Manifesto #23 Nov/Dec 2011

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n a m p cha family FREE News / Reviews / B>E>A>K / Listings / The Fix / Competition www.manifestosunderland.com

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Contents

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Photo: Ian West

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Editorial Spotlight On Take a gander at the acceleratOur Editor EH has either been ed-maturing of 3-piece Dalaro spending too much time with and Newcastle’s very own energiser Kingsley, or Kenny won’t turn on the heating at Manifesto HQ. She’s sounding bunnies Stations as icy as an Atlantic dip Feature Guest Editor Call them impresarios/pluggers/boosters/promoters, here’s an insight into those trying to make it happen in The North East

The Chapman Family

Kingsley Chapman reveals all upon the return of The Chapman Family to Sunderland

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Interview Photo: Ian West

Reviews:LIVE Our Split review will obviously s**t on NME’s! Plus our regular round up of the best and the rest Top Fives a Top 5 Crimbob special down at The Bunker Listings BunnYPunking and Manifesto’s top festive picks

The Fix We give the voice, face and apparent funny man down at Spark FM’s Local Music Show, Nathan Would, his very own soap box. God help us all!

Local News A round up of the happenings through Sep/Oct and what to look out for in Nov/Dec

This Month...

Nebby Nebby with Joe Collins (Lilliput) and Grant Lagan (Union Choir/Railway Club).

Reviews:CD Our Pick of the Month is a cracker! A double dose of dance and some new additions for your local playlist!

Bird is the word. We get our B>E>A>K on post split, and pre-flight

Editorial

Howe-do!

Welcome to Manifesto 23!

If your a cold blooded fella like me, you will be reading this issue with your mitts on. As the frigid, dark nights set in and that bitter bite hits you as you try to roll from under the covers, we thought we would bring you a Guest Editor to suit the season.

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EDITOR

Teesiders, The Chapman Family, have long been one of my favourite bands in the North East and début Burn Your Town, released earlier in the year, is the perfect dose to wallow in your autumn blues. Our interview with front-man Kinglsey, is one of the most insightful I have experienced with a band and will be available to read in full online at manifestosunderland.com.

With the bloody baltic weather, comes the temptation to stay indoors and pass over some canny gigs that will be coming your way through November/December. Its a tough time for us all at the moment, with pockets noticeably tighter due to the lack of coin (sort it out Osbourne), but do your best and make sure you get down to your local venues and support the fantastic music they endeavour to bring us on a regular basis, no doubt they are feeling the pinch just as hard. Find out exactly who is doing what to maximise the exposure of local bands with our Local Promoters Special on pages 14 & 15.

To put a bit of colour back on the falling leaves we bring you our Local Interview with everybody’s favourite flappers B>E>A>K. We don’t know where the hell their mention was in NME as one of the highlight performances of SPLIT, but we are not ashamed to openly bum one of the most innovative bands to come out of Sunderland. Our through the key-hole spotlight is placed on genuine ‘sexy hobo’ crush Joe Collins of Lilliput and honey-monster with a drumstick Grant Lagan in This Month.

Before I leave you to feast on our brilliant new issue, I want to pay my respect to Apple visionary Steve Jobs. I think Lauren Laverne tweeted it best, “If you’d told me at 14 that I’d be able to fit an entire record collection in my pocket when I grew up it would have blown my mind. RIP Steve Jobs”.

I suggest a scarf, something a little tepid on the iPod and Manifesto #23 to distract you from the chill, as you make your way to see The Chapman Family at Independent on November 4th. See you there.

E.H

Emma Howe - Editor

Guest Editor Kingsley Chapman Design Rare Bit rabbit@rare-bit.com Words Nic Wright, Seb & Liam, Nathan Would, Trader Hog, Emma Howe Photography Ian West, Nic Wright, Daniel Robson

www.manifestosunderland.com Email info@manifestosunderland.com emma@manifestosunderland.com Facebook ‘Manifesto Magazine‘ Online Editor Nic Wright Manifesto Magazine 29 Stockton Rd Sunderland, SR2 7AQ Ring Tel: 0191 567 1777

Guest Editor

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Guest Editor Kingsley This Month Chapman Just how long can buzz last! On the evidence of the re-emerging force that is The Chapman Family, a long f*****g time! I met with Kingsley Chapman on the eve of the band’s return to Sunderland.

Début, Burn Your Town, released earlier in the year, has been drafted into many a ‘top album of the year’ list. The ten track masterpiece reeks of nostalgia as the band hark back to a time before soundcloud was a bands best friend and you actually sat down to listen to a piece of work in its entirety. Admittedly this was a deliberate approach by the band; “the album has a flow to it that doesn’t just open with three singles and then a load of half arsed filler. We wanted it to be a bit of a throwback and a homage to albums that we really respected and loved, be it nodding its vinyl head to Nine Inch Nails’ “Downward Spiral” or the Beatles’ “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, but to also have it’s own personality which would hopefully make it stand out from the crowd”.

reason it pisses me off is that I’d see reviews of our album and they’d be along the lines of “should have released this in 2009 blah blah blah”, in a completely condescending manner and I’d be reading it thinking “you think I don’t f*****g know that?”. An album, more than worth the wait, and a reputation for live performances that hypnotise with intense slow burning passion, The Chapman Family are one of Boro’s finest exports, a label Kingsley openly acknowledges, “I don’t think everyone should go around with a badge saying exactly where they’re from but I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. We never planned this band to be an advertising hoarding for the Teesside Tourist Board, which I’d assume they’re rather happy about”.

