Early in 2003 I was offered the oppertunity of a new life, a change of country, culture lifestyle and occupation
The new life was to be in Hungary, a country I knew little (or less) about, I knew it was in Europe, even in eastern Europe, but if you had handed me a map and asked me to stick a pin in it, the result would have caused me some embarrassment.
I spoke to some people wiser and more well travelled than myself, and heard stories of visits in the early 90’s and a country still recovering from years of soviet occupation. This filled me with a mix of dread and overwhelming excitement, and so the tickets were bought and off I went.
Hungary was and Is beautiful, I arrived in the summer to incredible heat and the sort of reddish light I didn’t think I would find in Europe eastern or otherwise, the farm I was living at (along with others) was the stuff of dreams, grape vines and paprika growing in the garden, lizards scooting down the dusty unpaved paths leading to the village.
The countryside and the nearby city were beautiful, (abandoned Russian mini village aside) and so far removed from what I was used to it seemed almost otherworldly . This was the right decision I thought.
A few days later I discovered to my horror that the job that I had moved to a strange country for had fallen through, I was devastated, but decided there and then I wasn’t leaving to tears and waves, and returning tail between legs in the space of a week. And so language barrier and all I went looking for work.
What I found was the most hilarious mix of jobs possible bearing in mind my lack of experience in either, what I got was work making traditional Hungarian wooden furniture (which I knew nothing about) under guidance from a master tradesman, later selling what we made at craft fares across eastern Europe, and when there was nothing to sell, teaching English to Hungarian university students freelance. (Without of the necessary qualifications).
It was the start of an eventful year in Hungary in which I discovered many things, the demise of Freddie the pig taught me that the rules of animal slaughter differ massively here to there, That there are some languages that a man just cant pick up fluently, that selling watermelons roadside, and corn on the cob beachside are perfectly normal in Hungary.
But the most important discoverywas that my beloved Teesside also has breathtaking beauty, that grey skies, the chemical work laden vista, heavy industry and our less hot and exotic beaches all have something oddly magical about them, maybe not in a traditional sense but beauty all the same, this eventually being one of the reasons I moved home.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
my gazette column
Mike Shotton is 32 and lives in Billingham. He works as a sound man for a film production company. His interests include music, preferably live, film, reading, travel, politics, following Boro and writing. This is his second week.
THERE are many events in life that need planning - holidays, funerals, and, of course, weddings.
Generally these events will go just as planned. In some cases there may be the odd glitch, things that didn’t go exactly according to plan, small details overlooked, but these can be dealt with.
Sometimes, however, things that we plan for days, weeks or even months can go so wildly astray of the mark that when the stuff hits the fan we’re forced to rely on the kindness of strangers and small miracles.
This was the case last weekend at a wedding - my best friend’s wedding.
It was taking place in Durham, at two riverside venues on the weekend that saw the worst floods the city has seen in more than 100 years.
The groom, myself (best man) and two ushers awoke and did the usual - grabbed breakfast (sausage, bacon and egg sandwiches) and headed for the venue of the wedding.
Crook Hall, a beautiful old building in breathtaking grounds, can be reached from only one road. This road was under around three feet of muddy flood water, leaving ourselves and the guests no way of reaching it for the wedding at 3pm. It was now 10.20am and that amount of water wasn’t shifting in those few hours.
The four of us tunnelled like intrepid explorers for what seemed like hours through bushes, shrubs and overgrown nettles to reach our destination and check on its condition. What we found was a worried owner making desperate calls to anyone who could clear the water, or get us there clean, dry and safely.
We headed to the reception venue to set up. It was a rowing club built on the banks of the river a few years ago to withstand the predicted, but early in arrival, 100-year flood. Well someone had got their calculations wrong as the club, along with its car park, looked like a white water rafting course.
The groom stood, in borrowed wellies, dejected and beaten in the car park, water rushing past his knees and higher. The club manager started making calls for a new venue, and we headed for the hotel to change, worried and wondering what the day would hold.
At 2.30pm we arrived in a nearby car park, suited and booted, and were greeted by wedding guests and a kind stranger who had volunteered to drive us all through the flood water in his tractor and trailer.
The wedding went swimmingly (pardon the pun) and shortly before 3.30pm we got a call from the rowing club to say that in the last hour the three feet of water had disappeared completely and no replacement venue was required. Now that’s a little miracle.
The day had gone exactly as planned in the end (tractor rides aside).
