Manifesto #4 August 2008

MANIFESTO

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MUSIC IN SUNDERLAND

August 2008 / FREE

04 g

the great outdoors!

Sunderland goes live at

Cliffe Park

mavis / pride of the revolution / manifestival / the week that was uncerta / news / reviews / live listings / top fives

09 the ivy house 13 uncerta

Hello and welcome to issue 4 of Manifesto. We now estimate our readership to be between six and eight thousand and growing every month! This month we take a look ahead to the events we’re organising at Cliffe Park, Seaburn in conjunction with Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland Music Forum. The final event and the largest will take place on August 25thexpect some big name signings.

Jarvis

19 twtw

20asun live

EDITORS Philip Jarvis & Kenny Sanger

DESIGN Jordan Hill Designhell@hotmail.com

LISTINGS Chris Wake

NEWS

04 08 12 16 24 30

Caroline Stobbart

news

band of yesteryear

WORDS Nina Cowey, Lane Hewitt, Dave Harper, Daniel Clifford, Josh Cockroft, Jonjo Delta, Paul Emmerson, Eddie Honda, Stephen Gilbert

PHOTOGRAPHY

pride of the revolution

Nicholas Gray, Josh Cockroft, Ian West, Jazzy Lemon

manifestival

With help and support from sunderland city council

reviews

listings

MANIFESTO MAGAZINE 29 STOCKTON ROAD SUNDERLAND SR2 7AQ TEL / FAX 0870 922 0336 EMAIL: INFO@SUNDERLANDMUSIC.COM WWW. MYSPACE.COM/SUNDERLANDMUSICFORUM WWW.SUNDERLANDMUSIC.COM

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

ceilidh in the park A one for folk fans on Sunday 3rd August. One of the region’s most successful folk bands, The Teesside Fettlers, will be hosting an afternoon of their finest songs in Mowbray Park. They have built a name for themselves as the modern minstrels of Teesside, chronicling and performing, in song, the history, traditions, folklore, and the very culture of the area. The free event begins at 2pm.

For more information call: 0191 553 2000.

Tickets: £12. For more information call: 0191 568 9770 or visit www. independentsunderland.com.

broadway melody Another treat for fans of jazz. The popular 6-piece Dixieland jazz band will take to Barnes Park’s bandstand on Sunday 17th August to bring their audience a number of their best tunes. The event is free and starts at 2pm.

For more info call: 0191 553 2000.

dead good

wood

The Deadwoods release their new EP this month with a number of gigs around the Northeast. The EP features 4 tracks including crowd favourite ‘Boogie MC’ and is available for only £2 at Hot Rats, RPM and Shambles or online at www.bunkeruk.com. Their gigs this month see them play Independent (8th)with Barcode, The Fishtank Durham (9th) , The Head of Steam Newcastle (14th ), The Alexandra, Grangetown with Paper Street, Ramseys & Red Roulette (15th), Shambles Vintage Boutique Instore (16th), ‘Sunderland Live at Cliffe Park’ (25th) and Seaham Leisure Centre (30th).

For more info goto www.myspace.com/deadwoods

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

old time music hall

Fancy a trip down memory lane? Want to remember the good old days when you didn’t have a care in the world? Well look no further than Roker Park on Sunday 31st August at 2pm.

There will be a variety of popular music and poetry from the bygone eras to entertain audiences young and old. Admission is free. For more information call: 0191 553 2000.

wot no guitar shops?

Swing bridge

Want a great way to kick back at the end of the weekend? Well get yourself down to Barnes Park at 2pm on Sunday 10th August to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of jazz, blues, bossa nova and swing music. For more information call: 0191 553 2000.

blue horizon Danny And The Champions Of The World

Sunderland lost it’s only guitar shop last month as Soundworld closed it’s doors for the last time. The shop which had moved from Olive St in 2004 has suffered as shoppers seem to lean towards internet purchases, a change which has also seen the closure of 10 Sound Control stores around the country.

The unmistakable personality of Dicka and such a long running shop will surely be missed in the city.

Got some old cowboy boots but are not quite sure what to do with them? Well we’ve got the answer you’ve been longingly searching for.

Just pull them on, along with your favourite chequered shirt, straw hat and piece of hay in mouth and go on down to Herrington Park to join the popular country music band, Blue Horizon, playing line dance classics, old and new. And don’t be afraid to bust out some of your best moves. The event takes place on Sunday 17th August at 2pm. Admission is free. More information call: 0191 553 2000.

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Pearls of Sketches of Spain

wisdom

Having read some of the pretentious tosh I’ve spewed over the last few months and subsequently weathered the ripples of discordance from the great thinkers of Sunderland, I better warn you to brace yourselves.

I write to you from a train travelling from Malaga to Seville listening to Miles Davis’s Sketches of Spain. It’s 4.30 in the afternoon, 42 degrees outside and I’m ambling from olive grove to mountain, into tunnels and trying to find the perfect music to accompany a time that I may not have the privilege to appreciate again.

I feel a little queasy as I’ve realised that, even with the most acute distractions, my mind flickers back to Sunderland at an alarming rate. I spent last night in Malaga. Not the hub of bohemian activity which I’d hoped for, but it did play home to Pablo Picasso. Every English tourist and tavern style paella serving sin pit forces me to reminding myself that this was the home of Picasso.

Malaga makes me feel the way Sunderland does at the moment. There are so many reasons to look down on the place it’s crazy. The place looks paper thin, the people can be scurrilous and parasitic and the general aroma is questionable at best. Whilst I was playing at being Earnest Hemmingway and mulling over this tenuous philosophical link my beer is getting tepid so I have to force myself to stop. But that’s difficult as I sit and call out every Mackem remonstrator who failed to show on Sunday (in my head obviously; I’m the thinking man’s coward).

People of Sunderland you are like Pablo Picasso himself. You claim to be so very very passionate but at the same time you could both do with straightening your faces.

