NOVEMBER 2014
YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO THE BEST MUSIC IN THE CITY!
N O T P M A H T U SO
C I S U M
A CAREER SPANNING TWO DECADES AND STILL GOING STRONG, WE CATCH UP WITH THE much loved singer-songwriter ahead of his show at the o2 guildhall
lit
the blackout
finding ‘a place in the sun’ this winter back in southampton!
also this month: kerbdog / circle of reason / festival reviews / win deaf havana tickets!
www.southampton-music.com
/southamptonmusicmag @sotonmusicmag
WELCOME TO THE YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE
PTON
NOVEMBER 2014
BEST MUSIC IN THE
CITY!
SOUTHAM
MUSIC CATCH UP WITH AND STILL GOING STRONG, WE A CAREER SPANNING TWO DECADES ahead of his show at the o2 guildhall er THE much loved singer-songwrit
lit
winter finding ‘a place in the sun’ this also this month: kerbdog
kout the blac southampton! back in
/ circle of reason / festival
reviews
-mu www.sou tham pton
/ win deaf havana tickets!
sic.com
ag /sout hamp tonm usicma g m @sotonmusic
Thanks for picking up the November 2014 issue of Southampton Music Magazine, your one stop guide to the best music in the city and surrounding area. This month we have the honour of chatting to the extremely affable David Gray about life on the road and recording his most recent material, California pop-punk-rockers Lit bring a little sunshine to darkest November and Wales’ finest rockers The Blackout bring the party. We also ask some silly questions to Cormac Battle of Kerbdog with amusing results. All this plus summer festival reviews, previews, listings and announcements for all of the best venues and events in the area and a chance to win tickets to see Deaf Havana!
w w w. s o u t h a m p t o n - m u s i c . c o m
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THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER
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FEATURE
With a career spanning a whopping 21 years (and counting!) we get the impression that David Gray never stops moving. He’s consistently on the road as his fans cry out for live shows and the chance to get up close and personal with his emotional and uplifting music. To date he’s released a mammoth ten albums, the latest of which ‘Mutineers’ came out this summer and sees a more relaxed, gentler and huskier sound emanating from this vocal powerhouse. As he moves into middle age it’s hard to fathom that the career defining album White Ladder was at its peak now more than fifteen years ago. We all remember the hits – Babylon, Sail Away, Please Forgive Me, This Year’s Love – these songs still resonate with audiences worldwide and are now ingrained as part of the soundtrack to many of our lives. The David Gray we met is a wonderfully affable chap. Weary, maybe, after an exhausting slog round America, but in good spirits being mere inches away from a promised week off and is more than happy to spare some time to allow us a closer look at the various shades of Gray… You’ve just been in the US, are you back in the country now? Yes, yes. There’s a little bit left of me. I’ve got a gig tonight at Union Chapel for Jo Whiley’s charity Little Noise and then I’ve got a week off so I’m just powering through all my duties today in preparation for that. So you’ve just got to keep your voice holding out for another day or two? How do you keep it in tip top condition? The voice is OK at the moment. It’s been through some rough patches in the last couple of months because I’ve been hard at it for six months but it seems alright now. There isn’t really an easy way to look after it; you just have to hang in there. It terrifies me when it starts to lose accuracy and get tired. I’ve got a kind of weathered voice anyway but when it really gets broken up and it’s hard to hit the notes, and a lot of my songs have got big notes in, that’s the one thing that really gets me down but there’s no formula for it. I don’t believe in all the exercises and remedies, I basically just go in hard. That’s my singing approach. I give it everything I’ve got so if it’s failing I’ll still just go for it. It’s just a muscle and a beam of energy and it sort of hangs in there. If you’re staring at 8 shows in 9 days as I was a couple of times in America with constant travel you wonder how you’re going to get through it and you have a couple of rough shows and then you see a bit of improvement and just that in your mind is enough to spur you on. It’s a very human thing. It’s the human tip of the whole rather inhuman mass performance system of going out around the world and constantly singing, the voice is the bit that gets the pummelling at the end of it and there’s no way of avoiding that. The only way is to rest it, say as little as possible during the day and then give it your all. Do you find that your voice has changed over the years? Yeah, I think it’s got a lot better. It’s deepened and it’s richer. When I listen to me singing ‘as a boy’ as I like to refer to it, 20 years ago I think ‘who is that!?!’ I can still hear some of the identifiable characteristics but it’s much higher, it doesn’t have the depth. Neither do I have the knowledge of how to best put it across and my dynamic range is much, much better these days. I sing less hard, I ease off and it’s a lot sweeter and deeper sounding. It does change with time so I think it’s got better.
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC NOVEMBER 2014
I think that’s quite evident in your new album, the tone of your voice seems to have changed… Yeah, I made a huge effort on this record. It’s one of the ways I tried to change things because one of the things that’s very repetitive in making records is obviously the sound of my voice. It’s always there at the front of every track and it’s very intense and very dense and my voice is very, very loud and powerful so for this record I did a lot of singing a lot softer and flanked the voice with loads of different harmonies, falsettos…all the singing on the record is me, but the most important thing was taking the foot off the accelerator, even further than I would normally do and just singing right at the edge of where my voice can hold the note but you get a much softer, less in your face kind of thing out of it. Obviously there’s certain times where you just have to go for it in a song but by and large I was going for a different flavour and it worked, it sounds different. Is that what you were aiming for with Mutineers, were you pushing for something different? Yes definitely. I was bored. On every level, just at this jaded point and I wanted the record to have a fizz of excitement and uplift. I didn’t want it to just be a load of jaded, middleaged observations set to music. It had to have more than that. I needed to take risks, tear up the script and get away from the things I knew how to do to break the whole process open and break the music open and myself and get to the good stuff so that’s why it took a little while and it was a bit more troublesome and tumultuous than just turning up and doing the usual thing. I didn’t want to make the same record I’d made before, I needed new sonic terrain, somewhere else to go with it all but it’s hard when you know what you don’t want but you don’t know what you want and you have to take small steps and eventually you get there. Little victories, small steps from one thing to another and suddenly you see a new way of singing, a new way of writing and a new way of making music so when the revelation came and the new music swung into view gloriously in front of me I seized it with both hands and that’s what gives the record a bit of a frisson because it was a very fresh and new experience and when you’ve been doing it a long time, that’s what you crave.