The moral of the story? Next time you’re hurling expletives at the tractor you’re stuck behind, remember they can turn out to be quite useful.
THERE are many events in life that need planning - holidays, funerals, and, of course, weddings.
Generally these events will go just as planned. In some cases there may be the odd glitch, things that didn’t go exactly according to plan, small details overlooked, but these can be dealt with.
Sometimes, however, things that we plan for days, weeks or even months can go so wildly astray of the mark that when the stuff hits the fan we’re forced to rely on the kindness of strangers and small miracles.
This was the case last weekend at a wedding - my best friend’s wedding.
It was taking place in Durham, at two riverside venues on the weekend that saw the worst floods the city has seen in more than 100 years.
The groom, myself (best man) and two ushers awoke and did the usual - grabbed breakfast (sausage, bacon and egg sandwiches) and headed for the venue of the wedding.
Crook Hall, a beautiful old building in breathtaking grounds, can be reached from only one road. This road was under around three feet of muddy flood water, leaving ourselves and the guests no way of reaching it for the wedding at 3pm. It was now 10.20am and that amount of water wasn’t shifting in those few hours.
The four of us tunnelled like intrepid explorers for what seemed like hours through bushes, shrubs and overgrown nettles to reach our destination and check on its condition. What we found was a worried owner making desperate calls to anyone who could clear the water, or get us there clean, dry and safely.
We headed to the reception venue to set up. It was a rowing club built on the banks of the river a few years ago to withstand the predicted, but early in arrival, 100-year flood. Well someone had got their calculations wrong as the club, along with its car park, looked like a white water rafting course.
The groom stood, in borrowed wellies, dejected and beaten in the car park, water rushing past his knees and higher. The club manager started making calls for a new venue, and we headed for the hotel to change, worried and wondering what the day would hold.
At 2.30pm we arrived in a nearby car park, suited and booted, and were greeted by wedding guests and a kind stranger who had volunteered to drive us all through the flood water in his tractor and trailer.
The wedding went swimmingly (pardon the pun) and shortly before 3.30pm we got a call from the rowing club to say that in the last hour the three feet of water had disappeared completely and no replacement venue was required. Now that’s a little miracle.
The day had gone exactly as planned in the end (tractor rides aside).
The moral of the story? Next time you’re hurling expletives at the tractor you’re stuck behind, remember they can turn out to be quite useful.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
films films films innit!!! city of god and eichman
HI de ho mothercrushers!!
A lots been cracking in the last like month or whatever!!
I caught oasis, kasabian and the enemy (and reverend and the makers) but they were gash.. i mean are!! generally, not a dig at them live more them generally!
Anyway im getting sidetracked, i wanted to tell y'all i just renewed a long expired blockbuster membership (dvd rental) And my gosh 5 dvds for 5 nights.. what a score! none of them new release obviously at that price.. anywhere between 6 months and flippin years old.. but the selection spans everything from blockbusters to world cinema ... so yesterday holding my membership card like the key to a treasure layden tomb i surveyed all that layed before me.. decided 5 for 5 was the way to go.. and picked out my magic 5
*eichman
*city of god
*capote
*the kite runner
and juno
I can only tell you about the 2 ive watched namely city of god and eichman.. had a lazy day today so i shovled them in one after the other like a film glutton.
CITY OF GOD
Is one of those films i should have seen years ago, but events conspired against me in a cruel way at the cinema and then upon its dvd release years ago.. then eventually lists you wrote with must see's etc get lost and you discover new directors, and new films are released sadly you kind forget about them, until somoene mentions it as a fave or in this case you discover it for rental cheap as an amputee sex worker.
I have no idea why im letting anyone know about city of god as im all too aware its had massive aclaim for like 8 years or sumething and i may well be the last film lover to see it... nut incase anyone else hasnt tho..
Its a masterpiece of story telling and cinematography set in a ghetto city nnot far from rio, telling the stories really of 2 generations of hoods (career criminals) through the eyes of a young boy uninvolved but still in danger in his out of control city , the extent of violence and apparent total lack of respect for life like the cinematography, is breathtaking... weigh up the story, the backdrop of a brazilian slum, the rise and fall of a couple of all be it small (city scale) crime empires, and the afore mentioned boys hunger to get out and become an unlikely famous photographer and youve about got the measure of it... if you havnt seen it you really should.
and
EICHMAN
As you may have guessed this is a film about adolf eichman, top ranking nazi and over seer of the final solution, a heavy subject for a tuesday evening, but handled with skill, the charactures (real people i know) are engaging, and that in some way stops you feeling like youve been through an ordeal by the films end. The film is set in israel in the mid 60's where Eichman stood trial for crimes against humanity and the jewish people and was eventualy hung. The film captures the period perfectly.. It is essentially in film form the interviews had between eichman and the man charged with getting a confesion from him, with flashbacks ( all be it long ones) to the horific events being discussed, along with the intense adversity faced by the interviewer and his young family from the israeli masses, for atemting to put a nazi on trial, rather than heading straight for execution.
