Southampton Music - January 2014

YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO THE BEST MUSIC IN THE CITY!

N O T P M A H T U SO

JANUARY 2014

S O U T H A M P T O N

Fr ida y 17 th Ja n

CU T LA FU NK PLUS MANY FUNERAL fora FRIEND ANNO UNCED for KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES TAKEDOWN 2014!

MORE

WIN TICKETS!

Plus Trivium, The Boxer Rebellion and much more...

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Fr ida y 24 th Ja n

Res ide nt s

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/southamptonmusicmag musicM mag @ Ss o t o n M

WELCOME C IN THE CITY!

E TO THE BEST MUSI

YOUR ONE STOP GUID

ON UTHAMPT

2014 JANUARY

SO

Thanks for picking up the January 2014 Issue of Southampton Music Magazine, your one stop guide to the best music in Southampton and the surrounding area.

S O U T H A M P T O N

Friday 17th Jan

CUT LA FUNK Friday 24th Jan

PLUS MANY MORE

OUNCED for FUNERAL fora FRIEND ANNEDO WN 2014!

KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES TAK

WIN TICKETS!

Plus Trivium, The Boxer

..

Rebellion and much more.

-mu www.sou tham pton

sic.com

Residents

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ag /sout hamp tonm usicma g m musicM @ Ss o t o n M

This month we take a look at the return of Takedown Festival and chat to headliners Funeral For a Friend, we talk to U.S metal heavyweights Trivium ahead of their O2 Guildhall show. We also catch up with indie rockers The Boxer Rebellion before their welcome return to Southampton and we ask some daft questions to ragga-metal legend, Benji Webbe of Skindred.

All this plus of course listings and event announcements for all of the best venues in the area and a chance to win yourself a pair of tickets for Takedown 2014

w w w. s o u t h a m p t o n - m u s i c . c o m

For news submissions and editorial enquiries email info@southampton-music.com

/southamptonmusicmag @SotonM u s i c M a g

NEWS

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Since relocating to Southampton, Takedown Festival has gone from strength to strength, quickly becoming the biggest one day, indoor alternative music event on the South Coast with over 40 acts playing across 5 stages.

This year’s event looks set to be the biggest yet with some huge names like Funeral for a Friend, Kids in Glass Houses and Chimaira plus some hottly-tipped future stars like Canterbury and Yashin already confirmed. We’re also particularly excited to see Jamie Lenman, former frontman of UK alt. legends Reuben, playing tracks from his incredible solo debut double LP ‘Muscle Memory’ on the main stage.

Also new for this year is the ‘Introducing...’ stage, featuring the best local, unsigned and homegrown talent from across the south including Southampton’s own Dendera, Our Hollow Our Home and Dead amongst others. See the poster to the left for the full line up and visit www.takedownfestival.co.uk for updates or to buy tickets, currently just £25 plus optional £4 aftershow entry.

2014 sees Takedown dedicating a whole stage to hard rock and trad metal for the first time, headed up by Heaven’s Basement, who have just returned from an extremely successful US tour. The stage also features Glamour of the Kill, Jett Black, Dirty Youth, Skarlett Riot and more, grab your denim and bang your head.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

TAKEDOWN | TWENTY 14

FEATURE

If you weren’t a musician what do you think you’d be doing with your life right now?

Hard to say…if i applied myself I might have gone back to film school to finish up. I’ve always liked writing so possibly something along those lines. Probably a postman.

Aside from Takedown (obviously) what else are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Well, we’re looking forward to playing some shows with Boy Sets Fire in April. They’re my favourite band and they gave us a chance back in 2002 and took us on tour for a few days which was incredible for us. We became really good friends and it’s cool to be able to tour together again.

What is it you like most about playing slightly more intimate shows?

Well, in all honesty, it’s the intimacy that appeals the most.

Being up close to the people who care about what you do, the energy. It’s an incredible feeling and i would happily play small club shows from now until forever.

What do you want written on your tombstone?

Hmmm….maybe they can make it a Twin Peaks themed tombstone. Not sure what it would say, maybe ‘he was an okay kinda guy, he did some cool shit.’

One of South Wales’ biggest exports, Bridgend’s Funeral for a Friend have been leading the Welsh music brigade for over a decade with their post hardcore rock and hugely acclaimed album releases. In 2014 they will celebrate their 13th year as a band and before heading out on full UK tour in April FFAF will be in Southampton, headlining Takedown Festival.

We talked to vocalist Matt Davies...

What is your best skill aside from being a musician?

I have a capacity for shinfo when it comes to movies…don’t ask me why but my brain just stores useless shit. I might be half decent in a pub quiz…not sure if it’s a skill or not...

What is your New Year’s resolution?

My resolution is to be a little less lazy and actually be more productive creatively and in my home life…that’s a more realistic goal than eating the worlds supply of twiglets.

And finally, what can we expect from FFAF in 2014?

Well, a apart from Takedown, Radstock and the Hours shows we’re doing we’re planning on being a wee bit quiet. We’re writing a bunch of songs for another record that we want to record early in 2014. We’ll see where we go from there.

Catch Funeral for a Friend at Takedown Festival on March 15 at Southampton University

If you could have any band cover one of your albums in its entirety who would they be and which album would they cover?

