11:43am Thursday 28th January 2010
WELL, what a strange time it has been in the wider world of music.
Amanda Holden being courted by a record label to launch a career in country music and the highly talented Dappy from N-Dubz sending death threats to members of the public just for not worshipping his musical output.
Plus, Jamie Hince publicly drooling over Kate Moss. He hasn’t done bad for a man who started life playing guitar with agit-folk train spotters, Blyth Power.
More than that though, Paul Weller has been building bridges with former band mate Bruce Foxton; a Jam reunion, anyone? We can but hope.
But things are pretty exciting on the local level too, and where better to start than down at the 12 Bar tonight?
A cornucopia of ska-punk action will be the order of the day with the awesome Random Hand leading a pack of reprobates that includes London’s The Skints, Mouthwash and a lo-fi solo set from Canada’s King Apparatus’ front man Chris Murray.
It certainly strikes a chord in my book when a band are championed by the likes of punk poet Attila the Stockbroker and the band in question, Gecko, are a very interesting musical beast.
Acoustic music that blends folk with global dance vibes, a punk ethic and a very British wit, all of which can be found on the stage of the Victoria tonight. If you get there early enough there will be yet another chance to catch Tommy Galati getting things rolling.
Down at the Rolleston, Minnesota Twins guitarist Kit Hawes will be wowing the audience with his virtuoso playing and fusion of styles that effortlessly moves from blues to folk to classical to jazz and back again in less time than it takes Shane MacGowan to walk past a dental practice.
Not bad for the first day of the musical week.
Riffs Bar opens its innings tomorrow with something a bit special as Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses competition winners Bloodshot Dawn and Ventflow bring fast, hard, tight and ludicrously heavy metal to the party, with Senturia also joining the fun.
If tribute bands are more your thing then the 12 Bar have Sergeant Peppers Only Dartboard Band (hilarious…how do they think these names up?) reliving the heyday of the Beatles, or you could opt for Dave Gregory’s Tin Spirits dishing out prog rock covers at the Furnace.
It’s party time over at Riffs Bar on Saturday as Mr Rock and Roll himself, The Unforeseen’s very own Bren, is throwing a bit of a birthday bash.
Expect a rare reunion of the original line up of said band plus appearances by Lydia Twenty, Fablusis and the madness that is Band of Burt. All welcome.
If, however, something a bit more off beat and skank guitar driven is your cup of Darjeeling, then you might find the Destination Anywhere club night at the Victoria to your tastes. Motown, Northern Soul, Reggae, 60’s Soul and other tasty tunes get a good spin for your enjoyment.
On Sunday, old style finger picking comes to The Beehive for the afternoon session courtesy of singer-songwriter Peter Jagger, so be prepared for one of the most rhythmic acoustic ragtime/blues player in the business.
So what will next week in the wacky world of music?
Kate Nash taking on the lead role in Puccini’s La Boheme?
Kerry Katona to be named successor to Mother Theresa?
Napalm Death: The Musical?
Florence getting her Machine impounded by the Department of Health and Safety? We can but hope.
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