Dave “Pearl” Harper

SUNDERLAND MUSIC RADIO

my

Pride of the Revolution A Drop in the Ocean This song’s been a favourite on the Sunderland circuit for over five years now. A soaring, anthemic number that wouldn’t be out of place as the centrepiece of a Doves or Stone Roses album. Absolutelty amazing lyrics too.

The Young Cartwrights Private Eye Quite simply, this song has on it the best riff ever. The Redhouse scallies have matured into something more than your usual common or garden veg Sunderland ladband-by-numbers and into as an exciting and promising act that we’ve seen in these parts for some time.

Deltasound Attachment Live, this track gives your ears a right old battering (in a good way), like the sonic equivelant of being shagged to death. Recorded, it takes on a totally different form, still powerful and agressive, but a lot, lot sweeter.

Uncerta Bitter Pills The Sunderland metal veterans cut the crap with this angry - as - they - wanna - be monster bitch number.

You can imagine Auld Nick sitting in his rocking chair down in hell and having a reet good headbang to this.

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

The Week That Was The Good Life Sunderland’s very own music tzar maintains his prolific output and keeps up his Field Music form with this perfect, polished pop gem.

There’s a xylophone in there somewhere, and a spooky wild-west style guitar part about half way through. Very good. Very Brewis.

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

s O7

mavis

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

Words: Dave Harper

I never really understood them if I’m perfectly honest but with the benefit of hindsight and relative old age, Mavis represented and meant a lot more to me than I would care to admit.

I recall seeing a tousle haired skulking little oddity lurking around Sunderland train station in what must have been the year 2000. He had Bis etched on his satchel and a clump of Larry the lamb esque fluff on his barnet. A week later we shared bragging rights to The Smiths on the Manor Quay dance floor This was James McMahon aka James Jamm, Boyeater Don, Mavis front fop, DJ and intriguing nuisance.

Mavis utilised more members than Katie Price, some of which going on to be part of The Bubble Project Comatose and countless other North East cornerstones. It seemed that no matter where you ambled to on the North East indie map that all roads led you to Mavis and in particular Jammsville, Sunderland.

Mavis were never afraid of ridicule and appeared to have no issues with baring there influences on their shirtsleeves. Fusing the gonzo gabba of the Ramones with introspective musings of Buffalo Tom, Mavis had become an integral part of James’s push to create a little special something in Sunderland. The two albums which form the Mavis discography (The Mavis Crisis and Mavis V The Mendonca) were received with open (if a little limp) arms. The Mavis Crisis received 4 k’s in Kerrang whilst James Jamm himself describes the Frankie Stubbs produced Mavis V The Mendonca as “Utter Dog Shite”, however James is keen to point out that this is not as a result of Mr Stubbs’s production.

Mr McMahan was the catalyst behind the Boyeater scene showcasing what we had to offer in the early naughties. The Futureheads, Brilliantine, This Aint Vegas, Up/Yz , Butterflies of love and Comatose to name but a few. I can’t underestimate how important these shows were and what they meant to the people involved and Mavis were always at the zenith of the Boyeater V formation.

Of course the rest is history. James Jamm took his spotted handkerchief and minced down to the big smoke and is currently features editor at a fanzine called the New Musical Express. I miss having Mavis and James around as it/he represented a lot of different things to a lot of like minded people. I still can’t decide if Mavis were for me but Sunderland was a much more exciting place with Mavis and James Jamm licking your frontal lobe.

You can still keep an eye on www.myspace.com/mavissunderland

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the ivy

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

house Words: Lane Hewitt

Long before I harboured any cohesive thoughts of bearing my soul to all and sundry in a band I came to befriend, cherish and even love what was to become something we and I think many great Sunderland bands would consider our “home” venue.

The place has been a “starter” pub for many generations, somewhere for people to break in gently before lording it round the town. It was such a draw to me it even became my local. Being from Seaham still seemed normal to me.

The gel back then which held it together was the music, when I think back. Even the jukebox was class. The best around. All tastes were catered for providing they were good.

Me and the lads used it as base camp during Euro 96. We watched every match there in an atmosphere that could rival any terrace. The greatest moment being Gazza’s goal against Scotland. From the start of the match the Ivy was blasting him for being a past it, unfit, Geordie, but when that goal went in the place erupted, beer flying everywhere and not a dry eye in the house. Marvellous!

Around 2002 and after stumbling attempts at making music and becoming gig ready our time ap proached to play The Ivy House. By now we’d watched a few bands there and the crowd always gave a good response, yet still it was our first “proper” gig (whatever that means) so we were a tad apprehensive. We supported a band we’d grown to respect and who we thought were the benchmark we’d have to reach before we’d ever be taken seriously, Cobweb Strange. The ultimate power trio.

The joy of playing ‘The Ivy’ gigs came from the crowd, who were ostensibly all the other muso’s from the Sunderland scene at the time. Being a stone’s throw away from The Bunker, which was after all the epicentre of the scene, the place filled on Thursday nights with expectant crowds. The buzz which surrounded the Sunderland scene back then was tangible and beyond comparison with our Tyne based buddies. The consensus was at the time that Newcastle had more venues and more bands but Sunderland had the best venues and better/more eclectic bands.

Goto www.sunderlandnightlife.co.uk

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the

cave

Situated in the Rekendyke area of South Shields, The CAVE is a youth centre with a difference; offering practice space, a recording studio, DJing masterclasses and much more to young people in Tyne and Wear.

Being operated by South Tyneside Council Youth Service means that The CAVE can offer all its services at unbelievably low prices – band practices for young members of the centre can be as little as 50p per session. And with prices like that, you can’t go far wrong!

To complement the practice space, The CAVE also features a recording studio that is constantly being improved. The resident studio engineer is also centre manager John Clavering. Not only can John engineer your recording session, he can also teach you how to operate the studio yourself.

South Shields-based indiepop band Squares are currently putting the finishing touches to their album in the studio, and other acts such as Our Imaginary Friends are booked in for future sessions.

