Devon Music - October 2014

OCTOBER 2014

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

N O V E D

OFFICIAL TICKET OUTLETS

Box Office - 01392 667080

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alestorm

talk about curry and pirates

skindred

crossover kings back in devon

kids in glass houses answer dumbass questions

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WELCOME TO THE BEST MUSIC

IN EXETER, PLYMOUTH

N D E V O

OCTOBER 2014

YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE

& THE DEVON AREA!

S OFFICIAL TICKET OUTLET

667080 Box Office - 01392

w w w. s e e t i c ke t s .

com

s houses kids in glas ns skindred answer dumbass questio alestorm crossover kings back in devon curry and pirates talk about

Your venue here? Email

sales@ phmusicmedi

sic.c w w w. d e v o n - m u

om

a.co.uk or call us free

on 0808 147 1106

g /d e vo n m u s i c m aag @de von mus icm

Thanks for picking up the October 2014 issue of Devon Music Magazine, your one stop guide to the best music in the county and beyond.

This month we catch up with globetrotting UK rockers Band of Skulls, ragga-metal heroes Skindred and local noisniks Pillars. We also ask some dumb questions to Kids in Glass Houses and we try to interview pirate metallers Alestorm with er, interesting results.

All this plus news, previews, listings and announcements for all of the best venues and a chance to win a pair of tickets for Band of Skulls at the Lemon Grove or Skindred at The Hub!

w w w. d e v o n - m u s i c . c o m

For news submissions and editorial enquiries email info@devon-music.com If you are interested in advertising with us email sales@phmusicmedia.co.uk or call us free on 0808 147 1106

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FEATURE

South coast rock trio Band of Skulls have been around for a while, forming officially whilst all at college together, although Russell and Matt had been friends since school.

Hailing originally from Southampton the band have spent the 6 years or so of their music career so far relentlessly touring and enchanting fans around the world. And injecting their music into as many media avenues as possible along the way.

They’ve had their songs featured in numerous commercials (Ford Mustang, Swatch), movie trailers (The Hangover Part II), on TV and film movie soundtracks (The Twilight Saga) and even in video games (FIFA, Gran Turismo, Tony Hawk, Guitar

Hero). And the impressive list goes on and on. They even had a TV documentary broadcast about them by Channel 4 in 2012. That’s one hell of a set of credentials.

Describe Band of Skulls in 5 words Erm, rock....n roll band? [It could be 5 adjectives..?] Umm okay... no, rock n roll band sums us up pretty well.

the moment. No doubt it’s going to change at some point.

What’s been your favourite festival this summer?

Well they all have their own identities but the two special ones for us were Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds. We all went to these festivals and others as kids and have fond memories. I remember watching some of my favourite bands and remember the feeling of thinking ‘man, I wonder what it’s like to be up there on that stage, playing to all these people?’ A kid in the crowd one day and then the next we’re playing them ourselves.

How was Reading & Leeds for you?

It was GREAT. Reading & Leeds is the finale of the UK festival season for us. We’ve been relentlessly touring all year, it’s now nice to be able to take a few weeks off and recharge, although we do have a festival to play in Madrid in a couple of weeks and then we’re off to Los Angeles to play a show there too.

You’ve spent a lot of time in America this year, is it important to you to make an impact across the pond?

It was important to us when we started for sure. It’s so big in the US, everything is so big, it’s like lots of different countries. Every state has its own radio stations, TV shows etc. so it does feel like going from one country to another. Some bands spend a long time playing in the UK and then go visit the US, we did it the other way round.

How did going to the US begin so early on for you guys?

We’ve always been an independent band, mostly self funded but we have ‘business partners’, people based in LA [label], in London and in Montreal who have helped fund us, so from early on we went to the US - did it DIY - a tin can van, drive 10 hours, play a show, drive another 10 hours, play a show. It started off small, and now is much bigger - it’s nice to see the transition in the size of shows from then to now.

After an extremely busy summer Band of Skulls return home on the 8th November to play a show in The Guildhall as part of a 13 date UK tour, so we thought we’d have a little chat with drummer Matt Hayward to find out what some of his favourite things are and who he’d have in his very own ‘super group’.

Read on rock lovers…

You’re asked to put together a ‘super group’, who’s in yours and what would you be called?

