ISSUE THIRTEEN / APRIL 2011 / FREE

YOUNGTHE R ETKURN OFN… IVES

STORNOWAY’S RECORD COLLECTION / THE ROCK OF TRAVOLTA WELCOME nineteenpoint Exceptional quality graphic design for print and online. We’ve been really enjoying putting together the Club News pages in OMS for the last few issues. It’s opened our eyes to a whole new world of people and the vibrant club scene that exists in Oxford. We thought about increasing the dance music and electronic coverage in this magazine, but don’t want to compromise the amount of opportunities for covering what we do now. So, we’re excited to tell you that from May onwards, we’ll be producing a new magazine for the area. THE SAMPLER , as it’s called, will run in between the months that OMS comes out, so it’ll be published 5 times a year, just as this one is now. What we really need is to hear from people who’d like to write for it, who live and breathe dance and electronic music, • Web design and want to go out and write about the best club nights, DJs and live • Music packaging acts in Oxford. Drop us a line at [email protected] • Poster design Hope you enjoy the issue… • Logos Much love from Stewart & team OMScene xx • Print & editorial design Next issue out in June • Design consultancy • Search engine optimisation • Competitive rates www.nineteenpoint.com

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email: [email protected] OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 1 NEWS NEWS

We’d love to hear from you – just do a search on Facebook for Oxfordshire Music Scene and join our group, or drop us a line to [email protected]. We are looking for people to help us out – distributors, stockists, writers and photographers are always welcome round news here… Send news on gigs, clubs, tours, releases & updates to [email protected]

BG Records is a new community- Vixens, King of Cats and The If you get excited when you see phrases like ‘hand-drawn’, minded and music Graceful Slicks appearing on 21 ‘numbered’ and ‘limited edition’ when it comes to record project headed up by Zahra May, while 18 June has Phantom covers, here’s something for you. Editions of You is an Tehrani from Baby Gravy. They’re Theory, Spring Offensive, Deer exhibition taking place at the O3 Gallery at Oxford Castle offering a good opportunity for Chicago, Cat Matador and until 24 April, celebrating the culture of musicians who local artists in the shape of Message To Bears. Tickets are create their own artwork and release their own music. There gigs, studio time, tutoring and £5 in advance and include entry will also be live performances by bands and DJs at the workshops on all kinds skills to Propaganda/Trashy/Room 101 gallery, along with discussions on Thursdays 14th and 21st required for a musician includ - afterwards. Vicky Walter from from 6 –8pm. The exhibition will be open Tuesday –Friday ing lyric writing, video-making the Academy, who is running the 12 –5pm, and 11 –4pm at weekends. For full details visit and music industry knowledge. new nights told OMS “We’ve www.ocmevents.org. OCM are also inviting acts to send To get in touch and find out more, seen how big the audience is for original music for their annual OCM Open which, this year, search for BG Records on Face - local music, how good the qual - will be at Pegasus Theatre on Saturday 11 June. book or e-mail ity of bands is, and how keen [email protected] bands are to play on our stage.” o t o M

Foals, who deservedly won the Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, born Rainford y n

NME’s ‘Best Track’ award for the Hugh Perry, now in his 70s, is n h o gorgeous ‘Spanish Sahara’, bringing his live show to The Regal J beating off competition from the on Saturday 4 June. Perry is one likes of Cee Lo Green, Gorillaz of the pioneers of dub, produced and Mark Ronson, have been The Clash, and Rolling Stone announced to play at Latitude named him as one of the top Festival. Other Oxford bands 100 artists of all time. He has appearing are Bellowhead and also been asked to appear at the Former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams appears at The New Theatre on 26 June as part of his Trophy Wife. Latitude is held at Animal Collective-curated ATP solo acoustic tour which will also visit Manchester, Glasgow and The Barbican in London, as well Southwold, Suffolk from Thursday in May. Visit www.the-regal.com as selected cities around Europe. He is currently working on a new with producer Glyn 14 July to Sunday 17 July and for ticket info. Johns, his first since 2008’s Cardinology . Adams once earned a Grammy nomination for his ver - is headlined this year by The Time to start looking at those long-term weather forecasts folks, it’s festival time. The very sion of Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’, but he has been no stranger to trouble and confrontation given his National and Suede. Tom Crook, singer with fine, earth-friendly, Wood , kicks things off in very chilled-out style at Braziers Park in South ‘lifestyle’, about which he said “Without exaggerating, it is a miracle I did not die.” He fell off the Wallingford’s Band of Hope, has a Oxfordshire over the weekend of 20 to 22 May. Wood were lucky enough to have one of the hottest stage into the pit at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool in 2004, breaking his wrist, and his The Phoenix Cinema in Walton monthly 40 minute podcast which weekends of the year last year (emergency ice cream supplies had to be brought in), and they’ve whole UK and European tour had to be cancelled. He also famously fell out with his label Lost Street are looking for local acts, on you can hear at www.editradio.org, resisted the opportunity to expand it, opting to keep in nice’n’intimate. Acts are from the Highway when they deemed his Love Is Hell album “not commercially viable”. We’d wager that a lounge-ish/acoustic tip, to play the most recent of which included folky/acoustic end of things and include Willy Mason, Eliza Carthy, Thea Gilmore, Treetop Fly - this show will sell out. Advance tickets £29.75 (inc booking fee) from www.NewTheatreOxford.org.uk in the café/bar which is located an excellent mix of songs from ers and The Epstein. For ticket info, visit www.thisistruck.com. above the auditorium. They will Iron & Wine, Velvet Underground, Over at Cheltenham Racecourse, the slightly larger Wychwood is on 3 to 5 June. You can be hosting events during Oxfringe Felt and Dusty and the Dream - always be guaranteed a varied lineup which appeals to all ages and tastes here – this year’s Borderville have been speaking to OMS about their plans for their next album, the follow-up to and for the Oxford Jazz Festival. ing Spires. You can catch new headliners are The Charlatans on Friday, The Waterboys on Saturday and Jethro Tull on Sunday. Joy Through Work , which they are due to start recording and producing themselves in June at Rabbit Foot have DJed there and ones from the likes of Ben Mar - Also playing are the Travelling Band, The Epstein, Cornershop and a lot, lot more. See full lineup Vale Studios in Worcestershire. Bat Halliday, the bassplayer with the band told us that the stu - Brickwork Lizards, Desmond wood and Kevin Lawson, who and ticket info at www.wychwoodfestival.com. dio is “a wonderful studio specialising in vintage equipment with all manner of weird and won - Chancer and Mr Fogg have all started edit Radio in 2009, each It’s been confirmed that Cornbury will move from Cornbury Estate where it’s been held for derful contraptions of old.” Of the songs they plan to put down, he added “The album is very appeared previously. E-mail Tuesday. Look out for a guest ap - the last 7 years, down the road to Great Tew on 1, 2 and 3 July. The lineup, which always boasts nearly finished in terms of composition. It is a work based on Franz Kafka’s The Metamorpho - [email protected] pearance from Peter Heffernan the best of the current pop crop, alongside legends from yester-year, this year has the only sis , an oddly humorous tale about a fellow who turns into an entirely different creature. We’re of Pete & The Pirates. Tom is on festival appearance from the Faces (with Mick Hucknall on vocals), Status Quo, Ray Davies, Olly really shooting the works with this one, spanning several genres from speed ragtime to gothic The O2 Academy launches its the lookout for acoustic sessions Murs, Imelda May, Eliza Doolittle and many more. For lineup developments and ticket info go calypso.” We’ve learned expect the unexpected with Borderville – they’re not looking at your new monthly Oxford bands night from local acts – e-mail him at to www.cornburyfestival.com. normal album release and tour. Matt, speaking about future plans said, “The album is a seed called Upstairs on Saturday 21 kidwax@ Steventon’s Truck Festival , taking place over the weekend of 22 to 24 July has a full for a larger body of work with the intention of turning it into an art-film/animation and May and on the 3rd Saturday of hotmail.com. Band of Hope programme on Friday for the first time, new stages and a redesigned site. Former Super Furry eventually a piece for the stage.” If you’d like to get involved with this, the band are looking every month after that. The first meanwhile will appear at Wood at Animals frontman Gruff Rhys has been revealed as the headliner for Saturday, with Fixers, for editors, directors, theatre companies and animators who would be interested in the project ones boast very strong lineups, Braziers Park in May and have just Jonny (featuring Euros Childs and Norman Blake), Cherry Ghost, St Etienne, Johnny Flynn and and in working with them. You can reach them at [email protected]. with Ute, Gunning for Tamar, been in the studio with former a whole host of others playing. Find full lineup and ticket details at www.thisistruck.com.

