|
Live Reviews |
|
|
|
The Bristol Acoustic Festival , St
Georges, Bristol |
|
You’ve got to say that Jellirecords
and Tinhut Productions do host some of the best acoustic gigs
around. Anyone who is anyone, emerging onto the local acoustic scene
gets a look in....... |
 |
|
|
|
Way to Blue: Warwick Arts
Centre, 23/01/10 |
|
I was 20 years old in
1969, and living in West London at the time......... |
 |
|
|
|
Toy Hearts @
The Prom 25th of Nov 2009 |
|
The saying goes, (from an Aesop
tale), that ‘you are known by the company you keep’, however if
you’re a musician, sometimes ‘you’re known by the instruments you
play’....... |
 |
|
|
|
The Woods, (also known as The Woods
Family Band), Espers, and The Cave Singers, at the Fleece November
19 2009 |
|
Some say that the most imaginative
music is evolving from the contemporary acoustic, indie /
psychedelic folk scene, and so I felt compelled to go to the Fleece
to see these three American ‘cult’ bands. ........ |
 |
|
|
|
The Great Lake
Swimmers at the Metropolis, Cheltenham Rd, 17/11/09 |
|
These guys are rather average
musicians who write and perform a certain type of plaintive ballad.
The Great Lake Swimmers project a youthful earnest sincerity, but
unfortunately the lyrics had little resonance for me...... |
 |
|
|
|
The Coal Porters @ the Prom,
Gloucester Road 12/11/09 |
|
I wasn’t really convinced about
bluegrass music before I saw this band, but in fact they turned
out to be terrific...... |
 |
|
|
|
Limelight at the
Royal
Oak 15th November 2009 |
There is no finer way to round off a
weekend than to spend your Sunday evening watching a band in
Chipping Sodbury’s Royal Oak, and there is surely no finer band to
see there than Limelight.......
|
 |
|
|
|
Backdoor Blues Jam @ The Cornubia |
|
Get down to the Cornubia, Temple
Street, Bristol BS1 6EN, and hear some great acoustic blues, every
Thursday 8pm free...... |
 |
|
|
|
Richie Havens @ the Cheese & Grain - 26th October 2009 |
|
It’s always great to hear that one of
your all time guitar heroes, a) isn’t dead, and even better b) that
he’s still touring, and even better c) that he’s playing really well
and still has a voice...... |
 |
|
|
|
Va Va Voom @ The Prom - 16th October 2009 |
|
VaVa Voom
played the Prom Wine Bar on the 16th of October, delivering an
energetic set of danceable pop music covering the last 45 years
or so..... |
 |
|
|
|
Smokeshack Shakers @ the Halo - 6th November 2009 |
|
On the 6th of November
’09, a blues / ska outfit called ‘the Smokestack Shakers’
played their stuff at a fund raising event at the ‘Halo’ coffee /
wine bar, on the legendary Gloucester Road...... |
 |
|
|
|
AFGM @
the Fleece 7th November 2009 |
|
AFGM
have been playing together for 10 years and tonight is their
anniversary gig at the Fleece in Bristol...... |
 |
|
|
|
Terry Callier
@
the Metropolis 21 Oct 2009 |
|
On the 21st
of October 2009 Terry Callier played the Metropolis on Cheltenham
Rd, Bristol. As a long time devotee, I surrendered myself to a
delightful, poised and mellow set delivered by this ageing jazzer....... |
 |
|
|
|
Babel - The Miserable Rich Kids & The Random Family @ The Croft |
|
I haven’t been to the Croft for some years but
things haven’t changed much in that time, the smell, the poor
lighting and a ‘soundsystem’ that could use a little more top end........ |
 |
|
Big Bill Broonzy @ Circomedia |
|
Okon Ubanga-Jones, UK born actor,
performed a wonderful characterisation of ‘the man himself’, Big
Bill Broonzy....... |
 |
|
Letz Zep at the Bristol Hippodrome |
So the story goes,
an official acting on behalf of the Led Zeppelin management
contacted Letz Zep in Melbourne Australia and ordered
them to desist from using a picture of Robert Plant on their tour
publicity...... |
 |
|
Rave on the Range - Chipping Sodbury Golf club - 20th June 2009 |
The Rave on
the Range is Chipping Sodbury golf clubs annual shindig and this
year the weather was good, the golfers were up for a good time and
the organisation was top notch........
|
 |
|
Jetking@ TheLouisiana,
Bristol 18th June 2009 |
Ever heard a band that felt instantly
familiar without being able to pick out any other specific band that
they sound like or were obviously inspired by? I hadn't until last
night and that band is Jetking.......
|
 |
|
Davey Woodward @ Mr Wolfe's |
|
To be honest I feel like a fish out
of water standing in a chrome fitted noodle bar in the heart of
Bristol's banking sector Potporri
scented loos though something of a
welcome home comfort feel strangely alien to the average gig-goer
more accustomed to the usual blend of petula oil and pee....... |
 |
|
Harry North @ the Green Park Tavern |
|
Harry North is one of those rare
performers that emerge from time to time. Not only does he play the
acoustic guitar, but he likes to entertain at the same time. |
 |
|
|
|
The Blue Aeroplanes at the Thunderbolt |
|
Photo Review by Sarah Quick |
 |
|
|
|
|
Limelight at the Royal Oak 11th Jan 2009 |
|
I do like a good pub rock band and
that is what you get every Sunday at the Royal Oak in Chipping
Sodbury. Tony is the Oaks booking agent and he has an ear for great
bands of this genre so a good night is generally guaranteed. |
|
|
|
|
|
Andy
McKee & Don Ross
-
Thekla
22/10/08 |
|
Andy
McKee and Don Ross have just released their duet album this year
called “the thing that came from somewhere”.... |
 |
|
|
|
Natty supported by Aruba Red @ the Thekla -
18th October 2008 |
|
While waiting for Natty to arrive on
stage, the DJ started to play Drum and Bass and some Reggae. The
alcohol infused, adrenalin packed floor was pumping with sweaty
bodies already. It was hard to find one person not dancing or
bopping along.... |
 |
|
|
|
Delgato @ The Wunderbar, Midsomer Norton, 9-10-2008 |
|
If you're tired of countless
fashionable wannabes following the well-thumbed indie handbook, then
here's a refreshingly different kind of band, worthy of your
attention..... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Groove Grinder
@ The
Bunch of Grapes 07.10.08 |
|
Out of the blue, some days ago I got
an e-mail from an old friend, Jon.
