[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 283 February Oxford’s Music Magazine 2019

“For a band that plays original music there is no future in Devon. Oxford is all about original music and supporting the local music scene.” photo: Ian Wallman

EscapingKanadia to the city, making epic music and supporting The Wurzels with Oxford’s stadium-bound stars.

Also in this issue: Foals return! So do Swervedriver! Introducing Lina Simon plus, all your Oxford music news, previews and reviews, and five pages of gigs for February NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255 NEWS Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected] Online: nightshiftmag.co.uk

day outdoor concert on the Leys over the weekend of the 14th and 15th June. Over 15,000 people attended last year’s weekend show, headlined by The Farm and Noasis. The festival also features its FOALS are set to release two new albums in 2019. traditional battle of the bands and The band announced the releases with a short teaser video on Twitter an Ox Factor competition. Visit the on the 9th January, featuring a clip of music and the titles of the albums: Witney Music Festival Facebook TRUCK FESTIVAL will ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ Parts 1 and 2. The first album will page to get involved. th announce its line-up on Monday be released on the 8 March with part 2 in the autumn. th The band subsequently launched a cryptic treasure hunt ahead of a new 4 February. This year’s event THE MUSIC BOX in Wallingford single, ‘Exits’, posting map co-ordinates in various locations around takes place over the weekend of has closed down – for the second th th Europe and the UK where envelopes containing lyrics to the song were the 26 -28 July at Hill Farm time. The independent record store placed. The single was premiered on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show On in Steventon. Follow Truck on shut its doors for the last time after Monday 21st Janaury. Twitter at @Truckfestival for Christmas, though owner Richard ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, Part 1’ is Foals’ fifth studio news as it breaks. We’ve seen Strange is hopeful the store could album, the follow-up to ‘What Went Down’ in 2015, and the band’s who’s headlining and we’re proper reopen in Didcot in the future. The first since the departure of bassist Walter Gervas last year. excited. shop, in Market Square, one of Meanwhile Cornbury Festival the few remaining record shops in will announce their Friday and the county, shut down in 2008, but tickets remain valid or refunds are music this month, aimed at local Saturday night headline acts on returned as a pop-up store in 2015, available from point of purchase. musicians, from mastering records th the 4 February. This year’s event eventually returning to its original Meanwhile Vryll Society’s gig and download issues to streaming takes place over the weekend of the home in 2016. Lack of custom is at The Bullingdon at the end of issues, vinyl issues, metadata th th 5 -7 July at Great Tew Country blamed for its closure. January was cancelled after singer and CDs. “I get asked so many Park. The Beach Boys have Meanwhile the future of Fopp in Michael Ellis quit the band due to questions in the studio and online already been announced as Sunday Gloucester Green is in doubt after “musical differences”. While the by bands and artists that I thought headliners. Tickets and news at the collapse of parent company rest of the band plan to continue a column in Nightshift would cornburyfestival.com. HMV in December. Fingers together, no new date has been be a good way to answer them,” crossed for all the staff there and announced. said Tim; “I was thinking about WITNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL for the future of music retail in all the different things that bands returns later this year. Now in its Oxford. A VERY WARM NIGHTSHIFT need to think about when it comes th 13 year, the festival will feature WELCOME to local mastering to mastering records It is a total over 60 acts playing across 14 J MASCIS’ show at the O2 maestro Tim Turan from Turan minefield of hidden info out there venues and pubs in the town over Academy on the 16th January has Audio, who starts his new monthly and it’s about artists and bands th the period from the 24 May to been rearranged to Tuesday 14th column dealing with the various getting the optimum from their th the 9 June, followed by the two- May due to personal issues. All aspects of producing and releasing releases.”

TRUCK STORE celebrates its eighth birthday this month with a day of live music and DJs. The independent music shop on Cowley Road hosts live sets from Max Blansjaar and The August List from 5pm on Saturday 9th February, followed by an instore DJ set from Low Island. Truck Store has been at the heart of the Oxford music scene since it opened in 2011, regularly hosting live sets from local and touring bands and not just surviving but thriving in the face of myriad challenges facing the retail sector and music retail in particular. Store manager Carl Smithson told Nightshift: “it’s a challenging time for retail in general so we’ve had to stay on our toes to survive but that’s one advantage we do have over big chains: we can adapt and change when we need to and that’s certainly something we’re always trying to do. Central to everything, alongside our customer service ethos, is our passion for new music and support of the album, something which is so important in an era of endless playlists. We’ve always strived to make the store a welcoming environment for discovering new artists, re-discovering classic albums and being a home away from home for music lovers. The personal touch is something a computer-generated algorithm can never replicate and we’re proud to serve at the heart of Oxford’s music scene.” As ever, support local independent music. Visit truckmusicstore.co.uk for more event details and full vinyl and CD stock list. BEAUTIFUL FREAKS continues music show plays the best Oxford to showcase Oxford music on its releases and demos as well as weekly radio show. Beautiful featuring interviews and sessions Freaks is an indie music radio show with local acts. The show is NEWSat Oxide Radio, the University available to stream or download as means acts can take a video of of Oxford’s student radio station, a podcast at bbc.co.uk/oxford. their performance away with them. playing new indie and alternative Musicians work with students on music with a focus on local music. OXFORD GIGBOT provides a every aspect of the performance. The show is broadcast live every regular local gig listing update on Dani Boventre, a campus support week during term time on Sundays Twitter (@oxgigbot), bringing technician at SAE Oxford , said: from 8-9pm and you can listen you new gigs as soon as they go “The live lounge sessions take back on demand at beautifulfreaks. live. They also provide a free place on campus in our fantastic co.uk/radio. Recent shows have weekly listings email. Just contact studios. The artists get a high featured interviews with Candy [email protected] to join. SAE OXFORD is looking for quality performance to share on Says as well as music critic Everett local bands and solo artists to their social media pages, which True. February 3rd’s show features The photos of The August List and perform at their Live Lounge is perfect for promotion and for a playlist chosen by Oxford-based Beak in January’s Nightshift should sessions. The college, situated in securing gigs. Our students get the label Big Scary Monsters. have been credited to GlassHertz Littlemore, which offers degree opportunity to collaborate across Photography. Apologies to Jason courses in music, video and disciplines, and hone their skills in AS EVER, don’t forget to tune into for the mistake. The lesson to be gaming technology as well as the a real working environment.” BBC Oxford Introducing every learned being: don’t try putting a music industry is repeating the For more details email Bethany Saturday night between 8-9pm on magazine together after enjoying sessions it began last year, and Kirkbride at [email protected]. 95.2fm. The dedicated local too much festive cheer.