Argh, tough one…i’m going to go with One Direction because that would be so random that it would be hilarious. I would love to hear their take on Casually Dressed.

Which undiscovered bands would you recommend FFAF fans listen to?

The Tidal Sleep, Goodtime Boys, Moose Blood, Departures, Landscapes. These bands aren’t undiscovered, they kick ass at what they do and if people want to listen to them that would be pretty cool too.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

WORDS: MARIANNE HARRIS

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

FEATURE The Boxer Rebellion emerged at the tail end of the Oasis and Radioheaddominated era of British Music as part of a newer scene of British bands adding an element of post-rock to the rock charts. Formed of Tennesseenative Nathan Nicholson (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Australian Todd Howe (lead guitar), and Englishmen Adam Harrison (bass guitar) and Piers Hewitt (drums) the band’s first single “Watermelon” was greeted with great enthusiasm by the British music press with The Fly magazine describing the band as ‘the current Bright Young Things of Britrock’. Over the years their sound has been consistently compared to that of Muse, Biffly Clyro, The Verve and Radiohead. The band have suffered their fair share of hurdles, perhaps most notably when the Poptomes label they were signed to dissolved in 2005, leaving them without the financial backing and support a lot of teething bands need. However, The Boxer Rebellion have successfully navigated through the difficult times leaving them one of the last bands of that era still standing and able to wholeheartedly hold onto the true meaning of the word ‘indie’.

We caught up with Adam as the band prepares to head out across the UK...

Although you guys met and formed in the UK, you have achieved much success in the US. Are you looking forward to touring in the UK? Yes! Touring the UK should be really cool, our UK fans have been with us the longest and it is always great to touch base with them up and down our home country... and it’ll be excellent to see how our show goes down now that it is bigger and better than ever before!

Is there a different response to your music in Britain compared to in the States?

There is a different response, and it is partly down to the general differences between the two places. As you’d expect, the US crowds are noisier and very enthusiastic, not that it means they enjoy it any more, just that they are a little more outgoing. In the UK people tend to concentrate a little harder on absorbing the show which is actually how I tend to be when I’m at a gig.

You have quite an extensive back catalogue of albums despite being unsigned for the majority of releases. What challenges does being unsigned bring?

It brings challenges that some bands don’t have to deal with. We look after a lot of the day to day decisions and run our own label operation... sometimes that can be as menial as booking hotels or administering our social media but generally it all translates to having total control over the decision making process, something that we have come to love. The creative freedom we enjoy has directly impacted our ability to continue putting out the records we want to make, and to promote them in a way that gives us the chance to build a sustainable career for ourselves.

What’s been your favourite recording experience and why?

My favourite recording experience has to be making The Cold Still. We worked with Ethan Johns down at Peter Gabriel’s Real World recording studio, a beautiful big residential studios with an unbelievable desk. We were tracking live which felt great and the atmosphere was perfect for creativity. Having a French chef on hand for every meal wasn’t bad either! We stayed for 5 weeks and it felt like a holiday!

You’ve been playing together for over a decade now. How has your approach to writing, and the band as a business changed over the years?

Both aspects have changed in a very natural way... as we have continued to write we have really learned where our strengths lie and with each album we have a more confident approach with what feels right. I’m sure we used to worry more about which songs would be seen to be ‘cool’ or what radio might like but as time has gone on, we have realised that writing music that we love first and foremost brings the best results. On the business side we continue to learn... with every album and every tour we become more efficient and build upon our relationships in the music world, we have close relationships with everyone that we work with whether they are promoters, press or van companies and our personal ties with them often help us have an edge over less friendly major label operations.

Which bands have had a major influence on you?

Radiohead is an obvious but undeniable example but we have loads of varied influences personally and I think the wide differences between some of them help us come together to create more original music. I love a lot of Cuban music amongst other things but I think I’m on my own with that one!

How do you choose which songs to play live? Do you alter the set for each show?

We try to lead with our most recent material but really battle it out with choosing the rest... usually it comes down to a mixture of crowd favourites with newer stuff. We’ll swap songs here and there but if a set list is working, the basic structure of it won’t change for a tour.

For anyone that isn’t familiar with The Boxer Rebellion, what would you recommend they check out first?

I always suggest getting the new album and then working backwards. I don’t think we’ve ever been a band that has repeated the same thing and have never had one particular album take off and define us. We’ve always aimed to better ourselves and by that standard, I think ‘Promises’ is our strongest work!

WORDS: ZAN LAWTHER

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

THE BOXER REBELLION

Get down to Tooti’s Gelato Bar in Bedfor d Place, where you will be treated to some of the Finest Gelato inspired cocktails & treats the south coast has to offer!

Whether it’s treating your taste buds to our expertly crafted cocktails, chilling in the sun with one of our many refreshing ice cold bottled beverages or letting us serve you up one of our many mouth watering treats from our menu, you know it makes perfect sense. From freshly prepar ed waffles & pancakes, sumptuous sundae’s & truly great tasting , flavour packed gelato that hits all the senses..... you won’t be disappointed! So come on down and see why it’s Southampton’ s coolest place to be!

COMPETITION

Takedown Festival makes a welcome return to Southampton University this March and the line up so far would suggest that this could be the biggest and best yet. We have a pair of tickets for you to get your grubby paws on, just answer this simple question...