Jon fronted a band in which I played
in the early 90’s, my memories of Jon back then are of a guy who was
somewhat of a cross between Gary from Men Behaving Badly and Keith
Richards....... |
 |
|
|
The Gutter Brothers - The Bush Hall – London
8th August 08 |
|
You may say that you have never heard
of the Gutter Brothers, however the chances are you have
HEARD them......... |
 |
|
|
|
The Drive by Truckers at the Bierkeller |
|
There is nothing more befitting to
the Drive-by Truckers than their name. Something about their
music conjures images of beer-bellied, big bearded American truckers
stopped at the roadside bar drinking whiskey and shooting the
breeze........ |
 |
|
|
|
Xavier Rudd & Bobby Anderson @ the Carling Academy |
|
To say that witnessing Xavier Rudd
performing live is a new and original experience does not give it
the descriptive justice that it truly deserves. Xavier Rudd hails
from Australia and his music has been described as blues, roots,
rock, and folk.......... |
 |
|
|
|
Greenback at the Louisiana - 30th July 2008 |
|
When guitarist Alastair Sneddon
announces that their 'very poorly' singer would now take the stage,
the audience mentally prepares itself for half an hour of coughing,
wheezing and endless apologies from Greenback's temporarily
bronchially-challenged singer Mandi Baigent. We are ill prepared
therefore for the ensuing silky smooth performance of a powerful and
deeply melodic vocalist who knows how to ring out the last drops of
soul from every line........ |
 |
|
|
|
Greenback at the Louisiana - 30th July 2008 |
|
It’s a hot sticky night in the centre
of Bristol, the location for greenback’s show tonight is the
Louisiana. Greenback come on around 8.45pm so I make my way upstairs
to a small but very comfortable air conditioned room. The room is
half full but there is a great atmosphere in there.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Farrington Hootenanny |
|
If tradition is anything to judge by, you could be
forgiven for thinking that the loudest disturbance to come from your
average village hall is the clatter of rose chintz crockery on
jumble sale day. Well, the village of Farrington Gurney, just
outside Bristol, has been actively challenging any such conservative
expectations. Over the past two years, resident
musician-turned-promoter Clinton Dando has been showcasing a healthy
roster of aspiring young bands at a bi-monthly event called 'The
Farrington Hootenanny' held at the village's Memorial Hall........ |
 |
|
|
|
Def Leppard/Whitesnake/Thunder, Cardiff CIA, 14th July 2008 |
|
Yep, this is the sort of gig we'd get
in Bristol if we had an arena - three excellent bands, all of
headline status in their own right, on a multi-band bill that had
the CIA bulging at the seams. The place was a sweatbox, and the
queues at the various bars were massive 'til Leppard took to the
stage late into the evening - something the designers of the Bristol
Arena should think long and hard about. That's if we ever get an
arena to design…….... |
 |
|
|
|
Xavier Panades and the CAT -
Tobacco
Factory, 11 May 08 |
|
A beautiful spring day, I arrived
expecting that Xavier's performance would already be in full swing,
but like many such all-day music events, the times had been set back
and a grinning Xavier was chatting to blues guitarist Chris Scott
outside the venue, wearing sunglasses against the bright sun. The
event had brought a good crowd to the Tobacco Factory and smokers
gratefully basked outside in the sunshine enjoying the weed now
banished from the building which was once built on its trade........ |
 |
|
|
|
Glenn Hughes, Wolverhampton, Robin 2, 6th June 2008` |
|
I'd not seen Glenn since the Soul
Mover tour back in 2005 as he only came over for a couple of shows
to promote his Music For The Divine CD, so thought a quick trip up
the M5 on a Friday to check him out again was worth the effort. How
right I was…...
|
 |
|
|
|
Heavens Basement, The Rock Garden, Weston Super Mare, 31st May 2008 |
|
The Rock Garden is a new live music
venue/rock club that's opened up recently, and the guys running the
place seem to have big plans to make it as central to the live music
scene in WSM as Scally's and a couple of other long established
venues...... |
 |
|
|
|
Baka Beyond @ Fiddlers 15th May 2008 |
|
Let's be honest here...How many of
you have actually heard of Baka Beyond? Seriously? You have?
