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ADPONTES-5TAINE5 ~ The STAINES
Arts & Lifestyle Magazine |
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[ The Wildcards ]
THE WILDCARDS
The Wildcards are quickly becoming
the hottest act on the European blues and roots circuit. Whilst their
success seems fast on a scene that can take acts years to establish
themselves, these four British musicians are certainly no newcomers.
Between them over the past 15 years they have released successful and
critically acclaimed albums and have made innumerable appearances in
over 20 countries, on both sides of the Atlantic and at just about
every major European blues festival. The Wildcards have brought
together a wealth of experience and a reputation for exciting,
high-class performances into one blisteringly hot band, and they're
causing a sensation wherever they go!
Since The Wildcards inception back in 2003, the band have been wowing
audiences right across Europe with their explosive sound and
groundbreaking approach to material, appearing at many of the biggest
and best Blues festivals and clubs and building a sizeable and devout
fan-base. Some of those appearances include:Moulin Blues Festival,
Holland / Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne, UK / Blues
On The Farm Festival, UK / Gevarenwinkel Blues Festival, Belgium plus
many, many more shows in Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany,
Denmark, Finland, France and of course the WEYFEST!
In the summer of 2006 the band were thrilled to be asked by one of the
Blues World’s finest harmonica players and singer songwriters,
Texan legend Gary Primich to be his band for his forthcoming European
tour. It was a fine collaboration and Gary and the boys hit the road in
October 2006 playing 10 blistering shows across Europe to packed houses.
Fast forward to 2007 and exactly a year after that tour, The Wildcards
have released their second studio album entitled “Raising
Hell”. It’s an album of startling originality, entertaining
lyrics and amazingly-accomplished tunes. An undeniably-cool blend of
jazz, jump jive, blues and rockabilly. All this is given a wicked
‘voodoo’ edge with Louisiana and Caribbean influences
bubbling up all over. Raising Hell is already causing a stir with
reviewers, gathering quotes such as “Musical mayhem worthy of
Screaming Jay Hawkins or Louis Jordan. Yes, it’s that
good!”With this fine album just released, a rapidly growing
fan-base and busy touring schedule booked for 2008, The Wildcards
current position can be summed up well with another recent
quote…“…entertaining musical and lyrical wit way
beyond most bands, the Wildcards are surely poised on the edge of real
acclaim”
http://www.wildcardsweb.com/
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[ Leatherat ]
LEATHERAT
Leatherat are five musicians
dedicated to playing original folk-rock music loud, fast and to the
highest standard. “The ‘ats” (as they are
affectionately known) are based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The current
line up consists of Pete Bailey (Vocals,
Mandolin & Guitar), Jono Watts (Violin), Bret Nicholls (Guitar),
Jeremy Paul Carroll (Bass) & Hugh Edwards (Drums).
Leatherat’s live show captures the excitement of a rock gig
combined with the influences of traditional and original folk tunes.
Their show has a high level of energy that is instantly communicated to
their audience spanning all generations, from teenagers, to hardcore
rockers, punks and nostalgic folkies! With a stage presence to
challenge any contemporary band their
carefully crafted songs combine with their own sheer enjoyment of the
music to fuel their powerful performance.Leatherat played their first
gig in 2004. Since then, they’ve been playing venues all over the
UK, building up their ever-increasing fan base. 2005 / 2006 saw the
band record their debut album with guests such as Ric Sanders (Fairport
Convention) P J Wright (Dylan Project) Gareth Turner (Little Johnny
England) and Dan Plews (Dansall) to name a few.
The album, ‘Temporary Immortality’ published by High Score
Productions, launched to a capacity audience at the Mill Banbury
in 2006 and provided the spring board to playing their first festivals,
culminating in a triumphant performance at the Cropredy Fringe Festival
and sharing the stage with world famous acts such as Fairport
Convention and King Pleasure and the
Biscuit Boys at Emma’s Trust Festival.On the forming of
Leatherat, Pete Bailey say's "...I was sick of [‘Nice Folk
Music’] and formed a band to put a hard rock
beat behind the mandolin and violin, giving rise to Punk/Folk (or
POLK!) And thus, for want of a better name, and already being known for
my distinctive headwear, Leatherat was born!" ."I have to convey my
thanks to the rest of the band and to everyone that has helped
supported, encouraged or inspired us, including yourself, Carl Lake,
Andy Shaw, Pangea Studios, Stargoat Music, The New Flyer, The Lock
Stock and Barrel, etc (the list of pubs is endless)............ The
‘at’s in the chair!!"”