An intense and compeling if at times harowing film, recounting a horific time in history, but done with sufficient skill in all departments that it doesnt feel like you are watching the history channel (though id like that too)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
WHAT MIKE SAW... reviews and links
WILL and the people
The first band of the day , and what a way to start... think reall sing along bounce around sunny day pop/indie, fused with ska, reggae and much more...
A very decent band, something remeniscent of the late 8o,s early 90's for me.
give them a sound out, im sure itl work just aswell away from a festival and the sun.
jimmy bullet and the baby shakers
When i heard talk that this lot were like a mix of mc5, and the stooges , i was understandably excited , and when i caught them, my excitement intensified, i had found myself pre fextival wondering why a band id never heard of were being widely touted as a possible festival highlight! now i know.. they are as advertised, loud and proud, 60's psych and bluesy, heavy duty rock sounding!! really worth a look!
http://www.myspace.com/jimmybullet111
the space agency
A really soulfull, and psychadelic sound, played by a trio based in england but hailing from england, wales and er....japan.
Imagine the shadows, pyschadelica, hendrix,and the sound of hawai, all rolled together and pumped through a flying saucers sound system.. and your not even nearly there!!
http://www.myspace.com/thespaceagency
Skint & demoralised
In the words of radio ones very own indie guru steve lamacq "Latter-day Northern Soul meets zeitgeist poetry from a Yorkshire teenager who shows ace potential." and this is true , track after track of real inteligently written tracks that sound like a mix of northern soul, and the early streets, interspersed liberally with quite honestly some of the best poetry ive heard, matt abbot has a real eye for a lyric, and more importantly an eye for truth. This surely is an act destined for greater things!!
http://www.myspace.com/skintanddemoralised
The Black Box revelation
A heavy duty indie/ rock duo from belguim of all places!! belgium? music? what?
But had you stepped into the venue to hear black box revelation you would have been pleasently suprised, This was the sort of indie/rock that only ever comes from scandanavia or as in this case odd parts of mainland europe... think the hives, and you wont be far off the mark!
http://www.myspace.com/theblackboxrevelation
ZION (a bob marley tribute)
ZION did exactly what it said on the tin,... if you like bob marley, this is for you.. all the old favourites, our bob figure sounded dressed and looked remarkably like the man him self, it was a nice break from the up tempo start of the day, One of the festival highlights was a down pour, while zion were on, many people heading away from the open air stage, while bob sang exodous!! oh how fitting!
GOLD TEETH
Well written edgy indie/ pop if such a thing exists, like a slightly more elctric kooks (maybe due more to vocals than anything else ) well worth a listen!
http://www.myspace.com/goldteeth
The qemists
Thumping drum and bass, with heavy lashings of electric guitar, rap and everything else youd expect from collectives like represent (roni size), or pendulum. They literaly nearly brought the house .. or in this case the town hall down, nothing townies like more than pounding base, rythmic drums and rap, it swiftly turned into absoloute khaos!!
good set tho!!
http://www.myspace.com/qemists
The Sunshine Underground
Classic guitar led indie from the uk based 4 piece, they were on the main stage and did it justice, we knew they were great, but something about the goosebump giving guitar riffs and powerfull vocals transcended to a new level on a massive stage with that beast of a p.a sytem. These guys are no strangers to the festival circuit home and abroad, and that was evident!
For new comers.. check out commercial breakdown and borders!
http://www.myspace.com/thesunshineunderground
The Golden silvers
Are amazing, i First ran into theyre music about a year ago while searching myspace music for anything half decent (sad i know, but i do it) they blew me away then, and any expectation i had of them live way exceeded. Catchy synth led indie/pop with harmonies that would make a fan of barbershop smile ,with a slight retro feel to it think squeeze, and similar bands of that era... the same high standard of song writing, with a new twist and without dodgy clothes and hairdo's.
