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email: [email protected] website: nightshift.oxfordmusic.net Free every month. NIGHTSHIFT Issue 126 January Oxford’s Music Magazine 2006

Harry Angel The Devil’s in the Music Interview inside Photo by Miles Walkden Photo by Miles Plus The new bands to watch in 2006

NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255

Evenings and Boywithatoy are among the local NEWNEWSS artists remixing the . PINDROP PERFORMANCES is a new Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU monthly live music club night launched this Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected] month at The Port Mahon in St Clement’s. Pindrop aims to showcase the best up and coming alternative folk and electronic acts THIS YEAR’S OXFORD PUNT will take while the ground floor venue frontage will around. The first night takes place on Sunday place on Wednesday 10th May. Arrangements include a new bar area. A timetable for the 29th January and features Brickwork Lizards, for the annual showcase of the best unsigned refurbishment is yet to be finalised; in the The Thumb Quintet and Dan Glazebrook and music in Oxfordshire, organised by Nightshift, meantime the Zodiac is booking its spring Josie Webber. Each event starts at 5pm and are almost complete, with five venues already programme. Notable gigs already confirmed finishes at 8pm and tickets are limited to 35. confirmed and two more to be confirmed. As include: The Kooks (10th February), Julian Get them from Polar Bear on Cowley Road. ever, the Punt will kick off at Borders in Cope (14th Feb), The Paddingtons (16th Feb), Magdalen Street before moving on to Jongleurs, Regina Spektor (16th Feb), Battle (4th March), OXFORDBANDS.COM has launched an The Wheatsheaf, The City Tavern and finishing The Buzzcocks (5th Mar), Cave In (6th Mar), 65 updated version of its interactive venue guide. off at The Cellar. Nightshift is now inviting Days of Static (9th Mar), Crowbar and Will The guide features every live music venue in everyone to submit demos for any bands or Haven (20th Mar), Seth Lakemen (26th Mar) and Oxfordshire as well as over 50 small venues solo artists wanting to play at the Punt. The Graham Coxon (31st Mar). Tickets for all gigs around the country in what is intended to only rules for inclusion are that acts must be are on sale now from the Zodiac box office on become and essential guide for bands trying to from Oxfordshire, be unsigned and have some 01865 420042. get gigs locally or around the country and for gig gigging experience. Bands that have previously goers in general. Bands and fans can add played at the Punt are eligible, although THE PORT MAHON in St Clement’s is comments to each venue’s profile. The preference is given to new acts. Send demos, hosting an all-day live music event on Saturday oxfordbands.com site also features regularly clearly marked ‘The Punt’, to Nightshift, PO 21st January. Goldrush will headline the gig with updated local music news, reviews, an extensive Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. an unplugged set and are joined by The Epstein, photo gallery and a discussion board. The Walk Off, Dusty Sound System, The View, ZODIAC owner and promoter Nick Moorbath At Risk, Smokers Die Younger, Los Diablos, JONGLEURS hosts a Battle of the Bands has been talking to Nightshift in light of various Ady Davey, Rebecca Mosley, Chris Beard and competition starting with weekly heats from 7th rumours circulating about the future of the David Fullbrook. The music starts at 1.30pm; February and culminating with a five-band final venue. Responding to gossip suggesting that tickets are on sale now priced £5 from on March 14th. First prize is three days in a Oxford’s premier live music club was set to be wegottickets.com. recording studio. Bands interested in taking part bought out by The Academy Group, which should call 01865 722437 or email owns a string of venues around the UK, BLUE KITE release a new single later this [email protected] including the Academy, Nick told month. ‘Ways Of Knowing’ is the follow-up to Nightshift: “That’s all it is – gossip and the band’s excellent third , ‘Resolution’, THE DOWNLOAD continues to broadcast the speculation. The only thing that is definite is released in 2005. The single, the last recording best in local music every Saturday evening that the Zodiac will undergo a major ever to be made at Dungeon Studios, looks between 6 and 7pm on BBC Radio Oxford refurbishment next year. All the planning likely to be the last release by the band to (95.2fm). The hour-long show, presented by permission is in place. We are currently looking feature Kate Garrett on vocals and also features Tim Bearder and Dave Gillyeat, features new into various options to finance the work. As contributions from Goldrush’s Joe Bennett and releases, classic oldies, interviews and demos soon as anything is confirmed we will let Dungeon Studio’s Rich Haines. Full review in from Oxford acts as well as club and gig listings. everyone know.” next month’s Nightshift. Other upcoming local Tune in or listen to it online any day of the Plans for the Zodiac include expanding the releases include a new EP from The Half week at bbc.co.uk/oxford. downstairs venue to increase its capacity to Rabbits in early February as well as around 900 – almost double the capacity of the an album of Smilex remixes, entitled current upstairs gig room. The upstairs venue ‘Smilex Versus Oxford’, on Quickfix The Charisma Bar will subsequently be made smaller to Records. The Young Knives, Youth Upstairs @ The City Tavern incorporate offices and new dressing rooms, Movie Soundtrack Strategies, The Bringing you live music every week…. DELICIOUS MUSIC DR SHOTOVER: BRANDY BOTOX OPEN MIC JAM NIGHT Every Tuesday Well, I nearly kissed the feller, I don’t mind telling If you want to play just turn up early and get your you. Just when everything was looking quite Gobi- name on the list… Desert-like in terms of no booze in the New Year, Doors open 8.30pm, £2 entry fee, £1 for artists. this alternative medico chappie chimed in with a suggestion. It seems one can have the stuff injected DELICIOUS MUSIC AND UP’N’COMING directly into the facial features, thereby bypassing ENTERTAINMENT the liver altogether! Only costs thirty guineas a Every Saturday pop. His practice is in a cosy little office off Greek Oxford’s finest up and coming bands playing live th St, just above Mademoiselle Frou-Frou’s club, you 7 : My Father The Beat + Blue Junk + She Cries 14th: November + The Mongrols + Jake Rush + Silent Echoes know the one... He’s only got one nurse working 21st: Clyndersound + Blindsighted + Kaned Citizen with him to take blood and suchlike... Romanian 28th: Green Onions + Not My Day + Joe Satriani filly, I believe, goes under the name of Nurse Tribute by Pawel Kurturba Feratu... Quite friendly, in a Gothic sort of way... I Doors open 8pm. £4 entry, or £10 for three people. think she moonlights downstairs in the evenings, if NIGHT you know what I mean. I’m due for my first Every Thursday treatment next week. Can hardly wait. Bunty Jazz night with Oxford University’s finest, everyone Bradshaw recommended it to me... yes, old Bunty... welcome. Doors open 8pm. Small fee occasionally that’s him in the chair over there. Hasn’t moved a when guest musicians are playing. muscle for a week, you say? Jolly good. Stiff upper The Charisma Bar, upstairs @ The City Tavern, lip and all that, what? Dr Shotover cracks a smile after the 8 Market Street, Oxford Next Month: Gottle o’ geer, please. Brandy Botox treatment Phone: 01865 248388. Email: [email protected] A Quiet Word with HARRY ANGEL

IN ALAN PARKER’S 1987 Has the way things have gone for American gothic movie Angel you this year taken you by Heart, the central character Harry surprise? Angel, played by Mickey Rourke, DAN: “Yes. We were hoping to discovers too late that he’s sold his just get some recognition and it’s soul to the Devil. Such Faustian gone a bit further than that.” pacts are part and parcel of music Has there been a single moment in legend too. 2005, say at the CIN concert, Watching Oxford band Harry Photo by Miles Walkden where you’ve suddenly thought, Angel rampaging through an all-too this is it, we’ve arrived? short set in front of 10,000 fans at DAN: “No. But we had objectives last November’s Children In Need at the start of the year – play a concert at RAF Brize Norton, load of gigs, gel as a band, release having won a BBC internet vote, an EP, get local people paying barely a year into their short career, attention – and we’ve achieved you could be forgiven for thinking them all. That’s good to look back that maybe some devilish deal had on at of 2005.” been done on their behalf. Harry Angel (l-r): Dan, Hayley, Chris, Andy. Louis Cypher not pictured. HAYLEY: “We felt we’d passed our ‘gig driving test’ at February’s PERHAPS MORE PERTINENT 2003. During local heroes Dive people you could wish to meet, One Louder at The Wheatsheaf proof of otherworldly goings on in Dive’s explosive set to be precise. particularly Chris who, is not only when nothing went badly wrong or Harry Angel’s life came at one of Chris, as well as guitarist Dan the tallest frontman in Oxford but blew up. That was a milestone.” the band’s incendiary gigs at the Lordan, quit their then band Cactus also the least like his onstage alter- In most people’s eyes, playing at Wheatsheaf last year, supporting straight afterwards, determined to ego: shy and polite offstage, the Children In Need Concert will Fuck Off Machete. Overcome with get more out of their music making. consumed by fervour seem like the highlight of the year heat and exhaustion, frontman Drummer Andy Wright’s band of on it. Together the band are for you; would you agree? Chris Beard collapsed on stage the time, Scrambler, had just split