email: [email protected] website: nightshift.oxfordmusic.net Free every month. NIGHTSHIFT Issue 124 November Oxford’s Music Magazine 2005

TwizzTwizzTwizz twangle &&& pppaaatststsyyy decline The method in their madness - interview inside

Also inside - news, reviews and six pages of local gigs

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

NEWNEWSS Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected]

SEXY BREAKFAST have split up. The band, who have been a mainstay of the local scene for almost ten years, bowed out with a gig at the Zodiac supporting The Paddingtons last month. Frontman Joe Swarbrick is set to form a new band; in the interim he will be playing a solo gig at the Port Mahon on Saturday 26th November. The Barn at The Red Lion, Witney THE EVENINGS head off on a UK tour Live Music November Programme this month to promote their new ‘Louder In the Dark’ EP on Brainlove Records. The Fri 4th RUBBER MONKEYS THE YOUNG KNIVES head out on their new EP is officially released on November th th Sat 5 SLEEPWALKER biggest ever UK tour this month to 7 ; the band play at the Cellar on th rd Sun 6 DEAD MEN’S SHOES promote new single, ‘The Decision’, on Thursday 3 November with support th Transgressive Records. The new single is a from Applicants, Open Mouth and Fri 11 THE WORRIED MEN th re-recording of 2004’s release on Hanging Napoleon III. The Evenings’ ‘Let’s Go Sat 12 GATOR HIGHWAY th Out With the Cool Kids, which topped Remixed’ album is now set to be released Sun 13 MICHAEL Nightshift’s end of year Top 20 chart. The early in 2006 on Freedom Records. SCHAEFFER Knives kick off their tour at the Zodiac on Fri 18th RIM Sunday 6th November with support from THE CITY TAVERN in Oxford city Sat 19th OCTANE The Rumblestrips. Tickets are on sale now centre is on the lookout for local bands Sun 20th LAURENCE from wegottickets.com. wanting to play in their newly-renamed Fri 25th 80s DISCO PARTY Charisma Bar. Bands or solo artists should Sat 26th WHO’S NEXT A MASSIVE CONCERT in aid of call Charis on 01865 248388 or send a th Children In Need is planned for Friday demo to him at The CityTavern, 8 Market Sun 27 ROB JAMES Every Mon – Karaoke. Every Wed – Quiz Night 11th November at RAF Brize Norton. The Street, Oxford, OX1 3EF. 15,000-capacity event will be free and is Opening times for the Barn – intended to be broadcast live as part of the DON’T FORGET to tune into the Fri & Sat: 10.45pm – 1.00am Sun: 5pm – 7pm BBC’s CIN night. Contrary to early press Download every Saturday at 6pm on BBC Monday nights are karaoke 11pm – 1.00am leaks, David Bowie is not confirmed to Radio Oxford 95.2fm. The local music Once a month on a Thursday is originals night: 9pm – 11pm. Details are available from our website play but several top names are being show, presented by Tim Bearder continues or by phoning 01993 703149 approached and at least two Oxford bands to give Oxford music a regular airing, will be joining them on stage, with BBC featuring interviews with local acts, new www.redlionwitney.co.uk Radio Oxford’s Tim Bearder charged with releases, demos and a gig and club guide. holding a local bands competition to decide the lucky acts. Check out bbc.co.uk/oxford JIM REID plays a rare solo show at the for more details as and when they emerge. Cellar this month (Thursday 10th November). The former-Jesus and Mary AVID RECORDS is set to close its doors Chain singer is set to release his debut solo for the last time on November 5th. The single, ‘Song For A Secret’, on long-established second-hand record shop Oxfordshire’s Transistor Records this near Gloucester Green is being forced to month. Reid has so far played only two close after being hit by a 50% rent hike solo shows so it’s a good chance to hear from the council, backdated three years. his new songs early on. The rent increase is expected to lead to other small, independent shops closing. Avid will continue to trade from its Bournemouth shop as well as online at www.avidrecords-uk.com.

FELL CITY GIRL head off on a UK tour supporting Longview this month. The local favourites are currently attracting a huge amount of music industry interest and recently appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals despite being, as yet, unsigned. The Oxford date of the tour is at the Zodiac on Tuesday 1st November. Fell City Girl’s recent ‘Weaker Light’ single has now sold out, while their debut split-EP, with Swindon’s Latitude Blue, is set to be reissued, without Latitude Blue’s contribution, who have now split up. A Quiet Word With Twizz Twangle and Patsy Decline

TWIZZ TWANGLE IS A MAN like ‘Love is a Raver’, and just plain who can divide a room like no other strange, like ‘Monkeydog’. Live, it in Oxford. For nigh on 13 years the tends to be haphazard, but on a good singing postman from East Oxford night we’ll improve the audience’s has been ploughing a most singular night. With our Patsy Decline band, of musical furrows, oblivious to and we haven’t actually played a full line untouched by the vagaries of fashion up gig yet, but with Andy Proper and and accepted ideas of musical Joe Chapman, from the Factory, we technique, style or performance. hope to have one soon.” Twizz Twangle is unique: a genuine PATSY: “I have a compulsive urge treasure but an eternal outsider, to redesign the entire world. It’s time hailed as a genius by his devout fans, people woke up and saw all the shit dismissed as a lunatic and a joke by and futility that we are surrounded unbelievers. Even Nightshift, his by. So I just like to make everything most enthusiastic supporters since he up as I go along, to get into peoples first appeared on the local scene, heads and shuffle things up. That’s have, on occasions, thrown our why Dan is good to work with hands up in despair at the aural because he’s totally open to causing carnage that he is capable of. No mayhem and muddle. Together we other local artist has made the leap have created an aesthetically from Demo of the Month to Demo pleasing Frankenstein’s monster and Dumper and back again, and the fact honestly, it wasn’t seriously planned; that Twizz Twangle managed it it was down to our spontaneous within the space of a year is all the vivacity. That’s why it’s going to be more remarkable and puzzling. good live – we don’t know what’s going to happen. There’s an edge TWIZZ TWANGLE’S REAL NAME when things go wrong and people is Dan Eisenhandler. Having lived for look uncomfortable, so we try to hit a time in New York during the them so they pay attention. The advent of punk and then got into “The Patsy Decline Band” - clockwise from top: Joe Chapman, Patsy stuff we’ve recorded is probably an music through is dad’s record Decline, Twizz Twangle, Andy Proper unlawful mixture of the Fall meets collection (Pink Floyd, Black Kim Wilde, only worse than that. Sabbath, 10cc) Dan first announced AFTER FINALLY WEARING Patsy Decline – real name Patsy Put it this way, we probably will his presence on the local scene with down Nightshift’s patience with a Brennan – first got involved in local never play the same way twice.” his band Oh Susannah Joanna! whose demo of home recordings apparently music when she played with Nought’s Dan, you’ve gone from Demo of utterly unhinged style of pop won done in his toilet, we consigned James Sedwards and Camp the Month to Demo Dumper back to them a rare five-star demo review in Twizz to the Demo Dumper in order Blackfoot’s Alex Ward, now a Demo of the Month (twice) again Nightshift’s predecessor, Curfew to stem the monthly tide of new and renowned improvisational musician. within the space of a few months - Magazine, and subsequent patronage increasingly unlistenable songs. Nine Inspired by everything from Blondie how did you feel about that? from Klub Kakofanney, eternal months later he was back with to The Beatles, Kraftwerk to The DAN: “I think both times I got the champions of the bizarre and crazy. ‘International Council Estate’, a Smiths, she has a captivating singing demo of the month I was on holiday Over the next decade, Dan demo of songs he’d recorded with voice: simultaneously soulful and abroad so it was a nice coming-home established himself as Oxford music’s various guest vocalists – Vigilance spaced-out. When she recorded present to find Nightshift shoved court jester, a lunatic savant with a Black Special’s Adam Clayton, long- ‘State Of Decline’ she simply made through my letterbox. I was too wholly unselfconscious approach to time friend and collaborator Mark all the lyrics up on the spot and scared to read the ‘Demo Dumper making simplistic but mind-boggling Bosley, and best of all, Patsy recorded her vocals in a single take. review, though it was funny to end lo-fi electro-folk music that Decline, a singer he’d met at the As well as her work with Twizz up in there! My only qualm is that somehow managed to combine both now-deceased Spotlight Acoustic Twangle Patsy is writing and one of my best songs, ‘Boyband,’ Frank Zappa and Frank Sidebottom Club at the Wheatsheaf. The recording a full album with James was on it but because it was recorded – far, far removed from the musical transformation was incredible; the Sedwards which is due to be released on a cheapo dictaphone it didn’t mainstream. Gigs became cult two songs with Patsy singing were early in 2006. sound to hot. But production values events, Dan often performing odd but mesmerising, a mad cross don’t matter on demos, we are told!” dressed in little more than a G-string, between The Slits’ sloganeering post- A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE dismembering songs by anyone from punk and the spaced-out sci-fi disco read a lot about Twizz and Patsy or BOTH TWIZZ AND PATSY Madonna to Abba alongside his own of Dee D Jackson. have heard about them from other have both spent some time in New lopsided creations. In Reading his A couple of months later came people but maybe never experienced York. The city has a reputation for band was menaced by drunks who’d ‘State Of Decline’, a mini-album of them first-hand. How would they spawning some of music’s greatest arrived expecting a lesbian strip songs written and played by Twizz each describe themselves and each mavericks; what were both of show; after a covers set in a five-star and sung by Patsy. Like its other and what can people expect impressions of the place? restaurant he prompted a food fight predecessor it romped to the from them when they first hear their PATSY: “New York is a snarling and was thrown in the adjoining Nightshift Demo of the Month music or see them live? beast that bites those not fast or river. Best of all, two years ago at crown with its spontaneous clamour DAN: “It probably depends what snappy enough to get out of the way Cropredy Festival he convinced the of art-pop awkwardness, low-rent they hear. Both Patsy and I are of its jaws. I was too slow so I used compere he was dying of septicaemia synth-pop and mangled guitar, all musically schizoid. We haven’t got to just hang around the East Village and was allowed to play ‘Dancing topped off with Patsy’s improvised just one trademark sound. As Twizz which was a bit like the Cowley Queen’ on stage in front of 10,000 words sung with a wonderfully Twangle, my songs range from the Road, only the neighbourhood was perplexed Fairport Convention fans, otherworldly voice. It sounds like vitriolic and alienated, like peopled by real bohemians and the with Eddie Reader on backing vocals. nothing else around. ‘Boyband’ to whimsical and quirky, whole community was like a big festival village only really, really LUNACY IS A WORD THAT expensive and everyone works 12 crops up in a lot of reviews of Dan hours a day. There was no punk and Patsy’s CDs. Not in a medical garage scene happening and all the sense but more in the sense that they famous music bars have become are making music with a museums to the glory days of 1976. combination of confrontation, anti- The best gig I saw was in Brooklyn commercialism, and a lopsided, with the Anne Magnusson band don’t-give-a-fuck attitude; does that fronted by the former vocalist of the annoy them at all? now sadly lost Bongwater. I think DAN: “Let me tell you something: that night was very influential in when I was a kid, I was wired up to how I developed musically when I an E.C.G. scan by a psychologist,. He came back to Oxford. She may well said I was okay but that I was wired be the main blueprint for the stage up differently. I don’t give a fuck! November persona Patsy Decline.” And I was abused by giant pandas.” Every Monday: THE FAMOUS MONDAY NIGHT BLUES – DAN: “I spent some childhood time PATSY: “I wouldn’t mind a bit of The best in UK, European and US blues. 