Manifesto #5 Sept 2008

MANIFESTO

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MUSIC IN SUNDERLAND

2008 / FREE

05 g

show us the light!

TSSLS HEAD TO IN THE CITY the daintees smf manifestival utopia f.m kennyfest news reviews live listings top fives

Hello and welcome to issue 5 of Manifesto and the end of any hopes of a summer this year. We’ve still had some mint outdoor gigs despite the rain and wind and can now start planning for more next year. This issue sees us look ahead to Freshers fortnight, In The City, our very own Manifestival as well as keeping you up to date with the Sunderland Music Forum. Stay fresh and cool!

09 DEXY’S

tssls

Jarvis

EDITORS Philip Jarvis

DESIGN Jordan Hill Designhell@hotmail.com

20 manifestival

16 UTOPIa

LISTINGS Chris Wake

NEWS

04 08 12 18 24 30

Caroline Stobbart

news

WORDS Nina Cowey, Lane Hewitt, Dave Harper, Daniel Clifford, Josh Cockroft, Stephen Gilbert, Steve Langley

band of yesteryear

PHOTOGRAPHY

kennyfest

Nicholas Gray, Josh Cockroft, Ian West, Amy Brammall, Jack and Aaron

freshers

reviews

listings

With help and support from sunderland city council MANIFESTO MAGAZINE 29 STOCKTON ROAD SUNDERLAND SR2 7AQ TEL / FAX 0870 922 0336 EMAIL: INFO@SUNDERLANDMUSIC.COM WWW. MYSPACE.COM/SUNDERLANDMUSICFORUM WWW.SUNDERLANDMUSIC.COM

O3

News ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

one night of queen Fans of Queen get excited; the ultimate tribute band will blow your socks off.

Starring Gary Mullen, the most successful winner of the ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ series, this tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen is backed by his band The Works.

One Night of Queen sees Freddie joined on stage with superb artists who perform as Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor, singing the greats like Fat Bottomed Girls and Bohemian Rhapsody.

it’s big organ time Stuck for something to do on Sunday 7th September at around 2pm? well we have got just the answer. Get yourself down to Ryhope Community Centre to watch an afternoon of Nicholas Martin playing the ex Sunderland Regal/Odeon Mighty Compton Theatre Organ.

Admission is £3.50 and prices include a nice cup of tea or coffee.

For more information call: 521 0775.

last night of the proms Musical Director, Rupert Hanson, and the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Community bring an evening of classical music, celebrating the very best in local musical talent. Expect a variety of much-loved orchestral music, operatic arias and duets performed by artists from the English National Opera.

What’s more, you even get a free flag and song sheet to ensure you really enjoy yourself.

The event will take place on Sunday 7th September at Sunderland Empire. Tickets range from £8-£12.

For more information call: 0844 847 2499. For more info goto www.myspace.com/deadwoods

O4

News ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

289 NOT OUT Ah, 1719 was a good year; Daniel Defoe published Robinson Crusoe, the first treaty of Stockholm was signed, Prussia conducted Europe’s first systematic census, and Sunderland’s Old Parish Church was consecrated. Good times.

And to mark the 289th anniversary of this consecration, friends of the church, The Rectory Gray Society, presents ‘Holy Trinity Musika – An Organ, A Piano and A Voice.’

This will take place on Saturday 6th September at Sunderland Old Parish Church, Church Street East, at 2.00pm. Admission is £3.00 on the door.

For more information call: 01207 562 957.

RIFLE TRIFLE SUN FM SUNFEST

On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, Sun FM are having a massive Family Fun Weekend at Ashbrooke Sports Club between 12 noon and 5pm both days.

They’ll be broadcasting live all day, with live entertainment and a fairground in the form of 30 rides and attractions, including; waltzers, dodgems, trains, bucking bronco, go karts, assault course, bouncy castle kid’s corner and grab-a-grand. And if that’s not enough, Noddy and Big Ears will be knocking about all day to keep everyone entertained.

To ride the rides all day and enjoy the entertainment, it’s only £7.00 or just £10 for both days.

For more information call: 0191 548 6767

The Rifles started their 2008 with a characteristic ‘bang’ when they were joined on stage by their spiritual forefather Paul Weller at The Forum, Kentish Town on 28th March. With the howls of ‘I can’t f**king believe it’ from their loyal fanbase still ringing in their ears, the band have announced their most ambitious tour yet, including a date at Sunderland’s Independent. To reward some of the 40,000 fans on their database, the band are going to give the first 2000 that buy tickets to Brixton a commemorative double gatefold vinyl. The first 7” in the gatefold will come with the ticket, featuring new track ‘I Could Never Lie’ on the A-side and ‘Narrow Minded Social Club’ recorded live at The Forum on the flip. The other side of the gatefold sleeve will house The Rifles first full single release of 08 ‘The Great Escape’ due for release in September and taken from their forthcoming 2nd album due in October. The gatefold artwork aptly takes the form of a passport, look out for a competition involving passport pics to coincide with that release.

For more info goto www.myspace.com/therifles or to buy tickets get down to Hot Rats in Sunderland (0191 5672099).

O5

Pearls of SCRAP METAL

wisdom

I don’t know if I can blame Sunderland for everything. It just makes it so easy. For a lazy misery like myself it’s the perfect city. But misery so accessible bothers me. I like to think I put everything into my self deprivation and that’s where the paradox appears. Y’see just when I think I’ve got my blues acute enough to churn out something of worth some sarcastic so and so makes the sun shine.

When the bank says no the bottle says yes. I always pick the wrong line to concentrate on and I upset the people that I love more often than I comfort them. Every drop of whiskey, every potion and powder that is afforded to me does nothing but numb the ability to stretch an emotion in order to yield something of worth.

It wasn’t to long ago that some plank would gladly kick you when you were down. Now, you have to parade yourself or fill out a form in order to be even considered for a well aimed punt to the nape.

A note to the people of here and beyond; allow me to ape whomever I please and lampoon you all while I go about my business. Allow me to have what little integrity I have left intact and the misery that goes with. You’ll get your perks if you let this sleeping dog die.

Dave “Pearl” Harper

my HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO AT MANIFESTO THIS MONTH!!

Squares From Rags to Richmond The young South Shields quintet flex their youthful muscles on this grower.

The best harmonies since a certain Kate Bush cover and the best hand claps, well, ever. Their debut album is out this month and we’re thinking it’s gonna be special.

Billy Bloodaxe Pandora Vs Posieden A future electro classic to help us get over the break-up of Coldseat.

