MAG March 2013 by MusicAtGlos

A Word From The Editor We have a bumper issue for you this month having to add in two more pages just so we can fit in all the music listings going on in March.

A word from the Editor Pg 1 Cheltenham’s MND Pg 2 Tribes Live Review Pg 2 Furore PG 3 Gloucester Guildhall 25th Birthday Interview PG 4-5 Fabio Thomas Pg 5 What’s On Listings Pg 6-11 10 Minute Review Pg 12 MAG would like to say a special thank you to the Popular Music course at The University of Gloucestershire for their contribution to the distribution of the fanzine.

As well as all those music listings we have some great features for you. Furore reviews The Big Bang Festival at The Gloucester Guildhall, Stuart Dean reviews Tribes at The Guidhall and on ther 25th Birthday Dan Gutteridge interviews The Guildhall’s Marketing Manager Joe Schiavon. On top of all of that we have regular columnists Andrew Lansley, Fabio reviewing Emmett Brown’s new EP and our monthly 10 Minute Review of MyDesign’s gig at St Paul’s Tavern. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @MusicAtGlos, like us on Facebook and check out the website for all the latest issues www.musicatglos.wordpress.co.uk You may have noticed that there hasn’t been any print issues for a while, we are currently in the process of looking for some new funding for this, so if you know anybody who can help us with this email us musicatglos@gmail.com March is set to be a busy month for the county with lots to celebrate, so make sure you take advantage of all the great music events going on. MAG Needs You! We are always looking for news and reviews for MAG from lovely people like you! Being a non-profit initiative we don’t pay but can get you into gigs and publish your work. Please contact Amelia if you want to contribute anything to this fanzine: musicatglos@gmail.com

Cheltenham’s Music Network Developer

Tribes Review Words: Stuart Dean On February the 4th Tribes took to stage at Gloucester Guildhall marking the 5th day of their tour. They brought with them competition winners ‘Jaws’, who’s visual appearance can only be described as rather ‘alternative’.

Hello all. January and February are normally considered dead months for music news and programming. The festival season seems a million miles away and we all have to endure the national music press outlining who they think will be the “ones to watch” for this year... With the HMV closures and Brits already in the rear view mirror for 2013 it’s worth looking inwards to see what’s happening in our own county as an indicator of the year ahead. I believe this can be defined simply as contrasting musical ideologies reap rewards with the dirty hands and hard graft of Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun off to the US to tour with The Dropkick Murphy’s, whilst the pre-packed matching shirts and ties of Young Kato return from Russia having signed a publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis. Massive successes for both bands, I think we can agree, and I sincerely hopes this kicks down more doors for them. Whilst I stare at my original JL&tSS reel-to-reel recordings that sit of my shelf gathering value (I’ll never sell them) it makes me wonder how the rest of our town’s music scene will take this recent news. I hope it’s not with bitterness or enmity, but with genuine happiness that our peers are showing the quality of our musical calibre, grown from a conside able culture within the town. Besides, their success will impact directly on Cheltenham and they should be watching these developments very closely indeed - the more bands we have on the national (and now international) the more opportunities lie ahead for those who will follow.

The bar began to empty as the band took to the stage. After being prevented from taking alcohol from the bar it quickly came apparent that the main demographic attending the gig were young ‘alternative’ Indie kids, a number of whom were similarly dressed in oversized tee’s with the sleeves rolled up and electric styled hair! Tribes opened with ‘Sappho’, which gave the entire crowd ‘Tribes vibes’, as I had heard one of the ‘alternative Indie dudes’ remark. The band maintained their fantastic musicianship throughout; with guitarists Jim Cratchley and Dan White joining Johnny Lloyd to create pitch perfect chorus harmonies. Half way through the set they presented their new song ‘Sons and Daughters’, there was a great reaction from the crowd, fantastic news for the band as the singles initial release was the following day! A constant and slightly irritating jeering came from behind me the entire show, when eventually, guitarist Dan White spoke out to the man revealing that he was in fact his father, ending up with a dedicated version of the beautiful ‘Halfway Home’ for his efforts. Tribes went on to play ‘How the Other Half Live’, the current “hottest record in the world” as announced on the BBC by none other than Zane Lowe earlier that evening, “It sounds familiar in many ways and it’s reference points are all classic rock & roll attributes. A positive reflection on classics from the past gives Tribes one of their biggest songs to date and a sure fire festival hit”. The inevitable encore produced the epic hit ‘We Were Children’. Leaving the entire audience including their newest fan, myself, with ‘Tribes Vibes’.

Furore

Promoting local bands, venues and talent.

