June 2011
www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands
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DUBSTEPPING FORWARD James Blake takes to the road
PLUS: Gomez The Beat and The Selecter Battles Benjamin Francis Leftwich Silver Souvenirs Rob Rouse Bo Burnham
ALSO INSIDE: Get ready for summer with our brand new style guide // Win tickets to see Wu-Tang Clan, Tom Vek and more in Birmingham // Your full guide to gigs, clubbing and comedy across the Midlands June 2011
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Brum Notes Magazine
OPEN MIC, ACOUSTIC AND STRIPPED DOWN PERFORMANCES FROM BIRMINGHAM’S FINEST EMERGING ARTISTS
DAY S E U T EVERY RY T N E E FRE
DRINKS DEALS: SELECTED BOTTLES / CANS OF BEER £2 DOUBLE RUM / VODKA £2 TEQUILA SHOTS £1 BOTTLE OF WINE £8
BULLS HEAD ST MARYS ROW MOSELEY bullsheadmoseley.co.uk
Want to play? Email details to info@brumnotes.com or visit www.brumnotes.com/freshtalent or just turn up on the night June 2011
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Brum Notes Magazine 120 The Greenhouse The Custard Factory Digbeth Birmingham B9 4AA Contact: info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising: Contact: 0121 224 7363 or advertising@brumnotes. com Distribution: StickupMedia! 0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: Tom Pell, David Vincent, Jon Pritchard, Daron Billings, Ross Cotton, Ben Russell, Andy Roberts, Amy Sumner, Lauren Partridge, Alex Jukes Pictures: Wayne Fox, Gobinder Jhitta, Kate Fitzgeorge, Rob Tromans, Katja Ogrin, Rhi Lee, Jade Sukiya, Holly Stanton Style editor: Jade Sukiya jade@brumnotes.com Design: Sleepy.me.uk, Andy Aitken All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine.
CONTENTS
P6-9 P8 P24-27 P28-31 P32 P34 P40-46
P10 P12-13 P14-15 P15 P16-17 P18-19 P20 P20 P21 P22-23
REGULARS: NEWS COMPETITIONS STYLE - the first instalment in our new monthly style guide LIVE REVIEWS CLUB WATCH FOOD & DRINK WHAT’S ON - your comprehensive guide to music, clubs and comedy across the West Midlands this month FEATURES: EXHIBITION: Home of Metal FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Off The Cuff COMEDY: Bo Burnham COMEDY: Rob Rouse MUSIC: Gomez MUSIC: The Beat + The Selecter MUSIC: Benjamin Francis Leftwich MUSIC: Silver Souvenirs MUSIC: Battles MUSIC: James Blake
While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses claimed to have been incurred by any errors. Advertising terms and conditions available on request.
Twitter: @BrumNotesMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine www.brumnotes.com
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NEW MUSIC EDUCATION HQ UNVEILED IN DIGBETH A brand new music and education facility has been launched in Birmingham’s creative heart of Digbeth. Boasting an 80 capacity performance space, six rehearsal rooms and two recording studios, Heath Mill Studios offers a multipurpose institute for students and musicians. The centre in Heath Mill Lane also offers industry-recognised qualifications, advice and guidance from industry professionals and up-to-date music training. Located around the corner from The Custard Factory and a short walk from the city centre, Heath Mill Studios provides a new home for two music-based training organisations.
Photo by Gobinder Jhitta
Armstrong Learning provides employability skills, mentoring and creative industry advice to help people find sustained employment to match their creative aspirations. The organisation will work alongside Access to Music, the UK’s leading provider of popular music education, training and consultancy, which has relocated its Birmingham division to Heath Mill Studios after 12 years at Snow Hill. It will continue to offer Advanced Apprenticeships and Further Education course for levels 1 to 3 as well as expanding its employability and work force training. The official launch of Heath Mill Studios will take place on June 9.
Iconic folk night returns to moseley Alt-folk showcase Bohemian Jukebox returned to its spiritual home of Moseley in style with a packed late afternoon gathering at the newly refurbished Bulls Head. The record label and concert promoter staged its first live show in 15 months with the launch of its monthly Sunday Social session last month, providing a relaxing musical accompaniment to a late and lazy Sunday afternoon. Layla & the Good Lads (pictured below) headlined the first session on May 8, with the audience also treated to sets from The Cribbler, David Wilkie and Ben Calvert & The Swifts. The next Bohemian Jukebox Sunday Social is on June 12 from 4pm to 8pm with Fox, Poppy Tibbetts, Ben Calvert, and Mrs. Entry is free. Photo by Holly Stanton
GRIME WEDDING LEAVES KATE & WILLS IN THE SHADE Birmingham grime producers the EnR Twinz stole a sliver of the spotlight from Kate and Wills after earning worldwide attention with their own wedding stunt. Sick of all the non-stop publicity about the royal nuptials, urban music duo Earl and Reiss Parchment - aka the EnR Twinz - decided to hold their own Grime Royal Wedding on the same day. Earl, aged 23, said: “We were going to open our new studio on the same day and didn’t realise it was the day of the Royal Wedding. “No-one under 30 could care less about the Royal Wedding so we decided to hold our own but before we knew it we were in the Sunday Mercury, Daily Mail, Channel 4, loads of radio stations, American websites and even The Times of India so we did our job getting Birmingham in the news on the big day.”
Britain to the multi-millionaires getting married in London and I think we succeeded.” On the big day instead of a Champagne Breakfast the wedding party indulged in a Strongbow Breakfast, and the couple even had an iconic balcony kiss, in their Bromford tower block, before heading off to The Players Lounge strip club in Tamworth where they exchanged vows around the lapdancing pole in a service held by Birmingham journalist and YouTube publicity hound Steve Zacharanda, before partying the night away to Grime and Hip Hop.
It initially started as a joke, with the twins planning on finding a balding, homeless man to play the role of Prince William, but it quickly became serious when they found a real couple, Steve Wood and Toni Amey from the Bromford estate, who agreed to get married. Reiss Parchment added: “We wanted to show a different side of
Steve added: “What the EnR Twinz did was hilarious but had a serious side too because the city and its urban music scene got a massive shot in the arm with the national publicity and most importantly a couple who could never have afforded to get married had a day they will never forget.”
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IN BRIEF We’re launching our very own hunt to find the best in new musical talent with a brand new open mic night starting this month. Brum Notes Magazine presents Fresh Talent begins on June 7 and will run every Tuesday at the Bulls Head, Moseley. The event is free all night giving new artists and established performers the chance to just turn up and play to a relaxed audience. Drinks offers are available all night as well to help loosen those vocal chords. Wolverhampton’s alt-popsters Young Runaways unveil a new single this month. Closer is taken from their forthcoming EP There Is A World Outside, and showcases their orchestral-infused sound. They play a free single release show at The Yardbird, Birmingham, on June 15. The first names to take up space in Bullring’s new restaurant development have been revealed. Browns Bar & Brasserie and Handmade Burger Co will both feature in Spiceal Street, currently under construction around the Digbeth entrance to the shopping centre and due to open this winter. Two vintage fairs head to Birmingham this month. First up The Vintage Fair nestles into The Custard Factory’s Old Library on June 4, followed by The Pavilions shopping centre’s own event offering crafts, couture and collectables across more than 60 stalls from June 25 to 26.
SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL TO RETURN FOR NINTH YEAR One of the UK’s foremost experimental music festivals will return to Birmingham in October. Early line-up details and dates have been announced for Supersonic, which will take place at The Custard Factory in Digbeth from October 21 to 23. The eclectic annual gathering continues to grow year-on-year, attracting an increasingly global audience with its unique combination of groundbreaking music, adventurous lineups and mind-melting visuals delivering a true assault on the senses. The festival, run by city-based promoters Capsule, will this year play host to the likes of unfathomably heavy doom rockers Electric Wizard, underground avant-garde pioneers Secret Chiefs 3 and psychedelic wizards White Hills. Continuing its tradition for breaking new ground, the festival will also provide a UK exclusive performance from ZU93, a unique musical collaboration bringing together members of Current 93 and Zu among others. Another collaborative project will see Fire! bringing together the likes of Mats Gustafsson, Andreas from Wildbirds and Peacedrums and Johan Berthling from Tape. A number of exciting additions to the bill are also expected to be revealed over the coming months. More details of the line-up so far can be seen at www.supersonicfestival.com with a limited number of early bird tickets now available.
TERA MELOS TO HEADLINE NEW PROMOTERS’ LAUNCH NIGHT Math rock hipsters Tera Melos will make their first ever appearance in Birmingham this month, headlining a new night aimed at bringing exciting new acts to the city. The Californian outfit (pictured) headline the HMV Institute on June 11, with support from Tangled Hair, Shapes, &U&I and Conquistadors, as part of their first ever UK tour and follows the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Patagonian Rats. It will be the first full show put on by
newly-formed promoters Stone Cold Jane Austen, formed by Birmingham-based musicians James Sharp and Oz Powles. Co-founder James Sharp said their aim was to bring international-standard artists to Birmingham who may otherwise have bypassed the city. He said their ethos behind the shows was simple: “Get Birmingham back on the music map.” Stone Cold Jane Austen present Tera Melos live at the HMV Institute on June 11.
BEN CALVERT & THE SWIFTS EVERYBODY LOVES LUCY! Their debut single out now on BOHEMIAN JUKEBOX
June 2011
Available to download now bencalvert.com bohemianjukebox.com
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“The British fans can expect lots of energy and we’ll be bringing our best, as we always do.”
Terms & conditions apply. All winners will be notified by email.
COMPETITIONS
Wu-Tang Clan - June 13, HMV Institute, Birmingham Wu-Tang Clan, one of the most acclaimed hip hop groups of all time return to British shores this month for the first time in more than four years. The Staten Island collective will make a rare appearance in Birmingham at the HMV Institute on June 13, one of just five UK dates on the forthcoming tour. The date will see RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa reunited on stage to perform hits from their back catalogue as well as new tracks. Wu-Tang Clan first came to prominence in 1993 before going on to have a huge influence on urban music on both sides of the Atlantic, with their second album Wu-Tang Forever cementing their place in history when it became the first rap album to debut at number one in both the US and UK charts. Tickets for their Birmingham appearance cost £29.50 but we’ve got one pair to give away to the lucky winner who can answer the following simple question: Which east coast US city do Wu-Tang Clan come from? Email your answer along with your name, age and contact phone number to competitions@brumnotes.com by June 9.
Benji B - June 11, BASS Festival @ Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath BASS Festival takes place across Birmingham throughout this month, celebrating the best in black music and arts. And to celebrate we’ve got an extra pair of tickets to give away for one of the hottest events of the month. BASS Festival has teamed up with Elixir and Leftfoot to bring renowned BBC 1Xtra and Radio 1 DJ Benji B to the Hare & Hounds for a night of cutting edge house, dubstep and hip hop. Tickets are £8 in advance but to win free entry for two just answer this simple question: What is the theme of this month’s BASS Festival? Email your answer along with your name, age and contact phone number to competitions@brumnotes.com by June 8.