2 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 3 NEWS club news

Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens will be the special Out To Graze – guest at Propaganda at the O2 Academy on what Techno/House Chart promises to be a wild night on 21 May. Huw champions up and coming acts on his show and 1 Tim Green – ‘Old Sunshine’ has given a plethora of Oxford bands including 2 Tensnake – ‘Coma Cat’ Phantom Theory, Fixers and Stornoway some (Round Table Knights) of their first national play. He also appears 3 Andy Caldwell – ‘Warrior’ regularly on BBC Oxford Introducing with his (Claude VonStroke mix) recommendations of national acts on the way up. 4 Chemical Brothers – Huw started DJing on a hospital radio show in ‘Swoon’ (Blaze Tripp remix) Cardiff and went straight to R1, becoming the 5 Kink – ‘Existence’ youngest ever presenter. Get advance tickets 6 Totally Enormous Extinct from www.ticketweb.co.uk or £6 on the door. Dinosaurs – ‘Dipper’ 7 Boy 8-Bit – ‘Baltic Pine’ (Run Hide Survive remix) Dubstep/d’n’b maestros Dan Stephens and Joe Ray aka Nero land at Jack’d Off at The Regal, 8 Lee Mortimer & Foamo – FRIDAY 1st July saturDAY2nd July sUNDAY3RdJuly Oxford on Saturday 30 April. The duo launched themselves on to the scene with their remix of ‘Superman’ ’ ‘Blinded by the Lights’ while ‘Me and You’ has given them chart success in their 9 Claude VonStroke – ‘Aundy’ own right. For full show details visit www.the-regal.com (DJ Marky & SPY remix) 10 Layo & Bushwacka – ‘Love Story’ (Solo remix) Simple , Eclectric and Get Your Geek On are getting together for a Bank Holiday special at The Bullingdon on Cowley Road, Oxford on Saturday 30 April, running from 10 ’til 4am. A By Simple/Slide’s James mouth-watering lineup features Simple’s James Weston and Em Williams, with special Weston and Em Williams guests, the globe-trotting funky house DJ/producer Roska and Bristol’s rising house star and Delphic remixer Julio Bashmore (aka Matt!). Tickets are £10 in advance. Go to Mod Cons Funk and www.simpleproductions.co.uk for more info. Soul Chart 1 Freda Payne – ‘Band Of Former footballer and current Channel 5 pundit Pat Gold’ Nevin will be DJing at Progressively Less Elephant 2 Chairmen of the Board – on 22 April at Baby Love Bar, Oxford. Pat is a rare ‘Give Me Just A Little beast – a footballer with good music taste and has More Time’ played at the Belle and Sebastian-curated ATP 3 Jackie Wilson – ‘Higher & Festival. PLE runs one Friday a month from 10 ‘til Higher’ 3am, and plays the best indie-pop, electronica and 4 James & Bobby Purify – soul selection. Entry is £4. ‘Shake A Tail Feather’ 5 Martha Reeves & the Vandellas – ‘Dancing In Discord is the weekly mosh at Wahoo! (next to the Glee Club on Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford) every The Street’ Thursday 10pm –2am. Resident DJ Emma Victoria spins an abrasive mix of metal, hardcore, 6 Johnny Jones & The King punk and ska, and all sorts of alternative classics. Go to their Facebook page for details of Casuals – ‘Purple Haze’ guest DJs and occasional live acts. Free entry all night. 7 Edwin Starr – ‘War’ 8 Diana Ross – ‘My Old Piano’ Phat Sessions , the open jam-session at the Cellar which has been running for two years is now 9 Peoples Choice – ‘Do It Any spreading the word in Brighton, as well as Oxford. If you haven’t been down to this popular night Way Ya Wanna’ during which you’re likely to hear hip-hop, Latin, ska, drum ‘n’ bass, reggae and funk, and 10 Harold Melvin & The you’re up for a spot, you put your name up on the blackboard at the start and get up onstage Bluenotes – ‘Satisfaction with house band The Phat Sessions Collective. Take an instrument if you play one, or just sticks Guaranteed’ if you want to play percussion. Resident DJ FU keeps the party rockin’ til 3am. Entry is £3 for Mod Cons twice monthly at performers, £5 otherwise. Go to www.phatsessions.com for the dates. Dukes, St Clements, Oxford sseeee ourour w website:ebsite: ccornburyfestival.comornburyfestivvvaal. l . com &pressfordetails& press for details 4 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT the oms equipment pages the oms equipment pages

trying to find the perfect Do you use a purpose built Prices start from £169 for set, yet had never done so. pick-up winder or an open set or £89 for a

About 18 months ago I something modified to do single, open humbucker. p decided to have a go at the job? Have you always Covers are £10 extra and making them myself and done it this way? aged pickups are priced o after a lot research (and I currently have a second- depending on stress…), I’ve found the hand winder I found on requirements.

sound I’m looking for. I eBay, but I’ve just been h must say I have been very given the motor parts of a How long does it take you fortunate to have spoken sewing machine so I’m to make one? s pmt, oxford

: and met with the true going to make a new thing. I like to be able to make a roland g gurus here in the UK, so set in a morning or ’ r55 for that I’m truly thankful. What is your favourite afternoon but sometimes it guitar synth type of pickup? takes extra time, (£595/£509) lifting the lid on n Can they be done to a A pickup that lets the true depending on the job and

certain spec if someone sound of the guitar come how quickly I’m working. i The GR55 asks you? through; I like a clean, It can be very tedious and is Roland’s Well, yes, in that each bright sound that cuts challenging at times but latest guitar k guitar pickup is made to order through in any situation. the end result is worth it! synth pedal. and I can tailor the sound It comes l to the customer’s request – What’s the plans for OX4 Where have you shipped with two for example, if they want pickups for the future and your pickups to and how options, pickups low or high output, what’s your set-up like at did people get to hear a either as a package with a Roland difference in the bridge the moment? about them? synth pickup which is required to and neck pickups, specific My workshop is the Well I have a few sets t play though it, or on its own to use Think they’re just a bit of winding pattern and speed. and overall character over bobbin colour kitchen table but I’m around Oxford, London, with a Roland ready guitar, such as shiny metal underneath Each bobbin needs at least a mass-produced machine- combination. I also age acquiring more and more Nottingham, Scotland, the Fender Roland Ready Strat. your guitar strings? Well, 5000 turns. wound bobbin. They have pickups if requested. equipment each day, so at France and USA. People The pedal itself looks like any other think again, it’s a whole As I make humbuckers I more ‘flavour’ if you like. However, at the moment some point in the near have contacted me via guitar multi-effects pedal and the world underneath there need two bobbins, so once Alongside this, the I’m only making future I’m going to need YouTube and also through guitar plugs in as normal, except and they define the sound they’re wound I need to components I use are in my humbuckers. my own space. The geek chats with other m with a different pickup and cable. l o t of your guitar. Mark Stow check the resistance, add opinion far superior to the pickups are called OX4s musicians. My website is a There is a wah-style foot pedal that r r c f

from OX4 Pickups insulation, insert poles stock parts you get, which Do you mainly focus on because I developed and currently under is used to control parameters of the a o r e certainly thinks so – he and slugs, connect the all makes a difference on classic designs and styles, made them in my flat off construction but when it’s l sound on the fly while playing.

e h makes his own… bobbins along with the hot the final sound. OX4’s or do you try and make the Cowley Road, so it live I will have sound clips r There are options for lead sounds, g e u lead to the baseplate, and have a warmth, balance things a bit different with would be nice to find small up. A few friends have n pads, sound-effects, percussion h o How do you go about different winding and o

add the magnet, checking and clarity. studio that’s somewhere been road testing some for t sounds and even piano sounds, which y