The CAVE is primarily aimed at 13-19 year olds but commercial clients are also welcome.

For more information contact John Clavering on (0191) 4563917, thecavene@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/mycavespace

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star of the show Sunderland will bring the community together and celebrate diversity with an anti-racism festival on Sunday 10 August.

The Sunderland Together Against Racism (STAR) Festival will show that there’s no place for racism in the city.

Anti-racism charity Show Racism The Red Card will host the event from 11am until 4pm at the Raich Carter Centre, Commercial Road, Hendon, Sunderland.

Activities will include football tournaments, skills stations, music & dance, drumming workshops, hip-hop, kite making, face painting, hair braiding, arts and crafts, breakdancing, martial arts, Bollywood dancing, fashion show, community stalls, celebrity racism Q&A, Show Racism the Red Card balloon race and much more.

The Sunderland Partnership has been working with Show Racism The Red Card since June 2004 to deliver the anti-racism message.

Funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, it was the first local authority area in the country to work with the organisation in this manner. Show Racism The Red Card uses the popularity and impact of football to challenge and raise awareness of racism and prejudice in society and has subsequently proved to be one of the most successful, innovative and positive programmes the Sunderland Partnership and Sunderland City Council has ever been involved with.

For more information contact Show Racism the Red Card on Tel: 0191 257 8519 or email or visit http://www.srtrc. org/

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Words: Eddie Honda

farewell to the Following four years of pure laziness and occasional bursts of activity, Pride of the Revolution’s journey culminates this month with the release of their debut album ‘POTR’, after which the band is set to implode. Has it been worth waiting for?

Guitarist/singer Chris Hair is certainly confident that it is the band’s conclusive document: “There’s stuff on there that we wrote in 2004 and hasn’t changed since then, as well as songs that we’ve just decided on the structure of in the last month. We’ve never been a band to rush anything, and developing material and recording is what we’ve always enjoyed the most.

POTR was formed in early 2004 by three core members who had grown up playing together in various punk and heavy rock groups in Sunderland since the late nineties.. In 2004/05 they released two singles on Sunderland label Bunker UK. The second of these, ‘Hamburg / Fake Mistakes’, was produced under the guidance of Leatherface head honcho Frankie Stubbs, and was a critical success for the band, gaining airplay on BBC Radio 1 from Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens.

Since then POTR has been dogged by personal circumstances, leading to several long periods of inactivity, despite the availability of occasional tracks via the internet, and the odd local gig which has assured the loyalty of dedicated followers in the North East. The band are now set to begin an indefinite hiatus, when founder member and bass player Guy Newby departs the UK to begin a new life and career in Iraq later this month.

“Obviously it’s an unusual way to do things, releasing our first album just before the band probably calls it a day for good,” says Guy. “However, I think the realisation that the band is finite, like everything else, has worked as an incentive in a way and makes it a better record than it might have been if we were just fannying along as usual. I think we always knew we had an album to make from the start, but with a whole lot of other things happening since, it’s just taken us until the end to finally get it out there.”

Following Guy’s departure, Chris and drummer Anth are not ruling out a new musical venture, but it’s likely this will take an altogether different form.

Pride of the Revolution play their last gig at The Royalty on Saturday 9th August, supported by Ashes of Iron.

The album, POTR, is out on Mon 4th August and will be available from Hot Rats, Sunderland or online at www.prideoftherevolution.co.uk.

revolution

12

certain about

uncerta

Not many bands can create such resonance and respect as these lads do.

Uncerta are an indestructible and unstoppable force, never budging for a single moment from the top of Sunderland’s metal scene. Every song, every gig, every recording always fulfils the promise of professional, tightly played straight up heavy metal that’s always to the point and always delivers.

Starting out four years ago jamming at music youth clubs, Uncerta (formally known as Killed In Action/ K.I.A) have managed to withstand any test of time, ability or strength and seem to strive for consistency in the practise room and on stage. Never has one seen five lads spend as much time in The Bunker as these.

With a sound that can be compared only to the hugest of heavy metal bands Slayer and Machine Head, Uncerta manage to encapsulate thrash brutality with brilliantly thought out composition. Pounding basslines and layered guitars thunderously rip apart any venue without fail and combined with energetic drumming and brutal vocals, Uncerta sound like a nuclear war zone, that you can bang your head too, of course.

Their first recording back in February 2005 treated Mackem ears to five of their favourites, mixed and polished, and one live recording from their set at ‘Essen Rockt’ festival in Germany. By 2006 they had the assistance and guidance from legendary Stampin’ Ground guitarist Scott Atkins to produce.

Since then there MySpace page has had a ridiculous amount of hits and they have been reviewed in publications all over the UK, including the mighty Terrorizer. They even had airplay on New York station ‘Breakthrough Radio’.

When Luke gave up his role as bassist to insanely talented (or maybe just insane) bassist Matt Collins, the band found another level they hadn’t first anticipated and with this added energy and stage presence the band has went from strength to strength. It’s clear that Uncerta have something special and it’s entirely bewildering that record labels aren’t biting each others faces off trying to get hold of them.

As legends in their own city, Uncerta have been honoured in a ‘Rockstars’ exhibition in our very own Sunderland Museum (complete with a track on the juke box) and are always the word on everybody’s lips. From their ever changing hair cuts to who’s-getting-off-with-who to which song is on their MySpace this week, Uncerta are Sunderland’s local celebrities. They are truly our very own rockstars.