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Tom Vek - June 15, HMV Institute, Birmingham Experimental indie-pop cult hero and multi-instrumentalist Tom Vek makes a long awaited return this month with his much anticipated second album Leisure Seizure, five years after his critically acclaimed debut. The new album is accompanied by a rare UK tour, taking him to the HMV Institute in Birmingham on June 15. Tickets to see the his unique brand of lo-fi Americana, angular beats and drawling, experimental, electro-fused pop are £12.50 but we’ve two to give away. For a chance of winning just tell us: What was the name of Tom Vek’s debut album? Send answers along with your name, age and contact number to competitions@brumnotes.com by June 13. Quantic DJ set - June 25, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath Bewdley-born soul, funk and jazz star Quantic returns to his native Midlands for a rare DJ set at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath. Firm favourite Quantic brings his global sound and jazz-fuelled future dance record collection to town on June 25. Entry is £5 on the door but for a chance to guarantee free entry for two, just tell us: What is Quantic’s real name? Email answers to competitions@brumnotes.com by June 24. Brum Notes Magazine
new look lights up the vic One of the city centre’s favourite boho boozers has been given more than a spring cling with a full scale refurb and raft of nightlife-friendly improvements. The Victoria in John Bright Street has maintained its unique character but been brought bang up to date with a fresh new look. New leather cladding, retro chic wallpaper, oddball paintings and an array of quirky new lighting fixtures have provided a new focal point for the pub’s distinctive decor. The improvements are not just cosmetic either, with changes to both the back bar and the upstairs space. A dedicated DJ area has been installed downstairs allowing revellers more room to throw out some shapes on the makeshift dancefloor at weekends. An improved stage has also been put in place in the upstairs function room, earning favourable feedback from local bands and performers, with the likes of garage rockers Vinny & The Curse now calling the venue home for their bi-monthly Creepshow night. More temporary seating has also been added following the success of spoken word nights Skeptics in the Pub and Hit the Ode, allowing the upstairs to easily switch between roles as a live room, theatre space and micro-clubbing arena. Popular nights like Sweat (June 18) and Music For The People (June 10) are joined by new additions to the roster, including Nite Klub - a new mod and ska night from Ace Face Promotions which next takes place on July 2 - and the Discomendments and Urbanfly’s Out of Bounds
June 2011
house night. Julian Rose-Gibbs, general manager at The Victoria, said: “We’ve given The Victoria a make over with all the usual suspects such as paint work, wallpaper, flooring and lighting and a sprinkling of quirky designer features, without ruining her character. “In addition to that we’ve also changed our wine list, bottled beer range and cocktail list, on top of a successful launch of the Soul Food Project in the city centre. “So far the feedback has been pretty good, but we’d love to hear from all our guests as the improvements have been made with them in mind.”
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Exhibition
HOME OF METAL
It has become established as one of the biggest global musical phenomenons the world has ever seen and it originated right here in the Midlands. That is the message behind the groundbreaking new Home of Metal campaign which aims to celebrate Birmingham and the Black Country as the rightful birthplace of the genre which went on to command and conquer rock fans across the world. Following years of planning, campaigning and gathering an unrivalled amount of memorabilia the Home of Metal exhibition launches in Birmingham this month, four decades since heavy metal was unleashed in earnest on the musical world. Home of Metal will be turning up the volume throughout this summer, presenting a series of ambitious exhibitions and associated cultural activities which explore the foundations, social context and heritage of the phenomenon that is heavy metal culture. Exhibition curators and pioneering promoters Capsule say for too long Birmingham and the Black Country have failed to celebrate what is rightfully theirs - to claim the city and the region as the birthplace of heavy metal. The exhibition focuses on the Midlands-born innovators of the genre and those that continued to develop it. From Black Sabbath, unquestionably the founding fathers of heavy metal, Judas Priest, defenders of the faith whose twin guitar attack paved the way for multitudes of melodic metal acts in their wake to Napalm Death, whose first two albums introduced grindcore to an unsuspecting world. The core exhibition runs at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from June 18 to September 25, exploring 40 years of heavy metal and its birthplace, while other exhibitions will run in Wolverhampton, Walsall 10
and Dudley. Compiled from personal collections and iconic material from the Home of Metal digital archive, the campaign also features an original solo exhibition from acclaimed contemporary artist Mark Titchner, as well as work by French artist and grindcore fanatic Damien Deroubaix and Napalm Death founder Nicholas Bullen. You Should Be Living: The Visual Language of Heavy Metal opens at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on June 18 running until September 17 and explores the relationship between fans and music featuring everything from typography to vintage t-shirts to outline the relationship between the music and contemporary art. A series of further exhibitions are also planned including Manufactory by Chris Coekin at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, featuring photographs and recorded sounds from the floor of a heavy industrial factory and inspired by 19th-century trade union banners. At Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, Metal celebrates the links between metal manufacturing in the Black Country and heavy metal music. Special events across the summer include DIY guitar and fanzine making workshops, a ‘bring your own metal memorabilia’ day, and Bat Out of Hell, a series of Bat walks in Haden Hill Park. The summer of activities will be followed by a Home of Metal weekend from September 1 to 4, which will include a metal conference, film programme and series of concerts. Home Of Metal: An Exhibition Exploring 40 years of Heavy Metal and it’s Birthplace launches at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on June 18, tickets priced £6 For details of the full Home of Metal programme visit www.homeofmetal.com Home of Metal image courtesy of Katja Ogrin Brum Notes Magazine
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F O SS A L C C: T O Festival
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Oi! Stop sniggering at the back! You, look at the camera! Smile would you? Oh forget it... As we continue our countdown to this summer’s biggest ever Off the Cuff Festival we thought we would gather the motley crew of local heroes who will be taking to the stage during the weekend extravaganza in one place for a photoshoot. Think naughty schoolchildrenmeet-rock and roll egos and you’re beginning to get the picture. And if you think trying to get six bands to sit still for five minutes was difficult then try interviewing them all. In the interests of reporter sanity, we instead asked each band to lavish us with an interesting fact or two about themselves. Some facts may or may not be true. Some bands didn’t even have any facts. Some bands gave us facts but missed the photoshoot. Instead we’ve thrown in some facts about Off the Cuff. Confused? You will be.
Off the Cuff Festival: A ‘Factual’ Guide
previous OTC performers The Ghost Of A Thousand and Blakfish.
&U&I are named after a YES song. The first band to ever be booked for OTC 2009 was Blakfish, the previous incarnation of &U&I. They once toured with Biffy Clyro.
Off The Cuff was originally going to be called Off The Cut.
After having their passports stolen Johnny Foreigner managed to get out of Amsterdam using Kerrang magazine’s ‘Introducing’ page as identification. Shapes used to have one more member and be called 62 Pennies Between the four of PEACE they have two fathers and three mothers. Austin from PEACE is only 5ft 3ins. Romans recorded their debut EP at Stakeout Studios, following in the footsteps of
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One of Pulled Apart By Horses got naked at OTC 09 becoming a YouTube ‘sensation’ in the process (109 views and counting). There is another video on the internet of The Computers having a snog on YouTube after their set last year. Tall Ships nearly missed their set last year after one of their members got drunk and fell asleep under Spaghetti Junction. They play better if there are girls in the room. Tall Ships have collectively seen Hundred Reasons 15 times. Tubelord are currently on their fourth
bassist. Their rider consists of fruit. Brontide drummer Will Bowerman is also La Roux’s drummer. Victories at Sea pretty much formed at OTC 2009. One particular moment they knew they’d be in a band together was when they wrestled a sweaty Pulled Apart By Horses’ guitarist to the stage floor at the close of their set, the fact he was only wearing pants at the time left it’s mark on their collective consciousness. Off the Cuff runs from July 22 to 24 at The Flapper, Birmingham. For a full lowdown on all the acts performing, as well as exclusive interviews with the headliners, see next month’s issue. Tickets, starting at £7, are on sale now at: www.offthecuffbirmingham.co.uk.
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Featuring Victories at Sea, Shoes & Socks Off, Shapes, Romans, Pandas & People, &U&I and more... Photos by Rhi Lee
June 2011
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BO SELECTER YouTube became the first port of call for a teenage BO BURNHAM to offload his comedic energy and teenage angst. Now all grown up at the grand old age of 20 and prepped for comedy stardom, the multitalented performer talks to David Vincent about his transition from internet sensation to the live stage. Bo Burnham is an internet sensation. Yes, another one. But not like that fat kid with the light sabre or those pre-teen girls dancing to Japanese pop songs, he’s the real deal - a genuinely talented wunderkind whose online excursions and gazillion page views have actually turned him into a respected, widely acclaimed act with an upward career trajectory that’s peppered with five-star reviews and Hollywood pals. Bo’s story from ‘internet sensation’ to legit’ star-in-waiting begins - predictably - with the bedroom dabblings of a teenage boy. Back in 2006, Bo uploaded an amusing ode, My Whole Family Thinks I’m Gay, to YouTube. Other cheeky musical explorations of teen angst followed (including tiny ‘weiner’ moan My ‘Little’ Secret and acoustic gangsta rap 3.14 Apple Pi) and three years later, the Massachusetts multi-instrumentalist found himself with a number one US comedy album. “I was 15 when I did those videos so I couldn’t imagine what would happen,” says the comedy veteran of those formative days with guitar, keyboard and camera. “I can hardly remember now....but I do remember one day when it all blew up. I remember seeing I’d notched up a million YouTube views in a day, but that was quite abstract, they’re just numbers on a screen, it didn’t affect my daily life.” Musing on the notion of being labelled an overnight phenomenon, he says: “I guess it was quick, it was fast ... but it was also gradual steps not a sudden overnight success ... 14
more like a series of overnight steps.” One of those overnight steps was last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which saw 6ft 5ins Bo - unknown in the UK - rack up a con-
“I remember seeing I’d notched up a million YouTube views in a day, but that was quite abstract, they’re just numbers on a screen, it didn’t affect my daily life.” sistent run of five-star reviews as well as earn a Best Show Award nomination (the youngest person to do so in 30 years), a Spirit Of The Fringe Award, and the less serious but certainly predictive Act Most Likely To Make A Million Quid title. With quirky raps, brisk tunes and parodies that move beyond growing pains and sex to reference pop culture, literature, philosophy and art, coupled with some tight gags, it’s not a performance you’d expect from your average American comedy act. “I had thought that one day I’d put down the music and just be a regular stand-up as musical comedy is not valued in the US. But seeing other guys do it, I realised it was just as worthy, that I could have my cake and eat it, I could do whatever I wanted,” he says,
adding that those ‘other guys’ are all based this side of the Atlantic, giving his brand of comedy a distinctive edge. “A lot of my favourite comedians are UK [based] comedians - that influence has been creeping into my act, which is pretty European in its perspective ... well I’d say European. I really love Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey and David O’Doherty, and I’m very lucky to say Tim and David have become friends. “They’re all very different, they have a different light and perspective ... in the US, musical comedy is a crazy guy with a guitar singing dirty songs, but in the UK, there’s this huge, huge theatricality, like Tim does, and these incredible, intimate, discreet songs David does.” Extending that Edinburgh hit - Words Words Words - for his first UK tour, Bo sees the show as being about more than just witty, catchy, joke-filled tunes and sharp observations. “It’s more about changing forms - songs, stand-up poetry,” reckons Bo, who cites Eminem, Rodgers and Hammerstein, TS Eliot and Thom Yorke as musical and lyrical influences. “My perspective is constantly changing too. But words are at the centre of it. It’s a bit ... nihilistic. The through line is the continual way it loses itself, it’s a bit disarming, self-aware, constantly stating its aims and then contradicting itself. It’s not ‘my childhood...’, it’s not ‘my wife...’, it’s the young antithesis to all of that. It’s silly anti-comedy almost, but it’s also comedy.” Brum Notes Magazine
Once his British dates are over, Bo - who has collaborated on a yet to be filmed script with Hollywood comedy godhead Judd (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People) Apatow - will begin writing a completely new show for Edinburgh 2012 and crack on with his MTV sitcom pilot, Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous.
So does that mean Bo’s going to follow the long established route from live comedy, to TV to Hollywood A-lister like Jim Carey, Will Ferrell and co?
changed a lot and been through a lot in finding a voice, but I still feel like I’m in the early stages of what [my career] will be.”
“I don’t have a five year plan, I don’t want to be a movie star, I want to just have time to do stuff that’s cool and challenging,” he protests.
Bo Burnham is live at The Glee Club, Birmingham, on June 8, tickets £15 adv
“I had this idea for a show, a mockumentary about a kid who hires a camera crew to film his life so he can become famous. He’s directing his own life, but he has a normal, happy life, which isn’t interesting. So he’s constantly directing drama into it as any good reality TV show has to be filled with drama. You have to make your life horrible if you want to be watched, so he makes out his dad is an alcoholic, and it’s full of vapid women, as women have to be vapid in reality TV shows. He’s directing his own life into a corner.”
