Category Archives: News

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“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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a Police song, solo with his guitar. He looks like he belongs in Bowling for Soup but has a sweet sweet voice. Hes then joined by various members of The Easy Star All-Stars (including the Sax player who has an uncanny resemblance to Big Brothers Preston). A great set which finished with a version of Peter Toshs Legalise it.

2 years ago I saw the Easy Star All-Stars and they were amazingly good. If you dont have their Dub side of the moon Id urge you to get it. The Floyd classic reimaging as a dub reggae album pure class! The woman who sang great gig in the sky note perfect was AMAZING and sadly not in residence tonight.

Then came Radiodread Reggae versions of Radiohead songs. Good, but not in the same league. Then at last years Glasto they did a whole set comprising of Sgt Peppers lonely hearts dub band.I wasnt that impressed.

Tonight.well.there were flashes of genius but I was, Im sad to say a bit disappointed. The new original stuff I liked. The bits of dub side of the moon still sparkle live – but the Sgt Pepper stuff was just..awful. I quite liked Shes leaving home but thats only cos that song has vivid memories for me. I remember hearing it as a kid and asking my mum (who married a man from the motor trade by the way) how can someone be living alone when they live at home? She just looked at me, gave me a half smile and said Youll understand one day.

The other highlight was when Cas joined them for one song. My tip ask him to join the band and drop the Sgt Pepper stuff.

Bob the chiropodist Continue reading →

We all agree that the Brudenell is a great place to see a gig. It’s also a great place to bump into nice people. Take tonight –  we sit next to a guy with a “No, I’m not Johnny Ramone” … Continue reading →

It’s been two years since the last Newcon and the gang reconvened at the wonderful ‘Fishmarket’ arts centre to talk Science Fiction, watch classic TV, listen to live music and drink real ale. Paul Cornell was one of the guests … Continue reading →