I’d have Buddy Miles on drums. He played with Jimi Hendrix for a while and is an amazing character. I think Josh Homme would be in there too, hmm, playing on bass. He’s pretty damn good at it. I’d have Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips on guitar and doing vocals.

What would you do if Buddy’s on drums though...?

Oh I’ll work the lights, or be their roadie and just carry all their gear and set up the stage. Or I could operate the smoke machine! The band would be called Buddy and The Flaming Queens. Haha.

If you could collaborate on a new song with any person dead or alive, who would that be?

We’ve never really collaborated with anyone else before....hmm that’s a tricky one. I’d really like to have a jam with Jimi Hendrix though, that would be awesome.

What do you think has been the defining point of your career so far? Or maybe it hasn’t happened yet?

We don’t like to look at things like that. We’re always moving forward and not looking back, we’re about the future and what that brings.

What would be inscribed on the band’s memorial?

That’s a bit morbid.

Not in a macabre, dead way. In a celebratory, happy kind of way.

Something for people to remember you fondly.

That’s all folks!

Ah you’re a cartoon fan?

Isn’t everyone?

Your new album ‘Himalayan’ came out this summer, how has it been received?

Really great. I think there’s always a level of apprehension before any album release - not being sure how people are going to take to it, but it’s been amazing. Everyone’s been singing along with us at every show in every country. We’ve been dead chuffed about it.

So what comes next for you guys?

Well we’re constantly looking to visit places we’ve never been before. We haven’t been to South America as yet so we’re keen to go there. We just love making records and playing shows. It’s very cliché I know but we just want to keep doing what we’re doing - playing as many shows as possible, in as many places as possible, making music that people enjoy. We’re very simple.

What’s your personal favourite Band of Skulls track?

It’s a generally boring concept to think there’s one particular song you prefer playing, but I think if I picked one it would be Himalayan, as it embodies everything about what we’re doing at

CATCH BAND OF SKULLS LIVE EXETER LEMON GROVE | 12th NOVEMEBER

DEVON MUSIC OCTOBER 2014

BAND OF SKULLS

+

Sat 08 Nov SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Wed 12 Nov EXETER Lemon Grove TICKETS: KILILIVE.COM / SEETICKETS.COM A/bandofskulls bandofskulls.com S@bandofskulls The new album ‘HIMALAYAN’ out now

21/08/2014 15:39

After blowing audiences away worldwide and tearing up mainstages at numerous summer festivals, Band of Skulls return to Exeter for a show at the Lemon Grove. You could be there with a pal, just answer this simple question...

COMPETITION

Untitled-6 2

A Kilimanjaro presentation by arrangement with 13 Artists

Q: What were Band of Skulls originally called?

Email your answer to:

competitions@devon-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook. Competition closes 01/11/14 /devonmusicmag @D e v o n M u s i c M a g

devon MUSIC | october 2014

band of skulls

Plymouth’s Premier Live Music Venue & Nightclub

OCTOBER 2 - Dragonforce + NEONFLY (Doors 7:30pm) 3 - One Love with Eton Messy + many more (11pm-5am) 4 - Loose People - Official UPSU Event (10pm-5am) 5 - Kids In Glass Houses + Save Your Breath (Doors 7:30pm) 10 - Land of The Giants + support (Doors 8pm) 11 - Unit 37 ICICLE Album launch with Hamilton + more (Doors 10pm) 13 - Alestorm presents Piratefest (doors 7pm) 17 - Lateral with Friction & MC Linguistics, The Prototypes & Master X + more (doors 10pm) 18 - Loose People - Official UPSU Event (10pm-5am) 24 - Moriaty + The Manic Shine + Steve Strong (Doors 7:30pm) 25 - Roachford + Tom Baker (doors 8pm) 31 - SIKTH + HEART OF A COWARD + IDIOM (doors 7:30pm) 31 - One Love Halloween Party with Just Kiddin, De$gnated, Distro + more (doors11pm)

NOVEMBER 1 - The Gallery Tour with Rank 1 + many more (doors 9pm) 5 - Sunset Sons + support (doors 8pm) 7 - Sham 69 + support Arizona Law & Run Against The Crowd (doors 8pm) 8 - John Power (Cast / The La’s) + support Sitting Pretty (doors 7:30pm)

facebook.com/TheHubPlymouth www.PlymouthHub.co.uk The Hub is available for hire for live events & clubnights. For details on our great rates and outstanding tech spec please email: ian@PlymouthHub.co.uk

9 B a t h S t r e e t, P ly m o u t h , P L 1 3 L T ( B e h i n d P ly m o u t h P a v i l i o n s )

THE HUB. PLYMOUTH. ADVANCE TICKETS £10.

