[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free every month NIGHTSHIFT Issue 280 November Oxford’s Music Magazine 2018 “We“We areare thethe definitiondefinition ofof BritishBritish reservereserve whenwhen itit comescomes toto anger.anger. WeWe probablyprobably dodo releaserelease aa fairfair bitbit photo: Helen Messenger throughthrough ourour music.”music.”

SELFCultural exchanges, terrible tattoos HELP and dancing round the kitchen with Oxford’s pop punk stars. Also in this issue: Introducing WORRY Save the Cellar - fundraising campaign launched RITUAL UNION reviewed plus: All your Oxford music news, reviews and previews, plus seven pages of local gigs for November. NIGHTSHIFT: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU. Phone: 01865 372255 photo by Helen Messenger large turnout. We shallsee. (pictured), failedtoattractsucha sets from The JacksonsandJames year’s festival,featuringheadline Tong’s HeritageOrchestra,this Primal Scream,SeanPaulandPete and 17,featuringDuranDuran, After successfuleventsin2016 Park, whichranuntilthisyear. hold weekendfestivalinSouth an initialthree-yearlicenceto or Bestivalitself. The eventhad on thefutureofCommonPeople, on salebuttherehasbeennoword Camp Bestival2019arecurrently and assetsofBestival. Tickets for has offered topurchasethebrand administrators inSeptemberand Group DebtCapitalcalledinthe Park inMay. CreditorsRichmond for CommonPeopleinSouth storms, andadisappointingturnout cancelled partwaythroughdueto Bestival eventinDorsetJuly difficult 2018withtheirCamp run byRobdaBank,suffered a Bestival, theumbrellacompany company wentintoadministration. Oxford in2019afteritsparent increasingly unlikelytoreturn COMMON PEOPLE NEWS Nightshift: POBox312,Kidlington,OX51ZU email: [email protected] Online: nightshiftmag.co.uk Phone: 01865372255 looks over theweekendof2 place atBraziersParkinIpsden underground musicandarttakes celebration ofleftfieldand returns in2019. The three-day SUPERNORMAL FESTIV has beenproudtopresentmany in Oxfordsince2004.“Glovebox over 60showsatvariousvenues World. Gloveboxhaspromoted Danny & The Championsof the Billets Doux;Rainbreakers,and Dixit; PaulMcClure;Polly& The The Crackers;NiallKelly;Raghu Spires; EmilySmith;HolyMoly& Bear; Cale Tyson; The Dreaming by BigBoyBloater;Hunter& The Best MusicIsKept’ featuressongs the pastfewyears.`Where All The acts who have played for them over compilation albumofsomethe GLOVEBOX releasea www.supernormalfestival.co.uk news at early 2019butfindoutthelatest Tickets aredueto goonsalein and SacredPaws. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Wolf Eyes Hookworms, GNOD,Pigs previous Supernormalsinclude Bowieokie. Acts who’veplayed activities likedeathmetalyogaand of experimentalmusicaswell the festivalplayshosttoallforms Oxford music’s bestkeptsecret, festival inOxfordshire,and Regularlyquotedasthebest group ofvolunteers. workload involvedforwhatisa off thisyear, organisers citingthe August. The festivaltookayear nd -4 AL th door. Friends andPetsematary. Admission is£8, orwhatyoucanafford, onthe Fightmilk headline The Jericho Tavern withsupportfrom Suggested continue withafestive specialon Thursday 6 which aimtoshowcasefemalemusicians ina“noasshat”environment, MeanwhileDeathoftheMaiden’s monthlyNo Tolerance shows, search foritat Photographs. Findoutmoreat DEATH OF THE MAIDENha twelve highlightsfromsomeofour Ade Phillips;“thisCDrepresents with us,”explainedpromoter audiences torelivethegrandnights the lastfewyears,enablingour of ourliveshowsaspodcastsover on Friday29 With theSecretFire’ in2019withalaunchgigat The Jericho Tavern featuring LucyLeave’s JenniferOliveronbass,release`TheGirl The band,formedby Tamara Parsons-Baker andHannahBruce an eveningofboardgamesaswellsignupforacopythealbum. from oneoftheband,pickasongtobecoveredatfuturegigor enjoy cooked forthembytheband,aprivategigattheirhome,music lesson campaign tofundtheirdebutalbumnextyear. Fanscanenjoydinner The crowdfundercampaign launchesonthe25 the fundingtokeepvenuealive. beyond tofilmmessagesofsupportspreadthewordandhelpsecure The campaignorganisers arealsoaskingmusicfansinOxfordand businesses. Ninja Tune havealso pledgedashavescoresoflocalmusiciansand of livemusicintheUK.IndielabelsDomino,Rough Trade and last monthaspartofthegovernment’s selectcommitteeonthefuture who madehisnameontheOxfordsceneandspokeinparliament Jeffrey Lewis;KiranLeonard, ImogenHeapandrapperShaoDow, support byrecordingmessagesareNew York antifolklegend Among otherartistsfromaroundtheworldwhohavepledgedtheir venue’s futurewithasustainablecapacity. the possibilityofbuildinganewfireescapewhichshouldensure the venuein1980sundername The Dolly, hasnowlookedat The Cellar’s manager Tim Hopkins,whosefather Adrian firstran which hasexistedinitscurrentstateforover40years,inadequate. space, thevenuereceivedasnapfireinspectionthatdeemedexit, and All Saintscharities,tohavetheplaceturnedintoretailstorage Havingsurvivedanattemptbythebuilding’s owners,theStMichael’s fire capacityslashedafteritsstairwaywasdeemed30cmtoonarrow campaign asthevenuefightsforitssurvivalinwakeofhaving The localstarsareamongahostofartistsrallyingbehindthe which isofficiallylaunchedonthe25 messages ofsupportfortheSave The Cellarfundraisingcampaign, and GazCoombesareamongthemusicianswhohaverecorded RADIOHEAD’S PHIL SELWAY most iconicvenues. welcome andhopefullyOxfordcancometogethertosaveoneofits Pleasegetinvolved–allsupport,whetherfinancialormoral,isvery www.crowdfunder/Cellar-Forever th March.SupportcomesfromJeff andGhostsinthe www.kickstarter.com. facebook.com/Deathofthemaiden or ve launched , Ride’sMarkGardener gloveboxlive.uk formoredetails. Help MusiciansUK. Visit www. All profitsfromthealbumgoto do aspromoters.” that littlebitextratowhatwetry favourites andisourwayofadding th October. th December. London’s th –fulldetailsareat a Kickstarter .

FIRST CLASS LIVE MUSIC AND IRREGNEWSULAR FOLKS host their poor advance ticket sales, means traditional Christmas show on the promoters had to pull the plug. the 7th December. London-based “It’s the first time we’ve ever had ENTERTANMENT ON YOUR DOORSTEP electronica/folk musician and to cancel a gig, but we couldn’t composer Cosmo Sheldrake and take the huge financial risk on it,” ethereal songstress Sephine Llo explained Buried in Smoke’s Ryan will perform at St Barnabas Church Cole. NOVEMBER APRIL 2019 in Jericho. Sheldrake, the son of BiS do, however have a super show on in November, with Californian ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: Fri 9 ART GARFUNKEL Sat 6 parapsychology expert Rupert LEE ‘MEMPHIS’ KING sludge-metallers Armed For Sheldrake and renowned voice THE BOOTLEG BEATLES: Sun 14 teacher Jill Purce, released his debut the Apocalypse coming to The SEASICK STEVE Sat 10 LIVE IN CONCERT album, `The Much Much How How Wheatsheaf on Sunday 18th. Support Sat 17 Fri 26 & I’ on Transgressive earlier this comes from local heavyweights JESSIE J KATHERINE JENKINS year. Llo played at Irregular Folks’ Drore and Keyed Up. SHOW OF HANDS Sun 18 Summer Session in July, though her set coincided with England’s World AS EVER, don’t forget to tune into DEACON BLUE Mon 19 JERSEY BOYS Cup win against Sweden. More info BBC Oxford Introducing every MAY 2019 Tue 18 Dec – Sun 6 Jan THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Thu 22 and ticket details at Saturday night between 8-9pm on LITTLE BROTHER ELI bass player Josh Rigal has been talking to CLUB TROPICANA Mon 13 – Sat 18 www.irregularfolks.co.uk. 95.2fm. The dedicated local music Nightshift ahead of the band’s headline show at The O2 Academy this THE AUSTRALIAN PINK Fri 23 show plays the best Oxford releases month. The band play the O2 on Friday 30th November, celebrating the FLOYD SHOW RUMOURS OF Mon 20 and demos as well as featuring release of five singles over the course of this year. FLEETWOOD MAC OXFORD CONTEMPORARY BILLY OCEAN Sat 24 MUSIC hosts Project VEAR and interviews and sessions with local At the beginning of 2018 Little Brother Eli returned to action after a line- MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS: Thu 23 Voice Park as part of this year’s acts. The show is available to stream up change, promising a new, more disco, less bluesy sound, something HOW SWEET IT IS Christmas Light Festival. The or download as a podcast at Josh put down to a desire to stay musically fresh. interactive, multi-sensory event bbc.co.uk/oxford. “After a couple of line up changes we really just wanted to stay true to takes place at Oxford Castle over ourselves. Alongside that we’re also desperate to do something new and DECEMBER the weekend of the 16th and 17th OXFORD GIGBOT provides a what we’d consider to be innovative. We’d also gigged our last album for ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN Sun 2 JUNE 2019 November. Project VEAR (Voice regular local gig listing update on two years straight, doing over 100 shows a year. ROCK OF AGES Twitter (@oxgigbot), bringing “I think the heart and soul of the band is our energy and as long as we can JERSEY BOYS Tue 18 Dec HAIR THE MUSICAL Mon 24 Extraction And Rediffusion) is the – Sun 6 Jan – Sat 29 Tue 19 – Sat 23 Mar work of artist and sound designer you new gigs as soon as they go maintain that we can keep what’s unique about us.” Thor McIntyre-Burnie and involves live. They also provide a free He also explained a shift towards releasing a stream of singles rather than distilling thousands of sound samples weekly listings email. Just contact a second album. gathered from around Oxford, while [email protected] to join. “By the end of this year we’ll have released five singles, which is no Voice Park will incorporate 26 small feat. We’d love to make an album, but for us at the moment it’s most JANUARY 2019 OCTOBER 2019 interactive sculpture pods. A REMINDER that all tracks, creatively gratifying to record and release the freshest thing we’re working VAMPIRES ROCK WITH Wed 30 LES MUSICALS Sun 13 The event is open from 4-6.30pm EPs or albums for review need to on. We’ll be releasing our latest single `Oops’ on 23rd November and SPECIAL GUEST SAM BAILEY be submitted as early as possible it’s certainly what we’ve been building up to sonically through the year. TIM MINCHIN Thu 17 – Sat 19 and 7.30-10pm both days. Entry THE ROLLING STONES STORY Thu 31 is free and no booking is required. to be included in the relevant We’ve also been having some serious fun at tons of festivals across the Visit www.ocmevents.org for more issue. Limited space in the mag country; Big Feastival was a major highlight, and we got a play on BBC details. means we can only review a set 6Music. number of releases each month and “We’re working really hard to make the Academy show a success; we’re NOVEMBER 2019 they’re picked on a first come, first MARCH 2019 BURIED IN SMOKE’S WINTER super excited about it! Anyone who hasn’t seen us before should expect MICHAEL STARRING BEN Fri 8 WEEKENDER has been cancelled. served basis. Yes, even for you. a high energy show with lots of exclusive material performed as well as THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Fri 1 The two-day celebration of Email to tell us something is being everyone’s favourite tunes.” MIKE AND THE MECHANICS Tue 12 heaviosity was due to take place released “today”, “tomorrow” or Josh also put to bed any lingering hopes Little Brother Eli’s one-time st nd over the weekend of the 1 and 2 even “yesterday” and we’ll laugh trademark item of clothing would make a comeback. THE SENSATIONAL 60S Sun 17 TIM MINCHIN December at The Bullingdon and and shove it down the back of the “The waistcoats will live on in our hearts and minds, just not on our hairy EXPERIENCE The Cellar, featuring headline sets sofa. Nightshift reserves the right chests. Will they ever come back? A definitive no!” THU 17 - ROCK OF AGES Tue 19 – Sat 23 from Winnebago Deal and Conan, to decide whether something is Tickets for the Academy show are on sale now, priced £9 (+bf) from SAT 19 OCT 2019 but changes in circumstances for reviewed in the Released section or the venue box office and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Support comes from THE GLENN MILLER Sun 24 some of the acts booked, added to in Tracks. So tough. Ulysses Wells. ORCHESTRA

A new charity in Oxford is aiming to help young way people feel and can help build confidence and appreciation in life. people, marginalised groups and people with mental health difficulties get It can also build strong bonds between peers and provide positive united involved in making or working with music. structures; a positive outlet for many young people facing problems in their In-Spire Sounds was set up by Kingsley Pratt-Boyden, aka King Boyden; lives. a music producer and member of Inner Peace Records, whose members “Our studio is now ready to use, and although it is self funded up til this are already involved in working in last resort schools, mentoring, musical point, we are now desperately looking for funding in order to allow us to development and with charity groups such as the MuzoAkademy, Arc-T facilitate recording projects, work with people who currently use existing Center and CDI in Greater leys. local charity groups based around music, including finalising and producing In-Spire Sounds works with young people and amateur musicians in order their musical projects as well as teaching them the techniques used in to help them produce and record their own professional music in a studio production, and to run courses and workshops on things like lyric writing, environment. They also provide guidance and tuition for those wishing to song writing, beat making, studio production, branding and merchandising, break into the music industry, to set up their own independent record labels setting up your own collectives, working towards gigs and shows and and collectives, as well as producing merchandise and booking shows. correct use of social media. Talking to Nightshift about the project, Kingsley said: “We aim to work “With the help of donations we will be reaching out to local schools, with people who have aspirations in music, who don’t currently have the existing youth groups, charities and musical entities, to provide the facility facilities to record, or the knowledge to produce professional sounding of a professional recording studio and the expertise of our members.” * * tracks. We are also strong believers that music can be used as a therapeutic To help fund the charity, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/in- ATGTICKETS.COM/Oxford | BOX OFFICE 0844 871 3020 tool to engage with young and marginalised people. Music influences the spiresounds. Or find out more at facebook.com/InSpireSoundsUK. *Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

139213_Oxford_NightshiftMag_FullPage_Nov2018_v3.indd 1 05/10/2018 12:06 A Quiet Word With male, and so far all of my production angry. We think he’s an animagus.” of a fuck about things in general, but year which we can’t wait for! We lecturers have been men. They always in terms of music I’m probably more might find that our band kitty doesn’t refer to the producer or the engineer Contrasting to that lead influenced by Radiohead and Foals’ quite hold out for much else just yet.” or the guitarist as ‘he’. I always track, ‘Gooey’ seems to show off Self weirder stuff. Seeing artists from around the world knew there was an issue, but didn’t Help’s softer, more romantic side. “Since being in the band I’ve been in that situation were there any realise quite how bad it was. I can’t Danny: “I wrote ‘Gooey’ a few years massively inspired by Lucy Leave. particular eye-opening moments, see significant change happening for before I met Silke. I’d just broken The best influence for me is the culturally or musically? quite some time if I’m honest, which up with my first long term girlfriend general courage I get from seeing Sean: “Culturally, many stereotypes SELF HELP is a bit depressing. As a band I think and she’d complained once that I’d local bands out there doing whatever were reinforced. Particularly us we’ve only ever had one female never written a song about her. In my they want, making their own songs and the German band from Essen sound engineer, which was here in extremely mature way I wrote a song and playing them, whether they’ve spending most of our time at the bar. Oxford, which is crazy considering that was tongue in cheek and more of just started and have improvements During our stay at the hostel, we how many gigs we’ve played.” a cynical take on the love song. It has to make or their hard work is starting actually drank the bar out of beer, a its sincere moments though.” to sound like it’s paying off; the proud achievement.” After a summer that It’s also one of your most exuberant fact they’re doing it is inspiration Lizzie: “The coolest thing was the included playing at Common People, songs; what songs get you dancing enough.” huge diversity of music. La Bobine, photo: Helen Messenger Truck Festival and Riverside, the round your organic noise kitchen? Silke: “Danny and I saw Cherokii where we rehearsed, was like a release of ‘Organic Noise Kitchen’, Danny: “I’ve been getting really together right after we first met and playground: you could bounce in and produced by Jimmy Hetherington at into Vulfpeck recently, and their alter bonded over the fact we both thought out of all the rehearsal rooms and Shonk Studios, sees Self Help return ego band The Fearless Flyers are so they were awesome. We actually hear a different genre of music from to their natural home: dark, sweaty groovy it makes my face hurt from became friends soon after and they a different continent every time, from club venues. Following a set at Ritual smiling too much. ‘The Low End really helped us out when we were Chinese traditional to German antifa Union in October the band launch punk. Then you could just walk into the EP with a headline show at The a room and jam along with a band Bullingdon on the 21st December, “One of Sean’s legs is dedicated to shit tattoos, from Burkina Faso or Lithuania or both shows promoted by Future which he’s christened ‘Shit Leg’. He decided Armenia. Sean got a really cool jam Perfect, whose Simon Bailey has going with the Moroccan band, which been a long-time supporter. to get his Self Help tattoos done on that leg. they adapted into one of the songs for “There’s a lot of really important the final concert.” people in the Oxford scene who keep One is a horse that looks like a cow.” it going, two of which are Jimmy and After such an exciting Simon. Jimmy has been our friend Theory’ by A Tribe Called Quest is starting out.” year, Self Help’s launch gig in ever since we bought him a burrito also a favourite that I can practise my Danny: “I remember getting Young December is set to be a celebration and because of that he has helped us cripwalking and do washing up at the Knives’ ‘Rumour Mill’ on 7” when I of all their achievements so far, and to pretty much nail our live sound same time.” was 13, loving it and having no idea of all the love they’ve garnered along “We have a huge amount yelps, coos and snarls. And tattoos. short, sharp songs of exuberant guitar of an age difference, but I clearly onto the two EPs he’s produced for Lizzie: “Idles got me headbanging they were based In Oxford. Turned the way. By way of returning that of love for the local scene in Oxford Mostly belonging to guitarist Sean pop noise that capture the band’s remember my mates and I wanting us. Simon has put us on some great as soon as I first heard ‘Stendhal out one of them lived in my mum’s love, what do the four of them think and we all live for going to gigs and Cousins whose all-action topless bountiful energy and punked-up to go to Camden Market to get black shows and likes to invest in local Syndrome’ on the radio. We saw village and I saw him waiting for a is the best self help advice they can seeing the shining faces of the people onstage performances regularly melody with the influence of The skinny jeans and leather jackets bands in a way that some promoters them in March last year at the Bully bus once… true story!” offer their friends and fans? And what who make the scene what it is. I don’t spill offstage, like the time when Strokes and The Libertines colliding so we could look like him and his don’t; he puts in a lot of time and and were enthralled by their bucky- about self medication – what works think we could live without it.” he traversed the barrier at Common with those of Slaves, Supergrass and friends. Also, I heard that he was thought to what he does and it’s both fuelled live show and how nice they Such is Nightshift’s love best for a hard-working rock and roll People back in May to plant a kiss on even original punkers The Adverts. growing magic mushrooms under a loss and a wonderful thing that he’s were as people. Whenever an Idles for Self Help since we first saw them band? So says Lizzie Couves, an unsuspecting mate in the crowd. his bed which at the time I thought moving onto bigger things next year.” song comes on, we all go mental. live up at The Wheatsheaf, when we Danny: “There is no such thing bass player with Self Help and a “One of Sean’s legs is dedicated to Danny always seemed was the most amazing thing ever. “Idles are the main guys to crank up were asked to recommend a young as the Self, and therefore trying to musician whose onstage Cheshire shit tattoos, which he’s christened destined to front a rock and roll band. Occasionally if we were really lucky The first single from in the car on the way back from work. local band to represent Oxford in help it is meaningless! As far as self Cat grin suggests she’s loving every `Shit Leg’,” says Lizzie. “He decided For starters his mum used to work at he would let us go up to his room the new EP was ‘1,000,000MPH’, If someone plays S Club 7 it’s got to a cultural exchange in France this medication goes, a bag of Monster minute of what she’s doing and to get his two Self Help tattoos done Richard Branson’s Manor Studio in on a Saturday night, smoke a joint released in October and described by be danced to. As the ancient Greek summer they were the first name we Munch tends to do the trick for me.” everything involved in it. on that leg. One is a horse that looks Shipton-on-Cherwell. and listen to his vast array of vinyl Nightshift as almost the definition of proverb says ‘there ain’t no party like thought of. The exchange involved Sean: “Live, laugh, love. No, not Nightshift just mentioned that if you like a cow.” “I have heard some great stories, records. Their success did inspire me belligerence; given their reputation an S Club party’.” musicians from Grenoble’s various really… for me it’s a Sunday roast ask any regular on the Oxford music Watching Self Help you always some that I’ve been told I’m not a lot. I remember a year after he had as a decidedly cheery bunch do Self twin towns, including Oxford. The with a side of lager.” scene who the best new band in town imagine that however much fun allowed to say!” he laughs. “Two left I went down for breakfast and Help see themselves as a belligerent Another high point of quartet went into the adventure with Lizzie: “Help yourself and you’ll are they’ll mention Self Help. you’re having they’re having double things that come to mind though are saw our house master was reading a band musically? Does anything make the new EP is ‘The Razz’, a tale characteristic enthusiasm and enjoyed get a full plate of food! But make “That these people support us means up there. No wonder they find firstly, when I was a baby, I made my copy of the NME with them on the them angry? of over-indulgence, self revulsion the different experiences it brought. sure there’s enough left for everyone the world to us,” continues Lizzie; themselves so loved. first ever phone call by speed dialling front cover and I thought that was the Lizzie: “In reality we’re all the and guilt that could be an update on Sean: “Grenoble was fantastic, a else!” “when we bump into them at gigs and Perry Bamonte of The Cure who coolest thing I’d ever seen, especially definition of British reserve when it Supergrass’ `Caught By the Fuzz’. great experience that brought us Silke: “I like to have a pickle and a around Oxford, it adds happiness to Self Helped began life was staying there while they were because he was a massive dick.” comes to anger: the type that simmers How much of it is from personal closer together as a band. Most of Kronenbourg whenever I feel down.” our day. We’re really lucky to call a when Danny answered drummer recording `The Wish’. The second on the inside and which translates to experience? the time was spent working and And who’s the most and least helpful lot of them friends because the truth Silke Blansjaar’s ad on Joinmyband. was that Freddie Mercury, whilst Silke – who moved to the outside world at best through a Danny: “We have allegedly been practising with other bands to prepare member of the band? is that they make our lives better.” com. The pair arranged a rehearsal there recording `A Day At The Races’ Oxford from her native Netherlands frustrated foot tap. We probably do advised by our lawyer that so for a concert that took place in the Lizzie: “The collective least helpful Alongside Lizzie singer and guitarist and learnt the whole of what was to with Queen, was too shy to go down when she was eight – also knew she release a fair bit of this through our called events mentioned in the song centre of Grenoble. The concert was members of the band are Danny’s Danny Jeffries is similarly enthused be Self Help’s early set in a single to the garden where they were having wanted to be a musician from an music. The only time we actually hereafter referred to as ‘The Razz’ are on the same day as France won the strings, because they break at almost with life in a band right now and the evening. Initially going under the a party so they attached a picnic early age and has been drawn towards admit our anger is when it’s hanger. entirely fictitious and do not represent World Cup so the crowd was up for every gig. They do give him the love and support they’re attracting. name The Din Twins the pair played basket to a rope and he pulled it up its technical side. She is currently Someone will be like ‘oh no I’m our views or actions in anyway.” it: bangers, flares and a lot of pogoing opportunity to exercise his gift of “That’s so nice to hear! I think the their debut gig for It’s All About The through the window of the room he doing a music production course at getting hangry now’ and we will all The spirit of Supergrass’s vibrant going on. That made it a joy to play two-string guitar playing though. fact that on the face of it we don’t Music in July 2016. was staying in. ACM where she’s realised that side go to a disgusting chip shop. pop-punk is something that comes our song ‘Gemma’ with our new “The most helpful member of the take ourselves too seriously helps After a brief spell with another bass “I got to go to a lot of free concerts of music is, sadly, still very much a “My favourite display of anger from through in Self Help’s live shows. Austrian best friends Sempre Caoz.” band is Silke’s cowbell because people connect with us and allows player, during which time Danny when I was growing up, most male-dominated world. the band was when Sean got so hot Were they, or any other local stars a Lizzie: “Silke and I got to realise our whenever it ‘tings’, you realise it’s all them to let their hair down a bit when and Silke recruited Sean after he notably Hanson and S Club 7, which “I think when I was about four years at a gig that he went AWOL for ages big influence on the band? dream of playing a J-Pop song called you ever needed.” they see us live.” engineered an early recording session, inspired me to become the pop star I old I decided I wanted to be either a in an angry, hot state, having already Lizzie: “I don’t think I’m that ‘End of World and Girlfriend’ with the band met Lizzie via another am today.” drummer or a pirate when I grew up, got semi naked obviously. When we influenced by them, but I’ve loved Denshi Jision from Tsukuba in Japan. Believe us when we say you need The brightness and online ad. The quartet recorded Danny was also at school with Tom and that hasn’t really changed. I’ve finally got him back safe to his flat `Alright’ by Supergrass since I was I tried my hand at pop bass and Silke Self Help. The band launch ‘Organic enthusiasm that characterises Self their debut EP, `Always Trashy in and Freddy Cowan, the brothers who always been a bit of a geek though, via a hot sweaty taxi he got out of the about seven; my sister and I used to exercised her gift of pop cowbell Noise Kitchen’ at The Bullingdon Help as people is equally a part of Fillydelphia’, with Luke Oldfield, son would respectively go on to form The so I sort of naturally got into the tech cab, let out a huge roar, did something sing it constantly because it was on playing. on Friday 21st December. Support their music and their live show: a of Mike, and began playing gigs. Lots Horrors and Vaccines, who helped side of things too. It’s still very much with his arms that made him resemble one of our favourite telly shows. Now “It’s a bit shy of a world tour, but comes from Easter Island Statues and fizzing, fuzzing ball of kinetic energy, and lots of gigs. inspire his love for music. a male dominated field, yes, and it’s a werewolf and then sprinted off into the words pop into my head on the we’ve just been invited to Austria to Lacuna Common. onward rushing riffs and pummelling This month the band release a new “Tom was in lower sixth when I way worse than I expected it to be. the distance to get even more hot and reg and they remind me to give less play with our new pals in March next Tickets at www.seetickets.com beats, Danny’s rough-hewn barks, EP, ‘Organic Noise Kitchen’, six started school so there was a bit About ninety percent of my class is Sponsored by Oxford up when they opened the Uncommon Stage at Common People last year. By the sounds of it Nightshift’s more recent neglect of them has upped Cherokii’s ire several notches – and frankly it was set pretty high to RELEASED start with. The duo are the sort of band who, if they want to get your attention, are damn well GHOSTS IN THE THE MIGHTY REDOX gonna get it – here be riffs – riffs of the old school. And shouting – rough-hewn, bluesy and PHOTOGRAPHS ‘Beyond Our Eyes’ in all likelihood spiked with whisky. `Wireless’ (Self released) is short and to the point but comes in three waves – the first a grubby garage rock ‘Dyslexorcist’ If time stood still for The Mighty Redox the day statement of intent before the first big riff wave (Self released) they stumbled upon Here & Now jamming with hits. Then a slight breakdown before a second The post-rock road is a well-travelled one, albeit Gong at a free festival sometime around 1978, grubby garage rock statement of intent and a one that has slightly fallen out of vogue in recent nobody’s had the heart to tell them. Not least second big riff wave. The final part is… well, years. Ghosts In The Photographs, though, are their loyal fanbase who help make each Redox take a guess. The final wave simply carries staying true to the cause, continuing to travel show a party, who traipse down to Devon with CHEROKII away and the only shame is it stops before they LITTLE BROTHER ELI that road – that long, meandering, ponderous, the band every summer and who helped finance reach the three minute mark, when really you thoughtful, reflective road – with ‘Dyslexorcist’. this new album via a Crowdfunding campaign, ‘Wireless’ want it to carry you beyond the twenty-minute ‘Stop Pretending’ It’s a bold statement: a single, 1,084-second long reaching its target in a few short days. (Self released) horizon. (Self released) track. That’s just over 18 minutes. With both an The band, based around Phil Freizinger Cherokii had slipped off the radar slightly over Good to have you back, boys – if you ever The latest in a steady stream of singles released intro and an outro longer than most other bands’ and Sue Smith, who also run the enduringly the last twelve months after making such a feel we’re ignoring you again in the future, you since the start of the year, `Stop Pretending’ is entire songs, it’s certainly a relaxed affair, at least inclusive Klub Kakofanney, carry a flame for foreceful first impression - and not forgetting know just to shout. Very, very loudly. the least convincing offering we’ve heard from in terms of length. LOUD!’, and this track benefits hugely from its that free festival spirit through to the present: a doing a sterling job of waking the whole of East Ian Chesterton the remodelled Little Brother Eli. Where `Our Except for very early examples, the post-rock dynamic range and textural complexities being happy gallimaufry of funky blues, dubby ska, Kind of Love’ and `Tooth’ bore out the band’s genre was never one for huge reinvention intensified. Without volume, it’s somewhat bluegrass bounce, trippy prog and world folk. claims to a new discofied direction for the most or experiment, beyond several strands of ineffectual; with it, it’s a confident and weighty Sometimes within the same song. Like album bins to a fiery death as her space ship re-entered EASTER ISLAND part, `Stop Pretending’ lacks the funky energy of variously different approaches. Ghosts In slice of emotion, carefully constructed, opener `Carry The Light’ which has covered the earth’s atmosphere. It has a subtle nod to those songs, sounding more like a mid-set respite The Photographs slot in neatly to a lineage of flawlessly played, and very effective. most of those bases before its four minutes are 2001: a Space Odyssey at one point and it’s STATUES moment – somewhere for the band to rebuild the strand that takes in Godspeed You! Black The 18 minutes fly by, and almost surprisingly, up. frankly heartbreaking to watch. So: great song; the party mood. Even their residual blues base is Emperor, Mogwai, and Explosions In The Sky. the track doesn’t feel over-long, or outstay its The quartet are at their best when they go for ‘Laika’ exceptional video; be kind to animals. And now, if diluted and the end result sounds rather more like ‘Dyslexorcist’ is built around a single guitar welcome. ‘Dyslexorcist’ could pretty much goodtime; the funked-up `O Sister’ is typical of (Self released) you’ll excuse us, we have something in our eye. melody, repeated slowly and languorously over Years and Years than they probably intended – continue for hours, and form the backdrop their live spirit, while `Gill the Hero’ is full-on Never mind Yuri Gagarin, Valentina Tereshkova Dale Kattack a hefty, thudding rhythm, drawn in and out and considerably more than we’d want. to a lonely night walk through an empty city rockabilly rattle (albeit via Haysi Fantayzee). and Neil Armstrong, the greatest hero of the of moods and feelings by subtly developing, Dale Kattack centre. This kind of moody post-rock is the They also win out on their folkier numbers: space race was Laika: the first living creature to morphing patterns. It’s a nice piece, and one best thing to have in your head when you’re in `Belief of Love’, with its kalimba and flute be launched into orbit. Not that she had much that’s unlocked particularly through one thing: the right frame of mind for some self-reflective intro, is languid but slightly otherworldly, Sue say in the matter – a stray dog abducted from turning up the volume. Many records in days wallowing. taking the vocal lead as they come closest to the streets of Moscow and fired into the history THE GREAT gone by would state on their sleeve ‘PLAY Simon Minter Gong’s classic witchy psychedelia. books, dying in the process. `Coconut Tree’, with its theremini, shows off Easter Island Statues’ tribute to Laika is entirely WESTERN TEARS fi Beach Boys-inspired surf pop but imagined their enduring daft side – The Mighty Redox suitable – as heroic a slab of rough’n’tumble aren’t a band to take anything too seriously – `Let It Storm’ through the prism of punk-era Wreckless Eric’s anthemic indie rock as you could hope for, (Self released) pop-poet eccentricity. And OMD. Listen to it and while album closer `Too Darn Rude’ evokes slightly ragged and untamed around the edges, Nightshift has never, on balance, been a huge you’ll see what we mean, memories of early-80s hippy/punk/reggae questing of purpose and a little plaintive, a little fan of music videos; you get the odd classic The EP’s title track might be more parties where folk fusions were the order of the like the best song The Libertines never wrote. (Aphex Twin’s `Come to Daddy’ for example) straightforward in a vaguely Television day, along with the scent of patchouli. It’s typical of the band’s approach to songwriting that actually takes the music to another level, Personalities kind of way, except it bobbles and There’s still an occasional tendency to lapse and makes for a great soundtrack to the video, but often they’re a distraction. Having watched buzzes around like The Residents sneaked into into easy soft blues-rock (`Edward’), while which is what really takes centre stage here: a it three times in a row, we still don’t know if the studio at the point someone pressed Record `Selena’ sounds laboured even as it nicks its beautifully animated Aardman-style story of the vid for `Let It Storm’ is a masterpiece or a and no-one realised until it was too late and then intro from Lou Reed’s `Vicious’ and its core the titular dog, from her days rifling through comedic folly. The song is great – really great: everyone decided it sounded pretty cute anyway. melody from `Love Is Strange’, but it’s easy to a rising sea storm of country blues where Dava `Submarine’ might be something unearthed from see why The Mighty Redox have endured for so Waterhouse and Fern Thornton trade verses, the BBC archives from that time The Beatles many years: they don’t set out to please anyone I have none”) are both given good healthy RESTRUCTURE sounding like Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra invaded the set of Play Away, made everyone much besides themselves and in doing so they whackings, while the title track takes an outsider jamming out Shack songs with Jackson C Frank, smoke industrial quantities of weed and let please plenty of people. ‘Normz EP’ tilt at social “normality”, namely a best friend who appears to have forsaken the blithe 3am Ben Heaney’s malevolently swirling violin Ringo write the song of the day. Ian Chesterton (Self released) kebab‘n’Stella nights out by getting married and ramping up the intensity as the swell threatens to They save the best to last though: `Mister Restructure’s USP is of a couple of slightly mortgaged and becoming a boring drone. tip the whole thing into the briney. Curator’ is the late, great Mark E Smith trying MOOGIEMAN & THE aging ravers / football hoolies having a laugh The EP’s best track is the pleasingly unusual In the video a man awakens in front of a to write a kids TV theme tune, only having and saying serious stuff at the same time. Mark subject in ‘Get Over it’, with its heavy guitar computer screen showing a turbulent sea to find replaced your granny on bongos with a swarm MASOCHISTS Webb’s pithy proto-punk flow sits well with riffing reinforcing the machismo of being a length of sodden rope on the floor. Puzzled, he of slightly giddy bumble bees, Clare Heaviside’s Fred Toon’s matching electronica, making allowed to have a man crush with its chorus follows it out of the house, along the road and ‘Doppleganger’ buzzing sax and the fractured post-punk guitar it not so much the cadaverous headbutt of of “Be a-man-a-man-a-man, admit your man into the depths of a forest. Where is this going? jangle building up a head of lopsided steam (All Will Be Well) Sleaford Mods, more the WTF incredulous, crush,” telling you it’s okay to have such A punch up with a man dressed as a giant fluffy If you wonder what goes through Moogieman’s while forever sounding like it doesn’t quite know GradeAUnderGradeA finds music, grinfest. feelings. It seems Gazza crying at World Cup shark is where. Yep, at the end of this dark, head when he’s writing or playing the answer is where it’s going or if it will get there without The `Normz’ EP contains four two-minute rails Italia 90 wasn’t all in vain. tempestuous tale, all moodiness and mystery, probably “everything, all at once.” falling apart at its sellotaped seams. against the society that daily streams in through They say a poem read by a hundred people is a six foot CBeebies Blue Shark – the perfect While Shan Sriharan and co.’s music isn’t `Doppleganger’ is almost certainly our screens, and coats us whenever we step out becomes a hundred poems, and you can hear onesie for binge watching Jaws and The Meg in. exactly discomforting, it is comfortingly odd – Moogieman’s most accomplished and accessible of our front door. Easy, low-hanging piñatas like what you want to hear in ‘Normz’ and still enjoy It’s a kind of genius, but you could say it breaks simultaneously pop at its simplest and catchiest release to date. That it also sounds like it was ‘Middle England’ (“Left wing, right wing it’s it. Avuncular arse kicking tracks like these are the spell somewhat. So, yeah, anyway – nice one and irreverently skewed. Take this EP’s lead made up on the spot and recorded in a single take all the same / Pawns in a political game”) and needed on our airwaves to make you wake up Great Western Tears – this is a cracking song. But song – `Now I Am Alive (But Once I Was merely amplifies its not inconsiderable appeal. ‘Universal Credit’ (“Straight out of the bookies even if you are ‘woke’. also, you’ve pretty much ruined it for us forever. Dead)’, which sounds like basement-level lo- Dale Kattack is where I’m from / Blown all my money, now Paul Carrera Ian Chesterton Sponsored by RELEASED MASTER OF NONE STEVE COLBORNE ‘Master of None’ ‘Tell Everyone Now’ (All Will Be Well) (Self released) There’s beauty in Little Red’s musical darkness: With sleeve artwork reminiscent of John Foxx even as they’re leading you into the dark forest and OMD’s most recent releases and ten tracks of or being hunted and haunted by metaphorical mostly synthesizer based music, this solo debut wolves and black dogs, the vocal interaction album by former Marconi’s Voodoo guitarist between the trio creates something light and Steve Colborne should be right up Nightshift’s enticing, drawing on folk traditions from both synth-pop street. sides of the Atlantic. But oh, dear reader, it is an abomination – an Master of None is the solo project of that band’s often knuckle-gnawingly cringeworthy exercise Ian Mitchell and while it similarly contemplates in pomposity and mawkish Christian rock over- the darkness it’s a very different, far uglier sincerity. beast it sees. `Master of None’ is the sound of It starts off okay with an instrumental overture, someone unable to sleep attempting to get all their all heavy-duty synths and fractured beats, but frustrations out in a bedroom studio; as such it’s `Machines Taking Over the World’ is laugh-out- often unfocussed with songs sounding unfinished, pubic hair” – the mournful piano piece that is the loud terrible, Colborne intoning dark, dystopian occasionally hitting the right note and drawing album’s title track and most musical moment, and lines like “Calling up the company / Automated you into its almost somnambulating fugue state. in particular the vicious, sheet metal clatter of system / Smart phone addiction / Digital biology / Stylistically the album switches between lo-fi `Prick’, with its Big Black-style rhythm. Waiting in the hold queue / Talking to the robots / electro-minimalism, lo-fi piano balladry and lo-fi Elsewhere Ian aims for Nick Cave and misses Slave to an unknown ALGORITHM!” with all the industrial noise. Lo-fi is the album’s one constant: (but hey, there are worst targets to aim for) and flair and fluidity of Theresa May on the dancefloor hissing drum machines, barely-there electronics occasionally gets bogged down in ponderous, and sounding like a precocious ten year old trying and basic but mellifluous acoustic guitar backing tortured navel gazing. `Francis Bacon’ in particular to emulate Nine Inch Nails in the style of a low- up streams of consciousness, rants and wee-small- feels barely formed and is borderline Demo budget 1960s drama robot. hours contemplation. The best bits draw you in Dumper fodder and perhaps this would have `In Israel’ is a bombastic workout that might be by stealth: the almost bluesy `Big Boots’, with its worked better as an EP rather than a full album a slab of doomy fun if it weren’t for the vocals, celtic fiddle interjections; `Let’s Get Fucked Up’, where things can sound formulaic after a while and which make Twizz Twangle sound like Scott with its litany of life’s nasties – from “feelgood a number of tracks sounding incomplete. Walker and whose chanted non-sequiturs make it pop and Hollywood tat” to “toenail clippings and Dale Kattack sound like a local amateur dramatics society’s over- ambitious electro-prog reworking of Joseph & His Technicolor Dreamcoat. `Speak Life’, meanwhile, swept along in. ‘The Early Bird’ is the stand-out is simply a recital of a list of what we guess are KID KIN track. It starts with pulsing retro arpeggios fit for meant to be positive things in life (honour; praise; ‘Kid Kin EP’ Tomorrow’s World, or perhaps Look Around You, wonder; cherish; dildos – sorry, lost concentration but this is soon swept away into glassy layers of for a moment there). We won’t even mention (Self released) guitar, pulsating and overlapping into cacophony Steve’s rap on `Alien Love’ because even thinking No matter how far technology progresses it will that then slowly recedes into a surprisingly about it make us come up in hives and do a wee in always be near impossible for one person with a delicate acoustic guitar melody, invoking Message our pants as we try and stifle our childish giggling. guitar and a laptop to sound like a full live band. to Bears in a lovely and unexpected way. Thing is, the instrumentation isn’t too bad – all However, using that constraint as a creative drive Matt Chapman Jones lush electronics and stadium grunge guitars – all can lead to some excellent results as Kid Kin has a bit bombastic but well executed and maybe, just proved over and over again. maybe, if this had been an instrumental album it For several years Kin Kin, the musical moniker would have passed muster in a bedroom-based of Pete Lloyd, has been a staple of the Oxford MOTHER indulgence kind of way, the soundtrack to a music scene, ably tip-toeing across the boundaries Alejandro Jodorowsky tribute home movie. As it between post-rock and ambient electronica: not ‘LA’ is, it ends up being comical in a way it doubtless jumping between one or the other but melding never intended and while Nightshift isn’t one for them into a cohesive whole. You don’t miss the (Self released) trying to silence people who only want their voice surly bassist at the back or the shimmer of a real From their early days sounding a bit too much like to be heard, you end up just wanting to tell Steve crash cymbal, not one bit. The Strokes put through a Britpop filter, Mother to shut up. This new eponymous EP comes after a period of have started carved out a stronger – and more Dale Kattack experimentation but these four new songs return appealing – character for themselves as this new to KK’s core sound and are the better for it. It feels single shows. Stadium-sized drums and chiming like having taken stock Lloyd can forge forward guitars alongside Josh Alden’s quavering, slightly with new confidence in what he does best. dreamy vocals hark back to Radiohead’s earlier What has always struck me about Kid Kin’s music days while not sounding too in thrall to them. is how it sounds so optimistic and uplifting whilst Like fellow local big-stage travellers Kanadia still conforming to two genres that are commonly Mother sound like they’ve thrown the entire bleak and isolating. The building blocks are the same as ever: staccato guitars, minimal beats and production beast at this song to make it sound as massive synths, but they are layered expertly as to big and bold as they can and it gives `LA’ exactly still feel fresh and inviting. Opener ‘Jarmo’ does the kick it needs to make it feel properly epic, feel closer to a straight post-rock band, but this is with just the slightest of a goth theatricality – countered by ‘War Lullaby’’s Chiptune breakdowns something the video of the band doing their make- and soaring washes of synths. up and slipping into stockings and suspenders Occasionally the momentary pauses for dramatic before rocking out confirms. Not enough gothic effect feel a little more like hesitation; these songs theatricality and cross dressing in rock music are at their best when the textures shift organically these days; it should be encouraged. like orchestral movements or electronic tides to be Ian Chesterton debut album `You Tried’ in the vein of Camera A/WATTS: Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Bicester – Obscura, Allo Darlin’ and Alvvays. They’re Classic 50s and 60s rock’n’roll covers. joined by fellow Swedes and Fire Records labelmates Magic Potion, plus local sadcore SUNDAY 4th crew Fancy Dress Party. HUGH CORNWELL: O2 Academy – The FREERANGE: The Cellar – UK garage, former Stranglers man tours his new album grime and bassline club night. `Monster’, playing songs from his lengthy solo GIG GUIDE WANDERING WIRES + DIVING career as well as classic Stranglers numbers like STATION: The Jericho Tavern – Jazz, soul st working with King Tubby, Missy Elliott, Sean `Skin Deep’, `Always the Sun’ and `Duchess’. THURSDAY 1 and electro-pop invention from the local uni FIREGAZER + FRANKLIN’S TOWER GYPSYFINGERS: Truck Store – Instore Paul and Foxy Brown. band. + BEARD OF DESTINY + ANNELI: show from the folk, pop, spoken word, classical NOVEMBER THE SHAPES + PORT IN A STORM + GUNFINGERS: The Bullingdon – Grime, Donnington Community Centre (6pm) – and electronic duo, formed by Victoria Cogham BLAKE SONNET: The Bullingdon – 60s Saturday 10th ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO BAND: The r’n’b and bassline club night. Free acoustic session with folksters Firegazer and Luke Oldfield – son of Mike Oldfield. r’n’b, new wave and folk-punk from Oxford’s Bullingdon – Quality cult Americana from San SIR LOIN & THE STEAK KNIGHTS: alongside Grateful Dead tribute act Franklin’s THE FEELING: O2 Academy – Still going? favourite goodtime band The Shapes, tonight FISHERMAN’S Antonio’s bandleader whose list of fans and Florence Park Community Centre (6.30pm) Tower and Delta blues from Beard of Destiny. Oh good. launching their new EP `Oh You’. Support from collaborators includes everyone from Steve – Live covers at the family-friendly Halloween- OPEN MIC SESSION: Harcourt Arms – SHE MAKES WAR + THE MENSTRUAL local folk-rockers Port in a Storm. FRIENDS: Oxford Earl, Lucinda Williams, Son Volt and John themed party. Weekly open night. CRAMPS: The Jericho Tavern – Variously BASIC featuring MELE: The Bullingdon – Cale to Ian Hunter, The Jayhawks, REM and of FOLK SESSION: The Half Moon – Weekly Playhouse tender, bitter, gloomy and poppy grunge from Brazilian beats, transatlantic hip hop and classic course long-time friend and musical ally Bruce th session. Port Isaac’s male voice singing group Laura Kidd and co. – see main preview Springsteen. The man named Artist of the 90s house from Mele at Basic’s new monthly techno Monday 5 and house club night. SAM WALKER + NATUREBOY: Florence make a rare indoor appearance in Oxford, by alt.country bible No Depression returns to Park Community Centre (2-5pm) – Family- although they’ve played both Cornbury and The Bully as guest of Empty Room Promotions, JORDAN O’SHEA + DRAMA KIDS + MAX THE BLINDERS: Thursday 1st BLANSJAAR: Modern Art Oxford – Local friendly live music and more at this month’s Towersey festivals in recent years, as well as now well into his 60s and still rocking every bar The Bullingdon Sunday Session, with host Dave Noble’s taking their traditional songs to Glastonbury he plays in. songsmith Jordan O’Shea launches his new album, `This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Can’t beat a bit of theatrical swagger in Natureboy bringing mellow, 60s-inspired pop, on a number of occasions. Formed in the SHE MAKES WAR / BASSFACE VOLUME 4: The Bullingdon – Things’, on Beanie Tapes, moving on from his rock and roll and Blinders singer Thomas country and jazz alongside travelling troubadour north Cornwall fishing village in the mid- UK bass club night. THE MENSTRUAL old haunted and heartbroken acoustic pop to a Haywood looks like the sort of bloke who’s Sam Walker. 90s, the group – featuring three actual CATWEAZLE: East Oxford Community more eclectic mix of doo-wop, hip hop, lounge single handedly trying to fuse Jaz Coleman, fishermen – have kept old, often ancient, Centre – Oxford’s longest running open night CRAMPS: jazz, electro-pop and prog. Support from local Iggy Pop and Gene Simmons into a single th shanties, sailors working songs and songs continues to showcase local singers, musicians, MONDAY 5 post-rock and punk crew Drama Kids and DIY entity in his quest to Make Rock Matter about the sea alive, bringing them to new The Jericho Tavern poets, storytellers, performance artists and more NATTY: O2 Academy – The British reggae grunge-pop star Max Blansjaar. again. The band’s show at The Cellar in generations and earning themselves a well Grungy; tuneful; fragile; tender; bitter; every Thursday. star celebrates the tenth anniversary of his debut BOSSAPHONIK with AWALE: The Cellar – March revealed a band prepared to give it deserved place in the contemporary folk lovelorn; poppy; imposing; gloomy: that’s ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure album, `Man Like I’. Afrobeat, Latin rhythms, global grooves, future everything and a bit more in front of even scene, collaborating with Show of Hands your average She Makes War song. Bristol’s – Weekly unplugged open night. THE BLINDERS: The Bullingdon – Gothic soul and nu-jazz at Bossaphonik, back in action the most sparsely populated venue. That’s among others along the way. Eight strong, supremely talented multi-instrumentalist SPARKY’S NEW MOON: The Half Moon grunge and rock and roll theatre from the rising after a break from the action, host Dan Ofer something they’re unlikely to face going the ensemble have lost members over the Laura Kidd is a master tunesmith as well – Sparky hosts an open mic session on the first Mancunian noisemakers – see main preview spins world dance tunes while there’s a live set forward with the band fresh off the back years, including Pete Rowe, who was as being an imaginative multi-media and third Thursday of every month. SEAMUS FOGARTY: The Jericho Tavern from nine-strong Senegalese ensemble Awale, of a tour with Cabbage and appearances at still singing with the group aged 80 before performer and, when she had a few spare BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, – Hushed, ruminative folktronica in the vein of fusing African polyrhythmic music, jazz and Reading and Leeds Festivals and more, as bowing out, and tragically Trevor Gill, weeks in between making albums, playing Sandford – Open jam session. Nick Drake and King Creosote from the Irish Afro-Latin sounds, led by singer Biram Seck. well as regular radio play. The trio grew up who died in 2013 following an accident at bass for Viv Albertine and touring, a very NEW DEPTH + HADWAY + SOMETHING songsmith, on tour to coincide with the release FROM THE JAM + NINE BELOW ZERO: in Doncaster and were inspired to form a a venue in Guildford that also killed the decent stand-up comedian – she performed SOMEDAY + OUTER BLUE + SEMPER of new single `The Old Suit’, following on from Oxford Town Hall – Return to town for former band by semi-local heroes Arctic Monkeys band’s tour manager. Unbowed they’re her one-woman show Shit Girlfriend VERA + HUDSON: Fat Lil’s, Witney – supports to James Yorkston, Pictish Trail and Jam man Bruce Foxton and his band, celebrating but you’d barely notice it, their provincial as strong now as ever, this year releasing at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2015. OxRox host a night of young local rock, metal Malcolm Middleton. the 40th anniversary of `All Mod Cons’. Support upbringing simply fermenting the rage `Sole Mates’, a collection of some of their Highly prolific, she releases her fourth and punk bands. OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle from Dennis Greaves’ r’n’b survivors. they now pour into songs like `L’etat C’est studio album, `Brace For Impact’, this FRIGG: Nettlebed Folk Club – The seven- regular lives favourites – from `Sloop John NIGHTMARE ON SCRATCH STREET: Moi’ and `Swine’ – with its “There is no B’, and `Blow the Man Down’ to `South month, although she’s also put out several nd strong Finnish fiddle group make their Nettlebed FRIDAY 2 Tap Social, Botley – Yaya & Jojo play a live hope” refrain. This is dished out in the live albums along the way. Her previous debut, playing jigs, reels, polkas and bluegrass Australia’ and `Oh You New York Girls’. KLUB KAKOFANNEY with OSPREY scratching set of soundtrack, 80s and electro. form of dark, dense, sludgy punk rock that album, `Direction of Travel’, featured a tunes. Plenty of humour along the way, much of it & THE OX4 ALLSTARS + MEEF WATERFOOLS: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Grunge touches on Killing Joke’s militant industrial guest appearance from Tanya Donelly probably unsuitable for those of a sensitive CHALOIN & ASHER DUST + LIME + rock from the local duo. rock, Glitterstomp, psychedelia and even and there are echoes of The Breeders and TUESDAY 6th disposition, while the songs themselves can GRUDGEWOOD: The Wheatsheaf – Klub ADAM MATTHEWS: The Black Horse, some dirty Cramps-like gothabilly. With be equally lewd, but it’s a glorious sound, Belly in Kidd’s own music, as well as the YOU & WHOSE ARMY: The Jericho Tavern Kakofanney’s monthly party plays host to local Gozzards Ford – Electric and acoustic blues their nominally concept debut album, one to match that of colliery bands and influence of Elliot Smith, Sleater Kinney, – Modern Art Oxford presents an examination stalwart Osprey and his funky blues crew, plus and rock. `Columbia’, out now the band are out Welsh male voice choirs. Dresden Dolls and Elastica. Obviously of politics and social issues in the UK via music a live collaboration between producer Meef on another extensive UK tour, earning a when talent was being handed out she got and experimental sound, including sets from Chaloin and singer Asher Dust, playing songs rd reputation as one of the most intense live double portions plus seconds and pudding. SATURDAY 3 electronic musician Benedict Drew, rapper BUCK & BILLIE: St John the Evangelist – from their excellent recent `Star Dread Kill the AIDAN MOFFAT & RM HUBBERT: O2 bands around. Next summer should see As an added bonus for her debut Oxford Hardeep Pandhal and sound recordist Jumana Singer Julia Biel and The Buck Clayton Legacy Devil’, mixing up dub, electro and industrial, Academy – Scottish indie music’s enduring them playing far higher up the line-up of headline, she’s joined by The Menstrual Hokan. Band explore the 1937 meeting, in a New drawing on King Tubby, On-U-Sound, The Orb stalwarts and long-time chums and collaborators those festivals – binging storm clouds and Cramps, back in town after a blistering set York studio, of jazz legend Billie Holiday and and Nine Inch Nails along the way. Former tour their recent joint album `Here Lies the darkness to the summer party. at All Tamara’s Parties in September, the th trumpeter Buck Clayton. Junkie Brush and Marconi’s Voodoo chaps Body’, the pair, between them having both WEDNESDAY 7 band tackling feminist issues, queer politics, DAS FUNKHAUS: The Cellar – Disco, funky Grudgewood open the show. won Scottish Album of the Year and worked THE BILLY WALTON BAND: The environmentalism and more in potent punk house and techno club night with Duke Boara, FREYA RIDINGS: O2 Academy – Emotive alongside seemingly everyone on their native Bullingdon – Blues-rock in the vein of Hendrix, fashion, inspired by Bikini Kill, Black Flag Deputy and Monté on the decks. balladeering from singer and pianist Ridings, DIY scene, exploring the darker corners of Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan from the and The Damned as well as the whole riot AJ CLARKE & DAVE PEGG: The Unicorn, touring her new `Live at Omeara’ album, human existence and emotion with glorious New Jersey guitarist, who has played around grrl ethos. Abingdon – Two of the UK folk scene’s most following the chart success of last year’s `Lost gallows humour and rich poetry. his local scene since his early teens, jamming enduring and beloved characters team up, Without You’ single. Rearranged from October. SWITCH X KRUDD featuring SKEPSIS + with Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Double Irish singer-songwriter AJ Clarke, author of NEIL HILBORN with RUDY FRANCISCO BRU-C + KANINE: O2 Academy – South Trouble along the way. acclaimed albums `The Broken Years’ and `The + SABRINA BENAIM: O2 Academy – Texan London bass man Skepsis returns to the Shire SUBCULTURE: The Bullingdon – Only Life Gloria Knows’ playing alongside slam poet Hilborn deals with the emotional after his set at Truck Festival over the summer, Underground dub and drum&bass club night. Fairport Convention stalwart Dave Pegg, extremes of life and his battles with mental headlining tonight’s joint club night with Switch GIRLS IN SYNTHESIS: The Library – playing songs from their extensive combined illness, including his sublime, emotionally and Krudd. Brilliantly malevolently hypnotic post-punk catalogues as well as a traditional songs. racked and funny internet hit `OCD’. HATER + MAGIC POTION + FANCY from London trio Girls in Synthesis, mixing WAYNE WONDER: O2 Academy – Reggae- DRESS PARTY: The Wheatsheaf – political polemic and hellishly visceral wall- th infused r’n’b and hip hop from the Jamaican Bittersweet jangle pop from Sweden’s Hater of-noise somewhere between Flipper, The Fall, THURSDAY 8 singer whose extensive career has seen him at tonight’s Divine Schism show, the band’s Crass and early Wire. POLICE DOG HOGAN: O2 Academy – new `Old Idea 2’ EP. string guitar and stomp box no less authentic MONDAY 12th The Wheatsheaf – London emo crew GOODNESS SAVE THE CELLAR: The sounding for his tall tales. Not long ago he sold SIOBHAN MILLER: Nettlebed Folk Club – Itoldyouiwouldeatyou make their Oxford Cellar – A night of techno, house and bass in out Wembley Arena and tonight’s gig is part Soulful, stirring traditional folk songs from the debut ahead of the release of their debut album aid of the Save the Cellar fund. of a major UK tour to promote his ninth studio rising star of the Scottish scene and three time `Oh Dearism’, providing a spiky but poppy SALTWATER SUN + THE DOLLYMOPS + album, so he’s doing something right. winner of the BBC Alba Music Awards singer soundtrack to outsider tales. Lucy Leave CIPHERS: The Jericho Tavern – Sunshiny, FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: Oxford of the year. drummer Pete Smith brings his Laughing Lamb harmony-heavy power-pop from Reading Playhouse – Shanties and sea songs from Port OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle Solo project to the party alongside busy, bustling quintet Saltwater Sun on tour; local support Isaac’s male voice group – see main preview Weezer-ish pop-punks Daisy. from indie rockers The Dollymops. DUBIOZA KOLEKTIV: O2 Academy – th INTRUSION: The Cellar – Monthly goth, CATWEAZLE: East Oxford Community Fusion-happy funk and beyond from Bosnia’s TUESDAY 13 industrial, ebm and darkwave club night, with TREETOP FLYERS: The Bullingdon – Centre goodtime collective, mixing tales of their residents Doktor Joy and Bookhouse. th London’s delicate 60s-flavoured indie folk and Friday 16 ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure turbulent homeland with an often riotous mix Americana crew come to the Bully following th BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, and match of eastern European folk, reggae, hip th Thursday 15 their headline set at WOOD Festival back WEDNESDAY 14 KILLING JOKE: Sandford hop and rock. in May, their softly psychedelic roots music BARNS COURTNEY: The Bullingdon – SIMPLE with DJ BONE: The Bullingdon – O2 Academy COURTNEY inspired by Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Flying Swaggering soulful blues in the vein of Cage the th A rare chance to catch Detroit techno legend Much like ancient civilisations regarded FRIDAY 9 Burrito Brothers and Gram Parsons. Elephant and Rag’n’Bone Man from the Suffolk comets as harbingers of doom, the return BARNETT: O2 Academy DUTTY MOONSHINE: O2 Academy – Big Bone at tonight’s Simple, the DJ, producer and singer-songwriter whose song `Fire’ threw him One of Courtney Barnett’s many great ITOLDYOUIWOULDEATYOU to town of Killing Joke forever promises band swing, bass and 1930s dance with Bristol/ label boss having earned his stripes playing into the spotlight when it was featured in the appeals is her constant internal emotional + LAUGHING LAMB + DAISY: apocalyptic scenes. It’s almost 35 years Oxford electro-swing act Dutty Moonshine, his native city’s Love Club, sharing the decks film Burnt and was subsequently used in myriad conflict. The Melbourne singer/songwriter’s with Juan Atkins and Jeff Mills and becoming since their show up at the old Polytechnic helmed by DJ and producer Michael Rack, th games, TV shows and adverts, while he’s gone lyrical subjects and narrators can’t ever Friday 16 provoked a riot, and a sizeable proportion mixing classic swing and Vaudeville with a favourite of John Peel along the way. Also from sleeping in his girlfriend’s car and sofa seem to get comfortable, which is what of their famously fanatical fanbase has garage, grime, funk and drum&bass. spinning the tunes at tonight’s house and surfing to supporting The Who, The Libertines, made full-length debut `Sometimes I Sit BRIX & THE grown up and mellowed, but the band’s KURUPT FM: O2 Academy – Brentford’s techno night are residents Em Williams and Ed Sheeran and Tom Odell in recent times. And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit’ both music is as ferocious as it ever was, with ill-starred UK garage massive bring their west Tim Gore. instantly accessible and taut and turbulent EXTRICATED: singer Jaz Coleman still playing the part of London pirate sounds to Oxford, possibly for DAMAGED REICH + THE CRUSHING: th – her rambling lyrics and tumbling singing The Wheatsheaf – Double dose of thrash THURSDAY 15 a fire and brimstone vagrant preacher with the last time if the tour publicity is anything to The Bullingdon COURTNEY BARNETT: O2 Academy – style sounding like someone trying to fit ten metal from the local outfits. Being a former member of The Fall heroic gusto. Seriously, here’s a band you go by, MC Grindah, and DJs Beats and Steves Grunged up angst, ire and confession from the gallons of angst, ire and insecurity into a GREAT WESTERN TEARS + HUCK: The probably requires years of counselling for wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of. and gang forever attempting to match ability to Aussie star making her Oxford debut – see main two-pint jug. Brilliantly observed songs like Isis Farmhouse, Iffley Lock – Single launch the toughest of musicians, so it’s hardly Formed in 1978 by Coleman, along with ambition. preview `Pedestrian at Best’ and `Elevator Operator’ show from the local Americana stars, whose surprising some of them gang together, Paul Ferguson, Kevin `Geordie’ Walker ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: The New Theatre – SALAD: O2 Academy – Return to action for mixed up Nirvana, Jeffrey Lewis, Liz Phair great new record, `Let It Storm’, joins the dots possibly to help each other reconcile and Martin `Youth’ Glover, ostensibly to Big stage tribute to The King. the reformed Britpop era popsters, led by former and James Taylor and earned her a clutch between Lee Hazelwood & Nancy Sinatra, themselves with what they went through. create music for the end of days, they’ve HELL’S GAZELLES + PRIMITAI + MTV VJ Marijne van der Vlugt, 20 years after of deserved Grammy nominations. Barnett Jackson C Franks and Shack, while also coming Which is where we find Brix Smith-Start, pretty well succeeded on that count, their SMOKING MARTHA + HAXA: The they first split, the band touring their new album herself described it as living a mid-life crisis with a video featuring a man fighting a furry brothers Steve and Paul Hanley, and Steve eponymous debut album redefining punk Wheatsheaf – Classic hard rock, taking its cue `Good Love Bad Love’. in her mid-twenties. New album `Tell Me shark in a field. Epstein chap Huck goes solo Trafford, together in Brix & the Extricated and inspiring a legion of bands, from from Judas Priest, Led Zep and Guns’n’Roses LIGHTIN’ WILLIE + THE DEADBEAT How You Really Feel’ (following on the from local heavyweight heroes Hell’s Gazelles, again, exploring the great American dream. (a pun on Fall album title `Extricate’). Nirvana, Big Black and Nine Inch Nails APOSTLES: The Bullingdon – A return to heels of her collaboration with Kurt Vile, with support from Berkshire’s 80s-inspired OXFORD UKULELES: Harcourt Arms – If Steve holds the honour of being the to Rammstein, Lamb of God and Ministry. the Haven Club for the Texas-born, Pasadena- `Lotta Sea Lice’) lacks some of that spikiness metallers Primitai and bluesy post-grunge crew Pop faves in a ukulele style. longest serving Fall sideman at 18 years, Over four decades and fifteen studio albums resident electric blues guitarist, a huge favourite and fuzzed-up energy, with a lyrical leaning Smoking Martha. KATRIONA GILMORE & JAMIE Brix has the honour of not only being a Killing Joke have undergone myriad line-up on the UK circuit with his lively mix of blues, more towards weariness, although there are BESARABIA + POLLY JOSEPHINE: The ROBERTS: Harwell Village Hall – Traditional Fall member for two separate stretches, changes, but with the sad death of bassist swing, and rock’n’roll, inspired by Otis Rush, still high points, in particular `Crippling Cellar – Traditional music of the Mediterranean and contemporary harmony-heavy folk-roots but also married to the band’s late, great Paul Raven the original line-up reconvened Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eddie Cochran. Great Self Doubt and A General Lack of Self and Balkans from Valencia’s Besarabia, over in from the Leeds duo, fiddle player Gilmore and genius dictator-in-chief Mark E Smith (well and have stayed together, becoming if local support from country-soul big band The Confidence’, which features vocal and the UK tour their new album `Ritmos, Trenzas guitarist Roberts having met on a university documented in her The Rise, The Fall & The anything heavier and sounding as potent as Deadbeat Apostles. guitar cameos from Kim and Kelley Deal, y Gatos’, mixing up flamenco, klezmer, gypsy music course where they began playing and Rise autobiography). Given she also joined ever. If commercial success was modest and CANDY SAYS: The Library – Second of the and the biting `Nameless, Faceless’ which folk and jazz. Support from local soul, blues and recording together; they’re out on tour to Hole for all of one day, maybe she’s just a critical acclaim limited back in the day, their duo’s EP launch shows. best captures her characteristic mix of jazz singer Polly Josephine, singing standards promote new album `A Problem of Our Kind’. influence has grown to the point they’ve glutton for punishment. She is, however, KID KIN: Truck Store – EP launch instore bewilderment and sarcasm. She’s earned by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Etta James, Nina JODY KRUSKAL + PETE JOSHUA: Tiddy received a slew of Lifetime and Innovation an immense talent in her own right. Her from post-rock and electronic soundscapist Kid her reputation as a role model for a new Simone and Bessie Smith amongst others. Hall, Ascott-under-Wychwood – Wychwood Awards and when they hit the stage tonight, contributions to `Perverted By Language’ Kin. wave of young female musicians though, CABIN FEVER: The Cellar – Techno and Folk Club hosts NYC singer Jodie Kruskal, celebrating their astonishing 40 year make it arguably The Fall’s finest record, JOSH KEMP: The Wheatsheaf – Spin Jazz sidestepping so many of the tropes of the house club night in aid of the Cellar survival playing traditional and popular American songs lifetime, by God, you’ll know you’ve been while her brief Adult Net project in the 80s Club with tenor saxophonist Kemp and his band. confessional songwriter to carve out an fund, with Spires b2b Eeyore. from yesteryear. hit. alongside various members of The Fall and JP HARRIS & THE TOUGH CHOICES: instantly recognisable sound and identity and OXPHWOARD: The Bullingdon – Burlesque ZAPPATICA: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Tribute to The Smiths is one of that decade’s forgotten The Jericho Tavern – Honky tonk ballads, Skipinnish members, imagining a Caledonian tonight’s Oxford debut is a dead cert to be a and drag night. Frank Zappa. pop gems. The band’s last visit to Oxford barroom anthems and old time country from Springsteen with added synths and bagpipes. sell-out. POP UP presents BANGERZ & LASH: The A/WATTS: Brewery Tap, Abingdon last year was a revelation with the band Nashville’s fantastically beardy JP Harris, the Oddly, it works. Bullingdon – Club night. Upbeat urban bluegrass, suburban country, West remodelling Fall classics into new shapes much-travelled troubadour bringing back the MALL GRAB: O2 Academy – A return BON GIOVI: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Back once SUNDAY 11th Country folk, fun drinking songs, tales of failed with the sort of class and invention you’d classic roots side of country on acclaimed album to town for lo-fi house star Mall Grab – aka again to cater for Witney’s insatiable appetite for GRUFF RHYS: O2 Academy – Orchestral barbecues and souvenir tea towels at tonight’s hope and expect from such a talented troupe `Home Is Where The Hurt Is’, and new record Australian DJ and producer Jordan Alexander – Bon Jovi tributes. melancholy from the Super Furry Animals Empty Room show from the ever-touring octet, of seasoned vets. And Brix herself is the sort `Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing’. with a fun-focussed house sound that dips into man, serial collaborator, author, film maker back in town after shows at this summer’s of rock and roll frontwoman who should CATWEAZLE: East Oxford Community techno and disco on tracks like `Feel U’ and th and contender for the title of Greatest Living Cornbury and Cropredy festivals, the band SATURDAY 10 be providing inspiration for a whole new Centre `Caught Slippin’, following his sold out set at Welshman as he tours his latest solo album featuring Guardian columnist Tim Dowling on SEASICK STEVE: The New Theatre – The generation of young female musicians rather Simple back in May. `Babelsberg’, recorded with the BBC National ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure banjo, their inclusive, feelgood onstage vibes a back-story might have turned out not to be true than just diehard Fall fanatics. BRIX & THE EXTRICATED: The Orchestra of Wales and finding Rhys’ trademark SPARKY’S NEW MOON: The Half Moon neat counterpoint to his dry, hangdog humour. but Seasick Steve doesn’t seem to have been Bullingdon – Brix Start-Smith leads her merry musical and lyrical eccentricity infused with BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, CANDY SAYS: The Library – October’s unduly affected by revelations that he wasn’t band of the Fallen back to town, reworking influences of Jimmy Webb, Love’s `Forever Sandford Nightshift cover stars play the first night of a quite the drifter and romantic hobo he said he classic Fall classics alongside psychedelic new Changes and Neils Young and Diamond. three-show residency at the Library this month, was. Instead of riding the railroads and sleeping songs – see main preview SAINT RAYMOND: The Bullingdon – FRIDAY 16th launching their new EP, `You Are Beautiful; We rough, the man born Steve Leach (not Wold as PUNKOLYMPIA with STRIKE ONE Emotive, soulful pop from the Nottingham KILLING JOKE: O2 Academy – 40 years Are All Beautiful’ on their own Beanie Tapes he declared), spent his earlier life as a session + MARY BENDYTOY + SUBJECT singer/songwriter who’s toured with Ed Sheeran of musical sturm und drang from the industrial label. The atmospheric electro-pop duo are musician, including time playing with Mike TO CHANGE + BEAVERFUEL: The and HAIM, off on a headline tour ahead of the rock pioneers and harbingers of the apocalypse joined over the month by a cast of guests. Love. His stories weren’t an outright fabrication, Wheatsheaf – Kicking off this year’s Oxford release of his second album. – see main preview TIGER MENDOZA: Truck Store – more an embellishment and ultimately it doesn’t City Festival with a night of local punk, post- OPEN MIC SESSION: Harcourt Arms TIDE LINES: O2 Academy – Romantic folk- Atmospheric electronica, industrial ambience matter as he very much does have the blues hardcore and gothic noise. FOLK SESSION: The Half Moon rock from the Scottish band, formed by former and hip hop from Tiger Mendoza, launching his – his rich, weathered growl and battered three- GYPSYFINGERS + QUARTERMELON: post-hardcore crew Wax Futures, channelling Gigspanner band, giving a modern folk twist to SAINTSENECA: The Jericho Tavern – Lo- Twins, Cutty Ranks and Too Many T’s. At the Drive-In and Hundred Reasons, plus this traditional songs on most recent album `Layers fi folktronica, biblical imagery and whimsy THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW: month’s Nightshift Introducing stars Worry. of Ages’. from Ohio singer-songwriter Zac Little and The New Theatre – Big stage tribute to The DEFINITELY MIGHTBE: O2 Academy his eclectic band, drawing together strands of Floyd. – Just in case your appetite for Oasis-related TUESDAY 20th Fairport Convention, Pavement and Violent K-LACURA + YORE LAST RITES + tribute bands isn’t quite sated. THE DEAD DAISIES: O2 Academy – Femmes together along the way. MAMZER: The Cellar – Church of the Heavy SILENT DISCO: O2 Academy – Can’t we Melodic rocking in the vein of Aerosmith, CHORUSGIRL + MAMMOTH PENGUINS as part of Oxford City Festival with excellent have silent Definitely Mightbe instead? Foreigner and Bad Company from the band + JUNK WHALE: Common Ground, Little local thrash-core crew K-Lacura alongside MUSICAL MEDICINE: The Bullingdon – made up of former touring members of Clarendon Street – Classic indie fuzz and eclectic noisemakers Mamzer, somehow finding Disco club night. Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Dio, Thin Lizzy and jangle, surf, 60s girl group and bubblegum pop the meeting point of Lita Ford, Mayhem, AJ CLARKE & DAVE PEGG: Tiddy Hall, from London’s Fortuna Pop!-signed Chorusgirl, Burzum and West End musical theatre. th th Journey. What an absolute treat. Sunday 25 Monday 19 Ascott-under-Wychwood – Following on from JERAMESA: The Wheatsheaf – Heavy-duty the band inspired by Lush, The Breeders and FRACTURE + LONDON GRAFFITI: The their show at the Unicorn earlier this month trip-out psych-rock from Jeramesa, bringing a The Cure. Support at tonight’s Divine Schism Wheatsheaf – Oxford City Festival show. SUNFLOWER BEAN: HINDS: The Bullingdon the two folk stalwarts take their songs to the show comes from Cambridge indie crew CHRIS WOODS: Friends Meeting House, Working on the basis that if it ain’t broke, little Swans-like gothic darkness to his lysergic Wychwood Folk Club. journeys. Mammoth Penguins and local lo-fi noisemakers St. Giles - Slice of life folk from the singer- The Bullingdon don’t fix it, Hinds’ second album simply THE BITE: Brewery Tap, Abingdon – Classic Junk Whale, featuring assorted members of songwriter who’s collaborated with Billy Bragg, Ooh, look at Sunflower Bean all growed carries on where their 2016 debut left BLOXX + VISTAS: The Bullingdon – Indie rock covers. grunge from the Uxbridge quartet on tour. Worry, Basic Dicks and Daisy. Martin Carthy and Karine Polwart among others. up and almost sensible. If the Brooklyn off. Having produced `Leave Me Alone’ ELEPHANT TRIP + MAGIC SEAS: The trio’s 2016 debut `Human Ceremony’ was themselves, the band enlisted Strokes th Wheatsheaf – Oxford City Festival show. th a flurry of indie jangle, shoegaze fuzz producer Gordon Raphael to helm SUNDAY 18 WEDNESDAY 21st SATURDAY 24 SHOW OF HANDS: The New Theatre – STILL PIGEON + LOST DARREN: The BILLY OCEAN: The New Theatre – Back in and songs about teenage life, this year’s recordings for `I Don’t Run’, but the lo-fi WAYWARD SONS: O2 Academy – Steve Knightley and Phil Beer continue to Cellar – Oxford City Festival show. the shire after his star showing at Cornbury and follow-up, `Twentytwo in Blue’, released garage rock vibe remains and while songs Heavyweight, melodic rocking from former Little sing about the realities of rural – particularly BROKEN EMPIRE + HYMN TO APOLLO a sold out show at the O2 Academy in 2016, the in March, finds them luxuriating in 70s soft centre on Ana Perrote and Carlotta Cosials’ Angels frontman Toby Jepson’s new band, touring west country – life over thirty years since they + SEMPA VERA: The Bullingdon – Church veteran pop and soul hitmaker heads out on tour, rock, particularly `Rumours’-era Fleetwood vocal interaction, and the band hail from their debut album `Ghosts of Yet to Come’. formed. They might long ago have outgrown the of the Heavy rock and metal showcase as part of reliving hits like `Caribbean Queen’; `Get Out Mac, not least due to singer and bassist Madrid, they’re more underground rock dive intimate village halls and folk clubs where they Oxford City Festival. of My Car and Into My Dreams’, and `When the Julia Cumming’s dreamily yearning vocals. than sundrenched avenues. There’s a hefty rd first made their name, but musically their roots Friday 23 Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going’. Having met childhood friends Nick Kivlen surf-rock edge to the quartet but, as with remain firmly planted in the traditional English THURSDAY 22nd GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES with and Jacob Faber at one of their first band’s musical kindred spirits LA Witch, it comes folk soil. And to think, this is a duo who, fed OUGHT: DANNY GOFFEY: The Bullingdon – The JUNIPER NIGHTS + HOT SAUCE PONY + shows, Cumming bonded with the pair over dressed in black jeans and jacket rather than up not being able to get a London gig booking, former Supergrass sticksman returns to his THE DOLLYMOPS: The Wheatsheaf – GTI a love for The Smiths and Tame Impala and Bermuda shorts. Hinds are unabashedly The Bullingdon they’ve not looked back. Well, except to the booked out the Royal Albert Hall and promptly Devo famously formed in the wake of a hometown for his first solo show – though he’s offers its trademark monthly mixed bag serving of retro indie garage rock – something they’ve mid 1970s, but that’s fine because the new filled the place. And three decades in, they sit, student protest at Kent State University in cancelled no less than three Vangoffey shows live music, this time round with local indie rockers drawn criticism for, but their mix of Velvet album is a dream: a slick, sunshiny mix of deservedly, among the leading lights of the folk 1970 where four students were murdered by in recent times. He’s lived in London these last Juniper Nights mixing influences of Radiohead, Underground moodiness and fuzz, C86 almost folky psychedelia, glam rock and scene, inspiring new generations of traditional National Guardsmen, which inspired their few years but here’s where his musical heart Alt.j and Elbow into their alternately sombre and simplicity and exuberance, and lysergic harmony-heavy 60s pop that brings a bit of artists. core ethos that humanity was devolving. is, and where he made his name, first with The grungy rock. They’re joined by London’s sludged- Beach House-style melody is timeless rather T-Rex stomp and glitter to bear on the likes ARMED FOR THE APOCALYPSE + Ought came together during a protest Jennifers and then with Supergrass, which up (or should that be sludged down?) motorik than dated and they’ve worked hard, with of Alvvays and Camera Obscura. The band DRORE + KEYED UP: The Wheatsheaf – against student fees in Quebec in 2012 entitled him to lifelong membership of the popsters HSP, and highly promising local indie supports to The Libertines, The Vaccines have gone out as support to the likes of Godzilla-riding-the-Titanic-sized sludge-core where they saw friends beaten up by police. Oxford music legends club. Having discarded rockers The Dollymops, bringing the awkward 80s and Black Lips cementing their reputation, st Pixies, Wolf Alice and Best Coast amongst from California’s uber-brutalists Armed For the Both bands share a dark sense of humour the Vangoffey moniker he’s off on tour to sounds of Big Flame into 21 Century Libertines and tonight’s gig is part of an extensive UK others. There’s a dreamy serenity about Apocalypse at tonight’s Buried in Smoke show, as they contemplate (as Ought singer and promote new album `Schtick’ – hopefully this land via Orange Juice. headline tour following a similarly lengthy Sunflower Bean, but they still find time to the band’s new `Palm Reader’ EP continuing guitarist puts it) “the emptiness and fear of one will happen. EASY LIFE: The Jericho Tavern – Jazzy hip US jaunt and ahead of a further set of shows take aim at Trump et al on `Crisis Fest’, their mission to bulldoze the entire planet using the world”. Their sprawling live favourite THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN: The New hop, slacker rock and laidback bluesy funk- around mainland Europe. They’re a band Theatre – Return to town for the big-stage as well as exploring the big lyrical themes only riffs. Top-notch, downtuned sludge mess `New Calm Pt.2’ for example deals with pop from the Leicester crew signed to Island made for nights in subterranean clubs and support from local brutalists Drore. tribute to the legendary label, featuring back Records and set for their Later... debut for new of God, space and love, all with a dusting repetition and indulgence in music while pub backrooms, an all-thrills, no-frills sound BAD TOUCH: The Bullingdon – Hairy, heavy to back classics from Marvin Gaye; Diana single `Nightmares’. of pure pop magic that really should make occasionally clocking in at 45 minutes; on where polish comes a distant second to rocking from the Norfolk band who’ve been out Ross; Stevie Wonder; The Temptations; The DAY OF THE DEADBEATS with THE them far bigger stars than they currently are. their last UK tour they made the most of the spiky, fuzzed-up fun. on tour with The Answer, Quireboys and Skid Supremes; The Four Tops; Martha Reeves; The DEADBEAT APOSTLES + THE DAN then Tory campaign of persuading “illegal Row. Jackson 5; Lionel Richie; Smokey Robinson, McKEAN BAND + THE HEAVY VINTAGE Lust Rollers, utilising musical instruments immigrants” to call a hotline when they were The Jericho Tavern – Ethereal folk-rock and OPEN MIC SESSION: Harcourt Arms and more. RAGTIME BAND: Isis Farmhouse, Iffley and junk, and lo-fi electronic playfulness from ready to go home. Ought also occasionally pop from the multi-talented duo. FOLK SESSION: The Half Moon CANDY SAYS: The Library – The third and Lock – Good times guaranteed as Day of the Spinecakes. share a sometime herky jerky funkiness with SOUL SESSIONS: The Cellar – Classic funk OPEN MIC SESSION: Florence Park final show of the recent cover stars’ residency. Deadbeats returns, local soul, r’n’b and country JOHN COGHLAN’S QUO: Corn Exchange, Devo; they’re a band steeped in post-punk, and soul club night. Community Centre MEANS OF PRODUCTION + STEEVO rock crew The Deadbeat Apostles hosting Witney – Status Quo’s original drummer brings with influences from The Modern Lovers NUISSIER + OCTAVIA FREUD: The Cellar their free party on the banks of the Thames, Quo classics to the Shire. and Talking Heads to Gang of Four, The th th – Oxford City Festival show with stark, post- kicking out a big old noise somewhere between A/WATTS: Wantage Football Club SATURDAY 17 MONDAY 19 Associates and The Fall, while new album punk electro duo Means of Production bringing the Harlem Apollo and the Grand Ole Opry. JESSIE J: The New Theatre – Already sold HINDS + SPORTS TEAM: The Bullingdon – `Room Inside the World’ finds room for a some acid house vibes to Cabaret Voltaire, They’re joined by local singer-songwriter Dan th out show from the pop, r’n’b and hip hop Sunshiny garage rocking from the Madrid stars synthier edge that owes more than a bit to SUNDAY 25 OMD and Depeche Mode influences. Local McKean, playing a full band set, and an Oxford hitmaker and The Voice mentor, running through touring their second album – see main preview Stereolab. As is so often the case, Ought’s SUNFLOWER BEAN: The Bullingdon – her repertoire of chart toppers, including Do It DEACON BLUE: The New Theatre – French synth-pop fella Steevo supports. debut from The Heavy Vintage Ragtime Band, Sunlit 70s soft rock and indie jangle from the critical acclaim hasn’t been matched by CATWEAZLE: East Oxford Community the new outfit fronted by Original Rabbit Foot Like a Dude’, `Domino’, `It’s My Party’, `Bang Following their set at this summer’s Cornbury commercial success, at least not in the UK rising Brooklyn trio – see main preview Centre Spasm Band leader Stuart Macbeth. BRYDE + LYLA FOY: The Cellar – Joint Bang’ and global hit `Price Tag’. Festival the enduring 80s soft-rockers return, where they remain an underground concern, ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure NO HORSES: Harcourt Arms – Electric blues headline tour from former-Paper Aeroplanes MASIRO + GHOSTS IN THE playing hits `Real Gone Kid’, `Dignity’, `When even as Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party and BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, from the local outfit. singer and guitarist Bryde – aka Sarah Howells PHOTOGRAPHS + LEE RILEY + TRUE the World Knows Your Name’ and `Humanity is a certain Alex Turner have expressed their Sandford LA PHOOKA: The Half Moon – Rootsy, – touring her debut solo album `Like An Island’, RUIN: The Cellar – Visceral math-core from Cancer’. love for them. local instrumental noise explorers Masiro, THE OVERLOAD + LAND GIRLS: The rustic folk-rocking at tonight’s Oxford City drawing comparisons with The xx, Jeff Buckley alongside fellow instrumentalists GITP, taking Jericho Tavern – Virulent poetic punk, where FRIDAY 23rd Festival show. and Dolores O’Riordan, and London singer- a more atmospheric post-rock path in the Sleaford Mods meets early Happy Mondays and OUGHT: The Bullingdon – Inventive, witty MOVE: The Cellar – Underground songwriter Lyla Foy whose folky, ethereal take vein of Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. The Fall from newcomers The Overload as part post-punk from the American/Canadian/Anglo/ drum&bass, hip hop, garage and house club on pop has seen her touring with Fleet Foxes, Dronemeister Lee Riley joins in the exploratory of Oxford City Festival. Aussie crew – see main preview night. Midlake and Sharon Van Etten. sound party. OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle DUB PISTOLS: O2 Academy – Wall-to-wall AN ACQUISITION OF SORTS: Fusion FLIGHTS OF HELIOS + DUMB ANGEL THE HOPE BURDEN + WAX FUTURES + PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER BIG festival-sized bangers from Barry Ashworth’s Arts – An evening of live performances and + PRAISES + ASTRO CHILDREN: The WORRY: The Wheatsheaf – Gloriously epic BAND with PHILIP HENRY & HANNAH enduring electro/dub/big/beat/jungle/hip improvisation sessions with an interactive voice Library – Another exotic smorgasbord of post-metal soundscapes in the vein of Wolves MARTIN: Nettlebed Folk Club – Nettlebed hop stars, keeping true to their tried and and listening cone session with Iris Garrelfs; sounds courtesy of Divine Schism, tonight’s in the Throne Room and Deafheaven from hosts former Steeleye Spanner fiddle player tested formula on most recent album, `Crazy guitar drones and dance from Lee Riley and gig featuring local psych-folk / electro / The Hope Burden alongside Telford’s mathsy Peter Knight, now concentrating on his Diamonds’, featuring guest turns from Ragga Macarena Ortuzar; anything-goes improv from griefcore crew Flights of Helios, making suitably spaceward and atmospheric sounds, joined by TUESDAY 27th an international cast of Canada’s Dumb Angel, SHAME: O2 Academy – The revolutionary drawing on Dennis Wilson, Spiritualized and Pink army continues to grow – see main preview Floyd; fellow Canucks Praises (Jesse Crowe from WOMEN OF THE BLUES: The Bullingdon – Beliefs), with her hushed musical snowstorm Showcase tour of female blues artists, including inspired by Nick Cave and Portishead, plus New Italian singer and guitarist Eliana Cargnelutti, Zealand’s psychedelic post-punks Astro Children. bringing some funk and jazz to blues rock. TREVOR MOSS & HANNAH LOU: Truck STARBELLY + MAKE FRIENDS + FUJI + Store – Instore set from the loved-up country DAZE: The Wheatsheaf – Heavyweight glam- duo, launching their new album, `Fair Lady goth-grunge rocking from Starbelly at tonight’s Wednesday 28th London’. Oxford City Festival show. OPEN MIC SESSION: Harcourt Arms RICH RAINFORD: The Cellar – Oxford City FOLK SESSION: The Half Moon BEAK>: O2 Academy Festival show. Clever fellow is Geoff Barrow. Everything BLUES JAM: Fat Lil’s, Witney (3pm) – Open he turns his hand to seems to come up blues jam. WEDNESDAY 28th smelling, if not of roses, then something dark, exotic and enticing. Of course th BEAK>: O2 Academy – Wobbly psychedelic MONDAY 26 weirdness and charm from Geoff Barrow and the he’s most famous for being one third of FLUORESCENT ADOLESCENT: The boys – see main preview Portishead, but his Myspace-centred hip Bullingdon – Indie club night. LIFESIGNS: The Bullingdon – The dreary hop supergroup Quakers went into some CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL: Nettlebed prog-rockers tour their new `Cartington’ album. interesting places and he found himself Folk Club – Fiddle supergroup, featuring The HOLLIS LOMAX + LEIGH & LIAM: The composing the soundtrack to the third Bothy Band’s Kevin Burke, Kornog’s Christian Cellar – Oxford City Festival show. series of Black Mirror. With Beak> he Lemaitre and Capercaillie’s Charlie McKerron, hit musical pay dirt once again, teaming joined by guitarist Nicolas Quemener. th up with fellow Bristolian musicians Billy OPEN MIC SESSION: The Castle THURSDAY 29 CAST: O2 Academy – The Britpop hitmakers, Fuller and Will Young (no, not that one) for a project that allowed him to explore his th still helmed by former-La’s man John Power, tour Tuesday 27 their new album `Kicking Up the Dust, as well more improvisational tendencies. Over three as playing hits like `Walkaway’, `Sandstorm’ and albums the trio have mixed up propulsive SHAME: O2 Academy `Guiding Star’ from their platinum-selling albums psychedelia, Krautrock, electro-pop, pagan 18 months on from their superb, livewire `All Change’ and `Mother Nature Calls’. folk and movie soundtracks and if the show at The Cellar, and six months since OTTO + THE FOLIANTS + MOLLY results have been consistently inconsistent, their sold-out celebration at The Bullingdon, KARLOFF + PORT ERIN + THE at their best they’re pretty incredible – it’s good to see Shame already moving up WAYFARERS: O2 Academy – Local bands like `Brean Down’, the drowsily lysergic to the biggest venue in town, much as Idles showcase at tonight’s Oxford City Festival show. highlight of new album `>>>’. Across did in October. Together Idles and Shame THE SHAPES + ALBOA + PUPPET the new record – their third studio album, are spearheading a new wave of male punk MECHANIC: The Cellar – Party-starting r’n’b, although they’ve also written the soundtrack bands for whom an awareness of toxic new wave and folk-punk from the local faves at to the filmCouple in a Hole, and released masculinity is central to their ethos: there is tonight’s Oxford City Festival show. a split EP with their own alter-ego touch base with Can and Neu! crowd surfing, but none of the overt macho MARRIAGE: The Jericho Tavern – Garage but also the likes of Hawkwind, Wendy posturing of so many previous flag-bearers rocking and grunge from Oxford-Shropshire Carlos, Laurie Anderson and Gary Numan of hardcore rock and roll. Shame singer duo Wolfs, joined by Reading rockers Nobodies as well as, unsurprisingly Portishead’s stark, Charlie Sheen is a turbocharged ball of Birthday and local newcomers Ideal Marriage. trippy electro-soul. Occasionally ponderous physically compulsive energy whose songs CATWEAZLE: East Oxford Community and seemingly unsure where to take their come packed with misanthropy and rabble Centre ideas, when they pick up a motorik sense of rousing clarion calls to rise up, over his ACOUSTIC THURSDAY: Jude the Obscure purpose Beak> are everything experimental band’s taut, belligerent racket – far harder BLUES JAM: The Catherine Wheel, Sandford psychedelia should be about – a full on trip. and sharper than it is on their far more accessible debut album `Songs of Praise’. th There’s Gang of Four-style agit-pop and FRIDAY 30 over the years. LITTLE BROTHER ELI + ULYSSES tribal industrial tattoos more in the vein of RESTRUCTURE + PINK DIAMOND WELLS: O2 Academy – Hometown headline REVUE: The Wheatsheaf – Oxford City Killing Joke, and even room for a spot of show for discofied funk’n’blues heroes Little Festival show with hoolie-rave heroes shoegazey spangle for those brief moments Brother Eli, finding a party-hearty sweet spot Restructure bringing a punky political snarl and of respite. Shame nailed their political between Aerosmith and The Trammps on recent wit to their Sleaford Mods-meet-Crass-at-The- colours to the mast early on, actively singles `Tooth’ and `Our Kind of Love’. Hacienda electro noise. Reading’s acid-drenched campaigning for Sadiq Khan in the London ALL SAINTS: O2 Academy – The reformed psych-surf duo Pink Diamond Revue support. mayoral race as well as writing a less than 90s popsters reprise the hits, including `Never OXFORD CITY FESTIVAL AFTERPARTY: amorous love song to Theresa May, so when Ever’, `Pure Shores’ and `Under the Bridge’, The Half Moon – OCF organiser Osprey hosts the time comes, you know what side of the as well as tracks from recent Top 20 album the closing party, playing live with a cast of barricades they’ll be on. For now, expect the `Testament’, a harmony-pop tribute to the 80s guests. moshing to start early and only stop when thrash metal band. RAIDERS OF THE LOST SCRATCH: Tap Sheen and his gang of merry marauders CAMELPHAT: O2 Academy – Techno, house Social, Botley – All vinyl scratching set with tumble to a sweaty, exhausted stop. and electronica club night. Yaya and Jojo playing soundtracks, 80s and TREVOR HALL: The Bullingdon – Spiritual electro. SAVE US FROM CLOSING acoustic folk/roots and reggae from the DAMN GOOD REASON: Fat Lil’s, Witney – Californian troubadour, touring his fourth album Blues and rock covers. `The Fruitful Darkness’ following collaborations WHITERIDGE: The Village Inn, Berinsfield – with Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse and Jimmy Cliff Soft rock covers. #CellarForever

Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for inclusion is the 20th of each month, no exceptions. Listings www.crowdfunder.co.uk/cellar-forever are copyright of Nightshift and may not be used without permission. all photos: Sam Shepherd Madonnatron The Lovely Eggs Nadine Shah Jane Weaver LIVE

Vienna Ditto Warmduscher Peaness TVAM

surf rumble to Jon Spencer Blues rock drama to the day. Smashing Pet Shop Boys and One Direction dissonant electronic noise and wonder, GRAND PAX sound like place if she was. RITUAL UNION Explosion garage-rock craziness, Pumpkins and Placebo get chucked gone raving together in Ibiza. At disturbing visuals that sounds, as a poor woman’s Juliana Hatfield, The musical world that JANE When is a gig not a gig? When it’s and sci-fi jazz teetering on the brink through The Fall’s acerbic punked- in the blender with U2 and if they least until they hit some delicious one wag puts it, like Coil stripped while GENTLY TENDER’s big- WEAVER’s music comes from an event. of collapse as personal injury and up rockabilly and intermittent struggle a bit when they do try and Depeche Mode-like synth bubble. of their pop sensibilities. Or, to our hearted country rock has an oddly might be similarly magical. Maybe After last year’s promising debut, technological catastrophe swirls squalls of feedback and somehow dial it down a bit, anti-sexim rant ears, what a rave in the seventh hypnotic feel to it but we can’t a shining silver city in the middle Ritual Union feels like it’s properly over Hattie Taylor’s giddy hand manage to finish their set sounding `Bad Intentions’ brings back the Even Self Help though would find circle of hell might sound like. But, escape the feeling they’ve escaped of a haunted forest. Her mix of arrived this year. Barely past dances, guitarist Nigel Firth ending like Aerosmith. noisy power and fun with interest. it hard to match THE LOVELY like, in a good way, yeah? from a christian rock festival. motorik electro-pop with spooked midday The Bullingdon is already up in the photo-pit where he offers TVAM are, on the face of it, rather If Mother bring the epic, SELF EGGS’ unbounded joyousness: pagan folksiness is both soothing packed for MADONNATRON, his guitar to the front row to play, more studied – one guy and his HELP bring a riotous sense of a giant sun-like fireball of Down at The Library JOHN offer The absolute pinnacle of the day and haunting. Her set draws largely who nearly ruin everything for their final song backed by footage guitar stood next to what is surely fresh-faced exuberance that’s effervescent fuzzgun rock and a similar respite from good vibes, comes in the form of NADINE from `Modern Kosmology’, every act who has to follow them of runaway trains. How brilliantly the telly and video player from his halfway between 60s harmony pop psychedelic pop and a hefty dose their suffocating post-hardcore SHAH, whose set in a packed Nightshift’s favourite album of last today by being nothing short of apt.If you never got to see them, living room. But, by all that is holy, and the gnarliest garage punk. By of Lancastrian daft that comes reflecting the cramped conditions, downstairs O2 is an absolute year, and it’s impossible not to be astonishing and setting the bar curse yourself for all eternity. what a glorious noise he makes: the end of their set their fanclub to the boil on `Wiggy Giggy’, while CASSELS are a spindly, triumph, her band’s spiky funk and bewitched into its tendrils. ridiculously high from the off. The a dark, deep well of psychedelic has doubled in size and deservedly a blizzard of upbeat pop fun more emotionally-in-touch take jazz-fuelled indie fuzz – featuring south London quartet’s glowering, After such a start BOY drone-rock, Spacemen 3-style so. that comes with a hit of genuine on something similar – a tightly- the near-legendary Terry Edwards GAZ COOMBES’ headline set dirty scuzz pop comes with a hefty AZOOGA’s fidgety electro-funk, hypno-scuzz with sweet, linear The most wildly eclectic set of poignancy. Here’s a band heavily wound treat as ever. on sax – somehow discovers feels perfect for an event that feels dose of witchery, their four-way occasional guitar histrionics and Neu!-inspired rhythms, singular of the day comes from CATGOD – rooted in their working class After which PEANESS are like common ground between PJ Harvey like a celebration of everything vocal mix of chants, whoops, punchy power pop takes a while to purpose and, like the words on his from lightweight reggae-tinged northern roots but who make music sunshine after a storm. Their and The Comet is Coming but is that’s great about Oxford music shrieks and incantations mingling warm to but hits its peak with recent screen, completely immersive. soft rock, through, flute-led that spans the universe. Music harmony-heavy guitar pop is lifted to another level completely by right now. It’s his only hometown with wah-wah-heavy guitar and single `Jerry’, sort of a downbeat prog and ill-advised talky bits that makes you want to laugh and breezy and sweet, not a million Shah’s glorious rich, languorously indoor full-band show this year and thunderous tom-heavy beats to La’s meets an upbeat Elbow. Up against some of the best bands to hushed folk-pop. Sometimes cry and jump up and down with miles away from Belly, and they soulful voice, which invests the it brings everyone who’s out today make for a hypnotic spell-casting No such warm-up for around the UK, today’s extensive it really doesn’t come together unrestrained glee, that makes your get one of the biggest cheers of biting political commentary of her together in one room for the first half hour that marries Sexwitch’s WARMDUSCHER, one of those local contingent more than hold but any band who can produce heart swell with happiness – a the day when, despite hailing songs/stories with a heart as big as time. If songs like `Wounded Egos’ exotic psych-funk with Fuzzbox’s bands that make you wonder how their own. LE FEYE bravely a song as breathlessly beautiful band who you just want to be best from Chester, they reveal their a planet. Not only is she a superb and `The Girl Who Fell To Earth’ deliciously dirgy DIY punk and or where they met – two cool, battle through a bout of flu to as `Heartbeat In Your Hand’ can mates with forever. Pity the scores Oxfordshire roots. There’s a singer and captivating presence, are contemplative and emotionally Wooden Shjips’ irresistible groove. skinny mod-punk lads flanking a bring some gothic grunge-pop; wander whichever musical roads of festival-goers lined up in the big shout out to everyone from she’s also funny as hell, and if charged, the set still feels climactic Magnificent stuff. guy in a Stetson, cheap tracksuit while also at a packed-to-the- they damn well please. Bully corridor, unable to get in the Kidlington, and Nightshift looks music doesn’t make her her fortune, – the reborn local pop hero holding So too from VIENNA DITTO, and shades who looks like he fell gunnels Library GHOSTS IN Possibly best of the local packed room. forward to bumping into them in maybe stand-up comedy will. When his crown aloft and leading the today bowing out after a decade off the back of a Trump rally. THE PHOTGRAPHS’ elegantly contingent today are LOW By stark contrast GNOD are a our local Sainsbury’s one day soon. she dives into the crowd during the city’s music lovers in celebratory of being one of the best live bands The chemistry is all there though, abrasive post-rock threatens to ISLAND, playing to an up-for-a- malevolent, glowering presence. finale of `Out the Way’ the room chorus. Oxford has produced in recent possibly in pharmaceutical form as blister the paintwork and inflict a party O2 audience and rewarding Only half the Manchester-based On a day when there is so much reaches hysteria levels. She was years. In characteristic style they motor through obstinate blues- lifetime of tinnitus on those lucky them handsomely with a set band are here today so instead of great music on show it feels robbed of the Mercury Prize but Really, next year’s Ritual Union their set is contagiously chaotic, punk with all the requisite mayhem enough to make it into the venue. of euphoric electro-pop, liquid the bulldozing noise-rock assault churlish to even mention the if there’s any justice Nadine Shah can’t come soon enough. their genius mix and match of and hysteria you’d hope for from Over at The O2 Academy grooves and something akin to we got at Supernormal a few disappointments, but to lend some would be ruling the world right ramshackle rockabilly, electro-pop a band who career from Dick Dale MOTHER bring a bit of stadium boy band pop, so they sound like years back tonight we get glitchy, small balance to all this awe and now. It would be a far, far better Dale Kattack that allows them to switch styles, RESTRUCTURE / THE PINK DIAMOND LIVE velocity and direction at will and HARCOURT ARMS play a full hour set without a single REVUE / MEANS OF PRODUCTION / break between songs. Fliss Kitson Friday Nov 9th is, to our mind, the best drummer on TIGER MENDOZA the planet right now: a frenzied but perfectly orchestrated blur of limbs The Bullingdon Titine Lavoix who also finds time to add essential If Oxford’s electronic music scene appears batch of E’s and decamped to the Hacienda photo: GlassHertzPhoto backing vocals which lend a little be under-strength for the most part, just as acid house broke. Accompanied by Saturday Nov 10th sharpness and light to Lloyd’s tonight’s showcase suggests quality over brain-frazzling visuals it’s psychedelia in acerbic barks, bellows and growls. quantity is the order of the day. its most visceral form, hitting its peak at the Oxford She’s as much – if not more – the Playing solo tonight without his usual point where The Cramps’ ‘Human Fly’ gets star of the show as the singer and cast of guest singers and rappers (or even eaten by Death in Vegas. Stunning stuff. provides the versatile powerhouse his trademark mask), Tiger Mendoza’s Ian Restructure might struggle to follow all Ukuleles foundations for the show. de Quadros concentrates on atmospherics that but they’re a completely different take Saturday Nov 24th Lloyd himself has been described – all heavy, foreboding synth drones, the on electronic music, looking and sounding as The Brummie Beefheart and highlight of which is an extended piece like a pair of aging football thugs who’ve the influence of Don Van Vliet with extensive use of a vocal sample from come out the other side of the rave mangle No Horses is apparent in every facet of The Rakim. attitude intact but now with the ability to Nightingales’ sound, from its fluid Means of Production are a post-punk dance. There’s an Oxford United scarf + Support obstinacy to their swampy, mutated synthophile’s wet dream: sleek, sullen draped from the mic stand and ‘Dancing blues. Alternatively he’s Nick synth lines carving out stark brutalist in the Street’ is about fighting at the footie Cave reincarnated as a belligerent rhythms. Opener ‘Monitors’ is Cabaret but elsewhere they evoke the spirit of Crass retirement age geography lecturer, Voltaire-style retro futurism which finds as they rail against universal credit, albeit Open Mic Every or perhaps Mark E Smith if he’d Tim Day intoning “Sustain, delay, repeat” Crass if they’d TARDISed into the set of 24 Sunday eschewed the pub for a suit and with android monotony as images of Hour Party People disguised as Sleaford a place in middle management concrete towers and motorway bridges Mods. Singer Mark Webb can sound like live music at the heart of jericho where his resentment could ferment flash up on the screen behind. ‘Static Test sublime movie psycho Don Logan getting Cranham Terrace Jericho Oxford ox2 6dg more fully. Or maybe he’s Richard Anomaly’ is a gorgeous slice of ‘Dazzle his disco jog on, and his ability to drop 01865 556669 Hawley if the romance of the city Ships’-era OMD, all harsh electronic stabs lines from myriad 80s synth-pop hits into streets faded and he went the full and barks, while new single ‘The Depths’ his sneering, snarling rants is brilliant. Even Falling Down. He can croon like sounds like someone locked Depeche ‘Is It Okay To Punch Nazis?’ manages a lounge singer or kick it up like Mode in a cold war nuclear bunker with the fine balance of rage and silliness Howlin’ Wolf as the band take A Guy Called Gerald and told them with aplomb. They’re a band seemingly southern gospel to punk rock’s they couldn’t come out til they’d made disgusted by the state of the world but church and onward into restless something that sounded like genius. They possessed of enough black humour to be glam rock stomp. did it, and MOP might just be our favourite able to laugh and dance as it slides towards Tonight’s highlight is the variously new local act. the abyss. ‘Tech Won’t Save Us’ boasts ferocious, devotional and abstract Pink Diamond Revue are honorary synth botherer Fred Toon’s t-shirt and ‘Dumb & Drummer’, but tracks Oxfordians and we’ll claim them for our maybe it won’t in the grand scheme of THE NIGHTINGALES from new album ‘Perish the own any day as Tim Lane rolls his acid- things but on tonight’s evidence, it’s doing Thought’, like ‘Big Dave’, with splurged surf rock guitar lines over Robert its best to brighten the local music scene up The Jericho Tavern Kitson taking vocal lead, and Courtman Stock’s monstrous machine no end. You’ve got to be very brave or throwing in typically surreal fronting The Prefects, who toured ‘Wrong Headed Man’, show a beats. It’s like Dick Dale dropped an entire Dale Kattack very foolish to follow Stewart Lee asides, Oxford memories (he was with The Clash, but since the early band still fantastically out on their onstage. The Nightingales would at uni here) and sex pigeons, all 80s he’s helmed The Nightingales, own, and if the sound engineer likely put their hands up to both, with perfect timing. Like The the band’s only constant presence. would do well to turn the volume to which you could add: stubborn, Nightingales, he’s a one-off. They split in 1986 but reformed up several notches it doesn’t TELEMAN awkward and brilliant. It takes a particular kind of in 2004. The incarnation we see detract too much from the genuine Lee is supporting the band on tour, resilience to keep ploughing your tonight and that’s been together privilege you feel in witnessing a O2 Academy reprising his 1980s club set with own furrow for 40 years while for the past half a dozen years is band who, like the comedian who It’s a rare band whose set feels like hit after as Sanders and bassist Pete Cattermoul cut obvious updates and twists, riffing somehow staying above and beyond the best they’ve ever been, Lloyd opens for them, are that rare thing: hit after hit, even when they leave out their shapes and give the song a serious rock on an early morning awakening pretty much anything else around. backed by three musicians with genuinely unique. best known – and arguably best – tune. But base. `Twisted Heart’ is where Thomas by doorstepping Christians, while Robert Lloyd began his musical life a seemingly psychic chemistry Dale Kattack Teleman seem incapable of writing a song Dolby’s brassy electro-pop meets 90s that doesn’t feel like it should be a chart grunge, while recent single `Dusseldorf’ hit, a dancefloor favourite and an indie is a perfect slice of synth-pop pie with its THE MAGIC GANG / THE ORIELLES anthem all at once. heart in an early 80s disco. Okay, there are a couple of moments at They don’t talk much between songs, O2 Academy tonight’s sold-out show where they fail to but what Sanders and Cattermoul do say The Orielles are overhead backstage discussing how best to combat their young, the majority female, all of them in ebullient mood, familiar with achieve lift-off: the too-smooth title track exudes the assured giddiness that comes nerves ahead of playing in front of a sold-out show of Magic Gang fans. every word of every song and ready to sing and dance along from the off. of new album `Family of Aliens’, and the with a band at the height of their creative They decide that jumping about a lot should do it and so tonight’s set The Magic Gang are easily to like. They’re not pushing any musical leaden `Fall In Time’, which forgets where powers and who are still enjoying every comes with added bounce. Not that the Halifax quartet’s songs need extra boundaries but from opener ‘Alright’ to shiny happy chant along closer it left its dancing feet even as it provokes an minute of their upward trajectory. `I’m lift, tending to sound like the musical equivalent of a family size bag of ‘Getting Along’, their harmony-heavy, grunged-up guitar pop sparkles audience singalong at the end. Straight away Not In Control’ is the high point of the Haribos laced with needles. Their 80s indie jangle is spiked and spiced up effortlessly between Weezer and Teenage Fanclub, choruses set to epic, they’ve got those disco boots back on `Song set and comes right at the close, Teleman on songs like ‘Let Your Dogtooth Grow’ and if the dodgy sound sometimes bespectacled boy-next-door frontman Jack Kaye quite obviously making For A Seagull’ – euphoric, borderline cheesy fully unleashing their hypnotic, motorik turns their innate sweetness into a thick treacle, closer ‘Sugar Tastes Like the most of every minute of his band’s steady rise and rise up the ranks. but, like so much of their set, irresistible. heavy side while still managing to inject Salt’ ramps everything to the max, a noise-pop wrecking ball rather than Encore ‘Life Without You is halfway between early Beatles and Boyzone The band set the tone from the off tonight, it with pop gold. We only realise when it’s a giddy tickle. Sweet young things ain’t sweet no more. No need for but sees half the girls in the crowd up on boyfriends’ shoulders and ‘All mixing up heavily flanged guitar with sleek all over they didn’t play `Skeleton Dance’. nervousness really. That I Want is You’ is a suitably effervescent finale that sees The Orielles synth lines and kicking out song after song Three albums in the band obviously feel No such nerves for The Magic Gang. Tonight is not only the last night of and tonight’s openers Sports Team invade the stage for a suitably last- with exuberant bounce, Thomas Sanders’ they have enough great material to leave yet another mammoth tour it’s their eighth Oxford gig and their sixth as night celebration whose cheery sense of chaos reflects The Magic Gang’s voice pure and light, rising above the a gem like that out. Tonight’s celebratory, headliners, the boys from Brighton proving that the old-fashioned route to relentlessly positive vibes. They’ve come a long way already, but you feel heavy, uncoiling grooves. `Tangerine’ is captivating set proves that confidence is the top still works for those prepared to put in the hours and miles. they’ve got many more miles in them yet. fuzzed-up, and slightly frazzled; `Steam entirely justified. They’ve earned themselves a fanatical following along the way – mostly Sue Foreman Train Girl’ nimble and robotically funky Dale Kattack photo: Leo Bowder Oxford DeafandHardofHearing Centre HAIKU SALUT / KID IN genius, creatingasoundbothsteepedinearly collaborators. PrinceFattyisaneo-classicist has alwaysbeenaptwhenitcomestochoosing hardest workingreggaebandsintheUK,Cook supported onstagebyGeneralRoots,oneofthe Love’ and is 81 shows into an 82 date tour. Ably Hollieispromotinganewalbum‘Vessel of you sawthathappen? Yes, actuallyskipped;when wasthelasttime pixie Holly Cook skips onto the stage of the O2. harbouring dissipatedthemomenttropicalpop the leastbutanylingeringresentmentswe’re the bikeridetotonight’s gigperiloustosay The tail-endofHurricaneGertrudemakes O2 Academy HOLLY COOK members –GemmaBarkerwood, Sophie Barkerwoodand LouiseCroft– complemented perfectly bytherichnessofmusic. The band’s three the nearbyJohn Lewis’s lightingdepartment. It’s agorgeous touchthat’s their setwithabevy ofvintagelamps,probablynot half-inchedfrom That’s augmented byheadlineactHaikuSalut’s decisiontopunctuate school assembly, butit’s somehow avenuethatworks. said), whiletheringoforangeseats recallstheenvironmentofaprimary joke?” SaoirseRonan’s characterfromthefilm Lookingdownallthewhileisa portraitofPrincessDiana(“isthata Grandma. albeit inthekindofrestrainedwaydeployedbyJamiexxorLet’ the occasionalnoisyfinale. There’s evenahintofItalo-house piano, audience toanappropriatelymellowquartetofsongsandyetcan’ experimentation athis2017RitualUniongig. Tonight hetreatsthe excellence ofhis‘Masterclash’ singlefrom2016accompanied byvocal innovative andinterestingways–withthesymphonicmulti-instrumental Recently PeterLloyd’s KidKinprojecthasdevelopedinmyriad LIVE Ladybird mighthave deftly addingsomecavernousreverberationto the sounddeskwhereherengineeris how thiswaspossible,untilwemovetowards heavy, atmosphericplaces. We can’t workout In factthewholebandheadintosomevery augmented byskilleduseofeffects throughout. was intheSlits,at Ari Up’s behest)sheis thing. Bothtuneful,andyetwithanedge(she Holly’s voiceisapristineandmellifluous the sameroots-popsensibility. was onthecontrolsforhernewLP andbrings Presents HollieCook’.KillingJoke’s Youth he producedherdebutalbum‘PrinceFatty roots anddancehall,yetstrangelytimeless; s Eat t resist Rob Langham than theyareisevident. HaikuSalutarenational treasures. their proclamations isclear;thattheydeserveto be muchmorefamous comes inthatthings trulybecometranscendent. That theyaremodestin brass thatisinextricablylinkedto thepartofEnglandthattheyhailfrom Tonight’s setisnothingshortofoutstandingthroughoutbut it’s whenthe recall dubstep. beyond theslightlyfacilelabelof folktronica;attimes,thelo-fibleeps basis tothissetandit’s clearthattheDerbyshireacthave movedwell their previousoutput,theuseof live drumsprovideamuchmoreurgent perhaps morelow-keyandlessbrassy–inbothsensesoftheterm –than and goodwillintheaudience.IfnewthirdLP, ‘ThereisnoElsewhere’, The incrediblytalentedtriocreateanatmosphereofalmostfrenziedlove on eachinstrument,bringingnewmeaningtotheterm‘musicalchairs’. sound, lushinitsbrillianceandwitheachbandmembertakingit inturns drums andLordknowswhatelsetocreateastaggeringcacophony of deploy keyboards;ukulele;accordion;xylophones;trumpets;trombones; Leo Bowder of anygig. than whenwearrived,which,surelyisthepoint face, orours,andweleaveinafarbettermood this, you’reinluck. The smileneverleavesher demurely toahugecheer. So,ifyoumissed “ShallIcomebacktoOxford?”sheenquires played asanencore. quips) with‘MilkandHoney’ fromherdebut Like Chocolate’ (“fortheoldravers!”she Wobble onbass)andherpresentsingle‘Sweet the driving‘Stay Alive’ (recordedwithJah largely drawnfromthenew record, including powerful voiceisawinningone. The setis of thebeefysoundandCook’s delicateyet dubwise andnocompromise. The combination the drumsandvintagetapeechotovocals: Oxfordshire Sexual AbuseandRapeCrisisCentre isacompany limited by guarantee, 01865726295 registered inEngland&Wales No:6835605.Registered CharityNo:1131054. Specialist practical andemotional have experienced sexual violence support for women andgirlswho a message we can call you backthenext time we are open. We have a24-houranswerphone, andifyou leave us at any timeintheirlives. www.osarcc.org.uk • Sunday 6pm–8.30pm • Thursday 6.30pm–9pm • Monday 6.30pm–9pm [email protected] Telephone helpline Email support orFreephone 08007836294

RODDY WOOMBLE LIVE The Jericho Tavern Following the success of his first and ‘Waverley Steps’. Indeed, with solo album, 2006’s ‘My Secret Is both now established minor classics, photo: Jo Cox My Silence’, Roddy Woomble has it would be a shock if he didn’t continued to record and play solo include them. alongside his career as frontman There’s a glimpse of the future with Idlewild. too with a new Idlewild number When on the road under his own ‘Love Can Be Forever New’, and name he usually has other musicians ‘Left Like Roses’, inspired by with him. This time it’s just him and seeing the guts of a rabbit picked Idlewild bandmate Andrew Mitchell apart by crows, and which could on keys, guitar, backing vocals and, be on Woomble’s next solo album. for one song, lead vocals. The night’s highlight though, and Woomble’s recent album, ‘The most popular with the crowd, is the Deluder’, moves away from his version of Idlewild’s ’All I Need Is earlier folk based solo albums A Little Discourage’. towards a freer singer-songwriter Roddy has said he thinks of himself approach with echoes of Mark as a writer and he clearly loves Knopfler’s theme music to the words, and though at times lines in film Local Hero and of minimalist his songs baffle there’s still pleasure Norwegian jazz pianist Tord in hearing him sing them, for he has Gustavsen. Woomble and Mitchell a voice that could make you happy live have a similar free sound. if even he was singing the telephone The core of their set is pared directory. Many of his songs are down versions of songs from about difficulties and anxiety, but he ‘The Deluder’ and a smattering and Mitchell send us away from this of Idlewild tracks. However little gem of a gig on an uplifting Woomble’s earlier solo career is note with their cover of a song by acknowledged with Mitchell’s skills the almost forgotten Bill Fey: ‘Be helping to freshen up the title track Not So Fearful’. Amen to that. from ’My Secret is My Silence’ Colin May

crowd, and you have the ingredients MARIBOU STATE / SKINNY GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY for a faultless performance. O2 Academy Perhaps what’s most striking PELEMBE WhatsOn1.indd 1 19/04/2018 22:01:16 Four years ago Sam Duckworth keys, and guitars mixed in with of gusto. however is the amount of fun that hung up the Get Cape. Wear the trumpet sound so synonymous It’s this paradox between a Duckworth and his comrades are O2 Academy Cape. Fly moniker, seemingly for with the band that it wouldn’t be a carnival sound and lyrics which clearly having throughout the Maribou State’s blend of why be charismatic when you’re good. Yet in four years we’ve also Get Cape show without it. It’s this take an almost microscopic look at set. Though there’s no doubt the good-natured garage beats and playing to a room full of freshers managed to hold several general which means the Monday night the world which has always been arrangements are highly practised atmospheric effects might not be the who got lost on the way to Atik? elections and decided to leave crowd, who seem to be stuck to the power of Duckworth’s work, and skilled, there’s a degree of most original music floating around Then there’s the music. Stripped Europe. Given Duckworth’s sound the back of the room as if there’s and his ability to move from more recklessness and playfulness which in 2018, but it’s imaginative enough of the expert pacing and warm, has regularly been a political affair, some kind of force field around softly voiced numbers to choruses carries through the night. It’s this within its own narrowly defined balanced effects that make tracks it stands to reason then that he the stage, are quickly engaged in filled with passion. Tonight delivers that acts as the perfect antidote to a bounds to make for some enjoyable like `Turnmills’ sound so effortlessly might rewrite the rulebook a bit the proceedings and encouraged to both in equal measures. Add into grey October Monday, and allows weekend listening. That’s the story lovely on record, the remainder is where retirement is involved. step forward. It’s not long before the mix a perfect balance of older me to forget the state of in the studio, anyway. Performing dry, lifeless: the beats sound like Despite his often wry political they’ve moved from observers to songs which punctuate the new political unrest for just a short live, the London-based duo comes any old club beats, a misfortune leanings, tonight’s sound brings a participants, encouraged to sing ones with a degree of precision so while. up against the age-old challenge of that isn’t helped by the audience’s carnival vibe; a fusion of drums, along to ‘I-Spy’ with large amounts as not to lose the attention of the Lisa Ward electro – how to conjure spontaneity insistence on behaving like they’re out of a genre that makes artifice an at any old club. We’re not even art – and falls disappointingly short. annoyed anymore. We’re just bored. TABLE SCRAPS / GHOST OF THE AVALANCHE / GRUB bonus vocal delay and distortion. To be fair on Maribou, they’re Luckily, Holly Walker – who’s been One track sums it up by sounding not given much of an introduction. singing with Maribou for at least The Library rather like `I Wanna Be You Dog’, Skinny Pelembe, a South African/ five years, by our maths – comes Jazz, according to the Bonzo Dog the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Winnebago Deal, but, after a clutch but only if the dog was on a badass Doncastrian multi-instrumentalist on to supply guest vocals and a bit Doo-Dah Band, is “delicious hot, theme will never be Leonard Cohen, of micro-songs we just want one mescaline trip, thought it was its who can apparently strum of personality. Her voice is easily disgusting cold”. There’s some truth we guess). At its best their music of those pummelling basslines and own stick and tried to fetch itself. three guitar chords in as many the highlight of the set: ambitious in this gastronomusical equivalency, is galvanised molasses, thick and yelps to go somewhere unexpected, Another tune reveals a Cobain- combinations, is about the most and carefully controlled, with a but some foods – a cheese-laden electrifying, and at its worst it’s just fun though they are. About two- like mix of wholesomeness and boring support act anyone could sweetness to it that brings out the pizza, say – are delicious hot and dumb, loud riffs. Which is pretty good thirds into the set a slower stop-start depravity, with the refrain “Now ask for. And that’s to say nothing of best in the music behind her, it’s disgusting, yet impossibly, guiltily as worsts go, you have to admit. piece, like the work of a wonky you clean your teeth” (possibly – we his voice, which sounds like a bad, probably what most of the audience alluring, cold. And a set by Grub Brevity is the arse’ole of punk wit, sozzled Stranglers, is a boon, and mentioned the distortion and delay, drunk karaoke-singer doing Elvis are actually here to experience. is like gorging on a congealed but sometimes the nasty, brutish makes the return to headlong rock right?). It’s all great, until the last Costello; or his irritating, shallowly That muffled synth line at the start quattro formaggio, licking the and short approach to songwriting scampers all the more pleasing. track, which is great squared, an political lyrics. By the time it’s of `Nervous Tics’ – the group’s greasy cardboard box, and scratching can wear over the course of a gig. Scuzz-psych warriors Table Scraps unstoppable juggernaut that drops Maribou’s turn to play, we’re not so biggest hit, and basically a showcase your backside with the tiny white Bath’s bass and drums duo Ghost don’t have any issues with songs the cool contemporary clothes and much hyped up as hacked off. for Holly Walker – triggers a wave tripod out of the middle: dirty and of the Avalanche are a dab hand at being too short, and tonight the dives straight into being Hawkwind. Things get better, but not much. of recording phones. When those satisfying, all at once. Their music constructing heavy punk munitions longer those grooves get unspooled, For about ten minutes. “For sale: “Oxford! How you doing? Thanks phones and our memories are is basic, stodgy, Stoogey rocking, that fly hell for leather (with extra the better. Their blueprint is a silver machine. One careful owner. for coming down tonight.” This checked tomorrow, it’ll be Holly, with just enough grunge-punk sneer leather) in a way that resembles straightforward amalgam of garage Runs like a dream. Only drawback, opening gambit pretty much sums not Maribou, who’s survived the in the vocals to stop it getting too a cross between Motorhead and grease and psychedelic repetition, may never stop”. up Maribou’s stage presence: flat, night. serious (though bands who cover our own lamented thrashferrets something like Wooden Shjips with David Murphy characterless, slightly confused. But Tom Kingsley INTRODUCING.... Nightshift’s monthly guide to the best local music bubbling under WORRY Who are they? Oxford hardcore band Worry are: Nathan Ball (vocals); Hannah Watts (guitar); Joe Turner (drums) and Luke Allmond (bass). The band was formed by Nathan, Hannah and Joe in 2016 after they saw a show by local punk act Basic Dicks at The Library. Hannah and Joe had played in bands together and separately before but never as heavy as Worry, while Nathan had never played in a band. They played as a trio until this summer when they recruited Luke who also plays in Daisy and Spank Hair. Regular gigs around Oxford included a set on the Uncommon Stage at Common People in May this year. Their first, self- Their favourite other Oxfordshire act is: titled, EP was released in June 2017; its follow-up, ‘Confidence’ was “Fancy Dress Party, because they make us think about death and get released in October. sad and stuff.” What do they sound like? If they could only keep one album in the world, it would be: Full-pelt musical misanthropy with a no-nonsense, no-prisoners “‘Run the Jewels 2’. We saw them when they played the Brixton approach to aural destruction. Nathan’s “fuck the world” declarations get Academy last year and it was one of the best gigs we’ve been to. This bellowed out over Hannah’s slugy wall-of-noise hardcore attack and the album is wall-to-wall bangers.” sort of velocity drumming you’d need anti-tank artillery to stop. Early When is their next local gig and what can newcomers expect? 80s American hardcore and first-wave D-beat are their touchstones along “On November 17th we’re playing our first gig back at the revamped with the more febrile end of grunge. Or, in their own words: “Angry and Wheatsheaf, so expect declarations of love to Joal at the sound desk.” bitter hardcore punk with heavy riffs and emotions.” Their favourite and least favourite things about Oxford music are: What inspires them? “Favourite is the strange and wonderful human being known as Widget. “Sick riffs and shitty step-dads.” Least favourite is trying to park near the Cellar and lugging gear down Their career highlight so far: the steps (although it’s a fun place to play once you get to down there).” “Putting on our own gig at the Library with our buddies Dead Hands, You might love them if you love: Drore, Heriot and Keyed Up in October.” Minor Threat; Ceremony; His Hero is Gone; Cloud Rat; Deftones; Tad; And the lowlight Mudhoney. “Our drum kit collapsing while being used by another band at a gig. Hear them here: The drummer looked like he wanted to kill someone.” worry.bandcamp.com Dr SHOTOVER: My Life and Thymes THIS MONTH IN OXFORD T H E W H E A T S H E A F Get in, get in. New Avengers – Assemble! Leave your dove-grey bowler ALL OUR YESTERDAYS MUSIC HISTORY th nd Saturday 6 Friday 2 November – 7:45pm / £6 hat on the bar, Lord Steedworthy, and buy us all a drink, why don’t you? Meanwhile, come and sit next to ME, Miss Cor-Lumley. I have always been 20 YEARS AGO Lucky & The Losers, November 2008 found 5 YEARS AGO a fan of your legs, ahem, WORK. Gurkhas? No, it’s true. Did I ever tell you “Return of the Mac!” shouted the headline on Nightshift paying tribute to the singer who had Sadly there was another young life lost to report passed away after battling cancer, aged just 45. rd about my time in the King’s Own Mahavishnu Rifles? I did? Oh well, a the front cover of November 1998’s Nightshift, in November 2013’s Nightshift with the tragic, Saturday 3 November – 8pm/ £9 good story is like a pickled onion - always worth repeating… repeating… heralding a return to The Jericho Tavern for Local music legends Richard Ramage and Mac accidental death of Stuart Meads from local synth- were among those who remembered Hamish, who th repeating. Talking of which, I hope you will be available next Tuesday, legendary local promoter Mac. Four years pop band Trademark, Stuart and his partner Gavin Thursday 8 November – 8pm played with The Anyways and The Hulas over the dear lady. I am launching the first part of my fascinating autobiography, previously he, along with the Woods family who ran both dying after falling through a hoarding around a years. “A lovely fella and a top player,” said Mac. building site in London. th right here in the East Indies Club bar. Dr Shotover: From the Cradle to the the Walton Street pub, had been thrown out by the Friday 9 November – 8pm / £10 In happier news, A Silent Film released their new Rave. (That’s ‘rave’ as in the sort we used to have in Swinging London, Allied Brewery, who turned the place into a soulless “Ultimately we’re an indie pop band!” declared album, `The City That Sleeps’ on Xtra Mile, the with beads, kaftans and joss-sticks, not the beastly doof-doof-doof-fests Firkin outlet, putting an end to an epoch-making ToLiesel on the cover, the quintet tracing their band talking at length to Nightshift about touring favoured by loved-up soap-dodgers in the early 1990s). Look, here are period in local music which saw Talulah Gosh, sound back to English folk traditions: “there’s th the States with multi-million-selling rockers One Saturday 10 November – 8pm / £7 some of the reviews. [Dr S pulls a sheaf of crumpled newspaper cuttings Ride, Swervedriver, Radiohead and Supergrass a real pastoral folk tradition that still thrives in Republic, the release of their album, and singer Rob out of his waistcoat]. Sunday Telegraph: ‘Dr Shotover was and is an play the Tavern on their way to becoming global Oxfordshire and I think our music scene feeds off th Stevenson’s attempt to pick a fight with an entire Tuesday 13 November 7:45pm / £6 stars. The closure had caused years of animosity that,” said singer Jack Olchawski, who still gigs absolute bounder, but at least he went to a good school’. Time Out: ‘A venue of Glaswegians one night. truly amayyyzing account among local bands and scenesters and Mac’s return locally under the name My Crooked Teeth. th In other local news, the fast-rising Foals had While ToLiesel have since gone the way of Thursday 15 November – 8pm of what it was like in put that to bed. “God told me to do,” said Mac, who added a second night at the Oxford Academy so many aspiring young bands, Nightshift’s the Ladbroke Grove had subsequently made The Point, on The Plain, th to their UK tour, while long-term chums Introducing artist this month was a new rapper and Saturday 17 November – 7:45pm / £5 squat scene in the early into one of the UK’s most important small venues, adding, “it’s something to do, innit?” Youthmovies released `Polyp’ on Blast First – “a poet on the scene called Rawz who has since graced 70s’. Guardian: ‘Sexist? typically atypical outing,” claimed Nightshift’s th While there were new beginnings at The Jericho, the cover twice. “There’s loads of great musical Sunday 18 November – 7:45pm / £5 Tick. Drug-addled? Tick. two of Oxford’s brightest young acts were splitting review, “their continued musical mutations are talent in Oxford but I feel the hip hop scene doesn’t MAWMIP (Middle-Aged admirable compared to the easy rut that too many th up: Crackout, who had launched their career with get enough exposure,” he said; five years on he’s Tuesday 20 November – 7:45pm / £7 White Man in Paisley)? a single on Shifty Disco before singing to Virgin, bands sink into.” been instrumental in helping its profile to rise and Tick. This book caused me A great month for gigs saw visits to town for st called it a day, as did Tumbleweed, the band who rise, including with Inner Peace Records. Wednesday 21 November – 7:45pm / £7 and my men’s group such found fame early on as part of the BBC’s Fame two of the greatest bands ever to grace planet Many of Oxford’s talented young things were painful hand-wringing Earth: Fucked Up and Ladytron – both at the releasing albums and singles this month, including nd Game show. Thursday 22 November – 8pm that I am barely able to O2 Academy. Also in Oxford this month were Young Knives with their superb `Sick Octave’ type’. High Times: ‘The Fame of the wrong kind for local rockers Slipsta who saw all their posters around town defaced Funeral For a Friend (supported by Cancer album – come on chaps, get a shift on with a new rd paperback makes good Friday 23 November – 7:45pm / £7 Bats); Built To Spill; Mercury Rev; Don one, why don’tcha? Vienna Ditto released their with swastikas and claims they were Nazis. “We roach material. Is that my Caballero and Micah P Hinson, while bringing `Ugly’ EP; Stornoway put out a mini album of stash?’ Literary Review: may be old, fat and ugly, but fascists we ain’t,” th some kind of karmic balance The Foxes were outtakes called `You Don’t Know Anything; Glass Saturday 24 November – 8:20pm / £4.50 they protested. ‘Monomaniacal, poorly- in the Demo Dumper, for their “undergraduate Animals released the single `Psylla’ and The spelled and thoroughly essay on misanthropy, delivered over the top of August List released their `High Town Crow’ EP. th Tuesday 27 November – 7:30pm / £7 put-downable’. Etc etc. 10 YEARS AGO some third-rate pop-punk”. The band described Tech-metallers Prospekt also had an album out Next Month: See You ‘Awww, DAD, I don’t wanna meet the family If twenty five years ago this month we were happily themselves as gritty; the review suggested they -`The Colourless Sunrise’ heralding the arrival of Wheatsheaf 129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF / www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford Next Tuesday accountant – I’m due at a LOVE-IN in Hyde Park!’ interviewing Hamish Ferguson in his role with were something that rhymed with gritty. new rock faves on the scene.

mangled and hungover feel but, following like “Crow! Try pushing!” over a sludgy Bright Shadows, sounding pleasantly stoner rock riff for three minutes. It starts grubby. ‘Remoterboater’ tumbles home off promisingly enough but it’s ultimately TRACks from the boozer, knocking on random formless and derivative, nicking an old Sponsored by doors as it goes, asking for directions in Black Sabbath riff and going nowhere in Track of the Month wins a free half day a lightly confused by belligerent manner, particular with it. The recording is too lo-fi at Soundworks studio in Oxford, while ‘Goats’ might be Idles if they got to feel any power and it just sort of hangs courtesy of Umair Chaudhry. Visit tanked up and left their car keys, wit and around being moody and downtuned before www.umairchaudhry.co.uk/nightshift political ideals behind in the pub. It’s a bit it just sort of stops. Oxford is blessed with of a mess and mostly incoherent but it’s some great stoner bands: Indica Blues, My riot that recalls Minor Threat, the earliest noisy and slightly angry so if there was a Diablo and the mighty Desert Storm, so the TOP punk rock incarnation of The Beastie Boys war between all the artists in this month’s bar is set high. A/M don’t sound like they’re and most of all, cult Seattle hardcore crew pile they’d undoubtedly be on the same even trying very hard to reach it. The Blood Brothers. If these songs could side as Hope Burden and Blood Horse, TRACKS be made into physical objects we like to even if that only amounted to standing think they’d be forged into the sharpened behind them cheering them on as they ASH ADAMS Where now for the solo male singer- spines that will be stabbed into Brett reined blows on the enemy, so we’ll give THE HOPE BURDEN songwriter in these post-Sheeran, post- Kavanagh’s rotting flesh for all eternity them the benefit of the doubt. As the planet slides inexorably towards the Smith, post-Bay, post-Garratt days? when his time on earth comes to an end abyss we need a band to take our minds off Simply mumbling out a bad Bob Dylan and the Devil claims him. the horrors of the modern world but also BEN AVISON rip-off won’t cut it in the glorious new reflect its complexity, terror and wonder. Nightshift hasn’t paid much attention to Kingdom of the Bland. No, you’ve got to This EP is titled `Decline. Despair. Decay’, anything Morrissey has sung or said since have a bit of blues and a bit of r’n’b and a which just about sums up a sizeable BRIGHT SHADOWS ‘Viva Hate’ so his increasingly deranged bit of hip hop in your navel-gazing gruel chunk of the world right now. And it is a Bright Shadows are a Reading-based duo who promise us “a gritty brand of acoustic political outpourings over the past decade now, even if that hip hop element amounts gloriously brooding, bulldozing, glowering, or so have washed over us in pretty much to little more than some half-arsed trap Godzilla-like beast of an EP. Like pop and rock,” all of which is a total bloody lie if the music we hear is anything the same way the ill-informed opinions of beats behind your acoustic guitar shuffle Deafheaven, and Wolves in the Throne elderly Daily Express reading neighbours and general moping. We’ve listened to to go by. There are eleven tracks here and Room at times, The Hope Burden mix up do, but we understand there are people Ash’s song, ‘Invincible’, at least four times we’re fucked if we’re going to listen to death metal’s rage and full-throttle attack out there who genuinely mourn the fact now and we can’t remember anything them all, and anyway we reckon we know with the cathedral-sized sonic blizzards of that the man who was once poet for the about it at all except it has a vaguely funky shoegaze, passages of languid calm and where it’s headed by the time we get to dispossessed has turned into a parody of blues edge to it and somehow there’s blood .co.uk just enough of tech-metal’s convoluted track 3. ‘Afraid of Bliss’ is soft-centred, TURAN AUDIO a retired colonel with a bellyful of port all over the desk – possibly from where Professional, independent overly saccharine acoustic harmony pop chug to keep everything on its toes. It’s a and dreams of the Empire. Ben Avison is we smashed our face repeatedly against it audio mastering that sounds like The Music Industry cacophony but one possessed of warmth, once such person, a man who grew up in to make the world seem marginally better. walked into a Nashville blues bar and grace and no little beauty at times. It’s a family of Moz fans but who now feels Tellingly, every time the song finished Mastered in the studio last month; also ugly and brutish sometimes, much polished everything in sight until it shone Apple approved the need to take his former hero out for a Soundcloud moved onto Maroon 5, just to mastering and sparkled and was devoid of character BLACK HOURS, DOLLY MAVIES, like Thomas Hobbs described the life of walk in the countryside and a damn good remind us that things really could be a tiny so they could sell it to pod people as a side SHVPES, THE GREAT WESTERN TEARS, man. It’s symphonic in its scope, an almost talking to. His song ‘Steven, Please Can bit worse. order with their Monsanto cheeseburger orchestral storm of guitar noise, growls, We Talk’ is an appeal to the singer – and DAVE MALKIN, RICH RAINFORD, CANDLEMASS, and diet coke. Maybe it’s wrong to blame rasps and screams. It makes a decent case son of Irish immigrants, lest we forget – CATGOD, CATHEDRAL, SYMPHONY OF PAIN, The Shires, since mainstream country for being the soundtrack for the end of to listen and understand his former fans’ CHEROKII, ROSIE CALDECOTT, SWERVDRIVER, music lost its guts a long time ago, but TOILET everything and The Hope Burden might disappointment. “Dear Steven, you used to STEPLING, THE CORSAIRS . they typify this easily digested form of a be the long overdue heirs to Xmas Lights’ mean so much to me. But now your words music that didn’t usually raise its voice 01865 716466 [email protected] long-vacant local cinematic-ambient- just confuse me and make me sad. Please TRACK in the public domain until it had gone deathcore throne. And now, if you’ll can we talk?” he croons plaintively over through three divorces, drunk six gallons give us half an hour, we’re going to play an innocuous dram-pop jangle, while in ABI FARRELL of self medication, been forced to shoot its this again at twice the volume before we the accompanying video he twirls a bunch Nothing like a sombre piano power ballad COURTYARD even think about listening to the rest of loyal hound and seen the family farm burn of distressed flowers around, reads Oscar to get Nightshift bouncing round the room this month’s pile. Sod it, give us a couple to the ground. Even by modern standards Wilde and, in an ironic high point, drapes and shouting that, yes, this really is the life. RECORDING STUDIO of hours – and make sure to warn the this makes Kasey Musgrave sound like 2 Tracking Rooms. Superb Control Room with: himself in the EU flag. It’s all very well And, yes, okay, musical geniuses like Kate NEVE 5106 32 Channel Console. ProTools HD3 neighbours. We fear for their foundations Lucinda Williams. Oh, Dolly, Willie, intentioned and not unpleasant but really Bush and Nick Cave can do brilliant piano MTR 90 2” 24 Track Tape Machine. Vintage EMT Plate Reverb and peace of mind. Tammy, Johnny – when did it all go so it’s a bit insipid. Appealing to Morrissey’s ballads without even trying too hard, but this Loads of Brilliant Outboard Gear Loads of Great Mics, Vintage and Modern wrong? Quick, stick The August List’s better nature these days is a bit like asking is neither Kate nor Cave. It might like to be album on and everything will be okay Old School Akai/Roland Synth Modules piranhas politely to stop being so nibbly. Eva Cassidy – at least the accompanying Upright Piano, Fender Rhodes, Amps and great vibes. again. Maybe try shouting, “Oi, Morrissey, you press blurb suggests as much – but really Residential recording studio in Sutton Courtenay. BLOOD HORSE narcissistic, irrelevant old bell-end, shut it’s more like an audition for an Andrew www.courtyardrecordingstudio.co.uk Not content with joining Worry Luke your stupid fucking trap for once” in his Lloyd Webber musical, probably for the sad In-house producer: Ian Davenport www.ian-davenport.co.uk Allmond has taken more time out from FLAT LAGER face, before demanding a refund for ‘Kill scene where someone dressed as an aging Email: [email protected] his band Daisy to take out a short term If there’s anything less appetising than Uncle’. cat or an obsolete diesel engine bemoans Phone: Kate on 01235 845800 lease on this new band, formed during a pint of flat lager it’s a band sending the unfairness of the world before a heroic a marathon all-night studio session in you four separate links to four separate chorus-line led finale. Ivories are tinkled and Witney. “I’m pretty sure everybody hates songs. Clicking four separate links is, like, A/M vocal acrobatics duly performed and it’s a me / I’m pretty sure everyone wants me sooo much effort. Like trying to climb We’re not sure if the band is called A/M perfect example of technique over soul and dead,” he shouts/screams over a clatter the Matterhorn or recite The Rime of the or we’ve misread the email, or if it’s even substance, Petri dish-bred jazz-pop Formica and crash of virulent, spittle-flecked route Ancient Mariner from memory, or sit a band at all or just the solo work of a guy better suited to an early round of The Voice one hardcore, keeping up his trademark through the Tory party conference without called Matthew O’Brien, or if the one song or the corner of a Pizza Express lounge. approach to music that suggests the best vomiting your internal organs onto the here is called `Prom Person’ because the “Down to the river” sings Abi over and over Rehearsal and Recording studios response to a cruel and violent world carpet. Vomiting onto the carpet being vocals are barely decipherable and seem to again, but Springsteen this ain’t. As rock and is equally venomous aural assault and something Flat Lager might consider an consist of someone shouting what sounds roll as floor polish. Four state of the art rehearsal rooms battery. ‘Fresh Out of the Kitchen’ here acceptable way of life on the evidence and a professional recording studio. clocks in at one minute, 53 seconds and of the music here, which starts off as Send tracks for review to: Nightshift, PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU, or email links to edi- is by some distance the longest track of trashcan yob-rock, lurching in ungainly For bookings call Jamie on 07917685935 [email protected], clearly marked Demos. IMPORTANT: no review without a contact the five, the rest barely making it past the Glasshouse studios, Cumnor, Oxford • glasshousestudios.org fashion over sheet metal guitars and phone number. If you can’t handle criticism, please don’t send us your demo. Same goes for minute mark. Each is a malevolent mini- wonky, post-punk funk with a generally your stupid, over-sensitive mates. facebook.com/o2academyoxford twitter.com/o2academyoxford instagram.com/o2academyoxford youtube.com/o2academytv

Sat 20th Oct • 12pm Sun 11th Nov Sun 2nd Dec Wed 16th Jan Ritual Union Gruff Rhys Bjorn Again J Mascis Sun 21st Oct Thur 15th Nov Sun 2nd Dec Sun 27th Jan Bugzy Malone Salad Children of Zeus Clem Burke Mon 22nd Oct Thur 15th Nov • SOLD OUT Tue 4th Dec and Bootleg Blondie Villagers Courtney Barnett Still Corners Sat 2nd Feb • 6.30pm Thur 25th Oct Fri 16th Nov • 6.30pm Thur 6th Dec Gangstagrass Rolling Blackouts Tide Lines Von Hertzen Brothers Sat 9th Feb • 6.30pm Coastal Fever Fri 16th Nov • 6.30pm Fri 7th Dec • 6.30pm Cash Fri 26th Oct • 6.30pm Killing Joke Pearl Jam UK Mon 11th Feb Toots and the Maytals Fri 16th Nov • 11pm Fri 7th Dec • 11pm Jimothy Lacoste + Captain Accident Mall Grab: Fri 26th Oct • 11pm Looking For Trouble Tour The Oxford Soul Train Thur 14th Feb Sun 9th Dec Alexander O’Neal Applebum Sat 17th Nov • 6.30pm - The Freshers Jump Off Definitely Mightbe Fish Fri 15th Feb • 6pm Sat 27th Oct • 6pm Sat 17th Nov • 11pm Thur 13th Dec • 6pm Blue October Luisa Omielan Silent Disco Fireball Sat 16th Feb • 5.30pm Sat 27th Oct • 6.30pm Tue 20th Nov – Fuelling The Fire Tour Buckcherry Guns 2 Roses + Flogging Molly + Face To Face The Dead Daisies + Lost In Stereo + The Bronx & Hoobastank Sat 27th Oct • 11pm Welcome to Daisyland Thur 13th Dec Sat 16th Feb • 6pm Halloween House Party + Oliver Dawson Saxon ft Sonny Fodera + Massive Wagons Mona + October Drift Omar with Live Band Mon 18th Feb Mon 29th Oct • SOLD OUTt Wed 21st Nov • 6pm Fri 14th Dec • 6.30pm IDLES Wayward Sons Slade: Ruts DC + Doomsday Outlaw Tue 30th Oct 45 Years of Merry Sat 23rd Feb • 6pm Superorganism Fri 23rd Nov • 6.30pm Christmas Everybody Stone Broken The Dub Pistols Thur 1st Nov Fri 14th Dec • 11pm Sat 23rd Feb • 6.30pm The Feeling Fri 23rd Nov • 11pm Robbo Ranx Christmas Scott Bradlee’s Shy FX Fri 2nd Nov Special Dancehall & Postmodern Jukebox Neil Hilborn Sat 24th Nov BBC 1xtra Legend Bingo Lingo Fri 1st Mar • 5.30pm Fri 2nd Nov • 11pm Sat 15th Dec • 6pm P.O.D. | Alien Ant Farm Wayne Wonder Tue 27th Nov The Inflatables + ‘68 Shame Fri 2nd Nov • 6.30pm - Xmas Party Sat 9th Mar • 6pm Freya Ridings Wed 28th Nov • 6.30pm ft. King Hammond, The Rude Boy U.F.O. “Last Orders” Beak> Mafia and The AC30s Sat 3rd Nov • 6pm 50th Anniversary Tour Thur 29th Nov Sat 15th Dec • 6.30pm Aidan Moffat Sat 9th Mar • 11pm & RM Hubbert Oxford City Festival Reef ft. Otto, The Foliants, Molly Karloff, 90s - 00s Ft. N-Trance Sat 15th Dec • 11pm Sat 3rd Nov • 11pm Port Erin and The Wayfarers Thur 14th Mar Switch x Krudd Huey Morgan’s Thur 29th Nov Hayseed Dixie ft Skepsis + Bru-C + Kanine Cast NYC Block Party Sun 4th Nov + Nanton & Skylarkin Wed 20th Mar • 6.30pm Fri 30th Nov • 6.30pm Wed 19th Dec Ady Suleiman Hugh Cornwell Electric Little Brother Eli Mon 5th Nov KING 810 + Puppy Thur 28th Mar Fri 30th Nov • 6.30pm Natty All Saints Fri 21st Dec • 6.30pm Fun Lovin’ Criminals Thur 8th Nov Sat 6th Apr • 6.30pm Fri 30th Nov • 11pm Dreadzone Police Dog Hogan Kings Of The Rollers: Fri 21st Dec • 6pm The Dualers Fri 9th Nov • 6pm ft Serum, Voltage, Bladerunner Skindred Fri 12th Apr • 11pm w/Inja Dutty Moonshine Sat 22nd Dec • 6.30pm Party With The Greatest Fri 30th Nov • 11pm Fri 9th Nov • 11pm Faith: Showman Club Tour Camelphat Kurupt FM The George Michael Sat 27th Apr • 6.30pm Sat 1st Dec • 6.30pm Sat 10th Nov • 6.30pm Legacy UK Foo Fighters Dubioza Kolektiv The Damned Mon 31st Dec • 10pm Sat 29th Jun Sat 1st Dec • 6.30pm Sat 10th Nov • 11pm Switch NYE 2018/19 The AC/DC Experience It’s A Gee Thing Better Than Never: Wed 27th Nov • 6.30pm ft Macky Gee, Jamie Duggan, The Final Show ft Andy C (Midnight Shapes and K Motionz + Luke Rainsford Set) Electric Six

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