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[ The Pirates ]
THE PIRATES
One of London's greatest rock n roll bands
The Pirates story really begins back in the mid 1950's with a skiffle
band known as Bats Heath and The Vampires featuring a certain Frederick
Heath on vocals and guitar. In time and through various line-ups as The
Five Nutters and The Fred Heath Band this formed the nucleus of what
was to become Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. The new name was reputedly
given to them by a sound engineer during a recording test at Abbey Road
Studios in 1959. They recorded "Please don't touch / Growl;" with
Frederick Heath (aka Johnny Kidd ) on vocals, Alan Caddy and Tony
Doherty on guitars and Ken McKay and Don Toy sharing the drumming.
In early 1960 Brian Gregg took over on bass, Clem Cattini occupied the
drum stool and Alan Caddy became the solo lead guitar in this new trio
- although it's now known that Joe Moretti was actually drafted in to
play lead guitar for the recording of their most famous number "Shakin
all over". Just 18 months later (Aug 1961) all three, Caddy , Gregg and
Cattini jumped ship, left Johnny Kidd and after a couple of changes
went on to become The Tornados.
January 1962 saw another new line up with Johnny Spence ( bass), Frank
Farley ( drums ) and Johnny Patto ( lead guitar ). But by March 1962
Johnny Patto had left on the grounds of ill-health and Spence and
Farley recruited a long time friend from their schooldays Mick Green.
This trio was the partnership who were still working together under the
Pirates banner 43years later until Frank Farley's enforced retirement
in 2005.
Back in the 60's they played with Johnny Kidd at all the popular venues
including The Cavern ( Liverpool ), The Oasis ( Manchester ), The Star
Club ( Hamburg ) and on the Liverpool Riverboat Shuffle they were
supported by the then little known Beatles. They went on to record a
number of tracks including "A shot of Rhythm and Blues", "I can tell",
"Some other guy", "I'll never get over you", "Hungry for love",
"Ecstasy", "My Babe", "casting my spell", "Always and Forever", "Dr
Feelgood".
They recruited organist Vic Cooper and the hits just kept coming -
"Please don't touch", "Jealous Girl", "shop around", "I know", "Where
are you" and more.
In August 1964 after two and a half years with the band Mick Green
moved on to back Billie J Kramer as part of The Dakotas and his
spot behind Johnny Kidd was filled in turn by Stuart Taylor, John
Weider, Barry Hammett and John Morshead. They released some more
vinyl including "whole lotta woman", "your cheatin heart", "the birds
and the bees", "can't turn you loose" and an attempt to capture the old
magic with "Shaking all over '65".
1966 again saw Johnny Kidd without his support band when Vic Cooper
left, Frank Farley went to join his old mate Mick Green in The
Dakotas and Johnny Spence took his bass guitar over to Julian Covey and
the Machine . However, Spence and Farley legally retained the rights to
the name of "The Pirates". As John explains "Maybe I can lay all the
infighting to rest as I was one of JK's closest friends and just of
interest his best man at his wedding to Jean. JK always employed
musicians as session men rather than part of the whole group - that was
the way things were done in those days. "The Pirates" as an
entity on their own only came about when we recorded "my babe" and
"casting my spell", this naming was holy endorsed by JK. The
thinking behind it was that JK's management at the time were building
up to him going out as a solo artist". This was further
re-enforced when Johnny Kidd then put together another new
backing band ....they had to be billed as "The New Pirates", as only
Spence, Green & Farley were entitled to use the name of "The
Pirates". "The New Pirates" included Nick
Simper, Roger Truth and Ray Soaper. But it was all very short lived as
on Friday 7th October 1966 Johnny Kidd was killed in a car crash just
outside of Bury ( Lancashire ).
