Dorset Music- February 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO THE BEST MUSIC IN EXETER, PLYMOUTH & THE DEVON AREA!

DORSET

C I S U M

OFFICAL TICKET OUTLETS

www.dorset-music.com

charlie funeral for a friend simpson exclusive interview

talks takedown festival

plus inme / lower than atlantis / xander & the keys

www.dorset-music.com

/ dorsetmusicmag @ dorsetmusicmag

WELCOME BEST MUSIC IN STOP GUIDE TO THE

EXETER, PLYMOUTH

T DORSE

FEBRUARY 2015

YOUR ONE

MUSIC

& THE DEVON AREA!

OFFICAL TICKET OUTLETS

www.d orset-m usic.co m

plus inme / lower than

atlan tis / xande r & the

ww w.d ors et-m usic

.co m

This month we chat to the enigmatic but surprisingly chatty Squarepusher about robots, his unique style and the imminent dectruction of the Old Firestation at his hands. We also catch up with Bridgend’s finest Funeral For a Friend, talk Takedown Festival with InMe and Charlie Simpson and ask some silly questions to Lower than Atlantis.

All this plus previews, listings and announcements from all of the best venues and events in the Dorset area and a chance to win tickets to see Funeral for a Friend at Sound Circus.

charlie

son funeral for a friend simp talks takedown festival exclusive interview

Thanks for picking up the February 2015 issue of Dorset Music Magazine, your one stop guide to the best music in the county and beyond.

keys

/ dors etm usic mag mag @ dors etm usic

www.dorset-music.com

For news submissions and editorial enquiries email info@dorset-music.com If you are interested in advertising with us email sales@phmusicmedia.co.uk or call us free on 0808 147 1106 SOUTHAMPTON | SEPTEMBER dorset MUSIC |MUSIC february 2015 2013

/dorsetmusicmag @ D o rs e t M u s i c M a g

Edition 2

FEATURE

Can you tell us a little bit about what is was like to work with robots on your Z-Machine collaboration last year? How did the process differ from how you would compose for humans?

The process differed in a number of ways. The main difference was that robots have a completely unique set of degrees of freedom concerning what they can do with an instrument. So you can think about composing melodic elements for guitar, for example, that require hundreds of notes per second. It opens up sonic possibilities that are more akin to synthesisers, in OK, I’ll admit it. When I sat down to interview the man that is that you can achieve modulation effects where the modulator Squarepusher, Tom Jenkinson, I didn’t know much about him, frequencies are in the audible range. The robots were also quite which is odd given that he’s managed to sustain the Squarepusher limited too –the drummer could only play with one velocity setting, or volume. So I had to think quite hard about how to brand (despite his best efforts to destroy said brand) for (cough) 20 bring dynamic variation into it. It was interesting to see how years. We’ve all heard the name and we’ve all heard the tunes but people’s approach to listening was conditioned by the idea of it digging deeper into the extensive back catalogue on offer I found being played by robots –I noticed several times where someone an abundance of genre-bending work which twists and turns across had heard it, and was blown away by the insane guitar playing, the years and challenges the listener to wander through as yet but then when it was revealed that it was a robot playing, it then unchartered sonic fields, as well as providing them with some pretty somehow became less interesting, even ‘fake’ in some way. For pleasing anthems. I discovered that this multi-talented man has me knowing that robots are playing it makes it more interesting, not less –but then I’m not all that keen on human beings. worked through everything from his drum n bass roots to electric bass to robots. That’s right, robots. And that’s right, solo electric bass.

Did you get to see the robots perform your compositions?

And then I spoke to Tom. And I discovered that the man behind the No sadly I wasn’t present for the recording process –it was music is nothing short of brilliant. Articulate, intelligent and at times all done in Japan where the robotics team was based. I have hilarious he’s as complicated as his music can seem and his new developed a good relationship with the chap who was in charge show, which comes to the Old Fire Station on 17 March is set to be of designing and building the robots, so hopefully there will be one hell of an experience. Read on, robot lovers, to find out more… more robotic antics for me in the future!

Your Old Fire Station show is a warm up for a big London showcase of your new material, so firstly, will we get to hear it all in Bournemouth or are you holding something back for London?

I may play different sets in each place. I’ll make my mind up when I see the venue –it’s quite often things such as its size, acoustic characteristics and PA system that determine what I play on the night, be cause certain pieces are suited to certain kinds of venue set up. A smaller place like the Old Fire Station will sound pretty different to the Barbican so I doubt I’d do the same thing there.

Your music has taken a number of different turns over the years, what can we expect from the new stuff?

It’ll tear your face off.

We’ve heard rumours there’s an exciting visual show that accompanies your new music, can you tell us anything about that?

I’m working in collaboration on this project. So far, I’ve always done the visual side of the show myself, but on the last run of shows it was getting brutally complex taking care of all of the gear. The stage set up was literally two thirds of a tonne of stuff and I was the only person who understood how it all worked! So it seems like a good moment to bring in a collaborator. That side of it is still very much in development. It’s interesting to discuss ideas rather than have them all rattling around in my own head. I’m outlining broad guidelines and then just letting them go off and see what they come up with. I don’t really see the point of a collaboration where I simply tell someone what to do, but it isn’t that easy letting go of the reins.

You seem to love changing tack and experimentation forms the basis of most of your varied back catalogue of work, where do you think this desire to constantly challenge yourself and your listeners comes from?

