BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Empire – Kitten & Bear – Angela Brown & The Mighty 45’s - Gig guide, reviews & opinion
Issue #8 June 2014
BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE As the summer eventually approaches, things seem to get busier around the county. Every pub/village/patch of grass seems to be holding a music festival with the word ‘stock’ tacked onto the end of it. Bands are now playing under gazebos in pub gardens instead of in the corner next to the toilets. And venues are advertising pregig/post-gig barbecues, only to cancel them at the last minute when the skies suddenly let go of 3 inches of rain. I guess that’s the British summer for you. Come to Behind The Scene Gloucestershirestock in 2015 – I can guarantee non-stop sunshine and no soggy burgers at all. Enjoy reading June’s issue of the magazine – just look how many gigs are listed in the gig guide this month!
Issue #8 June 2014
MediK at Cinderford Music Festival cover photo by Paparicci.
Contact via e-mail: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/behindthesceneglos Website: http://behindthesceneglos.webs.com
WHO’D BE A…PROMOTER? Who’d be a bass player? Who’d be a busker? Who’d be the merch guy? In an attempt to find out what makes the Gloucestershire music scene go round, I asked Jojo and Steve from Café Rene in Gloucester what it’s like to be a promoter. Next month, I’ll ask someone else what it’s like to be something else. Simple. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PROMOTER? Jojo: About 5-6 years Steve: 3-4 years WHERE ARE YOU A PROMOTER? Jojo & Steve: Café Rene in Gloucester. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A PROMOTER?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT A PROMOTER?
Steve: I runs our Cellar Bar - a great underground venue. Jojo: I’m a mother to 10 month old Fenn and behind the scenes for our three other pubs. Busy, busy! GIVE YOURSELF A PLUG!
Jojo & Steve: Meeting a fantastically diverse range of musicians and artists is great fun. Also, when you see the crowd react positively to an act and the place explodes with everyone having a great time!
Cafe Rene hosts two live gigs a week, multiple annual events and festivals. The Cellar bar is open until late at weekends with DJs, great food, fabulous staff and a warm welcome.
WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING A PROMOTER?
www.caferene.co.uk www.cafereneblues.co.uk
Jojo: Hmm, the same as for bands I guess! When kit breaks down or the band have to cancel at the last minute - that's a downer for everyone. WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING PROMOTER? Steve: A good positive attitude, be straight up and honest and show appreciation. Also don't be scared to take a risk now and then.
EMPIRE
Ok, so the above statement was said with tongue firmly in cheek, but in reality, Empire are a band with ambition. Having just rounded off a series of headline dates around the country, they are currently touting themselves around the festival circuit. The highlight of which is surely playing Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth in July alongside headliners Metallica, The Prodigy and Iron Maiden.
Not bad for a band with such strong ties to Gloucestershire. I remember a few years ago walking through Cheltenham town centre on a Saturday morning and watching a bunch of lads setting up a load of amps in the street before blasting the ears off every passer by for half an hour outside the Regent Arcade. That band was The Divine Secret, who featured Empire vocalist Joe Green.
“It will be a busy summer! Our festival season kind of started in March. We go on to play Sonispehere, which is just completely mind blowing in itself and we are also really happy to play 2000 Trees again this year. Last year was amazing and a real pivotal moment for us as a band. We are playing Hevy Fest in August and a few more which we are not allowed to announce yet, but trust us they are very cool and exciting!”
“We love the area. Joe still lives in Cheltenham and James lived in Cheltenham for a few years. That's how they met and came together. The scene around Gloucestershire has become forever ingrained in us. As a band we are well spread in terms of locations, so we pretty much call Cheltenham home, due to the amazing support we have there and some of the roots in the band.”
So what local venues and bands do Empire recommend? “The Two Pigs in Cheltenham is our ancestral home! It started us off as a band and regardless of what happens in the future, we will always try and come back! We love the place and the people! Gloucestershire has such an under rated scene of bands going on. I, the Lion and Black Art are our current favourites, those guys bring it and we always enjoy watching them. But we love so much music in and around the place - we try and see as many gigs as we can!” So how come Empire have taken off when so many ‘local’ bands are go no further than playing in the corner of a pub? “With a band something just clicks with the right people, right ideas and the knowledge of what you have learnt in your years building up to this point. We made sure we gigged ourselves ragged when we started, playing everywhere and anywhere and that gave us a real good grounding of what we wanted to do. So when it came around to make the minialbum I think we had a strong idea of what worked and what didn't when it came to our songs. We have been just incredibly grateful that some amazing people at some amazing magazines and websites liked and talked about our band. It meant that it opened us up to loads of new people and we will always be extremely appreciative of that.” Empire toured with Arcane Roots at the tail end of 2013 which they recognise at part of the transition to being a better live band, describing them as “our musical Jedi masters!” So is it all a bit surreal to find themselves in magazines like Kerrang, Big Cheese and, ahem, Behind The Scene Gloucestershire?
“The magazines are almost an extension of appreciation to what we do. Whilst its not the reason we do this, without it we wouldn't be able to identify and reach as many people as we do with our music and for that reason alone any time a magazine or website of any size gives us a mention we like to give them anything they need and always lots of appreciation.” In October 2013 Empire released their mini-album ‘Where The World Begins’ and have since seen significant airplay for the two singles taken from it. “It was strange with the first single 'Black Hearts' as we planned that in before the album had come out. It was very much the first real thing we had pushed out, so we were going into the unknown and giving our baby to the rest of the world so to speak! The response we got off that and how much people enjoyed it just gave us real confidence in the record. 'Future, Past and Present' (the second single) was again a variation on what we wanted to show as Empire and I think live, crowds really got this song, so it became a fan favourite as well as a band favourite.” So what’s next for the band? “We are looking forward to lots more tours, lots more people seeing our band and hope to share a drink or two with a few of them over the summer festivals! We are currently writing some new music as well, so that will be surfacing live and maybe even on record soon!” Perhaps then they will get that private jet after all – although I’m not sure that there’s much space to park it at the 2 Pigs.
https://www.facebook.com/E mpireBandUK
How I spent my May Bank Holiday weekend… In my opinion, we’d be better off having a Bank Holiday in November or February when the weather is crap. But the government has decided that those lovely, selfless people who work in banks and are not at all responsible for the economy going balls up in 2007 should still have two days off in May. So with a day off thrust upon me, here’s how I spent my first Bank Holiday of May... I don’t have many traditions. I used get absolutely hammered on every Christmas Eve without fail, but recently I’ve stopped that. And you can’t really call getting my car MOT’d once a year a tradition – more a legal responsibility. The only thing I really do religiously is watch Thrill Collins at the Jazz Fringe Festival every single year. As soon as they announce the date I put it on the calendar, tell my girlfriend to cancel all of her plans, invite some friends and then wander to Montpellier Gardens come rain or shine to watch the best covers band in the country. I did it in 2010 when it drizzled, in 2011 before Princess Di’s Funeral (or was it William & Kate’s wedding? I forget which), again in 2012 amidst rain of biblical proportions and in an overcast 2013. So, as tradition dictates, this year I found myself once again drinking a can of John Smiths in the park. I’m not a stalker, I just like to hear skiffle covers of popular 80’s/90’s pop songs. Who doesn’t? Well, evidently a few Jazz enthusiasts as the first song of the set sparks a small walkout from the marquee. The fools.
