17 t September ‘10
PLUS Full split festival line-up Fringe Festival CD and Live Reviews Band Info
split festival souvenir programme
Contents
September ‘10 Issue 17
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13 DESIGN Callum Brand ‘Big Gulp Graphic Design’ biggulpdesign@gmail.com
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Top Tracks & Quiz This month... Fringe Festival Split Festival Line-Up Band information CD Reviews Live Reviews Ashbrooke Sports Club info
WORDS Philip Jarvis, Kelly Horn, Emma Reynolds, Nicky Banggs, David Morton, Emma Reynolds PHOTOGRAPHY Nicholas Gray, 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‘
Split Festival would like to say a big thank you to all of their sponsors, everyone involved in orgainsing the festival and everyone who worked or performed at Ashbrooke sports Club. Most of all thanks to everyone who attended Split as without you, there would be no festival.
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Here’s what we think will be the standout tunes of this year’s Split: The Futureheads - Beginning of the Twist
This is the new SAFC anthem for matchdays and we can see why. It’s full of energy and drive and is our number one candidate for the festival highlight. Expect a sea of pogoing lunatics when the ‘heads unleash this onto the crowd.
Frankie and the Heartsrings - Fragile
A heartfelt tearjerker from Sunderland’s newest NME darlings. Tinges of Glassvegas, The Velvets and even Scott Walker fleck it’s tender, minimalist skeleton. Expect a fair few lighters being held aloft when they play this at Split.
Maximo Park - Books From Boxes
Another lighters-aloft anthem and undoubtedly the pick of Paul Smith and co’s work to date, this track has a real northeastern feel to it. It’s amazingly poetic lyrics melt in your mind.
Detroit Social Club - Phrophecy
The Newcastle based rockers shook Independent to its very foundations earlier this year and youcan expect the same when they take to the stage at Split. This track sounds like a souped-up, gospel influenced Verve.
MaNiFestO Quiz.
Answer these five brain crumbling mindbenders for a chance to win a bagful of Split associated goodies. E-mail your answers to manifestomagazine@ymail.com. 1) Which Futureheads song to these opening lines come: ‘This is a brand new problem, a problem without any clues / If you know the clues it’s easy to get through’? 2) Name all three Maximo Park albums. 3) Released on Tapete Records, what was the name of Dutch Uncles’ debut single? 4) Detroit Social Club were formed in which English city?
5) Which Martin Hannett produced new wave band from the 80s co-headlined the 2009 Split Festival.
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This month I will be... LISTENING TO... Allsorts- Billy Pigg, who is the Jimi Hendrix of Northumbrian pipes, Nick Jones album ‘Penguin Eggs’, superb English folksmith from the 70’s, very gutsy. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a master musician from Pakistan, it’s religious dance music. Kings of Leon, Killers etc WATCHING... Anything I can find directed by Alejandro Jodowosky, he makes mind bending films about mind bending things. ‘The Holy Mountain’ is a monumental film. Not for the faint hearted though.
Barry Hyde Futureheads
READING... Bits and bobs, Ralph Waldo Emerson; a poet clever cloggs from 19th century America. Robert Anton Wilson, an amazing thinker and funny man. Nose to tail eating by Fergus Henderson, nice recipes for pigs feet, blood and bone marrow! GOING TO... Got a few gigs in September, I’m mainly going to be watching mad films, listening to mad music, reading mad books and counting down the days untill Split Festival! Very excited. Should be..............Mad.
LISTENING TO... The daft swingbeat song ‘Motownphilly’ by Boyz II Men; at nightfall, the serene ‘Apollo’ by Brian Eno; in the background is Stereolab’s ‘Neon Beanbag’; the cool and gentle Real Estate mini-album that’s just been re-released on Mexican Summer; some Ghanian highlife music from the 70; plus, there are a few of songs from the new Arcade Fire album that I think are totally great: Ready To Start, Modern Man and Suburban War.