Think Crystal Castles, Hadouken! and David Bowie all jamming on a Commodore 64 in a minimilist New York flat in the year 2023. Expect the single immininently.

Pontiffs Reality Heights The Wearside hell raisers get stripped down, greased up and nice and sleazy on their new garage rock stormer. They’ve been in the studio for the last eighty years but catch them in a venue near you soon.

B>E>A>K Pecky Bird Our mask wearing, feathered friends’ finest moment to date. A jerky, meandering number that gets angry in the middle and all maudlin at the end, but still maintains an effortless elegance throughout. We can’t wait for the first long player from these chicks.

The Anglo Form Silo Minimalist electro misery par excellence from the 3-strong art rockers.

The sound of The Kills and Joy division mix together in a massive industrial indie blender..

Go to www.sunderlandmusic.com and listen to them and many more on our very own radio station.

s O7

s e e t n i a d e h t

Band of Yesteryear ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Words: Nina Cowey

“Softies trying to be hard and sounding even softer than you could ever imagine” is how this old school North East band describe themselves and, listening to them, you can see why. With beautifully played acoustic elements and soulful folk singing combined, The Daintees are a refreshing and outstandingly unique offering from times when anger, aggression and proving a point was rife in the music scene, especially in industrial and working class areas like Sunderland.

The Daintees were born in the early 80s, choosing their name specifically to convey their individuality against the majority of angst ridden punk bands of the time. Guitarist and vocalist, Martin Stephenson, had an interesting idea of fusing the then-popular punk and new wave styles with a more subtly acoustic and melodic flavour. The result was the birth of a new style of music, one so complex it is hard to categorize into any sort of genre; an achievement in itself it has to be said.

With a variety of influences projecting from each different band member, going from legends of rock, Deep Purple and pioneers in metal and doom, Black Sabbath, The Daintees had the knowledge and soul to find an equilibrium between heavy and soft, juxtaposing tones and textures and experimenting with sound. The end product was a signature sound which had atmosphere, melody and edge, a sound that they would carry with them and progress with for two decades.

Needless to say, the band was snapped up and The Daintees debut album was one of the first releases on Newcastle based label, ‘Kitchenware’ which gave rise to their single ‘Roll on Summertime’. Their next release was on ‘London’ records in 1985 titled ‘Boat to Bolivia’. Their success was more than just a few gigs and a demo here and there, it was real and it was spreading across the world.

Working with future Pixies/Bunnymen sound-tech Gil Norton helped The Daintees define and master their sound with professional and profoundly creative help and they went on to produce three more albums; Gladsome, Humour and Blue (1987), Salutation Road (1989) and The Boys Heart (1992).

Their music has reached people across the world and their unique sound has intrigued many a music fan. Guitarist and vocalist, Gary Dunn, is now working at Shiney Row Music College and is continuing to share his experience and valuable advice to young hopefuls every day. A band that should never be forgotten and a credit to Sunderland.

Lo and behold, The Daintees are playing a welcome return homecoming gig at Independent in Sunderland on October 25th with tickets available from Hot Rats. For more info goto www.independentsunderland.com

O8

Venue of Yesteryear ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dexy’s Words: Phil Jarvis

Back in the mid-90s there was hardly anywhere to put gigs on in our city. As I recall, there was The Royalty, where the seedy little upstairs room has been a venue since the dawn of time; the downstairs room in Blueberries - which was known as Mozarts and then, quite inspiringly, The Basement and for the past ten years or so, quite aptly, has been the bogs in Yatesy’s - where I first witnesed The Rolf and Cindy band (kind of The Golden Virgins before they were The Golden Virgins); The Pallentine, which is now those hideous apartments newly built in Mowbray Park; and Dexy’s, a former Italian restaurant transformed into a late night café cum venue.

Dexy’s was by far the coolest venue Sunderland has ever been graced with. Initially a late night café where you could go after Ku (in the days when Ku closed at a respectable 2am) to drink tea, smoke and talk nonsense till six in the morning, it eventually evolved into Wearside’s most important venue of the 1990s. It was the only place in the city where underground touring bands of a decent size (Orange Deluxe, These Animal Men, Whiteout, Corduroy) could play, but it was also a venue when any local act or promoter worth his salt could put their own gigs on. At the time of Corduroy playing Dexy’s, their label Acid Jazz was huge and was spawning a new genre of music and bands like Jamiroquai, JTQ and Mother Earth.

The stage was huge, the size, shape and acoustics were spot on, and the best bit, the bar had a glass top with loads of old 7” vinyls, badges, posters and stuff on show under the glass. Cans of Stones were always the call of the day and you always had change out of a tenner to take home!

I remember one new years eve night where I stumbled through the snow and landed at the door of Dexy’s to find a night by local indie acid jazz scallywags The Sweetshop. The place was rammed, electric cut off about 3 times during their rendition of ‘What’s Going On’, but the punters didn’t care. The singer was drinking a bottle of Baileys on stage as they stuttered their way through the rest of the set and the DJ kept the floor bouncing till the early hours.

Dexys was on the upper floors of The Athenaeum Buildings on Fawcett St which is now, surprise surprise, an apartment block!

.

O9

open sesame

10

Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic architecture, heritage and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for access. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors and invite the public to explore what’s on offer and take part in exciting activities.

Co-ordinated nationally by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage, the event thrives on the enthusiasm and expertise of local people. Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life share their knowledge and memories with some 850,000 visitors every year, making Heritage Open Days England’s largest voluntary cultural event.

Sunderland is proud to have some of the finest examples right on its doorstep and are delighted to be providing the opportunity for people of all ages to explore and discover them during Heritage Open Days. It is a once-a-year chance to discover local heritage and enjoy a wide variety of events and activities, which bring life to local history and culture.

Heritage Open Days in Sunderland will include various musical venues including Arts Centre, Washington, City Library and Arts Centre, National Glass Centre, and Sunderland Empire.

Open Days are on Thursday 11 Sep 08 - Sunday 14 Sep 08, FREE, at Various Locations. Full details of all of the events goto www.twhods.org.uk. Or Tel: 0191 553 2000

s m f’rs It’s been a few months since the Sunderland Music Forum (or SMF to all the cool acronym lovers) officially launched at the Stadium of Light, and it’s been a glorious few months at that!

The event featured live performances from the likes of young tykes Acidik, and the artist formerly known as Coldseat, a photographic exhibition, a display of band biographies, a raffle (I’m still gutted I didn’t win those hairdressing vouchers) and a Question Time-style debate on the state of the Sunderland scene. Overall, it was a good day – but musicians being the shy types they are, there was a lot of shoe-gazing and not enough interacting (myself included)!

