THE MUSIC MAGAZINEWITHA CONSCIENCE
TAKE ME HOME!
POP LEVI REVERENDANDTHE MAKERS FEEDER’S MARK RICHARDSON GIG LISTINGS GRAFFITI ONESTOWATCH CONSCIENCE REVIEWS 1
WIN - JON MCCLURE INYOUR LIVING ROOM • WIN - COMMISSIONS FORADVERT DESIGNS WIN -A RECORDING SESSION IN LONDON
No butts, it’s still litter!
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Don’t make Nottingham an ashtray Contact your local team to sort out grot spots on 0115 915 2000 or visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
CONTENTS
What’s On In Nottingham & Sheffield: P6-7 Industry Profile With Feeder’s Mark Richardson: P9 Freeq Conscience: P10–12 Artist Profiles: P13
Ones To Watch Monkey Bum: P14 Rosie Oddie: P15 Dolls House: P16
Exclusive Interview
– Reverend & The Makers: P18 - 21 Freeq’d Out: P22 – 23 Band Profiles: P24 Win A Recording Session: P25 Graffiti: P28 – 29 Photographers Profile: P30 Pop Levi: P32 Q&A: P37 Gig Reviews: P34 Album Reviews: P35 Bestival Review: P36 Imperial Leisure: P39 Ice Hockey: P40 – 41 Electric Eel Shock: P43 Gig Guide: P44 – 49
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EDITORIAL It’s winter, it’s cold. We don’t have any heating in the office. Apparently it’s not been working since June but they failed to do anything about it until, it seems, everyone refuses to pay their rent. Shared office space is such a joy.
So, I’m writing this while wearing jumper, coat, hat, gloves and five t-shirts. One of which is part of a very nice set of Freeq merchandise as it happens… If you’re actually reading this editorial it means you are either very bored, or you’re sat in a doctor’s surgery three hours after your appointment time, waiting to tell the good doctor about your life-threatening flu symptoms, and you’ve read the entire magazine seven times before finally succumbing to scanning through these inane ramblings. But I’m glad you’re here. It means I can tell you about what we’ve got in store. First of all, if you’ve been struggling to get your own copy of Freeq magazine (it seems 10,000 copies just isn’t enough) then you can now guarantee a copy in your letterbox every issue for only £12. That’s £2 per issue, including personal hand delivery by one of our specially recruited Royal Mail Operatives. Should I say something about Christmas at this point? I guess technically this is the Christmas issue, although we don’t want to labour the point as you’ll no doubt get overloaded with ‘Xmas’ paraphernalia during the next few weeks. Far be it from us to jump on a bandwagon. The cover design is courtesy of Mr Deamez from Oxygen Thieves – see the artist profiles on page 13. It’s a cold, wintery vibe because er, it’s now cold and wintery. We’ve been getting plenty of emails from people wanting to contribute their writing, artistic or music skills to the magazine – each issue keeps getting bigger to accommodate more of your stuff; so keep on sending it in! There are interviews, profiles and conscience articles galore in this little bundle of joy, so enjoy it, take this copy home with you, show it to your mum and then send us an email or join us on Facebook and MySpace; and become a bona fide ‘Freeq’.
Editor in Chief: Sam Borrett Deputy Editor: Tomi Ajayi Assistant Editor: Amita Mistry Creative Director: Mellisa Harrison Music Production: Ryan Nolan Writers: Dan Lacey, Jamie Brannon, Ben Start, Kristi Genovese, Louise Steggals, Adam Duckett, Abigail Outhwaite, Catherine Amos, Leo Kindred, Olivia Cellamare, David de Pater, Ryan Torbell, Christina Barbian Art and photography: MIMI, Chris James, Lauren Radley, Pete Baldrey, Sam Borrett, Sarah Jane Terry, james Hughes, Kate Horler, Oxygen Thieves, Dave Page Cover illustration: Mr Deamze Design: Radar Creative Printed by: www.epgprint.co.uk Published by: The Music Directory Limited
I would say, it IS a fact we are the best free magazine in Advertising: Nottingham but I’ll let you check out the competition Call: 0115 940 8585 and make your own mind up. or 07766 118852 or email advertise@freeqmagazine.com
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COCKTAILS & DREAMS Forget Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue, this was all about Saltwater, Freeq magazine and several pitchers of the finest cocktails in Nottingham when we were asked to help judge a cocktail making competition on 19 October.
The cocktails got sweeter and easier to drink as the night wore on and there were Mojitos a-plenty in the classic cocktail round; which pleased me greatly as it’s one of my all-time favourite drinks.
The Appleton-sponsored event took place at Nottingham’s coolest bar and restaurant at the top of the Cornerhouse late on the Sunday afternoon; just enough time for the roast dinner to settle.
The judging came all too soon for my liking and was really tough (not sure if that was because all the drinks were so good or because after two hours of drinking cocktails, I thought they all should win).
I rocked up with some of the Freeq crew, grabbed my judging seat alongside the Appleton reps, and sat back in anticipation for the cocktail of delights awaiting us as the contestants made their signature drinks. Unfortunately the cruel hand of fate had thrown up a curveball; a hot and spicy chilli cocktail! It was enough to put hairs on your chest and while not at all unpleasant, it was definitely a ‘sipper’, not a ‘swagger’.
We finally agreed on the first prize for Saltwater’s very own Misia Mardon for her Mac Rose. Christian of Brassmonkey finished second with his cocktail, The First Lady. And 3rd prize went to Tong from Alea for his Rhubellium (that is definitely a cocktail and not a jab you have at secondary school – we double-checked). Sam Borrett For the cocktail recipes visit www.freeqmagazine.com
NEWS & COMPETITIONS ARTMUSO COMING SOON
FREEQ MAGAZINE WEBSITE
JON MCCLURE COMPETITION
We’ve got a secret… and it’s so big and so exciting that unfortunately we can’t tell you what it is! But what we can say that if you’re someone who’s been fortunate enough to be gifted with the creative gene – then you will be hooked. Keep your eyes peeled for ArtMuso – it’s coming soon!
Keep looking out for new updates on the Freeq Magazine website. It is still in the process of being put together and but you will find our contact details in case you want to contribute. Whether you’re a writer, photographer, designer or an illustrator, we want to hear from you. You can also find out how and where to send in your demos, so get clicking.
Instigate Debate has been set up by Reverend and the Makers front man, Jon McClure, who is encouraging people to ask public figures (celebs, politicians, sports personalities etc…) some meaningful questions. All you need to do is record the interview on your phone and send it into him and in return he will perform for you at your home. To find out more visit: www.instigatedebate.com.
CALLING ALL DESIGNERS WIN£125! Why not put your talent to the test and have a go at a competition that we’re running in conjunction with the Nottingham City Council? All you need to do is create an advert for the Council to help promote their anti-chewing gum campaign. If your design has been selected, you’ll have your work featured in issue six of Freeq Magazine and you’ll also get £125 in your pocket – so get sketching! For more information visit: www.freeqmagazine.com.
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We don’t want to bore you with christmas shopping and santa’s grottos, but we are going to tell you what’s happening in your city. Whether it’s falling around on the outdoor ice rink or having a laugh at the comedy club; either way, you’re sure to be kept entertained
Look out for… Pens Are My Friends
It’s the new monograph of British artist and former Nottingham Trent Fine Art student Jon Burgerman. It collects together his commercial, personal and collaborative works in print for the first time. www.jonburgerman.com/book
Shake off the cold weather and put on your dancing shoes because Salsa Nights at ACNA Centre are taking place every Thursday from 8pm to 11pm. No experience is needed and everyone’s welcome. Or if you’re more advanced, you can join in with the ‘freestyle’ sessions.
Like every city centre, everyone’s looking forward to light up the streets of Nottingham. On November 19th the city centre will be sparkling from top to toe as it will be dressed in pretty fairy lights and the public are welcome to come and celebrate this annual event.
The National Ice Arena is taking over the market square on November 19th for people to slip and slide around on Nottingham’s famous outdoor ice rink. It was opened by by Olympic Champion Jayne Torvill in 2000 and the £43 million National Ice Centre was the first twin Olympic-sized (60m x 30m) ice rink facility in the UK. For details visit: www.national-ice-entre.com
Nottingham’s own live-looping, beatboxing, vocal wizard musician THePETEBOX has spent this year touring his stunning live show and he’s coming back home to Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms on Tuesday 25th November. He’s performed in France, Norway, UK, Czech Republic and Africa as well as showcasing at some of the UK’s biggest festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival, V-Festival and Isle of White. His titles include Radio1 Beatbox Champion and Channel 4’s Talent awards winner. Other artists performing that night include Subsource, Ben Fawce and Dan Rattomatic. Visit www.thepetebox.com
If you’re into arts and crafts or fancy doing a bit of DIY with gifts this season, head to the Market Square on Dec 19th and you might find what you’re looking for at this year’s Christmas Craft and Gift Market. It may be cheaper than getting something from the shops in the city centre and you can create a gift that has a personal touch.
Fancy trying something a little further afield?
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Beyond TV Video Festival Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre hosts the annual Beyond TV Video Festival, providing a platform for local and international independent and alternative video makers. The event will run from November to December 2008. Tickets cost £4 and £3 for concessions.
The BBC Good Food Show Foodies can sample some of the tastiest treats at this winter’s BBC Good Food Show; at Olympia London from 14th – 16th November. Celebrity chefs, Nigella Lawson and James Martin will make an appearance to offer their expert advice and ideas. If you can’t make that show, the chefs will be carting their pots and pans back up to Birmingham’s NEC on 26th – 30th November. The godfather of the kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, will be demonstrating his culinary skills, and his compulsive swearing habit!
Sheffield’s sky will be lit up at night as they kick off the city’s spectacular annual firework show on November 4th which is taking place at the Don Valley Grass Bowl. The event is known to attract many locals, and makes a great evening out.
Yorkshire’s biggest bonfire night is accompanied by a whole host of other attractions to keep everyone happy this winter. There will also be a Real Radio music stage, bonfire, giant funfair, fire spinners, food stalls and a massive fireworks display set to music is set to wow audiences. Get yourself to Mayfield Wesleyan Reform Church on November 8th and enjoy this exciting event.
Things can get pretty stressful in the run up to Christmas, so what better way to help you get into the festive season than enjoying a night out at the Comedy Club at Sheffield City Hall? There is a fantastic line-up of acts throughout this winter season.The Last Laugh Comedy Club kicks off on December 16th and some of the acts you can look forward to include, Paul Tonkinson, Richard Morton and compère Toby Foster. Visit: www. eventssheffield.co.uk.
Join in the celebrations as Sheffield City Centre will prepare the countdown for the Christmas lights switch on party on November 16th.You can expect lots of exciting things for you to see and do, including fun fairground rides, enjoying festive food, watching street entertainment, live music and a special guest celebrity who will switch on Sheffield’s Christmas lights!
Strut your stuff in Brum The Clothes Show Live at the NEC in Birmingham will offer every fashionista the ultimate shopping experience.The flagship fashion event will be on from 5th – 10th December. You can enjoy the fashion shows showcasing up-coming designer clothing. Last year had a whole host of celebs on stage and walking around the exhibition areas, including, Caprice, the Sugarbabes and Desperate Housewives’ hunk, Jesse Metcalf. Ticket prices start from £24.
MTV Europe Music Awards Liverpool is welcoming the biggest names in the music industry to the annual MTV Europe Music Awards on November 6th at Liverpool Echo Arena. This is the third time the UK has hosted the Awards. Liverpool has been dubbed ‘the perfect setting’ as it has been home to many well-known artists such as the Beatles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the Zutons and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
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DETONATE, HOSPITALITY, STEALTH VS RESCUED!, DOLLOP, MODA & TOMB CREW PRESENT:
PART OF COUNTDOWN 2008 – 1 TICKET, 7 ARENAS ACROSS 3 ADJOINING VENUES, 50+ DJ’S AND ACTS. ROCK CITY, STEALTH & RESCUE ROOMS: Ltd earlybird tickets available for £20 (+bf) – text detonate to 82500 or go to www.Detonate1.Co.Uk, www.Gigantic.Com/alttickets
50+ DJ’s and acts across 7 arenas hosted by:
TOMB CREW Earlybird tickets available now for £20 - Text Detonate to 82500 to get em!