However, this is compensated by several hundred others who crowd around the tent to be serenaded by Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Peter Andre covers (amongst others) in a light-hearted skiffle style. ‘Sex On The Beach’ is as risqué as the Jazz Festival gets and mothers quickly cover the ears of little ones whereas the set closer, a 20 minute rap medley, is like a history lesson of bitches and bling (as well as neat summation of Will Smith’s musical career to date). I spot Steve Knibbs from Points West in the assembled throng and wonder whether anyone else is playing the ‘Spot Steve Knibbs from Points West at a Thrill Collins gig’ game I introduced in February’s issue? After some crowd-surfing, a bit of dancing and calls for an encore that never materialises, Thrill Collins have won over the Cheltenham Jazz Festival for another year. On our way out, I use the elaborate portaloos in the park and notice they have the same vinyl flooring as we have in our bathroom. I don’t know whether to feel honoured or slightly embarrassed by that fact.
To make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend, we drive to Cinderford Music Festival to catch a few bands. With marquees and stalls set up on Cinderford Football Club’s pitch, I resist curling an empty coke can into the top corner from 40 yards and instead sit down in a camping chair to watch KING SOLOMON’s excellent reggae set which had a fair crowd watching and a few dancing. Unfortunately, the festival is running a couple of hours late and with no indication of new timings, we just kind of wander around a bit until we get too cold to last any longer The main attraction seems to be an inflatable slide which is all the rage with the under 7’s as some of the bands play to quite sparse crowds. ANTIDOTE, an up-tempo rock band with a charismatic frontman do their best to whip up some enthusiasm and manage to get a few toddlers chasing each other in a circle in front of the stage (the world’s youngest and least brutal circle pit, perhaps?) but just as they are peaking, the generator blows and stops them in their tracks. Therefore, a group of bellydancers draw the biggest crowd I see just outside the main stage and jiggle about to music from the PA. We curse our bad timing and draw the conclusion that although it has good intentions, loads of great local bands and many families are having a lovely time, Cinderford Music Festival doesn’t quite work out for us this year. Therefore, we head over to The Railway Inn in Newnham and squeeze into their tiny pub for a half of cider and some foot-stomping music in the form of POSH FROCK & BEAT BOX. Sadly, there is no beat boxing whilst we are there, just some rip-roaring Irish tunes. Dozens of people crowd outside and drink cider with quirky names such as ‘Pheasant Plucker’. Everyone is having a ball, except a miserable bloke who stands in the doorway and refuses to move as people make their way to the toilets. What is the point in that?
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…IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE with ANDY REA from 2000 TREES FESTIVAL BEST KEPT SECRET… The new things we’ve got going on at 2000 Trees Festival this year! FAVOURITE VENUE/PUB... Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham. GIVE YOURSELF A PLUG… 2000 Trees Festival is going to be ace, with headliners Band of Skulls, Frightened Rabbit and Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – get involved! www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk FAVOURITE BAND/MUSICIAN… Thrill Collins. BEST GIG YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO… Frank Turner at Cheltenham Town Hall (we organised it!). LAST GIG YOU WENT TO… The Rising Talent Student Showcase, Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham. BEST THING ABOUT MUSIC… People’s love for it and the ability to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. ONE THING YOU ABOUT MUSIC…
WOULD
CHANGE
Musicians getting properly paid for their talent.
2000 Trees Festival is held on 10th-12th July at Upcote Farm, Withington
Lauren Faith, Emi McDade, James Patrick Richards, Megan Lloyd Davies at Subtone, Cheltenham 17th May 2014 Which weighs more – a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers? That was the dilemma I faced in Subtone last night as the barman offered me either a pint for £4, or two bottles for the same amount. I went for the bottles. For me, Sixth Form is a distant memory, partly because it was so long ago and partly because we spent our Thursday nights in Subtone drinking 50p tequilas. Now, the place is home to Sound Music Venue on Friday and Saturday nights before the main club opens. Acoustic singer-songwriter MEGAN LLOYD DAVIES opened up the evening with an ill-advised Britney Spears cover. I guess she’s too young to remember Darius and Pop Idol. A bundle of nerves and excitement, Megan’s own songs were far better than that particular cover and were sung in a style not dissimilar to Kate Nash (before she went rubbish). Encouraging. After possibly the quickest changeover ever (a guitar was unplugged, a girl Emi McDade
Lauren Faith walked off stage, a man walked onstage, another guitar was plugged in), JAMES PATRICK RICHARDS treated the splattering of people in the room to a short set of dark, finger-picked songs. His voice is unique and might not be for everyone’s ears, but his song about his nan was atmospheric and had a memorable refrain (“If I could, I would be there”). Whilst EMI MCDADE was setting up, I Googled how many millilitres were in a pint. It turned out that earlier I’d made a bad choice by going for the bottles as a pint actually held more (68.26ml extra, in fact). So I went to the bar and ordered a ton of feathers. As the third singer-songwriter of the night, Emi played with gusto as she belted out her original keyboard-driven material. Bashfully thanking the audience after each song, Emi’s powerful vocals made sure that the whole room paid attention to her. Then finally, touring musician LAUREN FAITH and her band closed the evening with some chilled-out sounds. The band were quite clearly a talented bunch and the drummer drove things throughout, yet they didn’t quite possess enough in their armoury to grab me. To be honest, I was still smarting over paying £4 for those two bottles.
My top 5 gigs in Gloucestershire by…David Rose I'm a 48 year old music fan, mainly of guitar rock of the indie persuasion, and a gig goer with 30+ years and 900+ gigs behind me (and hopefully a few more in front of me!) A few years back, I set up a blog at www.gigbook.blogspot.com to share my gig diaries with the world, and as a result Behind The Scene have asked me to share some of my gig experiences in Gloucestershire through the years. This was actually harder than you’d think, as although I’ve lived in nearby Swindon all my life, I’ve been to surprisingly few gigs in my neighbouring county, finding myself instead attending lots in London, Bristol, Oxford et al. Gloucestershire seems to suffer from the same malaise as Swindon, with no established mid-sized or Academy-level venue since the Leisure Centre stopped doing gigs back in the 80’s. Nevertheless I’ve had a few memorable ones, the top five of which are... 1. KILLING JOKE, Ski Patrol at Stroud Leisure Centre, Saturday 27 June 1981; My first ever gig was in fact in Gloucestershire, and saw me, a skinny young renta-punk a few days past my 16th birthday, taking the train to Stroud with a gang of punks to witness the thunderous experience that is a Killing Joke show. I had no idea what awaited me, despite briefly sneaking into the hall during soundcheck and conversing equally briefly with vocalist Jaz Coleman (which went, “Hey Jaz, what’s your real name?” “Jaz”). Promoting their epic “What’s This For?” album, they were a seething cauldron of noise, colour and (rather unpleasantly in those punk rock days) flying phlegm. Nevertheless, I toughed it out down the front, getting crushed under the weight, both of frenzied moshing punk rockers, and of the mighty sinister rhythmic noise of their set, ultimately climbing onstage with a few others and hanging on for dear life behind Jaz' keyboards. A real visceral experience to start my gigging days!
Edwyn Collins collars serial gig-goer Dave Rose for a photo.
