Brum Notes Magazine - December 2013

December 2013

www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands

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“You learn that you should just go with what you believe in.”

INSIDE:

PEACE WHITE LIES GOD DAMN MIDNIGHT BONFIRES THE BLUEBEAT ARKESTRA AND MORE… Plan your perfect festive season with: Our pick of the best New Year’s Eve parties across Birmingham / Christmas gifts for the stylish / The best of festive theatre – without the pantomimes / And your comprehensive what’s on guide for December and beyond.

December 2013

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Sat 21st Dec • £22.50 adv

Sleigh The UK 2013: The Wonder Stuff Pop Will Eat Itself Jesus Jones 10.30pm-3.30am • £4 adv Over 18s only - Proof of age required

Tues 31st Dec • £10 adv / £20 VIP 9pm - 4am • over 18s only

Propaganda Prehistoric New Years Eve Party Sun 1st Dec • £11 adv

The Doors Alive Mon 2nd Dec • £14.50 adv

Flux Pavilion + Datsik

Mon 2nd Dec • £10 adv

The Word Alive

Thurs 5th Dec • £25 adv

Basement Jaxx + Clean Bandit Fri 6th Dec • £28 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Happy Mondays “Bummed” 25th Anniversary Tour + The Sunshine Underground + Sulk

Sat 7th Dec

Courteeners Sun 8th Dec • £13.50 adv

The View

Sun 8th Dec • £29.50 adv

J. Cole + Joel Compass Mon 9th Dec

J. Cole + Rainy Milo Thurs 12th Dec

Placebo + Toy Fri 13th Dec • £15 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Hannah Trigwell

Fri 17th Jan 14 • £19.50 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Lamb Of God + Decapitated Fri 24th Jan 14 • £12.50 adv 6pm - 10pm

Megan Nicole Thurs 30th Jan 14 • £25 adv

City and Colour

Fri 31st Jan 14 • £12 adv

August Burns Red Sun 2nd Feb 14 • £12 adv

Protest The Hero

+ TesseracT + The Safety Fire + Intervals

Thurs 6th Feb 14 • £20 adv

Killswitch Engage & Trivium

Weds 18th Dec

Tenacious D Thurs 19th Dec • £25 adv

Kim Wilde’s Christmas Party

with special guest Nik Kershaw

The Stranglers

Thurs 27th Mar 14 • £18.50 adv

Azealia Banks

Mon 7th Apr 14 • £14 adv

Halestorm

Mon 3rd Mar 14 • £20 adv

Matt Cardle

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Memphis May Fire Sat 12th Apr 14 • £20 adv

Weds 16th Apr 14 • £20 adv

6.30pm - 10pm Rescheduled show • original tickets valid

Sat 8th Mar 14 • £19 adv

Bombay Bicycle Club Sun 9th Mar 14 • £22.50 adv

All Time Low

Thurs 13th Mar 14 • £16.50 adv

The Selecter

Within Temptation

Tues 22nd Apr 14 • £11.50 adv

Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats

Fri 25th Apr 14 • £11 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

The Smyths

35 Years of The Selecter

Tues 18th Mar 14 • £23.50 adv

OneRepublic

Thurs 20th Mar 14 • £16 adv

Performing ‘The Smiths’ in full

Mon 28th Apr 14 • £12.50 adv VIP tickets £24.50 adv

Patent Pending & People On Vacation

FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE

6pm -10pm

Franz Ferdinand

+ Zebrahead

Tues 11th Feb 14

Foals

Weds 12th Feb 14 • £15 adv

The 1975

Thurs 13th Feb 14 • £20 adv

The Kerrang! Tour 2014 ft. Limp Bizkit + Crossfaith + Nekrogoblikon

Fri 14th Feb 14 • £21 adv 6pm - 10pm

A Day To Remember + Everytime I Die + The Story So Far

+ Bondax

Revelations: The Mission & Fields Of The Nephilim

Sat 22nd Mar 14 • £23 adv

Thurs 10th Apr 14 • £11 adv

Fri 21st Mar 14 • £22.50 adv

Sat 14th Dec • £25 adv

Tues 17th Dec • £26 adv

Rizzle Kicks

ft. We Came As Romans + Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! + The Colour Morale + Palm Reader

Sat 8th Feb 14 • £18.50 adv

Sun 16th Feb 14 • £14 adv

Marchin’ Already Tour

Rock Sound Impericon Exposure Tour 2014

Kodaline

Less Than Jake & Reel Big Fish

Sat 22nd Mar 14 • £17.50 adv

40th Anniversary Tour + Nine Below Zero

Reverend And The Makers

+ Miss May I + Battlecross

Peace + Drenge + Superfood Ocean Colour Scene

Room 94

Thurs 27th Feb 14 • £12 adv

+ Being As An Ocean

Electric Six + Only The Good

Weds 26th Feb 14 • £8 adv / £20 VIP

Weds 15th Jan 14 • £8 adv

Iced Earth

Tues 3rd Dec • £20 adv

Tues 3rd Dec • £12 adv

M.A.D.

Thurs 27th Feb 14 • £13.50 adv

6pm - 10pm

+ Middle Class Rut + American Fangs

6.30pm - 10pm

Sun 12th Jan 14 • £17.50 adv

+ I See Stars + DayShell

Papa Roach

Sat 22nd Feb 14 • £18.50 adv

London Grammar Thurs 20th Feb 14 • £19.50 adv

Newton Faulkner

Thurs 20th Feb 14 • £17.50 adv 6pm -10pm Rescheduled show • original tickets valid

Martin Walkyier’s Viking Funeral 2013

ft. Martin Walkyier Goes Skyclad + Devilment + Elvenking + WAKO + Helgrind

Sat 22nd Feb 14 • £17.50 adv

Rizzle Kicks

Sun 1st Dec • £10 adv

Mon 16th Dec • £8 adv

Fri 7th Feb 14 • £10 adv

Weds 4th Dec • £10 adv

Sun 22nd Dec • £5 adv

Payin’ Respect to the Man in Black

Sun 8th Dec • £5 adv

+ Spacement Apes + Music Like Lemons + Laughing Gravy + Mikey Marks

+ The Mourning Suns + Ego Honey + Che & The Mistaking’s + Tara Chinn

Thurs 23rd Jan 14 • £10 adv

Sun 23rd Feb 14 • £12.50 adv

+ Tom Hickox

Reconnected

Sun 25th Jan 14 • £5 adv

Tues 14th Mar 14 • £7 adv

Toby Jepson

The Hoosiers

Our Mutual Friend

Mon 9th Dec • £7 adv

Paighton

+ The Last Carnival + Rooms Service + The Big Bads

Tues 10th Dec • £6 adv

Andy Jordan

Dirty Little Lies

Lindi Ortega WolveXhys

+ Terraform + Sexwolf! + East of Arizona + Emursia

6.30pm - 10pm

Cash

Weds 19th Feb 14 • £7 adv

Twenty Twenty + De’Nova

Rescheduled • original tix valid

Cypher16 & 61 Inch

Weds 5th Mar 14 • £12.50 adv

Under The Influence

Weds 29th Jan 14 • £8 adv

Weds 11th Dec • £6 adv

+ Heart Of A Coward + Aegaeon + Aversions Crown

Declaration Tour 2014 30th Anniversary, performing ‘Declaration’ in full

Sat 1st Feb 14 • £10 adv

Thurs 20th Mar 14 • £10 adv

+ Avosetta + Our Theory

Max Raptor & Attention Thieves Fri 13th Dec • £10 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

U.K. Subs Sun 15th Dec • Tickets FREE from stakeoutofficial.co.uk 6pm - 10pm

StakeOut Christmas Party

Thy Art Is Murder

6pm - 10pm

Bands On The Run In Aid of the Brain & Spine Foundation ft. Brains for Breakfast, Chapter, CTRL C & Euphony

Weds 5th Feb 14 • £4/£6 adv

School Of Rock & Pop Showcase

Mike Peters

Monster Truck & Scorpion Child Sat 22nd Mar 14 • £7 adv

Rescheduled • original tix valid

Natives

Thurs 10th Apr 14 • £7 adv

The Last Carnival

16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, Birmingham, B1 1DB 2

Doors 7.00pm unless stated • Venue box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat 11am-4pm • No booking fee on cash transactions Brum Notes Magazine ticketweb.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com • ticketmaster.co.uk

December 2013

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brings exciting performances and young audiences back to the heart of Birmingham in 2013 ILuvLive is one of 2013’s most exciting live music nights, offering audiences a chance to see breaking edge artists playing live in the heart of Birmingham. Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32, Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sandé all performed at the original residency before becoming arena sell-out acts.

Punch, in partnership with Baby People and Triple S, brought the ILuvLive night to Birmingham in 2013 with a monthly residency at Broad Street’s “Oh Velvet”, showcasing local and national artists, backed by local house band, Elements of Sound.

ILuvLive – Top 3 in 2013 1. Hip-Hop legend Malik MD7, Stayfresh’s Macca, X-Factor’s Relley C, Tanika, Shezar, Emma Marie and Incisive have all performed at ILuvLive, as well as the queen of UK Rap, Shystie, who debuted material from her Pink Mist EP. 2. ILuvLive offered work for local bloggers and photographers, and experience for young people looking for a route into live events and the music industry.

3. ILuvLive has a regular monthly audience of 200 live music enthusiasts; 80% of whom are under 25 and 10% live outside the Birmingham area.

’s Radio Style th w r e u N o f the ed by n t r o o Music e p c ! sup s pla elvet is e V k e ent h a v t li O . It he ILuv ext ev Fuego month at T pm. N h r t 0 o jo :3 o a 7 Sm rm om f the out fo reet fr day o t h s c S r t u a d h a T ro r. W embe s on B Room ay 16th Dec d is Mon .co.uk 4. cords in 201 e s r t 2014 n h e c ev .pun ed for w lv o w v w in t et info a s to g More ecord r h c n u ct @p Conta 4

Brum Notes Magazine

CONTENTS

Distophia reform for All Years Leaving Festival.

Read the review on P34.

Photo by Wayne Fox. Brum Notes Magazine Unit 12 The Bond 180-182 Fazeley Street Digbeth Birmingham B5 5SE info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising 0121 224 7363 advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution StickupMedia!

0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: Tom Pell, David Vincent, Amy Sumner, Daron Billings, Dan CooperGavin, Lorraine Teare, Saima Razzaq, Jacob Joy, Edward Ling New Music Editor: Amy Sumner Food & Drink Editor: Daron Billings Pictures: Ian Dunn, Wayne Fox, Sinéad O’Callaghan, Andy Hughes Style editor: Jade Sukiya jade@brumnotes.com Design: Adam Williams, Andy Aitken, Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan

Regulars News 6-7 Fresh Talent 8-9 Live Reviews 34-37 Style 38-39 Food & Drink 40-41 What’s On Guide 43-46 Music and Features Volume 10 Festive Arts Round-up 12-13 God Damn 14-15 Midnight Bonfires 18-19 Peace 22-23 White Lies 24-25 The Twang 26-27 New Year’s Eve Guide 28-31

Connect Twitter: @BrumNotesMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine Online: www.brumnotes.com All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine. 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.

December 2013

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dates and new theme announced for bass festival 2014 Dates have been announced for next year’s instalment of BASS Festival, one of the biggest celebrations of black music and arts in the UK. The two-week programme, coming up to its ninth year, will run from June 1-14, 2014, at venues across Birmingham.

Festival curators Punch have also unveiled the theme for BASS 2014 of ‘Made in Britain’. Events in Birmingham will be preceded by a special nationwide tour in the spring featuring up and coming talent such as Stylo G, Mista Silva and Lady Lykez.

Punch CEO Ammo Talwar, speaking after a special launch event in Birmingham last month, said the theme would herald some of the best homegrown talent.

“The theme of Made in Britain gives us the chance to showcase some of the UK’s most innovative and exceptional talent in the music and arts world as well as paying homage to those who have paved the way to get us to this point,” he said.

Visit www.punch-records.co.uk for more details.

cult 60s psych night celebrates 1st birthday this month

IN BRIEF

The Exploding Bubble Club, a club night completely dedicated to 60s psych, garage, beat, soul and R’n’B, returns on December 7 to celebrate its one year anniversary.

Relocating to new venue BOXXED, on Floodgate Street in Digbeth, the event is said to be the biggest of its kind in the West Midlands and draws 60s enthusiasts from across the country.

With the oil wheel light show set to be bigger than ever before and some of the biggest 60s tunes on the decks, make sure to grab tickets in advance as these nights have a tendency to sell out.

Tickets for the event are priced at £5 advance and £7 on the door.

Pick up your physical tickets from Urban Village in The Custard Factory or visit facebook.com/theexplodingbubbleclub for further information.

A daytime Christmas party raising funds for the Philippines Typhoon Appeal takes place in Moseley. The family-friendly Oxfam fundraiser is at The Patrick Kavanagh pub on December 8, with festivities running from 2pm to 5pm, including a bake off, decoration making and mulled wine.

superfood become latest birmingham band to sign record deal Birmingham rising stars Superfood have been snapped up by independent record label Infectious Music. The four-piece join the likes of Alt-J, Drenge, Local Natives and These New Puritans on the label and will this month release their first double A-side single since announcing the deal.