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making a pickup? polarity etc. magnets? very close by. me. Trevor Keith from f are slightly dis-orientating to play. n s i o

i The first thing is preparing How did you come to start I have different magnets Face to Face has a set, as All the sounds are programmable, r r the start and exit wire for How do your pickups differ making them – was it for different pickup tones: Which guitars suit one of I’m a long time fan. Also s and the menus are easy to navigate to o h r f

sound-wise from the ones frustration with mass- your pick-ups best? e each bobbin. Once that’s Alnico 2, 3, 4 & 5, as well Larry Carlton c edit and save your own sounds. It is

b done, the wire I’m going to you might buy with your produced ones? as different wires and At the moment any (www.larrycarlton.com) is k polyphonic and tracks playing at all h o m use to wind the bobbin store-bought guitar? I’ve always had an interest several winding techniques. humbucking guitar suits trying some out. I’ve spoken t i but shred-speed levels, however, on o a needs to be attached to For starters, a store bought in vintage guitars and As for the humbucker them. Hopefully single to a few local acts and I’m l some patches, bending notes causes it w

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, o this, and then the winding guitar will tend to have amps and have found that design, it’s the same as it coil, P90 and bass will hoping to get something c to jump from one note to another p t / process begins. This mass-produced, factory- pickups on original was in the 50s! However, I follow soon… it’s all in the going soon. (SG) o instead of bending the note that 5 r h

involves the bobbin being made pickups, whereas 50s/60s guitars seem to do have some exciting new pipe line. 2 you’re hearing. a

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l spun round x amount of OX4 pickups are hand- have a certain sparkle to ideas I’m exploring with search e Pros: Great tracking. Good range for ox4 pickups c a g i times on a small motor run wound. A hand-wound them, and it’s hard to find the genius Simon Keats of How much does it cost to on facebook or of sounds r e-mail s t contraption, whilst I bobbin will always have a modern alterative. Over Keats Audio have one of your pickups mar i k@ox4pickup u Cons: Note bends don’t work too well s.co.u o

k p made and fitted? h m control the tension, more dynamics, harmonics the years I have been (www.keatsaudio.co.uk). s 6 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 7 EQUIPMENT FEATURES the oms equipment pages Sophie’s remade guitars, abingdon: The Chimp is a small, 5 watt tube amp with a 6” speaker, using a 6L6, which gives it a big different character from most other similar 5 watt amps. The amp includes a switch to white radio gaga go from 2 –5 watts and an attenuator to increase the amount of tube overdrive when monkey amp – wanted, and knobs for volume, tone and drive. The amp is very portable and gives a the chimp (£190) I’ve been struggling with my hearing since February reasonable enough sound to use for bedroom practice, however it is when it is plugged 2nd at 8pm, the moment I stepped on stage at The through a larger speaker cab that the real sound of the amp comes through; it sounds Regal to address the crowd of hysterical teenage girls or that One Direction themselves sang only a handful much fuller and although at 5 watts there isn’t much in the way of clean, the overdriven waiting to see One Direction. of songs, none of them original. What the audience sounds are great. If you were anywhere near the venue around 10pm, wanted to see were the little X Factor puppies Pros: Can be used through speaker or external cab. Also comes as a separate amp head you would have seen a pretty strange sight – the themselves, all Bieber-hair and tailored cardies. Cons: Inbuilt speaker not great Cowley Road lined for miles on either side with 4x4s, To give the lads their due, they were polite, friendly vintage and Volvos and other plush saloons, and inside a lone and more than a tad overwhelmed by the sound of the Vintage and Modern has recently started stocking American Fenders to go with their modern parent waiting for their tweenies. audience. But they’re still so young they were almost collection of vintage models – this is one of Fender’s recent additions to the family. , thame: You don’t see ‘Beatlemania’ that often these days – I equally as thrilled and excited by the arrival of KFC It has a bound body with a belly contour, 6-saddle bridge, and a set of noiseless american deluxe last saw something like it in 2009 at the New Theatre Krushems with their pre-show dinner. Telecaster pickups with the Fender S1 Switch. The S1 switch allows the pickups to telecaster when JLS got a bigger eardrum-busting scream than Without a single to their names, the boys already alternate between series and parallel wiring, which adds a bit of a Strat quack into the (£1,243) Lemar, even though they were his support act. have a book out, over 200,000 Twitter followers and sound. The difference, which is noticeable, is not massive. The noiseless pickups But even that high-pitched squeal paled into have just notched up 500,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook. produce hardly any background noise through an amp with a lot of gain. Another insignificance next to the wall of noise that hit me at Whatever you think about Simon Cowell, he certainly nice feature is a ‘no load’ tone pot, which acts as a switch to take any colouring of the The Regal. I’ve never experienced anything like it in knows how to whip up a fan frenzy. sound from the tone control completely out of the circuit when up full. The guitar my life and I’ve been on stage in front of many Listen to Sophie weekdays from 7am on Glide’s plays really nicely, and sounds like a Telecaster should, although it’s a little smoother, thousands more than were there that night. Morning Glory across Oxford and South Oxfordshire which people who don’t want too much twang will like. Never mind that there were about 15 support acts, on 107.9fm. Pros: Lots of simple but useful features Cons: Telecaster purists could be put off by the contour and modern-style bridge music box, oxford: The Snark is a small headstock tuner that clips onto a guitar, bass, mandolin or the sn anything else that needs tuning, and uses the vibrations of the instrument itself, rather ark sn2 than a microphone, allowing tuning to take place in loud environments. The display is instrument bright enough to use in the pitch black, with a needle, showing red for flat, yellow for tuner (£18) sharp and green for in-tune. The SN2 includes the option to use a built-in mic, useful for instruments without the surface to clip onto and an option to set the frequency to tune to. It also includes a tap tempo metronome, although this is just a flashing LED with no sound, which could be useful for keeping time during performances. Pros: Lightweight and easy to fit. Choice of mic or vibration sensor Cons: No metronome sound oxford guitar The Godin Progression Guitar is a slick Strat-styled guitar, with no pick guard, Strat gallery trem, 3 single coil pickups, one tone, one volume and a 5-way pickup switch. The , oxford: guitar has an unfinished maple neck, which feels really nice to play, although the godin progression fretboard is very flat which wasn't to my tastes. There is also an almost un-noticeable guitar (£749) button next to the tone knob which is one of the features that sets this apart from most similar guitars. With the button depressed the pickups are standard, although good sounding, with Strat-style single coils. When activated, the “High-Definition Revoicer” system clicks in, which adds a small amount of boost and high frequency response to give it more of an active pickup sound. Pros: Good range of tones Cons: Flat fretboard won’t be for everyone

8 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 9 FEATURES FEATURES o t o M

y n n h o J

on the eve of the release of their brand new album ornaments in the silver arcad e former mercury prize nominees the cut to the chase with our man leo bowder

he historical and jeans was not really don’t have a record Trelationship between trying hard enough”. company – we’re Rock Music, clothes and OMS was therefore alternative.” Tom agrees: sartorial elegance (or lack shocked to discover that “the influences that are of it) is well established. only hedonistic bassist Tom strong in our music are From the days of the ‘House of Lords’ Dartnall post-Punk, British Beatles’ collarless suits, the was sporting any tweed. psychedelia, some Thin White Duke, Punk’s “But it’s not tweed!” Tom American nineties-ish wilful deconstructionism corrects us’ “it’s herring bands.” But then on the and scruffy Shaun Ryder’s bone; Prince of Wales new album they veer off insistence that ‘it’s gotta be check… I wear clothes into commercial funk, a loose fit’ – the pop and every day” he adds, smiling complete with horns and a fashion scene has long demurely. Stoical drummer gospel chorus for the been intertwined. The Olly Askew cuts in “we do groovy ‘Everything Falls Young Knives (the name a have some suits that we Into Place’ and then some misunderstanding of wear sometimes, but we proper heavy stuff with young knaves; Robin Hood tend to wear what we feel ‘Storm Clouds’. Tom style anarchists), with their comfortable in.” Indeed, explains – “We thought we fetching tweed jackets and and maybe the toning didn’t need to write ties seemed to epitomize down of their threads another pop-punk album; the concept of a band coincides with a gradual I like Fairport Convention the young making an effort for the developing and relaxing of and listening to Motown stage. As pragmatic their Sound. records.” singer/guitarist Henry But what is their Sound? The first time OMS Dartnall archly puts it How would they describe caught these sharply sitting in the Jericho their music for those who dressed gents live was at Tavern on a sunny hadn’t heard it? “We are a Glastonbury 2008, the knives February morning, rock music band, an indie Queens Head ( Q Magazine) “I always thought just band” Henry assures us. stage. “We just let rip – rocking up in a t-shirt “I’ll say that now as we I think I did a handstand. 10 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 11 FEATURES o t o M y n n h o J