DAVID GRAY
You worked with Lamb’s Andy Barlow on this album, what was that process like? It was difficult. I gave him access all areas to what I was doing and the brief was to not let me do the same thing that I’d done before and to take me out of my comfort zone, which he did. The part that was most harrowing was when we were knocking things down but I didn’t know what he was going to build in its place. So to win my trust took a little while. There was a lot of tension, there were a lot of arguments and there were a lot of problems with process. The way I work is much the same as with my voice, I go in hard and he couldn’t handle the ludicrous intensity that I take as a normal thing, he just couldn’t work that way. He’s more sensitive, he needed a break and that drove me mad. But he couldn’t work my way, I had to work his way and I realised he had the keys to the city and I needed to basically take myself in hand if I wanted to get there. Relinquishing control, letting someone into your most personal work and letting them smash it up without knowing what they’re going to do with it, all of this caused me a huge amount of stress but because of all this danger and trouble something much more interesting happened and that’s what’s wonderful about collaboration when it really clicks. Andy can take a huge amount of credit for the sound and feel of this record. He put a lot into it. We can hardly believe that White Ladder is over 15 years old. Do you still get the same thrill from playing hits from it live on stage? One thing that’s really interesting is that those songs really stand up. They’re well made so you just have to play them and they work for you and the audience obviously loves to hear them and I don’t begrudge them that at all. I think I’m getting better at singing them as I go along so I think because they’ve lasted with me, they’re deeper now. A song needs a certain amount of malleability and elasticity to last the test of time. It’s like any relationship, it’s like being married or something, you’ve got these things and they have to grow with you otherwise you leave them behind and move on and that hasn’t happened with the White Ladder stuff. Much like with this last record, the process for White Ladder was very collaborative. I went out of my comfort zone and opened myself up and it’s a very heart on sleeve record that came right from the source of what I do and they’re very generous songs that give everything they can possibly give so singing them live, I’ve got better and better at it and it’s a pleasure to me still.
package, plus an acoustic bit which could take me into any of the albums so each night I might play two or three songs and pick them from a different album so there’s a carousel there within the main set that changes every night. You could be lucky, you might hear the song you love the most that I don’t often play or it might be in the next night’s set so it changes. It’s hard to fit it all in. It sounds ridiculous but two hours doesn’t feel like long enough anymore, not for me to really cover all the ground. So you’ve been in the US for a while now, what’s your favourite part? Do you have a favourite place? I don’t really have a favourite bit. Without sounding stupid it’s all very much the same and also very different. New Orleans is nothing like New York and yet there’s a sameness to it too. I do quite like the south. I think Nashville, Texas, go down south and people are very into their music in a very different way. They listen to the band as much as to the singer. People can really play down there and it’s really in their blood. They really listen to other aspects and the subtleties of what’s been put together for them. But I don’t really have favourites. What’s astonishing is that for years San Francisco was one of the best gigs in the world for me and then you have a couple and they don’t feel quite as good and suddenly another town comes up and you have a couple of great gigs in another place and that’s the thing about a tour, it’s never quite what you expect. You’re playing the awesome Bluesfest in Byron Bay next year, have you done that before? Are you excited about that? Yeah we had an absolutely fantastic show there last time. There was something in the air. It had a sort of Glastonbury feel. We got very lucky because they screwed up with our hotel booking and at the last minute the festival had to put us into this new 5* hotel on the beach which was absolutely fantastic so everyone was in a wonderful mood. It was miraculously good weather and everyone seemed to be on a good buzz and the show just lifted off and it was spectacular so if it’s as good as that it’s definitely going to be one to remember. Finally, we’re looking forward to seeing you in Southampton soon, what can we expect from this next run of live shows?
How do you choose what you’re going to play? You’ve got ten albums worth of material now!
Well I’ve got a big old band coming your way. There’s eight of us. In order to do justice to all the vocals on the record I’ve got seven people singing with me so it’s a celebratory troop when we all crank into gear with everyone singing away. It’s like soul music!
It’s not easy. I try and cram as much into two hours as I can so I’ll play a lot of new material and then basically a greatest hits
Catch david gray live @ O2 Guildhall on 28th November
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC NOVEMBER 2014
Words: Zan Lawther
DAVID GRAY
FEATURE
The older among you into American alternative rock and punk pop may well remember California fellas Lit. If it doesn’t instantly ring a bell then a search for ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ or ‘Over My Head’ on Youtube is going to do the trick. Yes, THAT band. And yes, it WAS that long ago. They’ve been around a while, 25 years to be precise. Despite a new release in 2012 and a fairly regular flow of single/video releases, studio albums have been a bit of a slow burner since the self titled ‘Lit’ in 2004, but regular touring and festival appearances have been a catalyst for their longevity. With their 15th Anniversary ‘A Place In The Sun’ UK tour on the horizon we prepared by watching every one of their videos and having a good old listen to their most recent work, which we have to say totally stands up against the sounds of their younger contemporaries. And then we had a little chat with guitarist Jeremy Popoff because he’s a nice guy and he likes a chinwag and he likes a beer. 21 November can’t come round soon enough! In less than a month you’ll be on our shores touring to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of ‘A Place In The Sun’. How do you decide your set lists for shows, and will you be playing the album in its entirety, or a mixture of your favourites from it and hits from your other albums? We actually play the entire album from front to back. Then we play stuff from the other records. It’s a great set. What do you guys do to ‘keep it fresh’ each tour? Especially being in the UK, each night has a different feel. We kind of gear toward the vibe of the audience. Some shows go longer, some go drunker, and each night has a different tone. Can you tell us any mega gross tour stories? Oh man.... I could tell you a ton. We have been playing and touring for over 20 years now. You can imagine the shenanigans that went on before everybody had cameras on their phones and internet. I’ll have to think about any specific “gross” stories, although 9 guys on a tour bus for months on end is pretty gross itself. What’s Lit’s best tour ‘party game’? The show. We do most of our partying on stage. We continue the party afterwards but usually by the time we walk off the stage, we are good and lubed up. If any band in the world was to cover one of your songs which band would it be, which song would they cover and why would you want that band to cover it? It’s crazy how many bands cover our songs. ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ has become one of the most covered songs over the last 10 years. Anywhere we might be in the world, we come across a band in a bar somewhere playing our song. It’s very flattering to have a song that still gets the crowd fired up. A lot of bands have told us that Enemy is always their “go to” song if the crowd needs a little wake up call. I always enjoy watching younger kids doing it on YouTube. It’s cool to see our music reaching the newer generation of rock n’ rollers. If you could ask fans to bring you anything to shows what would you ask for, and why? Have fans ever brought you anything totally weird? We have had weird stuff delivered. Some questionable baked goods, moonshine, dolls of ourselves, porn, you name it. If I could ask fans to bring anything, it would be to bring a friend. The more the merrier!