The North formation of the band came down to a severe East is The dislike for the music on offer in the North East at creatively that time, but the re-introduction of the the fourpiece to the local arena, sees the band returning to on fire at a scene a little healthier than when the band first introduced themselves, “The North East is creatively the on fire at the moment. moment Regardless of the fact that our region has arguably After playing on the NME Radar Tour in 2009, the band took their time to release their début, and Kingsley admits it wasn’t through the lack of trying, rather the onset of the cold hard realities of being an unsigned band, “the plain truth of the matter is that we couldn’t do anything else.

When we were getting a fair bit of hype in 2009, just after supporting La Roux and playing all of the summer festivals, it would have been an ideal time to release an EP or an album or anything, but we literally didn’t have a penny to our name.

We’d become the only completely unsigned band to ever play on the NME Radar Tour but there’s obviously some pretty big pitfalls involved with carrying that mantle too - the main one being that you’re going to be f*****g skint”.

This kind of wait for a band riding high on hype and unable to capitalise on it left a bitter taste in the mouth; “the only

been damaged the most by recent Government cuts, we seem to have a generation determined to fight back and get their voices heard in whatever way they can. We don’t have a central style or genre that unites us all but I think that’s what makes us interesting - our individuality and bloody mindedness are things to be celebrated, not shunned. We might be a lot of things in the North East, but were certainly not sheep”. This is a band based on a heavy dose of realism, and perhaps this attitude is what leads to a night lost in the haunting tones of Kingsley, who, describes their live experience in 3 simple words, “victory and defeat”. Enjoy Sunderland!

The Chapman Family play Independent Sunderland 4th November. To read the interview in full go to manifestosunderland.com Words : Emma Howe

The Chapman Family

Kingsley’s top local bands Venom Newcastle-upon-Tyne Frankie & The Heartstrings Sunderland The Animals Newcastle-upon-Tyne Leatherface Sunderland

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Local News

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Announcements When we were admiring our latest selection of Deep House tunes for play on our radio show Bunker Dance on 107 Spark FM, we thought it was only fair we go down to some amazing events across the North East and record the mixes live to try and bring the listeners closer to the energy & magic contained within these one-off showcases.

The latest show we covered was 22 Digit Presents, a North East label showcase at the end of September.

The labels involved included 22 Digit, Deep Edition, Mora Music and Turquoise Blue. Turquoise Blue were the first label to take to the stage and despite technical difficulties they managed to keep the deep and funky vibes going long enough for Mora Music to take control. They continued the funky feel and injected their own sound into the night.

Deep Edition came on next and lived up to their name (literally) taking the night deeper and deeper over their hour. To finish the journey, 22 Digit came on and picked up the energy with a nice selection of techie, tribal sounds, a perfect end to a mint night.

Mixes and interviews are available to listen to or download on Bunker Dance Soundcloud / Mixcloud.

Find out more about the Bunker

Independent’s Little Room will host a night of music in aid of MacMillan Nurses on November 10th. Hattie Murdoch, Faith Elliott, Angie Telford and Natasha Haws will all take the stage to raise money for the organisation.

Tickets are £4 and all proceeds go to help provide support to people living with cancer.

There will also be a raffle, so dig deep!

Speaking of giving, some of the regions top artists will be dipping into their creative pockets to raise money for ‘Operation Christmas Child’, recording original Christmas songs to be released on a unique compilation CD. Acts confirmed include Gallery Circus, Skylark Song, Grandfather Birds, Lets Buy Happiness and Nev Clay.

The time-honoured tradition of switching on the city’s Christmas lights gets a brilliant musical spin this festive season, with rising star Natasha Haws and alternative rock quintet Spray On Jeans providing a soundtrack for the ceremony on November 17th. The Bunker is throwing it’s own festive fund-raising bash at The Roker Hotel on December 13th. The night will consist of a slap-up 3 course meal, craic and some very special musical guests for your listening pleasure. If you’d like a Christmas night out that doesn’t involve a Michael Buble tribute act, you can pick up a ticket from The Bunker at £20 a head.

AWM-live and BunnYPunK have teamed up to chase away your winter blues, with the BunnYPunK Winter Festival. The epic all-dayer will take place at St. Peter’s North Shore bar on December 17th, with over 30 North East bands performing between 12pm and 1am. Spread across three stages, the line-up includes Baz Warne of The Stranglers, Frankie Stubbs of Leatherface, 27 Side Effects, Ashes of Iron, Reckoner and Liars Lie. Tickets will set you back a measly £6, or £4 if you’re a Sunderland University student.

To round off the festive season good and proper, Frankie & The Heartstrings have announced a homecoming show for the 29th of December @ Independent. Stick that in your stocking and smoke it!

Competition

Bunker Dance

Win 2 tickets to see Com Truise @ Independent on the 1st December.

A New Jersey based master of synth chill wave, Com Truise are one those delights plucked from the underground by local promoters Independent Live on a regular basis. To win, go to our website www. manifestosunderland.com and answer this question: Q: Who played the role of Maverick in the 1980’s classic Top Gun ?

