If you want to be the middle man, just go for it, Simon says. “You have to know your field extremely well and have an ear for the music you want to put out. Also learn to not lose your temper, because not everyone’s that nice. But if you really can’t imagine doing anything else, what more needs to be said?” www.shrinkrecords.com Kristi Genovese Photograph: Chris James

FREEQ’D OUT

By the time you read this, your summer spent raving might be but a memory, the fields, the fortresses, the sunrises, the afternoons spent dancing away in a tent or on a beach. While summer is all about the open air, as we approach autumn, all thoughts turn towards getting sweaty inside a darkened room for the essential party fix.

Now in its fourth year the club continues to pull in the big names. Starting on September 5th with Claude Von Stroke’s hottest signing to his Dirtybird label, Riva Starr, setting the agenda as the club means to carry on. Hospitality at Detonate concludes the month, with Welsh wonder High Contrast headlining a night that also includes Radio One’s Plastician.

Summer 2008 saw a glut of festivals, some suffered from a bout of credit crunch and disappeared without a single lost welly. But weird and wonderful events did flourish in far flung locations. Zadar and the Garden parties in Croatia were the place for booze, boat trips and The Bays. Exit in Serbia was again especially popular with the Brits, with Soulwax, Sven Väth and Laurent Garnier all delighting the hoards in the cavernous dance arena set in the moat of a medieval fortress.

Gatecrasher will be looking to build on appearances from Felix Da Housecat and Stanton Warriors in early 2008 by serving up treats in the form of Groove Armada, Aim and Fedde Le Grande as those cold nights draw in.

Then there was Sonar, the jewel in the crown of European festival circuit. In June the Barcelona festival celebrated its 15th year in the seductive Catalan city with a typically cutting edge line up.With up to 90,000 people drawn to the event from all around the world it is the most cosmopolitan gathering of electronic music heads in the summer calendar. The week long stretch of parties revolving around the nucleus of Sonar itself has cemented its reputation as the must-do festival for those with an eye on the future and their feet on the dancefloor.

Ricardo Villalobos’ set to the expansive Sonar Bar stage summed it all up - at 7am, looping the classic French Kiss over and over, testing the resilience of the thousands locked in the groove below him with one mamoth break down. When the Chilean finally dropped in the bass, the place erupted in recognition of the man whose pioneering style and refusal to buck to trends has seem him saunter into the world’s DJ elite.

So back to the delights of what Lace Town and the Steel City can serve up then. For electronic music few can match Stealth’s Funktion One sound.

Look out on the fringes for the likes of Futureproof who look to return to their Blueprint bass for another soiree into the unknown on October 17th.

The Dubstep/Electronica/Techno hybrid will continue their resolutely underground manifesto that has already brought the likes of Shakelton, Appleblim and Martyn to the city. Also Bar 11, Dogma and newly refurbished Browns will regularly offer choice late night alternatives on an electronic tip.

Up the M1 and Sheffield institution The Plug, celebrate their third birthday on September 27th, with a night of mayhem presided over by local lads Reverend and the Makers (more on them in the next issue). The club also tempts Techno/Electro don Deadmaus out from his disco den for a rare UK show on October 11th.

For a more intimate experience and set in a new venue, Cargo will be looking to carry on the booking policy that introduced Sheffield to Berlin resident Will Saul and Leftroom’s Matthew Burton. A more up front experience can be had when the Tuesday Club bring the Valve Soundstystem to the Octagon Centre on September 27th for another brain melting rinse out at the hands of Andy C, Goldie and Dillinja.

Freeq, over and out.

Ben Start

9

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Before you read any further, pause for a moment and imagine what life would be like if you made less than £1 a day – that’s just a few pounds a week to cover all your living costs. Not so rosy is it? Now imagine how you’d feel if you had to spend 80 per cent of this meagre sum on basic food items, leaving you precious little for anything else.

10

This is the reality for around 2.7 billion people, Oxfam says, now that food costs have reached record levels – the highest for 25 years. Consumers in the UK are most definitely feeling the pinch, with higher grocery bills adding to the misery already caused by the credit crunch and soaring petrol costs.

The rocketing prices have made life quite uncomfortable for many of us in this country. However, as Oxfam’s director of campaigns and policy Phil Bloomer points out, for the world’s poorest citizens it has turned an already desperate situation into a full-on crisis. “Food inflation might cause pain in rich countries – but it is shattering entire economies and people’s lives in developing countries,” he says.

So, how bad is it? Well, according to figures from the UN, the international price for rice has gone up by 75%, vegetable oils by 60%, dairy products by 83% and wheat by 125%. The bottom line is that the global food crisis – dubbed the ‘silent tsunami’ – has made basic staples unaffordable for many.

It’s estimated that more than 850 million worldwide do not have enough to eat each day, with 90 percent of these living in poverty in developing nations. To make matters worse, the World Bank has now forecast that the rapid

increase in food prices could add up to 100 million people to this count.

Suddenly, mutterings in the media of an impending ‘international catastrophe’ don’t sound overdramatic after all.

A range of factors are said to have contributed to the present situation.

There has been higher demand for food in fast-developing nations, such as China and India. The high price of oil has pushed up the cost of making and transporting grain and rice.

Meanwhile, more and more agricultural land is now being used for the highly profitable production of biofuels, which use maize crop to produce ethanol for vehicles.

To make matters worse, the past year’s extreme weather in some areas has made food production even more volatile.

Some anti-poverty groups believe a key portion of the blame lies with market liberalisation policies, which

see poor countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific forced to rely on imports from wealthier nations. A new report – ‘Fighting Food Shortages: Hungry for Change’ – published by development agency Christian Aid, has condemned these policies.

The report’s lead author Oliver Pearce even goes so far as to describe them as ‘ruinous’. He explains: “Markets have been prised open for heavily subsidised food exports from richer nations.

Local farmers and agricultural businesses have found themselves undercut and been forced out of business.”

Christian Aid is concerned that allowing international companies

to compete with local farmers in poor nations could ‘undermine’ their agricultural sector and result in ‘long term negative effects for poverty, food security and the environment’.

So far, so complex. But what can be done? Development agencies are calling for urgent global action from political leaders. Christian Aid wants to see the international community make a ‘concerted effort’ to support agricultural industries in developing nations, for instance by helping small-scale farmers with investment and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, debt campaigners are calling for the cancellation of debts of countries most seriously

affected by the crisis. Jubilee Debt Campaign director Nick Dearden says: “It is shocking that while many millions of people in the world are going short of food, their governments are still being forced to shell out millions of pounds a week to rich countries and banks.”

He’s right. It really is shocking.

So next time you sit down to a slap-up meal, spare a thought for those who haven’t eaten in days.

Better still, get yourself online and get stuck into some campaigning action.

Tomi Ajayi www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk www.christianaid.org.uk www.oxfam.org.uk

GOATS

Well, thanks to the advertisers in the last issue of Freeq magazine (The Goat Issue in fact!) we were able to purchase two goats from Oxfam Unwrapped for some of the poorest people in the world.

We bought a boy and a girl goat and as you can see from the picture, they are getting on rather well…

The happy couple will go to owners who will really appreciate the extras they provide – fertilizer, milk and kids. They are bought locally to provide nomadic communities with a source of income; it’s a gift that keeps on giving!

We’ll have more goats and emergency essentials to buy thanks to the companies advertising in this issue of Freeq magazine. So, do your bit by letting our advertisers know you saw them in Freeq – the more they advertise, the more we buy, the more people we help, the better you feel.

Visit OxfamUnwrapped.com for more on the weird and wonderful gifts available.

11

MORAL FIBRE Like most ladies, I love clothes and I love to shop. I love everything about it. From window shopping when I have no money and trying those expensive shoes on that I could never afford, to the frenzy of the summer sales and that naughty but ever so guilty feeling you get when you purchase another item of clothing that you don’t really need and definitely can’t afford.

Wrapped in cotton wool As a child, I remember my Mother checking for the 100% cotton label before she purchased my school shirts. I inherited this ritual when I started buying clothes for myself and like many others I have been blissfully ignorant to the facts and under the illusion that cotton is the natural environmentally sound fabric of choice...how wrong I was.

I get an unhealthy buzz from buying clothes...and I am sure there are many of you out there (boys and girls alike) that enjoy spoiling themselves every now and again.

And why not? It’s harmless...or is it? When you buy a piece of clothing, do you stop and wonder where it was made and by whom and under what conditions?

Cotton provides nearly half of the worlds textile needs and it is often seen as a natural or environmentally friendly product. In fact Cotton uses almost a quarter of the world’s insecticides on 2.5% of agricultural land. (Pesticide Action Network UK).

The Fashion Industry is one of the most lucrative in the world (the UK market alone was worth £44.45 billion in 2005) and with the majority of garment manufacture concentrated in some of the poorest parts of the world, the fashion industry has the perfect opportunity to lift communities out of poverty and create sustainable livelihoods.

However, allegations of unsafe working conditions, poverty wages and child labour, continue to be raised against the third world factories under pressure to deliver cheap goods to the UK’s biggest clothing retailers.

12

In addition the industry also has an enormous impact on the environment with the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides polluting and depleting water supplies, and inefficient processes and waste.

The chemicals used in cotton production don’t end with cultivation.

Herbicides are used as an aid to harvesting in addition to even more harmful substances in the process of bleaching, dying, sizing, and fireproofing. Chemicals often used for finishing can include formaldehyde, sulphuric acid, caustic soda...and the list goes on.

Knitwear by Sarah Dixon see page 30 for profile their own technology, using organic fertilizers and resorting to natural pest control methods.

Organic agriculture maintains the long-term fertility of soils, which are the farmers’ only asset and main source of income. Harmful chemicals no longer threaten farmers’ health. In addition, farmers escape the debt cycle, since they do not need credits to buy expensive chemicals anymore. In this project, the farmers are connected with the textile industry and enjoy a purchase guarantee and wide-ranging extension services (training, crop monitoring, personal advice and EU compliance).

