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October '09

11 FREE t

HOMEWARD BOUND WITH

THE FUTUREHEADS PLUS Split Festival Ashes of Iron CD & gig reviews Top Fives

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Contents. OCTOBER ‘09 ISSUE 11

EDITOR Philip Jarvis DESIGN Callum Brand ‘Big Gulp Graphic Design’ biggulpdesign@gmail.com

3- Top Tracks & Maifesto Quiz 4- ’Give Me The Horn’ 5- This Month... 7- 10 questions with Ashes Of Iron 8- 10 questions with Black Sun 9- Split Festival 11- CD review 14- Live Review

WORDS Richard Amundson, Richard Milburn, Kelly Horn, Philip Jarvis, Tim Ward, Dan Smithson PHOTOGRAPHY Josh Cockroft, Richard Bartram Ian West, Jazzy Lemon, Amy Brammalll

Manifesto Magazine 29 Stockton Rd Sunderland SR2 7AQ Tel: 0870 922 0336 E-mail: manifestomagazine@ymail.com www.myspace.com/magmanifesto Facebook - ‘Manifesto Sunderland‘

15- Top Fives 17- Betrand Russel’s review of The Point.

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The Traitors - Wicked Games

The Anglo Form - Revolt in Paris

Sunderland’s hidden heroes, The Traitors, blast off into hyper-space with this wiry, gritty, angular guitar pop gem. They’re like The Sunshine Underground, but on angel dust instead of little fellas. Hunt them down and be amazed.

Forget the NARC review, they sound nowt like The Prodigy… They’re a billion times better. This is a moody, snarling beast of a song. An electrogoth masterpiece. A synthy gloom-rock dance floor filler. It, in essence, is git, git good.

Zero - Rape Pillage Burn

Static From Stereo - Shapes

Southern fried metal at its finest here like. You can almost smell the Jack Daniels coming out of your speakers. Grab a hold of their new EP as quick as you can, it’s flying off the shelves quicker than assault rifles in Wall-Mart.

Dirty, dirty, dirty. Catchy, catchy, catchy. Listen to the cynical lyrics by frontman Carmo and try and make up your mind over whether you wanna fuck him or fight him.

MaNiFestO Quiz. 1) Which Northeast band released the albums Swoon and Steve McQueen? 2) Complete the line-up of this classic American band from the 1960s, Morrison, Kreiger, Manzarek, __________ . 3) Which British dance act reached no.2 in the charts with On a Ragga Tip in April 1992? 4) What number did The Futureheads’ First Day single reach in the charts in 2004? 5) what are the names of the two members of French dance duo Daft Punk? 6) What star sign is Prodigy front man Keith Flynt? 03

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Give Me the Horn! The Chronic Crusades for the Holy Ticket Grail By Kelly Horn A single bead of sweat forms on your furrowed brow. Your mouth, ajar with expectation, is dryer than a Greggs’ Ham Salad sandwich. There are butterflies in your stomach while your wide and intent eyes glaze. Your trembling finger is poised. Yes, These are the trademark symptoms of buying those ever desirable, guaranteed-to-sell-out gig tickets online and, unfortunately, no amount of ibuprofen will ameliorate your state. So why are we doomed to total uncertainty with ineffectual technology when all we want to do is to see a band we rather like? Wouldn’t life be so much more easeful if one could prance into some sort of gig department store, browse through the alphabetical pastel shelves of tickets with a delicate finger and mutter “Crap, crap, who? They’re alright, I suppose. Crap, crap, I’ll take that one!” OK, OK, I am quite aware that shopping of that description isn’t everyone’s cup of Darjeeling but neither is the frantic mouse-clicking of ‘Refresh Page’ to be greeted with the mocking message of ‘Server Busy’ whilst that predictable Law of Sod prompts your P.C. to crash and burn. And these ever energetic efforts are probably not for a tangible

ticket with its decorative quality for pin-boards, walls and book marks but for a bloody barcode scanned in at a concert queue of the conveyor-belt variety which is about as much use for a memorable keepsake as a bit of used loo-roll. However, I grudgingly have to admit, it is a means to an end and the likelihood of purchasing something as elusive as a Leeds festival weekend ticket with carefree ease is insanely slim. And despite these universal complaints, the sweet adrenalin of such aggravating antics which is, in some cases, rewarded with success almost overshadows the thrill of an Ebay bidding battle for a pair of laddered hosiery as worn by Karen O in which you are the victor. Or is that just me? How about an envelope filled with Liam Gallagher’s nasal hair? Ah, I digress! Let us end on a note of admittance; the nervous shakes of a ticket purchaser is most definitely worth the alcohol shakes from a frolic filled festival or a good old gig.