SWERVEDRIVER’S ADAM positive reviews, Adam also FRANKLIN has been talking reflected on Swervedriver’s 30 year to Nightshift about the band’s career and how they’ve become an new album, ‘Future Ruins’, their inspiration for new generations of sixth and the follow-up to 2015’s musicians. comeback record ‘I Wasn’t Born to “It’s great to still be out there Lose You’. making records, especially since Released on the 25th January on it was never considered a career Rock Action Records, ‘Future option and in the mid-80s in Ruins’ finds Swervedriver enjoying Oxford we were in thrall to 60s global cult status, having become garage rock which seemed to come an inspiration on subsequent from a bygone era, and yet now generations of alt.rock and here we are 30 years down the line! shoegaze bands having formed in And yeah, you hear about artists Oxford in 1989 from the ruins of over the years expressing their former local faves Shake Appeal. love for us, like Ryan Adams. I “We were in Los Angeles in think because we were signed to Sep 2017 at the end of a US tour Creation Records and from Oxford and were offered some time in a and friends with bands like Ride studio that had Swervedriver and and Slowdive, there is a certain Supergrass posters on the walls,” genre in there that has served us all recalls Adam of the album’s well I think because there are kids recording sessions. “Mick Quinn to ten from thirty was almost like one way or another; Mick’s been in forming bands today all around the from Supergrass had been playing compiling a best of mixtape. The Australia for a while so we’ve had world influenced by the likes of us bass with us so we obviously had whole thing felt kind of instinctive Ben Ellis from Iggy Pop’s band the same way we were influenced to go in there to record. We did – the recording was spontaneous sitting in, which is pretty exciting by all the Pebbles and Nuggets further recording down in Brighton and the lyrics kind of stream-of- as we’ve always been huge fans of stuff. I have to say it’s nice to count where Jim (Hartridge, guitarist) consciousness and we didn’t spend Iggy! Basically though it’s three Bob Mould as a fan and friend resides and mixed it in London but too much time pontificating on Wheatley boys and a guy from because Hüsker Dü were a big we always bring it back home to what to do, we just went and did it.” Milwaukee making up the four- influence on us and we mailed him Oxford in the end to be mastered While Adam continues to live in piece. our very first demo tape – recorded at Turan Audio. It doesn’t matter Oxford, where he grew up and “I think we’ve been perceived down the Cowley Road with Tim how many fancy dan places it’s formed his first bands, including differently in the States for Turan – because he was starting a been recorded at, if it doesn’t pass Splatter Babies with future Talulah whatever reasons and we’ve done label at the time. He didn’t end up muster in Cowley Centre it’s not Gosh singer Amelia Fletcher, a lot more playing over there doing the label but he came to our going anywhere! On the last album Swervedriver’s highest standing than here, not only because it’s very first ever show in the US in I did the vocals at Mark Gardener’s has often been in the United States physically bigger but we just get New York and was right down the house. where they have toured more better offers. There’s that thing front too.” “We had two weeks in this studio regularly than in the UK, in part where you meet people who have Adam also hopes there’ll be a in LA and decided to just get due to drummer Mikey Jones driven to see you play and they tell hometown show for the band in the down on tape every idea we had living Stateside. you they just took a ten hour road not too distant future. knocking around, so it was very “Mikey’s in New York these days trip, which is almost inconceivable “I hope so! There were discussions different from the previous album and that certainly impacts on our here because that would be from about playing Ritual Union last where we went into the studio ability to have a regular Thursday Oxford to Aberdeen or something year which we weren’t able to do with ten songs and the ten songs night get-together, but these days but our music seems to appeal on in the end but would love to do only. This time we came away we just have a couple of rehearsals those road trips.” this year if it happens and can all with thirty songs in various states as a freshener before going off on With the new album out this be arranged. I think there may be a of disrepair and culling it down tour. The band is always spread out month and already picking up UK tour in the spring.” A Quiet Word With Whatever their reflective. I would say that makes us many new ways to get your music out to our music. We have been receiving trepidation, Kanadia quickly found pessimists.” there, but we still feel that labels play lots of complimentary messages in the local scene welcoming and met The song has a real Thom Yorke a big role. The right deal is something Spanish asking us to play this year, people eager to champion them in intensity to it. we would be interested in, and we which have all been replied to using their new hometown city. James: “Radiohead and Thom have a had a few bites, but until then Google translate. We would love to James: “Oxford has been incredibly Yorke’s solo work has been some of we will just try our best DIY style.” get out and play to some of these new welcoming to us. We remember our the most important and striking music As well as the most commonly audiences.” second gig at The Wheatsheaf back in to me since I was about 12. I would quoted influences on Kanadia, 2016. We were so excited when Joal guess that traces of that influence especially Radiohead and Muse, It doesn’t take much Shearing, who was mixing us, started would naturally appear in the music the more you listen to the band, the of a leap of imagination to picture rounding up all the local promoters we create. In my mind I could never more you detect the influence of acts Kanadia becoming the sort of global Kanadia he knew telling them to come down come close to Thom’s intensity, but it like My Morning Jacket and TV On megastars their songs seem pre- and listen. From there we played the means a lot to me that you make that the Radio – acts adept at bringing prepared for. How, we wonder would Oxford Punt for Nightshift and Ian connection.” understated grandeur to their music, they cope with it – with an unlimited Mitchell from Little Red and All Will How much of your own heart and incorporating electronic elements budget what would their Wembley Be Well Records was one of the first soul goes into your lyrics? Are they into guitar music, and a desire to Stadium spectacle look like? people locally who reached out to us personal or stories? continually evolve. Melissa: “We would have to go all photo: Ian Wallman and showed us support, so we really “I wouldn’t say that I’m much of a Melissa: “I’m really glad you said out: flying pigs and everything! If owe him for that. We couldn’t thank story teller, but the songs still have a that. My Morning Jacket are a big we ever had that sort of opportunity those people enough who supported big meaning to me. A lot of emotion inspiration to us. We’ve been to watch and budget I don’t think we would us in the early days.” goes into the lyrics on the album. I them live a few times and we love the even know where to begin. It would use music as a means of channeling evolution of their sound throughout probably get pretty stupid. One thing After two years of we would make sure of would be an gigging, writing and recording, incredible line up and lots of lights!” Kanadia release their eponymous “We played strange gigs back in Devon. For now, back in the real world, the debut album this month. It’s a We were on the same bill as band are set to launch the album with gorgeously epic sprawl of twinkling a headline show at the O2 Academy pop melodies, elegant synth lines and The Wurzels a few times.” on Saturday 2nd March. For those who towering choruses, all dotted with the have yet to see the band, why should delicacy that makes the band really negative emotions like anger and the years. You can learn a lot from they come along and what sort of shine on songs like ‘Ocean Blue’ and depression. The general lyrical themes those kinds of bands and they seem to show can they expect? opener ‘Into the Flames’, the song of this record are hopelessness, fear have a lot of fun doing it. James: “I suppose we are trying to that earned them their first place in and frustration that came out of feeling “We are fans of big grimey electronic achieve our own mini, scaled-down Nightshift’s end of year Top 25 back stuck in life and in Devon.” low end. We first heard TV On The Wembley show. We are driving in 2016. They sit alongside newer Radio fusing it with rock. It adds a ourselves mad currently pulling it all tracks like the magnificent ‘Meet the Along with the likes of depth that guitars can’t replicate. We together. We are trying to ramp up the End’ – their heaviest piece to date – Leader and Zurich, Kanadia’s music took it one step further last year and visual side of things for this show: and the melancholic closer ‘Anything has seen the emergence locally of a purchased a Moog sub 37, which is big lighting, a new backdrop, plus For a Good Time’, which would move towards a big, stadium-sized perfect for our sound. Its insanely low limited copies of vinyl. We also have stand its ground against any of Thom sound that’s rarely been a trait in and angry.” a guest guitarist involved to make it “I believe we actually that leads Kanadia’s musical line. around North Devon, which doesn’t by Oxford’s thriving music scene, Yorke’s more solemn solo work. Oxford; are there any other local acts sound even bigger than usual! That is beat Adidas to the name. One day we “But the ideas only ever feel right have the most thriving original where they met drummer Tim Lucas ‘Kanadia’ is a supremely they feel a kinship with? Unsurprisingly for a something you might not see again. hope to be sponsored by them. Until when they have those dynamics. music scene. and bass player Jack Ashworth via accomplished debut, made alongside James: “It’s not something we have band seemingly built for the biggest It will be the only time we perform then they will remain our biggest Now it seems to have become a “The first band we were in together online ads. In Oxfordshire they local recording legend Richard really been aware of to be honest. stages and arenas, Kanadia have gone the album in its entirety. So it should competition on Google. The story core part of our sound; however it was really where we honed our found a whole new world of music Neuberg. Whilst there are a few bands going down well at local festivals, including be quite a special event. We have of the name isn’t a very interesting is something we would like to move sound, experimented with recording. awaiting them. James: “Thank you! We recorded down the big, stadium route, it still Truck and Common People recently. worked really hard on this project for one. It was our old drummer’s away from in the future from time to We played a few cool gigs here and “The two places are worlds apart,” the album with Richard over at doesn’t seem to be the most popular Do they feel they’re better suited to over two years now and this gig will mispronunciation of Canada that time. There are a few moments on there, but because we were young says James. “For a band that plays Strawhouse Studios. We became or fashionable sound in Oxford or those stages than pub venues? be all of that work finally paying off led us to the name. We were stuck the album where we drop the mood there were a lot of strange ones by original music there is no future in really good friends with him during even the UK at the moment. We Melissa: “We’re really hoping to and coming together.” for a song title so we stole it. I wish a bit.” contrast to what we do now. We were North Devon as you are miles away the process, and had a lot of fun really enjoy and admire what some play Truck again this year, and have I could say that we are named after on the same bill as The Wurzels a from any cities. We still played making the album. We had it mixed local artists are up to currently, but been sending out to all the various Without a doubt it’ll the trainer, but that would be a lie.” Formed in 2015 Kanadia few times. We tended to spend more some great memorable gigs down down in London by our friend its quite often a very different sound UK festivals, so fingers crossed. We be an spectacle as befits a band of are now part of Oxford’s varied and time frustrated that we couldn’t quite there and gained some brilliant Tom Leach at SNAP Studios. Then to ours.” love playing both pubs and festivals, Kanadia’s epic nature. But before let So says Melissa impressive landscape, doubtless capture the sound we were after on friends and fans, but it has some mastered locally by Tim Turan – who When you have a big sound like that, as long as there is an audience and it’s them go and do some more planning, Marshall, keyboard player with local part of the windswept uplands in our old multi track than performing.” big limitations. Oxford is all about else! It’s been a pleasure to work with which would so obviously appeal to sounding good we enjoy ourselves. if James and Melissa could only pick rockers Kanadia of the origin of the geographical terms, with a stadium- “We bonded over similar tastes original music and supporting the everybody involved.” a mainstream audience, is it easier Certain tracks can definitely come one out of Radiohead, Muse or U2 to band’s unusual moniker. bound sound that takes inspiration such as Muse and Radiohead,” local music scene, which came “’Meet the End’ really is a beast!” or harder in this day and age to get into their own in a big festival setting. listen to again, who would it be? We’re a tad disappointed in its from Radiohead, Muse and U2, but continues Melissa, “though I wasn’t as very refreshing. It took us a exclaims Melissa; “it’s one of my yourself heard on a DIY level? Has ‘Meet The End’ at Common People “Radiohead! Because they have slightly prosaic origins, even if it equally finds room for the intricacy as informed on them as James was. while to realise we had to seize favourites too. The rest of band have there been any action on the record was probably our favourite moment continued to evolve as a band, which does mean the quartet might one and delicacy of Jeff Buckley and even Over the years our music tastes have the opportunity and move to a city. different opinions on their favourite label front yet, and is it something to date.” never gets boring. Even into their 50s day benefit from the patronage of the groove of INXS on occasion. expanded and we’re always on the Growing up in such a small town tracks. Jack and Tim are both a fan you’d prefer to happen, or is the indie Perhaps more surprising, for Kanadia they still sound as current as ever. a global sportswear brand, whose The bands roots, though, are in look out for new artists. Recently we the mentality can be quite different of ‘Poison’, whereas James’s opinion route more for you? themselves, is the fact they’ve started They have made some incredible trainers share their name. We’d kind Devon, where Melissa and James discovered an upcoming artist called to here. It was quite a scary thing at changes every week.” James: “It’s really difficult to say; I picking up fans as far away as The albums and took some big risks of hoped Kanadia was an area of originally met and formed their first Tamino, who we saw live at The the time.” Piano based ‘Anything For a Good think most upcoming artists would States, Mexico and across Europe – throughout their career. On top of mountainous wilderness, perhaps band together. Omera in London; he blew us away. How easy did the pair find it to Time’ takes a step back from that agree it can have its challenges. This places they’ve yet to visit. that we love how honest they are somewhere in the Pacific North “We met through mutual friends We are still big fans of alternative settle in in Oxford? big guitar-based sound; it ends the current age has definitely given artists “Back in 2017 we were picked up as a band. They don’t dress up their West region. Somewhere that would back home in Ilfracombe when we rock, but as we have matured we “It was a very daunting time at the record on a bit of a downer; was that more freedom than the past creatively. by the Spotify editorial team and experiences of the music industry. If better reflect the band’s epic musical were still in school,” recalls James; definitely take a lot of interest in beginning,” remembers Melissa; intentional and are you naturally Platforms like Spotify enable selected for some of their biggest they had a horrible time recording grandeur. “I was already in a band before I other genres. As a general rule of “other members of the band didn’t optimistic or pessimistic people? listeners to discover what they like rock playlists. It’s really exciting ‘Kid A’ and a rubbish record deal, Because Kanadia are a band knew Melissa and I was adding a lot thumb it’s all pretty moody, whether follow us up here to Oxford, so James James: “We actually loved the idea for themselves and be less influenced for us, because it’s very easy to lose they are open about it.” with songs as big as the open sky, of keyboard elements to the songs it’s from an electronic background or and I were starting all over again. We of ending on a bit of a downer. After by mainstream media. Considering faith sometimes with all the ignored choruses as towering as sea cliffs. we were making, but we didn’t have guitar based. didn’t have any friends or any idea the scale of the rest of the record we 20 years ago deals were made from emails. Being noticed by Spotify was Kanadia play the O2 Academy on They’re a band who play it big. a keyboard player at the time. Once what Oxford was like. The only thing thought it would be effective to catch demos on cassette tapes, It can feel a huge deal for us and it’s happened Saturday 2nd March. Tickets via “That’s not intentional,” chimes Melissa joined, the sound instantly Frustrated by a lack of we knew about it was that Radiohead, your breath and calm down. Lots much harder to grab the attention of several times since and it has enabled the venue website and box office. in James Bettis, he of the cloud- expanded and from there we played opportunities in Devon, James and Supergrass and Foals were from here. of our favourite albums have done labels and that labels expect more us to reach wider audiences. Mexico Follow the band at Facebook.com/ touching guitar lines and regal growl in a four piece for about three years Melissa moved to Oxford, enticed That’s all we needed to know.” the same thing; it leaves you feeling from an artist in advance. There are in particular has had a huge response KanadiaBand. Sponsored by ‘Ocean’ or the more recent warm indie sound of ‘Fall Into Place’ – her new release ‘Train Ticket’ might come as a minor shock. The song opens with jittery percussion and a short, jagged guitar riff. From the Swedish-born singer’s staccato RELEASED lines, it is clear that beneath ‘Train Ticket’ there is great unrest: “Even though I’m sitting down band – featuring Kid Kin’s Pete Lloyd alongside everything is spinning round”. two former members of The Beckoning Fair SWERVEDRIVER The old train ticket of the title marks the book the Ones – offering frost-hearted midnight shoegaze ‘Future Ruins’ protagonist is reading, left there by someone else. shimmer and smoky jazz/blues across three songs It symbolises possibilities – taking a trip, escaping that reward repeated listening, not ready to give (Rock Action) life – as well as the past, which is forever closed up their charms too soon. Most bands resist being pigeonholed but the off. The song zooms in on a moment at which Opener ‘Howl’, for example, feels slight initially, major issue that confronted us when Swervedriver strange emotions can combine to make reality a brooding, twinkling slice of drama queen goth- emerged three decades ago now was whether seem unreal, and it’s well done. pop, but revealing itself more fully third time the band were exponents of shoegaze or grunge. That their time in the spotlight straddled both eras The single features a long, vaguely danceable round, and with the volume cranked significantly outro with guitar and synths reminiscent of higher, some seriously heavy duty bass kicking in did little to help – on the one hand, there were chiming guitars, effects pedals and cathedrals Talking Heads somewhere in the distance. It’s a as the song emerges from its own flames. JULIA MEIJER sound which isn’t typical of the other tracks off ‘Innocents’ is the best of the three, Pete, and of sound; on the other, the vocals owed more to CATGOD Oxford, Mississippi than Oxford, GB, support Meijer’s upcoming album, ‘Always Awake’, and I Kieran Spriggs’ guitars going the full shoegaze ‘Train Ticket’ recommend checking out that album if only for its blizzard, swarming around Mila Todd and slots to the likes of Soundgarden signalling them ‘Forget To Fall’ as the major example of plaid shirt riffage in an (Self released) variety. Like a train which is running late, we’re Lindsey’s interlocking vocals to create something If you’ve only heard Julia Meijer’s previous eagerly anticipating this one. (Self released) Old World context. Following up a song as lovely as ‘Heartbeat not unlike Skin from Skunk Anansie fronting singles – whether the earlier contemplative folk of Caspar Jacobs Slowdive. New album ‘Future Ruins’ sees the band continue in My Hand’ was never going to be easy and CIPHERS There’s an almost folky feel to ‘Awake’, but it too to span the divide, at times expertly. ‘Spiked ‘Forget To Fall’ can’t match it, unfortunately. rises to something epic across its seven-minute Flower’ and ‘Theascending’ are examples MY CROOKED TEETH Which isn’t to say this isn’t a fine five minutes of ‘Feed Their Fiction’ duration and if Ciphers might do well to really of Swervedriver’s tendency to rock out: the melody, but while it retains the airy, soft-focus (Self released) unleash their inner witch, let their musical flames enunciation is deep and lusty, the chords are fragility of its predecessor, ‘Forget…’ suffers robust and there is even a faint nod to Bush or ‘Live at the Handle Bar’ Having excelled in the Halloween fancy dress take hold, they’ve got the power and potential to (Self released) from a dearth of Cat Marriot’s limpid vocals stakes at Oxjam last year it’s no surprise to hear become a force to reckon with. Reef. and a drop dead gorgeous hook. It wafts on the Stripped-back and solo suits former Toliesel Ciphers get their goth on on their debut EP, the Dale Kattack But for the most part, it’s the influence of the lightest of piano, strings and the gentle tumble frontman Jack Olchawski, since he’s got the Thames Valley scene of which the group were an of drums and Robin Christensen’s solemnly strength of voice to bring his songs to life and integral part that permeates this album. The title lovelorn voice is pure as a shiny pebble, at least let them fly – and importantly songs with the HAZE track recalls Bark Psychosis or Slowdive in its up to the point he forces it just slightly, almost melodic strength to take flight. Best of the lot is elegiac nature, low key bell-like synths providing operatically, but Catgod benefit immeasurably opener ‘Something Real’, which, as with previous ‘Piochitas’ atmosphere; ‘Drone Lover’ and ‘Golden Remedy’ from the interaction between the brother and material, shares plenty of DNA with fellow local (Self released) smack of ‘Isn’t Anything’ My Bloody Valentine’, sister leads. More cats is Nightshift’s go-to country/folk stars The Epstein, Jack’s voice, rich, Despite being Bristol based these days, there’s a the former’s tumult of sound perhaps the album’s answer to most things in life it must be said, but earnest, slightly yearning, close to Ollie Wills as he part of Haze that will always be Oxfordian, the highlight; ‘The Lonely Crowd Fades in the Air’ is yeah, more Cat please. captures a bit of lonesome cowboy blues alongside band having made their name early on in these a melody to rival Ride at their most arresting. Dale Kattack pages and around Oxford’s venues and festivals. Perhaps the most innovative moment is some neat steel guitar twang, while never going the Since relocating they’ve supported Shame and ‘Everybody’s Going Somewhere and No-one’s full outlaw country hog. Pip Blom among others and this new single shows Going Anywhere’, frontman Adam Franklin That voice, with its slightest of quavers, and its in its own intimate comfort zone, it’s easily a level EASTER ISLAND them at their most caustic, angular best, a song providing a spoken word growl amid which ability to catch the hook in a song, works equally above the sort of mumbled bleating of the sub- about Trotsky’s time spent in Mexico with Frida he expresses a desire to go and grow tomatoes well on ‘Better Off’ and ‘The Hardest Task’, again Dylan/Cohen/Drake/Smith brigade who can make STATUES Kahlo (obviously – who writes songs about boy in Sicily, possibly an understandable tribute to well aligned with the steel guitar, and while on the any open mic session such a painful experience. meets girl anymore?) that sounds like very early the joys of doing what one wants in life which, surface his strum’n’sing approach exists happily Carole Anne Ford ‘Skeleton Quay’ Adam & the Ants tangled up in an awkward jam presumably, wasn’t an option for the band (Self released) session with 80s oddballs Stump, but possessed throughout the seventeen years that elapsed much success, the vocals little more than a gruff Where would we be without Wikipedia, eh? of Fat White Family’s sneery sense of disgust at between their fourth and fifth albums: the latter, PAUL EMERY groan, while ‘Swells’ is barely more than random “Songs by Easter Island Statues are mostly about the world. BEWARE THIS BOY ‘I Wasn’t Born to Lose You’, saw the light of day `Modern World / guitar noodling. ‘Where Is Euphoria’ is little more feelings, the ocean and feelings about the ocean...” Bristol probably suits them, being home to the in 2015. This second decade of the century has than an incidental interlude, devoid of substance Somewhat unsurprisingly new single ‘Skeleton likes of Idles, Lice and Heavy Lungs and we’d ‘Old Bones’ been kind so far in bringing back former heroes Distortions’ and reflection becomes self indulgence too quickly. Quay’ finds the band setting sail around the Cape such as Ride and Slowdive into prominence and be disappointed not to see them becoming a (Self released) (Self released) As is so often the case with bedroom-bound of No Hope, battling the tentacles of the fearsome household name this year, albeit in households However jaunty Beware This Boy might try to we should wish Swervedriver well as they attempt projects like this, the best bits might have made Octopus of Self-Doubt, and capsizing on the Reef A prolific purveyor of mostly electronic music both infested by rats and scabrous ennui; whatever, to emulate them. With appearances upcoming at a decent EP, but a full album is stretching those of No Return. Seafaring through the world of sound there’ll always be something doleful about under his own name and as Metal Horses, local they’ll always be welcome back in town on this Brixton Academy and the South by Southwest limited ideas too thin and what might have been emotions can be a tricky old business and everyone them. Mostly that’s down to Simon Meakin’s synth botherer Paul Emery’s latest album sees him evidence. festival, they seem poised. haunting ends up sounding stilted. needs a port in a storm. That’s where ‘Skeleton rough-hewn voice, sort of a cross between Billy depart further from his Depeche Mode-inspired Dale Kattack Rob Langham Dale Kattack Quay’ comes in; it’s somewhere to moor up when Bragg and John Shuttleworth, whose rueful sound, its cover shot of Susan Sontag intended to the turbulence of dealing with life gets a bit too ruminations on ‘Old Bones’ are in stark contrast to capture the album’s sense of introspection. And Sue Mallett’s dancing fiddle which almost get the introspective it is. To the point of outright navel- much, or you’ve become swamped with emotion song up and gamboling across the fields. Simon gazing at times, sadly. What Emery does best is having watched the video for the band’s previous almost sounds keen to join in, singing “As long capture a moody atmosphere and use synth and single, ‘Laika’. as there’s a beat in these old bones, I’ll always guitar textures well: the piano lines of ‘Lotus’ and If all this sounds a bit too melancholy fear not, be dreaming of home” with something akin to the almost eastern drones of album closer ‘Modern because Easter Island Statues don’t really do defiance even while sounding like Eeyore after Wonder’ show what he can do best, finding a downbeat. They launch themselves into the storm someone suggested a surprise birthday party. sweet spot between ominous and ambient. The and shiver the timbers with a straight-up rattling Meakin, and the band, are at their best when they microtonal synth drones of ‘Man in the Wilderness indie anthem. Pitched somewhere between The make no pretence to jollity, keeping it steadfastly too’, although the album’s highlight is ‘Junk’, Strokes’ ‘Last Nite’, the white hot explosion of melancholy on ‘Story Now Told’, which finds even which takes a stylistic detour into something far early Jam and the perfect pop nous of Hüsker Dü, the fiddle with a weight upon its shoulders but is a more jarring, lifting the music out of its torpor. ‘Skeleton Quay’ is a different beast to ‘Laika’ more natural vehicle for Simon’s weary lament. It’s Because that’s where it too often sinks, content to entirely. There’s no tears to be found here, rather a folk music very much of the old school: perfect for drift or wander aimlessly in the muddy waters of defiant and positive slice of bone trembling indie Cropredy Festival or Sunday night sessions in pubs electronic mood music. `‘Blur To Make It Clear’ rock. Consider our timbers utterly shivered. In the and clubs across the Cherwell valley. sounds like old machinery clearing its throat and best sort of way. Ian Chesterton trying to shake off mechanical arthritis without Sam Shepherd Barnabas, Jericho – Dublin’s Ó Raghallaigh instrumentalist Good Canary. explores the outer reaches of Irish folk music on SPARKY’S NEW MOON: The Half Moon – his ten-string fiddle, his innovative style having Sparky hosts his open mic night on the first and seen him work with Laurie Anderson, Victor third Thursday of the month. Moon and Amiina along the way as well as CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford perform at Sydney Opera House and The Royal Community Centre Albert Hall. LIMEHOUSE LIZZY: Fat Lil’s, Witney – GIG GUIDE SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf – The Tribute to Phil Lynott and the boys. long-running jazz club hosts former Soft Machine FRIDAY 1st plus an elaborate light show from Peter Wynne- guitarist John Etheridge. th Wilson, who has worked with Pink Floyd. FRIDAY 8 CONJURER + DESERT STORM + DRORE: WOLF GIRL + THE COOLING PEARLS + ...