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2009 will be welcomed by the biggest New Year event Nottingham has ever seen. Kingpins Detonate are joining forces with the mighty Stealth Vs Rescued! and two of the country’s hottest club nights in dollop and Moda to bring Countdown 08 to over 3000 people. Spread across seven arenas and two patios between Rock City, The Rescue Rooms and Stealth, the event will draw crowds from across the country. As we’ve seen with the success of previous massive events such as the Indoor Festival and Dot To Dot, Nottingham is perfect for such parties. The size of the city, its central location and the myriad of rooms across impressive venues produce spectacular results. Detonate and Hospital Records have pulled off the coup of the year by securing their biggest star, High Contrast to exclusively play his only New Year 2008 set. His energetic, uplifting sound will be in full force as the clock strikes midnight in the Rock City main room. The Welshman’s Midas production touch has seen him produce three critically acclaimed albums, with remixes of The White Stripes and Missy Elliot spreading his cross-genre-appeal. DJ Marky brings a whirlwind of Brazilian flair and phenomenal technical skills to the bill that also includes pioneering Junglist Goldie – fresh from staring in TV’s Maestro. A powerful rig and spectacular visuals will ensure production matches the wealth of gathered talent to create an absorbing extra-sensory experience. The bpms will be dropped downstairs in City’s basement, where Rusko caps off a sensational year for himself and Dubstep. 2008 has seen the likes of Benga, Skream and Burial receive cross-over success, yet the
genre retains its excitement and integrity. Rusko is a key player in this evolution, with legions of fans drawn to his speaker shaking sound. Stealth sees dollop mediating the energy of Moda, with air-horn-totting Radio One star and Electro icon Kissy Sellout headlining Room One. Moda residents Andy George and Jaymo became the youngest contributors to the Essential Mix after broadcasting live to the nation from one of their acclaimed 1600 capacity warehouse parties in Lincoln. dollop have brought Simian Mobile Disco, Annie Mac and Carl Craig to Nottingham in recent years and show no signs of letting up in 2009 with Erol Alkan and Boys Noize set to appear. Stealth Room Two will be rocked by the legendary Scratch Perverts, with all three members, Tony Vegas, Prime Cuts and Plus One displaying the skills that claimed two consecutive ITF World Scratch Titles. Tomb Crew host My City Is For Pimps in the Rescue Rooms Red Room, unveiling surprise guest DJs and MCs to help them drop their trademark hipster Bassline, Grime, B-More and Electro. The live element of the party will be hosted by Nottingham’s biggest Indie night, Rescued! The bands playing on NYE are still a closely guarded secret - but expect to see artists matching the calibre of previous guests Hot Chip, CSS, Klaxons and Lily Allen. This completes a huge festival sized line up, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. In a party this size missing acts is standard, however the depth and quality of the line up will both keep things jumping right until 6am and ensure breathtaking new acts are just a few steps away.
MARK RICHARDSON Professional drummer for 17 years and currently one-third of indie rockers Feeder, Mark Richardson is still a down-toearth Yorkshire lad at heart. He tells Sam Borrett about how his life changed dramatically when Jim fixed it for him ...
When Mark later joined 90s rock band Skunk Anansie, he enjoyed international success with a string of high profile hits. The group disbanded in 2001 and Mark stepped in to play for Feeder after the tragic death of their drummer, Jon Lee.
Everybody in the music industry needs a big break. Mark Richardson got his in December 1991, at the tender age of 18, when he was asked to stand in for Little Angels on the Jim’ll Fix It television show.
Currently touring Feeder’s latest album, Mark explains the ups and downs of being on the road: “The worst part is always the US/Canadian border. Whenever a band goes through they always strip the bus, and even if you’re guilt free they’ll still make you feel like you’re going to jail!
Little Angels, who were signed to Polydor, were looking for a new drummer and Mark thought he was a temporary arrangement until the band found someone. Turns out he thought wrong. “The next day I stood in for them again in the studio, but little did I know they were testing me. It didn’t click until the manager came over to me with a brown envelope and said, ‘Welcome to the band, here’s your first wage packet’. I was on the ceiling for months ... literally,” he recalls. No-one gets lucky without some hard graft first though, and Mark was no different. After hearing about a group called Mr Thrud – the hottest band on the Yorkshire scene back in ‘86 – he went down to the gigs and started helping them load their gear. This became a regular job. When Mr Thrud became Little Angels and moved down to London, Mark kept in touch. He was asked to sit in for them when their then drummer, Michael Lee, was sacked for auditioning for The Cult behind the Angels’ back. “The reason I got the call to stand in for the Angels was because I was more brazen and worked harder than the next man (for nothing) at the start, and made sure I got numbers so I could keep in touch.Then I was prepared to sacrifice more than anyone else,” he says, frankly.
“Two Skunk crew got deported from there for having, er, Skunk. An old drum tech ran through Dover early one morning joking about taking smack and we were then held for four hours while they checked us out. He never worked for me again. Having a pregnant wife at home just about to give birth isn’t much fun either. But generally, it’s an amazing way to live and earn a living.” Looking ahead to the future, Mark has got at least the next two years planned. “There will be another Feeder record sooner than you think, then I have new tracks to write with Skunk Anansie for the ‘Best Of ...’ later next year, followed by a tour,” says the Yorkshire drummer. Then there’s also a cameo performance in the 2009 movie Souled Out to look forward to. “It’s a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ part but it was fun … I was in Stoke for a week and did two hours of filming!” After that, well who knows? Fortunately, Mark has a very philosophical outlook on life and the success he has enjoyed: “When it’s over, it’s over. I have felt that acceptance for a long time and to that end, the biggest crime would be to not enjoy myself along the way.” Sam Borrett
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AID WORKING IN SUDAN
Living in a country rife with poverty, violence and disease is no holiday, but for Anna Kent, a humanitarian worker from Nottingham, it felt like home. She meets Amita Mistry for a coffee and a chat about her experiences in South Sudan with Medecins San Frontières.
How did you get involved in aid work? I’m a nurse, although at the moment I’m retraining as a mid-wife. One of the reasons I went into nursing was to do humanitarian relief work. I did a year in emergency medicine and I’ve worked for five years in A&E, which gave me the knowledge I needed to provide trauma related care. Back in 2005 my friend was working as a teacher for VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) and was living in a very rural village in Zambia for two years. I went to stay with him for a while, then went back to work in A&E in England and studied a tropical medicine course in London. I heard about aid organisations at a careers fair, and that’s how I found Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF). I had wanted to do aid work before, but I wanted to find a good organisation that represented me. MSF is one of a few non-government organisations that is prepared to treat the most deprived people in the most dangerous of environments in over 70 countries of the world and so I knew it was an organisation I wanted to work for.
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How long did the interview process take? For me it took around five months; the only delays I had were because I’m not bilingual. I can speak some languages, but just a small amount, so it took a while to find a project suitable for me. I was waiting for a project in Somalia, Ethiopia or Sudan because they’re English-speaking.
What was it like working with MSF? MSF ask for a lot – if you go as a medical person, you have to have at least two years of A&E experience, a qualification in tropical medicine and work experience in a developing country. That’s before they’ll even give you an interview, so it’s a really gruelling process. You have an interview at the offices in London and then you get sent on an intensive week somewhere in the world. My training project was based in Germany and there was a group of about 50 potential MSF workers from all nationalities. It’s part orienteering and part group work and group dynamics. There were nurses, doctors and logisticians who all performed tasks that we had to follow. They ran an orienteering exercise in the middle of the woods and in the early hours of the morning we were called from our beds to go on a mission in small groups. At about two or three in the morning we got kidnapped by bandits who carried pretend AK47s. We didn’t know that was going to happen, it was part of the training programme but it was also to see how you would react in extreme circumstances. How did you react? A few swear words flew out! It was petrifying, but we did have a lot of training if you were kidnapped. The exercise was to see whether we could put into practice all the stuff we’ve been learning on the course.
If you can’t cope with the pressure and that environment, then it’s pointless, no matter how much you want to work with MSF. Did you have a say in which country you were assigned to? There are always jobs available – MSF works in nearly 80 countries. The job in south Sudan was the first one offered to me and it met the criteria that I was looking for. I think they were finding it hard to fill the post because it was such basic living – living in tents, no water, no electricity, washing up in a bucket of murky water with a cup. It just happens to be the lifestyle that I quite like.To me it was a bonus! We didn’t create any waste and we never threw food away because there wasn’t enough food for people. We didn’t use lots of plastic bottles because we’d get the water from a well. Although there were horrendous things going on and environmental dangers of snakes and scorpions, the actual logistics of day-to-day living make absolute sense. It was a really positive experience. How long did you do it for? Initially the project was for eight months but I extended it to over ten months. I got back in February this year (2008). Describe your Christmas day there… My mum had sent me some presents and had them flown over to me. But it was at the time of the political upheaval so the presents got to Kenya but because there was no movement on the roads in Kenya, we didn’t get any Christmas presents. MSF sealed a cool box and on Christmas morning we opened it and found some cheese and we hadn’t had cheese in about four months so I thought it was great! We ran the hospital as normal. There was a heavy malaria outbreak at the time and we were seeing
about 200 kids a day who needed malaria treatment, so we were really busy. We took some toffees as a little Christmas gift for the staff and they were pretty chuffed. We worked till sunset then went back to the compound. We sat, ate our cheese and played some games. None of us were on call that night so we enjoyed some warm wine and beer! I was working with a Christian community called the Nuer Tribe. With our project, the idea was that we go out there and give medical training to international staff. They then learn how to teach their community. We pay them competitive wages. One of our senior national staff was better off than his neighbours, so he bought a goat for Christmas Day - to kill and have for dinner - but then he invited all of his relatives over. Some of his relatives walked a good eight hours from another village and shared his goat and they really enjoyed their Christmas. They got up at about 8am in the morning, started playing their drums, dancing going on in the street. The whole community came out for it and just danced and enjoyed themselves. To do that in a country that had over 50 years of civil war, where people don’t have enough food, is mad. That’s Christmas, that’s real. What advice would you give to people interested in aid working? Aid work isn’t about making people feel guilty; I think that everyone can play a role when it comes to charity work. Whether it’s donating, giving up your time to offer hands-on help like me, or talking about it and spreading the word on poverty issues, it still shows you care. The fact that we’re sat here in a pub discussing it shows that we care. Everyone in society has a role to play, and whatever they can offer will make a difference to the quality of life in developing countries. Amita Mistry
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DESIGNING A BETTER FUTURE - RUGMARK
HEY KIDS!
The goats we bought from Oxfam Unwrapped in the last issue of Freeq were getting on rather well (as you’ll remember from the photo). The good news is that they’ve now multiplied in to three little kids. We bought three more goats from Oxfam Unwrapped as a result of the advertisers in this issue of the magazine. The goats will be sourced from local farmers in deprived areas of the world and given to families that need them most. It provides an income for local farmers and a source of milk, fertilizer and more baby goats for the communities living in some of the poorest parts of the world.
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If you want to do your bit, then either advertise in Freeq magazine or visit www.oxfamunwrapped.com for some unusual Christmas gift ideas.
Nottingham Trent Masters graduate, Ruchi Kaura Goyal, recently had her winning rug designs exhibited at 100% Design in London. But what makes her beautiful designs even more appealing, is the subject they are raising awareness for. As the winner of the first ever RugMark competition, her designs are helping to increase knowledge about the ethics of rug manufacturing amongst design students and interior designers. The RugMark competition is an ethically-focused textile competition and design initiative that helps to get children in India off looms and into schools and ensures proper working conditions and pay for workers in the factories. “I think that RugMark is doing a great job in developing Nepalese carpet industry and people related to it. Their programmes are leading to an overall development of the area. Children who could not afford education earlier are now getting educated and are adopting a much better lifestyle as compared to before. Vocational training is very important in developing areas, various tie-ups with local institutes by rugmark has made it possible.” Ruchi Kaura Goyal Check out Rug mark www.rugmark.org.uk And Ruchi of course www.ruuh.in Mellisa Harrison
COVER ILLUSTRATOR -TOM EXTON AKA? Mr Deamze ‘Oxygen Thievez’
Inspiration for the cover artwork? M.C Escher, psychedelica, DC comics, mind altering substances. Weapon of choice? Spraypaint, marker pens, cheap emulsion Apple Macintosh and a scanner. How did it all start? My parents were both creative in different ways so encouraged me to draw and paint. Tony Hart or Rolf Harris? Rolfie all the way. Every artist has a personal ‘creative process’, explain yours: Wake up. Cup of tea. Absolutely no plan whatsoever. Another cup of tea. Faff around for a bit. Decide what’s happening. Another cup of tea...running late. Where Can we find you? Check out regular updates on the website www.oxygenthievez. com and purchase artwork and limited edition clothing at Above Gallery 43 Mansfield Road, Nottingham (through Oh My Gosh records) www.abovegallery.com.