8-12. £6 there as my Grandfather was a New E.C.G. running around my brain, but 7th WILD T & THE SPIRIT (Canada) York Taxi Driver. Me and my sister the drugs don’t work for me and th used to gain entrance to CBGBs. I’m they certainly wouldn’t help me 14 SIMON ‘HONEYBOY’ HICKLING (UK) not sure how because we were way to make music. There’s so much stuff 21st STEVE ‘BIG MAN’ CLAYTON (UK/Ger) young but I remember the slam- going on in my head that there isn’t 28th JONATHAN KALB (USA) dancing and sense of excitement. any room for drugs.” There were basement clubs Do you think that too much music is everywhere then, and loads of stalls made by people who are - for want on the street selling bootlegs. Now I of better words - too normal or Every Tuesday: THE OXFORD JAZZ CLUB – think it’s still great but has lost its sensible? Who would you cite as the with THE TOM GREY QUINTET edge and CBGBs may as well be greatest mavericks, risk-takers, or closed, as it’s a living relic. Still a sheer lunatics in music? Free live jazz plus DJs playing r’n’b, funk and soul until 2am. wonderful place to get records at DAN: “I can’t help thinking that (except Tue 15th: ALVIN ROY) 4am, though!” happy, well-adjusted people have no Outsiders from the mainstream, need to express themselves through what, honestly, do Twizz and Patsy music. But why deny them this think of the Oxford music scene, pleasure? Because of James Blunt and Every Thursday: BULLSEYE – especially in the way it’s treated Maroon 5, that’s fucking why! The Student Indie, Festival, Funk (10pm-2am - £2 or free them both and how it has shaped the most ‘out there’ band I’ve had the entry with flyer from The City Arms) music they make? pleasure to witness lately has been DAN: “It’s really good from an Rammstein. During their set they entry-level perspective with pubs boiled their keyboardist, trashed such as the Exeter, Chester Arms and their piano accordion and ran out of Every Friday: BACKROOM BOOGIE – Port Mahon, where I cut my teeth, gas for their flame-throwers. Beat Funk, soul and R&B. 9-2am Free B4 10pm; £4 after. but it’s really hard to step up to the that, Iron Maiden. Locally, Barry next level. What is needed to and the Beachcombers. Their songs facilitate the kind of explosion in are sludge-metal but instead of Oxford recently seen in East London singing about boring old Satan, they Every Sunday: THE CHAPEL - - to blow the fucking doors off the sing about far more pertinent things, LOCAL BANDS SHOWCASE. 8-11pm. £3 larger venues. Locally I admire the like 1mph wheelbarrow collisions. mighty gorgeous Vigilance Black Terry Walpole is an amazing Special. They should be on the front absurdist poet too, although he does Plus page of Nightshift!” have a predilection for saying ‘I nd PATSY: “I only go to see the bands can’t wait til you’ve died so I can Wed 2 COMEDY CLUB with SARAH KENDAL, AL I like so the latest Oxford music piss on your grave!’ to artists he PITCHER and AYD INSTONE, with compere Silky 8.30- scene is something I know little doesn’t appreciate.” midnight £6.50 about, if it exists in the first place. PATSY: “I believe that too much Sat 5th SIMPLE – Funky House with Sir Norman J 9-2am To my mind there seems to be a music is made by the people who are sizeable minority of people in this morally weak, badly educated at Sat 12th FREAK OUT – Rock night 9-2am town to exploit the local music third-rate universities, who lack the Wed 16th BROOKS ROCK SOC NIGHT with scene to further their own careers. spine and intelligence to be creative. ATAKKU / SYLOSIS / IONICA / SOULBURN 8-12am But there’s not so much fresh Originality inspired by love is diversity as there was a few years slipping away from us and if you care Sat 19th SIMPLE - funky house residents night 9-2am ago. I first became spellbound by about music and humanity as much Wed 23rd REDOX / NICK CROXAN / UNDER Ride who got me hooked into jangly as I do then you must be fucking pop guitar sounds that were the fuming! The ones that do make a THE IGLOO / THE EPSTEIN – Cancer perfect background to dropping acid, stand I would not call lunatics. The Research benefit gig 8-12am walking through Wolvercote and re- greatest risk-takers gave us some of Thu 24th JULIA HARRIS - Acoustic Folk. Early experiencing the 1960s. And then the most honest and spontaneous show - doors 8-10pm £3 along came Supergrass and I knew ideas you will ever hear. Mark that Oxford could produce fantastic E.Smith, Morrissey, The Sex Pistols Sat 26th REAL LIFE – Hard Dance and Break beats 9- pop songs. But it doesn’t and people and Radiohead. They never 2am don’t seem to respect it anymore, compromised, yet they got through Wed 30th LITTLE WOMEN but back in the day the Cowley Road to people. The Beatles were the was in a zone and Ride took us to the biggest mavericks of all. Today’s centre of it. Some of us are still music has no soul and if you buy this there and because me and Dan do badly-made product you will be Coming in December: Thur 1st – WHO’S NEXT – Who weird stuff a lot of people don’t cheated of your hard-earned pay.” tribute band (Early show 8-10.30pm £5.00) want their reputation tarnished by that. Or else they split their sides ‘State Of Decline’ is out now on laughing in confusion.” Poplash Records. Sponsored RELEASED by Bald Diddley, aka Hipbone Slim) has been GOLDRUSH making some of the most fulsome, authentic surf, swamp and rock’n’roll around for a decade ‘Ozona’ and a half, garnering him critical acclaim and (Better Looking) widespread – if cult – popularity across the globe. Hipbone Slim & The Knee Tremblers, This new release from Goldrush, effectively the named after an infamous El Paso gang of band’s second full album, is basically a mash up Mexican hoodlums in the late-50s, is Baldy’s of the best bits of their ‘Extended Play’ EP and darker-edged rockabilly alter ego and ‘Have 2004’s ‘Ozona’ min-album with the addition of Knees…’ is the band’s second album. Here three new tracks. The album has come about Baldy is joined by former-Milkshakes and with the band signing to Better Looking Headcoats drummer Bruce Brand as well as Records in the States, where they spent so long-time collaborator and kindred spirit Holly much of last year touring. As such, much of Golightly, who adds backing vocals to the Eddie the material is familiar, although by mixing up Cochran-inspired ‘What Do You Look Like?’. the tracks from the two EPs you get a fair That track is the centrepiece for an energetic impression of how Goldrush have learned to and surprisingly varied album that manages to unravel their rustic English reserve and embrace HIPBONE SLIM & THE squeeze twelve songs into a compact 26 the raw, rough American style of folk-rock. Of minutes. The shadowy swampy tremolo of the new songs here, each produced by Dave KNEE TREMBLERS ‘Pathfinder’ rubs up against the jovial ‘Peanuts’ Fridmann, ‘Feel’ has the dippy, dreaminess that and the more languid surf lope of ‘Lonesome Robin Bennett emotes so well, while ‘Each ‘Have Knees Will and Loathesome’, while instrumental break Moment In Time’ has a lopsided expansiveness Tremble’ ‘Jostlin” is pure Link Wray. similar to Mercury Rev, tempered by Robin’s There are plenty of rockabilly revivalist acts on more winsome vocals. The slightly clunky (Voodoo Rhythm) the circuit, but while Hipbone Slim & The ‘Come On, Come On’ revisits Goldrush’s Why folk in Oxford aren’t shouting Sir Bald Kneetremblers sound incredibly authentic – affection for The Band but without leaving Diddley’s name from the very top of the helped, no doubt by being recorded at the anything to trouble your memory. dreaming spires for all the world to hear is legendary Toerag studio – they sound less like Still, it’s good to revisit the ragged, soaring something that has puzzled us for many years an anachronistic novelty than the living spirit of ‘Wait For The Wheels’, with its hang-dog here at Nightshift. Under his many guises (and timeless rock’n’roll. raggedness and pretty melody coated in there have been many), Mark Painter (aka Sir Ian Chesterton freeway grime, ‘All The Faces’, with its airy Teenage Fanclub pop breeze, and the languid ‘Counting Song’, that gently coaxes the melody to ‘Can’t Let Maggie Go’ out of Honeybus’ hands. With the band away from the Oxford gig THE YOUNG KNIVES NINE TON PEANUT scene for so much of the past year it’s been easy to forget what genuinely great tunesmiths ‘The Decision’ SMUGGLERS they really are. Tremulous and even timid- (Transgressive) ‘If The Coast Is Clear’ sounding Goldrush might appear at times, but The Young Knives’ inexorable rise to well- they’ve got a big heart and in their own gentle, deserved rock stardom continues with this (Nine Ton) doleful way they’re still getting on with the job second single for uber-trendy label Like the proverbial buses, you wait an age for a of conquering the world. Transgressive (home to The Subways and new Sir Bald Diddley release then a whole load Sue Foreman Mystery Jets). ‘The Decision’ is a re-release of come at once. So, hitting the darkest racks of all sorts, the song originally put out on local label good old-fashioned record emporiums in the Hanging Out With the Cool Kids last year and same week as the new Hipbone Slim album, is topping Nightshift’s end of year Top 20. Baldy’s ska project, Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers Familiarity hasn’t lessened its appeal any, it’s (who will be joining Ska Cubano on stage later still a slightly crazed, mock-operatic drug trip this month). into the minds of Henry Dartnell and House Of And when we say ska, we mean ska as in its Lords – mad, nonsensical stuff about the Prince proper original form – bluesy, soulful, stacked of Wales and supreme monarchs shrieked out in with cheap-sounding brass and loping along on uptight falsetto, like Sparks’ Russell Mael a groove that’s as carefree as it is infectious. fronting a rockabilly Pixies getting fresh with Here are four original tracks written and The Beach Boys. As such it’s pretty much recorded in the style of Skatalites or Prince perfect pop twisted wickedly out of shape and Buster. Best of the lot is the honky-tonk painted luminous lime green so that passing rocksteady of ‘Baldhead’, continuing Sir Bald motorists will go blind as they gawp at it. The Diddley’s long-standing obsession with hair best band in Oxford, no contest. loss. A man out of time, but wonderfully so. Dale Kattack Dale Kattack Selected Oxford releases are now available on the ground floor HMV Oxford supports local music Open Sundays 11-5pm & late Thursdays till 7pm. 10% student discount every day

gig guide

TUESDAY 1 st BARCODE TRIO: The Hollybush, Osney – Weekly energy jazz residency. LONGVIEW + FELL CITY GIRL: The Zodiac NOVEMBER SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks – Weekly dose (upstairs) – Manchester’s oceanic indie rockers of reggae, ska, funk, Latin and Afrobeat with DJ continue to plug 2003’s debut album, ‘Mercury’, PORT MAYHEM: The Port Mahon – New Aidan Larkin and guests. given a new lease of life after signing to Columbia acoustic night with sets from Simon Davies. SABOTAGE: The Zodiac – Weekly rock club in the States. Graceful, radio-friendly stuff in the DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC: G Bar night playing punk, hardcore and indie sounds. vein of city-mates Elbow and Doves. Local rising ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Hobgoblin, Bicester OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon starlets FCG join them for the duration of their nd CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford tour, hoping to build on their impressive showings WEDNESDAY 2 BRUNO GUASTALLA + CAFÉ REASON: The Community Centre – All-comers music club. at Reading and Leeds festivals. th HAMMER & TONGUE: The Zodiac Port Mahon – Improvisational sounds from FRIDAY 4 (downstairs) – Monthly slam poetry night. cellist and bandoneon player Guastalla at tonight’s POLYSICS: The Zodiac – Return of the JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: Oxford Improvisers night. Japanese robo-punks, cutting a retro-futurist sci-fi The Bullingdon – Weekly residency at the ever- SCANNER + PETE LOCKETT + PARALLAX dash with their Devo-inspired synth noise. popular free jazz night. BEAT BROTHERS: Jacqueline Du Pre OSWIN CHIN BEHILIA & HIS BAND: The OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, Building – Maverick experimental soundscaping Zodiac – An evening of Campesino music from Cowley from Robin Rimbaud and chums – see main the Curacao-born singer and guitarist Oswin, preview mixing up Congolese rumba and Cuban mambo. KIMYA DAWSON + JASON ANDERSON + nd SOURCE: The Zodiac – Drum&bass club night. Wednesday 2 DYLAN METRANO: Freud’s - Anti-folk night STRAFE + JUNE + SHAKER HEIGHTS: The with former Mouldy Peaches singer Kimya Exeter Hall, Cowley – Local indie rock night. SCANNER & showing she’s a far better singer than her old band KLUB KAKOFANNEY with REDOX + ever let on, plus support from ex-Wolf Colonel TOUNSI + NICK BREAKSPEAR + FILM PETE LOCKETT: man Jason Anderson and former-Tiger Saw chap NOIR: The Wheatsheaf – Swamp-funk party Dylan Metrano. vibes from Klub Kak hosts Redox, plus former Jacqueline Du Pre IRISH FOLK SESSION: The Exeter Hall, Chamfer chap Nick Breakspear and Smiths- Cowley inspired indie rockers Film Noir. Building DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: GOODFELLAZ: Charisma Bar @ The City Still one of the world’s most adventurous Far From The Madding Crowd Tavern – London-based classic party band. sound explorers and multi-media artists after GIGSWAP UK NIGHT: The Wheatsheaf THE RUBBER MONKEYS: The Red Lion, fifteen years, Scanner – aka Robin Rimbaud THURSDAY 3 rd Witney – Classic rock covers. – has moved on some way since his early SCRIPT + CHANTELLE PIKE: The Port ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, Jericho CDs where he intercepted private mobile Mahon – Eclectic and melodic indie rocking OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon phone conversations and weaved them into from Script, with dramatic folk and country- BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon often eerie, sometimes comical sound tinged pop singing from Chantelle Pike BOSSAPHONIK: The Cellar – Latin dance ALAMO LEAL: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – night with The Deirdre Cartwright Group. tapestries. Since then he’s recorded every- th thing from string quartets to experimental Acoustic show from the Brazilian bluesman. SATURDAY 5 techno, written film scores and collaborated TWO DUOS II: Modern Art, Oxford (5.45pm) THE BLUETONES + CONWAY STORY + with a wide range of rock stars, choreogra- – Cellist and bandoneon player Bruno Guastalla SKY PARADE: The Zodiac (upstairs) – Brit- teams up with percussionist Chris Stubbs for the phers and visual artists. Previous pranks pop survivors back again, as reliably, if first part of tonight’s Oxford Contemporary include playing sixteen simultaneous gigs considerably more frequent, than Haley’s Comet. Music installation, followed by bass player Dom We’d imagine by now they’re back in fashion – around the globe using impersonators in his Lash’s collaboration with drummer Paul May – a just reward, perhaps, for their work ethic and DIY place, while some of his most intriguing set of improvised folk and jazz interpreted by attitude. work has been in his Githead guise, Butoh dancer Ana Barbour. DUELS: The Zodiac (downstairs) – Melodic, collaborating with Wire’s Colin Newman. THE POSIES: The Zodiac (upstairs) – welcome, geezerish post-punk in the vein of Kaiser Chiefs His most recent project is ‘Sound Polaroids’, if unexpected return to action for the highly- and Maximo Park from Leeds’ new rock creating music from computer-scanned regarded Seattle popsters, who split up in 1998. gunslingers, recently signed to the re-emergent digital photos. Tonight he teams up with Individually they’re probably better known as acoustic sound experimenter Pete Lockett, members of other bands (joint frontmen and while there’s support from Parallax songwriters Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer both Brothers, creating a soundscape of grooves, sporadically play live with Big Star, while Stringfellow has long been a member of REM’s samples and electronica backed up by an touring band). The pair reconvened for this year’s exotic collection of world percussion, from ‘Every Kind Of Light’ album, as ever mixing up Indian tabla to Arabian frame drums. Not Stringfellow’s sensitive, misty-eyed pop with your average rock and roll gig, then. Auer’s more acerbic, politicised songs. JOHN COOPER CLARKE: The Zodiac (downstairs) – The seminal Mancunian punk poet presents a night of comedy and poetry. THE EVENINGS + THE OPEN MOUTHS + APPLICANTS + NAPOLEON III: The Cellar – The local electro-pop outfit launch their new EP, mixing up classic John Foxx and OMD-styled synth noises with a more avant garde experimental approach. DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, FOLK & BLUES BANDS NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd – Including Latin jazz duo Los Hombres. THE SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern PAT THOMAS + ALEX WARD + ROGER ample subject matter for his muse. Expect plenty TURNER: Brookes University Drama Studio of old classics, plus new songs. – The cream of Oxford’s improvisational COURTNEY PINE: The Zodiac (upstairs) – musicians team up for a night of free jazz and The UK’s leading jazz master of the last 20 years sonic experimentalism. revisits the Zodiac, scene of many previous JAMIE HUDDLESTONE + NICHOLAS displays of sax virtuosity and genre-melding THEATRE + LAIMA BITE: The Port Mahon – innovation, taking in everything from African Acoustic songwriters night. tribal music, funk, dub, soul and drum&bass. HOT RATS: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – Blues BLACKBUD: The Zodiac (downstairs) – Latest rock from Devon. in an increasingly long line of Jeff Buckley- THE RELATIONSHIPS + CAPTURED inspired bright young things, hailing from the IMAGES + SLOWMOTION: The Cellar – West Country, playing emotive indie rock and Jangly, psychedelic pop from the local veterans. recently signed to Independiente after an Tuesday 8th DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: acclaimed debut single on Fierce Panda. The Old School House GET CAPE, WEAR CAPE, FLY + TANAOU + THE CARDIACS: DEAD MAN’S SHOES: The Red Lion, Witney EMPHEMETRY: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – HOT FLARES: The Black Horse, Kidlington Melodic glitch-rock from one man laptop and The Zodiac MONDAY 7th guitar act Get Cape. Idlewild-style indie rocking from Tanaou and pop heartache from It’s quite a month for musical veterans, this, WILD T & THE SPIRIT: The Bullingdon – Emphemetry. both of the comfortable, family-friendly Canada’s pre-eminent blues guitarist Tony ‘Wild JIM REID + ROSE KEMP + DREW ATKINS: T’ Springer makes a welcome first visit to the variety and those of a more maverick The Cellar – The former Jesus and Mary Chain famous Monday Night Blues. A major inspiration persuasion. The Cardiacs most definitely fall singer and rock and roll wildman of his day for Jeff Healey, he’s also worked with David into the latter category. Formed in Surrey (Babyshambles glorified stage invasions aren’t a Bowie, Deep Purple and Carole Pope, although back in 1977, they were once banned patch on the full-on riots the Mary Chain used to he’s best known for his own Hendrix-styled outright from appearing in NME by a provoke, while his very public bust-up with electric blues-rock, taking in rhythm’n’blues, disgusted editor, but widespread press brother and bandmate William precipitated that funk and jazz along the way. band’s split in heroically violent style). Of course hatred only fuelled their rise to cult status WEDNESDAY 13th: The Zodiac – Confusingly- he’s mellowed since his mid-80s heyday when and a career that has outlasted all their named frontman with Murderdolls, Wednesday TJAMC revolutionised a soporific music scene detractors. In their long and varied career the 13th (named after the daughter in The Addams band have gone through myriad line-up Family and The Munsters’ address) brings his changes, but are forever led by frontman panto goth-horror rocking to The Club That Tuesday 15th Tim Smith. Stylistically they take in Cannot Be Named, backed by members of everything from prog-rock, metal, pastoral Florida’s Death Becomes You, promising a set of MOTÖRHEAD: psychedelia and nods to bands as disparate old Frankenstein Drag Queens songs. Is it too late as King Crimson, XTC and the Sex Pistols. for a Halloween party? The New Theatre Smith’s very English lyrical slant and vocal OPEN MIC NIGHT: The Port Mahon In an age of Coldplay and Keane, when so- accent preceded Britpop by a good decade CRAOBH RUA: Nettlebed Folk Club – Irish called rock stars are more likely to be folk traditionalists keeping the flame burning for but was typical of the band’s out-of-time spotted patronising art galleries or finishing the likes of The Chieftains, Planxty and The the Times crossword than being fished feel which forever cast the as outsiders. Still, Bothy Band. the band have never lost their cult status and th unconscious out of swimming pools in the their influence, though hardly widespread, is TUESDAY 8 early hours, isn’t it reassuring that Lemmy is still being felt – from Blur’s wonkier outings, THE CARDIACS: The Zodiac – Tim Smith’s still flying the flag for proper hedonistic to Oxford’s own Suitable Case For merry bunch of men return – see main preview behaviour? In the same week that Status JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: Treatment, who provide tonight’s support. Quo celebrate their 40th anniversary at the The Bullingdon New Theatre, Motörhead can boast a full 30 For lovers of genuinely off-beat rock music, OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, and for anyone who forever despairs of the Cowley years on the road at the same venue. It’s a music press’ inability to deal with anything JAMES HAHN: The Port Mahon long while since they last graced the charts out of the ordinary, here’s a chance to DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC: G Bar but their legendary status grows ever celebrate the continuing survival of one such CHIARINA: Café Rouge stronger. Motörhead wrote the blueprint for extraordinary band. INTRUSION: The Cellar – Goth club night. full-throttle heavy metal with ‘Overkill’ and WEDNESDAY 9 th ‘Ace Of Spades’, while ‘No Sleep ‘Til Nude Records after their debut on the ultra-cool IRISH FOLK: The Exeter Hall, Cowley Hammersmith’ remains one of the greatest Transgressive label. THE MASS + SUITABLE CASE FOR live rock albums of all time. Last year’s THE GIMP + OTTO FISCHER: The Port Mahon TREATMENT + BULLET UNION: The ‘Inferno’ proved that Lemmy isn’t going to BOMBSHOE + PHYAL + ALLY CRAIG: The Wheatsheaf – Angular, dynamic math-rock, mellow out any time soon, still belting it out Exeter Hall, Cowley – Hardcore metal with a grindcore and jazz-punk mayhem from in his trademark growl about war, booze and System of a Down-style twist from Bombshoe, California’s inspired Mass, mixing up human and more war. After twice collapsing on stage plus punky metal from Phyal and emotive sax screams, art-rock drones and crushing riffery earlier this year, it was reported that Lemmy acoustic pop from Ally Craig. in a Shellac-meets-Mr Bungle-meets-Dillinger was reducing his alcohol intake. What this TURBULENCE + AXE VALLEY + NOT MY Escpae Plan-meets-Frank Zappa stylee. Local actually amounted to was him mixing his DAY: Charisma Bar @ The City Tavern – prog-core maniacs SC4T should give them a run traditional Jack Daniel’s with a dash of coke. Local bands showcase night. for their money. “If we moved in next door, your lawn would SLEEPWALKER: The Red Lion, Witney – DELICIOUS MUSIC NIGHT with Kinks, Who and Stones-influenced rockers. UPSTREAM PROVIDERS + RICHARD die”, explained Lemmy once in an attempt to HIGHER GROUND + LIFE AND SOUL + THE BROTHERTON: The City Tavern explain the Motörhead phenomenon. The INFLATABLES: Romanway, Cowley PHONIK: The Cellar – Jam session with the guy’s well into his fifties now – don’t you SIMPLE: The Bullingdon –Funky house. Cellar’s jazz, funk soul and house band. just wish he was your dad? SUNDAY 6th DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: Far From The Madding Crowd THE YOUNG KNIVES + RUMBLESTRIPS: th The Zodiac – Homecoming gig for the local THURSDAY 10 stars, currently on a major UK tour promoting THE WEDDING PRESENT: Brookes new single, ‘The Decision’. With the national University Union – David Gedge’s resurgent press now starting to recognise what we’ve known indie standard bearers return to town after selling for bleedin’ ages, and the band’s second album due out the Zodiac in the spring. Having split up the out early in 2006, it’s all set for The Knives to band in the early-90s and formed Cinerama with hit the big time and tonight’s headline gig could be his then partner, he’s since split with her and the last time for Oxford fans to see the best live found a new lease of songwriting life with the band in town in such an intimate setting. Weddoes, each relationship break-up providing features former Mary Chain and Lush fella Phil ELECTRIC JAM: The Exeter Hall, Cowley – King. Darkly-inclined rock siren Rose Kemp Jam along with the in-house rhythm section – all provides support. musicians welcome. PINK MARINES: The Port Mahon ZEBRAHEAD + FASTLANE: The Zodiac – DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, FOLK & BLUES Orange County punk outfit who’ve been out on BANDS NIGHT: Far From The Madding tour with Green Day, Fugazi and The Descendants Crowd – With guests Jazz Emporium. amongst others and were Grammy nominated for THE SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf their cover of ‘Enter Sandman’, featuring Lemmy JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern on vocals. BOMBSHOE + PHYAL: The Hobgoblin, BEARD MUSEUM with NICK KENNY + Bicester – Local metal and punk double bill. SIMON KITCHENER + DREW + FLUFFBOY BARCODE: The Hollybush, Osney & NAN MUGGER: The Purple Turtle – One- SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks time Four Storeys frontman Nick continues to SABOTAGE: The Zodiac ply