email: [email protected] website: nightshift.oxfordmusic.net Free every month. NIGHTSHIFT Issue 133 August Oxford’s Music Magazine 2006

The Half Rabbits Welcome to the dark side - interview inside

plus TRUCK FESTIVAL Four-page review inside

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

DR SHOTOVER NEWNEWSS A Cornball In Cornwall Nightshift: PO Box 312, Kidlington, OX5 1ZU I say, did you see Shack at the Zodiac the other month? Phone: 01865 372255 email: [email protected] Much West Coast 60s melodicism and top-quality harmony vocals... so inspired was I by their song ‘Cornish Town’ that I found myself heading to the THIS YEAR’S WITTSTOCK (South) West Coast for my last golfing holiday... a FESTIVAL takes place over the weekend splendid little place in the Duchy of Cornwall called (I kid you not) Rock. Apparently it’s twinned with a small of 18th – 20th August. The three-day French town called Role... but I digress. I played a hole or festival is free and features a wide two, then, having pushed some Young People over a cliff selection of local bands and singers and for wearing aims to raise money for Motor Neurone offensive Disease research through donations and wetsuits, I sales of programmes and raffle tickets. settled in at the Headline act on the Friday night are club bar and hardcore punk wackos Barry & The regaled the Beachcombers; Saturday’s main acts locals with a few include Mary’s Garden, Junkie Brush, choice stories Phyal, Smilex and Twizz Twangle, while about my Burma on Sunday Suitable Case For Treatment days. What with top the bill, joined by Lagrima, Mark the gin and the Bosley, The New Moon and more. Full The Divine Comedy play at Brookes sunstroke we line-up and details are online at University on Monday 30th October as were all soon www.wittstock.co.uk. You can book part of a UK tour to promote new album fast asleep... A camping places by calling Phil on 01865 `Victory For The Comic Muse’. Neil timely prod 739369. Hannon will be backed by a seven-piece from the band. Tickets are on sale now, priced steward’s favourite Mashie THE CITY TAVERN in Market Street has £17.50 from the box office (01865 Niblick now changed its name to The Market 484750). The Automatic appear at awakened me, Tavern with the upstairs venue now Brookes on Thursday 26th after selling out just in time for a The Duchy of (Hugh) Cornwell known as The Music Market. The venue the Zodiac last month. round of chotah continues to showcase new local and out pegs from the Club Secretary, a decent fellow called of town bands. Send demos to Charis at Tregadillick, and the evening began in earnest. I soon the pub or call her on 01865 248388. THIS TOWN NEEDS GUNS release discovered that getting sense out of a drunken their debut single, ‘Hippy Jam Fest’ on Cornishman is like attempting to buy a cocktail in CLINIC have been confirmed as Big Scary Monsters Records in September. Chittagong during Ramadan... it was not long before we headliners of this year’s Audioscope. The The 7” single comes with a free CD of the were joyriding a golf buggy around Polzeath beach whilst annual mini-festival takes place at the single for them what haven’t got record singing ‘Peaches’ by The Stranglers, pursued by some Zodiac on Saturday 28th October. Joining players. An unmastered version of the rather comely life-guardettes. Ah, the joys of the Clinic will be Magnetophone, Sonic Boom, single is available to hear at traditional British summer holiday... I’m Being Good, Kids In Tracksuits and www.myspace.com/thistownneedsguns. Next month: Newquay Brown Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element, plus more acts to be announced. Audioscope raises THE EXETER HALL in Cowley is now money for homeless charity Shelter. closed for a major refurbishment until the T H E M U S I C M A R K E T Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale end of September. The popular local venue (formerly the Charisma Bar, City Tavern) Upstairs @ The Market Tavern 8 Market Street, off Cornmarket St as soon as the rest of the acts are is due to have an extension built as well as Tel: 01865 248388 Email: [email protected] announced. a new stage, bar and better soundproofed windows which will allow it to become an 3rd :GUNNBUNNY + MONDO CADA DIRTY EARTH BAND’s gig at the New even better home to live music. Doors open 9pm, £4 Entry Theatre has been expanded to include the 4tth : BLACK POWDER + Guests venue’s circle and balcony due to high YOUR SONG takes place on Saturday Doors open 8pm, £4 Entry demand for tickets. The popular local rock 19th August at the Zodiac. The legendary 10th: FOXES + guests th Doors open 8.30pm, £4 Entry covers band play at Oxford’s biggest live annual party, now in its 16 year features 17th: PRIMITIVE TIME MACHINE + Guests rd music venue on Sunday 3 September local luminaries playing merry hell with Doors open 8pm, £4 Entry along with The Corsairs and Warm Baby. classic and not-so classic covers in aid of 18th : HANGMANS JOE + MARY’S GARDEN + PHYAL The gig is in aid of local young people’s promoter Mac’s birthday. This year’s line- Doors open 8pm, £4 Entry 25th : LICKETY SPLITS + Guests charities Chox and Base 33. Tickets are on up features Beelzebozo, Witches, Sow, Doors open 8pm, £4 Entry sale now, priced £10 (£8 concessions) The Delta Frequency, Ally Craig, Delicious Music + Up ‘N’ Coming Entertainment . . . from www.getlive.co.uk/oxford or on 0870 Borderville, The Hero Story and Baby Presents every Saturday . . . Oxfords hottest musical acts 607 7484. Gravy, with all the makings of a classic 5th: SAHARA BOAT CLUB + STORNAWAY + FILIP SALEN night. 12th: BORDERVILLE + BLUE JUNK + SHE CRIES + JOE SATRIANI TRIBUTE 19th: THE IDEA + TRUE RUMOUR + CAPTAIN PYRATES + WE CURRENTLY HAVE a three-month HOLIDAY IN VIETNAM backlog of demos for review. If you’ve 26th: TONIC + NOT MY DAY + THE TURBULENCE sent a demo in in the past couple of 9.00pm through to 1am, £4.00 entry fee months, it’s probably in the pile waiting for the butcher’s knife. If you are worried Delicious Music Eclectic Jam Night All musicians welcome… come & have a jam! about the whereabouts of your demo or Every Sunday, doors open 6pm, FREE ENTRY. any of your relatives call our special