Well, I definitely had not. World music has never been my full cup
of tea. If we are even more honest it's never been my lukewarm,
quarter dregs of a cup of tea either..... |
 |
|
|
|
The Zig Zag Band -
Friday
23rd May 2008. The Fleece, Bristol. |
|
Now here's a local band I caught just
by chance on a Friday night. "The Zig Zag Band" were supporting the
"The Secret Police" and did a very impressive 50 minute set. They
are in fact a covers band and perform songs from the 50's, 60's, and
70's. And so I've been told, generally dress in Teddy Boy suits -
yep the suits Showaddywaddy wear. However tonight most of the six
piece were dressed in black and looked very comfortable on that
stage........... |
 |
|
|
|
Heart Alone and Strange Kind of
Purple Gorse Hill, Swindon |
|
So here I am again – this evening I
have dared the wilds of the big city... ok ok – Gorse Hill Club,
Swindon and I have come to see the first [ever?] gig of a Heart
tribute band who are supporting "A Strange Kind of Purple" – a Deep
Purple tribute band........ |
 |
|
|
|
|
Wreckless Eric at the Thunderbolt 10th May |
|
Wreckless Eric was one of the
original musicians touring with Stiff Records back in the late1970’s
along with Ian Dury and Nick Lowe. A seasoned performer he knows how
to engage his audience with his punchy guitar and witty
repartee..... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Voice of the
Bomb -
Tuesday 13th May @ The Fleece |
|
A gloom-filled stage. A deep voice,
crackling out from a recording. And lots of orange, all at
once........ |
 |
|
|
|
Dirty Sweet at the Junction, Bristol, 10th May 2008 |
|
When I first checked out the Dirty
Sweet Myspace page, following promising reviews of their CD in the
music press, I wasn’t expecting too much; this rock fan is
definitely of the old school variety, and it was going to take a lot
to convince me that here was a band who could deliver the
goods......... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Robin Trower, Thekla, 11th May 2008 |
|
I'd not seen Robin Trower live since
the Reading Festival back in the 70's, and I also remember a couple
of appearances on something like The Old Grey Whistle Test or one of
the other early "live music on TV" type programs....... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Magnum, Academy, 7th May 2008 |
|
A quick return to touring for the
guys in Magnum, as it wasn't too long ago they were treading the
boards at the Academy promoting their most recent CD release - which
probably accounts for the slightly smaller than expected punter
turnout?? |
 |
|
|
|
|
Old Tavern Acoustic night - First
anniversary |
|
It is the first anniversary of Alfie Kingston's
'Acoustic Night' at the Old Tavern at Blackberry Hill. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Billy Bragg at the Colston Hall - 24th April 2008 |
|
Now I have to be honest right from
the outset. Billy Bragg is not an artist I would normally rush to
see. However, when you are offered a free ticket in good seats, it
would seem quite churlish to refuse and so myself and mate ‘Bob’ set
off for an evening of political rhetoric and vitriolic fervour at
the Bristol Colston Hall, or so I would have thought...... |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Deltics - Stones Cross
Midsomer Norton - April 25th 2008 |
|
If you've ever wondered what it would
be like to experience a band playing in your living room, then maybe
The Stones Cross in Midsomer Norton is the place for you....... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Wallis Bird - 24th April 2008 Supporting Billy Bragg at The Colston
Hall |
|
Anybody that can break the strings on
an acoustic guitar through sheer exuberance is ok with me I can tell
you..... |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Reavers - 18th April 2008 at The Louisiana |
|
Well, what can I say about Reavers?
(Presumably named after the lunatic bad guys from the much
underrated Sci-Fi movie ‘Serenity’) ........ |
 |
|
|
|
|
Elbow - Colston hall - 9th April
2008
|
|
I had been drinking this evening
but not Elbow's Grounds for divorce cocktails, apparently the band
are still working on this drink.......... |
 |
|
|
|
Emilie Autumn at the Bristol Bierkeller
-
16th April 2008 |
|
The Bierkeller
is populated by people with unusual dress sense this evening.
Extreme goth almost, top hats black suits and skimpy evening dresses
make my attire entirely out of place. With the two support acts out
of the way the entourage of Emilie Autumn take to the stage which
has been decorated with cloth & ribbon to resemble an Victorian
Parlour of sorts....... |
 |
|
|
|
The Australian Pink Floyd Show -
Colston Hall. Sat 12th April |
|
I still find it bizarre that a
tribute band can sell out large concert halls, even more so when the
band inform us that they are used to playing much larger venues than
the Colston Hall these days! Not so surprising when you have no
chance of seeing the real thing (although rumour has it that may
change soon!), and when this lot have refined their performance to
such a stunning level........... |
 |
|
|
Fish on Friday – 14 March 2008 –
Guildhall – Gloucester
With support from Glyder |
|
The support for this evening's
entertainment was an Irish band called Glyder: Four lads from
Ballyknockan (do the Irish know how to name their towns or what?!)
what a surprise! – I hadn’t expected them to be so good! To be
honest I hadn’t really given them a thought at all – how rude of
me!........ |
 |
|
|
|
Straight Shooter
- KING'S ARMS - 08 March 2008 |
|
SO here I am again, another pub
another band (hmmm I see a pattern forming here...do you think I
just go to see bands as an excuse to go to the pub?). So, offered up
for this evening's entertainment we have Straight Shooter – A Bath
based 4 piece rock covers band, playing mainly classic rock numbers.
....... |
 |
|
|
|
Bjorn Again Shine As Bright As Ever.
Cheltenham Town Hall - Monday 3rd
March 2008
|
|
Can you believe that "Bjorn Again"
have been around the world and back again for nineteen years and
continue to wow the crowds with a highly polished show that is
difficult to criticise.
It never gets boring, it's always fun
and highly entertaining and the music, can you really say your are
able to sit in your seat for long?....... |
 |
|
|
|
Jagged - A Music Revolution Is
On Its Way.
Louisiana, Bristol. - Friday 7th March
2008
|
|
I became aware of 'Jagged' through
another highly acclaimed Bristol group called "Mesh".
In the same music genre but not long
starting out. Next thing their four track EP lands on my doorstep
and then they announce their debut performance at the Louisiana in
Bristol.
But the big question - could "Jagged"
perform live? Well it was worth investigating?....... |
 |
|
|
|
Asia @ The Cheese & Grain - 8th March 2008 |
|
The venue manager took to the
mike before the gig and us told how, when he informed the house
sound engineer that ASIA were coming to the Cheese & Grain, he
couldn't believe it! The last time he had seen them was at Madison
Square Garden!......... |
 |
|
|
|
Private Dicks @ the
Crown Cellar Bar - 2nd March 2008 |
|
Back in 1978 me and my best mate
Darren ‘Bassbin’ Williams trawled the music venues of Bristol on our
motorbikes (when I say Motorbikes, I do in fact mean our Honda
SS50’s, complete with pedals and everything) looking for good live
bands to go and watch. ..... |
 |
|
|
|
The Killertones –Wootton Bassett High
Street Club - 22 February 2008 |
|
Having spent 10 years as a three
piece tribute band - Going Underground –the addition of Herb on the
Sax and Stevo on Bass, to the original line up of Chris (Steeley) on
drums (who has an inside leg measurement of 31" even though he
claims 32"! [you really had to be there for that to make sense but
for those of us who were... told you!!!]) and Gouldy (Ian) on guitar
and vocals have together undergone a metamorphosis to the
Killertones............ |
 |
|
|
|
The Junction - Adam Bomb - Buzz Gang & Venus
Bogardus - 27th Feb 2008 |
|
Promoter Chris Redman has been putting on
punk gigs at The Junction in Stokes Croft for a good few years now,
showcasing a mixture of both local and international talent. He's one of
the hardest working guys you're likely to meet on Bristol's music
scene....... |
 |
|
|
|
Stackridge - The Limelight, Crewe - Friday
15th February 2008 |
|
Taking the stage at just gone 9.15, James
asked "when was the last time you were in Crewe?" Mutter accurately
riposted "today!" and the band were away into a rollicking version of
Dora, The Female Explorer which made a perfect
set opener. .......... |
 |
|
|
|
Michael Schenker - Thekla, 17/02/2008 |
|
Well, this was a bit
of a turn up……..