a mellow, folk-pop in the vein of Neil Young OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon and The Band at tonight’s Beard Museum session. CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford MICHAEL SCHAEFFER: The Red Lion, Community Centre Witney SKYNY NYRDS: The Red Lion, Kidlington DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: FRIDAY 11th The Old School House WAM: The Black Horse, Kidlington HARRY ANGEL + HAMMER Vs THE SNAKE th + HYPODRUNK + ELECTROBYTE: The MONDAY 14 Wednesday 16th Zodiac (downstairs) – Gothic fuzz-pop with a SIMON ‘HONEYBOY’ HICKLING: The heavy Sonic Youth edge from local favourites Bullingdon – Probably the UK’s leading blues TONY CHRISTIE: Harry Angel, plus assorted local supports. harp player as well as a renowned singer, who’s INFLATABLE BUDDHA + THE FUGITIVES: toured with Steve Marriot and recorded with Bo th Friday 25 The Zodiac (upstairs) – Gallic folk, slam poetry Diddley and Paul Rogers amongst others. Original and arty post-punk noise from the local eccentric blues-rock and r’n’b material as well as covers of SKAKIN’ STEVENS: music collective. Chuck Berry, Charlie Musselwhite and Canned RAMI & THE SALAMIS: The Exeter Hall, Heat amongst the classics. The New Theatre Cowley – Bluesy folk-rock from the Ex fave. In a month of a million golden oldies visiting XMAS LIGHTS + LOVE ENDS DISASTER + Friday 17th / Saturday 18th Oxford, here are two of the most enduring THE VANITY SCORE: The Wheatsheaf – family favourites of the 70s and 80s. Tony Elaborate metal mayhem from this month’s STATUS QUO: Christie, of course, is no longer the forgotten Nightshift Demo Of The Monthers, Xmas Lights. man of British crooning, thanks to Peter INSTABILE ORCHESTRA: Wesley Memorial The New Theatre Church, New Inn Hall Street – Oxford Kaye, Comic Relief and that single (the Contemporary Music presents Italy’s premier jazz Crazy as it might seem, a full forty years biggest seller of the year by many miles). ensemble – an eight-piece band featuring assorted after they formed, Status Quo now find Easy to forget that Christie was, and remains, improv luminaries led by trumpeter Pino Minafra, themselves considered cooler than they have so much more than a novelty cabaret singer as bassist Bruno Tommaso and pianist Giorgio since back in the days of ‘Pictures Of his many ‘Greatest Hits’ collections testify. Gaslini. It’s exuberant, rhythmic stuff that takes Matchstick Men’. This despite recently Easy to forget too that before ‘Amarillo’ in both traditional Italian street marching jazz appearing on Coronation Street. In part this fever took off, he was gracing the charts as and contemporary free jazz. is down to the fact that their last couple of recently as 1999 with All Seeing I on ‘Walk THE WORRIED MEN: The Red Lion, Witney albums, notably this year’s ‘The Party Ain’t Like A Panther’. ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, Jericho Over Yet’ – the band’s 33rd full-length release OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon Another easy to forget fact is that Glamorgan – are as good as anything they’ve done since lad Shakin’ Stevens was the biggest selling BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon th their late-70s / early-80s commercial heyday. singles artist of the 1980s, with a string of SATURDAY 12 After all, in an era when The Darkness are huge number 1 hits, including ‘Green Door’ THE SHAKER HEIGHTS: The Port Mahon – acclaimed as saviours of old-fashioned, and ‘Oh Julie’. His performing history went Indie rockers with a mellow Velvet Underground good-time rock and roll, why not celebrate back to the 60s but his Elvis-inspired influence. the true originals? Not that Ver Quo have THE CHEESEGRATERS: The Exeter Hall, rock’n’roll took a while longer to catch on. ever had much time for being critically Cowley – Live soul and funk, featuring Oxford’s Shaky’s popularity waned as the 90s kicked acclaimed, not when they’ve just been in and legal wranglings lost him much of his premier kazoo player. Apparently. 100 BULLETS BACK + HOTKNIFE declared the most successful British singles royalties but he’s still releasing new material JACKSON + THE SEQUINS: The act of all time, ahead of even The Beatles. and tonight’s gig will be a hit-strewn trip back Wheatsheaf – New Wave and synth-pop from Folks just love a nice bit of unadulterated in time. local hopefuls 100 Bullets Back. barroom boogie fun, and if Radio 1 long ago BLUE JUNK + DUO VENTE DEDOS + DREW decided to cut them from the play-list, with their honey-dripping feedback anthems. New ATKINS: Charisma Bar @ The City Tavern – they’ll just keep on touring until they drop. single, ‘ Song For A Secret’ on Oxfordshire’s Instrumental jazz-rock fusion from Blue Junk. Rossi and Parfitt’s formula has remained Transister Records. The brooding atmosphere is GATOR HIGHWAY: The Red Lion, Witney – unchanged for nearly half a century and the still there even if the all-consuming deluge of Blues rockers mixing up Hendrix covers with pair of them have lived every rock cliché distortion is long gone. Jim’s new band also original material. going, but a two-night stand at Oxford’s KINGSKIN + MY RED ANGEL + 20/ largest venue is all the proof you need that 20 VISION + DBI + AGAL: West Status Quo will be rocking all over the world Oxford Community Centre – Drew Atkins Local rock bands night. for many more years to come. Thurs 10th Nov: The Cellar FREAK OUT: The Bullingdon – th Rock club night. Sat 12 Nov: City Tavern THE INFLATABLES: The Railway, Fri 25th Nov: Victoria, Jericho Wheatley – Classic ska and soul covers. “Noel Gallagher/Paul McCartney influenced singer/songwriter” - Nightshift BARAKA: The Coven – Psy-trance club night with DJs Voice of Cod and Skipp. DRUMMER WANTED SUNDAY 13th THE BEVERLY BROTHERS: The “Coral / White Stripes / Magic Numbers” Port Mahon – Electric blues and Call 01865 511065 rock. MR FROGG: The Port Mahon DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, FOLK & CHERISH THE LADIES: Nettlebed Folk BLUES BANDS NIGHT: Far From The Club – Irish-American all-female folk Madding Crowd – Featuring Latin jazz group return to the UK. from Neil Mason. TUESDAY 15th KOHOUTEK: The Port Mahon SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf MOTORHEAD: The New Theatre – God JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern of metal, Lemmy, serenades the good ACTION + ACTION + MR G AND RICH: people of Oxford – see main preview Kiss Bar SIMON & OSCAR UNPLUGGED: The THE QUARTER FINALS + MEET HER Zodiac – A night of serious rock star action SISTER + THEY DON’T SLEEP: The as the two out of Ocean Colour Scene who Cellar – Indie metal from the band even their own mothers have never heard previously known round these parts as of play some acoustic songs. Form an Warhen. orderly queue now! BARCODE: The Hollybush, Osney JAZZ CLUB with ALVIN ROY: The SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks Bullingdon – Local jazz stalwart Alvin SABOTAGE: The Zodiac takes over from club resident Tom Grey for OPEN MIC SESSION: The Half Moon tonight’s session. CATWEAZLE CLUB: East Oxford OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, The Oxfordshire Befriending Community Centre Cowley Network th DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC FRIDAY 18 Do you want to make a difference? SESSION: G Bar BARRY & THE BEACHCOMBERS + Due to substantial new funding we have several TEAM + ALLY CRAIG: Kiss Bar THE Gs + STEM + MARK BOSLEY: The volunteering opportunities including befriending, CHIARINA: Café Rouge Exeter Hall, Cowley – Fundraiser for the advocacy, counselling, admin and fundraising. th annual Wittstock festival featuring Witney’s WEDNESDAY 16 Excellent free training and on-going support given thrash-punk weirdoes Barry and the TONY CHRISTIE: The New Theatre – Beachcombers as well as gothic folk 70s crooner enjoying a new lease of life To find out more please contact Catherine Gundry on troubadour Mark Bosley. after ‘Amarillo’ – see main preview STATUS QUO: The New Theatre – 01865 791781 or [email protected] SILENT ECHOES: Charisma Bar @ The Legendary rockaboogie stalwarts keep on City Tavern – Post-rock and indie noise. rocking – see main preview ATAKKU + SYLOSIS + IONICA Registered Charity No.1086264 BLUE JUNK: The City Tavern - Jazz-rock +SOULBURN: The Bullingdon – fusion. Technical hardcore and metal from Atakku, RIM: The Red Lion, Witney promoting new album, ‘Dark Acts of PICASTRO + DWAYNE SODAHBERK + Friendship and coming on like a cross THE THUMB QUINTET: The between Meshugga, Slayer and Will Haven. Vinyl Frontier Wheatsheaf – Brooding, melancholic Jor frontman Ben returns to action with soundscapes from Toronto’s Picastro, in the Sylosis, plus ultra-metal action from Ionica. Second hand and vein of Godspeed and Dirty Three. Support JANE CHAPMAN: The Holywell Music from Swedish techno misfit Sodahberk and Room collectable records and CDs local folkatronica trio The Thumb Quintet. IRISH FOLK SESSION: The Exeter ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, ROCK - INDIE - DANCE - SOUL - JAZZ - CLASSICAL etc. Hall, Cowley Jericho RED PONY + SCARAMANGA 6 + records and CDs bought, sold and exchanged OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port GENERAL KHAKI: Kiss Bar – Local rock Mahon bands night. 101a Cowley Road, Oxford BACKROOM BOOGIE: The DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC (near corner of Rectory Road) Bullingdon SESSION: Far From The Madding BOSSAPHONIK: The Cellar – Live tel: 01865 201204 Mon-Sat 11-6pm Crowd Latin dance with The Confidential th THURSDAY 17 Collective. THE RELATIONSHIPS: The Bullingdon SATURDAY 19th – Timeless tweedy psychedelia from the ace FORWARD, RUSSIA: The Zodiac – Back local songsmiths. in town for the first time since rocking VOODOO GLOW SKULLS + SONIC Truck Festival, Leeds’ latest punk-funk BOOM SIX: The Zodiac (upstairs) – hopefuls mix up a bloody racket of disco Hang onto your pants, it’s time for some beats, and spasticated rhythms, angular velocity ska-punk action as Voodoo Glow guitars and plenty of screaming into a lively Skulls bring their metal-Latino-ska party old mess of XTC, At The Drive-In and machine back to town. Fifteen years down Sonic Yoof. Go get ‘em. the line, they still haven’t worked out how to write any slow songs. THE INFLATABLES: The Exeter Hall, MATT SAGE & MARK ABISS: The Cowley – Classic ska, reggae and soul Zodiac (downstairs) – Local troubadours covers. Matt and Mark team up for a night of hazy, EMPEROR OF SOUND: The Port psychedelic folk, world funk and acoustic Mahon pop. THE G’s + JOE SATRIANI TRIBUTE with BANANARAMI: The Exeter Hall, PAWEL KUTERBA + MARS Cowley – Blues-rock. RYNEARSON: Charisma Bar @ The THE OXFORD IMPROVISERS City Tavern ORCHESTRA: Jacqueline Du Pre KINGSKIN + GLASSFACTORY + Building – All-star cast of local improv SLEEPLESS + SOUNDWALL + ALL virtuosos perform Malcolm Atkins’ AGAINST ALL: The Vibe, Didcot – ‘Accession’. Under-18s gig. THE EVERLY BROTHERS: The New THE KICKS + AIRSTAR: The Theatre – Legendary 50s and 60s Wheatsheaf – Local indie rock double bill. hitmakers Phil and Don Everly continue to STATUS QUO: The New Theatre rumble along the comeback road, reliving OCTANE: The Red Lion, Witney – such classics at ‘All I Have To Do Is Heavy rock classics, from Led Zep to Free. Dream’, ‘Walk Right Back’ and SIMPLE: The Bullingdon –Funky house ‘Temptation’ amid their extensive club night. catalogue of chart entries. SKYNY NYRDS: The New Inn, Witney SUNDAY 20th MONDAY 21st MARIA ILETT + LAIMA BITE: The Exeter STEVE ‘BIG MAN’ CLAYTON & THE 44s: Hall, Cowley – Sweet and trippy acoustic pop The Bullingdon – Birmingham-born, now Berlin from Ms Ilett, plus gothic folk-pop from Laima. resident pianist who made his name playing back- MYSTERY JETS: The Zodiac – Currently the up to visiting American blues stars like Shuggy most famous residents of London’s isolated Eel Otis before carving out a career in his own right. Pie Island, as well as one of the most hotly-tipped Mixing up slow blues and barnstorming boogie- young bands around, garnering much attention woogie with elements of jazz, cajun, soul and and praise for their equally refreshing and rock’n’roll, Clayton is renowned for his energetic perplexing fusion of pastoral prog-rock, pop- style and lively improvisations and continues to friendly reggae, Celtic folk, Caribbean oil win awards as one of the most popular blues drumming and pretty much anything else they pianists in Europe. can squeeze in between. The fact the core of the FINBAR FUREY: Nettlebed Folk Club groups is father and son team Henry and Blaine TUESDAY 22nd Harrison adds to the strange appeal of it all. And THE DAMNED + WRECKLESS ERIC + THE with all the hype currently surrounding the band WEIRDOS: The Zodiac – Another blast from after a couple of acclaimed singles for the past this month with the return of the reliably Transgressive, it’s nice to know their first bit of entertaining and anarchic Damned, original punk press coverage was a Nightshift