Why not send your top 5 gigs in Gloucestershire to me? E-mail behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co. uk
2. THE SMITHS, THE WOODENTOPS at Gloucester Leisure Centre, Tuesday 25 September 1984; The Smiths for me were never the most reliable of live acts; I loved their recorded output with a passion, but of the 5 times I saw them, they were only once appreciably better than their support act (that being their epic 'Queen Is Dead' tour at this same venue, a couple of years later). This wasn’t one of those times, as I rejoiced in the thrill of discovery with support act The Woodentops. I’d never heard of them before, but they blew me away with their carefree and raucous rockabilly-based support slot, the highlight being their single 'Plenty' which I hunted down immediately and proclaimed the Best Single of 1984. The Smiths, promoting current single 'William It Was Really Nothing', played well, with Morrissey a riveting frontman as before, but really seemed a little disappointing and flat after that breathless Woodentops performance! Fiona Gregg of The Parachute Men at the Gloucester Guildhall
3. THE PARACHUTE MEN, Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, Huey at Gloucester Guildhall Arts Centre, Friday 20 October 1989; Every real music fan has at least one 'lost' band, a band who spoke volumes to them and in their eyes should have been massive, but whom disappeared without trace. I have many, but this lot stand out – Leeds’ The Parachute Men. A late 80’s female-fronted band who visually skirted around indie and goth but produced for me the most plangent, joyous guitar noise, with lead singer Fiona a husky, heart-aching world-weary vocal embellishment. They should have had a career trajectory like, say, The Pretenders, but just fell through the cracks. This show wasn’t one of their best, but still showcased their delightful guitar rock. Ironically, it was their support tonight who would go on to greater things; an embryonic (and rather noisy and unbearable tonight) Carter USM, whom I also knew, as I was a fan of their previous band Jamie Wednesday!
4. ELECTRAFIXION, MARION, Reverb at Gloucester Guildhall Arts Centre, Saturday 19 November 1994; Return of the Mac! My teenage 'home team' were Echo And the Bunnymen, so when former Bunnymen Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant reunited to form this post-grunge noise-rock offering, I was all over it (despite needing to check on my car mid-gig due to some louts smashing up phone boxes in St. Michael's Car Park!). After a decent local opener, tour support Marion burst onto the stage, impressing and exciting with an edgy, insistent and urgent set, with a definite driving, sinister edge which usually denotes a great band. A hard act to follow, but Electrafixion managed impressively with an excellent set; typical Bunnymen imagery and characteristics such as strong strident vocals, brain hugging tunes and a fair amount of light and shade style song construction, only this time married to Sugar-esque loud, fierce and driving guitar work, with Mac the swaggering star of the show. 5. GLASVEGAS, Mad Skull, at Gloucester Guildhall Arts Centre, Sunday 21 September 2008; Having shaken me into a right old state with a superb single 'Daddy’s Gone', I was keen to see this lot of Glaswegian reprobates. Seemingly condensing 50 years of rock'n'roll cool into a single band - the effortlessly cool sneer and swagger of Bunnymen meets Clash, the sonic template of Joy Division meets Jesus And Mary Chain, the song structures of Buddy Holly and the Shangri-Las, together with gritty lyrical content holding up a mirror to our messed-up society a la Strummer or Costello. My hopes were high, and they were not to be disappointed, with all of those elements on display at the venerable old Arts Centre tonight. A thrilling set of beautiful jagged white noise, with closer 'Daddy's Gone' the highlight, spinechilling, haunting and deliciously mournful, the crowd filling in at the post-middle eight break as the band, stunned, looked on. And they’ve still 'got it' – don’t give up on them yet.
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KITTEN & BEAR I was in the kitchen the other day listening to the first Laura Marling album. I can’t remember what I was making at the time (possibly a Spanish omelette) when two words and an ampersand popped into my head– ‘Kitten & Bear.’ It was a eureka moment in the midst of a hectic rush to get the top side of the omelette browned at exactly the same time as the broccoli was al dente. No mean feat. It was the vocals. Every word was sung with perfect pronunciation – like an elocution lesson via folk music coming through my Ipod speakers. Kitten & Bear are a brother and sister duo from Cirencester who I’d seen play a few times before in Cheltenham. Marling’s singing reminded me of Kitten. The guitar reminded me of Bear. As a result, once I’d polished off the omelette (and put some aside for the next day’s lunch), I had to shoot Katy and Rob an e-mail with a few questions for the magazine. Those, after all, are their real names. Still in their teens, both Katy and Rob attended Deer Park School in Cirencester and now go to Stroud College. They create the music together, but describe Katy as the main songwriter. The pair write brooding, atmospheric folk songs that are sparsely arranged with just vocals, guitar and occasionally keyboards. “Growing up we listened to a lot of the classics, for example, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Brian Wilson and James Taylor,” says Katy. “I was about 14 when I first heard Kate Bush and since then she has definitely been my musical hero.” Rob, whose guitar playing provides a low-key backing to Katy’s mature voice, listened to a lot of Coldplay, R.E.M which explains the band’s melancholic sound. Despite not having any actual releases yet, the duo are regulars on the Gloucestershire live circuit, putting an emphasis on getting out there and performing live. “It is so important to perform live. It helps you with your confidence and definitely makes you stronger as a musician because every gig is very different. Playing live gives you a great buzz.” They cite the Frog & Fiddle in Cheltenham, Gloucester Guildhall and Prince Albert in Stroud as favourite places to play. “And at the moment we are loving our pals Hot Feet and Henry Green.”
In fact, with festival season so close, Kitten & Bear are going to be kept busy. They’ve been picked to perform at Wychwood and Sportbeat Festivals, as well as Milefest and 2000 Trees. “We are really looking forward to 2000 Trees as it is such a lovely intimate festival with brilliant crowds and just a lovely atmosphere. Also Milefest, which is raising money for Milestone School, which is very special for us as it was the school our brother went to.” As an experienced festival goer, I suggest that they pack wellies, a torch, some plastic bags and plenty of toilet roll. Oh, and get in the queue for a Pieminister Pie early or you’ll regret it when they’re all sold out. Although happy to continue as a pair, Kitten & Bear are not averse to expanding their line up in the future. “Having a band is definitely something we are thinking about more and more, as we have begun adding more instrumentation to our demos and exploring new sounds. However, at the moment we enjoy the simplicity and intimacy that comes with playing as an acoustic duo. Over the next few months we are hopefully going to begin work on our debut E.P which should be released early next year.”
http://kittenandbearmusic.tumblr.com/ https://soundcloud.com/kitten-and-bear PARC ROYALE – ALIVE EP With groups such as Young Kato and Canary Swing making an impact nationally at the moment, Gloucestershire is blessed with young bands who have cool haircuts and can make a teenage girl's heart stop at ten paces. Now, with the release of their 'Alive' EP, you can add Parc Royale to that little set. Like a punchier Keane (punchier as in 'more rocking', not as in 'more punchable.' Nobody cold be more punchable than Keane), every track is filled with soaring choruses and epic guitar sounds. You can sense each verse building up to a chorus that more often than not knocks your socks off, none more so than on the opening track 'Into The Light.' You could picture Parc Royale playing it in the background of one of those fake gig situations in Made In Chelsea (my girlfriend watches it, honest) or just before the end credits of Hollyoaks.