STANDARD £12.

AND £15 OTD.

SUPPORTED BY.

DANTÈS B2B PAUL WEBBER. SIMON PITT. SOLARi5 B2B KEVIN HOSKIN. DRIFFT B2B KEV THOMAS. GOLDING B2B SIMON McCANN.

October AT

Live music venue and great food! student deals available

www.tikibarandgrill.co.uk facebook.com/tkibarandgrill twitter.com/tikiplymouth EVERY FRIDAY - TEAR IT UP! vintage music, rockabilly, 50’s soul and r’n’B. vinyl only!

Thursdays, 2nd and 9th BACK TO THE BEAT: Music from Vinyl, Funk, Reggae, Old school hip hop!

THURSDAY, 16th shanty - pop reggae friday, 17th King Creature - Heavy/doom Thursday, 23rd climates - melodic hardcore

FRIDAY, 3rd Ghouls - punk, rock, ska WITH gypsy influences

Thursday, 30th Popes of chillitown - punk/ ska/dub

Saturday, 4th HALF cut EP Launch - metal/ hardcore

Thursday, 30th Popes of chillitown - punk/ ska/dub

Friday, 10th Refuge of the fallen video shoot - melodic deathcore

Friday, 31ST FRAUDEVILLe - burlesque halloween show!

Tom Baxter Wed 1 Oct, doors 8pm, £12.50 (£10.50) A musician admired by the likes of Tom Waits and Rufus Wainwright, Tom is best known for his modern day classic Better.

The Beat

Fri 3 Oct, doors 8pm, £16.50

Lúnasa

Wed 15 Oct, 8pm, £14 (£12) Internationally acknowledged as being among the finest traditional Irish instrumental outfits of recent times.

Julian Cope

Thu 16 Oct, doors 8pm, £22.50

‘…The Beat. Who needs the brave new world when the old school is still this good?’ SUNDAY MIRROR

A rare solo gig from the visionary rock musician, poet, archeologist and all round larger-than-life character.

Danny & the Champions of the World

Andrew O’Neill’s History of Heavy Metal

Sun 5 Oct, 8pm, £10

Members of The Brakes, Electric Soft Parade, Grand Drive and Goldrush play alt-folk and Americana.

Kids in Glass Houses Mon 6 Oct, doors 8pm, £14.50

Nominated for Best British Newcomers at the 2007 Kerrang!

Eton Messy

Fri 10 Oct, 9pm - 2am, £10.50 Regarded as one of the digital leaders in pushing the latest forward thinking electronic music inspired by Garage, House and Bass.

Sam Brookes

Sun 12 Oct, 8pm, £8

‘There is something of a Tim Buckley about Sam Brookes … a sense of powerful fragility’ THE INDEPENDENT

Nerina Pallot

Tue 14 Oct, doors 8pm, £19 The Ivor Novello and Brit nominated singer songwriter who writes soulful lyrical songs.

Wed 22 Oct, 8pm, £10 (£8)

With stand-up comedy and a Flying V guitar, O’Neill paints a picture of a subculture and history that has rocked the world.

Ben Watt Trio

Thu 23 Oct, doors 8pm, £15 Ben Watt (BBC 6 Music) teams up with ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler and drummer and percussionist, Martin Ditcham (Talk Talk, The Waterboys, Sade).

The Old Dance School Sat 25 Oct, 8pm, £12.50 (£11.50)

‘The music is magic in their hands’ MAVERICK

Mexican Night of the Dead Ball Sat 1 Nov, 8pm - 2am

A night of Live music, Mariachi mash-up, and dancefloor dizziness.