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE FREERANGE: The Cellar – New and th The Bullingdon – Sort of The Book of Revelation FEBRUARY GOOD CANARY: The Jericho Tavern – Riot- TRAIL OF DEAD: O2 Academy – The Texan Friday 8 underground UK garage, grime and bassline at – The Musical, but with more noise, bloodshed TERRAFORMS: The Cellar – Drum&bass at grrl-inspired noise pop from south London’s troublemakers celebrate 20 years of ‘Madonna’ – the cutting edge club night. and numbers of beasts – see main preview the longstanding club night. Wolf Girl at tonight’s All Tamara’s Parties show, see main preview …AND YOU WILL CODA: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Led Zep tribute. KLUB KAKOFANNEY with UK:ID BOSSAPHONIK: East Oxford Community with support from romantically gothic baroque OXFORD SOUL TRAIN: O2 Academy – + BEAVER FUEL + WATERFAHL + Centre – The global jazz-dance club night DARIA KULESH + PETE WATKINS: Tiddy pop ensemble The Cooling Pearls and Regina Classic funk, soul and disco night. KNOW US BY THE Wychwood KNOBBLEHEAD: The Wheatsheaf – takes an excursion to EOCC, tonight hosting a Hall, Ascott-under-Wychwood – Spektor and Tori Amos-inspired singer and multi- THE TESKEY BROTHERS + GEO: The TRAIL OF DEAD: Glastonbury’s rap-rave-electro-punk crew UK:ID live set from New Orleans brass funk ensemble Folk Club hosts acclaimed star on the rise Daria Bullingdon – Smoky, groove-led blues and return to Klub Kakofanney for some more party Upslide Down, while host Dan Ofer plays Latin Kulesh, playing songs from her award winning th soul from Melbourne brothers Sam and Josh O2 Academy bangers; they’re joined by indie-punks Beaver dancefloor, global grooves, Afrobeat, nu jazz and albums, ‘Eternal Child’ and ‘Long Lost House’, Thursday 7 Teskey and band, over in Europe to tour debut It’s nigh on 19 years since Nightshift first Fuel, folk-blues duo Waterfahl and folky psych- more. joined tonight by multi-instrumentalists Vicki album `Half Mile’, which earned them a deal encountered …And You Will Know Us rockers Knobblehead. Swan and Jonny Dyer. FRANK with Decca after an initial indie release, the band By The Trail of Dead, playing to just 30 SATURDAY 2nd subsequently earning festival slots if California, punters, at The Point, just before second st rd CARTER & THE Friday 1 GANGSTAGRASS + KATY HURT: O2 SUNDAY 3 Japan and Australia. album ‘Madonna’ briefly turned them into Academy – Livewire fusion of bluegrass and SUNDAY SESSION with FLIGHTS OF RATTLESNAKES: THE ELO EXPERIENCE: The New Theatre the hottest band on the planet. We remember CONJURER / DESERT hip hop from Brooklyn producer Rench and his HELIOS + SKA BA DOO BA: Florence Park – Big stage tribute to Jeff Lynne and the gang. it so well because it was the night we were band, banjos and rappers going head to head in a Community Centre (2-5pm) – Family-friendly The Bullingdon SONS OF LIBERTY + ECHO4FOUR + THE almost decapitated by a flying cymbal, STORM / DRORE: musical world where Allison Kraus, Bill Monroe daytime gig session, with kids activities and If Frank Carter has dialed down the fury WICKED JACKALS: The Cellar – Southern hurled frisbee-like from the stage by a band and Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys alcohol-free bar alongside live music from a notch or two since his days fronting fried rock in the vein of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly on a mission to save rock and roll from The Bullingdon meets Jay-Z, Tupac and Outkast. spaced-out griefcore stars Flights of Helios, Gallows, it’s probably for the best – for Hatchet and The Allman Brothers from Bristol’s the clutches of nu-metal at the turn of the Intense. Brutal. Bleak. Desolate. SWITCH featuring DARKZY + P MONEY + marrying glitch Radiohead-style electro-pop with him and those who get anywhere near in Sons of Liberty UK at tonight’s OxRox show. Millennium. Back then their gigs routinely Uncompromising. These are words we like SKIBADEE: O2 Academy – The long running epic drone-folk-rock anthems. Old school ska his way. In his hardcore prime the wiry, Sabbath-inspired support from Echo4four, and turned into riots and they were banned from to see attached to bands. You get all of them house and electronic dance club night hosts a from Ska Ba doo Ba. heavily-tattooed 5’7” redhead was a human Wicked Jackals, formerly Guns of Anarchy, with pretty much every venue in their home state with Conjurer, usually used to describe two-room party with sets from Darkzy, P Money, BEARD OF DESTINY + FRANKLIN’S hand grenade, prone to go off on a regular their mix of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Airbourne and of Texas and their first planned foray into a single song. Maybe not ‘song’, more Skibadee and Annix in the main room, plus TOWER + JULES PENZO + THE JESTERS: basis, usually in the middle of a crowd. Gun’n’Roses. Europe was postponed after they were beaten ‘monstrous wall of musical carnage’. Yeah, Pearson, Frenchy and JOCA upstairs. Donnington Community Centre (6pm) – Free Concussion and bloodshed were regular 2 TONE ALL-SKA’S: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Two up by a crowd in San Antonio and had to that’ll do. Almost certainly the best thing to AIR WAVES + LINA SIMON + LAND unplugged live session, including sets from facets of Gallows gigs. Over three albums Tone and classic Jamaican ska covers. use their equipment as weapons. Their early, come out of Rugby since Spacemen 3, and in GIRLS: The Wheatsheaf – Emotive, stripped- bluesman Beard of Destiny and Grateful Dead with The Rattlesnakes – including newbie potent brew of Sonic Youth, The Velvet their own way, possessed of a similar feel for back rock from Brooklyn’s Nicole Schneit, tribute act Franklin’s Tower. ‘End of Suffering’ – Carter has used his SATURDAY 9th Underground and a little bit of Cramps was an unrelenting groove, Conjurer have been nominally toned down sound to expose his mixing garage pop, electro-pop and indie-folk on OPEN MIC SESSION: The Harcourt Arms – TRUCK STORE BIRTHDAY BASH: Truck worth waiting for though. Over the years the laying waste to the idea of UK metal being in poetic, philosophical and, yes, romantic third album `Warrior’, a tribute to her mother’s Weekly open session. Store (5pm) – The local indie record store band and their music mellowed just a notch the doldrums with recent album ‘The Mire’, side more fully. And anyway, toned down battle with cancer. Support comes from former FOLK SESSIONS: The Half Moon – Weekly celebrates its eighth birthday with live sets from or two and if they never got the commercial garnering a 5K review in Kerrang! And 9/10 is a relative term when you’re talking about Edmund Fitzgerald guitarist Lina Simon, now folk session. The August List and Max Blansjaar, plus Low success predicted (becoming known as … in Metal Hammer alongside a glut of rave a man who can bawl “You’re a useless exploring darker, electronic musical landscapes. PETE FRYER BAND: The Tree, Iffley Islands on the decks. And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Debt blog reviews, and not surprisingly given their fucking cunt / You are nothing to me,” with SIMPLE featuring DJ SEINFELD: The (4-6.30pm) – Classic blues and rock covers from CASH: O2 Academy – Tribute to The Man In in music biz circles) they remain a foundation ability to mix and match a malign mélange supreme venom, as he did on `I Hate You’, Bullingdon – House and electro club night the enduring local guitar veteran. Black. stone for modern alt.rock, synonymous with of dirty, downtuned sludge, portentous doom the cheeky centrepiece of 2016 `Blossom’. with a headline set from Seinfeld – aka Armand BLOODSTOCK METAL TO THE MASSES: black-clad rock and roll swagger and aural and expansive, atmospheric post-metal. He’s still an angry man – the songs on the Jakobsson – plus residents Em Williamson and th The Wheatsheaf – First round heat of the battle destruction, and this tour sees them playing They picked up rave reviews for their set at MONDAY 4 new album inspired by riots in Paris, but also James Weston. of the bands competition to win a slot at this ‘Madonna’ in its entirety, plus songs from ArcTangent and head of to Roadburn later PHIL BEER’S PATRON’S EVENING: more tenderly by the life and death of Amy ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL DUO - RAY summer’s Bloodstock, tonight with sets from across their 20-year career. It’ll be a blast, this year and they will likely lay waste to Nettlebed Folk Club – The Show of Hands Winehouse. Old chum Tom Morello makes an BENSON & KATY SHORE: The Jericho Escape December, The Crushing and Broken. but if you see the drummer unscrewing his many cities between now and then, starting man hosts a special evening for patrons of the appearance and the album was produced by Tavern – Man mountain Ray Benson (standing BASIC featuring EJECA + ELIOT cymbals, take cover. here at Buried in Smoke’s show which sees long-running folk club, with sets from Edgelarks’ Cam Blackwood, who’s worked with George a modest 6’7” in his bare feet) brings a stripped- ADAMSON: The Bullingdon – House and the monsters from the midlands joined by Hannah Martin; NMG and FATEA Awards Ezra and Jack Savoretti, giving it a stadium- back version of his enduring western swing techno club night with Belfast’s Ejeca and solo album in six years – see main preview a double dose of local noise hell – stoner/ winner Kelly Oliver, Geoff Lakeman from the sized feel. Up close and personal is where band to town, the sole constant member of a prolific producer Eliot Adamson. JIMOTHY LACOSTE: O2 Academy – groove titans Desert Storm, riding higher folk royalty Lakeman clan and Show of Hands Carter functions best though, and while he’s band that has seen over 100 musicians come and MOVE: The Cellar – Drum&bass, garage, Deadpan humour, lo-fi beats and bedroom hip and higher on the back of rave reviews for singer and multi-instrumentalist Miranda Sykes. rather less likely to shed his or anyone else’s go through almost 50 years, 25 albums, nine house and hip hop club night. hop from Camden’s viral breakout star, making their ‘Sentinels’ album, and toxic sludge OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle – Weekly blood these days, he’s a true force of nature as Grammys and several million miles on the road. DAMN GOOD REASON: Fat Lil’s, Witney – his name with the self-made video for ‘Getting beasts Drore, who are sort of the pop music open mic night. far as rock and roll frontmen go. Having continued to follow the musical path Blues and rock covers. Busy’ before going on to play Field Day. equivalent of The Grendel, a rabid wolf pack, of pioneer Bob Wills, and having collaborated THE A-WATTS: Bicester Ex-Serviceman’s OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle an erupting volcano and that thing that lurks with the legendary Willie Nelson along the way, th TUESDAY 5 Club – Classic 50s and 60s rock’n’roll covers. BREABACH: Nettlebed Folk Club – Scottish- in the dark. Three large portions of brutish Benson teams up with fiddle player Katy Shore flavoured folk dance from the 2016 Scottish brilliance please barman, and don’t spare the for tonight’s Empty Room show, playing songs th th Traditional Music Awards Best Folk Act and volume. from new album `New Routes’. WEDNESDAY 6 SUNDAY 10 BLOODSTOCK METAL TO THE MASSES: Album of the Year winners, playing songs, tunes JOHN SMITH: Old Fire Station – The bluesy HARCOURT UNPLUGGED: The Harcourt The Wheatsheaf – First round heat of the battle and step dances from their recent `Astar’ on balladeer and folk guitar virtuoso continues Arms – Free acoustic show with 105AD and Alf of the bands competition to win a slot at this bagpipes, fiddle, flute and guitar. to fuse traditional British and American folk Laila. summer’s Bloodstock, tonight sets from The traditions on most recent album `Hummingbird’, FOLK SESSIONS: The Half Moon Reaper, Bloodshot and King Bolete. th an emotive update on the sounds of John Martyn WATERFAHL: The Brewery Tap, Abingdon TUESDAY 12 and Richard Thompson. – Acoustic folk-pop and blues from the local HUNKPAPA: The Bullingdon – Anthemic folk- th THE OXFORD BEATLES: The Sheldonian THURSDAY 7 duo. rock and indie from the Northern Irish band. Theatre – The ambitious local Beatles tribute FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES: INTRUSION: The Cellar – Monthly goth, band follow up their five-night `Sgt Pepper’ The Bullingdon – Anger as poetry from the MONDAY 11th industrial, ebm and darkwave club night, with residency with their biggest show to date, playing former Gallows man – see main preview LAURA VEIRS: The Bullingdon – The residents Doktor Joy and Bookhouse keeping it both `Pepper’ and `Revolver’ in their entirety, CAOIMHIN Ó RAGHALLAIGH: St. Oregon songsmith returns to action with her first dark on the decks. jazz club hosts local guitarist Roger Beaujolais. to Billy Bragg at the O2 in 2017, the singer’s Michael Nyman and John Williams. BLOODSTOCK METAL TO THE MASSES: REVEREND BLACK’S St. VALENTINE’S folk/rap taking influence from Mike Skinner, THE PETE FRYER BAND: Cricketers Arms, The Wheatsheaf – First round heat of the DAY MASS: The Half Moon – Acoustic blues, Kate Tempest and Bragg himself. Cowley battle of the bands competition to win a slot country, folk and classic rock with Scott Gordon, MUSICAL MEDICINE featuring MR SHEPHERD’S PIE: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Rock at this summer’s Bloodstock, tonight sets Jim Driscol and Richard Brotherton. BONGO: The Bullingdon – A tropical treat covers. from Incardadine Coven, Hymn to Apollo and CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford for dance fans at this month’s Musical Medicine Reventure. Community Centre as Venezuelan ex-pats Mr Bongo bring their SUNDAY 17th SK SHLOMO: The Jericho Tavern – Singer, eclectic mix of South American rhythms, jazz, SOUND OF THE SIRENS: The Bullingdon songwriter, champion looper and human FRIDAY 15th reggae, soul and psychedelia to the party, the – Traditional folk meets acoustic pop with beatboxer Simon Shlomo Kahn, takes a break th Monday 11 BLUE OCTOBER: O2 Academy – Texas’ London/Brighton-based selectors playing vinyl Exeter duo Sound of the Sirens, back in town from composing film scores and ad jingles to veteran rockers eschew their sleazy trademark obscurities from across the globe. after playing last year’s Oxford Folk Weekend, bring his mix of electro-pop, hip hop and pop to NIGHT FLOWERS + BEEZEWAX + BE the live stage, inspired by Jamie xx, FK Twigs LAURA VEIRS: barroom riffs in favour of a more polished currently touring debut album ‘For All Our Sins’, th synths’n’electronic beats style for new album GOOD: Fusion Arts – ethereal dreampop from the duo inspired by Laura Marling, The Staves, and Caribou, his myriad talents have seen him Monday 18 The Bullingdon `I Hope You’re Happy’, their ninth and the first Anglo-American popstrels Night Flowers at Florence & the Machine and Ben Howard and working with Bjork, Ed Sheeran, Damon Albarn Having previously sold out bigger venues produced by bandleader Justin Furstenfeld, tonight’s Divine Schism show, the band following having made their name on TFI Friday playing in and Lily Allen among others, as well as being ART BRUT / CASSELS: than this on visits to Oxford, you might offering a more hopeful outlook on life. up a tour support to Pains of Being Pure at Heart between U2 and Take That. artist in residence at the South Bank Arts Centre The Bullingdon imagine playing the Bullingdon is a step down DOE + MILK CRIMES + JUNK WHALE: with a headline tour to promote new album ‘Wild FACTORY LIGHTS + MARK ATHERTON & and appearing on Later... for Laura Veirs, but it all seems to be part of Notion’, tasking inspiration from The Cure and How does the art rock provocateur and The Wheatsheaf – Snuggle Dice host their FRIENDS + TONY BATEY & SAL MOORE professional pisstaker maintain their rock her step back from the relentless pressure to second show, bringing Anglo-Scottish indie crew The Sundays along the way. + TRACY ISLAND: The Wheatsheaf (2.30- THURSDAY 21st reach higher and higher in the music game JESS GILLAM: St. John the Evangelist – and roll relevancy into their 40s? In the case Doe to town for the first time, the band, who 7pm) – Klub Kakofanney host a free afternoon of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR: Truck Store of Eddie Argos, leader and joker-in-chief since her last album, 2013’s ‘Warp & Weft’, have recently supported Speedy Ortiz on tour, are The sax virtuoso plays the music of John Harle, live music in the Sheaf’s downstairs bar. (6.30pm) – Ruarri Joseph’s new band play an since which she’s been relatively quiet, aside of Art Brut, mainly by not thinking about it promoting new album `Grow Into It’, inspired OPEN MIC SESSION: The Harcourt Arms instore set to launch new album ‘Bleeding on the too much but just carrying on wherever he from a collaboration with kd lang and Neko th by Superchunk, Pavement and Weezer among Thursday 14 FOLK SESSIONS: The Half Moon Soundtrack’. last left off. Which in the case of Art Brut is Case, concentrating on raising two young others. LIVE JAZZ: Abingdon Arms, Beckley – Free SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf – World kids and hosting a successful podcast about previous album ‘Brilliant! Tragic!’, which SOUL SESSIONS: The Cellar – Classic funk, PHIL SELWAY / JON live jazz from sax, keys and bass trio. jazz and improv saxophonist Julian Costello they’ve followed up with the even more balancing life as a musician and mother. soul and disco club night. comes to the long-running jazz club. Certainly her new solo album ‘The Lookout’, exclamation mark-laden ‘Wham! Bang! AUTUMN SAINTS + DRUGSTORE OUIN / ASHER DUST: MONDAY 18th CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford Pow! Let’s Rock Out!’, on, appropriately her tenth in a near-twenty-year career, shows HEROES + JONNY RACE: The Jericho Community Centre no signs of slacking musically or lyrically, a Old Fire Station RUTS DC + THE PROFESSIONALS: O2 enough, Alcopop! Records. From their first Tavern – Atmospheric Americana and roots Academy – Punky reggae party with the original SPARKY’S NEW MOON: The Half Moon single, ‘Formed a Band’, which celebrated characteristically warm and gentle-natured rocking from The Autumn Saints, plus delicately While drummers’ solo records rarely folk-pop concept album about the fragility of rank in the all-time great album lists, West London punk legends – see main preview the freedom of punk while seemingly leading impassioned Radiohead-inspired pop from Jonny ART BRUT + CASSELS: The Bullingdon FRIDAY 22nd the vanguard of a new art-rock movement precious things, produced by husband Tucker Race. Phil Selway’s ‘Weatherhouse’ was equal Martine and told through the symbolism to almost anything his more celebrated – Eddie Argos continues to cast an abrasively CYPHER16 + LEST WE FORGET: O2 alongside Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, THE LONG INSIDERS + BAD MONKEY: comic eye on pop culture – see main preview Academy – Stadium-proportioned heavy rock Art Brut, and Argos in particular, have kept of mothers, sailors, even a lightning rod. Fat Lil’s, Witney – Gretch twang, rockabilly and Radiohead colleagues have produced outside Behind it all though is the spectre of Trump’s the band, showing Phil to be possessed of ALLUSINLOVE: The Jericho Tavern – from London’s well-travelled Cypher16, whose everything simple, snarky and sing-along: midnight-black surf rock from local rockers The Flamboyant and slightly bonkers psychedelic anthemic sound and trips to China, India and happy to indulge in digs at themselves, the presidency – most directly referenced on Long Insiders, channelling The Cramps, Johnny a voice that can match Thom Yorke’s for stoner rock and post-grunge riffola from Leeds elsewhere have seen them sharing stages with music industry and fellow bands, while album highlight ‘When It Grows Darkest’, Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. emotional tenderness, while musically he recently renamed Allusinlove – previously Anthrax, Slayer, Lamb of God and Behemoth simultaneously reveling in music’s power which throws Veirs’ often distanced narration ROCK FOR HEROES: The Cornerstone, took Mark Hollis’ intricacy and attention Allusondrugs, which probably got them in among others, as well as touring with Amaranthe. to talk to and empower outsiders. Older, if into starker relief. That style has become an Didcot – Classic rock covers in aid of veterans to detail and used it to weave weary, wide- trouble with sensible people and their mums and Local metalcore crew Lest We Forget support. not entirely wiser, Argos now deals with his influence on the likes of Julia Holter, just as charity Help For Heroes, with tributes to Queen, eyed, epic, yet intimate electronic pop. dads, the quartet still kicking out a slightly trippy THE BLACK BULLETS: The Bullingdon own mental health issues (as on ‘Hospital’), Veirs herself has drawn on the likes of Bowie Status Quo, Bowie, Elton John, Spandau Ballet Since ‘Weatherhouse’ Phil has written the form of classic 70s heavy rock on new single ‘All – Basingstoke’s biker rock crew Black Bullets lost loves and the ridiculousness of the rock and Ryan Adams over the years. Anyway, and more. soundtrack to the 2017 film Let Me Go and back to the original point – The Bully is as been commissioned to write the music a Good People’. return to town for more sleazy riff-based fun. star persona. There’s still room to reference STEVE KNIGHTLEY: Nettlebed Folk Club – PERCEPTION + THE PARMIST: The other acts – from Amy Winehouse to Veronica good a place as ever to catch Veirs’ intimate, th Rambert Dance company performance by personable show, an artist willing and able SATURDAY 16 American choreographer Merce Cunningham, Intimate show at Nettlebed’s legendary folk club Wheatsheaf – Tech-metal and metalcore from Falls – but these days he’s less the lovechild to take a step away from the limelight to OXFORD SAMARITANS & NIGHTLINE at each turn bringing his gently atmospheric for Show of Hands frontman Knightley. Southampton heavyweights Perception. of Lydon and Drury, more the cheeky kids experience life, without stepping backwards BENEFIT: Oxford Town Hall – Live music approach to music to bear. While Yorke and OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle DAISY RODGERS MUSIC with JUNIPER brother of Jarvis Cocker. Major league stars musically. and comedy spectacular in aid of the local Jonny Greenwood have produced challenging NIGHTS + EASTER ISLAND STATUES in their adopted Germany, Art Brut remain a charities, with Phil Selways, himself a Samaritans albums and soundtracks, Phil has made TUESDAY 19th + QUARTERMELON: The Jericho Tavern cult concern in the UK but their reputation for bright-eyed, noisy-bastard fun live remains volunteer, and Laura Moody performing more accessible, often beautiful pop music ANOTHER SKY: The Bullingdon – – DRM hosts another evening of local indie, th undiminished, and as an extra treat tonight WEDNESDAY 13 alongside comedy legend Armando Iannucci, that befits his reputation as one of the nicest Emotionally taut, intricate and militant gothic with local indie rockers Juniper Nights mixing they’re joined by exiled Oxfordshire siblings BEN POOLE: The Bullingdon – A return to Adam Buxton, and comedy duo Croft & Pearce. people in music. Tonight’s show is a great, indie from London quartet Another Sky, influences of Radiohead, Alt.j and Elbow into Cassels, taking their own personal potshots town for the rising UK blues-rock guitarist, BUCKCHERRY + HOOBASTANK: O2 intimate chance to see just how deep and channelling Radiohead’s spooked vibe on new their alternately sombre and grungy rock. They’re at life through the prism of punked-up rock drawing comparisons to Joe Satriani and Joe Academy – Hairy, sleazy heavy rock very much wide the Radiohead talent pool is. It’s also a single ‘Chillers’. joined by big-hearted rockers Easter Island and roll. Bonamassa, winning fans in Bernie Torme and of the old school from Californian veterans rare chance to see former Stornoway multi- BIG JOANIE + SECRET POWER + DEATH Statues, launching their new single, ‘Skeleton the late Gary Moore along the way. Buckcherry, playing their first Oxford show instrumentalist Jon Ouin in action, a virtuoso OF THE MAIDEN: The Library – Activist Quay’, and eclectic, funky guitar pop crew for almost a decade as they tour new album musician with few musical boundaries, plus Quartermelon. DIY punk from the London trio – see main Bradlee and his big band, remodelling songs by th ‘Warpaint’, the band’s 80s-indebted sound, with one of Oxford’s finest and most eclectic RUSTY SHACKLE: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Lively THURSDAY 14 preview everyone from Radiohead and The Cure to Lorde, its Aerosmith riffs and unreconstructed dedication singers and sound explorers Asher Dust, roots’n’roll from south Wales folk-rockers Rusty PHIL SELWAY + JON OUIN + ASHER ERGOD + OXFORD IMPROVISERS: Old Meghan Trainor and Miley Cyrus into vintage to the genre’s clichés, having seen them support whose lifetime steeped in dub, reggae, soul, Shackle, touring new single ‘Sam Hall’ and back DUST: Old Fire Station – A rare hometown solo Fire Station – Oxford Improvisers host Ergod, 20s jazz standards, Irish folk ballads, classic Motley Crue and Kiss since they reformed in drum&bass, hip hop and electronic and has in Oxfordshire after playing Towersey Festival show for the Radiohead drummer and songwriter alto saxophonist Tapiva Svosve and violinist cabaret numbers and 50s doo-wop. 2005. Support comes from fellow Californians made him an instantly recognisable yet always and mandolin player Richard Scott, performing and Bunkfest in recent times. – see main preview GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES with Hoobastank, whose heavy rocking at least difficult to predict singer and musician, improvised variations n their debut collaboration WILLIE J HEALEY: The Bullingdon MEANS OF PRODUCTION + CYNTHIA’S acknowledges grunge and nu-metal as they look tonight backed by a band that includes long- album ‘Macrotonality’. rd – January’s Nightshift cover star plays the SATURDAY 23 PERISCOPE + LINA SIMON: The to Faith No More as chief inspiration. time collaborator Tiger Mendoza. hometown stretch of his current UK tour, playing STONE BROKEN + THOSE DAMN CROWS Wheatsheaf – Irresistible electro-themed night OMAR: O2 Academy – The godfather of neo- songs from his recent ‘666 Kill’ EP, leaning WEDNESDAY 20th + DEAD MAN’S WHISKEY: O2 Academy at this month’s Gappy Tooth Industries, with soul comes to town with a full band, the singer, towards a more contemplative Elliot Smith style, GREY TAPES + LIMPET SPACE RACE + – Walsall’s chunky, melodic hard rockers Stone synthophiles’ wet dream Means of Production actor and sometime theatre soundtrack composer plus songs from acclaimed debut album ‘People TIECE: Tap Social – Joint show from Inner Broken head out on tour, alongside Bridgend’s welding monochrome 70s and early 80s electro having endured as a creative force since his first & Their Dogs’. Peace Records, Tandem Festival and Upcycled Earache-signed heavyweights Those Damn to acid house, where Cabaret Voltaire, OMD and big hit, ‘There’s Nothing Like This’ in 1991, ALEXANDER O’NEAL: O2 Academy – The Sounds with Newcastle-based beatmaker and Crows, plus raucous hard rocking in the vein of Depeche Mode get dark and jiggy with A Guy veteran soul and r’n’b singer returns to town for having worked with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu producer Grey Tapes, mixing up hip hop, trip Guns’n’Roses, Alter Bridge and Black Stone Called Gerald. They’re joined by Manchester’s the first time since 2014, reliving 80s and 90s hits and Carleen Anderson among others. hop, jazz, electronica and dream pop. There’s Cherry from London’s Dead Man’s Whiskey confessional, weirdo art-synth practitioners like ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Never Knew SEAN McGOWAN: The Jericho Tavern – inventive future-folk from Limpet Space Race SCOTT BRADLEY’S POSTMODERN Cynthia’s Periscope and this month’s Introducing Love Like This’ and ‘Criticise’. Return to town for the Southampton troubadour and soulful hip hop, trip hop and r’n’b from JUKEBOX: O2 Academy – Iconic hits given artist and recent Track of the Month winner Lina SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf – The after his show at The Cellar last year and support rising star Tiece. an ironic makeover by pianist and arranger Scott Simon, the former Edmund Fitzgerald guitarist getting ghostly and sometimes brutal with John with Frank Turner, Mumford and Sons, Billy Carpenter soundscapes, Kraftwerk precision and Bragg, Laura Marling and Emmy the Great Mazzy Star atmospherics. along the way to releasing a new album on the MUDSLIDE MORRIS: The Harcourt Arms – 1st December every year (his birthday) as well Blues and boogie in the vein of Seasick Steve and as playing Glastonbury Festival every year since Rory Gallagher. 2007. SOLAR PSYCHEDELIA: The Jericho Tavern OPEN MIC SESSION: The Harcourt Arms – A night of heavy duty psychedelia with sets FOLK SESSIONS: The Half Moon from gothic space rock adventurer Jeramesa, THE MIGHTY REDOX: The Tree, Iffley plus shoegaze trio Daydreamer? and melancholic (4-6.30) – Free afternoon session from the local psych from Gravid, an offshoot of The Elephant swamp blues, funk, ska crew. Trip. BLUES JAM: Fat Lil’s, Witney (3pm) – th LUKE DANIELS & NANCY KERR: The Monthly open blues session. Tuesday 19 Cornerstone, Didcot – Multiple folk awards BIG JOANIE / winner Nancy Kerr comes to Didcot, joined by MONDAY 25th local lad Luke Daniels, whose CV includes time PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS: The SECRET POWER spent in Jethro Tull and De Dannan. Bullingdon – Riff-heavy, hirsute and tripped- out Led Zep-meets-Tame Impala psychedelia / DEATH OF THE SUNDAY 24th from Perth’s Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, over BEANS ON TOAST: The Bullingdon – Hoarse, in Europe to tour their albums ‘High Visceral’ MAIDEN: The Library ramshackle protest folk and meditations on love, Parts 1 and 2, the band having supported musical As with so many on the politically-driven life and drugs from Essex’s Jay McAllister back soulmates King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, DIY scene, Big Joanie are more than a band. in town, the cult favourite having collaborated Royal Blood and Black Mountain. They’re a trio of musical and community SEA GIRLS: O2 Academy – Chipper’n’chirpy activists who between them have helped run the Decolonise Fest, showcasing punk Monday 18th indie guitar pop from Lincolnshire’s Sea Girls, in the vein of Magic Gang and Fickle Friends and bands of colour; the anti-racist Stop Rainbow RUTS DC: back in town as part of a headline tour following Racism movement and the Girls Rock support to The Academic and currently picking London project, coaching young female up a raft of ones-to-watch tips across radio and musicians in the capital. Musically the trio O2 Academy have grown up in London’s DIY scene, In a genre widely suspicious of musical blogs. constantly gigging as well as releasing their accomplishment, The Ruts were punks YAMATO DRUMMERS OF JAPAN: The own singles and cassettes along the way. who could really play. And not just punk. New Theatre – Spectacular display of Taiko They’ve supported Downtown Boys, The The London quartet, who formed in 1977, drumming from the world-renowned ensemble, Ex and Shopping and a chance meeting with were as adept at heavy-duty reggae as they performing their new ‘Jhonetsu’ piece. Thurston Moore at one of their gigs led to were playing high voltage punk. They were DESPICABLE ZEE + BELL LUNGS + them signing to his The Daydream Library synonymous with the Rock Against Racism RAIMENTS: Fusion Arts – Zahra Tehrani Series, who released their debut album. movement and close friends with Misty in launches her new EP under her Despicable Zee ‘Sistahs’, produced by Margo Brown, who’s Roots whose People Unite label released guise, mixing hip hop beats, loops, drones, middle worked with Fat White Family and Goat Girl their ‘In a Rut’ single and the two acts fed off eastern motifs and electronic sounds to fuse the among others, is a mix of basement-friendly each other stylistically as well as politically. influences of M.I.A, Gazelle Twin and Cosey garage punk and synthy pop anthems like Tracks like ‘Jah War’ and ‘SUS’ captured Fanni Tutti. She’s joined at tonight’s Divine recent single ‘Fall Asleep’, politics mixing the simmering tensions of late-70s inner city Schism show by Glaswegian experimenter Bell with more personal stories of anxiety as communities, dealing with the National Front Lungs, mixing up vocal acrobatics, drones and they draw on the influence of riot grrl, 70s and police stop and search powers, while electronics, plus Berlin avant garde act Raiments. punk, grunge, 60s girl groups and 80s cult enduring punk anthem ‘Babylon’s Burning’ McGOLDRICK, McCUSKER & DOYLE: heroes like The Shop Assistants. They even was a direct inspiration for The Specials’ Nettlebed Folk Club – Another chance to catch do a mean cover of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’. The ‘Ghost Town’. Of course The Ruts’ activism three of the contemporary folk scene’s leading Library as well as Divine Schism, who host attracted all the wrong kinds of attention and lights together in an intimate setting, with the tonight’s show, are the band’s perfect home. regular attacks on the band and their fans by Transatlantic Sessions back trio at Nettlebed’s Great support from fellow London DIY racist skinheads accentuated singer Malcolm renowned weekly club – Michael McGoldrick scenesters Secret Power, mixing up punk, Owen’s depression and heroin addiction, plays flute, whistles and uillean pipes, with John synth-pop and r’n’b, and local nightmare- which cost him his life in 1980 and presaged McCusker on fiddle and John Doyle on vocals fuelled gothic baroque popsters Death of the the band’s split in 83. They reformed in 2007 and guitar for a run through of their combined Maiden. to play a benefit gig for guitarist Paul Fox, catalogues and traditional numbers. who was suffering from lung cancer, with OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle lifelong fan Henry Rollins on vocals. Sadly third EP, ‘Church Fete Ultraviolence’, the band Fox died shortly after but Dave Ruffy and TUESDAY 26th mixing the twisted 80s sounds of Big Flame and John Jennings rebuilt the band and they’ve Bogshed with Orange Juice and The Wedding toured ever since, their pioneering fusion th Present’s poetic indie rock and a hefty dose of style perhaps better appreciated now more WEDNESDAY 27 snarling political ire. Melodic, dark hearted than ever, their messages of protest and unity KRIS BARRAS: The Bullingdon – Southern- post-hardcore and emo from Daisy in support. as relevant as they were when they formed. flavoured electric blues-rock from Devon DOT’S FUNKY ODYSSEY: The Bullingdon Punky reggae party? The phrase was pretty guitarist Barras and his band, out on tour to – Live funk and soul from the veteran student much made for Ruts DC. promote his debut album, inspired by Gary band. Moore, Joe Bonamassa and Stevie Ray Vaughan. REVEREND BLACK’S ACOUSTIC CABARET: The Half Moon – Acoustic blues, THURSDAY 28th country, folk and classic rock with The Jesters, THE DOLLYMOPS + PINUPS + DAISY: Danny Everest and Richard Brotherton. The Jericho Tavern – Rising local indie/ CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford post-punk stars The Dollymops launch their Community Centre

Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for inclusion is the 20th of each month, no exceptions. Listings are copyright of Nightshift and may not be used without permission. photo: Helen Messenger hewn –that’s EasterIslandStatues anything. Rich,boldandrough like Stornowayonapunktripas by andtonight’s setsoundsasmuch you can’t helpbutbecarriedaway huge, barnstorminganthemthat their infectiouszeal.`Laika’ isa enhances ratherthandetractfrom that comewithraggededges them intobig,boldfolksongs staid fuzzandblustertheyweave The Libertines–butinsteadof rock band–from The Smithsto expected workingpartsforanindie Easter IslandStatueshaveallthe work –ornotsodifferently. set ofinfluencesandmakethem Odd howbandscantakeasimilar The Bullingdon EASTER ISLANDST SELF HELP /LACUNA COMMON/ LIVE Libertines landfill,butthey’re slip intothatpost-ArcticMonkeys/ sullen to The Lidsandcouldeasily LacunaCommonaresimilarly light show. giving usthefull Wembley Stadium mixing deskgoingonabenderand by theBully’s newcomputerized set ismadeallthemoreenjoyable Arctic Monkeysvocals.Still,the guitars undonebydispassionate kinetic energy andepicU2-style possesses lesscharacter, their similar placebuttheirendproduct Leicester’s Lidscomefroma ingredients forsexy. would considerthosethekey in anutshell.Plentyofpeople A TUES THE LIDS/ throttle andrarelyletup,serenely Typically theykickoffatfull favourite newOxfordband. become prettymucheveryone’s top Nightshift’s annual Top 25and at theendofyearthatsawthem ButtonightisSelfHelp’s party, Duran Duran’s NickRhodes. fronted byBlur’s GrahanCoxonand bonus pointsforlookinglikethey’re Jerichos’ grit-pop. They earnextra of formerlocalheroes The Dead in thevocalscapturingsomething inspired moments,theyobbishsnarl Present’s moremotorikpost-punk- of TheWeddingreminiscent suggest, propulsive,layeredguitars far spikierthanfirstimpressions Sue Foreman isn’t goingtostopanytimesoon. for SelfHelp,thefuntheybring 2019 carriesonwhere2018leftoff to matchthegiddysenseoffun.If with asenseofexistentialdread where afterhoursdrinkingcomes offspring of‘CaughtBytheFuzz’ tonight, asleazy, self-loathing it’s ‘TheRazz’ thatstealsthecrown is immutablyebullientfuntimepop track oftheyear‘GetOn With It’ to Squeezeor The Buzzcocks.If there aremelodiesthatowemore but amidthegrimeandskuzzyriffs pent-up aggressionofMudhoney SelfHelphaveallthedirtand energy thanmostbands. Jeffries whosehairalonehasmore Sean CummingsandsingerDanny band, flankedbydervishguitarist powerhouse calmattheheartof smiley bassistLizzieCouvesthe numbers ultimatelylostamidtheselfish Kemet andCarterUSM,thelighter, folkier synth-punk somewherebetweenSonsof up anotchandbatteringoutjazzed-up out. They’re bestwhencrankingthings yahoos atthebackofvenuedrownthem balance right,atwhichpointtheyakking they havetoturneverythingdowngetthe guitar, saxanddrummachineclatter, so vocals strugglingtocompetewiththe the offtonight,sadly, Rachel’s demure Ruscombe King. They’re upagainstitfrom guitar andsinger/keyboardplayerRachel Wanderers bandmateStuart Wigby on Pandapopalypse alongsideerstwhileBalkan three actstonight,makinguponethirdof ClareHeavisideisanintegralpartofall but morethanevernow, theythrill. They canstillconfuseandbemuse Curator’. the-wall popcredentialswithcloser‘Mr Masochists cementingtheirtop-drawer-off- with achildishsenseofplayfulness,the band’s abilitytomixmotorikdetermination Driver’ thesets’ highpoint,capturingthe Heaviside’s saxdrones,thatmakes‘Ghost jolly kiddiedancing,alongwithClare synths, wailingbackingvocalsand tonight itisClaireLeMaster’s bubbling idiosyncratic songstoahigherleveland around himwhohavelatelyelevatedhis the nameabovedoorbutit’s those star oftheshow. Moogiemanmightbe isn’t afraidtolethisminionsbecomethe Like anygoodbandleaderShanShriharan The Bullingdon MOOGIEMAN & THE SHAPE/PANDAPOPAL GWENIFER RA Deaf &HardOfearingCentre / ALL some new fanstonight. certainly isn’t, butsheseemstohavewon the listener, and backgroundmusicit relative tohowthe contentresonateswith almost confessionalstylewillwin plaudits keep upwith. The intensely personal, themselves inawaythatcanbehard to are alsopacier, withwordstumbling over more self-revelatorymanner. The pieces whose songsarepoignantinanaltogether Edinburgh, isanacousticsinger/songwriter FaithElliott,fromMinneapolisvia a modern-dayOxfordbard. page makesperfectsense,closeasheisto of William ShakespeareonhisSoundcloud somewhere quiteunexpected. Ivor Cutler’s ‘BeautifulCosmos’ takesit vocal accompaniment,whilehistakeon its carefullypickedoutnotesandrich Bara’ haveaslightlysinisteredge,with between-song banter. Songs like‘Theda confidence accordinglywithsomegreat solo performances,andhehasgrownin matured considerablysincehisearly Ally Craig’s playingandsinginghas them rightonallfronts. but ahundredappreciativepuntersprove putting onagigthissoonafterNew Year All credittopromotersDivineSchismfor Y CRAIG