Local News

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Write of way

The word from our man-in-a-band Traderhog A crippling Credit crunch,a Tory led coalition government with Lib Dem

puppets, soaring unemployment and nationwide (sans north east) rioting; it’s almost enough to resurrect punk rock!

It feels like our country needs music to speak directly to it now more than ever,yet translation seems lost somewhere between an arena, a 40 quid ticket and a pint of 4 quid warm lager!

Diary 10TH SEPTEMBER A white swan is seen attempting to pay bus fare with a gun-shot busk on the no. 35 17TH SEPTEMBER Frankie Francis and Dave Harper have a word with security on stage after being denied the chance to play their cover of ‘smooth operator’

Those working class artists that are around, seem not to be going down the political route (assuming The Enemy can’t be taken seriously).Fair enough,it isn’t going to be every bands thing, that would be annoying, but a change from ‘love, loss and heartbreak’ from a few bands would be nice!

There is little anger amongst the mainstream local acts that is felt across the region in these times. Sometimes an accent doesn’t relate when little meaning is behind it. Perhaps Sunderland as a city that loves to hate itself needs a dose of realism as much as optimism to really communicate from band to audience and break through the barriers and give an alternative voice through the power of music.

RELEASES Stations released their second EP ‘Part I’ on October 3rd. Pale Man Made’s double A-side single ‘B-Line’ and ‘Started in 1966’ came out October 10th.

Teesside’s Cattle & Cane’s self-titled second EP was released on October 14th. Anti-garage duo Gallery Circus’ long-awaited début dropped on October 17th. As did O’Messy Life’s single ‘Escape Velocity’. Is Shepherd’s first single from their ‘Songs For Sons’ EP ‘Pine Box’ came out October 31st. Lulu James releases début single ‘Rope Mirage’ on November 2nd. Sharks Took The Rest unleash single ‘Rename The Planets’ on November 11th. Hyde & Beast release second single ‘You Will Be Lonely’ on November 14th, if the last video is anything to go by expect the accompanying video from Ian West to be something special and a little bit strange.

18TH SEPTEMBER Neil Bassett transports revellers in his beast wagon from SOL to the main stage at SPLIT 1ST OCTOBER Karima Francis is caught swapping numbers with a certain promoter’s girlfriend 9TH OCTOBER Lilliput visit Spark FM’s Local Music show and the term ‘sexy hobo’ is immediately added to the dictionary

28TH OCTOBER Dead Friends/Spookends sees the usual ghouls turning up a little more presentable in The Little Room

The Ivy House. Worcester Terrace, Sunderland, Tyne And Wear SR2 7AW, 0191 567 3399

This Month

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This Month ...

This month we have a gander at the goings on of Union Choir/Railway Club drummer Grant Lagan and Joe Collins of the fantastic Lilliput and promoter of Independent’s newest night, The Gathering.

Joe Collins

Grant Lagan

Listening to… Alligator by The National. I have been hooked on Boxer for the past few weeks. I think they are one of those bands where if your not into them yet, you will be. I’ve also been telling anyone that will listen, to check out Other Lives ‘Tamer Animals.’ The album is great, kind of a mix between Interpol and Fleet Foxes, really interesting to listen to but pleasing at the same time.

Listening to… as many new local artists as I can. Including, Natasha Haws, Hollywood and Vines, Symphonic Pictures and Here Comes Good Sailing. The North East music scene is unreal at the minute.

Reading… 1984 by George Orwell.

Everyone i speak to is instantly offended when I tell them I haven’t read it. I bought it around 3 months ago but can’t seem to find the time, maybe I should get the metro more.

Watching… Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Warrior (basically any other movie with Tom Hardy in it, MAN CRUSH)

Watching… hopefully the new George Harrison film by Martin Scorcese entitled ‘Living in the Material World.’ I hear it will be broadcast on the BBC sometime in November.

Going to… see King Creosote on 1st November at The Cluny and Keith James ‘The Songs of Nick Drake’ at The Cluny on the 25th of November. In December I’m going to try and make it to see Martin Stephenson & the Daintees for the Xmas special. Of course I will be attending all of Lilliputs gigs, and looking forward to the next Gathering at Independent.

Reading… the instruction manual for FIFA 12. Over and over again. The new defending system is a bitch. As for books, I dunno, probably Harry Potter again.

Going to… my engagement party.

Family, Friends, Buffet, Shit Speech and far to much alcohol. As for things that are not self involved , JON SAMS METRO DAY!!!

Basically, Jon Sams (ex South Street guitarist) rolls a dice, which determines how many metro stops we travel, get off the metro have a drink in the first bar we see, repeat this until no one can stand. I think I’m more excited about this than my engagement party. Don’t tell our lass.

Spotlight On

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Stations Formed by brothers Ben and Sean Jessen in West Yorkshire, Stations have already enjoyed a decent amount of success; their début EP, released in 2008 on Phoenixx Records, scored the band support slots with the likes of Elliot Minor, The Holloways and Nine Black Alps. However when, with two UK tours to their name, the band lost two members to geographical divisions, the brothers were left holding the baby.

Not to be beaten, Ben and Sean squirrelled themselves away to work on the band’s sound, and eventually came out fighting, and ready to release their second EP. “The record was completely produced, recorded and mixed by Ben at home in our studio,” says Sean. “We feel it’s as honest and close to us as we could make this record.” With their track ‘Shakedown’ enjoying spins from radio stations across the country earlier this year, Stations have already caught the ears of music fans and critics alike, a popularity that the band hope to capitalise on with a nationwide tour; “We’re planning on playing all over the country to promote the EP and single, which will be available worldwide through iTunes.”