For me it is just the most obvious way to approach music, but then I see being alert and excited as being an obviously desirable state for a person to at least want to be in. When I started recording music from the radio and so on I was really young, much too young to be aware of the processes of categorisation of music. At that age, to me the world of music was all one, and to this day I can’t help but retain a bit of that view, so maybe I don’t see my work being as varied as you do. Looking at it in terms of harmony, rhythm and structural development, I see it all as being reasonably consistent. For me categories are something to be hijacked and joked around with.

I see them as part of the general conservative disease in modern music –a style is just like an excuse to stop thinking; you adopt its characteristics and hide within them. Even a radical musical experiment repeated enough times becomes just another quantified gesture. It’s such things that make music easier to sell of course.

Do you think it’s this constant evolution that has caused you to remain successful for so many years?

I’d say I’d have more success, in general terms of money and notoriety, if I had played up to the attempts of the audience and media to nail down what Squarepusher is all about. After I did Big Loada I noticed that a view of my work had seemingly Is it important to you that your live shows are a complete experience? Do coalesced in the minds of critics and listeners, so I deliberately you feel as though the visuals are almost as important as the music itself? tried to trash it all with Music Is Rotted One Note. It’s really the only way I can justify taking part in the hideous world of the I think that the presence of the visual element can retroactively justify music industry –to test to destruction what I can get away with. itself, as if once you have seen it, you can never imagine that music I’d rather ruin it all than swan along sucking up and playing existing without it. But remember that, at least in terms of my current project, the music came first and if it didn’t have a visual accompaniment along with all of the critical bullshit. Something just really bugs I like to think you wouldn’t miss it. Another way to look at it is –how likely me about musicians and critics playing these stupid happy ego driven games whilst the world outside is in dire peril -the are you to want to watch the visuals on their own? incongruity is obscene.

Is it true you were a bit of a rocker when you were younger?

And finally, what are you looking forward to most about The first band I played in was a thrash metal group, when I was twelve. performing your new show?

If you can be a rocker at that age then maybe I was –but I always felt Making a racket, pissing people off, making people happy, uncomfortable with music getting mixed up in that kind of social getting out of my head and having a right laugh, all of the old partitioning, it’s just bullshit. It always troubled me that areas of music fashioned stuff. that had many similarities and shared a vocabulary were commonly Words: Zan Lawther seen as mutually exclusive and even opposed to each other. Dividing up music, and people with it -all of that seemed like an impediment to understanding what was really going on and I’ve always been keen to get rid of anything that does that. Given also that I’ve always been an outsider anyway, those categories like ‘rocker’ or whatever just seem like a distraction.

Catch squarpusher live @ Old Fire Station | 17th march

dorset MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

SQUAREPUSHER

FEATURE

DORSET MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

GUILDHALL BOX(EAST OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) OXFAM MUSIC ST) / www.southampton-music.com OXFAM MUSIC (EAST ST) / www.southampton-music.com

THE HOBBIT | 05/05

TALKING HEADS| HEADS| 18/04 18/04 TALKING

TALKING HEADS | 24/04 TALKING HEADS | 24/04

ENGINE ROOMS | 29/03

ENGINE ROOMS | 29/03

JOINERS | 05/02

1865 | 31/01

JOINERS | 10/02

ENGINE ROOMS | 05/02 ENGINE ROOMS | 13/02 MALEVOLENCE NAPOLEON KUBLAI KHAN RSj cYPHER 16 SEETHING AkIRA

THE AMITY AFFLICTION THE AMITY AFFLIcTIoN VOLUMES VoLUMES

ENGINE | 05/02 1865ROOMS | 23/01

BAD TOUCH THE PICTUREBOOKS

1865 JOINERS| 14/03 | 20/03

JOINERS | 25/03 JOINERS | 25/03 RAG NN BoNE BONE MAN MAN RAG GUILDHALL | 26/03 OFMIcE MICE && MEN MEN GUILDHALL | 26/03 oF 1865 | 27/03 MONUMENTS KARNIVOOL MoNUMENTS 1865 | 27/03 kARNIVooL 1865 | 28/03 THE ANSWER 1865 | 28/03 THELORDI ANSWER LoRDI JOINERS | 05/04 OBEY THE BRAVE JOINERS| 10/04 | 07/04 1865 coLLISIoNS GINA YASHERE JOINERS | 15/04 1865 | 10/04 MARIKA HACKMAN GINA YASHERE DOLOMITEMINoR MINOR HYENA TURBOWOLF DoLoMITE HYENA TURBoWoLF DUKE DUkE SPECIAL SPEcIAL GUILDHALL CALABRESE BOX OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601)