“I have little ideas about what I want to do but I’m really just happy doing cool stuff and to keep changing. As long as I feel challenged ... that’s what I want. If I feel challenged I feel happy. Maybe further down the road I’ll do a one-man show in a theatre. For a show like that, in one theatre, I could incorporate more tech’, more production, as I wouldn’t be touring. There are guys who do that stuff off-Broadway, do one show that lasts for months, and that really interests me.” Reflecting on his six year career, the 20-yearold comedy veteran says: “I feel like I’ve
RABBLE ROUSER Cheeky chappy ROB ROUSE, best known for his hyperactive brand of humour, continues his seemingly endless Great Escape Tour this month, raising money along the way, before embarking on a 100km charity walk. Where does he get the energy? He talks to Ben Russell ahead of his return to the Midlands. Rob Rouse, star of The Friday Night Project, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Spoons and Grownups has a girlfriend, a toddler and a dog. By his own admission he struggles to make plans, faffs a lot and generally makes bad decisions meaning life can get awkward. However, it’s good news for the rest of us as the more Rob behaves like an idiot (in his own words), the more scrapes he gets into and the more stories he has to tell. Just like life though, sometimes those stories don’t all have happy endings. “If you’re prudish, these shows might not be your cup of tea,” he admits. “Comedy June 2011
always stood out for me as it seemed anarchic, whether it was Bill Hicks or Reeves & Mortimer, it felt like it had its own rules, or in fact none of them. That’s one of the things I still love about it. I think it’s quite important in comedy that the audience should never really know what your going to say next.” Always one to keep busy, as well as trying to adjust to life in the country having recently left London for the Peak District, he is currently working with Oxfam. As part of The Great Escape Tour he will be raising money for the charity as well as doing a 100km walk with friends non-stop in under 30 hours
later this month. And while he insists he is looking forward to the walk, he admits he’s probably looking forward to his live shows more. “Hopefully people can expect to laugh like drains as the shows will be full of surprises. And not only that, people will also be able to do something for a really good cause. I won’t have any merchandise to sell at my gigs, but if people have a few spare pence they can sponsor me.” Rob Rouse is live at the Artrix Centre, Bromsgrove, on June 2, and Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on June 12. 15
transatlantic BLUES
It was back in 1998 when Gomez bagged the Mercury Music Prize with their bluesy blend of acoustic-driven altrock, beating the likes of Massive Attack, The Verve and Pulp to the coveted title. Now, 13 years and six albums later, they are still going strong, despite being spread across two continents. Tom Pell catches up with drummer Olly Peacock to talk Brooklyn, curries and their new album Whatever’s On Your Mind. “We started the process a little differently this time,” explains Gomez drummer Olly Peacock. “We wanted to self produce again, and we normally enter the studio without necessarily finishing our songs. “There was a part of the process early on where we looked at ourselves and thought ‘how can we do this better? How can we better ourselves, how can we make the best record we can, and how can we make sure people keep enjoying our music?’” The process in question is made more unusual due to the fact that Peacock now resides in Brooklyn, New York, while singer and guitarist Ian Ball is in Los Angeles, and remaining bandmates Paul Blackburn, Tom Gray and Ben Ottewell are at home in not-sosunny Brighton. Bit of a nightmare when you need an urgent band practice after work on a Tuesday night. Even more so when you 16
consider your band is best known for its complex, genre-bending, progressive music. “It’s unique to this record, Olly continues. “We did start off with a little session in a house in Chicago with all of us sitting around with guitars and with headphones on trying to make music - but that didn’t necessarily work. We found it did work on a level where we were at home, with smaller studios and our own little set ups.” So, the ol’ t’internet saved the day. Who knew working from home with the kettle in arms reach and Sky Sports News on mute in the background could be so productive? “We’d set ourselves a target of say, seven weeks or so, and we’d have to write two songs each, and every time you did write a song Brum Notes Magazine
you’d put it on the server so someone else could download it, contribute to it, edit it and send it back out. And over those first seven weeks songs did go back and forth, I’d add to some, take from others, somebody else would add some vocals etc etc. And the songs started coming together. Then we fine tuned them, and only then went to the studio and recorded them. It was cool, a really good experience.�
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A really good experience or a really good way to stay friends, is another way to look at it. The idea of it being a lot harder to tell someone something to their face is knocked out of the ball park with this new fangled way of working. “When you write a song, and you think it’s the bee’s knees, and you present it to the band, and they tell you it’s a load of bollocks... it’s pretty hurtful at times. So yeah, this kind of communication ended conversations like that. Or, if someone sent you a track and you only liked parts of it, then you’d edit them back out. So you’ve already changed it to how you like it, and you haven’t had to tell someone it sucks.� Though the boys wanted to self-produce, they still fancied a bit of a push in the right direction. Sam Farrar ended up in charge, someone that Olly got to know on boho music colab Operation Aloha (Google it).
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted that little bit of extra help. Some producers will play instruments, but here it was more about someone overseeing. Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fan of our music, and he knew us inside out and could play zillions of instruments as well. He was the perfect fit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You still need that person outside of the group to tell you when somethingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a terrible idea.â&#x20AC;? With the record done, the tide turns to a tour, which starts on our shores this month. After five years of the bagel-fuelled Brooklyn lifestyle, is Peacock looking forward to coming home for a bit? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss my curries. I miss English supermarkets. The pub! I miss hanging out in the pub. There are lots of little silly things that I think of doing, and I just have to wait until I come back.â&#x20AC;? Not long mate, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll put out the tea and biscuits. Gomez are live at the HMV Institute, Birmingham, on June 20 New album Whateverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Your Mind is released on June 6 on Eat Sleep Records
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June 2011
17
The Beat The Beat and The Selecter were two of the most influential acts to emerge from the Midlands during the height of the ska and two tone musical revolution. Both groundbreaking bands will be reunited on stage for a special show at Birmingham’s Town Hall in November, and in a new era of musical crossover and ever-changing attitudes to the multiculturalism their music is as relevant and inspirational as it ever was. We caught up with both bands ahead of the show. The Beat vocalist Ranking Roger certainly kept himself busy after the split of the original band in the 1980s. But he readily admits it is in The Beat where he feels most at home. While he can look forward to an adoring audience in the grand surrounds of Birmingham’s Town Hall in November, he admits just playing shows is a privilege, no matter where they are. “To tell the truth it doesn’t matter if you’re playing a pub or a place that holds 50,000 people, it’s all down to the audience and their reaction to you,” says Roger. “I don’t care how big they are or how many people are in, it’s all about the audience and what they feel from us and what they are getting back. Our audiences tend to be always smiling by the time we leave so I’m confident we can leave them sweating, smiling and knackered - three great things.” Those will be qualities familiar to many fans from the glory days of The Beat and there is no sign of Roger’s passion for his music dulling and despite an array of projects since The Beat first split, it is his first band that remain his first love - and he insists there are no regrets over the more lucrative path his career could have taken. “I’ve always been active, I did General Public for a few years and then came back with Neville Staple and did some more and worked with lots of people like Sting, Smashmouth and then for the last eight years we’ve been back with The Beat. And this is what I’m happiest doing.” “[When we first split] I was forced into a situation where I had no choice, I wasn’t in a position to be the main lead vocalist then but now with all the years experience I’ve had things are different. “Fine Young Cannibals were formed from the ashes of The Beat and they went on to sell millions of records but I could’ve been a part of that, but it doesn’t matter. If you’re a millionaire or not the most important thing is that you’re happy with what you’re doing. I’m happy in what I’m still doing, people are still coming and we’ve still got that credibility, which is important.”
popular - but you won’t hear any popstar pretensions from Roger. “You get bigger and bigger and people make you feel like a pop star but you get more respect when people realise you are just a normal person. Fans are so happy - I don’t even call them fans, they are just people who come to our shows - but they are so happy when they realise you are approachable and are happy to have a chat or a hug or sign something.” But November’s show is not just about nostalgia and keeping fans from another age happy. The band have also just finished recording and mixing their first new album in nearly three decades. “It was bloody hard work, trust me. The fact that the last album we did was so many years ago and people were anticipating something, it has taken such a while to ensure that the quality control is as good as the last albums and I think people will appreciate it. “I wouldn’t say it’s a ska record. None of The Beat records were actually ska records, there’s not one ska tune on the first Beat album. We did some ska tunes but all the rest were punky reggae or skareggae, we were more reggae-influenced and I think that’s what’s helped the longevity and I think that’s also the fact that we’re broad musically, calypso, soul, jazz, it all comes into it.” Having emerged in what seemed a golden age for innovative Midlands music, Roger is adamant it should have put Birmingham firmly on the musical map. “It’s very true, but somewhere along the line Birmingham got a raw deal. When you look at the bands form Birmingham and the West Midlands from those days, The Specials, The Beat, UB40, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, loads of bands and that’s just a few of them, there should’ve been a music industry in Birmingham but there wasn’t and everybody still had to go to London and that’s part of the reason nothing ever got off the ground. If that had been established we’d have been like Manchester 15 years ago, all the roots would’ve been formed. But we’ve still got lots of musicians and lots of people with real talent.”
Staying credible has also meant that The Beat have always stayed 18
Brum Notes Magazine
The Selecter Coventry two tone outfit The Selecter became renowned for reflecting the social and political issues of the early Thatcher years and giving a voice to disaffected youth across the racial divide through their mix of punk, ska and reggae. And while iconic lead singer Pauline Black admits times have changed slightly since the early 80s, their social and cultural conscience is still a key part of their music - particularly in light of David Cameron’s recent comments. “We’ve got a new album coming out in September and it draws on the more cultural aspect of what Britain is today and in direct conflict with our great, glorious Prime Minister who said that multiculturalism isn’t working. That was I think on the day the EDL were marching in Luton and I thought it was no accident that David Cameron came out on that Saturday to say multiculturalism was dead and there I was looking at all these white and black faces.” As well as November’s live show alongside ska contemporaries The Beat, Pauline will also make a personal appearance at this month’s BASS Festival in Birmingham, a month-long celebration of black music and arts in the city. Her appearance at The Edge on June 10 will also give her the chance to share experiences from her forthcoming autobiography Black by Design, which draws on all the cross-cultural and musical insights from her unique upbringing as a black child adopted by a white working class family in Coventry as well as her barrier-breaking artistic career. “Music has always had a prominent role in breaking boundaries and making people look at other people’s cultures and pushes away those barriers that in everyday life were pretty high,” she says.
are plenty of new ways to find it. “My days of going to lots of gigs and having beer slopped on me have gone. I don’t want to stand around looking like someone’s mum. But the passion for music is still there especially through Spotify and things like that. The internet is fantastic to explore and find things that 30 years ago you wouldn’t have had a hope in hells chance of finding out about.” After taking a break from The Selecter in 2006, writing her forthcoming book as well as a solo album due for release next year among other things, Pauline says the band are now back in full swing - despite their own new album coming about more by accident than anything else. “At the time we were first thinking we’d put out a couple of singles but when we started recording all these songs just fell out of us. “While we periodically do gigs with The Beat, I try not to dwell too much on nostalgia, it’s good that people want to hear Too Much Pressure [The Selecter’s platinum selling 1980 album] in its entirety and we do gigs to give the fans pleasure. But we’re also very much focused on the two new singles and the new album coming out in September. “It is The Selecter. The same spirit is there and that’s the main thing is to have that spirit and not to feel so old that you think you can’t do that any more.”
Few musical movements have been hailed as breaking down those barriers as much as two tone and that is something of which Pauline says she will always be proud - “to carry the banner for two tone is very dear to my heart,” she says - but she adds that it would be wrong to claim those barriers no longer exist, racially or musically. “White music is predominantly rock music and black music is American-styled hip hop especially. They hold themselves relatively apart, I suppose you only have to look at Glastonbury to see this. But as long as there’s dialogue between the two camps and bands forming a hybrid of these types of music you will get these kind of selfcultures growing. Kids always take what’s around and pick and mix, achieving some interesting things and some non-interesting things. When you’re young you are after what’s new. It’s very difficult these days because the charts are so awash with the crap that comes from X Factor.” Despite reality show-fuelled saturation of the charts, Pauline says her passion for discovering new music has never dulled - and there The Beat and The Selecter perform at Town Hall, Birmingham, on November 18, tickets available now. Tickets and details available at www.thsh.co.uk. Pauline Black will appear at The Edge, Birmingham, on June 10, as part of BASS Festival, to talk about her book and career and perform a selection tracks. Entry is £3 on the door. June 2011
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Benjamin Francis Leftwich is live at The Temple @ HMV Institute, Birmingham, on June 3 Debut album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm is released on June 20 on Dirty Hit Ltd
He’s not afraid of the term ‘singer-songwriter,’ nor is he afraid to name David Gray as an influence. But don’t hold that against him. BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH has crept up unsuspectingly with his beguiling take on acoustic music placing him firmly on the radar of critics and fans alike. With his debut album out this month it seems the York-born musician is destined to make one man and a guitar a tempting proposition once again.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich to do this EP and then the album but the first EP did better than expected so we decided to do another EP first. “I was surprised, I really wasn’t expecting anything like the amount of plays the EPs got. I guess word spreads, I was surprised how quickly really, with just a bit of airplay and the online impact.”