Words: Melissa Tucker | Picture: Rachel Purchase Three of our favorite acts preforming at the fantastic, talent packed, Big Bang Festival! Andy Oliveri & Band When Andy Oliveri & Band emerge onstage amongst an array of instruments completely unannounced the crowd pay little interest in their arrival. But unfazed by the differences they present Andy addresses the crowd with a quiet charm poised to present an enlightening facet to the night. And as subdued as their entrance appears the moment the music begins they command the venue with unprecedented authority. “Marching Bands and Marigolds” pairs uplifting banjo harmonies with Andy’s poignantly melodious vocals to create a lingering naivety to the track that really resonates long after its ended. Accompanied by the crafted qualities of their folk styling the crowd are guided through what feels like a storyboard of emotions. Each song possesses such a cinematically rich quality to it, be it either the appreciation of pace or the authenticity of the lyrics, that the music provides a beautiful escape from normality. “A Heart That Sings Never Bleeds” certainly ends their set in a befitting fashion. Joined by Canary Swing they take their musical journey one step further by fully involving the crowd around them as this rare insight into a pitch perfect world comes to a close. Little Victories Looking around at the swathes of people gathering for Little Victories set it’s clear they’ve amassed quite a following for tonight’s gig. Now with a fervent amount of attention within the room the pressure is on for these hometown hero’s to maintain the impressive standards the previous acts have ascertained. Thankfully they don’t disappoint, bringing a barrage of off kilter psychedelic tunes and punchy ruckus vocals for the entirety of their set. “Holy Baby” uses a killer combination of soaring yet snarly guitar riffs and an infectiously catchy chorus to amalgamate into one gutsy rock tune. The bands hand over of vocals is also very refreshing as Sam’s mellow and concise qualities contrast well to Kav’s raw and guttural tones which feature prominently on the roaring track “Rarrla.” Incorporating the best of a fusion of styles ranging from funk to grunge, blues to alternative the bands diversity is sure to set them apart from most in the running for local music supremacy. Teamed with the ambitious and down to earth attitude that Little Victories boast they’re sure to be alive kicking for a long time to come. Charlie Baxter

explosive festival.

Ever wanted a high octane, non-stop techno fueled dance party but without the hassle of setting everything up? Well look no further as the one man madness machine, Charlie Baxter, has it covered. Glow sticks at the ready as things are about to get crazy. Opening the set with dubstep drones akin to that of an alien abduction he bursts on stage ready to entertain. Twinned with pop induced synth tracks he lights up the room with an inordinate amount of energy and enthusiasm. One track in particular that got the crowd going was an alternative cover of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” bringing a unique twist to the song making it seem entirely his own. However demonstrating not just to be a cover act his new single “Girls, Guitars & Glowsticks” proves just as addictive fusing the best of a plethora of styles into one neon coated package. Meanwhile as the crowd coerce into animated celebrations Charlie’s work here is done and he does so by leaving everyone with a permanent smile upon their face. A hard feat to achieve and a fantastic end to one

25 Years of The Gloucester Guildhall Words: Dan Gutteridge | Pictures: Gloucester Guildhall It’s time to get out the cake, write those cards and put up the banners! Gloucester’s go to place for big bands, new acts, movies, comedy and much more is turning 25. Originally opening in March 1988 the venue has properly established itself as ‘the county’s liveliest venue’. I went along to speak to the Guildhalls programming and marketing manager Joe Schiavon to find out a bit more about the venue. He started by giving a brief history on the Guildhall explaining it was used as an old council building with the cinema used as the debating room before re opening in 88 as the ‘county’s leading cultural offering as provided by the council’. I was keen to ask about some of the bands that have graced the Guildhall in the past. A list of bands which is really quite special. Joe starts with the story of the old programmer before him. ‘His first booking here was Muse for 100 pounds which is a story he often liked to tell.’ But then there’s the story of the one that got away. ‘NME called up in the late 90’s saying there putting together a tour for a band who they thought was going to be quite big. They said we’ve got this one date, have you got this date free. He checked the diary and there was a blues band who played the hall every year, so he says ‘there really good custom, bring a decent crowd, I don’t wana mess them about’. To which NME says ‘honestly, look this is gonna be seen as a really good move in a few years’. He turned them down again before asking ‘who’s the band by the way?’ NME mag say ‘oh there Coldplay’. Coldplay for 50 pound and he turned them down!’. Joe speaks of his own coupe that very very nearly came off. ‘We host the Underground festival every September and for that I start booking about February time. Last year I originally had Alt J booked for the Saturday when they were still relatively small and not getting many column inches. I booked them for quite a small price then come summer the manager rang and said ‘look they’ve been booked for America in September I’m gonna have to cancel, sorry there’s nothing I can really do’’. I tipped my hat to Joe for picking them out so early on, but in a dedicated nod to the Guildhall which really shows his commitment to the place, he responded by saying ‘well yeah but if they don’t play, it doesn’t really count’. I went on to ask about a few of the other bands that have stood out in his memory. ‘The ones that I quite like doing are the ones I listened to in college, so Turin Brakes played last Friday and they might not be massive but for me, I had their first album in my car for two years then to be working with them 10 years later is pretty cool’. ‘For me though doing the festival in the park with We Are Scientists was pretty special, so I’ll say that’s my highlight’. Some of the other bands who pop up in conversation include Radiohead who played the Guildhall twice, as well as Robert Plant, Primal Scream and Pete Doherty in recent years.