Our manager was onstage, Of Animals And Men which band (despite originally fishing; that to me was making rollup fags… very charted at no. 21. They hailing from Ashby-de-la- rock’n’roll…” Far out. drunk. He’s was going, were very much the band Zouch ; home of the Hula Henry suddenly jumps into “I’m gonna introduce you” of the moment. Their Hoop), and is there life: “I remember when and we said “get off the whimsical lyricism and actually an Oxford ‘scene’ you didn’t have a girlfriend f*#~ing stage, you f*#~ing sharp musicality leading to now? Henry thinks “part and you took six or seven idiot!… er… this is not tunes at once stripped of the reason we moved 18 year olds back to our music, theatre, dance, comedy, literature going out live, is it? I don’t down, atmospheric and here was because of tiny van like the pied piper, want my mum to hear structured continued Supergrass”, Tom adding where you convinced them it…” Henry trails off, unabated with the 2008 “there are certain scenes, that they were our GAVIN OSBORN at the Jam Factory regarding OMS album Superabundance and friends getting together groupies. They stole all our “Gavin Osborn writes minutely detailed, bittersweet story-songs on an acoustic guitar and microphone with now Ornaments From the and creating something.” T-shirts!” Tom laughs at sings them with a comic timing usually absent from the works of his anti-folk contemporaries” suspicion. “Glastonbury, Silver Arcade . Although this Olly- “yeah, like Blessing this, “Yeah! Or one of the Stewart Lee, Sunday Times yeah” Olly reminisces – keeps generally to the Force.” An awkward first gigs we played when “that was during the time successful formula that has silence. “I actually like the we drank two bottles of VOICE at the Ashmolean, we were famous…” been their Sound for nigh fact we haven’t been tequila and phoned up HARMONY at the Holywell Ah yes, the Days of on a decade, it dips into invited. Because we’re too those adult chat lines. I think Fame. The Knives sliced hitherto uncharted old; we’re not accepted by that was the night we all JAGGY EDGES at the Port Mahon through the musical flab of territories. anybody, we’re not from decided to kiss…” OMS the early Noughties – when The new album contains Oxford anyway – although splutters into its tankard KARAOKE at the Copa Upstairs... Britpop and dance had just a song about Sister we’ve been here ten years so before ordering more ale about run out of steam – Frideswide, Oxford’s you would have thought… from a passing bar wench. ...and so much more like the proverbial hot one patron saint. Henry but we’re not bitter about It’s truly one for all and all It’s all happening in Oxford through butter with their expands… “we bastardised it”, he trails off. for one with Young Knives; debut mini-album The her story; the original one Right. So, Knives, let’s Oxford’s answer to the Young Knives Are Dead . was about a woman trying ah, cut to the chase – Three Musketeers. Then a Truck Festival to escape from a any rock’n’roll moments www.oxfringe.com appearance in 2002, marriage – ours is about a come to mind? Tom – the young knives play followed by their first nun torn between her faith “I remember when we the o2 academy, www.twitter.com/oxfringe www.facebook.com/pages/Oxfringe-2011/140845085979199 album proper; 2006’s and her sexy thoughts.” So were on tour in Norway oxford on 24 may Mercury-nominated Voices are they now an ‘Oxford’ and we went mackerel 12 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 FEATURES FEATURES

Top 10 songs on the Stornoway iPod

1 Otouto – ‘Sushi’

2 Leadbelly – ‘Pick A Bale Of Cotton’

3 Deerhunter – ‘Helicopter’

4 Laura Veirs – ‘Don’t Lose Yourself’

5 Women – ‘Eyesore’

6 The Human League – ‘The Things That Dreams Are Made Of’

7 Caribou – ‘Lord Leopard’ what’s in your record collection? 8 Aim – ‘Puget Sound’ 9 Tom Cosm vs. Circuit Bent – ‘Bent Cosmos’ stornoway 10 Jah Wobble – ‘Happy Tibetan Girl’

Are you vinyl, MP3 or CD? Sheppard ( On Some Faraway Brian: A killer slice of soul You’re out dancing on and Euros Childs in song when I already have a Ollie: Daytrotter blog They’re considered to be Jon: All three please. Beach: A Life of Brian Eno ) by Sharon Jones and the Saturday night – what gets disguise). It wins the prize distinct lyrical or melody (www.daytrotter.com) and the first world fusion group). and found it in a second Dap Kings, called you all in the middle of the for best lyric for “Which idea, and it is only later on TheFiveThreeSix What’s the first record hand place in Melbourne. Inspiration Information –a floor? witch is which?”. in the writing process that I (fivethreesix.tumblr.com) Ever been massively you bought? perfect morning pickup. Rob: ‘Dancing with Myself’ might draw on other both out of Chicago, plus surprised by somebody? Ollie: Either Offspring’s Where do you shop? by Nouvelle Vague would What’s your favourite musical influences. For sumersault.blogspot.com Jon: The other day I went Americana or Billie Piper’s Jon: I use this new-fangled You’re leaving the show probably be most accurate. Oxford band at the example, the chorus might for visual inspiration. to see a play called The first album – can’t intraweb thing to tell me for another long drive – moment? suit a Jacko-type ‘eeehee’ Jon: Cinema, Drowned In Heretic by Richard Bean remember. what music I should buy. what are you listening to? It’s Sunday – had a late Rob: It’s Foals right now. here, or a rap by the Sound and 6Music, or without knowing Johnny Jon: John Lennon’s Plastic But if I feel like conversing Rob: The priority is to keep night – what eases the And most recently, Phat Outhere Brothers there… them CDs which come Flynn (singer/) Ono Band. I think by then with a humanoid, I like spirits high so I like this pain? Sessions. with Songlines . was in it. He stole the show. I had taped all the Beatles going to places like comical song about a road Rob: Personally, I prefer Jon: I have three: Glass Which artist have you got from the library, Bridport Market and trip gone wrong: ‘On roule silence. But if we're Animals, Seabuckthorn everything of? Ever been massively Which of your peer group but that was the first album rifling through piles of à 160’ by Jacqueline Taieb. listening to something, it and Message to Bears. Brian: Mumford and disappointed in an album? bands do you like most? I actually bought. When I dusty old records, or might as well be ‘F$~k the Sons, obviously! Ollie: The opposite – while Ollie: Villagers do an listen to it now I find it groping in the Asda Any good bands we might Pain Away’ by Peaches. Can you think of a single Jon: Dave Swarbrick and on tour we bought Don’t inspiring live set, and Tom very stark and laughably bargain bin. Actually, as of not know about that song or album that you Joe Meek and… er, the Kill by a band called Rob Williams & The Boat are self-centred. a few weeks ago, we now you’ve stumbled upon on You’ve got friends round wanted to emulate or Beatles (including Ringo’s for 1 Euro and it’s the best supreme, hardworking have the Truck Store, your travels? for dinner and drinks – that inspired you to form dodgy solo albums). thing I’ve ever listened to. songsmiths who’ll go far. …and the last? which is possibly the best Rob: I’ve recently come what goes on the stereo? the band? Ollie: Kraftwerk’s Man thing that’s happened in across the NY band Pablo Rob: Dinner Party by White Brian: There is no What’s the coolest sleeve Any bands you hope will Which are your favourite Machine . Oxford for many years. Picasso, the Buenos Aires- Rabbits which describes particular song or album of all time? reform? 4AD labelmates? Jon: 801 live (featuring based Los Putos, and some of the chaos that a that inspired me to want to Jon: Trout Mask Replica Jon: Shakti. I somehow Jon: For me, I would say Brian Eno and Phil You’re packing the van in Oxford’s The Templars. Robert Steadman dinner form a band, although (Captain Beefheart album). doubt it will happen it’s a massive honour to be Manzanera). I’ve been the morning on a long trip Stornoway are also fans of party would likely entail. there are many, many though. (Shakti combined on the same label as Scott reading about it in an Eno for a gig – what’s on the Otouto, Dinosaur Feathers Jon: Jonny by Jonny (who songs I wish I’d written! I Where do you find out Indian music with Walker, Deerhunter and biography by David stereo first? and The Black Atlantic. are actually Norman Blake generally start writing a about new music? elements of jazz. Camera Obscura. (SG) 14 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 15 FEATURES FEATURES o t o M y n n h o J let’s go down Band focus the studio the rock of with warehouse studios and left ear sound (mobile studio)