“There’s lots of different types of artists that people will call singersongwriters but the majority of them are not at all,” insists Ben, who is very much a singer-songwriter in the traditional sense of the term. Pitched very much at the trendier end of the genre, rather than the James Blunt end, he has already played at Radio 1’s Maida Vale studios with Fleet Foxes, his indie released debut EPs have proved underground hits, while his cover of Arcade Fire’s Rebellion has been downloaded more than 30,000 times.
“I’m really happy with the debut album. It’s been a long time in the making. We started making it a year ago. I’m really happy with it, some of the songs are older ones, some newer ones so there’s a good spread. It’s hard to detach myself from it, when people say ‘what do you think you sound like?’ “But I’m proud of the album, I think the songs sound really good, sometimes you can’t bear to hear the songs for the millionth time, but I’m still enjoying them. I would say it’s just acoustic songs played on acoustic guitar. We’ve used some weird sounds as well but essentially it’s an acoustic album.”
Not that he is getting carried away with the attention. “It’s a bit weird,” he admits. “I think the way we’ve done it, we haven’t had to go through a major label and we’ve been lucky enough to have a good response from a fairly minor DIY campaign. I signed to Dirty Hit Ltd, which was a small, new, independent label, we planned
There are no frills to the live set-up either. “It’s just me acoustically really. On future tours I might take a bit more of a band but this time round it’s just me and two acoustic guitars. I’ve always had that moment of butterflies just before I go on, but the adrenalin kicks in and carries me through.”
Silver souvenirs
energetic live style and beat-heavy brand of math rock, supporting the likes of Esben & the Witch and Trophy Wife in recent months. There have been plenty of comparisons to big name indie acts, but now, insists Sam, Silver Souvenirs are determined to carve out a reputation all of their own.
Brummie indie rockers SILVER SOUVENIRS have shone with some high profile support slots. Is now their time to step out from the shadows? “Our live shows are really important to us,” explains Silver Souvenirs guitarist Sam Hart. “We make a huge effort to make sure every performance as energetic and we get a massive buzz from getting a good response from the crowd. I think this then has a big influence on the way we write songs because always in the back of our mind is how it will work live and how will people react to it.” The Birmingham band have been gaining plenty of attention with their 20
“I think its obvious to anyone who’s listened to us that we draw heavily from indie/alt guitar bands like Bloc Party and the Maccabees. When we first started we’d get compared to Foals a lot but to be honest we didn’t mind at the time and it was a fair comparison. Now though we’d like to think that we’re more original and we’re just beginning to really find a sound that suits us.” “We’re an extremely ambitious band. We want to keep going and see how far we can get with this. If it ever got stale or boring or we weren’t writing new songs then we’d stop. But everything is constantly moving in the right direction for us. We need to build up our fan base in Birmingham a bit more and then maybe we can look further afield.” Silver Souvenirs support Tribes at The Flapper, Birmingham, on June 12, before supporting fellow Birmingham band Tantrums at The Library @ HMV Institute on July 1 Brum Notes Magazine
BATTLES Having formed at the back end of 2002 as an experimental outfit fusing elements of hardcore, metal, techno post rock, Battles have gone on to become one of the most innovative and inspirational acts of the past decade. Beyond categorisation since day one, they have pushed that concept even further on second album Gloss Drop, blurring the boundaries even further between experimental rock and beat-fuelled dance music. “I do think that there’s a linear progression of what we do,” explains guitarist Ian Williams. “What we always did was work with loops and things like that. At first the loops reflected this really skeletal, minimal sound. But I think the technique we used to make the sound developed a little further and we got a little better at how we make these noises. “The new record still reflects that process we weren’t going to take away that sound generation process we used but we were technically able to steer it into different directions a bit more. Something with a lot of more varied flavours.” “On a creation level we were able to achieve different things not just one thing that’s going to slap you in the face for 50 minutes. In the studio we had different drummer sounds, so knowing that it was going to take you through a different space every time. “We’re an interesting band in terms of where our influences are coming from. To some degree we’re this mash-up of organic analogue and also digital sound which leads us into rock and roll band and electronic music and it’s something that even if we ever sample a guitar riff, which can be June 2011
a very raw, primal thing, but if you loop it it gets this electronic side to it because it repeats on you a different way. “There’s a dynamic where repetition is like this ubiquitous thing that everyone can tap into; techno music or African tribes playing a marimba melody. It’s a global thing so it gives us a similarity to African tribal music or techno but I don’t really think that we’re any one of those things either.” For musicians who like to discover the essence of their sound through studio tweaking and experimentation, the live arena may not seem the most natural of domains and Ian admits it was not necessarily their first priority but it still offers a different experience altogether for band and audience alike. Battles made their appearance at experimental music festival Supersonic back in 2005 before going on to head-
Pushing sonic boundaries is an oft-stated ambition for many a band. But it’s fair to say that New York three-piece Battles do it better than most. With their second album Gloss Drop and a UK tour this month, we caught up with guitarist Ian Williams about their ethos of experimentalism.
line the event at The Custard Factory three years later. Happy memories for the band it seems (“We’ve played that twice, the venue was great, I loved that place”), and this month sees them reunited with Supersonic organisers Capsule for a show at Birmingham’s HMV Institute as part of a full UK tour . “I think the show has grown. It hasn’t been great every night [this year] but it’s getting there. It’s yin and yang, there’s discipline and freedom and we want to have both of those things engaged. “You don’t want to be just leashed up with self expression and in your own cosmos when you’re in front of a crowd. I think to some degree Battles isn’t about live shows but live shows are more satisfying then making a record.
first Birmingham “A record you could play forever and perfect it and you can keep on massaging them and finely combing them but a show is such an immediate thing and it doesn’t matter it if’s perfect or not, it’s more real.”
Battles are live at The Library @ the HMV Institute, Birmingham, on June 27 Gloss Drop is released on Warp Records on June 6
21
Quiet Revolution He became the poster boy for a new generation of dubstep experimentalists after earning a surprise runners-up spot on the BBC Sound of 2011 poll, finishing just behind new chart darling Jessie J. But JAMES BLAKE tells Chris Moriarty why commercial success was the last thing on his mind. Success can be a strange beast in the musical world and for James Blake there is no doubt that the instant attention of BBC recognition catapulted him in front of audiences he may never have expected. The understated, spacious cover of Feist’s Limit to Your Love left an army of Radio 1 listeners spellbound, not necessarily the natural place for a man who insists his music is grounded in the ethos of underground dubstep. His critically-acclaimed eponymous debut album both impressed and confused in equal measure, leaving experimental-loving critics impressed, while fans of the modern mainstream amalgamation of dubstep-pop were left scratching their heads. Eleven versions of Limit to your Love it most certainly is not. Nor does it shudder with the trademark warbling basslines or mock-hip hop lyrics of mainstream dubstep. Instead it is a refreshingly disjointed record of fragile beauty, where the 22
unheard spaces in between the notes are as crucial as the notes themselves, where sonic experimentation trickles throughout the lo-fi lyricism and jarring electronica.
dealing with with the major attention fuelled largely by his new tag as one of 2011’s hottest musical properties. So was he ready for the fuss?
But as Blake explains, he never set out to please anyone in particular when making the record, and that approach is not about the change.
“No, not really, but then I didn’t really realise how important it was at the time. But it’s definitely done wonderful things for me and got my music to a lot of people who would not have heard it otherwise. “It’s been pretty amazing really, I’ve never been to America before for example, so it’s all been pretty amazing stuff.”
“I set out to make music for myself really and it was just through making dance music that it’s opened up because of the album that I’ve written,” he says. “It was about making music for music’s sake.” It sums up the recent development in his career that we caught up with him just hours before he stepped on stage in Seattle in what was not only his first American tour, but his first visit to the country. It’s little more than a year since he first started making waves outside of London’s underground scene and merely a matter of months since he was
The 22-year-old Londoner is still determined to do things on his own terms and has been vehement in his defence of his own musical purism, even when he was being offered the chance to re-record his debut album with big money producers prior to its release, moves which no doubt were conconted to steer it towards commercial success but something which Blake had no qualms about turning down instantly. Brum Notes Magazine
“The production techniques and ethos of my music all started from dubstep really and I consider myself as part of that scene.”
“There’s no moral dilemma there for me, it’s not really what I wanted to do and in the long run it’s going to be a good thing.” For a musician who previously expended most of his creative energy in his home studio, writing, producing or DJing in clubs, it is in the live arena where he has perhaps had to develop the most, honing the stage show alongside his bandmates and learning with each show. “The live show has had to develop quite a lot, we’ve played some gigs for a start, whereas we hadn’t before, and it feels like it’s getting better all the time. “We’re bringing a bit more to the gig than at the beginning. “It’s still the same set-up, three of us, I’m playing keyboards and singing and I’ve got vocal effects pedals and a drummer and guitarist who do electronic things as well. But it is all completely live. “They [the live shows] feel like they are evolving and becoming a completely new beast really. If you take something to a live setting and play it over and over again, we’re realising what works live and what doesn’t. “For me it didn’t make sense to make the live set sound just like the record without bringing June 2011
anything more and it’s a bit more energetic live I would say.” The heavy touring schedule doesn’t mean Blake has had to forego his other great love for DJing, and he insists there is no reason why he would have to choose one or the other. Nor does his new life on the road mean that writing new material takes a back seat either. “I can’t think why I wouldn’t be able to do both and I do. We’ve been DJing and doing afterparties and I especially just love breaking up doing lots of gigs, it’s great to play records and play my new beats to people. “I’m always writing. I get frustrated if I don’t write. so I have to find a way of doing it whether it’s lyrics or beats. I don’t have the recording equipment or the peace and quiet to write songs while we’re on tour but I do bits on Logic, writing beats and when I’m back home I’m sure I’ll find the time to put lyrics to them.” That new material includes a yet-to-beannounced 12ins dance record being unveiled on a what Blake describes as a “dancefloor label” shortly — and he admits it will be the first release of his which some people may instantly recognise as dubstep.
“It’s basically the first real dubstep tune I’ve done, if you can call it that. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with actually writing beats. “The production techniques and ethos of my music all started from dubstep really and I consider myself as part of that scene. “My friends are involved in that kind of music and I’m still inspired by these people daily and inspired by some of the music they are making. “Just like anyone really, I was young and discovered dubstep and it was enthralling and enveloping. There have been producers that have taken it on to this strange version of pop but I don’t think my record you can necessarily hear a lot of that. It’s not just songs with a big dubstep beat behind it, but there are some of the subtleties that you don’t really hear in a lot of dance music.” Call it what you want, but James Blake’s music is distinctly his own, and he seems determined to keep it that way.
James Blake is live at The Library @ HMV Institute on June 8. Double A-side single Lindisfarne /Unluck is released on June 20 on Atlas/A&M 23
ON TREND
STYLE diverse
DENIM
A current trend that’s completely impossible to miss - minimalist denim, vintage remastered denim, tom-boy denim, classic denim, retro denim, stone washed, tie dyed, distressed, and even denim on denim - it’s one of the easiest, simplest and most comfortable looks for this summer and can accompany any look over the coming months. With no shortage of denim delights on the high street, here’s a collection of what’s out there and where to get it. Denim & leather tote Fiorelli £69 Denim Heel Wallis £39
Denim waistcoat Topshop £40 Blue super skinny jeans Dorothy Perkins £30
Wide leg flares Matalan £16
Open Toe Boot Tamaris £54.99
Denim Biker Jacket Topshop £75 Paisley Shorts Topshop £30 Denim Dress Athena Mango £30
Sandals Office £55
For her
Beach shorts Internacionale £20
Americana Hotpants Republic £29.99
Denim top H&M £8
Fringed waistcoat Framed101 £9.99 Denim Vest H&M £13
Denim shirt playsuit Topshop £45 Sleeveless Jacket Topshop £32
Sleeveless spot shirt Topshop £26
Denim hair band River Island £6 Crepe Bellow Levi’s £95
Cleat Lace Boot Levi’s £125
For him 24
Denim high heel Tamaris £39.99
Boyfriend-fit jeans Style393 £32 Light blue Biker jacket River Island £45
Relaxed fit jeans Burton £45
Coppo Flatcap Diesel £30
Denim & Canvas Shirt Denim plimsoll £18 Topman £38 Topman
Denim & Lace Panty Forever 21 £4
Baseball Jacket Topshop £44
Stone Shorts Burton £30 O-Leg Vintage jeans Burton £40 Brum Notes Magazine
ON TREND Leggings Topshop £20
tiedye
Not sure if you’ve noticed but the 70s are back with this trademark free-spirited hippie pattern and there are no signs of it fading away. What used to be a DIY fashion statement has hit the high street in the form of jeans, jackets, leggings, shoes and scarves. Colourful or monochrome, innovative or the standard, you can find a range of tie dye treats out in the shops today. Here are some of our favourites.