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This month I’ll be.... LISTENING TO...

Since it came out a couple of months ago, I’ve been totally immersed in the St.Vincent record, Actor. It’s got some of the most beautiful and original arrangements I’ve had the pleasure of hearing in a long time, and the lyrics are pretty wonderful. The last Department of Eagles record, In Ear Park, is really niggling its way under my skin, too, and Nurses’ Apple Acres is a fuzzy, giddy, nostalgic, joyful experience that gets better with every listen.

WATCHING... Nothing. Radio 4 is better.

Ben Lowes Smith Vocals & Guitar, ‘Our Imaginary Friends’

READING... The lovely bloke in Black Flame Books in Heaton gave me a copy of Aldous Huxley’s Point Counter Point for nowt and it’s turning out to be one of the best books I’ve ever read, the narrative is incredibly incisive. A recent trip to Prague has reinvigorated my desire to pick up Kafka’s short stories again, they are wonderfully nasty. Nothing. Radio 4 is better.

GOING TO... I’m very, very excited about the Split Festival, I think it’ll be great for Sunderland’s profile, and B>E>A>K, Field Music and The Futureheads all have a place in my heart. I’ll also be toddling off to see the Low Anthem at Cluny 2, and frequenting Newcastle’s consistently brilliant Laughing Penguin/Long Live Comedy/I Heart Asbos comedy nights

LISTENING TO... A bit of Fairport Convention, top melodies. Apart from that just the usual mix of Kasabian’s latest offering - which is insane - and early Manics - always good for finding the inner rock and roll rage. I won’t have you believe I’m listening to Tom Waitts b-sides and shit that others claim.

WATCHING... I think the last time I went to the flickers it was Jurassic Park 2 at the old ABC in town... and that was crap.. I’m pondering coming out of retirement to see District 9 but the first sign of any sweet bags rustling and I’m gone. Theres a Nando’s round the corners for Christ’s sake.

Gareth Ord Guitar, ‘Sonner’

READING... Recently finished ‘Provided You Dont Kiss Me’ about Brian Clough.Its a good read, I love the fact he used to punch players at half time if they were playing badly (Darryl Murphy??). Also got to the end of ‘The Dice Man’ which was basically insane but intriguenly so. Now around a quarter of the way through ‘Lennon’ by Phillip Norman which is well written up to now, doesnt hold back portaying him as being a bit of a dick sometimes... I think I have another 800 pages left so time will tell, I have a feeling it will all end in tears...

GOING TO...

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Sunderland to live! I’ll be in sunny Ashbrooke from October onwards... double header SONNER gig in Camden 25th and 26th September.. York gig on the 28th, headline Campus on saturday October 10th, then it’s the E.P launch party at The Mallard in Seaham saturday 17th october ahead of the release on the 19th october. It’s gonna be a proper shoulder to shoulder affair in our hometown, can’t wait

LISTENING TO... Fever Ray by Fever Ray. Made by one half of Electro-duo The Knife (This half being Karin Dreijer Andersson). It’s musically about as dark as it gets, I’ve not had anything else on the turntable for over a fortnight. High points are “If I Had A Heart”, “When I Grow Up” and “Seven”. There are also some suitably unusual and good-looking videos to accompany the LP on YouTube and at www.feverray. com.

WATCHING...

Alan Mills Guitar, ‘Oh Desperate Youth’

Come Dine With Me. I’ve no idea why, but I’m happy to sit and watch any episode whether I’ve seen it already or not. It’s as addictive as cigarettes for me. The narrator Dave Lamb is superb and in every set of guests lies a weirdo in waiting, normally exposed when the wine is broken out. I’m a huge fan.