Allow me to sugest magic touch, and arrows of eros for new comers!
http://www.myspace.com/thegoldensilvers
THE ZUTONS
The legendary scouse band played theyre usual brand of sing along, stompy ,bluesy, sax layden indie, they definately fall into the category of great live band, Im not going to describe it for you, if your a brit, and 3 criticaly acclaimed, and massively comercially succesfull albums later you dont know what they sound like you really dont deserve to be told.. if your not a u.k based music head,.. heres the link enjoy!
http://www.myspace.com/thezutons
The first band of the day , and what a way to start... think reall sing along bounce around sunny day pop/indie, fused with ska, reggae and much more...
A very decent band, something remeniscent of the late 8o,s early 90's for me.
give them a sound out, im sure itl work just aswell away from a festival and the sun.
jimmy bullet and the baby shakers
When i heard talk that this lot were like a mix of mc5, and the stooges , i was understandably excited , and when i caught them, my excitement intensified, i had found myself pre fextival wondering why a band id never heard of were being widely touted as a possible festival highlight! now i know.. they are as advertised, loud and proud, 60's psych and bluesy, heavy duty rock sounding!! really worth a look!
http://www.myspace.com/jimmybullet111
the space agency
A really soulfull, and psychadelic sound, played by a trio based in england but hailing from england, wales and er....japan.
Imagine the shadows, pyschadelica, hendrix,and the sound of hawai, all rolled together and pumped through a flying saucers sound system.. and your not even nearly there!!
http://www.myspace.com/thespaceagency
Skint & demoralised
In the words of radio ones very own indie guru steve lamacq "Latter-day Northern Soul meets zeitgeist poetry from a Yorkshire teenager who shows ace potential." and this is true , track after track of real inteligently written tracks that sound like a mix of northern soul, and the early streets, interspersed liberally with quite honestly some of the best poetry ive heard, matt abbot has a real eye for a lyric, and more importantly an eye for truth. This surely is an act destined for greater things!!
http://www.myspace.com/skintanddemoralised
The Black Box revelation
A heavy duty indie/ rock duo from belguim of all places!! belgium? music? what?
But had you stepped into the venue to hear black box revelation you would have been pleasently suprised, This was the sort of indie/rock that only ever comes from scandanavia or as in this case odd parts of mainland europe... think the hives, and you wont be far off the mark!
http://www.myspace.com/theblackboxrevelation
ZION (a bob marley tribute)
ZION did exactly what it said on the tin,... if you like bob marley, this is for you.. all the old favourites, our bob figure sounded dressed and looked remarkably like the man him self, it was a nice break from the up tempo start of the day, One of the festival highlights was a down pour, while zion were on, many people heading away from the open air stage, while bob sang exodous!! oh how fitting!
GOLD TEETH
Well written edgy indie/ pop if such a thing exists, like a slightly more elctric kooks (maybe due more to vocals than anything else ) well worth a listen!
http://www.myspace.com/goldteeth
The qemists
Thumping drum and bass, with heavy lashings of electric guitar, rap and everything else youd expect from collectives like represent (roni size), or pendulum. They literaly nearly brought the house .. or in this case the town hall down, nothing townies like more than pounding base, rythmic drums and rap, it swiftly turned into absoloute khaos!!
good set tho!!
http://www.myspace.com/qemists
The Sunshine Underground
Classic guitar led indie from the uk based 4 piece, they were on the main stage and did it justice, we knew they were great, but something about the goosebump giving guitar riffs and powerfull vocals transcended to a new level on a massive stage with that beast of a p.a sytem. These guys are no strangers to the festival circuit home and abroad, and that was evident!
For new comers.. check out commercial breakdown and borders!
http://www.myspace.com/thesunshineunderground
The Golden silvers
Are amazing, i First ran into theyre music about a year ago while searching myspace music for anything half decent (sad i know, but i do it) they blew me away then, and any expectation i had of them live way exceeded. Catchy synth led indie/pop with harmonies that would make a fan of barbershop smile ,with a slight retro feel to it think squeeze, and similar bands of that era... the same high standard of song writing, with a new twist and without dodgy clothes and hairdo's.