JAMES HUGHES
What inspires you? I love second hand book shops, or junk shops. the more crap the better! What’s your weapon of choice? In terms of design, photoshop otherwise probably a sword. How did you get into art? I had some brilliant teachers at college that got me into illustration, unfortunately I was doing English Literature and Media Studies so I ended up re-taking the year, worth it though. Every artist has a personal ‘creative process’, explain yours I’ll generally faff around for a few hours, then realise my deadline is in an hour and get down to it, not very good I know, but I like the pressure Where can we find your work? www.james-hughes.co.uk
LAUREN RADLEY What is your inspiration? Ermmm...loads of stuff really! Lots of good music, other artists and illustrators, my friends and my mum! What’s your weapon of choice? A pencil and some crayons, maybe some collage. It doesn’t need to get any posher than that. Tony Hart or Rolf Harris? Rolf all the way! Rolf was the one who swayed my thoughts of wanting to be an illustrator....I wanted to be a vet for about a month; I got over it! Where can we find your work? http://laurenradley.blogspot.com, www.flickr.com/photos/larenradle email: lauren.radley@hotmail.com
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MONKEY BUM
Raise your hand if you are bored of solo artists who strum along with nothing to say. I hear you loud and clear. Well allow me to introduce you to a young man named Richard Taylor, aka Monkey Bum. Monkey Bum may be an amusing name, but his music is far from a joke. The lyrics are smart; the music grabs you. ‘Popcorn with lemon and lime’, is how he describes his sound. It’s a strange combination, but somehow it works.The more you listen to his music, the more you see why this is quite possibly the best way to paint a picture of Monkey Bum. You may like it, you may hate it, but you will listen all the way through because there is something about Monkey Bum’s music that gets you hooked. His main influences are Of Montreal and The Postal Service, not to mention a strong love for Jeff Mangum’s (Neutral Milk Hotel) lyrics. A wise young fellow Monkey Bum is indeed. So who has he been compared with then? “I would like to think that my music varies in style really,” he says. The Postal Service is an accurate comparison, though. Monkey Bum’s MySpace page www.myspace.com/xraytedishere has plenty of tracks for you to enjoy with a glass of juice or, if you’re up for it, some popcorn with lemon and lime. Olivia Cellamare
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ONE TO WATCH
ROSIE ODDIE With masses of female singer/songwriters emerging from London these days, it’s getting increasingly harder to tell your Lily Allen from your Kate Nash. Although a lot of them do sound the same, maybe it’s about time this particular breed of artist made a breakthrough in the industry. From the delicate sounds of Laura Marling to the beautiful lyrics of Florence and the Machine, there’s something for everyone. One female singer/songwriter worthy of mention is Rosie Oddie (yes, she is Bill Oddie’s daughter). Two years ago Rosie won the Angelic Records competition with her track, Gennie’s Song. The song tells of her travels with her friend Gennie and how she didn’t want to come back to England after being in America. Oh, and it’s also about “world poverty”, says Rosie. Despite it being an award-winning track, Rosie doesn’t even listen to Gennie’s Song anymore, she admits. It’s got a “completely different vibe compared to her new stuff ”, so it doesn’t feature on the set lists. It was released around a year ago, but was “too small a release to do much”. Still, it seems London is where it’s at for all the female singer/songwriters breaking out. Is it a struggle for women to make it in the capital city? Rosie’s not so sure it’s any easier for the blokes. “I think it is hard for everyone. Everyone has got their own similarities and their own strengths, and a lot of the music industry is about luck,” she says, diplomatically.
Rosie’s right, it is about luck. With so many people desperate to make their mark, it’s all about taking chances, hoping to get recognised by record labels. She’ll be the first one to tell you just how difficult it is to succeed – not just in the London scene, but also in the music industry in general. Working hard at something you love always shows, and when it comes to Rosie Oddie, it’s clear a lot of effort has been invested in the lyrics and musicianship. Asked about her sound, she describes it as “detailed, but by no means straightforward pop”. True, there is depth and fun in Rosie’s music, with the lyrics to match; check out the tracks on her MySpace. Also, the videos to the tracks on her YouTube channel are slightly odd, but in a good way.The kind of odd that sucks you in, so that you find yourself watching it over again, only to pick up on scenes you missed the first time. Just watch Cola Coka; you’ll see what I mean. Her influences are “everyone”, she explains, before pointing out that her live shows are “better than the recordings”. That’s probably a positive sign. A gig can make or break a band: if they’re good on record but rubbish live, you know something isn’t right. When you first listen to Rosie, it’s not always easy to tell if you like her sound. But the more you listen, the fonder you grow of her style. She’s not like Kate, Lily or Adele – save your comparisons. Her sound is unique. Rosie Oddie is clearly someone to take note of. I know this because she tells me that if there’s one song she’d like to cover, it’s Elton John’s Tiny Dancer. Says it all, really.
Olivia Cellamare
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DOLLS HOUSE With Britain about to plunge into a financial abyss and the nights drawing ever gloomier, you may need some colour and glamour in your life. Look no further than Dolls House who will transport you away from the impending doom and gloom. Image copyright Pete Baldrey visit www.petebaldreyphotography.com
Based in London, Dolls House are a glamorous four piece combining a retro, post punk sound with a poppy flavour. Lead singer Camilla Romestrand has a delectable vocal that harks back to Annie Lennox via Kate Bush, and dare I say it Katie White from Ting Tings fame. The band has already created a significant impact topping 4Music’s list of unsigned acts to look out for. As a group they have played a smattering of gigs largely around the London area, but it can’t be long before a full scale tour ensues. A couple of EP’s are available to purchase through their MySpace page. I particularly recommend the Twenty Twenty EP which contains the potentially seminal I Hate Today. The other EP, called 27, includes Girls and Boys. It would be unfair to ignore the other three members of this sassy and colourful quartet (Joz, Cenk and Justin for the record), but the attention will no doubt focus on the sexual curveball that lead singer Camilla is. She effortlessly permeates a sexual energy that will have men fixated and women in jealous awe. In music history there have been a number of attractive female leads, but Camilla is full on rock ‘n’ roll sleaze in such a classy way.
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Musically they recall the nagging and slightly minimalist beat of early 1980’s new wave, but still maintain a ravishing freshness that allows it to feel new. Although I’ve yet to witness them live, there is an unassuming swagger about their
songs that suggests their live performances will be full of confidence and youthful energy. Dolls House aren’t necessarily the most original act you will hear, but there won’t be many others that can match them when it comes to energy, colourful zest and retro glamour. Female fronted indie bands have a tendency not to maintain their success. I think just listening to their EPs - there are enough ideas knocking around for this band not to become stereotyped into being a one dimensional pop group. There is a variety of tempo in their songs that keep you interested for longer, as the songs do make you
feel like you’re being guided through mini journeys. Dolls House are just oozing with pop spunk, and when you combine that with Camilla’s fractured and sensual vocals, this is a band that will get crowds gyrating to their scuzzy beat. You can never guarantee that a band is destined for big success, but I’ve never been as excited about a new band since probably Franz Ferdinand. They have a song called Number 1, and going from the evidence of their current material; it won’t be long before they reach the summit. Jamie Brannon
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REVEREND & THE MAKERS
We were pretty excited to meet up with the outspoken Reverend and the Makers frontman, Jon McClure as he stands for many of the things we like to promote through the magazine. Not only that, as well as being a pretty all round decent guy, he doesn’t mind saying it how it is; very refreshing in the music industry. * Just to warn you that the following interview contains the sort of language we would normally asterisk out. But in this case, censoring Jon McClure somehow didn’t feel quite right. What’s all this about Reverend and the Makers finishing after this next album? What’s happened is that I have nervous disposition and I have to take tablets for that. I became unwell and therefore said I actually wanted to quit. But unfortunately you can’t say anything without it being interpreted wrong. Things that would normally be between me and my doctor became public knowledge, which fucks me off a little bit, people don’t seem to let things lie. Until you say “yeah the reason I was fucking ill is because I have panic attacks” which is fucking hideous and it’s a complete invasion of my private life and it’s a condition that I’ve suffered with a number of years. It is what it is but I got really down and tired and my nerves were starting to fray and shit.
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Do you think that it’s actually possible to have a successful music career that puts you into the limelight without having the media trying to get into the rest of your life? The [print] media, unfortunately in this country, is 71 per cent white, public school educated middle-class
males and therefore the problem is that it’s not very representative of the audience and someone who speaks out against that is rendered quite unpopular with certain sections of the media. But unfortunately the media is unelectable and is more powerful than Westminster will ever be. It’s a guerrilla war, it’s a battle, you know what I mean? Everyone votes for whoever Rupert Murdock tells them to vote for. Well of course, yeah and we need a media monopoly bill more than we ever did before. We have a thing called Instigate Debate which is basically where all the questions are directed at celebrities, MPs, sports stars, anyone with a public profile and anyone who leads a public life. What we really wanna do is get kids asking these questions, then once they send us their videos; I’ll come and play round their house and bring in a collection of acts such as the Enemy, Andy Nicholson, Drew McConnell, whoever I can rope in. I hope it will hold people to account to the things that they do and say and to the fact that they’re existing in the public eye and earn millions and millions of pounds when they’re actually fucking ignorant, you know what I mean? And they’re actually kind of scared to say anything about the world that we live in. I think it’s fair
to stick a camera in someone’s face and make them answer some meaningful questions rather than asking them for an autograph or a feature; you know what I’m saying? What’s been the most defining moment of your career so far? You know what, the defining moment for my career is still to come and I don’t think that I’m anywhere near my peak. I’ve made this Mongrel album, which is me and Andy, Drew McConnell, and Joe Moskow and Lowkey, an Iraqi rapper. It’s been dubbed up by Adrian Sherwood. I’m doing the second Reverend and the Makers album, I’ve done a song with Lee Scratch Perry, I’m doing an indigenous Venezuelan album for Hugo Chavez. Do you know what I’m saying? I’m a busy man. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone. I’m off to Nigeria in a couple of weeks with Damon Albarn; this Africa Express thing. Yeah there’s a lot happening, do ya know what I mean? I think it’s good to kinda indulge yourself in these things. You know I turned down David Letterman to play in Lebanon. I feel proud of the fact that I’ve put me conscience above money. Will you still be continuing with Mongrel? I’d like to do another Mongrel album and I’d like to see Andy given a chance because after he was sacked from the Arctic Monkeys, he became really down and I love Andy to bits and I always thought that he encapsulated what that band was about. So it were a blow to us all when they sacked him. But you know what, he’s back and he’s made a real credible response and took a stand politically by making that record and it’s not easy for a man that’s been in his position being with such a big band. He should be applauded for having some courage and some credentials and making a stand saying “my life’s not dominated by being in the biggest band in the world, I have my own conscience and I am my own person” you know what I mean? If you look at Andy’s track record; there’s the first Arctic Monkeys album, the Mongrel album, and the Mongrel dub album which is a pretty fucking good CD. So yea it’s nice to see Andy back where he belongs and also there’s 18 UK MCs on [the cd] and in the last twenty years - hiphop, rap, grime, gabba, jungle, bashment, dub-step British MCs are continually innovative. In the meantime we’ve had the new rock revolution, brit-pop and new rave, all of which are backwards looking genres of music made by middle-class white people – see what I’m saying? In a narrative of British music, Black culture and Asian culture has been completely written out of the history of British music by white journalists who are essentially very conservative in their outlook. So therefore we’re trying to address that.
Secondly to that, there’s only me and MIA amongst new artists that since 9/11 have continually questioned British foreign policy. And this record seriously takes this to task. “Don’t beat around the bush, I’m a bushwacking bush killer” – is one of the lyrics know what I’m saying? I think that at a time where we need these people to come out and stand up more than ever we need like a new punk or something, everyone’s just fucking hiding, everybody’s hiding man. Would you consider yourself more activist or lyricist? Equal parts brother. I don’t see the two as divorced. John Lennon never divorced the two, neither did Bob Marley, neither did Joe Strummer – I don’t see why I should. Edutainment, that’s what Chuck Lee calls it. I work in the edutainment business and I think that people have a lot of things to say about me, but I’m the only one doing it. And you can say what you want but that’s true, it’s fucking true! But I am the only fucking one doing it. FACT!
‘the continual slide towards fucking the world up and ignoring the people who are trying to do some good for the world... will mean that essentially, we’re all fucked’ So you are very outspoken with your political views do you consider yourself a leader? No, I just consider myself as being someone who tells the truth and who has had to become bullet proof to the things that people say about him. Punks were very unpopular doing it – what I’m saying is essentially very different from the punks, but I’m saying it in a very different climate.The climate where the rival media are all very powerful, where the vested interests of major record labels outweigh the likes of me on an independent so therefore I don’t get a look in. Every time we get pushed to one side. Do you consider yourself as being a poet? I’ve always written poems. I started as a poet. Did some stuff for John Cooper Clarke and moved into the music thing. Since working with the rappers it’s sharpened my game ‘coz you know, you have one track where there’s 18 MCs and me and this is like some veterans. This is like Skinny Man, Keiser, a rapper from Nottingham actually - Pariz 1, do you know her? She’s wicked she is, she’s on a couple of tracks, she’s fucking brilliant, so yeah it definitely sharpens your game. Lyrically and rhythmically they’re just so unbelievably good that you have to get there or you just look like an idiot.