With work already under way on EP number three, it sounds like all that hard work has finally paid off for these busy siblings; “We’ve had this band now for over six years, but we finally feel we’ve got to the stage where we’re completely happy with our sound and hope that the listeners love it as much as we do.”

Dalaro Their final output, they hope, is something in the vein of their musical influences, which range from the likes of The Who, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Kings of Leon. Front man Conner Templeton says it’s just as much about being happy with the sound as a band, as it is trying to please their listeners; “We try to get a sound that we like, and hopefully other people will as well.”

From the bosom of The Bunker’s very own Sunday Club comes Dalaro, a young and upcoming trio from Gateshead. Formed nine months ago, the band have been through several evolutionary stages to achieve the indie pop sound they were after. After meeting at school, the band started out life as a four-piece, rattling through a handful of names and a guitarist, before finally settling on ‘Dalaro’.

After previous incarnations Trailblaze and The Heyz failed to capture the unique outlook of the band, Connor gives us the low-down on the 3-pieces interesting and oft-misspelled moniker; “Our drummer and bassist, brothers Paddy and Aiden Soulsby’s great granddad came from a town in Sweden called Dalaro, which we thought sounded pretty cool. So we named the band after the town.” Currently writing and recording their début EP at base headquarters, the record is due for release very soon.

Words : Nic Wright

Feature

TAKE A CHANCE TAKE A TAKE A CHANCE CHANCE

You’ve probably seen that advert, for a certain apple-based alcoholic beverage, in which a man takes to

the streets to round up attendees

for his mate’s band’s gig. ‘Take a risk!’ he encourages them.

Most people look at him like he’s offering to drown their puppies,

but the few that take up his offer are then treated to a performance by his mate’s band, none other than

Lahndahn rap-scoundrel Plan B. Whether or not you construe this

as a win depends on your musical

leanings; personally once I’d heard the words ‘Plan B’ I would’ve

slammed down my pint and done one, but the sentiment stands.

It’s no different here in the North East than it is in ad-land. With so many promoters staging gigs in the region, there are some real treasures around every corner, but all too often they go unheeded. From Teesside to Newcastle, there are opportunities galore, with nights both new and established offering slots for bands. So with so many chances to get your gig on in the North East, where should fans, and bands, be looking for the best shows?

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Booking tops acts in Sunderland for the last 5 years is Independent [Live].

Over two rooms in Independent itself, as well as at sister-bar Plugged Inn, and on behalf of other venues around the North East, Independent [Live] is the epicentre of the DIY Sunderland music scene. Everything Everything, Kasabian and Kaiser Chiefs are just a few of the acts that they’ve put up in days past. More recently it’s played host to NME- darlings Tribes and chirpy indie-folk chaps The Leisure Society.

Add to this a host of top DJ’s and dance acts like Jaguar Skills, Erol Alkan and soon to arrive DJ Yoda, there is no other venue or promoter in Sunderland with the knack for unearthing gems longbefore they book their first gig at the O2.

On the local side of things in Sunderland, The Bunker’s Event Management and Live Teams have been providing opportunities for emerging bands since before We Beat The System were in nappies.

Also working in the Tyne and Wear area is Insangel. Booking and promoting gigs since 1996, Insangel works to showcase a wide variety of bands with local followings. This includes regular nights at Gateshead’s The Three Tuns.

Despite having pulled in some highprofile acts over the years, including The Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks and Klaxons, Phil Hughes, the man behind the scenes, says it’s not always about the money; “I’m happy to be ‘out of pocket’ for a great night and to reward and look after the bands that have that special something.”

Over the river, one of the Newcastle music scene’s most famous faces, photographer Jazzy Lemon, is turning her hand to promoting. Based at The

Feature

Riverside, Jazzy has been using her considerable clout to pull in some impressive line-ups. Recent gigs have included Grandfather Birds, Shields, Baskin’s Wish, The Castells and Athlete’s in Paris.

Holding down the fort in Teesside is The Kids Are Solid Gold. Largely responsible for bringing acts both local and legendary to Middlesbrough and Stockton, their jurisdiction also extends to Newcastle, with regular nights at The Cumberland Arms. KASG have been responsible for bringing in the likes of Singing Adams and King Creosote to Tyneside, and past

www.manifestosunderland.com

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conquests include Mumford and Sons hair-cuts together to come up with and The Vaccines. something very special and unique.

You will find a range of familiar faces turning their hands to promoting live music, whether it be musicians, writers or those involved in supporting the scene. The most recent successful series of gigs to fall under this category were Month Of Fridays at The Cluny2 in September.

With all these hard-working musotypes corralling the best and brightest for the pleasure of your eyes and ears, there really is no excuse to be bored and unamused around these parts.

So why not, ‘take a chance’, you might just stumble across The Next Big Thing. Or even better, your new North East Music luminaries Joe favourite band.