freephone helpline. No but really, sorry, WANT TO PLAY HERE?? Just drop in a demo to the Market Tavern marked FAO there just ain’t been the space, innit? Charis with your band name & number on. A Quiet Word With The Half Rabbits THERE USED TO BE AN OLD Rabbits are shrouded in dense Half of The Half Rabbits. That’ll be a layers of guitar and bass but exude adage that if you wanted to know quarter rabbit, then. an almost psychedelic exuberance whether a band were goths or not Possibly the ears and of the kind early goth bands never you simply asked them and if they front paws. denied it they were goths. It had all got the credit for. the logic and justice of a medieval ducking stool but it did highlight THE HALF RABBITS WERE the apparent stigma attached to formed in 2002 by school friends being practitioners of music’s Michael Weatherburn (guitar and darker arts. Here’s what Half vocals), Alice Watanabe (bass) and Rabbits had to say when we put Chris Rant (guitar), with drummer the question to them: Sally Pelling joining them at the end Michael: “To say you’re a goth of that year. The band’s name came band would mean we start with a from Chris hazily remembering musical (and physical) template that finding half a rabbit in a field as a you have to conform to. We just youngster. Having made a bit of a play whatever music we like - the name for themselves on the Oxford of punk-funk and emo, it can sound rest. We aim to progress with what only rule we have is that we try to music scene over the last couple of like a record out of time. we are doing and I think that is make each song better than the last.” years, gigging regularly both locally Michael: “I’m really proud of it – reflected in the results that we Chris: “If I’m absolutely honest I and around the UK, including it’s probably my favourite three achieve. We are always working on personally don’t think we sound support slots to Editors, We Are songs that we play live at the new material. There is very little gothic at all: the guitars can be pretty Scientists and House Of Love. The moment. The main difference that we played a year ago that we heavy at times and Michael’s voice is Half Rabbits release a new EP this between this record and the last play now.” often compared to Jim Morrison but month, ‘Tiny Knives For Tiny one is that a lot more people know Being included on two of the does that make us gothic? In contrast Minds’, a three-track CD featuring the band now and so there was a ‘Public Service Broadcast’ series I think many of our songs are quite live favourites ‘These Rumours’, degree of expectation that’s not must have helped the band’s uplifting in parts. I wouldn’t be ‘Someone’s Coming’ and Playing been there before. We were aware profile. necessarily uncomfortable with the With Fireworks’. The band have of it during the recording process Michael: “Smalltown America label, if I felt it was true.” previously featured on two ‘Public and we’re still aware of it now.” (Jetplane Landing’s record label) Sally: “We are not a ‘gothic band’ in Service Broadcast’ compilation Chris: “I’ve yet to get hold of a must have heard some good things the way that the term is generally albums, the regular new talent copy but I hear good things! In all about us because they got in touch applied to the music scene, but collections put together by Irish seriousness I feel they are three to ask if they could use a song on there are certainly elements of the rockers Jetplane Landing. Along the strong songs that stand out and their new compilation and of gothic in our sound.” way they’ve been played on Radio even though I’ve played them course we jumped at the chance. Hmm, sounds like denial. Goths! 1 and hailed by Rolling Stone many times I always look forward When our next record came out, magazine as a band to watch out to belting them out live. The they got back in touch and asked to OKAY SO THE HALF RABBITS for. production is different from use another. The label has a really aren’t goths. Really, they aren’t. previous recordings and it’s always great ‘we keep the bands in charge But there is a darkness about their NIGHTSHIFT TALKED TO refreshing to hear a different of their own music’ attitude, which music that recalls the early-80s The Half Rabbits as they prepared interpretation of your music.” you don’t get often.” sound of bands like The to launch ‘Tiny Knives…’ with a Sally: “It is more coherent, Chameleons and Bauhaus, coupled typically ferocious gig at The immediate and forceful than NEW WAVE-INSPIRED MUSIC with the brooding intensity of 70s Cellar. The new EP is more clean anything we’re done before. The seems to predominate at the Bowie. Live the band are a high- cut than the band’s live sound, straightforward production style moment. The Half Rabbits seem to wired, uptight storm of noise that Michael’s Bowie-meets-Fad has allowed us to convey the be inspired by music from that comes from the less celebrated side Gadget snarl dominating character and feel of the music post-punk period but by of new wave and post-punk; not proceedings as guitars cut turbulent more directly. The band has completely different bands to those for them speed-addled funk and shapes beneath. Situated far developed a chemistry that allows normally name-checked. Where do chopped-up guitar lines. The Half beyond the dominant rock domains us to produce more tension, depth, they draw their main inspiration and intensity than ever before.” from and where would they see A while ago Rollingstone.com said themselves fitting, or not fitting, in great things should be expected with today’s music scene? from you; how did you feel about Chris: “One of the hardest that and how close are you to questions I’ve ever been asked is fulfilling their prediction? `what kind of music do you play?’ Michael: “It was of course All our tastes differ – some more amazing for them to say something than others – but those different like that. I’d like to think that the tastes and styles are, I guess, what band is always getting better and defines our music. I think we’re better – this way we may become somewhere between fitting and not ‘great’ one day. We’re constantly fitting in (if that’s possible) which assessing and reassessing our own is a good place to be. We haven’t music to try and achieve this, sold our souls to be famous and yet The other half of The Half Rabbits: which I think is very important.” I don’t feel our music alienates whiskers and bobtail. Alice: “We are not a band to take a anyone either. For instance I’ve seen people who I really wouldn’t more I’d like to go to.” have thought would be into us turn Alice: “I really appreciate how into some our most hardcore fans.” many great bands I get to see Alice: “We are not a band who set because there are promoters who out to join in with a particular will put them on, venues to see scene or draw very direct them in and other like-minded gig influences from a specific handful goers in the audience!” of bands. Our sound comes from an Sally: “Oxford is a fantastic place ethos that coincidentally other to play and listen to new music. bands may share.” Competition amongst many Sally: “On a surface level there are musicians creates a standard of similarities in style. However, we quality that means that great music are trying to create a more layered can be had locally any night of the and diverse sound, which is week, and the willingness of local August reflected in the range of musicians promoters to give new bands a that inspire us.” chance means that there is choice Every Monday Michael: “It’s weird – personally, and variety in the music scene. The I’d never even heard of bands like music scene has treated us pretty THE FAMOUS MONDAY NIGHT Bauhaus and the Psychedelic Furs fairly, and criticism has helped us until people started to mention the to improve and develop.” BLUES names to us. Even when I Who is the biggest party animal in The best in UK, European and US blues. 8-12. £6 eventually did listen to them I still The Half Rabbits? 7th LIGHTNING WILLIE & THE POOR BOYS (USA) didn’t see it. As for whether we fit Sally: “Chris can drink the most 14th THE RUDY ROTTA BAND (Italy) in or not, we think about this a lot whisky without falling over.” 21st TRAFFICKER (UK) less than a lot of other bands seem Michael: “I think we’d all like to 28th August Bank Holiday – no gig to. If we fit in, that’s great, if not, say we’re the biggest party animal we’re still exactly the same band. I in the band, but we’ve all got reckon that people like to pretty stiff competition. If it were Every Tuesday pigeonhole bands as then it saves up to me to choose the people to THE OXFORD JAZZ CLUB having to think about it. That’s the invite to our party, I’d get all the last thing we want to do!” bands we’ve ever played with, then Free live jazz with THE TOM GREY QUINTET plus DJs In tune with the music, which make them all play our album as playing r’n’b, funk and soul until 2am inclines towards the darker side of one massive band.” (* except Tuesday 1st THE KATYA GORRIE BAND things, Michael’s lyrics reflect a Chris: “I used to be the last one to featuring DENNY ILETT) frustration with life. Michael, leave a party but I’m a couple of describes them as nihilistic What years older now so just get me my are life’s great frustrations? pipe and slippers and while your Every Friday Michael: “I normally use my up if you could just stoke the fire a lyrics as a frustration vent if bit for me, ta. Nah, I still enjoy a BACKROOM BOOGIE anything’s winding me up at the good drink and as far as the others Funk, soul and R&B. 9-2am Free B4 10pm; £4 after. time, which explains why the songs go, they’re always up and about are often pretty dark and intense. somewhere, gets a bit hard to keep Plus That said, there’s definitely an track of them to be honest.” Saturday 5th SIMPLE (funky house) 9-2am element of exaggeration - you could Thursday 17th DRUGDEALER CHEERLEADER + say that even putting lyrics to SO, IT’S THE HEIGHT OF music involves an element of summer. Oxford basks in a supports th fantasy. If it wasn’t for the fact heatwave, but The Half Rabbits are Saturday 19 REGGAE NIGHT 9-2am that I like to play music, I could here to remind us that Autumn is Thursday 26th HIP HOP NIGHT 9-2am just write my thoughts on pieces of only around the next corner. The paper and hand them out to people new EP is a good chance to shelter as they walk past.” in their musical shadow. But before Upcoming we do that, it’s time for a trite, THE HALF RABBITS’ predictable question. One that is Sun 3rd September THE SELECTER – Two Tone growing local fanbase includes a already making them regret their legends. Tickets £12 from The Bully large number of fellow musicians choice of band name and will and they always seem to be doubtless haunt them for many namechecked by other Oxford seasons to come. Was it the front bands. This is very often a good or back half of a rabbit you were indicator of a band’s ability and named after? potential. It is also reflective of Michael: “A guy with a strange Oxford’s tight-knit music look in his eyes asked me that community and The Half Rabbits’ when we played in Bristol the standing as a band who like a good other day. I’ll tell you the same party. Indeed their drinking thing I told him – the important exploits are well known. thing is not which half, but who or Michael: “When we gig in other what would want half a rabbit for cities we always like to ask people something…” at the gig about what local scene’s like there. Normally the answer is ‘Tiny Knives For Tiny Minds’ is that there’s about one gig a out now on Punk Elvis Records. fortnight and only three decent The Half Rabbits play The Zodiac bands that don’t just play covers. I on Saturday 30th September. can (and do) go to about three gigs Check out www.halfrabbits.co.uk a week here – and there’s always for more news and gig dates. Sponsored RELEASED by commercial break from the main programme but THE YOUNG KNIVES the Steely Dan-style shuffle can’t be overlooked. But then The Young Knives are so much more ‘Voices Of Animals And than the sum of their myriad influences. Men’ Magnificently over the top and armed with maddeningly obtuse lyrics, they make pure pop (Transgressive) songs that are wrenched out of shape by a We’ve been banging on about the genius of The glancing blow from the passing crazy bus, Young Knives for so long now it seems almost melodies taking unnatural detours, but the best unreal that this album is going to launch them songs so simple they can withstand any into a whole new sphere of fame and influence. meddling and remain cannon fodder for Genius: there, we said it. It’s such an overused tartrazine-fuelled children at school discos the word, particularly in music journalism, that it land over. Much of ‘Voices…’ will be familiar to hardly registers any longer, but listen to ‘The local fans; also included here are demented meet- Decision’ or ‘Here Comes The Rumour Mill’ or the-parents pop grenade ‘She’s Attracted To’ as ‘Loughborough Suicide’ and the wide-angled well as ‘Weekends and Bleak Days’, ‘Coastgard’ pop brilliance with its incredible attention to documented: Wire, Sparks, Pere Ubu, but there and ‘Trembling Of Trails’ from last year’s EP, detail hits you like a highly-sprung fly-swat are more unexpected shadows lurking; Henry but there are enough new songs to stir the loins, every time. You could take someone’s eye out and House’s almost sloganeering shouty while ‘Loughborough Suicide’ is worth the with some of the stuff on ‘Voices Of Animals harmonies on album opener ‘Part Timer’ could admission price alone. And Men’. be Chumbawamba on a bit of a bender, while So there we go: Oxford’s brightest stars belong Drawing on post-punk’s wilfulness as much as ‘Tailors’, with its Bagpuss-like spookiness to the world now. No chance of them not its sounds, The Young Knives have created a drifts into 60s acid folk territory. And then spreading their wings and flying. There’s not a sugar and sandpaper-coated rough diamond of there are those barely-suppressed jazz cage could contain them. an album. The primary colours are well tendencies; ‘Half Timer’ is little more than a Dale Kattack

The fact that Robyn wrote most of these songs ROBYN BRADY- when she was only 13 is achievement enough. THE FAMILY That she sang and played nearly all the MACHINE HALLIGAN instruments too suggests a real talent on the ‘The Rite’ rise. For starters Robyn has a pretty stunning ‘Flowers By The voice: a soft, high-pitched coo with a very slight (Own Label) warble that’s like a very young KT Tunstall Roadside’ The idea of having to review an album by a local crossed with a very, very young Dolly Parton. (Beard Museum) 14-year-old girl would normally fill us with Lyrically tracks like ‘The Bombs’ are naïve but “Don’t leave me flowers by the roadside / It’s dread. Especially when the lead track was no more so than the trite political statements not the place I loved, it’s just the place I died”. apparently “inspired by the London made by pop stars twice her age. But while it’s Well there’s a cheery singalong for the summer. bombings”. But, almost miraculously, Robyn this number that will attract the attention of the And it gets worse: “I could not answer the Brady-Halligan’s debut offering is nothing like likes of Fox FM, it’s sweeter songs like ‘Middle phone when you rang / I was dead by the the twee, cliché-ridden product of pushy Class Cliché’ that stand out, Robyn’s breathy roadside”. parents’ rampaging egos we might, cynically, vocals soft as feathers over an innocuous soft- Top stuff, and all banged out with a cheery have expected. rock backing. The jazzier ‘The Rite’ sounds like country twang, a few whistles and an her attempt to “do a Joss Stone”. Elsewhere she exuberance that makes Supergrass sound like touches on the lighter side of celtic folk and The Cure on a wet Tuesday night in Grimsby. Nashville country, though it’s the supposed Family Machine frontman Jamie Hyatt is a joke track, ‘0800 Bacon Rind’ that really stands master of dry, hangdog songwriting; there’s an out. apparently unselfconscious cheesiness about Musically ‘The Rite’ plays it pretty safe, everything The Family Machine do, whether though when you think there’s about twenty it’s the mindlessly merry and morbid `Lethal million folks out there would trample on each Drugs Cocktail’ – also included on this new EP other’s spines to grab the last copy off – their equally daft World Cup anthem or the Woolworth’s racks given a decent advertising title track’s ode to roadside tributes, that it’s campaign, why not? too easy to dismiss the band as a bit of a We’d love to hear Robyn team up with a more novelty outfit, but `Flowers By The Roadside’, adventurous songwriter and bring out some of a sort of cross between Paul Evans’ `Hello This the darkness that makes the best jazz and folk Is Joanie’ and Monty Python’s `Always Look music so great. But for now, this is a genuinely On The Bright Side Of Life’ marks then out as unexpected treat. the cheeriest country rocking goths in town. Sue Foreman Dale Kattack Selected Oxford releases are now available on the ground floor HMV Oxford supports local music Open Sundays 11-5pm & late Thursdays till 7pm. 10% student discount every day WINNEBAGO DEAL FULL ON EMPTY ‘Flight Of The ‘Pride’ Raven’ (Trojan Horse) Master of mirth Umair Chaudhry returns with (Fierce Panda) another bleak excavation of musical darkness The subtitle of ‘Flight Of The Raven is ‘When with his Full On Empty project. Umair, a He Flies, Someone Dies’. Pretty neat really regular feature in the Nightshift demo pages when you consider that when Winnebago Deal under various guises as well as a pivotal take flight, stuff gets broken: limbs, heads, member of hardcore monsters Xmas Lights, musical subtleties, that sort of thing. likes to look on the bleak side of life and this And so we reach Winnebago Deal’s third creeping ambient-industrial dirge soundtracks album. They neatly side-step the “difficult” bit that outlook well. ‘Pride’ is choc full of by simply kicking it out exactly as they have primitive electronic beats, spectral choir done on their previous two. Here is rock and samples, desolate piano and squelching synths. roll played fast and loud and dealing with It’s the sort of album – weighing in at a hefty 80 fighting, drinking, going mad and poisonous with plenty of whisky bar stop-offs along the minutes – that you might put on to accompany spiders. These guys hang out with Nick Oliveri way. a couple of bottles of wine of an evening if you for chrissakes, what do you expect? Asking From the Stooges-flecked piledrive of ‘Reeper’ really wanted to piss yourself off. Winnebago Deal to do things any other way is and the bloody blues-metal of From pounding gothic histrionics to more edgy like asking a lion to stop ripping antelopes ‘Czechoslovakia’, through to the stoner thrash electro passages, not a million miles away from apart. It ain’t gonna happen, and nor would we of the album’s title track, ‘Flight Of The Raven’ Human League’s earliest explorations, Umair want it to. keeps adrenaline levels high, neat bourbon on crackles and grinds like a man trying to meet a Winnebago Deal’s deathwish grunge-metal the menu and navel-gazing only visible through strict deadline on a Cyberman production line. (hey, remember when grunge was a nasty old the sights of a rifle. The album’s real stand-out It is pretty unrelenting though, and occasionally beast and hadn’t started feeling sorry for itself track is the more considered ‘Venomised’, Ben a few rays of light might help. Rather it’s like or moping about girls and stuff?) sticks to a P’s lava-gargling growl coupled to the molten stumbling through a blacked-out tunnel waiting simple formula, and with only two band guitar sludge in a style reminiscent of the for some nameless evil to devour you but it members (Ben Perrier on guitar and vocals and mighty Killdozer. never arrives; the blackness just goes on forever. Ben Thomas on drums and – gasp! – piano for Is anyone seriously suggesting any of these It’s the soundtrack to purgatory. That was one track) there’s perhaps less room for variety things need changing? Like The Ramones, like almost certainly the intention. Next month than more expansive bands would have but Motörhead, like Iggy, Winnebago Deal just keep Umair will be writing the score for new West sticking to a well-worn path never did The charging on the only way they know how. End production, The Battle Of The Somme - The Ramones any harm. Anyway, Winnebago Deal’s Charge your glasses. Musical. Enjoy! path is a dust-encrusted road that leads to hell Dale Kattack Ian Chesterton thethe portport mmahonahon DELICIOUS MUSIC Live Music in August Live Music in August Every Sunday @ Market Tavern Music Market, The Eclectic Electric Jam / 8pm / Free Tue 1st Ultra Culture nd Thu 2 The Talc Demons + support Every Tuesday @ Pizza Express in Bar Milano Sat 5th Neberest Sang + Black Static Transition + 1st Simon Davies – Jazzy Bossa Nova Jonquil 8th Jazz Emporium – Brilliant Jazz Standards Sun 6th Leatherat + support 15th Chiarina Darrah – Jazz, pop & folk favourite Tue 8th GJB + Not Rocket Science 24th Cicily & Lattice – A Must-see vocal & piano duo Wed 9th Mt. + Up C Down C Left C Right C ABC And Start + Mai Mayo Mai + Flies Are Spies From Hell, th Thu 10th True Rumour FRIDAY 18 @ St. Aldates Tavern / 9pm / Free entry Fri 11th Hangman Joe, The Ruins, KT and Ky Friday Street + Special Guests Sat 12th The Black Powder Sun 13th ‘Melodic Oxford’ presents A&E Lines + Young Every Saturday @ Market Tavern (upstairs Music Market) Playthings + The Gullivers + Iodo 5th Stornaway + Sahara Boat Club + Filip Salen Wed 16th Phillip Roebuck + Robh Hokum 12th Borderville + Blue Junk + Joe Satriani Tribute Thu 17th Luke Barbanneau 19th The Idea + True Rumour + Captyn Pirates Fri 18th Twat Daddies + Hols in Vietnam Sat 19th Adrenalin 26th Tonic + The Turbulence + Not My Day + Simon Davies Sun 20th Stornoway + The Sail Planes + Foxes! Mon 21st David K Frampton and Guests Coming August 4th - 6th CHALGROVE LIVE nd Tue 22 Kohoutek Acoustic MUSIC & BEER FESTIVAL! 50+ ACTS, BEERS & ALES Sun 27th Pindrop Performance with Wait For Coniston + Bugbrand + Grudle Bay Riots DEMOS to: DMR DELICIOUS MUSIC REPUBLIC Wed 30th ‘Melodic Oxford’ presents Dennis Discoll + 99 St. ALDATES Wolf Tracks + Shoes & Socks TEL: 01865 242784 / 07876 184623 Book your band into play at Oxford’s best small music venue! FOR BOOKINGS 82 St Clements, Oxford. Tel: 01865 202067 email:[email protected] gig guide