Allow me to sugest magic touch, and arrows of eros for new comers!
http://www.myspace.com/thegoldensilvers
THE ZUTONS
The legendary scouse band played theyre usual brand of sing along, stompy ,bluesy, sax layden indie, they definately fall into the category of great live band, Im not going to describe it for you, if your a brit, and 3 criticaly acclaimed, and massively comercially succesfull albums later you dont know what they sound like you really dont deserve to be told.. if your not a u.k based music head,.. heres the link enjoy!
http://www.myspace.com/thezutons
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, and a return to uncle alberts, with its odd decor, and ear splitingly loud p.a.
So.. Saturday night's action lined up something like this....
* Colour in the slow dance
* No School reunion
* Wonderswan
* A broken robot
* Dave House
WONDERSWAN
We showed up just as Wonderswan were done sound checking ... a 4 piece ,from leeds i think, all toni and guy carefully posed scruffy hairdo's, ultra tight t shirts, skinny jeans falling off backsides and lip piercings.. this although i try not to make a judgement based on aesthetics, did not fill me with hope, ive seen this act (act being the operative term) a million times.
And were off, dig if you will the picture (i stole that off prince) 4 lads in theyre late teens/early twenties thrashing blindly through theyre set, their drummer admitedly has talent, as does theyre lead guitarist.
The problem however is is the 2 front men, obviously the ego of the band, are the stuff of nightmares doped up the eyeballs on self belief , screaming alternately " i hate you"," i cant replace you" in put on californian accents, come on lads you from yorkshire!! the drummer, and lead guitarist as i said wernt lacking in talent, and would make half a good band, all they need to do is sack theyre talentless, o.c loving frontmen, completely change musical direction, and realise the music theyre so desperate to inflict on everyone was a fad, a fad that ultimately died a few years ago, i have no doubt it still has followers, but come on people.. this is a sub genre with no future.
A BROKEN ROBOT
Were next to take the stage, they are 4 lads from southend, Now ive been to southend, a couple of times and although it isnt know for producing quality bands on mass.. it is a town that has produced a couple of gems.
By the end of the first track i know this is something special, punk at its finest... punchy, heartfelt lyrics , top notch guitar riffs, An enrgy that makes you dance wether your willing or not, everything youd hope for from punk, but dont let me be misunderstood, this isnt an ordinary punk band, theres more to them than this, they state theyre influences as widely as Elvis costello (who they covered well!),the clash, the specials and the smiths.. and all of these influences are evident, claping and chiming bells feature, This truely is a different kind of punk. inteligent punk!
Does southend need to be on the musical map? no idea, but if A broken robot get the exposure they deserve, it could well squeeze its way on all the same!
http://www.myspace.com/abrokenrobot
Finally we reach...
DAVE HOUSE
A great singer songwriter who has allready played support for some esteemed company including get cape, wear cape, fly, and the king blues.
This was rangey song writing, in a 45 min set we scaled the heights of joy, and went the other way too..
Dave house has his very own brand of energetic, guitar led pop, (if he doesnt object to that term) I dont like comparisons, but if i had to id say think somewhere between an early r.e.m, and james and you wont go far wrong.
Here check him out yourself!
myspace.com/davehouse
So.. Saturday night's action lined up something like this....
* Colour in the slow dance
* No School reunion
* Wonderswan
* A broken robot
* Dave House
WONDERSWAN
We showed up just as Wonderswan were done sound checking ... a 4 piece ,from leeds i think, all toni and guy carefully posed scruffy hairdo's, ultra tight t shirts, skinny jeans falling off backsides and lip piercings.. this although i try not to make a judgement based on aesthetics, did not fill me with hope, ive seen this act (act being the operative term) a million times.
And were off, dig if you will the picture (i stole that off prince) 4 lads in theyre late teens/early twenties thrashing blindly through theyre set, their drummer admitedly has talent, as does theyre lead guitarist.
The problem however is is the 2 front men, obviously the ego of the band, are the stuff of nightmares doped up the eyeballs on self belief , screaming alternately " i hate you"," i cant replace you" in put on californian accents, come on lads you from yorkshire!! the drummer, and lead guitarist as i said wernt lacking in talent, and would make half a good band, all they need to do is sack theyre talentless, o.c loving frontmen, completely change musical direction, and realise the music theyre so desperate to inflict on everyone was a fad, a fad that ultimately died a few years ago, i have no doubt it still has followers, but come on people.. this is a sub genre with no future.
A BROKEN ROBOT
Were next to take the stage, they are 4 lads from southend, Now ive been to southend, a couple of times and although it isnt know for producing quality bands on mass.. it is a town that has produced a couple of gems.