READING... Re-reading Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley. I imagine it must have caused quite a stir in the 1920’s when published, but I doff my finest cap to Crowley, it’s a strange read. Like an old-fashioned “Fear and Loathing” in places and enough to give you a mild headache in others.

GOING TO... Bed. Is there any finer place to be? I have had a chequered 10-year career as a full-time insomniac. Lately I’ve had days/nights where I’ve not slept at all, so this Autumn is about catching up before it catches up to me. I love bed. It just doesn’t love me.

LISTENING TO... As with most I tend to go full circle in what music I listen to, again orbiting the albums which gripped me 2 to the 3 years ago. In particular ‘De-loused in the Comatorium’ by The Mars Volta I fell in love with this album when I first heard it but now seem to adore it even more, It’s a masterpiece. Progressive beyond comprehension although melodic and almost ‘Pop’ in it’s effect. A concept album based around the death of a former friend of the band, lyrically and musically this album provides everything you could ever want out of a body of music.

WATCHING...

Andrew Holder Vocals, ‘The Anglo Form ‘

‘Last Chance to See’ with Stephen Fry on TV. Basically Fry travels the globe to find endangered animals and because I enjoy anything factual regarding nature, it’s quite good but it’s even more enjoyable when you get to watch a Bi-Polar toff try to navigate his way through the Amazon.

READING... I was reading ‘Naked Lunch’ by William Burroughs but it all got a bit too homosexual for a straight man so I had to stop reading it. I am now just about to read Ballard’s Atrocity Exhibition for a second time. At the minute I am trapped in the Beat Generation and dystopian fiction, there afore mentioned seem to provide that sense of surreal escapism you don’t find in other genres of fiction.

GOING TO... An unnamed Workingmen’s club, a cornerstone although highly chauvinistic British Institution. An ancient indulgence of men, these ale drenched bastions of old school tradition have a timeless beauty about them which are a pleasure to behold. MaNiFestO

10 Questions with... q1. Describe the sound of Ashes of Iron in 3 words. Godzilla Vs Mothrat q2. What single piece of music has had the most influence on you? Chucklevision q3.Apart from music, what else are you influenced by? Asphyxiation masturbation q4. Pick 5 acts for your fantasy festival line up. The Chuckle Brothers, Bros, Jonas Brothers, Outthere Brothers, Marx Brothers q5. What to you is the point of making music? Chicks wif dicks! q6. Who or what is winding you up at the minute? Tom Hoad!

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q7. Who would you like to see playing you in the movie of your life story? Tom and Allan by The Chuckle Brothers, Richi by Wilma Flintstone, Cliffy by Will Smith, Dean by Keanu Reeves. q8. Has anyone in the band got any strange habits or hobbies? Richi collects odd socks, Cliffy is trying to perfect the art of levitation q9. Where do you envisage the band being in two years time? The Bunker. q10. If you could pick anyone, dead or alive, to form a supergroup, what would your line-up be? Kerry King - guitar Meg White - drums Barry Gibb - vocals Barry Chuckle - bass

q1. Describe the sound of Direct Traffic in 3 words. Messy, Atonal, Fun q2. What single piece of music has had the most influence on you? Up The Bracket by The Libertines

when the line-up was immense. q7. Who would you like to see playing you in the movie of your life story? Rex off Big Brother could play Josh.

q3.Apart from music, what else are you influenced by? Friends, TV, Sunderland, alcohol

q8. Has anyone in the band got any strange habits or hobbies? Josh fiddles with his ear, Sean climbs everything, Mark plays guitar like John Travolta would if he played.

q4. Pick 5 acts for your fantasy festival line up. The Libertines, Bloc Party, The Beatles, Enter Shikari, Arctic Monkeys.

q9. Where do you envisage the band being in two years time? Writing better songs and hopefully progressing.

q5. What to you is the point of making music? Having a laugh, expressing stuff in a positive way, getting things off the old chest.

q10. If you could pick anyone, dead or alive, to form a supergroup, what would your line-up be? Matt Tong - Drums Drew McConnell - Bass Albert Hammond Jnr - Lead Guitar Ed Larrkin - Rhythm Guitar Pete Doherty (Libertines era)- Vocals

q6. Who or what is winding you up at the minute? The fact that none of us attended Leeds

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L A V I T S SPLIT FE A brand new festival is set to rock Wearside in October. The Split Festival will celebrate the diverse musical heritage of Sunderland, as well as showcasing the cream of the crop of Newcastle-based bands.