Frankland, Linsey Teggert, Bob Allan, Tom Cotton and James Hall, a diverse range of personalities involved in local music, put their fantastically styled Words : Nic Wright & Emma Howe

Interview

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A Little Bird Told Me:

With ‘The Yellow Edition’, the second release in their ‘Life of Birds’ series, recently hatched, and sell-out shows across the region, things are looking chirpy for instrumental bird-rockers B>E>A>K. We caught up with The White Swan to find out about life in the nest:

Each edition is presented by a different bird and that chosen bird will feature in their own piece of video art leading up to the release. We also try to make a feature of each bird at the edition launch gigs and we have a big feathered headpiece that the chosen bird will wear to announce their entrance and also add some fun to the occasion. In terms of song choice for each release we base the decision around what songs we currently enjoy playing and also songs that reflect the musicianship of You’ve just released The Yellow bird in question.

Edition. How much input does the eponymous bird get into their EPs? B>E>A>K is a band that has been Do you try to make each one distinct, constantly evolving since your arrival. according to the particular bird, Do you have an end game vision for the or is it more a case of the natural band or are you happy just to keep it progression of the band? moving to where ever you can take it?

Yes, things have started evolving with the band since March this year after a long break. Since then we’ve played select shows that have grown in size, energy and excitement. Our plans are to keep going with releasing the other editions in ‘The Life of Birds’ series and hopefully when they conclude we will be able to release our first full length album. As well as the music we really want to push the visual art side of the band more, with our very own Green Gannet at the forefront using live visuals and also creating an online presence. In terms of live shows we are hoping to go on a bit of a DIY European tour next spring and then also push to do more festivals and generally play more live gigs up and down the country.

Interview

www.manifestosunderland.com

B>E >A >K

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Photo: Ian West

What inspires the sound of the band?

Does having members from lots of different sounding bands have an impact on the final product?

As we all play in so many different bands we all bring different influences and styles to the song-writing. I think the backbone of our sound comes from the guitars and drums and the influence post punk bands has had on their own style of playing. Then we had the brass and keys and the sounds have evolved into its own unique style touching on many other genres.

The split parade for us was put together very last minute and was mostly improvised. We had visions of us leading people out of Cosa Nostra towards plugged inn and turning round to see nobody following us. However, everyone got right into it and we had about 60 people parading with us through Holmeside. The White Swan managed to stop a bus and wander into Sinatra’s much to the astonishment of their usual clientèle. So yeah, I think taking B>E>A>K out of the venues and onto the streets is possibly another outlet we could look into.

Well basically Martin has a real love for wearing black and got a bit jealous of our percussion bird who always wears black. So he took matters into his own hands and made his first appearance as the blacked-out Raven at Split Festival this year! He feels much more at home in his dark plumage!

Whose EP is next? What are your plans for it?

The next release will be ‘The Blue Edition’ presented by the Blue Tit and will feature some of our newest material and possibly some remixes. It’ll be What was it like playing Parade? How come the Silver Sparrow has now the biggest release so far and will be Are those sorts of ‘guerilla’ gigs evolved into The Raven? Can Martin supported by some great videos. something you could see yourselves really not stand not being in black doing more of? that much?

Words : Nic Wright

Reviews:CDs

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Pick of the month Lanterns on the Lake – Gracious Tide, Take Me Home An album less of songs than of endless sonic landscapes, Gracious Tide, Take Me Home should probably be employed by the NHS as a fail-proof test for unearthing psychopaths.

Because if you don’t at least fill-up listening to this, you are dead inside.

Owing as much to ambient acts such as Air as it does to its indie-folk contemporaries, it’s a record of majesty and depth, of unquantifiable grace and ethereal vision. It’s a window through which everything is beautiful. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got something in my eye. 5/5 Stations – Lost & Found (single) Considering that they’re just a guitar and a drum kit, Stations don’t half make a lot of noise. With vocals normally only achieved by smoking more cigarettes than the band is old enough to have had time to, Lost & Found is a powerful wedge of poprock. Mixing the sober edge of hard rock and the emotive, commercial edge of the Kerrang-era rock stars, the juxtaposition of chunky, thrashing guitars and melodic riffs make it an accessible but gratifyingly gritty track. 3/5

Is Shepherd – Pine Box (single) There’s a dark country road vibe to Pine Box, like it might take you into the woods and do unspeakable things to you. A rumbling blues backbone powers the track through its four shady minutes, as it bashes at chords and hammers your ears with sinister, deep-south-infused double bass. Bitter and knowing, it’s a rousing, rhythmic nightmare of raging proportions. It sits happily in the teeny tiny centre of the rock and roll/folk/country Venn diagram, where honesty and rebellion make scarce and excellent songs. 4/5

Sonner – Self-titled (EP) Sonner’s EP is only three tracks, but shows an impressive amount of variety. Less proves to be more with ‘The Call’, its rolling drums and laid-back build up creating a modern, anthemic sound out of very little. Unsurprisingly, ‘Prison Man’ finds Sonner in a more sober mood, though the track kicks nicely into lad-rock territory, an area where the band seem much more comfortable. Finally, they go all Verve-y on ‘Enchanted Fool’, which quietly rounds off a solid effort from a band admirably branching out. 3/5

B>E>A>K – The Yellow Edition (EP) The Yellow Edition proves once again the endearing and face-melting quality of the brother birds. Heftier and more compact than its predecessor, it maintains the band’s infamous line in discordant keys and furious brass, but with a chugging, heavy-handed edge that borders on onomatopoeia.