demo of the th pioneers and creators of a unique brand of pop- Saturday 26 month back in 2001. Ahead of the pack as ever friendly rock chaos. Only Dave Vanian and (*Nightshift wanders off feeling smug and BRITISH SEA POWER Captain Sensible still remain in the band after whistling oddly-shaped reggae ditty*) assorted acrimonious splits, but former-Gun Club DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: / ELECTRIC SOFT and Sisters of mercy bassist Patricia Morrison has The Old School House stuck in there for the last few years. The spirit OCAS + BUSK + BRAVO BRAVO: The Cellar PARADE: Brookes remains whatever and you can expect all the old LAURENCE: The Red Lion, Witney classics - ‘New Rose’, ‘Smash It Up’, ‘Neat Neat FIRE IN THE HOLE: The Black Horse, University Union Neat’ and many more besides. Kidlington JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY QUINTET: Slowly, almost quietly, Brighton’s British The Bullingdon Sea Power have been climbing up that long Thursday 24th OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, ladder to rock and roll fame and fortune to a Cowley vantage point where they can almost spy SKA CUBANO: DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC: G Bar Franz Ferdinand’s coat-tails. Perhaps it KING FURNACE: Kiss Bar – Chili Peppers- shouldn’t be so – the band’s glorious debut The Zodiac influenced funky rockers. single, ‘Remember Me’ preceded most of the rd After selling out the Zodiac back in May – a WEDNESDAY 23 new wave revivalists by some months, while night described by legendary ska DJ Derek REDOX + NICK CROXAN + UNDER THE the band’s self-consciously eccentric stage as the best gig he’d ever witnessed – Ska IGLOO + THE EPSTEIN: The Bullingdon – shows (military uniforms, plastic animals Benefit gig for Cancer Research featuring space- and much foliage) and off-stage pursuits Cubano make a welcome return to the groove funksters Redox, plus ambient electronic (orienteering, campaigning for the Skylarkin’ club night to show those who rocking from Under the Igloo and country rock missed out last time just how to party. from The Epstein. reintroduction of manned lighthouses) go Thing is, everyone who went last time will IRISH FOLK : The Exeter Hall, Cowley beyond the usual art-house activities of the doubtless snap up the tickets straight away, DEADZILLA: The Port Mahon – Sleazy disco early-80s acolytes. With the modest success so don’t leave it too late. As their name metal. of debut album, ‘The Decline of British Sea suggests, Ska Cubano mix up Cuban mambo CHARLOTTEFIELD + PROJECTIONS + AND Power’ and this year’s follow-up, ‘Open with upbeat ska, calypso and rocksteady, NO STAR: The Wheatsheaf – DC hardcore and Season’, the band have constantly displayed post-punk from Brighton’s Charlottefield, mixing the band brought together from Santiago de a keen grasp of the understated, awkward up Fugazi, The Jesus Lizard and The fall. Ex-Cat pop sensibilities that made the major Cuba by way of east London and Kingston On Form maniacs Projections provide live-wire inspirations (The Bunnymen, Joy Division) by Top Cats band leader Natty Bo. Natty support along with local instrumental rock leads proceedings from the front, along with experimenters And No Star. such stars. In their time BSP have played Beny Billy, the pair of them masters at DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC SESSION: support to such luminaries as the Flaming whipping a crowd into a frenzy. Not that Far From The Madding Crowd Lips and The Strokes, and most recently they’ll need too much whipping with a set PHONIK: The Cellar – Jazz, funk and soul jam The Killers; as part of this current UK of crazy floor-fillers like their cover of session. headline tour the band have invited all th ‘Istanbul Not Constantinople’, or their THURSDAY 24 manner of fellow English eccentrics to join treatment of the old Gene Vincent classic SKA CUBANO + THE NINE-TON PEANUT them, including The Wurzels. Tonight we get ‘Jezebel’ proving irresistible to all but the SMUGGLERS: The Zodiac – The Cuban ska the more parochial sounds of Electric Soft dead. It’s like the musical history of the and mambo party-makers return to Skylarkin’s Parade, no strangers to Oxford audiences. club night after their last sold-out show – see Intelligent guitar pop that also kicks some entire Caribbean condensed into one two- main preview hour pressure cooker show. If you can have serious backside and worth a million DAN AUSTIN + MITCH SALISBURY + JOHN Braverys anyday. more fun with your clothes on anywhere PAUL + DAN PORTER: The Exeter Hall, else, you can probably have your money Cowley – Local acoustic showcase. back. You’ll need it to buy your coffin. JULIA HARRIS: The Bullingdon – Acoustic folk. DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, FOLK & BLUES BANDS NIGHT: Far From The Madding Crowd – With bossanova from Simon Davies. PIE FINGER: The Port Mahon – Possibly, hopefully, though unlikely, tribute to Badfinger, with added pie action. SPIN JAZZ CLUB: The Wheatsheaf JAZZ NIGHT: The City Tavern FORMALDEHYDE + THE WOODEN SHADES: Kiss Bar BARCODE: The Hollybush, Osney THE WALK OFF + SUNNYVALE NOISE GRIFFITHS + COLIN FLETCHER: SUB-ELEMENT: The Cellar – Full- Friends’ Meeting House, St Giles throttle, mayhemic digital hardcore from CHICKS WITH DECKS Vs Exeter Hall Pub The Walk Off, with support from electro- ROLLERCOASTER: The Cellar – Indie, Corner Cowley / Marsh Road rock experimenters Sunnyvale. post-punk, New Wave, riot grrl and electro 01865 776431 SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks on the decks. www.thex.co.uk SABOTAGE: The Zodiac SUNDAY 27th th FRIDAY 25 PAUL WELLER: The New Theatre – THE BEST FREE MUSIC SHAKIN’ STEVENS: The New Theatre – Pop’s master of mirth brings his garish The Welsh Elvis on the comeback trail – musical cabaret to town, promising VENUE IN TOWN! see main preview renditions of such classic hits as ‘The Every Tuesday Open Mic 8:30pm GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES presents Laughing Policeman’, ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Every Wednesday Folk Session 8pm GONE TO GROUND + PAT FISH + Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ and ‘I’m a November RAGGASAURUS: The Zodiac – The Pink Toothbrush, You’re A Blue final GTI night of the year features a Toothbrush’. They’ll have to staple you to Thu 3rd Alamo Leal Fri 18th Wittstock Fund typically diverse mix of music with emotive your seat to stop you dancing yourself into Fri 4th Strafe / June / Raiser / Barry & The indie rockers Gone To Ground playing a messy froth. ShakerHeights Beachcombers / The G’s alongside Pat Fish – aka The Jazz Butcher – TROUBADOURS OF DIVINE BLISS: Sat 5th Phyal / Ally / Stem / Mark Bosley former Creation Records artist and a singer The Exeter Hall, Cowley – Colourful and Craig Sat 19th Inflatables and songwriter of no little wit and eccentric female folk duo out of Kentucky. Sun 6th Hot Rats Sun 20th Maria Ilett + invention. Young local dub act Raggasaurus DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC Thu 10th Get Cape Laima Bite open proceedings. SESSION: The Old School House Wear Cape Fly / Thu 24th Acoustic THE WEEKEND GUITAR ORCHESTRA: ROB JAMES: The Red Lion, Witney Tanaou / Matt Cutbush Showcase with Dan Jacqueline Du Pre Building – Oxford BEARD MUSEUM with THE SAMURAI Fri 11th Rami & The Austin / Mitch Salisbury Contemporary Music teams up with Radio SEVEN + KATE GARRETT + THE VIEW: Salamies / John Paul / Dan Porter 3’s Late Junction to present the Estonian The Purple Turtle – Low-key return to Sat 12th Cheesegraters Fri 25th Gerry Gillard / collective, mixing up classical guitar, the local scene for the Sammies, who’ve Sun 13th Electric Jam - Chris “Dudley” Thompson progressive club music and free jazz, all recently been recording their new album in All Welcome - Come Sat 26th Legendary served up via hefty dose of effects. the States. Local folk-pop siren Kate Play/Sing/Listen/ Boogiemen GERRY GILLARD: The Exeter Hall, Garrett supports. Applaud Sun 27th Troubadours Of Cowley – Live blues. THE WORRIED MEN: The Black Horse, Thu 17th Bananarami Divine Bliss LOADED: The Red Lion, Witney – Soul, Kidlington mod and New Wave-inspired rockers. MONDAY 28th ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Victoria, JONATHAN KALB: The Bullingdon – Jericho – Including local songwriter Drew Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Atkins. New York, an adept guitarist in the style of SMILEX + A SILENT FILM + SYLOSIS + Stevie Ray Vaughan as well as a versatile LAST PROPOSAL + RETRIBUTION: blues harpist and singer. The Net, Abingdon – A heavy dose of local DICK GAUGHAN: Nettlebed Folk Club rock action at tonight’s under-18s gig. – Long-serving Scottish singer-songwriter OXFORD FOLK CLUB: The Port Mahon continues to breathe new life into BACKROOM BOOGIE: The traditional folk sounds and songs. Bullingdon th HQ: The Cellar – Drum&bass club night. TUESDAY 29 ROCK-POP-DANCE-GOLDEN OLDIES-INDIE- SATURDAY 26th SHARRON KRAUS + FURSAXA + ALEX SOUL-TECHNO-HIP-HOP-JAZZ-LATIN-REGGAE- K REDFEARN: The Port Mahon – Dark, DRUM&BASS-GARAGE—R&B-DISCO-1950s- BRITISH SEA POWER + ELECTRIC deathly folk and pop from local songstress Brand new back catalogue CDs £4 - £7 SOFT PARADE: Brookes University 2000s. Sharron, with support from Philadelphia’s Union – Brighton’s eccentric art-rockers – each. Brand new chart CDs £5 - £10 each ATP-signed drone-rock act Fursaxa, plus see main preview Tom Waits-inspired folk from Alex K. THE BLED: The Zodiac – American JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY hardcore urchins in the vein of Dillinger QUINTET: The Bullingdon Escape Plan and Refused, currently on tour HOLIDAY STABBINGS + DEGUELLO + in the UK promoting second album, ‘Found THE BIG SLEEP: The Cellar – Top In The Flood’. notch night of local noise with dissonant THE LEGENDARY BOOGIEMEN: The sound terrorists Holiday Stabbings making Exeter Hall, Cowley – Ian Tracy’s lively merry with the volume control in the style blues and boogie band. of Swans, while Deguello mix up frantic CITIZENS OF THE WORLD + LOS hardcore noise with New Wave melody. DIABLOS + OLIVER SHAW + JOE OPEN MIC SESSION: The Exeter Hall, SWARBRICK: The Port Mahon – Local Cowley bands and singers night, including Joe DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC Swarbrick from the recently defunct Sexy SESSION: G Bar Breakfast. HARLETTE + JOANOVARC: Kiss Bar – MOOCHER + RED BUBBLE CLUB: Punk and grunge-inspired local girl rockers. Charisma Bar @ The City Tavern – CHIARINA: Café Rouge Power-pop and indie rock from Moocher. th TOULOUSE: The Wheatsheaf – WEDNESDAY 30 Countrified indie rocking from former IRISH FOLK SESSION: The Exeter Unbelievable Truth fella Jim Crosskey. Hall, Cowley WHO’S NEXT: The Red Lion, Witney – DELICIOUS MUSIC NIGHT with THE Who tribute. Gs: Charisma Bar @ The City Tavern REAL LIFE: The Bullingdon – Hard house DELICIOUS MUSIC OPEN MIC: Far and breakbeats. From The Madding Crowd SIMON DAVIES + JON FLETCHER + GIGSWAP UK NIGHT: The Wheatsheaf BARNEY MORSE-BROWN + JANE LITTLE WOMEN: The Bullingdon

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EDITORS / WE ARE SCIENTISTS The Zodiac And so tonight, ladies and boxes – bit of bile here, spot of gentlemen, we have a full on troubled soul there, and the odd transatlantic battle of the second quirky humorous interjection, but wave of the 80s pop revival. Such they bring little that’s new to the an unlikely scenario has just got to feast and end up sounding too be a proper spectacle. much like a second-rate Placebo. Except the American contenders Editors have no such problems. seem to have thrown the fight They’re heroes already, their rise before we’ve even had a chance to having been meteoric if almost size up their British counterparts. imperceptibly so. They’ve risen to New York’s We Are Scientists have playing packed houses on the back got the perfect 80s pop name and of hopelessly infectious songs like frontman Keith Murray has the ‘Bullets’ and ‘Munich’, which, foppish looks and the skinny, while as much in thrall to all things angular moves, but next to him is a 80s as We Are Scientists, breathe Ned Flanders double on bass, who lustily on their own, various parts looks like he spent the whole of the Echo and The Bunnymen, exuding a bravado the band “Fortune favours the brave”, 1980s immersed in Hall and Oates. Chameleons, Smiths and even themselves seem too modest to offers Tom Smith during the Playing a set of songs from recent Teardrop Explodes. They’re far display for themselves, wrapped barbed, strangely defeatist `Lights’. debut album, ‘With Love and more than the sum of their excellent up in their bubble of studious Long may it shine down on them. Squalor’, they tick all the right influences though, each song intensity. Victoria Waterfield

