Rhythm & Booze An online music webzine created by music lovers for music lovers.

15 November, 2013

3 Daft Monkeys/The Leylines-Gloucester Guildhall 9/11/13

Filed under: acoustic,folk,Live Reviews,punk,rock — Tags: 3 daft monkeys, Gloucester Guildhall, The Leylines — willmunn @ 12:37

3 Daft Monkeys @ Gloucester Guild Hall 09/11

supported by The Leylines

Having seen this band at Lakefest back in the summer festival season, I knew this was going to be good. There was no disappointment, in fact it would be in my top 5 gigs of the year, and that list is quite long. I would not break down the top 5 as different genres, venues and crowds, all have a bearing.

First, the supporting band, The Leylines, a 5 piece band unashamedly heavily influenced by The Levellers. This band is shiny and new, but extremely well polished. You would not believe they had played 4 times and this was their first gig they were pretty damn good. The band consists of violinist Hannah, Drummer, and the 3 guitars of, Steve Fowell, lead vocals and acoustic., Matt Wilkins, lead acoustic, Pete Fealey, bass and James Dyer on drums. The band emanates from Weston Super Mare area, and play original music, but succumbed to their interpretation of ‘Fifteen Years’. This band is definitely one to watch, they have good stage presence and sound fine.


The 3 Daft Monkeys have been together in essence for 12 years, with 8 albums behind them. The latest being ‘Of Stones And Bones‘, released in October.

Their numbers are no longer 3, as an original member, Richie Mulryne, percussion, has rejoined Tim Ashton, 12 string acoustic, Athene Roberts, violin and Lukas Drinkwater on bass. Tim takes the lead in vocals.

So that’s the background, the performance is an intoxicating whirl of frenetic folk law. There is a gypsy like quality to the music, pebble dashed with tales of dark deeds, and mysterious legends anchored in their Cornish homeland. The band exploded into life with ‘Perfect Strangers’, ‘Civilised Debauchery’, and the wonderful ‘Agnes The Giant Killer’, taken from the new album. The attending troupe of acolytes were here for a party and it didn’t take long before the barrel burst into life. Tales were plucked from their collection of releases, Antiqued And Arcane, Social Vertigo, Huobadilla providing a maelstrom of musical mayhem. ‘Days Of The Dance’, from A&A starts with Athene and Lukas waltzing around as her bow caresses the strings of the violin, Tim retells of a deadly dancing disease, before all hell breaks loose and the room goes mad with jumping whirring revellers. The whole floor was literally heaving, I could not hold a camera steady, instantly infectious, a plague of fleas would not induce such a reaction. I must mention Richie and his wonderful ‘compact drum set, played almost throughout, by hand percussive strikes, with all the enthusiasm of a Keith Moon. ‘Social Vertigo’ momentarily closed the set, but there was no way the band could have escaped the building, ‘Houbadillia’ recharged the engines and away the floor bounced, finally ending on ‘Antiquated And The Arcane’ led by Athene on vocals.

The whole performance absolute magic, by the time you read this the tour may have slipped out of reach, I can only implore you to look for future dates and I am sure next years festivals will see their return; brilliant entertaining band, making memorable music. I highly recommend OfStones And Bones and the previous release Antiquated And The Arcane.

 

Words And Photos By Graham Munn

 

7 November, 2013

Hazel O’Connor/Tinderbox Live @ The Robin 2, Bilston

Filed under: acoustic,Live Reviews,punk,rock — Tags: bilston, Hazel O'Connor, robin 2, tinderbox — willmunn @ 13:16

Hazel O’Connor is one of those few artists I never tire from performing live, whether she’s treading the boards as part of a stripped down acoustic trio (with harp and Irish drum) or amped up as part of a raucous five-piece (as she was here in Bilston) she always delivers a passionate and full-bodied show complete with fist-pumping, sing-a-long anthems and heart wrenching ballads.

But before I continue waxing lyrical over Hazel, I must digress and speak of the highly commendable support act, Tinderbox, a three-piece acoustic band featuring two guitarists delicately interweaving complimenting the gorgeous vocal tones of Monique Houraghan. The band (originally a two-piece) have been performing for 16 years and in that time they’ve taken numerous venues and festivals (home and abroad) as well as releasing four acclaimed albums, courting plaudits from the likes of R2 magazine and Tom Robinson of 6Music fame.