Which band wrote the song that inspired the name ‘Funeral for a Friend’?

Email your answer to: competitions@southampton-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or Facebook. Competition closes 01/02/14 /southamptonmusicmag @S o t o n M u s i c M a g SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

TAKEDOWN | TWENTY 14

REVIEW

One of Southampton’s best loved bands ‘Burn The Fleet’ performed what we thought was their final gig earlier this year at Takedown 2013... but apparently one send off was not quite enough!

At the band’s spiritual home the legendary Joiners Arms the faithful are gathered to pay homage and say goodbye to one of the best and possibly the loudest bands to ever come out of the local vicinity. The proof of this is that the venue is fully sold out with not a spare ticket to be had for anyone turning up on the night, such is their popularity.

With everybody more than warmed up by three quality support acts the time has come for Burn The Fleet’s Last stand.

Burn The Fleet arrive on stage to a heroes welcome with everyone in the place showing loads of love for this band whose performances and songs have really set themselves in to the hearts of anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing them perform. There is a lot of emotion in the air tonight and front man Andy Convey keeps a hold of himself by using humour to carry things along.

He has shaved his usual beard off just leaving his tash. He was told earlier he looks like Ned

SOUTHAMPTON | JANUARY 2014

Flanders from The Simpsons!

The band kick off and their distinctive heavy bass-led sound backed with two guitars, this echoes around the Joiners creating one beautiful noise. There are huge tunes like “The Greatest Fire” , “Nautilus”, and the epic “Cenotaph” which are sang virtually word for word by the faithful audience. The humour soon returns with a “Twerk Off”, everyone in the audience turns away from each other and when the music kicks in they all twerk, which is a provocative wiggle of your arse …..for those over 25!! This was a slightly sarcastic nod towards the bands friends the mighty Don Broco who are here in the audience tonight.

The evening goes so fast and just before the last slightly predictable song Andy tries to give a speech to thank everybody that has supported the band over the years. This does not really come out as he had planned, as all the band seem quite moved by the moment so they just get on and play the final song “Handfuls Of Sand”. When I first heard this song it just blew me away, it is such a simple and very powerful lyric which works with any audience. Tonight is no different and this Joiners crowd are in fine voice belting out the deeply emotional lines “I beat my hands against my chest and sing I’m alive” over . The band then invite some fans up on the stage which ends in a massive stage invasion with around 30 people all performing the song with the band which ends in a horrible mess.

It does not really matter though. As the outro music of the Crowded House number “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is played over the P.A. the four band members are hugging everyone and fighting back the tears.

So this chapter of Burn The Fleet’s story closes as another one opens, but you cannot help think what the reunion tour in 2020 might be like!!

WORDS: DAVE CHINNERY

BURN THE FLEET

COMEDY CLUB FUNMBI OMATAYO + JOE BOR + ZOE LYONS IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES BEATS & SWING PRESENTS MADAME ELECTRIFIE'S DISCOTHEQUE THE SEX PISTOLS EXPERIENCE + ED TUDOR-POLE HOT FUSS CHECK WWW.WEDGEWOOD-ROOMS.CO.UK FOR DETAILS COMEDY CLUB JOE ROWNTREE + SIMON CLAYTON + GUEST TBC IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES

KODIAK JACK ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY VELVETINE + THE UNDERGROUND PILOTS + EL BORN

COMEDY CLUB ALISTAIR BARRIE + PAUL McCAFFREY + SEAN COLLINS IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES FUNKT-IF-INO ALLSTAR DJs HAIRFORCE 5 + HANOWAR + TOXIC SHOCK

FRI 28 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 28 11pm FREE!

THURS 27 8pm £10.00

WED 26 8pm £10.00

SAT 25 tbc

FRI 21 8pm £10.00

THURS 20 tbc

MON 17 8pm £11.00

SAT 15 9.00pm £7.00

FRI 14 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 14 11pm FREE!

THURS 13 8pm £12.00

TUES 11 7.30pm £15/£10

MON 10 7pm £7.00

SAT 8 7pm £12.50

FRI 7 8pm £7.00

THURS 6 sold out!

WED 5 8pm £12.00

SAT 1 10pm £5.00

LITTLE COMETS + SPECIAL GUESTS SET YOUR SAILS ALBUM LAUNCH T-REXTASY + SPECIAL GUESTS HOT FUSS CHECK WWW.WEDGEWOOD-ROOMS.CO.UK FOR DETAILS TWENTY ONE PILOTS + SPECIAL GUESTS SONIC BOOM SIX + RAT ATTACK COMEDY CLUB BARRY CASTAGNOLA + STEVE WILLIAMS + MAFF BROWN IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES

DJ FORMAT + THE CYBORGS + LOS SWINGERS COJONES + THE GENTLEMAN PHILOSIPHA + MIKE JACKSON

FUNKT-IF-INO ALLSTAR DJs RX BANDITS + ASTPAI DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP + ITCH + SARAH WILLIAMS WHITE

BY HIPSHAKER DJs ORANGE STREET +FOLLOWED SPECIAL GUESTS WE ARE THE IN CROWD + NECK DEEP + SAVE YOUR BREATH REMEDY SOUNDS & FRIENDS MARK THOMAS 100 ACTS OF MINOR DISSENT AUGUST BURNS RED + HUNDREDTH + BEING AS AN OCEAN COMEDY CLUB KEVIN McCARTHY + SPECIAL GUESTS IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES BEATS & SWING PRESENT BEATS & BLUES

FEBRUARY 2014

FRI 31 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 31 11pm FREE!

