Author Archives: Bob the Chiropodist

I first heard Low on John Peel in 1999. He played the sublime Venus from the ‘Shanti town Compilation’ CD in support of AIDs charities (also had a fab version of ‘Follow You, Follow Me’ by Red House Painters on … Continue reading →

ded like a plan. Si + Kyla, Terry and Duggie (flying in from France) came along for the ride and we stayed at the Bridge Hotel, literally ten yards from the entrance of the Picturedrome a great venue!

So after a few beers in a couple of pubs and a lovely curry just up the road we got in as Mark Radcliffe and the Big Figures took to the stage. I last saw him live on his 50th birthday at Glastonbury when his band The Family Mahone played a fine brace of drinking songs. That gig gets a mention in the last chapter of his book Thank you for the days. The chapters called The day I turned 50 and was part of McDs pressie from us.

Mr Radcliffe was in top entertainer mode with hilarious banter between songs. The band do Dr Feelgood songs which must be a bit daunting when youre supporting the man whote wrote most of them. Certain covers were shouted for We cant do that one as it may be coming up later and when another one was asked for Id like to refer the member for Holmfirth to my previous answer And of his singing talent..I still think hes a great drummerWilko by comparison had no banter between songs which is a real shame as anyone whos seen Oil City Confidential (and if you havent WHY NOT?!) will contest to, Wilko can certainly talk! Bass wizard Norman Watt Roy was sweating like you wouldnt believe and it was only at the end of the set that Wilko announced he was ill and they may not be able to do an encore. They did, and Back in the night was a fitting end.

Back at the hotel we chewed the fat, laughing and drinking til gone two. We all agreed We should do this again"

– Bob the Chiropodist

McD got a new camera for his Bday and heres some of his snaps.

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If you’re passionate enough to write about a gig or music in general – we’re passionate enough to post it here. Send us your reviews and maybe a photo too? Cheers

“I’ll listen to anything except thrash” – Umm, a common complaint amongst music enthusiasts. Ive heard this several times when opening up a conversation on musical preferences. I usually answer by telling them that, with me, its the other way around. Continue reading →

etal isnt going to conquer the charts but will bring out the faithful like the plague brings out the dead.
Support came from stropped back label mates Moss, a band I first saw two years ago who, quite frankly blew me away. Slow and intense songs created an atmosphere and the band took to the sides of the stage leaving a gap in the performance space. As soon as the last song ended they downed tools and were off stage before the last whine of feedback and the audience applauded and empty stage. Brilliant. Not tonight. Tonight they played a couple of newies showing a change in direction with clean vocals and, gosh, tangible riffs. Ending with from their last album Tombs of the Blind Drugged. Moss even thanked the audience for turning up. Ungrateful bastards! Gone is the arsey artiness of yore. Shame but still enjoyable.

Electric Wizard, a band who sound like they listened to far too much black Sabbath when they were stoned, successfully emulate the feel and imagery of sixties and seventies Italian horror movies. Check out the cover for their almum Black Massess and youll see what I mean. The original members were just a bunch of dopeheads from the New Forest but have created a monster with the addition of Liz Buckingham, a fiery force of blond hair and sonic fury on guitar and Rob Al-Issa on bass. Opening with the song I thought they would have closed with, namely the down-tuned Funerealopolis from their 2000 masterpiece, Dopethrone, they went on to play a robust set packed with classics from their repertoire and couple of new songs from Black Masses which made me glad Id pre-ordered it from Amazon.
Okay, so a giant Eddie didnt come stumbling out and Lulu didnt come bursting out of the curtains singing re-light my fire but the riffs came long and hard (ooh er) but they did what they did best; play dirges to the occult based around one ever expanding riff. For a band with a reputed large drug consumption they didnt let the pace drop and several hundred happy black clad doom metal fans went home with tinnitus and the memories of the last whine of feedback in their ears.

PAUL MELHUISH
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