Bubbles/Melting will be out on December 9, taken from their forthcoming debut EP MAM, due out in early 2014.

Superfood, along with new label-mates Drenge, support Peace at the O2 Academy, Birmingham, on December 13. Read our interview with Peace on P22-23.

Drummers hoping to get kitted out in Birmingham will be well served after the opening of an independent drum shop in Digbeth. B_Drum has launched inside Muthers Studio, Rea Street, specialising in the sale of sticks, skins and all sorts of other drum accessories and is run by Bovine drummer Damon Cox. The Flapper will be getting into the festive spirit with a special indoor bazaar offering you the chance to tackle your Christmas shopping and enjoy a drink and some tunes at the same time. The canalside pub will host the event on December 7 and 8, with a variety of stalls offering handmade crafts, jewellery, vintage clothing and accessories, cupcakes and more. There will also be lashings of mulled wine and cider, mince pies and some live acoustic music. Entry is free.

international fashion week returns to birmingham A VIP fashion event aimed at showcasing cutting edge work from designers across the globe will return to Birmingham next year.

Birmingham International Fashion Week (BHMFW) will be back for only the second time in 2014, taking place from February 28-March 1, 2014, at the historic Birmingham City Banqueting Suite inside the Council House.

BHMFW will showcase AW14 styles with runway shows, presentations, press conferences and various social events aimed at industry professionals.

Only a limited number of tickets will be made available to the public, with the majority of attendees being by invite only.

Visit www.bhmfashionweek.com for ticket details..

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Brum Notes Magazine

Brum Notes to throw ‘Beat the January Blues’ Party January may be a time when most people end up feeling guilty about how much booze and food they’ve consumed, fret about saving their pennies, and generally shy away from leaving the house for anything vaguely resembling fun. But forget all that nonsense, we want you to get out and enjoy some noisemaking merriment and keep the party spirit going! So make it your new year’s resolution to enjoy your January.

To help everyone get over the January blues we’re having a party to help kick off the new year in style with our very cleverly named Beat the January Blues Party.

The mood-busting gig takes place on Thursday, January 9, at the Bull’s Head in Moseley and will feature performances from the best in West Midlands electro and indie pop to lighten the mood.

The night will be headlined by electro indie five-piece, Eat Y’Self Pretty, with support from Lovats and the newly formed EKKAH who play one of their much-anticipated debut live shows on the night.

Tickets will be priced at a poverty-busting £3 on the door and there will be drinks deals to tide you over until pay day. So forget that post-Christmas depression, blow away the New Year hangover and we’ll see you down the front! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details at www.facebook.com/BrumNotesMagazine.

December 2013

pink floyd out of this world at mobile planetarium in brum Pink Floyd fans can enjoy the band’s legendary Dark Side of the Moon album in fully immersive psychedelic style like never before at a series of events coming up in Birmingham.

The Dome Club, a digital planetarium housed inside a 7m mobile dome, will be at The Custard Factory in Digbeth throughout January broadcasting music from the album along with accompanying visuals and videos that surround the audience on all sides.

Described as the equivalent of “putting your head inside a YouTube video”, the inflatable dome gives fans the chance to fully immerse themselves in the music and stunning visuals.

Pink Floyd 360: Dark Side of the Moon will be shown on various weekend dates throughout the month, starting on January 3 and running until January 25.

Tickets are priced £10 or £7 concessions, or £8 per person for group bookings of five or more.

For more details or to book tickets visit www.domeclub.co.uk.

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Words by Amy Sumner

Photo by Ian Dunn

Victor Describing themselves as pre-grunge and post-punk, Victor craft noisy yet melodic sounds, walls of distortion punctuated by moments of brooding reflection which they deliver through an intense and energetic live performance.

Ahead of their show supporting The Grafham Water Sailing Club on December 7, we chat to them to find out more about their intriguing setup.

“My Grandfather’s name was Victor Dandy, a very wonderful and interesting man,” explains Chris Dandy [drums] of the band’s choice of name. “He drove tank boats for the British Army, was an undertaker for a while, and when Andy and I were kids he owned a bicycle shop in Aston called Dandy Cycles. He had this way of telling stories with his eyes, like he was retracing his steps, plumes of smoke

Elephantine “I saw Youth Man play and straight away I knew that I wanted to work with Kaila,” says bassist Anna Palmer of her pairing with guitarist, Kaila Whyte. “So over the summer we worked on some tunes and then it became a natural development to bring [drummer] Seb [Maynard-Francis] in to put some drums down. Then we were like, ‘let’s do them live and be a band.’

“It sounds cheesy but I was sat in the back of a car on a really long journey from Birmingham to Edinburgh and I was looking out at the landscapes as we crossed the Scottish border,” she continues. “I was like, ‘woah’ and I decided that I wanted a band name that would have the same effect. I thought of Elephantine because to me it means ‘colossal’ and that’s also the kind of sound we want to create.”

Elephantine do sound big. They’ve played just one show, a riotous affair with Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam on Halloween, but already the sheer power inherent in the trio is evident.

“So far Anna’s written most of the songs,” admits Kaila. “She came to me with the initial ideas and I laid down guitar parts and played around with the harmony to accompany the 8

facebook.com/victortheverbose from the fag in his hand, and cup of tea made with sterilised milk in the other, you’d sit there captivated for hours.”

Having largely been referred to as a Wolverhampton outfit, we were keen to find out the band’s views on the city credited as their home.

“Only 3/5 of the band resides in Wolverhampton,” admits Andy Hurley [guitars], “and we spent the first 12 months rehearsing in Birmingham so we don’t really call it home. Although we do rehearse there and Women and God Damn both rehearse up the road from us now so there must be something in the water making people want to write loud music there.”

Dynamic and pensive in equal measure, Victor have two recorded tracks available to listen to online, Green Ribbon and Peace & Quiet.

Live they are a complete force to be reckoned with.

“We have the chance during the 30 minutes we spend on stage to vent,” says Andy. “We refuse to waste those 30 minutes talking about shagging or dancing. There is quite a bit of frustration within the songs.”

Victor play with TGWSC and Noir at The Sunflower Lounge on December 7. Read the full interview on www.brumnotes.com.

facebook.com/elephantineUK bass lines she’d written.”

“It was a great start to have a load of songs already under my belt but now we’ve got those down we’ve started writing more collaboratively which I think is more exciting,” Anna concludes.

Elephantine are almost like a super group. Comprised of musical talent from Youth Man, I Am Anushka and Tempting Rosie, it’s no wonder they’re so incredibly impressive. There’s a definite chemistry between them too – on stage, offstage and evident within the single two minute and 14 second thrash they’ve committed to record, Abreast. They’re an exceptionally exciting prospect.

The trio play their second ever show at The Actress and Bishop on December 5. “It’s not Halloween so we won’t be wearing dicks this time,” explains Anna to those eager to know what to expect [they were droogs at their first show, in case you were wondering]. “That’s not to say you won’t get massive penis envy anyway though...”.

Elephantine are live at The Actress & Bishop with The Black Tambourines, The Mighty Young and Lyre on December 5.

Brum Notes Magazine

PREVIEW

The annual music-fuelled extravaganza that is the Brum Notes Christmas Party returns in some style this December with a thrilling line-up of live music and DJs taking over a brand new venue.

This year’s festivities will move to a new home, taking place at The Sun at the Station in Kings Heath on Saturday, December 14. The night will also help launch the recently-refurbished boho boozer’s brand new live gig room, another welcome and intimate addition to Birmingham’s music venue offerings.

The party will be headlined by indie folkpop five-piece Midnight Bonfires who will be launching their new single, Someone Else, on the same night. You can read more about them in our exclusive

December 2013

Wide Eyed (photo by Wayne Fox)

BRUM NOTES CHRISTMAS PARTY

THE PLAYLIST

interview on P18.

Midnight Bonfires are joined by alt psych four-piece Wide Eyed, a special acoustic performance from Boat to Row main man Michael King, the fourth ever show from lo fi post-wave trio Mirrorhall, plus orchestral alt-pop outfit Drakelow.

You can also expect plenty of festive treats on the night. Tickets for the event are priced at £4 on the door so join us in celebrating a wonderfully successful year for West Midlands music and rounding off 2013 in raucous style....

The Brum Notes Christmas Party takes place at The Sun at the Station, Kings Heath, on December 14. Tickets are £4 OTD.

lovats

White Fire

The best new material from The third and and mostbeyond. brooding in a trilBirmingham ogy of exciting releases from electropop five-piece Lovats, White Fire is four minutes of keys, compelling vocals and candid pop hooks. Catch it live when the boys play The Bull’s Head on Jan 9.

Released December 8

The Kaleidoscopes

Summer Daze/Kitty

New double A-side from the young psych trio, Summer Daze is a spirited scorcher which sees ethereal vocals effervesce over layers of distortion before drifting prettily into Kitty. Perfect for combating those winter blues. soundcloud.com/kaleidoscopesuk

barrowclough

Although we claimed...

Although We Claimed to be Wise is a thought-provoking and intelligent EP of modern hip hop, from one of Birmingham’s longest serving exponents.

Released December 6

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VOLUME VOLUME The new Library of Birmingham is the perfect home for Volume, a three-day celebration of books and independent publishing. Arts editor Dan Cooper-Gavin casts his eye over what’s in store.

Birmingham’s brand-new £189 million Library is one hell of a statement about the value of the book, an investment which met with no little head scratching in the age of Google and the iPad. But while the Library of Birmingham was at pains to point out its worth beyond the printed word, books naturally lie at its heart. As the venue’s wonderful Discovery Season draws to a close, it’s fitting that it should bring us Volume: Birmingham’s Art, Book And Print Fair – and vital that, in addition to celebrating the importance, craft and splendour of ink on paper, it also examines the future prospects for publishing in the digital era.

The festival begins on Thursday, December 5, with the opening day’s highlight being a keynote speech from none other than Bill Drummond, one half of notorious art terrorists The KLF and latterday man of letters. He’ll be looking back at the books that have been the fruits of his post-KLF labours. Also on the bill is an immensely promising “punk rock design performance” courtesy of artist Morag Myerscough and psychobilly rockers The Highliners.

Thursday also brings a dedicated workshop focussing on Writing For Digital, while West Country creative outfit iShed chair a discussion on the possibilities that technological advances might bring for writing and publishing.

Indeed, central to Volume is its programme of panel discussions. Featuring writers, artists, publishers, designers, typographers, booksellers, editors and more, they cover current publishing issues and trends from every conceivable angle.

Friday’s panel comes courtesy of Brummie graphicdesign outfit An Endless Supply. In it, Dutchbased designer Peter Bil’ak discusses Works That Work, his magazine about “unexpected creativity that improved our lives”. He’ll also speak about 10

the publication’s so-called social distribution model, whereby the readers identify suitable stockists for the magazine, claiming a percentage of the profits and helping to drive custom towards independent bookshops.

Saturday’s discussions begin with Copy Rights, an examination of copyright law with a specific focus on The Piracy Project – an intriguing initiative exploring the creative art of appropriating existing texts, and thus calling into question concepts of originality and authorship.

It’s followed by Roads To Market, a symposium hosted by Writing West Midlands, examining trends in book buying and publishing and exploring the future prospects for the industry, before Digbeth’s Eastside Projects presents The Paperless Stack, where representatives from libraries and the worlds of design and publishing talk about the role of the library in the digital age.

We also get Make It And Tell Everybody, presented

by Birmingham Zine Festival, where illustrator and lecturer Dan Berry reveals the tips of the trade of the comic artist and offers advice to up-andcomers. For all panel discussions, you’re advised to book in advance.

But Volume’s not just about chat – there’s also a range of free workshops where you can roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty.

The practice of letterpress printing may seem archaic, but it has recently seen something of a revival. The Leicester Print Workshop promotes the craft of printmaking as a contemporary art form, and will be on hand on Friday to run a letterpress workshop (again, booking is essential).

Then, on Saturday, eco-friendly print collective the Footprint Workers Co-Operative present Zine In A

Day, giving you the chance to contribute towards a limited-edition zine exclusive to Volume, while in the Children’s Library you can muck in with artist Stephen Fowler’s Roller Printing workshop.

Also, Sarah Bodman and Tom Snowden from the Centre For Fine Print Research will hold Artists’ Book Surgeries in the Studio, inviting you to stop by and chat to them about any aspect of artists’ book production that takes your fancy.

In addition to the free workshops, you can pay £4 and sign up for Birmingham Printmakers’ Introduction To Reduction Lino Printing class, where one piece of lino is used multiple times in the same print.

There’s also a performance in the Library’s Book Rotunda of Hic Jacet or The Corpse In The Crescent, supposedly the only radio play on the subject of printing – a grisly tale of the death and afterlife of the Enlightenment-era printer John Baskerville.

Volume also presents a Fair, with all manner of independent publishers, artists and print works displaying and selling their wares. And for the duration of the festival, Lara Haworth and Lucy Hayhoe present The Library Project in the Discovery Pavilion, a miniature library where they’ll host bookbinding workshops.