Paul Smith Maximo Park
WATCHING... Dinner with the Schmucks to see if Steve Carell and Paul Rudd can re-create the old Anchorman chemistry - I kept seeing the poster on the underground the other day and it made me laugh every time. I’m going to try and finish off the second series of Mad Men so I can watch the third. There’s always something interesting on at the Star and Shadow in Newcastle, including Trash Humpers, the latest weirdo effort by Harmony Korine. Also, I’ll be watching the Borough do badly, too, but we won’t mention that... READING... I’ll be trying to finish Suttree by Cormac McCarthy, which is as dense a novel as you’ll find, set in the Deep South of the USA and jammed full of archaic words. I’m learning German too, so there’s a book of poems by Rilke that help me remember the odd word as well as being enigmatic and beautiful in their own right. GOING TO... The practice room! I’ve got Max Park gigs at Manchester, then Carlisle, then The Spilt Fest, of course. Then, MeandthetwinS, my instrumental band play Split on the Sunday. In addition, I need to rehearse with my new band so that I can play my debut solo album live. It’s called Margins and it’s out on October the 11th so have a listen on my new website www.paulsmithmusic.eu
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The gig crawl taking in 16 bands, and 8 venues over 2 nights, featuring some of the most promising touring bands from around the UK and a selection of the finsest acts from Sunderland and the Northeast. Thursday starts at Bar 1 at 7pm, then to Independent’s little room at 8.30pm and ends in Plugged Inn at 10pm
Mr Fogg
Mr Fogg is an electronic artist from Reading, described by the NME as “A beautiful chronometric collision of twinkling bells and freefalling harps”. His debut album, Moving Parts, was released in April this year. As well as his original music, he also produces remixes of other artists. www.myspace.com/mrfoggisapopstar
Philadelphia Grand Jury
Philadelphia Grand Jury is MC Bad Genius, Berkfinger, and the recent addition of a full time drummer, Calvin. Childhood friends Bad Genius and Berkfinger formed a band in 2001, and a label, Motherlovin’ Records in 2004, before forming Philadelphia Grand Jury in 2008. The Australian band are known for their explosive live performances. myspace.com/philadelphiagrandjury
The Lake Poets
The Lake Poets is the nom de plume of Martin Longstaff, a singer songwriter based in Sunderland. He writes and performs acoustic folk rock songs. www.myspace.com/thelakepoets
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Matt Stalker & Fables
A folk group led by singer-songwriter Matt Stalker and backed by Fables, a “changing collective of musicians”. Wellcrafted, acoustic songwriting is punctuated by a varied range of instruments including Jenny Nendick’s beautiful cello playing and well-matched backing vocals. www.myspace.com/mattjstalker
Ray Van Hustler
play fast, groove-laden angular post punk, influenced by Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Jimi Hendrix, and Slayer. They have been playing under the name Ray Van Hustler for three years now, but have many more years experience behind them. myspace.com/rayvanhustlermusic
Rainfalldown
Playing folksy pop music, they use a range of instruments from the acoustic guitar and bass to the mandolin, harmonica, harmonium and glockenspeil. They have a monthly night of live music by themselves and others at Plugged Inn, called rainfalldown’s Big Night Inn. www.myspace.com/rainfalldown
Friday starts in Gatsby at 7pm, then to 7even at 8.30pm and ends in Pure at 10pm.