On the nights performance, it was easy to understand how Tinderbox have gained such recognition, their set was a delight from start to finish with breezy finger plucked folky guitar providing the perfect backdrop to Monique’s honeyed vocal style, from the opening number, Waiting For The Summer the trio draw the listener in. The set ran through a number of moods from traveling lament of Homeward Bound to the driving politics of State Of Play via the playful 40’s jazz inspired romance of Valentino. The band captivated the audience throughout their short set with deft instrumentation, warming hook-laden songs and beaming smiles, with the band’s final number, the stunning acapella led River To The Sea deservingly receiving raptious applause.

Now onto the main event, Hazel O’Connor, as I alluded to earlier I’ve seen Hazel on numerous occasions and each time she’s been delivering her material in a different set up, I’ve seen her perform acoustic, electric with a violin, as well at Rhythm festival a couple years back with a fiery five-piece. Here at the Robin, Hazel was ably backed by a rousing five-piece including recent regular collaborators, Claire Hirst and Sarah Fisher (sax and keyboards). The band were put together to promote Hazel’s most well known work Breaking Glass, her most recent album I Give You My Sunshine and her just released autobiography, Breaking Glass Barefoot.

The band opened their set with the marching Give Me An Inch and right from the off, Hazel was on fine form gesticulating wildly whilst delivering her passionate punky lament, whilst the band behind blew up a storm, keyboards pounding sax and guitar dueling and the rhythm section pumping instantly inciting a frenzied approval from the assembled crowd. From there on Hazel had the audience eating from her hand as she delivered long term favourites from the frantic Monsters In Disguise to the more refrained and soulful If Only.

With Hazel O’Connor it’s hard to pick out individual highlights as every track delivered hits a home run, but as always the likes of the mass sing-a-long Big Brother, the strutting Decadent Days and the timeless stirring ballad Will You (complete with mesmeric instrumental break and sax solo) always strike a chord with me, but I also have to mention the stripped down vocal/keyboard and sax rendition of Chasing Cars and a stirring performance of The Stranglers Hanging Around.

In my opinion Hazel can do no wrong, she always delivers, always engages and always entertains in whatever setting she chooses, if you’re yet to see her perform live, I suggest you rectify that in the near future as you’re missing a top night out.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

Photos By Graham Munn

23 August, 2013

Lakefest August 9th-11th Tewkesbury

Filed under: alternative,blues,caberet,folk,indie,Live Reviews,pop,punk,rock,rock n roll,swing — Tags: 3 daft monkeys, chas and dave, chip shop boys, crazy world of arthur brown, duke special, indigo kings, Jim lockey and the solemn sun, lakefest, levellers, missing andy, ocean colour scene, roving crows, skewwhiff, tewkesbury, the beat, the lights, the whipjacks, wille and the bandits — willmunn @ 10:51

 

Lakefest

Aug. 9th-11th

 

Day One

 

Lakefest is only a couple of years old but with it’s idyllic setting, family friendly atmosphere and compelling mixture of musical mayhem it’s already fast becoming a real favourite for festival followers bringing in locals and folk further afield.

 

This year’s event saw the organizers compile a wonderful line-up from cult favourites (The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Duke Special, et) to festival mainstays (Missing Andy, The Levellers, Ocean Colour Scene, The Beat) via up and coming locals (The Lights, Whipjacks, The Feddens, etc).

DSC05686 (1)

The Indigo Kings opened the proceedings with a delightful mix of swing, upbeat pop and sing-a-long harmonies that soon had the assembled masses swaying, nodding and even bopping (bit early for full on dancing!), the likes of Jump Jive Daddy and Holy Woman seduced the masses and proved to be the perfect start for the forthcoming proceedings.

DSC05766 (1)

Missing Andy arrived late but quickly stole the stage, packing out the arena with a frenzied combination of upbeat, holler along indie anthems, ska infused dance along s and punchy, fist in the air laments that had the whole tent bouncing in unison. As ever the likes of Young Disciples, Money and Dirty Suzanna incited a mass sing-a-long, with the crowd baying for more after a pummelling finale.