SAT 25 tbc

FRI 24 8pm £10.00

SAT 18 9pm £5.00

FRI 17 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 17 11pm FREE!

SAT 11 8pm £5.00

FRI 10 8pm £6.00

SAT 4 10pm £5.00

FRI 3 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 3 11pm FREE!

JANUARY 2014

PRETTY VISITORS + TURBO LOVER + SIERRA POLAR + ATLANTIC

IT’S A SIN ROOM TWO DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER PRESENTS ...

WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am ONE TIME AT BANDCAMP TILL 2.00am DR SKETCHY’S ANTI-ART SCHOOL THUNDERDOME ROCK • METAL • ALTERNATIVE WHERE’S ME JUMPER? SEA SHEPHERD UK FUNDRAISER SPEAKERS + BANDS TBC HOMETOWN SHOW PRESENTS ...

TRICORN + SPECIAL GUESTS tbc WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER PRESENTS ...

IT’S A SIN ROOM TWO

THUNDERDOME ROCK • METAL • ALTERNATIVE WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am ONE TIME AT BANDCAMP TILL 2.00am IT’S A SIN ROOM TWO NEIL McSWEENEY + HOMETOWN SHOW BEAR HANDS PRESENTS ...

WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am FUNDRAISER IN AID OF DIABETES UK

4 THE MODFATHERS £8 5 FUNKT-IF-INO £5 8 JOHNNY FLYNN & THE SUSSEX WIT £15 9 PEATBOG FAERIES £13.50 11 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 25 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 26 MOULETTES £10 30 PATENT PENDING & PEOPLE ON VACATION £12 14 20 21 28 30

APRIL 2014 1 5 8 9 12

Check website for availability of tickets for other events on sale through the venue Box Office.

Please note these may be subject to a booking fee.

FUNKT IF-INO £5 CROWBAR £13.50 THE SELECTER £16.50 NORMAN LOVETT £10 REVEREND AND THE MAKERS £13.50 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 THE FEELING £18.50 WHOLE LOTTA LED £9 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 MATT RICHARDSON £10

MARCH 2014

WEDGEWOOD ROOMS ALSO BOOKING

FRI 28 10pm FREE

SAT 22 tbc

FRI 21 10pm FREE

WED 19 tbc THURS 20 tbc

SAT 15 9pm FREE SUN 16 6pm tbc

SUN 9 MIDDAY £8 FRI 14 10pm FREE

SAT 8 tbc

FRI 7 10pm FREE

MON 3 tbc

FRI 31 10pm FREE

SAT 25 7.30pm £10.00

FRI 24 10pm FREE

FRI 24 7.30pm tbc

THURS 23 7.30pm £5

FRI 17 10pm FREE

SAT 11 tbc

SAT 4 tbc FRI 10 10pm FREE

FRI 3 10pm FREE

Advance prices shown Tickets are non-transferable as per terms & conditions of sale

www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk

Sat 11 Jan • £9 / £15 / £18 / £20

Thurs 20 Feb • £20

Tues 29 Apr • £26 / £30

Concert 7.30pm

U14’s with adult

Start 7.30pm

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra New Year Johann Strauss Gala Sun 12 Jan • £19.50

Lamb Of God + Special Guests. This will be the band’s longest visit to the UK since they released latest album ‘Resolution’ in January 2012

The Kerrang!

Tour 2014 Featuring Limp Bizkit + Crossfaith, Nekrogoblikon & Baby Godzilla Sat 15 Mar • £9 / £15 / £17 / £20

Sat 17 May • £10

Mozart & Britten

Southampton German Beer Fest 2014

2014 UK Tour + Lolo Wed 29 Jan • £3 / £2.50 Members

Wed 19 Mar • £22.50

Over 14’s Only

John Newman

12-4pm

Franz Ferdinand

Sequence & Ballroom

After just releasing new single, Evil Eye, the band tour the UK in 2014

Fri 07 Feb • £20

Fri 28 Mar • £20

Afternoon Tea Dance U14’s with adult

Killswitch Engage / Trivium

Following the great success of his current ‘Thick As A Brick’ tour, legendary Prog Rock icon Ian Anderson will be coming to town

Doors 6.30pm Show 7.30pm Concessions apply

Southampton Philharmonic Choir + SU Phil. Mozart - Coronation Mass & Clarinet Concerto Britten - Rejoice in the Lamb Conductor - David Gibson

Mon 27 Jan • £15

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson In Concert

Show 7.30pm Over 18’s Only

Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown

5pm-11pm 18yrs +

German Beers And Foods, The Alpine Stompers Ompha Band, DJ, Mädchens In Traditional Costumes Mon 20 Oct • £20

Level 42 The Sirens Tour + Special Guests Relishing global success for over 30 years producing an impressive discography packed with hit tunes in the instantly recognisable sound they’re loved for!