But what is the SMF? Well, it’s a collective of musicians, DJs, promoters, venue managers and people just passionate about local music that meets to discuss and debate the state of music in the city in order to make it a better place for both music makers and audiences alike.

Of course, this very magazine was a product of the forum!

You ask and you will receive!

Over the summer, the forum worked with Sunderland City Council to organise the Sunderland Live events at Cliffe Park.

These three shows served as taster sessions for a larger audience that may not have been au fete with the music currently being pumped out of the city. Over the three gigs 19 bands, a range of solo artists, and at least 18 DJs performed. At the grand finale, there was also a cinema marquee, local produce market and a family activities tent.

The latest gig the forum is involved with is the Spearhead In The City warm-up featuring Seaham’s The Small Screen Light Show (see elsewhere for more details).

But not ones to rest on their laurels, SMF is currently working towards a good deal of new goals. These include the allocation of legal poster points around the city; a free online database of music-related contacts details; a compilation of the best local acts; suggestion boxes dotted around the city’s bars and venues; and organising a location for musos to go busking.

Meetings have recently moved to the more serene location of Sunderland City Library, taking place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, and followed by a sociable drink in The White Room. A gig featuring promising local acts will follow September’s meeting – and will hopefully become a regular feature of what everybody is calling Forum Wednesday.

Anyone interested in helping out is not just welcome, but is implored to come along! If you want more info on SMF the best thing to do is visit www.myspace.com/sunderlandmusicforum or email info@sunderlandmusic.com.

Words: Daniel Clifford

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Words: Daniel Clifford

keep it The Small Screen Light Show are a duo from Seaham who make a wonderful indie-noise that has garnered praise from such luminaries as Steve Lamacq, XFM’s Marsha Shandur and that bastion of morning news, Metro.

Not only have TSSLS (as they shall be know from here on in) grabbed the attention of the national media with their “emo-ish indie fightpop sound”, the North East music development agency, Generator, has picked them as one of six acts to take to In The City.

Started in 1992 by the late great Tony Wilson and his partner Yvette Livesey, In The City is an annual music conference that showcases some of the world’s most exciting new acts and has made stars of Oasis, Elbow and…erm…Orson.

But before heading down to Manchester each of the six acts (the other five are Razzmatazz Lorry Excitement, Spies in Limbo, Shin Jin Rui, Left at Montreal and Birds-vs-Planes) have been mentored by a dedicated mentor and have been playing a series of key gigs across the region. One of TSSLS’s key gigs is taking place (or, rather, took place) on September 12th at The White Room with B>E>A>K, Trevor Gibb and Warm Digits.

Taking inspiration from the likes of The Subways, Fightingwithwire and Polytechnic, TSSLS marry terrace chant melodies with razor-sharp guitar riffs and interesting structures or in the words of The Crack, a “beefy slab of indie rock”.

Matty Vant takes care of the guitar, synth and vocals while Becca Young plays bass, keys and vocals too.

In the live arena, the duo is joined by Craig Stamp on the drums.

With the sort of praise the band has been receiving over the past few years, you’d be surprised if they didn’t make it big in the foreseeable future. Lamaqc is so enthralled that he’d even give it a go as their full-time drummer if he “had any sense of rhythm and was approximately 22 years younger”.

12

light

can i have the bill please?

Words: Dave Harper

For those of you plastic cowboys who don’t know the storey B>E>A>K are a concept you couldn’t think up because you’re not good enough. Richard Amundsen and Jordan Hill (This Aint Vegas), alongside Kev Dosdale (Razzmatazz Lorry Excitement and every other band in the North East!) and John Beatie (First Flight Home) are B>E>A>K. The register in itself is impressive but the product is something else altogether. Lets get the dischord, DIY and Fugazi laziness out of the way. Its there alright but that would be tant amount to laziness and B>E>A>K deserve more kudos.

B>E>A>K don’t have a vocalist perse, however, squawks are tossed about like yesterday’s confetti as various members take their opportunity to crack the whip. The music is metal, its ambient, its hard, its soft, its fluid, its pushed and pulled and forced down your throat. It has always left me wanting more and more.

Part time member of the Byte size Cowboys and six feet of fine alabaster Mr Trev Gibb will also be in attendance. Now the words acoustic, heartfelt and earnest are criminally overused by all and sundry. Which is annoying as Trev Gibb is the personification of all these things and more.

Having only played a handful of gigs Trev has attracted a following that pay respect to his intricate weaving of moods with words, with sounds and most of all integrity. Lets face it when acoustic love songs go wrong its car crash time, when they do there job they pull an audience in until you are utterly convinced that the song is in some way about you. Trev Gibb has that quality. So much so that none other than Mr David Brewis has taken the reigns and begun work on recording Trev’s forthcoming album.

If that’s not enough, then as an extra special treat, I give you the Warm Digits who are Andy Hodson (Matinee Orchestra) avant garde genius/ drum nutter, and Steve Jeffries (Cathode) white noise pioneer. I caught them at The Distraction Weekender and I still don’t understand how they blew my mind so much. 1 half hour of Jazz Krautrock, white noise and beats and I was completely their’s, a total noise whore. There is nothing like The Warm Digits and that makes me love them all the more.

This whole show has been crafted with the help of Generator to encapsulate what I think the North East has if you just dig deep enough.

The act is that this is the best line up I have seen for a number of years in such intimate setting. That’s a fact.

All 3 bands play with Small Screen Lightshow at the Generator/SMF Spearhead event @ The White Room, September 12th, 7.30pm, £2.

13 13

The White Room at night sun / manifesto alldayer mon / club 1990 tues / sunderland music forum wed / rinky dink (book club coming soon) thurs / cool for cats fri / the local: ward 10 & electric shakedown sat / divine wind : dj emmie FRESH COFFEE AND SNACK MENU AVAILABLE DAILY.

29 holmeside / sunderland sr1 3je / 0191 5658947

Words: Steve Langley

kennyfest ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?

If you go down to Independent this month you’ll find things getting VERY METAL!........

Tribute bands abound and Sunderland’s Death In Blood make an appearance with their brand of thrash in what promises to be the charity gig of the season.

Maiden England headline Kennyfest 2008 recreating those heavy times of Iron Maiden’s 80’s heyday. So buff yer earplugs and hold onto your denims because there hasn’t been this much noise since Alice Cooper said he was going teetotal!