The project’s staff are all local people; it sounds so simple.

There are many people out there (myself included) who would never wear fur, so why are we fleecing our own kind for the sake of fashion?

There are alternatives.

Some companies are beginning to take steps to look after our planet and their employees but sadly they are still in the minority.

I am not suggesting you throw out all your glad rags and don a hemp potato sack but maybe we should all think about the way we shop and increase the demand for ethical fashion...and maybe, just maybe, the fashion industry can be as beautifully fabulous on the inside as it is on the outside.

Sustainable Alternatives Network (SAnet) support and assist businesses to switch to cleaner technologies. With the support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) they have developed projects in India that use no chemicals at all.

Instead they have created

Want to know more? www.sustainablealternatives.net www.ethicalfashionforum.com www.lamodeethique.com www.organicstereo.com www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources/ films/cotton_cameroon.aspx Mellisa Harrison

These by-products pollute the soil and the rivers of the surrounding environments where cotton is farmed and are toxic to the farmers and pickers working in cultivation causing brain and foetal damage, impotence and sterility.

THEGREATBRITISHSUMMER The Great British Summer is one of torment, tease and mystery.

Every year I dream of green hills soaked in sunlight, rolling in meadows and cheeky grass stains. I romanticise this season, nostalgically and carelessly forgetting that last summer was a total wash out, and that my tent at Glastonbury followed suit.

It seems that no more do we visit music festivals to worship our rock gods, but rather to pay homage to the rain, dancing in puddles and sliding in mud. I like such days, because regardless of the weather a festival is what summer is all about. While enduring the painfully cold winter we can at least warm ourselves thinking about the fun that lies ahead.

I do want some heat though. I don’t just want to be reminded that it’s August, I want to be punched in the face by it.

Occasionally some sporadic days follow, where the sun is out in all its glory, along with our pigeon chests, chicken legs and other bird-like limbs proudly on display; we strip quicker than George Bush drops bombs. I allow myself to overindulge in ice-cream, Punch and Judy, sometimes the disease-riddled beach at Blackpool.

The Great British Summer involves different kinds of fun at different ages. At 15, all I knew was inexpensive fun; playing in hay bales with naughty farmer boys and swigs of cheap cider, while a walk down the canal would find us jumping off trees into the sparkling cool water.

My parents, however, spend their August bank holiday either roaming around the country in their campervan or weeding the garden and potting plants. Now that I’m older, my ideal summer hasn’t changed too much. It’s just more expensive. I dream of holidays abroad, road trips to beautiful British beaches, memorable adventures and, on the way back, maybe a visit to Latitude or V.

I love a good festival. Seeing my favourite bands, eating overpriced grease, making friends with the pilled-up 60-year-old trancing out to some 90’s dance beat booming about in his far flung mind.

His 24-year-old self reminiscing of summers in the seventies: awesome, psychedelic, free-loving fun.

Maybe it’s similar to a day in the park with your mates: twilight turning to clear starry night skies, small (albeit illegal) bonfires and guitar playing. So it’s in the midst of this, whilst lolling about on the lush green, I have made sense of what the Great British summer is all about, and what it is not.

And the thing to remember is: yes, the weather is mainly crap and we’re skint and can’t afford that all inclusive holiday at a naff tourist resort that looks like it should be on Holidays from Hell. But is that what we really want? Sometimes!

But when we can’t, let’s make like our inner child and be creative.

Picnics, water fights, bike rides, regardless of the acid rain hammering down on our parade.

The Great British Summer is about fun, frolics and being a carefree 15 again.

Rachael Bridge illustration: Gemma Latimer

13

ONE TOWATCH

KEVIN CRITCHLEY OUTFIT

Usually when someone tells you about the song that changed their life, they’ll pick something ‘cool’ by Radiohead or Led Zepplin. There are not many that would admit to a Bruce Springsteen number. But Kevin Critchley is one of them.

“Hearing Born to Run,” grins Kevin, singer/guitarist of the eponymously named Kevin Critchley Outfit, “It was on a video my dad taped off the telly. It made me cry. I’d never heard a song like that, it changed my life. Of course, you hear our music, we don’t sound a thing like him!”

For those of you who like your pigeonholes, the band, completed by cello player Luke Moore and violinist Josie Pearce, have actually likened themselves more to The Dave Matthews Band.

“I’m influenced by loads of different music but as soon as I heard them I kind of changed my whole musical style,” explains Kevin.

Kevin spent several years trying to hone his approach with various musicians in his home city, Liverpool, but then a chance meeting with Luke at a party led to today’s line-up who have just completed their first studio album.

“There was this guy hanging round the buffet table and I was hovering for mini rolls,” jokes Luke. “We got chatting about football, music, all sorts of things.

And then he wanted cello on one of the tracks.”

14

Whilst it might be hard to imagine ‘jamming’ with a cello, the session that followed led to Kevin asking Luke to join him on a permanent fixture.

“Instead of one track, let’s do them all!” laughs Kevin.

“And now we have 13 of them,” adds Luke.

With Luke bringing Josie, who he knew from university, into the fold, the outfit was complete and they could begin recording an album that they are confident is going to lead to greater things.

“This year has really been about leading up to recording the album,” says Kevin. “We want to do a launch and make as big an event as possible…just try and create a buzz and see what happens there, see if we can set up a tour.”

This quiet determination has resulted in a professionallyproduced album and a number of live gigs with the band starting to develop a following. It’s also kept them away from the temptations of the rock and roll life. When a sound engineer at one gig told them they could have whatever they wanted, Luke ordered pints for all his mates and Kevin indulged in a private binge on some high class, um, flapjacks.

“I got two!” He grins. “That’s how rock and roll I am”.

Focused on their ambitions, which include getting onto Later…with Jools Holland within two years and appearing at as many festivals as possible, the band feel ready for success.

“The album is the produce…we see it as a stepping stone to the future,” agrees Luke. “We’ve already got the second album sorted in our heads!”

Adds Kevin: “I don’t know what it’s like for Luke but I feel like my whole life has been leading up to this and I can’t wait to get into it.”

Louise Steggals Photograph: Jo Cordon

ONE TOWATCH

STRICKEN CITY

Specialists in sparkling, ethereal pop, Northampton quartet Stricken City are about to unleash their debut single, Tak O Tak. Richard Blackledge spoke to their guitarist Iain Pettifer about Midlands boredom, influences and neglecting to buy records...

How did Stricken City come about?

Me and Rebekah formed the band about five years ago. We spent all our time listening to the Libertines and Young Marble Giants and writing songs in her university halls with guitars and a four-track bought with her student loan. We went through a few line-ups until we found Kit about a year and a half ago. Because of his name we made him our drummer! Espen became our bassist last winter after his band, Cherubs, split up. He

was the first person we met who liked Richard Hell as much as us so it was always good to have him around.

To what degree did coming from the suburban environment of the Midlands spur you on to form a band?

We had a lot of time on our hands, since Northampton is not the most happening place. There are a lot of squares and snobs there so you just make more of an effort to seek out new and interesting things. I watched a lot of films and

listened to a lot of different types of music - Can, Slint, Serge Gainsbourg, Belle and Sebastian, Clinic, things like that.

What bands and artists are influencing you at the moment?

I really like High Places at the moment, the music is really interesting but you can hear they are still pop songs at heart. Life Without Buildings, Bow Wow Wow and Talking Heads are always reference points plus I really like the new Kills record. However, our main influence is and always will be The O.C. You’ve been quoted as saying that you learnt the guitar in a week and that your singer Rebekah hasn’t bought a record in seven years. To what extent does this indicate that Stricken City’s music is perhaps more instinctive than other groups?

Because we’re not technically skilled most of what we do comes from stumbling on something that works. There’s no sitting around discussing songs to death and talking about trying out this chord or that, mainly because if you ask me to play a chord I probably won’t know it. Rebekah always comes up with amazing melodies; I’m not sure where she gets them from. It makes it very easy to write songs because as soon as she sings on top of what we’ve done it takes it to a whole new place we never would have thought of. Hopefully it means we can steer clear of playing anything too clichéd or stale sounding.

What are your plans for the rest of 2008 and beyond?

Our first single came out on 7” on the 28th July, which we’re really happy about. Rebekah has done the artwork and it looks awesome.

We’ve also just got back from Oxford where we recorded some new songs so hopefully we can find a label to put that out as a second 7”. Plus we will be playing a lot more and hopefully get out of London for a while. www.strickencity.com Richard Blackledge

15

ONE TOWATCH

HERE’S TO THE ATOM BOMB Stoke On Trent: famous for oatcakes and The Potteries. However, that’s all about to change.

The music scene in Stoke On Trent is something to be proud of and one band in particular to look out for is Here’s To The Atom Bomb; named after a Smashing Pumpkins b-side.

Made up of five friends, the band formed towards the end of 2004. They released an EP out at the start of May this year on a local label; We Like Danger. The lead single, Something’s Got To Give was given away at a gig at The Sugarmill - only 100 were handed out. I ended up going home with three; they won’t be going on Ebay!

Here’s To The Atom Bomb are going to be busy this year with planning a mini tour and getting the EP out in shops. At the moment the EP is available from welikedanger.com along with other goodies from bands on the We Like Danger label.

16

Here’s To The Atom Bomb sound fantastic on record, but really come alive when you watch them live. The first time I saw them was when they supported Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly at the Victoria Hall in Hanley last year. Then, after witnessing one of their gigs at The Sugarmill, it is fair to say that Here’s To The Atom Bomb are definitely one of the bands to watch in the Staffordshire area.

They are extremely exciting live - just make sure you’re not close to the stage when you see them; Rich may land on you!

It seems at the moment that every week their website is updated with new songs that show the band getting better and better. Phil, Rich, Peter, Alex and Tomos make up one hard-working band which makes you wonder, why haven’t you got their EP?! The EP may only have four tracks on it, but is worth purchasing as it will leave your ears (and of course, yourself) wanting more.