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When’s the Mongrel album out? Mongrel album’s out in January and it’s called Better Than Heavy and the Mongrel dubbed album will be sometime after that called, Better Than Dub. What’s your biggest fear? That the continual slide towards fucking the world up and ignoring the people who are trying to do some good for the world and keep on criticising the people who are trying to do good for the world will mean that essentially, we’re all fucked. I know that I’m quite an optimistic guy but it’s hard to believe that there’s anything better coming around the corner. Apparently we’re all gonna vote in the fucking Tories. After reading fucking NME seeing nothing but white boys - posh white boys; it depresses me man. The whole thing is fucked. That’s the greatest fear is that people just keep laughing at us and ridiculing us calling us idiots and whatever else and that’s the greatest fear. In the meantime you’ve got pharmaceutical companies, oil companies ruling the world. I remember having furious rows with numerous people on the outbreak of the Iraq war. People were saying: “Yeah but we’ve gotta get Sadam.” and I was like: “This war is wrong, it’s a mistake.” And years later they’re all like: “Yeah, yeah”. There’s no joy in being right, it makes me fucking depressed, I am right never-the-less. See for me, the cornerstone for rock and roll; from Elvis, through the Beatles, through the Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley, the Clash, were rebellions. But there aren’t any rebels anymore. It’s considered rebellious to smoke crack cocaine. I know builders who smoke crack cocaine, I know bank clerks who smoke crack, that’s not being rebellious. It’s rebellious to fucking turn the general public against the government, that’s truly rebellious.
to believe it. Despite what they think, the public are fooled because these people are tastemakers. They put on the same old boring shit on every fuckin’ time and what can you do about it? MySpace is supposed to be the revolution, it’s supposed to take it out of the hands of the man and put it back to the people and now the man owns it again. We’re launching our own social networking site for people within the creative industries… That’s a great idea.You got my complete support there mate. Facebook me the details! If you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Bob Marley every time! He’s at least a million times better than these others. It’s like a religious experience. He’s like the poet of the oppressed man and can speak to people of the world, far better than any fucking government has. Legend. Freeq Magazine promotes social and environmental awareness, what would be at the top of your priority list right now? Ban cars in the city. People do not need cars when you live in the city. Get on public transport. Three people who live in one house and they all take a car each to work, greedy bastards. Get on a fucking bus! Sam Borrett
Unfortunately, music’s gone soft and now its part of a capitalist structure where, in order to be successful you have to reproduce. If you’re a female artist you have to sound like Amy Winehouse to do well. If you’re in a band you have to sound like the Libertines. I’m friends with Carl Barât, he’s a good friend of mine and I said to him: “Does it not bore you that these bands sound like yours? Does that not fucking piss you off? Do you not think that we should move on a little bit?” He said: “Yeah I do I agree with ya – I do feel a little bit like that.” I said: “You know what, it’s been eight years since your band came on and I’ve not heard anyone do anything truly original within indie music since”. And again that’s about money… Of course it’s about money.They push it down people’s throats and they tell people it’s great and people start
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Music producer Chris Sylvester, aka Inxec is one of Nottingham’s most successful electronic music exports, with gigs all over the world and an album on respected Contexterrior in the pipeline we thought it was high time to catch up with him How important is it as a producer to be part of the When you first started handing tracks to Sasha at large music community in the German capital? Renaissance were you ever scared that he’d give you I think it helps but I am not one for networking. I find a slap? it all a little false; most people avoid confrontation by I gave them to Zabiela. He ignored me for a while. not really saying what they think. But if you wanna Then I met him a few times in Miami, he touched my play in Berlin you gotta be there, promoters ain’t lap, it was magical. He’s just a bloke who plays music, stupid and realise they have all the best acts minus as long as you ain’t a nerd and bug him or anyone their travel fees and hotel. I’d still ask for a hotel, else in the scene then all is cool. pimp it for the night. Most people in Notts will know you as Sound Who would you most like to live next door to in Alliance or your residencies at The Bomb/Stealth. Berlin? Where are you playing at the moment? I would like to live next to a big gay bear who works Last week I played in Portugal for my birthday, next at Berghain. Just so he doesn’t mind me playing music week I am in Berlin and in a few weeks time I’m back at six in morning..... to México, so pretty much anywhere. I like London a lot, playing Fabric is always a humbling experience! Your track Clay Pigeon was named by Ricardo Makes you appreciate why you do it. Villalobos as one of his top tracks of 2006, what did it mean to you to get such praise from a hero of How does it work between yourself and Matt yours? Tolfrey? The tracks you make with him always have He was drunk I’m sure. Good old Ricky V... Nice for that air of mischief… sure, makes you work harder. He is digging the new We make music together in a normal fashion; we try stuff which helps me right now; he is my father in this and make a cool little groove then add some cheeky musical minefield so it’s always good to get praise off bits round that. yer pop. What will the album be like? Is it aimed at the dance Your sets have always had loads of raw funk and floor or home listening or both? drive, what/who has been most influential to your Not sure right now, I’m just going to make as much style? music as I can before the deadline and try and put it I like to get girls dancing, and they don’t like the dark together then. I always try and push both sides of and disturbing stuff... except maybe the ugly ones. club and home listening. And once you get a few choice ladies giggling you have everyone on there, then you can do the vampire What outside of music inspired tracks on the beats. Ricardo does this all the time, get the groove album? going then play with ‘em. Girls.
22 Words: Ben Start Image: Chris James
Mango Presents Shrink Records All Dayer @ Rise, Sheffield. 24.08.08
Sheffield’s Minimal community were treated to a much anticipated display of House and Techno, freshly twisted and squeezed from Nottingham’s freshest fruit bearing label, Shrink Records. After a sterling warm up job in the sun from Mango residents, the Shrink collective went to work at 6pm and were locked behind the decks until the party ended at 11pm. Multi-persona-wielding Label Boss Simon Hall mined the deep depths as Romulus Schwarz, back to back with Casiogrand, before Matthew Burton, flown in especially for the gig from Berlin, took things into wobbly Tyrant-esque territories. Following on from Nick Lawson, a two hour tag team ensued, peaking with Milton Jackson’s ‘Ghost in the Machine’ setting off the Sheffield throng. Techno may be dormant in Sheffield, but with parties like this one it’s not hard to see it becoming a permanent fixture in the city’s clubbing calendar. Ben Start
Deepgroove @ Bedbug, Bar 11, Nottingham. 2.10.08
Thursdays are becoming the new Fridays with the triangle of venues, Eleven, Brownes and The Market Bar all providing venues for late night debauchery and excuses for pulling a sicky on Friday. Bar 11 provides a home for the most underground sounds in this neck of the woods. Bristol boys Deepgroove brought the party from the West Country with a slamming set of up-front electronic House. With Transformers The Movie beamed onto the ceiling and the decks tucked away at the back, the full dance floor lapped up classics such as Trentemoller’s remix of Royksopp and Deepgroove’s own reworking of Klang label mates, Alter Ego. With Alex Smoke and Matthew Dear as Audion to come, Bedbug looks set to prosper over the coming weeks. Ryan Torbell
Domu @ Basement Boogaloo, The Maze, Nottingham. 4.10.08
Away from the vomit and fistycuffs town centre goings on, there’s a haven for the more discerning clubber to whoop and holler at their heroes. One such hero is Domu (AKA Domonic Stanton, geddit?). The eclectic producer, who has released House on Sonar Kollektive, remixed Cinematic Orchestra and dabbled in beats and breaks for Ninja Tune took the controls from resident Beane, laying down a groove that delighted the musically knowledgeable crowd. Switching between Broken Beat, House and funk with soulful interludes, each tune was well received. The low ceiling of The Maze and dark atmosphere gave it the perfect vibe. Ben Start
Roots Manuva @ Detonate, Rock City, Nottingham. 12.10.08
It was probably the most unlikely of days to be spent sipping on a beer and awaiting a rave. But Nottingham welcomed the opportunity to spend 12 hours in a breakbeat bubble. The early afternoon saw Coverage host an off the wall graffiti jam. Accompanied by a hearty barbeque and tunes from the balcony, even the sunshine decided to show. Later on, the crowd moved to Rock City where the most anticipated - Rodney Smith, aka Roots Manuva, was accompanied on stage by master visuals, stunning lighting and a few friends to help him churn out those inevitable classics. To follow, Magnetic Man and Chase & Status maintained the dub vibe with floor rumbling bass lines, leading the crowd into a fast paced climax brought by DJ Marky and Andy C. Rosa Brough
Deadmau5 @ Gatecrasher, Nottingham. 24.10.08
With a slew of releases over the last two years and crowd-rocking appearances from country to
country, Joel Zimmerman is an established global dj/producer. Since the birth of the pseudonym Deadmau5, he has grown to receive admiration from the likes of Tiesto and Pete Tong as well as being voted Beatport’s ‘most influential and relevant person’ in the industry today. As part of his Mau5trap tour, Deadmau5 played at GateCrasher tonight. Having been to the Wireless Festival (where he warmed up for Fatboy Slim) over the summer, I had an idea of what to expect. Imminent to taking the reign in front of his audience, the Toronto native’s sound is addictive. His mixes are flawless and his drops send hands across the dance floor soaring as the mesmerized crowd find their rhythm to his sound. Through the smoke, all eyes are fixed at the flashing eyes that have become a trademark of the Deadmau5 legacy, as he eggs the crowd on from behind the decks. A night to be remembered, as the phenomenon of today’s industry completes another part of history in the making on tour. David de Pater
Preview: Simian Mobile Disco & Carl Craig @ dollop, Stealth, Nottingham
Bringing together two of the most prominent and most forward thinking acts of the past five years, dollop continues the rich form that has brought Claude Von Stroke, Digitalism and Diplo to Nottingham in recent years. Simiam Mobile Disco has a rich heritage in Nottingham, having cut their teeth at Liars Club. They bring screaming Electro and party starting Techno to the fold, with a recently released Fabric Live compilation; they really are at the top of their game. Carl Craig is an electronic music legend. The Detroit producer has been involved in Techno for over 20 years, building a reputation as a remixer and producer that is second to none. Catch him while you can.
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PROFILES
SKELETON CREW
DARREN RAMSHAW
Band members: Lewis: vocals; Graham: guitar / backing vocals; Rob: guitar / backing vocals; Steve: bass guitar and Drew: drums / backing vocals. What do you sound like? British classic rock mashed together with AOR/glam with a modern edge on top. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played and why? Rock City main stage on Easter Sunday for the Julie Cotton Foundation’s ‘Concert For Liam’ which was raising money for Leukaemia Research. We played to over 1000 people. Which band/artist would you push off stage? Anyone who had to rely on ridiculous TV shows to get noticed because they didn’t have the talent to do it themselves. As long as people like Simon Cowell and Louie what’s-his-face exist, REAL bands and artists don’t stand a cat’s chance in hell. Are we allowed to vote to have those two strapped down and subjected to Chinese water torture? If you were recruiting for ‘Leader of the World’ who would be on the interview panel and why? You couldn’t trust anyone to be on the interview panel nowadays. We’d just put Hugh Hefner in the job straight off, no arguments.
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www.themusicdirector y.co.uk/ skeletoncrew
APPOLONIA Band members: Me, singer / songwriter; Appolonia. Producer; Pat Donne. What or who do you sound like? Mix between Sade and Lady Saw. What are your plans for 2009? Complete 2nd album and produce music videos to accompany at least five tracks. Which band/artist would you push off stage? Jarvis Cocker. Most ‘rock and roll’ moment? Having one of the tracks from the album I Am She featured in the movie Ten Dead Men. What’s your christmas wish? Peace and love world wide. What will be your new year’s resolution? Live every day like it’s my last. www.themusicdirector y.co.uk/ appolonia
Band members: Just me usually. I’ve got a band uniform but no-one realises as it’s only me wearing it. At gigs I usually play entirely acoustic, but now and then I get out the synth and ‘play’ it with my foot for extra sounds. I have an occasional percussionist but I usually play on my own. What or who do you sound like? It’s hard to sum up. People have said they can hear bits of Nick Drake, Captain Beefheart, Jon Renbourne, Pink Floyd, John Martyn,T-Rex,Thom Yorke and The Cure among other things. The famous Jaffa Cake debate, is it a biscuit or cake? Cake. No question. Basically, the clue’s in the name Jaffa CAKE. It may be the size and shape of a biscuit, but I’ve seen a hedge cut like a flamingo, but it was still definitely a hedge. What’s your Christmas wish? Christmas is mostly about my son these days. That and booze. Even more booze than usual and building complicated toys with a hangover. A Christmas wish? I suppose I just hope that everything will work out as well as possible for as many people as possible. And I’d like to wish for unlimited wishes… and a magic ape that’ll do my bidding… and the ability to fly… and a Scalextric. www.themusicdirector y.co.uk/ darrenramshaw
WIN A RECORDING SESSION The Music Directory have once again teamed up with one of London’s finest recording studios to bring you the opportunity to win a session for your band. The Magic Numbers, Guillemots and Kate Nash have all recently recorded at Kore studios and Kore’s client list includes XFM, the BBC and major labels; EMI, Island and Polydor. Kore is a purpose built recording facility in West London, housed in a 2,000sq ft warehouse and laid out over two floors. The studio has a large, naturally lit recording space with additional iso-booths, a state of the art control room brimming with top of the line outboard gear and a great 2nd floor chill out space. A fully loaded Pro tools rig handles all recording duties and the microphone cupboard is one of the best in London. The team at Kore understand that there is vast untapped potential in the unsigned market. With this in mind Kore is offering this unique opportunity for up and coming bands to enjoy a professional recording experience absolutely free. Hopefully this will provide some insight into what is involved and required. That way, when you do come to record that world beating first album, you will know what to expect.