From what I
understand, Schenker spent most of 2007 lurching from one catastrophe to
the next, including a truly embarrassing "performance" with the
Scorpions at the Rock & Blues festival back in the summer, when he could
hardly hold his guitar, let alone play it!!. .. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Psycho Delia Smith At The Old Tavern
- Saturday 26nd Feb 08 |
|
The 2008 gigs have started the same
way as 2007's ended; great venues, enthusiastic crowds and some very
enjoyable evenings for audience and band alike...... |
 |
|
|
|
One Night Only @ the Carling Academy - 5th Feb 2008 |
|
After grabbing significant attention
with the help of Jo Whiley's choice of record of the week, the sell
out gig was buzzing even before the band hit the stage. The
Yorkshire five piece band have been around for a while, supporting
the Enemy last year, deserve this break and look as if they will
carry on with style with chart success...... |
 |
|
|
|
Nick Harrison @ the Carling Academy - 5th Feb 2008 |
|
Distinctive vocals and plenty of
energy Nick Harrison is full of charm and charisma, within moments
the front row where under his spell pleading for his babies!!!...... |
 |
|
|
|
The 211 @ The Wunderbar 19th Jan 2008 |
|
Swindon based four piece The 211 are
the latest young hopefuls from a town that has produced a wealth of
musical talent over the years. On first listen, the band's reference
points are obvious - cheeky, choppy and 'typically British' guitar
pop from the same stable yard as The Arctic Monkeys...... |
 |
|
|
|
Alter Bridge - Academy - 25th Jan 2008 |
|
Bloody hell -
maybe I'm getting too old for this shit…….
|
 |
|
|
|
|
The Following
Announcement @ the Carling Academy 20th Jan 2008 |
|
An electric start to the set, hitting
us with a huge sound getting the crowd buzzing immediately. This
band is tight as a fishes ass and did not miss a beat of their surf
punk sound they have created, a mix of SUM 41 and Green Day they are
starting to carve out there own style.... |
 |
|
|
|
Jumping Ships @ the
Carling Academy 20th Jan 2008 |
|
With all the energy from the first
band these guys had a lot to prove..... |
 |
|
|
|
Sloppy Joe @ the
Carling Academy 20th Jan 2008 |
|
With a stage presence that is way
beyond their age, Sloppy Joe force themselves onto you...... |
 |
|
|
|
Stone Gods @ the Fleece - 17/01/2008 |
|
This was quite an interesting gig on
a number of levels, mainly 'cause the Stone Gods have formed from
the train-wreck that was the end of The Darkness....... |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Godspell (The Musical) - Tyndall Baptist Church - Friday 11 January
2008 |
|
"Godspell" is one of three "god
squad" musicals that first saw the light in the 1970s! The other two
were "Joseph" and "Superstar". The music and lyrics written by
Stephen Schwartz (www. MusicalSchwartz.com), produced a huge
hit at the time with the song "Day By Day"....... |
 |
|
|
|
Bristol Blues Club Review |
|
Bristol Blues Club is born again! The
club that has been providing gigs for local and not so local bands,
playing the bluesier side of rock, had its first outing last night
at the Portcullis in Fishponds (which also hosts the Backdoor Man
Blues Jam every Thursday)........ |
 |
|
|
|
Severance at the Parsons Nose - X-12-2007 |
|
Well here we are again – another
Severance gig, this time at the Parson’s nose in Melksham – not the
first time for me but tonight it is Severance minus one – Daryl
Hyatt, [one of] the lead guitarists is noticeable in his absence
this evening due to the impending arrival of his offspring! (His
wife is doing the giving birth thing obviously not him– that would
just be weird!)........ |
 |
|
|
|
Status Quo at the Colston Hall - 12th December 2007
|
|
It would
appear that having a good laugh at somebody because they are going
to see Status Quo is the accepted practice and an almost mandatory
thing to do. I have to confess that I would say to people “I’m only
going to see the Quo because my wife wants to see them”, and I
wonder why that is........
|
 |
|
|
|
The Jam at the Carling Academy - Sunday 9th December 2007 |
|
It’s been a tough year for Bristol
bands in 2007, and to be honest, there have been several occasions
when I thought ‘stuff it, let’s give up and leave all the hassle to
the young uns!’......... |
 |
|
|
|
"The
Bootleg Beatles" - Colston Hall, Bristol. - Friday 7th December
2007 |
|
Time and
again I have been told "Oh you have to see The Bootleg Beatles, they
are the best you'll see when it comes to paying tribute to The
Beatles". And every time they arrived in Bristol I just wasn't able
to make it because their show clashed with a prior engagement. This
time around I was going to make sure I saw them. ....... |
 |
|
|
|
"The
Smiths Indeed" - Carling Academy, Bristol. - Sunday 2nd December
2007 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Thin Lizzy, Colston Hall, 8th December 2007 |
|
Two things to point out right from the start of
this review: 1 - I'm still rather jet lagged from a business trip to
Houston, having only been back in the UK for around 36 hours prior
to heading over to the Colston; 2 - John Sykes is one of my all time
favourite guitar players. I'll try and keep the impact that both of
these could have on this review down to a minimum….. |
 |
|
|
|
Everybody Loves Mamma Mia! |
|
Mamma Mia! has made it 'home' to
Bristol at long last. Catherine Johnson - who wrote the story of
Mamma Mia! and freely admits basing one or two of the characters
on personal friends of hers - lives in Bristol and has written a
number of successful plays before making it BIG
worldwide with a musical featuring ABBA songs written by Benny
Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus........ |
 |
|
|
|
Black Crusade Tour - Cardiff Arena - 26th November 2007 |
|
A Photographic Review By Matt Collins
of Crush Images. |
 |
|
|
|
Thunder: Bristol Academy - 28th November 2007 |
|
Can someone please tell me how Lauren Harris
deserves to be out supporting Thunder on a fairly major UK tour??