These guys do not just play the local area, they’ve played everywhere between Leeds and London, so as soon as their mini tour is planned and announced, make sure you go and get yourself sorted with some tickets. They may be playing small venues at the moment but give it time and venues like the Victoria Hall will be calling for a headline spot.

Everything about their sound makes them standout, but there is something about Phil’s voice which is so clear and grabs your attention. With a lot of bands it’s quite hard to understand what they are saying which can make listening to their music difficult to enjoy.

So if clarity and a mind blowing experience is your thing, then check out Here’s To The Atom Bomb. www.bombthepast.co.uk Olivia Cellamare Photography: Andrew Conroy

17

THe PETEBOX

After absolutely smashing the Freeq Launch Party, we caught up with THePETEBOX and his beatbox of tricks in a quiet café in Nottingham to talk about Prague, Mexico and driving to Mongolia in a Fiat Panda. If you haven’t heard already, THePETEBOX is fast becoming a worldwide beatboxing sensation and what’s more, he’s Nottingham We enjoyed a bit of preamble about yo-yo dieting, avoiding Ginsters at service stations and the joys of gangrene we got down to the business at hand.

FREEQ: Thanks for playing at the Launch Party – everyone left buzzing. Are you getting used to that at gigs – can you ever get used to the adulation of fans?

PB: (laughs) No I can’t! I’m getting some big reactions when I play. It’s not just me doing some songs, it’s me doing songs with just my mouth – it’s a spectacle and the whole experience evokes a bigger reaction because of what it is. So, er no I can’t get used to it! I think the whole concept of what I do when you strip it down it’s just me and a microphone in front of a load of people I always think that’s weird. When I was on stage at Glastonbury, it was so good I got my phone out on stage. I was like ‘yea I know I’m supposed to be used to this but I’m just gonna film ya, (laughs) so can you just make some noise!’

18

FREEQ: Nice. So what made you want to become a beatboxer this is one question you probably get asked all the time.

PB:Yea, well I am a beatboxer so… it’s fair enough I suppose. I’ve always played piano from very young and my Dad plays piano and it was one of the things my Mum was like ‘you learn piano, you learn swimming and you learn to read’.

So I’ve always played piano and then when I was like 14, I just fell in love with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and was like ‘guitar; that’s the instrument for me’. I started playing guitar and writing and always wanted to be a rock star and then played drums in a band with my brother, so I’ve always played music and been really aware of it and always sang and written songs. Then I was in someone’s car and someone passed me a CD through the window. I remember the day of Rahzel going ‘hey check this out’ and it was him doing If Your Mother Only Knew, where he sings and beatboxes at the same time, which at the time was absolutely incredible. And that was it. I was like ‘if he can do that, then I’m gonna be able to do that’ and then I just copied him as much as I could – I sounded rubbish for ages.

I started doing open mic nights in Nottingham and playing my guitar, pouring my heart out, pouring my soul out and two people might be there, p*ssed, not bothered. Then I’d start beatboxing and everyone would listen and I sort of got the buzz from performing beatboxing and went from there.

FREEQ: So did your folks ever want you to get a proper job?

PB: No,they were probably happy coz I was bumming around before.

FREEQ: So they were just relieved you wanted to do something?

PB: Ha ha, no, I mean, my Dad’s a doctor, Mum’s a teacher, they don’t live together but have always been a big presence and I did well at school, it was cool – school was cool, (laughs). I wasn’t the model student but I knew my priorities and I always knew that when the time came to push all I had to do was push for this little bit of time and then do nothing so [working hard] was always a means to do nothing. So GCSEs weren’t really great, then A-levels came around, didn’t do so well and I was a bit bored of being in Southwell, so I came to college in Nottingham – got my A-levels and went to do film in Grimsby. The first year was great, but it was Grimsby, and all my mates were second years, so I quit that and just came back to Nottingham coz all my mates were moving away. I’ve got really fond memories of Grimsby but if I’d stayed there another year I would’ve hated it. So I came to do sound engineering at Confetti - it was ace, great facilities and awesome tutors that really knew their stuff. I got a lot out of it and helped me be able to record and produce my music in my home studio. So I’ve always been doing something, but then building the beatboxing up alongside it, and then obviously delighted that I get to travel the world and make money from beatboxing, coz it’s pretty cool.

FREEQ: For us it’s all about unsigned and independent music and arts because we want to give opportunities for people who are just starting out or would benefit from exposure in the magazine.

PB: Yea, there are a lot of people I’ve met who do have real promise but need a bit of guidance or encourage and you know, some praise or something to help them realise their self-worth, coz there are some people where you’re like ‘you could be really good but you’re gonna go and get p*ssed now aren’t you, and probably smash a window’ which is a real shame. It’s weird coz even the roughest, toughest guys, we’d do a

festival or something and get them performing and at the end people coming up to them, and they’re like reduced back to being kids again, they love being told they’re good and get encouragement.

FREEQ: We did some research and discovered you liked inline skating and were in the scouts…

PB: Is this from Robin?

FREEQ: No, not at all – ha ha.

PB: I wasn’t in the scouts, I was in the cubs. I didn’t make it to scouts, scouts was wrong by that age I think. But yea, inline skating, not just inline skating but aggressive skating. We started out on Bauers, me and a couple of mates – we were kings of the roller disco!

Then my mate came back from America with some aggressive skates which were like the inlines but you had plates for grinding on each side and then in the middle, so we all got a pair of them and we used to rip it up in Southwell in those. Good times. Apart from I never had baggy jeans. I was like ‘Mum, can I have some baggy jeans?’

She’d be like, ‘No!’ We went shopping once a year for clothes until finally my Dad was throwing out a pair so I made my own baggy jeans and they were cream and I dyed them blue and cut them off and then I truly felt part of the gang! Ha ha.

FREEQ: We weren’t going to get into all of that but there you go.

The other thing we did find out was that you were in an advert in Mexico for a phone company – or something like that, no-one in the office speaks Spanish! Was that your screen debut and any plans to break Hollywood now?

PB: Yea, it was for that king of thing.

I’ve been on East Midlands news a couple of times but er, that was last March, just randomly had an email, just going ‘alright, we’re a Mexican production company, we’d like to get some videos and photos to pitch to the client to be in an advert.’ I was like, ‘this is cool, never going to happen’ but I sent it off anyway. That was on the Monday and on the Wednesday they emailed back going ‘yea, we’ve met the client, they want to use you.

Can you shave off your stripes and

we’ve booked you a plane for Friday.’ So I went out on Friday, had a wicked weekend coz the director took me out and he was this cool young guy and then filmed on Monday and flew back on Tuesday – it was all a bit weird – and the result is on my website. I didn’t really think much of those kind of things, it’s pretty good money, so I thought it would be great if a couple more of those came my way randomly but, er, it didn’t.

FREEQ: How do you do it?

PB: How do you beatbox?

FREEQ:Yea. PB: (Laughs) You kind of use every surface and corner of your mouth and thwack them all together and try and use the noises you make in a beat, and then use your throat and voicebox to create crazy sounds ha ha.

FREEQ: Ok, one question we ask a lot: If you were recruiting for Leader of the World, who would be on the interview panel and why?

PB:The Leader of the World? That’s a ridiculous question! Er… I don’t know anyone worthy of being leader of the world. I wouldn’t want a leader of the world in general.

FREEQ: No no, we mean who would be on the interview panel if you had to have a leader!

PB: Oh, who would be the judges?

I don’t flippin’ know! I suppose I would want to be on there, I’d like some kind of say. Er, my brother because he’s just. And er, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

FREEQ: Ok, where next for THePETEBOX? PB: In the studio, I’ve got more shows coming up. End of August there’s V Festival, September I’ve got Bestival, October maybe going out to Lake of Stars again, in Africa.

There’s talk of a tour of the uni’s.

It’s quite weird coz I never know really what I’m doing past the next couple of months, quite often I get to the stage where I think ‘I’ve got no gigs’ then suddenly loads come through. I just got a call about a gig in France in October.

FREEQ: Would you prefer to be gigging all the time?

PB: Yea, four or five days a week, continues

19

Xi#Xdb ^ " ^ i i Z [ c lll#Xd

DL 68I C

H><C J

E

C >

C ?D> ;DHEB I;FJ;C8;H

%&&* ..('(&( 8dc[Zii^ >8I! +"&% 8dckZci HigZZi! Cdii^c\]Vb C<& +AA

20

tours, I love it, it’s what I’m made for you know, I don’t need a house, I need a computer, and a guitar, maybe a shower, er – bed… I just love getting amongst it and going and meeting so many people. I’m just having so much fun and ageing beyond my years and drinking too much beer and whiskey and er, I’m just up for all that.

FREEQ: Out of all the people you have met, who was the best?

PB: Eddie Vedder, from Pearl Jam, that was really good. Coz the ultimate person to me would be Kurt Cobain, but he probably would be quite hard to get on with, I dunno. But as far as people who’ve influenced me musically, like Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder is in the top five. I met Rahzel, that was good, but he was just about to go on stage so I didn’t really speak to him much, I just mumbled ‘gahah, er, Rahzel, how does this work – your lips – they’re huge!’ So we’ll say Eddie Vedder.

FREEQ: Not Killa Kela?

PB: No. Not Killa Kela.

FREEQ: When you’re just chilling out, or got time to reflect, is it just continually in your brain – little loops going round?

PB: Oh yea, it’s horrible, all the time, always always – even now. Either

songs or loops of songs that my brain makes up, little loops or patterns just always going on. The worst time I noticed it was invading me was when we drove to Mongolia, me and Andy and some mates drove from London to Mongolia in a 1-litre Fiat Panda. It’s like 9,000 miles. We went the long route via Turkey and Uzbekistan and all that. That was like the worst jukebox you’ve ever heard going through my head, all the time, like early 90s dance and stuff.

FREEQ: Why Mongolia? Did you just fancy a drive?

PB: It was an organised thing called the Mongol Rally. We did it in it’s third year – it was 170 cars. The people that organise it get the visas coz they’ve built relationships with the ambassadors and stuff so they can get visas – most of them… so they do that for you, but then aside from that it’s like, to enter you have to raise a grand for charity, er you gotta have maximum 1-litre car and you start in Hyde Park and you end in Mongolia – see you in a bit. So you don’t go in convoy at all, you know, through Europe to Prague it was the first party, so you had to bomb it like 2 o’clock in the day and the next evening was the party so we had to all get to Prague by then. So you see quite a few cars then, but from there some people go east and straight through Russia, there’s so many different ways you don’t see anyone. We did it in three cars, there was seven people in three cars so it was like a cool holiday / adventure with your mates. It was THE best thing I’ve ever done – it was amazing, the freedom and feeling of waking up literally not knowing where you are. We had two maps, one of them was lost on a p*ssed night, we ended up in a place called Samson in Turkey and the map wasn’t there anymore. The next map, which was of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the bottom of Russia, was used as toilet paper on the ferry on the way to Turkmenistan. It was the worst crazy, dirtiest, death-trap of a ferry. It was like a brick, a dieselspewing brick. So we didn’t have any maps, but it’s just the feeling of

being purely in the moment; we had a loose mission, just to start there and end over there and we didn’t really know where we were going. We met so many people and we were kind of celebrities coz, you know, these Westerners in places where no-one visits, with crap cars that are amazing to them with stickers on and a couple of my mates are really big and one’s like a superhero with dreads, so all the women were coming up to him, and people wanted to feed us and give us meat and cheese and it was a great mindset to be totally in the moment – it was cool.

FREEQ: So, a bit like life – you start in one place, end up somewhere else and meet a load of crazy people on the way.

For the full THePETEBOX interview visit www.freeqmagazine.com Sam Borrett

HOW TO BEATBOX IN THREE EASY SOUNDS To beatbox like a pro (well, how a pro would have sounded when they started) there are three drum noises you will need to master.

First, repeat the letters B-T-K-T a few times – starting to sound like a drum beat? Good – now for the noises: The ‘T’ sound is a hi-hat: it’s like you’re saying ‘t’ but without the ‘ee’ sound then accentuate it.

The ‘K’ is the snare drum – imagine the ‘k’ at the end of the work ‘kick’ but then make it loud and use your stomach to pass some air through it and make it louder.

The ‘B’ is the bass drum – it’s like a ‘b’ but without the ‘ee’ sound again and thwack your lips together to get the tone (like you’re spitting a pip out your lips).

Altogether now: B-T-K-T, B-T-K-T…

21

22

23

It was the place to be way back on May 15th when we set Junktion7 alight with the official Freeq Launch Party. The glossy Goat Issue with its unique wraparound cover as designed

by Smallkid went down a treat with the guests who all also enjoyed the free wine and food and evening entertainment.

We had a top line up with beatboxing sensationTHePETEBOX (interview page 18) rounding off a superb night that also featured The Kull, Spotlight Kid, We Show Up On Radar and the talented Paul Liddell (profiled in the Goat Issue).

24

The party continued into the small hours of Friday morning and with goody bags up for grabs to the last 50 standing, packed full of gifts from Nottingham Trent University, The Music Inn, Jack Daniels and Jaegermeister among others; there was plenty of motivation to keep drinking.

Photography: Colin Brothwood The evening kicked off with one half of We Show Up On Radar performing an accomplished acoustic set, easing us in to the swing of things with some melodic folk.

We then all herded upstairs to witness Spotlight Kid raising the tempo with a surprisingly solid, uplifting indie set in what was their first gig of 2008.

Back downstairs to the acoustic stage and more nibbles and Paul Liddell silenced the Freeq guests with a simply beautiful performance; his music moving freely between soft-indie, folk, pop and soul to create a magnificently eclectic and diverse sound.

Nottingham band The Kull then jumped on the upstairs stage and with raw, unrivalled energy, and an intense sound from a band who clearly love what they are doing, did a great job in whipping up the audience into a Jack Daniel’s-filled

frenzy.

The grand finale featured local award-winning beatboxer, THe PETEBOX, leave the delighted audience absolutely speechless with his vocal gymnastics. His set not only involved beatboxing, but the process of building up complete tracks layered live on a loop pedal which set your brain spinning.

Junktion 7 were excellent hosts for the night, putting on food and drinks for the VIP guests and photographer Colin Brothwood captured the vibe of the evening perfectly with a range of images (see above).

The Fresh Music Cast team were on location with their recording equipment to capture the flavour of the evening in a Freeq Launch Party podcast special – check out all the action for yourself at www. freshmusiccast.com Our lasting memory will always be Honza walking around the bar in

the early hours of the morning with a helium balloon for company, corralling people to stay and party – it’s fair to say he was a little worse for wear the next morning.

This was none of your lah-di-dah pretentious ‘socialite’- style rubbish that you so often see in other glossy free mags; we got down and dirty at an independent venue, with independent music and an independent magazine – with people who can appreciate the difference!

Thanks to everyone who helped arrange the event, the venue, the dj and the engineers, and to the bands that played on the night for a few drinks and the love of music.

Keep reading Freeq magazine and supporting your local venues because without you guys, we’d be out of a job.

Sam Borrett and Rach Hurst

25

PHONEY NO DOCUMENTS NONSENSE

THE CARNABYS

Band members MrJaC! SparoGyro Puf DrCalpol Bucket SuedeFace

Band members Howard Prentice (Vocals and Rhythm guitar), Jerry Davis (Bass), Lloyd Ryan (Drums), Rod Ashford (Lead Guitar)

Band members Luke Williamson (vocals), Paul Iliffe (lead) Kevin Evans (rhythm), Luke Headland (bass) and Lee Happs (drums).

Who or what do you sound like?

Cross between Cream and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Who or what do you sound like?

We sound like something taken from 1966.

Melodies and songwriting of The Beatles, rawness of The Stones and influences taken from The Kinks, The Who and The SmallFaces.

What or who do you sound like?

We sound a bit like yer granddad in a top hat...

What was the last album you bought?

Eagerly-awaited Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs *8/10 If you were recruiting for the job of Leader of The World, who would be on the interview panel and why?

Paxman!

Best gig ever played?

Walkabout Soundcheck 2007. We decided to compete just two hours before the actual event so rather than thinking and planning what we should do, we just got on stage and did it.

Worst gig ever played?

Brickyard, Carlisle. We played there a couple of times while we were at uni but one particular time we didn’t get on stage ‘til 1am! and by then we were as drunk as the restless crowd...

Best ever gig you’ve been to?

Scott Matthews before he got too big, intimate gigs are unbeatable.

He played Sheffield Forum without the bongo man and there were about 20 people in the audience not one of them dared to even sneeze!

Who would be your support band at Wembley?

Emiliana Torrini Who’s your biggest fan?

Sarah James, she dresses up better than anyone!

26

The famous Jaffa Cake debate biscuit or cake?

Biscuit ...with a miniscule layer of cake on top! www.themusicdirectory.co.uk/ phoneydocuments

What’s your plans for the rest of 2008?

To play as many gigs as possible Best gig ever played?

The Windmill in Wallington, they loved us, good job too as they take no prisoners..!

Worst gig ever played?

Would rather not say as we are playing there again soon.

If you were recruiting for ‘Leader of the World’ who would be on the interview panel and why?

Lemmy of Motorhead, anybody that can survive the lifestyle he has lead would be able to take on anything.

Which band member has the best looking mum?

That would be telling.

Who’s your biggest fan?

Some guy who saw us in The Star, Ewell, he was about 28 stone.

Most ‘rock and roll’ moment?

With the life that Lloyd Ryan has lead there are too many to mention, you will have to read his autobiography (yes he does have one..!)

If the world is your oyster where’s the pearl?

In my garden shed.

The famous jaffa cake debate: is it a biscuit or cake?

Biscuit, no question about it. www.themusicdirectory.co.uk/ nononsense

What’s your plans for the rest of 2008?

The Caranbys are releasing a double A-side Single in October with recording in Liverpool currently taking place with producer Fran Cosgrove.

If you were recruiting for ‘Leader of the World’ who would be on the interview panel and why?

John, Paul, George and Ringo.

They’d not suffer fools gladly, and the mix of personalities would ensure the right candidate was chosen. John would make sure our successfull applicant was a comic but with a deep side, Paul would guarantee he has the ability to be media friendly. George would look for someone with a reflective side whilst Ringo’s presence would make it clear that Thomas The Tank Engine was an integeral part of the ‘Worlds’ past and should be seen as an institution.

Which band member has the best looking mum?

That’s not right is it? Can’t be!!!

If the world is your oyster where’s the pearl?

The Cavern Club, Liverpool. www.themusicdirectory.co.uk/ thecarnabys

Logon to TheMusicDirectory.co.uk and set up your free profile for your chance to feature in the next edition of Freeq Magazine!!!

THE MUSIC DIRECTORY NEWS

BANDS – ARTISTS – DESIGNERS – WRITERS – BUSINESSES – ALL WELCOME! TheMusicDirectory.co.uk – it’s a bit longer than myspace.com but bigger is better right? Well, maybe not when it comes to URLs but we’re busy creating such a simple and user-friendly networking website that we aren’t worried that it takes half a second longer to say TheMusicDirectory than MySpace.

Although we’re primarily for bands and musicians, our profiles can be used by anyone for networking, marketing or developing a portfolio.

You can even set your own URL to your Music Directory profile page so if, for example www.themusicdirector y.co.uk/ freshmusiccast is too much to remember then use your own URL www.freshmusiccast.com instead. It all ends up in the same place anyway!

Music writers – interview bands, review gigs and demos and get your featured articles from Freeq Magazine published on your profile page.

Artists / Designers – need a website to promote your work? Use one of our free profile pages and stack it full of your artwork and designs then take advantage of our blogging facility to write some search engine friendly content to attract people to see your stuff. It’s your own personal gallery.

There’s loads more for you all to play around with so come and see the latest developments at www.themusicdirectory.co.uk and get your free profile set up today.

27

GLASTONBURY...

