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A WHOLE SUMMER OF FESTIVALS REVIEWED PiL AND BAND OF HORSES: LIVE EVERYTHING EVERYTHING & CHARLATANS REVIEWED TALKIN’ KEYBOARDS WITH KEYBOARD CHOIR DEAD JERICHOS WELCOME nineteenpoint Exceptional quality graphic design for print and online.

You might have noticed there hasn’t been an OMS for some time (since April) but I’m glad to tell you…it’s back! The gap was caused by the previous editor and publisher Darren Brinham, who started OMS, moving away from the area, and my very best wishes go with him. I’m pleased to let you know that OMS will continue with myself as editor and publisher. • Web design A big ‘cheers’ to everybody who has sent messages of support, and • Music packaging to all the writers and photographers for sticking with it. • Poster design Hope you dig the new look… • Logos Much love from Stewart & Team OMScene xx • Print & editorial design • Design consultancy • Search engine optimisation • Competitive rates www.nineteenpoint.com

OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 1 NEWS NEWS

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Ute and Little Fish appear at a The Pegasus Theatre in Magdalen Road, Oxford has re-opened after a major refurbishment. new event, The Underground Highlights are a very stylish new café and the fantastic 200 seater auditorium. Their Reins Festival at The Guildhall night is a monthly showcase for under-21 year old musicians. They have a night of Urban MC (undergroundfestivaluk. & DJ sets from Silecta and Unique Soul on 15th October, and on 12th November there is an blogspot.com), just a short hop indie/rock night featuring The Vibe, Octopus Wire and David Speaking. Acts interested in away in Gloucester, on the appearing should visit www.pegasustheatre.org.uk for more details. weekend of 25 –26th September. An impressive lineup includes Pulled Apart By Horses, The Joy The Common Room is a two-day and night event at The Jericho Tavern, featuring mostly up-and- Formidable, Stagecoach, Talons coming Oxford bands and a sprinkling of out-of-towners on 4 –5 December. The Scholars, Ute and Islet. Ute have a new (pictured), Dead Jerichos, The Epstein, Minor Coles, Sonny Liston, Alphabet Backwards, Our single out in October. Visit Lost Infantry, Damn Vandals, Band of Hope, The Yarns, www.myspace.com/utetheband Mountain Parade, Samuel Zasada and Huck & the for more details. Handsome Fee are playing over the weekend with lots more to be announced. Extra entertainment includes Oxford Contemporary Music George Chopping’s Pub Quiz and Radiohead karaoke. have launched a free download Fifty ‘Early Bird’ discounted weekend tickets, priced and streaming section on their only £8, are on sale now at We Got Tickets. Glastonbury Emerging Talent website www.ocmevents.org so Winners 2010, Ellen and the you can get hold of a selection For those that like to go to the extremes of the pantheon we call the music world, have a look Escapades, the folk/poppers of recordings from their eclectic at Dr Slaggeleberry ’s You Tube Channel www.youtube.com/user/DrSlaggleberryUK. The band, from Leeds (www.myspace.com/ live events programme. There are described as a ‘brain bending, schizophrenic, instrumental ear cacophony’, are now managed ellenandtheescapades) appear Magic Numbers head to the O2 Academy on 8 October following a sold out show at the Jericho live tracks from the Nature Boy by a PR and management firm, Invisible Hippo, who specialise in all things extreme. The band at The Bullingdon Arms on Tavern late last year. Danny & The Champions of the World appear in support. OMS last spot - (worth the visit alone), Setsubun are working on a new release for Crash Records for 2011. Thursday 18 November. ted Romeo & Co. at the , delivering an impassioned ‘Love Me Like You’ to Bean Unit who comprise three Support comes from Oxford’s a members of Bellowhead, and own emerging talents The sun-drenched crowd, so we’re looking forward to this date. The Numbers have a new out, there is a set by local folk Yarns, with more acts TBA. The Runaway , and as a taster there’s a free download on their MySpace page (www.my - troubador Helen Pearson. Last Chance, who hail from Watch out for some entertaining The Epstein launch their new EP featuring the single ‘Held You Once’ on 16 October at The Bicester (www.facebook.com/ blogs on myspace and Facebook Jericho Tavern in Oxford. Support comes from Reid Morrison’s Treetop Flyers and Wallingford’s lastchancerock), a folkish rock from haunting, deep, dark Band of Hope. The tracks from their single are being mixed by Hugo Nicolson, who engineered band, reached the regional final of gospel and blues outfit Huck & Radiohead’s In Rainbows . They will also be appearing live on Bob Harris’s show on Radio 2 in the Surface Unsigned competition the Handsome Fee, who are October and will be playing shows up an down the country throughout October and November. (interested bands should visit embarking on their DIY six-week www.surfaceunsigned.co.uk), tour of the US. They’re blazing a and played the O2 Academy trail though Washington, The Scholars have recently finished shooting for a feature film called Turbulence , which was Birmingham. California, Arizona and Nevada named after their debut single. Chris Gillett from the band told OMS ‘it is an indie-comedy playing bars, clubs, cafes and (think Friends meets High Fidelity ), where our frontman, Adrian, plays one of the main charac - Oxford Music Blogs (OMB) is a barn dances. The band will ters, with his storyline heavily featuring the band and our music.’ You can find out more about new website that launched also try to hold their own in the movie at www.turbulencefilm.com. The band are auditioning for drummers and should be recently, with daily news, views, their spiritual home, New back to a full line-up soon. videos and interviews featuring Orleans. They’ll be back for local music and national tour - a homecoming show with Truck’s new SXSW-style multi-venue festival OX4 is back on Cowley Road on Saturday 9 Octo - Folk singer Kate Rusby , known as ‘The Barnsley ing acts coming to Oxford. It’s Borderville at The Wheatsheaf ber. Aiming to raise money and awareness for Oxfam, this year it features hip new Mancuni - Nightingale’, appears at the New Theatre on Sunday another addition to our thriving on Saturday 9 October. ans Everything Everything at the Academy, and US outfits Abe Vigoda (pictured) and Someone 26 September. A big date for folk-lovers, she was local infrastructure and you Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, with Scratch Perverts scheduled for The Regal. Local bands play - named as one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century should check them out at For the most up to date ing OX4, which starts at 2pm and runs til 3am are, Winchell Riots, Fixers, The Half Rabbits and and was nominated for 1999’s Mercury Music Prize for www.oxfordmusicblog.co.uk. and informative gig, club Hreda, with plenty more to be announced. ‘Early Bird’ tickets are on sale now priced £15 (going her second solo album ‘Sleepless’. Be sure to leave feedback on the and pub listings visit up to £20). Visit www.thisistruck.com for more details. articles for them. www.dailyinfo.co.uk. 2 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 3 NEWS EQUIPMENT the oms equipment pages a r t o h l a M