Sandals Monsoon £40 Pink tie dye shorts Topshop £30 Tie dye tights Topshop £10
Straw Hat Republic £13
Tie Dye bowling bag Michael Kors £250
Bandeau top Topshop £12
Tie Dye Bag Vivienne Westwood £385
Maxi Dress Monsoon £120
Pink Bralet Topshop £22
Georgie Wedges 80%20 £135 Long Cardigan East £89
Snood Accessorize
£20
Botas Toms £59
Castlereagh Clutch Rachael Ruddick £265
Jersey Scarf River Island £13
Tie Dye Wrap Skirt Republic £10 June 2011
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live PETER DOHERTY HMV Institute, Digbeth May 14 Doherty may be a man who gets bad press - indeed he’s been freshly incarcerated since this appearance - but as anyone who witnessed the show will tell you, he must be one of the nicest blokes in music right now. Polite, courteous and relaxed aren’t words most of the general public would associate with the former Libertines frontman, but on stage he showed the personality that brought him the adoration of millions of fans around the world. Accompanied by two dancers in a modest stage set-up, he had the crowd singing along from the first syllable to the last with his impressive range of songs, taking in Libertines classics, Babyshambles tracks and his own solo material. Last Of The English Roses, Arcady and Sheepskin Tearaway, taken from 2009 solo album Grace/Wastelands lit up the room from his solo album, while old Libertines favourites Don’t Look
GLASVEGAS HMV Institute, Birmingham May 7 In 2008, Glasvegas were the band on everyone’s lips and the indie bandwagon had never been so packed since Alex Turner had told us we looked good on the dancefloor. Come 2011 and with a quiet release of second album Euphoric/// Heartbreak\\\ everyone was shuffling nervously in the HMV Institute. Glasvegas swaggered confidently onto stage as a recognisable Glaswegian drawl 28
Back Into The Sun, Can’t Stand Me Now and What Katie Did provided nostalgia for the packed-out Institute. The venue perfectly matched Doherty’s wistful vocals and his two dancers provided something extra to look at when the crowd managed to tear their eyes away from Doherty. Doherty chatted to the audience in between songs, gloated about his beloved QPR’s promotion and seemed in high spirits as his set list took in Music When The Lights Go Out, For Lovers and What A Waster. Final three tracks Salome, Albion and Fuck Forever provided the grandstand finish to what was a fantastic gig showcasing all of Doherty’s qualities as a person, songwriter and musician. Words by Jon Pritchard Photo by Gobinder Jhitta
cut through the words of an enigmatic French girl. James Allan, standing in white jeans with back arched, neon microphone held aloft, launched into powerful opener The World Is Yours; the song a triumphant middle finger to their doubters. The sing-a-longs soon came around as James lay down and held his mic to the audience for It’s My Own Cheating Heart. Standing humbly to his feet, the frontman addressed his fans: “This is a new song if you want to go for a piss.” Even the young ones at the front didn’t dare move under the power of mesmerising ballad Whatever Hurts You Through The Night. If their
eponymous debut was filled with football chants, their new material is made for the stadiums. But the night was always going to belong to those chants. The crowd surged forward and beers were hurled for bolshy Go Square Go. Euphoric and resplendent, new track Lots Sometimes’ synths echoed just long enough for Allan to say his final thank you “fuck me!” before thundering into Daddy’s Gone. As the crowds flooded out, chants of “here we fucking go” resonated through the building. Glasvegas are defiantly here to stay. Words by Lauren Partridge Brum Notes Magazine
GRUFF RHYS The Glee Club, Birmingham February 27
SNOOP DOGG HMV Institute, Digbeth May 16 As the unmistakable scent of ‘the ‘erb’ wafts around the room Snoop and his posse amble on stage at 10pm, a good hour and a half after the support act. Despite a reputation for being laid back he’s not hanging around though as he blazes through the hits and old favourites, frequently supported by a trio of gyrating hip hop honeys. With repeated requests for the crowd to put their “motherfuckin’ hands in the air” the packed-out room’s soon bouncing along like a pimped up ‘62 Impala. Putting aside old rivalries both 2pac and Biggie get a tribute, along with the more recently departed Nate Dogg, struck down this year by multiple
FLORRIE O2 Academy 3, Birmingham May 13 For the uninitiated here’s the low down. Florrie is a 22-year-old model, drummer, singer and songwriter with a knack for penning pop tracks as addictive as a sack of crack. Having cut her musical chops as in-house drummer for the hit-making Xenomania machine (working with the likes of Kylie and Girls Aloud) she’s been steadily self-releasing tracks online and, as tonight proved, they’re 24 carat pop gold. June 2011
strokes rather than gunshots. A remixed version of Wet, plucked from new album Doggumentary, brought things up to date before a crowd pleasing run through Sensual Seduction, House of Pain’s Jump Around (which curiously seemed to get the biggest reaction of the night) and Drop It Like It’s Hot. After just an hour on stage the set predictably closed with his theme tune, What’s My Name? before Snoop disappeared back to his hip hop honeys...for a little backstage schnizzle no doubt. Words by Daron Billings Photo courtesy of Wayne Fox Dressed in a rather fetching black lace number she kicks off with Panic Attack. A throbbing bass line, some simple synths and a chorus that burrows its way right into your central lobe and refuses to leave. It’s halfway through the song that we get to see Florrie’s real USP though. She drums like a demon, playing a stand-up kit without breaking a sweat. The set highlight had to be the pounding, almost tribal drumming of Give Me Your Love with its piano-bedded breakdowns and slow burning build-ups – the definitive Florrie track to date. If there’s pop in heaven this’ll be on the playlist. Words by Daron Billings
BROTHER Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton May 21 If the hype hasn’t hit you yet, it will soon. After support from Dog Is Dead – terrific, Mumford & Sons-esque types rocking more euphoric four-part harmonies than a Take That concert - the cocky Slough outfit swaggered on stage and the volume immediately hit 11. It didn’t, however, come down again. But more on that in a minute. New Years Day and David were stand-outs among an encore-less, short and sweet set list, while Darling Buds Of May went off like a firework, with grown men hurling each other about like it was Euro 96. Overall, it’s Britpop mixed, bizarrely, with Smash Mouth, of All Star fame. The only gripe however can be laid at the aforementioned noise-level. The sound is loud, relentless, in your face, down the pub, terrace-chanting, borderline thuggery. Especially when the guitarist stops half way through to offer someone out in the crowd (“Fuck off, and thanks for the money”). However, whether this critique is a complaint or a compliment, remains to be seen. Definitely worth a listen, though. Words by Tom Pell 29
MANIC STREET PREACHERS Civic Hall, Wolverhampton May 19 2011 is, among other things, the 25th anniversary of the formation of Manic Street Preachers. Not a band to capitalise on this, their trip to the Civic Hall is one of just three on this mini tour – and the only one outside of Wales. Such is their love for what singer James Dean Bradfield calls “the greatest venue in the world,” that there is an anecdote about the venue before nearly every song, which include Your Love Alone, The Masses Against The Classes and classic Motorcycle Emptiness. Bassist Nicky Wire tells us the reason they love playing there so much is because it’s a venue they played with their drummer Richie Edwards, who disappeared in 1995 - before launching into You Stole The Sun From My Heart. The 90-minute set takes in album tracks including Enola/Alone and Of Walking Abortion, as well as classic singles such as Faster, If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next and Motown Junk. The mainly middle-aged crowd are whisked back to their late teens as the Welsh trio put on an astounding show, with startling lights
WARPAINT HMV Institute, Digbeth May 18 Swathed in a Celtic blue light and driven by an almost tribal-sounding rhythm section, the four-piece navigate their way through the best bits of two albums of hauntingly beautiful harmonies and elongated instrumentals – the type which for the lesser developed band might feel staged but for Warpaint seem a natural, grungy extension of their tightly-engineered records. Even on their cover of Mary Wallis’ My Guy, slowed down and stripped bare to a level of sincerity you’d never associate with the song, the intertwining vocals of the band sound ephemeral – so perfectly complimentary that at any moment they could just come undone. But they don’t, and it becomes clear that these four gals from Los Angeles have well and truly found their niche. We don’t need another identikit male setup, and if by their very nature their brooding love songs don’t allow for painting the town red, Warpaint have convincingly, intricately and atmospherically painted it a welljudged shade of blue. Girl Power. Words by Amy Sumner 30
shimmering beautifully off human shaped disco-balls situated around the back of the Civic Hall stage. The final songs epitomise the band entirely. From Suicide Is Painless, via a brief version AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long (complete with lyrics changed to
REAL FUR + THE CASTILLIANS Selly Soak Launderette, Selly Oak May 12 Club nights don’t normally offer the opportunity to wash your smalls but that’s just one of the attractions of tonight’s launderette-based event, the brainchild of super hip Shoreditch promoters Safari Funk. Against a bizarre backdrop of washers and dryers The Castillians are crammed neatly into a corner, kicking things off by putting us all through a spin cycle of their fast and furious scuzzed up garage surf (Surf...how appropriate eh?). After a brief interlude headliners Real Fur take things in more of a tropical / afrobeat direction, prompting some particularly enthusiastic ass-shaking at the front of the crowd...not an easy move to pull off in such a confined space. New single Animal, currently being promoted on this tour - yep, all their dates are being played in launderettes - closed the set in appropriately funky style. It’s the perfect introduction to the Real Fur sound, tribal drum beats and phat Fela Kuti rhythms on top of a throbbing bass bed. Rumours that Dot Cotton was spotted sparking up a joint outside were unconfirmed. Words by Daron Billings
“Wolverhampton Shook Me All Night Long”), straight into a rousing version of A Design For Life, the sing-along, politically-fuelled lyrics surrounded by glam-punk riffs provide a fitting end to a fittingly celebratory night. Words by Jon Pritchard Photo by Gobinder Jhitta
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING HMV Institute, Digbeth May 11 Striding on stage in dark green jumpsuits with black armbands, the band kick off with Final Form and Come Alive Diana. Lead singer Jonathan Higgs’ falsetto-like voice complements Jeremy Pritchard and Alex Robertshaw’s harmonic backing but the energy which bursts out of debut album Man Alive isn’t there on stage. Leave The Engine Room doesn’t explode as it should and the decision to play MY KZ UR BF after only five songs seems strange. NASA Is On Your Side brings the crowd back down to nothing more than a lull, and Weights disappoints. They finally look to be getting into their stride with Suffragette Suffragette and Schoolin’ waking the crowd up, before they go offstage only to return with a new song which sends them back to sleep again. On record they’re a hit with the critics, as a live band they fail to live up to the heights of Man Alive. The final song, Photoshop Handsome, proves that while they do not have everything everything, they do have a little ‘something something.’ Words by Jon Pritchard Brum Notes Magazine
THE LINES HMV Institute, Digbeth May 6