+ Special Guests

Roy Chubby Brown returns with his bluest show yet!

Wed 29 Oct • £27.50 £29.50

Sat 08 Feb • £2

Sat 29 Mar • £15

Genesis Extended + Support.

Following the success of the 2013 Genesis Revisited album and tours, Steve Hackett is bringing the final version of his Genesis show to the UK

Doors 12-5pm - Door sales only

Show 7.30pm

The Vintage Fair

Variety Relief

Vintage fashion & homeware, tea party & beauty salon

Raising the roof for WAVE 105 Cash for Kids with Britain’s Got Talent star Poppin Ron & Compere Mark Ponsford

Mon 10 Feb • £23 Start 7.30pm

Psychic Sally On The Road Britain’s best-loved psychic and international star, Sally Morgan returns with her 2014 nationwide tour

BOX OFFICE

023 8063 2601

Tue 01 Apr • £27.50 £20 Students + O60’s Concert 8pm

The Bootleg Beatles In Concert No Support West Marlands Road Civic Centre, Southampton Hampshire SO14 7LP Doors 7pm unless stated

www.o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk

Steve Hackett

Wed 05 Nov • £16.50 Doors 6.30pm

Asking Alexandria + Special Guests Hot off the back of their arena run as special guests to Bullet For My Valentine, ASKING ALEXANDRIA have announced a headline run of the UK Box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm A booking fee applies to online & telephone transactions Closed for Christmas 21st Dec – 6th Jan

Edition 1 • 2014

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4 5 6

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4 8

9 10

14 3

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Mo’Club Southampton Guildhall Orange Rooms The Cellar Platform Tavern Firehouse The Old Farmhouse Unit Lennons The Rockstone The Shooting Star The Hobbit The Joiners Roxx Guildhall Box Office Reskue Skateshop Tattoo Monkey Oxfam Music Asgards Guitar Central Lucid Beatnik Emporium Ph Music Media Mexigo Burrito Bar Planet Sounds Harbour Lights The Guitar Store Tattoo Sanctuary

ACADEMY EVENTS PRESENT

DECADE DIVIDED BY FRIDAY

Benji Webbe Where’s the weirdest place that inspiration for a song has struck?

A bolt of inspiration can happen anywhere. I’ve woken up from dreams before hearing a song that sounds amazing I got up out of bed and went in to my home studio and recorded it!

What album/song are you ashamed to admit you secretly love?

THURSDAY 23rd JANUARY

BOURNEMOUTH THE OLD FIRE STATION 0844 477 2000 · www.ticketweb.co.uk

I guess this is your guilty pleasure question, I don’t do guilty pleasure! You can’t help what you dig, because people don’t like somethng I would never let them sway my opinion, If I dig it I dig it and would never be ashamed and always admit it!

Who in the band would make the best girl?

I don’t know coz we all can act like real pussies at time! That’s a hard one!

If you were a fly on the wall, who would you spy on?

President Obama What’s your favourite small venue in Britain?

I got so many pubs and clubs I’ve had amazing shows at in the UK But after 3 songs in a small packed venue I’m hating life, it’s just so hot on stage in small clubs!

What’s on your dream rider?

Our riders pretty amazing if we could add some illegal things it be perfict !

What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

Vanilla works great for me What was your most memorable festival of 2013 and why?

Serengeti Germany that was just the one What’s your favourite song to play live?

Doom Riff Whose beard would win in a fight, Mikey or Dan’s?

Definitely Mikey’s Who’s got the most tattoos?

Still Mikey Catch Skindred with Soil and Visa at Mo Club on January 23rd

PREVIEWS EMP!RE

Feb 03 | Avondale House

Sitting nicely between pop and metal

As a collective, EMP!RE may be new faces, but as individuals they have years’ worth of experience. Their live shows are bursting with energy as they pound audiences with cleverly timed drums, delicious guitar licks and a whole lotta bass. Add to the mix searing vocals and the fact that this band are tight as can be and it’s easy to see how the momentum is building.

FOR FANS OF: FINCH / GLASSJAW / SKINDRED

Powerful uplifting rock from Cambridge

Fresh from supporting Don Broco last year Lonely the Brave tie rock guitar riffs together with thoughtful lyrics and lead singer David Jakes’s powerful vocals, which are haunting, rich and gruff all at once. Note we didn’t use the word ‘frontman’ to describe Jakes as traditionally he stands at the back during the band’s energetic live performances and always has.

FOR FANS OF: THE JCQ / DON BROCO / HEY VANITY

LONELY THE BRAVE

Feb 04 | Joiners

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

Metal overlords in crushing double bill

Feb 07 | O2 Guildhall

FOR FANS OF: AS I LAY DYING / PARKWAY DRIVE / SOILWORK

For their 6th album, Massachusetts metal pioneers Killswitch Engage reunited with original singer Jesse Leach, whose vocals and lyrics on 2002’s landmark Alive or Just Breathing are fan-faves and part of what helped put KsE on the map as one of the most important bands of the ‘00s metal revival. Throw Trivium into the mix and basically if you like METAL, get yourself to this show!