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p DJ Nelly B Page’s S n e Trashy Top 10 B 1 Fatboy Slim – ‘Praise You’ 2 Reef – ‘Place Your Hands’ 3 The Strokes – ‘Reptilia’ 4 Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx – ‘Gold Digger’ 5 – keyboard choir ‘Always Like This’ 6 – ‘Telephone’ What do you take with you exactly a classic, but its a matter of saving my of money, there’s a lot to 7 Vampire Weekend – to a typical gig? 1980s 4-operator FM pocket money and be said for buying a cheap ‘Cousins’ Yamaha DX21 synth, synthesis does have a harassing my parents until netbook computer and a 8 Plan B – ‘She Said’ Yamaha CS2X synth, unique character. It taught I finally got my hands on USB controller keyboard. 9 Roxy Music - ‘Let’s Stick Korg N364 synth, Korg me a lot about making my first keyboard. Together’ Big Ten Inch is Skylarkin’ Aidan Larkin’s rockin’ new bi-monthly session at The Cellar in Oxford Triton synth, Micro sounds. I still use one as my Where do you do your 10 The Contours – ‘Do You and The Book Club in , with a wild music policy which he describes as ‘Whoopin’, Korg synths x3, Korg main synth, usually with Why keyboards and not shopping for gear? Love Me’ hollerin’, REAL rock ‘n’ roll, SCREAMIN’ r&b, 50’s jump-blues, swing, ska, skiffle, shuffle, DW8000 synth, Korg very liberal doses of FX. drums/bass/guitars? Seb: Oxford wins. We love handclap, gospel, jive, 60s beat and misbehaviour’. September 17 has Original Rabbit Foot MS2000R synth, Korg James: Mine was a Korg Seb: Drums and amps are the Music Box on the Spasm Band along with Greg Butler of the Shellac Collective who plays all original 10” 78s. Aidan Larkin’s KP2, Kaoss pad, Korg Triton – I still use it today. much heavier than Cowley road. Legendary. Aidan said of the London night ‘A lot of people come dressed up from the 40s and 50s; we get KP3 Kaoss pad, Boss My mum bought it for keyboards and have far PMT on the Cowley road a few grizzled rockabillies and old punks, mod scenesters all suited and booted (Dexy’s Mid - Big 10 Inch Top Ten SP303 Dr Sample, playing around with but I fewer flashing lights, have also flogged us many night Runners’ Kevin Rowland and Andrew Weatherall are among our regulars), celebs like 1 Bullmoose Jackson – Novation SL64 keyboard, appear to have buttons, knobs and an item of music gear. Stephen Merchant have been known to put in an appearance, and plenty of gorgeous gals.’ BTI ‘Big Ten Inch Record’ Macbook running Ableton commandeered it. I’m not switches. Musically, the Otherwise, it’s the internet. are 2 Etta James – ‘In The Live, plugins from Camel sure why my mum bought reason for having a group offering free entry for a year to the best-dressed Oxford clubber at the September 17 night, so Basement’ Audio, GForce, Ohm Force, a keyboard that is typically of five keyboard players is What’s the rarest or most 3 Jesse Powell – Korg and others. MOTU used for the composition because of the textures we prized item you’ve got? Get Your Geek On is a night for new and upcoming electro sounds at Baby Simple. Next one is ‘Walking Blues’ Ultralite audio i/o, of pop hits in studios, but want to create. Synths and Seb: I don’t think we own a Freshers party on Friday 24 September starting at 10pm ‘til 4am featuring Boogaloo Crew 4 Jesse Allen – ‘Lets Party’ assorted distortion, delay there you go. For a while electronics exist in their anything particularly rare (Trouble & Bass), Matt Fear (Moored in Miami), Night Flight (Jac the Disco), Angus Cowen (Free 5 Oscar McLollie & etc. fx and stomp boxes, I found it incredibly own sound space. It’s nice or prized. I’ve got an iPad range) and Angie Walters (Wax On/ Wax Off). Only £2 on the door. Jeanette Baker - ‘Hey Girl, Mackie VLZ3 mixer. difficult to use; the to be able to play with that I use to control Hey Boy’ interface isn’t really built these textures in real time Ableton Live via South London’s 22 year old pop/rap sensation Patrick Chukwuem Okogwu Jr. aka Tinie Tempah , 6 Betty James - ‘I’m a What was the first for live performance. with other musicians rather TouchOSC – pretty cool who topped the charts with ‘Pass Out’ and then ‘Frisky’ plays the O2 Academy on 16 October. Little Mixed Up’ keyboard you got? than the more usual if you’re on the geekier His new single is out at the end of September, ‘Written in the Stars’, and the album The Disc-Overy 7 Hipbone Slim & the Knee Seb: For me, it was a Casio How did you get into approach of layering end of the spectrum. follows soon after. Tremblers – ‘Eye of the SK1, a tiny no-fi sampling keyboards? things up in the studio in Storm’ keyboard. It was surprisingly Seb: As a child, I was splendid isolation. How do you define your 8 The Bobby Fuller Four – A new monthly club night YOOF , which launched in July at The Cellar with this issue’s cover stars powerful for what it was – fascinated by anything that specific roles in the band? Dead Jerichos and Egyptian Hip Hop, hosts the first date of the Yuck tour, who formed out of ‘I Fought the Law’ looping, envelope control, had lots of knobs, buttons You’re buying your first Seb: Obviously there’s a lot the ashes of the, now defunct, Cajun Dance Party. Fixers are the support on Sat 2nd October. 9 Chuck Wood – primitive additive synthesis, and switches. Once I keyboard – what will you more crossover than you’d ‘Seven Days Too Long’ two part sequencer, classic discovered that those buy? get in a band with a 10 Evelyn Freeman – Travie McCoy , former Gym Class Heroes front man, hit the big time recently when his jaunty pop Casiotone drums; it’s very knobs, buttons and Seb: Whatever’s cheap, guitarist/bassist/drummer ‘Didn’t It Rain’ missive ‘Billionaire’ reached No 3 in the charts. Interestingly, he had to bin 80% the album he popular with circuit switches could be used to available and sounds okay. lineup, but very broadly: recorded before that, and start again, because it was too gloomy. He’s gone to the other extreme benders nowadays. My first change and manipulate Probably a Micro Korg. I tend to go for epic, now, with some incredibly catchy pop, and visits the Academy courtesy of SPC Live on Thurs - For the most up to date and day 21 October. informative gig, club and pub ‘proper’ synth was a rather sound in really cool and For the getting best/most widdly lead lines and listings visit www.dailyinfo.co.uk used Yamaha DX21. Not interesting ways, it was just sounds for the least amount sample mangling. 4 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 5 EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT the oms equipment pages

Alex often plays the more using a single finger. Any pedals or effects units modular synth modules way huge piano-y parts. James plays Playing the same melody or packages or samplers and an SSL Matrix. Way huge is a division of Jim Dunlop, most famous for the Cry Baby pork l a lot of the more synthy on something like the etc you particularly And somewhere decent- p Wah, but also producers of the MXR series of effects as well as a lot of oin melodic parts. Guy plays a violin is going to require a recommend? sounding to put it all. guitar accessories. The Way Huge pedals are pro level effects with true £139 (rrp £169) lot of the basslines. Ady lot more physical dexterity Seb: Distortion pedals bypass and large coloured enclosures. The Pork Loin is a soft clip availabl o e from triggers loops and samples and co-ordination. On the generally are always good Tell us about what the injector, basically an overdrive with the option to blend in the effected oxford guitar and tries to keep things in other hand, you can get – brings out the dark side future looks like… signal. When I tried it out the overdrive was fairly low level, producing gallery order. Everybody plays a into the whole technical in the most polite and Seb: Using gesture h a similar effect to the early part of a tube screamer, but looking at the lot of everything else, pads, side of keyboarding if you bland keyboard sound. (wiggling your finger manual there are internal trim-pots that can be used to adjust the overall gain. The clean blend dials in a mix between the original signal textures, noise and so on. want to, and this requires a Kaoss pads – rather good around a pad) to control s

very different sort of for sampling on the fly and sound is really cool as the and the overdrive, which allows the guitar to cut through a busy mix more easily while still allowing the overdriven sound. What are your musical learning to that needed to sound mangling. Ableton success of Korg’s Kaoss ’ influences and is there become, say, a drummer. live – essential. pad shows. This type of any particular record or intuitive gesture control is Pros: Well made, reputable effects. Good tonal range. anyone’s sound you’ve Can you play any other How thrifty are you with going to become n Cons: Fairly low-level overdrive. Few controls inside. tried to emulate? instruments? equipment? ubiquitous – think about i Seb: Post-rock bands like Seb: Yes, we all play other Seb: We’re pretty thrifty on mobile phones and things When we went to Music Box for the last issue we tried a ukulele, this Godspeed You Black instruments to varying the whole – we have a like the iPad. There’s k md time it’s something around the same size, but it’s taken slightly more a 25 satin Emperor and Mogwai levels – guitar, bass, couple of new bits and already some really seriously. This mandolin is extremely simple in both looks and features. finish mandoli were a big influence when accordion, drums… bobs, but a lot of our gear interesting things n l It is purely acoustic, completely unbranded, and the satin finish makes it £75, a we started out; we wanted is old enough to be a bit happening, with people vailable seem like it is bare wood, which may be an aquired taste. However, the to make an electronic Any brands you always go obsolete, but not old coming up with from music box MDA 25 plays better than most branded models on the low end of the version of those massively for? enough to be vintage. instruments with new and a price range. The action and intonation, usually bad on lower cost layered slabs of sound. Seb: Without any conscious unique ways of playing

t instruments is pretty much spot on, and the instrument plays great. At Similarly, artists like thought, we seem to have How do you get the best them. Touchscreen trumps £75 it would make a great addition to any folk multi-instrumentalist’s collection, especially those Spiritualized, Ride, Pink acquired a massive amount drum sounds? mouse and keyboard for with an idea of violin tuning, which is the same. However those with large fingers may want to Floyd and Eno have been of Korg stuff. They should Seb: Drum sounds can be pretty much any hands on look at something with a large scale length. huge inspirations. sponsor us. Or we should pretty much made from control. The iPad also buy shares. anything, from found points to a future where Pros: Cheap, well made instrument. Any stories from the past sounds such as lightning computers will be far more Cons: Looks may put some people off. that pointed the way to Do you sample live strikes, machinery and user-friendly and intuitive, m l o t your current music career? instruments? creaking doors, through allowing us to get directly a r r c f