PURE REASON LAURA VEIRS THE MAGIC NUMBERS REVOLTION The Zodiac Brookes University What you see is what you get with Laura Veirs. Having released an acclaimed debut album and The Zodiac Simple and sweet but, by gosh, if she wants to enjoyed an incredibly successful festival Accepted musical history wisdom has it that push it up a gear, dammit – she will. It’s a near summer, The Magic Numbers are now playing prog rock was A Bad Thing. Even now, with so sold out crowd tonight. It does show what an to audience who are largely familiar with their many of the most exciting bands of the last underground following she’s built up over the released output, yet who still come to gigs decade having their roots on prog, it’s still used years. To most strangers in the street it would expecting something more, and this could yet as an insult. be “Laura who?” which is a shame. But she’s become the rod the band have made for their London’s Pure Reason Revolution are the most set to change all that. own back so early in their career: the audience unabashed prog-rock band to emerge in years. Laura Viers is more folked up than pure folk. already seem to be expecting a great gig. For Everything about them seems to have been She has a lazy, almost spoken style of singing. now, however, The Magic Numbers are more gathered meticulously from the depths of the 70s Each syllable enunciates her very American than equal to such expecations. – from the shaggy mullets to the banks of accent (from Seattle to be exact). She sometimes Opening with ‘The Mule’, the infectious keyboards spread across the stage and surplus sounds like a female version of Granddaddy or smiles the band wear seem to rub off into the racks of guitars. But, by thunder, they are Lambchop. Her band aren’t the tightest; they music, provoking a ripple of nodding heads in brilliant. From the opening motorik jam, where have a thrown-together vibe but you feel the crowd. It’s only a few songs in, with Sky meet Neu!, through the four-part vocal they’ve practised a lot to achieve this. They are ‘Forever Lost’, that the Numbers start to win harmonies, everything points, gloriously, so comfortable and so in the same mindset that the war against lead heavy feet. So it seems it spaceward. Each song seems to have several it puts the audience completely at ease too. will continue with album tracks, a b-side, and an separate parts, from daydreaming piano to Laura’s not really bothered about talking too increasingly limber section of the crowd. But to rocket-fuelled synth breaks, but there’s no room much in between songs. Her ultra ‘normalness’ be fair to the band they try to keep things for indulgence, even in the cool pastoral pockets is what makes her so cool. She puts on no airs interesting, throwing in a cover of Neil Young’s of calm that interrupt the likes of ‘Bright or graces but her voice is unique. It can soar like ‘Cowgirl in the Sand’. The song proves to be Ambassadors Of Morning’ – a 14-minute epic Björk then seem like it’s about to go out of tune the most interesting point of the set, hearing a released as a single a couple of months back with any minute but safely doesn’t. And there are the band, making their name on sunshine indie pop little or no hope of any airplay. The vocal songs: a quiet, shuffling acoustic waltz conjures taking on Young’s stern folk rock, the results interaction between guitarist Jon Courtney and up images of mermaids and the sea and is being more moving than the Numbers standard bassist Chloe Alper is just one aspect of the followed by a synthesized back beat number fair, and Romeo Stodart rising to the guitar solo myriad different dimensions that take Pure filled with jazzy guitar riffs. She intersperses challenge. Reason’s almost cyclical set up into the these quieter moments with more bluesy rock, Throw in an impressive new number, and stratosphere. Seriously, they make Spiritualised most of which comes from her new album ‘Year forthcoming single ‘Love Me Like You’ and the sound like The Ramones. of Meteors’. Here she sounds very much like encore calls are as a foregone conclusion as any ‘In Aurelia’ is so gorgeously life-affirming that it Sheryl Crow, with hints of KT Tunstall. She other. But this is where the fun really begins, makes you want to hug passing strangers: a turns it up another notch with overdriven dirty the band return to the stage, pleading with the bountiful, sun-drenched stretch of psychedelic guitar in the song ‘Magnetized’ and now we’re audience to boogie to their cover of Beyonce’s acid-folk the like of which we’ve not heard since in Juliana Hatfield and PJ Harvey territory. She ‘Crazy In Love’, followed by ‘Mornings ‘Age Of Aquarius’. Prog rock – it’s the new really keeps the audience guessing and we’re Eleven’. The Magic Numbers welcome ever punk, we tell you. Cosmic. Man. loving every minute. more people into their happy, feelgood world. Ian Chesterton Katy Jerome Patrick Casey AND NO STAR CHANTELLE PIKE/ADY DAVEY The Zodiac The Bullingdon Four lads amble onstage. They aren’t even as I type that I realise where And No What potent lungs for someone so small. Chantelle is particularly old, and look nervous. The Star got their name). almost three feet from the mic and the whole venue is still bass doesn’t work. Someone mumbles. The set is primarily instrumental, which is filled with powerful and heart-felt vocals. Her unique style Embarrassment. Okay, we know what to fortunate as the vocals are frankly dire. Not harkens back to classic Broadway. Dramatic, deep and a expect here, don’t we? Inept Oasisisms or that they’re strictly necessary when the powerful vibrato, not unlike Judy Garland with a hint of indetikit punk waffle. music is so beguilingly intricate. Despite a June Carter for texture. Dark songs set over minor keys Wrong! And No Star’s first number is so raging desire to snip some mic cables, my like ‘Aint It Just A Cigarette’ make you want to turn to see assured and imposing there’s a suspicion only concern is that, underneath the if Humphrey Bogart’s just walked in the room. A voice to that the opening fumbles were some superbly performed wonky arrangements, be reckoned with. elaborate joke. A fizzing sherbet bomb of some of the core musical material is It’s time for our compère, Ady Davey, to sweat his way guitar noise is launched at us, only to be somewhat hackneyed. The first track is through the next thirty minutes. I only mention it really immediately replaced by an ornery built on a melodic motif that could be the because he likes bringing this to our attention - his patchwork of strange time signatures and TVAM theme, for God’s sake. Pebble Mill persistent perspiration problem. I like Ady and he’s a great awkward arpeggios. Musically it’s firmly in post-rock, anyone? Thought not. And No acoustic act to follow Chantelle because he knows how to the tradition of local mathlords Youth Star need some fresher compositions to get mix it up with some out and out rock and roll numbers Movie Soundtrack Strategies, augmented their teeth into. But what lovely sharp such as ‘Driving With Your Lights Out’ to catchy pop like with the sort of abrasive dirty rocking we teeth they are. ‘Graceland’. He may have done this a million times but it might associate with Sonic Youth (and David Murphy feels like the first to me. Katy Jerome HARD-FI DEERHOOF / THE DRONES The Zodiac Are they taking the piss? Hard-Fi’s set Proper Band, playing by the rules and The Wheatsheaf begins in Spinal Tap style, the band doing everything the way a Proper Band “Jeez, it’s hot in here!” gasps Drones vocalist Gareth appearing out of swirling dry ice, does things. Their sound is nothing Liddiard, sweat bouncing off his guitar. And there was me portentous music booming out over the revolutionary; uptight, spikey, melodic thinking that a bunch of Aussies would have relished the packed audience. For all of their supposed guitar pop music with a dubby bass twist 40 degree heat in here. The sold-out audience simply (marketed?) Staines-street-chic, this seems and a throwaway melodica line here and carries on fanning themselves with the free Audioscope like an odd beginning, especially combined there. It sounds great at times, their programmes that everyone has seconded from the pile on with the smacks-of-record-company- powerful and hook-laden songs almost the merchandise table. money ‘HARD-FI IN OPERATION’ engineered to engender crowd response. The band have already hacked their way through some banner filling the entirety of the Zodiac’s Ask me in a week’s time, though, and I initially angular and unremarkable blues-rock, like back wall. doubt that I could tell you anything detailed Midnight Oil gargling through the Birthday Party, or Neil I’m hoping that this is a band taking full about their set. Young when he was rocking in the free world. But with advantage of the star-status luxuries That’s their sticking point, to me – they’re that fluttering of paperwork they decide to move up three currently open to them – certainly, it so immediate that they become shallow. I’m gears and toss a crate of Sonic Youth whiteout into the would seem that they can do no wrong. constantly reminded of nearly-made-its of cauldron, sending the whole thing out of this world with a The crowd is incredibly eager, to a large the past like Shed Seven and Kingmaker – batch of howling, baroque, eight-minute stoner-jams, part made up of the office girl / I-don’t- the tunes are there, the performance is there, hypnotically tighter and yet more elastic than you could normally-like-music types which signify but there just seems to be something missing. ever think possible. San Franciscans Deerhoof, on the that a breakthrough of some kind has been Unfortunately, that thing is the rare other hand, seem like a band in search of a brand new chord. Every major and minor combination must have been made. Hard-Fi have had an incredibly commodity known as ‘soul’. So that’s Hard- slashed at and ground out here, like Nought playing surfer- quick ascent, and their confident and Fi – a good-night-out band for those who guitar, each winsome and discordant three minutes a savage polished performance this evening goes want nothing more than a good night out. blur of fur and feathers, as if The Shaggs and Tortoise had some way to explaining this – they’re a Simon Minter been thrown, fighting, into a small cage, then soothed, while seemingly getting their breath back, by expansive noodling iced with diminutive Japanese ‘singer’ Satomi Matsuzaki’s phonetic mewl; part coy French ingenue, part BELLOWHEAD unhinged Teletubby. The Zodiac They are indeed extraordinary avant-gardeners shovelling at the Truman Show-like walls of music composition, with The ten, or is it eleven, men and one their tour, seems tired. The one early the skittish Manga-jazz of ‘Milk Man’ finding them at woman of Bellowhead are about eighteen number that does demand full attention is their most accessible. Deerhoof are head-messing pills that months into their mission to break out ‘Outlandish Knight’, with real tension look like candy in a bottle with a childproof cap. If you from the folk scene to attract younger non between Boden’s soaring, rough vocal and can get inside, you’ll be addicted. folkies to their gigs. the middle eastern influenced sounds of Paul Carrera To this end they use excitement, energy, the band. and a big brass section that has added The second half works better. ‘Courting Gideon Jukes on tuba and sousaphone. To Slow’ is a lovely, hypnotic invitation to Tonight they challenge their audience, sway and waltz. Moving near the stage Photo by Richard Hounslow many from the Oxford folk scene, with a also makes it a different gig. Here are the couple of atonal moments to contrast with fans who have followed Boden and Spiers all the melody. A hometown gig for John from early days. Older faces and more Spiers and Jon Boden at the Zodiac would smiles than at the back. Their enjoyment seem ideal for Bellowhead to enhance their of an old Boden and Spiers reputation, which is as a prize-winning favourite,‘Prickle-Eye Bush’, gets the live band. Zodiac’s floor bouncing. But it is the Yet standing at the back of the room, people at the back whom Bellowhead’s tonight’s gig is slow to lift off. The band is mission has still to reach. tight but restrained and, half way through Colin May fire upon with regal detachment. like the best song Stereolab never No band ever looked cooler than wrote, while ‘Blue Jeans’ steals its Ladytron: black clad and glacial synth lines wholesale from studiously menacing, Helen Marnie Gary Numan’s ‘M.E.’. and Mira Aroyo looking like ‘International Dateline’ is crosses between Greek goddesses fabulously bored, while ‘17’, the and extras from Blake’s 7, banks of band’s one-time international hit, sleek, alien synthesizers disdainfully annihilates the Photo by Becky Perry dominating the stage as the now morally-bankrupt fashion industry. six-strong band go about their But it’s recent single, ‘Sugar’, from business like the crew of a sinister Ladytron’s third, most expansive, alien spaceship. But it’s nothing album, ‘The Witching Hour’, that compared to the sound they create: hits the very heart of the band: a a metronomic beat, industrial but sci-fi soap opera with all of life’s irresistibly funky, underpinning pointless frivolities, executed like bass synth drones that could Kraftwerk infused with Chic’s dislodge mountains; the sparkle of sparkling glitterball danceability. analogue machinery twists beneath Utterly mesmerising from Marnie’s dispassionate vocals with beginning to end, Ladytron are the LADYTRON their air of nonchalant sound of the factory, the great sophistication; her slight northern machine and the desolate soul that The Zodiac accent the only human distraction lies at its very core. A band of Society will not collapse in some petty tedium. Ladytron are Fritz amid the techno-clutter and sleek, majestic brilliance. If this is the android-led bloobath; dystopia is Lang’s Metropolis made cold, angular rhythms. soundtrack to the end of the world, the here and now, a billion lives contemptuous flesh, serving time on Set opener,‘ High Rise’, is roll the credits. stranded in isolated drudgery and a decaying world that they breathe elegantly continental but punishing, Dale Kattack