See the website for many more gigs at Exeter Phoenix 01392 667080 | exeterphoenix.org.uk | Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, EX3 4LS

FEATURE

Avast, ye landlubbers! From the deepest darkest depths of eastern, er, Scotland comes Alestorm, a drunken band of pirates on an epic quest to drink your beer, steal your rum, and be the greatest damn band that ever did sail the seven seas!

Describing their style as “True Scottish Pirate Metal”, Alestorm play an infectious blend of modern folk and power metal with a unique piratical twist. After forming in 2006 and rapidly gaining a cult following in their local scene, the band signed to Austria’s Napalm Records, and released three groundbreaking albums; “Captain Morgan’s Revenge” (2008), “Black Sails at Midnight” (2009), and “Back Through Time” (2011).

What is your favourite kind of rum?

I like a bhuna the most, but Gazz prefers a jalfrezi. We find that they pair excellently with sea shanties and naan bread.

Who was the greatest pirate of all time?

As we all know, the greatest pirate of all time was Chris Eubank.

We were so saddened to hear of recent his untimely demise. He had the best hook in the business. Eyepatch.

Do any of you get seasick?

No, but I once shat myself on a plane.

How was Sonisphere?

I think a more pertinent question is “Who was Sonisphere?” Did you know that in the 11th century Sir Henry Sonington-Sphere invented piracy, eyepatches, and the bedside clock radio?

You’ve just released your fourth album – how is it going so far?

We already answered this one? Jalfrezi, and Gazz prefers a bhuna.

Right? Does it feel good to get a metal album into the UK charts?

Ooh yeah, I’m a metal man. All my life I’m a metal man.

Ooh yeah, I’m a metal man. All my life I’m a metal man.

Which song are you most proud of, and why?

I am most proud of “My Trousers Have A Lovely Belt” which is a lovely ditty written by Peter Alcorn. And why? Because I don’t, and I love lying through song.

DEVON MUSIC OCTOBER 2014

Now in 2014, hot on the heels of their recent live album “Live at the End of the World”, Alestorm are back with their outstanding third studio album “Sunset on the Golden Age”.

It’s piled high with catchy songs with an abundance of parrots and eye patches that showcase the piratical life on the seven seas. And to top off the fun, they’re currently cruising about playing some live shows too - a real treasure for pirates and rum-lovers! Captain Christopher Bowes and his crazy crew are sailing through `Bacon Powered Pirate Core´ with sleek keyboard riffs influenced by Folk Metal and classical Power Metal and you can’t fail to have fun with them. You can, however, fail to get a sensible answer out of them during an interview. Just take a look at what happened when we caught up with master of the keys Elliot ‘Elephant’ Vernon…

You work a lot with an orchestra on your recordings? How do you go about writing your songs?

As you know, we hire the City of Prague Philharmonik to compose and perform all of our songs. Also Andrew Lloyd Weber is my dad, and he saves lots of spare songs for us. There’s very little work in it, really.

Would you rather have a wooden leg or a hook for a hand?

I’d rather have a jalfrezi and a robotic head.

Your fans are known to be pretty animated and really get into the spirit of the show. What’s the best costume you’ve seen?

Really? I’m disappointed to find out that our fans are animated, we always thought they were real. I guess computers can do so much these days.

The best costume we’ve seen is the one where it looks like two dogs are carrying a present.

What can we expect from the live show on this tour?

Expect guest celebrity chefs making meals live on stage. It’s not to be missed! Also, “Most Haunted” star Derek Acorah will be making his signature dish “Derek Pakora”, which goes delightfully with a jalfrezi.

WORDS ZAN LAWTHER

CATCH ALESTORM LIVE 13TH october - THE HUB | PLYMOUTH 22nd october - Lemon grove | EXETER

ALESTORM

If you weren’t called Kids in Glass Houses what would you be called?

Kids In Glass Houses is just way too long and very difficult to look good on a poster or shirt. A designer’s nightmare. Probably just Kids, or something simple.

KIGH has helped us a lot.

If you could be any creature from Greek mythology, what would you be?

As tempting as having Medusa’s hair style is, I’m going to have to choose my all time fave Greek mythical creature, the Pegasus. How majestic would life be?

Have you ever Googled yourself and if so, what was the weirdest thing you found?

Definitely the fan fiction. That was an uncomfortable read.