The picture YMOND /FAITH ELLIOTT THE MASOCHIST Ian Chesterton Number 1theydeserve. imagine they’llonedaygettheChristmas Thorton’s Continentals.It’dbeniceto of avintageCarryOnfilmandbox music, thepre-Christmasgigequivalent They’re prettymuchtheepitomeofcomfort onward rushofgoodtimesandwill. fluff butthey’resweptawayin TheShapes’ There aremomentsoflightweightrock wrote. pages asthebestsong The Poguesnever Me In The Ground’,describedinthesevery which seguesintosetfinale‘Til TheyPut a festivecoverof`FairytaleNew York’, surprise thattheyworktogethersowellon rumination tobig-heartedsoulandit’s no honed vocalchemistrythatmixesdoleful Kelly and Alix Champnowhaveawell- favourite ‘Passingofthe Years’. Ant both atthesametimeasonlong-time celebratory ormelancholy, orsometimes everything toneareuphoriclevels,beit brass section–featuringClareHagainlift little bitofpunkspirit. The newlyexpanded anda mannered pubrock,classic60sr’n’b loving andfightingtolifebywayofwell- bring theirnostalgictalesofsmalltownlife, nine-strong bandofself-proclaimedoldgits the frontandboppingaroundasnow and anywayeveryone’s soonenoughdown NoamountoftalkcanstopaShapesparty bit ofrespectandshutthefuckup. chatter ofpeoplewho’ddowelltoshowa Art Lagun away. origins andjustlet themusiccarryyou Sometimes it’s besttoforget aboutmusical patterns defyingallideasofcategorisation. the mix,drivingrhythmicmelodic is yetanotherelementbroughtinto compositions soherown Welsh upbringing Shemainlyperformsherown bands thejigsawstartstofallinto place. started offplayinginpunkandgrunge Sonic Youth, andlearningthatRaymond folk music,gainingfansfrompeoplelike revive interestinearlybluesand American is ausefulreferencepoint:hedidmuchto debut album’s ‘RequiemforJohnFahey’ fingers tearingupanddownthefrets.Her delivery, andwonderatthespeedofher of notesandpercussiveforcethe six stringsontheguitar, suchisthenumber impression isdisbeliefthatthereareonly until severalsongshavepassed.Ourfirst launching rightinandnotutteringaword traditional American music,simply on traditional Appalachian andrelated and abanjotofashionherowntake Tonight sheusesanacousticguitar uncompromising inyetanotherway. Gwenifer Raymond’s setis YPSE /