Sabbatica and Judas Beast will also slash their axes for your pleasure.

Dakota supply classic/contemporary covers and perhaps some light relief for patrons who like to muse on chordprogressions whilst sampling Independent’s neck oil.

If you like your Rock with a Space-Age feel you’ll be in overdrive with Hawkwind tribute Wind of Change in addition to DJ Metal Heed spinning grooves in the ‘chill out’ lounge. It’s a gig for headbangers everywhere. You know who you are!

Kennyfest began in 2006 following the loss of much-loved musician Kenny Brown. This tribute to a man who battled spina bifida was organized by family and friends as testament to his legacy. Kenny refused to give in and fought adversity; playing bass and performing with several local bands during the 80’s and early 90’s, namely Cap’n Flint, Flying Out and Fairhaven. Remember?

Attending many gigs in his meteor-emblazoned wheelchair, believing Sunderland is full of talent and encouraging young bands throughout his life, he also became one of the few disabled driving instructors in the country; dtermined to prove you can overcome anything if you try.

Everyone concerned reaches out to those of you who want to join the experience. After all, it’s what Kenny would have wanted.

Seven hours studded with even more entertainment.

Cough up three quid and not only are you supporting the PDSA and the Grace House Children’s Hospice Appeal - you ALSO get the chance to take part in the Air Guitar Competition. And there’s a Raffle too! Shiver me Marshalls!

Kennyfest made a wad for these worthy causes last year, but this year let’s break the £1000 mark. www.kennyfest. co.uk for more info.

Kennyfest will be bigger in the future. If you want to get stuck in on Saturday 20th September, 4pm - 11pm @ Independent tickets are available from www.skiddle.com At £3 you’d be crackers to miss out!

Words: Dave Harper

Utopia FM is becoming a Community Radio Station.

Sunderland will soon have a full time community radio station broadcasting live across the city.

For two weeks in September, Utopia FM which has been a successful student radio station for over 10 years, has been granted a licence by OfCom to broadcast full time.

In the past Utopia FM has been aimed at a student audience but this September’s broadcast will move the output towards the new community radio format.

The station’s objectives are to involve, entertain and serve the wider community of Sunderland through inclusive programmes and strong links with community groups.

Rory Auskerry, the station manager for the September RSL (Restricted Service Licence) says; “We are really keen to involve the community in our next broadcast. It’s crucial that we get people from community groups and societies on the air to talk about what they do and to promote their ideas. Until now Utopia has been very strongly focused on the student population but because we are becoming a community station soon we want to become much more inclusive and begin the transition between the two formats.”

Rory continues: “If we haven’t already been in touch with you and you would like to talk to us about your group or society then please contact us via email.”

Contact Utopia FM Station Manager at Rory Auskerry on rory@northernhype.co.uk

16

whats on your f.m dial?

paint it

at substance

Over the last few months Substance has really established itself as one of the more progressive bars in the city when it comes to their music policy, with The Love Inn (every Friday 9pm -1am), hosted by DJ Lornz, being a big pull for the more discerning of Sunderland music fans. Playing everything under the cool ass sun, from The Doors to The Chemical Brothers, MGMT to The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Lornz has built up a large and loyal fan base that has seriously improved Substance’s overall vibe.

Paint it Black is Sunderland’s and Substances’s newest night.

Starting on September 6th and then every Saturday 9pm till 1am from then on, it‘s the kind of night that any real Mod from the 60s could walk into and feel right at home. There’ll be regular and guest Djs every week playing a massive mix of all the best cuts from the 60s and early 70s. Expect to hear northern soul, ska, garage, blues and a little bit of everything else that was around in the most swinging of decades.

Also look out for live music at Substance in the very near future, with The Bunker’s very own Danny Lowes taking to the phone and booking some cracking acoustic acts for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more info goto www.myspace.com/substancesundaysessions

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time to get

fresh!

Just in time for Fresher’s Week this year, comes the launch of the fantastic new development at what was the Manor Quay nightclub. Facilities’ Ian Grey, President of the Students Union Greg Du Bois, and entrepreneur Carlo Citti are the persons behind this exciting new venture, ‘Campus’ at Manor Quay. The club will be run by Scottish entrepreneur Citti, working in close partnership with the Student’s Union and the University. Carlo is responsible for the hugely successful Campus, Classrooms, Nico’s and Europa venues in Glasgow.

All of these venues have proved extremely popular with students and more of the same is to be expected in our own city.

Opening as the first self-styled ‘Sunderland Frat House’, the venue will play host to many of the countries top bands.

Fresher’s week will see performances on the 26th of September from The Elements, who feature Andy Bennett from Ocean Colour Scene, along with three of the very best North East Bands - Hungover Stuntmen, Little Comets and The Flytes. Hungover Stuntmen have three Sunderland university graduates within their ranks and have played with the likes of Paul Weller, OCS, The Kooks and The Subways.

They have also headlined the famous Ibiza Rocks event not once but twice, along with Underground Heroes who also grace the stage on November 29th.

The nights have been designed to offer a varied theme each week. From Jazz and Funk to Rock then Indie. Alternative and open events as well as comedy. The venue will also see performances from the likes of Ricky Tomlinson, of Royle Family fame, Duncan James from Blue and DJ sets from Radio 1’s Zane Lowe and Scott Mills.

All of this adds up to not only a fantastic fresher’s week but the promise of a fantastic set of events throughout the whole year.

Live music kicks off on 26th September with The Elements with Andy Bennett from OCS, plus Hungover Stuntmen, Little Comets, and The Flytes . Then on 27th Sept there’s The Spheres, and Dan Audio for a Funk Night and DJ Set Bonded Warehouse (USSU Only) For more info goto www.myspace.com/sunderlandstudent

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john’ll fix it Although we’re now without a guitar shop in Sunderland, at least we’ve got a nice fella who can mend guitars and amps and stuff!

JXG Guitars have been mending stuff at The Bunker for over a year now, but operate from a fully equipped workshop in the Ouseburn Valley area of Newcastle, a few minutes walk from the Cluny and Cumberland Arms.

John Xavier Gill, a qualified luthier with over 15 years experience, has been in and around the scene in Sunderland for even longer. His qualifications include: National Diploma in Musical Instrument Technology from Leeds College of Music Higher National Diploma in Musical Instrument Technology from Leeds Metropolitan University He offers a full range of guitar services from a truss rod tweak to a custom designed handmade instrument. He also offers amp repair and servicing, which comes in very handy for The Bunker, plus electric & acoustic guitars and basses repaired, modified and custom made, specialising in electric guitars and fret work.