Band fanbase to keep him afloat, but King the enormous palette of source material could KING BISCUIT TIME Biscuit Time might just be too much of an be matched by a broader subject range, this The Zodiac acquired taste (like the Beta Band often were) really would be peerless stuff. It’d be a shame to really raise pulses. The music is just so to see such an innovative and sophisticated take Previously a side project, King Biscuit Time is unassuming and understated; if it were more on the now-tired mashup genre run itself into a now the main musical channel of ex-Beta Band emotive it would be far easier to love. rut of low-level puerility when there’s such a frontman Steve Mason. Very much going it Kirsten Etheridge rich seam of potential there to be mined. alone, he’s set up No Style – a subsidiary of Stuart Fowkes Poptones – with fellow Scot Alan McGee, to release his stuff. King Biscuit Time isn’t a radical departure CASSETTEBOY from the Beta Band’s folk hop; Mason’s soft TOM BAXTER voice and distinctive half-sung, half-spoken The Cellar pseudo-chanting float above dancehall-, reggae- There just aren’t enough opportunities to see The Zodiac and psychedelic folk- influenced sparse two grown men in latex George Bush and Tony While the venue tonight is far from full for Tom arrangements of scuzzy bass, crisp percussion Blair masks simulating sex with each other on Baxter, there seems to be an air of keen interest and choppy electronica breakbeats. The styles stage these days. Thank goodness for the as he takes the stage. Baxter, having brought out vary, from the decidedly hip hoppy recent Cassetteboy live show, then, which takes us all an album for Sony last year, seems to be single, the political ‘C I Am 15’, to ‘I Love the way to Sample Heaven, coupling intricate moving up a rung or two on the competitive You’, a mellow layering of piano and vocal and musical cutups on a backing track singer-songwriter popularity ladder. syncopated bass. Mason pleases the crowd with slapstick mime. There’s no chance of Opening with single ‘This Boy’, it sees Baxter with acoustic treatments of Beta Band songs boredom setting in, as sketches fly past in a backed by violin and piano in addition to the like ‘Dr Baker’, and finishes with a chilled whistle-stop tour of popular culture, joyously usual backing band fare. The upbeat folky vibe reggae/calypso cover of ‘Anarchy in the UK’ - a compressing as many recognisable reference makes for a sound akin to a calmer Bright Eyes, strange juxtaposition of lyrical intent and points into every minute as possible. which all seems pleasant enough. But as execution - before playing ‘C I Am 15’ again for It’s a hyperactive, incessant flow of ideas, Baxter’s set continues with more material from no apparent reason. King Biscuit Time are an almost too much to take in at once, as one skit his ‘Feather and Stone’ album, we see a rocky act that will divide people. There’s very little to blends into another. For all the brevity of the intensity wrestle with this amiable folk, and criticise: the performance is accomplished, the pieces, they’re intricately, almost flawlessly those Jeff Buckley comparisons, that all male beats tight, the repertoire varied and the lyrics assembled, at times hilarious, and stand as songwriters who use falsetto must face, spring aren’t banal. However, you either “get” it or testament to hours spent at a computer screen to mind. But the Buckley comparisons seem to you don’t – and I don’t. chopping up sound files, and still longer sitting be borne out by the Baxter’s more epic Mason will attract enough of an existing Beta through crap on TV and on the radio to find the numbers. ‘Half a Man’ is a slow burner that, source material. More a cabaret act although pounding at times, even in the than a DJ set or a live band, it’s also moments of hushed fragility, keeps the audience obviously first and foremost a labour silently attentive. Baxter clearly has a lot of of love. strings to his bow, and a wider range of Which is why it’s disappointing to influences than might be expected and he keeps find that most of the live set consists the audience interested by moving easily of sub-GCSE toilet humour, satirical between these epics, solo acoustic songs, funk stabs at easy targets like Jamie Oliver and jazz undercurrents, and even flamenco- and The Streets and the kind of cod tinged number ‘Love is Not Enough.’ left-wing ‘ooh-aren’t-politicians- He clearly has the performing talent to make awful’ attitude that saw some of the something of this diversity, and where he will less inspired material from the likes go with it remains to be seen, but there’s of Coldcut root itself intractably into certainly a passionate pocket of tonight’s crowd the early 90s. After an exhilarating who will be following. start, the gags start to wear thin – if Patrick Casey FOCUS KEYBOARD CHOIR / THUMB The Zodiac QUINTET / SUITABLE CASE FOR To any fan of original 1970s that rocks out works best, while progressive rock this is quite a big the slower parts struggle to TREATMENT deal. Focus were a Dutch band who maintain the momentum, though The Zodiac epitomised the true meaning of the this reflects the way they term: overblown instrumentals constructed their albums. Over the last year or so, Suitable effortlessly as they continue their featuring complex virtuoso solos, Van Leer remains the lynchpin, Case For Treatment have become evolution towards becoming one of lyrics in Latin, twenty-seven and his Hammond organ playing is synonymous with brutal riffs and the most beguiling bands around. minute jams – the works. The key as light and dexterous as ever, in an inspired live show. The idea of A Cathedral of Sound has long been figure was organist and flautist fact it’s only stylistically that their an acoustic show may initially an overused term, but when it Thijs van Leer, with a huge age shows through. It’s arguable seem a little ludicrous; after all, the comes to The Keyboard Choir it forehead and a nifty line in whether we really need two drum wild buzzing guitars and frantic seems only too applicable; choirs yodelling. They split in 1978 after solos and a bass solo, but they sure bursts of pace are what make SC4T belong in a cathedral. Banks of seven albums, but in 2001 van Leer add a touch of authenticity. such a rewarding experience. What keyboards create a sound that is so decided to join a tribute band called Everyone’s waiting for their two in fact makes them one of the best dense that it is virtually impossible Hocus Pocus and re-launch the hit singles and they don’t bands in Oxford right now is their to take it all in. There are squelches group with their original name. disappoint: ‘Sylvia’ is a strength in song writing. of Parliament funk twisted by cold Interest soon stirred and tonight whimsically catchy number that Acoustically SC4T drift close to Eastern Bloc rhythms; samples he’s joined by original drummer sounds as good today as ever, the sound of ‘Rain Dogs’-era Tom from Suitable Case for Treatment Pierre van der Linden and two while ‘Hocus Pocus’ gets the Waits; it’s certainly a more relaxed dropped midway through Pink newcomers on guitar and bass. biggest cheer. The style may be approach, but nevertheless, loaded Floyd-esque expositions. From the Opening with their first single dated, the yodelling chorus may with menace. Liam’s vocals still sheer quantity of equipment ‘House of the King’, it’s clear that sound ludicrous, but none of that sound like he’s gargling rubble, and through to multi-textured sound this is no embarrassing attempt to matters. the structures retain their angular they produce, it’s a grandiose affair. recreate past glory; this is Prog This is a band who created nature so as to keep the listener There may not be much happening with a capital P. The crowd may be something all their own and, rather guessing. It’s a new less brutal on stage (the protagonists obscured modest but it’s pleasing to see all than sit at home with their approach for SC4T then, and one by keyboards), but they trigger the age groups represented, after all memories, they’ve gone to the that would be more than welcome imagination and hypnotise the this a bit like going to a disco and trouble of showing us again just in the future. audience with the sheer pomp and seeing John Travolta under the how unique it was. Thumb Quintet follow, and they occasional drone of it all. If only mirrorball. The heavier material Art Lagun seem to be going from strength to churches had choirs like this, strength. Elements of electronica, attendance would rocket. Americana, and Eno mix Allin Pratt JOHN PEEL DAY CONCERT The Exeter Hall Just a small part of the vision at this stage. international celebrations of the life Amid a clutch of solo artists, thethe portport mmahonahon of probably the greatest Laima Bite, as ever, shines. Her broadcaster the world has known, short set of black-hearted acoustic tonight’s gathering of young local pop takes in ‘Twisted Angel’, Live Music in November bands and singers encapsulates so which exudes a ghostly warmth, st th much of what John Peel believed but it’s ‘Did You Used To Love’ 1 Port Mayhem 8 James Hahn in: people creating their own music, that cuts to your very soul – a Acoustic Night with 10th Pink Marines reinterpreting others’ and everyone devastatingly, crushingly beautiful Simon Davies & 11th Oxford Folk Club coming together to celebrate its song with all its emotional depths th existence. laid bare. guests 12 Shaker Heights Teenagers The Hero Story are But perhaps it’s young Ally Craig 2nd Oxford 13th Beverly Brothers playing their first ever gig tonight, who’s the star turn of the night. He and wearing their influences on opens his set with a heroic attempt Improvisers (Electic Blues) their (black) sleeves, in this case, at Elvis Costello’s ‘Shipbuilding’ 3rd Peter Moore 14th Mr Frogg Atticus. It’s all (black) hair, one- and against every expectation carries 4th Oxford Folk Club 17th Kohautec note screeching vocals and chugga it off in style, gently stamping his th th chugga guitars. Ten-a-penny nu- own identity on the song with a 5 The Gimp 18 Oxford Folk Club metal for sure, but a few buds of subtly powerful voice. Confined to supported by Otto 19th Emperor of Sound interesting songwriting showing a wheelchair he plays with his guitar rd through the mulch. Given time and on his lap and seems to have Fischer ‘OPERA’ 23 Deadzilla a free reign raking through their big developed a strange style, 6th Jamie 24th Pie Finger brothers’ record box and Hero simultaneously playing left and Huddlestone, 25th Oxford Folk Club Story could be a reasonable right-handed. He’s prone to the odd th addition to the local (black) hoody instrumental ramble but his own Nicholas ‘Theatre’ 26 Citizens of the and eyeliner fraternity. song regarding the treatment of and Laima Bite World Similarly-minded if slightly more disabled people carries some bite. 7th Open Mic Night 27thJuliana Meyer experienced are Andensum, fronted What is brave is his solo tackling of by a fella with the most ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes preposterous head of blue hair Out’, a song that will forever now we’ve seen since the new romantics be associated with John Peel. The The Port Mahon, Under New Management. died out. Still, they kick out a pace is slightly pedestrian but again All new sound equipment installed by PMT. spirited nu-metal-flavoured racket, his voice carries it aloft. A fitting, musically-accomplished and and moving, tribute to a genuinely Book your band into play at Oxford’s best small music venue! muscular, particularly for their age, great man. 82 St Clements, Oxford. Tel: 01865 202067 but perhaps slightly limited in its Dale Kattack DEMOSDEMOSDEMOS If you do not supply us with a proper contact number and address as stated below, we will not review your demo.