enthusiastic and regular local gig HAYLEY: “It was a bonus but not only to come round moments later, up, while bassist Hayley Phillips goers. To what extent do they, as part of the plan. It didn’t make us stripped to the waist, bleeding and had been through the usual string of musicians and writers, identify feel any different afterwards. It prostrate in a perfect crucifix pose. school and university bands. Fired with the character Harry Angel? won’t make any significant impact Harry Angel’s rise up the Oxford up by watching Dive Dive, the four ‘Death Valley Of The Dolls’ on our future.” music scene has been pretty rapid. friends were agreed on what suggests a feeling of being doomed. ANDY: “We were biting our Their story might not be anything constituted great music: Pixies, CHRIS: “I came up with our name fingernails beforehand, but the set remarkable on the face of it – , The Cure, Nirvana, The as a joke; I knew all the movers and went in a flash, then we just drifted simply twelve months of hard Smiths, PJ Harvey, Joy Division as shakers in the Oxford scene from around this massive venue gigging, playing any support slot well as Dive Dive themselves. going to gigs and parties but our watching Pop Idol winners and available and trying to hone their Their choice of listening pleasure band was still a mess. I’d already feeling cut adrift.” sound to something near perfection goes a long way to explaining the schmoozed my soul away before CHRIS: “’Cause it wasn’t our – but at every turn they’ve Harry Angel sound: big, we’d achieved anything! As for natural habitat, which is a sweaty captured the imagination of ever combustible walls of guitar, ‘Death Valley’, like a number of club.” more fans, while their live shows that can be melodic and epic but our songs it’s really intended as a are now amongst the most intense with a darkness at their heart. An for me to cross myself with YOU SAY YOU WERE and entertaining in town. early Nightshift review suggested a before hitting the scene. It’s angry inspired to form Harry Angel Harry Angel’s appearance at the melting pot of Sonic Youth and and self-lacerating but also blackly whilst watching Dive Dive; how Children in Need gig, alongside Bauhaus; American hardcore meets humorous; it’s meant to burn all much of a musical influence is that Girls Aloud and Status Quo, was British . Radiohead’s that self-serving rock star bollocks band on you, or was it more a case proof of their increasing influence weighed heavy on early out of you. Essentially the of wanting to see yourselves up on popularity, as well as just reward gigs and recording but, while their outcome is positive. stage like them? for a year’s hard work. presence can still be felt on tracks Would signing to a major label be a HAYLEY: “We wanted to be as After contributing a couple of like ‘Striptease’, it is increasingly Faustian pact in your eyes? tight as them live. We can dream!” songs to the local ‘Fresh Faces For being consumed by Harry Angel’s CHRIS: “We haven’t considered CHRIS: “I love the energy they The Modern Age’ compilation, more abrasive and virulent side. signing to any label, that’s way off project from the stage. Music-wise, Harry Angel released their debut ‘Death Valley Of The Dolls’ in in the future. But anything that yep, I’m a big fan of their twisty- EP back in the autumn. The lead particular gathers together threatens the four of us being in turny righteous melodic hardcore. track, ‘Death Valley Of the Dolls’, everything that can be great about control of the music can fuck right Plus their ‘never-ending tour’ a long time live favourite, Harry Angel: tumbling, gothic off. We want to remain attitude to gigging, that’s an subsequently cruised its way to drums, relentless bass, opulent independent as far as it can take us. example we want to follow.” second place in the Nightshift fizzbomb guitars and Chris’ nervy, The rise of the internet and There’s a real intensity about your writers’ end of year Top 20, beaten transatlantic vocal drawl downloading has significantly live shows that’s increased each only by Fell City Girl’s ‘Weaker underpinned by Hayley’s serene, wrested the power from record time we’ve seen you; there have Light’. Kim Gordon-like backing vocals. labels; you can market yourself and been on-stage collapses and sell your own tunes, so there’s no concussion. How much of this is HARRY ANGEL CAME IN PERSON HARRY ANGEL need for your music to be fuelling down to having more confidence, or together at Charlbury Festival in are amongst the most unassuming some fat company exec’s Jag.” is there a self-destructive streak inside you? but more recently, with the mall goths moping around to CHRIS: “The Evenings always HAYLEY: “Only Beardy!” exception of ‘Striptease’, that side Evanescence and . And guarantee a bangin’ night out. DAN: “We’re getting him a crash- of your sound seems to have been the 80s was a long time ago.” Suitable Case For Treatment have helmet.” subsumed by the more aggressive, CHRIS: “I like goth in the sense saved my sanity on numerous CHRIS: “It’s all about cranking as gothic side. Is this the way Harry that it meant music could be occasions. Ally Craig I cannot much impact out of the songs as Angel are going, or is there yet extreme and unafraid to delve into speak highly enough of; his songs possible. As you get more another facet to your sound we’re taboo feelings. But I don’t listen to are so clever and intricate and confident, you can more fully give yet to experience? much of it; it makes me depressed heartfelt; all the other singer- in to the music, and since ours is CHRIS: “I love Radiohead, no and I don’t have any right to walk songwriter types in this town are dark and fractious that’s what argument, but they certainly around in a mard when I’ve so left for dust. As for least favourite comes out of us on-stage.” weren’t the only band we wanted much to be thankful for. In the end acts, leave it out, we’re only up for DAN: “Friday night, people want to sound like. Their songs are quite a label like ‘gothic’ is just celebrating the good stuff. We’re a knees-up and so you have to put baroque and we wanted to keep shorthand for `echoey guitars, tom- not Goths!” on a show. As more people have things simpler from day one. heavy drums, grumpy singer’ so started coming to see us, it’s McLusky, Girls Against Boys, Big that’s not too far off the mark!” FINALLY, SOMETHING WE pushed us to go for it more. It’s a Black and The Pixies were what I must ask. Watching Harry Angel two-way thing.” was listening to when we started OXFORD’S MUSIC SCENE IS can be a great cathartic experience, Where do you see your out. I’m glad we’re now expanding famously compact and but one of the most intriguing parts performances go from here; who our horizons, though the heavy competitive, which, while it can of watching them is the sheer are the performers you most speedfreak stuff will continue. But breed a degree of bitchiness, also height difference between Chris and admire? I want to incorporate more dirty serves to drive bands to greater Hayley. He’s easily twice her CHRIS: “I just want us to get jubilant noise like what Sonic heights of creativity – those who height. So Chris, how tall are you better at playing the songs and Youth do. We like their balance of don’t make the mark are quickly exactly and are you the tallest man meaning it, which will happen from battering nastiness and uplifting dismissed. It also allows musicians in Oxford music? Or does Hayley hard-gigging. As for inspirational scuzz. That’s my hope – we can to easily feed off each other and just make you seem tall? performers, there’s lots... but off keep the energy and fire but start spur one another on. As pretty Chris: “It’s all done with mirrors. the top of my head: Radiohead and injecting some obvious positivity committed gig goers, Harry Angel I’m only three foot ten really.” Jeff Buckley for their into the mix.” must have their favourites on the Hayley: “Come and see Harry musicianship; Queen Adreena for Are you comfortable with the term Oxford scene. Angel, a gig and a freakshow in their ability to whip up a crowd; ‘gothic’ being used to describe your ANDY: “It’s a fantastic scene: the one!” McLusky for total FUCK-YOU- music; there’s certainly a darkness venues, the bands, the magazines... YOU’RE-WRONG-WE’RE- about it? it’s a great place to start out from. ‘Death Valley Of The Dolls’ is out RIGHT self-belief.” HAYLEY: “It’s a weird concept. We HAYLEY: “My favourite local now. Check out Early gigs suggested a strong certainly don’t feel any affinity to acts are The Young Knives and Fell www.harryangel.co.uk for news, Radiohead influence on the band the current meaning, i.e. shopping- City Girl.” downloads and gig dates