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Aeroplanes fans will follow, but when it works BRYDE it really works, as in the emotive ‘To Be Brave’. The Cellar I’d started to drift; my phone was out, I was Bryde arrives in Oxford at the end of a run of The feel then is something completely different. looking at my watch. Then I’m brought back in, co-headline dates with Lyla Foy, the first time There is no driving drum beat nor melodic the rise of the chorus suddenly bringing enough she’s played in the city since leaving Paper chorus, which gave Paper Aeroplanes a poppy colour and differentiation to engage me again. Aeroplanes and going solo. The best bits of her accessibility. Instead, she has gone down a It’s the classic trope: artist leaves band, artist Specialist practical and emotional poetic songwriting remain from those days and, musical path that fits with the ambiance of The goes solo, fans follow and give it a go. I can’t support for women and girls who whilst she still often plays with the backing of Cellar: far more raw and atmospheric than you help but linger over old expectations. Unfair? a band, tonight the only accompaniment is her might expect if you knew her of old. Probably, but always the risk. have experienced sexual violence electric guitar. It isn’t a direction that assumes all Paper Jo Cox at any time in their lives.

and wayward in a potting shed sweater. It’s Morecambe and Wise, Bert THE BOHMAN BROTHERS and Ernie, ego and id. An introduction in which welcoming platitudes Telephone helpline Old Fire Station are haltingly and exhaustingly mumbled over a recording of car crashes 01865 726295 or Freephone 0800 783 6294 There’s a doctorate to be written about the crossover between leftfield has the surreal mundanity of vintage Ted Chippington, a feeling comedy and improvised music. There are high profile fans, of course bolstered by the fact that the duo make their close-miked scrapes and • Monday 6.30pm – 9pm – Stewart Lee got air time for an improv duo through his Comedy percussive skitters, not from catgut and drum skin, but from rubber • Thursday 6.30pm – 9pm Vehicle series, as well as facing the Celebrity Mastermind third degree bands, classroom geometry sets and a couple of fetching old-school • Sunday 6pm – 8.30pm on avant-guitar trailblazer Derek Bailey, while Vic Reeves snuck an toast racks. We’ve sat through self-conscious art music trying not to laugh before We have a 24-hour answerphone, and if you leave us Evan Parker solo onto a top 20 album (“Pack it in, Parker!”) – but a message we can call you back the next time we are open. there is also a partly shared outlook. Perhaps it’s because both stand- now, so it’s wonderful tonight to see guffaws invited with such deadpan ups and improvisers are often relegated to the sort of pub corners and hilarity, and cut-up texts - think Burroughs meets Mark E Smith meets dysfunctional function rooms that the lowliest of toilet venue rockers spam emails – are delivered impeccably: after all, timing is a key Email support would sneer at; perhaps it’s that both art forms always make the most concept in both music and comedy, and The Bohman Brothers’ strange, [email protected] sense in an intimate live environment, or perhaps it’s just that in both yet strangely ordinary, performance embodies both. Coincidence, cases the unexpected is rarely regretted or ignored, but embraced and perhaps, but we are overjoyed that the final word, enunciated in a incorporated into the show. hilarious exchange of contrasting extracts from an old guide to tree www.osarcc.org.uk The Bohman Brothers combine the absurdity of the oddest comedy frogs and a medical Mills & Boon novel, is “mother-in-law”. Fluxus? Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre is a company limited by guarantee, with the most dadafied improv. They have the classic comic double act They’ve only just met us! registered in England & Wales No: 6835605.Registered Charity No: 1131054. dynamic, one uptight and starchy in his collar and tie, the other relaxed David Murphy

