Lee Thompson

GUNS FEVER!!!! Boy-Lee and Nicki came over to Leeds for the week-end which got off to a fantastic start with a great bounce around to The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra at the Brudenell. They just about managed to fit all 10 of them on stage and what a glorious noise they made.Benson

Support tonight came from local band Benson who had loads of energy and were definitly up for it. Made me think of a band Peel used to play called ‘Ten Benson‘ – It was of course 9 years ago today that we lost the great man….Lee Thompson2

Amongst the countless bands that Peel first brought to our attention with a session were Madness, one of this countries finest bands. Lee Thompson is the Sax player in Madness often seen flying around the others and Madness bassist Mark Bedford is part of the band too and why wouldn’t you be – they’re ace! Loads of banter with the (mainly rude boy) crowd and a brass section to die for…..if you want to party, this is the band to go and see.Lee Thompson3

The best way to hear Ska music is live and they played most of their ‘The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius’ LP with such fab covers as Ali Baba, Eastern Standard Time, Fu Man Chu…..etc…etc… had us dancing from the opening bars of Guns Fever, to the closing joy of Broadway Jungle. Sweaty? oh yeah!

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Bob the Chiropodist

 

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Dig, Lee, Bat, James and I got the train up to Newcastle for the week end, mainly to go and see The Jim Jones Revue but also for beer, food, chat, culture and a good laugh…….we had a great time!

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The taxi dropped us off at Warehouse 34 which seemed to be an industrial estate in the middle of nowhere. It took a while to fill up but the crowd were dead friendly and up for it.

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First up were The Amazing Snakeheads who seemed familiar, especially their lead vocal/guitar guy who put on quite a show. Fab bass and a drummer to die for there was a real passion about their playing and some great interaction with the audience (including the odd whithering glance). Great stuff!

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The Jim Jones Revue did 2 sets, the second of which was all requests – I managed to get them to play ‘Shoot First‘ as they’d already done my other favourites ‘It’s Gotta Be About Me‘ and  ‘Burning Your House Down‘.

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They have the songs, they have the energy, they have the passion, they throw the right shapes……what’s not to like! If you can catch them, you really should. They make the effort and so should you.

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I hate using a flash at gigs and it does lead to some interesting photos……

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Bob the Chiropodist

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QUIMS Ephemera

To celebrate Rogers new stereo system (Rega Planer 2 turntable, amp and speakers for £100) we had a vinyl night with the title ‘Ephemera’……was a great night but if I write about it, it won’t be ephemera anymore……..oh well…..

Metal Guru – T-Rex (Roger. 1st single he ever bought)

Slowburn – Kult Country (Bob. last single he bought)

London’s Burning – The Clash (Si from his swish singles box set)

Lipstick – Buzzcocks (Jez. “What’s more ephemeral than lipstick on your collar!”)

Electricity – Captain Beefheart (John F)

Ivo – Cocteau Twins (Roger. Free version with NME)

Under Dubwoo)d – The Dubwood Allstars (Bob. Also found this version on you tube)

Backwaters – Drenge (Si’s last 45)

I Can’t stand this love goodbye – Naz Nomad & the Nightmares (Jez. The Damned’s psychedelic adventure)

Bra – Cymande (John F. Multi sampled original)

Otis – Durutti Column (Roger from his once played ‘Palantine’ box set)

Dancing in the Dark – Big Daddy (Bob. sticker on it says 55p from Boots)

Through Dark Nights – Wild Beasts (Si)

In the Mood – Ray Stevens (Jez. Had me laughing like a drain…)

Visionary Road Map – Stereolab (John F.)

Julia’s Song – OMD (Roger)

Radio 1’s 21st Anniversary 7″ (Bob)

Smile Like You Mean It (Acoustic) – The Killers (Si from another swish boxset)

Bill Grundy Interview – Sex Pistols (Jez)

From the hot afternoon – Paul Desmond (John F)

The colour of Spring – Mark Hollis (Roger)

Un – Y Niwl (Bob)

Wasting My Young Years – London Grammar (Si)

Teenage Ska – Little Chief (Jez)

As – Stevie Wonder (John F)

Atmosphere – Joy Division (Roger)

 

Bob the Chiropodist – October 2013

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When I saw that The Hives were playing in South Africa, I urged my cousins to go and see them…..thankfully, they headed the call……

My long spell of seeing ‘decent’ bands was finally broken when I was blown away by The Hives at Rocking the Daisies in Darling SA last weekend. I had heard some of their tracks before but wasn’t overly impressed. That changed when I saw this ‘spectacle’ (at least ten levels above a performance).

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Just like a theatre production it consisted of elaborate costumes, moments of excruciating suspense and of course ninja roadies. It was either an extremely lucky or (more likely) a perfectly planned showcase with drumsticks flying in the air, guitars swinging on straps and the lead singer diving off of the monitors all in perfect synchrony to some fabulously fast beats.

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As if this wasn’t enough, every break in this high energy thrill ride is filled with Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist’s mind breaking propaganda. With quotes such as “in this next song we are going to make the universe explode” or “what should I call you? South Africa? Cape Town?… I know – Hives Fans”. Every note, every word, even every pause is perfectly constructed to convince you that they are the best band you will ever see. Be warned they have the confidence and manic arrogance to make you believe them.

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By far the best act of the festival, I went in thinking that they were just another simplistic ‘punkish’ rock n roll band but I left truly impressed with their amazing presence and showmanship. Definitely a must see for anyone brave enough to embrace brainwashing.

Matthew Mayne

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My mate Neil was visiting from NZ so whilst our better halves were catching up, we nicked out to the Brudenell to meet up with Jez and Si for the China Rats, a local band who Jez came across whilst trawling the internet one night. The place was rammed as ‘Drenge’ were playing in the main room (and sounded fantastic from the doorway between bands).

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Soulmates Never Die were first on and played a pleasant almost folky set that certainly kept out attention.China Rats2

Happy Daggers we’d seen before supporting Public Service Broadcasting. A tight funky outfit who got folks up dancing and well worth a listen.China rats3

Drive By Night have some great tunes but could have done with a bit more light and shade.China Rats

China Rats, from the first blast of breezy guitar were head and shoulders above the rest. Enthusiasm by the bucket load with Brit-poppy, riff laiden tunes. Throw in an engaging lead singer (who could give the Kaisers Ricky a run for his money) and a drummer who must have been a blacksmith in a previous life (not sure how the drums survived!) and you’ve got a great little indie outfit.

 

Bob the Chiropodist