Volume is a bold, inspiring and timely festival, celebrating the value and beauty of the printed word and drawing strength from the relentless march of technology, rather than shying away from it. Now you’ve read all about it, crack the spine and get stuck in.

Volume runs from December 5-7 at the Library of Birmingham.

Brum Notes Magazine

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December 2013

the UK’s leading popular music college

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ROUND UP Your festive cultural fix doesn’t have to be limited to the local panto and the EastEnders Christmas special. Arts editor dan Cooper-Gavin is here to round up the seasonal offerings in Brum’s theatres this yuletide.

Drum, where Cinderella goes ragga in – yes – rAGGArellA (December 20–22). Instead of the handsome prince, we get Dee Jay Don, played by reggae star Sparky Rugged, whose chosen one will be the owner not of a glass slipper, but of a glitter boot.

Also, down at Coventry’s Ego Performance Company, local outfit Talking Birds present trevor Goose And his dArk niGht of liGhts (December 19–21), which sees the story of The Little Match Girl somehow descend into a dysfunctional cabaret.

All too often, think of theatre at Christmastime and it’s Joe Pasquale dressed as Mother Goose, exchanging ribald innuendo with what’s her face from Birds Of A Feather. But if you’re looking for a more edifying way to celebrate the season, then look no further, because there’s all manner of festive treats in and around Brum this month.

For the traditionalists, the Rep presents a brandnew, family–friendly production of A ChristmAs CArol (on now, until January 4). Nearly two centuries on, Dickens’ tale remains as enchanting as ever – and Ebenezer Scrooge just as miserly.

The Rep vow to bring Victorian London to life in the 800–seater House auditorium, with the requisite Christmas Ghosts and special effects galore.

Dickens’ story might be well known, but a lesscelebrated fact is that he chose the Birmingham Town Hall as the venue for its first public reading, back in 1853. This Christmas, the same venue has invited actor Clive Francis to recreate the occasion 12

(December 21–22), embodying the story’s characters and speaking about the author’s relationship with Brum.

If houses made from confectionery are more your thing, then head to the Mac, where the New International Encounter company present a distinctly global take on hAnsel & Gretel (December 3–14). With the production already garnering rave reviews from The Guardian and The Stage, audiences from five years old and over are bound to be captivated.

It’s three for the price of one at the Jewellery Quarter’s Blue Orange Theatre, with the enChAnted tAles (December 9–28) comprising a trio of back-to-back stories – Rumpelstiltskin, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen and Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves.

If you like your entertainment rather more irreverent, then head north out of the city centre to The

Some of December’s theatre productions tie in with the festive season in rather subtle ways. For example, the Crescent Theatre in Brindleyplace has Mary Morris’ adaptation of two weeks with the Queen (December 14–21), which uses a family Christmas dinner as a jumping– off point for a tale of love, determination and desperation.

Similarly, down in Coventry, the Belgrade Theatre presents oh no it isn’t! (December 7–28),

Barbara Nice’s Christmas Cracker

Clive Francis – A Christmas Carol

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a concise comedy drama in which the cast of a pantomime are embroiled in a plot to kill each other, while down the road at the Criterion Theatre, the heart–warming My Three Angels (December 7–14) sees the spirits of three local convicts intervene in a family’s festivities.

High spirits are also guaranteed down at Highbury Hall in Moseley for the 2013 edition of the Crescent Theatre Company’s ChristmAs wAssAil (December 9–10). There’ll be all manner of singing and live performances, and is sure to be worth it for the mulled wine and mince pies alone.

Fresh from her excellent turn as Madame Pernelle in the Rep’s recent production of Tartuffe, Janice Connolly dons the familiar garb of Barbara Nice, the Peter Kay–approved housewife extraordinaire, for a couple of seasonal comedy outings – BArBArA niCe’s ChristmAs CrACker At the mAC (December 13–14) and Barbara Nice’s Countdown To Christmas at the Old Joint Stock (December 18–21).

There’s more musical merriment to be found up at The Drum, as the town hAll Gospel Choir visit (December 15) to deliver a soulful selection of Christmas carols and gospel classics, while the Mac plays host to the AlBion ChristmAs show (December 16). Aston Villa fans can rest easy, though – it’s actually a night of traditional English Christmas music and celebration, led by folk legend Ashley Hutchings.

It’s a Wonderful Life

December 2013

The Electric Cinema

But of course, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without cosying up in front of a good film, and the Electric Cinema is just the ticket, with special festive screenings of the likes of mAry poppins, home Alone and The GreAt esCApe. But of course, if you only watch one film at Christmastime, then it has to be Jimmy Stewart in it’s A wonderful life (December 15–24), with the Wine Tasting Company dropping by on December 21 for a special “drinkalong” screening.

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Tragedy may have threatened to stop this riff-hungry juggernaut in its tracks. But God Damn had other ideas. Chris Moriarty speaks to a band determined to end a harrowing year on a high.

Photo by Kiera Cullinane

To say 2013 has been a year of extreme highs and lows for God Damn would be something of an understatement. After roaring their way into hearts, minds and ears with debut EP I’m a Lazer, You’re a Radar and thrashing out some of the most riproaringly raucous and gut-wrenchingly thrilling live shows imaginable, they were a band very much on an upward trajectory. But then tragedy struck just days before the release of their fantastic Heavy Money EP to put the trio’s musical achievements into raw context.

Guitarist Dave Copson was left fighting for his life in June, enduring hours of painstaking surgery in the weeks that followed, before embarking on months of rehab. But while he continues his road to recovery, it was with his blessing that his bandmates made the decision to continue flying the God Damn flag as a duo. The result? More noise than you ever thought it was possible for two people to make.

So, first things first, how is Dave doing?

Thom [guitar, vocals]: Lots better now thanks, he’s been in the studio laying down some tracks first take. It was the first time he’d heard some of the 14

songs too. Walking, talking, playing guitar but still lots more rest and recovery to be had. As many know, it was looking a bit scary at one point but he’s well on the way.

It must have been a really tough few months for you all, but were you always determined that the music would help see you through?

Ash [drums]: It was probably the hardest thing we have ever had to experience in a band. Music has always been the thing that gets us through things, and it has definitely got us through this. It has brought us even closer together on a playing and writing level, and really proven how much you rely on fellow musicians.

You must have all been blown away from the love and support Dave and the band have had from fellow musicians, bands and everyone connected to music in the Midlands and further afield. How much has all that helped?

A: The love has been amazing and I would like to thank everyone who has sent well wishes to the band. It has really helped us and given us the encouragement to spur us on and keep improving.

We are more focused than ever at the moment, to deliver both live and in a studio.

It seemed a great gesture to continue as a duo rather than recruiting a temporary replacement. Can you tell us a bit more about how you came to that decision?

A: We did what felt natural. It didn’t feel fair at the time on Dave or whoever we decided to stand in temporarily, as there would be no exact timescale.

Me and Thom have played in bands together since we were 18/19 years old so know each other pretty much inside out as musicians. We decided to work harder than ever to replicate the previous sound and to push completely new boundaries that we hadn’t before.

And how is it working out as a duo, still managing to make enough noise to blow your audience’s away?

T: I’ve had to do lots of head scratching but basically before we tried to make two guitars sound like five, now I’ve had to do the same with one guitar. Lots of signal splitting, double the amount of pedals on the floor into 1000 watts worth of amps seems to be getting a similar reaction.

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How was those first shows back without Dave in August [Buffalo Bar in London and The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham]?

T: Strange, heartfelt and loud. It felt very much like we were doing the right thing. + guests

Was there much creative tweaking that you had to do for the material to make it work?

T: Some songs just didn’t seem right as a two-piece but we’ve made lots of the old stuff work and plenty of new. I’d like to think this band could work as a two, three or 10-piece.

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And amidst all that, you had your latest EP, Heavy Money, come out.

How was that received?

T: Amazingly well, we had reached our free download limit within the first few hours and the limited edition tapes didn’t hang around too long either. We’re continually surprised by the amount of people coming to shows knowing all the words or telling us they’ve learnt the songs on guitar or drums. Pretty chuffed.

We gather you’ve been working on some new material too, has that been inspired by what Dave has been through?

T: Yes and Yes. We’ve been writing faster than ever and it’s really hard for the material not to be influenced by this whole ordeal, but please don’t read too much into the lyrics, some blatant, most cryptic, they could easily be misconstrued which can be a good and a bad thing. Dave pretty much taught me to write riffs, so don’t worry about him not physically being there, he never left.

So what can we expect over the coming months from God Damn, any new releases on the agenda?

T: Hopefully early next year. I want to shout out to the world the potential things that could be happening, but for now we’ve got to keep it on the quiet.

It’s a triumphant way to end the year though, headlining The Flapper Christmas party. What can we expect from it?

A: It’s a great show for us, back at one of the venues where we cut our teeth a couple of years back. It’s going to be a real party, we may have to throw a couple of surprises in.

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Any Xmas covers then?

A: That’s still for us to work out. Like I said previously, we will have to throw a couple of surprises in, and maybe a cover of some sort. You will have to wait and see…

What do you make of the rest of the lineup for show, Them Wolves and Table Scraps?

T: Good friends with decibels and jingle on top. Pure talent and more rock girth than Santa’s fat load.

How do you think 2013 has been for music in the Midlands in general?

A: Overall, it has been a massive year for music in the Midlands, across the scale. There is a tremendous scene here now, and it’s so good to see the region getting recognised, hopefully 2014 will be even better.

Any final festive messages?

T: Eat as much German sausage as you want, but be sensible, leave some room for Christmas pud, Birmingham.

God Damn headline the Off The Cuff Christmas Show at The Flapper, Birmingham, on December 20, with support from Them Wolves and Table Scraps. Entry is free.

December 2013

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KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING 18

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IT’S CHRISTMASSSSSSS! And, once you’ve heard Noddy bawling festivities down your lugholes, it must mean it’s party time. Oh, what’s that..? A Brum Notes Christmas Party? Headlined by Midnight Bonfires? Don’t doubt us. We’ve got this. Tom Pell roasts chestnuts on an open fire with our headliners.

Midnight Bonfires will combine their single launch with the party itself, which will also house Wide Eyed, Drakelow, Mirror Hall, and an acoustic set from Boat To Row’s Michael King. And, it’s at the Sun at the Station, Kings Heath, on the December 14. It’s the only Christmas party you’ll need.

The Bonfires, as we’ve just christened them, David Langley, Rick Hughes, Simon Gregory, Sam Moore and Mark Banks – are “very excited”, and so are we. We caught up with them to talk mandolins, beards, and Dave’s distaste for the Yuletide musings of George Michael.

“We’re very excited, indeed,” emphasises Dave. “This will be the last show of 2013! We hope everyone embraces the Christmas spirit with a belly full of wine. Preferably mulled.

In festive spirits we shall recite every single Queen’s speech in chronological order.”

“The festive spirit is as contagious as the clap,” adds Rick, charmingly. “When you put it like that I am bloody excited now! And of course we always were and always are. Any excuse to drink wine and whisky with our friends and comrades.”

Their new single, Someone Else, has been given a sneaky play on Jack Parker’s Amazing Radio show before being popped back under lock and key. We asked for a Christmas present related peak of a listen, but seemingly we’re more likely just going to get more socks.

Or one of them Lynx Africa boxsets that no one has wanted since you were nine. Come on nan, sort it out.

“The sound has come on a long way since the first EP, it’s deeper and darker, but hopefully we still have that element of fun,” teases Mark. “We have more options now too with Si (lead guitar) in the band. Someone Else is like the flagship for where we’re at now, it has a deeper sense of mystery.”

“As happy as we seem there is always an undercurrent of what life is really like,” says Rick. “Just ask Dave what the songs really about.”

“It’s my favourite to play live,” continues Dave.

“It’s one of the darker numbers in the live set.

It’s big and bold for a song about loves lost December 2013

and paranoia. It stems from a few short stories I’ve been working on, but I suppose there’s always a bit of yourself in anything you make.”

That’s pretty much as serious as Midnight Bonfires get, wrapped up in that little paragraph, right there. They’re usually sporting smiles galore, an infectious mood that carries through to their music and live performances.

Rick explains: “We are a family. We get on each other’s wick every now and again, but if I wasn’t in this with these four I wouldn’t bother.”

Come the party, you’re all in for a treat. For starters, if you find a better, more simply addictive start to a song than a guitar led ‘doobe-doo-doo,’ followed by a falsetto, “Ah, oh,” we’ll give you a pound. Voodoo Eyes, the first track from 2012’s self-titled EP, leaps out of the speakers and slaps a smile on your face.

Same goes for Toward You, Trenches, Wait, and the again falsetto-led single Misbehave from 2011.

“Thanks a lot, Rick,” is Dave’s response, when Rick suggests said falsetto’s are down to Dave suffering from “a condition known as quivering testicles”.

Rick’s mandolin, the chime of which is something else synonymous with the Bonfires’ sound, is another gem in the band’s crown.

However it’s played.

“The mandolin has two names: Princess Mandolina and Baron O (After Karen O),” Rick tells us. “I would love to see the mandolin get more appreciation. It has been so integral in folk music. The way I play it cannot be considered to be the way to actually play a mandolin.