Opening with the ominous tones of ‘Only The Crow Knows’, the track meanders between smooth jazz and brutal guitar riffs. The brusqueness continues with ‘Pecky Bird’, the sonic equivalent of being jabbed by an angry ostrich, and loving every second of it. Upholding the complexity and variation of previous efforts, but this time they’re getting their talons right in. 5/5

Mr Ben Sir – Transport (EP) The term ‘folk’ is bandied about an awful lot these days. No longer invoking images of weather-beaten men dressed entirely in wool and singing songs about frogs, it’s become a catchall phase to cover anything lead by an acoustic guitar. Of course the problem with such a generic expression is that it doesn’t ever encapsulate the mood of the band in question. Mr Ben Sir’s Transport EP, though acousticallybased, manages to fill stark, delicate tracks with brooding and duskiness. Graceful and dolorous, it’s a timeless work of depth and maturity. 4/5

Reviews:CDs

Gallery Circus – (EP) Gallery Circus are a band that have evolved on stage; whose shows are things of incredible force, emphasising the significance of the live arena to their ethos. When a band like that come to record in a studio, it’s easy for that essence to get lost. But the Ross boys seem to have pulled it off. Though the second two tracks seem a little more polished, there’s nothing in these wild, shrieking rock’n’roll songs that you won’t hear when the brothers are thrashing about in front of you. 4/5 Cattle & Cane – Cattle & Cane (EP) Cattle and Cane have spread their wings a shade since last we heard from them. Now with a sound spanning the entire indie-folk spectrum, from demure to all out, chord-hammering grit, their second EP has a lot going for it. Though being as it is all very Mumford-and-Sons-esque doesn’t mean it scores points for originality, the songs are strong. The best moments come when they’re kicking up a storm, with the mainstream, poppier tracks such as ‘Waiting’ treading too much water. 3/5 Running From Wolves – What Happens in Vegas (EP) With the influx of acoustic and pop acts to the region’s scene, hard rock is often overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Combining the brash sardonic tones of Every Time I Die and

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blistering, balls-out rock, Running From Wolves make a darn good case for its reinstatement. The EP treads that fine line between the scenestercentric modern metal and the good old fashioned guitar shredders of yore; harsh as hell, but never taking itself too seriously. 3/5 Lulu James – Rope Mirage (single) Self-described as ‘melodramatic dub-pop’, Lulu James might have to kick the drums up a notch to earn the ‘dub’ part, but other than that it’s a pretty spot on assessment of her début single. Atmospheric, seductive and accessible, Lulu James sports a fair set of lungs, providing a soulful lead for this late-night-radio tune to follow.

With all the characteristics of recent r’n’b infused pop tracks, Lulu James is onto a winning formula. Keep your ears peeled for her. 3/5 Sharks Took The Rest – Rename The Planets (single) Swooshy pop collective Sharks Took The Rest follow up their February EP with a new single. Though their alternative folk-based vistas has always been interwoven with an innate sense of optimism, Rename The Planets is positively effervescent. Setting their strings to work on staccato, twinkling riffs rather than sweeping sonorous tones, the track skips along as light as a feather, resonating with kitschy charm. An lovably fluffy track that twirls between child-like wonder and contemporary bubblegum pop. 4/5

Bunker Dance Markob27 - Afterburner Markob27 once again releases a dance floor ready, progressive & melodic 6 minute journey. His latest track features a catchy, uplifting chord progression with a heavy side-chained bass line which helps create the energy being constantly pushed out of the speakers. There are chuggy toms which appear throughout each section and played alongside the hard side-chaining, it gives the track an overall ‘pushing’ feeling, totally ideal for any club system.

An excellent Progressive House production that carries the energy & emotion very well from beginning to end. 4.5/5 Counterfeit Productions- Refresh Mark (Counterfeit Productions) is responsible for one of my favourite EPs of the year with ‘Check Them’ on Audio Parallax, and he has gone and caught my attention again with his new unsigned track ‘Refresh’.

With it’s harsh hi hats, subtle build up effects, funk bass line and use of strings Mark is steadily building his own unique, easily identifiable sound, creating mood and feeling within each track. Refresh has become a regular on the playlist on the Bunker Dance radio show, and rightly so! 4/5 http://soundcloud.com/mark-habit Words : Liam Huitson

& Seb Otigbah

Reviews:LIVE

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Split Festival 2011 Ashbrooke Cricket Club 17th-18th September You could argue that there are too

many festivals these days, but if a festival has its heart in the right

place, it can do wonderful things.

Split is pulled together every year

not for profit, not for publicity, but for a passion for music and for Sunderland, and this is why it

continues to better itself. Though there are other festivals organised

by bands, I would doubt you’d seen them running about like headless chickens to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

With such a huge bill, it’d be impossible to give credit everywhere it’s due, especially when almost everyone put on a cracking show. (And by almost everyone, I mean, not The Drums. Not every punter in the tent is going to be a hardcore Drums fan lads.) That said, here are a few of the sets that truly stood out from a stellar round of performances. Saturday morning, thanks to his stark acoustic sound, and his raw, carnal vocals, Ajimal made set with included crowd-surfing and hairs, I didn’t even know I had, stand up. confetti cannons. Sunday opened up with Morris Ford, whose ethereal sound Award for biggest Health and Safety proved a better hangover cure than concern goes to The Lake Poets, for a bacon sarnie. Garnering one of the managing to fill Stage Two’s tent fit to biggest assemblages, and best reviews bursting, as crowds flocked to watch of the weekend was Hyde & Beast. Their his storming full band set. trippy, energetic performance provided an ideal festival atmosphere, and Over at the Main Stage, B>E>A>K incited some excellent dance moves pulled out all the stops with a theatrical from the crowd.