MATMOS MAC, Birmingham May 15 Cluttered with wires and gadgets, the MAC’s more ‘relaxed’ seated theatre had no time to prepare for the hysterical onset of spineshivering lunacy. Making most people question their own sanity, support act John Wiese’s chaotic, industrial intensities examined the characteristics of a video nasty soundtrack, delving deeper into the grime of extreme distress. Though the psychological inducements were not to end here, as Matmos began to set out their own pathway into the bizarre. The science-influenced duo, plus guest guitarist J Lesser, fuelled the audience into a cult-like state, with a selection of seeminglyhypnotised members of the public, chanting gibberish into their blanked out glasses and headphones. Think Derren Brown entering the world of Pagan rituals and you’re not even halfway there. The mesmerising harmonic samples and resonating triangles gave way to hospital imagery and creepy human reflections, But it seems that the Baltimore-based couple knew exactly how to play with people’s imaginations, as the much lighter-hearted Rainbow Flag brought back a zen-like state to the MAC. Crafting psychedelic spirals against electronic swirls, the uplifted mood expelled out from Matmos’s animated facial expressions and bird whistles, allowing a whimsical side out from the mentally challenging avant-gardists. Forwarding what Pierre Schaeffer had once begun, Matmos innovatively break through musical barriers, with the use of bottled water, scraping singing bowls and ‘anything goes’ percussion, the duo portray abnormality in its greatest form of entertainment, both extremely uncomfortable and highly eccentric, the unpredictability provides that thrill ride to anybody who is keen to be pushed to their limit. Words by Ross Cotton Photo by Kate Fitzgeorge June 2011
Drum heavy dance music filled the halls as The Lines strolled on, to which frontman Alex Ohm greeted the crowd with a roar of “brothers and sisters!” before diving straight into Circles. “This is an old song,” prompted the loyals, flags and all, to dive to the front for 2008’s Domino Effect before Over and Out conjured lighters and arms in the air. Ohm then jumped in the crowd for Let It Go,
THE CRIBS Kasbah, Coventry May 20 “Thanks for being a Cribs fan, you’re a special breed,” drawls Ryan Jarman at the packed Kasbah crowd. Playing their first gig in almost a year and their first post-Marr, expectations, excitement and just downright curiosity as to what the lads have been up to is coursing through the room. But from the second that the trio swagger on stage, it’s clear that really, nothing has changed. Rarely since 2004
BLACK HEART GENERATOR Muthers Studio, Digbeth May 20 If you’re reading this then it’s most likely that the world didn’t end as promised by some religious fucknut. Which is handy for Black Heart Generator are launching their debut EP Beatnik Summer here tonight, 24 hours or so before the supposed impending rapture. This does seem the perfect back drop though, as BHG always play as if a cloud of apocalyptic doom hangs heavy over their
warming up newbie, Lunatic Fringe and big hitters, Glorious Aftermath and El Matador, while guitarist Dean Bate abandoned his post and pulled out the big drum for Loudmouth, culminating in a ridiculous, three drummer, light extravaganza which saw Ohm back in the crowd, pinching their flags, and then standing on the drum kit. As they left to a rapturous applause, predictable choruses of “Encore” started, to which the boys apologetically re-appeared. “If we knew we’d got to do an encore, we’d have done that one last! We’ll do another, but it probably won’t be as good.” Bless ‘em. Words by Tom Pell has a band created such a ruckus. But the Cribs do, and they do it time and time again. And if the absence of Johnny Marr is at least noticeable, it isn’t marked – the guitar riffs of the fourth album are ably reconstructed and the entire back catalogue is as dynamic and as anarchic as it always has been. And that’s why we love them. So, a special breed the fans may be but it’s this band of brothers shambolically, chaotically and purposefully careering through four albums of crowdelaters who thus enable them to get dank, down and dirty like it’s 2004 all over again. Words by Amy Sumner
heads. As do opening act, Horrorshow, whose garage punk riffs of catastrophic proportions are tearing through the excitable crowd. It’s then left to The Wedding Present-cumStooges mental magic of the headliners to force their dismantled pop down our throats so far that we can only feel compelled to cough up the dough to buy their blistering EP. Their sales pitch would probably raise a few eyebrows on Dragon’s Den, but to us, it feels like we’ve died and gone to indie heaven. Words by Andy Roberts Photo by Rob Tromans 31
CLUBS VIVA MUSIC BEACH PARTY Rainbow Warehouse, Digbeth May 1 Just because a club night may be well known for its slick house and techno nights does not mean it can’t throw a good old-fashioned, over-the-top knees-up once in a while. That’s exactly what weekly club brand Face did over the May bank holiday weekend, bringing in 20 tonnes of sand and transforming the Rainbow Garden into a golden, inner-city beach for a one-off party. Kicking off at 3pm, Steve Lawler’s Viva Music took over the beach and adjoining Warehouse. Local spinners Heat Mode DJs and Dutch Settlers proceeded to get the growing crowds enlivened as the keenest partygoers descended on to the beach with their drinks swaying and the scent of the BBQ filling the air. Fast forward through the evening and Lawler was the firm favourite of the night, playing a decidedly mixed bag of tunes that showed off his Viva Music label’s style, and delivering the sort of set that kept clubbers dancing from start to finish, while the likes of Darius Syrossian and Joris Voorn kept the hardier clubbers going until 6am. Words by Alex Jukes Photos by Jade Sukiya
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If you want to see photos from your venue or club night featured on these pages then send details in advance to info@brumnotes.com. 32
Brum Notes Magazine
THE ADAM & EVE june LISTINGS:
ADAM & EVE STREET PARTY WEEKENDER: Road Closure all weekend, with outside bar, BBQ, street performers, podiums and stalls. Friday June 3rd: Dub Mafia + DJ Narrative + DJ Aries £4 before 10pm, £5 after. 8pm- 5am! SATURDAY JUNE 4TH: SCOOTERISTS FOR HEROES Bands: THE JAM DRC - J60 - THE WHOO - RUDIE & THE REVOLVERS - THE COOPERS - St Albans WONDERLUST - Middlesbrough’s MORDERN WORKS - Bedworth’s PRITTY GREEN - Bristol’s MARMALADE SKY - THE SOUND - Liverpool’s THE PROFILE DJs: Birmingham’s own RICHY TAYLOR - TONY REYNOLDS - MEZ DJ SUN FLOWER - CRAIG ACE FACE - DJ KEV RICHIE - Middlesbrough’s MARK BAZZA BARRAT - Worcester’s DJ SWIFTY - Cannock’s GLYN PREECE - Miss DEE DEE MOD - DJ ROSCO - Marmalade Sky’s DJ LUKE Entry is £5, all proceeds donated to ‘Help for Heroes’ SUNDAY JUNE 5TH: Social Club Soundsystem Launch party! Live acts: Corelli - Horrowshow - Barnsey - Jodi Ann Bickley + Poppy Tibbets - Empire DJs: New Jack City (Pub Tropicana/Elixir) - Jordan A Lott ( Gutterskank/ Moshino Hoe Versace Hottie) - Cassie Philomena (The Afterparty/ Zombie Prom) Plus Stalls on the street in daytime inc. Forgotten Vintage. £3 before 9pm, £5 after
Bradford St, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0JD 0121 693 1500 www.theadam.co.uk Saturday 11th June: Afterparty Allnighter Chav fancy dress with Whitney Dean DJs (Roxanne Mead + Cassie Philomena) + Jordan Red Shirt + New Jack City Free entry, £1.50 drinks, BBQ. Sunday 12th: Radicus+ Litfo+ Flat Back Four Thursday 16th: Silent Filter presents Pulse + more tbc Friday 17th: Pre- Glastonbury warm up Party with 360 For all of us who didn’t get a ticket, get a little taster of the unfathomable 360... and it’s FREE! Support tbc. £1.50 drinks before 10pm, BBQ, FREE ENTRY Saturday 18th: Ascot Ladies day mash up! We are celebrating all things WOMAN, ladies get cheap booze all night coz everyone loves a lashed up lady. Expect DJs (Cassie Philomena), acoustics. Sunday 19th: The Sunday Scene Monthly Mod madness, 2pm-7pm Live music with Liverpool-based The Universal DJ Richy Taylor Free Entry Thursday 23rd: Mau61 + The Mighty Young + more tbc FREE ENTRY Friday 24th: Whomanity Soundsystem. Madmax and co – dancehall, reggae + roots. Free Entry Saturday 25th: Mr C aka Big Man Clayton Ex- pat Mr C is back for this one-off gig Barrelhouse Blues and Boogiewoogie. Free Entry
Wednesday 8th June: Wiseacre + Sadgasm + Hatemail + Headstrong
Sunday 26th: Sunday Xpress Open Poetry afternoon. 4pm-7pm, hosted by the infamous Big Bren 7pm onwards: Silent filter presents The Dirty Tricks + Of Kings and Captains + Second City Fire + Johnathon Engstrom
Thursday 9th June: Private party
Thursday 30th: The Variables + Gareth Langston + Matt Tregortha + more tba
Tuesday 7th: Silent Filter presents Emily & Simon + Joshua Owen + Ben Green + Pink Ukulele Guy
Friday 10th June: Pub Tropicana ‘Drinks aren’t free,, but they are cheap enough’ +++++Skankboy + New Jack City ++++ DANCEHALL/REGGAE/UK FUNKY/ MOOMBATHON Free Entry, BBQ, £1.50 drinks till 12am!!
June 2011
Every Monday is Broken Amp Acoustic evening Every Saturday from 2am is ‘THE AFTERPARTY’ First Friday of every Month is ‘Pub Tropicana’ Don’t forget our Happy Hour Mon- Thurs 4-7.30pm Carling, Strongbow, Carlsberg only £2 Free Pool table too! 33
FOOD + DRINK apples & pearS Following on from the hottest April on record, here’s hoping that we have a long, hot summer. Of course, knowing the typical British weather, by the time you read this we’ll probably have just endured the wettest and coldest May on record. One thing I, along with a great many others, think about on a nice hot afternoon or warm evening is a pint of good quality cider. Indeed, our sister venues The Victoria and The Jekyll & Hyde will both be hosting cider festivals this month to showcase the best of this wonderful category. However, the involvement of apples and pears in beverages certainly doesn’t stop there. Apples in particular have a very long and wide ranging history in the world of cocktails. A quick word to the wise: always use good quality, freshly pressed cloudy apple juice in your cocktails, or even for drinking on its own. Avoid the clear made-from-concentrate stuff at all costs; the difference in quality is immeasurable – only one of them actually tastes purely of real apples. One of my all time favourite cocktails is the Tatanka. This drink is extremely simple to make but has a quite complex flavour reminiscent of homemade apple pie. Although the drink is originally from Poland, the name is actually the Sioux word for buffalo – the unique flavour comes from the bison grass that is used to flavour the Zubrowka. Pears are a less common cocktail ingredient, but an excellent choice all the same. One of my own creations, the Quintessential, makes use of pears and another, ahem, quintessentially English ingredient, elderflower. This is another drink where simplicity allows the flavours to shine through and enhance each other.
Recipe: tatanka
Recipe: quintessential
Ingredients: Large measure of Zubrowka (bison grass vodka) Freshly pressed apple juice Ice
Ingredients: 30ml white rum such as Bacardi 15ml elderflower liqueur (use elderflower cordial if you can’t find any) 30ml freshly pressed pear juice
Directions: Use a tall glass filled with ice Pour in a large measure of the vodka Top up with the apple juice to taste
Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass Garnish with a pear wedge on the rim
By Matt Marriott, general manager, Island Bar Island Bar, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham city centre, is a specialist cocktail bar offering fine drinks and live music. Call 0121 632 5296 or visit www.bar-island.co.uk. 34
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WHAT’S ON
GIGS
Spacious-beats and dubstep-inspired songwriting will be out in full force when near-namesakes and musical contemporaries Jamie Woon and James Blake both make their appearances in Birmingham. Woon returns to the city following his sell-out appearance at the Hare & Hounds earlier this year, with a show at the larger Library @ the HMV Institute on June 4. Four days later this month’s cover star Blake brings his hotly anticipated live show to Birmingham for the first time, appearing at the same venue on June 8. Delivering a double-barrelled assault of punishing guitars and pulsating rock rhythms, Brummie band Sienna are joined on the bill by emerging talents Romans who mark their debut EP release with a show at The Flapper in Birmingham on June 10. Bringing hip hop classics and plenty of swaggering attitude, rap legends Wu-Tang Clan make a rare UK appearance with a full live show at the HMV Institute on June 13, while at the opposite end of the musical spectrum, returning alt-folk heroes Fleet Foxes (below) mark their comeback with an appearance at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall on June 23. Back in Birmingham, experimental post-rock/hardcore/techno hybrids Battles bring their inspirational second album Gloss Drop to the live stage at the HMV Institute’s Library on June 27.