If you want to watch a mandolin that will make your mouth water then YouTube Ava Avital.”

This year as a whole has fared very well for Midnight Bonfires, culminating in some big time local appearances at Moseley Folk Festival and OxjamBrum. Oh, and an inspired trip to the Symphony Hall with Jamie Cullum.

“It has got to be top of the venues list,” reckons Mark. “Playing to a couple of thousand people in such an amazing place was mindblowing for us, but we also love playing shows

to a packed out bar or a room full of sweaty students. It gives you an intimacy with the audience which is really cool. We got that on a show with Keston Cobblers Club in September too. The audience were very polite.”

“Yeah, Symphony Hall was a cracker,” agrees Dave. “Getting passed Absinthe shots during a gig in Jacky P’s house is a mad highlight for me as well. And Moseley Folk and Oxjam were great too.”

Now the sunshine of Moseley Folk has faded and the winter months have closed in, the lads are currently sporting some damn impressive facial hair. After a discussion, here is the definitive list of their individually hirsute qualities: “Integrity and structure – Mark. Curio and inquisition – Dave. Respect and admiration – Simon. Hobo and pubic – Rick. Clean shaven and rugged – Sam.” You don’t get that level of detail in NME, do you? Other hard hitting stories on the agenda are favourite Christmas songs.

“Fairytale of New York on repeat for me,” reckons Rick, while Dave controversially goes for: “Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart - it has to be the creepiest Christmas album. Just imagine Dylan singing ‘here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, coming down Santa Claus lane…’

“Whereas Last Christmas by George Michael is the worst. I don’t think I understood the concept of a chorus when I was little, so I thought this guy’s heartache was never ending. Now I just think the song is never ending.”

We reckon it’s the Christmas spirit that’s never ending. Can you feel it? Can you? Huh? Come to the party. Please.

Midnight Bonfires headline the Brum Notes Christmas Party at The Sun at the Station, Kings Heath, on December 14.

Also playing live are Wide Eyed, Drakelow, Mirrorhall and Michael King (Boat to Row).

Entry is £4 on the door, doors open 7pm.

Photo by Anna Tonks

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December 2013

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After a stellar year which has seen them grace stages around the world, adorn magazine covers and unleash debut album In Love upon the masses, Peace return to the city where it all began to headline their biggest show to date. Amy Sumner speaks to a band riding high as the darlings of Birmingham’s burgeoning music scene.

There’s absolutely no getting away from the fact that local four-piece Peace have had one hell of a year. “We’ve been playing constantly, travelling constantly…I’ve also got a haircut,” deliberates lead singer Harry Koisser. But it’s a period that’s also seen them release their debut album, In Love, touted by many as one of the records of the year, play a string of massive festival dates, and grow their international fan base in swathes. In addition, the sheer volume of local young musicians they have inspired to pick up their instruments, get out of their bedrooms and form a band is an achievement in a league of its own. In the 22

studio and already recording their follow-up record, Harry tells us about the whirlwind fairground ride of Peace’s ascent.

“We never saw ourselves as role models,” he says, “not at all – not the way that we used to behave! When we were starting out, we were looking up to Troumaca because they knew what they were doing and they taught us a lot – we were looking at them writing amazing songs and being amazing live and we wanted to do the same.

“So I guess that has sort of continued on. I don’t know what our thought process was

driving forth because it was quite grim at the start – Sam [Koisser, bass] used to drive us around in his shit yellow van that wasn’t big enough for all of us and I don’t know what was making us do it other than the fact that we liked playing. If our success has helped other people get into it though, I think more people should do that.”

Originally from nearby Worcestershire, Birmingham became the musical home for the band who have been hailed as the flag bearers for music in the city during the past 18 months. Inevitably they have found themselves spending less and less Brum Notes Magazine

“It’s going to be a real weird one and it probably won’t hit home until the night before when I’ll become an uncontrollable nervous mess, but I’m hoping to be able to keep it together.”

should have created but it’s definitely the one that we wanted to. Often I think ‘why isn’t there a song like this’ or ‘why couldn’t I write a song like that’ but then you can’t think like that all the time. There probably are changes that I’d make were we to record it again but only subtle ones – for what it is, it’s perfect.

“The new songs that we’re recording… there are differences but it’s us. It’s pretty much all written and being recorded at the moment – we’re much further along than we thought we would be at this stage. We have 15 songs, subject to change, but we started at the beginning of the month. We were supposed to record in January and February but because we got it written in time, I wanted to get ahead with it.” time here with a schedule that takes them across the globe.

“I do miss home though,” he admits. “I was saying this to one of my friends who DJs at Face yesterday. I’ve tried my hardest to retain our links with Birmingham, but at times it seems like I’m the only one. I’ve always said that Birmingham is where we did everything at the start and so that’s where we’re from as a band. I wasn’t born there but it’s where we were for three years at the start. It’s confusing but everyone else has the same problem.”

The year also saw the foursome play on Later…With Jools Holland, an experience that Harry admits was “one of the most surreal things”, but certainly an unforgettable one. “It was cool to be able to linger for an afternoon with a load of legends. Robert Plant was there, Queens of the Stone Age and Texas. We had to fly in from somewhere and they bought us loads of equipment that looked like our stuff but was way, way better so it was a good opportunity to play with some really good gear.”

mess, but I’m hoping to be able to keep it together,” Harry admits of the prospect of walking onstage at such a large venue. “Last Christmas we played at The Rainbow which felt huge at the time – that was the biggest show we’d ever done then as well. So to be playing the main room at the Academy a year later, it’s a real mindfuck. I didn’t feel like we’d done monumentally well this year but now I think that maybe we have!

“I’m still in planning mode but I’ve had an idea for the show which has to remain a secret…It’s going to be really good seeing Superfood again though – Dom [Ganderton, lead singer] has been my best friend for a few years. I went to his second birthday party – there’s a picture of my brother crying there – so it will be a proper old school Kidderminster [Koisser and Ganderton’s hometown] reunion. There’s a Kiddy boy connection there – I really can’t wait to be on the road with Superfood again. Plus, this is the first time we’ve been able to put on an actual show and an entertaining performance as opposed to just a gig. We’ll probably have a party afterwards too, I’m just trying to find a venue. I was going to get my dad’s band to play it but they can’t do it.

There’ll be something though.”

So what’s on the Christmas list as the magical day approaches?

So what about the record? A whimsy utopia of a collection incorporating some fantastic musicianship (if not including all of the songs that fans had expected), it justified the swagger that the boys set out with.

Peace return to Birmingham to play a hometown Christmas show at the O2 Academy on December 13. With support from buddies Superfood and Drenge, it promises to be a complete celebration of all the band have achieved. And with a capacity of more than 3,000, it will also be Peace’s biggest headline show to date.

“We’ve all been really good this year, very well behaved,” he says with conviction. “On my list is a micro scooter which has been on our rider since we started touring. Two years later and no one’s given it to us yet so I’m going to bang it on the Christmas list.”

“In Love was definitely the record that we wanted to create,” Harry says. “Sometimes I think that maybe it isn’t the record we

“It’s going to be a real weird one and it probably won’t hit home until the night before when I’ll become an uncontrollable nervous

Peace headline the O2 Academy, Birmingham, on December 13 with support from Superfood and Drenge.

December 2013

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Hot on the heels of their third successive top five album, White Lies interrupt their globe-trotting Big TV tour to talk lo-fi covers, astronauts and why they’ll never beat Rihanna. David Vincent listens.

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Brum Notes Magazine

“Yes, well it’s a broken narrative… it sort of gives the listener a series of small cracks in a fence to look through at a scene unfolding on the other side.”

White Lies’ Charles Cave is holed up in a Swiss hotel room. “Zurich. City of bargains,” reports the bass player with a smile.

In the middle of their country-hopping Big TV Tour, dates so far have seen the band greeted with rapturous applause and Charles is chuffed.

“I have to say they’ve been going worryingly well. I hope we haven’t peaked this early,” laughs the bass player of their European gigs. “The show in Köln [Germany] was the best we ever played and overall the production and musicianship is the strongest it’s been. There is an immense sense of joy and pleasure coming off the stage and reflected back from the crowd. Rock and fucking roll, etc…”

With two top five albums already under their belts – 2009’s chart-topping To Lose My Life… and 2011’s Ritual – Charles, vocalist/ guitarist Harry McVeigh and drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown made it three in a row with Big TV, another collection of occasionally dark, regularly euphoric epics. While it’s by no means a concept album, a loose thread feeds into the tracks prompting the band to refer to it as a ‘narrative record.’

“Yes, well it’s a broken narrative… it sort of gives the listener a series of small cracks in a fence to look through at a scene unfolding on the other side,” states Charles. “A girl has left everything she knows and moved to a big city in search of a more exciting life.

The album deals with how she attempts to fit in there.”

Coinciding with the tour, the band release an unconnected companion piece entitled simply Small TV. “It’s an EP of lo-fi reworkings of a few of our songs and two covers,” explains Charles of the limited edition release which includes versions of Big TV’s There Goes Our Love Again and First Time Caller alongside debut single Unfinished Business and tracks by Prince and Lana del Rey. “We always talk about songs to cover and rarely get around to learning any. We’d been planning to cover

December 2013

the Prince track [Would I Die 4 U] for years but had been attempting it too much like the original. After re-working our own songs into this more gentle format it finally clicked that this is how we should do the Prince song too.”

And Lana del Rey? “Harry and I love the song Ride by Lana. It’s a brilliant piece of songwriting and her best by miles. We always felt it could have been a White Lies song so that was an easy choice.”

One theme that links each White Lies album is a strong, distinctive visual image – though Charles begs to differ.

“I would have to disagree there and say that Ritual has one of the worst album covers I know. But thank you for your praise nonetheless,” he says, though agrees a strong visual element is a White Lies priority. “[It’s] very important. As it should be to all bands. What if The XX all wore Hawaiian shirts and had cartoon characters on their album covers? Sure, you use your ears to listen to music, but when you are presented with a visual element that goes hand-inhand with the music, you want the aesthetics to marry and harmonise or perhaps make a consciously odd juxtaposition… but you have to be in control of that and ready to back up your decisions. All of the senses should be working together with art I think. I make an effort to smell exceptional on stage even if I look merely acceptable.”

Big TV-related releases feature paintings by New York-based artist Michael Kagan, with an astronaut emblazoning the album.

“The look of melancholy and lonesome, muted desperation in his eyes seems fitting with the fragmented story that runs through the album,” Charles says of the cover image.

“But first things first, it’s a badass painting and looks utterly bitchin’ on a vinyl cover!

And who doesn’t like astronauts?!”

With UK dates taking White Lies to the end of the year, 2014 sees the trio make a

long-awaited return visit to Australia. It’ll be their first dates Down Under since 2009, and they’ll be making the trip as guests of Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds To Mars.

“Jared is one of the most entrepreneurial musicians I’ve ever met and I respect his business mentality. That band know how to give their fans exactly what they want but also never too much that they won’t come back for more,” says Charles, though adds that they have little in common with the US headlining musician/actor. “I don’t think Jared and I are kindred spirits, we have very different backgrounds but him and his band have been as accommodating and as generous as one could hope for in the past. We look forward to joining them again on the road.”

Way back in 2006, Fear Of Flying (Charles, Harry and Jack’s pre-White Lies combo) played Birmingham Academy accompanied by a barrage of praise. “They’re going to be huge and take over the world,” gushed one industry insider. One name change and three albums later, that prediction seems to have come true, though Charles is clearly amused by any ideas of global domination.

“We love to travel, and that being musicians has enabled us to do that for a living is wonderful. However, we are happy making music on our own terms and really haven’t ever put much thought into our stature. We like playing in small clubs just as much as big festivals…I’m not sure we have the drive you need as a band to ‘take over the world’.”

He continues: “I’ve heard that for years Rihanna would go out every single night to parties and events JUST to be photographed and then go home because she felt if she didn’t do that, she wouldn’t be the biggest female star in the world. That sounds fucking tiring to me. I’m not sure how beneficial it is to my career, but I’m happier staying at home and cooking a risotto for my friends.”

White Lies are live at The Institute, Birmingham, on December 15.

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All Smiles It’s been something of a roller coaster ride for The Twang since they exploded onto Birmingham’s music scene at the start of the millenium, with their swagger catapulting them to the cover of NME. But if the hype was quickly met with a biting backlash, it certainly didn’t knock them off their stride. Backed by a fiercely loyal fanbase, The Twang are a band determined to do things their own way. And with their latest single being their most intriguing to date, could this be their most exciting time yet? Amy Sumner finds out.

“We played our first show in 2001, but it didn’t really take off for us until 2006 – we’ve become better songwriters since then and I think we’ve grown as a unit,” says vocalist and guitarist Phil Etheridge of the band’s decade-plus trajectory.

“I look at a lot of my friends now and they wish they’d done something with their lives so I’m really happy that we’re doing this for a living – it’s been a good move.”

“You learn what others are about though,” deliberates vocalist Martin Saunders, “and about management and labels – you learn that you should just go with what you think and what you believe in.”

