9:06am Thursday 11th February 2010
I’VE had a few people asking me recently why I didn’t include certain gigs in recent write ups, so I thought I’d use this opening salvo to explain how I get the information to put this together. My main source of information is from the supermation info-highway...thingy....that is, venue websites. Some of these are factually richer than others but it does make a good starting point.
If you are playing a gig in a more peripheral establishment, or one that doesn’t host regular music, then the best thing is to drop me a line, and that goes for freelance promoters as well as anyone else connected with an event. You can contact me on greenmanpublications@yahoo.co.uk.
I do try to cover a range of genres and venues, but remember this column is based on my recommendations so naturally it is biased as to my preferences; no one said this was a democracy!
Rock fans will be pleased to hear that Blaze Bayley, one time front man with Tamworth’s second biggest rock band, Wolfsbane (I was always a bit fond of Magnum myself) and the little known Iron Maiden, will be at the 12 Bar tonight. Along for the ride are Irish heavyweights Sinocence.
Terra 45 are back at the Rolleston to spread their Gothabilly message. Support comes from Twenty Flight Rock, not to be confused with one time Generation X drummer Mark Laff’s similarly titled band. That would be something though wouldn’t it?
The Hub take their rocked up festival folk out on the road this weekend, with a show at the Beehive tonight and a second show with gypsy folksters Sweet Plums in tow at Riffs tomorrow. Crikey, that’s almost a tour!
Friday continues with the welcome return of Flipron to the Victoria, a band that defies description, but I’m always up for a challenge so I will try to pin them down. If you can imagine the son of Bilbo Baggins and Syd Barrett, spouting surreal, yet wonderfully intelligent lyrics and put him at the front of a band who blend everything from Hawaiian ukulele tunes to French accordion passages via lounge jazz and chilled out folk into the most Bohemian pop you could ever imagine, that would still be less than half of what they are about. Also playing are Borderville, a cabaret rock band who seem to exist somewhere between David Bowie, Jacque Brel and The Birthday Party. Madder than a bucket of frogs!
In the “let’s try this again” department, Gallows have their re-scheduled show at the Furnace, with Blackhole and Sharks helping to create a night of punk perfection and hardcore heaven.
Musical time travel will be courtesy of Pignose, who will be giving it some depression era acoustic folk-blues at the Rolleston, and if that isn’t your thing you might like to bathe you senses in the Hounds of Love at the 12 Bar, a rather excellent Kate Bush tribute act, no less.
There’s something a bit different at the Bell on Saturday in the form of Day and Nite (their spelling, not mine), a musical lucky bag to raise awareness and money for Swindon Young Carers. Upstairs will be hosting all manner of Hiphop, Dubstep and Drum and Bass with DJs from Twice As Nice, Hospital Records, Playaz and many others, whilst downstairs is all about live music from the likes of Traitor Born, Melo-D’s, The Porn Issue and Slagerij. Something for everyone there.
Fundraising for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal takes place at the Victoria with the brilliant Banjovi Orchestra, Ode and the Bebops, Liquid Pearls, the Witch Doctors and much more.
Failing that you could opt for Swiss Hardcore crew, Escape from Sickness at the Furnace, with support coming from Christian Metalers Rising From Death. Hmm... I wonder if there is such a thing as Buddhist Punk or Jewish Hip Hop...sorry, miles away.
The weekend wraps up with The Teddy White Band dishing out choice soul, swing blues and R’n’B covers at the Beehive Sunday lunch time. Younger readers be warned that R’n’B didn’t always refer to vacuous, manufactured, chart fixated girl bands. Pop along and get a musical education.
Finally just room to mention The Ragdoll Magazine Party Night at Riffs on Wednesday, but no room to list the details. Relevant websites will fill you in or just pick up the spiffing new issue.
And we’re clear.
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