A Dozen More To Watch in 2006... The Thumb Quintet It’s around this time every year that Nightshift as well as Dinosaur Jr and Killdozer, goes casts a hawk-like eye over the emerging local completely against the grain of macho hardcore. musical talent and decides who we are going to Equally young, fresh-faced and eager to make allow to be famous this year. You see, kids, it all some serious noise are AND NO STAR, named comes down to bribes in the end. And none of after half a Sonic Youth album title and, them crappy bags of jelly sweets neither – it’s unsurprisingly, taking that band’s sound as a got to be liqueur chocolates or nothing on the primary inspiration. Mostly instrumental, they confectionery front. echo much of Youth Movie Soundtrack Strategies’ Any road up, one of the most remarkable shows explorative guitar soundscaping, reigning in their photo: Miles Walkden we witnessed from a new Oxford band last year more exuberant tendencies in favour of almost was THE KEYBOARD CHOIR: half a dozen jazz and 60s folk. The math-rock massive will recently reconvened after a promising but false synths of varying vintages locked in some kind doubtless go a bundle on FOALS too, who made start last year; the band look like being the best of gothic ambient battle, all choreographed in an impressive debut in December, emerging from new hope for Oxford metal in 2006 with an marvellous sci-fi style by a conductor stood the ashes of The Edmund Fitzgerald. uncompromising hardcore assault. MULES behind a massive bank of computer gadgetry, The proliferation of very young but talented and meanwhile take punk off into more eclectic like Bauhaus re-imagined by Brian Eno. original bands is one of the most exciting things waters, taking in East European polka, country Even further from the mainstream pop norm to happen on the Oxford scene recently, and one rock and gypsy dance along the way. are HOLIDAY STABBINGS, a band who have band people are going to get very excited about More sedate pleasures come from BELARUS, gone through various metamorphoses to become over the next year are WHERE I’M CALLING the current guise of the band formerly known as the monstrous barrel of noise they are now. FROM, four teenagers from Wolvercote whose Spacehopper and previously touted by Their contribution to the essential ‘4 x EPs’ alternately delicate and abrasive sound ties Nightshift, capable of penning emotive stadium compilation on Hanging Out With The Cool together elements of New Wave, alt.country and pop anthems to equal, if not better Keane and Kids Records last year revealed a band veering indie. You might hear traces of The Only Ones, Coldplay. THE THUMB QUINTET, by contrast, right off rock’s beaten track into hellbastard art Low and Belle And Sebastian alongside Fleetwood turn their reflective muse inwards, creating noise of the kind pioneered by Swans and Mac and some New York punk noise, but it all ambient folkatronic soundscapes that find the Factrix, and with an effects pedals to tunes ratio adds up to something very special indeed. missing link between Pentangle and Four Tet, of about 20. Which just happens to be what HARLETTE surprised a lot of people last year by while WITCHES, formed by former-eeebleee their amps go up to. being a young teenage band who didn’t chap Dave Griffiths are creating some cool, DEGUELLO who featured alongside Holiday sound like a piss-poor mash-up of every second- orchestral pop noises. Stabbings on that compilation, promise to be rate MTV2 heavy rotation band currently in The one thing we’ve found over the years in something very special on recent evidence. Still existence. Instead the south Oxfordshire all-girl doing these New Year tips is that we just know very young, they’ve already impressed live, quartet looked to the likes of Fuzzbox and X-Ray something new and previously unheard will take notably supporting Mondo Generator back in Spex as well as The Cure and Siouxsie for us by surprise mere days after this issue hits the the summer, and their deceptively melodic inspiration and it’ll be interesting to see how their streets. In fact, they’re probably tuning up in a hardcore noise, reminiscent in spirit, of fizzbomb grunge-pop goes from here. bedroom along your street right now. Just you Alternative Tentacles’ more adventurous roster More heavy duty noise comes from SOW, wait and see. Sponsored RELEASED by THE THIEVES UNDERTHEIGLOO ‘Tales From The White ‘Circlesend’ Line’ (Freedom Road) An abiding obsession at Nightshift is the sheer (Liquor And Poker) unadulterated bollocks that finds its way into At the start of ‘Vacant Thoughts’, two-thirds of press releases. Obviously the job of a press the way through The Thieves’ debut album, Hal release is to promote the artist in question. But Stokes draws a comparison between the brazen hyperbole so often works against the comforting spires of his hometown, Oxford, and band, since it rarely offers any insight into the the vast expanse of his chosen residence, LA. music and instead simply repeats clichés, plus it The Thieves – the band for so long known round gets the reviewer’s back up because it’s lazy and these parts as Vade Mecum – may be the product dishonest. Such is the case with the blurb for of a shire upbringing, but this album reveals them Undertheigloo’s debut album. In a single to be now almost totally immersed in Stateside paragraph, the music is described as possessing rock culture. “breathtakingly beauty”, “refuses to be No great surprise really since they’ve always the most part though. ‘This Road’ is a bit of a pigeonholed” and opening up “near limitless been rockers of the old school and years of plod, far too earnest and not helped by its clichéd sonic possibilities”; further, Under The Igloo constant slog around the American gig circuit , but you only notice all this because “challenge conventional song writing”. So, the have rubbed off on their character. As such it’s sandwiched between te heroic ‘You Get It best band Oxford has produced. Ever. they’re more likely than ever to reap the rewards Easy’, with its subtle melody steal from Bowie’s All of which is a bit unfair on Undertheigloo, who of their graft. ‘Tales From The White Line’ ‘Heroes’, and the stomping ‘Tales From The are a decent enough band, with a small cache of sounds like an album you’d expect to hang around White Line’. More offbeat is the synth-led ‘Just A neat ideas and a reasonable grasp of atmosphere. the top of the US charts for month on end. Big Piece’, which could be Ultravox in rock-out mode Their musical foundation is mixing up discreet on hooks and anthems, it’s got plenty of bluster (and with Hal sounding uncannily like Midge Ure), electronics with a reserved guitar buzz, but more than this, it’s got soul and melody. as well as the strident, robotic ‘It Still Goes On’, occasionally drawing in strings and piano to invest The Thieves set out their stall from the off: which veers closer to U2’s most recent outings. some variety into the solemn material. ‘Gimme Some Lip’ is all big rabble-rousing rock The Thieves’ strengths are their tight, melodic At their best Undertheigloo take Radiohead’s riffage, with a bit of a snarl, a rootsy barroom approach to every thing they do: simple songs glitchy electronic rhythms and gently bubbling feel and a bombastic stadium rock finale. backed by heavy duty rock artillery, and their synths and create slight, minimalist soundscapes The station wagon ride continues with the unselfconscious lack of irony. This is old- which provide an unimposing backdrop to the -inspired ‘Don’t You Lose Me’ and fashioned rock and roll as it was meant to be singer’s Chris Martin-like falsetto. The band seem through to the almost country-ish ‘Silverliner’. played and ever will be. more interested in textures than songs, with a It’s a powerful and fresh-sounding album for Ian Chesterton keen attention to detail in the carefully-layered sounds. ‘Circlesend”s best moment comes with ‘Race To Get To Sleep’, which attempts a more Headcount might still be the daddies but Junkie portentous attack, but too often the band seem JUNKIE BRUSH Brush are their Padawan learners, growing up fast content to sleepwalk through tracks rather than ‘Hearts & Mines EP’ and infused with the force. The band’s ‘Problem – offer any emotional depth, and by the end of the Reaction – Solution’ has rapidly become a local album they’re scraping out overwrought pop (Own Label) anthem, blending uptight sloganeering with a ballads on autopilot. Which may be unfair to a The kiddies with their Alkaline Trio ringtones and jerky sonic bloodlust and tight melodic edge, and band who never set out to bring down rock and roll Green Day aspirations can argue the toss all they this new EP should confirm their standing as one Ragnarok, but, y’know, when you’re promised like but Oxford only has two punk bands worth of the best rackets in town. on earth you expect something wonderful. bothering about: Headcount and Junkie Brush. ‘Exhume His Corpse And Make Him Dance for Sue Forman Money’ is as belligerent as its title suggests, mixing up some of the best noise from both sides of the Atlantic – The Jesus Lizard and Helmet from The States, and Anti-Pasti from the UK – while ‘Now She’s Dead’ is pure splenetic thrash-punk with a cuss-word count that would make Snoop Dogg blush and, at well under two minutes, it packs its not inconsiderable punch into one short, sharp assault. The highlight of the EP, though, is Nichole Steal’s remix of ‘Monkey Grinder’, which replaces Junkie Brush’s crash and burn approach with a spacey dub-funk treatment that is closer to PiL circa-‘Metal Box’, while, separated from the guitars, Big Tim’s vocals sound remarkably similar to Sean Ryder’s stoner drawl. Ian Chesterton Selected Oxford releases are now available on the ground floor HMV Oxford supports local music Open Sundays 11-5pm & late Thursdays till 7pm. 10% student discount every day January Every Monday: Every Friday: THE FAMOUS MONDAY NIGHT BLUES BACKROOM BOOGIE The best in UK, European and US blues. 8-12. £6 Funk, soul and R&B. 9-2am. Free B4 10pm; £4 after 9th RESERVOIR CATS 16th KING B BLUES BAND Saturdays: 23rd DOCTOR A’s BLUES BAND 7th: MASTERPIECE - Funk, R&B, Soul and Reggae 30th PETE BOSS & THE BLUEHEARTS 14th: THE ZIMMERMEN - Tribute 21st: SIMPLE - Funky House Every Tuesday: 28th: LIVE JAZZ THE OXFORD JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET Every Sunday: Free Live jazz plus DJs playing r’n’b, funk and soul until 2am THE CHAPEL LOCAL BANDS NIGHT 8-11pm. £3 Every Thursday starting Jan 26th: BULLSEYE - Student indie, festival, funk 10pm-2am gig guide