Unpretentious, melodic indie rock

Originally formed in the 00’s as a reaction to the dance music swamping the UK music scene, The Twang broke out in a big way with their straightforward blend of guitar-based rock and vocalist Martin Saunders’ part sung, part spoken lyrical ramblings.

Consistently catchy and listenable with relatable content still very much applicable to the post-teen angst of those in their 20’s.

FOR FANS OF: THE COURTENEERS / THE RIFLES / LITTLE MAN TATE

TOY

Feb 20 | Talking Heads

THE TWANG

Feb 14 | Talking Heads

Shake & shuffle to the psychedelic beats

London’s TOY borrow from shoegaze, Krautrock and psychedelia to make pulsating, hypnotic music. Formed in 2010 their music is synth-heavy with distorted raw guitar riffs, smooth deep vocals, chiming keys and slick, tight drums combining elements of early electro and indie rock with the vocal ability of Joy Division, catchy pop hooks of Pulp and a heavy air of The Smiths.

FOR FANS OF: THE HORRORS / TAME IMPALA / THE VACCINES

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

PREVIEWS JAMES BAY

Heartfelt acoustic folk from Hitchin

Feb 27 | The Cellar

FOR FANS OF: FOY VANCE / TOM ODELL / BEN HOWARD

Having recently taken the US by storm, James Bay forged his skills on the UK circuit. There is a decidedly vintage feel to his style, both in appearance and musicality and you can appreciate the influences of the US on this young singer/songwriter. His acoustic folk has a quiet intimacy to it that feels older than his years. His live show is mesmerising - you can hear a pin drop.

You’ll want to say you were there

Get involved with Bones’ unique combination of blues, folk, rock, soul and funk before they are catapulted off into the stratosphere.

Fronted by the charismatic depth of Rich Thomas’ vocals and acoustic guitar, the powerful combination of 2 drummers ensures a passionate ferocity to their music. On stage is where this 5 piece really shine, drawing the audience in and rocking them out.

FOR FANS OF: BEN HOWARD / BLIND MELON / MUMFORD & SONS

BROTHER & BONES

Feb 27 | Talking Heads

SOULFLY

Hardcore groove metal heroes

Mar 03 | Talking Heads

FOR FANS OF: SEPULTURA / CHIMAIRA / DEVILDRIVER

Originally part of the nu metal movement combining elements of Brazilian tribal and world music, recent Soulfly releases have moved towards a thrash/groove metal style. Armed with frontman Max Cavalera’s four-stringed guitars, unmistakable growl and instantly recognizable riffage, the muddy tones and constant rhythmic bounce of Soulfly has retained its gritty edge.

Balls out classic hard rock

Big guitars and big vocals, expect all the swagger, sleaze and sass of a full on classic rock show. Hailing from Newcastle/Northern Ireland their songs are powerhouse anthems that easily prove their worth as a previous support act for AC/DC. Straight up hard rock is having an unashamed resurgence recently and The Answer should be top of the list for those ready to have a proper rock out.

FOR FANS OF: BLACK SPIDERS / THIN LIZZY / AIRBOURNE

THE ANSWER

Mar 10 | The Brook

CHELSEA GRIN

Punishing US metalcore

Mar 19 | Joiners

FOR FANS OF: SUICIDE SILENCE / THY ART IS MURDER / MISS MAY I

Chelsea Grin are an American deathcore band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Their current sound features an effective use of sampling to accompany the full on battering of crunching guitars and relentless drums. Mostly screamed vocals are joined by an almost angelic background of choral chants and harmonious strings on 2012’s EP ‘Evolve’. This one is gonna get brutal!

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

FEATURE U.S metal heavyweights Trivium will be dropping into the O2 Guildhall this February for a double bill with fellow riffmeisters Killswitch Engage. Mike James caught up with Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu for a quick chat about their new album ‘Vengeance Falls’.

New album, Vengeance Falls is out now. First single ‘Strife’ was an awesome track and well received. How was it for you guys?

Strife is a song that lyrically, I think is pretty obvious with what the content is. When it came time for In Waves, everything was multi-interpretable and I really wanted the listener to come up with what they felt the song was about.

With certain songs on Vengeance Falls I think it’s right out there. A couple are going to have the mixed multi-meaning interpretations within but with Strife I think one really just needs to read through it and they can see exactly what was going on in my head at that period of time for that song.

How about the album and its concept, how did it all come together?

Vengeance Falls wasn’t supposed to be the title of the record. Originally the title of this record was going to be Wake. When we started tracking the record and we came upon the very first song we recorded vocals for, it was the song Vengeance Falls and we had the lyrics, we had the song title but right when we finished the song David said ‘Guys, sometimes you need to listen to the music and let the music speak to you and I feel like this song is saying something to all of us right now. It’s saying that Vengeance Falls is the summary of this record.’ Not only did he feel that song captured what the entire record was as a whole within the song but lyrically it also said what the overall message of the record was so with this turn of events we decided to make the record called Vengeance Falls.

Conceptually it’s not like In Waves. It doesn’t continue the story of In Waves, it’s its own thing. Lyrically it’s a dark record. It’s about what’s happening within the human mind, my human mind, and what’s happening in the world around me. It was influenced by a lot of things that you can see nowadays happening whether around the planet or, I guess the issues that every human being goes through. I think what’s good about metal is that metal is the release, it is the outlet, it is therapy of all the bad stuff in life and not saying that there is no light at the end of the tunnel but with Vengeance Falls, the songs are pretty dark and the light at the end of the tunnel is the fact that music was able to be written.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

What was the writing process like for Vengeance Falls?