TUESDAY 1 st SUNDAY 6th JAZZ CLUB with THE KATYA GORRIE LEATHERAT: The Port Mahon – Energetic AUGUST folk-rockers. BAND featuring DENNY ILETT: The SUNDAY STEAMER with BORDERVILLE + Bullingdon – Special guest appearance at the rd Bully’s free weekly jazz club from local THURSDAY 3 BRICKWORK LIZARDS + JAMIE HYATT + chanteuse Katya Gorrie and jazz guitarist GUNNBUNNY + MONDO CADA: The CAPTAIN PYRATES: Departing From Denny Ilett Music Market – Incendiary bluesy grunge Salters Steamers, Folly Bridge (3pm) – DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES & from Gunnbunny, plus storming garage rocking More rock-on-a-boat action from the Sunday FOLK NIGHT: Bar Milano, Pizza Express - from Mondo Cada. Steamer crew, this month taking to the water Jazzy bossanove from Simon Davies. WHERE I’M CALLING FROM + LITTLE with glammed-up space rockers Borderville, ACOUSTIC NIGHT: The Hobgoblin, FISH: The Cellar – Sweet new wave-inspired eclectic global sounds from Brickwork Lizards Bicester pop from the promising local newcomers, and sardonic songsmithery from Family ULTRA CULTURE: The Port Mahon taking in Belle & Sebastian, the Only Ones and Machine’s Jamie Hyatt. WEDNESDAY 2 nd Fleetwood Mac along the way. DELICIOUS MUSIC JAM SESSION: The SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks – Weekly Music Market THE TALC DEMONS: The Port Mahon reggae, ska, funk, Latin and Afrobeat session JINX: The Black Horse, Kidlington OPEN MIC SESSION: Marlborough House with DJ Aidan Larkin and guests. MONDAY 7th SABOTAGE: The Zodiac – Weekly rock club LIGHTNING WILLIE & THE POOR BOYS: Thursday 10th – Saturday 12th night playing new metal, hardcore and The Bullingdon – Texas-born, Pasadena- alternative releases. resident electric blues-rock guitarist, a big CROPREDY FRIDAY 4th favourite on the UK circuit where he’s more FESTIVAL PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS + popular than back home. Rocking blues, swing SECONDSMILE + DEGÜELLO: The Zodiac and rock’n’roll that mixes up Otis Rush, Stevie And still it marches on, now into its fourth – Feverishly intense Illinois punkers return to Ray Vaughan and Eddie Cochran. decade, Fairport Convention’s annual the Zodiac off the back of tours with The Ataris th gathering of the folk tribes has survived its TUESDAY 8 and Dillinger Escape Plan. A new album, the recent scares (the marital split between Dave JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY follow-up to ‘Up Them In Guts’ is due out and Chris Pegg, Fairport bassist and festival QUINTET: The Bullingdon later this year. Top-notch local support from co-ordinator respectively, threatened to end GJB + NOT ROCKET SCIENCE: The Port hardcore mutoids Degüello. the event a while back) and continues to Mahon BLACK POWDER: The Music Market gather up the old and new guard of traditional DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES & BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon English folk, blues and rock, as ever headlined FOLK NIGHT: Bar Milano, Pizza Express - JUDY’S FARM: Somerset House, Marston by the mighty Fairport (pictured) on the With Jazz Emporium Road – Classic rock and pop covers. Saturday night, with their traditional three- INTRUSION: The Cellar – Goth and BOSSAPHONIK: The Cellar – Live jazz hour set featuring all manner of guest turns. industrial club night. dance. th Other highlights over the weekend include th WEDNESDAY 9 10cc’s Friday night headline set and the SATURDAY 5 MT. + UP C DOWN C LEFT C RIGHT C enduringly great Steeleye Span on Thursday. SEAFOOD + THE RACE + THE ROCK OF ABC AND START + MAI MAYO MAI + Amongst the supporting cast are hard- TRAVOLTA: The Zodiac – Long-time FLIES ARE SPIES FROM HELL: The Port drinking Scottish folk survivor and pioneer underground indie rock heroes return, now Mahon – A competition night to see who can John Martyn (that’s survivor in the real sense signed to Cooking Vinyl, and with a fresher, give their band the most irritating name. of the word – four shooting attempts and a stripped-down sound, inspired by the likes of OPEN MIC SESSION: The Marlborough stabbing in his time), former-Squeeze Pavement and Sebadoh rock but with a sweet House frontman Glenn Tilbrook and perhaps English psychedelic pop edge. New single highlight of the lot, traditional Irish harpist ‘Signal Sparks’ precedes an album, ‘Paper Maire Ni Chathasaigh’s set with renowned Crown King’ in September and hopefully a new guitarist Chris Newman. Plenty more besides, lease of life for one of the UK’s most including a Status Quo tribute, but the best underrated – and unlucky – young bands. Local thing about Cropredy remains its lost-in-time post-rock heroes The Rock Of Travolta ambience, laid-back atmosphere, decent food, support. quality beer and (relatively) civilised loos. SAHARA BOAT CLUB + STORNAWAY + Tickets on sale from FILIP SALEN: The Music Market www.fairportconvention.com. SIMPLE: The Bullingdon – Funky house club night. NEBEREST SANG + BLACK STATIC TRANSMISSION + JONQUIL: The Port Mahon – Leftfield and post-rock. ABORT, RETRY, FAIL with DISCO DRIVE: The Cellar – Frenetic, funky hardcore noise with a heavy gang Of Four influence from Italy’s Disco Drive. RICHARD BROTHERTON + DIRTY RED + ALAN HAINES: King’s Head & Bell, Abingdon – Skittle Alley acoustic night. THURSDAY 10th TUESDAY 15th JIMMY BARNES: The Zodiac – Enduringly JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY popular Australian singer-songwriter who’s QUINTET: The Bullingdon duetted with Tina Turner, INXS and Joe DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES & Cocker. Currently promoting new album FOLK NIGHT: Bar Milano, Pizza Express - ‘Double Happiness’, taking a more considered, With singer Chiarina Darrah acoustic approach to his soulful rock sound. WEDNESDAY 16th FOXES!: The Music Market - 60s PHILLIP ROEBUCK + ROBH HOKUM: psychedelic pop. The Port Mahon – One-man band in the old- THE THUMB QUINTET + BRICKWORK fashioned sense, armed with banjo and bass LIZARDS: The Cellar – Instrumental drum strapped to his back. Voted Subway folkatronica from The Thumb Quintet, coming Performer of the Year in his native New York in in somewhere between Four Tet and Pentangle. 2002 and adding a punky edge to traditional Saturday 12th PINEY & THE BLUEGRASS TWO: QI Club busking style, having supported the likes of – Truck Records favourites Piney Gir takes a Shellac and American Music Club. Local chap M.WARD: The Zodiac break from synth-pop to display her American Robh Hokum leaves his Ylid project aside for With ‘End Of Amnesia’ Portland, Oregan’s folk roots side. the night for some downbeat acoustic pop. Matt Ward created a genuine modern folk- TRUE RUMOUR: The Port Mahon SUNNYVALE NOISE SUB-ELEMENT + rock classic. Last year’s ‘Transistor Radio’, SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks – Weekly XMAS LIGHTS + MARY BENDY TOY + his fourth album, got critics in a similar reggae, ska, funk, Latin and Afrobeat session THE IDEA + BEAVER FUEL: The froth, establishing the charismatic virtuoso with Aidan Larkin and guests. Wheatsheaf – The Grinning Spider club as one of the great contemporary purveyors SABOTAGE: The Zodiac presents ace local post-rock electro noise of classic Americana while never threatening th FRIDAY 11 merchants Sunnyvale, doing their Shellac-meets- to break into mainstream success. Maybe KILLA KELA + DJ SKELETRIK + MC TRIP Kraftwerk stuff to punishing effect, while this year will be different, and anyway, + ROOKWOOD: The Cellar – Short live set doomladen industrial hardcore terrors Xmas Ward’s music is so timeless it doesn’t really from the renowned human beatbox, plus a night Lights keep the volume and intensity levels up. matter if he becomes huge next month or of hip hop from DJ Fu. Skewed punkoids Mary Bendy Toy bring a sometime in 2020. The collision of HANGMAN JOE + THE RUINS + KT & degree of insanity to proceedings, while Beaver melancholy and childlike wonderment, KY: The Port Mahon – Local indie rock bands Fuel go acoustic to warm the evening up slowly. warmth and gentle disorganisation and his night. OPEN MIC SESSION: Marlborough House mellow, rasping voice, backed by a sparse SOURCE: The Zodiac – Monthly drum&bass THURSDAY 17th arrangement of piano, harmonica, acoustic guitar and percussion draws on everything club night. Tonight’s guests are Mikee Hussla, DRUGDEALER CHEERLEADER: The that’s great about blues, folk, country, rock GDStar, Caution, Jibba and Rogue. Bullingdon – Dumb, fun rock and roll noise and gospel. He’s in the lineage of Woody BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon – from London’s Drugdealer Cheerleader, mixing Guthrie and Bob Dylan, although vocally at Classic funk, soul and disco every week. up Motley Crue, The New York Dolls, th least he’s closer to Glenn Campbell and Tom SATURDAY 12 Ramones and The Cult into a frothy brew. Waits, while a host of more successful stars M-WARD: The Zodiac – Gorgeous modern PRIMITIVE TIME MACHINE: The Music are quick to name-check him – from Vic blues and folk cult songsmith – see main Market – Local funk rockers. Chestnutt to My Morning Jacket. Both preview KATY BENNETT + LUKE SMITH: QI Club have contributed to recent recordings, BORDERVILLE + BLUE JUNK + SHE – Acclaimed local folkstress Katy teams up alongside Lambchop and Giant Sand, and his CRIES + JOE SATRIANI TRIBUTE: The with Truck favourite Luke for a night of quality fanbase can only grow as more and more Music Market – Theatrical funky glam rocking acoustic folk and pop. folks get to hear his music. from Borderville, plus funky improv rock from LUKE BARBANNEAU: The Port Mahon Blue Junk and mellow Led Zep-influenced rock THE DRUG SQUAD + FROM MARS + th from She Cries. NAGATHA KRUSTI: The Cellar – Ska-punk SATURDAY 19 THE BLACK POWDER: The Port Mahon – stalwarts The Drug Squad return to live action WITTSTOCK FESTIVAL: The General You need to watch that soot, it’ll ruin the carpet. with new singer James, previously of Elliot, South Hinksey – Full day of live music LEATHERAT: Brasenose Arms, Cropredy Underbelly and Mindsurfer. with headliners Mary’s Garden joined by SUNDAY 13th SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks Junkie Brush, Phyal, Smilex, Twizz Twangle, SABOTAGE: The Zodiac BEARD MUSEUM with THE DIRTY Fork, Laima Bite and Foxes!. th ROYALS + BARNABAS + BAREFOOT TIM FRIDAY 18 YOUR SONG: The Zodiac – The legendary th + LUCKY FACE: The Purple Turtle – Myriad COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE: The Zodiac – covers night, now in its 15 year and featuring a pop thrills at Beard Museum, tonight featuring V Festival warm-up gig for Reading’s psych- selection of local rock luminaries debasing the new-look, renamed Samurai Seven, The Dirty rock heavyweights, back in town once again. themselves with booze and dodgy Royals, plus Berkshire-based songsmith WITTSTOCK FESTIVAL: The General reinterpretations of classic and not so classic Barefoot Tim, drawing on Evan Dando, Badly Elliot, South Hinksey – First night of the free hits, all in aid of promoter Mac’s birthday. 29 Drawn Boy and Weezer for inspiration. local music festival in aid of Motor Neurone again, eh? He doesn’t look a day older than 34. MELODIC OXFORD with THE A+E LINES Disease research. Headliners are + YOUNG PLAYTHINGS + IODO + THE punk loons Barry & The GULLIVERS: The Port Mahon – Various Beachcombers, plus Opaque, EJ melodically-inclined local bands. Norman, Audio Pollution and Anton DELICIOUS MUSIC JAM SESSION: The Barbeau. Music Market HANGMAN’S JOE + MARY’S COPYCATS: The Black Horse, Kidlington GARDEN + PHYAL: The Music th Market – Local bands night MONDAY 14 including gothic rocking from Mary’s THE RUDY ROTTA BAND: The Bullingdon Garden and punky metal noise from – Italian blues guitarist who’s made his Phyal. reputation on the European blues festival TWAT DADDIES: The Port circuit, mixing up blues roots with rock, soul, Mahon r’n’b and funk, as well as reinterpreting Beatles BACKROOM BOOGIE: The classics in a blues style. Bullingdon pop from local newcomers Foxes! at tonight’s HIP HOP CLUB NIGHT: The Bullingdon first Swiss Concrete gig. ACOUSTIC GODFATHERS: The Black YOU’RE SMILING NOW BUT WE’LL ALL Horse, Kidlington TURN INTO DEMONS + ZELEGA: The ROLLERCOASTER Vs CHICKS WITH Cellar – Sonic Youth-inspired psych-core from DECKS: The Cellar – Indie, new wave, riot the headliners whose name we really can’t be grrls and 80s mash up. bothered to type again, plus post-rock SUNDAY 27th soundscaping from Zelega. PINDROP PERFORMANCE with WAIT DELICIOUS MUSIC JAM SESSION: The nd FOR CONISTON + BUGBRAND: The Port Tuesday 22 Music Market Mahon (5pm) – Local instrumental post- HAYSEED DIXIE: STORNOWAY + THE SAIL PLANES + rockers Wait For Coniston headline tonight’s FOXES!: The Port Mahon – Local bands night. Oxfordbands.com night with heavy electronic The Zodiac NATION: The Black Horse, Kidlington – noise support from Bugbrand. Hard-working local glam-popsters continue It’s easy to see why Nashville’s Hayseed BEARD MUSEUM with HORSEFIGHTER + their never-ending tour of the shires. CHANTELLE PIKE + PATRICK BRISCOE Dixie were perceived as a novelty band st when they first started getting a bit of MONDAY 21 + MAT GIBSON: The Purple Turtle – Indie airplay over here. Their reinterpretations of TRAFFICKER: The Bullingdon – The band rocking from Horsefighter and theatrical folk- classic rock and metal songs – from AC/DC fronted by young British blues guitar sensation pop from Chantelle Pike. and Motörhead to Queen and Spinal Tap – Tommy Allen whose tour credits include Big DELICIOUS MUSIC JAM SESSION: The in an authentic Deep South folk style were a Joe Turner’s Memphis Blues Caravan and Music Market dream for ironically-minded pop fans, but Sugarbabes. Blues-rock with a heavy 60s FAJITA EATERS: The Black Horse, Kidlington anyone who saw the band the last time they influence. MONDAY 28th played the Zodiac will testify to their DAVID K FRAMPTON: The Port Mahon – BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE: The Zodiac – serious musical credentials. Starting from the Heavyweight experimental electronica. Symphonic indie rock from Toronto collective. nd premise that AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ is TUESDAY 22 TUESDAY 29th essentially the same strip of tarmac as Hank HAYSEED DIXIE: The Zodiac – It’s metal JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY Williams’ ‘Lost Highway’, they make an Jim, but not as we know it – see main preview QUINTET: The Bullingdon easy crossover between the two styles of JAZZ CLUB with THE TOM GREY DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES & music. Their exemplary choice of covers is QUINTET: The Bullingdon FOLK NIGHT: Bar Milano, Pizza Express executed with a keen sense of humour as KOHOUTEK: The Port Mahon th well as a genuine love and feel for the DELICIOUS MUSIC JAZZ, BLUES & WEDNESDAY 30 originals, while the traditional Tennessee FOLK NIGHT: Bar Milano, Pizza Express - MELODIC OXFORD with DENNIS folk songs they play display the incredible With vocal and piano duo Cicily & Lattice. DRISCOLL + WOLF TRACKS + SHOES & musical dexterity of the band. New album, rd SOCKS: The Port Mahon WEDNESDAY 23 st ‘A Hot Piece Of Grass’ boasts covers of MAMMUTH: The Zodiac – Swedish emo THURSDAY 31 Outkast and Green Day. A perverse and rockers. THE QUARTER-FINALS + THE PHOTOS maybe slightly guilty pleasure they might OPEN MIC SESSION: Marlborough House + BÊTE NOIR: The Cellar – Indie-metal be, but Hayseed Dixie are also one of the th noise from The Quarter-Finals, plus Strokes- most fun bands you’ll see this year, and THURSDAY 24 inspired new wave pop from The Photos. mandolins and banjos never sounded so rock TEMPLE: The Bullingdon SKYLARKIN: The Brickworks and roll. FROWSER + CARAVAN OF WHORES + SABOTAGE: The Zodiac GLENDA HUISH + DR SLAGGLEBERRY: Acts performing are Beelzebozo, Witches, Sow, The Hobgoblin, Bicester – Live music returns The Delta Frequency, Ally Craig, Borderville, to the Hobgoblin with tonight’s showcase of The Hero Story and Baby Gravy. local rock talents. Nightshift listings are free. Deadline for THE IDEA + TRUE RUMOUR + CAPTAIN BEELZEBOZO + BARRY & THE inclusion in the gig guide is the 20th of each PYRATES + HOLIDAY IN VIETNAM: The BEACHCOMBERS + THE FOURTH month - no exceptions. Call 01865 372255 Music Market – Local bands showcase night. CHAMBER: The Cellar – Funereal uber metal (10am-6pm) or email listings to JUANA MOLINA: Phoenix Picture House – from Beelzebozo, plus wonky punk madness [email protected]. This gig guide is Widely considered to be one of the best from Barry & The Beachcombers. copyright of Nightshift Magazine and may not experimental artists outside of the English th FRIDAY 25 be reproduced without permission. speaking world, Argentinean Juana Molina was GAPPY TOOTH INDUSTRIES presents a successful TV comic in her homeland before MY FATHER THE BEAT + FAR FROM THE ditching all that to follow her musical destiny, DANCE + LAGRIMA: The Zodiac – Mixed mixing electronic experimentation, live loops bag of sounds at tonight’s GTI with baggy-cum- and haunting balladry. Having supported David electro popstrels My Father The Beat Byrne on tour she’s signed to Domino Records somehow finding a middle ground between The and now finds herself labelmates with Franz Velvet Underground and Happy Mondays, Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys. while Huddersfield’s Far From The Dance mix REGGAE CLUB NIGHT: The Bullingdon up synth-pop and indie and local trio Lagrima ADRENALINE: The Port Mahon provide some acoustic thrash. TONIC: The Cellar – Live funk, soul, jazz FOALS + THE SWARM: The Wheatsheaf – and hip hop. Local post-rock starlets on the rise, following SUNDAY 20th on from their headlining set in the Trailerpark WITTSTOCK FESTIVAL: The General Tent at Truck Festival. Elliot, South Hinksey – Final day of the free LICKETY SPLITS: The Music Market music festival with sets from Suitable Case For BACKROOM BOOGIE: The Bullingdon Treatment, Lagrima, Mark Bosley, Su Jordan, HQ: The Cellar – Drum&bass club night. The New Moon, Raggasaurus, Les Clochards, SATURDAY 26th Phil Garvey and more. TONIC + NOT MY DAY + THE FOXES! + SAILPLANES + STORNOWAY: TURBULENCE: The Music Market – Funky The Port Mahon – 60s-styled psychedelic jazz and hip hop from Tonic. LIVE