Sun, rain, then sun and lots of music in between.

Glastonbury 2008 was (eventually) a sell out – or so we were led to believe…

It hadn’t started quite as had been planned with tickets being almost given away through a variety of outlets – including in HMV stores. This was one Glastonbury festival where everyone who wanted to go, got a ticket. Was the reason for the sales slump the headline act? It certainly created a media furore when Jay-Z was unveiled as top of the billing and arguments reined both in the public domain and inside the music industry. If this was the hype that Michael Eavis was hoping would lead to record ticket sales, it backfired.

When Jay-Z finally stepped onto the Pyramid Stage late on Saturday night, it was to perform an hour-long solo set, this despite all the rumours of special guests, and to answer his critics – including one of the most vocal; Noel Gallagher – with a confident and crowdpleasing show.

28

The Jigga Man entered stage left strumming a guitar and (sort of) singing along to Wonderwall after lengthy video footage on the big screens featuring world leaders and politicians apparently contributing to the debate with carefully edited film. It certainly won the

crowd over, half of which seemed Jay-Z fans and half of which must’ve been there to find out what all the fuss was about. You could tell it wasn’t the typical hiphop audience when the ‘Jay-Z’ chants spread out as opposed to the more common ‘Ho-va’, usually heard at his live shows.

Minor details aside, it was a fitting finale to the Saturday night’s entertainment at Glastonbury 2008 and one we certainly enjoyed getting some snaps of from the press pit.

Speaking of the press pit – we avoided the stampede at the backstage gates – those paparazzi take no prisoners and we were mere amateurs in comparison; failing to take some stepladders and a 3-metre camera lens.

But inadequacies ignored, backstage at Glastonbury is interesting to say the least…

I would say the main differences are better toilets (although by Sunday it was much of a muchness) and a larger percentage of people who are up their own arse and over-flowing with self-importance. Ok, so there was free cider in the press tent but the press tent vibe was pretty cold – like the cider.

We did give Jo Whiley a copy of Freeq and we pinned a badge on Lily Allen (who says she stuck it on her dinosaur) and quietly chuckled at Amy Winehouse

walking back and forth past our seats in the Pyramid’s dressing room area almost demanding attention from anyone who was bored enough to give it to her. But we did not follow the well-trodden path between the two main stages – the best gigs were all further afield and well away from the paparrazi snappers, who didn’t move out of the Pyramid / Other Stage radius.

to any of the smaller stages for a bit of space. What was bizarre was even though the Jazz World and John Peel stages had some awesome acts on, there was always a distinct lack of photographers. It pretty much sums up why we’re here – championing the underdog and ignoring the Winehouses of this world.

The best vibe was definitely down at the Park; so much more relaxed than other parts of the Festival.

We also liked the Jazz World backstage bar area – decent music and more informal. The John Peel backstage bar also attracted a more chilled out character and we think some excellent shows.

Between those two stages we saw Lupe Fiasco, Reverend and the Makers, British Sea Power, Lightspeed Champion and Jimmy Cliff. How can you possibly argue with that!?

The highlight really had to be meeting Kool Keith backstage at the Park – what a legend!

photographs: Sam Borrett We did miss out on seeing most of the ‘big’ (commercial) acts but then that’s not really what we’re about at Freeq magazine. It was quite amusing to watch the mad scramble from the press tent whenever a female celebrity would walk by or if there was a commercial act playing either of the big stages (the hospitality camping area is in between the Pyramid and Other stage). We’d check for when Duffy or KT Tunstall was on, knowing that we’d have the press tent to ourselves. Shortly after the first three songs have finished, you’d get a big rush with the photographers desperately trying to get their shots uploaded to their agencies the quickest.

That’d be our cue to head on up

29

MEETTHE CREATIVES...

GEO www.getaloadageo.co.uk

‘When I was 9 years old I designed a Christmas card for the school to hand out to parents every year... they still use it still to my knowledge.’

SARAH DIXON If you are under the impression that ethical fashion can’t be high fashion then get a load of Sarah Dixon.

This eco-conscious fashion knitwear graduate from Nottingham Trent University is making a name for herself in the fashion world and has been described by WGSN (World Global Style Network) as being part of ‘a new wave of talented knitwear designers’.

30

Sarah used organic cotton, bamboo and merino wool in her recent collection and the colour palette was limited to whites, blues and greys in an attempt to reduce the amount of polluting dyes used.

Additionally, in a move away from disposable fashion, her focus is on quality and durability, making her beautiful designs as timeless as possible.

Weapon of choice?

Pencils, paper, watercolour, gouache, photoshop and plenty of coffee to keep me going Tony Hart or Rolf Harris? has to be Rolfie, the dude does his scatter breathing when he does his work, multitalented guy!

0QFO .JD /JUF

PAUL TAPPING

GEMMA LATIMER

Weapon of choice?

My main weapon is my sketchbook, I keep that with me at all times. As for drawing tools; I’m a big fan of Unipin fineliners, biros, inks, paint pens, photocopiers Photoshop, Illustrator, whatever I need to use at that precise moment in time really.

‘I was about 7 years old in primary school and won 2nd prize in a mothers day portrait competition.

I reckon it was the big green eyes (one bigger than the other), lashings of blue eye shadow and red lips that did it… she looked a stunner.’

zombieplayground@gmail.com

Influences?

Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville, Banksy, Dave McKean, Jeff Smith, Will Eisner, Adam Neate, Loran Paxton and, obviously, my mum!

www.gemmalatimer.com

How? Collage, pencil crayon, scissors, glue, photoshop and illustrator.

Tony Hart or Rolf Harris?

Ooooh It’s a tricky one… but its gotta be Tony Hart hasn’t it.

Q&A’s

WITH RYAN NOLAN

Q1. I have heard people mention dynamic and condenser microphones.

Is there a difference, if so what is it?

You’ll have to excuse the ‘geek speak’ but to explain the differences properly I’ll have to use it!

A dynamic microphone operates by using electromagnetic induction to generate an output signal. The theory of electromagnetic induction states that whenever an electrically conductive metal cuts across the flux lines of a magnetic field, a current of specific magnitude and direction will be generated within that metal.

So basically, (in plain English) when you sing into a microphone the air that comes out pushes a piece of metal and the movement of that inside a magnetic coil produces a signal that goes along the microphone cable and eventually comes out of a speaker. A dynamic mic doesn’t require power.

Generally it is less sensitive than a condenser microphone.

A condenser microphone is a little more complex but I’ll try to explain it as simply as possible. The basic principle is that they generate signal by changing capacitance (ability to store electrical charge) within the microphone. Rather than using electromagnetic principles condensers use electrostatic principles. Two thin plates are held inside a capsule in the microphone, one of these is fixed, the other can move. Each of these plates has an opposite electrical charge. When no sound is made these plates do not move and they have a specific capacitance, when sound is made one plate moves and the capacitance of the

capsule changes. This sends a signal along the mic cable and eventually comes out of the speakers.

Condenser mics require external power. As the distance that the movable plate has to travel to produce a signal is small in comparison to that within a dynamic mic and because the sound doesn’t have to push a ‘heavy’ piece of metal through a magnet it is generally more sensitive.

Q2. What is a compressor?

that you may not have been able to hear before.

Clearly a compressor is a very useful piece of gear and can be found in almost all software recording packages as standard but can also be bought as a piece of hardware or software by itself. As well as being useful it can also be dangerous, potentially destroying a good ‘take’ when recording; so use with caution. My recommendation is to only use it after the original recording has been made if you want to be on the safe side.

A compressor, in effect, can be thought of as an automatic fader.

It’s used to proportionately reduce the dynamics of a signal that rises above a user-definable level to a lesser volume range (volume range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of a particular sound).

As you’ve effectively turned the loudest signals down you can boost the whole level of the effected sound in the mix in order that you can hear the quieter parts of the sound

If you are thinking about using compression for the first time I’d suggest experimenting by applying it to vocals, bass guitar and, if you can record drums, any part of the drum kit. Twiddling the knobs of the compressor and listening to the results will help you get to grips with what each knob does.

Once you’re happy with their function try applying it to a song you have previously recorded but not used compression on and you’ll be blown away!

31

THE KULL Alistair White talks to Andrew Shipley, lead singer and guitarist from The Kull, about the history, progression and the future of the Nottingham Alt-Rock five-piece.

To start off with, can you give us a brief history of the band?

We formed about three years ago and we’ve put two singles out. The first one came out in 2005 which went down well and we did loads of gigging around that time. We released another single in late 2006 and then released our debut album in November 2007 which is out in Sweden on a good Swedish label and have toured that. Since then we have just been writing and gigging.

How would you describe your music?

Dark, very dynamic and quite diverse.

Why should people listen to your music over other bands? What do you guys have that no other band has?

We’re just doing what we’re doing.

We’re not necessarily a trend band, we never really have been. We’ve always just got on with what we wanted to do and did it in our own way and for that reason it makes it more pure I think. We’re all in it for the long run and I think we’ll be one of those bands who will be around for a long time. We’re not just going to make one album, we will probably make ten and they will stand the test of time. I think the best bands are the ones that have done their own thing and carved out their own success.

Using Radiohead as an example, they kind of came off the back of grunge and Nirvana but they did their own thing and have continued to do so and that’s what made them stand out.

32

Can you tell us a bit more about your debut album Transference?

The reason we wanted to make it was for our own sanity because we just wanted to make a record. It was

just a natural progression from putting out a couple of singles. Also by doing it, and looking back on it, it has defined what we are about and it has given us a really good base. It has given us a foundation from where we can see where we are going and has helped to give us more direction. Before we did the album we were just dipping our toes in the water rather than being fully committed and I think it helped in a big way.

So do you think you have moved on quite a bit since that album?

Yeah I think so. There were great songs on there and we will always perform those twelve songs but it gave us a clean slate in a way to go off and write with no real before or after. That’s something that has not happen to me before while I’ve been in a band and I don’t think it’s happened to the other either. It was really refreshing to have a clean slate to see what we could do. It was a big thing to make an album but it has also made us push forward in a big way and for that reason it’s one of the best things I ever did.