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC NOVEMBER 2014
Which fresh new bands are you currently listening to that we should check out? Honestly, I haven’t heard anything new in a long time that I really like. It’s kind of sad. Either I’m just getting old or rock n’ roll has gotten lame. What do you think is the band’s secret to longevity? We just genuinely love the band and each other. After 25 years playing together, we don’t really know anything else. We couldn’t still tour though if it wasn’t for the longevity of our fans. We are very fortunate to have great fans that still come out to see Lit. When can we expect the next studio album? As I do this interview, I am sitting on a plane to Nashville, TN. A.Jay and I are going to work on new music. I’m not sure when or how we will release it yet. Albums these days just seem to be a waste of time and money, so we will be looking for other ways to get new songs out there. What’s the master plan for 2015? We are looking to do a package tour for the UK and Europe. We are talking to a few bands right now and hope to return in near Summer. New music in 2015 hopefully! Other than that, I am expanding my restaurant/ bar/ music venue called The Slidebar. A.Jay is opening a rock n’ roll hair salon for guys and girls called Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. Nathan is in a couple of other bands - True Rivals and The Cornfed Project, and Kevin is re-modeling his new house. We all stay pretty busy with our families and side businesses. It keeps us grounded and inspired. It also really makes us appreciate the time we get to spend on the road playing music with each other. And finally tell our readers why they should come to Southampton and see your show? Your readers should come to the Southampton show because we have travelled a long way and it’s the polite thing to do. Also, because it’s a bad ass rock n’ roll show. Someone might get hurt, someone might get pregnant and most people will be hungover the day after. It’s worth checking out! Words: Marianne Harris
Catch Lit live @ 1865 | Friday 21st November
LIT
to p u e k a W
M A B M A B akfast at Bre
ys Weekda am from 5
FEATURE
The Blackout are a quintessential Welsh post hardcore band - fun, dynamic and hard working, not to mention rather charming in person. Having spent much of the last 10 years touring and building dedicated fan bases, as well as smashing out decent albums packed with banging tunes, the band have not only been gradually carving themselves a respected reputation as a stalwart champion of British alternative rock but as a solid and essential live band to boot. In light of the release of a brand new EP ‘Wolves’ at the end of October, and a UK tour to showcase this new material, we thought we’d have a catch up with vocalist Gavin Butler before the tour kicks off, to probe him about Wolves, find out how they pick their supports, and to talk about embarrassing tour stories. Oo-er!! Does anyone want to guess which one of them went for a poo in the woods? [We guessed correctly, but we’re not telling you.] Describe The Blackout in one sentence... Six Welsh idiots who make music. Tell us a secret about someone in the band. Someone in the band has a fake hip. They broke it whilst horse riding through Llandudno. [Is this a true story?] Well, it could be... Your new EP ‘Wolves’ is out 27th October, how do you think it compares to previous releases? It’s probably our angriest stuff for a while, it’s definitely more aggressive. We think it’s the best stuff we’ve ever done. It’s a culmination of everything we’ve learned over the last 8 or 9 years...is more focussed and has more direction. We’re really pleased with it. If you could achieve just one thing in your music career what would it be? The problem with setting goals is that you leave yourself wanting more. EVERYTHING we’ve achieved so far has been amazing. Playing in front of 200 people was amazing. Playing in front of 2000 people was amazing. Every step is always automatically followed by a new achievement. Being around as long as we have has been my favourite achievement so far. Playing on the moon, that’s what I’d like to achieve! What’s the most shocking interview question you’ve ever been asked? I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked anything really shocking, but the worst kind of questions are the staple ones, the generic ones, they’re the worst kind. Like zero research has gone in at all. ‘What’s your song about?’Boring questions that make it obvious no thought has gone into it at all. Never really had anything asked about us that’s a bit beyond the line. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at a show? HAHA they happen at a constant rate! Hardly a show goes by when I don’t trip or fall over something on stage, and make a complete arse of myself. I do have a story about someone else in the band though. This person pulled his back out during a show, and decided to kill the pain with painkillers and alcohol, ridiculous amounts of drink. We were in the van on the way to the hotel after the show, in Scotland somewhere I think, he was hilariously paralytic drunk, and we had to stop suddenly as he was desperate for the loo, and all we saw from the van was him stumbling off across the verge into the woods trying to get his trousers down to do a poo. What’s the very best thing about touring? I love travelling and visiting new places, but just playing live is the best thing about it. At the end of the day you’re in a band to play music so that’s the best thing about being in a band. That, and getting to play with 5 of my best friends. You’re taking local boys When We Were Wolves out on tour with you, how do you pick your supports? We saw them play in the summer at Redfest, and we thought they were pretty
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC NOVEMBER 2014
good. Since then I’ve ended up playing Xbox with one of the guys, another of them pledged for guitar lessons with us. They’re a band of local guys we really like, and who are good at what they do. It’s always good to have a bunch of Welsh boys on tour with us, we have the same sense of humour and likes. It’s always funny seeing a Welsh person out of Wales! It’ll probably only take a day or two for us all to click and be friends. Usually it might take a few more. We’re looking forward to it! Yeah, the Welsh band community has always seemed quite close. Do you think this is a contributing factor to the success of many Welsh bands? I think it’s definitely a factor. As big as Wales is, a lot of the music scene is focussed in and around Cardiff. It’s a very small area of Wales where the music is focussed. If you’re in a Welsh band you have to go to Cardiff to play any decent venues pretty much or you’re playing in a local pub. Everyone’s on the same wavelength. A great community comes out of that. Most of the Welsh bands all rehearse in the same place too so you’re constantly just bumping into everyone else. Band members go out on tours with other bands teching or driving, it’s like one great big family. I think Wales just has an inherent love and affinity with music. Whatever genre a band chooses to play they do it amazingly well. That and there’s f*ck all else to do around here. It’s either die from drugs or be in a band. Aside from being in a kick ass band what would be your perfect job? My perfect job would be working for the person training to be a sex employee [do you mean porn star Gav?] I’d be the dummy guy they’d work on to perfect their job! What’s been your highlight so far of 2014? Getting this EP out! It’s been a long time coming and it’s been a difficult flog for us. It’s all been done by ourselves (with massive help from our fans) and we’re so happy with it. I know it hasn’t happened yet but that’s going to be the highlight of the year for me. What can we expect from The Blackout in 2015? Dunno yet. We’re putting plans together now for things that we’ll hopefully be announcing after the Wolves Tour. Can’t say just yet, my lips are sealed! Your UK tour brings you to 1865 in Southampton - what can we expect from the show? We haven’t decided that quite yet but we all love the new material so much that we’d like to get it all into the set. Expect a lot of the new stuff plus the big bangers. We’ve played in Southampton quite a lot but haven’t been to this venue before so we’re looking forward to it! Words: Marianne Harris
Catch them live @ 1865 | Wednesday 12 th November
THE BLACKOUT
Tue 04 Nov • £15
Sat 22 Nov • £22.50 No Under 8’s
Sat 20 Dec • £22 Over 18’s Only
Twin Atlantic
Mastodon*
8pm start
+ Big Business + Krokodil
Wave 105’s Cracker Of A Christmas Party With Bjorn Again
+The Xcerts + Nothing But Thieves Wed 05 Nov • £16.50 Doors 6.30pm
Asking Alexandria + The Ghost Inside, Crown The Empire + Secrets Thu 06 Nov • £9.50 Concessions £7 7.30 pm Start
Silent Film WINGS (1927) with Organist Donald MacKenzie
Part of Southampton Film Week Fri 07 Nov • £15 Concessions £12.50 Doors 6.30pm Show 7.15pm
Hampshire Festival Of Remembrance
Compere Matt Le Tissier Sat 08 Nov • £17.50
Band Of Skulls* + Bo Ningen Sun 9 Nov • £21.50
Rise Against + Pennywise + Emily’s Army Wed 12 Nov • £3 members £2.50 12pm - 4pm
Afternoon Tea Dance Sequence & Ballroom
Fri 28 Nov • £47.50 £38.50 £29.50
David Gray + Guests Sat 29 Nov • £10 £15 £20 Concessions apply Doors 6.30pm Show 7.30pm
Vaughan Williams & Britten Southampton Philharmonic Choir (with SU PHIL) Sun 30 Nov • £23.50 £20 16+ Concessions apply
Jim Davidson ‘No Further Action’ Tour Sat 06 Dec • £21 Doors 7.30pm
Dance Yourself Dizzy
Modern Jive Christmas Ball Wed 10 Dec • £14 £15 £16 Concessions apply 7.30pm
Royal Marines Band Concert
Christmas charity band concert in aid of Seafarers UK
Thu 13 Nov • £60 £35 Over 14’s Only
Fri 12 Dec • £23
Erasure
Concert 8pm
+ Chad Valley Fri 14 Nov • £19.50
Courteeners*
The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain
+ Special Guests
The Ukes 40th Anniversary Concert tour
Sat 15 Nov • £19.50 Standing £24.50 Reserved seating
Wed 17 Dec • £3 members£2.50 12-4pm
10th Anniversary Tour
Christmas Afternoon Tea Dance
Bellowhead
+ Moulettes Award winning big band Bellowhead announce their biggest ever UK tour in November
BOX OFFICE
023 8063 2601
Sun 21 Jan • £22.50
Gerard Way Plus Special Guests Mon 9 Feb • £16.50
Kerrang Tour 2015* Ft Don Broco & We Are The In Crowd Thu 19 Feb • £23
Psychic Sally On The Road
International star Sally Morgan Fri 20 Feb • £18 £22 £25 PG
Circus Of Horrors The Night Of The Zombie Sat 21 Feb • £20
The War On Drugs + Special Guests
Fri 20 Mar • £20 Over 18’s Only
Roy Chubby Brown Don’t Get Fit Get Fat Tour Fri 29 May • £24
Milton Jones and the Temple Of Daft A regular on Mock the Week Sat 30 May • £18.50 16yrs+
Stewart Francis Pun Gent Tour
Brand new stand up tour
Sequence & Ballroom & Christmas fun
*U14’s must be accompanied by
West Marlands Road Civic Centre, Southampton Hampshire SO14 7LP Doors 7pm unless stated
Box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm A booking fee applies to online & telephone transactions
o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk
an adult
Edition 11 • 2014
COMPETITION
Deaf Havana has grown from a school band formed purely for fun to leading lights of the UK’s rock underground to a sextet with their eyes fixed firmly on the charts. From humble beginnings selling out small rooms like the Joiners just a few short years ago the band have since played the mainstage of numerous festivals, sold out the Roundhouse and supported Bruce Springsteen. They are taking in a few venues off the beaten track this December including the 02 Academy Bournemouth, you could be there with a pal, just answer this simple question...