ELTON JOHN Oxford United Stadium This is my first visit to the Oxford United Stadium, or any stadium in fact, and a kindly soul informs me that young men play something called ‘football’ here. Tonight it is also revealed as a perfect venue for larger gigs: efficient transport, good acoustics, friendly stewards – hopefully this is the first of many. Elton John is nothing if not a consummate professional. He wastes no time on costume changes, special guests, rambling introductions or fancy light shows. All his energy goes into 2¼ hours of astonishingly perfect pop music. Think of an Elton hit - he plays them all. Except the shit ones. From the opening ‘Benny and the Jets’ to the closing ‘Your Song’, he seals his reputation as the writer of some of the most beautifully complex and unique music on the planet. Unsurprisingly, the set leans towards the first five years of his career, up to 1973’s ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, an album on which (according to some) he invented punk rock with ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’, and acid house with ‘Benny and the Jets’. As usual a few songs are treated to extended workouts: ‘Take Me To The Pilot’ has long been a live honky-tonk favourite but the real treat is ‘Rocket Man’, which he completely deconstructs and rearranges into a rather spooky, tripped-out opus that plays on its drug-related lyrical content. Thankfully, he’s never made the mistake of dabbling in dance music, bar the odd slip up. He’s a pop singer who plays the piano, and he’s never forgotten that. That said, many of his 70s singles broke through in America on black radio, a proud Odd to say, but this is a very intimate gig, like most people I spend achievement he shares with Kraftwerk. much of it just sat there, chin in hand, losing myself in the experience. Long-time fans are glad to see Davey Johnstone still strumming his The highlight? It has to be ‘Tiny Dancer’, a perfect composition and a guitar tonight after 37 years’ continuous service, and Nigel Olsson still great example of how Bernie Taupin’s lyrics complement the music by twirling his sticks. They also provide the classic backing vocals that make never going where you expect them to. The chorus seems to capture the the old songs sound so great, particularly handy since Elton seems to evening: “Hold me closer tiny dancer / Count the headlights on the have has lost the upper extreme of his vocal range and has transposed highway / Lay me down in sheets of linen / You had a busy day today”. certain lines accordingly. Art Lagun