 

Covers bands aren’t normally my kind of thing, however The Chip Shop Boys are worth a mention for their tight, energetic and fun set taking in everyone from Daft Punk to The Killers via Chic, The Beatles and Queen.

 

Over on the second stage (Floating Globe Stage) we caught a couple of songs by local punky misfits Skewwhiff and a glorious set of accordion wielding, double bass pumping, pirate punk by local favourites, The Whipjacks.

DSC05951 (1)

Back on the mainstage, the suitably lubricated audience wanted to strut, skank and dance so ska legends The Beat provided the perfect soundtrack to get the party started. The band rattled off Rock The Casbah, Big Shot, Tears of A Clown and of course Mirror In The Bathroom to captious applause and frantic bouncing aplenty as The Beat once again delivered a thrilling set of crowd pleasers.

 

The Lights rocked the Floating Globe with a brilliant set of male/female vocal interplay and infectious indie pop, before Ocean Colour Scene completed the opening nights proceedings with their usual set of Brit-pop anthems and hook-laden indie classics, sending us off into the night in style.

 

Day Two

 

Due to the day job I had to miss the likes of Cosmo Jarvis and Baka Beyond, but thankfully we managed to hit Lakefest as the maverick genius that is Duke Special took to the stage, now it’s almost impossible to describe the sound of the three-piece band, but the combination of piano, sax and the most extensive drum kit you can imagine helps create one of the most intriguing and infectious blend of caberet pop known to man and the likes of Digging An Early Grave and Apple Jack (not to mention a wonderful laidback take on Love Will Tear Us Apart) soon seduced the masses.

 

Continuing the oft-kilter sound only in a more spaced out psychedelic manner was veteran Arthur Brown and his Crazy World. The band kicked up a witchy brew of synths and riffs whilst the man himself acted as master of ceremonies on a deranged take of Put A Spell On You and the obligatory Fire. Arthur even managed to venture into the audience much to their delight to boogie with the masses at one point during his memorable set.

 

Local heroes Roving Crows stormed the mainstage with their blend of celtic ska, folk and good old fashioned rock n roll, imagine if you will a mash-up of all that’s good from the likes of The Waterboys, The Levellers, Runrig and The New Model Army, throw in some Dexy’s soul and a dose of ska and you have one of the most potent sounds to have taken to the stage. The crowd lapped up the band’s fantastic and diverse set with Roll On Tomorrow proving to be a particular note worthy highlight from their glorious playlist.

 

The Levellers concluded the night with a storming set of infectious, driving political folk/punk, delivering all the fan favourites such as Beautiful Day, One Way Of Life and the evergreen anthem Hope Street, each one hollered back by the crowd and received with the plaudits they richly deserve.

 

Day Three

DSC06289

Sunday, and some had started journeys home, ready for the toil of Monday morning. There was still plenty of footfall and the camp followers were spread around the grounds of the festival. Wille and The Bandits, were sound checking, and were ready to kick off in a sparsely populated main stage. This was going to be good, it always is from this band. They take essentially blues and classics, restructure them, and perform them in a unique way, alongside their own well crafted songs. Elements of rock steady and ska are present in their music, it is a beautiful sound. The huge canopy starts to fill, drawn in by the magnetic rhythms of Wille & co. ‘Black Magic Woman’ streams out across the grounds, more pack in. Previously uninitiated were transfixed, ‘Angel’, opens with a long lead in from Matt on 6 string bass, superb. They close with a reworked ‘Money For Nothing’, a full 7 minutes & a pleasure to listen to, they have won many new fans here. Wait for the new album to be launched in autumn, followed by a UK tour.

DSC08715

Jim Lockey And The Solemn Sun, followed, a local band from Cheltenham. Styled as folk rock, they sort of brought Big Country to mind. The band is never still dipping and shifting back and forth, only the vocal stream pulls them to a microphone, an element of punk maybe. ‘A Song About Death’ and ‘England’s Dead’, seem morbid subjects, but the songs are anthemic with arena filling sound. Worth a listen if that’s you taste, check out some videos on You Tube.