SUNDAY 1st MOFO: The Red Lion, Witney – Heavy rock covers. DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: JANUARY MASTERPIECE: The Bullingdon – Funk, soul, The Old School House – Delicious Music get a r’n’b and reggae club night. new gigging year off to a good start with their DETROXIN: The Coven – Detroit and Berlin- weekly all-comers session. rd flavoured techno with DJs Denise Crisanto, Tom nd TUESDAY 3 MONDAY 2 JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: Lehman, Dave Mahy and Nic Dobbs. Nothing to see here. The Bullingdon – Weekly free-entry jazz club SUNDAY 8th with resident band and DJs. ELECTRIC JAM: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, Tuesday 24th Jam along with the in-house rhythm section. Cowley DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: DAMO SUZUKI / DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC JAM The Old School House NIGHT: The City Tavern STEVE DEGUTIS: The Red Lion, Witney SUITABLE CASE WEDNESDAY 4 th JOSIE & DAN: The Magic Café (1pm) DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC NIGHT: Far MONDAY 9th FOR TREATMENT: From The Madding Crowd RESERVOIR CATS: The Bullingdon – Hard GIGSWAP UK NIGHT: The Wheatsheaf rocking electric party blues from Tony Jezzard’s The Wheatsheaf OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Marlborough House, local stalwarts. Western Road – All-comers session with a £50 Blimey, where to start with this one? th prize for best act of the night. TUESDAY 10 Tonight promises to set a benchmark for th JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: local gigs for the rest of the year, with the THURSDAY 5 The Bullingdon return to town of former-Can legend Damo PORT MAYHEM with REDOX + NEIL OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, NAYAR: The Port Mahon – Funky acid pop Suzuki. The man’s last show in town was Cowley from the Redox crew. DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC JAM headlining Audisocope back in 2004 where BEELZEBOZO: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – his improvised set of cosmic psychedelia, NIGHT: The City Tavern Heavy riffage and doomy rocking from local INTRUSION: The Cellar – Goth and industrial Japanese folk and bizarre experimentation newcomers. club night. blew minds and made an army of converts. DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES AND th Damo was backed for that gig by various FOLK NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd WEDNESDAY 11 members of Bilge Pump and Wolves! Of – With guest performer Neil Mason. STINKING LIZAVETA + NOUGHT + DEGUELLO: The Cellar – Time to blow up the Greece. Tonight he’ll be joined, for one gig JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern BARCODE TRIO: The Hollybush – Weekly PA again as Philadelphia’s doom-jazz only, by an Oxford supergroup made up of ‘energy jazz’ residency. heavyweights Stinking Lizaveta return to Oxford, drummers Loz Colbert (Ride) and Nigel SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks – Weekly DJ making big and brutal with their Sabbath and Slint Powell (Dive Dive), guitarists James session playing reggae, ska, funk, Latin and influences. Nought should give them a good run Sedwards (Nøught) and Ben Ulph (The Afrobeat. for their money in the loud and heavy stakes, Thumb Quintet), plus bassist Phil Oakley SABOTAGE: The Zodiac – Weekly rock club while highly promising youngsters Deguello open (Sexy Breakfast and The Evenings). An night playing new metal, hardcore and alternative the show in impressively oppressive style. incredible coming together of serious local releases. DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd talents with one of the most innovative and CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Community Centre – Long-standing all- OXFORD IMPROVISERS: The Port Mahon maverick musical genius of all time. And comers music and performance club. THURSDAY 12th with the band promising a single rehearsal th before the gig, you just know anything FRIDAY 6 JOHN OTWAY + MURRAY TORKILDSEN: The Port Mahon – The clown prince of pop could happen. And if that’s not a mouth- SHIRLEY + THE GREEN + THE SHAKER HEIGHTS: The Zodiac – Local bill returns once more to wreak more melodic watering enough prospect, arch prog-core featuring 60s bubblegum pop-inspired Shirley, madness and do himself an injury, while former- monsters Suitable Case are tonight’s Suede-influenced rockers The Green and mellow Sweeney frontman Murray adds a more caustic support: surely reason enough to start Velvet Underground-styled newcomers The element of market town soul. queuing around midday to ensure you get in. Shaker Heights. LAGRIMA: The Exeter Hall, Cowley KLUB KAKOFANNEY with THE DRUG SQUAD + ROOSTER BAND + TWIZZ TWANGLE + FORK: The Wheatsheaf – Party-friendly ska punk and spaghetti western rock from The Drug Squad, with support from esoteric pop imp Twizz Twangle and proggy noisemakers Fork. OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, Jericho BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon – Weekly soul, funk and disco club night. SATURDAY 7th LOST CHIHUAHUA: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – Easily done. They should get a bigger dog, a Newfoundland perhaps, much easier to find. MY FATHER THE BEAT + BLUE JUNK + SILENT ECHOES: The City Tavern – Psychedelic indie rock from local newcomers My Father The Beat topping a bill of local emerging talent. youngsters Hero Story and rudimentary punkers The Bravado. THE RELATIONSHIPS + LES Exeter Hall Pub CLOCHARDS: The Exeter Hall, Corner Cowley / Marsh Road Cowley – Understated pop brilliance 01865 776431 from the mighty Relationships. www.thex.co.uk OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, THE BEST FREE MUSIC Jericho VENUE IN TOWN! BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Every Tuesday Open Mic 8:30pm Bullingdon Every Wednesday Folk Session 8pm HQ: The Cellar – Drum&bass club th Friday 27 night. January th PART CHIMP / SATURDAY 14 Thu 5th Beelzebozo 8:30pm THE ZIMMERMEN: The Bullingdon Fri 6th Lagrima 8:30pm TODD / LORDS / – Bob Dylan tribute. Sat 7th Lost Chihuahua 8:30pm THIS TOWN NEEDS GUNS + MEET Sun 8th Electric Jam 8:00pm HEY COLOSSUS: ME IN ST. LOUIS + ACTION + Thu 12th TBC ACTION: The Wheatsheaf – Fri 13th The Relationships / Les Clochards The Wheatsheaf Emotive indie rocking from This Town 8:30pm Needs Guns. Sat 14th The Obscure 8:30pm A night for the stout of heart, as SOLAHARBA: The Port Mahon Sun 15th TBC Oxfordbands.com presents four of the very THE OBSCURE: The Exeter Hall, Thu 19th Rebecca Mosley / Ally Craig 8:30pm loudest bands on the planet together in a Cowley – Cure tribute. Fri 20th Krissy Matthews 8:30pm rather small room. The running order is due NOVEMBER + THE MONGROLS + Sat 21st Agents of Jane / Lee Davies 8:30pm to be set on the night, this being a package SHE CRIES + JAKE RUSH: The Sun 22nd Electric Jam 8:00pm tour brought together by Rock Action, City Tavern – Local bands showcase. Thu 26th Denise Marie 8:30pm th Southern, Jonson family and Gringo RUBBER MONKEYS: The Red Fri 27 Legendary Boogiemen 8:30pm Lion, Witney th Records, but star turns must be the Sat 28 Kohoutek 8:30pm ZELEGA + SUNNYVALE NOISE Sun 29th TBC awesome Part Chimp, the band formed from SUB-ELEMENT: The Mill, Banbury the ashes of the equally awesome Ligament. – Post-rock and . Here heaviosity is taken to heroic new MARK BOSLEY: The Magic Café heights, or depths – a sludge-fuzz of (1pm) overdriven guitars, where even the distortion SUNDAY 15th pedals are fed through distortion pedals and KELLY’S HEROES: The Red Lion, the resulting cacophony, equal parts Witney Monster Magnet, Killdozer and Th’Faith BEARD MUSEUM with LAMORNA Healers, threatens to flatten surrounding WINKS: Purple Turtle – Gentle pop buildings. Joining them on their musical pleasures at the first Beard Museum journey into the abyss are recent night of 2006. DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC Audioscope math-rock stars Lords and the ROCK-POP-DANCE-GOLDEN OLDIES-INDIE- SESSION: The Old School House SOUL-TECHNO-HIP-HOP-JAZZ-LATIN-REGGAE- monolithic Todd, whose mix of synthetic th rhythms, monstrous metal riffage and MONDAY 16 DRUM&BASS-GARAGE—R&B-DISCO-1950s- hellbastard vocals can be terrifying to KING B BLUES BAND: The 2000s. Brand new back catalogue CDs £4 - £7 Bullingdon – Live . behold. But perhaps loudest of the lot are each. Brand new chart CDs £5 - £10 each TEDDY THOMPSON: The Zodiac – titans Hey Colossus, whose Son of English folk legends Richard and blend of space drones and white noise calls Linda Thompson Teddy follows a more DELICIOUS MUSIC NIGHTS to mind The and Unsane at times. Americanised style of pop, taking in Part Chimp might have a song called ‘Hello traditional country and Californian Welcoming In The Delicious New Year – January 2006 Bastards’, but Hey Colossus’ debut album guitar pop, while his new album features was simply titled, ‘Hey Colossus Hate collaborations with both Rufus and Sundays @ The Old School House You’. It’s a title that sums up the punishing Martha Wainwright. Open Mic – FREE!!! 8pm – Midnight th nature of tonight’s gig, but your courage in TUESDAY 17 Tuesdays @ The City Tavern the face of extreme noise will be well BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH: The Open Mic & Open Jam – 8.30pm – 11pm rewarded. Probably with tinnitus for years Zodiac – Hmm, a reggae-inflected pop £2 entry; £1 for performers to come. band from Kingston, you say? Doesn’t sound like such a bad thing, but this is Wednesdays @ Far From The Madding Crowd Kingston, Ontario we’re talking about Open Mic Night – FREE!!! 8.30 – 11pm DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES AND here. Canadian popstrels Bedouin Soundclash FOLK NIGHT: Far From The Madding are probably going to be huge in 2006, with Thursdays @ Far From The Madding Crowd Crowd – With guests The Bewley Brothers. their new single, a cover version of U2’s Free Entry 9pm til Midnight REBUS + MARY’S GARDEN: The ‘New Year’s Day’ that sounds oddly, perhaps 5th Neil Mason 12th Bewley Brothers Cellar – Garage punk action from worryingly like a cross between Sting