TOP CATS / THE NINE-TON THE SLEEPY JACKSON PEANUT SMUGGLERS The Zodiac I’ve always been drawn to the mercurial musical genius. These are the The Zodiac guys driven enough to follow what they believe in, yet volatile enough to So it’s that time of the month again – oil those dancing feet, grease shoot off on a tangent if the whim takes them. People like Luke Haines, those skanking arms and get ready for Skylarkin Soundsystem. For the Julian Cope and latterly Luke Steele, he of The Sleepy Jackson. Not past three years, Aidan Skylarkin and co. have been gracing us with everything they do works, but you’re always intrigued to see what their presence at the Zodiac to showcase the finest of the old jocks, they’ll do next. When failure occurs, it’s usually glorious. octogenarian ska legend DJ Derek. Subsequently they’ve also been Three years on from the wonderful ‘Lovers’ album, The Sleepy Jackson putting on some of the best ska and reggae acts around, notably Ska return to the Zodiac. This time they’re upstairs and it’s only half full. Cubana and Max Romeo. Which is ideal on such a hot night, but sad that more people don’t want Kicking off tonight with Sir Bald Diddley and cohorts, Skylarkin’s to witness this. Part of the problem is probably due to the new seven-piece house band The Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers warm up the ‘Personality’ album not being released until the tour is finished. As the house effectively with some simple yet swinging ska, some sing-alongs band wander onstage Steele starts dispensing shards of noise from his to get even the most bored looking of guests involved. guitar while the band build up a steady rhythm. It’s almost like a warm Now it’s really time to break out the one-foot skank! Topcats take to up routine. But then…well nothing really. What follows is some finely the stage. Comprising of the guys and girls who put the Ska into Ska crafted leftfield pop, played by a good band rendered incomprehensible Cubano, including saxophone supremo, Miss Megu, (who has all the by muddy sound. Two of the greatest things about The Sleepy Jackson, dogs on Cowley Road wondering what’s going on with her the lyrics and delicate melodies and arrangements, are lost in the unfathomably high-pitched notes) plus one of the most energetic quagmire. They attempt to rectify this by making it louder, but this only frontmen I’ve ever seen, Natty Bo, who has us all doing the ‘uptown compounds the problem. downtown’ dance and the one foot skank. Some brilliant original ska Because of this the semi-acoustic numbers stand out, highlighting hits the Zodiac with some force, including a blistering cover of Steele’s deft touch and way around a heartfelt melody. Aside from that ‘Lollipop’. Two fantastic bands in one night. And there’s yet more to the only other things worth anything are the divine ‘Good Dancers’, come: Bristol legend and Massive Attack granddaddy DJ Derek keeps which explodes near the end of the song into a wall of noise. This everyone entertained for the next two hours with a mix of swinging ska, moment should kick start the set, but the momentum is lost. ‘Rain Falls blues, reggae, r&b and dub. For Wind’ is the other highlight, a song from a higher plain that Derek will be back next month, and I’m sure Skylarkin’ won’t keep us transcends any mere problems. waiting too much longer for the return of Natty Bo & Co! Luke Steele, genius delayed. For now. DJ Indecision Russell Barker !!! photo: Emma Sainsbury IftheBully crowdarenot quite Locust. emerge asOxford’ it’s good thistimeofyear”,to shopping inBaghdad,I’veheard lyrical gemslike“Let’s go proverbial catoutofthebagwith vocal histrionics.Buttheypull the musicianship aresquanderedby where momentsofsublime lost inaquagmireofprogression, these “Mars Voltas ofmetal”are to emergetriumphant.Initially terrible mixandlackofbassplayer who sufferimmenselythrougha mould arelocalsXmasLights, Tryingevenhardertobreakthe skulls. splitting hairs,theseguyssplit camp, butwhilewesithere come downfirmlyinthehardcore do-not-pass-go spazouts.Theydo edifice infavourof Will Haven’s Gehenna, whoeschewtraditional opening salvoisfiredbyBicester’s back toitsfundamentals.The is resolutelyabouttakingmetal pretensions atthedoor,astonight alike. 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They takeSepultura’s and accordinglynotshorton the mostmetalbandofevening headliners Malefice,undoubtedly its logicalconclusionwith The militarystyleassaultreaches very recently. ‘How To Be A LeadSinger’ very, seemingly havingreadNailbomb’s and hezoomsaroundthevenue, the mostpowerfulsofartonight same time.JonEley’s vocalsare Factory downyourthroatatthe darkness forcesanotherofFear Refused whilesomeevilagentof treat, muchlikechuggingapintof rock androllexcessgoesdowna Their blendofhardcoremetaland completely poleaxedbySanzen. certainly reactwelltobeing ready forXmasLights,they Stuart Fowkes too afraidtogiveitself. Yeah!yeah!yeah! funk-shaped kickupthearseit’s alwayssecretlywantedbuthasbeen music forsensitiveindiefops,givingleftfieldthegood,solid At theirfinest,theycreatewhatisessentiallybeerkeg,fratboyparty there, though. thankfully thosemomentsarebrief,andfew. Itwascloseforaminute horrible noodlingandcomesoutsomewherenearPlanetJamiroquai,but pushing unionofThe Art-Rock andTheFunksometimesveersinto Bofbofbofdotreadafineline,though:whatstartsoffasboundary- they canintoonesong. Woowoowoo cangetawaywithwilfullybanginginasmuchswearing percussive chugging. And onlyabandasartfullyridiculous as someone morepo-faced,marchingacrossabedofsynthwashesand profanity thatyou’dbrushoffasapointlesstiradeinthehandsof dance moves.‘PardonMyFreedom’isexceptional,acavalcadeof above all,LOADSoffun,rightdowntoNicOffer’s dad-at-a-wedding Bambaataa-esque electro-funkmoments.It’s delightfullyodd,and, to fourmembersatatime,thebandpeakwithalmost Afrika thang basslinesandswathesofmulti-layeredpercussionfromanything Warp. DrivenalongbyJustinVandervolgen’s relentless, shake-that- kids alwayswantedtolove,butcouldn’tuntiltheygotpickedupby Chikchikchikare,basically, thefunkbandthatcooler-than-thou indie advantage. would starttolooklikean AOL chatroom,sowe’dbettertake by apopularbeatcombo,andunderothercircumstancesthisreview sounds youlike.It’s noteverydayyou’re offered alinguisticfreereign punctuation, the!!!biomakesclearthatit’s pronouncedasanythree Preempting theinevitablefirstquestiontoabandnamedaftersome The Zodiac !!! The MusicMarket AMBERST SLEEPLESS /BHASKER are quietly talented.It’s veryearly discovering totheir surprisethey thinking musicians, headsdownand on thecity, anewgenerationof good about Thom Yorke’s influence shoulders. Theyarewhathasbeen seem tojusthangfromtheir and youngthattheirindieclothes Witney’s Bhaskerareso tall,thin all themobbingtheydeserve. 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Itallhingesonwhether Allison holdingtwounpinned you like Alison Goldfrappor Dot on thebedroomeyesandsashaysat unbuttons heremotionaljeans,puts tentative numbers,whereEmma instead, astheydidinacoupleof of, JudyTzukeorEvanescence, songs fortheirparents,inthevein caught betweenusingittojustwrite them andyoucanseetheyare training stampedall crossroads. Theyhaveclassical As abandtheyarecertainlyatthe delightful formofEmmaDeLacey. glamour frontingtheminthe AmberS then we’llreallybetalking. the vocalswillfindmoreconviction, Captain Speaking’.Withinayear the understated‘Thisis Your effect of‘StreetSpirit’crossedwith hard screelingMuse,andthefine the badlegacyofThom,that days andtheystillswervebetween tate havenuclear-scale over over the fourof BRICKWORK LIZARDS / BORDERVILLE The Cellar Comprising assorted members of The different, headliners The Brickwork Evenings and The Keyboard Choir, and Lizards also splice influences hailing from 5K featuring Joe Swarbrick, late of Sexy a time which the intervening decades have 32 Breakfast, on vocals, Borderville were enshrouded in glamour with contemporary always going to deliver a show. Decked references. With a cello, a hand drum and out in bowties, waistcoats and cravats, an East Asian lute amongst their arsenal, their image is half fop, half Dickensian they play laidback 1940s jazz overlaid by urchin, and sozzled in an eccentric the old-time croonings of vocalists Tarik theatricality that also laces their music. and Gary. It’s refreshing to see something Unashamedly grandiose, they trapeze so wildly divergent from the rock majority through glam riffs, vaulting synths and of local music, and their set sashays in a smokily decadent piano parts with pleasantly silly manner through cover infectious brio. There is more than a touch versions including the Dick Dale track of music hall here, especially on the which featured in Pulp Fiction. However, opening track, whose multi-layered vocals it is not until the band are joined on stage build into the kind of bombastic chorus by Tomohawk of the sadly defunct Big that Sondheim would be proud of. Toying Speakers that things start getting with the spectres of both Bowie and interesting. He dispenses soliloquys in a Prince, Joe’s expansive vocals are a voice which shifts through barely celebration of nostalgia. The lyrics feature perceptible degrees from Louis Armstrong- a roll call of dead stars – Judy Garland, cum-Kiora crow to the hip-hop delivery of Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando – that looks his former band. It’s like listening to a tape back to a golden age which enshrined its recorder gradually running out of batteries, celebrities at a worshipful remove. The albeit infinitely more entertaining, and danger of this sounding potentially trite is although he’s essentially a cameo role swept away by its affecting conviction, player, the stage misses him between and by the sheer energy which the band turns. bring to the set. It ends emphatically with It would be interesting to see the band four fifths of its members simultaneously push things further to create a more whacking the drums like a street gang unified hybrid of their jazz/hip-hop parts. laying into a slumbering tramp as the As it is, though, memory lane proves to be music compresses itself to sampled loop. a diverting break from the usual Engaging stuff. thoroughfares. Although their sound couldn’t be more Emily Gray