I think for a band the worst time to ‘write an album’ is when you set ‘writing time’. Any time we’ve ever done that in the past it’s set us up for failure and I find that the best time for writing music is writing when inspiration strikes you, not forcing inspiration to happen at a specific point in time but allowing the music to speak to you. With this record, it was slightly after In Waves came out we decided to start creating randomly one day and what came out was what eventually became the material for Vengeance Falls. Sometimes if we have music together we’ll teach it to the other band members, sometimes we’ll play in dressing rooms to work at it, sometimes we’ll play it as sound check for a whole band kind of thing so there’s no real set thing of location or time, I just know that I always want ‘writing time’ to be when it’s not ‘writing time’.

What was it like working with David Draiman (Disturbed) as the producer? Did he have much influence on you?

We had a really good vibe in the studio. We did the whole record at his house and we would just all sit in the studio doing pre-production, working on the songs, bouncing ideas off each other and he might throw an idea of try this and don’t do what you would normally do, just to try to push everyone’s boundaries and to think outside the box and see what other things we could pull out of each other to make the music that we had for this record to be different and not do what you’d expect all the time so he definitely brought a different thought process and mentality to viewing our music in a certain way of trying new things and not being so hung up on going to your comfort zones, which I think brought out a lot of really cool ideas out of everybody. Working with him, the whole schedule and the way we tracked the record and worked was completely different than any other album we ever made and we were able to be more efficient with our time, give every instrument its proper due, proper time, proper focus and attention. We wanted to make a record that was a next level for our band and he really pushed us and I think we were able to do that.

For you, are there any stand out tracks?

I think a stand out track for me today, if I had to pick, would be Through Blood & Dirt & Bone mainly because every time I show this record to any friends of mine or other bands I

TRIVIUM

know it seems like that song is really one that stands out.

I’m not entirely sure why or what the effectiveness of that track is, maybe it’s that the pacing is slightly different to something we’d normally do. I mean we’re a band that’s known for going fast, having long songs, having intense scream songs and with Through Blood & Dirt & Bone I feel like it’s maybe as intensive a song that would have been fast and screamed except it’s a slower song – not a ballad by any means but it’s slow, intense and heavy with kind of a dark vibe and it seems to really speak to people.

What can UK audiences expect to hear from the new album at your live shows?

We started playing the new songs at all the European festivals but the debut of Brave the Storm was at a Romanian show, the next day the song from the album came out. Then we played Strife at the following show and didn’t tell anyone what the song was, whether it was a cover or a new song. We let that one naturally create its own fire and I thought it was really interesting to do that, to play a new song and not tell anyone. So when we’re in the UK we’ll be playing more songs off the new record. We’re not sure which ones yet but people can definitely expect us to play a batch of them.

What can we expect from the live show as a whole?

Well the new album artwork is pretty epic and once we’d seen it instantly everyone started to think ‘we have to create this on stage’. This is a big sounding record, the songs are big. We need to come out with some stage production that fits everything with the record so people have probably seen what we were doing on our festival run last year…we brought out a lot of stage production that takes the album cover and brings it to life and gives it some dimensions instead of just a backdrop. We definitely put the time and effort in wanting to bring a bigger show to our fans that we’ve always wanted to do. We’re still adding new pieces to it so we’ll have loads by the time we get to the UK. People will have to come check it out. It’s definitely some really cool stuff and a lotta people have been digging on it!

Catch Trivium with Killswitch Engage at the O2 Guildhall on 7th February WORDS: MIKE JAMES

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

TRIVIUM

ONES TO WATCH

Introducing...

This year Takedown are doing things a little differently and are pleased as punch to present you with a hand-picked selection of the south coast’s best homegrown acts on a stage of their own, curated by none other than your favourite free listings mag. Having scoured the land for the cream of the crop; the hardest-working, hardest-rocking bands we can find. Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you the Southampton Music ‘Introducing...’ Stage.

DEAD

www.facebook.com/StayClassyStayDead

Formed in January 2012 DEAD! comprise five lost boys that bonded over a love of Roger Daltrey, broken guitars and Lurhmann’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. This is what would happen if Tarantino and Shakespeare started a band.

Dead! hit the ground running with their second ever gig being a main stage slot at Takedown off the back of just one bedroom demo and since then have notched up over 100 gigs and considerable Radio 1 airplay for ‘We Are Dead’ the opening track from their forthcoming mini-album.

Why should we come check you out at Takedown?

“We can actually stand testament to the blood, sweat and tears that bands claim go into a live show with an upsetting broken bones count. Curiously it never happens when we’re wearing the blindfolds........”

DENDERA

Making their Takedown debut, local heavy metal heroes Dendera are no strangers to the Southampton scene with 2013 being a big year for them, seeing them support some big names such as Saxon, Gloryhammer, UFO, Alestorm, Ill Nino and POD to name a few. The release of their debut album ‘The Killing Floor’ received praise from metal lovers across the country and the boys are currently working on material for the next one.

Why should we come check you out at Takedown?