It’s easy and free to enter. Simply visit our website at www.themusicdirectory.co.uk and upload your best song to your free profile, then submit it for entry into the competition online. The winner will be determined by a public vote on 1st January 2009. If you aren’t successful in this competition then get in touch with the studio directly as they will offer great package deals for unsigned acts - just let them know The Music Directory sent you!
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A Brief insight into walls around Nottingham decorated by ‘The Oxygen Thievez’. Consisting of five artists the crew aims to breathe new life and colour by using a variety of materials from spraypaint to screen printers. ‘When we’re not painting huge public murals we’ll be doing other things such as illustration, canvas painting, screen printing and graphic design. Each member of the collective brings a different skill to the table when creating a piece of work, for example, one of us might concentrate on characters and another purely on letterforms as another does the background’. Keep an eye out for new murals appearing in Nottingham from the crew by either walking the streets or checking: oxygenthievez.com
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COLIN BROTHWOOD
Currently working in Holland, Freeq magazine’s resident photographer; Colin Brothwood gave up a few minutes so we can capture the man behind the lens. How did you get into photography? I was actually living at sea for 11 years and I travelled a lot which I suppose initially got me into photography. As the digital cameras came in, I enjoyed experimenting with new technology as the capabilities are so vast with all these new gadgets. What do you love about it? I do tai chi to help me relax and I find that photography has the same effect on me. It’s almost like a meditation for me. When I was travelling and I saw something that I thought would make a good picture, I could visualise it before actually taking the photo. It’s meditative for me. Who or what inspires you? There are quite a few things that inspire me. I like to capture movements, action images as well as social photographs - which is how I got into photographing bands. I find that frogs make very interesting images and I have got a webpage that illustrates this. Do you have a website? www.frogs-watch.co.uk www.splash.zenfolo.com
How did you get into photography? Photography hasn’t just been something I aspire to work within, but it’s been my dream from a very young age. I guess it started with ‘playing’ about with a camera and finding out, that I adore capturing special, unique, thoughtful and surreal moments.
BHAVISHA FAKIRA
What do you love about it? I love how objects/people/surroundings can be manipulated through positioning and how the trigger, is a little button. My passion is purely unique and something that I can’t really define! Every aspect excites me. Who or what inspires you? When I’m out on a shoot, anything/anyone could inspire me. It could be an emotion, a building, or even a bird; absolutely anything that catches my eye. Unexpected and wonderful images right before our eyes.
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Do you have a website? I’m working on a site at the moment, so watch this space!
KATHRYN LYNOTT
How did you get into photography? I found photography by accident. When I first moved to London about four years ago, I thought enrolling in an evening class would be a good way of meeting people. For some reason I chose photography... most of the people were pretty dull, but I found that I actually liked taking pictures. What do you love about it? After studying photography a little, I struggled to find an area that I felt passionate about, but after a while I discovered that mixing photography and music is the best way to combine the two things I love the most. Taking pictures of bands whilst they sing to their audience gives me a massive buzz. Who or what inspires you? Bands that make good music and front men/women with a bit of attitude! Website? Working on it.
What will yours say? At Venture, we don’t just do family portraits; we bring out the real you, telling your family’s unique story through a collection of personal portrait images. So whether you experience Venture for yourselves, or give a Venture experience to a loved one as a gift; the end result will be an iconic piece of art that will be treasured forever. Call us now at the Nottingham studio on 0115 9599999 to learn about the family portrait experience, our offers, and how to give Venture as a Christmas gift. We’re confident that you’ll absolutely love the end result, but it’s about the fun you have along the way too: • Step 1: the Venture session Spend an hour in our state-of-the-art studio. It’s relaxed, informal and lots of fun. Bring your own props and lots of personality, and let our photographers do the rest. • Step 2: our digital experts Thanks to our talented photographers and digital artists, specially trained to reveal the real you, your Venture portrait will be absolutely unique. • Step 3: the viewing show We’ll reveal the amazing images of you and your family in an exclusive viewing show. This bit’s quite emotional (in a good way!) • Step 4: stunning products Once you’ve chosen your favourite images, we can show you our range of exclusive frames and displays – the result is a contemporary piece of art that will transform your home.
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POP LEVI I LIKE MUSICAL PERVERTS– PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE RULES AND DO IT WITH CONVICTION AND A STYLE THAT COULD KILL; PEOPLE WHO ARE OBSESSIVE...’ Hot off the heels of his second solo album, enigmatic ex-Ladytron bassist and Super Numeri founder Pop Levi sits down with Abigail Outhwaite to discuss communes, musical perverts and his forthcoming film release. So, what have you been up to lately? I’ve started a film production company called World Empire Inc. and we’re premiering our first film at the Montréal Nouveau Cinema Festival next month. It’s called You Don’t Gotta Run and is made up of candid moments. Its presented in a way that ‘porns’ all the looks and sounds of pocket cameras and camera phones. The soundtrack is going to be credited to World Empire, Inc. and my company will publish it too, all under one roof. I’m signed to Ninja Tune/Counter Records for one more album, so I’m warming up my company’s power so that when I’m putting Pop Levi records out the wheel will be greased. I’ve also begun writing the new Pop Levi album. You started writing songs and collecting records at the age of nine. How did you first get into music? I used to sing in a gospel choir at school; my childhood was spent alone with instruments, drum machines and computers. At boarding school I’d skip church to write songs in the basement. Then when I moved to Liverpool as a teenager I lived in a variety of communes and started Super Numeri – we’d make music instead of working.
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Who do you perform with in Pop Levi? It’s just me and Lucky Beaches at the moment. I met him when he had just got out of Borstal in Liverpool. Someone told me there was a boy I should take to America with me. It was him.
How would you describe your music? Post-modern soul. What do you think differentiates your music from other artists? I make it all happen myself, even down to the placing of the catalogue number on the artwork – I’m thoroughly involved. Gone are the days when a pop artist should listen to anyone else other than themselves.They might sell better if they do, but that’s a different story … Is there any idea or concept that has consistently inspired you throughout your career? Love songs and mathematics – they don’t go together, but you can put them in the same song or sentence; the sorry, forlorn feeling that is at the heart of every doo-wop song; the blues. Are there any artists you particularly admire? I like musical perverts – people who break the rules and do it with conviction and a style that could kill; people who are obsessive; The Beatles, Sun Ra, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan … when you listen to their records you can hear people having an amazing time; people on fire; people full of passion. Any plans for the next six months? I’ll be performing the new album live, recording it, releasing You Don’t Gotta Run, filming and editing a vampire flick called Toothache and recording its sound track ... I like being busy. Abigail Outhwaite
Walk along Pelham Street on route to the city’s Hockley district and you will see shiny pavement seating welcoming you into an inviting café bar called Homemade. Homemade is a cosy, friendly, independent café serving truly delicious food. Licensed and fully stocked with beers, wines and ciders, you can enjoy your favourite tipple with your meal. Homemade believe in great honest home cooking, whilst supporting local producers. They are also child friendly with booster seats and crayons at hand. The menu boasts a wide selection of breakfasts, including the renowned Full English and a plate of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs served with chunky toast. At lunch choose from the uber-popular Lasagne, Jackets with brie and tomato chutney, a Greek salad or even a freshly baked ciabatta filled with home roasted Mediterranean vegetables and goats cheese. Vegetarians will find options like the veggie breakfast, tasty Chilli, daily changing soups, pasta bakes and yummy platters. Homemade is now open until 10.30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, serving an evening bistro menu of homemade burgers, pan fried salmon, soup, bangers and mash, antipasti and weekly specials. For the sweet-toothed there are indulgent treats a plenty, the legendary chocolate brownie is an absolute must, and if you really want to push the boat out, order the brownie ice cream sundae! Homemade is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and now evenings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the perfect place to relax after work.
Homemade is also available for private party bookings, just ask for more info. If you are looking for catering for a special occasion, birthday or wedding, please visit the website for more information www.homemadecafe.com
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
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Bookings are recommended and advised so please call 0115 969 3335
GIG REVIEWS
1st October, University of Sheffield’s Rock Society Gig At the Grapes Naisian/Fire Garden/Dyonisis Dyonisis open with gothic rock á la Evanescence and although the programmed drums and keys make it feel a little simulated at times, they bring a wonderfully big sound to possibly one of the smallest gig spaces in Sheffield. Funk rock band Fire Garden’s progress has recently been hampered by losing both their bass player and vocalist. Tonight there is replacement for both, although the vocal replacement (an inflatable skeleton) doesn’t do quite as well. Despite a mostly instrumental set Fire Garden do an exemplary job of defending their record as one of the best unsigned rock bands in Sheffield and are probably the most universally enjoyed. Naisian’s brand of sludgy postmetal is less unanimously well received but they make an impression with the loudest sound and also the most intriguing, generating a wallowing thump at times and a plateau of glinting guitar at others. Not at all bad for £2.
Widows Mite September 14th, The Casbah, Team Tall All Dayer The Team Tall weekend throws up some chunky carrot-ridden underground goodness over the weekend in the dimly lit interior of the Casbah’s dingy bowels. Amongst the crop of stoner, drone, noise and various post-genre bands, Widows Mite made a significant case as a cut above the usual fare. In a genre that is sometimes quite easy to replicate they bring a sense of higher ability beyond the average post-metal minimalisms. With a sound conjuring post-metal giants like Isis and Pelican to mind, they bring a delicate yet raw power to the events, creating a wonderful sense of beautiful, other-worldliness as their instrumental journey rolls oceanic-like onwards and outwards over the fascinated audience. Definitely one to watch, keep an entranced eye on these guys.
Nephu Huzzband
Elle, S’appelle
These guys have played several times at various venues within Nottingham and I can definitely say they won’t be a band to disappoint. Straight from the streets of Nottingham, this band brings a rather different stance to the music scene here. Their style and performance is quite authoritarian, in the way each sung word is emphasized, and shouted, down the microphone. Their songs aren’t meant to be pretty or nice to hear, rather they are harsh statements. This is then accompanied by adding some sexy scratchy guitar sounds that remind me of bands like Foals or New Order,whilst simultaneously expressing no degree of effort in the simplistic way the tracks are delivered.
Elle, S’appelle, a Liverpudlian band with the French name She’s Called, have a style that they themselves describe as “hyperactive nursery rhymes”. Live, this band caught my attention immediately, producing catchy beats, poppy tunes and an all-round awe of sophistication in the way they approach their performance. In contrast, their approach to the style seems minimalist and quaint, making tunes that sound like little pieces of rainbow to your ears. The band’s songs use a range of tempos, beats and have an anthem-esque tone, specifically in the song Little Flame which creates this clashing contrast to the simple and almost child-like style that the songs begin with. The other thing I love about this band is that they know how to finish a track. It’s sharp and abrupt and really leaves you wanting to hear more. It was as if the band caught your attention, drew you in and then like an addiction, left you craving more.