For more info goto www.myspace.com/uncerta

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

29 holmeside / sunderland sr1 3je / 0191 5658947

Features ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

purely

Delta sound first appeared on the Sunderland scene in early 2007. Starting out as much a dance act as a rock band, their live shows rapidly embellished their hard edged guitar sound, driven by beats and rumbling low bass. Early gigs in and around Sunderland and Newcastle garnered a handful of fans but it wasn’t until the release of their second EP in early 2008 that people started to take serious note. After selling out Newcastle’s Cluny in March, and after playing a series of gigs in towns including Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds, Deltasound (Jonjo McNeill, Andrew Ridley, Adrian Huggins and Craig Hutchinson) now find themselves on the verge of spreading their wings a lot further. “We’re finalising our first proper UK tour as we speak” says bassist Huggins “We’ll be playing eleven dates around the country and they’re all pretty high profile venues”. The tour is largely planned to promote their debut single, which is coming out in October through 10x Better Records. “The plan is more to bring a single out to coincide with the tour, not the other way round” says singer/guitarist McNeill. “The tour plan was in place a while ago when we realised how much we love being out on the road - it’s just handy that we’ll now have something new to plug as well. We’re pretty much bringing it out ourself, only we get some much needed help organising and plugging it”. Their last release - EPII - continues to do well on Ti unes, having now sold out of its CD release, and no laurels are being rested on here - as Huggins explains “Our album is pretty much written, we just need to iron out a few things and sort out the time to finish it up.

If everything goes according to the loose plans we have, it’ll be out in January and we’ll be touring non-stop for 6 months to promote it”.

McNeill sums up the last year: “People have taken their time to get into us, and we’ve not had much help from the local music ‘press’, but we’ve always had a total belief in what we do and it’s starting to go the way we want it. Come the end of the year we’ll have a tour and an album under our belts, and next year we’re planning on properly going for it.

This really is just us warming up”.

Goto www.myspace.com/deltasounduk for more.

delta 15

manifestival Words: Dave Harper

It’s roughly six months since the North East’s perceived poor cousins decided out of necessity that enough was enough. A handful of movers, shakers, protagonists and a steady throng of miscellaneous others formed what has now become the Sunderland Music Forum. To cut a long, painfully tedious storey short, the forum has achieved a status of worth and has sporned several new and necessary musical projects in the city. One of which is Manifesto magazine, which no doubt you will now be aware of (certainly Wearside anyway).

Philip Jarvis, local promoter and Manifesto lynchpin has refused, like so many others, to rest on his laurels and has decided to bring you Manifestival (see what he did there). Manifestival takes place on 27th and 28th of September in at Sunderland’s Independent and is an ambitious a project as Sunderland has seen since, well that Sunderland has seen if all goes according to plan. Already confirmed are silly pop tarts Moira Stewart, former Kubichek’s Black Flashes as well as Sunderland mainstays U_ , The Bubble Project, Former Cell Mates, The Astral Janes, The Young Cartwright’s and the son to be Bon Jovi massive Coldseat. I would dearly like to be able to inform you of the turns that are awaiting imminent confirmation (and seriously they’ll make you gag on your turkey twizzlers) but I fear I’d be bundled into the back of Morris Ital and bludgeoned with spoons……big serving spoons…….with spikes and hot gravel on them (I’ve met these Manifesto types and they’re capable of such atrocities). I don’t want to sound like a hippie, why would they stink like damp dogs, the powers that be amongst Sunderland’s newly invigorated music scene have been forced to pull together to pull this thing off and are determined to turn the usual one way Tyne and Wear traffic on its arse and show the people of the North East and beyond that culture in Sunderland is not limited to the North’s only late night Greggs (open till 4 O’clock if infant chowing on a steak bake after Manifestival.

Before forums start lighting up like Pete Doherty’s crack chalice about parasitic promoters etc I’d best point out that it has been made clear that whatever money Manifestival generates will be ploughed back into The Sunderland Music Forum to generate some product of worth. Indeed there is already talk of an album in the offing and communal equipment being purchased to keep this show on the road for some time. Manifestival, proper hippies doing something out of necessity. Kiss my balls Geldoff!

Catch Manifesto at Independent among other venues on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September.

For more info goto www.sunderlandmusic.com

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divine wind at the white room Divine Wind is weekly night that is hosted by The White Room every Saturday evening and has been running as its current guise for about a year. It’s a genre defying night which runs from 8pm - 3am with DJ Emmie at the helm. He hastily adds. “The night usually starts of with me playing some slower music like, The Beta Band, The Coral etc, then just try to see what the crowds like that night, and play it by ear as they say. No Saturday night is ever the same, as it usually depends on my mood or what state I’m in!! But usually about 12ish it seems to turn mad busy so normally out comes the old skool, electro and dirtier stuff! People seem to enjoy it!!” Its safe to say that Devine Wind at The White Room is certainly getting a bit of a name as a place to be on a Saturday evening for an ale or two and a bit Jack of a Jack Palance!!

Divine Wind started life as something to do on a Thursday evening in 2004, for two best mates (Emmie and Steve). Sick of the normal ‘route’ of the town back in the day, they met Jarvis and Ju-lea, who were at the time running the Thursday - Saturday night ‘Paint it Black’ upstairs in the Borough. “I remember we used to regularly attend as at the time there were not many alternative music nights in Sunderland, Jarv just said pop in with some cds and have a bash.” Armed with a rucksack full of cds they began to attend Paint it Black on a regular basis.

Then the White Room came calling. So rucksack loaded up Emmie and Steve set up the night ETC ETC. The night built up a following, and Emmie and Steve took to the place like duck to water. Emmie goes on to say “Me and Steve used to love it playing our favourite tunes in our favourite bar”.

After a few months of doing the Thursday slot the opportunity came up do a Saturday slot. Emmie is keen to point out that he and Steve must give a massive high five and gratitude, to White Room bouncer of the time ‘Handsome Keith’ who pushed for them to get a chance.

After a quick sabbatical at Independent for a few months, they returned to the popular Saturday slot at The White Room. and set up new night Divine Wind.

“To tell you the truth, we always felt that The White Room was the only place we wanted to dj. It was good to be back”. So loaded up with a load of new stuff Devine Wind kicked off. About a year in now minus Steve, Divine Wind seems to only be getting bigger.

Loaded up with bigger and dirtier tunes, as well as the old school classics of yesteryear to keep the masses happy. Divine Wind seems to have a bright future!! Catch Divine Wind every Saturday 8pm-3am at The White Room.