Sample price : Set up from £45 - includes Minor fret work (loose fret ends, sharp fret ends, one or two high frets) Polish frets Clean and oil the fretboard Check/tighten/lubricate tuners Check all hardware, tighten/clean/lubricate as appropriate Remove, clean and lubricate tremelo (if applicable) Clean bridge saddles, check radius, check slot depth and width, polish saddle slots Check electrics Clean and lubricate pots, switches and jack Restring Adjust string height at bridge Balance tremelo (if applicable) Check neck relief Check and adjust nut height and radius, cut and polish slots to match string gauge Reshape and polish top of nut if necessary Lubricate nut and saddle slots (string trees if applicable) Set pick up height (and pole pieces if applicable) Set intonation (strobe) Clean and polish Fret dress and set up from £90 - includes the above and precise levelling and recrowning of frets Refret from £135 (unbound), £180 (bound) – includes fret dress, set up extra Headstock repair from £45, £90 including finish touch up Guitar repairs charged at £45 per hour Amplifier servicing and repair charged at £25 per hour Minimum bench charge £10

He’s in The Bunker every week but you can contact John direct on 0191 2658519 or at jxg@jxgguitars.co.uk for more information

19

manifestival When Jarvis asked Squares to curate a day of live music and DJ sets at The White Room I thought it was a joke. I was excited by the prospect...but I still thought it was a joke.

It wasn’t a joke, though, as I am reminded at least once a week when I received a text from the good man saying, “Have you got any more bands confirmed for the 28th?” And although we have not yet got the whole thing confirmed yet, a lot of great pop music is lined up for that last Sunday of September.

Of course, Squares will be playing tracks from their forthcoming debut album, “Hate, love and public transport”. So expect three-part harmonies, jangly guitars and maybe even a six minute waltz!

Check out www.myspace.com/squaresmusic for more on our Shields-based shenanigans.

The other bands on the bill share a love of melody with Squares, but each brings this to the table from a slightly different direction.

Cheap Antiques are a lovely band from Sunderland/Durham who specialise in off-kilter, cerebral post-punk. No, I’m not talking about another group of The Futureheads rip-offs, Cheap Antiques make a sound all of their own. and what a sound it is! To find out for yourself see www. myspace.com/cheapantiques

I was recently chastised by Ben from Our Imaginary Friends for referring to them as ‘Nick Cave singing for Magazine or Joy Division’.

He said, “Surely that’s just The Birthday Party.”

The cheeky bugger! To clarify, Our Imaginary Friends sound like Nick Cave NOW (not in the 80s!) crooning over music that resembles Real Life-era Magazine. To see what I mean visit www. myspace.com/ourimaginaryfriends..

.

Digital Heroes were first brought to my attention when I was judging a battle of the bands in God’s country, South Shields. I picked them as winners. So did Martin Squares. But they didn’t win because the other judges voted for a group of lasses done up like The Horrors. They were robbed. Catchy melodies, ba-ba-bas, spikey guitars and a singer who looks like Jason Bateman from Arrested Development – get in the know at www.myspace.com/digitalheroesmusic

The last band to be confirmed is The Moonstones. Virtually unknown round these parts, but they have a great knack for melody and create pop/rock songs reminiscent of the last few Belle and Sebastian albums or Elton John’s best 70s stuff. Have a listen at www.myspace.com/themoonstonesoffical

Aside from that we’ve got man-about-town CJA from brand new electro-pop outfit No, Robot, No! Doing his thing on the decks. No doubt we’ll hear some Pulp and Roxy Music. Happy Days! www.myspace.com/norobotno.

It’s generally considered to be a faux pas to advertise acts that haven’t been confirmed, but even if they don’t end up playing it would be a crime if some more people didn’t find out about c86-obsessed The Early Maze, and Sunderland-based solo artist John Peart.

I do admit I’ve been a bit lax on the ol’DJ front but if all else fails, me and Martin’ll be up there spinning the wheels of steel just like at our capacity-crowd DJ set at Continental a few years back (there were 3 people there).

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Reviews ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Deadwoods She Likes To Move

Colombia Demo

The Black Ocean Liners Dance Robot Dance

Calling itself “the new rave”, tongue in cheek of course, “Boogie MC” is a different approach to lyricism.

We’ve all heard the strained, unintelligible vocals of the latest Nu Monkey noise played on mobile phones, whether it’s on the bus, metro or even the local streets.

Using the same vocal style adds life and a little humour to this track, and it actually adds up to quite a good tune. Thankfully, before you wonder just who is behind the microphone and how many convictions he has, the rest of the CD conforms to classic indie music. The true gem of the lot is to be found at the end, in the shape of “Breakdown”. The best ingredients for a good up-tempo track are a catchy riff and bass line, a driving drum beat and well delivered vocals – something this track has in spades.

This band – named after either the country or the TV company, depending on which spelling you see – seem, on the face of it, to be a tradional four-piece guitar band.

Over the course of this CD though, an organ pops up, along with some nicely placed vocal & guitar effects.

All of this mixed in with a energetic, powerful style of rock ‘n’ roll creates leaves an impression on any listener. The vocals range from the poetic “I’m a monkey/flunky/junkie” repeated throughout the song on “Monkey Bizznizz” to blatant angry political commentary on the appropriately-named “Fallujah”. It is hugely appreciated, then, to find a band that places emphasis on the vocals, and the diversity of the lyrics from song to song is definitely an interesting listen.

Upon hearing the title of this track, you could be forgiven for presuming this would be yet another band attempting to break into the overcrowded indie/dance crossover scene. Yet immediately the opening riff reveals itself as more melodic than any effort Datarock et al could conjure up. Driven along by rhythmic percussion, the bridge just about eclipses every other part of the track. Unfortunately, the vocal parts suffer from possibly a little over experimentation whilst recording, and sound like they don’t quite fit into the structure. Despite this, however, the track as a whole sounds impressive and I could imagine it to be a favourite at live performances, with the guitarist seemingly the star of the show and the bass providing the kind of subtle performance you begin to really appreciate on further listening. This track is just one easily-attainable chorus from being a fantastic track.