I'm not saying that Parc Royale are the finished article, far from it. But there's enough in the four tracks here to suggest that they have the bare bones of a solid radio-friendly alternative rock band.
https://www.facebook.com/ parcroyale
BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE RECOMMENDS…
ARANKA’S CACKLE June 6th Café Rene, Gloucester
HATTIE BRIGGS
June 20th Subscription Rooms, Stroud
EMMETT BROWN, MAD APPLE CIRCUS, KSH & THE GOING GOODS June 27th Grumpy Whiskers, Cheltenham
DRAWING OF THE THREE, LUKE PHILBRICK, JOE BANYARD, RICKY BROWN
June 11th Bayshill, Cheltenham
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE For a while I’ve been toying with giving each gig a rough genre. Then, the other day, someone said that they read the gig guide every month but often don’t know what the bands sound like. I didn’t know that anyone actually used this thing! So with that in mind, I’ve added a short one/two word description to each gig. I know you’re probably a post-modern-off-beat-improvisational-duo-with-EasternEuropean-influences, but I’ve just put you down as Jazz as it’s easier, ok?
When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
1st
Albart Opener (Jazzgasm)
Prince Albert
Stroud
Jazz
1st
The Ramrods (12.30pm)
Street Fair
Rock & Roll
1st
Emily Jane Mew (2.30pm)
Exmouth Arms
Bishop’s Cleeve Cheltenham
1st
Racecourse
Cheltenham
Festival
1st
Wychwood Festival feat: Boomtown Rats, Gabby Young, Wolf Alice Sax ‘n’ Axe
Albion House
Cheltenham
Covers
2nd
Blair Dunlop
The Convent
Stroud
Folk
3rd
Emi McDade
The Cock Inn
Blakeney
4th
Gordon Wood
Bayshill
Cheltenham
SingerSongwriter Acoustic
4th
Phil King
Café Rene
Gloucester
Folk
4th
Open Mic
Cross Keys Inn
Gloucester
Open MIc
4th
Pizza Underground
Guildhall
Gloucester
Covers
5th
Open Mic
Cheltenham
Open Mic
5th
The Revue
Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor The Tavern
Cheltenham
Rock & Roll
5th
Open MIc
Prince Albert
Stroud
Open Mic
5th
Mitchelson Morely
SVA
Stroud
Jazz
6th
Frog & Fiddle
Cheltenham
Blues
6th
Angela Brown & The Mighty 45’s Letz Zep
Bacon Theatre
Cheltenham
Tribute
6th
Gaf & Peach (2pm)
Brewery Burger Festival
Cheltenham
Covers
Jazz
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
6th
Lower George Inn The Royal
Gloucester
Rock
6th
Roads To Nowhere, Burnthru, Alien Stash Tin, Rollin Sixes Kim Cypher Band
Jazz
6th
Aranka’s Cackle
Café Rene
Charlton Kings Gloucester
6th
The Trust, Poundshop Life
Miners Arms
Whitecroft
Pop
6th
Cotswold Inn
Cheltenham
Reggae
6th
King Solomon’s Reggae Jam feat: Jah Crew & Mistah Melody Jacqui Dankworth
Roses Theatre
Tewkesbury
Jazz
6th
Paint The Silence
Cinderford
Rock
6th
Hard Stairs
White Hart Inn The Brunswick
Gloucester
Blues
6th
Last Man Standing
Railway Inn
Newnham
Folk
6th
Ed Arnold
Monty’s
Cheltenham
Acoustic
6th
Martyn Court
King’s Head
Blues
6th
Judgement, Standing To Fall
6th
The Bad Dads
Sound Music at Subtone The Globe
Upton St Leonards Cheltenham Stonehouse
Blues
6th
Robbie Williams Tribute
Longlevens
Tribute
6th
Kat & Co.
Double Gloucester The Convent
Stroud
Blues
6th
Which One’s Gerry?
Winchcombe
Covers
7th
The Jam Pack
Cheltenham
Tribute
7th
Gaz Brookfield
Conservative Working Man’s Club Sound Music at Subtone Monty’s
Cheltenham
Folk
7th
Ain’t Misbehavin
Bayshill
Cheltenham
Jazz
7th
Stretch
Stroud
Americana
7th
Otis Mack & The Tubby Bluesters
Stroud Brewery Nag’s Head
Cinderford
Blues
Ska
Rock
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
7th
Open Mic
Fairview
Cheltenham
Open Mic
7th
Pete Hick, Brogan Wilson
Cheltenham
Acoustic
7th
Milk Teeth, Floorboards, Ceilings, Made For Measure, Vish Amarasinghe James Carr & The Comrades
Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor Grumpy Whiskers Basement Pauntley Real Ale Festival Baker Street
Cheltenham
Hardcore
Pauntley
Blues
Gloucester
Reggae
Royal Oak
Bishops Cleeve
7th 7th
7th
Lee Fancourt’s Homecoming Party feat: King Solomon, Troy Ellis, Antney Hassan + more Adam Isaac
7th
Masterplan
Five Alls
Cheltenham
7th
My Design
Cheltenham
8th
Sid Harvey
St Paul’s Tavern King’s Head
SingerSongwriter Britpop covers Pop covers
Bishops Cleeve
Folk
8th
Open Mic (6.00pm)
Railway Inn
Newnham
Open Mic
8th
Faye Rogers
Brewery Court
Cirencester
8th
Bryn Thomas
Tewkesbury
8th
Gloucester
Festival
10th
Sportbeat Festival feat. Emi McDade, Drawing Of The Three, King Solomon Cadbury Sisters + Support
Nottingham Arms Plock Court
SingerSongwriter Covers
Cheltenham
Acoustic
11th
The Ballina Whalers
Grumpy Whiskers Basement Prince Albert
Stroud
Folk
11th
Warren James
Café Rene
Gloucester
Skiffle
11th
Open Mic
Cross Keys Inn
Gloucester
Open MIc
11th
Starsailor
Guildhall
Gloucester
Tired indie
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
11th
Drawing Of The Three, Luke Phibrick, Joe Banyard, Ricky Brown Grainne Duffy, Kingsley Salmon Edd Donovan, Dan Hartland, Chris Tye
Bayshill
Cheltenham
Acoustic
Vonnie’s Blues Club Grumpy Whiskers Basement Prince Albert
Charlton Kings Cheltenham
Blues
Stroud
Grumpy Whiskers Sound Music at Subtone 2 Pigs
Cheltenham
SingerSongwriter Open Mic
Cheltenham
Indie
Cheltenham
Hip-hop
Pepper’s Café
Gloucester
Acoustic
11th 11th
Folk
12th
Elliot Morris
12th
Open Mic
13th
The Sea + support
13th 13th
Lee Scott, NLP, Diaglogue & Version Elvi, Gavin Robers (6pm)
13th
Clair Le Brocq & The Bordellos
The Brunswick
Gloucester
Blues
13th
Emi McDade (5pm)
Cheltenham
13th
George Montague
Cirencester
Singersongwriter Blues
13th
The Coochie Club
Cheltenham
Blues
13th
Slagerij + support
Cheltenham
Ska
13th
Stretton On Fosse Cheltenham
Folk
13th
New Burns, David Morris, Folking Marvellous Anthony Vukic
Food & Drink Festival New Brewery Arts Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor Grumpy Whiskers Basement Village Hall
13th
Open Mic with Bob Smith
Whitecroft
Open Mic
13th
The Bon Jovi Experience
The Miners Arms Guildhall
Gloucester
Tribute
13th
Steve Page
Subscription Rooms
Stroud
Americana
Monty’s
Covers
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
13th
Good God No
Queen Vic
Stroud
Rock
13th
John D’Ambrosio
The Royal
13th
Soul Strutters
Café Rene
Charlton Kings Gloucester
SingerSongwriter Funk
14th
Brockfest inc. The Drawing Of The Three, Emi McDade, Small Tak Robots, KSH & The Going Goods Which One’s Gerry?
Brockworth Rugby Club
Gloucester
Festival
Cheltenham
Covers
Cheltenham
Acoustic
14th
14th
Alex Petrie
Exmouth Arms (3pm) Friar Tucks (9pm) Monty’s
14th
Tallahatchie Blues Band
Bayshill
Cheltenham
Blues
14th
Tribute To The Jam
Longlevens
Tribute
14th
All Stars Reggae Dub Band
Cheltenham
Reggae
14th
Boo Hewerdine
Double Gloucester St Paul’s Tavern The Convent
Stroud
14th
Jazz Morley
Stroud
14th
Binomial
Cirencester
14th
Powerslaves – Iron Maiden
Cheltenham
Tribute
14th
Borrowed Time, Heartless Hero My Design
Subscription Rooms Marlborough Arms Hillview Community Centre Sound Music at Subtone The Brunswick
SingerSongwriter SingerSongwriter Covers
Cheltenham
Punk
Gloucester
Pop covers
Grumpy Whiskers Basement Stroud Brewery Fairview
Cheltenham
Rock
Stroud
Americana
Cheltenham
Open Mic
14th 14th
Nuk Chorris, Kill For Trophies, Eden In Progress
14th
Gav & Nat
14th
Open Mic
Quedgeley
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
14th
Lord Misery, Baron Greenback
G’s Rock Bar
Cheltenham
Stoner
14th
Rory Ellis
Prince Albert
Stroud
Blues
14th
Club Of No Regrets
Dursley
Folk
15th
Sons Of Warren James
Kingshill House Arts Centre Railway Inn
Newnham
Rock & Roll
15th
Thomas McCarthy
Prince Albert
Stroud
Folk
15th
Sax & Axe
Rising Sun
Cheltenham
Covers
15th
Anathema
Cathedral
Gloucester
Metal
18th
Life O’Reilly
The Royal
Irish
18th
Open Mic
Cross Keys Inn
Charlton Kings Gloucester
18th
TBC
Café Rene
Gloucester
19th
Boat To Row
Prince Albert
Stroud
Folk
19th
Open Mic
Cheltenham
Open Mic
20th
Gloucester
20th
Louella & The Gambit, Damon T, Henry Headford Hattie Briggs
Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor The Brunswick
Stroud
20th
Chameleon
Cheltenham
Blues
20th
Which One’s Gerry?
Subscription Rooms Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor New Inn
SingerSongwriter Folk
Gloucester
Covers
20th
The Miners Arms Café Rene
Whitecroft
20th
Lipstick & Beer, Embargo, Emi McDade My Design
Gloucester
SingerSongwriter Pop Covers
21st
Bleephaus
Cheltenham
Drone
21st
Mambo Mama
Grumpy Whiskers Basement SVA
Stroud
Roots
21st
Bad Luck & Superstition
Two Rivers Studios
Cheltenham
Rock covers
Open MIc
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
21st
Judgement
The Brunswick
Gloucester
Rock
21st
Dirk Spangle Five
Whitecroft
Covers
21st
Open Mic hosted by Red Shift
The Miners Arms Fairview
Cheltenham
Open Mic
21st
Which One’s Gerry?
Gloucester
Covers
21st
Check Da Cone
Cheltenham
Indie
21st
Blondes With Beards
Stroud
Acoustic
21st
Isolation
Robinswood Hill Social Club St Paul’s Tavern Stroud Brewery Lower George
Gloucester
Metal
21st
Cross Keys Inn
Gloucester
Festival
21st
World Music Day feat: Memphis, Damon T, Gavin Roberts, Mark Remes, Gordon Wood, Lucy Jarrett + more Thunder Road
The Globe
Stonehouse
Acoustic
21st
Toadstool
Bayshill
Cheltenham
Rock
21st
Kangaroo Moon
Prince Albert
Stroud
Psychedelic
21st
Fracture
Black Dog
Newent
Covers
21st
Emi McDade
Painswick
22nd
Newnham
Singersongwriter Blue
22nd
The Lewis Creaven Band (6.00pm) Ukulele Big Busk (10.30am)
The Unplugged Chameleon Railway Inn
Cheltenham
Covers
22nd
Thrill Collins
Imperial Gardens Beehive
Cheltenham
Skiffle
23rd
Martin & Eliza Carthy
The Convent
Stroud
Folk
24th
Edwina Hayes
Roses Theatre
Tewkesbury
Folk
25th
2 Pigs
Cheltenham
Pop-Punk
25th
Cavaliers, Amateur Drive By, Don’t Do That Live, Fire In Cairo Open Mic
Cross Keys Inn
Gloucester
Open MIc
25th
Live @ Gloucester Showcase
Café Rene
Gloucester
Acoustic
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
25th
Open Mic
Bayshill
Cheltenham
Open Mic
26th
Open Mic
Cheltenham
Open Mic
26th
Chris Davis
Cirencester
Acoustic
26th
Kent Duchaine
Grumpy Whiskers Ground Floor Seventeen Black New Inn
Gloucester
Blues
27th
Bryn Thomas
Hawbridge Inn
Tirley
Covers
27th
James Carr & The Comrades
The Brunswick
Gloucester
Blues
27th
The Erin Bardwell Collective
Guildhall
Gloucester
Reggae
27th
Jef Clarke
The Globe
Stonehouse
Acoustic
27th
Soular
Cheltenham
Funk
27th
Cheltenham
Lower George Inn
Gloucester
Punk Hardcore Rock
2 Pigs
Cheltenham
Rock
27th
Turn & Run, Fairview, Strike Back Hellbound, Welcome Back Delta, Beggarman’s Beard, Paraletica Speaking In Italics, Turn & Run Bity Brooker
Sound Music at Subtone 2 Pigs
Open Mic with Bob Smith
Chipping Camden Whitecroft
Acoustic
27th 27th
Lisbee Stainton
Ebrington Arms The Miners Arms Frog & Fiddle
Cheltenham
Folk
27th
Grumpy Whiskers Basement The Convent
Cheltenham
Ska
27th
Emmett Brown, Mad Apple Circus, KSH & The Going Goods Joe Cang
Stroud
Blues
27th
Missin Rosie
Café Rene
Gloucester
Celtic
28th
Open Mic
Fairview
Cheltenham
Open Mic
28th
Gas Attack
St Paul’s Tavern
Cheltenham
Rock
27th
27th
Open Mic
GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR JUNE When?
Who?
Where?
Where?
Genre?
28th
Oas-is
Cheltenham
Tribute
28th
Masterplan
Sound Music at Subtone Cotswold Inn
Cheltenham
28th
Coaley C of E Primary School
Coaley
28th
Coaleyfest: Bad Dads, Mark Eldridge, Whiteshillbilillies, Good God No (6.15pm) Bryn Thomas
Britpop covers Festival
Berkeley Arms
Tewkesbury
Covers
28th
Kintsugi
Cheltenham
Rock
28th
Which One’s Gerry?