Q: What alt.rock legends did Deaf Havana support in Germany last year?
Email your answer to:
competitions@southampton-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook. Competition closes 01/12/14 /southamptonmusicmag @S o t o n M u s i c M a g
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | november 2014
deaf havana
REVIEWS
Southampton Music took up the challenge to attend as many festivals as possible this summer! Here’s our Festival Review Round Up! It always feels like the beginning of adventure when we set off on the ferry to the Isle of Wight with the sun shining and a boat full of revellers already pint in hand, preparing for the biggest party of the year. After a bladder bothering coach ride to the beautiful surroundings of Robin Hill Country park we’re in (after a monumental trek to find somewhere to camp) and ready to immerse ourselves in the festival bohemia that is Bestival. This year’s theme is Desert Island Disco replete with enormous (and indeed record breaking) disco ball atop the hill keeping a funky eye on proceedings until it’s glorious ascent into the sky for Nile Rogers triumphant set on the Sunday night. Despite a who’s who of incredible artists and DJ’s and awesome memorable highlights from Foals, Skindred, Basement Jaxx, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobious Pip, Bonobo, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer and Bad Rabbits it would be entirely possible to wander around the vast site, barely watching a whole performance, such is the incredible distraction of the world that Rob Da Bank and friends has created. From gypsy wagons to full size boats, from swamp shacks in the bayou to a magical forest all populated by weird and wonderful costumed folk as many embrace the fancy dress theme. Always a joy from start to finsh, like Glastonbury’s more happening, better dressed little sibling, can’t wait for next year. Kai Harris
Takedown festival gathers momentum ever year, with extra stages, increasingly high calibre acts and a larger crowd of eager gig-goers. This year’s highlights included Funeral For a Friend, Hacktivist, Feed The Rhino, security-worriers Baby Godzilla, Black Spiders, Heaven’s Basement, and Yashin among others, and a bunch of the best local acts the Southa has to offer in the shape of Western Sand, Dendera and more. The well thought out staging makes sure you’re likely to see most of what you want if you are into a particular genre, but for those with more eclectic taste there is so much rock/metal/alt tastiness it can be hard to choose what to see! Insanely good value for money and a great way to see the best of new UK talent. Laura Phillips
Well weren’t we the lucky ones at SDF South? The sun really did shine on us, which was a huge bonus for the 3 outdoor stages. Featuring the best of new music and a smattering of classic acts, both UK and international bands swarmed into Hatfield on 25 May to hold one helluva party. Focussing primarily on rock there was a broad blend of pop punk, ska, hardcore and metal with party experts Total Uprawr bringing the noise care of their own all day stage. All together a well thought out and easy day, it was a shame the changeover into the aftershow (a massive multi-room event) was slightly chaotic but other than that, top marks. Definitely one of the UK’s premier one day events! Zan Lawther
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | novemBER 2014
FESTIVAL ROUND UP
REVIEWS
The weather wasn’t on Pulse Festival’s side this year but that didn’t stop revellers gathering in the mud for three days of eclectic music programming featuring everything from indie-rock to ska to trip-hop and everything inbetween. Not a huge amount going in terms of non-musical distractions, this event is very much about getting stuck into the music, maybe sinking several of the fine range of reasonably priced ales and ciders and having a good old dance with friends old and new. It’s a very friendly event and not once did I feel any element of unease or trouble that one might encounter at a bigger festival, staff and punters alike all affable and smiling from the off. The big draw of the weekend was clearly The Fun Lovin’ Criminals who delivered an entertaining if predictable set, the highlights for me were Dolomite Minor with their brash, heartfelt and stripped back rock assualt and The Correspondants with their infectious electro swing and a frontman that makes me tired just watching him. All in all a great little homegrown festival with something for everyone. Kai Harris
It’s the mother of all metal festivals and the highlight of most rockers’ summer and this year’s Download, despite many an internet-based argument over the headliners, was no exception. They’ve got their format nailed down, although it was great to see better selection of food vendors this year (goose fat roast potatoes, anyone?) and we all wish there was some way around that looong walk to the arena but when the beer is flowing and the rock is pumping, who cares about the details?! I, for one, felt there was a genuine cross section of genres represented in this year’s billing, with a few wild card treats thrown in for good measure. Can’t wait to see how Download 2015 shapes up! Zan Lawther
After a year’s break, Festibelly returned to Lymington in the New Forest with an another immense line up headlined by The Cuban Brothers and Hudson Taylor. The 2,000 capacity event saw local acts including New Desert Blues, Lauren and Kassassin Street shine at the family friendly festival. Highlights included reggae DJ David Rodigan, knicker-flashingsea-shanties from Skinny Lister and the discovery of Devon based Moriaty, a filthy, blues duo who closed the festival with a performance that almost blew the roof off of the Massive in China tent. A fantastic weekend in a fantastic location, surrounded by fantastic people. Jodie Copeland
For one day in June the sleepy town of Alresford near Winchester is awakened by the sound of numerous act from across the county and over 2500 festival goers of all ages descending on The Salad Bowl at Arlebury Park. If you’re expecting huge names and rock stars this is not the festival for you, if however you’re up for a fun family day out with things for the kids to do, quality local artists and covers bands and cider and ales aplenty then you’ve come to the right place. Friendly and well organised with ample parking and lots of public transport links for tired little legs, Alresford Festival is a great small one day event. Just watch out for the Perry-letic if you want to make it back to the bus. Kai Harris