By the end of the first track i know this is something special, punk at its finest... punchy, heartfelt lyrics , top notch guitar riffs, An enrgy that makes you dance wether your willing or not, everything youd hope for from punk, but dont let me be misunderstood, this isnt an ordinary punk band, theres more to them than this, they state theyre influences as widely as Elvis costello (who they covered well!),the clash, the specials and the smiths.. and all of these influences are evident, claping and chiming bells feature, This truely is a different kind of punk. inteligent punk!
Does southend need to be on the musical map? no idea, but if A broken robot get the exposure they deserve, it could well squeeze its way on all the same!
http://www.myspace.com/abrokenrobot
Finally we reach...
DAVE HOUSE
A great singer songwriter who has allready played support for some esteemed company including get cape, wear cape, fly, and the king blues.
This was rangey song writing, in a 45 min set we scaled the heights of joy, and went the other way too..
Dave house has his very own brand of energetic, guitar led pop, (if he doesnt object to that term) I dont like comparisons, but if i had to id say think somewhere between an early r.e.m, and james and you wont go far wrong.
Here check him out yourself!
myspace.com/davehouse
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Today at MML 09
Saturday afternoon, and the final day of warm up for the big one begins, i'd like to say its 1pm sharp (the time this event was due to begin) but i had a late one last night.. and then a subsequent sleep in of serious proportions.This afternoons show was held down at the central library, (the reference library to be precise) it seemed an ideal space for this sort of thing, 5 acoustic singer songwriters.. as i mentioned earlier.. i am late, so late in fact that sadly only 2 of the 5 acts remain.
i'll give you the line up anyway..
I'm not google
Evelyn Burke
Laura Victoria
Suzanne Elizabeth Marron
Elaine Palmer
So.. i stumbled into the room, just as Suzanne elizbeth Marron was tuning up, She sat on a stool, mounted casually on a stage at the head of an old large dusty room (the reference library).
The accoustics in this place were amazing, it seemed almost custom made for this purpose.
It is my considered opinion that north east singer /song writers, have something special, a different collective voice to trubadors from other areas,.. there is an honesty, a different way of thinking and talking, which has its own very distinctive and very placable charm, a style and performance open and free of pretention, now all north east singer song writers dont use our
regional charm to theyre advantage, but Suzanne elizabeth Marron certainly does, and i think she uses it unintentionally which makes it all the more endearing.
She played for about 45 minutes , moving from heartfelt ballad, to plucky upbeat songs in which she picked out rather complicated tunes with apparent ease, The only finger that could be pointed at the young songstress, is that her songs all delictately crafted and well written, did seem to share the one theme , love and the loss of it, i couldnt help thinkigng if she is following the advice write what you know about, then shes suffered a lot for a young un. Still a good set it was, if i had to make a comparison, id say think a north east kathryn williams with less chelo.
Last to take the stage was Elaine Palmer (pictured above), now ive seen her before, ad she was great, she is the other side of this genre, if Suzanne Marron is qwerky north east charm, then Elaine Palmer is definately the more serious end of the spectrum, for 45 minutes she layed upon us her view of the world, from heartbreaks to social comment, from regional observation to something aproaching sea shanties, whatever you want to call it, it was song writing of the highest order. fact.
Friday, June 5, 2009
MIDDLESBROUGH MUSIC LIVE DAY 1 (warm up)
SO.... today brought about the start of middlesbrough music live, an annual , free festival in my home town. For those of you unfamiliar with teesside, this is one of only 2 highlights of the year (musically at least) for the inhabitants of our conovation. (the other being stockton fringe).
MML is now in its 10th year, and how its grown , this mini festival is a rareity, a governmet funded, cutting edge music festival, and the council deserves some credit for this, although i assume it is the input of its partners that keeps this festival valid, fresh and drawing evermore praise and people every year.
This year the festival has a warm up, a pre show if you will, 3 days of gigs and comedy to awaken the tastebuds ready for the feast that is sunday's main event.
Now as with any festival, you cant see all of the bands, as things run at the same time.. the case more than ever this year as it has reached the 10 stage mark. Anyway,... tonight was day 2 of the build up, and i had the choice of 3 venues, and 3 very different evenings.
On a grey and wet friday night, i headed to UNCLE ALBERTS , not a relative, but a venue on the outskirts of town. I entred purchased an ice cold coke (hardcore i know), and took my seat on an elongated couch with the rest of my party.