What’s the best thing about being a rock star?

Not really a rock star, so I wouldn’t know, but from my experience I’d say probably access to free alcohol.

Sometimes you get free shoes.

If you had to lose an eye, a hand or a foot, which one would it be?

Foot, then I’d get those Oscar Pistorius blades. On the serious though, I hope I never have to make that choice.

What’s your favourite tour bus snack?

PIZZA, everytime.

If you had to cover a nursery rhyme, which one would it be?

Ba Ba Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. Absolute jam.

Which reality TV show would you most like to go on?

Strictly Come Dancing. I just want to dance.

Who takes the longest to get ready in the mornings?

Shay, for no real reason. He just seems to take 2 seconds longer than everyone else.

What’s the worst thing about being a rock star?

100 per cent answering Q&As. If you had the choice to make unicorns real or bring dinosaurs back to life, what would you choose?

Dinosaurs. I was a big fan back in the day. Imagine seeing a Diplodocus in real life?

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

Flying dog because giving a dog wings just makes a really fun creature even more fun. Giving a cat the capabilities to speak just enables it to vocalise how selfish & moony it is.

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

A cup of coffee. Which is a shame as that won’t help me decapitate a zombie now will it?

CATCH KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES LIVE OCTOBER 5th THE HUB | PLYMOUTH OCTOBER 6th THE PHOENIX | EXETER

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3 1 2 4

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1 Club Envy 2 The Hub 3 Club Envy 4 Pavillions

5 Plymouth Uni 6 Tiki Bar 7 Last Shop Standing

Exeter

1 The Phoenix

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2 The Cavern

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3 The Lemon Grove 6

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4 The Corn Exchange 5 Mama Stones 6 Exeter Cathedral 7 Exeter Great Hall

FEATURE

It appears that Skindred’s trajectory is currently set permanently to UP. Smashing their way into 2014 with the release of the eagerly anticipated new album Kill the Power they have been rampaging around the world slaying crowds with their intense and unique blend of rap, metal and reggae. It’s difficult to place this band into any genre. Their ethos is almost entirely about having a good time. They’re here to make you bounce and having honed their skills over the past decade (and then some!) we think it’s fair to say that Skindred are one of, if not possibly, THE best live band on the UK circuit today.

If you’re heading to a festival this year, chances are you’ll encounter the joy of a Skindred pit. Riding high from their best ever Download set (main stage, Friday, it was epic) by the time you read this they will have already played NASS, Redfest, Rock Im Ring, Traffic Jam, Boardmasters, ROCKEM, V-Rox and their first ever appearance at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. If that wasn’t enough, they’re off out on tour with crazy hair metallers Steel Panther next year too! We caught up with The ‘Dred, prior to a sweatbox club show to warm up for their appearance at this year’s Bestival, to chat with drummer Arya Goggin to talk all things festival, all things Wembley and all things Panther…

Things really seem to be kicking off for you guys. How have you found the reaction to Kill the Power?

It’s been amazing. It’s our first album to get a chart position; we reached number 13, which is just amazing. It’s weird because we’ve been sitting on the album for about a year and then it’s out and it’s all happened so quickly. We started with our tour in January, which started in Southampton and it was the best tour we’ve ever done with loads of sell out shows. Then we went on to Download which was amazing and then it’s all still going, there’s so much still to do. And then we’re off on tour with Steel Panther early next year!

Download has been the obvious highlight and it’s been my favourite UK festival show we’ve ever done. We had a great slot on the main stage and it was ram-packed. We couldn’t believe it, just how many people had come out to see us. We’ve been in Europe a lot too and there’s definitely some highlights there, particularly in Germany, their festivals are always great. And then in August we’re headlining at the Polish Woodstock which is definitely going to be one to beat. We’ve played it before to nearly half a million people and it’s nuts. There are relays that go on for a mile away from the stage and it’s free, so everyone turns out!

Skindred have been around for a while, and whilst musically you found your sound way back when it’s taken some time for the mainstream to catch on. Does it finally feel like it’s coming together?