Taking place at Ashbrooke Sports Club on Sunday 4th October, the event has been organised by several local luminaries including Richard Amundsen (B>E>A>K, This Aint Vegas), Barry Hyde (The Futureheads), Peter Brewis (Field Music) and Claire Dupree (NARC. Magazine). The festival will see a host of local stars grace two stages at the cricket ground from 2pm until 9pm. In addition to the music, expect comedy from local comedians, street theatre, market stalls and all sorts of fun and games to be announced soon! “Nothing really happens in Sunderland like this and it’s the time of the year where people often look for something different to do.” Says B>E>A>K

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Sea of Glass

Richard, on his inspiration behind the festival. “It’s also been nearly ten years since I put my first ever gig on at the Ashbrooke Sports Club under the Beats Happening name.”

The main stage features some of the cream of the Sunderland-based crop. The Futureheads will headline the event, after the success of their selfreleased third record This Is Not The World in 2008, the band have played some extremely high profile events, continuing to prove that their masterful blend of excitable pop punk is second to none. Hopefully they’ll be letting loose some new material alongside the old favourites. Field Music also join the party, in what will be their first gig since announcing their hiatus in 2007. The simply masterful musicians will no doubt amaze and delight with their new material – their third highly anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for an early 2010 release. It wouldn’t be a party without Penetration

The Futu

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n by Richard Amu B>E>A>K to liven up proceedings and the be-feathered noiseniks will be on hand to strut their funky stuff, while new kids on the block Frankie And The Heartstrings have taken time out of their busy schedule of music videos, BBC airplay and generally receiving country-wide critical acclaim, to play in their hometown. Opening the stage’s musical proceedings are Sea Of Glass, who bring their infectious ambient indie rock to the table. Baby sister to the main stage, but by no means less impressive, the NARC. stage is chock full of North East gems too. Legendary punk band Penetration headline proceedings, the County Durham-based band have enjoyed wide admiration as one of the country’s seminal punk bands. Joining them are noisy post-punkers Coal Train, containing members of the much-loved This Aint Vegas; the widely admired lo-fi stylings of Milky Wimpshake; awesome alternative math rock from Moleck; ramshackle Field Music

folk pop from O’Messy Life; experimental pop from Jeans goes POP!; and powerful atmospheric rock from Sona Di. It’s not just music that will be showcased at the event. The day will be kicked off by some of the North East’s top new and upcoming comedy talents. Top MC Tony Jameson, fresh from his brilliant debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe will introduce Nick Cranston, Andy Fury and John Whale to entertain the crowd and get the laughter flowing. All the comedians have already been touted as stars of the future, storming gigs up and down the UK so it promises to be an electric start to the afternoon. Tickets cost £12.50 available online and are also available from Ashbrooke Sports Club, Hot Rats Sunderland, SUN FM, Sunderland Echo, See Tickets and RPM Records Newcastle. artstrings

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CD reviews. Marquis de Sade 2 Track Demo There’s a menacing sound to this demo. The two tracks are crammed full with spiky guitars, nagging bass lines and vocals that are powerful yet, for the most part, whispered by the female vocalist. Twister is an absolutely magnificent beast of a song. Coming in at 1 minute 56 seconds, it’s short but so, so , so sweet. Leave Now is maudlin one minute, bouncing with happiness the next. The lyrics on both songs are some of the best I’ve heard in ages too.