DSC06474

3 Daft Monkeys, is a ‘world’ folk band, and for this outing, 4 turned up, Athene, Tim and Lukas were joined by percussionist Richie using hand drums and cymbals. Athene plays fiddle, Tim a 12 string acoustic and Lucas looks after bass. Athene is like a dancing nymph ably assisted by Lukas, as Tim presents most of the vocal leads. I particularly liked ‘Paranoid Big Brother’, nice fiddle from Athene, quirky lyrics, and changing pace, drive this song along. ‘Under One Sun’, again brings interesting lyrics, lead vocals from Tim again. The band are entertaining to watch and listen to, plenty of interaction and good humour in the songs. Hope to see them again for a forthcoming CD launch tour, including Hare & Hounds in Birmingham. All in, a good, fun band with a different approach to writing and performing, almost befitting a circus setting.

DSC06532

Top of the bill on Sunday, Chas & Dave, 50 years as likeable cockney geezers, ready for a knees up and boogie woogie. I have to be honest, as popular as they appeared to be, I had hoped for a bit more depth, but it was, as it always has been, simple sing along songs. That did not seem to concern the packed main stage, all the remaining festival fanatics crowded in and around the he marquee. The beer and cider flowed, all had a good time. Only a spectacular firework display awaited to close the event.

 

Photos and Day Three by Graham Munn

22 August, 2013

Hey You Guys! Album Launch Party-Marrs Bar.

Filed under: alternative,Blog,indie,Live Reviews,metal,punk,rock — Tags: hey you guys!, the marrs bar, the rattlin' doors, this wicked tongue, Worcester — willmunn @ 11:46

Hey You Guys!/This Wicked Tongue?Rattlin Doors Live @ The Marrs Bar, Worcester 16/8/13

DSC06585

Hey You Guys! are the latest project from local mainstays Pete Adams, Dave Draper, Oly Edkins and Ben Pemberton, a quartet who have trod the boards under numerous guises (too many to mention here) before joining forces to create a potent, rough and ready mix of garage punk, infectious rock and rowdy indie. Since their inception they’ve played a handful of gigs here and there, whilst honing their brash and ballsy debut album Gasp! Shock! Horror! before unleashing it on the world with a side order of pass the parcel, balloons and party poppers thrown in for good measure.

Before I get to the main event I want to mention the two support acts for this prestigious event. Having recently reviewing the debut single by Rattlin’ Doors, my expectations for the rowdy trio were suitably high, here was a band that on disc at least took elements of feral blues, post punk and menacing country add some adrenaline and a whole lot of attitude and serve it up in three minute spiky blasts. From the opening number the band managed to exceed any preconceptions with a stunning ramshackle set of blues/punk riffs, infectious rhythms and howling half sung/half hollered vocals that compelled even the most casual of listener. Obvious highlights included the aforementioned single, In The Treehouse, the contagious Merseybeat and a wild take of Love In Vain (by Robert Johnson) to name but a few. 

This Wicked Tongue were chosen as the main warm-up act and as ever the band delivered a solid set of female fronted rock, the band set about laying down a tight groove complete with metallic riffs, bombastic drums and catchy hooks, whilst Tina V showcased her finest rock wail, whilst rocking out with the audience and throwing her finest shapes displaying exactly why she is regarded as one of the finest singers to grace the various local arenas. The band delivered a couple of brand new tracks which bode well for their next release whilst long term favourite 22 was delivered with a new sense of urgency as the band shook the audience into life.

And so to the main event, Hey You Guys! performing their entire debut album plus a thrash through a We Are Sciencists cover and a brand new track all to the delight of the assembled masses. Now any act that includes Dave Draper among their number are going to deliver a flurry of hard hitting serrated riffs but I’ve not seen the guitarist this animated before, he was throwing shapes, singing along and delivering punchy riff after punchy riff as if it was going out of fashion add to this the one-two knockout rhythm section of Oly Edkins and Ben Pemberton, who pummeled and strangled their instruments into submission leaving the audience drained but exhilarated. Topping off this already potent force was a newly energised master of ceremonies, Pete Adams, who came across as a reborn frontman, hollering, shouting, and gesticulating wildly.