WhatsOn1.indd 1 19/04/2018 22:01:16 TIM TURAN’S SESSION NOTES Part One INTRODUCING.... CD BUSINESS Nightshift’s monthly guide to the best local music bubbling under Hello people, and in particular musicians and until there are none. Do not send tracks that have artists who make music for public consumption. been peak limited and are slammed to the digital I’m Tim Turan, mastering engineer at Turan Audio ceiling. The first thing I have to do is turn them Ltd. In the following months I shall be dealing down, which loses resolution and quality straight with technical issues regarding the final production away before I even start to work on them. In a lot Lina Simon stages of making music for release on a wide of cases I refuse, knowing that there is probably Who is she? variety of platforms: CD, vinyl, cassette tape, a better version on the mixer’s system that hasn’t Lina Simon is a solo artist making experimental electronic pop music. download and streaming. been made to look like a piece of LEGO when you Between 2001-05 she played guitar in Elizabeth and then The Edmund I thought I’d start off with what is still the most look at the waveforms on the screen. You people Fitzgerald alongside Yannis Philipakis and Jack Bevan, who would go popular format for physical release: the CD. with DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations) know on to become Foals. The original line-up disbanded in 2005 because “it The CD is not dead, but the enduring choice for what I mean, so keep levels sensible. got too serious and I needed to go to university.” Lina continued to write musicians and artists who believe in high fidelity 2. Do check your mixes for faults, musical or music during university and studied Music Production at Leeds College of sound. Of the 400 titles I cut last year over 90% of technical. I will usually pick up on any anomalies, Music. She played a show as Eclectic Men in 2009 with Monster Killed them were physical releases, most of them on CD; as my clients can attest. This can lead to By Laser’s guitar virtuoso Lee Laverack at the Brudenell Social Club in the rest were on vinyl and a few cassette tapes. For embarrassment, heartache and despair for the artist example – no-one is going to cast a critical ear over Leeds before deciding to go solo, creating music on guitar and laptop. Her the amount of money it takes to buy instruments, but usually ends in a headache for the mastering anything or execute any fixes or solutions. So your first set of songs was awarded Top Tracks in December’s Nightshift and rehearse, record, mix and master it seems most engineer. Checking your mixes will make life mixes will come back still full of the ‘crap’ you she made her solo live debut at The Wheatsheaf the same month. Her favourite other Oxfordshire act is: musicians want a physical ‘thing’ to show for the easier for everyone involved in the production hadn’t noticed, only louder! What does she sound like? “I would say Salvation Bill because they’re really nice people.” expense. chain and save a fortune on paracetamol for 3. Label your files properly. If you know the Swirling synths, electronic beats, looped guitars and dispassionately If she could only keep one album in the world, it would be: Now, I get asked a lot of questions by musicians all those involved. So, faults include: glitches; track running order then start the filename with ethereal vocals mixed up with a splash of trip hop, all add up to an “Nirvana – `Nevermind’. Simplicity at its best; moody and evocative; about the CD format and so in this month’s column pops; drop-outs (microscopic areas of no audio a number, preferably using a leading zero. Also, atmospheric whole that’s equally foreboding and pretty. Lina’s voice never gets boring.” I shall address the do’s and don’ts of preparing whatsoever); clicks; stereo channel imbalances; spell your track name correctly. I will use this info switches from breathless croon to witchy intensity while evoking lost John When is her next local gig and what can newcomers expect? your mixes for CD mastering and next month the phase issues (too many to mention), and a whole for the CD text and my session notes so that is Carpenter soundtracks and primitive, pioneering electro-pop acts from the “I have a gig on the 2nd February for Divine Schism at the Wheatsheaf and subsequent ‘metadata’ that is now also required. raft of ‘shit the artist doesn’t want on the finished what will end up on the finished product. If your late 70s and early 80s. another on the 23rd for Gappy Tooth Industries at the same venue. Expect It’s been required for the last 30 years but it is only record’. Check the start and end of the tracks too. half asleep engineer writes “Booby I love you” What inspires her? tasteful fashion and a sense of fun.” recently that people have become aware of it. Ok, Did you chop the reverb tail off at the end for instead of “Baby” then I will put that into the CD “A lot; I think what got me playing guitar was the ease of punk chords and Her favourite and least favourite things about Oxford music are: here goes ….. example. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had that text and it will be on millions of copies if you’re the do it yourself ethic that the bands I listened to applied to their ethic.” “It can be a great place to earn admiration and at the same time can one. Believe me, it is crazy some of the stuff I commercially successful. I will of course question Career highlight so far: become a total nightmare for self-criticism.” 1.When supplying your audio to a mastering come across that the artist and mix engineer hadn’t this but there are probably loads of mastering “Playing music with talented people from Oxford such as Yannis You might love her if you love: facility always make sure your levels are at least even noticed. So pass a final critical ear before engineers who won’t. So, check your filenames. Philippakis, Jack Bevan, Max Misirlizade, Hugo Manuel, and John Carpenter; Kraftwerk; Mazzy Star; The Human League; Chelsea -2db from peak (0.0). There has to be enough sending your material off for mastering. Also, Youthmovies.” Wolfe; Depeche Mode; Boards of Canada. headroom to work with a track. If you see red lights if you’re sending your mixes off to one of those Next month I will deal with ‘METADATA’ … that And the lowlight: Hear her here: on your meters in the studio, turn the faders down online mastering platforms – EMastered, Landr, for evil but essential stuff that isn’t even music. “Disbanding my first band Mesh. We rocked!” linasimon.bandcamp.com

Dr SHOTOVER: Just Say Yes THIS MONTH IN OXFORD T H E W H E A T S H E A F Ah, there you are, Newbington. Welcome to the East Indies Club ‘Safe ALL OUR YESTERDAYS MUSIC HISTORY st Breakout Space’. Pull up a beanbag, and buy us all a Virgin Mojito from Friday 1 February – 7:45pm the Juice Bar while we listen to some fat-free whale-flute music on the 20 YEARS AGO 10 YEARS AGO 5 YEARS AGO organic jukebox. Yes, you heard me, Newbington. What’s that? Why the A lesson in just how quickly fortunes can change These days she’s something of an elder Looking back now, February 2014 was something nd alcohol-free cocktails came in February 1999 when Samurai Seven stateswoman of the Oxford music scene, of a vintage month for local gigs, what with Foals Saturday 2 February – 7:45pm ? ‘Cos we’re all on the wagon, stupid. Now, pick yourself up off the Fairtrade rug, and get them in. [Glug-glug, chug- singer and guitarist Simon Williams was shot in the particularly helming The Young Women’s Music dropping by for a last-minute, secret show upstairs eye by an air gun pellet while leaving The King’s Project, but back in February 2009 Zahra Tehrani at The O2 Academy – fans queuing from 6am to chug]. Ahhhh, that’s better. So, is there life after Dryanuary? Yes, Drug- th Arms pub on Broad Street. Simon, who just a few was still best known as drummer with electro-punk grab tickets from the box office. “Foals left Oxford Wednesday 6 February – 7:45pm Free-buary, obviously. But we’re not going to sign up for any of THAT bollocks, no sir-REE-Bob. I’d never hear the end of it from Spanish Tony, weeks previously had been celebrating his band’s tykes Baby Gravy who were making their second a fantastic band but they have come back as one of success at the Shifty Disco pollwinners party and appearance on the cover of Nightshift, slimmed the greatest in the country,” wrote Stuart Fowkes th my deal… erm personal trainer, and I’d be banned from those special Thursday 7 February – 8pm 70s theme nights at Fondles Nightclub which I enjoy so much. Talking Nightshift’s end of year Top, where the Sammies’ down from their original six-strong incarnation in his review of the show. Also very much on their ‘Bonnet’ nabbed the Number 1 spot, was admitted and teaming up with local rapper ShaoDow for way up and set for global stardom were Glass of which, here’s the opium pipe which I picked up on my travels in the th to the John Radcliffe where surgeons removed the furious electro-skank of ‘Don’t Touch Me’, the Animals, this month making a rare live outing Saturday 9 February – 7:45pm Far-Out East when I was an adjutant in the King’s Own Mahavishnu the pellet but specialists were still waiting to see flipside of their new single ‘Did It Again’ on STW at The Jericho Tavern as part of Independent Rifles. Yessss, it’s still loaded with some of the same legendary stash how extensive the damage was. In the immediate Records (“sounding like Kathleen Hannah fronting Venue Week and sharing a bill with Charlie which Brian Jones scored in Marrakesh in 1967. Dy. Na. Mite. I think th aftermath the band were forced to cancel their The Human League,” according to the review). Cunningham, We Aeronauts and Salvation Bill. Thursday 14 February – 8pm you’ll agree. Ah, here comes our Club Padre, the Reverend Waters… show at London’s Highbury Garage to help launch Of course we loved Baby Gravy from the moment But for all that, possibly the most unforgettable aka the Vicar of Dribbly. Hey, Vicar… swap you a bang on this for some Channel 4’s John Peel’s Sounds of the Suburbs we first saw them dismembering pop’s rulebook gig of the month was Fat White Family’s Oxford th of that communion wine you’ve got in your satchel… What say, Sky Friday 15 February 7:45pm series, for which the Sammies had recorded the onstage at The Zodiac, partly because they were debut at The Bullingdon (at the time temporarily Pilot?[Slurp-o, theme tune, as well as a planned gig in Paris. always about mad, crazy musical fun, and partly rechristened The Art Bar). Singer Lias Saudi slurp-o]. Ahhh. In better news Blur’s “secret” show at Brookes because they really, really upset ancient musos who got naked before the first song was over and th Wednesday 20 February 7:45pm Now that really University Union on February 3rd sold out in under wondered where the guitar solos and reverence for proceeded to douse himself and everything in sight IS better. So four hours – and this in the days before online ticket Eric Clapton were. In a museum probably. Or down in a mixture of water, oil, flour and sweat as his farewell then, sales. The band’s show came with them at their a sewer. Great to see Zahra go on to play such a band cranked out an astonishingly dirty mix of Dryanuary. You commercial peak and playing the gig to showcase pivotal role in local music, and to know that Baby garage rock, gothic glam, krautrock and sinewy, st were dull dull songs from their imminent ‘13’ album. “Gig of Gravy singer Iona Roisin is still coming up with hysterical rockabilly. “The only thing tempering our Thursday 21 February – 8pm DULL. And now the year without a doubt” concluded Nightshift’s the goods under her Verna Hark guise. unfettered glee about tonight’s astonishing show you are gone. A review, the show ending with a hat-trick of hits: Beyond Baby Gravy gigging highlights of the is knowing that some poor sod has to clean up this nd Friday 22 February 7:45pm bit like most of ‘Beetlebum’; ‘There’s No Other Way’ and ‘Song 2’. month included Soulfly, Florence & the Machine mess in the morning,” said Nightshift’s reviewer. one’s ancestral There were also sold out shows for Faithless and and Friendly Fires at the O2 Academy, Richard The band themselves were charged with cleaning

rd brain cells, Terrorvision at Brookes the same week, while Thompson at the New Theatre and most notably the mess up and paying for a new set of monitors. Saturday 23 February – 8pm what? down at The Point a bunch of hungry young Magazine’s first gig in 30 years at the O2, a So much fun – easy to forget this month also saw newcomers called Coldplay were headlining with show that was to prove one of the high points an Oxford debut for George Ezra, also at The Art Next month: support from a band called Papanappy, who we’re of Nightshift entire lifetime, as well as reducing Bar and on his way to headlining Truck Festival, Rug Free guessing never quite made it as big as their gig a certain Jonny Greenwood to the state of a and 21 Pilots, playing their first local gig and soon Wheatsheaf 129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF / www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford America VICAR OF DRIBBLY: More ‘tea’, Your Reverence? buddies for the night. gibbering fanboy. to be topping festival bills around the globe.