Rob and Josie da Bank’s Camp Bestival once again took over Lulworth Castle in Dorset for what is (still) undoubtedly the best kids festival on the scene, with teenagers given their own wristbands and an accent on allowing them to have their own festival experience. The new festi-taxi was a definite (albeit a bit steep at £20) highlight meaning we didn’t carry a heavy bag at any point. Basement Jaxx was the stand out party performance of the line up and many an hour was spent in the silent disco. Keep doing what you’re doing Camp Bestival and we’ll keep coming back! Jodie Copeland
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | novemBER 2014
FESTIVAL ROUND UP
I’ve always been a ‘line-up’ festival goer at heart and now I’m in my thirties I’m much more resolved in what I like in my music, however, I’m pleased to report Boomtown 2014 has unexectedly blown my expectations out of the water. I allowed myself to simply wander drop curiously in and out of stages as I pleased, instead of waiting eagerly for bands I had planned to see. You see, it’s not just the line-up, it’s the vibe. The detail in the surroundings, the sheer scale and effort in the production of the individually themed areas is staggering. NOFX were a real treat as a headliner for me with my personal tastes but I also enjoyed seeing The Wailers and hearing the classics in an environment as stimulating as Boomtwon. Weary from the adventures I stumbled upon the Boomtown Citizen Passport tests and decided to amble around the tasks and games, delighted by the commitment of the actors and the persistent madness. I simply can’t recommend the event enough, be prepared to get lost in the best way possible, bring on 2015. Richard Peek
2014 was a record breaking year for Blissfields as the sell-out festival celebrated their biggest attendance to date with the largest ever gathering of people dressed in animal print. Musically, from Science of 8 Limbs blowing the sides off the Hidden Hedge at two in the afternoon, through Floella Grace playing the most beautifully fragile sets, from One Step Too Late with festival organiser Mel Bliss on lead vocals to Black Kat Boppers getting the crowd literally bopping, to Laurel proving why she will be a huge pop star in 2015, Blissfields was flying. Not forgetting Moulettes atmospheric, dramatic folk, Bipolar Sunshine and 2manydjs on the main stage, the whole weekend was full of quite amazing music. And despite such a large increase in capacity, the festival retained its family friendly relaxed atmosphere. A definite summer highlight. Dave Dwyer
Set in a location stretching from the Blue Reef Aquarium up past the D-Day museum and taking up most of Southsea Common, Victorious Festival was this year in a new location, and despite some dodgy sound issues occurring throughout the weekend, was a hugely enjoyable experience. Stand out performances from Shed Seven, Seasick Steve, Scouting for Girls, Public Service Broadcasting and Beans on Toast combined with a decent array of food and beverages meant we were constantly entertained. Victorious Festival organisers are promising that next year’s festival will be bigger with an even better line up. To get a line up full of so many established acts and keep ticket prices as low as £20 was an amazing job, it will be interesting to see what they pull off next year. If they get the right balance of acts and sort out the underage drunkenness that was obvious on the Saturday afternoon, it could well be one of the events of the 2015. Jodie Copeland
It’s not often I get over excited about a festival which declares itself alcohol free. In fact it would have to be something pretty special to get me there in the first place. And Butserfest is. Butserfest is now in its eighth year; after local young people told the council there wasn’t enough to do in the area. Growing year on year it’s now up to three stages, cramming a massive 40 bands into the day plus acoustic sets, meet and greets, and a ton of activities outside of the music such as ‘Human Demolition’, there was something for anyone and everyone. With notable performances from the likes of Create to Inspire, Baby Godzilla, Feed the Rhino, Emp!re, The Blackout and Kids in Glass Houses, all on a site that takes mere moments to cross, ensuring you never miss a band. Roll on Butserfest 2015, you more than make up for the lack of booze! – Laura Phillips
Sonisphere has always been a bit of a favourite at Music HQ but after getting off to a great start Team Sonisphere have had a bit of a run of bad luck, imagine our joy to discoiver that it would be returning after a two year hiatus. The theme is very much rock and metal but there’s something more personable about Sonisphere than you would expect from a metalfest, whether it’s the lovely grounds of Knebworth House or the friendly atmosphere I can’t quite put my finger on it but it’s a great vibe. This year is all about the supporting cast for me, Maiden and Metallica put on a fine show but once you’ve seen them 15 times they start to seem a bit pedestrian (the exception going to Bruce Dickinson’s WW1 dogfight preceding their performance- awesome). Stand out moments for me include the return of Irish rockers Kerbdog, an incendiary greatest hits set from The Prodigy and Southampton’s very own Lounge Kittens being called up to main stage for an a’capella version of their cover of Limp Bizkit’s Rollin’ by Fred Durst himself, followed by a packed tent for their own performance! Top marks, a welcome return for a great festival. Kai Harris
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | novemBER 2014
FESTIVAL ROUND UP
FROM DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
INTERSTELLAR
MANKIND WAS BORN ON EARTH. IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO DIE HERE.
SHOWING FROM 7 NOVEMBER TICKETS ON SALE NOW Mike Leigh’s
Mr.TURNER
From 31 October
THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
SUICIDE SILENCE
LIT
CIRCLE OF REASON HEY YOU GUYS THY ART IS MURDER FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY BLACK TONGUE
ARMY OF FRESHMEN HEY VANITY
PROTEST THE HERO