Finally, acoustic veteran Nev Clay’s endearingly comic and melancholy tales of life and love entertained a crowd that would’ve happily watched him play all night, inciting one of the only encores of the weekend. Roll on 2012.

Words : Nic Wright

Photo: Ian West

Reviews:LIVE

Lilliput + Karima Francis + Natasha Haws @ The Little Room, Independent, 1st October Karima Francis

Independent’s Little Room could do with being a little bit bigger tonight.

Exhibiting delicate songs that belie her tender years, and a voice to induce goosebumps, opener Natasha Haw’s tracks lodge themselves in your head, soaked in simplistic and heartfelt expression.

Great singers have one thing in common; a unique and striking voice.

Blackpool’s Karima Francis however appears to have unique and striking voices, plural. The range and variety that comes from the slight singersongwriter beggars belief, making even the most basic of acoustic tunes utterly absorbing.

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Matt Stalker & Fables + Boxes + Ditte Elly Kolln @ The Little Room, Independent, 5th October

The Railway Club + The Bluebuds + Brucey Ripper @ The Ivy House, 29th September

Ditte Elly Kolln, a singer-songwriter who, performing live for the first time, displays staggering depth in both her songs and her technical ability. An absolutely astounding find. London’s Boxes returns to Sunderland with his one-man show of twiddling, guitarbashing and pac-man on an eighties TV set, he achieves that most rarest of feats; electronic-based music with chest-swelling soul. Huge, multilayered songs that are based in nothing else but heart. Lastly is Matt Stalker & Fables. The only band I know that could reduce you to tears singing the phone book, their new songs continue to impress, treading fresh but distinctly Fables-y ground. Bonus points for taking a Bon Iver song and improving it. Unreasonably good.

Middlesborough’s questionably monikered Brucey Ripper kick the evening off with some upbeat, likeable but fairly standard rock’n’roll.

With songs that have a sound range from Bob Dylan to Tom Waits, right down to the vocals, The Bluebuds are a capable and entertaining act, with good solid tracks, and (in fairness this was their first gig with a new expanded line-up) will make a great act to watch once they’ve settled into playing a little.

Headliners The Railway Club, put in another brilliant performance.

Their endearing chamber-pop songs embellished by an unwieldy charm.

Words : Nic Wright

Words : Nic Wright

Chapel Club + Clock Opera @ Independent, 12th October

Finally, newcomers Lilliput take the stage. Having played only a handful of gigs, they perform their rough-edged alternative folk with unadulterated soul, stripping the faces from half the crowd, and leaving no toe untapped.

First up tonight is the confident and Clock Opera infectiously spirited Clock Opera.

With a collection of percussion lifted from Aladdin’s tea set, this is a band riding high on pulsating riffs and instrumental segments of finesse.

Chapel Club are a band in transition.

There is a fresh basis of synth and keys to their sound, that brings about some impressive highlights like ‘Shy’, but their efforts feel a little forced and prickly. It’s as if I spent the night re-introducing myself to a band who never really fully established themselves in the first place.

Words : Nic Wright

Words : Emma Howe

Contents

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Rob

Sam

Josh

Top 5 Christmas No. 1’s

Top 5 Stocking Fillers

Top 5 Christmas Movies

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen There’s No One Quite Like Grandma - School Choir Mary’s Boy Child - Boney M Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) - Benny Hill

Paul

Hand Puppets Oranges Cassette Tapes Binoculars Borat Mankini

4.

5.

Home Alone Nightmare at Christmas National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Elf The Muppet Christmas Carol

Dave

Anth

Top 5 Festive Foods

Top 5 Christmas Traditions

Top 5 Worst Gifts

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Egg Nog Cranberry Sauce Prawn Cocktail Dry Turkey Curry Soup

Christmas Jumper Mistletoe Rejection Secret Santa Dig Up The Dead Bird Sunderland Lights Switch On

Diamond G- String Barbie Jeep Scratched Lottery Tickets Socks Nose Hair Clippers

Listings

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NOVEMBER & 3rd November /////////////////////////// Dennis + Head Of Light Entertainment + My Attorney @ The Ivy House, FREE

4TH November ////////////////////////// Chapman Family + Liars Lie! @ Independent, 8pm

5th November ///////////////////////////

10th November////////////////////////// GirlsRloud @ Macmillan Fundraiser Featuring: Hattie Murdoch + Natasha Haws + Ange Telford + Faith Elliott @ The Little Room £4

11th November////////////////////////// Still Ill Birthday Bonanza: B>E>A>K + Razmataz Lorry Excitement + Wooderson @ Independent/Plugged Inn, 8pm

Cottage Industries 1st Annual All Dayer: The Zephyrs + Brilliant Mind + The Union Choir + The Lake Poets + Fantasy Rainbow + Baskins Wish + Cinematic Submarine + Johnny Phonic + Our Imaginary Friends @ The Cluny, Newcastle, 3pm

11th November/ ///////////////////////// Sharks Took The Rest + Matt Stalker & Fables @ CastleGate, Newcastle “So you like a bit of chamber-folk do you? Well prepare to swoon. Sweeping folk-pop band Sharks Took The Rest will be launching their new single, as well as giving you a sneaky preview of tracks from their forthcoming album, at Newcastle’s CastleGate. With support from Sunderland’s Matt Stalker & Fables, it looks to be a night of epically lovely proportions. With an interesting venue, a plethora of horns and a few tricks up their collective sleeves, Sharks Took The Rest are bound to put on a corker.”

