It was Cowtown’s  new album launch night – coinciding with record shop day – they brought four other Leeds bands [just found out one is from Sheffield] with them for a free gig. All new (to me), all great (to me and Steve) and I went away with a smile and my first new vinyl in maybe 15, maybe 20 years. A great night.

It wasn’t looking like it was going to be an exciting night – 7.30 am I got a call to go an d fix my mum’s plumbing in Stockport. While under the sink Steve texts: “fancy coming to the Brudenell to see Drench – the guardian says they’re worth it. … and its free”. “Ok if I get back in time I might” was my less than enthusiastic response. Any way – I did get back and I did go  – and it was the best gigging night for a very long time – FIVE Leeds bands,  all First up was different, all with something special.

First up was Etai Keshiki  (apparently pronounced: eh tie keh shee kee). Their singer (Kayleigh) screeches and their guitarist (Daria) rocks … and really does keep the tunes pumping out. She also sings into an old telephone handset which was pretty cool. You know the band’s good when you and you mate are grinning after the first song. They were great – I might not listen in the kitchen at home – but I’d certainly go to the next gig. If you like a bit of noise with a great guitar tune go too.

Next was Menace Beach. Three guitars, base and drums and may be some keyboards. Some good tunes, nice sound. I could listen to a few more … but the set was short! I forgot to take a photo, sorry. It looks like they have a few gigs coming up – one in May at the Brudenell.

Next up was Drenge. Not sure about the name, Steve, who I had to thanks for this great night was enjoying it as much as me, but seemed a bit apprehensive of the guardian’s review as they’d got everything else wrong… however before the band I popped to the bar and another smile came to my face when I saw the “Sid&Nancy: Record shop day ale”. The only downer of the night … I was driving and a 6.9% ale is several percent too much for a gig goer. Let’s hope its still on next time I’m down the Brudenell.

Back to the gig: Drenge. A TWO piece it turn out. You wouldn’t know it if you heard them. I certainly didn’t until I looked a bit harder after their first song. One guitarists and One drummer. They sounded like the six-piece that had gone before them. Great tunes great effect and original sound.

Just read what the guardian said: “A punky blues-rock duo from the Peak District obsessed with Danish avant-garde cinema.” … may be. Go and see them for the tunes, and wow at the sound a two piece can produce.

At this point we bumped into Jonny, an old gigging/football going mate of Steve’s whose joie de vivre is beer, Newcastle united and gigging (esp. at the brudenell) and a big fan of No-Means-No and Fugazi. We had a good chat about these bands as they were both in my favourites from the days down at the Duchess. He was well up on the next two bands … apparently Cowtown were “a bit of of Gang of four and a bit of Wire” … ‘should be good’ we though. However the next band was Beards.

Beards are a guitarist (Dicko in the vest), a basist (a left-handed-lady) and a drummer (another lady who is also the lead singer). These three produced some interesting funky type (i.e. not funky) sounds with really prominent base and high pitched chanting and screaming from behind the drum kit. Great stuff. Lots of nice rhythms chopping and changing and they are really tight.

Next the headliners: Cowtown. Jonny knew the Korg player Hilary .. (I think they both work at the art gallery). He told us they have been around for years (8?). This is their 3^rd album … how have we missed them? The place was packed by now – it had been all night – but all the Cowtowners were down at the front by now. They are a three piece, the Korg player, a guitarist/singer and a drummer.

They have a load of great  tunes – and a great sound … just how do they do it without a bass player (come to think of it, this is the second band tonight with no bass.) Were … they like Gang of four/Wire I’m not sure,  but they were pretty good. Pretty poppy … but not poppy… The crowd was dancing away everyone seemed to be enjoying the night as much as me and Steve. Last song and of course an encore. Jon  the singer said something about people think they sound like Devo – may be – then they played some Devo.

I was impressed and smiling and still having my beer money and entrance fee in my pocket I couldn’t resist buying the album: Dudes vs Bad Dudes. My first vinyl for donkey’s years (I’ve got to set up my turntable, so yet to play it – but it came with a free download – so it sin itunes.) It great to study that cover on t he way home (as Steve did – I was driving!) .. just like the good old days.

It looks like Cowtown have a few dates coming up… and are back at the Brudenell on 2^nd Aug at the  Out of Spite Festival. Catch em there.

Sledge

I’m usually at a conference this week end and miss out on ‘Record Shop Day‘ (sorry, I can’t stand the word ‘Store’ and refuse to use it in this context). This year there was no clash, so after the kids had done their swimming and tennis we got into town for 3ish and popped up to Jumbo Records who put on a free gig outside their shop. Got there in time to catch James Yorkston’s quiet set (apart from the wee feedback freakout).

Jumbo was full of vinyl hunters and the staff were managing to keep their peckers up on what must be a mad day for them. Arriving so late, all the ‘limited editions’ I’d have liked (a Weddoes clear vinyl 10″ with 4 songs sung in German would have been nice….) were all long gone. I was hoping for the ‘Shearwater + Sharon Van Etten’ 7″ but instead got a free copy of the SubPop 25th anniv comp ‘Silver ticket‘ which contained the B-side (and a rather fetching silver crown with ‘Loser’ on it…..

Nice to bump into fellow quimmer John M and Mr Montag who bizzarly was recognised by someone from his schooldays in Hull……some 40 years ago! I told Matty (9, soon to be 10 years old) that he could choose a CD and to my delight, he got The White Stripes ‘De Stijl‘ – I must be doing something right.