The memory of Johnny Kidd and his many Pirates goes on with the
definitive line up of Mick Green with Johnny Spence ( still co-owner of
the title ) still touring the UK and abroad but sadly Frank Farley is
unable to play now and retired in 2005. In 2006 Green and Spence
released an album of brand new recordings and even some new numbers
recently penned by the two of them. The album's called "Skullduggery"
and it's available on the Prism label.
Various incarnations are also still performing under The Pirates flag
as well as many tribute bands such as The Pirate Pirates.
But in truth only Mick Green, Johnny Spence & Frank Farley can
legally claim the title of The Pirates.
The Noughties finds the Pirates as busy as ever playing to thousands of music fans at festivals across Europe.
http://www.thepirates.co.uk/
Get The Pirates - Shakin' At The Beeb - BBC Sessions 1976 - 1978 Box Set here
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[ Angela Brown ]
ANGELA BROWN and the MIGHTY 45's
Angela Brown is certainly a Blues
Diva – „raucous, raunchy and rumbustious“ are just
some of the words used to describe this great singer. Born in Chicago,
Illinois. Angela began her musical career by singing gospel music in
church and performing with school choirs. And, although she was aware
of the blues, she didn´t devote herself to singing them until
around 1980, when she played the role of Gertrude “Ma”
Rainey in a stage musical.
Inspired by the music, she worked, honing her craft, in numerous
Chicago blues clubs, often accompanied by pianists Little Brother
Montgomery, Erwin Helfer or Lovie Lee, or sharing the stage with her
music friends, the likes of `Blind´ John Davis, Pinetop Perkins,
B.B. King, Georgie Fame, Long John Baldry…the list goes on. Her
Debut recordings were released by the Red Beans label in 1983, and the
first album under her own name was made in 1987 for the German label,
Schubert Records. She was dubbed “The Bessie Smith of the
Eighties” and later the 90´s, a deserved title given her
strong renditions of vaudeville blues material. Her powerful voice is
also well-suited to more modern blues and jazz styles, becoming a
popular attraction at festivals all over the world; not only vocally,
but for her onstage presence and oomph!!
Angela has been included in The Guinness Book, `Who´s Who of
Blues´, and the new ´Virgin´s Encyclopedia of the
Blues´. Making her one of the few Living Legends in Blues Music
today.
http://www.myspace.com/bluesangelabrown
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[ HiFlyer ]
HiFlyer
After years of sibling rivalry, brother and sister Henry and Elle found they actually had something in common. Music!
HiFlyer was formed by default then long term friend Mike joined, and
internet find Andy was an added bonus proving the fact that you really
can find anything on the internet these days!HiFlyer are currently in
the process of recording their new album with Producer Greg Haver
(Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia). Recording at the spanking new
’modern world’ studios was definitely an experience and a
half. If a fly on the wall documentary had been done you would have
found four young guys playing on the arcade games, making funny movies,
eating pop corn from the retro popcorn maker and endless competitions
on the Nintendo Wii. Of course there was still a couple of minutes
spare to notch up some great recordings - four of which are featured on
HiFlyer’s myspace page for the world to experience over and over
again.
HiFlyer have a unique captivating sound of their own, with moments of
absolute intimacy mixed in with some qwerky riffs. One thing is for
certain, HiFlyer are a young band with a promising musical career ahead
of them.
http://www.myspace.com/hiflyermusic
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[ Dayglo Pirates ]
Dayglo Pirates
The Dayglo Pirates have been together since 1997 and have wowed audiences with their authentic tribute to Jethro Tull incorporating
mainly songs from the "glory years" from 1968 to 1980. They have played
to fans' conventions in Italy, Spain and Germany as well as many gigs
in the UK from Poole to Liverpool. They also have an endorsement (of
sorts) from Ian Anderson.......
http://www.myspace.com/thedayglopirates
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SWEET MELINDA
Based around fairly straightforward guitar playing, often influenced by the style of 1970s British and American rock, Sweet Melinda’s
songs are often “life-affirming” with a sense of humour.