I think that when you start a rock or metal or punk band you’re not really thinking about mainstream. There are some bands like Limp Bizkit, or Korn or Bullet for my Valentine that have been accepted into the mainstream but Skindred weren’t really like that. It still isn’t now I don’t think! We’ve just carried on doing what we do, we’ve never gone away. I think if you just keep going and you show some tenacity in this business it becomes contagious, like a smile. Every band has its journey, they continue or they plateau and we’ve just continued. It’s not plateaued. We’re still going and that’s really cool.

You’ve played a whole load of festivals so far this year – any stand out favourites?

You’re here to warm yourselves up for Bestival. That’s a pretty different style of festival to the ones you’re used to – how do you think they’ll react to Skindred?

I think they’re gonna love it. We’ve done festivals of this sort before; we did Beautiful Days a few years ago. It’s an eclectic mix of bands, like Glastonbury and I think we’d fit really well into Glastonbury. We have fun. It’s a big party and we’ve got a main stage slot so we think everyone will love it. We wouldn’t want to be restricted to just rock and metal festivals.

Dorset MUSIC | AUGUST 2014

Do you enjoy the challenge of introducing yourselves to potential new fans?

Yeah – that’s the challenge isn’t it? I like people not having a preconceived idea of what a band is going to be like. It’s dangerous to try and pigeonhole bands into one category or another. You always have

SKINDRED

FEATURE to say this is ‘reggae metal’ or ‘ragga metal’ or whatever but I really like it when people are introduced without the sell first. Just listen to the music and if you like it, great. I love the accomplishment of playing music to someone who’s never heard it before. I like the surprise.

Do you think there’s a lot of crossover between Panther and Skindred fans?

There is. Definitely. They’re there for the entertainment, pure and simple. There’s no ‘scene’ with Steel Panther. All their fans will love us and all our fans will love them.

You’re at The Hub in Plymouth in November which is pretty small as venues go, does the show change at all when you bring it to a smaller stage?

Not really. I mean, the production changes a bit but that’s just lights and things, the performance stays exactly the same. When we headline we get to play for a bit longer too, which is always nice haha! We just do what we do, so you’ll get the full Skindred festival experience, just in a small, sweaty room. That’s where we started, playing pubs and clubs and that’s where it’s the most fun.

What about new bands rising through the ranks at the moment – is there anyone we should be checking out?

You should definitely check out this Canadian band called Pup who are amazing. They’re playing at Reading. Check out the video for Reservoir. I always give a shout out to my boys in Idiom, they’re just about to go out on tour with Sikth in October so make sure you see them. And Collisions too, they’re a young band coming out of Brighton that I really like.

What’s not a small stage is Wembley. How did the Steel Panther support slot come about?

It was really random. I mean, we’re a headline band now and we haven’t supported anyone for a while but support slots are great for engaging with new fans and we thought, who would we like to go out with?

Steel Panther are similar to us in that their fans are really open minded.

They play their music and have a great time and it’s all about putting on a great show. And then Andy Copping (Download festival organiser) was putting the show together and we met the guys and we think they’re great. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun.

And finally, you’ve been hugely busy – when do you get a break and what will you be doing to relax?

Ooooh…..my next time off is after Bestival. I get two weeks off and I’m going to Los Angeles and Las Vegas in September so that’s what I’ll be doing to relax. I’m looking forward to that.

WORDS: ZAN LAWTHER

CATCH SKINDRED LIVE @ lemon grove| exeter |october 31st @ the hub | plymouth |november 21st

COMPETITION

Crossover? Ragga-metal? Nu-metal? Whatever you call it the mighty Skindred know how to make a room move, you could be destroying the dancefloor with tham at The Hub this November courtesy of this cheeky little competition, just let Google answer this simple question for you...

Q. What was the name of the band Benji Webbe fronted before Skindred?

Email your answer to:

competitions@devon-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook. Competition closes 01/11/14 /devonmusicmag @D e v o n M u s i c M a g

devon MUSIC | october 2014

skindred

previews High spirited alternative rock

In 2005, Welwyn Garden City three-piece, The Subways crashed onto the UK rock scene with their, now cult, debut album ‘Young For Eternity’. 2011’S ‘Money and Celebrity’ was well packed not only with exuberant and quirkily innovative songs but a sense of energy and defiance’) and they burst back onto the scene earlier this year with a new heavier rock sound overlaid with strong pop melodies.