SNOT

SET IT OFF DANGERKIDS ALIVE LIKE ME TEXAS IN jULY MoRE THAN A THoUSAND UPoN THIS DAWNING

FoZZY SKYHARBOR

AMoN AMARTH

BETRAYING THEINCITE MARTYRS

BONAFIDE HARDCORE SUPERSTAR SkYHARBoR NITRODIVE SLEEPMAkESWAVES TFN

ARTHEMIS SkARLETT RIoT DENDERA

ARTHEMIS SKARLETT RIOT DENDERA

SNOT THE BASTARD SONS THE USED ALL HAIL THE YETI CYTOTA

SET IT oFF SONS OF LCARUS DANGERkIDS LTNT ALIVE LIkE ME WESTERN SAND

SET IT OFF DANGERKIDS ALIVE LIKE ME TEXAS IN jULY MoRE THAN A THoUSAND UPoN THIS DAWNING

THE BASTARD SONS

AMoN AMARTH

CROWN THE EMPIRE

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS

THEAUSED DECADES FUNERAL FoR FRIEND

LANDSCAPES No BRAGGING RIGHTS

BETRAYING THE MARTYRS

cREEPER FjoRT TEXAS IN JULY MORE THAN A THOUSAND UPON THIS DAWNING

THE YoUTH TIDESDIRTY FROM NEBULA DENDERA SLEEPMAKESWAVES

ENGINE ROOMS | 18/02

TALKING HEADS | 20/03 JOINERS | 20/03

TALKING HEADS | 05/03

TALKING HEADS | 14/02

JOINERS | 10/02

ENGINE ROOMS | 13/02

1865 | 31/01

JOINERS | 05/02

ENGINE ROOMS | 05/02 THEEMPIRE USED CROWN THE JOINERS | 05/02 BETRAYING THEINCITE MARTYRS JOINERS | 10/02 FIREHOUSE | 15/02 SNoT MALEFICE ENGINE ROOMS | 13/02 JOINERS | 16/02 cRoWNJETTBLACK THE EMPIRE JOINERS | 14/02 36 CRAZYFISTS HAWk EYES GoD DAMN JOINERS || 16/02 22/02 GUS G JOINERS jETTBLAck JOINERS | 23/02 HAIL THE YETI SEAFOAL ALL ENGINE ROOMS | 18/02 cYToTA 36 cRAZYFISTS JOINERS | 03/03 MAN WITHOUT COUNTRY JOINERS | 22/02 GUS G SCREAMS FATHOMS ATTILA SILENT TALKING HEADS | 05/03 ATTILA JOINERS | 08/03 WEDNESDAY 13 JOINERS | 08/03 THE DIRTY YOUTH WEDNESDAY 1865 | 14/03 FOZZY 13DENDERA

LANDSCAPES No BRAGGING RIGHTS

cREEPER FjoRT TEXAS IN JULY MORE THAN A THOUSAND UPON THIS DAWNING

ENGINE ROOMS | 05/02 1865 | 23/01

THEAUSED FUNERAL FoR FRIENDDECADES

JOINERS | 05/02

TALKING HEADS | 14/02

JOINERS | 10/02 FIREHOUSE | 15/02 SNoT MALEFICE ENGINE ROOMS | 13/02 JOINERS | 16/02 cRoWNJETTBLACK THE EMPIRE 36 CRAZYFISTS HAWk EYES GoD DAMN JOINERS | 14/02 JOINERS || 16/02 22/02 GUS G JOINERS jETTBLAck JOINERS | 23/02 SEAFOAL ALLcYToTAHAIL THE YETI ENGINE ROOMS | 18/02 36 cRAZYFISTS JOINERS | 03/03 MAN WITHOUT COUNTRY GUS G SILENT SCREAMS JOINERS | 22/02 ATTILA FATHOMS TALKING HEADS | 05/03 ATTILA JOINERS | 08/03 WEDNESDAY 13 SET IT oFF SONS OF LCARUS DANGERkIDS LTNT ALIVE LIkE ME WESTERN SAND

ALL HAIL THE YETI CYTOTA

ENGINE ROOMS | 18/02

ARTHEMIS SKARLETT RIOT DENDERA

ARTHEMIS SkARLETT RIoT DENDERA

WEDNESDAY FOZZY 13 FoZZY SKYHARBOR

THE DIRTY YOUTH DENDERA THE YoUTH TIDESDIRTY FROM NEBULA DENDERA SLEEPMAKESWAVES

BONAFIDE HARDCORE SUPERSTAR SkYHARBoR NITRODIVE SLEEPMAkESWAVES TFN

TALKING HEADS | 05/03

JOINERS | 08/03

1865 | 14/03

1865 JOINERS| 14/03 | 20/03 TALKING HEADS | 20/03 JOINERS | 20/03

JOINERS | 25/03 JOINERS | 25/03 RAGNN BoNE BONE MAN MAN RAG GUILDHALL | 26/03 OFMIcE MICE&&MEN MEN GUILDHALL | 26/03 oF 1865 | 27/03 MONUMENTS KARNIVOOL MoNUMENTS 1865 | 27/03 kARNIVooL 1865 | 28/03 THE ANSWER 1865 | 28/03 THELORDI ANSWER LoRDI JOINERS | 05/04 OBEY THE BRAVE JOINERS| 10/04 | 07/04 1865 coLLISIoNS GINA YASHERE JOINERS| 10/04 | 15/04 1865 MARIKA HACKMAN GINA YASHERE DOLOMITEMINoR MINOR HYENA TURBOWOLF DoLoMITE HYENA TURBoWoLF DUKE DUkE SPECIAL SPEcIAL GUILDHALL CALABRESE BOX OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) THE AMITY AFFLICTION THE AMITY AFFLIcTIoN VOLUMES VoLUMES BAD TOUCH THE PICTUREBOOKS

ENGINE ROOMS | 29/03

MALEVOLENCE NAPOLEON KUBLAI KHAN RSj cYPHER 16 SEETHING AkIRA

ENGINE ROOMS | 29/03

TALKING HEADS| HEADS| 18/04 18/04 TALKING

TALKING HEADS | 24/04 TALKING HEADS | 24/04 THE HOBBIT | 05/05

GUILDHALL BOX(EAST OFFICEST) (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) OXFAM MUSIC / www.southampton-music.com OXFAM MUSIC (EAST ST) / www.southampton-music.com

Would you rather have an extra finger or lose a toe?