UNITING THE ELEMENTS The Exeter Hall You may find a section in your local record slim and delicate has any business making Courtyard Youth shop called World Music. To be honest, like a punk John Bonham for forty Arts Centre, it’s a pretty meaningless genre, and I for minutes! Launton Road, one have never heard music from any other Musically, UTE keep the surprises to a Bicester planets, despite owning albums by David minimum: of course the ballads are a bit Contact Bowie and Sun Ra. rubbish, of course the electronic backing [email protected] It’s also arbitrary which local styles are track is occasionally tacky, of course the or 01869 602555 allowed entry into the World enclave: if lyrics work better when they’re enquiring Nigerian blues and Cuban jazz are whether you wouldn’t be averse to Two rehearsal studios in Central Bicester recognised neo-folk micro-genres, why not punching the air than when they’re Pearl Export Drum Kit, PA, guitar & bass Glaswegian indie or Middle European cogitating life’s mysteries. But this is amps provided FREE stadium rock? party music, and shouldn’t be scrutinised Cheap rates available. Free parking after It is the latter that Uniting The Elements too closely. 6pm. Gear storage available arrive toting, and whilst this ought to be Better to remember that UTE quit their enough to send us all home feeling jobs in Germany to live in a caravan, nauseous, there’s something in the quality playing 250+ gigs a year, and surely of UTE’s superb performance that excuses nobody with a tiny hint of rock romance cardinal taste crimes. in them can deny a little respect for that. Scarlet-haired and spring-loaded vocalist A grotesque cross between The Dawn boasts an impressively agile, Quireboys and Rednex, UTE are as strident voice, and guitarist Ola may have ridiculous as No Doubt and as two- a full armoury of classic rock tricks and dimensional as The Archies…but, fuck giant amps, but it’s the drummer who me, I’m a convert. steals the show, spraying beats like an out It’s time to get drunk, put on implausible ROCK-POP-DANCE-GOLDEN OLDIES-INDIE- of control hole punch even whilst she outfits and dance in a field. Just SOUL-TECHNO-HIP-HOP-JAZZ-LATIN-REGGAE- bolsters everything with rigid steely remember to recycle your rubbish, DRUM&BASS-GARAGE—R&B-DISCO-1950s- 2000s. Brand new back catalogue CDs £4 - £7 rhythms. It’s a praiseworthy performance though, we’re in Europe now… each. Brand new chart CDs £5 - £10 each by anyone’s standards, but nobody that David Murphy Photos: Kill Casino, Forward Russia, Battles by Richard Hounslow. All other photos by Sam Shepherd TRUCK FESTIVAL :( Saturday

A few thousand miles away Lebanon is burning. the Depeche Mode CD the soundman has been We may even be witnessing the opening shots playing between bands – industrial rhythms, of World War III. Closer to home the A34 is future factory synthetics and a singer who bears melting in the monstrous heatwave and a car has an uncanny vocal resemblance to Dave Gahan. spontaneously combusted causing a huge It’s like The Mode if they’d just got back from tailback. With the thermostat in Nightshift’s a week at Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element’s boot ancient banger threatening to go into the red we camp. Now there’s an idea. make it to Steventon just in time for the We brave the outside to get chips while heavens to open as thunder rumbles ominously everyone else is avoiding the food queue. The across the sky. salt shaker is saturated. Chips without salt? It’s Appropriate then that the first band we inhuman. Our heart may thank us but our encounter, in the barn are XMAS LIGHTS, tastebuds rebel. whose apocalyptic industrial metal is entirely As the torrent becomes a heavy drizzle we fitting with the tumult battering the site. Their head towards the main stage for GOOD breezeblock metal sends a fair few punters BOOKS who are jangling happily like it’s running for their lives, trying to push their summer or something. Really, they’re far too brains back into their ears. It’s a thoroughly jolly for this weather, though as their set ¡Forward Russia! brutal set, but it’s not entirely unrelenting. progresses they begin to sound more and more There are times when the band drop the full on like The Cure. Rain does that to people. aural assault for a moment and indulge in some We pity any poor band that will have to play almost ambient passages of keyboard to what will most likely be a very empty and skulduggery, which for some reason seem even very wet field. Sam Duckworth, aka GET more menacing than when they’re shredding CAPE WEAR CAPE FLY, has no such problem their guitars and vocal chords. Mummy, we as his perfectly written ballads succeed in want our cosy, rustic Truck Festival back! You encouraging people to brave the weather and know, the one with the mild yet sunny have a good time in spite of it all. A giant hokey disposition and Goldrush playing gentle, cokey in place of a moshpit, yet another piece pastoral country-pop on the back of a flatbed of rain damaged equipment, and a stupendous lorry. Instead, God seems to have declared war tune in the shape of `The Chronicles of a on Steventon. We blame HARRY ANGEL Bohemian Teenager’ and Get Cape is well on his whose thunderous drum intro was the queue for way to being one of the best sets of the day. those black clouds to mass on the horizons. Not so CO-PILGRIM who moans his way though songs of death and misery on his A bit of electro nonsense is what’s needed; after acoustic guitar. On any other day, we’d have all if dirty black riffs got us into this, then some sympathy, but it’s there’s enough rain surely sunny beats and a wicked sense of outside without having to hear about the humour can get us out? Apparently not; downpour in Co-Pilgrim’s heart. TOUGH LOVE may well be the kind of band We’re instead drawn to THE WALK OFF’s to plaster a smile on your soaked face, but digital hardcore death disco in the Trailerpark putting the sun back in the sky is beyond their tent where a heaving mass of bodies down the poor boyfriend attempts to hold her upright. rocked up electo-anthems. Somewhat front are frugging aggressively to what sounds Proof that a) this is a proper music festival and disturbingly, as the trailer park tent flashes and like the soundtrack to a bad night in Beirut, not a wildlife documentary and b) cider is shudders from the storm outside one of their only with more screaming and better beats. inherently evil. songs samples War of the Worlds. If Judgement Day is scheduled for today, why isn’t it in the Back in the barn comfort zone (comfortable as Even though it’s dry and sunny outside programme? in warm and slightly sticky as opposed to BATTLES attract the biggest crowd of the day Still sheltering in the barn we encounter KILL warm and wet through) we manage three songs in the barn, with scores turned away at the CASINO, a garage-rock three-piece fronted by of AGENT BLUE before we realise we’d rather door. They keep everyone waiting an age as a bassist who is not only the tallest woman on get rained on than spend any longer in the they fiddle with stuff and set up the tallest the planet but appears to have a storm-ravaged company of a second-rate cooper Temple cymbal stand in the world. The Oxfordshire Persian cat instead of hair. Simple, noisy fun, Clause fronted by a Bobby Gillespie wannabe post-rock massive are frothing with excitement. akin to early Hole, they attempt to blast the playing old Black Sabbath songs, so we find So who are this widdly diddly muso jazz wank rain back into the sky while their smoke refuge with BRAKES, who are ace and are band we hear? Oh lordy. But wait, what’s this? machine struggles to compete with the steam shouting stuff about pineapples and porcupines It’s becoming strangely compelling. African rising from 300 warm, wet bodies. and putting some serious bounce into their tribal rhythms and aggressive drum&bass beats Of course this weather buggers up the real joy caustic indie disco rock and then play a cover of rub up against spasticated funk and a clanging of Truck – wandering between the six stages, ‘Jackson’ which perfectly suits the mood of the metallic dissonance. Before we realise it we’re glimpsing odd and occasionally inspired pop festival because…. IT’S STOPPED BLOODY hypnotised. It’s like James Brown’s backing unknowns who’ll probably never be heard of RAINING! At precisely 4pm the sun starts band reincarnated in a space-age jazz bar on again but who for half an hour in a field in south shining. Just like the woman on the BBC news Pluto. The set is spellbinding to watch as vocals Oxfordshire can shine like stars. It’s also a real said it would. People are unfurling picnic are sampled, complex jazz guitar riffs are pisser – quite literally – for those bands playing blankets and cracking open the kettle chips and hammered out and keyboards are fingered on the main stage, faced with an empty field as dips. A devil’s coachhorse beetle scurries past. apparently randomly, quite often all at the same everyone huddles in the barn and various tents. We haven’t seen one of those monsters since time. There are times when it descends into And so we stick around for MESAPLEX, were about ten years old. Proof that a) we’re in pointless noise, but just watching drummer formed from the ashes of Meanwhile, Back In the countryside and b) it really is summer. Over John Stanier thrashing away at that sky cymbal Communist Russia. Weird thing is though that by the hedge next to the main stage, meanwhile, is almost entertainment enough on its own. we can’t tell the difference between them and a girl is vomiting cider through her nose as her Hypnotic in a more simple fashion are Futureheads Some people. In a field. And not Battles a cloud in the sky.

Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly

Kill Casino Xmas Lights

BROTHER FRANCISCO, creating a heavy- strategically-placed strips of gaffer tape, toasts and raps and roars in equal measures, one duty narcotic drone rock racket, all flanged shouting about Ikea in the style of Nico minutes demanding the crowd show him the guitars and piercing synth hums. The vocals are impersonating Hitler’s Nuremberg address. devil horns, the next getting them to shout slightly incongruous but the minimalist lyrics Sounds interesting? Really, it isn’t. More like an “Love” and asking if this place has bounce factor take on an almost mantra-like feel and you feel early-80s GLC-sponsored feminist poetry as molten riffs pour in torrents from the stage, if they can really let loose with the drones they marathon. Crap then, but plenty of folks (okay, like the floodwaters earlier. could consume the world. men) are intrigued enough to hang around for This years headliners are THE :( provide us with the most annoying band the duration. FUTUREHEADS, a band that is quite content to name of the weekend, but redeem themselves recycle the riffs of 25-year old new wave bands, with a set of nothing but Nintendo tunes, ¡FORWARD RUSSIA! lose a bit of their despite having the word ‘Future’ in their name. computer beats and bellowed vocals. It’s made impact on an outdoor stage but they’re still one There is no doubt that they are a thoroughly all the more curious by the use of a computer of the best live rock bands in the UK at the professional band, however. Their performance keyboard played like a guitar. It’s like watching moment – At The Drive-In colliding with The is so slick, there are no notes dropped, and they someone play Daley Thompson’s Decathlon in Pop Group fronted by one-man energy ball build a reasonable rapport with the crowd. Hell, the midst of a technological meltdown and is Tom Woodhead who’s possessed of the vocal they even have a couple of good songs too. `Skip therefore totally fantastic. histrionics of The Associates’ Billy MacKenzie. To The End’ is a great single, and if you can Raucous, frenzied and wired, in a more confined forget that `Hounds of Love’ has anything to do Despite vowing to avoid The Usual Suspects as space they’d tear the place apart. with Kate Bush for a minute, you can’t fail to far as possible we can’t completely miss Truck Local favourites SUITABLE CASE FOR love it. But they are not a particularly engrossing Festival founding fathers GOLDRUSH who TREATMENT are stretching out their new live prospect. Their songs promise much but today are rocking out far more than most folks songs, and causing ripples of nervous laughter deliver little. The Futureheads have feet of clay; ever give them credit for. Similarly in the Lounge Tent (a joke on some imp’s part, as do most of the audience by this time thanks to WINNEBAGO DEAL who are rocking out far surely?). They implore everyone to be quite the thick mud clogged round their shoes. more than… well, anyone. Ever. with a whispered ‘Shhhhh’ and then lovingly And so, that’s the end of the day as far as the Spectacle of the day, and one that has everyone bludgeon the audience with a sonic live music is concerned. But not, thankfully, the who saw it asking everyone else they speak to sledgehammer. end of the world we were expecting. In the words whether they saw it or not, is ANAT BEN of the late, great George Formby, “turned out DAVID, part of Chicks On Speed, in the SKINDRED in the barn is as close to a party nice again, hasn’t it?” Trailerpark, topless except for a pair of band as metal gets. Frontman Benji Webbe Dale Kattack and Sam Shepherd All photos by Sam Shepherd TRUCK FESTIVAL Sunday

Rather than sleep, we’d rather spend the evening what we do know is that the beer tent looks listening to songs about zebras and horses. And to mighty inviting. deafening conversations about Jonty, his frankly ludicrous pharmaceutical intake, and how that The outside acoustics hamper THE ROCK OF may or may not relate to the disappearance of a TRAVOLTA somewhat, detracting from their stash of coconut macaroons. And so it is, at stupid almost symphonic dynamics but it’s still a timely o’clock on Sunday morning, with joy in our reminder that the band who played their first hearts and lead in our eyelids, we make our way show ever at Truck back in the mists of time and towards the Trailer Park Tent, and THE then seemed to disappear and die, are back and are KEYBOARD CHOIR. Not for us the laid back still one of the best acts Oxford has ever jazz fare of the acoustic tent. The best wake up produced. And when, during the last number, ex- call in our little world is the combined chatter of members Phill Honey and Dave Crabtree appear myriad keyboards creating waves of Pro-Plus stage-left to jam along, it’s pure Spinal Tap. electronica. The stage is awash with robots built In the acoustic tent THOMAS TRUAX provides from cardboard boxes and silver foil. If this were yet more genius, only this is the kind of thing you Blake’s 7 it’d be the end of the world, but right might find lurking around the corners of Salvador Keyboard Choir now, it seems like the perfect way to start the Dali’s mind. At heart he’s a singer songwriter in day. the truest sense, with a voice that yells Bob Dylan and Hank Williams as influences. Somewhere The Priscillas In the barn, THE DODGEMS try to get us down along the line he got a little twisted, and started by proving that almost every band in possession to produce his own instruments. These include a of a guitar and a few feathercuts must put the drum machine that looks as if it has been designed word The in their names, and secondly must by Escher and a bizarre French Horn/Guitar/ strictly adhere to a diet of ‘Funhouse’ and MC5. Sampler. For all the oddities though, his songs, When will it all end? Soon we hope. voice and performance make him one of the It’s not exactly sunny yet but it is warm and dry most entertaining shows of the weekend. and the traditional Truck ambience of laidback bonhomie has has descended, though perhaps It’s post-rock hour at Truck anyway, following on everyone’s simply feeling the effects of the from TROT’s set, which coincides with And No previous night. Reading’s THE RACE are having Star in the lounge tent and then YOUTH MOVIE none of it however, shouting about chavs in their SOUNDTRACK STRATEGIES in the barn. home town, while sounding a lot like neighbours Having arrived extra early for Youth Movies and The Cooper Temple Clause. Must be a then decided we couldn’t face yet another geographical thing and they probably think all soundcheck we go off for a short wander only to bands from Oxford sound like Radiohead. find it’s impossible to get back in, such is the Which they patently don’t as proved by volume of people who want to see them. No HARLETTE, who are running full tilt through wonder – their rise and rise is testament to their rule, and so SETH LAKEMAN, who’s become their hungover Babes in Toyland-inspired set. In sheer class. We listen through the wall. Sounds something of a star concern since he last graced the past few years they’ve tightened things up a great. You just can’t argue with pure skill. this festival, seems tailor-made for the occasion, little, but they still exude a brash, no frills The barn is equally rammed for 65 especially in what is now blazing sunshine. Maybe attitude. When their guitar amp dies on last track DAYSOFSTATIC, and again a large crowd with it’s just coincidence though that his stand-out ‘My Online Boyfriend and His Myspace Affair,’ no hope of actually seeing the band gathers track is called ‘The Storm’. the subsequent pouting, looks of total anger and outside just to hear them play. It’s a big step from So too PINEY GIR whose Country Roadshow – wide-eyed bemusement sum the band up perfectly. when they used to play to about fifteen people at replete with line dancers – brings a bit of gen-you- The Wheatsheaf on a rainy Thursday night, but ine hillbilly fun to the acoustic tent (which we’ve Somewhere in the future, Harlette could end up every time they play they just get better and badly neglected for most of the weekend due to becoming a little like THE PRISCILLAS. An all- better. Their style of Warp-inspired post rock is the hazards of the bog previously known as a path girl band that specialise in riffs straight from The perfect for the barn, with the bass bins causing the up there). Away from her trademark synth-pop, Runways song book, and whose dress code is floor to throb incessantly as guitar lines are built Piney does a pretty darned good impersonation of surely inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture up and deconstructed before a spell bound Tammy Wynette and pulls the biggest crowd in Show. There is absolutely no way that a right audience. Any acoustic problems are swallowed up the acoustic arena all weekend. thinking person would ordinarily fall in love with in the cacophony of sound that 65DOS can No chance of A SCHOLAR & A PHYSICIAN this band. But for some reason, songs dripping in conjure up, and despite a heavily shortened set, going country and western any time soon. What cheese, heavily backcombed hair, and a plastic they are absolutely phenomenal this afternoon. was once a simple electronic duo now boasts nine moulded rock and roll attitude make for a members – apparently everyone they’ve ever shamefully enjoyable show. As are, in relatively more sedate fashion, met – including seven keyboard players and a It must be a day for all-girl bands as SHIVURA BELARUS, a band who, like Fell City Girl, seem bloke who plays a pair of scissors and looks like CURVES are doing their thing in the lounge tent. to be able to write songs that touch the sky he’d rather be anywhere other than on stage. “I Their thing, unfortunately, appears to involve without really trying. They’re built for a life of booked a table for two because I love you!” playing two repeated notes on a cheap Casio filling stadiums; any familiarity of sound can’t screeches A Scholar. “What!” bellows A Physician keyboard while three of them warble out-of-tune hide the fact that they have half a dozen anthems in response. And so it goes on. In the end it’s like harmonies. Credit to the Truck organisers for and gorgeous ballads, notably ‘Standing In The watching a gay couple having a violent domestic giving bands like this a chance year on year but Right Place’ and the divine ‘Reaction’. This is row over the top of an old Tubeway Army album. this will doubtless be their only festival their first ever appearance at Truck. Next year’s Rather good, in other words. Next year we’ll appearance ever. Unless someone starts up a headliners? Place your bets now. probably up there with them. And you. festival dedicated entirely to twee, tuneless Shit, ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE are on. Quick, Fellow electro-philes CHICKS ON SPEED are toytown tud. everyone hide. Maybe they’ll get the message and considerably less fun. Music as art is always CHRIS MCMATH is over on the Truck Stage not come back next year. Somehow you just know treading dodgy ground and here it’s definitely manfully confusing the hell out of everyone. It’s they will. music as arse. Actually there are a few of those on folk alright, but it’s been bent out of all show on the band’s enormous backdrop screen, recognition. Whether we’re just not in the mood Country and folk acts tend to fare better on the showing various ‘art happening’ events involving for this prog noodling twang fest is uncertain; main Truck stage than harder bands as a general nudity and the sort of paintings toddlers do and Regina Spektor Mystery Jets Enough with the guitars! Saturday night at Truck is all about DANCING! We sent Matt Bayliss to frug himself to a pulp. Here’s what he found.