She has a bunch of second rate pub rock originals, limited stage
craft and absolutely zero in the way of personality, and while her
guitar player has a fine set of Zakk Wylde-esq chops (plus a low
slung EMG equipped Les Paul Custom too....) there's little on
display tonight to warrant such a high profile slot. Oh yeah, her
dad is the bass player in Iron Maiden - that'll be it then........ |
 |
|
|
|
Acoustic night at Campbell's Landing - Tuesday 27th November 2007 |
|
Campbell's Landing is opposite the pier in Clevedon.
The pub has hosted live music for many years and was recently taken
over by a new landlord who is keen to continue the tradition of live
music..... |
 |
|
|
|
Mesh. -
Bierkeller, Bristol. Friday 23rd November 2007 |
|
I have always said if
"The Day Before You Came" by ABBA wasn't a song then it would be a
perfect piece of art. Tonight I watched a band who put this theory
to the test and would certainly give Banksy a run for his money on
that score........ |
 |
|
|
|
Dizzee Rascal @ the Carling Academy 6th November 2007 |
|
Dizzee Rascal took over the stage at
the Carling the split second he walked on, the crowd had risen from
packed with the 1st excellent band the Pistalos through 2
other rap acts and then rammed and steaming with youthful blinged up
backward cap wearing punters, baying for the adrenalin pulse created
by this rap star........ |
 |
|
|
|
The Pistolas @ The Carling Academy 6th November 2007 |
|
The Pistolas were the 1st of three to
support Dizzee Rascal at the Carling and I was going to write a
glowing review of this slightly mad looking band with more energy
than a Duracell & a Eveready rolled into one......... |
 |
|
|
|
Dream Theater, Newport, 9th November 2007 |
|
Right, lets get one thing out of the
way right from the start - the standard of musicianship on display
tonight is well into overload territory, with Portnoy, Petrucci,
Rudess and Myung all scoring a maximum on the
"oh-my-god-how-do-they-do-that-o-meter"!! .......... |
 |
|
|
|
Super Fury Animals at the Carling Academy
20th Oct 2007 |
With a look that
certainly lives up to the name, they came from the mountains
bringing rock and roll!!!
A packed Carling Academy roared into life as the Furries came on
stage, turning on the magic with a response from the crowd I have
not seen in a long time...... |
 |
|
|
|
Firefest, Nottingham Rock City, 27th October 2007 |
|
I think this was the fourth Firefest,
err, festival, celebrating bands from AOR end of the spectrum - you
know commercial hard rock, sugar sweet harmonies, more hooks than a
fisherman's tackle box etc etc....... |
 |
|
|
|
Just Jack at Carling Academy, Bristol 20/10/07 |
|
I have heard some good things about
Just Jack from friends who saw him at Glastonbury, but I wasn’t
quite sure what to expect, even though I know a couple of his songs
from the radio......... |
 |
|
|
|
Halloween at the Old Tavern 2007 |
|
The Old Tavern was busy with witches
vampires and other scary creatures...... |
 |
|
|
|
Mudheads at the Bunch of Grapes 20th October 2007 |
As I could not get any of my Bristol
Rock’s colleagues to come and review my band The Mudheads gig
at the Bunch of Grapes on Saturday night, I thought I would write
one myself.
Note
from Kevin: "Paul neglects to mention that your glorious Bristol
Rocks editor is barred from the Grapes for crimes to heinous to
mention!".......... |
 |
|
|
|
The Coral at the Carling Academy - Oct 9th 2007 |
|
Photographic
review |
 |
|
|
|
Scouting for Girls at the Carling Academy Sunday
14th Oct 2007 |
|
Scouting for Girls are a young
London based band who are riding pretty high with a single that has
been in the top ten in the charts for the past six weeks. Presently
they are supporting Just Jack in a nationwide tour, which took in
Bristol’s Carling Academy last Sunday night........ |
 |
|
|
|
Los Campesinos at the Thekla - 10th October 2007 |
|
For the past couple of years,
something big has been brewing just across the Severn Estuary. A
thriving new indie scene has been developing in Cardiff, and one of
the names spearheading this new Welsh scene are the irresistible
seven piece band Los Campesinos! ......... |
 |
|
|
|
Wishbone Ash - The Fleece 14th Oct 2007 |
|
It is fifteen quid to get into the
Fleece to watch Wishbone Ash so they'd better be bloody good!
This was my comment having never seen the band before and only
having a misty recollection of the albums they released when I was a
spotty teenage thug....... |
 |
|
|
|
AFGM - The Fleece 14th Oct 2007 |
|
AFGM are a top Bristol based band
playing original AOR. What can I really say about a band of this
quality. I can't criticise the performance at the Fleece because it
was spot on. I mean everything: The sound, the sound balance, the
playing and the singing, everything really was as good as it
gets........ |
 |
|
|
|
The
Courteeners -
Bristol
Carling: Tuesday 9-10-07 |
|
I love seeing and reviewing bands me,
but f**k no not at 6.50 in the afternoon, you can barely call that
the evening, I had to get out of bed well early, I generally like to
wait until after dark before opening the curtains, but that is when
this Manchurian mob were booked to play at the Carling where they
were supporting the mighty Coral.......... |
 |
|
|
|
Jake Stigers at the Thekla - 5th Oct 2007 |
Burnin' Blues have finished their support set and
Jake Stigers & the Velvet Roots take to the stage.