S. G S. G

S. G..

Its Hard Being This Soft E.P This very limited release by Stephen Bubbles should be rubbish. It’s extremely lo-fi to the point I am sure that I can hear him playing some knackered saucepan on the very beautiful Secret Touches. The lyrics are almost childlike in there honesty as the melody’s match anything Iron and Wine and eighties Stalwarts Felt ever did. On all five songs Stephen challenges me with everything that I hate about music leaves me almost in tears for two reasons. One, the subject matter and lyrics are very close to the bone and two, because I’m supposed to hate it. I hate Stephen Bubbles for making this because I didn’t dare to do it myself. The braveness of this offering is nothing more than phenomenal. There will be people who could almost poke fun at the almost teenage angsty feel of these songs. But that’s just because they are still trying to convince themselves that as relative grown ups they are not permitted to have a broken heart.

SH

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The Next Pistols Nevermind The Bollocks Here is the Next Pistols It could be argued that cover bands have the hardest job of all in the fact that they have to try and literally live up to legends they impersonate. The Next Pistols stick their fingers up to the challenge and perfectly pull off the raw punk edge of one of our national treasures, The Sex Pistols. Within seconds you know they have sussed it. It’s actually hard to believe that it ISN’T Johnny Rotten doing vocals. The Next Pistols encapsulate the energy and stripped down punk essence of the Sex Pistols and deliver it with aggression and faultless technique.

NC

Shotgun Assassin Live N Direct For a live demo knocked out in one take this is astounding. An incredibly strong piece of rock laced with groove and passion. With vocals worthy of a spot in RATM and a bassist that could just as well be playing in the RHCP, Shogun Assassin rock an infectiously funky and groovy sound that is powerful and dripping with attitude. Every song as good as the last with amazing bass licks that take the whole thing to another level entirely. If this is what they sound like in one take I can only imagine their potential NC.

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1

Kid Loves Lies Switch Off I was more than prepared to dislike Kids Love Lies after the first few seconds. Spiky guitars, 100mph riffs and shouted female vocals are not the type of things that float my boat these days. A few years ago? Yes. But I tend to think that music should’ve moved on by now.

However, the title track to this 3 song CD is delivered with such passion (not to mention the charm of the singer’s voice) that I was all but won over.

Not my type of thing, but then I’m cynical. There are definitely people who will buy into this. And with the recent demise of Be Your Own Pet, there’s a gap in the market that Kids Love Lies might just be able to fill. www..kidloveslies.com NC

Def-Con-One Blood Soaks The Floor Raw stripped down metal with solid riffs and aggressively harsh vocals, Def-Con-One demonstrate perfectly what metal without a hidden agenda should sound like. This is music that is heavy and to the point with no room for pretending or elaborating. Meandering around different shades of metal but still with an evident backbone that doesn’t falter throughout, this is a band that knows what they want to do and do it well. Like nothing else in the limelight of Sunderland today, Def-Con-One are a breath of fresh air for our city’s music scene.

NC

Ashes of Iron Ageing a Crooked Smile

CD OF THE MONTH

Incredibly ambitious and brilliantly executed, ‘Aging A Crooked Smile’ flows perfectly from song to song, giving one more reason why this band are currently one of the best in Sunderland. With vocals that display aggression and painfully emotional textures whilst meandering around melody and gentility, it’s hard not to be carried away. Each riff is literally dripping with groove and the guitar sound used is perfectly chosen. A band, I feel, can only be truly appreciated when seen live however, not quite ALL of Ashes of Iron’s ferocity and energy can be picked up from this recording alone.

NC

1 1

1 Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle Demo

Is Shepherd

Ascendez-vous I’m not too hot on my modern languages so forgive me if I’m wrong, but ‘Ascendez-vous’ means ‘(you) stand-up’, right? Well, that’s one thing this CD does not make you do.

Like a breezy Sunday morning Kooks, this is daytime Radio 2 stuff. It’s pleasant enough and the musicianship is pretty damn good but the songs are too long and not very catchy. It seems like Is Shepherd are aspiring to be a Coldplay-style pop band. To do that they’ll need to put a few memorable hooks into their songs.

There’s potential here but they need to put some hard work in if they want to write a melody that’ll get stuck in your head. www.isshepherd.com DC

Jeans Goes Pop In Glorious Technicolour Paul Jeans is a very talented man. He’s a multi-instrumentalist. Essentially, Mr Jeans is a one-man band – the sleeve photography for In Glorious Technicolor shows his keyboard surrounded by a range of percussion instruments and pedals for which to play them with.

He also has a bit of a knack with melody, crafting catchy upbeat piano-led pop songs that make you think of Elton John without ever really sounding like him. Yes, from the title to the cover art and the delivery of the songs, you could say this is quite a camp album. At least half of it is, anyway.

The major fault of this album is that it seems to contain only two types of songs – you’ve got your sassy pop songs and you’ve got the darker downbeat ones that sound very much like the filler on early White Stripes albums.

So Jeans might have gone pop but he doesn’t seem to have committed himself entirely to the cause. Yes, he’s making music more accomplished than most local acts, but it just isn’t a very sexy or enticing prospect over the course of these eleven tracks. www.myspace.com/jeansgoespop DC

It’s hard for me to describe the sound of Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle for the uninitiated. But if you were to see a picture of the band you would probably know immediately what they sound like. But if you haven’t got a picture of the band handy; they’re a little bit like Gogol Bordello – except with more than one good song, they aren’t annoying and they aren’t friends with Madonna (at least, not to my knowledge).

The album was recorded live at Eclipse Studio in Newcastle and follows the release of 2006’s Songs to Enjoy 5-track EP and last year’s I Didn’t Lie single. And it does so with a style and grace all of its own. Even if you don’t like the songs you have to appreciate the fact that Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle don’t sound anything like any of the other bands on the local circuit.

There’s something really special about this album, it’s uplifting, it’s fun, and it’s beautiful.

In short, Bushwacka is a must-have party record. So go out to your nearest independent record shop, buy a copy and invite all your mates around, bang it on the stereo and have a bloody good time! www.myspace.com/maybemyrtletyrtle DC

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Reviews ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rock The Barn 10/07/08 Nina Cowey Rock The Barn started out as a memorial for Moriary and the Sith’s vocalist who passed away around a year ago. The idea was to pay respect in the most appropriate and imaginative way that friends and band members could think of. The result was a unique event that has lasted a year now, showcasing new north east talent every month whilst creating opportunities to make friends and enjoy music in a completely different environment. It is a place for people who really appreciate the diversity of music to come together and share experiences in a fun, new and exciting way.