Revenge 2 Track Demo Post-punk, electroclash, dark wave are all names with which you could label Revenge. None of them, however, would do justice to the Sunderland five-piece. Ultimately, they make music that grabs your soul with its icy fingers and won’t let go. First track, Damage, is an exercise in despair, 11

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its beats pounding and pounding, building up to a crescendo that never comes, before flailing back down to its loose rhythm, like one of John Coltrane’s messed up masterpieces. Second track, Wishing Away, is cleaner and clearer, coming at under 3 minutes long. Its synth riffs feel like needles digging into your ears. If Revenge ever get it together to play live, they’ll surely put on one hell of a show.

Gin Soaked Boy 3 Track Demo Gin Soaked Boy are a four piece from Barnard Castle, who play indierock. The three tracks on this demo - Go Unoticed, Eternal Sunshine and Peace in You - seem to have meanings on many different levels and reflect a maturity and wisdom rare in such a young band. Lyrically they are clearly drawn to life experience and musically they are well polished. Keep an eye out for Gin Soaked Boy as they are bound to be amazing live.

The Informers Howl EP According to their press pack, The Informers are a four-piece-teenagegarage-rock-band from Peterlee. They’re made up of John H on lead guitar and vocals, John Z on Bass, Wilky on drums and Lee on Hammond organ. On the evidence of their music I’d deduce that they regularly consume mammoth quantities of Love, The New York Dolls, Allen Ginsberg’s poetry and Amphetamine Sulphate. All four tracks on the Howl EP - Railroad, Every Time She Goes By, Tornado and Cremation Blues -come in at under two minutes thirty seconds, have whip-like guitar riffs, and the most reverby, 1960sy drum sound that I’ve ever heard, and that includes everything produced in the 1960s. The Informers are fantastic, just my cup of tea. You should have a taste yourself, you’ll love them. -Philip Jarvis

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Live Reviews. Squares Headwoth Hall, South Shields Witnessing Squares a fair few times throughout the last couple of years playing on stages big, small and sometimes absent from venues, performances are memorable for maintaining a tremendous energy throughout. Their longawaited album launch lived up to their past appearances and displayed their passion more than ever. It’s apparent that the band work well together; Daniel’s front-man presence was as energetic as always and Martin’s guitar work was flawless. They enjoy what they’re doing and they do it well. Comparing the atmosphere to previous gigs, Squares definitely benefit from playing in more appropriate music venues, although once they had began I

Stockton Music Festival One of the biggest free music festivals in the country, Stockton Fringe Festival is starting to make a name for itself. I popped down on the train on the Saturday from Seaham to see what the fuss was about. Highlight for me was Stockton 7-piece Young Rebel Set. Singer Matty Chipchase’s gritty Teeside tinged voice was the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day by the industrial River Tees. New single If I Was (not a Midge Ure cover thankfully) had the Smoggies jigging and if you are a fan of Dexys or The Hold Steady then you should love these. Next up were London 6 piece Goldheart Assembly whose upbeat folky pop was

was easy hooked so this wasn’t much of an obstacle for them to play a tight and fearless set. Squares’ album is now available to buy via their Myspace and I would fully recommend a purchase for a fresh dose of local easy listening. You’ll soon find yourself singing the chorus to The Last Hurrah in the most inappropriate situations or when you happen to be travelling over bridges. -Richard Milburn sporadically engaging but often lukewarm. The Futureheads played with their usual energy,rattling through the hits in a pleasing, punchy set. The Hounds of Love provided the perfect pantomime singalong. Barry Hyde got kudos from the crowd by wearing a chicken mask. Supergrass in contrast were a bit dull. Gaz Coombes didn’t really interact with the crowd apart from when mumbling in a cod American accent. The solos went on as long as Coombes’s sideboards, with much unnecessary guitar noodling. The set was rescued by The Sun Hits The Sky, Moving and Caught By The Fuzz but their refusal to play Britpop classic Alright smacked of pretension. -Tim Ward MaNiFestO

ToP Fives.