Imagine if you will a fine combination of The Wildhearts, Art Brut, (long forgotten UK rockers) Honeycrack and a metallic Carter and you’re in the right kind ballpark for the glorious sounds of Hey You Guys! a perfect unison of rock, metal, infectious indie and punk with shout at the top of your lungs vocal hooks and layers of thick fuzz that just demands you to throw yourself across the room. To pick out individual highlights would do other tracks a disservice however opener and album title track Gasp! Shock! Horror! laid down the foundations whilst Record Deal, Whiter Shade Of Pale and The Three Ronnies all left me with a huge grin on my face and a crashing chorus rattling around my noggin’.

Hey You Guys! both live and on disc are brash, bold and bombastic, you can expect a good time whether it in the comfort of your own living room or the snot and sawdust of your local fleapit but however you decide to devour the band’s wares I suggest you stop what you’re doing and seek them out now!!

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.hygofficial.co.

 

photos by Graham Munn

13 September, 2011

Rhythm Festival, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire 26/27/28th August 2011

Filed under: blues,country,folk,indie,Live Reviews,pop,punk,rock,rock n roll — Tags: Hazel O'Connor, imelda may, missing andy, Nick Lowe, rhythm festival, The Bluberry Hellbellies, The Burns Unit. rchie Brown & The Young Bucks, The Metatrons — willmunn @ 16:51

It seems some what apt to reviewing a festival called Rhythm here on the Rhythm & Booze website, obviously there’s the name sharing but not only that  this years festivities featured a number of acts that we’ve featured previously on Rhythm & Booze (whether it was this site, an older version or even the now ancient paper format) including the likes of Imelda May, Hazel O’Connor, Sandi Thom and Missing Andy to name but a few

Rhythm Festival is set in the stunning Mansion House in Old Warden Park, a beautiful location for a small yet wonderfully varied festival, as with most festivals in this day and age Rhythm is something of a family orientated affair complete with a number of performance stages, a fair, stalls, eateries and the essential beer tent. But what sets the festival apart from their many contempories is their obvious love of music, this isn’t one of those festivals that people go to hang out, get drunk and miss the bands, no Rhythm is all about the bands and that’s why they manage to attract some of the biggest names in punk/blues/rock/ska/folk/indie/roots around, can you name another festival this year that featured The Buzzcocks, Nick Lowe and Jack Bruce (of Cream fame) no didn’t think so.

After a long drive from Worcester and dumping the bags at our hotel (yes I know, but I don’t do camping!) we hit the site and headed for the first band we could find, who just happened to be The Metratrons on the introducing stage.

The Metratrons turned out to be a brilliant opener for our weekends festivities, a four-piece female fronted blend of punk, new wave and fuzzy pop who delivered a fun, attitude filled set of infectious three minute belters that helped us all forget our damp feat and wind swept hair with contagious little ditties such as the bubblegum pop of Last To Know. The band’a Stomping rhythms, buzzing guitars, big hooks and hollered vocals went down a treat with the early revellers, setting us up nicely for the rest of the festival.

Next up and very high on my festival’s itinerary the always incredible Hazel O’Connor, with a set lifted from the iconic (now 3o year old) Breaking Glass. I’ve seen Hazel now on a number of occasions in various different formats but her performance at Rhythm with The Subterranens and saxophonist Clare Hirst helping out was perhaps the best I’ve witnessed to date (and I’m a big fan). Hazel and the band delivered a stunning high octane set, taking in the likes of Black Man, Big Brother, the marching Decadent Days and the eternal Will You? with the large assembled crowd hollering away to each and every vocal, with Hazel as ring leader, comandeering the audiences attention with her punchy attitude and deliverance.

8-piece Scottish-Canadian supergroup The Burns Unit (featuring the likes of Emma Pollock, King Creosote, Karine Polwart among their number) followed with a compelling set of multi-faceted indie pop, folk and alternative rock featuring six lead singers, wonderous harmonies, layers of sound and loads of contagious twists drawing you into their maverick , unique yet compelling set.

We spent the rest of the first of the day/evening bouncing around taking in the sights and the sounds of the festival before retiring for an early night (after all that travelling) but we reliably informed that The Buzzcocks brought the house (and the barriers) down with a hits filled set of punky madeness.

Day Two and up for an early start at the main stage with country titans Archie Brown & The Young Bucks.