Larsen B
Hailing from Hertfortshire, Larsen B was formed “with the intention of weaving glorious and well crafted pop songs for the world to hear.” The band released their first EP in 2007, before signing to Try Harder Records in 2008, followed by a second EP that year. On July 5th 2010 the band released their debut album ‘Muskateer’. www.myspace.com/larsenb
Ruberlaris
With an infectious sound made up of ska, pop and indie, Ruberlaris have a knack for making incredibly catchy tracks that are bound to go down a treat live. Their debut single ‘Fun and Games’ received radio plays up and down the country including BBC 6 Music. The Chesterfield/ Sheffield five piece are set to release a CD this November. www.myspace.com/ruberlaris
Venacava
Venacava spent a year writing and tightening up their set “until the time was right” before unleashing their music onto their hometown of Grimsby, where they gained a cult following and sold out gigs. “An epic mix of driving guitars, roaring drums and classic synths and strings.” www.myspace.com/thisisvenacava
Chased By Wolves
A five piece from the North East, who have been described as “Americana altfolk”. They feature duel male and female vocals. The band played their first show in Newcastle in winter 2009 as a three piece, and have since played Stockton Fringe Festival and Tall Ships. www.myspace.com/followthewoods
The Din
The Din is a Newcastle band formed in the summer of 2008. “…bluesy 60s pop meets dirty 90s rock in a jazz club toilet, circa 2010”. www.myspace.com/thedinuk
Ashes of Iron
Ashes of Iron is a five piece heavy rock band from the North East, described by Metal Hammer as “pissed-off retro-rock”. They played their first gig in Sunderland in March 2008. Since then they have been personally chosen to open for Therapy? at the O2 Academy, Newcastle. The band have an album in the pipeline. www.myspace.com/ashesofiron
Sonner
Sonner is a four piece rock band from Durham/Sunderland. It is the stand-out strong, rough vocals that drive the music against guitar-heavy rock’n’ roll. The band are set to release their upcoming EP in November this year. www.myspace.com/sonnermusic
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Stage 1 9:30pm
MAXIMO PARK
Stage 2 8:40pm
7:50pm
FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS
6:15pm
THE STONES
THE PADDINGTONS
DUTCH UNCLES 5:00pm
COAL TRAIN
7:00pm 5:30pm
LUCAS RENNEY 4:25pm
3:20pm
COMEDIANS
2:40pm
LES COX SPORTIFS
2:00pm
WHERE THE SEA STARTS
1:20pm
HOLY MAMMOTH
THE GENERALS WARM DIGITS LETS BUY HAPPINESS THE VAUDEVILLE CLASS
3:00pm 2:20pm
1:40pm 1:00pm
12:40pm
WE BEAT THE SYSTEM
12.00pm
THE WATCHERS
RAYNE ROVER
12.20pm
Acoustic Stage
Sunderland Youth Music- 12.00PM Penella B’s band- 1.30PM Simple Swan- 1.55PM Joe Versus the Volcano- 2.20PM James McMahon- 2.45PM 10
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Molk Vant- 3.10 PM The Lake Poets -3.35PM Nev Clay- 4.00PM
The Cornshed Sisters- 4.30PM
Stage 1
Stage 2
THE FUTUREHEADS
DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB
7:55pm 6:25pm
HOT CLUB DE PARIS 4:45pm
7:100pm
5:40pm
SKY LARKIN
THE SMITHS INDEED
LITTLE COMETS
COMEDIANS
THAT F’IN TANK
3:40pm 3:00pm
COWTOWN 2:20pm
EVER SINCE THE LAKES CAUGHT FIRE
4:15pm 3:20pm
2:45pm
MAMMAL CLUB 2:00pm
YOUNG LIAR 1:20pm
MEANDTHETWINS
BOY JUMPS SHIP
LOVE BITES AND BRUISES
AVERMAN
1:40pm 1:00pm
12:20pm
ATHLETES IN PARIS
12:40pm 12:00pm
CARDBOARD CUTOUTS
Acoustic Stage
Penella B’s band- 12.00PM The Word Rap- 12.25PM Sunderland Youth Music- 1.00PM The Restaurant- 2.30PM
Stringmen- 2.55PM Cult Image- 3.20PM Wooderson- 3.45PM
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Maximo Park
Maxïmo Park were, along with cohorts The Futureheads, North-East England’s response to the post-punk revival of the 2000s. Quicken The Heart, the band’s third album, was released in 2009 to critical acclaim, debuting at #6 on the UK Album Charts. Live the band is just as exciting as on record. There’s an unrestrained energy that few band’s can currently match, such is the way Maxïmo Park have learnt to encapsulate their audience. Homecoming shows have always been notable and with Split being their only North East date of the year so far, it’s one not to be missed. Maximo Park headline Saturday. www.myspace.com/maximopark
Detroit Social Club