FOR FANS OF: THE FRATELLIS / BABYSHAMBLES / THE CORAL

BLACK VEIL BRIDES

OCT 11 | LEMON GROVE, EXETER

OCT 07 | CAVERN, EXETER Gothic glamour vs metalcore

BVB combine cathartic screamo with a distinct dark gothic image. An androgenous look with the a touch of glamour and more than a hint of drama piled together with part sung, part screamed vocals and heaped over hair swishing beats and chunky guitars. Their 3rd release (conceptual rock opera ‘Wretched & divine’) channels a hint of glam rock meshed against the clever, subtle use of electronics.

FOR FANS OF: OF MICE & MEN / BMTH / MEMPHIS MAY FIRE

Country rock road music

Cigarette in one hand, a jar of moonshine in the other and you’re all set for Wille and co, singing about their sights on the road. Always poignant with a need to make the crowd rock to the slide guitar, the gang has consistently gigged around Europe, racking up around 250 shows a year to spread the message of rock and roll. Fresh from a festival-filled few months, extend your summer with the Bandits.

FOR FANS OF: SEASTICK STEVE / JAKE BUGG / BOB DYLAN

EXAMPLE

THE SUBWAYS

WILLE & THE BANDITS

OCT 23 | CAVERN, EXETER OCT 24, UNDERGROUND, PLYMOUTH

West London rapper represents

His initials are EG, hence the name Example and set an example he does as he leads the pack for young UK rappers. Singer, songwriter, producer, occasional rapper and all round king of the club banger, his music effortlessly blurs dancefloors and moshpits into one. The live arena is where Example is a true master. Renowned for his monstrous live sets, expect all the hits from the last 5 albums.

OCT 30 | PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS FOR FANS OF: PROFESSOR GREEN / CALVIN HARRIS / WRETCH Big beat techno + punk rock attitude DUB PISTOLS One of the most rock’n’roll acts out there, the Dub Pistols return to promote their long awaited new album, their 6th studio album with their riotous blend of ska, dub, hip-hop, electro, breakbeat, punk and drum and bass. Their sense of fun, entertainment value and tireless ability to make crowds jump has carved a Dubs-shaped niche on the music circuit and has made them something of a phenomenon.

FOR FANS OF: ROOTS MANUVA / MR SCRUFF / BEARDYMAN

DEVON MUSIC | OCTOBER 2014

NOV 08 | PHOENIX, EXETER

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previews UB40

They’ve got us, babe.

UB40 need no introduction. Massive hits “I Got You Babe” and “Red, Red Wine” have cemented this act as behemoths of the reggae pop genre, but perhaps what sets them apart is their more experimental tunes from the early stages of their career. Their music boasts lovely syncopated rhythms with glossy and glorious horn melodies which are a musical blast from the past.

NOV 10 | PLYMOUTH PAVLIONS

FOR FANS OF: LEVEL 42/ BIG MOUNTAIN / JIMMY CLIFF

Chart topping house DJ

The right honorable Duke Dumont was one of the biggest parties Halo has hosted and it is fitting he launches Halo Sessions just as his new release Wont look back smashes the UK charts. Duke has been championed by Annie Mac since day one and has two back to back UK number ones. His DJ sets are just as incendiary as his productions and he’s determined to tear the roof off the Lemmy!

FOR FANS OF: ROUTE 94 / GORGON CITY / LE YOUTH

BIG BROVAZ

DUKE DUMONT

NOV 14 | LEMON GROVE, EXETER Bringing their beats BACK

The young production duo of Skillz and Fingaz were the masterminds behind this collective that emerged from south London in 2002. A coed crew of MCs and vocalists they shot to prominence in 2003 with debut album ‘Nu Flow’ and taking home the MOBO award for Best Newcomer. You are sure to be in for a good night when Big Brovaz and Booty Luv hit the town.

NOV 17 | LEMON GROVE, EXETER FOR FANS OF: SO SOLID CREW / OUTKAST / THE FUGEES A breath of fresh air for singer/songwriters RUARRI JOSEPH Cornish singer-songwriter Ruarri Joseph (his first name is pronounced like ‘brewery’, in case you were wondering…) creates an inventive fusion of blues, rock and soul, inspired by the likes of Tom Waits, Elliott Smith and Django Reindhart. You can almost smell the fresh sea air from Joseph’s hometown of Newquay in his music. Since going solo he’s received praise for his relaxed acoustic songwriting.