For More info goto www.myspace.com/ thewhiteroom2008 or www.sunderlandnightlife.co.uk

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Words: Daniel Clifford

week in week out

I like to think that I was quick off the mark with The Week That Was. Having been introduced to the Brewis brothers via Field Music’s ‘Shorter Shorter’ and then becoming a bigger and bigger fan over the following few years. I took it hard when they split, or when they went on hiatus.

Whichever is true, Field Music was one of the few bands I liked that was actually formed in my lifetime. In my head they were my band – I had their first single.

But it was quite a while after the announced break that I found out about David Brewis’s School of Language. And by that time my mate Patrick had already claimed School of Language as his. He’d even been to see The Royalty show before I heard one note.

But I found out about Peter Brewis’s The Week That Was before him. I’d played and played ‘The Airport Line’ before he had even sent a ‘Friend Request’ on MySpace. That makes The Week That Was mine. And for a short time it seemed like I was the only one to know about TWTW, at all.

And what a secret to have! It was certainly one I couldn’t hold on to long.

I was telling people left, right and centre (whatever that means). I was telling them about ‘The Airport Line’. How it sounded like a lost McCartney classic to me. How it was all 80s-sounding. And then it wasn’t a secret any more – not just because I’m the best marketing mind never to be employed – because ‘The Day Today’ was included on a free CD given away with NARC Magazine. What a bizarre song! It sounds a bit like Field Music’s ‘Working to Work’ in places but with about a hundred different sections. And it lasts 7 minutes!

And then there was ‘The Good Life’ and (the almost hip-hop) ‘Scratch the Surface’ on MySpace. And then we were treated to the gig at The White Room in May. It’s great being witness to the beginning of something. That’s what that gig felt like. Then the Cluny gig was even better.

I’ve never experienced such drama than during ‘The Day Today’.

The Week That Was album is released on August 18th. It feels like it’s came around so soon. But it also feels like an eternity until then. I just can’t wait to hear those songs again.

What better recommendation can I give? If you like music, you’ll like The Week That Was. The band headline Sunderland Live at Cliffe Park, Seaburn on 25th Augus.t For more info goto www.myspace.com/theweekthatwas

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sunderland The Sunderland Music Forum is delighted to be working together with Sunderland City Council on this summer’s live music programme. This series of events kicked off on July 20th and it all continues this month. They’re free events taking place at Cliffe Park in Seaburn and the aim is to provide a framework from which to develop new opportunities across all genres and musical styles.

Sunday 10th August - 1pm to 6pm

Seven Heroes Cornshed Sisters snagsby squares rayne anglo form Plus DJ sets from Village Soul, By Royal Appointment, Bounce, Weave, and Run for Cover

live

The Bank Holiday Monday event, August 25th will focus on raising awareness of climate change. In addition to the live music, this gig will also include a cinema marquee screening short films and animations. There will also be a family activity marquee and green traders on site with environmental road shows that will combine fun activity for all the family whilst raising awareness of the climate change issue.

Sunday 25th August - 1pm to 6pm. Two stages featuring..

the week that was the troubleshooters the generals joe Gleghorn paul liddell and many more!

Plus DJ sets from a wide selction of local DJ’s and promoters

2 DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC WITH OVER 30 ACTS TAKING PLACE SAT 27TH & SUN 28TH SEPTEMBER Send your details to manifestomagazine@yahoo.co.uk to 22get involved

music at the

seafront Seaburn, Sunday 28th July

Kicking off just after 1pm (by which time I had already devoured most of my picnic) was Ray Van Hustler; a bold choice for opener due to their unrelenting Television Personalities-style rock’n’roll and (anti) approach to structures.

Still, the ear-to-ear grins of the frontmen and their undeniable passion seemed to win over the oldies who had came early to see The Caffreys. Yes, Ray Van Hustler got the event going in a joyous and uncompromising fashion.

Next Deltasound took to the stage. Perhaps due to the muddy sound or the shock of playing outside, the band was not on form. Timing faults and strained vocals meant that Deltasound’s set was nowhere near as good as I’ve seen them play previously.

Real pop tunes and an energetic frontman will always go down well in the sunshine – and for the entirety of Indoor Fireworks’ show, the sun really did shine! You can tell that the band love to play by the way they attack their songs, not to mention the beaming smiles on their faces. And what’s more enjoyable to watch than people enjoying themselves? Indoor Fireworks are the perfect festival band. The only problem was that their set was cut short meaning no airing of ‘Grim Fandango’ and no trumpet playing!

The Young Cartwrights were next up. Their mix of Scouse rock’n’roll (a la The La’s) and Spector girlgroup melodies (a la The Ronettes) was another perfect choice for the setting. It’s just the shame the sun had gone in at this point. But the old folks in attendance could really relate to the band’s 60s stylings and nice lead guitar parts.

After hearing lots about Hungover Stuntmen I was not expecting much at all (the way I see it, if everyone says something is good it’s usually bad) but I was pleasantly surprised by their charismatic delivery and good time rock’n’roll. What I was really taken in by was the harmonies though – simply gorgeous (considering the rough and ready music).

Headliners The Caffreys had to contend with the weather, as the rain really did start to come down. Their set suffered tremendously by the fact most of the crowd went home scared away by the rain. But the old pros soldiered on delivering acoustic harmony-laden pop to those who braved the weather. Delicious harmonies and all, their set went on a bit too long for my liking.

But there it was – the first Sunderland Live event in Cliff Park. And it was a success. Roll on August 10th!

23

cd

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

Sonner Demo Sonner’s sound is firmly rooted in the late 1990s.. Lads in leather jackets, too many beers and chip fights in the street are all brought to mind when listening to these terrace chant-esque anthems. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that they had secured a support slot on The Enemy’s next tour. And if you like The Enemy or Stereophonics or Oasis then Sonner are the band for you.