Your album is described as ‘a barrage of emotions’. How do you maintain that level of intensity?

It just comes from really enjoying it, really believing in what we do. We

photograph: Sam Hempton

really believe in it and keep pushing and end up getting a lot from it. I find it uplifting. A lot of my favourite bands or artists make dark music but it is something that can also be very uplifting. Some people might say it’s morbid but it’s not because it’s about allowing themselves to go to those places. If you don’t take on the challenge then you don’t get the rewards. We make dark and intense music but it’s also got a hook to it and then there’s a really uplifting other side to it.

What’s the best gig you ever played? Where and when was it?

Dresden in Germany in October 2007 because it was only about the second or third time we had played abroad. It was quite a big venue and probably more people than we had ever played to.The whole thing was just completely different and I think the people just got it and it felt like ‘this is how it’s suppose to be’.

What’s coming up next for the band?

We want to get gigging and hopefully tour in Germany, Sweden and over here. There will probably be a single out soon and then just carry on writing the next album probably until next year.

Alistair White

33

REVIEWS OCEAN BOTTOM NIGHTMARE

THE WAVE PICTURES Instant Coffee Baby (Moshi Moshi) In recent years, it has become the norm for bands to experience huge, rapid success on the back of one album. Witness the Wombats interminably flogging their first set of songs to death, or the Black Kids possibly the first band to receive the dubious honour of suffering a backlash before their debut album was even released.

This makes The Wave Pictures something of an anomaly. Hailing from Loughborough, the band has released six albums prior to this ‘proper debut’, and have existed in various different configurations since 1998.

In musical terms, the influence of Orange Juice’s early Postcard recordings looms large over this album – from the ramshackle guitars to singer Dave Tattersall’s strained yelp. However, The Wave Pictures’ real originality lies in their eccentric lyrics, as heard on recent single Strange Fruit For David: “A sculpture is a sculpture, marmalade is marmalade, and a sculpture of marmalade is a sculpture... but it isn’t marmalade.”

The Courteeners this isn’t.

34

So with such lyrical inventiveness, and having served such a long apprenticeship, it would appear that The Wave Pictures’ breakthrough is long overdue. Unless, of course, they’re content to continue skulking idiosyncratically on the fringes of the music scene...

With an intro to end all intros straight away this band shows everyone they’re a bit different. All the lights are off setting the atmospheric tone, and all that can be seen is a torch light on their faces with the band whispering between themselves. With the crowd intrigued the tone transforms; their tight sound and strong bassline coming through. Immediately I think of a diluted Rage Against the Machine meeting Biffy Clyro’s earlier work. The presence is energetic and they talk to the crowd between every song. Some of the songs show off a hint of melodic thinking and involved lots of dynamic changes to keep the crowd interested. In terms of the screaming though; it sounds more like Billy Talent.

It was the longest gig they’ve played to date but I reckon they pulled it off and with their EP out we could be hearing from them again soon. Phat Phidelity, their record Label, certainly thinks so anyway. “I think with OBN I’d have to say it’s their melodies, song structure and live performances. The vocal arrangements are another important thing with OBN; all three of them have really strong and dynamic voices”.

But Ocean Bottom Nightmare aren’t the only sandwich in Phat Phidelity’s picnic basket. Other bands they’re currently working with are The Rocket Polishers, Girlfixer, Roller City Face Pack and The Beast and the Priest. “The Rocket Polishers are a rock band with a very punk edge - imagine Motorhead, Led Zep and the Dead Kennedys in a violently horrible car crash. Girlfixer are a fast, aggressive punk rock band.

Nat’s the singer, she can be pretty intense when she’s up on stage, while the rest of the band are going mental behind her”.

If you’d like to see more bands recommended by the Phat Phidelity lot then head down to the next Best of Seven, where they pick the best open mic contributers at Junktion 7 and show them off to everyone else in Nottingham. So now that they’ve got their fingers in sound engineering, promoting and managing where do they see themselves in three years? “Recording and releasing music we really enjoy. At the moment we are renting a really cool studio in Nottingham. We get on really well with the owner and we hope to get more involved with that.”

Kristi Genovese

REVIEWS

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Death Cab For Cutie are one of those bands you just have to see at least once. This being my first time, I was very excited, and they didn’t disappoint. Although they sounded exactly like they do on record, the pure emotion that emanated from the band members can be felt through the entire venue. The gig really kicked off four songs in, with Crooked Teeth, a definite crowd pleaser. I Will Follow You Into The Dark was the most spine tingling sing-along I’ve ever heard, a thought which was shared by many around me, with some people even a little tearful. Adding Soul Meets Body, and the latest single - I Will Posses Your Heart - to that, just beat The Sound Of Settling to be my highlight of the night.

The encore was made up of fan favourites such as Title and Registration, 405, and ended with the beautiful Transatlanticism. Despite the band having a sparse stage set-up, something as simple as revealing the backdrop had a huge visual impact.The lighting set the mood of the songs perfectly, and along with the nature of Death Cab, this was as perfect a gig you’ll ever see.

Kimberley Ross

THE SUBWAYS

When listening to the opening notes of Girls & Boys, you wouldn’t think it was the same band that made Young For Eternity three years ago. All Or Nothing has shown how much The Subways have progressed, musically and emotionally. The influence of bands they’ve played with, such as Taking Back Sunday and Foo Fighters, is evident in songs like Turnaround and Shake! Shake! - a strong contender for a future single.

Although, they haven’t totally moved away from their poppy-edge, the tracks Always Tomorrow, and the latest single, Alright, will appeal to fans old and new.

The underlying message of the album is one of heartache – notably lead singer Billy’s break up from bassist Charlotte – which eventually ends up as a message of hope during the last three songs, emotions which most people can relate to. The lyrics ‘you’re the wind & I am the weather vane’, get ingrained in your mind, and leave you thinking all day long. This album is virtually flawless, and ends with the beautiful Lost Boy, an acoustic song that has raw emotion oozing from every frequency. If there’s one album you buy this year, make it this one. You won’t regret it.

Kimberley Ross

PAPA LA BAS

Excellent vocal production helps to turn the recordings of Papa La Bas into a very interesting demo.

I’ll Come Around wouldn’t sound out of place in the chill out lounge of any club with cool beats and slinky acoustic bass it paints a musical soundscape that certainly had me feeling very relaxed! The slightly edgy Middle Lane was more difficult to get to grips with. I felt that the production was trying to tread the realms of Massive Attacks Mezzanine but without every really getting there.

In essence I found Papa La Bas appealing in that there is distinct potential for growth. If they learn to self criticise and continue to develop then I would definitely like to hear future recordings.

Ryan Nolan

BECKY SYSON An enthusiastic singer songwriter from Nottingham with a very clear idea of where she wants to go Becky Syson is no doubt the envy of many performers starting out in her genre as she already has her first recorded album for sale on the internet.

Having listened to her songs online I am not sure whether these versions are the finished article as there was no commentary to tell me. I am hoping that they are demos as they do not sound like they are quite finished in terms of the production or indeed the writing. For example, the backing vocals are somewhat amateurish and the overall sound is very thin and untidy.

In spite of this the recordings possess interesting melodies that the influence of a good producer could help turn into great songs.

Ryan Nolan

35

36

This party of ‘five peas in a sixties pod’ have made their mark in the rock ’n’ roll genre locally and are successfully reaching audiences across the UK. Amita Mistry caught up with The Carnabys’ frontman, Luke Williamson…

THE CARNABYS Who’s in the band and what do they play?

The Carnabys are myself on vocals and tambourine and I play the idiot more often than not. I also co-write all the songs with Paul Iliffe who is our lead guitarist, Kevin Evans plays rhythm – whether it be acoustic or electric, Luke Headland adds the bouncy, move-tothe-groove bass lines and Lee Happs has recently joined us on drums, the lad is immense. We’re all of the tender age of 25. Like 5 peas in a sixties pod.

You perform regularly around Leicester. Where else can people hear you play outside the Midlands?

Well we’re just starting to branch out a little bit. We’ve got a single coming out in October so we’re in the middle of a short gigging break but we’ll be back on the road soon with dates set to be announced in various top venues in the UK to promote our double A-side, which is being mixed in lovely Liverpool.

Your style of music is very, traditional rock ‘n’ roll with hints of old legends such as The Beatles and Oasis.Would you consider experimenting with other genres of music?

No! We write the stuff we write because we love it.

Other genres are not our cup of tea. Can’t stand most of the stuff the radio plays these days and we’re standing by what we believe in. If we don’t make it big, at least we will have stuck to our own terms in doing so. For us, experimenting with other stuff would be like selling-out before we’ve started selling.

What plans do you have coming up in the Autumn?

More recording and promotion. Getting our new tracks out at the gigs, debuts in London and north of the border in Scotland and might stop for a bit and have a beer too. Me and Paul also have a few acoustic

slots coming up, which is great for us. It’s a chance to play stuff we’ve written that might not make the full band sets.

You’ve been involved with Glastonbudget and the Road to V - would you say your music’s been received well?

By those that hear us, we get received very well. So much so that it kind of winds me up that we’re not bigger than we are. I mean people love the stuff and really can connect with it. Simplistic rock ‘n’ roll / pop music really. Melodies you’ll instantly know and choruses you can second guess. Glastonbudget was good last year but Road to V just sort of re-highlighted how different we are from the norm these days.

Where do you see yourselves in five years time?

Five years is a long time. Most bands that release commercial albums don’t last that long these days. I hope I am still playing in a band with these four lads though. And as long as we’re happy doing so, writing songs that matter to us and are making a living I am sure we’d be cool with that. However, I’d like to be taking the mickey out of Johnathan Woss on his Friday night show. Answering these sorts of questions to millions and selling our music world-wide. It’s a dream isn’t it? We are not under any allusions about the money in music nowadays. First and foremost, we need to keep that passion in us that makes us write the songs in the first place. After that, everything is a bonus. But people need to get on board and just listen to our stuff more than anything.