Leo Kindred Jacob Golden-Portland and Mars “My momma left me with a broken heart to surrender and that’s exactly why I’m here.” Golden’s lyrics are like porcelain shards. Like an intimidated child, the songs are sung tentatively at first, yet as they progress, the use of harmonic echoes remind me of organ music reverberating off of cold stone walls in an almost ghostly manner. This creates an effective layering style that emphasises each and every word of these precious tracks. Just as the above quote suggests, Golden’s music is raw and de novo. Similar in character to Jeff Buckley’s, Hallelujah, Golden’s words speak true and honest, young and vulnerable, which makes his songs so likeable. His music speaks from the heart, yet with passion, fury and flame that illustrate a journey through his songs becoming defiant and independent by the time the last chord is strung. Catherine Amos
34 illustration: Lauren Radley
The four-piece from Toronto are a versatile bunch; at least that’s the impression I got after listening to the available tracks on their website. As soon as Spanish Fly boomed out of my speakers I was immediately reminded of The White Stripes, with hard-hitting guitar licks, simple yet pleasant drumming, and screechy vocals. However it appeared that I didn’t have TEN KENS sussed just yet the next track completely different from the first. Prodigal Sum is a sleepy, mellow track which sees the band using flange guitar effects and echoing vocals. It reminded me of those tracks from albums in the 70s which you could chill out and just lose yourself to. The final three tracks: Bearfight, Y’all Come Back Now and Refined continue the theme of soft, slow music and reminded me of some of Coldplay’s earlier work. Available from www.fat-cat.co.uk Adam Duckett
THE UNHOLY
Rose Kemp has created nine minutes of escapism with The Unholy showing that it’s only the music that matters. Not only is her solo project going well but she often performs with her mini orchestral band and has another project called Jeremy Smoking Jacket. Her sound is deep and dark but her soothing and calm voice adds an uplifting element. The song has lots of instrumental snippets with powerful guitar riffs which her insightful lyrics accompany well. There are gothic moments towards the end with immense high pitched vocals that disappear in the fade. It also works well with Tool – Schism, which was an accidental find when it played in the background; for all you budding DJs. Her album Unholy Majesty is out now. Kristi Genovese
ALBUM REVIEWS
TEN KENS
BIGWIDEWORLD
Is Terry Shaughnessy just a poor man’s Paul Weller? After listening to his current album Big Wide World that is ultimately the main conclusion to draw from a collection of songs that are workmanlike and that’s being polite.
Hailing from Skelmersdale, Shaughnessy believes that the song is king and that the constant pursuit of melody and hooks keeps him reaching for a classic. If this guy reached for the stars he still wouldn’t have a classic. His songs are static and lack any zest.The first two tracks on the album are a case in point. Shine On is a lacklustre anthem, containing the dullest lyrics.The next song I Believe is in a similar vein. It may seem a little lazy to compare him with Paul Weller, but there is unerring similarity in his vocal delivery. However, this album is not in the same league as the modfather and there is nothing distinctive or original enough for Shaughnessy to carve an identity out other than as a karaoke Weller. Jamie Brannon
HEAVEN KNOWS HE’S MISERABLE NOW Debut solo effort from Without Gravity singer fails to capture the heartache, or anything else for that matter. Being compared to Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith is one thing. Being anywhere near as good as them is a different matter and the mono-named Kalli is not even close. Granted his Nick Drake-esque vocals are very pleasant but, to say he’s claiming that While the City Sleeps charts some very difficult times in his life, it sounds surprisingly devoid of any raw emotion.There is no musical epiphany here, there’s no Grace or Needle in the Hay. Just an unassuming collection of music so insipid that it makes Coldplay sound like Rage Against the Machine. If Kalli is really to achieve song writing greatness, it looks like a lot more soul searching is in order. Louise Steggals
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Photography: Kate Horlor With four consecutive years of blissful early September sunshine on the Isle of Wight having sealed Bestival’s reputation as the perfect end-of-season party, we set out in hope rather than expectation. Bestival offers something for everybody, big names as well as the hidden musical gems and despite the line up changes there were still lots worth seeing. Amongst the bands I discovered was Kitty Daisy and Lewis who are an energetic 50s style trio. Their songs were a perfect reportoire of rythmn and blues and rock n roll covers. Lewis looking like a young Elvis and his rockabilly sisters brought much needed sunshine to the main stage. I also watched a gypsy punk band called Urban Voodoo Machine give the performance of their lives. It’s hard to imagine how energetic this band really were; the front man didn’t just give off stage presence he demanded it, even at one point inviting a man in the crowd to a fist fight. Sounding as though they might collapse into a drunken heap at any moment yet like a more raucous rock ‘n’ roll Gogol Bordello this band are exciting to watch in a theatrical way. Bestival also had some suprises up its sleeve. Two very ‘special secret guests’, one was Grace Jones who I unfortunately missed and the other was none other than Ska legends, The Specials. After 20 years of being out of the spotlight I was excited to watch a brilliant band that I thought I may never ever see live and proud to stand witness to a small part of musical history.
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The crowd and the band celebrated their long-awaited comeback with all the classics from Monkey Man to Too Much Too Young and A Message to You Rudy. The Foals didn’t disappoint despite the biggest downpour during their set which resulted in me being able to pour pints of rainwater out of my wellies. I danced like a mad woman in the rain to their bleeping, throbbing sound with yelpy vocals. Hot Chip got the party started dressed as ‘knight of the realm of soul’ (Alexis) and a ‘techno viking’ (Felix). Their set included the hits Over and Over and Boy From School remixed and rejigged. The crowd could not stop dancing, so perhaps the next artist never stood a chance, but let’s face it we weren’t really expecting a lot from her anyway. Amy Winehouse didn’t fail to disappoint, after keeping the crowd waiting 80 minutes before making a nervy appearance. Singing only random words from her best known songs - which were barely decipherable, had it not been for her band playing like they did, I don’t think any of the crowd could have guessed her songs. Continually missing vocal cues and staring at the crowd like a rabbit caught in headlights made her act uncomfortable to watch at times. Bestival didn’t ever really catch a glimmer of the truly talented Amy Winehouse only a poor impersonator who struggled to stand upright on stage. Bestival 2008 wasn’t a complete wash out. I can’t lie, at times it was hard with the weather but it was worth it. The dampness, the cold and falling over in the dark in the mud seemed a small price to pay for such a brilliant time. Same time next year? Of course… Christina Barbian
Q&A
WITH RYAN NOLAN
Q1. What is reverb and why is it important? The simplest way to describe reverb is to think of it as the reflections of a sound from any surface that the sound encounters as it travels through the air. In real life situations reverb can help us to identify the position or location of a sound in space. In the recording studio environment we do our best to control reverb in recording booths so that only the pleasing characteristics of the rooms are captured along with our music. In a recording booth today you may notice a lot of weird and wonderful foam, fabrics and materials in strange shapes and positioned in unusual places. Generally these objects are constructed to negate or reduce unpleasant sound reflections (reverb) in the room. The easiest way to demonstrate how these objects can change the sound of a room is to simply think of a room in a house. Generally when there is no furniture it will sound like it has a short echo – reverb. When all the furniture is put back in, it sounds like there is no echo, i.e. no reverb. Technically even with all the furniture back in there will still be some reverb but it will be almost impossible to hear. NB: Echo and reverb are actually two separate settings on effects units, but explaining that is beyond the scope of this short answer. The control of reverb is essential in capturing a good recording and also in making a recording of several instruments sound natural by placing the instruments in the correct spatial positioning as if they were being played together.
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This reason is why many recording studios reduce the reverb in their spaces to as little as possible and then add reverb using an effects unit afterwards. In today’s studios the spaces are not often purpose designed and therefore treatment by an acoustician is vital to correct the room to get the best results. Q2. What is a noise gate? A noise gate is a device within a signal path that lets loud sound pass through but does not let quiet sounds through. It can be used as a dynamic tool for reducing noise or as an effect to create unnatural but interesting sounds on any signal that fluctuates in loudness. A noise gate can be used at live gigs, or during the recording process, or following the recording process on recorded sounds. For this answer I’ll discuss it in the context of a pre-recorded vocal. When a singer performs the vocal track on a song there will be instances throughout the song when no sound is made intentionally but the microphone will still pick up background noise such as air conditioning units, sniffing, page rattling and so on. This creates unwanted noise on the track. When the performer sings, the signal they will have recorded will have been loud in comparison to this background noise and will most likely have masked the noise so would not be noticed when played back. However, when the vocalist is not singing, our attention could be drawn to the background noise especially if the vocal track has been put through a compressor. We can therefore play the track through a noise gate adjusting the threshold (the point at which the gate opens) so as to let only the vocals be heard. There are other controls on a noise gate to help enhance the naturalness of the dynamic, for example, by adjusting how quickly the gate shuts after the noise has fallen below the threshold.The best way to learn about noise gates is to try one out and most audio software packages will have noise gates built in as part of the program.
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IMPERIAL LEISURE
Ska monkeys, Imperial Leisure, talk guerrilla tactics and record deals with Dan Lacey This ten-piece London band is renowned for their genre-colliding live shows and the vivacious shock of their improvised guerrilla gigging. It’s no surprise that Imperial Leisure have come from out of nowhere to assert their position as one of the UK’s most enthralling new prospects. Hearing just one track off their new album (The Art of Saying Nothing out now on Steamroller) you may mistake them for The Specials, Madness, Beastie Boys, The Cat Empire or even one of my favourite 90s bands Dog Eat Dog. But you have to listen to the entire record to realise that variety is the key. “As soon as you write two songs the same, you’re stale and stagnant,” says drummer Scott. So, with a catalogue of influences, well received reviews, and a live show which received 5Ks from Kerrang magazine, you have to wonder why Imperial Leisure haven’t been ‘snatched up’ by some major label wanting to throw money at them. “I always thought it’d be like some kind of magic thing”, says MC Denis, “where you’re playing at a gig, and suddenly some record label fat cat would see you, and it’d be overnight success. I’ve come to realise over the years that basically that doesn’t happen. You get all these things by working your ass off and making sure you’re talking to people that like you and who wanna get behind you, and are not wasting your time.” So, with this concept in mind, Imperial Leisure felt the best way forward would be to control their fate as much as possible, and they created their own business,
of which all the band members are directors. “We had spoken to a lot of labels during the course of the last couple of years about various deals, and basically we didn’t meet anyone that inspired us with any real confidence at all. So we ended up building our own team. We accumulated people who were then working for us, rather than us working for a label.” It’s no wonder without a major backer that the boys have to resort to guerrilla tactics for self promotion. Is this a gimmick, or just a great way of getting seen? “In terms of self promotion, people don’t realise you don’t need thousands of pounds to promote yourself, all you need is something that’s good, and a willingness to go that extra mile to get people to hear your stuff. We’ve reacted from what reactions we’ve had from people who’ve come to see us play. As you know we’ve been doing the guerrilla gigs, when we started doing these we got a wicked response, so we thought ‘let’s keep doing them’.” It seems that this concept does work, as they’ve supported the likes of The Sugarhill Gang, Roots Manuva and are heading into a UK tour with Less Than Jake. Check out Imperial Leisure at www.imperial-leisure.co.uk. Also see the video footage from Imperial Leisure’s cheeky set outside Nottingham’s Theatre Royal at www.freeqmagazine.com.
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ICE HOCKEY – THE ONLY SPORT IN THE WORLD WHERE
THE REFEREE WILL STOP THE GAME TO LET TWO PLAYERS PUNCH EACH OTHER IN THE HEAD WITH THEIR BARE FISTS. THIS IS A FULL-CONTACT, HIGH-IMPACT SPORT WHERE IF THE FIGHTING DOESN’T APPEAL TO YOU,THE AMAZING SPEED, SKILL AND NON-STOP ACTION SURELY WILL.
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Freeq went behind the scenes at a Nottingham Panthers / Sheffield Steelers game where tempers run short and the atmosphere is electric. The rivalry between the two teams is unparalleled in UK ice hockey. The management hate each other, the players hate each other and the fans share an equally strong dislike. Despite the intense feelings, and the large amount of alcohol consumed during the game, you’ll not see a policeman in the arena, swearing is not allowed, and opposing fans drink side by side in the Torvill and Dean bar afterwards.
We spoke to the Sheffield Steeler’s captain Jonathan Phillips and Coach Dave Matsos before the big game in Nottingham.
As if this particular Sheffield / Nottingham game needed any more spice, it just so happened that this was Dan Tessier’s first game back as a Nottingham player after leaving the club for Sheffield three seasons ago. It’s the equivalent to Liverpool footballer, Steven Gerrard signing up with Manchester United. Easily the best player on the Sheffield team, Tessier helped them win the play-off trophy last season before returning to Nottingham this year in the off-season.
Any concerns about the opposition today? Coach Matsos: Of course there are lots of concerns; these guys are offensively capable of doing some serious damage. I pride myself on building a team on playing defence first. I’m not up for 5-4 or 6-5 games, I prefer the tighter games. The team that makes the fewest mistakes is gonna win; that’s how we look at it.
With a 6,500 sell out crowd packed into the Trent FM arena, it was a far bigger attendance than either Notts County FC or Nottinghamshire Cricket Club averaged last season.
Do you prepare differently for a game of this size? Phillips: To be honest, I’m the type of person who’s got to try hard for every game and our preparations through the week is high intensity training sessions. On a Friday we like to relax a bit more maybe but on a whole we just turn up to play each weekend.
Is it difficult to go from a game in one of the smaller rinks to somewhere like this? Phillips: Sometimes, especially if the team’s not playing too well and you need that extra boost, you need the crowd to be cheering. Down here you know that the crowd will be going crazy all night, the atmosphere is always great so it definitely makes a difference.