and 19th Los Hombres 26th The Jazz Emporium Reading’s Rebus, plus downbeat, melodic Eddy Grant, but it’s produced by ’ drone-rock from Mary’s Garden. Darryl Jenifer, so there’s an ounce of Fridays @ St Aldates Tavern JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern credibility about it. Open Mic Night – FREE!!! 8.30pm – 11pm BARCODE TRIO: The Hollybush JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks QUINTET: The Bullingdon Saturdays @ The City Tavern’s Charisma Bar SABOTAGE: The Zodiac OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, In association with Up’n’Coming Entertainment CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Cowley 7th My Father The Beat + Blue Junk + Silent Echoes Community Centre THE DHARMA + THE EPSTEIN: The 14th November + The Mongrols + She Cries + Jake Rush th Cellar – Funky from The 21st Clyndersound + Blindsighted + Kaned Citizen FRIDAY 13 28th Green Onions + Not My Day + Joe Satriani Tribute by Pawel Kuturba BEELZEBOZO + HERO STORY + THE Dharma, plus country rocking from The Epstein. BRAVADO + LEXISS: The Zodiac – For Bookings Call: 07876 184623. Doomy metallers Beelzebozo head a local DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC JAM bands night with support from emo NIGHT: The City Tavern Email: [email protected] JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern THE BULLY WEE BAND: Nettlebed Folk BARCODE TRIO: The Hollybush Club SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks TUESDAY 24th SABOTAGE: The Zodiac DAMO SUZUKI + SUITABLE CASE FOR CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford TREATMENT: The Wheatsheaf – Legendary Community Centre former-Can frontman teams up with Oxford th FRIDAY 20 improv supergroup – see main preview ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN: The New Theatre – DRAGONFORCE: The Zodiac - Now that’s Stars In Their Eyes winner Gary Mullen does his what we call a proper metal band name. Even best Freddie impersonation as he runs through the better, Dragonforce’s new album is called ‘Sonic th greatest hits. Firestorm’. It’s like the last fifteen years in heavy Saturday 28 THE LUCIDA CONSOLE + MAI MAYO MAI: metal’s evolution never happened. Which, when The Wheatsheaf – Post-hardcore rock from you consider the likes of , might not CORROSION OF Halifax’s Lucida Console, newly signed to Must be such a bad thing. Here is the new face of classic Destroy Rock Records and mixing up ponderous melodic : expect lots of hair, hooks CONFORMITY / psychedelic whimsy with blistering feedback big enough to land blue whales and even more frenzies in a vaguely style. New local hair. CLUTCH: The Zodiac jazzy math-core hopefuls Mai Mayo Mai support. JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: return to the UK ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, Jericho The Bullingdon after the cancellation of their September KRISSY MATTHEWS: The Exeter Hall, OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, 2005 tour due to the personal effects of Cowley – Live blues and rock. Cowley Hurricane Katrina, and this time round OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC JAM BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon NIGHT: The City Tavern there’s the added bonus of legendary US REDOX: The Magdalen Arms metal experimentalists Clutch, a band now BOSSAPHONIK: The Cellar st 12 years, six and over 2,000 gigs old; SATURDAY 21st Tuesday 31 their most recent is the diverse and elaborate LIVE MUSIC ALL-DAYER: The Port Mahon – ‘Blast Tyrant’, but it’s as a live band that TEST ICICLES: An unplugged Goldrush headline today’s all-day they’ve earned their cult status, having live music bunfest, along with The Epstein, The The Zodiac toured with just about every metal and Walk Off, Dusty Sound System, The View, At Hey ho, here we go again. Test Icicles have hardcore band worth their salt. Corrosion of Risk, Smokers Die Younger, Los Diablos, Ady Conformity, meanwhile, are a lesson in Davey, Rebecca Mosley, Chris Beard and David been the name on the lips of every resilience as, twenty years after their birth in Fullbrook. scenester and eager young A&R pup over the depths of North Carolina, the punk- WINNEBAGO DEAL + WINTERS + COBRA + the past few months. This despite being metal crossover pioneers find themselves 20/20 VISION: The Zodiac – After spending bottled off while supporting Domino much of last year touring the world as two-thirds considered one of the most influential heavy labelmates The Arctic Monkeys. That’s of Nick Oliveri’s Mondo Generator, the two Bens Domino the label who signed the band and rock bands around. Formed in the early 80s play a hometown gig in the guise we know them by guitarist , and then promptly told them to go away and best. You want speed, volume, sonic violence, write some better songs. But, hey, it’s all massively influenced by Black Flag, they songs about whisky and fighting and no daft were one of the first bands to cross-breed fripperies like bass guitars to get in the way of the about the danger, innit? And admittedly punk’s speed and politicised aggression mayhem? Well here’s Winnebago Deal. They there’s been bit of that with Anglo-American with metal riffs and melody. Despite quickly rock. Loudly. And a at great speed. Support from trio Test Icicles, the band with the worst becoming favourites on the American chums Winters as well as Ben Perrier’s brother’s name of the year: keyboard player Devonte band Cobra and new local metal hopefuls 20/20 underground scene, they never achieved their Hynes collapsed on stage after severing a toe Vision. on a broken bottle, while guitarist Rory potential, mainly due to the internal CLYNDERSOUND + BLINDSIGHTED + instability of the band, but with a shift of Atwell suffered a broken nose stage-diving KANED CITIZEN: The City Tavern – Unsigned during a gig. The stuff that rock history sound through thrash and stoner-rock to bands showcase from Delicious Music with Black today’s slowed-down uber-metal with its Country rockers Clyndersound headlining. books are written about, obviously. The grooves, they’ve managed to AGENTS OF JANE + LEE DAVIES: The Exeter musically is equally suspect in the danger drag fashion back towards them, inspiring Hall, Cowley stakes: recent single, ‘Boa Vs Python’ was the likes of in the process. SIMPLE: The Bullingdon – Funky house club petulant and splenetic enough, mixing up a night. Breakthrough album ‘Deliverance’ found spittle-flecked brew of post-punk funk, BEAVER: The Red Lion, Witney digital hardcore and hip hop but, like Selfish them supporting on a world tour, PHILIP KING & PENNY MOORE: The Magic while new album ‘’ C*nt, Test Icicles aren’t quite the revolution Café (1pm) they wish to be. It’s probably all ironic of finds their Sabbathesque brand of heaviosity SUNDAY 22nd very much the sound of the moment. course, and for now at least, the capital’s THE ACADEMY IS… + PANIC! AT THE fashionistas decree that Test Icicles are th DISCO + THE JUNIOR VARSITY: The Zodiac almost painfully cool. But will we remember WEDNESDAY 18 – Rigor mortis-inducing pop-punk from Chicago’s the name, or anything else about them, in a DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC NIGHT: Far depressingly popular The Academy Is… coming From The Madding Crowd to the UK to promote thrilling new single, ‘Slow year’s time? PHONIK SESSIONS: The Cellar Down’. Support comes from fellow Fuelled By THURSDAY 19th Ramen signings Panic! At The Disco, who sound a REBECCA MOSELY + ALLY CRAIG: The bit like a cross between the mellower bits of Exeter Hall, Cowley – Double bill of two of QOTSA and . It’s already sold out Oxford’s most promising young singer- so nothing we can say is going to spoil the evening for everyone involved, but it does make songwriters. us wonder long and hard about falling standards of DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES AND taste amongst young people. FOLK NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: – With Latin guitar duo Los Hombres. The Old School House TRUE RUMOUR: The Port Mahon – DEAD MEN’S SHOES: The Red Lion, Witney Considered 80s-style pop in a Blue Nile vein. ELECTRIC JAM: The Exeter Hall, Cowley THE THUMB QUINTET + RICHARD rd WALTERS + BELA EMERSON: The Cellar – MONDAY 23 Folktronica from The Thumb Quintet, mixing up DOCTOR A’s BLUES BAND: The Bullingdon Four Tet and Pentangle, plus Jeff Buckley- – Laidback country blues and ragtime from the inspired support from the very excellent Richard guitarist and keyboard player and his extensive Walters. backing band. WEDNESDAY 25th new single, ‘The Way You Used To Smile’, managing to make a crappy old Casio DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC keyboard and an out-of-tune recorder go a NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd long way, while recalling the spirit of indie GIGSWAP UK NIGHT: The Wheatsheaf pop circa-1986. Support comes from th THURSDAY 26 similarly-minded Anglo-French lo-fi BLEEDING THROUGH: The Zodiac – wombles Mono Taxi, adding a playful pop Orange County’s eyeliner-caked twist to Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth. The savages hit town to coincide with the release One Three, meanwhile are something of a of new album, ‘The Truth’ on Trustkill, the supergroup, featuring Morrissey’s current follow-up to breakthrough opus, ‘This Is guitarist Boz Boorer alongside former Frigid Love, This Is Murderous’, displaying all that Vinegar chaps Alex Lusty, Brett Gordon and can be right about American metal: taking John Halliday, plus Zodiac sound engineer its cure from Scandinavian doomsters like and one-time bassist for Sinead O’Connor, and The Haunted, as well as Spike Nosurname. fellow American thrash bands like Lamb Of KOHOUTEK: The Exeter Hall, Cowley God it’s brutal, cathartic noise that mixes up – Indie rock action from