Can we ask a question now?

Amita Mistry

37

Listings Monday Sept 1

Sheffield

Leadmill Hi Fi Handgrenades

Saturday Sept 6

Tuesday Sept 2

The Boardwalk Ozzmosis

Rock City Malefice + Sweden’s Corporation 187 The Rescue Rooms *In The Red Room* Lach

Sheffield

Friday Sept 12

Corporation Summer Slaughter Uk Feat.

Suicide Silence As Blood Runs Black + Abigail Williams + The Berzerker + Born Of Osiris + Annotation Of An Autopsy + Support

Nottingham

Carling Academy The Backhanded Compliments Dead Rabbits

Leadmill The Blow Monkeys

Junktion 7 Glam/Sleaze

WEDNESDAY SEPT 3

The Bodega Social Club Clare & The Reasons

Sheffield

Sheffield

Carling Academy Mirimar Disaster Leadmill Crystal Castles

Nottingham Bar 11 Sugar Free.

House, Minimal

Rock City Backyard Babies The Rescue Rooms Summer Slaughter Featuring: Suicide Silence As Blood Runs Black Abigail Williams Born Of Osiris Annotations Of An Autopsy The Bezerker The Maze Doledrum Promotions Presents...

O Lovely Lie Doors

The Old Angel Kreepers - The Midlands #1 Psychobilly, Rockabilly And Horrorpunk Klubnight Igloo Rompastompa

Stealth Stealth Vs Rescued.

Agent Ribbons (Live) The Maze The Rubber Room Sunday Sept 7

Sheffield

The Plug Planet Zogg 8th Birthday + Ben Faraser + Sabretooth +Astroboy + Orange Source + Dil + Gregg Zogg

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club Sennen

The Boardwalk Rollin Stoned

The Rescue Rooms Sun Kil Moon / Mark Kozelek + Dawn Landes Wednesday Sept 17

Sheffield

Carling Academy Hue And Cry

Nottingham

Thursday Sept 18 The Bodega Social Club Beggars Rock City Firewind

Nottingham

The Plug Jeffery Lewis Joe Rose

Sheffield

Nottingham

Nottingham

Leadmill Jubilee

Running Horse Live Musicantonio Forcione The Maze I’m Not From London Presents....

MONSTERS BUILD MEAN ROBOTS ALRIGHT THE CAPTAIN APPARATUS OF SLEEP

Igloo Firestorm

The Old Angel Plaguesfire, Dead Sentinel, A Fallen Hero, The Engines Of Armageddon

The Rescue Rooms Crystal Castles Wednesday Sept 10

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club Micah P Hinson

Stealth 2 Bit Thuggs & Max Cooper @ Stealth Vs Rescued

Nottingham

Nottingham

The Rescue Rooms Wire

Sunday Sept 14

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Jake Shillingford

Nottingham

Friday Sept 5

The Rescue Rooms *In Rescue Rooms 2* Gemma Ray + Trost

The Boardwalk Stackridge

Thursday Sept 11

Nottingham

Junktion 7 Fandangle + Jimmy The Squirrel + The Johnstones + Arse Full Of Chips

Rock City Subhumans

Stealth Engine Riva Starr Mbah

The Bodega Social Club Ivyrise, Paper Heroes, Alistair Griffin.

The Leadmill Calexico

The Rescue Rooms Cibelle

The Rescue Rooms Old Crow Medicine Show

Nottingham

Sheffield

The Boardwalk The Regulars/Dettached/ State Of Mind/Diffuse/ Coyote Mad Seeds/ Ian Siegal

Sheffield

The Plug Twin Atlantic + Support

Nottingham

Sheffield

Rock City Meshuggah

The Maze Damn You! Presents....

ENABLERS

Carling Academy Duff Mckagan’s Loaded Plus The Loyalties

Saturday Sept 13

The Bodega Social Club Akron/Family With Support From The Acorn

Running Horse The Hamsters

Sheffield

Bar 11 Sugar Free House, Minimal

Running Horse Gwyn Ashton

Sheffield

Tuesday Sept 16

The Rescue Rooms *In The Red Room* Wildbirds & Peacedrums + Peter Broderick

Tuesday Sept 9

Thursday Sept 4

38

The Maze Nottingham PUNK Club presents...

Drongos for Europe Riot Squad The Nags The Arguments

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club Modey Lemon

The Bodega Social Club The Dodo’s With Support From Euros Childs

Friday Sept 19 The Boardwalk Matt Schofield Running Horse Joanne Shaw Taylor Band + Tantrum Junktion 7 Abgott (Feat. Robin Graves Ex Cradle Of Filth) W/ Keep Of Kalessin + Lordaeron Rock City Fighting With Wire The Maze Muzika A Party without Borders Saturday Sept 20

Sheffield

The Plug Wiley The Ruby Kid Playground Mafia Appeal

Nottingham Igloo Depraved

The Old Angel Nightmare – Industrial, Electro, Techno, Cyber, Goth, Ebm – Music For Wierdos

Nottingham

The Maze Smokescreen Frandanski and Rob plus special guest DJ

The Maze Spiers and Boden

Junktion 7 Swimming + The Late Greats + We Show Up On Radar

Monday Sept 15 The Bodega Social Club Royworld

Running Horse The Paul Rose Band

The Rescue Rooms Frank Sidebottom + Charlie Chuck

Rock City Duff Mckagan’s Loaded + The Loyalties

Wednesday Sept 24

The Rescue Rooms Longview

Carling Academy Ian Mcnabb Plus Special Guest Nat Johnson

Stealth Tim Green (Tbc), Dj Hal & Naomi// @ Stealth Vs Rescued Sunday Sept 21

Nottingham

Rock City Cobra Starship + Forever The Sickest Kids

Sheffield

The Leadmill Sam Sparro

Nottingham

The Leadmill White Lies

Nottingham

Rock City Millencolin + Hifi Handgrenades + Strawberry Blondes

Running Horse The John O’leary Band

Sunday Sept 28

The Maze Skaville Presents.......

Back To The Planet Kilnaboy Whackin’ Shillalaghs

Nottingham Trent Uni Sam Sparro

Igloo Strictly Clubnight

Thursday Sept 25

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Deft Leppard

The Plug Lykke Li + Support Rock City The Subways

Nottingham

The Plug Plug’s 3rd Birthday Reverend And The Makers + Lords Of Flatbush + More Tbc

Sheffield

Monday Sept 22 The Maze Alright The Captain + Sinatra + Interia Blooms + MaybeSheWill

The Bodega Social Club Radar - White Lies With Support From Collapsing Cities

Stealth Vs Rescued Soft Toy Emergency (Live)

Tuesday Sept 23

Rock City The Ocean Fracture + Rise Of Raphia

Marcus Garvey Ballroom Firefly

Friday Sept 26

Running Horse Fat Digester

Carling Academy Kill Hannah

The Bodega Social Club Rolo Tomassi With Support

The Bodega Social Club Jubilee

WHY SETTLE FOR CHEAP AND TASTELESS DESIGN FOR YOUR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS? WHEN YOU CAN CHOOSE RADAR CREATIVE AND GET CHEAP AND TASTEFULL DESIGN.

Sheffield

Carling Academy One Republic

Running Horse Aynsley Lister

Rock City Attack Attack! + Swound

Monday Sept 29

Saturday Sept 27

The Plug The Metros Jellobox Living For Today

Nottingham

Nottingham

Rock City Ting Tings

The Maze Nottingham Punk Club Presents.....

A.I.M – Australian Punks Girlfixer – Plus more TBA

Nottingham

From Mirror! Mirror!

Sheffield

Nottingham The Rescue Rooms Little Man Tate

Nottingham

Tuesday Sept 30

Igloo ThIs Is How It Feels

Corpoartion Hell On Earth Tour Walls Of Jericho + Cataract + Animosity + The Red Cord + The Destiny Program

Sheffield

Wednesday Oct 1

Nottingham Bar 11 Sugar Free House, Minimal

CREATIVE

• LEAFLETS • BROCHURES • STATIONERY • FLYERS • LOGOS • ILLUSTRATION • POSTERS Radar understands the Importance of quality design and communication for your business.

We also understand that not everyone has a huge budget for design and print. We can work to all kinds of budgets and our low overheads mean that we can offer graphic design, print and creative services at Unbeatable prices - Without ever having to Compromise on quality.

www.radar-pr.com • info@radar-pr.com • 07958 535878 Quality Design, Affordable prices...Maximum Impact

39

Rock City Dragonforce + Turisas Thursday Oct 2

Nottingham

Running Horse Steffan Grosman Acoustic Virtuoso Junktion 7 Stuck Mojo & Special Guests

Sat Oct 4

Sunday Oct 5

The Plug Iglu + Hartley + Support

The Boardwalk Stefan Grossman

Sheffield

Nottingham

The Old Angel Kreepers - The Midlands #1 Psychobilly, Rockabilly And Horrorpunk Klubnight Igloo Rompastompa

The Corporation Laika Dog Eureka Machines + Support

Nottingham

The Leadmill Css

The Bodega Social Club Hot Club De Paris

Nottingham

The Rescue Rooms Sia

The Maze Happy Being Miserable Presents...

Preston Reed

Wednesday Oct 8

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Walter Trout

The Bodega Social Club Radar Early Show - Pivot

Running Horse Deliverance

Monday Oct 6

Rock City Kill Hannah

Junktion 7 Wildside Clubnight

Carling Academy Amanda Palmer

The Rescue Rooms It Bites

The Bodega Social Club Islands

Carling Academy The Automatic Plus Special Guests Astrofirs And Everything Everything

Friday Oct 3

The Plug The Streets + Support

Nottingham

Sheffield

Rock City Enter Shikari

The Boardwalk Guns2roses

The Rescue Rooms Iglu & Hartly

The Leadmill Melee

The Rescue Rooms The Automatic + Fear Of Music + Friends Electric

Igloo Strictly Clubnight

Stealth Style Of Eye @ Stealth Vs Rescued

Running Horse Wholesome Fish + Support

The Maze Basement Boogaloo Ed Cottam and Nick Shaw

Nottingham

Ripple is an independent, relaxed little eatery, right in the heart of Sherwood.