FOR FANS OF: DUKE SPECIAL / TRAVELLING BAND / MAD DOG MCRAE

DEAF HAVANA

NOV 27 | EXETER PHOENIX UK alt-rockers

Combining post-hardcore with anthemic pop-punk, Norfolk sextet Deaf Havana burst onto the scene to fly the flag for British alt-rock in 2005. Starting out with two sets of vocals and a much heavier sound, they’ve now developed a much more considered pop rock sound with an acoustic edge and flawless vocal harmonies. It’s easy to see how they’re picking up fans in droves with their uplifting tunes.

DEC 16 | LEMON GROVE, EXETER

DEVON MUSIC | OCTOBER 2014

FOR FANS OF: KIGH / DON BROCO / YOUNG GUNS

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ones to watch

bad as that is, it’s so easy to obtain illegally. We want as many people as possible to hear our music and enjoy it, so giving it out for free is the best way to make that happen.

How is writing for the new album coming along?

We have a few songs that are pretty much written, but we want this album to top ‘sinners’ by tenfold and be the best possible material we could produce, so we’re going to be working on it for a while before we head in to the studio.

What’s on the agenda for the rest of 2014?

Well apart from playing the couple of shows we have booked, we’re going to be a bit quiet for a short while. We’re going to be releasing a new single real soon called ‘The Immoralist’ which has a few last bits to add. Then getting back in to the studio later this year to record another single...which we’re so stoked for. Not going to give too much away, but we’ve got some guest vocals lined up from a super talented dude.

So expect to hear that early next year.

Formed in 2012 through similar music taste, this five piece melodic post hardcore outfit have progressed their sound into something not quite like any other, combining heavy beatdowns with melodic choruses and throwing in a wealth of solos to form a concoction guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

In October 2013 they released their debut album Sinners FOR FREE via bandcamp (isn’t that nice of them?), within the first week of its release the album had over 100 downloads. Having shared the stage with such acts as Bleed from Within, TRC, Napoleon, Tides of Man and many more they’re set to open proceedings at the Cavern, Exeter this month for female fronted hard rockers The Dirty Youth.

They’re currently in the process of writing tracks for a full album and we can’t wait to hear it. We caught up with the lads to find out a little bit more about what they’re up to.

If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?

Architects, Memphis May Fire, Beartooth, The Word Alive, Parkway Drive, Upon A Burning Body (they’d have major competition for drinking whisky)...and of course Justin Timberlake (this band love a bit of JT).

Tell us something about each of you that we might find surprising…

Jack has a creepy obsession with Ryan Gosling….he literally owns every film. Even the bad ones.

Callum has only been playing bass since June.

Never even picked one up before that.

Adam - although he looks 12, he’s actually 24 and his nickname is chubb.

Matt and Adam are practically married, he becomes the worst drunk and tries to run away from the rest of the band in cities he’s never been to before.

Burton probably owns enough reptiles/amphibians/other weird animals to supply Noah’s ark 5 times over. Oh and he’s ginger in denial.

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

James Burton-vocals, Matt Young-guitars, Jack Harborne-guitars, Adam Copeman-drums/vocals, Callum Griffin-bass

Which of you would make the best girl?

100% Burton, he throws the biggest hissy fits at the smallest things.

It’s actually quite laughable how much of a girl he can be sometimes haha.

What made you first want to start making music?

We’ve always had a big passion for music, looked up to bands playing at festivals/gigs we used to go to. The thought of doing it full time as a career is incredible.

And finally, why should we come check you out at a show?

We put 100% effort in to every show we play, getting the crowd moving is what we do. Oh, and we bring the party harder than any other band.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Architects are a huge influence on this band. While She Sleeps and Beartooth are influencing us for the new album.

Catch them live: 12th October at the Cavern, Exeter

What made you decide to release your mini-album for free?

There’s not many people who actually pay for music these days, as

You can download their debut mini album Sinners FOR FREE HERE: www.pillarsuk.bandcamp.com

Devon MUSIC |OCTOBER 2014

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PILLARS