The couch i feel i should mention was like something you would expect to see in the parlour in some period drama or other, and was, for a reason that still illudes me parked i front of a piano that matched its length.
I was just thinking how odd it was to be sat this close to a piano, drinks on its top, and to not even open the lid, or tinkle the ivories so to speak, when i heard the opening licks of a bass guitar....our evening was about to begin.
ONE NIGHT STANDS
A 5 piece indie set up from billingham,
Although these lads cant have been more than 19, they exuded the confidence of a band who knew theyre identity, knew theyre music, and knew it was worth a listen at least.
With intensity, and purpose that was almost tangeable they belted out track after track of high tempo catchy indie. The frontman knew the rules of being a frontman within his genre, (sound good and be dramatic) he carried out his duty with noteable merrit.As a sidenote the bassist was top notch, picking out tunes like a modern day peter hook. what a start to the evening.
One night stand- think high tempo indie with a light seasoning of angst.
only a 5 minute set up and we were ready for band no.2 ... but the 5 mins is noteworthy, for one reason, the dj on the night in that short time, started a vexing trend that was to last the whole evening, wev'e all suffered at the hands of doils like this dj, he doesnt want to play what the crowd wants to hear, he doesnt even want to play music that coresponds even mildly genre wise with any of the 3 acts, what he does want to do however, is play what he wants to hear, in this caseanything ranging from alt/hardcore to metal... not really koshure when your so obviously playing to an indie/ rock crowd.
COMETS
A 3 piece hailing fom boro, i took an interest in these lads when i spyed the listing in the programme for this weekends festivities, it read " support from boro's answer to LCD soundsystem" Being a fan of the LCD i was excited, and im happy to say my excitement wasn't in vain. This was just what i was hoping for, synth and bass heavy tracks, with genuinely amazing vocals ,This though wasnt an lcd sound- a -like, and to be honest, the listing should probably have read" post punk for a new generation" Granted there were salutes to more modern synth led bands... but on tonight's gig , they would be much more comfortable in company such as joy division, the fall, and maybe a hint of a more understated newman ( gary not paul). As i said although influenced by that golden post punk era, this was something a little different... the synth was heaven, the bass was thumping , and the vocals moved between apparent despair and someting aproaching joy.. though we all know open happyness is not permited to true followers of post punk.
comets- think post punk manchester (with a modern twist)
This leads us to the final gig of the night.. the headline act!!
THE FELLONS
They list theyre influences as bands like the Doors, The Byrds, and the Rolling stones, and were recently praised by the NME , here's what they had to say : "With their huge melodies and a front man gifted with the presence of a young Jim Morrison, Darlington boys The Felons play ear splittingly loud rock n' roll, birthed in a pool of beer soaked blues riffs."
As you may imagine, after listing such influences, and getting that kid of write up from the NME, i was hoping for, nay! expecting someting at least a little special, and by golly i wasnt dissapointed! what followed was a 40 minute lesson on how to write timeless rock, how to perform in a way that doesnt make your stated influences a laughable read, how to be the ultimate frontman, not necceseraly in that order. This was indeed the young jim morrison, the beer soaked blues riffs and the ear splitingly loud rock and roll the NME had promised, but it was bigger than that. What hadnt been mentioned was that every man on stage was massively gifted, that our young jim morrison, shared more with his ill fated influence than presence, this was also a voice on par and not dissimilar to the voice of the lizard king himself. One word of Warning. For those of you who are atention shy.. dont frequent the area stage front.
The fellons - think 60's rock and blues at its finest!
Back later in the weekend with saturday's write up and sundays offerings!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A year in trainers!! confesions of a scoob fanatic!
So.. here it is the first blog on stockhom syndrome… and wwwhat a way to start!
A brief yet enjoyable journey, (for me at least ) into the wardrobe of a trainer obsessive over a year.
*Contrary to apearences, I am neither a trainer perve, nor sneaker sex offender,
Merley an scoob enthusiast of the highest order!!
A YEAR IN TRAINERS! (just done this whole thing in word.. and the photos that make the piece simply arnt transfering.. grrr .. post it anyway i guess while i work on how!!
1. Adidas zx (purple & silver)
I still rock these bad boys a lot, arnt they beautifull?
Zx’s mix of retro chic, and sports shoe. A classic.
2. Adidas superstar (white, red and blue)
Superstars as the name sugests are right up there in the trainer hall of fame
With gazelles, air force ones and of course the green flash.
Student chic and retro glam all at once.. it’s almost too much to take in!!