A finger, so I could play more guitar chords.

Would you rather kiss a jellyfish or step on a crab?

Step on a crab.

If you were a worm, would you rather be really short so that no one, not even the other worms could see you, or really long so that you could barely move under or over ground?

Really small, then I wouldn’t have to talk to anyone ever.

Who’s got the biggest feet in the band?

Ben. Size 13 … Gentle giant.

What Disney Prince/Princess would you most like to see in the Royal Family?

Aladdin Have you ever been stuck in a piece of clothing? (Skinny jeans etc.)

Maybe after a really sweaty show...

Would you rather have a cat that can talk or a dog that can fly?

A cat that can talk for sure …

Who’s got the worst habit and what is it?

Smoking’s pretty bad I guess. That’s me.

Look to your left, the first thing you see is what you have to defend yourself in the zombie apocalypse, what is it?

A sheepskin rug …

How does it feel making it onto the Radio 1 A List?

Fucking awesome …

If you were Captain of a Ship, what would you name it?

Wave Racer …

If you could go back to the beginning and choose a different name for your band, would you change it and what would you change it to?

Definitely keep it the same.

Who would win in a fight, a crocodile with a flick knife or a rhino with death stars?

The crocodile; I have no idea what Death Stars are …

catch lower than atlantis live @ old firestation | 21st april

FEATURE

It’s nearly here! The biggest day on any Southamptoner’s alternative calendar; the festival that kicks off what is bound to be another festy filled summer; the bringer of carnage that releases us all from our post-Christmas, post dry-January fuzz…... We’re talking, of course, about Takedown Festival. One huge day where festival organisers cram as many of the leading national and local rock and metal bands into Southampton University’s SUSU facilities and we all party our heads off!

This year’s line up is arguably the festival’s strongest ever with Radio 1 favourites Mallory Knox heading things up on the main stage; heavyweight stalwarts Heart of a Coward & Bleed from Within keeping things metal on the second stage; the anarchic Baby Godzilla (whose set last year was many people’s highlight of the day) are back by popular demand to headline in the Stag’s and goth-rockers Fearless Vampire Killers curating their own stage with their favourite up and coming artists and even a magician! Takedown is THE place to be to check out those bands on the cusp of exploding into the mainstream and they’ve really upped the stakes this year…..catch The One Hundred who’ve just been announced to open for the mighty Papa Roach, as well as Allusondrugs who are about to hit the road with Enter Shikari and don’t forget to check out XXX who won the Your Band Here unsigned competition as voted for by Takedown fans..…next year’s BIG names all under one roof.

True to form, they’ve also managed to squeeze some of the nation’s most beloved veterans onto the bill. We’re particularly excited about InMe playing the entirety of their seminal album Overgrown Eden. The announcement of this set the Twittersphere on fire and it’s certainly looking to be the crowning glory on a lot of Takedowners’ days. We grabbed a few moments with Dave McPherson to see how the band were preparing for the trip down memory lane…

The fact that you’re playing Overgrown Eden in its entirety has been hugely popular with Takedowners, how has the response made you feel?

Very nice, if not a little bit older! It’s refreshing to revisit our past after taking a breather from earlier stuff. The reaction has been overwhelming, I can be an insecure sausage so it’s nice to know people still care and are being so enthusiastic and nice.

What are you most looking forward to playing and are there any songs on the album that you’ll have to completely re-learn?

If I’m being honest it shouldn’t take long to pick things back up with our debut album. It’s pretty simple compared to some of

dorset MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

our later stuff which means I can rock out more and get lost in the moment with the crowd. I’m most looking forward to Firefly, Her Mask (P.A) & Crushed Like Fruit as I reckon they’ll get the best singalong. We have a special secret surprise in store for Neptune too!

How have those songs changed for you over the years, or does playing them feel the same as it always did?

I was a teenager when we recorded and wrote this album and now I’m a man in his thirties so it is a bit strange. It feels like another person’s life. I’m not as uptight about music as I once was and enjoy it all a lot more so there’ll be more beaming smiles than the old moody days!

What do you think of the trend for playing/touring an album in its entirety? As a performer is it nice to have the luxury of playing an entire album from start to finish?

I think artists can do whatever they like really, it’s nice to try themed ideas like this rather than just playing the same mix of songs every show/tour. It’s a fun challenge as a performer and also feels like a bit of a celebration.

You played Takedown last year with new outfit Centiment, what did you like most about the festival?

Jamie Lenman telling me he loved the Centiment album was a personal highlight. I enjoyed the band camaraderie and didn’t witness any rock star ego nonsense. I also loved the enthusiasm of the crowds and the whole affair was perfectly organised too.

It’s also nice to go to Southampton University as I have some very fond memories playing there, not least with Biffy Clyro back in the day plus once on my birthday with 800 folk singing Happy Birthday!

And he’s bloomin’ well right, you know! One of the best things about Takedown is how involved the bands get with the festival itself. Keep your eyes peeled as you move around the site because you never know who’s stood next to you in the queue for a beer. Bands come out into the crowds to watch other bands and hang out with fans, everyone gets involved with the different genres across the stages and EVERYONE stays for the killer Uprawr aftershow at the end of the night.

INME

memories of it all. It was a weird time, going into Fightstar and I wanted to step away from it all but now with distance I look back with fond memories.

Was it hard pushing through people’s idea of who you were when you formed Fightstar?

Exactly. I feel like now people understand who I am and they know what I’m about but I was so young at the time and it was a lot of pressure but now it’s great that we’re all doing what we want to do.

It’s all part of what makes you who you are now…

Exactly. And right now I’m exactly where I want to be so I see my entire history as leading me up to this point.

One man who’s not afraid to leap (or given the length of his legs, probably just a small step will do!) across the genre divides is former Busted teeny-pop heart-throb, then hard rocking Fightstar frontman and now acoustic solo, let’s face it, still heart-throb Charlie Simpson. He joins the Takedown ranks for the first time this year and we can’t wait to catch his set on the main stage. We managed to wangle a few minutes on the telephone with him recently to talk briefly about his career, which given that he’s still only 28, is really rather extensive…

You’re just about to go out on the road with your solo acoustic show, are you looking forward to that?

Yeah it’s gonna be great man. I’ve never done shows just me and a guitar but I write the songs with just an acoustic and no one really gets to hear them in that raw form so I thought it would be nice to go out on the road and play a back to basics, stripped back set so yeah, I’m looking forward to it.

Is it more nerve-wracking playing just you and the guitar?

Definitely, definitely and I’ve never done it so I am actually quite nervous. I never used to get nervous but I am about this one.

Usually you share the nerves amongst your band members and I usually have 5 guys on stage with me but this is just going to be a completely different thing but I am really looking forward to it because it’s something I haven’t done before.

Do you prefer performing as a solo artist or in the comradery of a band?

I do like the comradery. Especially on tour when you’re away for a long time and it’s just fun to have other people around you but I think this is going to be great and it’s just delving into something new and I think it will be nice for the audience to see the songs in a completely different way.

Quite a lot of the shows are already sold out…

Yeah, the reaction’s been great so I’m really pleased with that.

And that does take the nerves away a bit because people are obviously keen to see it so that makes me feel much better to be honest.

OK, my team would never forgive me for interviewing you without bringing up Busted and admitting to you that I had a MASSIVE crush on you in those days…..how do you feel now about your time in Busted?

Oh really? Niiiice. Haha. I look back and I think it was great fun.

In the last year I’ve got back in touch with Matt and James because they’ve been doing McBusted and it’s been really nice to rekindle that friendship. McBusted was obviously never on the cards for me because I’m totally focussed on my own stuff.

It’s taken me a long time but I look back now and I’ve got fond

dorset MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

You had a really good Fightstar show in London the other day…That was mental man. We hadn’t played a show in five years and it was absolute carnage. People just went absolutely mental so that was good fun and then we’ve got a couple more shows at the end of February as an extension of the ten year anniversary and then I’m looking forward to doing festivals myself over the summer. It’s going to be quite a busy year!

And your solo stuff is a different sound again, how do you think it will be received by an audience such as the Takedown crowd?

It’s a weird one, I guess if I wasn’t in Fightstar it would be a weird thing for me to do but I have played a couple of rock festivals in my time and it went down an absolute storm. I don’t think the jump with people’s tastes is as far as people think you know, I love rock music and I love acoustic music so the two kind of go hand in hand for me.

Do you think there’s more crossover between the rock/heavy world and the pop world than there was back in the Busted days?

Yeah I think so and also there’s a big cross between rock music and acoustic music. So many singers in rock bands do acoustic solo projects and the whole Punk Goes Acoustic compilations and bands like Dashboard Confessional back ten years ago that bridged the gap between the two genres and also with bands like Fall Out Boy and Paramore, that’s bridged the gap between pop and rock and the lines have been blurred now whereas that wasn’t the case ten years ago.

Tell us about your latest album. There’s a lot of vocal layering on there and harmonies, how did you arrive at this sound?

Yes! Love the harmonies. Harmonies are actually my favourite thing in music, like the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, Crosby Stills & Nash, Eagles, all that stuff, I just can’t get enough of it. Growing up my Dad used to play me all that 70’s stuff which is really where I formed my love for harmonies and when I started writing on the acoustic that’s what came out. I didn’t really think about it I just tapped into the influences I had growing up.

And what can we expect from the live show at Takedown?

Well I’m going to have my band for the Takedown show. We have a lot of fun on stage, I’ve got a brilliant band behind me who are all very talented musicians and we just have a lot of fun.

I think ‘fun’ is the word of the day for Takedown.

True dat, Charlie, true dat. FUN is definitely the name of the game for Takedown Festival and we can’t wait for the 7 March to roll around.

Words: Zan Lawther

takedown festival |7th march at southampton uni Tickets available from www.takedownfestival.co.uk

CHARLIE SIMPSON

1

5

9

8

2

11

12 7

10

4

le:///H:/Bournemouth%20Music/Oct/1231450_642082119147320_1020124354_n.jp

1 Sound Circus 2 Halo 3 Chaplin’s 6 3

4 The Old Fire Station 5 The Anvil 6 The O2 Academy 7 BIC 8 The Winchester 9 Shakeaway 10 Orange Rooms 11 Sixty Million Postcards 12 Pavillion Theatre

New regional maps will be added according to demand

Get your business on the map!

Call 0808 1471106 or mail sales@phmusicmedia.co.uk for more information

01202 748945 8a Parr Street, Lower Parkstone, Poole

For updates on upcoming events and free ticket offers please join our mailing list at www. mrkyps.net You can also follow us on twitter @mrkyps or join the ‘Mr Kyps Live Music Venue’ group on facebook!

SAT FRI SAT FRI SAT FRI SUN SAT FRI SAT FRI SUN SAT FRI SAT FRI SAT FRI THU SAT FRI SAT FRI

MARCH

FEBRUARY JANUARY

www.mrkyps.net

23 Souled Out 24 Hayseed Dixie 30 Kings Ov Leon 31 The Bowie Experience 5 Lawrence Jones 6 Back 2 Skool Ft Bootleg Blondie 7 Macka B & Dubheart 13 Rolling Stoned (**Half Price Till Xmas**) 14 The Caezers 20 Guns n Roses Experience 21 Roxy Magic 22 Garland Jefferys and Band 27 Whole Lotta Led 28 Cuban Brothers 6 Cregan & Co Featuring Ben Mills 7 RU40 8 Martin Harley Band 13 The Fillers 14 With a little help from my friends 20 Fleetwood Bac 21 The Beat 27 Lady Winwoods Maggot 28 Ultimate Elton & The Rocket Band Energetic, Electrifying and Exciting throughout

Hillbilly covers of rock classics, “Fabulous” said Brian May Tribute to Sex On Fire Rockers

One of the UK’s top tribute acts to one of the worlds greatest music icons

“Laurence is like a young Robin Trower, exciting and full of energy” - BBC Radio 2

70s and 80s classics incl. The Jam, Madness, Blondie, Madonna, Soft Cell, The Specials, The Clash and more...

One of Britain’s most influential dancehall toasters Nearest thing to the real article

Rockabilly sensations, “Brilliant” says Imelda May

Meticulously recreating every detail to capture that reckless spirit of the G’N R legendary live performances.

The Definitive Roxy Music Tribute

Traversing Rock n’ Roll, Reggae, Blues & Soul

Whole Lotta Led are one of the biggest tribute acts in the UK Sexy, Funky, Soulful and Fun

Rod Stewarts Guitarist & X Factor Finalist Ultimate tribute to reggae legends UB40

“Awesome” – Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 2 Europes top tribute to The Killers

Local musicians and performers coming together for charity Seal Of Approval From Mick Fleetwood Original 2-Tone Legends

A trip to moose manor with the purveyors of death Western

You simply won’t find a closer tribute to Sir Elton John

£5 adv

£15 adv

£10 adv

£8 adv

£5 adv

£10 adv

£10 adv

£5/10 adv

£8 adv

£10 adv

£10 adv

£15 adv

£12 adv

£13 adv

£13 adv

£5 adv

£12.50 adv

£10 adv

£20 adv

£12 adv

£15 adv

FREE before 9pm (£5 after)

£12 adv

Bridport www.electricpalaceorg.uk

Sat 14 Feb: Ben Poole

'He’s a heck of a soulful singer and uses his guitar to great effect without overpowering you with guitar hero machismo' Blues Rock Review

Mon 23 Feb: Broadchurch composer Olafur Arnalds Live set followed by the last episode of the gripping TV series

Sat 28 Feb: Fairport Convention Folk rock legends

Tickets from Electric Palace Box Office (Tues–Sat 10am- 4pm) 01308 428354 Bridport TIC (Mon-Sat 10am-3pm) 01308 424901 or online at Seetickets.com

COMPETITION

Funeral For a Friend are back with a new album and will return to Bournemouth next month to blow the roof off the Sound Circus! You and a pal could be there gratis by just answering this simple question...

Q: In what year did Funeral For a Friend form in Bridgend?

Email your answer to:

competitions@dorset-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook.

Competition closes 01/03/15

/dorsetmusicmag @D o r s e t M u s i c M a g

dorset MUSIC | february 2015

funeral for a friend

www.rock-regeneration.co.uk Recently there have been lots of show announcements for highly acclaimed acts such as Morrissey, Fall Out Boy and The Prodigy in Dorset. This is great but why do we not get more great acts to play here on the South coast. In the 1980’s/1990’s the BIC and Poole Arts Centre (now The Lighthouse) used to play host to some amazing acts such as U2, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Oasis, Blur along with many others. I hope this is a start of a revival of Dorset finally getting put back on the map of the major artists’ touring schedules. The O2 Academy in Bournemouth are doing a great job in bringing some these artists to town, however I cannot help thinking we miss out to other towns like Brighton.

January’s gigs were kicked off by the mighty Lady Winwoods Maggot who have been performing around these parts for nearly 20 years. An army of their most loyal fans headed to Mr Kyps and were treated to nearly two hours of madcap fun and mayhem ‘maggot’ style. Those crazy hoedown kings The Jimmy Hillbillies supported showing everyone how an audience should be warmed up.

A really great night was had by all.

Magna Cart3r who were known formerly as JC Jesus popped in the Hope FM studio for an interview and to perform a 3 song acoustic session. These guys have a total mix of influences coming from all over the place making a sound like no other. I certainly urge you to check them at one of their many local gigs soon.