THE FACELESS THE CONTORTIONIST PALM READER
SWEET BABOO & THE PICTISH TRAIL
JOHN GARCIA
THE DEFILED AVATAR COLD OCEAN LIES
HARTS THE ONE HUNDRED HACKTIVIST DEAD
TO OATH RAGING SPEEDHORN SWORN GREENHORN
BIG SIXES NATASHA NORTH
THE LOUNGE KITTENS
FREDDIE & THE FREELOADERS
MAYBESHEWILL FLOOD OF RED
‘68
TROPHY SCARS
WAYNE STATIC DROWNING POOL
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND AMON AMARTH
BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
SNOT
TEXAS IN JULY UPON THIS DAWNING MAKE THEM SUFFER
1865 | 14/03
JOINERS | 07/04
JOINERS | 24/02
JOINERS | 16/02
TALKING HEADS | 05/03
JOINERS | 10/02
1865 | 23/01
1865 | 31/01
JOINERS | 05/02
GUILDHALL BOX OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) OXFAM MUSIC (EAST ST) / www.southampton-music.com
KERBDOG
TEXAS IN JULY UPON THIS DAWNING MAKE THEM SUFFER
JETTBLACK FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS ATTILA DIRTY YOUTH FOZZY THE DENDERA COLLISIONS
SAVAGE MESSIAH
THE MORESPYTFYRE I SEE DENDERA
RSJ CYPHER 16 SEETHING AKIRA
LENNONS | 08/11
AMON AMARTH
LIT
DEFILED UPON A BURNING BODY THEMATYR CHARM THE FURY
TALKING HEADS | 03/11
1865 | 12/11 SNOT
BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
1865 | 22/01
TROPHY SCARS
‘68
BIG SIXES
WAYNE STATIC DROWNING POOL
MAYBESHEWILL
THE LOUNGE KITTENS
RAGING SPEEDHORN
JOINERS | 16/12
JOINERS | 13/12
1865 | 12/12
FREDDIE & THE FREELOADERS
NATASHA NORTH
SWORN TO OATH GREENHORN
DEAD HARTS ONE HUNDRED HACKTIVIST THE
JOHN GARCIA
THE DEFILED AVATAR COLD OCEAN LIES
ARMY OF FRESHMEN HEY VANITY
THE FACELESS THE CONTORTIONIST PALM READER
SWEET BABOO & THE PICTISH TRAIL
PROTEST THE HERO
WHEN WE WERE WOLVES
FLOOD OF RED
JOINERS | 07/12
JOINERS | 11/12
JOINERS | 10/12
1865 | 21/11
1865 | 12/11
JOINERS | 18/11
THE MORESPYTFYRE I SEE DENDERA
THY ART IS MURDER FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY BLACK TONGUE
CIRCLE OF REASON HEY YOU GUYS
KERBDOG
SAVAGE MESSIAH
SUICIDE SILENCE
MATYR DEFILED
THE CHARM THE FURY
WHEN WE WERE WOLVES
UPON A BURNING BODY
WHALES IN CUBICLES THE BLACKOUT YASHIN SINISTER BIGELF BEND JOLLY
MAKING MONSTERS SKINDRED ANTI-CLONE AS LEADERS TESSERACT ANIMALS NAVENE K
WHALES IN CUBICLES THE BLACKOUT YASHIN SINISTER BIGELF BEND JOLLY
SOLD OUT
TALKING HEADS | 02/11
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
LENNONS | 06/12
TALKING HEADS | 04/12
TALKING HEADS | 03/12
MO CLUB | 25/11
TALKING HEADS | 30/11
MO CLUB | 19/11
TALKING HEADS | 19/11
TALKING HEADS | 17/11
TALKING HEADS | 12/11
SOLD OUT
LENNONS | 08/11
TALKING HEADS | 03/11
TALKING HEADS | 02/11
MAKING MONSTERS SKINDRED ANTI-CLONE ANIMALS AS LEADERS TESSERACT NAVENE K
TALKING HEADS | 12/11 TALKING HEADS | 17/11
JOINERS | 18/11
TALKING HEADS | 19/11
MO CLUB | 19/11
1865 | 21/11 MO CLUB | 25/11 TALKING HEADS | 30/11 TALKING HEADS | 03/12 TALKING HEADS | 04/12
LENNONS | 06/12
JOINERS | 07/12
JOINERS | 10/12 JOINERS | 11/12 1865 | 12/12 JOINERS | 13/12 JOINERS | 16/12
1865 | 22/01 1865 | 23/01 1865 | 31/01 JOINERS | 05/02 JOINERS | 10/02
JETTBLACK FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS ATTILA DIRTY YOUTH FOZZY THE DENDERA COLLISIONS RSJ CYPHER 16 SEETHING AKIRA
JOINERS | 16/02 JOINERS | 24/02 TALKING HEADS | 05/03
1865 | 14/03 JOINERS | 07/04
GUILDHALL BOX OFFICE (CIVIC CENTRE - Tel: 02380 632601) OXFAM MUSIC (EAST ST) / www.southampton-music.com
If you could repeatedly say one word and never say another, what word would it be? Bollocks What Disney character would you most like to be? Minnie Mouse. What is it about Ireland and rock power trios? Is it something in the water? We are all extremely tight with money and don’t want anybody else taking up a room in a Travelodge. Therefore we keep it to 3 in a band only. Insert an unlikely item into the M&S slogan, “It’s not just any … it’s an M&S…” Brown note. What’s the worst thing about working in the music industry? The lack of toilet paper in venues below a certain capacity. If you weren’t called Kerbdog what would you be called? The Shoudhavebeens. Who in the band would make the best girl? Me. I’m fond of moisturiser and I sit down for a wee. Have you ever Googled yourself and if so, what was the weirdest thing you found? That I was a former drug dealer (I wasn’t, I delivered Chinese food). What’s it like being back on the scene for the first time in almost a decade? It’s a bit weird as being in a band seems to be all about how many likes you have on facebook and followers on twitter. Everything else is a side issue…including the music. What’s your favourite tour bus snack? German €1 cheesy pasta microwave dinners. If you had to cover a nursery rhyme, which one would it be? Little Miss Muffet……it has a serious drop in the 2nd verse. You’ve never been a band particularly fussed by your image. What do you think of the image of contemporary rock musicians? Bands put an awful lot of time, thought and energy into looking like they don’t give a shit about their image. Which reality TV show would you most like to go on? Coronation Street…….. 4 pints at lunchtime and back to the sewing machines. That’s for me. What’s on the playlist in the tour bus? Which bands are you listening to? Jungle, London Grammar, Tool, Fugazi, Sonic Youth and Nickleback of course. Does every dog have its day and which day of the week would yours be? Every Kerbdog has its day. And that was Thursday when we used to get our dole before we became globe straddling rock stars.
Catch Kerbdog live @ Talking Heads | 19th November
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Mo’Club O2 Guildhall Orange Rooms The Cellar Platform Tavern Firehouse The Old Farmhouse Unit Lennons The Rockstone The Shooting Star The Hobbit The Joiners Marshals The Alexandra O2 Guildhall Box Office Mutant Lab Studio Tattoo Monkey Oxfam Music Asgard Guitar Central Lucid Beatnik Emporium Ph Music Media Mango Planet Sounds Harbour Lights The Guitar Store Academy of Music & Sound
SUN 30 8pm £15.00
FRI 28 8pm £10.00
WED 26 7.30pm £17.50
MON 24 sold out!
SUN 23 8pm £15.00
SAT 22 8pm £16.00
FRI 21 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 21 11pm FREE!
THURS 20 8pm £10.00
WED 19 7.30pm £10/8
TUES 18 8pm £10.00
MON 17 8pm £14.00
SUN 16 7.30pm £14
SAT 15 8pm £5.00
FRI 14 8pm £6.00
THURS 13 8pm £12.50
WED 12 7.00pm Entry by Donation
MON 10 7pm £12/10/9
SAT 8 12.30pm £20.00
FRI 7 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 7 11pm FREE!
THURS 6 sold out!