Grumpy Whiskers St Peter’s Primary (5pm) Five Alls (9pm) Guildhall
Gloucester
Covers
Gloucester
Festival
2 Pigs
Cheltenham
Rock
Stroud Brewery Bayshill
Stroud
Acoustic
Cheltenham
Covers
28th
28th
Massacre Festival inc. Exist Immoral, Avenge The Heartache, Weather The Storm Buying Lies, Eden In Progress, Atrevido, Floods Steve Ferbrache
28th
Steamroller
28th
Cheltenham
It’s a whopper this month. Don’t ever tell me that there isn’t anything going on in Gloucestershire! IF YOUR GIG ISN’T LISTED IT’S BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T SEND IT TO ME! HERE’S MY E-MAIL FOR NEXT MONTH… behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk
Please check with the venues before travelling. These things change so often over the month. Most of these gigs will have a Facebook event page or be on some kind of website to get more details from. I just collate them all together!
Issue
Deadline for submissions
Online on…
July
June 26th
June 28th
STUNTED GROWTH (Sun 1.05pm) August 27th (Sat 4.40pm) July 29th TAFFY WAS July A THIEF TELLING TALES (Sun 4.30pm) September August 28th August 30th TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD (Sun October 8.30pm) September 26th September 28th THE ANTIDOTE (Sunth6.30pm) November October 27 October 29th THE ANTI-PODES (Sun 7.30pm) th THE BEATNovember GOES ON 10.30pm) December 26(Sun November 28th THE BOOGALOOS (Sat 6.50pm) th January December December 30th THE KILLER ACES 28 (Sun 3.35pm) THE OLD WASHOE (Sat 2.30pm)
DEADLINES Never miss a deadline! Here are our submission dates for adverts, reviews, interviews, and gigs for the gig guide. E-mail behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk for inclusion!
VENTURE – Stay True EP Screamlite Records is a new Cheltenham based label who have been busy collecting bands for their roster like most people collect Panini World Cup Stickers at this time of year. With Cheltenham based folk singer Elljay Goldstone, Italian pop-punk band Closers and now Wigan outfit Venture all signed, they just need that elusive shiny everyone is after to complete the set. Clocking in at just over 10-minutes, Venture’s debut EP ‘Stay True’ is a very solid taster of a young band finding their feet. Each track is an upbeat slice of pop with a splattering of skapunk thrown in for good measure. ‘Stay With Me’ is a fast-tempo opening song with singer Lucy’s vocals taking centre stage on the track. On second song, ‘Venture’ (come on – you must be able to come up with a better title than that!) guitarist Miles trades off with Lucy for some summery ska. Similar follows on the better titled ‘Never Grow Old,’ reminiscent of early No Comply (without the snarl). But it’s final track ‘Stay True’ that is the stand-out, a perfect three-minute pop song. A tale of hopes and dreams with a killer chorus made for teenagers that just want to bounce around. If they produce an album’s worth of songs like ‘Stay True’ in the future, Screamlite Records might just have that special shiny in their collection after all.
https://www.facebook.com/VentureMusicOfficial www.screamliterecords.bandcamp.com
ANGELA BROWN & THE MIGHTY 45’S Blues singer Angela Brown returns to the UK in June and will be appearing at Cheltenham’s Frog & Fiddle on Friday 6th to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the first gigs she played with her UK band, The Mighty 45’s. Hailing from Chicago, Angela is a protégé and family friend of the late blues legend Willie Dixon, who along with Pinetop Perkins and Buddy Guy, was a member of Angela’s band for a time. During her tour of the UK she will be performing some of the unreleased songs Dixon passed onto Angela upon his passing. Angela says, “We are hitting the road for a few nights to celebrate getting together at Gloucester Blues Festival some twenty years ago and we are going back to some of the old songs. We will be playing some of Papa D’s songs left for me to sing to the world!” If her old backing band had not been stuck in an airport on the day of that original gig in Gloucester, then The Mighty 45’s would not have been providing the accompaniment to Angela since. “The Mighty 45’s were on their way back from an extensive European tour and were called in to be my band. It was crazy. We had never met but they had a big, big reputation! We had a studio booked and we had an hour to learn a two hour set before we were due on stage! Baby, these guys were just the best and the rest is history.”
Over the years Angela has played on the same bills as huge names such as BB King, Johnny Winter & Gary Moore, as well as playing large festivals in Europe to up to 10,000 people. All quite different to performing at the unique and intimate setting of The Frog & Fiddle Barn. “Whilst the stages at the festivals might be bigger, the joy of exciting an audience of any size is what I live for. Cheltenham will be fun and I am looking forward to talking to the ladies about love and the blues! Of course, boys are welcome to join in with the fun too!”
E-mail your July gigs for the gig guide to: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk
With over 30 years of singing the blues all around the world, are they still as relevant as ever? “The blues will never die as it lifts the soul. I can only say that the music has to get to the people and that is why we are doing what we do! Be it blues, jazz or gospel, I just want to move people’s souls and make them feel good in these troubled times.” When Angela performs you get a sense that she is really there to entertain. As she says, “Each song comes from the heart, and soul!” How did she develop such a huge stage presence and did it come naturally? “When you are surrounded by the love of your friends and fans you give it your all without thinking about it. Growing up in Chicago, you soon learn how to turn a song and make your audience want more. You only had one chance in those clubs as the other musicians were queuing around the block to steal your show.” Something tells me on June 6th in Cheltenham I very much doubt that anybody is going to steal Angela’s show when she performs with The Mighty 45’s.
Gloucester Blues Club in The Music Barn at The Frog and Fiddle, High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HW Tickets available from http://www.seetickets.com/event/angela-brown-themighty-45-s/frog-and-fiddle-cheltenham/790505 https://www.facebook.com/events/698545736869831/
OLD GIG PHOTOS [SPUNGE] at Gloucester Guildhall 2000-01 These photos were taken between 2000 and 2001 at Gloucester Guildhall. At the time, Tewkesbury ska-punk band [spunge] were reaping the rewards of several years of non-stop touring around the country. These nights at the Guildhall were always good, honest fun, which comes across in these photos.
I learnt the bass line to ‘Kicking Pigeons’ and spent hours listening to [spunge]’s first two albums on my cassette player whilst cycling around in all weathers on my paper round. Although the band got a lot of stick for their tongue-in-cheek songs and being far less serious than their contemporaries (such as the more politically charged Capdown and King Prawn), you could never question their work ethic and ability to make a room full of teenagers jump around for an hour. It’s hard to believe now, but at the time [spunge] were able to sell out 2 nights at the Guildhall in a row. What other local bands have done that recently? By 2003, ska-punk was no longer for me. I was into bands whose lyrics didn’t advise kicking feathered animals in public places. But, ten years on, [spunge] are still going strong they must be doing something right.
…IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE with ROBBIE EDWARDS carnival atmosphere, people doing the Conga and Derek drinking too much on stage and getting a little lewd! A great laugh! Also Imelda May at The Guildhall several years ago. She's simply incredible! Her look, sound and delivery together are too captivating for words. LAST GIG YOU WENT TO…
FAVOURITE BAND/MUSICIAN… Always too many to mention as I follow bands of many varying styles. For reggae, it would have to be Kingsley Salmon from King Solomon Band. He's a young lad but the maturity of his song writing and arrangements leave me in awe every time I catch them live. The band keep getting richer (sound wise) and better with each show. Also, Lewis Blake from Heaven Asunder. Though the band is based in Bristol, he's from these parts and gives the metal fret fetishists what they need. Detailed, fast and furious lead guitar and he's a jolly nice lad too. He and his band sent a birthday video message to my son Finlay last year on his 13th birthday! It made my lad beam from ear to ear. BEST GIG YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO… Tough choice, it's hard to choose one. DJ Derek last year at the Guildhall was a hoot! The place was rammed with a
As a performer it was with the ska covers band I front called Ska'd at the United Services Club in Cheltenham. It was the second time I played the Dunalley School event and everyone was jumping like a loon for 2 hours. Job done! As a punter it would have been the Renegade Festival at Cafe Rene on my birthday this year. First Degree Burns from Bristol were something else - Skip/hop they call it. Conscious rap over ska/reggae riddims. BEST THING ABOUT MUSIC… I'd say it's that at this present time, the artists, DJs and promoters are really stepping up and coming to the fore and believing in themselves. When I first came to Gloucester from Bristol in '94, I used to call this place 'The graveyard of ambition' as nearly nothing developed from here. That’s all different now and there are great musicians here covering so many genres it's beginning to feel like its finally got somewhere. I have though been concerned about lack of venues in Gloucester particularly, as they have been slowly declining but, I’m glad to hear the Brunswick is still trading as this place has so much potential. Artists are nothing if there are no venues to play to people.
…IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE with ROBBIE EDWARDS ONE THING YOU ABOUT MUSIC…
WOULD
CHANGE
I'd have to say I just want to see more of the above. Decent venues, more young bands coming through and cross genre support from artist to artist. All good new music has spawned by the blending of established sounds at some point and this needs to continue for it to stay fresh and vital. Don't just go and check metal bands if you are into metal for instance, go and discover and support something out of your 'zone'. BEST KEPT SECRET… This secret has actually become public only in the last few days - a venue opening with a large capacity, edge tech sound and aiming to be Gloucester's cultural centre. The Olympus Theatre on Barton Street will start to realize it's potential and draw the kinds of bands to it that usually ignore Gloucestershire in favour of cities like Cardiff and Bristol. This is amazing news for music fans here and hope they get behind the coming events. Congratulations to Nerva Gigs for thinking BIG! I wish them the very best in their endeavours. FAVOURITE VENUE/PUB... My favourite pub would have to be The Anchor in Tewkesbury. Robbie Jackson is a good friend and top bloke. Robbie likes his ska and between him and myself we brought ska-punk legends [spunge] back to the pub where they played their first gigs. A very special occasion for all involved that day.
On the bigger side it has always been The Guildhall in Gloucester up until now. I've never been to a crap show there. It has a spring loaded floor, 8K sound, independent cinema and great staff. A jewel in the crown. Some in the Council may see it as a non-essential service and seek to sell off at some point but they would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. It's the beating heart of Gloucester and people come from around the country to go there. It's where I went to my first show after moving here, No Means No in 1994, and I still play and attend there to this day. Long may it continue. GIVE YOURSELF A PLUG… Ruder Than You is the name of the events and Facebook page I run, dedicated to keeping ska/reggae/Punk and mod music alive around these parts. A well connected and informed audience is a happy audience. This is no ego trip. Come and join us!! Come and catch my band Ska'd for high energy, skanking shenanigans! Everyone leaves happy, exhausted and fairly well oiled too! Always a fun time to be had. Also coming up at Gloucester Guildhall on the 23rd of August is Concrete Jungle, a ska/reggae festival. Ruder Than You have worked closely with them to make this event become a reality. We are really looking forward to this, something for all styles of reggae. We hope this first one does well so it can be built on, year on year. Laying the foundations....
WHICH ONE’S GERRY? Tour diary part 1
Being part of a gigging band is not all sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. I asked James Walsh, singer for local covers band WHICH ONE’S GERRY?, to detail the ups and downs of band life over a busy weekend in May…
Friday 23rd May – We rolled up to THE BROWN JUG in Cheltenham at about 7.45 to find that we’d been allocated a space to set up and play in that was ridiculously inadequate (again!); but, hey, we set up there anyway. As it turned out, the fact that we couldn’t move or breathe, or that Gerry couldn’t play his guitar without smacking into the wall or the speaker (or both) was the least of our problems. After 18 months of gigging with only the occasional broken string to trouble us, we suddenly found we had no sound in one speaker and a USB interface adapter that was neither interfacing nor adapting. Fortunately Phil (our van driver, roadie and technician) was on hand to sort out the speaker issue (which is why we carry that huge bag of spare leads with us) and to point out that the USB gizmo was now an ex-USB gizmo! But all was ok; we plugged the USB straight into the mixer and I operated the backing tracks volume from the laptop. As for the gig, we were blazing through a set of absolutely classic songs, including a number that were ‘new’ to us, and we’re there playing to about 20 people!! Ok, they were loving it, but 20 people on a Friday night in a pub on the Bath Road is grim, and not the start to the weekend we’d hoped for. 3hrs played, 39 songs. Home – 1.30am
Saturday 24th May (MY Birthday and Gerry’s Wedding Anniversary; with his wife Nicky of course!) At 11am we arrived at THE IRISH CLUB in Gloucester to set up and perform at a charity fundraising event for CANINE PARTNERS. We did the gig last year so we knew exactly what to expect and exactly what they would enjoy. It was a great opportunity for us to perform a lot of songs that we don’t get to do in our regular set. It’s quite a surreal gig as the guests all have their canine partners with them; this means that we have to play at a reasonably subdued volume and that we get no applause at the end of any of the songs as it spooks the dogs. And, of course, the guests don’t get together as a group very often and so they want to be able to talk and socialize too. But it was a great gig, played to a genuinely appreciative and grateful audience. A very satisfying afternoon; the calm before the storm! 2hrs played, 28 songs. Home – 4.30pm, just for an hour, having been back to Maplins to change the USB gizmo!
WHICH ONE’S GERRY? Tour diary part 2 Then we were back on the road again, to THE FOX at Leafield; ALWAYS a great night and, as it was my birthday (and Gerry’s Anniversary), we were really revved up for this gig! Sam and Craig treated us to their incredible sausage baguettes with relish, salad and chips and a nice cup of coffee when we arrived. We then set up and started playing at 9pm. WHAT A NIGHT!! Although booked until midnight, we finally stopped playing at about 1.20am; finishing with the landlord (Craig) joining us for a drunken rendition of ‘My Way’ (which he made a pretty good job of under the circumstances)! Lots of familiar faces in the crowd, the enthusiasm and response we get from the brilliant people of Leafield is always fantastic; they love us and we love them. Highlights – EVERYTHING! But special mentions for ‘Those Were The Days’ (the pub ‘anthem’ and the first time we’d played it), ‘YMCA’ (yes, you’ve read that correctly) and ‘Uprising’. 4hrs played, 52 songs. Home 3.30am
Sunday 25th May – Another two gig day. We arrived at THE OLD SPOT INN, Dursley at 2pm for a 3pm slot at their beer and cider festival. Ken Lush was on when we got there, playing his acoustic set, full of folk, bawdy tales, comedy and even a bit of Spanish! He was very well received by a small but enthusiastic audience. He didn’t finish until 3, so, by the time we were set up and ready it was a 3.30 start. Within the first two songs we played, the marquee had filled up and, Matt (the landlord) was hastily taking the sides off to open it up to more people. What followed was the stuff of dreams; an awesome 2 hour gig (we were booked for 90 minutes, but The Ukeholics weren’t due on until 6) and an absolutely wild audience, who loved every minute of it. This is why we do what we do; for gigs like this and, thankfully, there are more and more of them. We had at least six offers of bookings as a result of this one afternoon; just fantastic! We managed to find time to avail them of their hospitality a little further by indulging in the most incredible home made burgers and some perfect chicken curry and rice before setting off to gig number two for the day and number five for the weekend! Highlights – ‘Ever Fallen In Love’, ‘Town Called Malice’ and ‘Down Down’. 2hrs played, 25 songs.