CHINNERS

Our gigs of the Month

Wed 4th Feb 2015, 20:00, Four Horsemen, Bournemouth : The Acoustocalypse: Featuring: Tom Clements + Grimshaw Endea + Shaun Gary Palmer + Kimari Raven Thu 5th Feb 2015, 19:00, Sound Circus, Bournemouth : 36 Crazyfists + All Hail The Yeti + Cyotota Fri 6th Feb , 20:00, Anvil, Bournemouth : Rise To Serve + Death Head + Fox Punch + Terror Drone Sat 7th Feb, 20:00, Mr. Kyps, Poole : Macka B + Dubheart Sun 8th Feb, 21:00, Thomas Tripp (Christchurch), Christchurch : Darren Hodson & The Southern Companion: Album launch Fri 13 Feb 2015, 19:30, Anvil, Bournemouth : Empire + Support Sat 14th Feb, 20:00, Mr. Kyps, Poole : The Caezers + The Surfin’ Birds Sun 15th Feb, 13:00, Acorn, Creekmoor, Creekmoor : Charity Family Fun Day:Featuring: Matt Black + Si Genaro + Chris Payn + Becky Lee Clark + Jax Hall + The Mood Swings + Carlos Heath + Duveaux + Calvin Glen + Pyro + Nicole Mcnally Sat 28th Feb, 14:00, Lord Nelson, Poole : Anniversary Of Rock:Featuring: The Red Crown + Lady Winwood’s Maggot + Innocent Bystander + PV + All Funked Up + The Wonkey Donkeys + Skint + Dakota + Black Orchid + Mooseknuckle Sat 28th Feb, 19:30, Winchester Pub, Bournemouth : Xander & The Keys + Scarlet Notes + Sansara Chinners Recommends: Jinder - Traditional Dark www.jinder.co.uk Beartown Zodiac - Star Map Home www.beartownzodiac.co.uk Broken Links - Divide/Restore www.brokenlinksmusic.co.uk Tripwire - Dissentient (Part 1) www.facebook.com/tripwiremetal

Ladie Winwoods Maggot

dorset MUSIC | february 2015

If you would like to find out more about the gigs and artists mentioned in my blog please go to www.rock-regeneration. co.uk for more information. If you would like your band or gig featured here or in Rock Regeneration contact me here : chinners@rock-regeneration.co.uk

rock regeneration

previews Vintage swamp rock

Harpin’ On are a unique harp led, swamp rockin’ band. Influenced by legends such as Little Walter, Slim Harpo and Tony Joe White, they play original songs with a few covers thrown in for good measure. Little Dave’s vintage harmonica sounds, hypnotic riffs and catchy melodies blend genres from 50s rock’n’roll, blues of the Deep South.

FOR FANS OF: LITTLE WALTER / SLIM HARPO / TONY JOE WHITE

OLIVER DOLLAR

FEB 13 | HALO

Bloc and Established events bring Defecteds Dancefloor destroyer Oliver $ for a night of pure House music heaven at Halo this month. His track ‘Pushin on’ was one of the biggest anthems of 2014 and his star continues to rise with a recent Radio 1 Essential Mix that went down to a flippin storm. So throw those hands up and let’s get crazy. It’s Friday night, after all!

FOR FANS OF: GORGON CITY / TAZER / TOM ZANETTI

Inspired by the Blues, infused with a hard hitting, in-yer-face rock approach and topped-off by virtuoso musicianship, Ben Poole is being talked of as THE new up-and-coming UK Blues guitarist; one of the finest to have emerged in Europe for years. Having already played with, and received critical acclaim from some of his heroes; at just 22 years of age there is no stopping this young and incredibly gifted musician.

FOR FANS OF: BRYAN ADAMS / ERIC CLAPTON / JOHN MAYALL

FEB 14 | BIC Sexy, soulful and jaw dropping

FEB 13 | CHAPLIN’S Radio 1 essential / your essential

HOT new UK blues guitarist

COLLABRO

HARPIN’ ON

BEN POOLE

FEB 14 | ELECTRIC PALACE Britain’s Got Talent 2014 winners

Collabro are the English musical theatre boy band who took the Britain’s Got Talent judges and viewers breath away with their renditions of classic tracks. The boys only formed a month prior to their audition for Britain’s Got Talent and came together over their shared love of musical theatre. What better way to spend Valentine’s than being serenaded by these lovely lads!

FOR FANS OF: LEE MEAD / JOHN BARROWMAN / KIAN EGAN

THE CUBAN BROTHERS

From humble beginnings Miguel Mantovani, Archerio Mantovani and Kengo San have built Los Hermanos Cubanos into a legendary outfit that sell out shows across the globe. As the entertainment of choice for Elton John, Richard Branson & Robbie Williams it’s fair to say that these guys know how to bring the party. A raw collection of sinewy funk and heavy beats and a groove that is undeniably infectious.

FOR FANS OF: JAMES BROWN / CHIC / DE LA SOUL

DORSET MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

FEB 28 | MR KYPS

previews

previews FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

MAR 13 | SOUND CIRCUS

Post-hardcore Welsh punks

They lead the post-hardcore revolution with their energetic blend of emo and metal. They’ve been through a few changes, both musically and with their line up, over the 12 (yes, 12) years since breaking out of Wales in 2002 but they remain, however, a firm favourite amongst fans with their uplifting array of punk rock anthems. Don’t miss your chance to catch them at Sound Circus!