“People should come and check us out for something a little different to everything else on the bill. We play classic style metal and whatever genre of rock you are into; you will find something in us that you will enjoy. We will give one hell of a performance and we promise to give 110%. If you are a fan of Metallica, Maiden and Priest, then I am sure you will have fun www.facebook.com/DenderaUK with us.”

OUR HOLLOW, OUR HOME

www.facebook.com/ourhollowourhome

Since forming in late 2012, OH,OH have been working tirlessly, recording a 2 track double A side and video for single‘Rest Assured’, completing their debut UK tour, playing shows across the UK including Takedown, RAWFest, Messtival and Burn Out Festival and playing their hometown with Australian heavyweights The Amity Affliction. We welcome them back to Takedown with open arms.

Why should we come check you out at Takedown?

“We’ve all been working so hard to show people what we are capable of. With an intense live show, heavy riffs and singalong choruses, we are a band who have something to not only showcase, but to prove. With only a handful of shows under our belts we want to show you how far we’ve come in a year. We’ve been given an opportunity to play Takedown again and we are honoured to take to the stage, and show you what we’re all about.”

Saint[the]Sinner formed in 2011 working night and day readying themselves for their launch, playing their first show with York band ‘Glamour Of The Kill’ (also appearing at TD2014). Having played the Vans Warped Tour in 2013 it’s fair to say they’ve earned their festival stripes and we’re looking forward to their Takedown debut.

Their debut EP ‘Da Vinci’s Demise’ hit ears across the world with some great reviews.

Having coined the phrase ‘theatri-core’ to describe their unique blend of theatrical punk rock we recommend you check ‘em out.

SAINT THE SINNER

Why should we come check you out at Takedown?

“Because, we like to party - on and off stage! We pride ourselves on our on stage energy, and making sure you guys and girls have a real good time! For us, it’s all about the www.facebook.com/SaintTheSinnerOfficial energy!”

More next month...

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | JANUARY 2014

ONES TO WATCH

NECK DEEP

SKINDRED

ROAM

AVO HOUSE | 09/01

SOIL VIZA

MO’CLUB | 23/01

BOXER REBELLION

EMPIRE

THE JOINERS | 04/02

THY ART IS MURDER

THE JOINERS | 06/02

THE TWANG

THE DEFILED

BUTCHER BABIES

THE KILLING LIGHTS THE CREASES

THE DEAD LAY WAITING CYTOTA

TOY TURISAS

JAMES BAY

BROTHER & BONES

SOULFLY SKATERS THE ANSWER YOUR DEMISE BREAKING POINT COUNTING DAYS

AVO HOUSE | 03/02

LONELY THE BRAVE FATHERSON

ESKIMO CHAIN SHY NATURE

THE BROOK | 03/02

ARCHITECTS

STRAY FROM THE PATH NORTHLANE

TAKEDOWN FESTIVAL CHELSEA GRIN

THE BROWNING SILENT SCREAMS MORE THAN A THOUSAND

65 DAYS OF STATIC DEVILDRIVER

SYLOSIS

BLEED FROM WITHIN

TALKING HEADS | 14/02 TALKING HEADS | 15/02

LENNONS | 15/02 AVO HOUSE | 20/02 TALKING HEADS | 20/02 TALKING HEADS | 22/02

THE CELLAR | 27/02 TALKING HEADS | 27/02 TALKING HEADS | 03/03

THE JOINERS | 06/03

THE BROOK | 10/03 THE JOINERS | 11/03

MO CLUB | 13/03 SOUTHAMPTON UNI | 15/03

THE JOINERS | 19/03 THE BROOK | 26/03

MO CLUB | 10/04

GUILDHALL BOX OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) OXFA M M US IC (EAS T S T)

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AN ACADEMY EVENTS & DMP PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH NEIL O’BRIEN ENTERTAINMENT

The Brook 466 Portswood Road Southampton SO17 3SD Box Office 1pm - 7pm Mon - Sat 023 8055 5366

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LARRY MILLER ~ FLEETWOOD BAC ~ THE BOXER REBELLION DOORS ALIVE ~ HEAVEN 17 ~ THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW MARTIN HARLEY BAND ~ DIRTY DC ~ THE BEAT ~ THE ANSWER TYKETTO + BONFIRE + SUMMERS ~ STU LARSEN ~ LIMEHOUSE LIZZY ~ UFO ~ 65 DAYS OF STATIC ~ LEE SCRATCH PERRY BIG COUNTRY ~ MAGNUM ~ THE RIFLES ~ BERNIE MARSDEN THE RUTLES ~ KING KING ~ THE MOVE ~ THE SOUTH...

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The1865.com

Live Bands | DJs | Comedy | Jazz & Cabaret | Parties | Weddings | Corporate Events Live Bands | DJs | Comedy | Jazz & Cabaret | Parties | Weddings | Corporate Events

Introducing: 1865 Southampton’s newest live venue

out to suit; - Live bands, DJ sets, Comedy, Jazz and Cabaret as well as private

At over 8,000 sq ft and with a capacity of around 700, 1865 is set to become the city’s new destination for entertainment.

The1865.com

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1865 - BRUNSWICK SQUARE - SOUTHAMPTON - SO14 3AR

023 8021 3705

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