On the grey drizzly Sunday that was the finale of this month’s events, it was sad to see that only a few pitched tents remained. Unaware of the evenings proceedings and how truly incredible they were to be, the tired and hung-over masses flocked home for warm baths and comfy slippers. If only they had a bit more stamina they would have witnessed an evening that defied any odds and well and truly (with the risk of sounding overly cheesy) ROCKED THE BARN. Only two bands were to play on this cold and wet Sunday evening, Melodic Thrashers, A Thousand Lies, and local Black Metal legends, Wodensthrone. Sound checks were a welcome relief after hours of shiveringly bitter cold and nothing to do for entertainment, except good old beer of course.

First up were A Thousand Lies who rose to challenge of playing in a barn in front of an insultingly small crowd and owned the stage without a struggle.

Brilliant harmonic guitar work and harsh melodic vocals made an astounding combination no matter how muffled the sound or acoustics. The whole band seemed to use all the reasons why this (in theory) would have been a crap gig, as aggression and determination to make it the exact opposite.

And that they did.

Next up was Wodensthrone who were so in touch with the atmosphere and dynamics the cold leaky barn looked progressively more like the perfect venue. The acoustics were, as expected, not superb, but the chillingly ethereal and reverberated sound encapsulated Wodensthrone’s style and, if anything, actually heightened the entire sound. The whole set was nothing short of hypnotising and a surprise cover of Slayer’s Raining Blood actually sparked the slightest of movements in the minute crowd. An achievement indeed.

All in all, a brilliant night, well worth waiting around in the rain for. It’s just a shame that there were not many ears to hear it all. I hope to see this festival grow from strength to strength as it really does represent what Manifesto stands for.

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LIVE

Sunderland Live @ Cliffe Park– Sunderland. 25/08/08

by Daniel Clifford I didn’t see much of this big finale show as I was working behind the main stage, making sure all the bands were happy, and trying to work out which DJs were which (those DJ names make it hard on us out-ofthe-loop types). ‘Sunderland DJs and their real names’ is definitely my Mastermind specialist subject now.

However, the day went brilliantly. The bands and DJs all went on at (roughly) the right time, most of them were pretty happy before and after their shows, and the crowd seemed to be really enjoying themselves (I could only see a few punters from where I was but I could hear their applause).

The acoustic stage was filled with super sounds from The Generals, Paul Liddel, among others, all entertaining those frolicking in the hay, vegetables, cheese and chutney.

The big highlight for me was The Spheres who kept the soul train rolling on for a good half hour or so, allowing for some pretty spectacular backstage dancing from myself and Jedi Master Kenny Sanger.

One band I did get to see from out front was The Week That Was (now with added Razzmataz!). And with the album out only days prior, they were a perfect end to the event and the whole summer programme.

As may favourite ever advert said, ‘Nice one, Sunderland!’ .

The Young Cartwrights @ Welcome Tavern 17/08/08 Steven Storrie With a great display of confidence and bravado, they open the set with an instrumental. Entitled ‘The Corpse’ it bounces along on a jaunty riff, swerving to the dark side now and again. The tightness and solidity of the playing is apparent immediately and they sound great.

There’s a feel of Elvis and Buddy Holly with added muscles, and it’s a sound that helps set them apart, like a scally Lennon run amok on speed. How good is that?

‘The Soxpest’ is a highlight; with the lyric “you have to be in early to be part of a scene”, equal parts warning and contempt for such matters.

‘Wallace the Lion’ begins cryptically before exploding into life like a hooligan sea shanty, stocked with swagger and power. It sounds like an escapee from The Coral’s first album and that’s no bad thing. Singer Leachy rocks from side to side and could take a head off with the neck of that guitar.

As another great display of their belief and ability, they close the set with a more than capable cover of ‘Bummer in the Summer’ by Love, bringing Arthur Lee and his eccentric brilliance to a Sunday night in Sunderland.

please send any live reviews to info@sunderlandmusic.com

27

TOP FIVES

Hayley’s top 5 Stings

Frank’s top 5 stencils in town

Jack’s top 5 Bunker Rooms

1. Bee sting 2. Wasp sting 3. Jellyfish sting 4. Toasting 5. Roasting

1. Marvin Gay (Savannah) 2. Oor Wullie (Uni metro) 3. Roller Sumo (B&Q) 4. Talk to Frank (Holmeside) 5. Jacko (Barnados)

1. Room 2 2. Room 4 3. Office 4. Workshop 5. Mens Room

Gary’s top 5 things in window

Danny’s top 5 thoughts

Peter’s top 5 tyres

1. Retro Adidas Tracky 2. Vintage phone 3. Beatles wallet 4. Mod knitted T shirt 5. Trilby

1. Girls 2. Booze 3. School 4. Footy 5. Hair

1. Sknny tyre 2. Knobbly tyre 3. Semi Slick tyre 4. Evening attire 5. Spare tyre

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Bez’s top 5 Manifesto pages

Nicola’s top 5 pops:

Adam & Beth’s top 5 brands

1. Top 5s 2. Letters 3. News 4. Live Reviews 5. Back

1. Iron Bru 2. Iron Bru light 3. Iron Bru Alco 4. Tizer 5. Ginger Beer

1. Pop Boutique 2. Red Mutha 3. Pink Elephant 4. Members Only 5. Hand me downs

Liam’s top 5 Franks

Dave’s top 5 weathers

Aaron’s top 5 cleaning things

1. Frank Styles 2. Frank Carson 3. Frank Bruno 4. Frank You 5. No Franks

1. Git hot 2. T shirt 3. Mizzly 4. Frosty 5. Cann

1. Henry (RIP) 2. Shake n Vac 3. J Cloth 4. Furniture Polish 5. Elbow Grease

29

N september

Listings --------------

Monday 1st September Terry Gorman @ Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington 9pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Alan Nights And Keith Satchfield Open Mic Night @ Honest Boy, Backfell Village, Washington 8.30pm The Young Knives @ Independent, Holmeside 8pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 2nd September Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 3rd September

30

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Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker, 9pm

Thursday 4th September FM @ Grange Hotel, Newcastle Road 9pm Musician And Buskers Night Hosted By Paul Jackson @ Royal Marine, Sea Rd, Fullwell 8.30pm Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 5th September Knee Jerk Reaction @ Ox & Plough, Oxclose Village

Centre, Washington 9pm Squares @ Acoustic@The Royalty, 88 Chester Rd 8pm Monologues @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Rd Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Saturday 6th September Shanghai @ Woodlands, Vigo Lane, Rickleton, Washington 9pm Old Codger @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Bow Wesley @ Jolly Steward, Fulwell Ave, Marsden, South Shields 9pm Whole Hogg @ Beacon, 100 Greens Place, Lawe Top, South Shields 9.15pm Strobes @ Albion, Ryhope Village 9pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St The Big Night Out

@ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Sunday 7th September Rolling Thunder @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Dave Moffatt @ Tavistock Bar, Sea Road, South Shields 5pm Bullet @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Stereo with DJ Rik and Guests @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

Monday 8th September Terry Gorman @ Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington 9pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 9th September Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 10th September Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker, 9pm

Thursday 11th September Squares @ The Douglas Vaults Hotel, South Shields 8pm Musician And Buskers Night Hosted By Paul Jackson @ Royal Marine, Sea Rd Fullwell 8.30pm Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 12th September

St 9pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St MOD and Beyond @ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Six Nowt @ Music Rooms, North Bridge St 9pm Mississippi Sheiks @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm The Small Screen Light Show + BEAK @ The White Rooms, 29 Holmeside 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Rd Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Saturday 13th September Terry Gorman @ Saltgrass, Hanover Place 9pm Rogues @ Music Rooms, North Bridge St 9pm Knee Jerk Reaction @ Woodlands, Vigo Lane, Rickleton, Washington 9pm Fibbers @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmeside 3131

c

Sunday 14th September

Sticky Fingers @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Russ Tippins @ Tavistock Bar, Sea Road, South Shields 5pm FM @ Sleepers Wine Bar, Station Rd, East Boldon 9pm One Night Of Queen @ Sunderland Empire, High Street West Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

Monday 15th September Terry Gorman @ Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington 9pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 16th September Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 17th September Squares Invite Only Album Launch @The CAVE, The Captains Row South Shields Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker, 9pm

Thursday 18th September Terry Gorman @ Woodlands, Vigo Lane, Rickleton, Washington 9pm Musician And Buskers Night Hosted By Paul Jackson @ Royal Marine Sea Rd Fullwell 8.30pm Squares @ The Douglas Vaults Hotel, Barrington St, South Shields 8pm Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane

The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 19th September Wild Rumours Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Sunday 21st September New Stories @ Tavistock Bar, Sea Road, South Shields 5pm Krisis @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm FM @ Golden Fleece, Silksworth Terrace 7pm The Divide @ Luma, Park Lane 8pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

33

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Monday 22nd September Terry Gorman, Clear Blue Skies @ Washington Arts Centre, Washington 9pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 23rd September Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 24th September Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker, 9pm Thursday 25th September Road Stunner @ Music Rooms, North Bridge St 9pm Musician And Buskers Night Hosted By Paul Jackson @ Royal Marine, Sea Rd Fullwell

8.30pm Borderland @ Grange Hotel, Newcastle Road, Sunderland 9pm Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 26th September Force @ Steels WMC, 1 Peacock St West 9pm ÂŁ1 24 Hour Party People @ Independent w/ Data Select Party!! Holmeside Ward10 @ Independent - Jamie Jones Sunderland 10pm Hungover Stuntmen @ Manor Quay, Sunderland University 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn@ Substance,Tunstall Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Saturday 27th September Hipshake @ Music Rooms, North Bridge

Sunday 28th September

Tuesday 30th September

Rattlesnakes @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Ed Miller @ Tavistock Bar, Sea Road, South Shields 5pm Squares @ Manifestival, The White Room, 29 Holmeside 3pm Elvis On Tour @ Sunderland Empire, High Street West Cheap Antiques @ The White Room, Holmeside 3pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Monday 29th September Terry Gorman @ Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington 9pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

music.com please

send your

listings to info @ sunderlandmusic.com

>>>>

LETTERS LETTERS LETTER S >> >>>

>>>>

>>>>

>> >>>

>> >>>

myspace comments

The Acidiks

The Warms

Hey Guy. Whats this Manifestival?

Sounds interesting...

Hi thx for havin us xx

The Caffrey Brothers

sand shoes very much x

Thanks for being our friend. Keep up the great work.

Regards The Caffs.

Cinnamon Antics

CA SENDING BIG MAN LOVE X

To Save A Soul

Hey. Thanks for accepting us =) You alright?? Sam x

No, Robot No!

Hi. Thanks for the add. Hope that all is well and that you enjoy our stuff!

Have a good one. Cja.

Arbeit macht frei

Do these comments really go in the magazine? If so, COLDSEAT are the mint!

The Warms

Alex There’s Lion Bar’s everywhere!

Rachel There’s a rat in ma kitchen, what am I gonna do?

Bobby Bagses

Yer knar wot, I tell yer what, where’s all them guitar shopses gone and that? I mean, I cannit buy nee strings or nowt, well, I can buy strings from that bagpuss shop but when they gan to sleep, well, yer knar wot happens. I dinnar, where’s the bairns gan now for stuff and carry ons? I bet ther all on webses, buying shiney guitars and talkin to robots. Class.

Leave a comment at www.myspace.com/sunderlandmusicforum

37

with... frankie Bar manager /DJ/ Music video cameo appearer

Listening to?

The only time I have a chance to listen to music these days is in my car or if I get a chance over the internet to keep up to date with whats hot and whats not DJ wise. In the car at the moment I’ve got Lemon Jelly on my cd player but at home on the turntable is an album called Bad Timing by Jim O Rourke.

Reading?

I recently finished a best of Billy Childish poetry book that I borrowed from a friend and its makes you understand Childish a lot more when you read what he has gone through in his life. This also allows you to understand his music too.

Watching?

I have found myself watching a two hour documentary film over and over to try and take in all the information as there’s so much to take in, the film is called Zeitgeist and it can be watched at www.zeitgeistmovie. com watch it!

hewy The Spheres/ Funk Soul Budha

Going to?

I work a lot so the time I do have off I try and use it to see my girlfriend Germaine, my friends and tidy my room, and if I have some time left over I’ll go shopping, try and have a band practice or simply wollow in self pitty.

Listening to?

I’m currently hovering around Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis and Dire Straits early stuff. But to get me going at the moment I’m listening to quite a lot of John Coltrane. Me heads a bit jumbled as a result.

Reading?

I’m reading Seneca’s On the Shortness of Life, Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or Survival and Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet’s Good Omens. I read Good Omens quite a lot though, it’s a belter.

Watching?

Mock The Week is the one thing I have to watch at the moment, Franky Boyle is top notch. The rest of TV at the mo’ is peripheral.

Going to?

See Stevie Wonder this Thursday (11th Sept) at the O2. Can’t bloody wait. Miles from the front and he’s passed his prime but he’s still a legend and one of my hero’s. I have to see him before he pops off because I regretted not seeing James Brown before he went and spoiled Christmas.