Sharks Took the Rest

17th November////////////////////////// ESO + Is Shepherd + tbc @ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

18th November////////////////////////// Winter Hill Transmission: Cattle & Cane + Mr Ben Sir @ Cluny 2, £5

18th November////////////////////////// Hyde & Beast @ Stockton, The Georgian Theatre, £7 “Our favourite psychedelic sons round off their first national tour with a stop off at the lovely Georgian Theatre in Stockton. The band have truly hit their stride in the live arena, so you best catch them now if you haven’t already, before the whole world wants a piece of the Beast. They’ll bringing their pals, among them Barry Hyde and Lucas Renney, along too for what will surely be a beaut of a gig.

Support comes from surf-pop Teessiders Bird Island.”

Listings

www.manifestosunderland.com

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& DECEMBER ///GIG LISTINGS 27th November///////////// 3rd december ////////////

19th december /////////////

The Stones (Rolling Stones Tribute) + Charlotte Yanni @ The Office, South Shields, £8

B>E>A>K + Warm Digits + Young Liar @ The Cluny, 8pm, £5

Lake Poets + Natasha Haws @ Head Of Steam

8th december ////////////

“It’s nearly Christmas! And what better way to warm up for the big day Com Truise @ Independent, 8pm than with a couple of turkeys. Sorry, 10th december ///////////// birds, I meant birds. With a line-up to Com Truise The Futureheads + Hyde & Beast + melt your face off, The Cluny hosts a Frankie & the Heartstrings pre-Christmas party like you’ve never @ North Shore seen. With special guest DJs and scotch eggs for all, you really would “3 months on from another belting be cuckoo to miss this one. Certainly festival, Split are back with a festive beats country dancing.” twist! Already looking ahead to next year, a host of top names including The 20th december //////////// Futureheads, Hyde & Beast, B>E>A>K Fallen Fate + Def Con One + Huron + 1st december ////////////// and a Frankie & The Heartstrings DJ Druganaut @ Durham Live Young Hegelians + Clint set to raise money for Sunderland’s @ The Ivy House, FREE top music calendar event.”

22ND december //////////// Win 2x tickets by going to Ivy House Christmas Party (8pm) Free 2nd december ////////////// manifestosunderland.com and Charlotte Yanni + Colourist Project + answering our Xmas Special Question 29th december //////////// Faith Elliott + Invoke Frankie & The Heartstrings @ Arts Centre Washington, 8pm, £3 13th december ///////////// @ Independent, £10 The Bunker Fundraiser Charlotte Yanni @ The Roker Hotel, £20 Please submit your gig listings to us at info@manifestosunderland.com

1st december///////////////

Renegade + Guests @ Ivy House, Free

15th december ///////////// Worry Party + Guests @ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

17th december ///////////// BunnYPunK Winter Festival @ North Shore, 12pm, £6 (£4 Students)

The Fix

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The Fix As I sit here in my girlfriend’s huge - and frankly ridiculous - pink fluffy socks, positively shivering, I realise one thing: Britain has done away with autumn. Winter is here. And it’s bloody miserable! The days blur into perpetual grey, it’s cold, and huddled - no doubt, round a campfire fuelled by burning wads of our hard earned pennies - sit the energy suppliers’ board of directors rubbing their grubby little hands together.

Yet it’s normally around now that I get full of whimsy for Christmas. Not this year! And my summer memories have gone into cold storage with the badgers, bunnies and pensioners for 9 months of hibernation. I’m ultimately more reflective.

It’s not usually me to get all melancholy, but there’s some remarkable introspective local acts that I’ve not stopped listening to recently. Some new. Some just new to me. All well worth a lend of your ear...

Last month saw Mr. Ben Sir release their first EP, ‘Transport’ on The Calico Print. They combine glorious orchestral string arrangement with a vocal intimacy akin to that of the The National,

yet with shades more subtlety.

Tender, without coming off at all indulgent, Cambridge in particular builds to a crescendo of beauty. A seasonal ‘must have’.

I’ve only very recently stumbled across Crooked Hands, aka Chris Brown - not the one that knocks women about - but instead an immensely talented singer/ songwriter capable of astonishing poignancy and touching vocal harmonies. Think Bon Iver meets Coldplay’s Parachutes. He’s taunting us all on soundcloud though, with just the one track for our comfort!

Finally, last month I was blessed to a live studio session at Spark FM with Lilliput. Astonishing 5 piece harmonies, and sing-along

choruses. A barbershop-quintet Fleet Foxes, if you will. This bunch are destined for greatness: get in the studio lads!

Thus, winter has brought about a change in me and my tastes.

I’m wistful. More mature. I’m drinking soup. From a cup.

Christ, maybe I’m getting old.

Maybe I’m eventually growing up...

Spark FM Local Music Show Presenter Nathan Would Twitter: @NathanWould