Fabio Thomas On...Emmett Brown Words: Fabio Thomas

When asked about the increase in bands coming to the Guildhall the marketing manager puts it down to the crowd. ‘When bands come here they’re always blown away by the enthusiasm of the crowd and ask why is it so good. And I just say well if you’re in Bristol you have about 3 good gigs a night, were as if a big band comes to Gloucester it’s a huge thing and something to get so excited about. So I tell them to let their agents and booking agents know about us and it goes from there’. As for local bands Joe says he keeps a folder full of contacts and music from the local scene that he always turns to if ever a headline act is in need of some support. The folders compiled using emails he gets sent from the local bands themselves, so you know what to do! And finally any band to play in the next 25 years of the Guildhall? ‘My choice would be Arcade Fire but I think for everyone, Springsteen, he’s just phenomenal’. So thank you to the Guildhall for filling us with 25 years of musical memories from Radiohead to Lilly Allen and Muse to Klaxons and almost Coldplay. I for one salute all you do for music in the County and raise my glass to another 25 years.

MAG would like to say a huge thank you to the Gloucester Guildhall and especially to Joe Schiavon for all of their help and support. Without allowing us to come along to their gigs each month we wouldn’t be able to fill our pages with the great content that we do!

When a band describes themselves as a ‘Ska / Funk / Hip-hop’ outfit, its easy to start to believe that whilst their live appearances may be sublime sweat filled evenings full of danceable tunes, their studio releases might leave a little to be desired. Having seen Emmett Brown previously, it is clear that the former of the statements is true. Thankfully, the presumption that studio material is not good, is far from the truth. Their new E.P, ‘Suburban Grooves’, was released to the public following their launch show at the Frog and Fiddle on the 15th February. The five tracks collectively make up a psychedelic swirl through ska, reggae, funk, rock and hip-hop, which depicts a narcotic induced dream like trip alongside “the little green men with eyes on sticks”. The opener, ‘Pyramids (of Mars)’, kicks straight into an offbeat ska groove which builds into a Reel Big Fish-esque chorus, before breaking back down into a riff driven ending. The second track, ‘Magic Carpet’, momentarily brings the tempo back down with a laid back intro, which would not sound out of place on a Fat Freddy’s Drop album. This is before we encounter a more rock fuelled track, which climaxes to a blues driven guitar solo. This short instrumental interlude displays the sheer musicianship of the band’s rhythm section, who’s bass runs and complex drum patterns modestly complement the guitar improv. The reggae sounds of ‘Remedy’ incorporate dubby basslines and harmonies which contrast well with the reverb and delay of the guitar melodies, to create a perfect platform for the penultimate song: ‘Suburban Grooves’. The title track, my personal favourite from the EP, seems to move seamlessly through several styles without sounding like Frank Sinatra singing 50 cent. ‘Big Fish’, the last track, is the bands main expedition into funk with a large amount of percussion, wah wah and slap bass. ‘Suburban Grooves’ ties together all of the given styles with dovetailed execution, whilst incorporating Fun Lovin Criminals’ inspired spoken word and lyricism. ‘Pyramids (of Mars)’ pleads to “take [them] back to GL53”, and that’s where I want to be if it’s where Emmett Brown are playing. For Fans of: Sublime, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Specials, Toots, Reel Big Fish.