There are not many people in the Thekla tonight although the band
played to a full house last night at the Fire Engine and some new
fans from this gig were leading the cheering........... |
 |
|
|
|
Burnin' Blues at the Thekla - 5th Oct 2007 |
|
What have we here? Fred Hale, one of
Bristol's finest guitarists, if you have seen him in any of his
previous bands you will know! Nikki Brooks describes herself as
Robert Plant with balls....... |
 |
|
|
|
Thomas Dolby -
Bristol Carling Academy 5-10-07 |
|
Scanning the Carling gig list for
potential bands to photograph for Bristolrocks I stumbled upon 80`s
Synth pop star Thomas Dolby, most famous for his hits “She blinded
me with Science” & “Hyperactive” and a number of Vinyl albums, the
last 1992's critically commended "Astronauts & Heretics." .... |
 |
|
|
|
Jellied Reels - Kington Langley Village Hall - 29th Sept 2007 |
|
No this is not Rock, I will give you
that. But Bristol Rocks is about all types of music and since I was
invited to a Jellied Reels Ceilidh dance, here is the review..... |
 |
|
|
|
Reuben at the Carling Academy Wed
26th Sept 07 |
|
If you cast your minds back to
Fathers Day in June, what did you give the old man this year? Socks
again? A book. If he’s really lucky, a bottle of the good stuff.
Maybe you’re old enough, and lucky enough to have young uns of your
own, what did they get you?
Well my offspring got me tickets to see Rueben at the Carling
Academy….how cool is that then!............. |
 |
|
|
|
Jetking - The Tonemasters - Gecko - The Fleece 19th Sept 2007 |
Another evening, another local music
showcase courtesy of the Bristol Evening Post, or so it
seems........
|
 |
|
|
|
The Envy Corps Review -
The Academy - 16th September 2007 |
|
Hailing from Ames in Iowa, USA, the
Indie band The Envy Corps played to a polite but enthusiastic crowd
upstairs at the Academy on Sunday night....... |
 |
|
|
|
Toby Jepson - The Point, Cardiff, 16th September 2007 |
|
Weird huh?? Last weekend it was
rocking out with the Rattlesnake Remedy boys on a boat, and this
week it's checking out Toby and his solo band in a former church!!!
Appropriately it was a Sunday too, so with out further ado, dearly
beloved, we are gathered here today……….. |
 |
|
|
|
Rattlesnake Remedy plus Support Bands - Thekla, 8th September 2007 |
|
It's been fifteen years since I've
been on board the old Thekla in the docks, and not much seems to
have changed - it's still a warren of small rooms and dark corridors
and staircases. I think the main room in the bowels of the boat has
had a bit of an update though, with a decent stage set-up (with
modern PA and lights), good bar, and a rather over the top air
conditioning system creating a fridge-like atmosphere. Not helped by
the small crowd either……. |
 |
|
|
Fatty Boom Bastic -
The Loaders & The Blunders @
The Louisiana Tuesday 4th September 2007 |
|
I was initially a little confused as
with a name like Fatty Boom Bastic, together with the images
that they have on their promotional material, I was expecting a band
that was a bit off the wall, you know, wacky and wild........ |
 |
|
|
|
Acker Bilk - Old Duke Jazz Festival - Monday 27 August 2007 |
|
The jazzmeister himself, Mr Acker
Bilk MBE, performed with Cass Caswell and a mixture of fine jazz
musos at the Old Duke Jazz Festival...... |
 |
|
|
|
Sheelanagig - Old Duke Jazz Festival - Saturday 25 August 2007 |
|
I
happened upon this performance by chance as I was walking to another
gig, after parking my car somewhere south of the Bristol
Centre....... |
 |
|
|
|
Silversun Pickups at the Carling Academy 29th August 2007 |
|
Silversun pickups (SSPU) ginergerly
take to the stage fashionably late to a strange guitar and piano
riff playing on repeat. They have formed quite a following who fill
the "Academy 2" comfortably. It doesn't take long for
guitarist-singer Brian Aubert to loosen up and even start making
moves for the camera men in the pit...... |
 |
|
|
|
Croft Mini-Fest - 24th August 2007 |
|
A Photo Review of the Croft Mini-Fest
on the 24th August 2007. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Dead 60's @ the Thekla 11th August 2007 |
|
The Liverpudlian Dead 60’s exploded
onto The Thekla stage on Saturday night to a buzzing expectant
audience......... |
 |
|
|
|
|
Alfies acoustic night at the Old
Tavern 8th August 2007 |
|
I am writing this review from a slightly prejudiced angle because I
was on the bill of Alfie's acoustic Wednesday night extravaganza at
the Old Tavern, Blackberry hill, accompanying
Santiago Jetstormer......... |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Atomic Rays – The Old Tavern – Friday July
27th 2007 |
The Atomic Rays strapline is “Quite
simply, they are Astonishing”.
Maybe I wouldn’t go quite that far,
but they are bloody good. The Rays stepped in to the breach, when I
had a cancellation from a band who were unable to play due to a
line-up change. Despite having not seen them before, I had been
impressed by their MySpace site and they came highly recommended by
a number of people whose musical judgement I trust....... |
 |
|
|
|
Jellied Reels -
Ceilidh For A Wedding |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Stackridge - Polish Club - Fri July 13th 2007 |
|
Stackridge were a famous Bristol
band, who first got together in 1969/70. I last saw a reformed
version of the band at Fiddlers in 1999 I think. It was sort of OK,
and it was somehow touching back then to see them again after a 30
year gap. I was intrigued to see what they would be like this time
around at the Polish Club. Would they just be going thought the
motions for nostalgia's sake ?.......... |
|
|
|
|
|
Jebo @ the Horseshoe - -11th July 2007 |
|
What can I say that I haven't already said about
Jebo in the write ups & reviews that you can read on Bristol Rocks.
Jebo are to my ear the best original band in Bristol and maybe the
best band in the UK. If given the chance, they will be a world
conquering band....... |
 |
|
|
|
JetKing at the
Louisiana, Bristol 11th July 2007 |
|
JetKing are an unusual band. They
are 3 piece guitar outfit, but an extra member of the band is an
Apple Mac connected to enough electronics to control a moon landing.