approximation of The Smiths’ `This ASTEROX Charming Man’, which bad fairy promptly Funny the obscure stuff you remember. sabotages by making sure Julian’s voice is Five songs into Asterox’s Bandcamp feast replaced by that of a jaded pub rock singer. there’s a moment of déjà vu as the singer TRACks Honours vaguely even after one song, good Sponsored by jovially bellows, “It’s all alright if you’ve Track of the Month wins a free remix fairy then suggests Julian sound a bit like got your health.” A scan through a few from Soundworks studio in Oxford, Bob Mould on ‘Ratmagate’ (not sensible back issues of Nightshift and we discover song title alert), but bad fairy then tells him courtesy of Umair Chaudhry. Visit the song earned the band Demo Dumper to slow it all down a bit lest it be too much www.umairchaudhry.co.uk/nightshift back in 2010. Given we barely remember like rock and roll fun. The battle continues what we did the night before (something into ‘I Know That She Knows’ – good fairy drum kit, straps on an acoustic guitar and Oxford United striker Gavin Whyte could says Kinks and John Lennon, bad fairy says barrels through the John Fahey songbook doubtless empathise with), how an almost TOP Foreigner and something best forgotten from as if he’s just been told tea’s ready in decade-old demo could keep such a hold a pub backroom circa 1975. This conflict ten minutes and he better have finished on us is odd. It hasn’t improved with age, rages on throughout Julian’s six songs, but TRACKS before then. Consequently we get ten though Asterox themselves have a bit. sadly, perhaps inevitably, bad fairy gets the tracks of fast-action American primitive While the clichéd blues rock is still there, upper hand, things become progressively guitar plucking, with most racks barely alongside some ill-advised attempts at DUTCH-SARNIE more muddled, less cohesive and certainly scraping the two-minute mark, sporadic what might pass as jollity, even wackiness, Being sensible should be restricted to stuff less appealing, until the final number is vocals used as part of the instrumentation they seem to have headed down a folkier like driving a car, checking sell-by dates nothing more than a tuneless acoustic rather than for their lyrical substance, in path too since last we met. So ‘I Wish’ on fresh fish and voting for important busker dirge. “I wanna rewind” declares the style of Gastr del Sol, and a general is all hoedown jiggery and harmonica- political stuff, though you wouldn’t know Julian at one point towards the end. Good in-and-out-and-mess-it-all-about approach led pokery, while the slightly clumsy but it from watching the news. Like drinking idea: let’s start again and this time kick the to tunesmithery that recalls Lucy Leave’s thumping ‘16 Hours’ is possessed of grey- sprees and the number of kittens you bad sensible fairy into the bin and replace it own love for The Minutemen. Pete himself haired joie de vivre. The odd moment of adopt, making music is never a time for with a double portion of cream cake, a bottle describes Laughing Lamb as “primitive hamfisted Americana is tragic-comic in its being sensible, which is why Dutch- of single malt or maybe Husker Du’s entire guitar post-punk jazz-punk art,” which delivery but the heavyweight, borderline Sarnie finds him/herself atop the pile for back catalogue. the second time in a year. Last time out we guess it is of a fashion, to which you proggy ‘Time Machine’ could almost be they provided us with a decidedly obscure could add ADHD American folk-jazz. John Otway trying to be Metallica, which word search puzzle and a whole heap of There’s even a track on the album that’s is a respectable distance from sensible, messed-up music that featured samples of just a recording of lambs laughing. Of and you can almost hear their battle cry of TOILET everyone from Gary Numan and Stereolab course there is. See, why be sensible when “Cropredy, here we come!” .co.uk to the Black Panthers and a nuclear you can be a bit crazy. No one went to TRACKS TURAN AUDIO their grave wishing they’d had more early Professional, independent attack warning. More of the same here audio mastering but different. The Numan love remains, nights, read all the instruction manuals BERRY BROWN notably on opener ‘Oxford Morrells’, and chosen steamed broccoli over pie and Berry Brown has obviously failed to RICH RAINFORD If we’re taking sensible to mean dull, which is basically a bass-heavy shoegaze wine. And if they did, an early grave is all follow the sensible advice to get a proper Mastered in the studio last month; Apple approved worthy, unadventurous and lacking any mastering instrumental cover of ‘Metal’, while they deserve. haircut and colour; she’ll never get that CATGOD, DEAD HORSE ONE, lust for life, rather than not playing with further in we get John Barry, Lee Perry, job working in a bank with that mane of discarded syringes or venomous snakes, MOTHER, WILFORD SOCIAL, LFO and shoegaze stars Chapterhouse bubblegum pink. Like she’d care anyway. then Rich Rainford here might as well have THE OVERLOAD, THE SOAPBOX DERBY, ripped and layered on these wandering GREAT APE She’s too full of the joys of imminent the word tattooed in big bold letters on his SWERVEDRIVER, HELGE ROGNSTAD, pieces of dubbed-out, spangly electronica, Back to Planet Sensible with a hefty bump springtime to care about dull stuff like work forehead (though that in itself might suggest disembodied voices discussing sunflowers now as Great Ape send us a video for their and mortgages. Instead she’s possessed of THE HAWKSMEN, FIREGAZER. a rebellious spirit that’s not apparent at and self harm or data analysis as The Orb song ‘Cold Stone’, a slo-mo, soft-focus a sleepy-eyed singing style and an almost any point during his one song contribution get reworked into a lo-fi Black Ark studio montage / spiritual journey that goes from folky chart pop that appears to have been here, ‘Where You Gunna Be’). “Don’t you 01865 716466 [email protected] ramble. “Doesn’t it bother you that you small boy looking out at the wonder of made of spare clockwork parts. It’s a bit forget about me / When you were lying in spend your life in a state of drug induced the natural world through various bus, gangly maybe but it’s also a bit giddy about his bed,” wails Rich with a ponderousness tranquillity?” asks an interviewee at one train and boat windows, through various being able to run around in the fields and he perhaps confuses with portentousness, point, to which the answer, appropriately, stages of life, including meeting a pretty the sunshine, sounding like the lovechild COURTYARD kicking off three and a half minutes of self is “Well, I haven’t given it any thought.” lady and holding her hand on a beach, to of Sia and Edie Brickell, all fluffy and torture that he seems to imagine the rest of RECORDING STUDIO It all ends with John Peel saying “that having a wee lad of his own and concluding lightweight and fresh-faced and looking 2 Tracking Rooms. Superb Control Room with: the human race also needs to be subjected was such bollocks” and a Dalek repeating with an old man walking along the street for sugarlumps to feast on. It’s called ‘Bear NEVE 5106 32 Channel Console. ProTools HD3 to. Onward he plods with sky-touching “This is just the beginning”. Except it’s as a young boy, doubtless his grandchild, Can Dance’, which really doesn’t sound MTR 90 2” 24 Track Tape Machine. Vintage EMT Plate Reverb pomposity and self pity levels well into the Loads of Brilliant Outboard Gear not the very end as a minute of silence cavorts some more on the beach. There’s a like a sensible declaration. Good work and red, any emotional intensity manifesting as Loads of Great Mics, Vintage and Modern later someone shouts “Ungrateful scum!” lot of beaches in the video, along with an roll on summer and all its inherent silliness. tuneless bellowing punctuated by passages Old School Akai/Roland Synth Modules and we have to go back to thinking awful lot of mawkish sentimentality. But Upright Piano, Fender Rhodes, Amps and great vibes. of navel-gazing misery. We’re just about about sensible stuff in music, like verses, what does the music sound like, you ask? Residential recording studio in Sutton Courtenay. to suggest the poor chap pours himself a choruses, middle eights, lengthy guitar We’re not really sure – we were too busy JULIAN WAGSTAFF www.courtyardrecordingstudio.co.uk Julian here seems to have a good fairy and large glass of the hard stuff, but he’s already solos and probably an appreciation of waiting for the end of the video to see if the In-house producer: Ian Davenport www.ian-davenport.co.uk a bad fairy sat on his shoulders, whispering there: “One more drink then I’ll be making Email: [email protected] technique-heavy blues rock. We don’t Natwest or Lloyds logo would appear with to him about what to do with his music. The my own fears” he cries plaintively, except Phone: Kate on 01235 845800 know who Dutch-Sarnie is. There’s a the life-affirming slogan: “Always here for good fairy, who may or not be the sensible we heard it as “one more drink then I’ll be mobile number with the CD but, like Evie you (like herpes)”. It doesn’t, but it might one, seems to be telling him to sound like making my own wee,” and now Rich is all Hammond at the end of V For Vendetta, as well do. We did get a vague impression The Clash trying to cover an old Ride song, heartbroken and we’re collapsed over the not wanting to unmask the titular hero, of something resembling Stornoway’s ‘Fuel which works out pretty well for the first desk in a fit of giggles, just making things we don’t want to ruin the dream. We only Up’, but, like, dull and inconsequential, few seconds until the bad fairy, possibly worse for the poor fellow. We really need know that he/she makes our lives brighter or maybe a half-arsed Coldplay cast-off. sensible but in a boring old fashioned way, to be more sensible. It’s a rotten old world and more fun. Oh, and a stand-out bit of rhyming: “Come back to me / Infinity.” We’ve probably been tells Julian to bugger all that up by inserting out there and frivolity is a luxury we can surreptitiously brainwashed and must now soft rock guitar histrionics into proceedings. scarcely afford. Sorry Rich, please carry on; Rehearsal and Recording studios head out to open an easy access cash ISA or So good fairy counters by suggesting you were singing about doing a wee. Damn, the song should be a sort of blues rock we’re off again. Being silly is such fun. Four state of the art rehearsal rooms LAUGHING LAMB something. Doubtless a more sensible way and a professional recording studio. Talking of technique and not playing it to look after your money than handing it sensible, Pete Smith here manages to over to a nearby barkeeper and telling them Send tracks for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU, or email links to edi- For bookings call Jamie on 07917685935 be both technically adept and musically to keep the ale coming til the cash runs out. [email protected], clearly marked Demos. IMPORTANT: no review without a contact Glasshouse studios, Cumnor, Oxford • glasshousestudios.org bonkers on occasion with his band Lucy And with a soundtrack like this, so much phone number. If you can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. Same goes for Leave. Here he gets out from behind his more fun too. your stupid, over-sensitive mates. facebook.com/o2academyoxford twitter.com/o2academyoxford instagram.com/o2academyoxford youtube.com/o2academytv

Sat 26th Jan • 6.30pm • SOLD OUT Sat 23rd Feb • 6pm Thur 21th Mar Mon 15th Apr The Vaccines Stone Broken The Treatment Circa Waves

Sun 27th Jan Sat 23rd Feb • 6.30pm Fri 22nd Mar • 6.30pm Thur 25th Apr Clem Burke Scott Bradlee’s CoCo and the Under The Apple & Bootleg Postmodern Butterfields Tree – Live Blondie Jukebox Sat 23rd Mar • 6.30pm on tour with

Thur 31st Jan Mon 25th Feb Lene Lovich Band Wildwood Kin Joely EP Launch Sea Girls Stateless 40th + Loud Mountains Anniversary Tour Sat 27th Apr • 6.30pm Sat 2nd Feb • 6.30pm Fri 1st Mar • 5.30pm Gangstagrass P.O.D. & Sun 24th Mar • 6.30pm Sleaford Mods Bars and Melody Fri 8th Feb • 6.30pm Alien Ant Farm Sat 27th Apr • 6.30pm ...And You Will + ‘68 Tue 26th Mar UK Foo Fighters Fri 1st Mar • 11pm Gerry Cinnamon Know Us by the Sat 4th May • 6.30pm Trail of Dead My Nu Leng Tue 26th Mar The Wedding Skarlett Riot Fri 8th Feb • 11pm & M8’s Present... + Fahran + Sertraline The Oxford Sat 2nd Mar • 6.30pm Bizarro Tour Soul Train Kanadia Thur 28th Mar Fun Lovin’ Tue 14th May Sat 9th Feb • 6.30pm - Album Launch Criminals Lucy Spraggan Cash Sat 2nd Mar • 6.30pm Fri 29th Mar • 6.30pm Tue 14th May Mon 11th Feb The Coral Wille J Mascis Jimothy Lacoste Sat 9th Mar • 6pm & The Bandits Wed 15th May • 6.30pm Thur 14th Feb U.F.O. - “Last + Rainbreakers SOAK Alexander O’Neal Orders” 50th Mon 1st Apr Sat 18th May • 6.30pm Fri 15th Feb • 6pm Anniversary Tour The Slow Samantha Fish Blue October Sat 9th Mar • 6.30pm Readers Club Wed 22nd May • 6.30pm Sat 16th Feb • 5.30pm The Springsteen Tue 2nd Apr Buckcherry Sessions Yak Sons of the East & Hoobastank Tue 12th Mar Fri 5th Apr • 6.30pm Sat 29th Jun

Sat 16th Feb • 6pm The Japanese Goldie The AC/DC Omar House Lookin Chain Experience - with Live Band Thur 14th Mar Sat 6th Apr • 6.30pm Who’s Got Big Balls Mon 18th Feb Hayseed Dixie The Dualers

Ruts DC Mon 18th Mar Wed 10th Apr • 6.30pm Fri 20th Sep • 6.30pm

Fri 22nd Feb • 6.30pm AJ Tracey KING NO-ONE Boyzlife

Cypher16 Wed 20th Mar • 6.30pm Sat 13th Apr • 6.30pm Wed 27th Nov • 6.30pm & Lest We Forget Ady Suleiman Nilufer Yanya Electric Six

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