Richi’s Top 5 Biscuits

John’s Top 5 Manimals

Jonathon’s Top 5 Pick-ups

1. Rich Tea 2. Custard Cream 3. Jammy Dodger 4. Fig Roll 5. Wagon Wheel

1. The Wasp 2. Codman 3. Fishman 4. The Leach’s Boy 5. Boarman

1. Pick-up artist 2. Pick-up truck 3. Pick-up line 4. Pick up thy scissors 5. Get your coat, you’ve pulled

Major and Jarv’s Top 5 Majors

Dan’s Top 5 Philosophers

Raich’s Top 5 Punks

1. Kant 2. Nietzsche 3. Heidegger 4. Hegel 5. Dave the Rave

1. Daft Punk 2. Punk ass bitch 3. Poly Styrene 4. Steve Ignorant 5. Sid Vicious

1. Major Tom 2. Major Minor 3. Major headfuck 4. John Major 5. Major League baseball

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Barry’s Top 5 Customers / Loiterers

Hodge’s Top 5 Hangover Cures

Chris’s Top 5 Things To Do On A Night Out In Durham

1. Joey Poopants 2. James 3. Micky Lee 4. Dagger 5. Comic Book Guy

1. Beer 2. More beer 3. Bad sex 4. Good TV 5. Sunday dinner

1. Watch some crap band 2. Fight Goth giants 3. Discover the pub that holds world record for most stairs 4. Break the world record for falling down the most stairs 5. Kick Goth giants’ lasses up the asses

Tim’s Top 5 Sayings 1. Whoa man, just done a line 2. Whoa man, just done two lines 3. Whoa man, just done a pill 4. Whoa man, just done eight pills 5. Got a fag, man?

Paul’s Top 5 Words For ‘Toilet’

Stuart’s Top 5 Durham Nightspots

1. Dunny 2. Shithouse 3. Bog 4. Netty 5. Crapulatorium

1. The Angel 2. Fabio’s 3. Lloyd’s 4. The Cathedral 5. Ye Old Elm Tree

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This months guest philo

sopher

Bertrand Russell reviews The Point

Against my will, in the course of my travels, the belief that everything worth knowing was known at Cambridge gradually wore off. In this respect my travels were very useful to me and I expected a great learning upon my visit to the The Point in Sunderland. It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this and my search would continue long after this evening. I choose a stool beside the dance floor as my home for the evening, I had resolved merely to observe, as I have done many an evening in the familiar surrounds of The Three Tuns, my local ale house in the fine glades of Cambridge. I shall not unnecessarily flower the view that unfolded. It was clear that the clientele, specifically the females, were interested merely in the intoxication of alcohol and the promise of sex. This was a mating ritual, I would hazard, specific to the folk of Sunderland, a half clothed orgy, a ‘dance diabolique’, in which young ‘Mackems’ committed temporary suicide in drunkenness and gave vent to all manner of sexual expression. As a lay scientist, I am more than aware of the curious findings of Quantum Physics and the impact the observer can have on the consciousness of the observed. I admit this notion had escaped me earlier but by now I had become acutely aware of one particular gentleman observing me. Granted, at 70 years of age I was somewhat older than those around me but I sensed a more sinister mistrust. This mistrust became vocalised.. ’Are you a fucking peado or what ya daf17

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cun?’ ‘’I’m sorry?’’ said I. ‘Sorry for being a peado....or a fucking perv, stop staring at our lass...twat’. ‘’’Ah’’...I retorted...’’this is your wife. Marriage is for women the commonest mode of livelihood, and the total amount of undesired sex endured by women is probably greater in marriage than in prostitution’’. The amoeba was clearly angered and came at me like a Wittgenstenian ‘Tracticus Positivicus’. A pensioner, maybe, but my years in Japan studying Zen were not without colour and, with two sharp blows to the trachea; my assailant was on the floor struggling for breath. Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim. I was immediately set upon by two large men in the employ of the Place. Like my assailant, these gents were not impressed with my musings. The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex. In fact, my evening proved to be something of an adventure and not least an eye opener, we humans, once observed, are very similar, the capacity for scientific observation often clouds our own darker selves. The heady mix of strength and ignorance, in equal measure, of my captors persuaded me to call a premature halt to my evening in ‘The Point’....with my intellect and self intact. A life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying but a life in which adventure is allowed to take whatever form it will is sure to be short.

Russell Rating 6/10.

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