Hockey’s quite a superstitious sport, what rituals or superstitions do you have before a game? Phillips: The night before I always eat the same meal until we lose and then I’ll change it. Dan Tessier has returned to Nottingham after a spell with Sheffield Steelers. Do you have any specific plans to target him? Coach Matsos: It’s gonna be one of those things where everybody’s gonna have to talk and be aware when Tessier’s on the ice. Everybody knows him and what he’s capable of in the offensive zone. But there’s not just Tessier, they’ve got an abundance of players that are capable of doing some damage. You can’t afford to take a second off any one shift otherwise you’ll pay the price.
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
If you know nothing about the sport, each team has around 17 players but only two defencemen, three forwards and a goalie on the ice at any one time. The players are rotated every couple of minutes by the coach due to the speed and physical nature of the game. There are frequent stops in play if the puck leaves the ice and flies into the crowd, if someone commits a foul (penalty) or of course when a goal is scored. These breaks allow the team to change players but sometimes the team will change while the game continues, it can look very confusing for the novice supporter to suddenly see a whole load of skaters jump off the bench onto the ice during the game.
Images copyright Dave Page. Visit www.davepage-online.co.uk to order photos or book a studio session
Although a very physical sport, there are rules about what sort of contact you can have. You are allowed to ram an opponent into the plexi-glass as long as you
don’t connect with their head. You can’t pull someone back with your stick, grab hold of someone, or use your stick to slash an opposing player. All these actions will result in you being sent to the penalty box for two minutes and your team plays with just four skaters until the two minutes is up or the opposing team score; it’s known as a powerplay. If you did get involved in a fight with another player, you’ll invariably end up sitting in the penalty box nursing your bloody nose and swollen knuckles for five minutes. It’s a small price to pay.
MATCH REPORT
The game certainly lived up to all the hype. We were only three seconds into the match and had barely enough time to have bought a beer and found our seats, before a fight started between Nottingham’s Bruce Richardson and Sheffield’s Ryan Finnerty with some massive punches being traded (see photo opposite). It certainly raised the temperature in the arena to fever pitch. The game ebbed and flowed with Nottingham scoring twice before Sheffield came back to lead 4-3. The danger man, Dan Tessier, scored a late equaliser against his former club to make it 4-4 (see image below) and Nottingham then went on to snatch a last minute winner to end up at 5-4 and secured a rare victory over their arch rivals - and with the exact score line that the Sheffield coach had said he didn’t want. If you fancy a night of entertainment, Nottingham play in the Steel City on Boxing day and then host Sheffield the following day back at the NIC. There are tickets available for other games – visit: www.panthers.co.uk or www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk for full fixture lists. Sam Borrett
WIN TICKETS TO WATCH NOTTINGHAM TAKE ON SHEFFIELD ON BOXING DAY! Freeq magazine has teamed up with the Sheffield Steelers to offer a pair of tickets and a signed match day programme for the game on 26th December in the Hallam FM Arena. All you have to do to win is send an email to info@freeqmagazine.com with your name and contact telephone number and tell us what you’d like to see in the next issue of Freeq magazine. A winner will be selected at random on Friday 12 December.
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SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM
Japanese rock n roll trio Electric Eel Shock have gone all out to get their music heard, from playing in people’s kitchens to being paid in toothpaste and toilet roll. Amita Mistry talks to the band.
How did you get started? We moved to Tokyo because it’s the city for the music business. The first band we formed was quite successful in Japan, but only for a short time, then we formed a 12piece band (the original Electric Eel Shock). When we found our drummer Gian he was playing in a jazz soul band, but we knew he had rock n roll in him and thought he could easily replace 10 people! So we became a three-piece.
place to sleep, so we just went around other venues in town to get a gig.
What are your experiences of doing a world tour? Sometimes, in America we’d turn up in town without a show and book one just a day before the gig.
What has been your greatest achievement so far? Maybe playing with great bands including Stooges, Sepultura, Presidents of USA. Difficult question! But I think the number of the countries we have been to is the greatest thing for us; it’s over 30!
We’ve played someone’s kitchen, living room, on the street etc ... We’ve had people offer to pay us in drinks, of course, but also in weed or cocaine. One crazy place paid us in toothpaste, deodorant and toilet roll ... We turned up in Kansas one time after a 10-hour drive to find the venue we were playing in had a sign saying ‘closed down – gig cancelled’. We had no money or
We got a gig and had a great night – they fed us and gave us beer … We stopped in a squat with 100 cats who all wanted to piss on Gian. Our tour manager got attacked by two butch lesbians, but we survived. Our tour is more professional now … but I liked our early dates. We had a lot of fun!
When and where are you planning on touring in the UK? Just straight after releasing our new album, hopefully. Why does Gian enjoy drumming naked? Gian always says he hasn’t any reason to do, but I know the
difference between the result with clothes on or off. He plays the drums 100 times better without clothes; we know because he plays drums with clothes on in the practice studio. So I’ll insist that he should be naked in the recording studio for our next album. Aki, have you ditched the fishing to devote your time to your music? Rock n roll and fishing go together like fish and chips! If I go fishing twice a week, I make two songs in a week ... If I don’t go fishing, then there will be no new songs so I have to fish for EES! Has signing up with Sellaband helped you get more exposure and sales? We’re making the album now, which is yet to be released, but I’m sure it will help us. And we’re working hard to make the greatest album for Sellaband, for us and for our fans! www.electriceelshock.com For more on Sellaband, the website that helps you sell your band, visit www.sellaband.com
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GIG GUIDE
West Street Live Motorhead after show par ty motorheadache – Tr ibute to Lemmy
Junktion7 POP, BUBBLE, ROCK! CLUBNIGHT LAUNCH!
Nottingham
Red House Uneven Blonde & my hotel year present: Grammatics + Mir ror Mir ror + Situationists + Omes
Sheffield
Junktion7 Corenivore Clubnight Gatecrasher Ministry of Sound Superstar Boudoir Approach Roy De Wired Loggerheads Open decks and open mic night Art Party
Nottingham Rescue Rooms The New Year Damn You Southbank Bar Buster
Maze The Money
Maze Antje Duvkot
Rock City Love Shack
Bodega Social Club Data Select Party
Southbank Bar Joe Strange Band Bodega Social Club The Pop Confessional
Sheffield
Carling Academy Sheffield Rancid Fusion, The Presets
Nottingham
Rock City Less Than Jake + Pepper + Beat Union + Imperial Leisure, First Signs of Frost, Distortion The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring... Hot Club Loggerheads The go go, Mufti Fancy Dress Party Stealth Skull juice, hostage, kid British (live) & more tbc @ stealth vs rescued Rescue Rooms John Otway Town Mill Red Mock Chilli Peppers Southbank Bar Ritchie Muir Hand & Heart Make you own night Approach Joe Strange Band Maze Percussion
Sheffield
Carling Academy Sheffield Motorhead The Leadmill The Kills Corporation Black ‘n Blue + Silverjet Sheffield Uni Tony Christie New Barrack Tavern Hellhound
Rescue Rooms Charlie Musselwhite The Leadmill Noah & the Whale The Plug Solange The Bath Hotel Solo New Orleans Piano Dale Storr Sheffield Uni Union In Case of fire
Corporation Dub Pistols Carling Academy Ida Maria The Boardwalk Bravado New Barrack Tavern Jon Gomm
Nottingham
The Navigation Goodbye HardDrive + Gaucho + Skeleton Crew + Jill Daniels + Doledrum Promotion + Mary Christie + Freshman Taylor
The Broadwalk Diana Braithwaite + Chris Whiteley
The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring Reverend Ribble & The Ginger Nuts
Sheffield
Nottingham
Junktion7 999 + support
Sheffield Uni Union Finley Quaye
Rescue Rooms LAU
West Street Live Dans the Mans Open Mic Night
Town Mill Underground Heroes, Guests
Rock City Death Cab For Cutie + Frightened Rabbit + Sack Sabbath / Iron On Maiden
Nottingham
Bodega Social Club Volcano!
The Boardwalk Erik Mongrain
Rock City Rancid
Rock City Caimbo
Sheffield
Rescue Rooms The Rifles Blue Aeroplanes Lakeside Arts Centre Of Thee I Sing an Tosca
Nottingham Trent Uni Alphabeat
The Plug Peggy Sue and the Pirates + Jay Jay Pistolet + Derek Meins
Rescue Rooms The Kills
Sheffield University Florence and the Machine
Maze Shivver
Golden Fleece Open Mic
Corporation Altamont & Never Say Die! Tour Parkway Drive + Unearth + despised Icon + Archetects + protest the hero + white chapel + carniflex
Hand & Heart Make your own gig
Maze Eric Clapton
Sheffield
The Plug The View + support The Leadmill Finch West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Nottingham
Junktion7 Deez Nuts + Our Time Down Here + Confined to your Reflection + Almost Home The Malt Cross ‘Statement Of Presence’ Exhibition Acoustic Tuesdays presents... The Down Trodden String Band Rock City The Black Keys + Liam Finn + Jessica Lea Mayfield Rescue Rooms Michelle Shocked
Sheffield Uni Union Fuzz Club: Florence & the machine
Nottingham
Approach The Strange Band
Sheffield
The Plug Kid British + more TBC The Leadmill Kora
Bodega Social Club F**ked up
The Plug Kid British + Dead Delta + North of Watford
Rescue Rooms Other Smiths
Sheffield
The Leadmill The Rifles Sheffield Arena Kanye West Carling Academy Sheffield 2 Ida Mar ia Fusion/Foundry, Sheffield University Mr Scruff Red House Tinnitus 13: Broken note + Distorted Panda - Macheen Boit
Nottingham
Millennium Hall Sheffield Jazz – Kirk lightsey trio
Bodega Social Club Fight Like Apes
Southbank Bar Sticky Morales
Rock City Go:Audio
Bodega Social Club Florence & the Machine Rock City Alter Bridge
Loggerheads Road Block
Plug Planet Zog: hydroglygh + riff raff DJ
Sheffield Uni Sentinels of rhythm + Imelda may The Boardwalk Stated Quo New Barrack Tavern Sam Wilkinson Band
Nottingham
Nottingham Arena Scouting for Girls Bodega Social Club Denbue Fever Rock City Motorhead Maze Nottingham Folk Club
Sheffield The Plug Guillemots
Fish bone for a drink tour + Future Shorts films
Loft Live Thursdays
The old fire station Lords of Flatbush guillemots
Rock City Airbourne + Stone Gods + Sound & Fury Take A Worm For A Walk Week + The Network
West Street Live Dans the Mans Open Mic night The Boardwalk Wilko Johnson
Nottingham
Rock City Cage for the Elephant Golden Fleece Open Mic Night Maze Monday Mayhem
Sheffield
Carling Academy Frightened Rabbit Death Cab for Cutie The Plug White Denim + Six Nation State
Town Mill B Movie, Enormous Bodega Social Club Chairlift Your Disco
Sheffield
Carling Academy Sheffield The Zutons The Plug The shor twave set + yo yo static + modern Eulogy / shuffle: The Japanese popstar s
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Nottingham
The Malt Cross Acoustic Tuesdays presents...
Kuma Lalu Seckou Keita Quartet
Maze Gringo Star
Sheffield
The Leadmill Glenn Trilbrook & The Fluffers Sheffield Uni The Tuesday Club: Beardyman + J Majik
Nottingham Rock City Billy Bragg + Otis Gibbs
Rescue Rooms My American Heart Approach Ritchie Muir Hand & Heart Joe’s Musical Circus Maze Fred Eaglesmith
Nottingham Rescue Rooms Taio Cruz Golden Fleece Medalist
Approach Joe Strange Band
Stealth Jack beats, casper c, max cooper & more tbc @ stealth vs rescued
The Grapes The Valkar ys
Bodega Social Club dananananaykroyd
Maze Smokescreen
Hand & Heart Live Jazz
Sheffield Uni Union Youth Movies + Adam Grade
Rescue Rooms Soilwork
Hand & Heart Make your own night
Nottingham Arena Paul Weller
Sheffield University Fuzz Club: Fields + Under ground r ailroad
Rock City Marillion
Rock City Opeth + Gorgoroth + Distortion
Southbank Bar Tom Wardle
Corporation Lets Wrestle
Nottingham
Nottingham
Rock City These Arms Are Snakes + Russian Circles + Tropics + Love Shack Southbank Bar Joe Strange Band Gatecrasher Superstar Boudoir Junktion7 Union X + Disarm + Skintight Jaguars + The Beast and the Priest
Sheffield
Carling Academy Sheffield Ladytron + Jar vis Cocker
Rock City Gorgoroth + Averse Sefire + Artisian
Sheffield
Bodega Social Club Pete & the Pirates
The Plug Simian Mobile Disco (Dj Set) LJ Freeman + Hallam Floorfillers Ollie Hayes + Tom Lee
Approach Ritchie Muir
Corporation Waysted
Rescue Rooms Flipron and Misty
Sheffield City Hall 50th Anniversary Tour: Joe Brown
Maze Steve Furbert
The Boardwalk Letz Zep New Barrack Tavern Willie Brown’s Rhythm Method Loggerheads Freeq open mic in the caves
Approach Ritchie Muir
Rock City Finch
Old Angel Brant Bjork & the Bros, Suns of Thunder, Special Guests
Rescue Rooms The Rifles
New Barrack Tavern Eyeball
The Malt Cross Acoustic Tuesdays presents.... Gren Bartley
Junktion7 POP, BUBBLE, ROCK! CLUBNIGHT!