There is a school of thought that regards the ability to DJ as being about the biggest have in the history of music, due to the ‘gods’ behind the decks managing to convince everyone that they have put on a show us mere mortals on the dance floor are incapable of pulling off ourselves. It does only take a minimal amount of practice to master the basics (believe us) and if we all bothered, we could easily be DJs. The average person starts off with a ratio of ‘track selection’ to ‘mixing skills’. Newbies start the equation with 100% concentration on mixing (lest their reputation end in tatters on the first night) and whittle that down with practice. The trick is, the sooner you master the track The Rock Of Travolta selection/mixing equation, the better (here is a tip – don’t worry too much about mixing. It’s 2 in the morning and everyone is far too wasted to care). Aaaanyway…. The electronic side of things kicks off at roughly 9ish across four of Trucks’ six stages. Now if it was even possible, dance music genres are even more divisive than those in the ‘real instrument’ world. So much so that a disagreement over electronic tastes is akin to a character assassination – literally. So in the efforts of representation, most of the stages are at least frequented. After a cursory glance at the Fresh Out Of The Box tent, with its glitch and enjoyable breaks/house styles and an even shorter stop off at the Lizard Lounge Late Sessions’ effort at recreating God’s Kitchen on a Thomas Truax tiny scale, we decide that the barn wins tonight by a sheer DJ calibre knock out. It is host to three of the UK’s top drum&bass DJs tonight get no credit for because they’re not called Tracy afternoon slot here last year, they’ve now got an and (having missed Fu, Lunar & D to answer a Emin. There are only two of COS today, due to album that sells in supermarkets and a headline grumbling tummy) things kick off with a ‘live’ illness apparently, though maybe the rest of them slot at Truck. Their psychedelic-fused rock is a d&b session from ex-London Elektricity finally came to their senses and realised that perfect way to end the festival. In a week where member JD. As if to provide a bridge between the dressing up as a panto dame, hitting cymbals Syd Barrett passed away, Mystery Jets seem like a rock music diet of the rest of the day and the randomly and ranting and swearing over a bad band capable of continuing to write skewed and unabated abandon that is sure to ensue, JD slams tempered drum machine will never make them irreverent pop tunes. After all, this is a band that the drums with awesome ferocity and precision. their fortune. They hold up a sing declaring `The features a floppy haired fop perched behind a It seems pretty full-on at the time but with Worst Band In The World’ and in the face of such makeshift percussion set up and a guitarist of at hindsight it is a very natural progression to astute self-awareness we feel strangely redundant. least 50 years. Normal band dynamics evidently Total Science’s female-vocalist-assisted blend of We join the mass exodus to catch some of The don’t apply where Mystery Jets are concerned. funky tunes. Unlike a lot of DJs out there TS SOUND MOVEMENT who are struggling with a Thank goodness for great songs then, which by (Q-Project and Spinback) have set their messy sound that bludgeons their spangled pop the time ‘Zootime’ closes their set, have driven reputation on a stonking back-to-back live out of shape, although recent single, ‘A Million the crowd into a bouncing masses of toothy grins. show and by involving themselves heavily in Lost Dogs’ is an absolute joy, one that Robert the production side of things. So much so that Forster would have been proud of. The bass player THE ORGAN look bored senseless on stage. Or this duo have produced a large quantity of the is quite a spectacle too, resplendent in pink and maybe they’re just very, very shy. Certainly genre’s ‘greatest hits’. white and looking like an angel. singer Katie Sketch barely opens her eyes, never Although they forgo a retrospective tonight mind communicates with the crowd throughout and instead keep their hour snappily paced but With stage times getting confused, REGINA their set, but when she sings it’s incredible. Slight, hardly heavy on the dark dancefloor fillers we SPEKTOR and MYSTERY JETS are dangerously almost boyish, she’s possessed of the glorious, have known them for. God forbid you should close to clashing. When Spektor takes to the strident tones of Debbie Harry and dominates the keep the throbbing barn’s patrons waiting for stage, she too looks absolutely angelic. When she sound, even more than Deborah Cohen’s chiming, music, so DJ Marky’s MC heralds the begins to sing, a hush falls over the barn for the Johnny Marr-like guitar or Jemmy Smyth’s organ, Brazilian’s introduction in a typical ‘props’ first time this weekend. It’s quite something to be which has The Organ printed across its front to fashion. The crowd goes wild and all that. in a room so in thrall to a magical voice that just to remind us who and what we’re listening to. Always having a soft spot for South American sounds so delicate it could snap with ease, yet can A bit of a mess at times, albeit a glorious one, drum&bass, with its overtly jazzy influences, still conjure up an almost oppressive reverence. ‘Memorise The City’ is not only the best song we the last hour was spent with smile on face and Spektor provides a masterclass in quirky hear all weekend – and worth the wait – it’s feet a-swinging. Marky keeps things light and songwriting which has as much in common with probably the best single you’ll hear all year. So funky, but still frenetic, throughout and when Danny Elfman as it does with Tori Amos. It’s buy it and make them properly famous. Truck the music abruptly finishes, the packed venue stunning stuff, but we must depart to take in the Festival – it’s where the acorns that will grow into are equal parts disbelief and eyes-pointing-in- Mystery Jets closing set on the Truck Stage. tomorrow’s great pop oak trees are first sown. All different-directions-euphoric. Which goes to They really have come a long way in a short they need is a little of rain to make them grow. prove, as long as you don’t take dance music space of time. From demo of the month in these They certainly got plenty of that this year. too seriously, you’ll be fine. hallowed pages a few years back, and an early Sam Shepherd and Dale Kattack DEMOSDEMOSDEMOS No review without a proper contact number or address!

and The Byrds at its best, West Coast pop DEMO OF with a shoegazing shuffle, even tripping into Jesus and Mary Chain’s softer side on THE MONTH ‘My Redemption’, but there is a tendency to fall into earnest soft rock, as on ‘Fridge’ www.appletreestudios.com which simultaneously seems too laid-back A BROKEN FRAME and not laid-back enough. A Broken Frame is the work of one Zube Chaudhry, brother of Umair whose regular demo offerings always cheer our days, BEARD OF ZEUSS what with their brutal electronic With a name like that they just gotta be punishment beatings and bleak industrial great, right? And those song titles: landscapes. So what’s sibling Zube all ‘Emperor Of Doom’! ‘Half Tonne Man’! about then? Well how about twenty ‘Medieval Rape Song’! They just gonna minutes of brutal electronic punishment rock, right? Well, kind of. Beard Of Zeuss beatings and bleak industrial landscapes? are (they tell us) a stoner metal band out of Nice one. There’s some clamouring digital Enstone (a place where, let’s face it, there’s crunch and battering ram beats, the bugger all else to do except smoke dope and melodies (oh yes, he’s got them) are form rock bands). Problem is, they’re too distorted to buggery and sound like theme darned stoned to go into a proper studio to tunes to lost android western movies. With record their demo, preferring to lay it all huge guns. Harsh, brutal and exhilarating at down live in rehearsal using a single its best, the demo marches and scours, microphone, which the singer then hogs occasionally taking on guitars as extra mercilessly, sicking up a steady stream of weaponry and cranking them up in bile and nails while the guitars chug and insistent krautrocking fashion. Really, we churn apologetically in the background. It’s hate to think what the average Chaudhry a right old bloody mess to be honest, more family get-together is like. The Partridge a random collision of instrumentation than Family they ain’t. music as such. And so we leave it to ramble and rumble on to its conclusion, like a fight outside a pub that promised to get a bit tasty but ended up being a prolonged bout SNAKE EYES of shoving and shouting. Previously purveyors of cheap’n’cheerful instrumental metal of the old school in a FROM THE ASHES decidedly Iron Maiden-meets-Thin Lizzy From The Ashes are “Five disparate vein. Back now, older and wiser so they tell individuals with a yearning for savage us, Snake Eyes have gone and got metal” they tell us. We love them already. themselves a singer of all things, which Mind you, the rest of the press blurb is a ain’t such a bright idea on this evidence. right old load of self-aggrandising, cliché- Now they come in a more bluesy vintage. ridden bunkum, going on about passion and Chugga Chugga, Oi Oi! they go before they emotion and fury. And the clichés don’t widdle away on yet another Snowy White- end there, neither. The first track kicks in style flight of fancy. The vocals are too with an air-raid siren wail and closes with abrupt and shouty, the guitars a bit tinny the sound of smashing glass and in between and none of it seems to have any great juggernaut guitar riffs try to disguise a purpose other than unearthing the lost vocalist who sounds worryingly like Tony sounds of John Lee Hooker and The Hadley out of Spandau Ballet crossed with Groundhogs. An elongated pony trek when that bloke out of Poison. No matter, soon we were hoping for a full cavalry charge. he’s screaming like a fizzy drinks machine being ripped apart by goblins while a portentous piano gets stabbed repeatedly. ELECTROLYTES You can easily imagine that these guys Local songsmith Mark Crozer returns with repeatedly punch the air with their fists his band what used to be called Grunt and while they’re playing, even during Groove Productions and who won our rehearsals. You see what a bit of passion Demo Of The Month award with their last can do to people? Makes them go all mad offering. Why the gratuitous name change and noisy, like. we don’t know (except that maybe Grunt and Groove Productions wasn’t very representative of their cloud-gazing VESTIBULE psychedelic pop), but the sound hasn’t Armed with a heavyweight list of post- taken too great a detour. The fluffy, rock and nouveau-prog influences – from lysergic dreaminess remains, hinting at Ride Radiohead and Biffy Clyro to Youth Movies and 65 Days Of Static – Vestibule heroes The Razorcuts, and if the rest of the weigh in with a small avalanche of distorted demo is treading water in a similar style guitars and crashing drums, seemingly with ever diminishing returns, they leave us intent on serious business. But then comes with at least two lovely summery pop a sudden, and perhaps inevitable, pocket of moments to cherish and that’s more than ponderous calm and some plaintive most folks here can manage. hollering from the sparsely-employed vocalist. Thereon in the two-track demo undulates and meanders with steady PHIL WHITE purpose but little originality through the “She was more than just a neighbour / sort of stuff you’ve heard a thousand times More than just a friend” screams Phil over from a host of Mogwai-influenced White over a vaguely Latin-tinged acoustic droners. Hopefully it’s all, as the band strum, sounding like the hysterical name suggests, an entrée for greater things jabbering of a recently bereaved to come. psychopath who’s just butchered the local spinster who the voices told him was really his wife / mother / The Virgin Mary. “I’m THE COURTYARD STUDIO ASHES OF STEEL going to make you a star!” he bawls and we PROTOOLS HD2, MTA 980 CONSOLE 32/24/ Big in the Witney area, according to a biog get worried. But hey, it really is a song 24, OTARI MTR90 MK2 24 TRACK TAPE and letter which contradict each other by about butchering a young lady. He’s pulling MACHINE, 2 TRACKING ROOMS, SUPERB suggesting they’ve now had two debut the trigger. He’s singing two opposing vocal CONTROL ROOM WITH GOOD SELECTION demos. Maybe the real first one was such a parts, like the opposing urges in his OF MICS & OUTBOARD GEAR, + MIDI disappointment that, like those crazy demented brain. Shit, shit, shit. Loony FACILITIES (INC LOGIC AUDIO, AKAI religious types in America, they’ve alert. Say something nice else he’ll be S1000, OLD SKOOL ROLAND ETC.) undergone a special ceremony to win back calling up our answerphone at all hours their virginity. Any road up, this one is a making strange threats. Hey Phil, it’s really Residential facilities included. pretty rudimentary blues-rock chug with nice, okay? We love you! And we love your www.courtyardrecordingstudio.com hoarse, shouty vocals that sound like a doo-wop folk rap on track two. But we PHONE PIPPA FOR DETAILS bunch of pissed geezers attempting to song can’t honestly say we particularly enjoy ON 01235 845800 footie songs at closing time. “Saturday the third-rate Oasis power ballad at the night and it’s party time / We’re gonna get end. We prefer you in mental mode, drunk on cheap red wine” they bark as a okay? lyrical introduction, but the demo never threatens to live up to such violent promise and it’s a bit of a trudge really, like driving an old Ford Anglia with a dodgy gear box THE DEMO up a particularly steep hill. DUMPER SILLY LOVE Ah yes, the spirit of 1986 lives on. Boy- MARK HUSSEY girl duo Silly Love here present an album- Not, we hope, any relation to Wayne length demo (yeah, cheers) although the Hussey of The Mission, although saying first four tracks are all you need. The first that we’d far rather listen to Ver Mish’s track, ‘Paint It Up’, is bloody great: a less than exotic blend of second-rate Led sweet Talulah Gosh and Shop Assistants- Zep rip-offs and 5th form goth poetry than inspired jangle, cheap and simple and this hunchbacked jazzy lounge blues with slightly awkward about itself but with a its cheesy electric piano and constipated really quite lovely female lead vocal and a vocals. You can easily picture Mark sat in five-second burst of guitar noise that’s the corner of a bleak market town pub or nicked completely off ‘Intersellar ruining a wedding reception with his turgid Overdrive’ (and what better time to raise a tales of women who done him wrong. And glass to the late, great Syd Barrett, eh?). by thunder we’ll do him bloody wrong if he Silly’s Love’s strength seems to be ever turns up in our local (which, knowing their limits and not trying incidentally is called The Rampaging anything fancy, just scribbling a pretty Viking, whose manager is a renegade Dalek tune and letting it breathe. ‘All You’ve and there’s nowt but Motörhead on the Been’ could be nearly as good, led as it is jukebox). Blimmin bloody fucking Nora by an excellent ‘Telstar’-style synth buzz, this is terrible: weary, elongated guitar but the male singer makes David Gedge solos, expensive-sounding but sound like Scott Walker and keeps flying unimaginative keyboards and a soulless off key. They dip into airy if hesitant folk- croak of a voice. Listen Mark, if you, at pop for a while before hitting their stride any point, met the Devil at the crossroads again with the dreamy ‘Norma And Charlie’ and exchanged your soul for The Blues, ask with its delicate guitar chime that makes for a refund cos he done you like a kipper, the whole thing sound like mid-80s jangle sunshine.

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