Photo by Andy Hughes

The Twang are an interesting bunch. We’re sat, cosying in from the cold in Cherry Reds on John Bright Street. I came in expecting to order a pint and chat about raucous instances of multiple misadventure but when I get there they’re drinking cups of tea and the conversation strays to wives and children at several points throughout. We talk about music as art, the complexities of songwriting and of the difficulties of human relationships. It’s a classic book and cover case.

A couple of months ago, the band unveiled teaser track The Wobble from their forthcoming fourth album. Acting as an introduction to the new record due for release early next year, it’s a softer, mid-90s hued intricacy of a track, completely unexpected but wholly welcome. It sounds intelligent, it sounds mature and it has a beautiful video to match.

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“It came about in a strange way,” says Phil, “in scribbles written down. Martin had one bit, Jon had a second section and I had a third. We fused them all together and it became a song – it was a very collective process.

“The writing has always been a partnership between myself and Jon [Watkin, bass]. He’d write something and then I’d feel like I had to better it. On the first two records, Jon would have an idea and I would have an idea and we’d work on those. By the third record, we had a new guitarist [Jon ‘Simmo’ Simcox] whose playing was very different to what we had before and was more the way we wanted to go. Simmo was a big part of the change.”

“In terms of the new record, there are lots of processed drums on it,” ventures Jon. “Because we lost our drummer, we were kind of forced to explore a whole new way of writing.”

“That was very exciting for us,” expands Martin, “we’d listened to a lot of dance music growing up so be able to draw from that within our own music was very new.”

“I think at several points along the way it would have been very easy to knock it all on the head. But we’ve kept on making records – we wanna be together,” says Phil. It’s a telling surmise. They are a band who’ve been through an incredible amount of change and transition, and at several points it probably would have been easier to give in to the wired barbs of much of the music press and call it a

“It would have been very easy to knock it all on the head. But we’ve kept on making records – we wanna be together.”

day. But what they actually did was use their circumstances to carve out a direction and they evolved.

The band have just come out of the studio with renowned producer Rory Attwell, the owner of the wonderfully unique Lightship95 boat studio in London and the fella behind records by Yuck, Palma Violets and Veronica Falls amongst others.

“We all loved that Yuck record that Rory produced,” says Phil, “so we were chuffed that he wanted to work with us. We recorded The Wobble with him in two days. He works very off the cuff and we like that. With the fourth record we had one boundary, one rule – we wanted to work quickly. Because the last record had been such a long and drawn out process with us tweaking it all the time, we wanted to find some definite direction, and Rory gave us that. I think people have this perception of Rory that he’s the king of the Dalston hipsters or something but in actual Brum Notes Magazine

s fact he’s far more like us than those kids in dungarees.”

“With this record, we actually laughed in the studio,” says Martin. “It was a far more relaxed atmosphere and as a result I think the demos felt stronger and more crafted. But it was also nice to have someone giving us a bit of direction and telling us ‘no’ if something wasn’t right.

It sped the process up and we work better quickly.”

A Birmingham band, The Twang have always been inextricably linked with the city.

“When we were first breaking out we weren’t really part of it all,” says Phil of the city’s everevolving music scene. “Scarlet Harlots were going, and The Priory from Wolverhampton, and we liked those bands but they weren’t really into us. It was a different time then – you had the tail end of Ocean Colour Scene and that same kind of Oasis sound over and over. Then Editors broke and bands just December 2013

wanted to sound like them instead of sticking to what they were doing. But now there’s a real collective Birmingham sound, there are some great things going on right now – The Digbeth Dining Club, The Lord Clifden in the Jewellery Quarter, and there are some wonderful bands too. We love JAWS, Peace, Swim Deep, Superfood, all that. We’re taking a lot of bands out on tour with us at the moment too and we’re all into each other’s music.”

“Exactly, because we’re in a position to help out bands, we want to and we wanna be part of it,” says Martin.

The Twang play two dates at The Rainbow Warehouse in Digbeth in December. Having gained a reputation for throwing some truly celebratory Christmas shows in the past, we’re keen to know what to expect.

“Rory’s band, Warm Brains, play on the first night and they’re really great – they fit really well with Superfood and that kind of sound,”

says Phil. “Wide Eyed play that night too and we really like them. Tommy [Greaves, guitarist] sounds like a 70-year-old gran, we were with him the other day and he kept offering us mini Snickers! JAWS are also playing. I think Surround You is the greatest song and Connor [Schofield, lead singer] is a real talent, he’s just writing all the time. We don’t know too much about The Grafham Water Sailing Club but we’re excited to see them live. Essentially we’ll just be playing what the crowd wanna hear – it is a party after all.”

Though they do it well, The Twang aren’t just for Christmas. Listen to The Wobble online now and grab a hold of that new record early next year. It might just surprise you.

The Twang are live at The Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham, with support from Warm Brains and Wide Eyed on December 22, and JAWS and The Grafham Water Sailing Club on December 23.

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PARTY INTO PARTY INTO 2014 2014 …with our guide to the best that Birmingham has to offer this New Year’s Eve

We get the lowdown from some of the bands and DJs that will be ringing in the new year, before taking you through our top tips for the parties across the city that will help you round off 2013 in style.

The Bluebeat Arkestra How has 2013 been for you?

Shaun [guitar, keyboards]: Very creative and exciting – in February we suddenly found ourselves needing to write a whole new set. Ultimately it was great ‘cos it led us to completely reassess and reinvent every aspect of the band. Overall, this year has brought us closer together and the songs we’ve written are the best we’ve done yet.

But next year we’ll aim even higher.

Festivals, single releases, it’s been a busy old year for you hasn’t it?

Hayley [vocals]: We’ve been having way too much fun at festivals this year. Mostly Jazz was a highlight of course, it’s fantastic to share a stage with so many legends. In amongst all the gigging we are getting lots of recording underway, plus we’ve been writing new tunes by the bucketload.

Our sound seems to be constantly evolving – we’ve just finished writing a Baltic influenced 28

tune which incorporates pentatonic and ancient gypsy scales.

And what do you think 2014 will have in store?

Shaun: Got a lot of great new tunes on the go which are taking us in a new direction so looking forward to playing them. Hopefully a few festivals abroad too so we can have a holiday together.

If you weren’t playing live on NYE, what would be the last song you would spin just before the clock struck midnight?

Shaun: It’s all about the first song you play AFTER midnight…

Hayley: Probably some filthy jungle?

Dave: Chris De Burgh – Lady in Red. BIG tune!

Who else would be on your ultimate NYE playlist?

Shaun: Too many to name names but lots of afrobeat, reggae, jungle, disco, 80s, 2-tone, punk rock…

Hayley: Old school drum’n’bass, British hip-hop,

electronica, trip-hop, some classic soul. I could spend many many hours choosing an ultimate NYE playlist.

Dave: 90s dance, some 90s old skool DnB, Prince ‘1999’, anything off of the GTA Vice City Soundtrack.

And who would be on the line-up for your own dream Hootenanny?

Shaun: If we’re partying then I’d have The Clash and Fela Kuti…and then Bill Evans for the early hours when people wanna wind down.

Hayley: The Black Keys, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and The Cinematic Orchestra.

Dave: Mine would be Bluebeat, The Mondays, The Roses… Anyone else I’d want is probably dead… although that’s probably why I’d want them there – to raise hell with!

What’s the best NYE you’ve ever had?

Hayley: A big group of us rented a barn in the Welsh hills. There was no electricity, just a batterypowered boombox and some confused looking sheep. Very rustic, and loads of fun. And no, there was no animal cruelty.

Dave: Hmmm…really?! I had a great NYE at Hockley Street Studios NYE Party two years ago. I recall a spirited rendition of Purple Rain which usually means splitting my trousers. I know it got to about 10am in the morning and I said: “That was the best new year ever…what happened?”

And the worst?

Shaun: I spent one in hospital having had me appendix out the day before. They’d took the morphine drip away that afternoon too…

Dave: I went to some god awful murder mystery thing and came home just after midnight and got into bed. About 4am in the morning I heard this banging on the front door. I opened it and my 60-year-old dad fell through onto the floor at the bottom of the stairs. I couldn’t rouse him at all so had to leave him in a pile at the bottom of the stairs.This is what I aspire to!

The Bluebeat Arkestra headline the New Year’s Eve party at The Yardbird, Birmingham, with support from Andrea Brown and The Yardbird DJs – 8am–4am, free entry.

Brum Notes Magazine

Your first song after midnight needs to be your biggest, I should probably start thinking what this is going to be or I’ll end up forgetting again and announcing New Years at quarter past 12, as I did at New Year’s Eve 2004.

Marc Henry DJs at The Actress & Bishop New Year’s Eve party.

Samuel Baylis, lead singer, Troumaca Best NYE you’ve ever had?

I’m going to predict this year will be the best.

Playing a show when the clock strikes 12. Sweet.

And the worst?

I went to an ex’s family party. It was so dry. We split up not long after.

If you kidnapped Jools Holland, donned his suit and took over the Hootenanny, who would be on your line-up?

Cutty Ranks, Inc., Ghostface Killah, Flying Lotus, Erykah Badu, George Michael.

If you were in charge of the decks come midnight, what would you want playing just before the countdown begins?

The Waterboys – The Whole Of The Moon.We will be playing a version of a very well known song at 12. Let’s say we have no shame..

And what would be your dream song to kick off the new year with after midnight?

Oh, that would have to be the cover we are doing.

Troumaca headline the Troumaca & Friends NYE Bash at The Old Crown, Digbeth, with support from Dumb plus DJ sets from Knicker Bocker Corey, MHVH, New Hype, Rag & Bone and more. Tickets £10 adv.

Marc Henry, DJ, The Actress & Bishop Best NYE ever?

I’ve DJ’d for the last nine New Year’s Eves so it’s hard to pick one out as the best. Last year’s was the highlight in terms of DJing though, a really great crowd.

Worst NYE ever?

The worst was probably when I was 15 as I just stayed in and watched Jools Holland and went to bed around half-12.

Dream Hootenanny line-up?

My hootenanny line-up would be Primal Scream, Arctic Monkeys, Laura Marling, Professor Elemental and The Correspondents.

Best song to play just before the clock strikes 12?

It’s important to play a big song just before midnight so you’ve got everyone’s attention, usually best to just let the booze decide.

Best song to play after midnight?

December 2013

Carl Finn, owner and DJ, The Church Inn, Hockley Best NYE you’ve ever had?

2012/13 – just brought a pub and partied all night in it before the refurb.

And the worst?

1999/2000 – it was just shit.

If you were in charge of the decks come midnight, what would you want playing just before the countdown begins?

I am so you will have to wait and see, but I never plan it. See what the crowd are like.

Dream song to kick off the new year after midnight?

Ohhh that’s a hard one, I think I am going to go for some Hudson Mo or classic Fat Boy Slim.

Carl Finn DJs at the Soul Food Sound System NYE Party at The Church Inn. Free entry.

JP White, lead singer of Victories at Sea and DJ at The Flapper Best NYE ever?

The last couple of years have been the best.

Getting to choose all the music on NYE is a dream come true, and The Flapper is always ready to party.

Worst NYE ever?

1999, The Picturehouse, Stourbridge, known as the the Friday night boxing ring, tells you it all… didn’t even play Prince.

If you kidnapped Jools Holland, who would be on your Hootenanny line-up?

Oh Jools, why do you have to boogie woogie up everyone’s performance on piano?

Well: God Damn (guest me on honky tonk piano), Them Wolves (guest me on honky tonk piano), Distophia (guest me on honky tonk piano), 35 Seconds (guest me on honky tonk piano), Sunset Cinema Club (guest me on honky tonk piano), oh and The Village People covering Victories at Sea. Imagine the aftershow party…

Any hints for what you’ll play just before midnight?

On NYE you have to leave your cool pretentious new music hat at home, I have a box full of those hats, but I will happily play anything classic that gets people dancing on NYE. I will definitely be digging into some ABBA and songs people actually recognise amongst the usual Idlewild and LCD Soundsystem.

JP White DJs The Flapper NYE party, 8pm-3am, tickets £5.

Adam Regan and Matt Beck, DJs, Leftfoot Best NYE you’ve ever had?

Adam: DJing with Matt Beck on my shoulders and seeing the crowd go mental to TNGHT’s Higher Ground last year. We’re going to play it again this year but I’ll be on Matt’s shoulders and Tom Hopkins will be on mine, so basically about 18 foot of Leftfoot.

Worst NYE you’ve ever had?

Matt: The year I kicked a Christmas tree that was still up, got my foot stuck in it and the whole thing fell on me.

Dream Hootenanny line-up?

Adam: Prince, Stevie Wonder, A Tribe Called Quest, Caribou, James Blake, Gregory Porter, Steel Pulse & Troumaca.

Matt: David Bowie, Talking Heads, Darkside, Todd Terje and if he was still with us Fela Kuti If you were in charge of the decks come midnight, what would you want playing just before the countdown begins?

Adam: I probably will be so I’m not telling you as it will spoil the surprise. It definitely wont be any boring tech house.

Matt: Chic – Good Times Perfect song to kick off the new year after midnight?