Maze Revolution Sounds
Ivory Ryan Taylor Trio
Rock City The Subways
Southbank Bar I Diamond
Loggerheads Open Mic & Open Decks
Millennium Hall Sheffield Jazz M ichael Janisch
Nottingham
Nottingham
The Malt Cross 5th Birthday Party! Saturday Night Knees Up!
Southbank Bar The Establishment
The Plug Lickerish D.J Ironik + Lee ‘Da Truth’ Smith
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Bodega Social Club Jay Reatard
Bodega Social Club Dark Captain Light Captain The Pop Confessional
Sheffield
Sheffield
Corporation My American Heart
Nottingham
Stealth Simian Mobile Disco
Golden Fleece Open Mic
Rescue Rooms Ida Maria
Maze A Party Without Borders
Town Mill GBH
Maze Monday Mayhem
Bodega Social Club Stephen Fretwell
Sheffield
Fusion/The Foundry, Sheffield University Led Zep Too
Town Mill Adam Ficek Hand & Heart Joe’s Musical Circus
Sheffield Leadmill White Lies
Sheffield University The Airbourne Toxic Event
Nottingham
Rock City Primal Scream + New Street Adventure + Tuned + NME Rock & Riot Rescue Rooms Miranda Sykes Bodega Social Club Fields + Your Disco Loft Live Thursdays Muse Word of Mouth
Corporation Genghis Tron
Approach Urban Intro
Sheffield City Hall Thunder + Heavens Basement + Get Vegas
Golden Fleece Guerilla Radio
Nottingham
Sheffield
Rock City Gogol Bordello
Hand & Heart Live Jazz Carling Academy Sheffield Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Sheffield University Those Dancing Days Corporation Random Hand
Nottingham
Rock City Attack Attack! + Swound + Last Constellation + Love Shack The Maze Parma International + Royal Gala + Ed Rome + Jimmy the Squirrel Bodega Social Club Imelda May + The Pop Confessional Approach Roy De Wired Southbank Bar Joe Strange Band Rescue Rooms Sway Gatecrasher Superstar Boudoir Loggerheads Open Mic & Open Decks
Sheffield
Corporation New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack
Hand & Heart Make your own night
The Boardwalk The John Young Band
Ivory Ryan Taylor Trio
Sheffield
The Plug Deepgroove + Kate Lawler L.J Freeamn + Hallam Floor fillers + Ollie Hayes + Tom Lee
Carling Academy Sheffield The Fratellis
The Riverside Hummingbirds Blues Band New Barrack Tavern Steve French Band
Nottingham
Rock City New Found Glory + Set Your Goals + Four Year Strong + Crime In Stereo + Distortion Maze Keep A Cash Junktion7 Censored’s Club SOS Stealth Decimals
Corporation Dreadzone Sheffield University Valve Soundsystem + Grooverider + DJ Hype + DJ Friction + Coki + DJ Mala + Loefah (DMZ) + Sgt. Pokes + Guest DJs
Rock City The Roots
The Malt Cross ‘Not on White Paper’ Exhibition
Sheffield
The Leadmill Nouvelle Vague
Upper Chapel Sheffield Jazz: John Taylor
Carling Academy Sheffield NME Rock & Roll Riot Tour featuring Primal Scream
The Boardwalk The Jamm
Bar Abbey Jamey Taylor and Alan Ladds Be-Bop Quintet
New Barrack Tavern The Call
Corporation Cryptopsy
The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring... Djangology
Nottingham
The Rescue Rooms The Fratellis
Sheffield City Hall Remember When Katherine Jenkins + Blake (3)
Stealth boy 8-bit (mad decent), markus mehta (great stuff), dj hal & more tbc @ stealth vs rescued
Rock City The Pigeon Detectives
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Southbank Bar Roy De Wired
Nottingham
British Oak Fabulous Clogiron Brothers
Loggerheads Flux
The Leadmill The Rifles (2)
Approach Joe strange Band
Sheffield University Bleach Fright Night: The Mirimar Disaster
The Plug Jellobox + The Metros Alabama 3
Southbank Bar Jason Heart Band
West Street Live Dan The Mans Open Mic Night
Sheffield
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Rock City The Pigeon Detectives Nottingham Arena Kings of Leon The Malt Cross Acoustic Tuesdays
Sheffield
Sheffield University First Word: 6ix Toys Upper Chapel Donald Grant + Catriona Mackay of Fiddler’s Bid The Boardwalk Imelda May Sheffield Arena Clubland Live 2: Scooter + Ultra Beat + Darren Styles + Kelly Llorenna + N-Force + Eyeopener + More
Nottingham
Rescue Rooms Bad Manners – Max Splodge Nottingham Trent Uni Glasvegas Nottingham Arena Daniel O’Donnell Approach Ritchie Muir Hand & Heart Joe Musical Circus
Sheffield
West Street Live Seaweed Biscuit Promotions Unsigned Night Carling Academy The Wildhearts The Boardwalk Lord Bishop Rocks
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Rock City Apocalyptica + Viking Skull + Vains Of Jenna + Tuned Nottingham Arena Counting Crows Rescue Rooms Tina Deco
The Harlequin Solo New Orleans Piano: Dale Storr
The Boardwalk The Hamsters
The Holly Bush Paul Pearson
Nottingham
Nottingham
Rock City Twin Atlantic + Love Shack
Brownes Chow
Rescue Rooms Livewire
Bodega Social Club Your Disco
Nottingham Royal Centre Jools Holland
Golden Fleece Live Thursdays
Bodega Social Club The Pop Confessional
Approach Urban Intro
Brownes Santero
Hand & Hearts Live Jazz
Hand & Heart Num Lock
Sheffield
Loggerheads Open decks and open mic
Sheffield University Fuzz Club: Ebony Bones + Rosie & The Goldbug Sheffield City Hall Jools Holland Upper Chapel School’s Concert - Folk From Around The Globe: Donald Grant + Catriona McKay West Street Live Graveyard Shift Goth Night: Muzzy Carling Academy The Almighty + Panic Cell + The Last Vegas
Southbank Bar Joe Strange Band
Sheffield
Sheffield Arena Kings of Leon Millennium Hall Sheffield Jazz: Sam Crockatt Quartet Corporation Viking Skull (Raging Speedhorn) Ivory Ryan Taylor Trio
Rock City Ocean Colour Scene Spunge + More Than Normal Distortion Stealth Flamboyant + Bella Old Angel Demented are go The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring... Wholesome Fish Gatecrasher Loves Nottingham Superstar Boudoir Brownes Freeman Approach Joe Strange Band
Sheffield
Sheffield City Hall Paul Carrack Carling Academy The Complete Stone Roses The Boardwalk Livewire AC/DC New Barrack Tavern The River Rats
Nottingham
Rock City Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
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Junction 7 The Quireboys
The Malt Cross Acoustic Tuesdays
Rescue Rooms Neville Staple
Brownes MNSTR!
Sheffield
Hand & Heart Drawing Club
The Leadmill The Hold Steady Corporation Isis (1) + Torche
Sheffield
Rock City Hawkwind + Blessed By A Broken Heart / I Am Ghost + Fei Comodo + Devils Gift Muse Word of Mouth ll Citizen + Jalporte + Jay Thomas and Say Say
Sheffield Arena Slipknot + Machine Head & Children of Bodom Carling Academy Pogues + Pet Sounds + Futureheads Red House Tinnitus Christmas Special: Dolphin + Subhuman Disaster + Distorted Panda + DJ Happy Slap + Eskoloi
Carling Academy Sheffield Black Stone Cher r y
Approach Urban Intro
Sheffield City Hall A Christmas Cavalcade
The Plug Supergrass
Brownes Chow
West Street Live Dan The Mans Open Mic Night
Sheffield City Hall An Intimate Evening With: Swing Out Sister
Golden Fleece Live Thursdays
Rock City Bayside / Hit The Lights + Oh No Not Stereo
Nottingham
Carling Academy Prodigy
Rock City Johnny Truant + Blackhole + Maybeshewill
Golden Fleece Open Mic
Rescue Rooms Joan as Police Woman
The Plug Apocalyptica + Support
The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring... The Shakes
Sheffield
Approach Ritchie Muir
Nottingham
Carling Academy Sheffield From The Jam: Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler + The Quireboys + The Casbah + Municipal Waste West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night The Grapes Justin Rutledge
Nottingham
Rock City The Hold Steady + Warrior Soul + Zen Motel
Rock City From The Jam
Hand & Heart Joes Musical Circus
Sheffield
Carling Academy Vodka Nation + Pendulum The Boardwalk Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds
Nottingham
Rescue Rooms The Bad Shepherds
Sheffield
Sheffield Arena The Bootleg Beatles Sheffield University Levellers The Leadmill Expecting To Fly: The Bluetones
Nottingham Hand & Heart Num Lock
Sheffield
Corporation The Damned + special guest Millennium Hall Sheffield Jazz: Georgia Mancio
Ivory Ryan Taylor Trio
Nottingham
Moog Noodle Xmas Frolics with Peter Mangalore Featuring: Jimmy Bolus, Felson, Duncan Whiteley, Ally Reilly, Mark Allen, Matt Hinton, DJ Weiss Rescue Rooms MMMHA! Nottingham Arena Streophonics
Sheffield
The Plug Shuffle: Utah Saints + Stupid Fresh + LJ Freeman + Hallam Floorfillers + Ollie Hayes + Tom Lee + Tinchy Stryder + Nem + Appeal
Carling Academy Ascension of the watchers Corporation Warrior Soul + The Stoned Sheffield University Fuzz Club: Gravenhurst The Grapes Otis Gibbs The Boardwalk The Rollin’ Stoned
Sheffield
The Plug The Saw Doctors + Support
Nottingham
The Running Horse Christmas Concert - Metal Night The Old Angel Punk Xmas Party – Certified, Girlfixer, The Nags Brownes Chow
Ivory Ryan Taylor Trio
Approach Ritchie Muir
Sheffield
Nottingam
Corporation Bad Manners + special guest The Boardwalk Glory Days
Approach Joe Strange Band
New Barrack Tavern DOSCH
The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up
Nottingham
Sheffield
Sheffield Arena: Counting Crows
Approach Urban Intro
The Old Angel Nightmare – Industrial, Electro, Techno, Cyber, Goth, EBM
Sheffield City Hall Lucy Kaplansky
Golden Fleece Live Thursdays
Town Mill Battle of the bands
Nottingham
Rock City Ghost of a thousand
West Street Live Dan The Mans Open Mic Night
Nottingham Golden Fleece Open Mic
Sheffield
The Running Horse Jazz & Swing Runner – Christmas Party Town Mill 999
Corporation The Rezillos + support
Rescue Rooms Censored
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Gatecrasher Loves Nottingham Superstar Boudoir
Nottingham
Southbank Bar Joe Strange Band
The Running Horse Antonio Forcione & Adrianno Adewale Christmas Concert The Malt Cross Acoustic Tuesdays
Sheffield
Sheffield City Hall Elvis At Christmas
Nottingham
Rock City Thunder’s Xmas Show
Nottingham
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 Non-Stop
Sheffield
Carling Academy Pet Sounds Sheffield Arena Stereophonics _ the Courteeners The New Inn Treebeard The Plug Lickerish: DJ Spoony + Lee Smith
NTU Student Union NTU Library Oh My Gosh Oxfam Peppers Projects 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 Running Horse The Larry Miller – Christmas Concert
Sheffield
The Boardwalk Limehouse Lizzy
Sheffield
West Street Live Dan The Mans Open Mic Night
The Malt Cross Saturday Night Knees Up! featuring... Más Y Más
Nottingham
Brownes Freeman
Sheffield
Sheffield
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
West Street Live Dan The Mans Open Mic Night
Sheffield
Approach Ritchie Muir
The Boardwalk Sex Pistols Tribute
The Boardwalk Connie Lush & Blues Shouter
The Plug Plug NYE Party: Mylo
Nottingham Golden Fleece Open Mic
Sheffield
West Street Live Guitar Hero / Rock Night
Nottingham
The Running Horse Blue Jam – Colin Staples
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 Bang Bang Vintage 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 The Story Store Toast Vintage Workstation
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