They might have been anointed by Kasabian’s Tom Meighan as the new saviours of British guitar music, but it was actually well over two years ago that chief director David Burn started writing the songs alone in his studio/ practice room The Garage that would, almost accidentally, set tongues wagging hastily in his native Sunderland. With the release of their debut album Existence, the band look set to establish themselves as one of the big hitters in the music industry, and perhaps, in turn, truly become the new saviours of British guitar music. www.myspace.com/detroitsocialclub
The Futureheads
The Futurehead’s latest, The Chaos, in their own words... “Four is that first flush of heat returning to the chops. Made over a year, giving time to rest the engine. To pour in the petrol. Get toes revving on the pedals, isolating the hooks, riffs and drum beats, spit-shining them, buffing them, setting them alight. Big melodies rise from the sparks – perfect bubblegum finger-clickers, fancy postpunk play-abouts. Lyrics that are righteously optimistic yet realistically negative. Knowing that it is time to stand up, protest against the mediocre, and do so through the dizzy, perfect clamour of pop music, by making an album about being British, right here and right now. The way it really is.” www.myspace.com/thefutureheads
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The Smiths Indeed
Described as “a brilliant tribute to The Smiths” by i-D Magazine and as the “closest to recreating the band musically and vocally” by the LA Rock Music Examiner, The Smiths Indeed are the leading tribute act to one the UK’s most iconic groups. Taking their name taken from the runout grooves etching on the vinyl of Smiths single, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, the band have strived to become the most dedicated and accurate tribute around. Every detail in re-creating the experience of a Smiths concert has been considered, including not only the sound, but the wardrobe, attitude, stage show and various accoutrements. www.myspace.com/thesmithsindeed
Frankie And The Heartstrings
The Sunderland five-piece are unmissable live. Their second single is out now on their own label PopSex Ltd, limited to 888 copies. Tender, described as “a winning Hitsville UK / Brown Eyed Girl hybrid” by Mojo, and Want You Back were recorded in Sunderland by the band’s own Pete Gofton and mixed by producer James Ford. The results are pure retro-pop class and, like its predecessor Hunger, Tender has been picking up loads of great radio play with daytime, breakfast and specialist plays at Radio 1, plus hitting the playlists at 6Music and Xfm. F&TH as-yet-untitled debut album is due for release early September. www.myspace.com/frankietheheartstrings
Lucas Renney
Bringing some calm to the Split festival will be singer songwriter Lucas Renney. The Sunderland based troubadour walks a line somewhere between Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash, spinning sweet tales of unrequited loves and found romances in the process. In 2010 Lucas released his solo album ‘Strange Glory’ to widespread critical acclaim. The edgy, post punk rock of The Golden Virgins was replaced with a reflective lush instrumentation comparable to Leonard Cohen. However, underneath remains that brutal, barbed wit. These songs are a wonderfully poetic, beautifully arranged and instantly memorable. Featuring members of The Golden Virgins, Lucas Renney will be the perfect accompaniment to a sunny festival afternoon. www.myspace.com/lucasrenney
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CD Reviews Coal Train
playing Saturday 25th, stage 1
Avermen
playing Sunday 26th, stage 2
We Beat The System
playing Saturday 25th, stage 2
Vaudeville Class
playing Saturday 25th, stage 1
From the ashes of This Aint Vegas comes promising new band, Coal Train. The band play in a similar, but expanded upon vein as their previous incarnation. Toned down, but still keeping that post-punk energy. We’re certainly not complaining. Demo ‘You And Him’ seamlessly builds up in layers on top of a driving guitar riff and a steady drum beat. Then down.... and right back up again in the song’s lively climax. Coal Train release their single Building Dens through Run Of The Mill Records on 27th September. www.myspace.com/coooaltrain