FOR FANS OF: THE BLACKOUT / MALLORY KNOX / FINCH

Countdown for rock legends begins

Scandinavia’s biggest classic rock band head to Bournemouth with their chart smashing classics both old and new. Reuniting in 1998 the Thin Lizzy inspired Swedish hard rock group have 10 successful albums, over 20 million album copies sold worldwide and of course a number one hit Final Countdown. These 80’s heroes guarantee an unforgettable tour packed with anthems, fun and Rock n Roll.

FOR FANS OF: THIN LIZZY / TWISTED SISTER / POISON

WOLF ALICE

APR 08 | OLD FIRE STATION Rock, rock and more rock

MAR 18 | O2 ACADEMY Sound of 2015 sweethearts

Since forming in 2010 the alternative indie band Wolf Alice have already played some of the UK’s biggest festivals and been compared to some of the most successful female fronted bands. With an eerie, but strangely captivating sound there isn’t anything quite as unique as this North London band. They never fail to put on a mesmerising live performance, so expect to see a lot more of Ellie Rowsell and her gang.

FOR FANS OF: PEACE / SWIM DEEP / DOG IS DEAD

Alternative Watford lads Lower Than Atlantis smashed through 2014 with their chart topping self-titled album, a slot on NME’s stage at Reading and Leeds, and a signing to Sony Records - what better way to celebrate and start the new year with finally announcing their very own and well deserved headline tour? So here we go, and did we mention they ‘ll be joined by their mates from We Are The Ocean.

FOR FANS OF: MALLORY KNOX / DON BROCO / DEAF HAVANA

UB40

EUROPE / BLACK STAR RIDERS

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS

APR 21 | OLD FIRE STATION Legendary reggae-pop Gods

British reggae-pop band UB40 are known to pretty much everyone, if you don’t know who they are, I don’t know where you have been for the last 30 years! Selling over 70 million records, they are one of the worlds best-selling music artists.

With their funky pop melodies and soulful vocals, UB40 never fail to entertain an audience.

MAY 14 | WESTLANDS

DORSET MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

FOR FANS OF: BOB MARLEY / EDDY GRANT / THE SPECIALS

previews

FEATURE

Officially launched in December 2013, Bournemouth indierockers Xander & the Keys have actually been around for a while. Prior to this... the band were a 3 piece under the name of Xander Allen & the Keys where they released their debut EP ‘The First Marker’ and frontman Xander Allen has been performing on the local scene for many years as a solo act.

The band is made up of the energetic frontman Xander Allen who gives warming vocals along with some very catchy riffs on his guitar, backed by Lloyd Allen on lead guitar along with backing vocals, then James Morel of bass giving some groovy bass lines to each song and not forgetting Marko Owen packing a punch on the drums.

Back in 2013 Xander & The Keys signed a 12 month recording contract with Red Dragon Records after a total revamp from the previous line up, they cut their name and revamped their image and things started to change for the guys. 2014 saw the band play over 150 gigs including a successful tour of Croatia and many UK pubs, clubs and festivals. The band also recorded and released a new single called ‘People that I Know’.

What was your highlight of 2014?

Touring Croatia.

What’s coming up in 2015?

Touring Croatia (again) and other countries we can’t say until they are confirmed…also playing the same stage as Status Quo. Between recording the next EP in Soho and whatever else our crazy manager gets us to do…I’d like to go on the Jeremy Kyle show.

If you could go on tour with any other band, who would it be?

That’s a tough question because people say you should never meet your idols so it would have to be with a band I’m not that bothered about. Maybe Scouting for Girls…maybe not.

Do you have any other talents apart from music?

I speak French. Marko our drummer also speaks French. Lloyd our lead guitarist is an awesome magician and James our bass player seriously knows more about horticulture than Alan Titchmarsh.

2015 is set to be a great year as the boys line up to record their next studio EP and festival bookings start to roll in so we caught up with the band’s head honcho for a quick chat…

What is the best gig you’ve ever been to?

M83 2007 BIC…..Just amazing electronic meets analogue madness.

Who are you and what do you do in the band?

Xander Allen I am the lead singer/frontman

Why should we come check out your live show?

Sweat. Creased shirts. Steady beats. More sweat and an amazing atmosphere.

What made you decide to form a band?

I have always played musical instruments since I was a tiny kid. During high school I sang in a band and I’ve always loved performing so I guess it’s a natural progression.

How would you describe your sound to someone who had never heard you before?

It’s never easy to define your own sound. We all listen to such varied music our influences come out during writing sessions and to us one song might be totally different to the next…but I’ll be vague and say its Alternative rock.

DORSET MUSIC | FEBRUARY 2015

Catch them live 26/2 - O’Neills, Bournemouth 27/2 - Smokin Aces, Bournemouth 28/2 - The Winchester, Bournemouth WWW.XANDKEYS.COM

XANDER AND THE KEYS

regular £3.89

large £4.89

PASSIONATE PARIS

ROMANTIC ROBBIE

BESOTTED BENJY

strawberries & meringue topped with mini marshmallows

choc brownie & chocolate topped with maltesers

maltesers & oreo cookies topped with mini oreos

S.W.A.L.K. SOPHIA

DREAMY DANIEL

ADORING ADAM

love hearts & bubblegum millions topped with jelly tots

battenburg & vanilla topped with custard

strawberry cheesecake & white kinder bueno topped with milkybar buttons