What it actually controls is their synthesisers and sampler
including percussion, which explains the initially worrying lack of
a drummer....... |
|
|
|
|
Moose (& Thunder) @ Chepstow Castle - 30th June 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
The Peppercorns at the Old Tavern Saturday 23rd June 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Robert Plant @ Fiddlers - 22nd June 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
High Notes @ St Bonaventure's - 22nd June 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Fortune Drive @
Download |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Killing Company gig Review - The Thekla - 12th June 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Megadeath Gig Review - 13th June 2007 - Almost sexual |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Loci @ The Thekla Social - 12th
June 07 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
High Notes launch @ St Bonaventure's |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Marillion at the Colston Hall 8th June
2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Match Report: The Cribs -
Kick off: 5-6-2007 2130 - Review: Matt Collins |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Backdoor Blues Jam Review - By Fred - Bristol Rocks |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
INXS & Halagoogoo at
the Colston Hall - 5th June 2007
Review & photo's by Alan Jones |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
The Twang - Bristol Bierkeller - 30th May 07 - Review: Matt Collins |
|
|
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Acoustic Rock Night at the Old Tavern - 2nd June 2007 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
Vaughn - Rattlesnake Remedy - Interstate
The Night Owl, Cheltenham, 01/06/2007 |
|
First up a quick word about the venue.
It's small, but with a well thought out layout that has the DJ,
sound desk and lighting controller at one end of the dance floor in
a raised location, with a good stage at the other end.....
MORE |
|
|
|
Review - Magnum - Bristol Academy - 20th May 2007 |
|
So here we are at a reasonably busy
Academy for another one of those reasonably successful bands that
knocked it on the head for a bit and then came back - I think
they're on their 3rd CD since their return.....
MORE |
|
|
|
|
|
Bazooka Joe at Bar Celona - 30th May 2007 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Ladies Acoustic Night at the Old Tavern - 30th May 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
The Dead School - Review - Louisiana 24th May 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
|
Rusty Springfield Review - Louisiana 24th May 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
The Mission- Bristol Carling 15th
May 07
Review- Matt Collins |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
Dead World Leaders @ The Louisiana May 16th 2007
Review by David Machine |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
Reverend and the Makers & The Francos Review - 15th May 2007 at The
Louisiana
Review & Photo's by Sam Berry |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
The
Jam – Bristol Carling 15th May 07
Review- Stewart Caie -
Photo’s – Matt Collins |
|
 |
|
Click on image to see review |
|
|
Emily Breeze - 26 April 2007 @ The Fleece
Review by Sam Berry - Photo's by Matt Collins |
|
 |
|
Click on the image above to see review |
|
|
Psycho Delia Smith At The Old Tavern
-
Sunday 22nd April 07
Review by Paul Loader - The Mudheads |
|
 |
|
Click on the image above to see review |
|
|
|
Review - The Enemy at the
Bristol Carling 17th April 2007 |
|
By Sam Berry |
|
 |
|
Click image above to see review |
|
|
|
Review - Outbreak at the Golden Lion - 1st April 2007 |
|
By Chris Payne |
|
The band Outbreak a young 5 piece
party/function rock/pop band playing at what seems to be at first
impressions and the music belting from the jukebox a hard rockers pub, The
Golden Lion Fishponds.
I really thought the young lads were out of
their depth, bearing in mind their first set started at 5pm they opened
with All right now, that got a good reception. Some major adjustment to the
levels at this point as the pub become
full since the sound check.
On with the show, tracks like addicted to
love, take me out, sultans of swing, last night & thin lizzy`s dancing in
the moonlight along with 7other tracks brought the first set to an end
with enthusiastic applause from the crowded pub.
After a 20 min break the lads took to the
stage to what I thought would be just pick up where they finished, how
wrong could I have been. They opened with a instrumental of Guns N Roses
Sweet child of mine it lasted about 7 mins and had the crowd going crazy
when they went straight into Thin lizzy`s whiskey in the jar.
How deceiving first impressions can be, first a
young band and I mean young. All 5 band members are aged between 16 & 18
the customers in the pub love good live loud music and certainly show
their appreciation of good music, the landlord Ben must have a mention for
his faith in the band who played their 2nd set for over an hour with the
likes of a great Kinks mix of you really got me & all day and all of the
night very well blended, Quo`s rockin all over the world, Queen- crazy
little thing called love Clash - should I stay or should I go, a great mix
of 3 Elvis songs, summer of 69 , mustang sally, Steve Harley`s come up and
see me plus more. If you are into a rocky party band then check out Outbreak after Sundays
performance you will not be disappointed.
|
|
|
|
AFGM at the Fleece March 24th |
|
 |
|
Click Image above to see review |
|
|
|
The
Undertones @ The Bristol Bierkeller March 2007 |
|
by Matt Collins |
|
 |
|
Click Image to see review |
|
|
|
Clumsy – Gig @ Mr
Wolf’s – 17 March 2007 |
|
By
Claire Robinson |
|
This
is the first time I’ve been to Mr Wolf’s for a gig, I’m normally one of
those pop in at lunch times to grab some of their great noodles type person!
Knowing that Clumsy were playing gave me good reason to head down and
experience my first Mr Wolf’s gig.
Clumsy were performing with their full brass section which is a rare treat,
and also gives them a much more wholesome sound live. This was proven during
Fruitless when Sophie did a great Sax solo.
The
crowd loved them and their cover of Ain’t No Sunshine went down great
guns with the crowd who were dancing and singing along, having caught the
Clumsy bug during Bothered.
The
usual Siggy and Patch banter between songs kept the crowd interested, even
when Joel’s intense playing saw a broken string or two, no momentum was lost
in this gig and with songs like Artibella and the closing cover
All The Way Home to keep the crowd hooked and dancing there really was
nothing negative to say about this gig….even I caved in and ended up dancing
for a couple of the songs!
I
have to give a special mention to Gecko who were headlining at the gig. A
German band mid-way through a UK tour they were a contrast to Clumsy being
much more Rock/Pop. The already happy crowd danced through their set and
even called them back on for an encore. Worth keeping an eye out for these
guys in future.
All
round a great gig, lots of great music, laughs and dancing, and the sound
quality in Mr Wolf’s is surprisingly good! I’ll definitely be making it one
of my regular places now! I’d have to recommend to anybody whatever their
musical tastes to check out Clumsy live…I’m yet to meet someone who doesn’t
enjoy their offerings. |
|
|
|
The
Musical Box Review by Martin Jakeman March 2007 |
|
 |
|
Click on Photo above to read review |
|
|
|
Journey at Cardiff arena - 9th March 2007 - by Rich |
Journey were exquisite, sublime, superordinary and really
rather jolly good I should say.