But the main problem with this demo is that of universality. More of the band’s own personality and – perhaps – regional identity needs to shine through next time to mark Sonner out as real contenders.

CD OF THE MONTH POTR Time’s up in August for Sunderland’s (least) hardest working rock troubadours Pride of the Revolution, who have bizarrely got around to releasing their debut album (a lengthy three years after an initial string of singles) in the same month that they call it a day. To add to the paradox, the record is a trailblazing success. Made up of 11 tracks, POTR overspills with weighty hooks held together by unconventional song structuring, jumping confidently from slabs of monolithic guitar rock (evident from the outset with opening track ‘Against the Wall’) to the ethereal melodies on tracks such as album closer ‘Drop in the Ocean’. The record’s stripped back sound confirms that the band has carefully avoided overstepping the punk rock ethos into which they have always based themselves. This is an album clearly sprung from Wearside’s widely established rich musical breeding ground, and one to add to the collection marked quality local acts. Plus they’re not going to hang around and become annoying. Result! Released on August 4th.

Ryoga Demo Ryoga sound a bit like Sigur Ros. That’s not an insult. That’s just a really lazy way of describing their sound in two words. If I were to use more I might add ‘electro’ or even ‘punky’. Yes, they’re the electro-punk Sigur Ros. The soundscapes on this CD wouldn’t be out of place over an advert for a particularly crucial clash between two sporting giants.

It wouldn’t be out of place in a war film. It wouldn’t be out of place in a wildlife documentary. But, best of all, it wouldn’t feel out of place just coming out of the speakers in your bedroom. This is just great music.

Pride of The Revolution 24

Our Imaginary Friends Demo This CD makes you bop your head quite a bit and, as an added bonus, you’ll be judging people in printed FCUK t-shirts after only a few listens.

The crooned vocals are a nice change and the lyrics are at once poetic and incisive. It’s just a shame that the vocals often come across as rushed, whereas perhaps one more take would’ve been enough to get a great performance.

The musicianship is skilled with the range of instruments employed including clarinet. However, the band as a whole does not play as one tight unit.

The songs – in the whole – are great, but it’s on the slower more introspective numbers like ‘Song for Laika’ that Our Imaginary Friends really come into their own.

1

1

1

1

Delta Sound EP2 You know sometimes you hear a band where it is so obvious what they were going for but didn’t quite pull it off? Well... Some dodgy electronic noise that doesn’t really give the presumably desired effect is the main mark that was missed, but you can’t blame the guys for trying. The vocals have a good sound that is harsh but melodic and although the lad gets so close to pulling off the high notes, you can’t help but sit listening with clenched teeth and crossed fingers before every chorus. Up the drums, lose the synth and you’ve got a winner

The Town of 1770 Demo On inserting this 10-track demo into my CD player, I was struck by how short it was – 22 minutes. That’s an average of 2 minutes per song. Nice and short. The second thing that hit me was how much this band sounded like ‘evil circus music’. As if the only record they had heard was ‘The Carnie’

by Nick Cave and then decided to write a whole set of songs around that sound. And for the majority of the CD that’s all we get – no light and shade of which to speak. Just oppressively dark music..

Ray Van Hustler Demo A creative piece of music that continually chops and changes, dipping and diving through an eclectic range of ideas. Having a go at everything from upbeat sing along sections to heavy breakdowns, strangely the whole thing flows quite smoothly, resulting in an interesting composition. Although, however ambitious and however creative, it still lacks a sort of kick.

Yes there are many different parts but which ones do you really go away and remember? It’s admirable to see a modern band trying to think outside the box a bit but it doesn’t take away the fact that it’s just a bit boring.

The Refreshers School Days Bursting with that rocky edge but still palatable enough for a milder audience to swallow, The Refresher’s find a comfortable equilibrium between pop and rock. Complete with vocals Blondie would be proud of and catchy riffs emphasised through a well-mixed, professional sounding recording, The Refreshers are producing old school rock in a way that is simple and fun. Perhaps not the most creative and perhaps not the most complex; The Refreshers just get straight to the point and have fun with it, but at the end of the day, isn’t that what you have to love about rock music?

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Reviews ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Arnocorps / Uncerta / Zero / A Thousand Lies @ Independent, 10/07/08

by Nina Cowey Melodic and powerful, A Thousand Lies played a perfectly blinding opening set, worthy of any headlining spot and really owned the stage. Revving up a crowd waiting to see Arnocorps would understandably be quite a task but they managed to shatter the preconception of a bland warm up band and stood alone in front of a crowd of excitable youths. Playing strong, technical and harmonic music and with piercingly powerful vocals, A Thousand Lies pleased a fair few onlookers with one fist in the air, a pint in the other, thrashing around the room singing their little hearts out.

Just as they always do, Zero packed out the crowd within the first riff.

Heavy, groove laden, straight up stoner metal with a whiskey-drinkingmachine for a front man. For a venue with (let’s be honest) not the best track record for sound and technicians, erm, not showing up on time, Zero certainly captured the very essence of their music from bluesy guitar melodies to gravely growling vocals. With the heavy southern flavour of Down but with more aggression and, well, balls, Zero proved themselves well to a crowd that held them on a pedestal and had it re-confirmed why.

Without even reading this review you already know, understand and agree with what it says. Uncerta never fail to deliver a consistent and tight performance and with bassist Matt now added to the equation, things have only got better. They had the crowd in the palms of their hands (except one drunken arsehole who quickly got escorted outside by Independent’s bouncers). They never seem to move with what they think people want to hear, they always play what they want and know that we will like it. They have talent, stage presence and an everlasting grip on Sunderland’s metal scene.