How long has the studio What’s the best album/ Any funny anecdotes from What’s great about the been going? track that’s been recorded sessions? Oxford music scene? travolta Warehouse has been in your studio? The next time someone Pick a style of music and running for over 20 years. Warehouse: we’ve hosted brings a guitar in with there’s half a dozen great The Rock of Travolta need music. Jennie’s input gave We’ve learnt a massive cheek, squelchy Left Ear Sound is a fairly sessions for Steeleye Span appalling intonation that bands. Pick a venue and no introduction to many an extra dimension to the amount from both of them.” electronica.” new venture which has been and Maddy Prior, and a goes out of tune by the they’ll do everything people, but just in case you ideas, our confidence lifted So where do TROT fit Having already going two years, and I also number of notable blues 6th fret, I will kill them in from rock, metal, blues, need a quick refresher and the band suddenly into the local music scene, mentioned a few local engineer at Warehouse. and rock artists. a hilarious and inventive to electronica, acoustic… course, they formed in seemed real to us again.” and are there drawbacks to bands, Matt was L.E.S.: a 2-hour piano manner. everything. Anything 2000, released their debut So, how has the change being a purely enthusiastic about the Tell us about your studio in and clarinet recital you want. album My Band’s Better in line-up affected TROT’s instrumental band? “Most current state of the Oxford less than 30 words recorded in a beautiful Any particular moments of Than Yours and were sound? bands have words and sing music scene. “There’s Clean, comfy, friendly, well room at Stowe School. genius/inspiration/legend What’s the best local gig handpicked by “The music on Fine Lines melodies. The traditional some brilliant music equipped and ready for that have happened in you’ve ever been to? to open their South Park is more complex. It takes approach gives them an coming out of Oxford at anything, anywhere. Lo-fi or sumptuous and your studio? The Magic Band at the O2 homecoming gig in 2001. more skill to play. We’re immediate familiarity. We the moment. Bands like well produced – what’s We’re always putting mics Academy. No Captain Second album Uluru realising this at the moment, have to work a bit harder. Ivy’s Itch, Dive Dive and What’s your favourite bit your preference? in random places, breaking Beefheart (RIP) but the gained the band national having played a lot of the Somewhere in the writing Smilex are as disturbing, of kit? In the studio, it’s the into the signal chain and band was phenomenal. recognition, but after the old material recently to process we need to decide inventive and brutal as ever L.E.S.: Either my DAV polished, well-produced end screwing with things. One promotional blitz that promote the re-release of whether we’re going to try but we have an exciting preamps or the rack bag. product. With our location band took a vocal out of Tell us about the future in followed, they went the last two records.” and provide a focus, carry younger crop of bands too. Warehouse: Got to be the gear we can do lo-fi, the desk, ran it through terms of recording? through a transformation. The recording of Fine people’s attention with I’m really enjoying Von desk: DDA AMR24, documentary-type stuff with half a dozen guitar pedals It’s getting easier for people “I joined the band on Lines began at the end of melody and if so, what Braun, Gunning for Tamar, low-noise, high-quality… minimal interference, or we and into an amp which we to make recordings at home, Valentines Day 2004”, 2007 at Martin Newton’s instrument will carry it? Phantom Theory, Spring enough said. can track to a high standard mic’ed out in the hall. but a lot of the skills and Matt Spooner, the guitarist Studio 101, and was co- Sometimes it’s the case Offensive and Undersmile. and take it back to the studio Made a hell of a racket but techniques that made the from the band remembers. produced by the band and that we’re going to The continuous wealth of Do you favour recording for full production and sounded great! great recordings of the “At that point there was Jimmy Hetherington. “We emphasize the absence of bands in Oxford shows bands all together or mixing. Best of both worlds! past so great are being lost. some new music but, by took a lot of time over the a lead instrument.” that music is about life just separately? What’s your favourite band No one knows or cares July, two of the original recording and mixing. It As for the challenges of as much as ambition.” It depends on the band – How do you kick back to work with? about mic placement band members had quit, was pretty meticulous stuff. being an instrumental So Oxford’s instrumental getting a complete, perfect after a session? L.E.S.: I’ve worked a lot techniques or how good and as a result we didn't do Jimmy and Martin have band, Spooner notes darlings are back and in take from everyone can be Listening to anything with Laima Bite and your monitoring chain is anything for a while. As both played huge roles in “It’s pretty easy gaining beautifully, anarchic form challenging, but if the except what we’ve just Mary’s Garden, they were anymore, but they make a you can imagine we were a making it a reality. We an audience’s attention – as displayed on the new band can pull it off it’s spent all day recording! always great fun and Laima huge difference to the end bit disheartened.” wouldn't have been able to holding it is the real trick.” album. great. The vibe and groove Usually with a couple of is such a natural vocalist. product. Acoustic spaces However they were soon do it without them.” “It must be challenging “We didn’t set out to is so much better, but it beers on the side. She’ll work out four part are so important too – a bolstered by the addition Matt continued, “Jimmy for an audience listening to make something difficult; only takes one f@~k up to harmonies on the spot and great sounding room is a of Jennie Bates on cello, is brilliant in the studio and us. One minute it seems we just play what we ruin an otherwise great What’s the best local pub bang them out flawlessly. pleasure to work in and keyboard and bass. “By the a bloody good musician like we’re building serious want.” (TM) take. Usually it’ll be a everyone goes to? Warehouse: Any band who makes everything sound so time Jennie joined in too. Martin and Big Red guitar atmospheres and combination – I like to There’s a nice pub just over takes the time rehearsing, much better. You’re always September 2005 we had Sky really gave us the kick the next we’re blowing a fine lines is out now on track the rhythm section the river called the Kings gigging and recording for going to be battling the found a new way of up the arse we needed to big musical raspberry at it big red sky records together and then overdub Arms. We take our own other people to hear are sound if you’re working in working and written new get the album out there. all with some tongue-in- guitar, vocals etc. beer if we’re on location. fantastic to work with. a tiny back bedroom. 16 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 17 REVIEWS REVIEWS live h c o l l mogwai, the regal, oxford u c c M Mogwai’s onstage persona is more roadie than rock star. for some). Indeed, the tracks from new and old seem to feed m u l l They stand motionless throughout nearly the entire gig looking freshness into each other, their sibling similarity highlighting a C like they were involved in the world’s most prolonged (and possi - their difference, and by playing staples such as ‘Like Herod’ bly dull) soundcheck. in this context, it is like realising a new aspect of an old But this is a band of paradoxes. The sound that they companion. produce is something that causes the heart to race and a The live performance manages to recreate intricacies of the feeling that this show will stick in the memory for a long time recorded material which is testament to the band’s skill and to come. experience in touring. As a venue, the Regal can be a slippery If you’re looking for guidance and intent from Mogwai, fish in terms of sound quality, but the introduction of a new sound you won’t find much. Their godfatherish position as part system and the impressive turnout helps to absorb some of the forerunners, part over-rulers of post-rock, means this isn’t a band cavernous reverb that has been known to detract from other gigs that will try and entice you in with ‘easy’ proclamations. Their held here. last record was called Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will ; Mogwai tonight perform to a film backdrop of computer- enough said. generated images of twisting tube-work and ever-moving high - The singing, when it happens, is more like listening to way footage. It is a visual realization of the sort of abstract places watery voices from a very deep well. There are plenty of loops that the music comes from; or a vision of the future world as seen and synthesised inflections to this show, with moments of through the eyes of a disaffected 80s cosmonaut. their expected sonic explosions. It has been said that Mogwai The audience are heavy with respect, and in some cases produce practically the same album every time but this gig fending off tinnitus with ear plugs. It is clear that this is a crowd demonstrates that their musical output is actually a progression attuned to Mogwai’s affecting sound who nod in appreciation of colours from the same pallet (and therefore indiscernible rather than go wild – much like the band themselves. (LW) o t the walkmen, o2 academy, oxford o M