It’s been a while since I last saw the Ukranians and was delighted that they were there to close the event……and delighted to report that they have lost none of their energy and sense of fun. For RSD they’ve re-issued their ‘Smiths’ EP (on vinyl for the first time) and opened their set with ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ – a triumph! Their set was over far too quickly so we shouted for more and managed to squeeze another song out of them.

Go and see them if you get the chance. You won’t be dissappointed.

Bob the Chiropodist

It’s a sad day when a loved and trusted colleague moves on to better things but the pill can be sweetened with a good leaving do (or 2). Tonight was originally going to be a meal out for the Haemophilia clinic gang, then we found out that Kid Congo was coming to town on that night so the plan was a meal and a gig – what could possibly go wrong…….?

Well….we ended up having a no frills burger in a BYO place with an open mike – listening to Oasis covers, drinking Newcastle Brown Ale – not exactly Michelin Star but one to remember! We got to the Brudenell for 9……only to be told “Keep hold of your tickets, we may have to re-fund you”…….the band were flying in from the South by south west festival and the plane was delayed……Ah well….at least there’s 2 supports to enjoy.

First up was ‘Nervous Twitch’ who were fronted by a lass who bore an uncanny similarity to another colleague of ours which caused much hilarity. I love it when the singer gets of stage and demands the audience to join in – great stuff

The Yugoslavian Boys came on to Gary Glitter and started with a song that seemed to joke about paedophilia……Ironic? Funny? We went out for a chat but were driven back in by the bitter cold and they weren’t too bad by the end of their set. I’d leave the comedy to others though….

I’m very glad to say that Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds, after a titanic effort, did turn up. They set up in next to no time and ripped into an awesome set of new songs. Every one a winner. The guy is just so likeable….cheeky and cartoonish with his eyes magnified by his glasses…..and the band, who you’d think would be pissed off with all the hassle of traveling, were obviously having a ball.

LOVED LOVED LOVED THEM!

Bob the Chiropodist

After being Underwhelmed by ‘2 Door Cinema Club’, Amber continues her Toulouse gigging adventures…….

This was a hotly anticipated gig and a coup for Le Bikini to bag such a big band. Mumford and Sons are not played on French radio stations, hence them being booked into the relatively small venue of Le Bikini.

We were treated to two support bands.

The first was Jesse Quin, bass player with Keane, member of Laura Marlings band and Mumford and Sons collaborator. He played a sweet acoustic set. Unfortunately the crowd were already rowdy, highly excitable and he was unable to capture their attention. A shame as he played a quietly contemplative set.

The next support band were Deap Vally. A female duo, drummer and electric guitarist. They had a very stripped down sound, at times sounding remarkably similar to the White Stripes.

Mumford and sons are known for playing with their fellow touring artists and this gig followed the same pattern. Lindsay and Julie welcomed several members of Mumfords touring band to play with them during their gig. They both had charisma and played with a sexiness and freedom that reminded me of the wonderful Karen O. Both shoeless (and in the drummers case, trouserless) their sound didn’t quite fit with the rest of the gig and their music again wasn’t strong enough to capture the crowd.

Mumford and Sons opened with Babel, the lead song from their Grammy award winning album of the same title.

Marcus Mumford sang lead vocals, played guitar and kick drum at the same time and later the drum kit and Mandolin.

The bass player Ted Dwayne switched between string bass, guitar and drums. He played completely in his own zone, pulling the most amazing tortuous faces in order to reach the vocal note or get the sound from whatever he was playing. The other two members; Ben Lovett, keyboard and accordion and Winston Marshall on banjo played with such energy and enjoyment they were great to watch.

Together the band played with a gusto that the audience loved. Apart from heavy rock bands at festivals I’ve rarely seen a band have to try and bring back a crowd from a point of wild excitement so they are able to listen to what is being played. Marcus was absolutely determined to calm us down so we could listen to their more contemplative tracks. You can see that the band want to be taken seriously and lyrics are important to them.

Their sense of rhythm was palpable as was the tightness and cohesion of their playing.

Despite the first album being essentially a break up album so full of loss and pain, when they play live the crowds are raucous and jumping. The band worked really hard to control the tempo at times when the crowds singing threatened to pull them out of time. You could tell they dug deep, focussed, sang and played to their own speed. Once the crowd started to calm down a little we were able to try and sing in time to the band.

They complemented their quieter tracks like Thistle and Weeds and After the storm, by playing the drums with big headed beaters for a softer sound. It allowed them to build each song to a crescendo and create a wall of sound. Drums being my thing, these were my favourite tracks and it was great to see the band play the drums so well.

The more upbeat tracks were a definite favourite with the crowd, with everyone bouncing up and down and singing along at the tops of their voices.

The ceiling of the venue was hung with strings of lights with hanging satellites behind the stage which lit up warmly. It created a distinctly British village fete marquee feel, just right for the bands’ sound, particularly during Lover of the light their most recent release

They gamely tried out their French with the crowd and did pretty well but were probably better understood when talking in English (especially by us). They very kindly said they were humbled by the reception they had received.

These fine, generous and multifaceted musicians are a tour de force live. Go and see them if you’re lucky enough to get a chance.

Setlist

Babel

I Will Wait

Whispers in the Dark

White Blank Page

Holland Road

Timshel

Little Lion Man

Lover of the Light

Thistle & Weeds

For Those Below

Ghosts That We Knew

Hopeless Wanderer

Roll Away Your Stone

Dust Bowl Dance

Encore:

Reminder

Winter Winds

The Cave