Averman have a knack for making rich, atmospheric tunes. The upbeat ‘Everything’ is a prime example, with its spacey effects and strong chorus. ‘Misty Mountains Intro’ is a sprawling, repetitious instrumental piece which builds into a layered climax of sound. A more toned down affair than its predecessors, ‘3-2-1’ is nicely mellow and heartfelt. www.myspace.com/avermenband
‘French Regime’ is the band’s call to arms, an anthemic, stadium ready track which captures all the energy of their live performances. Featuring a memorable guitar riff and strong drumming, well placed cymbal hits accenting the music in all the right parts. ‘Mirrors’ is like ‘French Regime’s slightly less instantaneous cousin, the minimalistic drumming and basslines of the verses and bridge building up into another powerful chorus, where strong vocals drive the hook against an emotive musical backdrop. www.myspace.com/webeatthesystemuk
This “dirty blues” trio make lively, scuzzy tunes featuring confident duel male/female vocals. One of these is Dance With The Devil, which has a not-quite-your-average music video available to view on MySpace, which well encapsulates the band. But to truly get the essence of the group, their eccentric, vaudeville influenced performances are a must. www.myspace.com/thevaudevilleclass
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live Review Matt Stalker & Fables, Iron Gorilla and Schizoid - at The Ivy House, 19th August.
The night began with a set of wonderfully crafted folksy material from Matt Stalker & Fables. Heartfelt vocals are backed by beautiful, soothing cello playing, picked guitar and gentle brushed drumming, as well as the occasional harmonica and flute. The group performed songs including Apostrophe Catastrophe, Welded To Me Barnacle To Bow, This Is Our Mantra Now and The Catch 22 Waltz, all as well-arranged as they were emotive. They closed with Ghost, with its repeated, heart-wrenching cry of “I’m a ghost”. A fantastic start to the night. Next, Iron Gorilla took things up a pace with a loud and lively set that tread the lines between punk, blues and classic rock. Great rock’n’roll showmanship from the band, from crowd banter to the classic drum solo before launching into their closer. The three piece performed songs including Run, the cheeky D.L.B, and singalong Hello, alongside neat cover choices of Jimi Hendrix’s Foxy Lady and The Kink’s You Really Got Me. The tone of the night switched up for a third and final time as Schizoid took to the stage. The synth-heavy trio saw the night off, throwing us into disarray with their dark electro set. With snarling vocals against blaring synthesisers, the singer occasionally passing the mic over for some almost spoken word/MCing segments from one of the synth men. A somewhat eclectic evening’s entertainment and all round good fun, enjoyed by a bumper crowd. Matt Stalker & Fables
Iron Gorilla
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Ashbrooke Sports Club Many of you will know of Ashbrooke through our major events - The Split Festival, Fireworks on November 5th and now an annual Beer Festival in early July - but beneath all that we offer a range of grass roots and team sports development for our great City. Established in 1887 at its current site, Ashbrooke is home to many of Sunderland’s representative teams in rugby, cricket, tennis, bowls, hockey and now football. Alongside this there is a thriving junior section for many sports that offers the very best coaching facilities along with Sport England Club Mark, meaning we have demonstrated a safe and secure environment for children to play their sport. I nside our famous old clubhouse a revolution has been taking place!
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Now offering a gym, ladies fitness area, physiotherapy services and a great function room for hire, we have recently added “The View” restaurant serving top quality food from 5.30 p.m. each evening. Oh, and we nearly forgot live SAFC matches in our refurbished sports bar with 5 screens so you don’t miss a moment of the action! Add to that a membership scheme that offers discounts on all drinks during opening hours not only is the club keen for you to visit but hope you will be encouraged to join and take advantage of our unique combination of sports and social offerings! For more information call 0191-528-4536 or go to www.ashbrookesports.com and register as a “friend of Ashbrooke” to receive all the latest news and updates”
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