Matt: Luther Vandross – Never Too Much has pretty much been my go to tune for the last few years. Always kills it!

Leftfoot vs Love the Life headline NYE at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath. Tickets £10 adv.

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“What are you doing New Year’s Eve…?”

THE PAVILION

Take your pick from our top choices for the biggest party night of the year. From rockers to bass junkies, indie kids to tech heads, we’ve got you covered.

The Pavilion is a contemporary new site situated in central Birmingham. Comprising of 138 quality studios and nine one bedroom apartments, all fully-furnished to a high standard with LCD TV.

The Rainbow Complex Rainbow NYE Promising seven soundsystems and some special guests across seven arenas courtesy of Face, 10:31, Shadow City, Doce Vita, Fidget, Break Thru and Surreal.

10pm-6am, £20 adv www.therainbowvenues.co.uk

Suki10c

The Institute Birmingham

Global Gathering Presents NYE Part of the Seven: After Dark Electronic Series, this NYE spectacular features a DJ set from Mercury Prize nominated dance giants Rudimental (prior to their full band tour in February). Plus Bigger Than Barry and a prompt return from Ms Annie Mac. 9pm-5am, £25, £50 VIP mamacolive.com/theinstitute Rudimental Annie Mac

Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

Leftfoot vs Love The Life A night of house, disco, hip hop, reggae and dancehall courtesy of Thris Tian (Boiler Room/NTS), Adam Regan, Lenny, Guy Carlos and Matthew Beck. Sweat with Cheesedip and Jools Belgium keep things funky in venue two, plus, in the downstairs back bar, High Fidelity spin northern soul, indie and mod tunes.

9pm-4am, £10 adv hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk

Dumb

The Old Crown

Shut Up & Skank: NYE Skank Out Payback and Silk Promotions presents junglist and drum'n'bass vibrations with headline sets from Aries with Brum-born/Jamaica-raised David Boomah (with new album One World Many Cultures looming), plus Jungle Citizenz and Cheshire Cat. 9.30pm-5am, £10 facebook.com/ Suki10c

Facilities £175 discount for annual payments All-inclusive rents with FREE contents insurance

Troumaca & Friends NYE Bash 2013 Sunkissed local legends Troumaca see out an incredible 2013 with their own well-earned parteeeee, with a live performance in a uniquely intimate setting. Friends in attendance include Dumb performing live, plus DJ sets from Knicker Bocker Cory, Rag & Bone, MHVH vs New HYPE, and more.

9pm-4am, £10 adv facebook.com/troumaca

10MB internet included

Visit our website for more details:

www.derwentstudents.com/pavilion For all student enquiries: Email us: pavilion@derwentstudents.com Call: 0121 643 4749

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Just off Broad Street Plus much more...

Troumaca

Brum Notes Magazine

Gatecrasher

NYE2013/14 Headlined by album chart toppers Disclosure, whose debut LP Settle was nominated for a Mercury Prize. Joined by Breach and Radio 1 Dance Anthems frontman Danny Howard, plus Hannah Wants, NO ID, Friend Within and Nick Coulson. www.gatecrasher.com/venues/ birmingham/

Ort, Balsall Heath

Disclosure

The Flapper

Ort Fantasy NYE Party Cosmic sound adventurers Free School head up an night of fantasythemed sonic delights, with fancy dress keeping the party spirit going.

9pm, £8adv facebook.com/ortcafe

NYE 2013 Another sell out expected at one of Brum’s favourite indie and alternative boozers, with DJ JP White keeping the tunes coming until the early hours. Toast the new year with a free glass of bubbly too.

8pm-3am, £5 adv

O2 Academy Birmingham

Q Club

Hardcore Til I Die Dreamscape New Year's Eve UK rave, hardcore, drum'n'bass and jungle from over 40 artists including DJs Gammer and Darren Styles, and MCs Whizzkid and Storm. With pre and post-midnight sets from Dr S Gachet and Slipmat. Keepin' it old skool...

9pm-6am, £25adv facebook.com/htid.official

Propaganda Prehistoric New Years Eve Party Turning back the clock 200 million years for a prehistoric rock'n'roll party featuring (they reckon) a T-Rex DJ and a dancefloor filled with velociraptors. Entry includes a wristband allowing free entry to every Propaganda night around the UK during January.

9pm-4am, £10 or £20 VIP www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk

The Asylum

The Rainbow (Credit: Vicky Hargreaves)

Uprawr vs Birthday Sex NYE 2014 Announcing the launch of “the UK’s first alternative super club”, the Uprawr team will be upping their game, taking over the venue with confetti cannons, balloon drops, CO2 guns, laser shows, a brand new lighting system, plasma screens, Champagne, podiums and heaps more “awesome shit”. Expect pop punk and alt anthems as Uprawr and Birthday Sex DJs go head to head.

10pm, £10 adv or £15 queue jump

Bulls Head, Moseley

Jam Hott vs Killer Wave With Jam Hott (hip hop, breaks, bass, funk, dancehall and reggae) and Killer Wave (RnB jams, Soul, Rock 'n' Roll, Disco and a splattering of house). Plus downstairs disco, house and classics from Canvas DJs. 9pm-4am, £10 adv bullsheadmoseley.co.uk

December 2013

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Brum Notes Magazine

What’s on

Jazz, Folk, World & Roots

CERYS MATTHEWS Wednesday 18 December 8pm Town Hall

Search ‘Town Hall Symphony Hall’

Box office 0121 345 0603 www.thsh.co.uk @THSHBirmingham

Funded by

Town Hall renovation also funded by

Search ‘Spotify:user:townhallsymphonyhall’

December 2013

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LIVE Dutch Uncles

All Years Leaving Festival Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath 15-16/11/13

For a City as big as Birmingham we’re woefully under-served when it comes to music festivals. Happily, top notch promoters This Is Tmrw have thrown their cap into the

Frankie & the Heartstrings

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ring with All Years Leaving. Day/night one kicked off with local boys Hoopla Blue’s mix of doomed romanticism, post punk and discordant shards of guitar, before Brighton’s Kins chilled out the early evening crowd via the dreamy post coital drift of standout track The Love Potion. Midlanders Boat To Row played a blinder, stepping up to give

the performance of their folk-tinged lives, paving the way for Sunderland’s Frankie & the Heartstrings and their brand of irresistible indie rock.

Highlight of the whole weekend? Dutch Uncles. No question. Their mix of math rock rhythms, lead singer Duncan Wallis’ falsetto vocals and his unique dance moves is a truly wondrous thing. From the driving funk prog of Cadenza to the string embellished Flexxin’ this was a lesson in just how great pop can be.

Day two and Brum’s own sonic explorers Victories at Sea played a rare late afternoon set drawing a huge whoop of appreciation from the swelling crowd. A clear case of Victories at Tea then. Sheffield’s Best Friends’ scuzzed up surf pop lifted the hangovers and paved the way for locals Wide Eyed’s heavier goth tinged rock and atmospheric guitar soundscapes...a Brum Notes Magazine

Photos by Wayne Fox

Boat to Row

Sky Larkin

particularly potent mix. From further afield (Canada via Italy in fact) His Clanceyness added 50s style guitar twang to their Lou Reed meets Tindersticks vibe before Sky Larkin’s mix of crowd-pleasing favourites (step forward Matador and Fossil, I) and new songs including this year’s Loom and forthcoming single Newsworthy, both typically fine pieces of jangly indiepop. Nice to hear a shout out to Johnny Foreigner too.

As performances go Distophia’s had to be the most widely anticipated by the locals.

Having split in 2006 (reforming just for this festival), their story’s a salutary lesson on the evils of the music biz. Amid plenty of witty banter and a wonderfully self deprecating sense of humour, their set was a long awaited celebration of what might have been and a chance for fans to mosh themselves silly.

Tracks like Robert Redford and Joanne still easily stand up against the kind of alt rock

Best Friends

December 2013

anthems that broke big in the 90s. That just left Yuck to wrap things up and they did so in fine style with arguably their best song to date, Middle Sea. There’s an unmistakable Pavement feel to some of their livelier stuff whilst other tracks like tonight’s dreamy Rebirth hinted at more of a shoegazey vibe gently lulling all into a sonic reverie.

Cool bands, a great venue, a decent dickhead-free crowd, excellent sound and the kind of event that Birmingham should be screaming about. Everyone should be ‘leaving’ a space in their calendar for next year’s.

Daron Billings

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin O2 Academy, Birmingham 23/11/13

There was a time, just when the 80s turned into the 90s, that the Black Country was

cool. It had an actual scene. Bands like The Wonder Stuff. Pop Will Eat Itself…and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Once upon a time, these (then) floppy-haired boys from Quarry Bank filled Bescot Stadium, played with a heroically hammered Oliver Reed live on The Word, and essentially broke America. Then came grunge. Then came Britpop. And this brief moment of greatness slipped into the grey mists of pop history.

But not everyone forgot. Responding to fan demand, they reformed. Their sound is basically melodic punk – inspired by Slint, HDQ et al – with a twin bass guitar twist, and distortion. Lots of distortion. And though they now look like the college lecturers some of them are, they basically smashed this. The set was mostly their later, slower stuff and less the high-octane fare of God Fodder and before – but no-one was complaining. They cracked out the anthems, and the

Kins

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Arctic Monkeys Photo by Andy Hughes

now charmingly analogue-sounding KILL...

YOUR... TELEVISION sounded as fresh as it did on Top of the Pops in 1991.

Back in the day their fans took moshing, crowdsurfing, stage diving and all that to new extremes. There was a bit of that, but it has been a while. As the frontman said, “how we doing Birmingham? Alright? Cos we’re FUCKED”. Which was basically the point.

There will have been a lot of people over 37 collecting the kids from the grandparents on Sunday, limping slightly, and smiling broadly.

Edward Ling

Untitled Musical Project The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham 23/11/2013

“This is the longest set we’ve ever attempted. It’s also the oldest we’ve ever been,” comes the admission from the stage where snarling punk trio Untitled Musical Project stand reformed for one night only (there was that other night in London, but let’s not mention that). We’ve had the computer-fuelled math of noise duo Tales, which though rife with technical issues this eve they’ve still managed to make it to the end of, and the frenetic yet melodic punk of Youth Man who feel on the cusp of something exciting as they hurtle through a selection of material 36

from their new EP, Bad Weather.

Now it’s the turn of the old hands. The room is most full of those who were regulars to the outfit’s performances in their 2007 heyday but for those who haven’t seen them before it’s an introductory full-throttle gallop through tracks from their 2007 self-titled mini album and follow-up full-length Leftovers, highlights of which include The People Versus Michael Miller and Why Isn’t Paul McCartney Dead Already?, which “we feel more guilty about the longer we go on.” Tonight, a few years down the line the troupe may be, but they can still completely convincingly thrash it out like the days of old.

Amy Sumner

Deap Vally + Skaters O2 Academy 2, Birmingham 07/11/13

Following on from their busy tour across the USA, Deap Vally returned to the UK this November to play a handful of shows before setting off on the next leg of their tour in Europe.

New York based Skaters warmed up the crowd, blasting out an indie-punk laced set of melodies. With catchy choruses and energetic guitar riffs, their music channels an undeniably slick vibe. Reminiscent of The

Strokes and the indie scene of the early 2000s, there’s a heavy garage-rock influence throughout their music. They limbered around the stage with a comfortable ease, delivering fast vocals and vibrant beats throughout their set. Showcasing lively favourites such as I Wanna Dance (But I Don’t Know How) and Schemers, Skaters rounded off their set on a high to an eager and responsive crowd.

For a two-piece band, headliners Deap Vally make a surprisingly hefty sound. Their music is a fantastic mix of bluesy rock and gritty guitar riffs, with heavy drumming bringing that extra bite. Lindsey belts out the lyrics with conviction, her vocals bordering on an almost soul-like quality with strength and tone. Moving through songs such as Lies and Gonna Make My Own Money off their album Sistronix, we get a glorious mix of sultry vocals and screeching guitars. It’s garage-rock meets blues, full of raw emotion and power. An impromptu crowd surf from Lindsey sends the crowd into an appreciative frenzy, and it clearly delights the duo to see the crowd so animated.

Walk of Shame is scuzzy and sharp, with a roaring guitar solo to boot. It’s empowering and delicious, bringing to mind the raw guitar and rhythmic drumming from the White Stripes, but with a fresh twist and depth.

Brum Notes Magazine

Launching into End of the World, they ripped through the track with a sheer force and intensity that was breathtaking. Finishing on Baby I Call Hell, the churning guitar riffs set the scene for some catchy lyrics and impressive drumming. The guitar is deep and sleazy, yet well executed to complement the drumming perfectly. An energetic and accomplished performance, Deap Vally know how to bring rock’n’roll to life.

Lorraine Teare

Queens of the Stone Age NIA, Birmingham 21/11/13

As any Queens of the Stone Age fan will tell you, Joshua Homme likes to keep an ace up his sleeve when stepping out in front of a live audience. And this performance proved to be no exception inside the Birmingham’s NIA, which was stocked to the gills as the leader of the pack publicly announced that he was feeling a little ill before coming on stage. He wasn’t fooling anyone as the they ripped into You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire, a fan favourite pulled from their third album Songs for the Deaf.