COMEDY
CLUBBING
Road closures and street parties bring the feelgood factor to Digbeth on the opening weekend in June, with a double-helping of al fresco clubbing experiences. Electric Carnival takes over the creative quarter’s main drag on June 4 with a big name line-up of clubbing superstars taking in various venues including the HMV Institute, The Custard Factory, The Rainbow Complex and Air, as well as purpose-built stages and even a car park rave to deliver festival frolics from 8pm until 6am the following morning. The likes of Example, Chase & Status, Professor Green and Kissy Sell Out lead the line-up which stretches across a staggering 19 clubbing spaces and incorporating everything from future bass to disco house, garage to techno. On a smaller scale but armed with a whole heap of hedonistic spirit, the nearby Adam & Eve in Bradford Street will have its own road closure in place to accommodate its three day Street Party Weekender from June 3 to 5. Dub Mafia kick things off on the Friday, mod bands and DJs take over Saturday, while Social Club Soundsystem bring things bang up to date with their launch party on the Sunday. Outside bars, BBQs, street performers, podiums and stalls add to the feelgood factor throughout the weekend. Rolling out some high quality reggae and maintaining the summer festival vibe, Reggae City Festival heads for the Rainbow Warehouse & Garden on June 11, featuring the likes of Tippa Irie. Midlands jazz hero Quantic - aka Will Holland - brings his global dance vibes to the Hare & Hounds for a jazz-fuelled, floor-filling DJ set on June 25 while for some high quality grooves with a funk edge head for the Bulls Head on June 26 for Leftfoot vs Fusion featuring Bruce Q and Adam Regan on deck duties. Returning to add a new offering to the indie club market and having successfully bedded in at its launch party last month, Ramshackle continues its weekly comeback every Friday at new alternative club Vudu.
He may have racked up more than 70 million views on YouTube with his viral videos, but Edinburgh-awarding winning US comic Bo Burnham now has a finely honed stage show to offer as well, showcasing the same talents that made him an online star. The fresh-faced multi-instrumentalist brings his blend of musical comedy, story-telling and satirical bite to The Glee Club on June 8. Currently in the throes of beginning his film career too, catch him before he hits superstar status. Scotland’s Danny Bhoy shows no signs of slowing in his own pursuit of comedy stardom, continually hitting bigger audiences with each tour. Fresh from a hit TV appearance on Live at the Apollo, his razor sharp wit will be in full flow at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham on June 9. Another man revelling in TV credits these days is sharp-tongued, proud geek comic Mark Watson, (pictured) making a welcome return to Birmingham at The Glee Club on June 12.
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KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY
VENUE DIRECTORY BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; HMV Institute, High St, Digbeth B5, 0844 2485037; NIA, King Edwards Rd B1, 0121 7804141; LG Arena, NEC, Solihull B40, 0121 7804141; The Flapper, Kingston Row B1, 0121 2362421; The Victoria, John Bright St B1, 0121 6339439; Hare & Hounds, High St, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4442081; The Actress & Bishop, Ludgate Hill B3, 0121 2367426; The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway B5, 0121 6327656; Symphony Hall, Broad St B1, 0121 7803333; Town Hall, Victoria Sq B3, 0121 7803333; Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4434725; Alexandra Theatre, Station St B1, 0844 8472302; Bulls Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; Poppyred, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0121 6871200; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; Vudu, Corporation St B5, 0121 643 0859 ; The Crown, Station St B5, 0121 643 4265; Scruffy Murphys, The Priory Queensway B4, 0121 2362035; The Wagon & Horses, Adderley St, Digbeth B9, 0121 7721403; Highlight, Broad St B1, 08700 111 960; The Bristol Pear, Bristol Rd, Selly Oak B29, 0121 414 9980; WOLVERHAMPTON: Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St WV1, 0870 320 7000; The Slade Rooms, Broad St WV1, 0870 320 7000; Robin 2, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14, 01902 401211; WEST BROMWICH: The Public, New St B70, 0121 5337161; COVENTRY: Kasbah, Primrose Hill St, CV1, 024 76554473; Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, CV4, 024 7652 4524 M
M M M M M M M M M CN CN CN CN M M
Wednesday, Jun 1 Your Last Chapter + The Peers + Coldesac + The Sharabangs Adam Ant
M Island Bar
Birmingham
M
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Caudwell Children Live & Louder Tour feat Swami Kate Mcgill
The Glee Club
Birmingham
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Mona
The Temple @ HMV Institute Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
M M
Kings Heath
M
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Kitchen Garden Cafe
Kings Heath
Robin 2
Bilston Wolverhampton
Full Moon
The Slade Rooms HMV Institute
Big Wednesday
Snobs
Birmingham
Pulse 90s Night
The Crown
Birmingham
Moschino Hoes Versace Hotties Thursday, Jun 2 Acoustic Lounge
The Victoria
Birmingham
Island Bar
Birmingham
Shana Tova + Vault of Eagles + Pulse + The Lucky 27s
The Victoria
Birmingham
Anais Mitchell Husch + Grey Area + Pandas & People Birmingham Chinese Chamber Music Trio The Jay Tamkin Band + The Ben Poole Band Framing Hanley
June 2011
M M
M M
Birmingham
M CN C M M M
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Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide? Send details to: info@brumnotes. com All details correct at time of going to press. Check with venues before setting out. While every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of listings, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses incurred from errors which may materialise.
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Crown
Birmingham
The Library @ HMV Institute Vertu Bar
Birmingham
Alternative Dubstep Orchestra Traditional Song Session Ace Bushy Striptease + Nick Hawes The Jokers + Lexicomane + The Jaccals + Martyr De Skepta
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Kitchen Garden Cafe Bulls Head
Kings Heath
The Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Kasbah
Coventry
Tiki Thursday
Island Bar
Birmingham
John Fothergill
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Springbok Nude Girls Crooked Dawn + The Creeps + Girls That Scream Pencils 4 Pistols + Reckon Hellogoodbye Tara & Cat Chinn
Friday, Jun 3 Forever Fallen Club Bomb Motorcade + The Myways + The Detached Collective + Tim Baker Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Birmingham
Moseley
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys The Sunflower Lounge
Birmingham
The Temple @ HMV Institute
Birmingham
Birmingham
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CN
C C M
M M
M M M M CN CN CN CN CN
CN CN
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Birmingham
CN
Electric Carnival
Kings Heath
CN CN
Subculture
An Evening of Aural Chaos The Mariner’s Children + Boat to Row + Tom Peel The Bombergs
The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Bulls Head
Moseley
The Thirst
Kasbah
Coventry
Supersonic Vague
Gatecrasher
Birmingham
Propaganda
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Click
Snobs
Birmingham
Birmingham Roller Disco Resurrection
Space2
Birmingham
Subway City
Birmingham
Street Party Weekender: Dub Mafia Punk & Reggae Club Night Silent Noize
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
The Crown
Birmingham
M
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Thatched and Majored Ramshackle
The Victoria
Birmingham
M M
Vudu
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
M
Heducation present Japan Fundraiser feat Bentley Rhythm Ace (DJ set) Freestyle + Birmingham Promoters Club night Highlight Comedy
Highlight
Birmingham
John Fothergill
The Glee Club
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
The Library @ HMV Institute The Victoria
Birmingham
Duplicates + Atlantic Players + Swampmeat Giggs
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Kasbah
Coventry
Takin Care of Business Dr Jekyll's Potion Back 2 Life You Me At Six (DJ set) + Daniel P Carter (DJ set) Loaded
Island Bar
Birmingham
Jekyll & Hyde
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
M
Snobs
Birmingham
M
Street Party Weekender: Scooterists For Heroes ZombieClub: Goth Night Marc Reck + DJ Skeleton + Jam Jah DJs
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
Saturday, Jun 4 The Musgraves + Silva: Code + The 7 20s + Naseby Crossing This Burning Age + JKLMNO + Ask Alfie + Faye Bagley Street Party Weekender: Scooterists For Heroes Jamie Woon Funk Funsion
CN
CN C C
CN Bulls Head
Moseley
C
Birmingham
M M
M M CN CN M M
M
M The Crown
Birmingham
M
The Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
CN CN
Various venues, Digbeth Vudu
Birmingham
Teenculture (U18s, 5pm-9pm) Sumosoundsystem present TNT & Disgrace’s Birthday Mashup Fuss Club present The Residents Hoe Down Highlight Comedy
Vudu
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
Highlight
Birmingham
John Fothergill
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Scumface
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
LG Arena
Birmingham
Sunday, Jun 5 Journey + Foreigner + Styx Futures
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Toy Hearts (3pm) Street Party Weekender: Social Club Soundsystem Launch Party Street Party Weekender: Social Club Soundsystem Launch Party Laffacino Cabaret Comedy Night Tuesday, Jun 7 Emily & Simon + Joshua Owen + Ben Green Brum Notes Magazine presents Fresh Talent: Open Mic and Acoustic Kasabian
The Actress & Bishop The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
Kitchen Garden Cafe
Kings Heath
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
Bulls Head
Moseley
The Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Sparrow And The Workshop Burn Out
The Slade Rooms Scruffy Murphys Subway City
Wolverhampton
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Island Bar
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
The Library @ HMV Institute The Victoria
Birmingham
Now That’s What I Call A 90s Night Wednesday, Jun 8 Carina Round Sunset On Suburbia + Don't Do Mondays + Bradley Will Simpson Eat Yself Pretty + The Dockturs Rendezvous The Illuminations + Soul Attic + Funktional Wiseacre + Sadgasm + Hatemail + Headstrong James Blake Skeptics in the Pub (spoken word) Full Moon Big Wednesday
Birmingham
Birmingham Birmingham
Birmingham
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Snobs
Birmingham
Brum Notes Magazine
CN C C M M M M M M M M M CN CN C C C M M M M M M
M M M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN
BLUES, JAZZ AND A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF
Pulse 90s Night
The Crown
Birmingham
Bo Burnham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Laughing Cows
Kitchen Garden Cafe
Kings Heath
AND IT’S FREE!
Thursday, Jun 9 Acoustic Lounge
Island Bar
Birmingham
Yo La Tengo
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
THE 27TH BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
Whatever Tomorrow Brings + Kill Timers Silent Filter Promotions presents Thoria + Sunset on Suburbia + Winter of 97 Karma Suite
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
JULY 1ST TO 10TH 2011
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
130 free performances across the City and beyond with 70 attractions from UK, USA, Argentina, France, Hungary, Germany, Spain and The Czech Republic.
The Crown
Birmingham
Phone Hotline:
The Temple @ HMV Institute Vertu Bar
Birmingham Birmingham
festival@bigbearmusic.com
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
for info and emailing list.