the local tryers. melodic, technical riffage with intense GREEN ONIONS + NOT MY DAY + breakdowns and screaming vocals from PAWEL KUTURBA: The City Tavern – former-18 Visions and Throwdown chappie Local bands showcase from Delicious Music The Barn at The Red Lion, Witney Brandon Scieppati. Thus far Bleeding including a Joe Satriani tribute from guitarist Live Music January Programme Through have supported AFI and Cradle Of Pawel Kuturba. Filth as well as joining 2004’s Ozzfest bill LIVE JAZZ: The Bullingdon Fri 6th DISCO and last year’s Warped tour, and 2006 looks W.A.M: The Red Lion, Witney Sat 7th MOFO like the year their lyrically vicious racket SUNDAY 29th Sun 8th STEVE DEGUTIS goes mainstream. BRICKWORK LIZARDS + THE THUMB Fri 13th tbc PETER MOORE: The Port Mahon – QUINTET + DAN GLAZEBROOK & th Script frontman Peter does his solo thing. Sat 14 RUBBER MONKEYS JOSIE WEBBER: The Port Mahon th DENISE MARIE: The Exeter Hall, Sun 15 KELLY’S HEROES (5pm) – Launch gig for the new monthly th Cowley Fri 20 80s DISCO Pindrop Performances club night, DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES AND st showcasing some of the best underground Sat 21 BEAVER FOLK NIGHT: Far From The Madding nd avant-folk and electronica bands around. Sun 22 DEAD MEN’S SHOES Crowd – With The Jazz Emporium. th Tonight’s headliners are Turkish folk- Fri 27 tbc FLIPRON + BLACK ALLER SCREENS + meets-early jazz and blues combo Brickwork Sat 28th W.A.M THE MON£YSHOTS: The Cellar – Lizards. Support from local electro-folk trio th Unhinged, slightly wacky rock from Sun 29 CAT & FIDDLE The Thumb Quintet, mixing up acid folk Flipron, plus Jam-inspired New Wave from with ambient electronics, plus funky left- Ireland’s Black Alley Screens. wing folksters Dan and Josie. HAPPY NEW YEAR! JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks Every Mon – Karaoke. Every Wed – Quiz Night SESSION: The Old School House SABOTAGE: The Zodiac BEARD MUSEUM with TONE MASONS Opening times for the Barn – CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford + STILLMAN: Purple Turtle Fri & Sat: 10.45pm – 1.00am Sun: 5pm – 7pm Community Centre CAT & FIDDLE: The Red Lion, Witney Monday nights are karaoke 11pm – 1.00am th FRIDAY 27 MONDAY 30th Once a month on a Thursday is originals night: PART CHIMP + TODD + LORDS + HEY 9pm – 11pm. Details are available from our website PETE BOSS & THE BLUEHEARTS: The COLOSSUS: The Wheatsheaf – A night or by phoning 01993 703149 Bullingdon – Clapton-esque blues rocking of extreme volume and splendid noise, from Oxfordbands.com – see main preview from the Oxford guitar veteran. www.redlionwitney.co.uk GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES with TUNNG + JAKOKOYAK + SKOUD: The HOLIDAY STABBINGS + POPULAR Port Mahon – Esoteric night of music WORKSHOPS + MARK SOLLIS: The from acts whose names you won’t find in Zodiac – GTI mixes up the styles once any dictionary. Electronica and pastoral again with a headline set from Oxford’s English folk come together in downbeat most uncompromising noise merchants, style from Tunng, while Wales’ Jakokoyak, Holiday Stabbings – punishing, effects- fresh from supporting Super Furry Animals heavy dissonant hardcore sound destructors in Japan, mixes up The Beta Band, Air and in the vein of Swans. Support comes from Aphex Twin. Swedish-based Russian London art-rockers Popular Workshops, drummer Simon Koudriavtsev, meanwhile, who feature assorted former members of drifts elegantly in the style of Múm and Querelle, Xmas Lights and Tiger Club, plus Boards of Canada. local blues balladeer Mark Sollis. THE STRAWBS: Nettlebed Folk Club – THE LEGENDARY BOOGIEMEN: The 60s folk-rock faves continue their pastoral Exeter Hall, Cowley – Live blues and prog journey. boogie from the local stalwarts. TUESDAY 31st OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon TEST ICICLES + HELP SHE CAN’T ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, Jericho SWIM + SAMN ARMS: The Zodiac – BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon Hip hop and digital hardcore mash-up from th SATURDAY 28 the London trendies – see main preview CLUTCH + CORROSION OF JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY CONFORMITY: The Zodiac (upstairs) – QUINTET: The Bullingdon Cult metal titans return after last year’s OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, forced cancellation – see main preview Cowley THE RESEARCH + MONO TAXI + THE DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC JAM ONE THREE: The Zodiac (downstairs) – NIGHT: The City Tavern Wakefield’s sweetly shambolic indie losers VERTIGO: The Cellar – Indie club night The Research shamble into town to plug with live bands.

Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for inclusion in the gig guide is the 20th of each month - no exceptions. Call 01865 372255 (10am-6pm) or email listings to [email protected]. This gig guide is copyright of Nightshift Magazine and may not be reproduced without permission. NINESTONE COWBOY / JOFF WINKS / WHERE I’M CALLING FROM LIVE The Zodiac Oxford’s old guard goes head to lost highway, and it all points to a head with the new breed tonight young man who’s already GET CAPE WEAR CAPE FLY / and everyone’s a winner. North approaching the top of his game. Oxford newcomers Where I’m Tonight the Oxford music old CHINESE FINGER TRAP / SECOND Coming From, initially at least, are guard are represented by Ninestone SMILE / ITCH a musical world away from their Cowboy, the band formed by excellent demo of a few months former-Candyskins guitarist Mark The Bullingdon back. There are odd, rambling Cope, now expanded to include passages that sound like Fleetwood former members of Ride (drummer Kicking off tonight’s Big Scary with the sound against them, it’s Mac’s ‘Albatross’ that jar oddly Loz Colbert), Medal (guitarist Monsters showcase are Itch, a about the only impression they’re with harsh, blistered bursts of Mark Willis) and Unbelievable band that has been creating a fair able to make. noise where Joy Division rub up Truth (guitarist Jim Crosskey and few ripples of interest recently. It’s Following the beautifully layered against The Cure. These latter bassist Jason Moulster). In easy to see why; they have a intricacies, but again woefully numbers promise so much in parochial terms it’s a supergroup pretty unique sound that somehow quiet, emo of Second Smile is Get themselves, especially with singer but it’s neither indulgent nor lazy. manages to blend rootsy Americana Cape Wear Cape Fly. Just one man, Ben Osborne’s cool, slightly lispy Mark’s songs are mostly bitter- with furious sections of noise. The an acoustic guitar and a laptop, Get voice that sounds wonderfully like sweet, 30-something angst poems guitar lines frequently give way to Cape (Sam Duckworth to his mum) The Only Ones’ Peter Perrett, but about drinking. Like ATL?, whose squalls of noise, leaving the burly calls to mind Damien Rice and local what marks them out are the song title gave them their name, bass lines to drive the melodies that players Thumb Quintet. In darker, slower numbers, partway Ninestone Cowboy infect a pure their songs have in spades. There essence, these are songs that stick between Belle and Sebastian and pop heart with an inventive and are frequent changes in tempo, to the basics, which means that Low, each emotionally charged but eclectic array of influences, while mood and direction that are handled politically-charged songs like naïve and rough round the edges. A always remaining irresistibly with such gracious aplomb that it ‘Glass Houses’ and the aching real treasure. simple. There’s the rousing, would be inaccurate to call the band ballad ‘Chronicles of A Bohemian Joff Winks is another newcomer carouselling, synth-led ‘Groupies ‘angular’. It does, however, seem to Teenager’ find their targets easily, on the local scene but already Need Love Too’, a tear-stained be right to call them a very exciting whilst also becoming heart- sounds like a mature and drinking anthem in itself, and prospect. warming singalongs. It helps of accomplished songwriter and ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, Chinese Finger Trap seem to be course that Sam’s voice is warm, performer. Backed by a full- which bathes Phil Spector’s wall of suffering from a distinct lack of raspy and charged with a sense of blooded rock band, his piano-led sound in a sleepwalking indie rock volume. Their take on punk (for feeling that the likes of James Blunt ballads maybe sound over-egged at fuzz. Forthcoming debut single, which read ) should be wish they had. Get Cape has songs times and could do with more room ‘Son Of Elvis’, meanwhile, is the stripping the paint from the walls. that are intelligent, heartfelt and to breathe, but the way Joff treads big, harmony-drenched sunshine Singer Dale is cutting his best Iggy filled with a joyful exuberance; it the fine line between James Blunt- showstopper that so many bands shapes all over the stage but seems won’t be long until he’s really style emoting and Elton John-like spend a lifetime trying to write. If, to only be able to do a passable flying. showboating makes for an often on tonight’s evidence, the kids Emo Phillips impression. Sadly Allin Pratt enthralling show. There are funky weren’t already so far down the excursions where the spectre of road to pop accomplishment, Steely Dan lurks, and more serene Ninestone Cowboy would be the pop moments where Joff promises perfect guides. BLUE KITE to drift off onto Mercury Rev’s Dale Kattack The Bullingdon There are some things about our Garrett, adds splashes of fair city that are just so comforting. keyboards and flute and shares the THE SEQUINS The bums standing round Bonn with Pete. This works best Square. Dead things hanging upside on songs like ‘Blues Kite’ where The Wheatsheaf down in the covered market at