Never would you think that a bunch of fully grown men dressed as Arnie Whateverhisnameis could be a band that people would pay to see. But however unlikely the odds, Arnocorps took to the stage and completely hacked us all to pieces with their ballsy attitude. Before and after their set, painting camo on people’s faces and shouting just about every Arnie quote there is, they never dropped the act. The amount of times one person hears the words “I’m right here, kill me!” and “Get to the chopper!” in one night is generally minimal if not absent entirely, unless you’re watching Arnocorps where it is the epicentre of their vocabulary. The god-dam-heroes thrashed their way to our approval with their costumes, their ridiculously hilarious stage-crack and, however strange, their excessive cigar smoking (which was somewhat of a celebration after hours of bargaining between Independent’s bouncers and Sunderland City Council.)

LIVE

The Futureheads, Everything Everything, The Bubble Project. @ Independent – Sunderland. 24/07/08

by Josh Cockroft.

The Independent hasn’t seen this many people since, well, since the last time The Futureheads played. The venue is packed to the rafters with locals here to see the hometown heroes.

But first on is The Bubble Project, a Sunderland 4 piece playing a unique style of electro surf pop, followed by angsty alt rockers Everything Everything.

Finally we have the band everyone is here to see, a surge forward in the crowd signals the Futureheads arrival on stage. The Mackem lads knock out the hits from their 3 albums, to the people who know every word to every song. Recent chart topper ‘The begging of the twist’ and new single ‘radio heart’ are greatly received, but its ‘Hounds of Love’ that really gets the crowd excited, chanting along with the band. The energetic band play a 16 song set and come back for a short encore, leaving the local fans extremely happy at the end of the night.

Rotten Blue Menace @ The Borough 13/07/08 A disappointingly poor turn-out for punk band RBM, which got even smaller as soon as they actually started. An achievement, however, for any punk band to be able to play too loud and offend so much that people actually have to leave the room (at least that’s how vocalist Liam saw things gathering from the cheeky grin). If only they had stayed long enough to actually hear the second guitar strum they would have realised this was a gig that shouldn’t have been missed.

Coming back after a bit of screwtightening, RBM were harsher and edgier than ever getting back on the hardcore/punk direction and astounding the (however small) audience. Their new songs ‘Last Laugh’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Raid’ were an excellent addition to the already brilliant collection of songs. Hopefully next time there will be more people in the actual crowd than in the band.

The NX, Kids of ‘87, Bears @ Voodoo Rooms. 01/08/08

by Josh Cockroft.

About an hour and a half after doors, we have Newcastles Bears, 5 young guys playing some energetic hardcore.

Then Kids of ’87, not as heavy but still extremely impressive, with heaps of energy and some catchy tunes.

Lastly, the NX, with Casino Brawl frontman standing in on bass. Playing hardcore in a similar vein to Every Time I Die. Bounding around the dancefloor the band are exciting to watch, with frontman Justin playing some pretty enthusiastic cowbell. Unfortunately the PA system left a lot to be desired, bad sound quality and the breakage of a mike lead meant they could only play a short set but deserve recognition for the effort they put in to try and make the night work.

please send any live reviews to info@sunderlandmusic.com

TOP FIVES of yesteryear

Chris Higgins’s top 5 bears

Bump’s top 5 Stir Frys

1. Hair bear 2. Care bear 3. Yogi Bear 4. Pooh bear 5. Al the bear

1. Corned Beef 2. Tuna 3. Crisps 4. Shoe 5. Ice pops

Carmo ‘s top 5 bands

Brent Glove’s top 5 gloves

Alloid’s top 5 Bunker customers

1. Village People 2. Erasure 3. Communards 4. Right Said Fred 5. Chevrons

1. Mitten 2. Fingerless 3. Leather & stud 4. Marigold 5. Boxing

1. Pete the chef 2. Thomson 3. Coolman 4. FAOS 5. 2 Pies

28

Schmoo’s top 5 underwear words 1. Kegs 2. Belly warmers 3. Duds 4. Skimps 5. Cowies

Paul’s top 5 helmets

Shem’s top 5 aerial jobs:

White Room staff’s top 5 staff

1. Firemen 2. Police 3. Crash 4. Bicycle 5. Purple

1. Sky 2. Sky + 3. Sky HD 4. Sky HD + 5. Pikey box

1. Ania 2. Ollie 3. Louise 4. Gary 5. Jordan

Smoove’s top 5 sauces

Jay Day’s top 5 sayings

Nixon & Jarv’s top 5 pop duos

1. Brown Sauce 2. Red Sauce 3. White Sauce 4. Mint Sauce 5. Special Sauce

1. Come On 2. Mate 3. Jay Day 4. I’m not talkin to ya 5. Dude

1. Hue & Cry 2. Robson & Jerome 3. Peters & Lee 4. Torville & Dean 5. Mills & Boon

29

N august

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

Friday 1st August Watershed @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm The Vaudeville Class @ Retox, High St 8pm The Deadwoods @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd 8pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ MB @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Rd Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Saturday 2nd August Mojo Hand Blues Band @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Zero playing with Death in Blood, Immanis & Blind Eye Halo @ Retox, High St 9pm Dipsomaniacs + Former Cell Mates @ Howard Arms, Roker Avenue 8.30pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmside, Holmeside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea 30

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7even, Derwent St MOD and Beyond @ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 5th August Sunday 3rd August Bullet @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Stereo with DJ Rik and Guests @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

Monday 4th August Indie & Rock Night with DJ Wayne G @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open

Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 6th August The Flytes Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace 8pm Cruxshadows @ Independent, Holmside Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker, 9pm

Thursday 7th August The Divide @ The Grange 8pm Zero, Nord, Ashes Of Iron @ Borough, Vine Place 8pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ Martin Cooke @ P.U.R.E, Olive St

Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 8th August Red Box @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Barcode @ Independent, Holmside: The Deadwoods EP Launch 8pm The Deadwoods @ Independent, Holmside EP Launch w/Barcode! 8pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ MB @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Road Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Saturday 9th August Barras @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St MOD and Beyond

@ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Sunday 10th August Sunderland Live @ Cliff Park, Seaburn 1:00pm Long sands @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Stereo with DJ Rik and Guests @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park Lane