St Columba’s Church Hall Island Bar
Moseley
Richard Heath Band Redtrack + Cohere + No Americana + Imogens Kiss Moseley Village Band Tiki Thursday
0121 454 7020 Email
www.birminghamjazzfestivaltv.com www.birminghamjazzfestival.com
Birmingham
Fantastic Damage
Bulls Head
Moseley
Danny Bhoy
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
Doc Brown
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Greg Davies
Wulfrun Hall
Wolverhampton
Friday, Jun 10 Michael Ball
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
Shades + Jimmy the Fool Sienna + Romans EP Launch Rachel Button
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Lost Gypsy Dolls + So This Is Great Britain Jackpike + Mezzotonic + Butterfly Stone + Sicum + Baycat Of Kings & Captains Seams + Arc Vel + Weapons of Choice The Ska And 2-Tone Review Supersonic Vague
The Sunflower Lounge
Birmingham
The Temple @ HMV Institute
Birmingham
Propaganda
Birmingham
CN CN
C C M
The Wagon & Horses Bulls Head
Birmingham
Robin 2
Bilston
Gatecrasher
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Seedy Sonics Summer Party Rag n Bone
Rainbow Warehouse Snobs
Birmingham
Anarchy
Subway City
Birmingham
Pub Tropicana
The Adam & Eve The Crown
Birmingham
M
Birmingham
The Rainbow 4th Birthday Free Party Music For The People Ramshackle
The Rainbow
Birmingham
M M CN CN
Cosmo & Dibs
Mish-Mash
June 2011
Moseley
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Vudu
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
M
M M M
CN
Sugarfoot Stomp Hawaiian Summer Party Freestyle + Birmingham Promoters Club night Highlight Comedy
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
Highlight
Birmingham
Doc Brown
The Glee Club
Birmingham
MAC
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys Symphony Hall
Birmingham
The Temple @ HMV Institute
Birmingham
Birmingham
Panzram Industrial
The Wagon & Horses Un Plug
Dodgy
Kasbah
Coventry
Panic
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Dr Jekyll's Potion Tic Tac Toe Reggae City Festival
Jekyll & Hyde
Birmingham
Rainbow Warehouse
Birmingham
Saturday, Jun 11 Rich Batsford album launch concert Vinny & the Curse + Last Gasp + The Kontours + The Joe Public Meltdown Michael Ball Tera Melos + Tangled Hair + Shapes + &U&I + Conquistadors The Cracked Actors
Birmingham
Birmingham
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CN CN CN CN CN CN CN C C C M M
Snobs
Birmingham
Afterparty Allnighter Face presents Kabale Und Liebe Guilty Pleasures
The Adam & Eve The Rainbow
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Subculture
Vudu
Birmingham
Benji B (Radio 1)
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Together feat Craig Smith Highlight Comedy
Bulls Head
Moseley
Highlight
Birmingham
Doc Brown
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Freddie Starr
Wulfrun Hall
Wolverhampton
Sunday, Jun 12 Lifehouse
HMV Institute
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve The Flapper
Birmingham
M
Birmingham
M M M
M
Radicus + Litfo + Flat Back Four Tribes + Silver Souvenirs The Pierces
M
4OM
M
The Bohemian Jukebox Sunday Social with Fox + Poppy Tibbetts + Ben Calvert + Mrs (4pm start) Mark Watson
M
C C
M M M M
M CN CN C M M M
XXXX Comedy Midlands Showcase
The Library @ HMV Institute Kitchen Garden Cafe Bulls Head
Birmingham
Birmingham Kings Heath
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Monday, Jun 13 Wu Tang Clan
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Tuesday, Jun 14 Baptized In Blood
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Library @ HMV Institute Bulls Head
Birmingham
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Brum Notes Magazine presents Fresh Talent: Open Mic and Acoustic Newton Faulkner Now Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s What I Call A 90s Night 8Bit Lounge Peter Kay Wednesday, Jun 15 The Moons + The Arcadian Kicks Vert + Ask Alfie + Farisle + Alex Aitken Tom Vek
M M M M M M M
M
Moseley
Moseley
M CN C C C M M M M M
The Slade Rooms Subway City
Wolverhampton
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
LG Arena
Birmingham
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Island Bar
Birmingham
M
Thomas Tantrum
M
Dio Disciples
CN CN CN C
Full Moon
The Library @ HMV Institute The Temple @ HMV Institute The Slade Rooms HMV Institute
Big Wednesday
Snobs
Birmingham
Pulse 90s Night
The Crown
Birmingham
Peter Kay
LG Arena
Birmingham
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C
Loaded
Birmingham Birmingham Wolverhampton Birmingham
M M M M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN
Free Entry Standup Thursday, Jun 16 P.O.D.
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Acoustic Lounge
Island Bar
Birmingham
The Jim Jones Revue The Nortons+ The Artificial Day Tyburn Drop + Obzidian + Vault of Eagles Pulse
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve The Crown
Birmingham
Birmingham
The Toms
The Temple @ HMV Institute Vertu Bar
Kadialy Kouyate
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Martyn Joseph Band Speak Up Sessions with Jodi Ann Bickley + Matt Windle (spoken word) Whitesnake
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
The Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Tiki Thursday
Island Bar
Birmingham
Peter Kay
LG Arena
Birmingham
Phil Nicol
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Popcorn Comedy
The Victoria
Birmingham
Friday, Jun 17 Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Tamara ParsonsBaker + Fern + Dan Leddy Red Snapper
Birmingham
Birmingham
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Sublunar Promotions presents Shatter Effect + Inca Hoots Glastonbury warmup with 360 Facade + Of Kings and Captains + Paraffin Brothers + Little L 4 Questions About What? + Shoot the Dead Endless Nameless present Free School
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop The Adam & Eve The Sunflower Lounge
Birmingham
The Temple @ HMV Institute
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
The Whiskey Syndicate Supersonic Vague
The Slade Rooms Gatecrasher
Wolverhampton
Propaganda
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Click
Snobs
Birmingham
Resurrection
Subway City
Birmingham
Punk & Reggae Club Night Beats By numbers
The Crown
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Ramshackle
Vudu
Birmingham
Mimic present Tobi Neumann + Ben Nott + Damian Gee + Daniel Plume
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Birmingham Birmingham
Birmingham
Brum Notes Magazine
CN
C C C C C M M M M M M
M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN C C C C M M M M M M M M M M M M
Bulls Head
Highlight
Birmingham
Peter Kay
LG Arena
Birmingham
Phil Nicol
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Simon Evans
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Jason Manford
The Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
The Library @ HMV Institute Scruffy Murphys The Actress & Bishop The Adam & Eve Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
The Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Kasbah
Coventry
Dr Jekyll's Potion Cold Rice Ink
Jekyll & Hyde
Birmingham
M
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Loaded
Snobs
Birmingham
M
Saturday, Jun 18 Annotations Of An Autopsy Uncle Rotter D-Funked? + Zelig + Panacea Dream Ascot Ladies Day Mash Up Friendly Fire present Tribute to Dennis Brown Charlie Can’t Surf + Mudball + The Event + Glass Guns + Hitomi Toploader
Moseley
M CN CN
Freestyle + Birmingham Promoters Club night Highlight Comedy
M M M
Birmingham
CN CN
Birmingham Birmingham Kings Heath
M M M M M
M
Face
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Sweat
The Victoria
Birmingham
Subculture
Vudu
Birmingham
THC present Makaton + Rich Turner Habit
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
Highlight Comedy
Highlight
Birmingham
Peter Kay
LG Arena
Birmingham
Phil Nicol
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Jason Manford
The Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Sunday, Jun 19 Burn Out: Punk Alldayer Don Mclean
Scruffy Murphys Symphony Hall
Birmingham
M CN CN
Birmingham
C
The Adam & Eve Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Kitchen Garden Cafe Prince of Wales Robin 2
Kings Heath
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Bulls Head
Moseley
The Sunday Scene (2pm-7pm) Ignite Books Gala Night Jason Freddy + Patsy Matheson Traditional Music Session Panic Room Monday, Jun 20 Gomez Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band 3 Doors Down Tuesday, Jun 21 Fat Freddy's Drop Brum Notes Magazine presents Fresh Talent: Open Mic and Acoustic
June 2011
Kings Heath
Moseley
M
M M M
M
M
Bilston
M M M M M
Ron Sexsmith
Robin 2
Full Moon
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Now That’s What I Call A 90s Night Wednesday, Jun 22 Ricardo Thompson
Subway City
Birmingham
Island Bar
Birmingham
Summerlin + Rio + Courage Have Courage Silent Filter Promotions presents Big Wednesday
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
Snobs
Birmingham
Pulse 90s Night
The Crown
Birmingham
Thursday, Jun 23 Acoustic Lounge
Island Bar
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve The Crown
Birmingham
Pilot the Sky + Hoodoo Fifties Fractured + Action Replay + Meat Feast MAU61 Diamond Lil + God Damn + Smokin Mirrors Pathosis + Merciless Terror Jayme Tovey + Joe Stafford Marc Malone + Sevendaze + Go Primitive + Undue Soundkitchen present Pleq + James Kelly + Mark Harris Selmer
Bilston
Birmingham
The Wagon & Horses Vertu Bar
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Birmingham
Bulls Head
Moseley
Moseley Village Band The Larry Miller Band Fleet Foxes
St Columba’s Church Hall Robin 2
Moseley
The Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Tiki Thursday
Island Bar
Birmingham
Knicker Bocker Corey v Aries Boy With Tape On His Face Friday, Jun 24 Naked Remedy + Greenwood Park + The Jellybean Rebellion + Cohere The British Kicks + The Town + The Monobloggers + Sea of Lions It’s Not Rocket Science The High Hurts + Rebel City Radio Pulse + The Drawbacks + Revert The Graveyard Johnnies + The Cedar House Band Genius Collective
PST
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Island Bar
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop The Sunflower Lounge The Temple @ HMV Institute
Birmingham
The Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
Bulls Head
Moseley
Bilston
Birmingham Birmingham
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CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN
C C C M M
Supersonic Vague
Gatecrasher
Birmingham
Propaganda
O2 Academy
Birmingham
DawnRazor: Goth Night Rag n Bone
Scruffy Murphys Snobs
Birmingham
Anarchy
Subway City
Birmingham
Whomanity Soundsystem Mish-Mash
The Adam & Eve The Crown
Birmingham
Quarantine
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Kool Karaoke
The Victoria
Birmingham
Ramshackle
Vudu
Birmingham
Point B
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
The Big 10 Inch
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Freestyle + Birmingham Promoters Club night Boy With Tape On His Face Highlight Comedy
Bulls Head
Moseley
Jason Manford Saturday, Jun 25 Marky Ramones Blitzkrieg Ft Michale Graves The Famous Class & Doublea Terrorizer Grindhouse Bloom
Birmingham
Birmingham
M
O2 Academy
Birmingham
M CN CN
Panic
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Dr Jekyll's Potion - Steve Jones, Putting on a 'do! Ink
Jekyll & Hyde
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Loaded
Snobs
Birmingham
Face presents Pol_On Jocko Homo
The Rainbow
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Lost Hours presents The Comeback Party Subculture
The Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
Vudu
Birmingham
Quantic (DJ Set)
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
This is Tmrw & Elixir present Midland + Pascal Wray + Assault Suits Highlight Comedy
Bulls Head
Moseley
Highlight
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
C
Boy With Tape On His Face Jason Manford
Warwick Arts Centre
Coventry
M
Sunday, Jun 26 Transfer
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN
C C
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M M M
Coventry
Bilston
Calais + No Americana + Tomorrow We’ll Trust Weapon Of Peace
M
Warwick Arts Centre
Robin 2
M
M M
Birmingham
Birmingham
Mr C
M
Highlight
Scruffy Murphys The Actress & Bishop The Adam & Eve The Temple @ HMV Institute
M
M
Birmingham
Birmingham
M
CN
The Glee Club
O2 Academy 3
M
M M
Birmingham Birmingham
M M M
Birmingham
M CN CN CN M M M M M M M M M
M C
Cyndi Lauper
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
The Dirty Tricks + Of Kings & Captains Leftfoot vs Fusion feat Bruce Q + Adam Regan Monday, Jun 27 Roger Waters - The Wall Sublunar Promotions present Punk n Ska Tellison
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
Bulls Head
Moseley
NIA
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Flapper
Birmingham
Battles
Birmingham
Take That
The Library @ HMV Institute Villa Park
Tuesday, Jun 28 Neil Diamond
LG Arena
Birmingham
Take That
Villa Park
Birmingham
Anna Macdonald + Chris Ricketts Brum Notes Magazine presents Fresh Talent: Open Mic and Acoustic Mona
Kitchen Garden Cafe Bulls Head
Kings Heath
Kasbah
Coventry
Full Moon
HMV Institute
Birmingham
Now That’s What I Call A 90s Night Wednesday, Jun 29 Northern Cats
Subway City
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Acoustic Lounge
Island Bar
Birmingham
The Nortons + The Kontours + Feird Wish + Lottie Phazey Omina Opera + Stuntdog Tiki Thursday
Island Bar
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Island Bar
Birmingham
Big Wednesday
Snobs
Birmingham
Pulse 90s Night
The Crown
Birmingham
Thursday, Jun 30 Neil Diamond
LG Arena
Birmingham
Paul Simon
NIA
Birmingham
Hate the Faith + Beyond Dreams of Grandeur Stereo Espionage + Luna Kiss + Romans The Variables + Gareth Langston + Matt Tregortha Sublunar Promotions (punk) Hit the Ode (spoken word) Tom Robins + Leo Altarell Pharmatronik + This Burning Age + The Scholars + The Bronze Medal VS + Pandas & People Steve Williams
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Murphys
Birmingham
The Adam & Eve
Birmingham
The Crown
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Vertu Bar
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bulls Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Birmingham
Moseley
Brum Notes Magazine
June 2011
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Brum Notes Magazine