Serving food throughout the day and evening with a chilled out soundtrack, friendly staff and reasonably priced menu, it’s stylishly modern with plenty of ideas up its sleeve!

All food is prepared fresh on the premises and has received rave reviews from customers in the 18 months it’s been open.

There are beers, wines and cocktails a plenty and the milkshakes are a must! With breakfasts, burgers, regularly changing specials and tapas-like bites to share; it’s a great base to meet friends or simply chill out on your own.

They offer roasts on a Sunday; fully loaded with homemade Yorkshires, roasties, seasonal veg and lashings of gravy, all for £7.50! Bloody Mary’s are on the menu too, to help kick start your afternoon and the homemade hot chocolate fudge cake is to die for!

Available for private hire as well as relaxed dining, Ripple is your doorstep out of town eatery to escape to for a while.

Open Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s 5pm – 11pm Thursday’s – Saturday’s 11am – 11pm And Sunday’s 11am – 4pm Bookings are recommended and advised so please call 0115 969 3335

40

Sheffield

Sheffield

The Leadmill Hot Club De Paris

Nottingham

Running Horse Blues Jam

Stealth Bromheads Jacket

The Rescue Rooms Teddy Thompson +Sandrine +The Grey Race

Tuesday Oct 7

Thursday October 9

Carling Academy Southside Johnny And The Ashbury Jukes

The Corporation This Will Destroy You Lymbyc Systym + Support

Sheffield

Sheffield

The Leadmill The Blackout

Nottingham

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club The Bodega Ball 2008! Esser & More Acts Tbc.

Rock City Seasick Steve

Rock City Detonate - Roots Manuva (Live) Magnetic Man (Live)

Golden Fleece Belleruche

Rock City Devil Sold His Soul + Fei Comodo + Rinoa

Monday Oct 13

Friday Oct 10

The Rescue Rooms Sjm Concerts Presents: Css

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Nimmo Brothers Carling Academy Little Man Tate The Plug Stiff Little Fingers + Support

Nottingham

The Old Angel Orange Goblin Plus Special Guests, Alabaster Suns Igloo Strictly Clubnight Running Horse Catfish Keith

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club Jeremy Warmsley

Wednesday Oct 15

Nottingham Bar 11 Sugar Free House, Minimal

Junktion 7 Pop, Bubble, Rock! Clubnight Launch!

Rock City One Night Only Thursday Oct 16

Sheffield

Carling Academy Mongrel

Nottingham

The Old Angel Nightmare – InDustrial, Electro, Techno, Cyber, Goth, Ebm – Music For Wierdos Igloo Depraved Junktion 7 The Bishops W/ The Fakers & The Limits The Rescue Rooms Cosmic American Music Present: Ezio

Friday Oct 24

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Baby Lemonade: A Celebration Of Arthur Lee & Love

Nottingham Igloo Strictly Clubnight

Junktion 7 Raging Speedhorn (Last Ever Tour) + Bossk + Take A Worm For A Walk Week Saturday Oct 25

Stealth Drop The Lime (Trouble & Bass / Machines Dont Care) Worthy (Dirtybird) @ Stealth Vs Rescued

Sheffield

The Maze Smokescreen Frandanski and Rob plus guest DJ

Igloo This Is How It Feels

Sunday Oct 19

Nottingham

The Boardwalk About Taramtism: Fishfish

Nottingham

The Bodega Social Club Exalt Exalt - Sally Shapiro (Dj Set) Johan Agebjorn (Dj Set) Plus More Tbc

Running Horse Rarescale And Bruise

Sunday Oct 26

Monday Oct 20

Rock City Firefest 5

Sheffield

Nottingham

Carling Academy Bring Me The Horizon

Monday Oct 27

Nottingham

Nottingham

Saturday Oct 11

The Plug Roots Manuva + Support

The Boardwalk Andy Mckee & Don Ross

The Boardwalk Mistys Big Adventure

Nottingham Trent Uni Elliot Minor

Tuesday Oct 21

The Corporation Rotersand ReAper + Deviant Uk

The Boardwalk Jackie Leven

Carling Academy Hot Chip Plus Special Guests

The Leadmill Mystery Jets

Nottingham

Stealth Dollop

Sheffield

The Plug Deadmau5 (Live) +Lj Freeman + Peeky Dan Norris + Tom Lee

The Bodega Social Club Radar - Operahouse

The Rescue Rooms Kids In Glass Houses

Tuesday Oct 28

Wednesday Oct 22

Sheffield

Carling Academy Vampire Weekend

Rock City Funeral For A Friend + Cancer Bats + In Case Of Fire + Attack Attack!

The Leadmill Kids In Glass Houses

The Rescue Rooms The Black Seeds

Nottingham

Wednesday Oct 29

Nottingham

The Leadmill Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Junktion 7 The Swiines W/ The Turf / Sgt Wolfbanger / The Essentials Rock City Green Date + Blink 18 Who? The Rescue Rooms Gabriella Cilmi Sunday Oct 12

Sheffield

Carling Academy Gabriella Cilmi The Corporation The Beat Skaville Uk + The F*ckwits

Rock City Feeder

Nottingham

Friday October 17

Igloo Firestorm

Sheffield

Sheffield

Golden Fleece Maxfield

The Leadmill Elliot Minor The Old Angel The Hip Priests, Dollar Sent, Slicks Kitchen

The Bodega Social Club Cheeky Cheeky & The Nosebleeds

Sheffield

Nottingham Igloo Strictly Clubnight

The Rescue Rooms You Me At Six

The Bodega Social Club Johnny Flynn

Saturday Oct 18

Rock City Bring Me The Horizon + The Secret Handshake + Deez Nuts + Dead Swans

The Boardwalk The Other Smiths + Transmission

The Maze Happy Being Miserable Presents...

Don Ross and Andy Mckee

Carling Academy Glenn Tilbrook

Thursday Oct 23

The Corporation Colony 5 + Cybercide + Prototype Futurepop / Synth Duo Colony 5 Bring You A Taste Of The Darker Side Of Swedish Music.

The Boardwalk Carvin Jones

The Maze Bison

Sheffield

Sheffield

Nottingham Running Horse Bob Brozman Rock City Baddies

Nottingham

Sheffield

The Boardwalk Bob Brozman Support From Dusty Knees.

Thursday Oct 30

Sheffield

Carling Academy Feeder Friday Oct 31

Nottingham Igloo Strictly Clubnight

The Rescue Rooms Frank Turner + Chris T-T Nottingham Trent Uni Black Kids Ladyhawke

41

ISSUE 4 OUT ON OCTOBER 23RD IN ALL YOUR FAVOURITE OUTLETS ACROSS NOTTINGHAM AND SHEFFIELD. LOOK OUT FOR : REVEREND AND THE MAKERS – INTERVIEW • POP LEVI – INTERVIEW • MARK RICHARDSON (FEEDER, SKUNK ANANSIE) – INDUSTRY PROFILE • THE BEST OF THE REST OF THE FESTS – REVIEWS • STEFFI – THE BRAND NEW GRAFFITI WALL • INDEPENDENT MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION. WHAT WE COULDN’T FIT IN THIS ISSUE THE PETEBOX FULL INTERVIEW BENICASSIM REVIEW READ THEM ALL ONLINE AT WWW.FREEQMAGAZINE.COM

42

IF YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEXT ISSUE WITH EITHER; MUSIC WRITING, CONSCIENCE WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART AND ILLUSTRATION OR YOU WANT TO GET SOME EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BAND THEN LET US KNOW. SEND AN EMAIL TO INFO@FREEQMAGAZINE.COM

ARTIST PROFILE KATE MORGAN katemorgan.carbonmade.com How? I always start an image by doodling in my sketchbook, then I splash some paint on the image and scan it into the computer and tidy it up digitally. I’m also a massive fan of collage, so I like to rip up painted papers/textures and rearrange them to make a picture.

Tony Hart or Rolf Harris?

Ooh! Tony, no, Rolf, no, no definately Tony.

STOCKIST’S > Nottingham

2 Seasons Ark Bla Bla Bar Bocca Broadway Confetti Cow Dogma Edin’s Escucha Fade Falcon Inn Fopp Funky Monkey Gash Glo Bar Good Vibrations Ha Ha Horn in Hand Ice Nine Jade Junktion 7 Lee Rosy’s Moog Muse New College Nottingham No. 28 NTU Student Union NTU Library Oh My Gosh Oxfam Peppers Projects Q café bar Rescue Rooms Ripple Robs Records Rock City Ropewalk Saltwater

Screen Room Selectadisc Shaws South Notts College Speak Easy Stealth Stone Student Letts Student Living Tap and Tumbler The Alley Café The Approach The Bodega Social Club Nottingham Drum Centre The Golden Fleece The Malt Cross The Maze The Music Inn The Old Angel The Orange Tree The Running Horse The Sir John Borlaise The Stage The Varsity Vintage Whitwell Wild Clothing

Sheffield

Ark Boardwalk Bungalows and Bears Casbah Common Room Corporation Creator Forum Café Frog and Parrott Fuse Halo Jacks

Leadmill Lounge Millington Music Moco Café Muse Nylon Olive Bar & Restaurant Popolo Rare & Racy Rise Sheffield College of Music Sheffield Hallam Student Union Showroom Slide Takapuna The Green Room The Plug The Washington Toast Vintage Workstation

DO YOU WANT TO STOCK FREEQ MAGAZINE IN YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS? DO YOU ALREADY STOCK IT AND CAN’T SEE YOUR NAME ON THE LIST? GIVE US A CALL ON 0115 9408585 OR EMAIL INFO@FREEQMAGAZINE.COM AND WE’LL BRING SOME COPIES TO YOUR DOOR.

43

44