WHICH ONE’S GERRY? Tour diary part 3 We went straight over to SAINTBRIDGE RFC in Gloucester and set up for an 8pm start. I think musicians will understand when I say that this was ALMOST a great gig. 90% of the audience were brilliant, but there was one table, right near to where we were set up, who had clearly been on the sauce all day and had no interest in the music whatsoever. They were no problem to us directly, but they were loud and openly offensive to other members of the audience all evening; I can’t believe that they weren’t pulled up on their behaviour by any of the committee members present but that’s not my problem or any of my business, except that it spoils the evening for everyone. Or maybe it’s acceptable to call the ‘social’ members vile names loudly across the room, and to throw beer mats at them constantly, and to keep getting your danglys out, and to spend the evening simulating sex acts with each other and any lady who happens to walk by. Or, maybe it’s not! Highlights – Not really. 3hrs played (and not a minute more) 42 songs. Home 1am. Will we take a booking from them again? NO, unfortunately for the many, WE WILL NOT!
Monday 26th May – The last of our six gig weekend. PODSMEAD COMMUNITY CENTRE, Gloucester at 4.30pm til 7.30pm. We had been booked to start at 3.30pm and we arrived in plenty of time; but they were still playing bingo! And, after bingo, everybody made a hasty exit (as bingo crowds do) leaving us and a dozen others to the next three hours. Again, musicians will understand, there are some venues where you really wish that people would just support the efforts of a couple like Gerry and Cherie who run this place. They have a reasonable number of members at the club and they are trying to run events, but the membership just aren’t supporting them. You could see how gutted they were that we were playing to a dozen people; a dozen brilliant people, but just a dozen nonetheless. Not how you want to end any weekend, but you can only play to the people who turn up! Highlights – ‘Stuck In The Middle’, ‘You Do Something To Me’ and ‘Maggie May’. 3hrs played, 42 songs. Home 9.15pm So, job done; highs and lows; we love it; roll on next weekend!! Across 4 days; 17 hrs played 228 songs.
www.whichonesgerry.com for info and updates www.soundcloud.com/which-ones-gerry to hear live recordings If you are interested in writing a tour diary or a behind the scenes look at your job in the music industry, then just send me an e-mail: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk
The Mystery Train Radio show on Severn FM Every Sunday from 10.00pm-12.00am, THE MYSTERY TRAIN RADIO SHOW plays host to the best local and national songwriters, old and new. If you miss the show then you can catch up by visiting Severn FM’s ‘Listen Again’ facility. http://www.severnfm.com/ http://www.themysterytrainradioshow.com
GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTS PLAYED ON THE MYSTERY TRAIN RADIO SHOW IN MAY… 4th May 2014 Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, Day After Tomorrow (Songs Beneath The River) http://www.emily-barker.com/ Edd Donovan And The Wandering Moles, You Can Do (Something To Take The Edge Off ) http://www.edddonovan.co.uk/ Hattie Briggs, Pull Me Down (Pull Me Down Single) http://www.hattiebriggs.co.uk/ Jake Watson, Nuclear Winter Blues (The Portland Songbook) http://jakewatson.net/ 11th May 2014 Dan Hartland, Persephone (Young Man’s http://www.danhartland.com/ Seamilk, Undertow (single) https://twitter.com/seamilkmusic Sundae Club, Honey Bee (British Summer http://sundaeclub.bandcamp.com/
Game) Time)
18th May 2014 Alex Petrie, Casablanca (Paper Tiger EP)https://twitter.com/dukewhitethin Juey, Callisto (Before The Devil Catches Me) http://www.iamjuey.com/ 25th May 2014 Edd Donovan And The Wandering Moles, Don't Be Afraid (Something To Take The Edge Off) http://www.edddonovan.co.uk/ Ethemia, If You Fall (Recorded live for The Mystery Train Radio Show) https://www.facebook.com/Ethemia
BROCKFEST at Brockworth Rugby Club, Gloucester June 14th June 14th sees the return of popular local music festival Brockfest, with Ecotricity as main sponsor. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research, the chosen charity for the event. Brockfest is a family orientated, live music festival, organised and driven by a committee and volunteers from Brockworth Football and Rugby Clubs. James Aldridge is Brockfest’s founder and Fund Raising Officer. “We are very passionate about our local community and want to help bring something positive to local people in the area”. Brockfest was born last summer by a small group of local people who together created a one day Music Festival in the village of Brockworth with a limited budget and no external financial sponsorship. This year Gareth Evans joins the team as co-organiser to help manage the event with James. “Even with these barriers we managed to attract an impressive 450 revellers. The feedback received was really positive and the event was considered to be a success. Social media, posters and word of mouth are used to promote the event on a shoestring budget and we are confident that this year’s event,
with Ecotricity on board, will help to create much more of a buzz about the event and also help to attract more local funding opportunities”. Brockfest is very much a family event with children’s entertainment, such as bouncy castles, fairground rides, face painting and a local ice cream van. Brockfest opens on 14th June 2014 at Brockworth Rugby Club from 2PM – 11.30PM. Early Bird Tickets are available for £5, or £8 on the day and free for under 11’s. Tickets can be purchased from Brockworth RFC, Brockworth Legion building and online at www.brockfest.yapsody.com
GIG PREVIEWS On Saturday 7th June an all-day event at Baker Street, Gloucester celebrates the homecoming of athlete Lee Fancourt who will have cycled 18,000 miles around the globe. The for for and
event is to help raise further funds the two causes he has been cycling - Great Ormond Street Hospital Increase The Peace.
There will be a selection of live bands and solo artists in Baker Street Public House’s courtyard, plus a bevvy of DJs in the main bar. Free entry 12 pm till 3am. Children are welcome during the day and there will be barbeque food, charity auctions and raffles with some super prizes. Great fun guaranteed!
BREAKING ACTS STAGE at The Miners Arms, Whitecroft
This month The Miners Arms (I’m always troubled by that lack of apostrophe – I know it doesn’t necessarily need one but…) in Whitecroft host the best up and coming acts from Gloucestershire and Bristol. Poundshop Life (great name), The Trust, Embargo, Emi McDade and Lipstick & Beer all perform.
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL CHELTENHAM! It’s amazing what you find in Badlands these days. Here’s the track listing for a CD I stumbled upon… 1. Montpellier Park Life – Blur 2. Goodbye Inner Ring Road – Elton John 3. Dancing Ken In The Moonlight – Toploader 4. Every Day Is A Whaddon Road – Sheryl Crow 5. Born In St Paul’s Hospital Maternity Ward – Bruce Springsteen 6. Exile On The Lower High Street – Rolling Stones 7. Gold (Cup) – Spandau Ballet 8. All Along The Eagle Star Tower – Bob Dylan 9. Devils Chimney – Beck 10. The (Hesters) Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE ISSUE #8 JUNE 2014
We didn’t have time to do any proof reading this month. We have jobs and things like that so ran out of time! Just ignore the spelling mistakes. Content created by BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Photos that have been credited have been used with permission. Photos that are not credited were either taken by me or found on Google images. If you want an image removed because it belongs to you, contact me and I’ll do so.
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