Folksy chords and eastern-flavoured guitar riffs invoke a memory of Kinks circa 1965. The band cites Lee Perry as a major influence: Perry
was one of the producers whose mixing board experiments lead to the
‘dub’ sound. The ‘dub’ infusion is clear in
Sweet Melinda’s percussive style that is reminiscent of Traffic
with bold low-pitched bass guitar drawing attention to the shape and
depth of the space between sounds as well as to the sounds themselves.
The band say they got their name from a Bob Dylan song* [Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues- 1965] that goes:
and, like Dylan, they aspire to write true stories partly autobiographical and partly observational.
Kris Hutton (Guitar/ Vocals) - Adam Jervis (Guitar/ Vocals) - Matt
Altria (Bass Guitar) - Brad Glennon ( Drums) are local lads but have
already gathered a reasonable following around Greater London and have
enjoyed playing at important venues such as- The Peel (Kingston), The
Half-Moon (Putney) and The Bull and Gate (Kentish Town) as well as
Guilfest.
Their sounds are less jangly than most indie pop bands- more
introverted and more moody (as you would expect from Dylan adherents)
but they still demonstrate a significant punk rock influence ( think
‘The Ramones’) with catchy pop melodies in their songs and
a swagger almost Buzzcocks in style and attitude.
Their recent gig at The Hob (Staines) was polished, professional and
(almost) intellectual. The tiny crowd (well, it was a Sunday night and
the World Cup rugby was on) included young and old, men and women. The
band shows lots of class and a generous and heartfelt desire to
‘tell it like it is’.
They may even leave you howling at the moon...
You can download the Sweet Melinda tracks
1. Hotel Room
2. Work
3. Love & Sex
4. VIP
5. Work (Bombay Dub)
from xfm upload at:
http://www.xfmuploaded.co.uk/sweetmelinda/
Also check them live at The Hob on Dec 23 2007 for their Christmas Gig when they will be teaming up with other local heroes such as S.O.V and the Malloys.
* They may have equally have been inspired by ...
“ Except for you, sweet Melinda, my wife
I been ridin’ on empty
Most all of my life”
John Denver- Sweet Melinda
Or:-
“Sweet Melinda
You turn my heart to a cinder
The way you do them things that you do”
Sweet Melinda- Bruce Springsteen
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WHO ARE SUZERAIN?
Suzerain are:
Tom Pether Vox
Richard Summers Guitar
Mike Smith Bass
Matt Constantine Keys/Cello
Ben Howe Drums/percussion
Formed in Early 05 through a shared love of pop, rock, electro and
sheer melody that brought them notoriety with all who saw their
earliest of gigs.
The Suzerain Sound is a result
of many different influences (My Chemical Romance, Nine Inch Nails,
David Bowie, Depeche Mode, The Cure,) drawing on the music, art, ideas
and principle of all that has come before and setting new standards for
the future. The shimmer of glam, the pulse of dance, the longing and
ache of the great composers, the urgency and relentlessness of punk and
the pristine satisfaction of finely crafted pop… no musical or
artistic rock is left unturned.
Suzerain set their standards very high. They demand that their music is
at once instantly infectious and accessible, but that also demands
closer inspection, and ultimately your complete devotion.
As a live band Suzerain are hard to beat. Having blasted through the
majority of the London circuit Suzerain have earned themselves a
fearsome live reputation, and are a band to be noted. Their incendiary
performances at London’s top venues and a heart stopping set at
the O2 Wireless festival in 06 are a testament to these high standards
and lofty ambitions.
More than anything Suzerain give their all to everything they do. The
gigs incite their fans to dance and chant their name long after they
have left the stage, the music leaves no-one in any doubt they about
their skill, passion and ability to write amazing tunes.
Everybody’s foot taps and all heads turn.
[From http://www.suzerainmusic.com/]
LIVE 1st November - The Half-Moon Putney
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