Daniel – he can’t even be happy when he’s DEMO OF asleep. THE MONTH www.appletreestudio.co.uk PITCHBLEND XMAS LIGHTS This demo comes accompanied by an extensive selection of testimonials from Maybe it’s the autumn nights drawing in Kerrang! and the like, claiming that but it’s certainly brought the doom- Pitchblend are one of the most promising mongers out this month. Bit of a rum old new metal bands in the UK. But while their bunch, but Nightshift being of a sunny by-the-book emotion-heavy hard rocking is disposition an’ all, we try to find sparks of well executed and their rollicking guitar light amid the gloom. Gloom being surges carry a degree of power, you feel something young Umair Chaudhry knows this demo could be the result of a council- all about. He was in this very space last sponsored workshop to create the month with his excellent Abandon project archetypal emo song. For much of the first and here he is again as part of the song, ‘Searching For Satellites’, the singer monolithic Xmas Lights. Not sure exactly sounds like he’s gargling a bar of soap and what he plays in the band, which also you’re counting the seconds until its boasts members of Near Life Experience, bruising opening salvo dips into a moody Outofinto and Vena Cava, but it’s probably verse. By ‘Design Our Escape’ they’ve a device that makes kittens cry or gone the whole hog for a sensitive power something. In fact, Xmas Lights aren’t ballad, which a particularly lazy PR person really that miserable. No, not even with all would describe as anthemic and stirring, that atmospheric, densely-textured guitar and by the end of the demo they’re getting churning and nasty vocals that switch from seriously monotonous. Can’t we finally, grunting and shouting to yapping and officially, declare emo to be dead and buried 5K yelling at different points in their extensive, now and spare ourselves, and everyone 32 complex songs that span the spaces else, any more of this tedium? between maths-metal, jazzcore and pummelling hardcore. There are pastoral interludes, regular time changes and even a THE SHAKER spot of eastern European-sounding chanting in the first number, ‘Digital List of HEIGHTS Lights’. Sometimes the whole thing sounds And so for some rock of a considerably clever rather than engaging, but if you can softer texture. The Shaker Heights lean listen beyond the overt demonstrations of more towards the Velvet Underground side musical virtuosity, here’s a metal band of of things, particularly in their churning considerable depth and variety. guitar riffage, but they’re happiest driving down the middle of the road, towing a bit of gruff, rootsy rock and roll along behind them. Their sound is modest but with THIRD ORDER grander ambitions and, if this makes any Daniel Clarke is probably the only man in sense at all, epic in an understated manner. Oxford who makes Umair Chaudhry look The shimmering haze of keyboards adds like Timmy Mallet in the unabashed jollity atmosphere to their occasionally pretty stakes. Daniel is the fella behind various melodies – notably demo opener ‘Pigment industrial noise projects, from Kazor to In The Rally’ whose chorus hooks make a Reactor Mind, as well as this latest decent attempt to get under your skin. incarnation which he describes as his more Where the band aren’t so strong is when techno and electro outing, although the base trying to make anything sound darker – influences are still Skinny Puppy and their those hints at The Velvets end up closer to morbid ilk. This stuff is a pretty authentic Tom Petty (not a bad thing), while recreation of that late-80s body music elsewhere there’s an almost folky stab at sound, although it does sound too stuck in jangly indie pop. All nice enough, but given its chosen era. The ghosts of Front 242 and their polite stylings, their songs need to Frontline Assembly can be heard in the stop pulling their punches if they’re really clattering electronic rhythms and harsh going to get noticed. synth lines, while Daniel’s voice seems to owe plenty to the troll from the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. He hollers THE SCHOOLGIRLS bad stuff about the police, American Songs aren’t something that The foreign policy and possibly what he plans Schoolgirls seem particularly bothered to do to your mum later when it’s dark. about. They supply precious little Best of the lot is the harsh, sinister, gothic information about themselves other than trawl that is ‘I Dream Of Being Shot’. Poor that they hail from the wrong end of the A420 and there are two of them, one of whom is taller than the other. The rest we SEX POD DIRT RACE must work out for ourselves but we can “The sky is falling”, emotes the lead singer confidently assume they are possessed of of Sex Pod Dirt Race, pretty much an extremely cheap drum machine, a bass summing up the mood of most of this guitar with only one string and a singer month’s batch of demos. This lot are very who is unlikely to win The X Factor serious and moody. Glum, even. From the anytime soon. Instead, imagine Duane first minute it seems like this is going to be Eddy being filtered through Cabaret a right turgid old slog, especially as opener Voltaire’s ‘Nag Nag Nag’, only as `Seasick On Mescaline’ sounds like it never interpreted by Anti Pasti. It’s a tune-free had the will to live in the first place and is gabba industrial gothic punk mess and not just trying to depress us into joining it in a really as much fun as that description tragic, romantic suicide pact and even the suggests. Still, anything that annoys proper funky guitar burst at the end sounds like musicians has our vote any day. it’s dragging its crippled body across two miles of spilt drawing pins. But then here comes `Your Morning Smile’, a morose THE COURTYARD STUDIO IVY country lullaby with its quivering slide OTARI MTR90 MK11, 24 TRACK TAPE Having caused a very small storm in an guitar, delicate twang and the still extremely tiny teacup a couple of months dangerous bite of a wounded prairie dog. MACHINE & MTA 980, 32/24/24 CONSOLE, ago when we consigned a bunch of hapless Similarly the comparatively jaunty `When SOUNDSCAPE DIGITAL EDITOR, SUPERB 13-year-olds to the demo dumper, we’ll These Things Turn Around’, which sounds CONTROL ROOM WITH GOOD SELECTION OF tread more carefully with this bunch of a lot like Lloyd Cole And The OUTBOARD GEAR, MIDI FACILITIES INCLUDE young teens whose photo suggests they’re Commotions. They sign off with an almost LOGIC AUDIO, 8 MEG S1000, etc all actually eight years old. Ivy are from tangible resigned shrug at the end of `Dirt Drayton, which must be a dreadfully Roostertail’, but leave us with the feeling RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES OPTIONAL depressing place to live if their music is that they may well have better to offer in anything to go on. They’re understandably the future. As well as the feeling that we rudimentary and incredibly sullen. The first need several sleeping pills washed down Phone KATE or PIPPA for details song sounds like a thrashed-up version of with a bucket of cheap whisky. on 01235 845800 ‘House Of The Rising Sun’, only with some semi-mumbled vocals over the top. Beyond that it’s a pretty straightforward bundle of fizzing, three-chord fuzz and the THE DEMO sound of rural teenage angst. Still, not so bad considering their tender ages, although DUMPER can we just point out that Kate Bush was also only 13 when she wrote ‘The Kick Inside’. So, no excuses. THE SWAMIS Like rappers, you can tell a lot about a TARNISH band from their rhymes. Two of The Bingo! Tarnish list Nick Cave as one of Swamis’ are, “I could fly / I’m so high” and their main influences. Double Bingo! With “The smoke / Makes us choke”. The sort a generous topping of freshly-grated of rhymes even Hurricane #1 would have parmesan! They also cite Tubeway Army chucked in the bin, spread thinly like bad as a major inspiration. We’re expecting gravy over the top of stultifying riffs that great things. And, as these things tend to Oasis would be embarrassed to stick on a go, they can’t quite live up to our discarded b-side. Add to this the most heightened sense of anticipation. There’s a inauspicious use of the word nice bit of synth hovering in the “motherucker” ever in rock music and background, but it’s all a bit glum, neither you’re partway to understanding the thrill dramatically ghoulish, nor hauntingly of The Swamis. When people slag off indie android-like. The opening track is five music for being a grey, emotionally-stunted minutes long and does eventually kick in wasteland, this is the sort of stuff they’re after four minutes but by then we’re thinking about. There isn’t a single thing in rummaging around in our CD collection for this entire demo that isn’t a cliché. The sort our well-worn copy of ‘Replicas’. of band that easily-impressed village idiots ‘Unobtainable’ shifts things up a gear with will enthuse about because “they’re really the synth buzzing like a wasp trapped in a tight”. When really, that’s their only bottle, while the singer’s stopped redeeming feature and, as The Stooges mumbling and started sounding like Brett proved nearly 40 years ago, being tight has Anderson. Unfortunately they drop it back nothing to do with being exciting rock and a notch for the last song, shamelessly roll entertainment. Anyway, every band nicking the main guitar line from ‘Street this month seems determined to be Spirit’ along the way and the demo drags miserable and it’s our duty to think happy itself to a sorry end. Damn you, Tarnish! thoughts so we’ll try and summon up some You got our hopes up and then let us kind of compliment even for the Swamis. down. You forced us to write bad things Their singer sounds a bit like Robbie about you. Williams. There, everyone’s happy.

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