WED 5 7.30pm tbc
TUES 4 8pm £14.00
SAT 1 10.30pm free
EMILY BARKER & THE RED CLAY HALO + CHRISTIAN KJELLVANDER HAIRFORCE 5 + SPECIAL GUESTS KODIAK JACK + DU BELLOW + GUESTS SIMON EVANS LEASHED AGAINST ME! + BILLY THE KID BOY & BEAR + DANCING YEARS THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ANNIVERSARY TOUR [SPUNGE] + DEAD FREQUENCY20TH+ OFFBEAT OFFENSIVE COMEDY CLUB KEITH FARNAN + JASON PATTERSON + ANDREW RYAN IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES THE BEAT + THE PLATES NIZLOPI + ELLA MARTINI + AIMÉE MACKENZIE TONIGHT ALIVE + THE SUMMER SET + CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK! RICH HALL’S HOEDOWN THE DELICATE SOUND OF PINK FLOYD THE TING TINGS + SPECIAL GUESTS
MUSIC FROM KARERRA + TPK + LOCO + VICTOR + KIZZ MONSTA PINK PRINCESS + SHOOT THE DUKE + BLESSED + MORE TBC
UNITED WE STAND BY NEIL GORE MUSIC FUSION PRESENTS YOUNIQUE LIVE
EPILEPTIC HILLBILLIES + SIN KINGS + THE HILLMANS + ALL CRAMPED UP
THE WEDDING PRESENT THE BIG CLASH GAMESHOW UPSU & AFRO CARIBBEAN SOCIETY CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN + SPECIAL GUESTS COMEDY CLUB ZOE LYONS + ERIC LAMPAERT + JOSH HOWIE IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES THE POMPEY RUMBLE 5 DEMENTED ARE GO + THE X-MEN + THE LONG TALL TEXANS
MIDNIGHT MOVIE SESSION FEATURING THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW + MORE LIMITED SPACES PLAY ‘WATUSI’ AND OTHER SONGS + SPECIAL GUESTS
NOVEMBER 2014
BREAKING BANDS SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am PUNK ROCK ALLDAYER WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am IT’S A SIN ROOM TWO WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am DSTM PRESENTS......... WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am BIFF!BANG!POW! PRE-YULETIDE SOIREE WITH THE GALILEO 7 + THEE SOPWITH CAMELS FOLLOWED BY FREE ALTERNATIVE/GARAGE/PSYCH CLUB TILL LATE
THE POMPEY RUMBLE 5 FEATURING DEMENTED ARE GO + THE X-MEN THE LONG TALL TEXANS + EPILEPTIC HILLBILLIES SIN KINGS + THE HILLMANS + ALL CRAMPED UP
JESSE WYLDES & THE STALLIONS YOU’RE SMILING NOW BUT WE’LL ALL TURN INTO DEMONS + JOYTHIEF THUNDERDOME ROCK • METAL • ALTERNATIVE
AGAINST THE CURRENT £10 COASTS £8 AUGUSTINES £12 INSPIRAL CARPETS £20 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 BEANS ON TOAST £9 THE FLIKS £6 followed by HIPSHAKER (free) DREADZONE £15 THE BEARDS £12 BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST £12.50 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 GOOD TIME CHARLIES £tbc XMAS EVE tbc KOJAK’S REVENGE £9 NEW YEARS’ EVE £12
COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 THE SMYTHS £10 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6
T-REXTASY £10 JACK SAVORETTI £13 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6
12 FAUSTUS £13.50 13 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 22 ROMESH RANGANATHAN & SUZI RUFFELL £12/£10
MARCH 2015
6 10 13 27
FEBRUARY 2015
2 16 23 30
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
19 23 24 27 31
13 17 18
1 2 3 4 5 9 12
DECEMBER 2014 JANUARY 2015
WEDGEWOOD ROOMS ALSO BOOKING
SAT 29 8.00pm £6.00
FRI 28 11pm FREE
FRI 28 8pm £tbc
SAT 22 11pm FREE
FRI 21 10pm FREE
SAT 15 11pm FREE
SAT 15 Midday £tbc
FRI 14 11pm REE
FRI 14 8pm £3.00
SAT 8 12.30pm £10.00
FRI 7 11pm FREE
SAT 1 8.00pm £3.00
Advance prices shown Tickets are non-transferable as per terms & conditions of sale
www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk
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The Brook 466 Portswood Road Southampton SO17 3SD Box Office 1pm - 7pm Mon - Sat 023 8055 5366
Current Original Artists - Now On- Sale...
COMA + CHROME GHOST ~ JESS GLYNNE ~ OZRIC TENTACLES + MANTISMASH Y & T + VOODOO VEGAS ~ RIXTON ~ WISHBONE ASH ~ LEGEND ~ LOS PACAMINOS HEAVEN 17 + BLANCMANGE ~ IAN SEIGAL & JIMBO MATHUS TOYAH WILLCOX + SCARLET SOHO ~ MARTYN JOSEPH ~ AYNSLEY LISTER FM + HAND OF DIMES ~ ALABAMA 3 + BLACK KAT BOPPERS ~ CHINA CRISIS SAS BAND – 20TH ANNIVERSARY [2 nights 1 is Sold Out!] ~ MARTIN SMITH ~ MOSTLY AUTUMN THE SELECTER + THE TUTS ~ NAZARETH...
+ A Selection of Quality Tributes...
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SOTON music Nov 14.indd 1
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21/10/2014 21:48
previews UK sludge metallers make their comeback
Raging Speedhorn are a British sludge metal band from Corby, of all places. Formed in 1998 from the merging of the bands SoulCellar and BOX, they disbanded in 2008, finishing off with farewell tours in the UK and Japan. Their ‘frightening’ stage presence and heavy re-working of riffs established them as a major presence within the UK’s heavy metal scene and now they’re back and they’ve got original vocalist Frank Regan with them!
RAGING SPEEDHORN
DEC 10 | JOINERS
FOR FANS OF: CANCER BATS / EARTHTONE 9 / DOWN
BIG SIXES
Emotive pop rockers
Lilting melodies draped over upbeat pop-rock guitars are the order of the day from Big Sixes. If you’re a fan of the current upward trend in catchy and accessible rock then get in on the ground floor and get involved with these guys as they hit the road next month. Their music is emotive and glorious so let your hair down and let yourself go!
DEC 11 | JOINERS
FOR FANS OF: DEAF HAVANA / BASTILLE / TWIN ATLANTIC
A Christmas Cabaret of top local talent THE LOUNGE KITTENS & FREDDIE & THE FREELOADERS Join two of Southampton’s premier exports as they come together for ONE NIGHT ONLY. Freddie & the Freeloaders have spent the past five years making people dance till they drop with their impeccable soul and funk covers. Silly songstresses TLK became internet sensations with their unlikely lounge style covers of top metal, punk, rock and pop artists and this will be their first time performing with the strength of a full band behind them. All tickets include buffet and post show disco!
DEC 12 | 1865 Harmonious instrumental musings
FOR FANS OF: STEVIE WONDER / RICHARD CHEESE / HAVING A GOOD TIME….
MAYBESHEWILL
DEC 13 | JOINERS
Leicestershire based Maybeshewill formed in 2005 to bring their instrumental DIY sounds to the masses. They’ve worked tirelessly through endless touring and three full-length albums to build a loyal and enthusiastic following across the world. Sticking to steadfastly DIY ethics, the band have self recorded all their material to date and aspire to be as self-sufficient as possible. FOR FANS OF: 65DOS / ANBERLIN / ASIWYFA / MOGWAI
Like the Black Keys on crack…
‘68
Playing stripped to the frame rock that’s got some serious roots in metalcore, it’s hard to work out where all the noise is coming from with two piece ‘68. The brainchild of original Norma Jean singer Josh Scogin, it’s an assault on the senses as bluesy and squeaky guitar strokes crash into disjointed drums whilst Scogin unleashes vocals from the very depth of his soul. We’re gonna need to see this live! FOR FANS OF: NORMA JEAN / NIGHT VERSES / ROYAL BLOOD
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | NOVEMBER 2014
DEC 16 | JOINERS
previews
previews WAYNE STATIC (STATIC-X) + DROWNING POOL
Futuristic industrial rocker
Brace yourselves cos here comes Wayne Static. The enigmatic former frontman and namesake of Static-X is back on the road with a band that look remarkably similar to Static-X..... With his signature bluntforce-trauma melding of industrial rock, thrash metal, and futuristic disco it’s one to shake yourself loose too. Joining them are Dallas metalheads Drowning Pool, playing their hit album ‘Sinner’ in full. Get in!