Archie Brown produced an unexpected early highlight to our second day with a brilliant set of country, blues and rock, ranging from heartfelt crooned laments to a raucous sax assisted set finale. The band had more energy than most bands half their age, whilst Archie, himself was a whirring dervish of a frontman, putting in an energetic and commanding performance that had the assembled masses raptious with appreciation.

Indie upstarts Missing Andy added a new dimension to proceedings with a glorious, punchy set of upbeat indie rock anthems such as Kings For The Weekend, A Call To Arms and the holler along, live classic in the making Made In England. The band’s set had everything you could ask for, it was frantic, had attitude and swagger in abundance, full of  sing-a-long hooks, addictive riffs, and delivered by a group on tip-top form. With performance like this and ready made festival classics it shoudn’t be too long until we see Missing Andy topping the bill.

After the riotous performance of Missing Andy we made a quick dash over to the Le Mesurier Stage to take in some of the greasy cow punk types the Blubbery Hellbellies, a wonderfully ramshackle collective headed by Lurkers main man Arturo Bassick, who wedge their tongues firmly in their cheeks to deliver a fun fuelled set of country punk including such classics as Is It Love Or Food Poisoning and All Wrestling Mama to name just two.

After gorging on some rather delectible pizza and once again wandering the site we paid a quick visit to the secret stage, took in a couple of tracks by Slim Chance, watching half a set of the wonderful bluesy Sandi Thom, which included Sandi blowing a mean harmonica before taking a brief sabbatical back at the hotel to charge the camera and our batteries before the two pronged main event.

Nick Lowe is a living legend, pure and simple, he is one of the finest songwriters of his and anybodies elses generation who has had a massively succesful solo career taking in soul, country, rock and pop, his 40 year musical career has numerous highlights and with the release of brand new album, At My Age, he doesn’t look like slowing down anytime yet. Nick’s set was a stunning display of restrained soulful, folky pop delivered in his aged yet wonderful croon taking in songs from thoughout his career to great applause and appreciation from one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. New songs slipped in effortlessly alongside better known classics, whilst his band laid down an infectious groove throughout and though Nick may not have delivered the most energetic of sets, his understated delivery and incredible songwriting ability shone through, proving that you don’t have to jump about to be a festival highlight. For me just being in the pressence of the mighty Nick Lowe performing live is a highlight in itself.

Saturday (and our festival due to work commitments) finished with the stunning, wonderful highly addictive Imelda May. By now unless you’ve lived on another planet you should have heard Imelda’s terrific blend of blues, soul and rockabilly, she’s lit up the stage across a number of the biggest venues and festivals across the world, whilst seducing he nation with her high profile turn on Later With Jools Holland and if you’re a regular Radio Two listener I’m sure you’ve become very accustomed to Imelda blaring out of your speakers as she’s become something of a main stay for the station in recent times. Both of her albums to date Love Tattoo and Mayhem have become firm favourites here at Rhythm & Booze, with her cool blues, upbeat rockabilly and soulful drawl regularly adorning the R&B hi-fi, but even those regular spins hadn’t prepared me for the Imelda May live experience. Imelda and her band are simply sensational in a live arena, she smoulderings as her her bunch of merry men kick up a shit storm of surf guitars, rock n roll licks and pulsating rhythms. Imelda lifts from both albums, with highlights delivered thick and fast, Johnny Gotta Boom Boom, a sensationally souped up Tainted Love and a glorious Big Bad Handsome Man are just three of a plethora that I could mention. Imelda May was the perfect choice as headliner as she had the audience in the palm of her hand from start to finish, we sang along, danced (well tried to) and lapped up every morsel from the Dublin born goddess with cries of more ringing long into the night.

I’m sure the final day of the festival was every bit as impressive with the likes of Toots & The Maytals, Steve Cropper (with The Animals), The Blockheads and Terry Reid all treading the boards, but like I mentioned earlier we had to head back to Worcester as the day job beckoned,.

I have to say we had an abosolute blast at our first ever (certainly not going to be our last) Rhythm Festival, it didn’t matter that we had a few spots of rain, what we may have lacked in sunshine was more than made up by the quality of music on offer. Rhythm is a fun, friendly festival put on by music lovers for music lovers, roll on next year.

 

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress