Manifesto #24 Jan/Feb 2012

Frankie & the Heartstrings

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Contents

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16 Little Comets

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Editorial A little heavier from her festive feasting and a little older (not any wiser) due to an early January birthday, our editor EH rounds up her 2011

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Guest Editor

Frankie & The Heartstrings

Frankie, Dave, Dennis, Michael and Rick shook up Oz and Independent in equal measure. We hear their thoughts on what has been a stand-out year for Sunderland’s new favourite sons.

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Local News We say ta’ra to one of Manifesto’s favourite duos and bring you the latest news, releases and goings on this side of the Wear.

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This Month...

We catch up with two fantastic promoters doing there bit for local music by putting on some cracking gigs.

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Spotlight On

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Local Interview It’s been a slightly yo-yo year for the Little Comets. Find out how life is without Mark and what’s next.

Reviews:CD The new year gets off to a flyer with some brilliant releases including our Pick Of The Month Reviews:LIVE Sunderland invade the Toon and the Mackems show their charitable side

Say hello to Spoken Words, the only Sunderland based band to be included in NME’s 100 New Bands you have to hear this year, and the beautifully crafted efforts of Amy Holford.

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Manifesto Awards We round up our highlights of last year. Find out who has been named ze Best Band, Favourite Release, and Top Tash!

Top Fives Our Top 6 Top 5’s of the year

Listings ‘Quality’ is the word for January The Fix Find out which tracks The Local Music Show at Spark FM have deemed worthy of their Top 40 of the year.

Editorial

Howe-do.

Happy New One!

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EDITOR

I hope you have all had a fantastic seasonal stuffing of your faces! It was a brilliant couple of months for music in Sunderland and if you didn’t get down to 1/100 christmas/jumper/house parties across our venues....you missed out!

I want to take this opportunity to give local music of 2011 a massive pat on the back. The North East played a blinder, and our very special issue will toast those who made such a great impact over the last 12 months.

Where better to start than with our very own mackem-music-royalty and Guest Editors, Frankie & The Heartstrings. The lads have had a phenomenal year and Manifesto is proud as punch to be kicking off the New Year with a band who fly the flag for quiffs and all things red and white.

We have pulled out all the stops with this issue to make sure we start on a high and raise our game for you all, and if Guest Editors of such stature aren’t enough for you, then get your chops around our local interview with non-other than the Little Comets. One of my favourite local bands EVER! They took time out to give us the ins and outs of a topsy-turvy year for.

Our Spotlight On takes a look at two fantastic talents, who could and should, take this year by storm. We have all of the latest news and views as well as reviews from some of the best of the seasonal gigs and releases.

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, Jazzy Lemon Daniel Robson, Paul Burgess

www.manifestosunderland.com Email info@manifestosunderland.com emma@manifestosunderland.com Facebook ‘Manifesto Magazine‘ Online Editor Nic Wright

So put down the remainder of your stocking fillers and start feasting on this!

E.H

Emma Howe - Editor

Manifesto Magazine 29 Stockton Rd Sunderland, SR2 7AQ Ring Tel: 0191 567 1777

Guest Editor

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B A N D

O F

T H E

Y E A R

2 0 1 1

Frankie & the Heartstrings

Frankie & the Heartstrings

You have been named as Manifesto’s Band of the Year! Obviously that must be one of your key achievements of such a phenomenal year, but what would you consider your other highlights?

The record came out in February, it got to number 32 in the charts and we were over the moon with that. We met Steven Davis and had a game of pool with a bottle of Moet. We were supposed to go to the US but it all went tits up!

Your live performances have been a key factor to your success; do you think having an album behind you gave you that extra bit of confidence live?

If you’re from Sunderland you generally don’t release records. So we always concentrated on the live side from the beginning. If you can’t do it live, then there’s no point. You have to earn your spurs. It’s all about the Sunderland punk mentality thing.

Can it get any better for you than working on your début with one of your heroes?

He’s not quite a hero, we do hold him (Edwyn Collins) in high regard, but since then we have worked with other great people like Bernard Butler. We would love to work with Paddy Macaloon, Peter Katiss and Shaky.

Would you consider your low-light of the year to be your performance at The Bunkers Football Tournament?

Harper thought he was alright. It was basically down to a lack of talent and no pace. The POP Sex t-shirts hampered us a little bit and Ben (Wall) is overweight.

We played 5-aside on the Vaccines tour

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so we have got better. Next time we are going to get some sexy tops to wear, like Sonner.

New Single ‘ Everybody Looks Better (In The Right Light)’ got some decent reviews. Any chance you lot had Grease on loop for a week leading up to the making of it?

We watch Grease every day. Grease 2 is better though because the guy with the blonde hair is in it and he almost bucks the lass.

What really happened with your set at Split?

We were really disappointed that’s all we can say. We never got to finish our set for people, but hopefully we made it up to them over Christmas.

You have been on tour with the Vaccines. Do you consider them as a band you sit alongside in the current market?

They are a similar genre yeah. They have a better live persona and a bit more character, but obviously they are on a major label and it always helps to be on a major label. We should obviously be selling to a similar audience so we were really looking forward to playing with them.

Coming from such a close knit community like Sunderland, how was it venturing out across the UK and why do you think other local bands are doing more of it?

Putting your own gigs on with your own friends and finding bands in other cities to ask for swap gigs isn’t too difficult really! But we are going to do

as much as we can to help bands from Sunderland. There are loads of great bands like Spoken Words and We Beat The System they just need to get out of the city.

Have you seen a progression in the quality of music coming from Sunderland over the last 12 months?

No not really. Maybe people are taking a few more risks now and getting up off their arses. But it is still pretty much as it has always been; one of the best music producing cities in the country.

Dominoes! How many pizzas have you managed to tuck away?

We have had 12 vouchers! Pretty disappointing really, we were promised loads. We were gutted because we love dominoes and Harper looks like Homer Simpson.

Before we get your favourites from across the North East, are there any bands you have played alongside this year who our Manifesto readers should be looking out for in 2012?

The Neat, Veronica Falls and Spectrals.

And finally, Frankie & The Heartstrings favourite local bands Ajimal Lez Cox Hyde & Beast Spoken Words Nev Clay Words : EH

Local News

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Announcements Bunker Dance Last month brought an end to our first remix competition which we held in collaboration with Sunderland based producer Leon Thompson. A mass of remix entries rolled in. Up for grabs was the chance to win a digital release on Leon’s label Still Standing Records, a vinyl pressing of the track and a review in Manifesto, as well as continued coverage and exposure by ourselves and Spark FM. The entries were all of a really high standard and we were pleasantly surprised when we uncovered dub step, progressive, garage and 2-step remixes coming in from as far as the US. The winner of the competition was David Heslop (Fatzo) for his trance remix of Free Love. A very well done to all who entered and a big thank you to Leon! You can check out the winning remix at soundcloud. com/bunkerdance/preview-leonthompson-free For a full review of the track go to page 19.

Words : SO

Find out more about the Bunker

The Lake Poets has battered off the sticky fingers of many a major label, and has finally settled on a label to put out his début single. Tiny Lights Recordings, based in Gateshead and home to other local artists such as O’Messy Life, Fantasy Rainbow and Pale Man Made, will be putting out ‘City By The Sea’ next year, with the single also featuring tracks ‘Burnt Tree’ and ‘Small Town’. The launch for the single will take place at The Sage (2) on April 5th.

Tickets are available online now.

Also releasing a new single next year is The Union Choir. Following the success of their début single ‘Eleanor’ which completely sold out its run, the band will be unveiling their double a-side single at the end of January. Cottage Industries will put out the record, which features tracks ‘Your Melodica’ and ‘Lavender’. The single will be launched at Newcastle’s The Cluny with support from The Lake Poets, O’Messy Life and The Prison Library.

A host of young bands across Sunderland are making a break for it in 2012 with early promises via twitter and facebook feeds of impending single, EP and video releases from the likes of Liars Lie, Spoken Words, Natasha Haws and Reckoner.

Little River Fanzine rounded off a fantastic first year of issues with a very special Christmas edition in December!

Here at Manifesto we are big fans of the work that Richard Smith and his team produce to put a twist on delivering us the insiders-insight into Local Music. If you haven’t yet checked out the fanzine, sort it out! We wish Little River all the best for spiffingly weird issues in 2012.

Local News

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Ta’ra The North East circuit said goodbye to the twintastic Gallery Circus on the 4th of January with a very special send off at The Cosmic Ballroom.

The Ross brothers have made a massive impact on the Local Music scene throughout the last 5 years, no more so than when they got together their scary-sync-like twin senses and formed the brilliant and elusively loud Gallery Circus.

Rarely have local music goers witnessed the kind of energy and musicianship the boys displayed live on a consistent basis.

The lads head off with as much gusto to fulfil their ambitions as ever, moving across the pond to take on San Francisco and no doubt the rest of the US. Graeme and Daniel have never been ones to fit the mould of a band trawling the local music scene waiting for something to take them from our shores and to success.

We would like to wish them all the best in their ventures, and will await their return with furry hats and remnants of Daniels broken drum sticks to treasure.

All the best lads!

RELEASES The Castells released single Young Lovers on 5th December. The Christmas Project charity compilation album, featuring the likes of The Union Choir, Hollywood and Vines, The Lake Poets and The Railway Club, was launched on December 8th and is still available to download. Little Comets’ new record, the Worry EP was released 12th December. Athletes in Paris brought out new single No Bridge, No Crossing Allowed on 25th December. Grandfather Birds’ terrifying side-project Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister unleashed their Ribs EP on the 1st of January. Bridie Jackson’s long awaited début album Bitter Lullabies comes out January 12th. The Union Choir’s double a-side Your Melodica/Lavender gets its début on 28th January. Field Music’s fourth fulllength Plumb drops on the 13th of February.

Diary

NOVEMBER 4TH Liars Lie show up and blow out every pansy light in the Little Room DECEMBER 2ND Charlotte Yanni receives an average of 8.5 for stage dives at W.A.C DECEMBER 13TH Limos arrive at Roker Hotel for Bunker Xms bash!

DECEMBER 20TH EH’s heart is heard breaking as new wave outfit Cult Image split DECEMBER 22ND School children drop off 213 paper snowflakes at independent addressed to Lilliput Band DECEMBER 28TH F. Franics gives vital quiff tips to K. Forster

This Month

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This Month ...

Alex Burgess { Lone Wolf Promotions } Born into a family with a well-known pedigree in Local Music, Miss Burgess is heading out on her own with Lone Wolf Promotions. Russell Poad { The Outsider } Starting out in promotions due to a passion for music and as an escape from the drudgery of a 9-5, Russell now operates under the name The Outsider, organising some fantastic gigs across the North East.

Alex Burgess Listening to… The Maccabees. Their new song Pelican is incredible and I cannot wait for the new album.

Reading… Empire is the most challenging reading I’ll be doing. I’m not much of a reader but I like my magazines. I get NME and Q as well.

Watching… Desperate Housewives!

The last series is starting soon so that’ll be good. I just bought Limitless on DVD too so I’ll be watching that because Bradley Cooper is a babe!

Going to… I’m looking forward to seeing Matt Stalker & Fables and Bridie Jackson at The Sage. I’ve organised a gig at The Cosmic Ballroom for Help For Heroes as well so that should be great, and I have just confirmed a cracking line-up at Independent with three of Sunderland’s best young bands We Beat The System, Spoken Words and Spray On Jeans.

Russell Pond Listening to… anything and everything that comes my way via email, blog, soundcloud, bandcamp and Amazing Radio but also a bit of Post War Glamour Girls, The Antlers, Feist, So Many Wizards, Field Music and The Lake Poets.

Reading… NARC, The Crack, Manifesto (of course), The Week, my twitter feed, online blog Abacus Post and on my Kindle “Them” by Jon Ronson.

Watching… very little as I don’t make an appointment with TV these days.

Sherlock probably and maybe the odd BBC4 documentary. I’m waiting for the return of The Thick Of It. Going to… my own gigs, of course.

Those coming up feature The Union Choir, Shark Teeth, Retriever, Nev Clay, The Last Spectacular and Morris Ford at The Head of Steam. I also have Cauls, Amy Holford, Agerskow, Bandoliers (in place of Patched Up Heroes), Crooked Hands and Simon Taylor at Cluny. Apart from those I will be seeing Bridie Jackson’s album launch and the Transatlantic Sessions at The Sage, Field Music, Deerhart and Jezabels at Cluny and if life doesn’t intervene hopefully also Rexine, Pale Man Made and Winter Hill Transmission. 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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Amy Holford

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Words : NW

The first time Manifesto saw Newcastle singer/ songwriter Amy Holford play, she closed her set with an a cappella cover of folk standard ‘Wayfaring Stranger’; a risky move in a bar full of half-cut punters, even at a night with the respectful reputation that precedes Old Friends/ Bookends. Boy did it pay off though. That you could’ve heard a pin drop in that room should give you a rough idea of how special Amy Holford is.

What Amy isn’t however, is easy to pigeon-hole. And that’s the way she likes it. “When I play my stuff, or write it, I don’t hear a genre in my head. I know I love the blues and acoustic music, stuff with a soul, so when I play I just want to emulate a feeling rather than write to a mould. Not one person I’ve met has just one taste in music, it expands over loads of different styles, so why can’t an artist explore?” A lifelong writer, Amy picked up the guitar aged twelve, and as she puts it “the two just came together. I’ve really started taking it seriously over the last few years, finding where my words belong.” Alongside a slew of upcoming gigs, including spots at The Cluny and The Polite

Room, Amy also hopes to get an EP released in the New Year, and has had some capable hands on deck to help her achieve it. She’s recently recorded with Morris Ford and is currently working with burgeoning produced Michael Fitzgibbon, on a track Amy hopes to release in the near future. We recommend keeping your ear firmly to the ground for Amy Holford.

Spoken Words If you happened to catch Frankie & The Heartstrings, Chapel Club or Munich live last year, chances are you’ll have seen Spoken Words. Formed almost two years ago, the band’s opening performance for Frankie & The Heartstrings at the end of December won them a pile of new fans, with Frankie Francis himself hailing them the “best new band from Sunderland”.

“The gig itself was amazing,” says Dan S Ward, the band’s keyboardist. “The crowd was surreal, the largest audience I’ve ever played to.” The band have drawn comparisons to Joy Division and The Smiths, but as Dan explains, they’re keen to carve out their own niche; “Me and the lads are trying to achieve that post-punk 80s sound with our own stamp on the tracks, which in my view makes us extra unique, compared to what you hear nowadays.” With recording time pencilled in at Neil ‘Beast’ Bassett’s Room3Recording studio, Spoken Words are keen to develop their tracks before laying them down;

Words : NW

“We’re practising and writing excessively to get our tracks polished to perfection.” But with the outfit still in their teens, Dan isn’t too worried about nailing down their sound just yet. “We have years ahead of perfecting our sound, making the music we love and achieving our final goal; reaching to the very top of the music ladder.” Big dreams for such a young band, but with such praise being heaped upon them at this fledging stage, who knows where they’ll end up. As Dan himself says “the sky’s the limit”.

Awards 2011

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Awards 2011 Well haven’t we been a busy region this year! Our music scene is probably the strongest it has ever been and putting together every one of last years issues of Manifesto was exciting as hell! We got our heads together and picked out our top picks of the year! Agree or Disagree, read on and send your complaints to the editor!

Single Release of the Year Vinyl Jacket - Koala Yes, summer was brief this year. I believe it was a Monday afternoon.

However, thanks to Vinyl Jacket’s second single Koala, it was summer in our ears all year long. A shimmering slice of pop genius, its intricate, iridescent melodies make it an absolute blinder, and your top single release of the year.

Band of the Year

Frankie & The Heartstrings

Runners Up O’Messy Life - Escape Velocity Hyde and Beast - Never Come Back

Honorable Mentions Athletes in Paris - Borrowed Time Grandfather Birds - Higher Bridges Mausi - s.o.lol Coal Train - Carry You On My Shoulders Shields - Spires

Best Comedy Moment Dave Harper’s moustache

Grafters Award Album/ EP Release of the Year Little Comets - In Search of Elusive Little Comets It was almost the album that wasn’t; prised from the vice-like grip of Columbia Records, the band’s début was finally let loose on music fans in January.

Runners Up Matt Stalker - The Man Who Said...

Hyde and Beast - Slow Down Lanterns on the Lake - Gracious Tide...

B>E>A>K - The Yellow Edition

The Futureheads They never stop, our Futuremen. They’ve recorded a new album, played all around the world, organised charity gigs, and even put on a festival. And when we say put on a festival, we don’t just mean sorting out the admin and taking the credit; we saw them carrying boxes and carting around enormous bags of ice at 10am on the morning of Split Festival.

Absolute stars.

Ones to Watch 2012 So, who will take next year’s Breakthrough Artist crown? We’ve got fantastic emerging artists coming out of our ears around here, so it really is anyone’s guess. Here’s a few of our top tips for the coming year: Reckoner, Natasha Haws, Bird Island, Comets, Lilliput, Spoken Words

Awards 2011

Best Live Band B>E>A>K We’ve got no shortage of excellent live bands around these parts, so picking the one that gives it 110% every time they take the stage was a toughy. That said, you’ve just got to hand to those big crazy birds. Ruffling feathers and melting faces wherever they go, B>E>A>K are a phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed, and their live shows have reached almost cult-like levels as the birds go wandering through the crowd, surf on their fans and hand out percussion left right and centre.

Runners Up

Chased By Wolves, Gallery Circus, Hyde and Beast, The Futureheads

Censored AwardParis:

tes in Matt Robson, Athle say any more? we ed ‘Crusty sheets’ ne

Gig of the Year Chased By Wolves, Reckoner @ Sunderland Minister It’s been a vintage year for gigs, with events like Split Festival, its crazy little brother Parade and Sunderland’s how-good-arewe day out at Transmission providing high points along with a string of brilliant gigs across the North East. Top trumps though goes to Chased By Wolves’ gig at Sunderland Minister.

Runners Up

Split Festival, Split Parade, Evolution Emerging, B>E>A>K + Grandfather Birds @The Little Room, Japan Tsunami Relief with The Futureheads @ The Cluny, Hyde and Beast @ The Little Room

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Breakthrough Artist Video of the Year Hyde and Beast Never Come Back Tempting though it was to give this to Vinyl Jacket, for featuring our Editor’s lovely mug in their promo, this nod has to go to the gorgeous visual talents of Mr Ian West. His dreamy cinematography combined with some bizarre dance moves from Barry Hyde makes the video for ‘Never Come Back’ at once disturbing, endearing and memorable.

Runners Up

Mausi – Sol, Vinyl Jacket – Koala

Best Artwork

Lanterns on the Lake Gracious Tide, Take Me Home They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes the cover can be a good indicator of the wonderful things inside. This certainly goes for Lanterns on the Lake’s début.

The Lake Poets The amount that Martin Longstaff has achieved this year makes us feel really really lazy. Having formed The Lake Poets in April 2010, the past year has elevated Martin to incredible heights within the local scene, and beyond. 2011 has seen an EP release, spots at Split Festival, Transmission, Evolution and Glastonbury, a jaunt in the US and his joining B>E>A>K’s ever expanding flock. He’s been an incredibly busy boy, quite rightly garnering attention from all around the world. All hail, the new Prince of Folk.

Runners Up

Athletes in Paris, Mausi, Vinyl Jacket, Polarsets, We Beat The System

Runners up

Matt Stalker - The Man Who Said This Died Of Alchemy Sonner - EP Minotaurs - Eat Yr Hate Gallery Circus - EP

Best Northern Moment Outside The North East Vinyl Jacket @ Glastonbury Attended by our very own Editor and a highlight on the BBC’s coverage of the festival, Tom Robinson introduced the band on to the Introducing Stage as ‘his favourite band’. A crowd packed full of a who’s who of North East muso’s and a brilliantly energetic set makes this our out of body- out of North East experience of the year!

Interview

Little Comets It’s almost a year since your début album was released.

How do you think the band has evolved since then?

Hopefully we’ve got better but we can’t tell. We’ve been listening to quite a lot of old records recently so I think the space in those songs has really had a big impact on how we are putting things together. I think on the first album we were often quite scared to have gaps in songs where there was no melodic or rhythmical impetus - the newer recordings certainly aren’t as busy so it should be a little more of a relaxed soundscape.

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Interview

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What would you say have been your highs and lows of 2011 ?

We managed to play in America this year which was pretty cool, people were singing along to songs as well which was quite a surreal experience. Also, we got to play at the Roundhouse which we’ve wanted to do for ages and finishing the summer at Reading and Leeds was pretty unbelievable. We had no expectations going into that weekend and to play to such packed tents with a really warm reception was incredible. Lows... losing Mark wasn’t a particularly great time but other than that it’s been a pretty good year.

Your fanbase is one of the most impressive in the North East, and one many an emerging band would love to emulate. What advice would you give to local bands looking to spread their word?

Just do as much for yourself as possible - people are more likely to care about what you do creatively if there is a real sense of authenticity in your output, especially for a band just starting out. We spent so much time recording our own songs, doing artwork, promoting little gigs and writing songs which has stood us in really good stead for the last couple of years.

I don’t know.... it’s hard to give people advice because we don’t necessarily feel we are in a position to do so hopefully that helps.

How has losing Mark effected your live performances?

We don’t feel as exhausted coming off stage anymore haha.

It’s pretty different live now - there’s a lot more space which I think serves a lot of the songs better, it lets them breathe a bit more, which especially for the newer stuff is a welcome relief. Things definitely aren’t as furious and energetic as they were, Mark brought a unique sense of self to the kit, so to try and replicate that wouldn’t really work.

We’re all pretty happy with where we are in a live sense at the minute.

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How was the experience of recording the ‘Worry EP’ after working with Columbia on ‘In Search of Elusive Little Comets’? Do you think the sound of your new EP has been affected by your change in circumstance?

No not really, we had a lot of potential compromise points with Columbia but one would never have been the sound of the album - that’s definitely a fair representation of our sound in that period. Other than finishing the last album in a proper studio and having Rich Costey mix it, the processes applied to recording Worry have been exactly the same. We prefer recording in a safe non-studio environment anyway as there isn’t the pressure of time or money - if Mickey wants to spend a day tinkering then he can.

How was it playing a hometown show after being on tour earlier in the year? Do you look forward to playing back in the North East, or is it nice to have a change of scene?

It’s always good to come home especially as Northumbria Uni is such a classy venue compared to some of the shitholes we’ve played in. It even has a monitoring desk at the side of the stage so we feel like a proper band.

Little Comets have been at the forefront of a brilliant time for the North East music scene; are there any bands in particular that you’re a fan of?

Grandfather Birds are brilliant and we really love Ajimal and Mammal Club too.

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions for 2012?

No chocolate, more running, less pouting (Matt).

Words : NW

Reviews:CDs

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Pick of the month POTM: Field Music - ‘(I Keep Thinking) ‘Bout A New Thing’ They’re teases, the brothers Brewis.

New track ‘(I Keep Thinking) ‘Bout A New Thing’ is the first song to be unveiled from their forthcoming fourth album ‘Plumb’.

And it’s brilliant. With Field Music’s track record, it would’ve been far more surprising if it wasn’t. The fact that they’ve spoiled our ears rotten and still manage to make music that sounds at once very much theirs and yet very, very exciting, is the greatest testament to their talents. The many sides of this song add up to one bristling, angular and constantly surprising bit of pop. 5/5 Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister – Ribs EP Obscured faces, nine minute songs and unabashed, industrial strength gloom; welcome to the murky, distorted world of Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister. Their ‘Ribs’ EP is an all-encompassing fog of persistently troubling fuzz that rolls forth like a thunderstorm on the horizon. This is not music to have on in the background; ‘Ribs’ demands your attention. Its dense, textured noise seeps into your bones, soaking you in its contempt.

Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister will infect you. And you’ll bloody well like it. 4/5

All Words : NW

Little Comets – Worry Little Comets’ first release since their début last January, new single ‘Worry’ adheres firmly to the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. And broke it most certainly is not. In place are the bubbling, infectiously upbeat guitar riffs, the snappy percussion and Robert Coles’ shimmering staccato vocals.

A borderline tropical, typically singa-long track, the perfect marriage of accessibly funky style and thoughtful, considered substance. 4/5

The Union Choir – Scissors and Sellotape At the time of writing, I’d had this track for three weeks, and it was already on my ‘Most Played’ playlist. To be fair, the skip button on my iPod has been broken for some time. I jest, of course.

‘Scissors and Sellotape’ is a rich, understated song of spellbinding proportions. With trademark lachrymosity in tow, it’s lead by a rolling bass riff, that coupled with Jon Melvin’s magnetic vocals and the melancholy call of the oboe make for a sumptuously romantic pop song.

5/5

Frankie and the Heartstrings – Everybody Looks Better (in the Right Light) They’ve got the quiffs, the tight pants, and now Frankie and the Heartstrings are well on their way to completely their transformation into the cast of the musical Grease with their new single.

Punchy and playful, and erring just on the right side of sixties highschool pop cheese, ‘Everybody Looks Better (in the Right Light)’ is the kind of carefree sing-along tune we’ve come to expect from the world’s new favourite band. Vivacious, cheery and as infectious as a nasty case of rabies. 4/5 Reckoner – When She Finds a Home A Deep South soaked fusion of country and folk, upcoming duo Reckoner’s three track single boasts a dirty, visceral rawness that’s pretty rare, and pretty damn face-melting.

While other acoustically-based musicians may wear their hearts on their sleeves, Reckoner’s Sean Wilkinson’s guttural howls sound as though they might leave bits of his insides on the microphone.

Bright freewheeling guitars, driven percussion and brooding, borderline mystical lyrics crash together in a coarse, unrestrained symphony of noise that’ll make your skin bristle.

4/5

Reviews:CDs

Francophilippe – Fonkophile Francophilippe, that definitely-notFrench electric sex dwarf from the future, has finally gone and knocked out an EP. ‘Fonkophile’ is eight tracks of voluminous, pounding bass-lines and beats that’ll drip out of your speakers like a melty ’99 in the height of summer. Chaotic samples loop over hefty funk riffs, slap-bang out of the seventies, adding up to some slick continental electro. Somehow everything sounds like it’s being played backwards; if you play this record forwards you might find a message from Satan. Probably not though. 3/5 Skylark Song – Skylark Song EP Indie-folk is a hot ticket in these parts at the moment, but Skylark Song are doing their own thing. Peddling their wares in the more traditional area of folk music, Skylark Song arm themselves with acoustic guitars, fiddles and delicate vocal harmonies. Adding to their unique sound is a mingling of bluesy guitar picking and soulful vocals, creating contrasting textures that help take the jangly, chintzy edge off the more beardy-folk tracks, such as ‘Northumbrian Borders’. 3/5 Athletes in Paris – No Bridge, No Crossing Allowed Cheeky poppeddlers and Tom Robinson’s best mates Athletes in Paris continue to dance their way out of the indie-pop box with this sax-tickling eruption of amatory jazz

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noise. Taking their cues from the funky, finger-clicking dogs of old and stirring it up with their trademark twinkly pop sounds, the smoothoperating quintet have created a tune at once mature, lascivious and endlessly enjoyable. They’re good, they know it, and it totally suits them. 4/5 Invoke – Second Time Lucky The debut single from Gateshead trio Invoke, ‘Second Time Lucky’ is a sturdy indie-rock track. It shows plenty of potential, and should serve the band well in drumming up support for their future endeavours, but the band still have a way to go in terms of carving out their own sound. Previous comparisons to Muse and Red Hot Chilli Peppers are fairly unfounded in this track, but what is evident is a burgeoning dynamic. Keep your ears out for Invoke; they’ll only get better. 3/5 Broken Few – Concision Recorded in 2010, Broken Few’s début remained in limbo for almost two years. Thankfully, it appears it’s been worth the wait. Covering socially-barbed topics from war, immigration and environmentalism, it’s a record not short on substance. What makes it a great album is that it doesn’t sacrifice melody for the sake of a lecture. Displaying a knack for crafting complex, melodic music, they show showing brutality and emotion in all the right places. Broken Few have got plenty to say, and they say it in a way that’s thought-provoking, enjoyable and thoroughly mosh-able. 4/5

Bunker Dance Adam Burn - Crash As soon as we heard the strings, chords and plucky lead, we knew we’d stumbled upon someone with talent. Crash is Newcastle based Adam Burns latest offering to the progressive house community and it does not fail to impress. A soft trance lead plays the riff through the melodic breakdown and on into the kick off. A minimal yet still upfront bass line sits nicely on top of a groovy, slightly swung, four to the floor beat and this mixture seems to work perfectly to equal a laid back, progressive trip. http://soundcloud.com/adamburn Fatzo - Leon Thompson - Free Love (Fatzo Remix) Fatzo provided us with a nice uptempo delight for his entry to the competition. The first breakdown is reminiscent of something you might hear lying on the beaches of Ibiza, very euphoric. Fatzo uses the chords of Free Love to their best and layers in his own harps, strings and riffs.

A main Trance lead takes over to really take things to another level.

Energetic from the get go, so be warned & listen with speakers up! soundcloud.com/bunkerdance/ preview-leon-thompson-free

Words : SO

Reviews:LIVE

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The Christmas Project Launch: Gallery Circus, Hollywood & Vines, The Union Choir @ Independent, December 8th Even for the grinchiest of humbugs, you can’t argue that around here Christmas spirit often manifests itself in the guise of some truly brilliant gigs. Tonight marks not only one of those exciting line ups, but the launch of a charitable endeavour as original as it is genuinely enjoyable on its own merit. Three of the artists who’ve contributed to The Christmas Project charity album are here tonight, amongst the delicately constructed presents, mince pies and Christmas lights, to give it the kick-off it deserves.

Opening the night is The Railway Club’s Martin Francis Trollope, who gives a warming acoustic rendition of their Christmas track before joining Union Choir bandmate Jon Melvin for an unplugged set. Rolling through their earnest, elegiac songs, the duo finish with a cover of ‘White Christmas’, a perfect choice for Melvin’s rich vocals.

Event organiser Paul Barber’s outfit Hollywood & Vines are next. It’s great to see a young band really hitting their stride, and Hollywood & Vines are building themselves a distinctive sound on top of their sincere and reticently likeable performance.

Finally, headliners Gallery Circus roll out another grinder of a show, mixing their unpredictable riffs and unrestrained, shrieking falsetto vocals, culminating with a Christmas cover that fits them like a woolly mitten; ‘Christmastime’ by The Darkness.

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 : NW

Reviews:LIVE

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The Lake Poets, Lilliput, Natasha Haws @ Head of Steam, 3rd December

Here’s a sight you don’t often see in Newcastle, unless Sunderland have won a derby game, and everyone’s wearing stab-vests; a bar full of Mackems on Geordie soil. But tonight is special. It’s one of those nights that makes you glow like a radioactive light bulb with pride. Natasha Haws gets better with every performance, a rare combination of heart-breaking song-writing ability and absolute amiability. Lilliput’s technical ability is rivalled only by their incredibly layered and gorgeous songs. The Lake Poets gets a chance to dazzle with a full set, packed with rarely-heard gems and rousing fan favourites.

Irrefutable stars, every single one of them.

Spark FM Presents: Bird Island, Young Hegelians @ The Ivy House, 1st December

All Words : NW

It’s a Teeside spectacular tonight at The Ivy House. Young Hegelians impress with a set that’s as varied as it is potent. Nicely at odds with their caustic socio-politically themed lyrics, the trio’s songs feature a brazen elasticity, mixing heavy doses of bass-lead funk into their alternative rock, making for a buoyant and interesting performance. Headliners Bird Island are bonafide future pop-stars. Although they’ve only been playing for a few months, they’ve got that something that makes your ears prick up. Drums-esque, with touches of Dinosaur Jr, they look like a band, act like a band, and once they’ve settled into themselves live, they’ll be making waves across the region.

Contents

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Lane

Robbie

Roberto

Top 5 Spelling Songs

Top 5 texts when you’re at work Top 5 Dave The Raves top 5 names

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. Fancy a pint tonight?

2. Your tea’s waiting 3. I’m waiting for you 4. Mike Ashley has sold Ba to SAFC 5. Your results are clear

D.I.S.C.O- Ottawan You U.G.L.Y- Daphne & Celeste Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani F.E.A.R- Ian Brown Lola- The Kinks

Nod

Kenny

1. No1 North East Raver 2. Top Raver legend on the dancefloor 3. Bunker posse dance crew 4. Dave the rave no1 raver hallelujah 5. David Common

(Diana) Ross

Top 5 Festival Essential

Top 5 Bar Snacks

One Hit Wonders

1. Loo Roll 2. Beans 3. Red Wine 4. Wellies 5. Gegs

1. Pork Scratchings 2. Cheesy Nuts 3. Scampi Fries 4. Barney Rubble 5. Pig On A Bar Stool

1. Barbie Girl- Aqua 2. Walking On Sunshine Katrina & The Waves

3. Nellie The Elephant- Toy Dolls 4. The Climb- Joe McElldery 5. Star Trekkin- The Firm

Listings

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JANUARY & 5th January////////////////////////////

26th January //////////////////////////

Stripped Back 2012 @ The Ivy House 8pm FREE

Remember This #001 B>E>A>K, Symphonic Pictures, Chased By Wolves @ Cluny 2

“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.”

7th January///////////////////////////

Stripped Back 2012 @ The Ivy House, Sunderland, 8pm FREE

“To celebrate the launch of NARC Magazine’s proud marriage to KYEO.TV, instrumental bird rock sax squawkers B>E>A>K are flying into the Cluny 2 for a night of shining North East music, dance and song, and you’re all duly invited. Support will come from Symphonic Pictures and Chased By Wolves.”

14th January//////////////////////////

27th January //////////////////////////

Union Choir + Shark Teeth @ The Head Of Steam

The Outsider @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7pm £3

19th January////////////////////////// Stripped Back 2012 @ The Ivy House, Sunderland, 8pm

“The event will showcase the best new local talent from the Newcastle area, giving great new artists the chance to attract a wider audience at a great iconic venue.”

21st January//////////////////////////

2nd February///////////////////////////

Mozart Parties @ The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland

Spark FM Presents: Echohead + Sister Rose + Village Green @ The Ivy House, Sunderland, 8pm. Free

The Kill @ The Wheatsheaf, Sunderland, 7pm

12th January/ /////////////////////////

4th February/////////////////////////// Yellowire @ The Little Room, Independent Sunderland 8pm

Listings

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& FEBRUARY ///GIG LISTINGS

9th FEBRUARY //////////////////////////

18th February //////////////////////////

Stripped Back 2012 @ The Ivy House, Sunderland, 8pm FREE

14th @ The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland, 8pm

11th February //////////////////////////

23rd February//////////////////////////

Old Friends Girlfriends presents: The Cornshed Sisters, Annie Dressner, Ditte Elly Goard & Natasha Haws @ The Little Room, Independent, Sundelrand 8.30pm £3

Lone Wolf Presents: We Beat The System, Spoken Words, Spray On Jeans @ The Little Room, Sunderland 8pm £4

24th February ////////////////////////// Jack Harris + Matt Stalker & Fables @ The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland

“Old Friend Bookends lets the lasses take over their fantastic folk set-up with an evening in The Little Room!

Headliners The Cornshed Sisters will be joined by New Yorker Annie Dressner. Now residing in the UK Annie has received rave reviews for her the passionate, conversational awkwardness of her songs. Local support will be provided by Ditte Elly Goard and Natasha Haws.”

15th February ///////////////////////// Bleech @ The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland, 8pm

17th February ///////////////////////// Them Beatles @ Independent, Sunderland, 8pm

Please submit your gig listings to us at info@manifestosunderland.com

The Fix

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The Fix The Local Music Show has really raised it’s profile over the last 12 months. With Nathan Would taking over at the helm and bands beginning to recognise Spark FM as an ideal opportunity to get their sound out there to local music folk , we are proud to be a platform for all of the great music coming out of the region.

This year we introduced the 6-6 playlist to our show. 12 Bands and Artists were selected each week to be played out in the last hour of the Local Music Show.

Those bands who made it onto the list were also played out once a day through Spark’s regular programmed shows.

As it is the start of a new year, it would be terribly predictable if we made some kind of top 40 to celebrate the best of those tracks that made it onto the 6-6 playlist in 2011, and predictable is our middle name!

So selected by myself (LMS Producer), Nathan Would (LMS Presenter) and Kenny Sanger (Head of Local Music), here are our Top 40 6-6 Tracks of 2011!

Spires - Shields s.o.l - Mausi Romance - The Castells Be My Love - Chased By Wolves At Last My Atlas - Railway Club A Girl Who Reads - So What Robot Little Knock Shakes - Gallery Circus Higher Bridges - Grandfather Birds Look Back - Comets If My Heart Stops Beating - Airto Achillies Joanna - Little Comets Little Black Cloud - Cult Image Get Wild Gan Mental - Baron Von Alias Call The Tribe - Russell & The Wolves It’s Your IQ That’s In Danger - Young Liar Sew Up The Sky - Birds VS Planes Six Months - Brilliant Mind Fast Fast - Lets Buy Happiness Painting Stations - Vinyl Jacket Carry You On My Shoulders - Coal Train

Hyde & Beast - Pictures In the Sky Tomahawks For Targets - Total Collapse Of It All Athletes In Paris - Borrowed Time Lake Poet - Friends Mammal Club - Otter Frankie & Heartstrings - Hunger Razmataz Lorry Excitement - Year Short On Suprises Polarsets - Sunshine Eyes Retriever - Arms Out Wide Nadine Shah - Aching Bones Lilliput - Until Lanterns On The Lake - If I’ve Been Unkind Franco Phillipe - Chaevalier Matt Stalker & Fables - Ghost Holy Mammoth - Suggester O’Messy Life - Escape Velocity Union Choir - Eleanor Mr Ben Sir - Cambridge B>E>A>K - Pecky Bird This Little Bird - Romance Is Not Dead