March GIG LISTINGS

Cheltenham

01/03/2013 01/03/2013 01/03/2013 01/03/2013

United Services The Cotswold London Inn Sound Music Venue

Tubby Blues Club Coronttes Which Ones Gerry Drawing of the Three & Stressechoes

20:00 21:00 21:00 20:00

02/03/2013 02/03/2013 02/03/2013 02/03/2013 02/03/2013 02/03/2013 02/03/2013

Albion House Five Alls The Daffodil Beaufort Arms Subtone Charlton Kings Club Sound Music Venue

Traveller Knebakeye Alley Lee Jones Trio Emily J Mew Duo The Cuginis Too Rock For Country Castles

20:45 21:00 12:30 21:00 12:00 21:00 21:00

03/03/2013 03/03/2013 03/03/2013

Albion House Sound Music Venue Rising Sun Hotel

Paul Keys Eastwind Sax Appeal

14:00 21:00 21:00

04/03/2013

The Daffodil

Jo Silver & The Café Bohemia

20:00

06/03/2013

Bayshill

Gordon Wood

20:00

07/03/2013

Zizi’s

Peter Nemesvari

19:00

08/03/2013 08/03/2013 08/03/2013

2pigs London Inn Sound Music Venue

My First Tooth Dirty Trainers Mizizi

20:00 21:00 21:00

09/03/2013 09/03/2013 09/03/2013 09/03/2013

2pigs The Daffodil The Cotswold Subtone

EMP!RE Laura Collins String Trio Funk Bomb Knebakeye Alley

20:00 12:30 21:00 12:00

10/03/2013 10/03/2013 10/03/2013

Royal Union Albion House Rising Sun

Groove Front Lucy Harvey Paul Ritchie

21:00 14:00 21:00

11/03/2013 11/03/2013

Albion House The Daffodil

Sax Appeal Arabella Sprot New Quartet

21:15 20:00

12/03/2013 12/03/2013 12/03/2013 12/03/2013

London Inn Albion House The Plough Racecourse

Knebakeye Alley Sax Appeal Short & Sweet & Curly Roving Crows

21:00 21:15 20:00 10:30

13/03/2013 13/03/2013

Subtone The Playhouse

The Cuginis JCV Blues Band

18:00 20:00

March GIG LISTINGS 13/03/2013 13/03/2013 13/03/2013 13/03/2013

Albion House Ryworth Inn The Queen’s Hotel Gotherington Village Hall

Sax Appeal Short & Sweet & Curly Occasionally Big Band John Kirkpatrick

21:15 20:00 20:00 TBC

14/03/2013 14/03/2013 14/03/2013 14/03/2013 14/03/2013

The Brown Jug Albion House Subtone Zizi’s The Plough

Hambling & Lloyd Sax Appeal The Cuginis Peter Nemesvari Short & Sweet & Curly

21:00 21:15 18:00 19:00 20:00

15/03/2013 15/03/2013 15/03/2013 15/03/2013 15/03/2013 15/03/2013

The Brown Jug London Inn Subtone Ryeworth Inn The Wheatsheaf The Queen’s Hotel

Big Black Car Los Bandiidios Del Tempo The Cuginis Short & Sweet & Curly 5 Undercover Occasionally Big Band

21:00 21:00 18:00 20:00 19:00 20:00

16/03/2013 2pigs 16/03/2013 Frog & Fiddle 16/03/2013 The Bayshill 16/03/2013 Albion House 16/03/2013 The Daffodil 16/03/2013 The Cotswold

The Detached Travelling Band plus Ellen & The Escapades Dirty Trainers Dark Fire Huw Johnson Trio Profoundly Blue

20:00 20:00

17/03/2013 Sound Music Venue 17/03/2013 Albion House

Paul Murphy, Andy Oliveri & Charlotte Carpenter Nobby

19:30

18/03/2013

The Daffodil

Emily Wright & The Royals

20:00

21/03/2013

Zizi’s

Peter Nemesvari

19:00

22/03/2013 22/03/2013 22/03/2013

London Inn Beaufort Inn Sound Music Venue

Profoundly Blue Dark Island Reservoir Dogs Last Nights Victory & Charlie Baxter

21:00 20:00 21:00

23/03/2013 23/03/2013 23/03/2013 23/03/2013 23/03/2013

2pigs The Daffodil Albion House St Margaret’s Hall Sound Music Venue

Stereo Influence & Canary Swing Bex Jazz Strings Sandy Ford & The Flying Saucers Rockology & The Ramrods Within These Walls & Skyline

20:00 12:30 20:00 19:30 21:00

24/03/2013

Albion House

Them 2

14:00

25/03/2013

The Daffodil

Tammy Payne Trio

20:00

21:00 20:00 12:30 21:00

14:00

March GIG LISTINGS 28/03/2013

Zizi’s

Peter Nemesvari

19:00

29/03/2013

2pigs

Smoking Hearts

20:00

30/03/2013 30/03/2013 30/03/2013 30/03/2013

The Daffodil Albion House Subtone Sound Music Venue

Ben Thomas Trio The Dough Boys Knebakeye Alley Masterplan

12:30 20:00 20:00 21:00

31/03/2013

Albion House

Jason Lee