Monday 11th August Alan Nights And Keith Satchfield Open Mic Night @ Honest Boy, Backfell Village,Washington 8.30pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ Wayne G @ P.U.R.E, Olive Street 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St 7.30pm 31

c

Tuesday 12th August

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

Ramsays @ Alexandra, Queen Alexandra Rd The Deadwoods w/Paper Street, Ramseys & Red Roulette @ The Alexandra, Grangetown 8pm Snagsby @ The Ropery, Websters Bank 8pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ MB @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Road Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Thursday 14th August

Saturday 16th August

The Divide @ The Hollymere 8:00pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 13th August

Indie & Rock Night with DJ Martin Cooke @ P.U.R.E, Olive St Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park Lane The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Rattlers @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm The Deadwoods @ Shambles Vintage Boutique - Instore Acoustic Gig 8pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St MOD and Beyond @ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Rejexx @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm

Monday 18th August Indie & Rock Night with DJ Wayne G @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 19th August Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 20th August Sunday 17th August

Friday 15th August

east 4:30pm Stereo with DJ Rik and Guests @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm Rock/Indie Night @ Luma, Park lane

Vostoks @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm The Deadwoods @ The Welcome Tavern, North-

Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm 33

Thursday 21st August Indie & Rock Night with DJ Martin Cooke @ P.U.R.E, Olive St Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 22nd August 27 Side Effects + Support @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Road Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent Street RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Saturday 23rd Terry Gorman @ Duke Of Albany, Albany Village Centre, Washington 9pm Delphians @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Steve Daggett @ Golden Lion, South Hylton

8.30pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent Street MOD and Beyond

@ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace 10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Sunday 24th August Four Kinnels @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm

Monday 25th August Broken Spoke @ Borough, Vine Place 1pm Road Dog @ Borough, Vine Place 5pm Bullet @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Snagsby @ The Ropery, Websters Bank 4pm Smugglers Festival Hosted By Steve Daggett @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 2pm Sunderland Live Music Festival @ Cliffe Park, Seaburn 1pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, South Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St 7.30pm

Tuesday 26th August

Saturday 30th August

Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Terry Gorman @ Whitburn Lodge, Whitburn 9pm Feed The Bear @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Jarvis + Ju-lea @ 7even, Derwent St MOD and Beyond @ Substance, Tunstall Road The Big Night Out @ Liquid/Diva, Green Terrace10pm Ammunition @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Wednesday 27th August Buskers Night @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Poulette Sur Ket @ 7even, Derwent St 8pm Scott Keirs Electric Jam @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm

Thursday 28th August Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park lane, The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmside 10pm Resistance - Rock & Metal Night @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm

Friday 29th August Steve Reay Band @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Washington 9pm TT Blue @ Ox and Plough, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington 9pm Ady Ferguson Band @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ MB @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Terrace

please send your listings

Sunday 31st August Kicks @ Borough, Vine Place 9pm Live Band Night @ Masters, Low Row Acoustic Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Acoustic Blues & Folk @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Come Together (DJs) @ The White Room, The Ivy House, Substance, Tunstall Road 2.30pm

to info @ sunderland music.com

>>>>

LETTERS

>> >>> >>

>>>>>>

myspace comments

NED RYERSON Looks like things have started good for yas.

Let’s hope you can give this city some kind of scene.

Cheers for the nice review in this months mag! Much appreciated! The Acidiks (Calum)

Cheers for the Add. Support your local street Hustler! X

Sunderland Music is better by Default

Watch out for the first step, it’s a doozy

From: BOBBY BAGSES Yer knar wot man, I went down that carry ons down the beach an thowt it was class. The best ones was them Old Carthorses, loved them, I did. Mind yay, not too sure about all them owld gadgies waving ther ‘ands, but the chips were alreet . Wee was that fella sayin ‘ello an that on stage to all the bands, he was a topper, for a fruitcake like. Cannit wait for the monda one, i’m garna gan on the fair an that, wear me jean suit. Class.

From: SAM To Manifesto. Love ya. It’s great that it’s all about Sunderland.

LoL

cheers for the add, a few pals of mine live up above your place

From: TONY

I HATE PEOPLE WHO SAY LOL

Leave a comment at www.myspace.com/sunderlandmusicforum

37

with...

Listening to?

Phil Coolman Monty Casino / Sound Engineer

I’m just getting into recording bands so i spent most of my time listening to the re-

cordings and seeing how my mixing is coming along! Other than that i’m enjoying Battles at the moment and Cinematic Orchestra are always a favourite of mine.

Reading?

I’m such a bad techy that its usually the instruction manual for new gear! I do have a life sometimes though. Recently finished Marco Pierre Whites autobiography which was an interesting read. I fancy reading another book called “How chance and stupidity altered the course of military history”. If anyone knows where i can find it !?

Watching?

I don’t get a lot of time for telly but always catch up with stuff online. Gavin and Stacey is great, as is the Peep Show. Can’t be arsed with serious t.v, I’m not a serious person and never concentrate long enough to understand!

Going to?

JordaN HILL Manifesto / TAV/ B>E>A>K

Should go to more gigs really but i’m usually working when they are on so i rarely get the chance. Going to try and see Gomez at the Academy and the Black Keys are on soon too which someone’s bought me a ticket for....cheers Pete! should be a goodun!

Listening to?

I’m listening to stuff off my computer at this moment to save me the pain of listening to the tedious radio in the office. Mainly Bon Iver, Nick Drake and Riddle of Steel.

Reading?

Currently reading the content thats going in this magazine and making sure there is no mistakes! Also reading the crude silly words that are magnetised to my fridge.

Watching?

Anything that isn’t Big Brother, can’t wait til that shit gets the chop! I have been watching few episodes of the Thirties In Colour. Its amazing. A surreal look at colourful life in the 1930’s.

Going to?

Going to band practise soon to belt out some riffs! one of my band members has been away in Uganda for a month building a school so it’s been a while since we last got together and it’s been killing me!