Another year, another Wave Pictures tour. They did a blistering set of new and old stuff that showcased the best of each member. They tour so often that the musical communication between them is fantastic to watch.

Wolf Solent did a beautifully understated set with a lovely finger picking guitar sound that built and then rolled over you like a thick warm duvet. One for those blissed out late nights…

What can I say about the Wave Pictures that I haven’t already in the gig reviews I’ve done since first seeing them 10 years ago? David Tattersall does guitar solos to die for – up and down the fretboard with consumate ease, it’s hard to imagine a better guitar player – No pedals, just raw talent. Franic on Bass holds things together beautifully and gets to do some intricate solos too – the shades tonight added to the ‘too cool for school’ bass player chic. Jonny on drums has the toughest job as evidenced by his sweat drenched T-shirt by the end – some of his drum fills and solos are insanely fast…so I guess he only has himself to blame.

A Stones cover was a nice suprise to end – and at a tenner a ticket, much cheaper than seeing the originals (and with a much better guitar player). Funny and brilliant – if you haven’t seen them yet, you’re really missing out.

Bob the Chiropodist

“You’ve obviously got a lovely scene going on here” said Dan Donnelly as he started his set tonight….and he’s not wrong. The venue for tonights intimate gig was The Woolpack Music Studios in Otley – an old pub that’s been turned into an arts space by the lovely Richard (who happily supplied Lee with cups of hot water all night). The gig was a benefit organised by Josh in aid of SkatePal who supply skateboarding equipment to kids with nowt in Palestine. There was a great video shown in the background chronicling the building of skate parks, some of their skating adventures, and some of the hardship and violence that seems to be part of the everyday there.

First up was Boff Whalley with the help of Phil Moody who did a set very reminiscent of the one Chumbawamba did at WOMAD a few years back. Great to hear ‘Add Me’ and ‘Jame Hetfield’ again and as there were a few Commoners in the audience, there was quite a bit of help for the the ‘Boris Johnson’ song and ‘Peoples Armada’…..

When Dan Donnelly heard that Josh was raising money for SkatePal, he spontaneously offered to do a benefit gig for it, which lead to tonights shindig. “Growing up in Northern Ireland during the troubles, I kind of know how they feel”. He did a fabulous solo set with the odd nod to his old band (doing my favourite Wonder Stuff track – ‘Don’t Let Me Down’) and the odd cover with rousing versions of Alternative Ulster and ending with the Clash classic ‘Police on my back’.  It was his self-deprecating solo stuff that really hit home “I’m at that age now where I don’t give a fuck and it’s so liberating” looping his guitar with such energy – a joy to watch.

Both acts were joined by guitarist Nick Hall of Plumhall who was quite brilliant. He jammed on a country medley with Dan with consummate ease making on the spot solos to die for. Boff told us he was going to do a touring act with his misses called ‘Orrwhalley’ which was met with a definite “NO WE’RE NOT!” from the back of the room…

Great atmosphere, great music, great cause

You can donate to SkatePal here

Bob the Chiropodist

PS As it was a snowy night with a surfing bent I felt this T-Shirt was appropriate….

Tonights meeting explored the senses and was inspired by Andy Partidge’s take on Manfred Man’s 54321. John set a round for each sense with a couple of curve balls at the end. There was some deep discussion over whether ‘heat’ and ‘pressure’ could be classed as touch and where ‘gut feelings’ come in……Beer, Cheese and 42 tracks played amongst the banter…….a pleasure as always…

bob the Chiropodist

Baxter Dury is the coolest dude I’ve seen for a long long time. He looks like he was born to be on stage and delivered a top notch turn tonight – so glad we got to see him.

First up was Heavenly recording Artiste Halo Maud who played an intense set of arty pop songs…”They’re French” I said to Roger “Ah, makes sense now!”

It’s hard not to mention Ian Dury when talking about Baxter, partly because his vocals are very close to his dads in tone and stylings, but also some of his manerisms, the way he holds the mike stand, his witty interludes…..it doesn’t feel like he’s milking the association but he’s not shying away from it either. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand with just a smile.

His band were on great form with most tracks being bass driven….the drummer was well up for it looking slightly wired (I don’t think he blinked all night)…the sweet female vocals often disguised what the lyrics were saying….but Baxter stole the show with his prescence. They finished with ‘The Sun’ and it was obvious that the band didn’t quite know how it was going to end as it ebbed and flowed, but Baxter kept them together and turned it into a triump. Go catch him if you can

Bob the Chiropodist

So I was in town hoping to meet up with a few folks who were running late, so I pop into Waterstones to kill time and found a lovely R Crumb book where he’s done portraits of blues and jazz favourites. I take it to the desk to pay and “Oh, that’s one of my favourite books!” I look at the sales assistant and recognise the woman serving me “Are you in Cowtown?” “I am” “When are you playing next?” “Tonight at the Brudenell”……soon after the folks I was hoping to meet were now not going to make it…..so a quick call to Sledge who was free and off we went. It was an all-dayer and we missed 5 of the 9 bands but still had a good time….

The first band we saw was ‘Bilge Pump’ who set up at the front of the stage and have a devoted fanbase – some serious body shaking was going on!

‘Famine’ were next who love a good scream and grunt, not really our cup of tea, same for the next band ‘Pigspigspigspigspigspigspigs’ which is a shame as it’s a fantastic name for a band and the first time I’ve seen Russell in something I haven’t really loved……

The Headliners were of course ‘Cowtown’ who did their fast whizzing punky pop songs to perfection. There was a palpable sense of fun and love for them in the air.

I’d managed to do a copy of R Crumbs Big band Compilation before going to the gig and give it to Hilary……a million miles from what they’re doing but I hope she liked it!

Bob the Chiropodist