M Z I V J SVH y 6 n n

Hip New Yorkers The Walkmen descend on Oxford after lots of IRNS]]SYVEHE][MXL h o J deserved praise for their new album Lisbon , and all of a sudden, E6MZIVJSVHZIKFS\ it seems like we’re transported back in time, anticipating a truly 9TTIV2SVXSR*EVQ exciting gig at the Zodiac on a Saturday night. Why, there’s even SVKERMGZIKQIEXHEMV]QSVIJVIWLJVSQSYVJEVQ time to pop into the Hobgoblin next door for a pint before, although ZIKFS\IWEVSYRH GLIETIVXLERWYTIVQEVOIXW it’ll have to just be the one due to the ridiculous 8.15pm stage JVII time for tonight’s headliners. GSSOFSSO Frontman Hamilton Leithauser is a huge presence, both vocally and physically, his voice the vocal point throughout as he looms over the lip of the stage, microphone clutched by its head as he wrenches out every note from somewhere deep within his body. The band seem to be having a genuinely great time on-stage and rattle through the set; ‘Blue as Your Blood’ is roughly beau - tiful with its twanging guitar, Sun Records rhythm and sombre chorus while ‘Woe Is Me’ and ‘Victory’ manage that defining Walkmen trick of capturing an almost celebratory sense of defeat and resignation. A joyous ‘Juveniles’ closes the set to as rapturous a reception as you’re likely to hear around these parts before they return with some old favourites. ‘The Rat’ in particular is an absolute detonation of anger and energy; one of the most perfect distillations of rage and indignation committed to record and is just as powerful live. JVIIHIPMZIV] Well, it's a cliché, but you probably won’t catch them on such [[[VMZIVJSVHGSYO a small stage again, so to those that weren't there – you missed  out, and to those that were, well done, you saw a band at the *VIIFSSOSR]SYVRHHIPMZIV][LIR]SYTPEGIE VIKYPEVZIKFS\SVHIV3JJIVETTPMIWXSRI[GYWXSQIVWSRP] height of their powers. (AG) 18 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 19 REVIEWS REVIEWS live o t AUDIO LTD o TURAN trophy wife, pet moon matt winkworth, the freemantle, M y n n h the cellar, oxford the regal, oxford o J Professional, Independent Mastering in Oxford There is quite a buzz about tonight’s show, which features two of As soon as The Freemantle played the opening few chords of their 7LP7XUDQLVWKHDEVROXWHÀQHVW the bands who have come out of the Blessing Force scene, as you first song ‘Old Friends’, the crowd, which had remained towards the mastering person around . can tell by the large turn out (especially for a Tuesday). back of the massive Regal hall, quickly re-positioned themselves Pet Moon singer Andrew Mears is clearly a master of being within a couple of metres of the stage. This was The Freemantle’s Lisa Lane, Plastic Head Distribution at the front of the stage, learned from his time in Youthmovies. first gig but you wouldn’t know it; a new band could feel completely I hear one bloke behind me saying “Wow, he’s like ”. lost in a venue of this size. Anthony Whitehead, frontman and Maybe not Morrissey, but I could see where he was coming songwriter carries the band with his strong Kings of Leon-esque turanaudio.co.uk 01865 716466 from; there’s definitely something special about his manner on vocals, which are accompanied by some incredibly intricate gui - stage. They bulk out their sound by using two snare drums to add tar riffs. The set list includes the loud with ‘Old Friends’, the re - to the dramatic performance. Parts of the set sound slightly flective with ‘Calshott Beach’, and bouncy pop with ‘Time all over the place and maybe there’s something extra that Machine’. needs to be added to keep it together. But you can tell that there’s Matt Winkworth and the Winkworth Originals play their first gig going to be a lot more to come; I'm sure that there are many as a full collective featuring, among other instruments, a glock - sea of bees, trevor moss & hannah more ideas in the pipeline. They are a breath of fresh air for enspiel, a trombone and a French horn. Despite what you might Oxford music. feel about this theatrical/cabaret outfit, they can’t help but bring lou, james walbourne The place really is heaving by the time Trophy Wife come on. The a smile to your face, be it out of pure joy or bemusement, or a bit the old bookbinders, oxford first time I heard of these guys was last year when I came across of both. Matt Winkworth has made a name for himself as a quirky, their MySpace and wondered who they were. Now though, months piano-based solo singer-songwriter and his collective is as quirky Judging from the fairly full house at the delightfully makeshift later, they’re releasing singles on the very cool Moshi Moshi label, as him with influences just as eclectic – tonight Matt draws in - performance space on Green Street this Monday eve, a lot of and they are embarking on their first UK tour. spiration from Alice In Wonderland . There’s a wonderful, playful people were looking for a divine experience from the trio of bands They used to be part of Jonquil and the similarity with that humour to his lyrics as well as a smart, intellectual undertone; on offer from Heavenly Recordings. band is clear, their tracks sounding like they could be perfect he’s natural born entertainment and looks made for a stage of Gotta enjoy a trio that incorporates honeyed harmonies and a summer anthems. They sound almost like what bands should have well-played washboard along with proficient picking from a such been doing after Foals’ 'Antidotes’ was released, but for some a prolific performer as James Walbourne who played the longest reason no one ever did. The volume of the call for an encore (which set of the night. After them, the stage was bathed in otherworldly Back And To The Left presents doesn’t come, probably because they’ve played everything), shows charm as Trevor Moss and Hannah Lou opened their set with ‘Spin me what a buzz there is around this band. (CE) a Rhyme.’ Opting to share a mic as well as a life, the winsome twosome deftly combine solid storytelling with simple instrumentation, allowing their gossamer voices to shine as they entwine. Folky faves fixers were ‘Allotment Song’, the brand-new ‘Feelings’ and the closer, ‘Cheap Wine.’ It would have been great to feature, dare I say it, the bullingdon, oxford THE ROCK less harmonica, and a bit more of each of them singing solo. I don’t know if the piercing sound effects accompanying the OF TRAVOLTA Fortunately, their self-titled album staves that craving for now. projected swirls and patterns playing for over 15 minutes before Forget, please, the comparisons of Sea of Bees to Joanna the band appeared were intended to make us appreciate them Newsom – what you get in singer and multi-instrumentalist Julie more when they started playing, but it feels a bit over-stated all BLEEDING HEART Ann Baezinger feels far more raw-thentic. Think more Innocence the same. Mission or the first time you heard Julee Cruise on Twin Peaks or All is forgiven, however, when Fixers enter the stage and blast NARRATIVE co-Californian Sam Phillips circa 2001… with a much higher their way into a set of layered harmonies, absorbing guitar and voice. Even with a less-than-heavenly sound situation, Julie, synth, pulsing drum beats and a soaring lead vocal which VON BRAUN accompanied by Amber, beguiled her Oxford listeners – “my new captivates the packed Bullingdon crowd’s attention for the full Friday 29 April friends”, she calls us dreamily. half an hour – you just couldn’t take your eyes off them. A more From her first offering, ‘Skinnybone’ through ‘Gonmes’ and apt name could be Transfixers. The Bullingdon, 162 Cowley Road, Oxford ‘Wizbot’, the sweet sting of yearning, and yet being able to articu - Comparisons might be drawn to MGMT and the Animal £5 advance from WGT (MOTD) late that yearning, pervades each song. Some of her celestial Collective, but this is an original, epic sound which seems set to Doors 7.30 pm tunes are infused with twang and/or surfy rhythms; others with take the UK by storm. They are hugely uplifting; gorgeous vaguely Japanese overtones; her voice is the uncommon denomi - four-part harmonies are accompanied by big beats enrichened nator and it’s addictive. Her encore, called ‘Tantrum’ contains the with handclaps, bells and shakers. A band that you really must myspace.com/backandtotheleft1 plaintive lyric: “I want more, more, more.” Me too, Julie. Me, see live to fully appreciate them. (HD) 20 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 21 REVIEWS REVIEWS live s s e a b R spring offensive, adam barnes the streets, brother, m z s o a o m C