JAN 22| 1865
FOR FANS OF: STATIC-X / MUDVAYNE / COAL CHAMBER
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.
JAN 23 | 1865
FOR FANS OF: THE BLACKOUT / MALLORY KNOX / FINCH
AMON AMARTH
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
Swedish death metal
Deeply rooted in melodic death metal with lyrics centered around Viking history and Norse mythology, Amon Amarth (formerly known as Scum) was formed, with the arrival of Johan Hegg as the new vocalist, in 1992 in Tumba, Sweden, a southern suburb of Stockholm. Their particular brand of deat metal features lots of melodies, harmonies and lyrics about Vikings and the norse Pantheon. Rock on!
JAN 31 | 1865 FOR FANS OF: ARCH ENEMY / TURISAS / MACHINEHEAD Progressive metal with a positive attitude BETRAYING THE MARTYRS Hailing from Paris, Betraying the Martyrs temper the punishing brutality of deathcore with melodic flourishes pulled from symphonic and progessive metal, giving it a theatricality that feels decidedly European. With a focus on promoting a positive attitudue they aim to help people through their songs with words and idealisms that may help them figure out who they are and what they believe in.
FEB 05 | JOINERS Nu-metallers……COME ‘GET SOME’
FOR FANS OF: THY ART IS MURDER / BORN OF OSIRIS / UPON A BURNING BODY
SNOT
Playing the whole of their seminal album ‘Get Some’ which launched the band into the eyes of the nu-metal world in 1997, Snot hit the road again next year. Yes, granted, we all still mourn the death of original frontman Lynn Strait, but the chance to experience the full frontal attack of this dynamic hardcore outfit is definitely not one to miss.
FEB 10 | JOINERS
FOR FANS OF: AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE / (HED) PE / MUSHROOMHEAD
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | NOVEMBER 2014
previews
Edition 11
HIGHLIGHTS NOVEMBER 01/11 - BEATS & SWING present REEPS ONE 02/11 - HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN 03/11 - JON ALLEN 06/11 - EofE 08/11 - ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW 10/11 - LACH 11/11 - NICK CLEMONS BAND 12/11 - CELLARS COMEDY CLUB 13/11 - FOCUS 14/11 - JONA LEWIE 15/11 - THE MODS 19/11 - WILLIE NILE 20/11 - SHARON SHANNON 21/11 - DAVE KELLY BAND 26/11 - RUARRI J0SEPH 29/11 - NEIL INNES 30/11 - WINTER MOUNTAIN DECEMBER 03/12 - SI CRANSTOUN 04/12 - TALISMAN 05/12 - THE SMALL FAKERS 06/12 - BEMIS & FRIENDS 18/12 - CREAM OF CLAPTON 19/12 - KASSASSIN STREET 24/12 - THE RACKETEERS 27/12 - SOUTHSEA ALTERNATIVE CHOIR 28/12 - MARK MORRISS 30/12 - WHO’S WHO
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ones to watch
Circle of Reason are a versatile Alt/Rock, prog band that have burst onto the south coast scene with their songs which range from melancholy instrumentals to heavy rock with a solid dose of prog and metal mixed in. Each track varies and it’s this refusal to slot into a defined genre that keeps you interested and listening. Their material is packed with soft and heavy guitar riffs, soaring choruses and warm vocals. To date Circle Of Reason have released three singles from their EP ‘A Favour For A Stranger’ received plays on our fave music channels such as Scuzz, Kerrang and Lava and have racked up an impressive amount of views on YouTube. They’ve also got some top shows under their belts, playing alongside some great bands like Inme, Landscapes, Girlschool, Fighting With Wire, Freeze The Atlantic, UB40, Snakecharmer, The Temperance Movement, From The Jam, The Smoking Hearts, Steak Number Eight, Attention Thieves, Marmozets, Feed The Rhino, Floods, Zico Chain, Neck Deep and many more and they’re not stopping there. Their new EP ‘These Hands And This Mind’ was released earlier this summer and includes the single/video ‘Don’t Be Still’ and their latest single/video ‘Themes Amongst Thieves’. We recently nabbed a few minutes with the guys to find out a little more… So, who are you and what do you all do in the band? Sam: I play bass and also dabble in a bit of singing Gary: I play guitar Simon: I sing and play guitar Andy: I play drums How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before? Rock, Alt Rock with elements of prog, grunge, metal, with riffs a plenty and some chilled out moments. Who are your biggest influences? As a band our influences range from bands like Mastodon, Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, Biffy Clyro, Deftones, QOTSA etc but we each have individual influences… Sam: Me personally as a bassist I am influenced by bassists such as Geddy Lee from Rush, Flea from the Chilli Peppers and Les Claypool from Primus. They are pretty much the reason I wanted to play bass. Gary: I admire guitarists that have a certain sort of individual style such as Matt Bellamy, Brian May, Nuno Bettencourt, Brent Hinds, Billy Corgan Simon: Our influences differ between us; we have large metal kick from Andy and me and then an alt, prog vibe from Gary and anything with good bass from Sam! It all comes together in the end. How did you all get together as a band? Andy: Simon and Gary met through work, then found Sam on ‘join my band’ website. It turns out Simon and Sam already knew each other and went to school together, then I stood in on drums for a couple of months because their drummer left and then I just became a permanent fixture.
SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC |NOVEMBER 2014
You released your 2nd EP in July, how did that go? It went well thanks; we got a lot of good press which is always nice. We toured a lot up and down the country which was brilliant, had a couple of videos on Scuzz and Kerrang etc. so all in all good fun and hopefully a step in the right direction. What are you guys doing when you’re not being Circle of Reason? Simon: I can’t stop playing video games Andy: Building snare drums under a bridge in Southampton. Gary: Part time work, sleep, play guitar Sam: I work in a certain fried chicken establishment which pays awful but I get to put the band first If you could go on tour with anyone, who would it be? Andy: Biffy Clyro or Soundgarden Gary: Mastodon for me, beards, beers and riffs, job done. Sam: I would go on tour with either Rush or Mastodon just so I could watch them every night and drink a lot, with Mastodon especially!!! Simon: Mastodon or Pumpkins. I think Mastodon would be more of a laugh What’s your favourite live show you’ve ever played? Gary: We opened the main stage at Weyfest and UB40 headlined so that was pretty cool Simon: Either Feed the Rhino in Southampton or headlining Monty’s Bar in Dunfermline, both cracking shows Andy: Rox festival in Bognor, it was tasty Sam: Probably supporting Feed The Rhino and Marmozets at the Joiners, as it was a great gig to play and be part of. Do you guys have any other talents apart from music? Andy: Building snare drums Simon: I’m a great gamer Sam: Well apart from frying chicken like a dream I can’t say that I do. I am very good at sleeping and I sleep a lot. Gary: No, not really. I don’t put any time into anything else so I’m useless really Finally, why should we come check you out? Gary: Riffs, melody, beef, noise Sam: You should come check us out because we care a lot about our music and put everything we have into it. We work hard constantly and hopefully that comes across when we play. Simon: If you fancy interesting riffs with a punch and a clean vocal you’ll have a great time. Andy: Because of our mix of music and this will probably be the last time we play this set as we’re working on new material right now!!
catch circle of reason live supporting kerbdog @ talking heads | 19th november www.facebook.com/circleofreason
CIRCLE OF REASON