Seb: I realised music had a Seb: Non-electronic processed casiotone beats, to the cool stuff without

a The Roland Octopad is a mix of a drum machine, a set of drum pads o r e lot going for it when I instruments? Only to some nice fat 808 and having to think about all l

e and a performance sequencer. The drum machine part consists of a fair roland o h ctapad discovered that the music indirectly. We have a sort 909 samples. We really like the boring computer-y and r g amount of percussion sounds including real kits, electronic drum sounds

e £ u 529, a n vaila teachers turned a blind eye of manifesto that says we using the warping in technical things like C: and a range of tuned percussion, bass and synth sounds. It is however ble h o o fro to people sneaking into the shall only use found Ableton live to make drives and installation t m p y mt

slightly let down by the lack of sampling capabilities. Each of the pads

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music department to skive sounds. So we won’t rhythmic loops from odd paths. We’ll have the f n is touch sensitive and has a slight range of sounds depending on how it s i o

i PE lessons. Plonking sample live instruments for bits of textures and power and flexibility of is hit, such as snare rim shots and hi-hat open and close. The sequencer r r around on an old piano in a specific piece, but any atmospheres. current computers, but s o h r is the main selling feature here. It allows 3 tracks to be recorded from f e a nice, warm room seemed recordings we happen to with the directness and c

the pads, with a different instrument set on each. It does seem slightly b more spiritually enriching have lying around are Which are the best tactile and intuitive k h strange to start with, but is fairly quick to get used to. In the short time o m than cross-country running considered fair game. Most keyboards that you’d like qualities of dedicated t i

o playing with it I managed to get a few layered phrases going using all a

in January. of our samples are heavily to get? hardware. l w

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three tracks and different instruments, and looking through the manual , o edited and processed, and Seb: If money were no c p there are far more advanced features, including midi in and out for t /

Do you think learning triggered live as loops and object, I’d start with an o keyboard 5 running or sync’ing to a computer or other hardware, and there’s the option to choir’s r r emix of h

keyboards is easier or shots. We also resample Eigenharp Tau, a Haken 2 a sto rnoway’s ‘i saw y s add pedals for a kick and hi-hat. ou l harder than other things when we’re playing Continuum, a new blink’ c e an be heard at c a g i instruments? live, sampling stuff we’re MacBook Pro, an Eventide www.myspac Pros: Easy to get started. Good sounds.

e r .com/ s t Seb: Well, you can play a playing into a Kaoss pad H8000, a Bricasti M7, i keyboardcho u ir o Cons: Fairly niche idea. No sampling. p h m melody on a keyboard or Ableton. a couple of racks of s 6 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 7 FEATURES FEATURES Sophie’s Welcome to our short series looking at people behind the radio gaga scenes – the ones that put the bands on the stage, make let’s go down them sound right (often), and give them something to We’ve just launched a new radio station – it’s stand on and play through. It’d be a bit quiet without them… exciting and it all feels brand new but there’s a never ending list of the studio things to do, from martin newton from 101 studios, kidlington writing the imaging (the bits in between the the songs), to picking a new playlist, to making sure How long has the studio but it’s up to the band what What’s your favourite band the RDS is right so that been going? they want really. I don’t get to work with? the little display on the 5 years. lo-fi – what’s the point in Okay – who to upset this backstage radio player in your car spending all that time time… erm… you’re my or at home says the right Tell us about your studio setting up and recording favourite – but don’t tell station name when you in 30 words just to make it sound like the others. tune it to 107.9 FM. Small… but well equipped. you recorded it with one The station’s had Everyone keeps coming mic in a bedroom? What’s great about the area many names; from back so we must be doing Oxford music scene? ben cox from origin technical Oxygen and Fusion to something right. How do you kick back Too few things. Don’t get Passion and its most after a session? me started. But there are productions (otp) recent incarnation, no What’s your favourite bit Coiling leads is quite some incredible bands and name to speak of, of kit? therapeutic. incredible performers out FM107.9. But now Kettle. there – if you know who you Describe what you do Would you recommend side of the stage? Video time being told to ‘stop there’s a new name, a What’s the best local pub are – it’s probably not you. Sound reinforcement, what you do to others? projection? We can be looking up’, and going to a new sound, and a whole Do you favour recording everyone goes to? lighting, staging; all the Yes, of course, but you involved right from the club is just like working at new feel for Oxfordshire bands all together or This is Kidlington… What’s the best local gig technical production. must have an attitude that early planning stage or at a student night with all the and it’s called glide fm. separately? you’ve ever been to? We like to think we are a ‘the show must go on’ – the end to sort a specific kit covered in what we like Now that Heart have The most important thing Any funny anecdotes The National – downstairs good choice to talk to first after all there is nothing technical need. to call ‘club juice’. I just slipped out of is to capture the moment. from sessions? at The Zodiac playing to about anything you need I love more than building prefer a quiet pub or good Oxfordshire, glide fm, If that means doing Katherine Hieronymus 50 people. for an event, for one night a stage on wet grass in What’s your favourite bit restaurant. and its sister station everything at once – we’ll and The Spider – that girl or a month. the rain… of kit? Jack FM are the only do it. We don’t have a huge can scream! Oh, and the Tell us about the future in It has to be our new Any funny or unusual commercial stations live room, so sometimes dance band drummer in his terms of recording? How did you get started, Any bands you worked on Avolites Pearl Tiger, but as stories? that are truly local to this is not practical. late 80’s – lives nearby – who Recording will get even and how long have you that you are a fan of? a close second it’s got to be We were involved in the Oxfordshire, came round and offered to simpler – and even been in the industry? I was monitor engineer my adjustable spanner. creation of a temporary broadcasting 24-7 What’s the best give The Rock of Travolta’s cheaper. Everyone will I got involved with both for The Pigeon Detectives beach volleyball court for a from Summertown. album/track that’s been drummer a lesson in think they are an engineer lighting and sound during the other month as a How do you cope with the local festival. The court We do radio the old recorded in your studio? counting to four: “He keeps – or a musician – because my school and college freelancer and it was a long and unsociable hours measured 8m x 16m and school way, with old It’s a toss up between Fine on adding extra beats”. they have an iPhone app. years. If someone wanted very enjoyable gig. attached to event work? required 28 tonnes of school values, and the Lines (The Rock of True genius will drown in to run a school band night, The unsocial hours don’t bunker sand. That focus is on the listener, Travolta) or Heart of Any particular moments of the festering swamp I was usually the one We’re thinking of starting really bother me, after all certainly isn’t one of our not the pounds in the Stone (Witches) or A genius/inspiration/legend technology has created. spoken to first. a big outdoor event – in this line of work they standard hire items! bank – and we think that Moment’s Silence (My that have happened in Oh… sorry… that’s now, where do you step in? can’t, but for a perhaps Friend Rachel) or… so your studio? isn’t it. It’ll get worse! What training did you do? As early as possible more honest answer you makes us pretty special. contact many to choose from. I will never get over Huck I am currently a student at preferably, so we can really should ask my ben’s company I’d love to know what origin technica and the Handsome Fee To get i Glamorgan University contribute creative ideas girlfriend! l you think of the new n touch with productions on Lo-fi or sumptuous and recording their song and fi reading a Bsc in Live Event and production values. A station. Drop me an nd out more 01865 858107 or e- about 101 mail e-mail at sophie.bruce@ well produced – what’s ‘Christine’ for the first time Studios, visit Technology, but the best stage and canopy perhaps? How do you kick back? ben@origintechni www.stud cal glidefm.co.uk. your preference? – one hour set up, five io101.org.uk training I’ve had is doing An automated lighting rig? Certainly not by going to productions.co.uk My preference – HUGE – minutes recording, done. the job itself every day. Perhaps a line array either gigs, I spend too much 8 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 9 FEATURES FEATURES Rob Power meets Oxfordshire’s new upstarts round their way… Pictures by Harry B Wade

us stops can look pretty untamed energy that only your typical lads that don’t Bthreatening when the under 20s can really go to see guitar bands,” they’ve been annexed by a muster. chips in Sahm, baby-faced bunch of Fred Perry-clad “All the songs are about bass player and rock solid likely lads. As you drive round here,” says front foil to Craig’s manic, into Drayton, you’d be man Craig Evans. “It’s not squalling riffs. “The forgiven for thinking that just about fighting though; Oxford scene is quite posh. the slightly battered I’m really proud of where There are a lot of example before you had I’m from. When we were awesome bands but it’s been completely little bastards, we used to quite an upper class sort of commandeered from its drink Strongbow and that, scene. We sing about the daily duties for some other, and there was a streetlight things that no-one else is darker purpose, probably down there where we used singing about…” involving mainlining cider to play our tunes. We’d just In fact, what the Dead or sniffing fertiliser. hang around here ‘cos we Jerichos are currently With its nicely had nowhere else to go.” about is relentless writing, manicured gardens and Channelling the spirit of self-recording, an endless quaint village church, this a young Weller, running stream of gigging that has isn’t exactly a haven of wild with a schizoid delay already included Truck activity for kids looking for unit and a Tele, Evans’ and Cornbury. “There are something a little bit more songwriting has been the a lot of good unsigned stimulating than a swift fuel that has propelled the bands in Oxford, and we half in the local. Boredom can be a terrible thing, but “we sing about the in Drayton it’s given us the Dead Jerichos, and they’ve things that no-one had enough of loitering with intent. else is singing about…” Just about old enough to drink the beers on their Dead Jerichos to where just put ourselves out own rider, they’ve rocketed they are now. “We get there,” continues Leo. out of their suburban students watching us, and “We’re the prostitutes of nightmare with a with a lot of them they the Oxford music scene. distinctive brand of spiky, don’t like it at first,” he We’ll play anywhere, put delay drenched, new wave says. “There’s people our posters up anywhere, noise that has seen them go bundling and shouting, and shout at people on the The Sound of the Suburbs from hopeful schoolboys to and they come and see us street about our band. We the next big thing in a again to see if they can like doing things that are a matter of months. Joined understand it, to see what bit different.” at the hip, together since the buzz is about.” With an EP out now, a school and more like “We’re trying to relate to batch of songs that are brothers than band mates, people that don’t go to gigs already live favourites look Dead Jerichos they radiate the sort of really, local people, just set to confirm their place 10 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 11 FEATURES