o a the cellar, oxford o2 academy, oxford T n a y a

R As soon as the doors opened, you could feel in the air that it Teeny-Britpoppers Brother have their own branded beermats was going to be a good night. When Adam Barnes took to scattered around the O2 tonight that stop the bottom of your pint the stage, the audience, already as close to the front as they getting too wet; which is nice… and they like Oasis. But they come could be, weren’t disappointed. Adam enchanted them with his from Slough and weren’t born when Definitely Maybe came out. sweet melodies and rich voice that, at times, reminds you of the John Betjeman once wrote “come friendly bombs and rain on Magic Numbers and Blues Traveller. Towards the end of the gig, Slough…” Had airborne death concurred, we’d be mercifully the boys from Spring Offensive joined them on stage to sing spared the juvenile misery that is Brother. together a cover of ‘After Afterall’ by William Fitzsimmons. Dressed entirely in black Lacoste (which doesn’t stay on for the Everyone on stage was on their feet, including the drummer, all of duration of a highly charged set), the Streets’ could them singing – haunting. definitely give Betjeman a run for his money in the wordsmith stakes. Headliners Spring Offensive arrived on stage to He claims this is his last album, a proposition hard to square with rapturous applause. As tight as is humanly possible for a the vital passion and energy he and his band put into it tonight. through the adoring masses and crowdsurfs back to the stage. At band, even when they play their new song ‘A Stutter and A Start’, This does not feel like a musical entity on the way out. Most of the another he gets the audience to sit down (not OMS though, jaded the crowd already seems to know the words by heart. The set is from and A Grand Don’t Come For wallflower that it is) during a truly staggering rendition of ‘Blinded classic ‘Every Coin’ had the venue shaking, while the energy on Free , but also from the (allegedly) final album Computers and By the Lights’; a track that pre-empts dubstep by a matter of stage kept rising. Blues . He also knows how to work a crowd – but then he’s had years. At one point he even offers to fight everyone. But then, at With everyone in the room singing along and dancing, you can’t lots of practice. Gone is the beered-up toker of yore; he now goes to the end – some time after he leaves the stage – Skinner mingles help but join them and think that Spring Offensive is one of the the gym – which he would need to, given the highly physical na - for ages with the punters, posing for photos and signing auto - most powerful bands in Oxford today. (RC) ture of his performance. At one point he (half successfully) runs graphs like a proper gent. Don’t go, dude! (LB)

22 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 23 REVIEWS REVIEWS live s s a a R R

z z s s a a m m o o T T

joan as police woman the go! team o2 academy, oxford o2 academy, oxford Joan as Police Woman’s Oxford gig was the first on her new tour hissing percussion throughout, however – and she seems gen - As a live act, The Go! Team’s major asset is their front response from the critics. There’s a consensus that it’s much of the promoting third album The Deep Field . And it seems like it was uinely pleased with the audience response to the new stuff. This woman, Ninja. Gifted with a freakish, and frightening, amount same stuff from a once innovative and unique band, if not a lit - almost not going to happen. The singer-songwriter’s band, and is of energy, she bounds on stage and dances, sings and raps like tle more consistent compared to their previous efforts. some of her equipment, was snowbound in New York until a few especially true when she is behind a keyboard and not a guitar. Some a maniac for most of their 75 minute set. I broke out in a And it’s the oldest stuff that gets the biggest cheers tonight. days before the show. She was beset with technical problems of this has to do with the sound mixing (her voice is often drowned sweat for her. The other two vocalists, who take the lead on just The band’s biggest hit ‘Ladyflash’ is also the obvious highlight of before the show began and she seems not to be too confident out by the roar of her electric guitar), but the slower tempo of the a couple of songs, can only pale into comparison – no matter the gig, but debut album tracks ‘The Power is On’ and ‘Bottle about her new material. But, what with all that went before it, songs she plays on the keyboard seem to suit her mood better. how strong their stage personas and vocals are (and both are Rocket’ also fare well. Their sample-as-a-hook dynamic is where perhaps this last point can be attributed to first night nerves. But, despite her world weary pose, the lyrics are not interested in perfectly fine). they are at their best, and whilst they have moved away slightly Joan comes on at an early 8.30pm in a black leather catsuit bittersweet, borderline cynicism (a la Aimee Mann) or in melan - Retro-tastic dance rock is probably the closest way to describe from this with their later stuff (adding steel drums, xylophones, with dramatic rips at the back. Her slightly shaky rendition of new choly and angst (like Fiona Apple). Her material is usually hope - the ballpark in which The Go Team play. At times, their sound harmonicas and mouth organs; all of which are on display song ‘Magic’ is an early worry, but she soon props herself up with ful and romantic, albeit with the occasional foray into anger or comes close to J-pop, at other moments it’s like a Brazillian tonight), nothing beats a good bit of their aforementioned some older material. It’s a theme throughout – she sounds her resignation. Musically, it’s the spiritual cousin of Laura Veirs – a marching band. It’s always up tempo though – and their mid-Noughties retro-tastic dance rock. best during her previous albums’ world weary recollections of playful, combination of different instruments and genres smashing All this repetition does beg questions about the longevity of pragmatism and maturity in love, such as ‘Anyone’ and ‘Save Me’, unexpected quality features as songs develop or change tempo. spectacularly together courtesy of some heavy guitar work, is like the band. It’s obvious that Ninja could be an amazing solo artist, and less strong on her new stuff, whatever the tone – which she Joan is also becoming a more confident songwriter, allowing her - a shot of liquid adrenaline-flecked sunshine in the face. and all members of the band are exceptionally talented musi - is apparently playing live for the first time. self the move into adult contemporary which, with a lesser artist, It’s a good thing that this music lends itself to being played live cians. However, right now, in the heat of their Oxford gig, you’re Her strong, bluesy voice cuts through the slinky guitars and can threaten to disappear into blandness. She wins out, mostly. and loud, as The Go! Team’s new record has received a muted dancing so much you don’t even care. (JB) 24 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 25 REVIEWS REVIEWS releases Selected releases available at