With the release of their sixth and most commercially successful album …Like Clockwork last June, the band really pushed their new material onto the lively crowd, with every track met with rapturous applause. There is no denying that since the release of the debut self-titled first album back in 1998, there has been no let up in Josh Homme’s mission to deliver hard yet equally as sweet rock’n’roll through our airwaves.

The tracks Smooth Sailing and I Stood By the Ocean in particular really got the crowd swaying, with Homme’s right hand man, Troy Van Leeuwen, cementing his image as guitar hero by wielding a twin neck guitar throughout the set. It was a concert that felt second to none, and Homme gave the impression that he felt exactly felt the same way as he told the adoring masses: “I don’t care what anyone else thinks but Birmingham is a real rock’n’roll town”. It was music to our ears.

Jacob Joy

Arctic Monkeys LG Arena, Birmingham 20/11/13

Three weeks late and armed with a humble apology, out strolls the laryngitis-free Alex Turner. No longer the mop-haired scamp who brought us …Dancefloor and Mardy Bum (which both still get a play, though the Monkeys would no longer be obliged to do so), but a proper rockstar. As close to a December 2013

rockstar as you get in 2013 anyway.

The lads are suited and booted tonight, even Helders, who manages to keep his waistcoat on for approximately eight minutes before shedding down to a t-shirt. It’s the falsettos that give new album AM its signature sound, and they are out in force tonight on One For The Road, Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? and opener Do I Wanna Know?

With the live addition of The Coral’s Bill Ryder-Jones on guitar, Turner is allowed the freedom of the stage for a few tracks, roaming about with only a mic in hand, on newbie Fireside and the particularly storming Pretty Visitors, which he really enjoys, fist pumps and all.

Reckless Serenade allows for some elaborate, almost choreographed arm moves at the start, similar to those of an air traffic controller. So convincing and this close to the airport, it’s lucky a plane didn’t land in the foyer.

Post-Glastonbury, Turner took a lot of stick for his new ‘image’ and American twang, yet here we get “Birminums” and “funders”, showing that underneath all the fanfare, he’s still that little kid from Sheffield. But the thing is, if you’re Alex Turner, and you can’t get away with wearing a cowboy’s shirt underneath a 50’s suit, with your hair slicked back like Elvis while you dance like a cross between a cruiseship Michael Buble and someone’s mom at a wedding, sending ticker tape into the audience while glitter balls illuminate the arena, then who can? Long live rock’n’roll.

Tom Pell

Bear’s Den + The Mariner’s Children Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath 05/11/13

Considering it was Bonfire Night, this night needed kicking off with a bang, and a bang or two The Mariner’s Children certainly did make. So much so that one of their amps blew through the set, but this did not deter this talented bunch.

The Mariner’s Children are a nu-folk/alt-folk/ anti-folk…or whatever people are calling it these days, seven-piece from Brighton.

Within what many label an already overcrowded genre, this charming group proved to be a cut above the rest. Their infectious harmonies and jaunty beats caught the crowd’s attention from the off. The thumping drumbeat of It Carved Your Name Into the Ground and the epically brilliant Drunken Heart echoed undertones of Arcade Fire.

A slight pause, a burst from the smoke machine and it was time for the main act, Bear’s Den, to make an appearance. Anticipations

were high amongst this eager crowd, and the trio were greeted with a rapturous applause as they humbly made their way onto the stage. Following a successful summer of festivals, on the back of their sold out UK headlining tour earlier this year, it was no surprise to see this tour marking another sold out night.

Opening track The Waters revealed delicate harmonies that eloquently merged into an eruptive chorus, where atmospheric guitars positively engaged with a pounding bass drum. The melodic Agape and Pompeii appeared to be the crowd pleasers of the night, despite Pompeii being the title track of an EP only available at gigs.

Sparing the suspense of an encore, the band played through to curfew, closing the evening with a cover of Drake’s Hold on, We’re Going Home. While I’m still not too sure who Drake is but it sounded like it made a great rendition, with a thumping bass line and the added twang of a banjo.

The comparisons to Mumford & Sons can’t be helped, but what we do have with Bear’s Den is a much more delicate and refined approach to the folk fable. Having already built a loyal fan base, this trio definitely won’t be alone on their journey to a debut release next year.

Saima Razzaq

Troumaca + Dumb The Rainbow, Birmingham 26/10/13

Whenever Troumaca are around, you are guaranteed a party. Tonight is no different.

They bring along their friends Dumb, local grunge punk quartet who introduce us to a smattering of new material (Supersonic Love Toy and Calypso) as well as old favourites Retina and Dive and prove to us that like a good wine (Two Bottles of it in fact), they just get better with age.

There’s a love that accompanies Troumaca wherever they go, one that’s entirely mutual and evident throughout The Sun and The Grace which they pace through beautifully. Other highlights include Clouds from their Virgin Island EP and Gold, Women and Wine, one of the standout tracks of their September debut, The Grace. Troumaca are a complete Birmingham treasure, as wholly euphoric live as on record, their fundamentally unique blend of tropicalia, dancehall and dub is a credit to themselves as a band as well as the surroundings they’ve drawn from. If you enjoyed that, see you at The Old Crown for a New Year’s Eve bash of the same.

Amy Sumner

37

EDITOR'S PICK STYLE XMAS GIFT SELECTION BUGGED UP Vallon ring £68.00

FROCK ON VINTAGE Moschino croc belt £50.00

HYPE Tie dye socks £9.99

FOR HER

TOPSHOP Crochet jumper

by Meadham Kirchhoff £195.00

DR MARTENS Floral Boot £110.00 NEW LOOK Mini Duffle bag £12.99

V JEWELLERY Marquise Shard ring £75.00

H&M Clutch bag £14.99

A TOO Royall Frangrances Muske Cologne £45.00

URBAN OUTFITTERS New Era bobble beanie £20.00

PROVIDE Steal Like An Artist £9.99

FOR HIM

P&CO Slick Rick Box Set - White £50.00

BUGGED UP Otoo necklace £120.00

LIQUOR STORE Herschel bag £80.00

AUTOGRAPH South Lane watch £100.00

38

Brum Notes Magazine

birmingham street style KS photography by Sinéad O’Callaghan

RYAN, 19, STUDENT Ryan is wearing trainers from Adidas at Office, black denim jeans from Topman, black bomber jacket from Footasylum, a grey hoodie from Jack Jones, a t-shirt that was a present from America, a printed cap from Size?, a rucksack from Urban Outfitters and a silver chain from Thomas Sabo.

His style icon is Kanye West and his favourite retailer in Birmingham is Size?.

NAINA, 21, BLOGGER Naina is wearing tartan trousers, black boots, a jumper, a black structured coat and a floppy felt hat all from Topshop, her fur collar is from Select and her bag is Primark. Naina’s style icon is Alexa Chung and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Forever 21.

FIONA, 20, ENGLISH STUDENT Fiona is wearing black boots and a jumpsuit from Topshop, a grey jumper stolen from her mum’s wardrobe and a leopard print faux fur coat from a charity shop. Her style icon is Bettie Page and she loves ‘50s fashion. Fiona’s favourite retailer in Birmingham is Urban Village as she thinks they stock the most authentic vintage clothes.

ANNA-JULIA, 21, ACTRESS Anna wears brown Chelsea boots from New Look which she made darker with brown boot polish, a scarf given to her by a friend, a khaki parka jacket from a charity shop, a bowler hat from River Island and a bag from Florence leather market. Anna likes casual clothes that are easy to throw on and comfortable to wear and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is COS. December 2013

ALEX, 19, STUDENT Alex is wearing black Vans from Footasylum, Topman black jeans, a grey marl t-shirt from Urban Industry, a vintage hoodie from eBay, a rucksack from Eastpak and a wax jacket handed down from his dad. His style icon is Alex Turner and his favourite retailer in Birmingham is Selfridges.

ALICIA, 26, ACTOR Alicia is wearing Bershka black skinny jeans, a leather biker jacket from Whistles and a leather rucksack from eBay, her sunglasses are from Urban Outfitters and her shirt and pony skin boots are from Topshop. Her style icons are Vivienne Westwood and Helena Bonham Carter and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Whistles.

39

Temple street social Temple St, Birmingham, B2 5DP templestreetsocial.co.uk 0121 643 3378 From the good people who originally set up The Sunflower Lounge, Temple Street Social is touted as a British (hurrah...gawd bless the Queen etc) themed bar and restaurant just a convenient hop, skip and a jump away from New Street, currently jam packed thanks to the annual German market.

Even a quick glance at the menu shows up a bit of a discrepancy between the claimed ‘British’ theme and the reality, a fact underlined by our choice of Lamb Koftas and Calamari for starters.

The Koftas were generously proportioned and clearly homemade though, albeit a little light on seasoning. Coming with a chilli sauce instead of the advertised tzatziki didn’t help matters as this tended to overwhelm rather than complement the dish. The Salt and Pepper Calamari was a little tough and the batter a touch soggy but it went down well with the garlic mayo.

For mains the burger was one of the biggest I’ve had the pleasure of getting stuck into for

Cuisine:

Modern British

Price:

Around £15 per head

Service: Atmosphere: Food: Overall:

quite some time. Again, perhaps a little light on seasoning and the horseradish and coriander could have been a lot stronger for my tastes.

The bite size hand cut chips were delightful. My companion had a generous portion of Thai green chicken curry that packed a suitable punch, coming with jasmine rice and prawn crackers.

For desserts we plumped for sticky toffee pudding with custard and profiteroles. The former was fine, the latter lacked enough chocolate sauce whilst the consistency of what was there wasn’t gooey enough, meaning that it pooled at the bottom of the serving dish rather than clinging for dear life to its doughy cream filled hosts.

Cups of tea (served in rather clever teapot and

cup combos) with amaretti biscuits washed the whole meal down a treat.

It’s a shame that the British theme seems to have been abandoned a little but perhaps that’s down to public tastes these days? You also get the impression that the place is trying to be all things to all people at the moment, buzzing bar, restaurant, tea room, pub...not an easy balance and one which inevitably leads to compromises, such as the presence of well used cardboard beer mats on the dining tables and scrappy menus that don’t do the place or the food justice.

Little points maybe but in an industry where first impressions count it’s a simple thing to address.

With friendly staff, a great location and an upbeat feel (good choice of tunes whilst we were dining by the way) Temple Street Social could offer the ideal spot for a light bite (and much needed relief from the often manically bustling German market right now) or a great place for a scoff and a party with your mates.

Daron Billings

food & drink events: the birmingham whisky club with Paul John Distilleries The Victoria, Birmingham, 31/10/13 www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk Whilst a sizeable proportion of the population was out trick or treating, your evening could’ve been devoted to spirits of an altogether more enjoyable kind. The brainchild of Birmingham foodie Amy Seton, the Birmingham Whisky Club runs monthly tastings designed to demonstrate the huge variety of flavours associated with perhaps one of the spirit world’s more unsung heroes (be honest now, when was the last time you settled down with a wee dram, eh?). Think whisky and you think bonnie Scotland, 40 right? Well, prepare

to be surprised. Apparently India drinks more whisky than the rest of the world put together and tonight’s distiller was one of its shining stars, Paul John. We tried five different whiskies throughout the evening, first sipping the neat spirit then mixing it with a little water to ‘open up’ the flavours. It sounds a little poncey but it really works.

What you might lose in the heat and alcoholic punch you gain in terms of more subtle flavours and aromas from the sweeter citrus notes in the unpeated expressions (this was the technical term for the different whiskies in the range that the genial Sanjay Paul from the distillery kept using) through to the heady mix of smokiness and dark chocolate at the other end of the spectrum.

The atmosphere’s relaxed and informal with a mix of real whisky aficionados and novices and the only real rule that exists is that you’ve got to polish off the remains of the bottles before you go. Now that’s Brum Notes my kind of homework...

DaronMagazine Billings

7 KINGS HEATH HIGH STREET, BIRMINGHAM B14 7BB

TWO FOR ONE NEW ROOM LAUNCH 6TH DECEMBER

WE’RE OPENING OUR NEW REFURBISHED BACK ROOM WITH LIVE BANDS AND DJs ALL NIGHT, FROM 8PM UNTIL LATE, FREE ENTRY.

EVERY MONDAY AT

&

THE CHURCH

CHRISTMAS PARTY

COME AND CELEBRATE ANOTHER YEAR OF BIRMINGHAM’S FAVOURITE MAG WITH MIDNIGHT BONFIRES & WIDE EYED PLUS LOADS MORE GUESTS AND DJs ALL NIGHT! SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER FROM 7PM!

NEW YEARS YEARS EVE EVE NEW THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE, OUR FRIENDS CHICKS DIG JERKS ARE HOSTING TWO ROOMS FULL OF SPECIAL GUESTS FOR AN ALL NIGHT END OF 2013 PARTY! FREE ENTRY!

BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY NOW BOOK A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR A MINIMUM OF 8 GUESTS FOR A PARTY, £7.50 PER HEAD WITH FOOD. ALTERNATIVELY, BOOK A CHRISTMAS MEAL, EITHER £16.95 FOR LUNCH OR £19.95 FOR DINNER.

KEEP IN TOUCH COME IN TO VISIT US, AND TWEET YOUR PICTURES & FEEDBACK. DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES!

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December 2013

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0121 444 8749

41

UNTIL 2 MARCH 2014

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

Illustration by Rohan Eason

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

BY ELL A HICKSON

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL BY JM BARRIE

B E S T AVA I L A B I L I T Y J A N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y

0844 800 1110

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CONDITIONS

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Brum Notes Magazine

WHAT’S ON

KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY

BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; The 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; Bull’s Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; Ort, Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath, B12; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; The Rose Villa Tavern, Warstone Lane, B18, 0121 2367910; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; Nightingale, Kent St B5, 0121 6221718; Scruffy Murphys, The Priory Queensway B4, 0121 2362035; The Wagon & Horses, Adderley St, Digbeth B9, 0121 7721403; Lab11, Trent St B5, lab11.co.uk; The Moseley Arms, Ravenhurst St B12, 0121 7668467; Air, Heath Mill Lane B9, 0121 7666646; Suki10c, Bordesley Street B5; Gatecrasher, Broad St B15, 0121 633 1520

M M M M M

Sunday, Dec 1 The Doors Alive

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Toby Jepson

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

East of Eden

The Flapper

Birmingham

Barenaked Ladies

The Institute

Birmingham

Sunday Social ft. Nina Baker The Jitterbug Vipers

The Yardbird

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

M Jim Le Grin M CN Jungle Fire M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M

Monday, Dec 2 Flux Pavilion

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Word Alive

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Tom Staniford

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Hudson Taylor

The Institute

Birmingham

Findlay Tuesday, Dec 3 Papa Roach Electric Six The Old Dance School Roddy Woomble (Idlewild) Oh Stockholm!

Hare & Hounds O2 Academy O2 Academy 2 The Glee Club

Birmingham Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Wednesday, Dec 4 Live jazz

Ort

Balsall Heath

The Hoosiers

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Hightale

Birmingham

Some Said Fire

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Don Bronco

The Institute

Birmingham

Oh Land

The Institute

Birmingham

Tom Jarvis

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

December 2013

Birmingham

info@ brumnotes.com All details correct at time of going to press.

Check with venues before setting out.

CN Will.i.am Christmas

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

C

Party Paul McCaffrey

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Thursday, Dec 5 Basement Jaxx

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Black Tambourines Haim

The Actress & Bishop The Institute

Birmingham

Jamie Lenman

The Institute

Birmingham

The Blue Aeroplanes

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Friends

Bull’s Head

Birmingham

C

Marlon Davis

The Rainbow Garden The Rose Villa Tavern The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN

Dub Pistols Soundsystem Thursday Funk

Friday, Dec 6 Barrowclough

Bull’s Head

Birmingham

Happy Mondays

O2 Academy

Birmingham

New Bays

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Platypus Baby

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Sugar Razors

Birmingham

M M M M M CN CN

Kings Heath Birmingham

Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide? Send details to:

M M M M M

Birmingham

Hockley Birmingham

M M M M M

The Mad Geese

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Fatboy Slim

The Institute

Birmingham

JP Cooper

The Institute

Birmingham

Hightower

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Foes

Birmingham

M M

Guy Jones

The Sunflower Lounge The Victoria

Birmingham

M

The Mob

M

Secret Affair

Wagon & Horses Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds

Terminal Cheesecake

Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham Kings Heath 43

M CN CN CN CN

The High Horses

The Cross

Moseley

Lucha Libre

Bodega

Birmingham

Dr Jekyll’s Remedy

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

Resonance

Suki10c

Birmingham

Soul:ution

The Rainbow Garden The Victoria

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern The Cross

Hockley

The Drum

Aston

The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN Matt Stocks CN Just A Groove CN Ava Vidal C Paul McCaffrey C ANTICS!

M M M M M M M M

Ort

Balsall Heath

Surge Saxophones

mac

Birmingham

The Courteeners

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Winston’s Big Brother

Birmingham

Loveless Luck

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Hanson

The Institute

Birmingham

Watain

The Institute

Birmingham

The Grafham Water Sailing Club The Ravens

The Sunflower Lounge The Cross

Birmingham

Boxxed

Birmingham

Club Knicker Bocker Corey

CN CN Dr Jekyll’s Potion CN Hysteria presents New Generation Juqebox

CN Magic Door CN SumoSoundSystem C M M M M M M M M M M M M C M M M M

44

Moseley

Saturday, Dec 7 Jack McNeill

M CN The Exploding Bubble

CN

Birmingham

5th Birthday Bash Paul McCaffrey

Birmingham

Moseley

Bull’s Head

Birmingham

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

The Rainbow Warehouse The Rose Villa Tavern Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Hockley Kings Heath

Birmingham

Sunday, Dec 8 J. Cole

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The View

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Our Mutual Friend

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Conduit

The Asylum

Birmingham

Cold Crows Dead

The Flapper

Birmingham

Sunday Social ft.

Tammy King Jayne Powell

The Yardbird

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Monday, Dec 9 J. Cole

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Paighton

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Mike Dignam

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Airbourne

The Institute

Birmingham

Quasi

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Rose Villa Tavern

Hockley

Wednesday, Dec 11 Max Raptor

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Deranged

The Asylum

Birmingham

The Game

The Institute

Birmingham

Loom

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Tuesday, Dec 10 JQ Comedy Night

C M M M M

Ian Stone

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Thursday, Dec 12 Placebo + Toy

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Actress & Bishop The Institute

Birmingham

The Sunflower Lounge Bull’s Head

Birmingham

Bodega

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern Bull’s Head

Hockley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Ort

Balsall Heath

The Vinyls MK1 Twisted Wheel

The Mighty Young M CN Lucha Libre CN Thursday Funk

CN Friends Ian Stone C M M M M

Friday, Dec 13 Super Sexy Party Band vs Ska’d For Life Peace

Birmingham

Moseley

Moseley

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Subs

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Maximum Zero

The Actress & Bishop The Rainbow

Birmingham

Birmingham

M M

Weatherbird

M M M CN CN CN

Kezia Soul

Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds

Brumbaclarts

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Beaumont

The Cross

Moseley

Lucha Libre

Bodega

Birmingham

Dr Jekyll’s Remedy

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

Planet Rock Christmas Party ft. Johnny Doom Shuffle

The Rainbow

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern Hare & Hounds

Hockley

The Cross

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Saturday, Dec 14 John Paul Villafrati

Ort

Balsall Heath

Ocean Colour Scene

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Kastella

Birmingham

The Courtesy Group

CN CN Hot Wax present Hot Potato Everything Craig Charles

CN CN ANTICS! Ian Stone C M M M

Birmingham

Kings Heath

Kings Heath

M M M M

Cassette Days

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Shed Seven

The Institute

Birmingham

Theatre Of Hate

The Institute

Birmingham

Club Phobia

Birmingham

M

Brum Notes Christmas Party ft. Midnight Bonfires + Wide Eyed + Drakelow + Michael King (Boat To Row) + Mirrorhall Killerstream

The Sunflower Lounge The Sun At The Station

The Cross

Moseley

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

The Adam & Eve The Victoria

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern

Hockley

M CN Dr Jekyll’s Potion CN Panic! Reunion party CN Terry Hall DJ Set CN Beatamax CN Juqebox

Birmingham

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Brum Notes Magazine

CN Virus CN Killer Wave 2.0 Ian Stone C M M M M M M C M M M M M M M M M C C M M M M M M M M

Birmingham

Birmingham

Bodega CN Lucha Libre Jekyll & Hyde CN Dr Jekyll’s Potion CN New Hype presents DJ The Adam &

The Drum

Aston

CN

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

CN Funk Fusion CN Discographic

The Flapper

Birmingham

White Lies

The Institute

Birmingham

Sunday Social ft.

Sylvia Jim Le Grin

The Yardbird

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Ian Stone

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Monday, Dec 16 Andy Jordan

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Martha Reeves & The Atlantic Players Tuesday, Dec 17 The Mission + Fields Of The Nephilim In Hindsight

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

Lil’ Chris Hardman

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Sunday, Dec 15 Town Hall Gospel Christmas StakeOut Christmas Party The Crimson Star

M M M M

Moseley

The Glee Club

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Gnarwolves

The Flapper

Birmingham

Matt Sheehan

The Yardbird

Birmingham

John Lennon McCullagh Tom Christian

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Ort

Balsall Heath

Joe Lycett

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Ort

Balsall Heath

O2 Academy

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham Birmingham

Only Shadows

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Jaws

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Yeah Yeah Noh

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

This Is Tmrw Christmas Party ft. Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam + J U I C E Lucha Libre

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Thursday, Dec 19 Big Tent & The Gypsy Lantern Kim Wilde’s Christmas Party Insolito Uncle Jim

Birmingham

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern Bull’s Head

Hockley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Actress & Bishop The Flapper

Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

Nicky Romero

The Institute

Birmingham

Hot Club de Swing Christmas Takeover Absent Friends

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Friday, Dec 20 Nerve Centre Paper Tigers God Damn + Them Wolves Modern Minds

December 2013

Champion Fidget allnighter

M M M M M M M CN CN CN C M M M M

Moseley

Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham Hockley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy

Birmingham Birmingham

Selfless Xmas Bash

The Actress & Bishop The Asylum

Lovelace

The Flapper

Birmingham

Lovelace

The Flapper

Birmingham

Brum Punx Xmas Bash ft. GBH Mardybum

The Institute

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

Dirty Old Folkers

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Coopers

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Dr Jekyll’s Potion

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

Love House Christmas Party OOOOOO Look Christmas Party Joe Lycett

The Institute

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Actress & Bishop The Rainbow Warehouse Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

CN ANTICS! Joe Lycett C M M

Eve The Rainbow Garden The Victoria

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern The Cross

Saturday, Dec 21 The Wonder Stuff Nine Dart Finish

Sunday, Dec 22 Dirty Little Lies Electric Cake Salad The Twang + Warm Brains + Wide Eyed Pressure Drop Christmas Special The Toy Hearts

Moseley

Birmingham

Birmingham Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds Kings Heath M Moseley CN Tender Administration Bull’s Head

M M

Monday, Dec 23 Dionne Bromfield

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Rainbow Warehouse

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

M CN Deano Ferrino (Magic

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

CN

The Rainbow

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham Hockley

CN Deano Ferrino (Magic

The Rose Villa Tavern Hare & Hounds

CN

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Twang + Jaws + The Grafham Water Sailing Club Dirty Old Folkers

M CN Magoo Bodega

CN Friends Joe Lycett C

M

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Wednesday, Dec 18 Tenacious D

CN CN Thursday Funk

M M

Hare & Hounds

Tuesday, Dec 24 Misty’s Big Adventure Door) Thursday, Dec 26 Highgrade Boxing Day Bash Hot Wax

CN CN Thursday Funk

M

Door) Friends

Friday, Dec 27 The Steve Gibbons Band

Kings Heath

45

CN Dr Jekyll’s Remedy CN Discographic CN Freestyle CN ANTICS! Gary Delaney C M M M CN CN CN C M M M M

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

The Rose Villa Tavern Bull’s Head

Hockley

The Cross

Moseley

Moseley

The Glee Club

Saturday, Dec 28 The Cedar House Band One Eye

The Sunflower Lounge Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

The Maxwells Quandri

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Dr Jekyll’s Potion

Jekyll & Hyde

Birmingham

High Fidelity

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Enter The Dragon

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Gary Delaney

The Glee Club

Sunday, Dec 29 Jazzifunk alldayer ft.

Neil Pierce Jim Le Grin Tuesday, Dec 31 Fantasy NYE Party with Free School Subvert New Year’s Eve Lucha Libre

Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Ort

Balsall Heath

Wagon & Horses Bodega

Birmingham

CN CN Dr Jekyll’s NYE Potion Jekyll & Hyde The Adam & CN New Year’s Eve All

Birmingham

CN

Birmingham

CN

Nighter Uprawr New Year’s Eve GlobalGathering presents NYE with Rudimental + Annie Mac NYE Juqebox

Eve The Asylum

Birmingham Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

Hockley

CN High Fidelity NYE

The Rose Villa Tavern Hare & Hounds

CN

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

CN CN Canvas CN Jam Hott vs Killer

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley Moseley

C

Wave 2.0 NYE special Dan Nightingale

Bull’s Head The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN

Wednesday, Jan 1 Below

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Institute

Birmingham

Suki10c

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

CN

Back Bar Takeover Leftfoot vs. Love The Life NYE Special Sweat NYE Special

M

Thursday, Jan 9 Brum Notes Beat the January Blues Party with Eat Y’Self Pretty + Lovats + EKKAH Friday, Jan 17 Lamb of God

M

Thursday, Jan 23 Connan Mockasin

M

CN

Saturday, Jan 25 Dan Le Sav vs Scroobius Pip Capacity presents…

M

Tuesday, Jan 28 Outfit

M

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Brum Notes Magazine

December 2013

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