Not only a best of set but quite heavy to boot - Neal Scone has to be one of
the purest lead guitarists alive and rumoured to be excellent with a nice
bit of jam and clotted cream. He made lots of new Welsh friends as the band
waltzed on to the stage as he tore up their national anthem much like
Hendrix did Star Spangled thingy.Ross Valory &
Jonathan Cain did the usual pro thing of making it all look so effortless,
but you know that keyboard/guitarist/bv types are ok, but its bass players
that really make a band great.
They opened with Frontiers and ended with Separate
Ways. Jeff Scott Soto was faultless and Dean Castronovo every bit his equal
singing lead vocals on at least four songs - very different vocal qualities
but both very satisfying to the ears. I always thought that Journey without
Steve Perry would be somewhat less but no way, 100% no way.
Could I choose a fav track? Not really as they had so
many good songs to pick from. The most amazing thing was just being able to
see them after waiting 24 years since buying Frontiers and becoming a fan.
In summary, yeah they were alright I spose......
|
|
Big Time at the Reckless Engineer - Review by Billy |
Perhaps going to the Reckless Engineer three days after an operation on my
shoulder, was not the brightest thing to do. But, having seen Big Time do
their Queen night at the Fleece a couple of months ago, I really wanted to
catch their other show.
The Reckless was very busy as I guessed it would be, but I managed to get up
in the “playpen” and was protected by my friends so I wouldn’t get barged
into. Big Time have a good following and with good reason.
They treated us to a great evening of classic covers that had the punters
bobbing about like boats in the docks. Towards the end of the night I even
found myself up dancing, (against doctors orders), but it was that kind of
night. The boys teased us with their final encore, playing the openings to
at least three favourites before getting down to the final blast. Go and see
them, whatever the door fee is, it will be worth it.
As for my shoulder, well I split the wound open while dancing and had to go
and get a new patch on it in the morning. Spilling blood for Rock ‘N Roll,
sometimes that’s the way it has to be. |
|
|
|
Psycho Delia Smith - The Oak Chipping
Sodbury - Thursday 18th January 2007 |
|
Review by Steve Brown |
|
|
|
Psycho Delia Smith
have been around for a while now and have built up a healthy following.
Time then for a review! |
|
The Oak is quite a small venue and a challenge for a band
who normally would spread their wings a little further but they managed to
get a good sound balance. Kicking off with "JAILBREAK"
they quickly got the place rocking and which pleased a very appreciative
audience. On then to "TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN"
and "PURPLE HAZE" classic rock anthems
which is always a crowd pleaser. Later in the first set were also songs from
SLADE with "COZ I LOVE YOU"
and THE BEATLES "DRIVE
MY CAR". The set was rounded off with "I
FOUGHT THE LAW". For someone who remembers all the originals this
was a good foot tapping hour for me.
They launched into the second set with "WON'T
GET FOOLED" and onto more raves from the grave such as "MONEY",
"WHISKEY IN THE JAR", "RADAR
LOVE" etc. |
This was my first live hearing of Psycho Delia Smith and
I was well impressed. The overall musicianship from all the members of the
band was good and coupled with a sparkling light show consisting of LED's
and lasers gave their performance a really professional edge. Keep up the
good work lads we will be back to shoot a bootleg video!
|
|
Hush - The Trout Tavern, Keynsham, 13th
January 2006 - Review by Andy & Rich |
|
Having found Hush after being pointed at
their rather impressive website (www.hushtheband.com)
by a friend only a couple of days prior to this gig, the opportunity for a
couple of beers out at Keynsham while checking 'em out was too good to miss.
I'd not been to the Trout before, and first impressions suggested it was a
bit small for a full band, especially one with a sizeable keyboard set-up in
addition to the normal "guitar, bass, drums and vocals" line up that classic
rock covers tends to need. Still, they'd managed to squeeze all their gear
into one corner of the bar, and with a neat Hush-logo backdrop and a few
lights etc everything looked rather professional.
First impressions as they kicked off
their first set were positive too, with the old classic Deep Purple song
from which they've taken their name quickly followed by Cream's White Room,
both sounding well balanced and tightly played, with the classic "Jon Lord"
organ sound from Jon Rodd really adding to the authenticity. New-ish boy
guitarist Rich Shillitoe, clearly more of a metal-head than perhaps the rest
of the band, was particularly impressive - with tight pumped up rhythm work
and a fine display of chops when it came to the solo spots, while Chris
Lambert nearly had the "Pete Way" cool-vibe-thing happening with his
not-quite as low slung as necessary Thunderbird bass propping up the bottom
end. The backing vocals sounded good too.
The locals and the normal smattering
of "friends of the band" seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially during
a neatly re-worked House Of The Rising Sun and one or two of slightly more
obvious songs from their set first set, although communication with the
audience between songs seemed a bit lacking - always a tricky area to get
right, but not helped by vocalist Mitch Colman scrabbling for lyric sheets
in between most numbers. Come on Mitch - Rich knows the guitar parts, so get
the words nailed too!!
The second set kicked off after a
short break, and everything somehow seemed a bit "looser" than earlier. Not
sure if this was down to the band trying out a few new songs, lack of
rehearsal, or maybe a few too many beers during the break, but Jumping Jack
Flash in particular sounded a little uncoordinated at times, while the
previously solid drumming from Clive Irvine-Gizzie seemed to have gone AWOL.
Chris seemed a bit busier on the bass than during the first set too,
although this may have been in an attempt to firm up the rhythm section
slightly. Another re-working, this time the old Four Tops number I'll Be
There, had the punters singing along madly, but by this time it was clear
that the set was being developed rather on the fly - and this didn't help
Mitch with his paper sift on the monitor in between numbers. The rowdiest of
the locals seemed to stick with 'em as a few drinks went down the hatch, and
that's what pub-rock is all about really.
Unfortunately I missed the end of the
gig and what I'm sure would have been a rousing encore - assuming the
tightness from the first set made a welcome return at some point. Having
said that, it was a decent night, and Hush are well worth checking out if
you're musical tastes start in the early 70's and don't go much beyond the
80's.
|