spring offensive his voice is now immersed into matt winkworth delightful distortion and secret rivals the mix where it had previously 1 dissonance, particularly on listing ships tonight matthew between me been too prominent. Conversely, 9 2⁄ songs ‘Zombie in a Well Nailed Coffin’ maiden voyage and you ep the most interesting element of (avocado music) and ‘Circle!’ (NR) (kittiwake) ‘Poor Me, Poor You’ – the lead (demo) (self-release) guitar part – is buried too Tinkling the The new track by Secret the anydays Listing Ships combine deeply into the mix and the ivories with Rivals, ‘Tonight Matthew’, is The new EP elements of many of the song fails to put enough irony, Matt move clearly working within the from Spring great nineties post-rock emphasis on any particular Winkworth’s same musical idiom as bands Offensive is a latest album (208 records) bands; from the cyclical, far less frenetic section. ‘Extremadura’ is simi - like Johnny Foreigner and Los makes you want to jump on the What the jarring grooves of Rodan, effort than what lar; there are interesting things Campesinos: sweet girly vocals nearest transport vehicle jumping mojo the tense, spidery guitar work we’ve seen from the band in the going on here – we enjoy the weaving in and out of angsty, and get thee to a piano bar. The monkees, of Slint, the interlocking past. Gone are the proggy- Joey Santiago-esque guitar emotionally-wrought blokey disheartening thing about 9½ baby?! This rhythms of Shipping News maths rock elements of their bends – but the song ends kind vocals, all set over a fairly Songs is, that you know, for all could have and the expansive, airy sound, replaced by a more of abruptly. ‘How The West Was standard punk-rock backing. of its infectious drama and wit, been made in 1967; all it’s elegance of Tortoise. Add to acoustically-driven style. This is Won’ and ‘Gasoline’ show that But on the evidence of this track, Secret Rivals are holding it would be 9½ times better missing is sitars, crackles and that some anthemic guitar heroics via Siamese Dream -era fine, but one can’t shake the The Half Rabbits can write a their own in this esteemed company. It’s easy to imagine a to be listening to him live. “yeahyeahyeahs!” (but it Smashing Pumpkins and we’re clearly off to a winner. feeling that innovation has chorus but they continue to be a festival crowd of cidered-up teeny-boppers bouncing in unison Matt possesses the strength of contains a fair few “c’mons!” Opening track ‘Equus Ager’ is a glorious, triumphant start to given way to a quasi-Robert bit of a frustrating band and we to the song and one gets the feeling that this is precisely the his self-professed “anti-indie” and one “far out!” – I shit you the collection, while ‘All Aboard the Andrea Doria’ builds from Smith earnestness which can at wish Weatherburn would drop demographic the band are shooting for. If you were going to convictions, and melodramatic not). Oxford three piece shades- a Slint-playing-schizoid-jazz opening to an “oh-shit, Slint- times feel staid and sometimes the mannered vocal style and let criticise the track, you could argue that it could have come out melodious anecdotes about wearing beat combo the are-about-to-sink-the-ship” finale. ‘Skipper’s Daughter’ is borderline annoying. A case in loose with the rest of the band ten years ago and no one would have batted an eyelid. But then worker bees (“Bee the Anydays have a classicist sen - borrows from the kinetic, rhythmic sonic palette of Tortoise point is the re-recorded version from time to time. (TM) again, the formula is tried and tested and there’s not much Workers”), big breasts (“Song sibility that bands like the while the whole collection nods to 90s-revialists like Broken of ‘A Let Down’ which, in its wrong with it – just as there’s not much wrong with this. (JS) for Lola”) and Jabberwocky are Fratellis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Social Scene by way of a series of big indie choruses – word - original form as it appeared on the scholars the perfect pick-me-up. (NR) Club – and now Oasis Mk II, er, less choruses, of course. Boasting former members of Witches the band’s 2009 eponymous EP, I mean Beady Eye – have made and Sunnyvale Noise Sub-element, it was clear that Listing was good and spunky but which arrival/ we aeronauts lucrative careers exploiting. Ships would be an interesting band but Maiden Voyage illus - is now a slightly wet campfire king of cats departure ep But do we need another post trates that they’re on their way to becoming a great one. (TM) chalon valley ep romp. The music is hard to fault Britpop-British pop band? Sure and songs like ‘Bail Out’ torgo ep (brainlove records) (incremental) (man), why not? What works are effectively rendered mood I expect North (self-release) with these noveau-beatniks is phantom theory The ‘Aeronauts EP is a pieces, but the EP often leaves Oxfordshire’s Pushing play that they play it like they mean masterpiece of warmth and the ear wanting more – which delayed and decayed ep The Scholars on the five- it. Standout tracks are the honeyed mellowness. ‘The the band have certainly got the are getting song Torgo EP , utterly rifftastic ‘Tambourine’ (a mother python records) Boatswain’s Cry’ drifts in potential to produce on future tired of being named after a the absurdly catchy ‘Hey Man’ gently on a raft of jangly efforts. (JS) Word is spreading about strumming and delicate compared to the likes of The character in and the mellow ‘London Sun’ these guys and in a good vocals. ‘Fleet River’ is even Editors, Killers or Interpol, Manos: the Hands of Fate , a film (the song titles say it all, way. Scuzzy, manic and more relaxed – taking some the half rabbits however the comparison is hard reportedly as terrible as its really). They know it’s not energetic, they produce a lot time to get going before the not to remake with this five title – I’m immediately re - groundbreaking, but they of noise for just a drum and lyric – ‘this place looks like the optimists ep piece’s latest offering, the first minded of the first time I heard certainly do it well. And it’s all guitar outfit. They’ve enjoyed it’s been through World War Three’, before gradually building (self-release) results of their deal with John Darnielle’s or Daniel underpinned by a relentless playing high profile touring up to a second half of epic proportions. The 3rd track is Incremental, the label started by Smith’s warbly, wonderful, win - rhythm and drive. Not for slots with the likes of live favourite, the beautiful ‘Chalon Valley House Band’. ‘Gasoline’ starts Tim Abbott, former director of some whining. Though Max, the nothing is this called Move! (LB) Pulled Apart by Horses, We caught them doing this at the Cellar some time ago –a Optimists Creation Records. All three tracks man behind King of Cats is way Hundred Reasons and Johnny spine-tingling moment when they all downed tools and promisingly on this EP, which was produced less of a lyrical lion than John or Foreigner. Now they release this five track EP full of big, repeated the chorus (“Oh, I never thought that I would be in with frenzied by Iain Gore (Blood Red Shoes/ Daniel, his plaintive scratchings if you’d like us to consider a dirty riffs and tight, tempo - changing drumming. Tracks like the middle of the countryside…”) like a mantra. Then it drumming and Babyshambles), are full of do possess poignancy. The local or national release ‘A Long List of Methods for Evading Black Hand’ and ‘Phil all sails off with ‘Alpe d’Huez’. Spell-binding stuff. Look out a sleek, subtly driving bassline sombre vocals, big, haunting synth-folk songs, salt-and-pep - for review in o ms, please Collins vs. The World’ showcase their abilities, putting them e- Mr Briggs, sir, because these pilgrims’ll give Stornoway a run reminiscent of Interpol. Singer synthesisers and playful, catchy pered with everything mail [email protected]. up there with Winnebago Deal or Queens of the Stone Age. for their money! (LB) Michael Weatherburn turns in a melodies that will sound great from bleeps to banjos, work well next issue out in june Best enjoyed: loud. (JD) strong vocal performance and an indie dance floor. (JD) together, creating some curiously 26 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011 / 27 REVIEWS releases national releases with andrew and james from progressively less elephant

Emerging from the pile this unexpected and, as should be a pre-requisite for an artist, always month, 2008 Mercury nominees feeling the need to keep challenging herself. Let England Shake is The Unthanks offer up their new a semi-conceptual musing on themes of national identity framed album Last . Strings recalling in First World War imagery, and is an exquisitely-executed record the subtlety of film soundtracks which will no doubt rank among the finest released this year. and Van Dyke Parks’ recent work ’s The Dears have with Joanna Newsom saturate also decided that a concept the entire album and provide a album is the way to go in 2011. fitting fog for Rachel Unthank’s After numerous line-up changes ‘folkier than-thou’ voice to and partial disbandments, they emerge from. Of particular interest is the stellar cover of King have now returned to a line-up Crimson’s ‘Starless’ – with a resonant trumpet line and the that includes more than founder aforementioned strings cloaking the song as one of their own. It’s and one other mysterious stuff, from another era, and isn’t that far away from the member. Degeneration Street is more mainstream recent efforts by Hannah Peel and Blue Roses, based on themes of heaven and though it’s the crisp and airy production that really sets it apart. hell, and is very much a typical Dears record in that it packs in It’s an undeniably moving enough moments of beautific and considered art-rock amid the listen, which continues in the filler to confirm their status as indie-rock nearly men. form of Country Gentlemen ; the March also saw the release new record by Josh T. Pearson. of Radiohead’s first effort since He hasn’t released a record in 2007’s In Rainbows . At 37 minutes ten years and only decided to The King of Limbs is brief, not release this set because they as immediately accessible as made some burly Irish guys In Rainbows , and relies heavily cry when he supported the on glitchy, pulsing, electronics Dirty Three in Dublin. Talking before moving into more song- of the Dirty Three, Warren Ellis adds some characteristically based terrain in the second half. mournful violin to several of the songs here, which only serves to However, despite the fact that emphasise the pure catharsis that Pearson clearly went through the first half is at times more ‘difficult’, the likes of Lotus Flower in writing this album. and Codex show they are still as capable as ever at providing It documents that oh-so-common song subject – the break- music that is yearningly beautiful and simple in arrangement. up – but in such an honest and heart-wrenching way that you forget you’ve heard it all before. There are songs that reach out The Truck Store – sales chart well over 10 minutes but don’t seem to last five, with recurring motifs drifting in and out of the album’s atmosphere, giving it a dream-like haziness at times. It’s a painful, involving and bru - 1 PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Island) tal, but still overwhelmingly beautiful record – and most impor - 2 Adele – 21 (XL) tantly, it achieves exactly what Pearson wanted it to. Given his 3 Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys! (Polydor) track record over the past ten years, these songs could easily have been swept under the carpet 4 Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Rock Action) like so many others, if not for 5 James Blake – James Blake (A&M) those burly Irishmen. If I had been at that gig, I’d have been 6 Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX – We’re New Here (XL) choking back the tears down the 7 Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean (4AD) front with them. Go and listen yourself into a grief hole! 8 Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (Island) Polly Jean Harvey has long 9 Bright Eyes – The People’s Key (Polydor) been one of the UK’s leading 10 Warpaint – The Fool (Rough Trade) lights; always producing the 28 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / APRIL 2011