3. Adidas forest hills (grey and greeny blue)
Yes!! A beeeautifull pair, Back in thelate 70’s/early 80’s these were the trainer of choice for the original casuals (football hooligans) granted not in this coulour scheme!!
4. Dunlop blue flash (Velcro)
Dunlop blue flash… tho ive had a million orogional green flashes over the years,
I wana stick with the plan and only bust out trainers of the past year. Blue velcros. Yum!
5.Adidas zx (yellow and pail blue lebon)
I’m one of these people who likes variety, and so one pair of zx’s just want enough… these are my seeds early 80’s coulour scheme darlings… carefull tho white suede messes easily.
6. Nike air force one (grey and red)
The air force one’s.. Get in there!!
You simply cant mess with a classic from a bygone era, brought
Back from the dead.. like a phoenix from the flames…I could kiss them! Fact!
7. puma boston (Velcro grey)
8. onitsuka tiger (black and pink)
tigers are amazing.. simple as, stylish as f!
and I always feel like id have rude martial arts skills from nowhere, should trouble
come about while wearing them!!
9. K.swiss (black and yellow)
k.swiss , sadly I couldn’t find the appropriate photo (some limited edition honeys)
allow me to inform, black with yellow soles, and trim.. deigned by some famous Japanese dude.. good grief theyre sexy!!
10. Plimsoles (like a million pairs)
The simple plimsole, available in a million colours, and all of them dope!!
A simple trainer, and versatile beyond belief.. weather hooligan, indie kid or
Child doing p.e, the plim takes some beating!
I simply couldn’t do anymore than 10… more labour intensive han I had forseen, however just look at the vast array of beauty’s before you..that have all graced my feet in the last year!! I could weep with joy.
Tears for those trainers departed and loved!!
Joy for those in mint condition, ready to grave the feet!!
A brief yet enjoyable journey, (for me at least ) into the wardrobe of a trainer obsessive over a year.
*Contrary to apearences, I am neither a trainer perve, nor sneaker sex offender,
Merley an scoob enthusiast of the highest order!!
A YEAR IN TRAINERS! (just done this whole thing in word.. and the photos that make the piece simply arnt transfering.. grrr .. post it anyway i guess while i work on how!!
1. Adidas zx (purple & silver)
I still rock these bad boys a lot, arnt they beautifull?
Zx’s mix of retro chic, and sports shoe. A classic.
2. Adidas superstar (white, red and blue)
Superstars as the name sugests are right up there in the trainer hall of fame
With gazelles, air force ones and of course the green flash.
Student chic and retro glam all at once.. it’s almost too much to take in!!
3. Adidas forest hills (grey and greeny blue)
Yes!! A beeeautifull pair, Back in thelate 70’s/early 80’s these were the trainer of choice for the original casuals (football hooligans) granted not in this coulour scheme!!
4. Dunlop blue flash (Velcro)
Dunlop blue flash… tho ive had a million orogional green flashes over the years,
I wana stick with the plan and only bust out trainers of the past year. Blue velcros. Yum!
5.Adidas zx (yellow and pail blue lebon)
I’m one of these people who likes variety, and so one pair of zx’s just want enough… these are my seeds early 80’s coulour scheme darlings… carefull tho white suede messes easily.
6. Nike air force one (grey and red)
The air force one’s.. Get in there!!
You simply cant mess with a classic from a bygone era, brought
Back from the dead.. like a phoenix from the flames…I could kiss them! Fact!
7. puma boston (Velcro grey)
8. onitsuka tiger (black and pink)
tigers are amazing.. simple as, stylish as f!
and I always feel like id have rude martial arts skills from nowhere, should trouble
come about while wearing them!!
9. K.swiss (black and yellow)
k.swiss , sadly I couldn’t find the appropriate photo (some limited edition honeys)
allow me to inform, black with yellow soles, and trim.. deigned by some famous Japanese dude.. good grief theyre sexy!!
10. Plimsoles (like a million pairs)
The simple plimsole, available in a million colours, and all of them dope!!
A simple trainer, and versatile beyond belief.. weather hooligan, indie kid or
Child doing p.e, the plim takes some beating!
I simply couldn’t do anymore than 10… more labour intensive han I had forseen, however just look at the vast array of beauty’s before you..that have all graced my feet in the last year!! I could weep with joy.
Tears for those trainers departed and loved!!
Joy for those in mint condition, ready to grave the feet!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