& PRESENT

Plus guests Dawn Landes & the Hounds Thursday 07 October FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER at the top table of Oxford’s said “One of the girls at action against it. ‘Too Late’ Singing it as they see it, OXFORD TOWN HALL TicketsOxford available from: Town 08713 100 000Hall 0844 871 8803 / KILILIVE.COM alt-tickets.co.uk • wegottickets.com bands and further bolster work was chatting about is about getting pissed up there are few, if any, bands NEW ALBUM MAYHEM OUT 6th SEPTEMBER Evans’ reputation as a one of her old mates who and then, well, I was a bit around Oxford that feel as New album ‘So Runs The World Away’ out 23 August. www.imeldamay.com www.joshritter.com By arrangement with CAA By arrangement with Neil Oʼ Brien Entertainment songwriter with a keen eye went out with one of the of a knobhead to my relevant and vital as the for the details of small- Sackys. He was a proper girlfriend one night, I rang Dead Jerichos at the Sunday town life. “We’ve matured animal; he ripped the head her up and I was moment, and at this rate 24 October a lot with the EP,” says off one of his dogs. Sackys hammered. You know it’s only a matter of time PLUS GUESTS Craig. “The first song is are from Saxton Road, when you wake up in the until the rest of the Oxford ‘Space and Sound’, which which is an area that’s got morning and think country reaches the same is about being different to a bit of a reputation round ‘what did I do that for’? conclusion. Regal your mates. I’ve always here. Anyway, he was Anyone can relate to 01865 241 261 kililive.com dressed differently and felt getting into fights all the that. When you wake up alt-tickets.co.uk HEAR DEAD JER a bit out of it round here.” time, and he used to beat in the morning and feel ICHOS AT New Album ‘The Family Jewels’ WWW.MYSPACE out now on 679 SUNDAY 05 DECEMBER OXFORD THE REGAL Also on there is ‘She Says up his girlfriend so I wrote really sick ‘cos you’re .COM/ 0844 871 8803 / kililive.com DEA myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds DJERICHOS marinaandthediamonds.com NEW SINGLE ‘TRY THIS AT HOME’ RELEASED AUGUST 2ND the Word’. Craig, explaining about that. ‘She Says the thinking about what you TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM POETRY OF THE DEED OUT NOW ON XTRA MILE / EPITAPH In association with X-ray the meaning of the lyrics Word’ as in, she takes did last night.” frank-turner.com • myspace.com/frankturner • xtramilerecordings.com 12 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 FEATURES FEATURES o t o

for lunch in a garden M

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centre, and spent half an n h o hour looking at water J features and bird feeders.

What do you do between soundcheck and stage time? Mark likes to go on the quiz machine, and one time we played Jenga.

Band focus Favourite venue? In Oxford probably the Cellar. Out of town, probably The Cube in Mountain Bristol. It’s like a cinema crossed with a theatre!

What’s the best gig you Parade ever played? WHAT’S IN YOUR RECORD COLLECTION? Supporting Jeffrey Lewis in Northampton in a disused TALKIN’ ALL THAT JAZZ WITH How did you all meet? What do you love about gig, you feel that the world fishmarket (that’ll be the Some of us went to uni being in a band? is a slightly sweeter place Fishmarket Gallery – Culture Ed) together, some of us used Playing to new people in than when you came in’, to be in another band new cities, visiting M&S in from OxfordBands. Roxy Oxford’s best recording THE ORIGINAL together, some of us just service stations, playing would probably say that studio and engineer? really like pedantry. with other awesome bands. time OxfordBands said she When we play live, Jimmy is “nice”. at the Cellar and Andy at Any bickering between What do you hate about the Jericho usually make you all? being in a band? Worst thing anyone’s everything sound awesome. RABBIT FOOT Only about whether or not Sitting in the back of the written about you? we’re going to be listening car for three hours with a “I seriously wonder if they What inspires you to write to Weezer in the car when cello sitting on top of us. are actually interested in a song? we’re on the way to shows. making children’s music, as We did write one song SPASM BAND Who is the Mountain the level of whimsy in ditties about that episode of First ever show? Parade’s biggest fan? about friendly dragons Rugrats where Chuckie Supporting Calvin Johnson Gareth from Los living in the shower is pretty eats a water melon seed STUART MACBETH – What was the first record hundreds of 45s around. Stuart: Information Blues by from Beat Happening. We Campesinos likes us! scarifying for an adult.” and a water melon grows PIANO/VOCAL you bought? I used to be obsessed with Roy Milton on Speciality. were all really nervous and From OxfordBands. inside him. BUNNY EROS – Bill: ‘Ghost Town’ by The Kid Creole and the had only practised with Do you get any fanmail? TRUMPET/BANJOLELE Specials; I was really into Coconuts so I got the Where do you buy your everyone together the day Sometimes people send us What’s the most What are your plans/ BILL FADDEN – 2-Tone when I was 7! Tropical Gangsters LP. When records? of the show. People seemed nice messages on MySpace. rock‘n’roll thing you’ve dreams for the future? GUITAR Bunny: Marie Osmond’s I was a kid I used to play it Bunny: Charity shops, car to like us. Otherwise Facebook wall ever done as a band? To have a tour where all solo album, This Is The at 78rpm and pretend my boot sales, flea markets and posts are the closest thing Probably carrying our tiny of our venues are Are you vinyl, CD or MP3? Way That I Feel . I had Star Wars Figures were junk shops. For anything Who is best at doing we’ve had. I think so far drumkit up Abingdon Road. hostels. Bunny: All three of the twenty-five cents to pop stars singing the specific, Greg’s Greats in the setlists? we’ve had two of those. We’re not very rock‘n’roll. above but if it’s old jazz, spend at a junk sale in words. I was Han Solo. Foxton, near Cambridge. Anyone who draws Any plans to record? shellac (78s). Hudson, Ontario in 1983, I once went into Ancient pictures for the song What’s the nicest thing What’s the least We’re currently looking for Stuart: I don’t care what it’s and no shame. What was the last record Black Music (record shop names. Once Roxy wrote anyone’s written about you rock‘n’roll thing you’ve a big space to hire so we on so long as it’s rockin’. Stuart: The woman who you bought? in Caledonian Road in one with a blue pen on in the press? ever done as a band? can record some new I love 78s – they’re f*cking brought me up changed Bunny: Neal Hefti’s 1956 London) and asked the blue paper. That didn’t go ‘The fact is that when you On our way to play a show songs. We’re hoping to get loud but they’re a bastard records in jukeboxes for a album The Band With owner just how “ancient” down very well. leave a Mountain Parade in Leeds, we stopped off a church somewhere. to carry around. living so there were always Young Ideas . he got, so he smiled and 14 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 15 FEATURES REVIEWS o t o

hauled a dusty box of jazz you in how to act if there’s M

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78s up from the cellar. ‘Not a Nazi invasion. Puzzle n h o much demand for them,’ records aren’t so rare but J he said, ‘but I like it when they’re amazing. There are people ask.’ several concentric grooves live Stuart: Locally I go to the on the record so each disc Thursday market at plays two, three, four and r

Gloucester Green for even six different tunes. e d w records and Rapture in It’s fucking amazing o B

o e

Witney. When I was a kid I technology – find me an L went to Garon Records in MP3 that can do that. the Covered Market which was fabulous. Right, we’re coming round for dinner, what’s How many records do you on the stereo? think you’ve got Stuart: You’d be bored Stuart: We’re too busy shitless. This is how we listening to them to carry on in real life. count them! You have to leave your What’s the rarest item house in a hurry and can you have? only take one record with Bunny: ‘Let’s Misbehave’ by you, what is it? Irving Aaronson and his Bill: Lou Millet – Slip, Slip, Commanders, from 1928. Slippin In on Republic, (There are those who 45rpm. argue it was never Bunny: My pristine copy of Stuart: Derrick Morgan. skin seems to be crawling produced at all, but they’re Bobby Darin’s 1959 debut Bunny: Cab Calloway. at the memory of Neil confusing it with an album, That’s All . Diamond or Andy alternate take that wasn’t What record inspired you Williams, second time released until the mid-50s What’s your favourite to form the band? round I think it was Elvis – on LP. Fools! I mean, who cover? Stuart: Sugar Pudding by ‘Such A Night’. doesn’t know that?) Bill: Starday SLP250 The Memphis Jug Band. Stuart: ‘We’ll Keep The Bill: Bob Wills and The Diesel Smoke And Dangerous Red Flag Flying High’ Texas Playboys – Tiffany Curves and other Truck Driver What record inspired you Bunny: Louis Jordan’s Transcriptions Vol 1 ; to the best Favourites to pick up an instrument? ‘Beware, Brother, Beware’. of my knowledge never Stuart: This compilation Bunny: My grandmother reissued and I keep seeing called Cylinder Jazz gave me her parents’ 78 of Guiltiest pleasure in the price rising on eBay. 1897 –1924 . It’s an old guy Clayton McMichen and your collection? Stuart: I collect homemade with his ear pinned to the Riley Puckett’s ‘Rye Straw’ Bill: Ted Nugent Cat acetates so everyone is Phonograph while his wife (Columbia label, 1930, Scratch Fever . unique. Some of them play shakes her fists at him. flipside, ‘McMichen’s Bunny: William Shatner’s from the inside out, Bunny: Jackie Gleason’s Reel’) which made me Transformed Man . backwards in other words. Music, Martinis and want to play the violin. Stuart: ‘Pump Up the Jam’ I’ve got an amazing disc Memories . That picture’s Just as well I got a worn by Technotronic. I fucking Jah Wobble and the Nippon Dub Ensemble, 02 Academy recorded on a Presto blank worth a thousand drinks. out Harry James record of love that tune. disc in December ’43 but ‘Two O’Clock Jump’ and Jah Wobble is an ex-P.i.L head (in that he was a founding mem - is the best bloody drink in the world, eh?!” He is a true cockney ber of Public Image Limited) and tonight’s show is nothing if not geezer – and was one of punk’s most violent characters; that he somehow it plays both Who is the coolest person took up the trumpet. Orig inal Rabbit Foot incongruous – an old punk playing music influenced by Jamaica, is now into tea and flower arranging takes some getting used to. ways. If you play it to have ever stared out at Stuart: Jerry Lee Lewis – Spasm Band play Big 10 Inch at with a Japanese band. There is a taiko drummer, a female koto (a But once he hits the bass; it all seems to make sense. outside-in, like a standard you from a record sleeve? Breathless . The Cellar, Oxford stringed instrument – like a zither) player dressed in courtly Japan - The first half is from his new album, the aptly - titled Japan - record, it advertises a Bill: Charlie Feathers. He on 17 September. See n ese dress, a hichiriki flautist and live Zen flower arranging. Oh, ese Dub , but the rest is pure Dub Dub! They do Dawn Penn’s ‘No, meeting of a Horticultural claims to have taught Elvis First dance at your ews pages for our and a bubble blowing machine… No, No’, ‘Visions of You’ and Alton Ellis’s ‘I’m Still in Love With Big 10 Inc Society. But when you play everything he knew and had wedding would be/was? h competition… It all sounds like my last opium dream, and shouldn’t work, You’, and with a nod of his trilby, he’s off. it backwards it instructs a penchant for cheap liquor. Bill: First time round my but it does somehow. Wobble bounds up to the mic to declare “tea, Job done, sweet as a nut… 16 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 17 REVIEWS REVIEWS live r y e a d k c

w D FEST, The Red Lion, Drayton PRISON RULES!, Oxford Castle a o B M

o n e o J L Dead Jerichos have had quite a year – appearing at Cornbury, and Oxford Castle has a long a varied history; once the city’s sole also, surprisingly to say the least, opening Bob Harris’ stage at Truck fortress, then a prison and now a hotel. This hotel doesn’t just after winning the Oxfringe competition, beating Message to Bears provide freshly-pressed linen and overpriced cocktails though; on in the final. So they’ve now started their own mini-festival too. 1 August it played host to fantastic evening of entertainment, Craig Evans, the singer of the band, starting up D Fest mainly to including some of the city’s most promising musical talents. Set in relieve symptoms of “after-Truck Syndrome” – a common feeling of the old prisoner exercise yard, there was a small marquee stage for having nothing else to look forward to. Starting at the smaller end singer-songwriters such as Joe Allen and the delightfully strange of the scale, in a pub garden, he’s not shy about booking some of Aiden Canaday to perform their one-man shows, and The Schol - the best local acts around, and along with a team of locals to ars also crammed themselves in to give a brilliant stripped-back help, the question is… could Drayton eventually become the next set. Samuel Zasada won best marquee performance of the night, a Steventon? An eclectic mix is on show, starting with chilled band really growing in reputation with each passing performance. acoustic music outside from Mark Bosley, If all Else Fails and Lost However, the main stage was where the action was at. Message To Dogs, and building to a sweaty finish, with Empty Vessels and Dead Bears and Ute both take folk into very different territory and seem Jerichos rocking out in the Red Lion pub itself. Yellow Fever was the the likeliest of candidates to win national plaudits in the near fu - youngest band, seemingly following in the Dead Jerichos’ footsteps. ture. The Long Insiders must have loved playing at a prison, just Other acts included Very Nice Harry, Dial F for Frankenstein, as it was getting dark, suiting their studied 50s–style suss and The Scholars and the well-travelled songwriter Trevor Williams. twang to a T, and headliner Charly Coombes provided the big Highlights were Spring Offensive, straight from their recent tour. (sur)name sparkle. Hopefully, Prison Rules will become an annual BAND OF HORSES, 02 ACADEMY The local drunk chap who probably hasn’t ever danced so much in event, his life certainly seemed to agree… (TW) providing the chance for Oxford’s rising stars to put their talents Critics have hardly performed somersaults on hearing the new album Infinite Arms , claiming that the band had become “ster - ile”, “confusing” and “bland”. Tonight’s live performance just proves, frustratingly, that the new songs could have sounded infinitely better on record had the band retained their lo-fi ethic to recording. Not that you’ll get any apologies from the band of course, with the intention always being to make brand Band of Horses a huge one. Just go back to 2006 and you’ll see how much the band has developed, not just Public Image Limited, O2 Academy in terms of personnel but also in sound, both live and recorded. Some things, however, never change. The beards look, as ever, Oxford in 2010 has so far been host to rock’s aristocracy; Lou Reed, perfectly untamed, and their country style is impossible to ignore Patti Smith and Ozzy Osborne amongst others. Now it’s the turn of (denim shirts with gingham decoration=wow), yet Band of Horses not just a National Treasure™ (a title he hates), but one of the have evidently stepped out of their shells as performers. Ben most influential, yet underrated groups in Britain, leaving its mark Bridwell chats facilely with the crowd and even when things don’t on trip-hop, dub, techno and much else. Lydon’s band has gone go too well (forgetting the words to ‘Our Swords’ and struggling through many changes (no Wobble or Leveine now), but the with the vocal range of ‘The Funeral’), they don’t let it get them present line-up provides the kind of apocalyptic backing he so down, smile, share the joke with the audience and get on with it. richly deserves. Public Image Limited arose from the carnage that Tonight sees a healthy mix from all three , and there is no was the Sex Pistols but Lydon still has the power to incite; at one sign that the band have fallen out of love with any of the older point he berates a security guard, almost leading to a stage songs, but honestly; how could you? If anything, the older songs invasion. He has a sense of humour too, at one point breaking have benefitted from the band becoming more accomplished at into a perfect ‘shire bumpkin: ‘C’maan Aahxferrd, yew c’n dew their live sound. ‘Marry Song’, for example, is markedly better, with beddern’n aat!’ the added lashings of lap steel guitar, and ‘Weed Party’ has, Amongst others, they do ‘This Is Not a Love Song’, ‘Albatross’, experimentally, been transformed into a country song worthy of ‘Flowers of Romance’, ‘Death Disco’ an unholy ‘Religion’ and biggest the soundtrack from Oh Brother Where Art Thou ! hit; ‘Rise’. When it all finally grinds to a juddering, mind-bending Despite the luke-warm reviews of Infinite Arms , Band of Horses halt (after a surprise Leftfield track ‘Open Up’), Lydon lingers at have clearly not lost their fan base. Pure song writing brilliance the mic. Is that a slight glistening in his eye? ‘Oxford… thank will always shine through, and that has always been the jewel in you. Really. And that’s from Johnny; from the f*%ing heart!’ Band of Horses’ crown. (TJ) He means it, maaan…! (LB) 18 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 19 REVIEWS live

CORNBURY FESTIVAL, Cornbury Park Nicknamed ‘Poshstock’ due to the presence of a more upper class bands for people to sit in the sun on or dance and jump about at clientele, grungy this is certainly not; Pimms and Waitrose cocktails the front – which many do. Notable performances were Two are more the order of the day here. The line-up is a bit of a mixed Fingers of Fire Water, Les Clochards, Billy Pure, and the fantastic bag of well-respected blues men, bands who are still going but Charly Coombes and the New Breed. Out of all the stages the LT D perhaps were cutting edge 30 years ago – The Blockheads and music is certainly the most interesting and varied and is only TURANAUDIO Squeeze, and a smattering of current, reasonably well-known acts matched on the Sunday by the Oxford Folk Stage. Studio 101 like The Noisettes and The Feeling. Danny and the Champions of the World, whom I was looking Thanks again for doing such Kidlington The day starts well with The Mojo Pins who put in a great open - forward to, have converted a good number of people into bona fide a stellar job on ing performance having won a local ‘battle of the bands’, with lead fans by the end a singeable, soulful, folk-sprinkled set. Fisher - mastering our singer Will Lawson giving it all the rock and roll rasp needed to men’s Friends, all 11 of them, were plucked from obscurity in a two songs make an impact. Noisettes put in a sterling performance. They pub in Port Isaac by the head of Universal Music, who happened John - The Yarns play through some of their favourites, and people are up and to be passing through. And yes, they are, or at least were, fisher - Professional, Independent Mastering in Oxford dancing in the sunshine. Squeeze play a mixture of greatest hits men. They bash through their set of sea shanties and covers and Recording from £100 a day and newer songs, hits such as ‘Cool for Cats’ going down partic - pull quite a large crowd. The Feeling have been away for a while www.turanaudio.co.uk 01865 716466 Evening sessions available ularly well. The evening concludes with David Gray who moves but put in a stellar performance full of huge energy and catchy 5ISQVOTWKITVI\QWVITIVLQV\MZVI\QWVITJIVL[[W]VLJM\\MZ[QVKM!  48-track digital studio through a set including new tracks along with some older favourites riffs and hooks – as well as the odd key change which they do so Great mic selection from his extensive catalogue. He is good, but he doesn’t feel like well, Glen Tilbrook from Squeeze joining them for a couple of num - Huge selection of plugins headline material, being much more subdued in tone than some bers. 32-track mobile recording of the earlier acts. It’s Jackson Browne who headlines the main stage who sums CD duplication and printing facilities The Riverside Stage does a great job of showcasing local and up the festival quite nicely saying ‘this isn’t your usual festival’. DIY/own engineer rates available national talent, and arguably develops the best atmosphere out of He does have a point. You’re not going to be particularly chal - Air conditioned control room and live room all the stages. With its hay bales in front, it has a great mix of lenged musically at Cornbury. If Inspector Barnaby from Midsomer See website for full details and customer list A SILENT FILM, The Cellar It’s been far too long since the last Silent Film hometown gig, and ‘Beating Hearts’ is a real standout track, a dance pop anthem they are taking the rest of the world by storm, it seems. Already big that would have won Eurovision easily! Their sound needs a bit in Portugal, with a Number 1 single and Top 3 album, and they’re more breathing room than the Cellar offered really, as did some of www.studio101.org.uk about to break into the American market as well. Tonight was more us at this point, but we look forward to the second album with of a showcase of new material, perhaps displaying European eager anticipation. Wake up UK – these guys are far too good to 07889 218468 influences creeping into their more established material. Their be just an export. (TW)

20 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 REVIEWS live

WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL, Cheltenham What, precisely, is a boutique festival? It’s not musical obscurity boned indie by giving some office joker in a hideous waistcoat a or even sponsorship by left-leaning broadsheets or overpriced mic: it’s like mid-period R.E.M. gatecrashed by Pat Sharp. The music mags that define things, but a self-imposed intimacy, the Levellers’ folkstival headline set is popular and functional, but implication that the organisers could have sold five times as many Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun have more intriguing folk melodies tickets, but have chosen charm over profit. Wychwood, in the to bash out. handy but uninspiring environs of Cheltenham racecourse, We didn’t want OMS’s visit to Gloucestershire to turn into a certainly has a family-friendly warmth, and falls somewhere West Side Story turf war, but the fact is locals The Epstein are between the village fete ambience of Truck and Cornbury’s comfortably the best act we see. They open with a glacial waft sedentary wine-cooler and canapé air. recalling the Erased Tapes roster, and proceed with a more spec - Wychwood’s music might not be pulse-quickening, but it is tral, delicate version of country than in previous incarnations. Olly solid. The Leisure Society sprinkled their refined pop with cello Wills’ voice is gorgeous and perfectly-pitched emotionally, Jon and flute, sounding at their best like The Divine Comedy, whereas Berry’s bottleneck interjections spice things up, and a new on the BBC Introducing Stage, featuring acts from many counties keyboardist dusts the songs with icy synths and reverbed Twin (generosity of spirit, or tacit admission that there aren’t many Peaks piano. good Gloucester musicians) – hosts a cheery set from spry A local couple explain their love of the festival with tales of fiddle-flecked folk trio Roving Crows. returning laden with new CDs. Perhaps Wychwood is aimed at At the other end of the spectrum, Justin Currie sounds drably professionals and parents who don’t have time to follow trends, like Elvis Costello & the Attractions without the appeal of Elvis but who still want to broaden their horizons. Oh, and a mad Costello or any of The Attractions. The Tunnelmental Experimen - Mancunian rants about the toilets’ cleanliness, as he had mis - tal Assembly are deeply disappointing, ruining harmless big- laid his shoes and gone in barefoot; it’s a good weekend for the o t

metropolis music present o M

y n n h o STORNOWAY J Plus guests RACE HORSES + FOXES!

Thomas Truax/Spring Offensive/Matt Winkworth, The Jericho Tavern

Matt Winkworth, usually seen around the Oxford music circuit play - group is their percussionist; he stands in front of two huge drums ing solo, was accompanied by a sterling band tonight. From French and adds an almost Celtic horror to their, otherwise relatively horn to violin, they suited his music well, adding an extra dimen - delicate, tracks. Delicate until you listen to some of the words; sion of drama and depth. Whichever way you look at it, Matt always one of the lyrics is about a man who is forced to eat the contents delivers a deliriously enjoyable mixture of dark cabaret; musical of his own wallet. theatre at its most Sondheim and Regina Spektor at her most Headlining is Thomas Truax, a man who in a former life TH TH TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER THURSDAY 4 NOVEMBER playful. The highlight of his set still remains ‘4am’, an achingly sad animated for MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch. His macabre creativity FORD tribute to a love that never was. He keeps this one for himself – is certainly on display tonight; he begins the set by burying his O2 ACADEMY OXFORD OX like a true diva of the musical theatre – and performs this solo on head into a massive horn and screaming into it. The reverberat - 0844 477 2000 BROOKES UNIVERSITY his keyboard. ing vocals call to mind either Tom Waits or the gates of hell. Al - 24 HOUR TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 811 0051 | GIGSANDTOURS.COM 01865 484 750 24 HR TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 811 0051 / GIGSANDTOURS.COM New Single ‘Kiss That Grrrl’ Spring Offensive are a brooding folk band from Oxford. The gig though his set occasionally dips into more roots-inflected (dare I & New Album ‘My Best Friend Is You’ Out Now BEACHCOMBER’S WINDOWSILL 4ad.com tonight sees them performing with a different lead singer to usual, say, sometimes alt-country) tones, the weirdness quotient rarely www.katenash.co.uk | www.myspace.com/katenashmusic The Debut Album out now stornoway.eu and also less stage banter. They admit a few songs into the set dips. From chasing down members of the audience, to donning a A Metropolis Music presentation in association with 13 Artists A Metropolis Music presention by arrangement with Coda that they aren’t that good at it. From what I saw, it seemed fine; pair of huge, LED-studded glasses, the guy is unique. He and his For exclusive live announcements and priority booking go to: www.gigsandtours.com they doth protest too much. The most striking thing about the motorized, mechanical drum machine Mother Superior are a real OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 23 REVIEWS REVIEWS live o t o M y n n h o J

Truck 13, Steventon

While not quite having the superstar double punch of / melody-driven Family Machine and Dial F for Frankenstein, namite, clad in a tight silver track suit, as she was struck sud - gigantic mainman drawing blood before stage diving, half Ash (the former now sadly impossible), variety was the name of who blew the place apart before it had properly begun. Most denly by the fact that she was playing in a barn… naked into a terrified audience. Oh yeah! Later on things the game this year. This year’s ‘Stivvie’ extravaganza boasted people arrived on Saturday and there was something for every - Sunday started with hungover campers getting breakfast, chilled with Bob Harris’ favourites The Epstein’s set being Euro-prog, hardcore punk, proper folk, indie/folk, r’n’b, jungle and one. We got to most of the Truck stage, the standout moment trying to keep it down and then losing the battle courtesy of predictably packed and sweet, and ‘90s seminal indie legends Scotch grunge, to name only some of the genres present – the usual watching an entire field doing a jig courtesy of the fabulous Bel - Phantom Theory’s furious set at 11.30. The Dead Jerichos Teenage Fanclub showing they still had it in buckets, their mix of cool household names and up and comers to check out. lowhead, who seemed sharp-clad enough for this farm-bound also rocked early on at the Bob Harris tent. Later on we caught set comprising of much of their new album sprinkled with On Friday night we had the engrossing, laidback, instrumen - hoedown, but wouldn’t be out of place at your local village fete. A Pulled Apart by Horses’ guitarist climbing the speaker stack old favourites, ending with an epic ‘Everything Flows’. Roll tal passages of post-folkers Message to Bears, the groovy and close second was standing next to the foxy dancehall diva Ms Dy - in the Barn before jumping onto the stage, and F*cked Up’s on 14… (LB)

24 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 25 REVIEWS REVIEWS released

100 Bullets Back Dreadzone The Charlatans here with the rattlin’ ‘Thunder Everything Everything River’ from their first album, and Samuel Zasada ‘Man Alive’ ‘A Duty to Yourself ‘Eye on the ‘Who We Touch’ it’s still kickin’ up a mighty storm. Niesen EP and Thy Neighbour’ Horizon’ (Cooking Vinyl) A special mention to Alan (Salvia/XL) Tyler with his damn sweet, ‘No (self-release) (ARF?/Velocity (Dubwiser After 20 years, Easy Kind of Loving’. Alan Tyler This is blistering electro-pop complete Vocally, David Ashbourne has a distinct, eleven albums was doing this kind of Parsons with off kilter time signatures, intricate Recordings) Records) melodic, grainy feel, and the use of and some of the stuff with The Rockingbirds arrangements and bold lyrics. It’s no wonder that their brand of falsetto and close choral harmony from Luci Flynn and Tom Now something To make Dreadzone’s latest, take finest pudding- when everyone else was off their glitch-pop was shortlisted for BBC’s Sound of 2010 earlier this McKibbin on delicate songs such as ‘Pursuit’ make this EP a completely equal parts dance, dub, rock bowl barnets to heads on pills in the early ‘90s, so year; this is the future sound of Britain’s indie scene. Songs such joy to listen to. ‘Omit’ being the most gothic in tone, the sound different; dance- and , sprinkle orchestral have ever escaped the West it’s good to see him still there, the as ‘Photoshop Handsome’ speak to a young generation with noth - is very atmospheric, with finger-style acoustic guitars creat - rock-disco that flourishes, folk, and (mild) Midlands, ‘Who We Touch’ is full ‘Pappy’ of a thriving genre. (SG) ing better to do but waste time vegetating in front of television ing the backbone for the music. ‘Losts and Founds’ keeps a is neither one dubstep to flavour. Then mix of The Charlatans doing what screens. You can’t imagine middle-aged Mancs dancing like more upbeat tempo while still tackling deeper lyrical content, nor the other, but some kind of well with a veteran rhythm they do best, namely, being the Bez to this. Man Alive is the epitome of a rejuvenated youth Scarlett in Mark Ashbourne adding punch with drums where needed. My mutant hybrid. And why not – it section, a legendary reggae Charlatans. 60s-tinged melodies, movement. Everything Everything, Delphic and Egyptian Hip favourite track on the EP is ‘Request’, a funky groove with de - never did Primal Scream any harm. vocalist, a hyper dancehall/hip driving Hammond organs, lush Hop are the Manchester Edelweiss Pirates fighting against a the Wilderness scending counter melodies in Luci’s guitar; refreshing to any We’ve got ‘Anger Management hop MC, hi-tech sequencing and harmonies – it's all here, and Hitler Youth comprised of Twisted Wheel and The Courteneers. ears oversaturated with noise. (TW) Co.’ (have a sip of herbal tea!) extensive touring. Cook (for a though it might not be full of ‘Edible but It begins frighteningly to the unprepared listener – this is not and ‘All These DJs’ (listen to long time), then serve with relish. surprises, ‘Who We Touch’ has British guitar music as we know it –but by the time it nears its end, Suspicious’ techno and buy a guitar), which ‘Eye on the Horizon’ has been its charms. While ’s you are able to bask in the immense craftsmanship on display. The Yarns descends into bleep-crazy ironic five years in the oven; but well nasal drone has always been (Self-release) Intellipunk? BizzaRn’B? It doesn’t matter. This is another ex - hell. ‘Nervousness’ has more worth the wait. The samples are vocal Marmite, here he sounds Despite Oxford’s watertight indie/ ‘Breached’ citing chapter in Manchester’s grand musical history. Just space for the melody to breathe. still present, but generally just the right mix of mellow for rock heritage, many of today’s don’t mention legacy to Everything Everything; they don’t care (Self- release) ‘On’ is like ‘Blue Monday’ on the band has become less The Charlatans’ brand of young guns are drawing from a much for the past, and have their eyes firmly fixed on the fu - acid while ‘Fat Asssss!’ is a about trippy soundscapes and, pyschedelia. Saving the best to different, more traditionalist, well. Having announced their intentions with sensitive ballad… not! It’s while unlikely to ever become last, ‘You Can Swim’ is a gently Scarlett in the Wilderness are of airplay on BBC 6 Music and BBC Oxford actually pretty stonking, with its pure ‘pop’, this represents the reassuring, strangely hypnotic this ilk. It’s not quite ‘folk’, but it is Introducing earlier this year, The Yarns are back with this, a two- Get Cape. exhortation to ‘get off your ass, ‘Zone at their most groovily mess of Brian Wilson harmonies, definitely not of this century – or track single. ‘Opening Song’ has a shy, unassuming, opening, fat ass!’ Subtle… it ain’t. (LB) commercial. (LB) backwards guitar and fuzzed even this country, with Yiddish- which soon builds into a catchy, confident, brass chorus, whilst Wear Cape. Fly out hazy repetition. (RP) style fiddles, Gallic accordion the lovesick ‘Rend’ is a more downbeat, but no less compelling, S/T Dial F for Black Hats and gypsy/pirate vibes abounding. affair. Similar to I Am Kloot, Badly Drawn Boy with a brass It moves from gracefully stately to section, or, yes… Stornoway, this is packed with enough sun - (Cooking Vinyl) Frankenstein ‘Blood Space’/ Various swashbucklingly riotous and back. shine to power up the whole of the Thames Valley. ‘Breached’ It’s been over two years since Get Cape. ‘USA’ ‘Tunnels’ ‘Divided By a Though there is a slight air of is a strong release for The Yarns, one which should persuade Wear Cape. Fly released his/their last long player. The break (Self-release) (Self-release) Common Language’ The Musical about this, it’s all kept more pairs of ears to catch on to their undoubted charms. has given Sam Duckworth time to tour extensively and gather together by the gorgeous, ethereal new lyrical content for this eponymous third album. Having gathered Black Hats (Clubhouse voices of Flora and Hannah and tone and dynamic for the rest of cals. ‘Glastonbury’ is perhaps The album delivers Get Cape’s usual observational a loyal following return with a the tight backing of some very the album; hushed vocals, wist - the highlight of the album, a lyrics over jazz beats, but the time out has permitted Sam through playing double A-side, Records) accomplished musicianship. (LB) ful, conversational lyrics and mournful song of cross-Atlantic to diversify his sound. No stranger to collaborations, the local music ‘Blood and It’s a bit like subtle instrumental flourishes longing with some beautiful you’ll find partnerships with jungle and drum ‘n’ bass scene for over Space’ and déjà vu here The World Is backing up the ever-present harp accompaniments. At some pioneer Shy FX, as well as Senegalese, afro-beat musician two years, ‘USA’ is a long overdue ‘Tunnels’. It’s being released in when the What’s Not Flat! acoustic guitars, calling to mind points the saccharine feel of the Baaba Maal, allowing him to experiment with different debut single for as yet unsigned two limited versions, with Cookin’ series early Iron and Wine records, but album begins to grate slightly musical genres. Dial F for Frankenstein. Full of the tracks in reverse order has charted the ‘To Both Sides, Dear’ with slightly less lo-fi fuzz. but songs like ‘Jericho’ have an Stand out tracks include forthcoming single ‘Collapsing youthful exuberance, it charges and sleeve art to match (the same territory. ‘Passing Trains’ is the most dy - enchanting air of mystery about Cities’, Frank Turner-esque, poppy, sing-a-long experience at you from the start, releasing separate versions only available Some good stuff though, and (Jam Jar Records) namic song on the album, and them and we’re reminded that ‘Queen for a Day’, evil sounding ‘All Falls Down’and ‘Morning its energy through a sing-a-long at gigs.) In true ‘Hats style, both there is local interest with Dusty The World Is Not Flat! is a in that sense was the obvious this is, after all, is an album Light’ which allows Sam to do what he does best, although chorus. A live favourite already tracks display punk energy & the Dreaming Spires’ more- transatlantic folk duo consisting choice for the single but TWINF! about friendship and bridging this time electrically. This is a well thought-out, more diverse because of its catchy, runaway in spades, bags of melody, than-slightly-Charlatans- of American guitarist and singer are at their best when they strip two continents, a point high - offering which should allow Get Cape to continue to spread guitar riffs, ‘USA’ is a worthy shouty bits (of course) and some sounding, re-imagining of Bob Chris Faroe and Roxy from Oxford’s the ingredients down to simple lighted by an instrumental his word even further. (JD) addition to Dial F for Frankenstein’s highly impressive production Dylan’s ‘Girl From the North very own The Mountain Parade. instrumentation and their sound-piece which divides the grungy song base. (JD) work. (LB) Country’. The Epstein are als o Opening song ‘Cranes’ sets the sweet, almost whispered, vo - album into the halves recorded 26 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010 / 27 LISTINGS Please don’t forget to mention Oxfordshire Music Scene when you contact anyone from our listings. Send amendments and new listings additions to [email protected]

Venues Cornerstone Studio 101 Professional Music Technology Baby Simple 25 Station Road, Didcot Telephone: 077889218468 Unit 4 –5, Tynedale House, Cowley 213 Cowley Road, Oxford Telephone: 01235 515144 www.studio101.org Road, Oxford Telephone: 01865 202506 The Living Room Cooz’s Telephone: 01865 725221 Bullingdon Arms 1 New Road, Oxford Castle, Oxford Botley Road, Oxford. www.pmtonline.co.uk 162 Cowley Road, Oxford Telephone: 01865 260 210 Telephone: 07773 533694 Music Stand Telephone: 01865 244516 The Half Moon www.coozes.com 62 High Street, Witney, OX28 6HJ The Corridor 17 St Clements, Oxford Telephone: 01993 774890 119 Cowley Rd, Oxford Telephone: 01865 247808 Record companies The Music Box Telephone: 01865 247519 The Holywell Music Rooms Plastic Head Music Distribution 53a, Cowley Rd, Oxford, Oxfordshire O2 Academy Oxford Holywell Street, Oxford www.plastichead.com Telephone: 01865 204119 190 Cowley Road, Oxford Telephone: 01865 276141 Alcopop Sticks & Strings & Things Ltd Telephone: 01865 420042 The Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building www.ilovealcopop.co.uk Unit 4 Empstead Works, Greys Rd, The Cellar, Oxford St. Hilda’s College, Oxford Big Scary Monsters Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire Frewin Court, Cornmarket Telephone: 01865 276821 www.bsmrocks.com Telephone: 01491 574700 Telephone: 01865 244761 The Perch Inn Vacuous Pop Baby John’s Guitar World The Mill Arts Centre Binsey, Oxfordshire www.vacuouspop.com 10, Cockcroft Rd, Didcot, Oxfordshire Spiceball Park, Banbury Telephone: 01865 240386 Big Potato Records Telephone: 01235 818511 Telephone: 01295 279003 The Malmaison www.bigpotatorecords.co.uk Fine Guitars Café Tarifa 3 New Road, Oxford Castle, Oxford Crash Records 24 Stert Street, Abingdon OX14 3JP 56 –60 Cowley Road, Oxford Telephone: 01865 268400 www.crash-records.co.uk Telephone: 01235 530 673 Telephone: 01865 256 091 Hatfish Music Blackwell’s Music Shop Coven II Recording & rehearsal studios www.hatfishmusic.co.uk 23 –25, Broad St, Oxford, Oxfordshire Oxpens Road, Oxford Truck Studios Telephone: 01865 333580 Telephone: 01865 242770 Telephone: 01235 821262 Equipment/PA hire Courtney Pianos Pegasus E-mail: [email protected] Robert Nisbet High Quality 43, Botley Rd, Oxford, Oxfordshire Magdalen Road, Oxford www.thisistruck.com Sound Reinforcement Hire Telephone: 01865 790400 Telephone: 01865 792209 Farmyard Studios Telephone: 07736 046182 One Man Band The Portcullis Telephone: 01451 605005 www.robertnisbet.com 8–9 White Lion Walk, Banbury, 28 Goldsmith’s Lane, Wallingford www.farmyardstudios.co.uk Flash Harry Enterprises Oxfordshire, OX16 5UD Telephone: 01491 835427 Keynote Studios Telephone: 01865 361521 Telephone: 01295 266788 East Oxford Community Centre Telephone: 01189 599944 E-mail: [email protected] Highly Strung International Ltd Princes Street (off Cowley Rd), Oxford Email: [email protected] Blue Wave Sound Hire 51, Mill St, Wantage, Oxfordshire Telephone: 01865 792168 Prism Music Studios 9, Warmans Close, Wantage, OX12 9XS Telephone: 01235 762000 Freud’s Telephone: 01865 821262 Telephone: 0845 0946534 Bicester Music Centre 119 Walton Street, Oxford Web: www.prismmusicstudios.co.uk Origin Technical Productions 1, Evans Yard, Bicester, Oxfordshire Telephone: 01865 311171 Appletree Studios Technical solutions for live events Telephone: 01869 248841 The Jericho Tavern Telephone: 01865 821262 Telephone: 01865 858107/07786 998867 Dawsons Walton Street, Oxford Web: www.appletreestudios.com www.origintechnicalproductions.co.uk 65, Caversham Road, Reading Telephone: 01865 311775 Warehouse Studios Oxford P.A Hire www.dawsonsonline.com Kiss Bar Telephone: 01865 736411 17, St. Marys Green, Abingdon Telephone: 0800 980 8325 Park End St (nr Park End club), Oxford Web: www.warehousestudios.com Oxfordshire, OX14 1HJ Allegro Telephone: 01865 200555 Coldrooms Studio Telephone: 07881 917279 404 Marston Road, Oxford OX3 0JE Po Na Na Telephone: 07917 685935 Startech www.saxophoneheaven.com 13 –15 Magdalen Street, Oxford Soundworks Recording Studios Unit 4, Electric Avenue, Ferry Hinksey Telephone: 01865 798165 Telephone: 01865 249171 Telephone: 01865 401585 Road, Oxford OX2 0BY. Port Mahon Web: www.soundworks-oxford.co.uk Telephone: 01865 247400 Music retailers 82 St Clements, Oxford Rotator Studios www.startechproductions.co.uk OMN Shop Telephone: 01865 790970 Telephone: 01865 715705 SPG Audio Hire www.oxfordmusic.net Purple Turtle E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Rapture Entertainment Ltd Frewin Court, Cornmarket Street, Oxford The Courtyard Studio ACDisco Unit 12, Woolgate Shopping Centre, Telephone: 01865 247007 Telephone: 01235 845800 Leyshon Road, Wheatley, Oxfordshire Market Square, Witney, Oxfordshire The Platform www.courtyardrecordingstudio.com Telephone: 01865 875519 Telephone: 01993 700567 Witan Way, Witney, Oxon Shonk Studios www.acdisco.com Chalky’s The New Theatre Telephone: 01865 203922 Electropic 78, High St, Banbury, Oxfordshire George Street, Oxford E-mail: [email protected] The Green, Stadhampton, Oxford Telephone: 01295 271190 Telephone: 01865 320760 Decibel Studios Telephone: 07866 740431 HMV Fat Lil’s Telephone: 01460 221541 Profile Video 43 –46, Cornmarket St, Oxford 64a Corn Street, Witney E-mail: [email protected] 23 Gaisford Road, Cowley, Oxford Telephone: 01865 728190 Telephone: 01993 703385 Turan Audio (Mastering) Telephone: 01865 715429 53 –54 Castle Quay, Banbury OX16 5UP The P&A Telephone: 01865 716466 www.profile-video.co.uk Telephone: 01295 265005 Bicester Road, Kingswood, nr Aylesbury E-mail: [email protected] 722027 Henley Records Telephone: 01296 770251 The Purple Room Rehearsal Studio 118 Cowley Road, Oxford 71, Reading Rd, Henley-On-Thames The Wheatsheaf Telephone: 07895 029873 Telephone: 01865 722027 Telephone: 01491 576661 High Street, Oxford E-mail: [email protected] Record Savings Telephone: 01865 721156 Hats Off Studios DJ/disco equipment hire 4, Church Lane, Banbury, Oxfordshire, The Net Telephone: 01993 898620 Dave Seamer Entertainment Telephone: 01295 267378 Stratton Way, Abingdon www.hatsoffstudios.com Magdalen Road, Oxford Astleys Records Telephone: 01235 521469 Studio 45 Telephone: 07939 592732 3, Market Place, Wallingford The 12 Bar Club Telephone: 01865 774806 Telephone: 01491 834349 79 Westcott Place, Swindon www.studio45.org.uk Music shops Counter Culture Telephone: 01793 535713 Fallout Studio One The Oxford Guitar Gallery 130 Desborough Street, High The Brookes Students’ Union Crowdeys, Great Coxwell 9 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2PU Headington Road Campus, Oxford Telephone: 0759 5919 465 www.oxfordguitargallery.com Telephone: 01494 463 366 Telephone: 01865 484750 www.FalloutGroup.com Telephone: 01865 553777

28 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / AUTUMN 2010