she’s an octave higher, or where You’d think that the very mention sounds like a world-weary Feargal Christmas time. Sheppard & they’re harmonising. Otherwise, of another new band influenced by Sharkey. His urgent, sensitive Woodward. And bands like Blue when they sing the same thing, it the late 80s would be as welcome vocals are counterpointed by some Kite. Blue Kite have been around a can feel like they’re competing as a group hug in a burns unit. Not sensational body swerving antics while, but that’s what makes them with each other to be heard. Kate’s so, pop-pickers. In the recent past from barefoot guitarist Justin Hui. so reassuring. There’s no messing left to her own devices occasionally only a few record companies have Sold-out single, ‘Nobody Dreams around with gimmicks or too much and on ‘Disappointed’ she really dabbled delicately in the arena of About Me’, on Tough Love subtlety. It’s straight forward 80s shines. The Cocteau Twins-like pre- indie-archness, but Records, is a three minute pop sigh pop. Lead singer Pete is dancing guitars swirl is still there and the lately they’ve been going for it, like of wonderful sing-along deftness round the stage and everyone’s song is reminiscent of any one of a hungry mutt for a bone. and African township riffs, giving it as much energy as they Crowded House’s finest. The Sequins, a lively five-piece guaranteed to have students did in their first gig. And never Their new single, ‘Ways Of from Coventry, have all the hyper- everywhere flinging themselves out mind the fact that the place is Knowing’, is the highlight tonight: catchy impudence of a tweedy JCR of windows, while staccato tales of almost empty. This doesn’t seem catchy piano riff and more swirling college band, who could once again besottedness and jealousy in to phase them in the slightest. guitars. There’s enough chorus give punk geekdom a good name. ‘Happy Chappie’ and ‘Dear Uncle The bass and drums really drive effect to make Andy Summers turn Like a weird science of Joy Bill’ bear more than a passing the band, giving Blue Kite their in his grave. Oh wait. He’s still Division playing ‘Walking On modish nod to their hometown’s very big sound. Local stalwart Tim alive. Blue Kite may have been Sunshine’ or joining skanking past, holding a high speed Turan is always trying something around the block a few times but The Undertones, it all works Nizlopi beachparty. The Sequins different and goes for some they show no signs of slowing splendidly, mostly due to singer have the unique ability to break intricate changes and off beat down. Which makes Oxford that Hywel Roberts’ compelling but your heart and pogo at the same rhythms – as on ‘Chase Away The more a comfortable place to be. understated stage presence: think time. Now that is worth a hug. Moon’. Another local hero, Kate Katy Jerome Stephen Fry’s baby brother who Paul Carrera SOUKOUS KOUMBELE ESKIMO DISCO / TRADEMARK / The Zodiac SCRIPT Soukous Koumbele turn the Zodiac into an enormous smile. The music into an African dance hall tonight. is relentless, repetitive rhythm; The Exeter Hall In doing so they convey that their you have to give yourself up to it Tonight’s warm-up gig for Gappy and still exhibits their early 80s music is bound up with a culture not only with your ears but with Tooth Industries’ Winter Warmer musical roots. Oli is an animated where people dance themselves your body. With three guitars Weekend is electronica in its frontman, in contrast to his into a pleasurable state to escape working with the drumming, the broadest sense, with a decidedly enigmatic Kraftwerk-esque daily troubles. sound is similar to Zimbabwean eclectic line-up. bandmates, and they have the Promoters Big Village are rewarded township music, but with a more Local quintet Script have a female- whole package sorted, from the with a good turn out on a cold trance-like feel. The playing is self- male vocal dynamic which weaves suits to the plug logo. Lovely. night. The band’s and the crowd’s effacing, the emphasis on the around epic keyboard parts to London-based Eskimo Disco are tacit agreement to have a good time collective sound and with virtually produce something rather beautiful. one of those bands that have the means the place is buzzing from no solos. Koko’s brilliant, Think The Magic Numbers pomp before the fame, but that the off, though the crowd can’t masterful ten-minute solo spot, is covering Muse. The guitar leads may not necessarily be a bad thing: have understood any of the vocals different to most of the gig. The more than the keyboard, which is a their swagger is compelling. unless they’re fluent in Lingala. rhythms are more purely African. shame, as it makes them sound They’re heading for the space-rock Leader Koko Kanyinda, conga He switches briefly from congas to more folky and obscures some of category, evoking Daft Punk, drummer and singer, is a survivor the African traditional djembe the winsome tunes and chord Blondie, Stevie Wonder and even from that generation of Congolese drum, and there’s a magic passage progressions. Some of their songs Junior Senior without falling into musicians who played Cuban- when he lays a different are either too short or end in the Babylon Zoo trap. There’s a influenced rumba African style. counterpoint drum rhythm over the seemingly inappropriate places, hint of Bowie, especially This music has been on a journey chants from the audience. which jars somewhat. It’s all an (ironically?) on ‘Japanese Girl’ and in time as well as distance from Singer Jose Ndelo’s voice is also appealing jumble, though they the whole thing is flamboyant and Africa to Cuba and back. It was a impressive. He’s joined by two could maybe do with a little more fun, even the cover of ‘The Final major force in the Africa of the young female dancers whose moves polish to define their sound. Countdown’. ‘Picture Perfect’ 1960s. Based now in London, leave you wondering how they It’s a mystery that Trademark would be a fantastic plaintive pop Koko leads a band of several could do that without injuring aren’t more widely known. They song if it weren’t for the distracting generations of Congolese musicians themselves. While Soukous are perfect synth-pop; the newer talking bits and self-indulgent guitar stuff they play tonight (especially that is probably the only rival in Koumbele don’t quite reach the solo, while ‘What is Woman’ is the ‘Where You Went Wrong’ and Europe to Kekele in playing this exceptional intensity and musical best song Giorgio Moroder never ‘Stuck in a Rut’) is more poppy . A powerful squat interest of Ska Cubano’s storming wrote. No doubt the Franz and commercial than their earlier man, Koko presides over both band of the Zodiac, they’re not far Ferdinand fans will discover them darker and moodier stuff, but still and the crowd like a severe elder behind which shows what a great soon. an exquisite example of the craft, uncle with a soft centre: his stern gig tonight really is. Kirsten Etheridge expression periodically dissolved Colin May

WHIP / STAFRAENN HAKON / thethe portport mmahonahon LAST OF THE REAL HARDMEN, Live Music in January The Port Mahon Last of the Real Hardmen is the level off before they reach the Thu 5th Port Mayhem with Redox / Neil Nayar name for the solo offshoot of the spine-tingling peaks of which we Fri 6th Oxford Folk Club prodigious Chris Summerlin, know he’s capable. Moments are Wed 11th Oxford Improvisers luminary of such obliquely rapturously heartwarming, but Thu 12th JOHN OTWAY / MURRAY TORKILDSEN wondrous outfits as Reynolds, these peaks are cold comfort Wolves! Of Greece and the mighty alongside the excellence of the rest (tickets from www.wegottickets.com) th Lords. Refreshingly, it shows a of the evening. Fri 13 Oxford Folk Night completely different side to his By contrast, Whip, looking every Sat 14th Solaharba other projects: lambent acoustic inch the travelling troubadour, is Thu 19th True Rumour explorations are backed up by armed with only the basic elements Fri 20th Oxford Folk Night nothing more sophisticated than of a singer-songwriter, and strips Sat 21st ALL DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL with Goldrush tape loops of birdsong or swirling off all the protective layers / The Epstein / The Walk Off / Dusty drones. For all its apparent encasing his songs to leave just the Soundsystem / The View / At Risk / Smokers simplicity, there’s a depth and bare heart beneath. For all the Die Younger / Los Diablos / Ady Davey / subtle complexity to the playing lyrical professions to godlessness, that lends each of these pieces it’s real ‘can I get a witness’ stuff, Rebecca Mosley / Chris Beard / David Fulbrook. depth and spirit, and stretches the concentrated bursts of melancholy 1.30pm (Tickets from www.wegottickets.com) overall effect far beyond the at home in such rare company as Thu 26th Peter Moore ostensible limitations imposed by Smog, and offering a devotional for Fri 27th Oxford Folk Night one man on a guitar stool. Lovely those of us feeling the chill of Sun 29th Citizens of the World / Thumb Quintet stuff. winter creeping in. He’s an / Dan Glazebrook The only slight disappointment on accomplished guitarist, but it’s his Mon 30th Vacuous Pop presents TUNNG / this evening of solo performances cracked drawl, part JAKOKOYAK / SKOUD comes from Stafrænn Hákon, and with a hint of early Stipe, that whose vaporous songs don’t really sets the room alight, even though solidify and come together tonight it’s a dark kind of light to send us Book your band into play at Oxford’s best small music venue! as we know they can. Too often, on our way home. 82 St Clements, Oxford. Tel: 01865 202067 things build to a certain height and Stuart Fowkes. DEMOSDEMOSDEMOS If you do not supply us with a proper contact number and address as stated below, we will not review your demo.

wonder how this hangs with Asher’s DEMO OF message of peace in ‘Show Some Love’, an www.appletreestudios.com expletive-drenched extortion for the UK THE MONTH hip hop massive to ditch their faux-gangsta posturing. What would probably help Asher most is greater attention to AND NO STAR production and mixing since there’s a fair If there’s one thing Oxford’s proved itself amount of distortion here that isn’t more than capable of producing in recent intentional. Still, the guy remains a years, it’s bands. From genuinely maverick presence on the local Nought, through The Rock Of Travolta to scene. Youth Movie Soundtrack Strategies and The Edmund Fitzgerald, the compulsion to dispense with vocal niceties and explore RETRIBUTION your inner prog-rocker has always been As ever, faced with a band of enthusiastic close to the surface. So here is the next young lads, all in their mid-teens, generation, Wantage teenage noise-makers Nightshift starts to turn into a kindly old And No Star, named, appropriately uncle and has to try hard not to be enough, after half a Sonic Youth album title. condescending, but it seems like They follow a very direct lineage from Abingdon’s Retribution don’t need to be predecessors YMSS and The Edmund patronised. Musically they’re already Fitzgerald, mixing up almost jazzy fretplay sorted – a very tight four-piece rock unit. with post-hardcore contortions and the odd Like fellow youngsters And No Star, pastoral passage of self-contemplation. they’re an instrumental band, but that’s And No Star seem to prefer the considered where any similarity ends, choosing the 5K approach, tending to abruptly end tracks as righteous path of old school heavy metal, 32 soon as they’reat risk of exploding in a ball kicking off at a merry old pace and of overdriven guitar bluster. At times whizzing through their and there’s even a 60s acid folk feel to tracks licks with gay abandon. The like ‘Handclaps and Heckles’, while formula continues across three tracks and elsewhere they call to mind both Billy you wonder what they can do over a full Mahonie and forgotten 4AD signings Dif set, or what they’ll be like when they’re Juz, although at their most abrasive they’re cranked up live and loud. Being young closer to Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element teenage lads of course, they’ve forgotten to without the punishing electronics. They’ve supply titles for any of their tracks; too even got the requisite overlong, self- busy vandalising bus shelters or trying to consciously clever song titles and maybe nick cans of Stella from the local mini-mart, they need to find a bit more of their own no doubt. Sorry, was that patronising? identity, but they’re very young and this demo is a cracking, accomplished debut. RAWLINS A band formed by Brookes student Alex Rawlins and his brother Digby, whose previous job was as the biggest dog in the ASHER DUST world. Initially they sound like yet another Asher’s previous offering was a Nightshift band from the school of overwrought, demo of the month, a lo-fi mix of intelligent shambolic indie rock, but repeat listening rap, Streets-y urban electronica and ragga, reveals a band who, deep beneath the mess and while this new four-song CD never have a reasonable grasp of melody, albeit quite reaches the heights of the last one, he mid-1980s radio-friendly AOR melody. remains an artist who is always interesting Well, for one song at least, ‘Futures’, to listen to. Again here Asher mixes up the although even here there’s a worrying personal and the political, rapping in a tendency for the singer to start shouting semi-whispered, breathless style that’s so the more emotional he gets. Careful there different to the soulful voice he adds to Big fella, that’s the first step down the road to Speakers and other projects. The personal domestic violence. Elsewhere there’s some is most apparent in ‘Brave Face’ which, lightweight cod-reggae on ‘Nick Harper’, while musically nothing like The Streets, for which we must blame does echo ‘Dry Your Eyes’ lyrically over a (although The Police did write some ace nursery rhyme-simple melody and sombre, pop songs in this vein, like ‘Message In A synthetic string backing. ‘Bully Bwoy’ is a Bottle’, and that one about Sue Lawley). tale of exacting extremely physical revenge But by the end they’re close to exhausting over an old school tormentor, although you any last drop of sympathy from us, the crashing drums, overdriven keyboards and is a new band for the UK. Formed in the over-emotional vocals all pointing to first quarter of 2005, the four members something unpleasant and odorous from seek to carve a unique sound from a wide 1985. variety of influences. Described as `a timeless sound’ their music is a bit of everything drawn from the flotsam and ORKO jetsam of experience. There are stories “Your mission is to review the rock band involved. There is a gentle touch and ORKO. Your review must be honest, fair twisted vice, complete abandon and then a and thorough, with each song stripped, mouth organ. Cutting from intense screams dissected and left in a bloody heap on top of to nursery rhyme melodies, the mood shifts your demo pile”. So reads Orko’s rapidly through song and set”. Sorry, but accompanying letter. Listen, sunshines, what utter, meaningless, pretentious don’t tell us our job! That’s our job! Telling fucking bloody bollocks was all that about? you your job, understand? As if Nightshift It means NOTHING. Except that the is ever anything less than honest, fair and writer has his head trapped between the thorough. How about we just say you’re buttocks of a member of the local amateur THE COURTYARD STUDIO rubbish and leave it at that? Okay, maybe literary circle. God we want to hate this OTARI MTR90 MK11, 24 TRACK TAPE not, because you’re not rubbish, just a bit band. But they’re just not quite bad MACHINE & MTA 980, 32/24/24 CONSOLE, formulaic in a noisy side of emo kind of enough. Clumsy and half-hearted for sure SOUNDSCAPE DIGITAL EDITOR, SUPERB way, coming in midway between Hell Is but maybe there are the seeds of a decent CONTROL ROOM WITH GOOD SELECTION OF For Heroes and Hundred Reasons. Frantic band here, with their mix of 60s Californian OUTBOARD GEAR, MIDI FACILITIES INCLUDE and shouty with loud bits and quiet bits and pop, alt.country and shoegazing indie rock. LOGIC AUDIO, 8 MEG S1000, etc occasionally some stop-start bits for a bit of It’s more of an untidy mess than the variety. All fun enough while it lasts but thrilling genre collision it could be but if lacking enough of its own character to leave Sojourner Fleet can strip away the bits that RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES OPTIONAL much of an impression. Any road up, there don’t fit and decide what they really want you go: middle of the pile, any problems to be, they’re a decent enough prospect. Phone KATE or PIPPA for details with that, write to your MP. Any more crap like that press release on 01235 845800 though and we’ll take yer bleedin’ heads ABSENCE off, y’hear? Oh great, an album-length demo of ambient noise from one bloke in his bedroom studio. We live for these moments. They THE DEMO make the time pass so much slowly and therefore make us feel like we’re living DUMPER longer. It’s not so bad once you turn the lights off, to be honest. Mostly because Absence is the work of one Umair NIK LLOYD Chaudhrey, who seems to have booked And just when we thought we’d calmed himself a monthly residency in the demo down, here comes Nik Lloyd to make us pages (Oi, Umair – we’re gonna start cross again. Nik is a singer-songwriter who charging you rent at this rate, the has been playing since he was nine years advertisers are starting to get restless). As old. You’d think he’d have got better in all ever, Umair is best when he’s doing the that time. Instead he’s spent those years nasty industrial stuff, as on ‘Internal listening to all the wrong music and picking Distraction’, mixing up drones and ghostly up some bad habits. This demo sounds like synthetic human voices with passive tick- the work of a former minor member of tock rhythms to gently punishing effect in Boyzone, or an X Factor runner-up’s the style of Coil or Factrix. Further in there Christmas ballad, soaked in tasteful layers is funereal chamber music (‘Fluctuation’) of piano and synthetic strings, Nik’s nasal and electronic drone-heavy spaghetti vocals and mawkishly sentimental lyrics western soundtracking (‘Less Than providing the final coating of asinine pop Perfect’), while the spacey, relaxed ‘Lost In sludge. There isn’t a single part of this You’ is pure Vangelis. Ambient music, for demo that doesn’t sound like it was glued the most part, exists beyond criticism since together by the accounts department of it merely seeks to provide background some sinister sub-division of Sony/BMG. noise, and while you’re unlikely to hear Really, this makes Jamie Cullum sound like Absence seeping from an elevator speaker . Talking of which, had Lemmy any time soon, it possesses enough accidentally spawned Nik Lloyd during substance to justify its existence, without some inebriated backstage tryst, and then the genuine menace of much of Umair’s seen him grow up into this, the ultimate previous works. rebellion against his rock and roll father, he’d doubtless have slung him in a sack along with a few bricks and headed for the SOJOURNER FLEET nearest canal. That or stopped his pocket Oh Christ, here’s another of those money so he couldn’t buy any more embarrassing press letters: “Sojourner Fleet sodding Blue albums.

Send demos for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1ZU. IMPORTANT: no review without a contact address and phone number (no email or mobile- only). No more than four tracks on a demo. If you can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. Aw heck, you’re not taking the slightest bit of notice of this are you?