Manifesto #08 Jan 09

January

2008 / FREE

08 g

ABSORB

a One man grimewave

news wARD TEN SUNDAY BEST THREE KINGS AND JACK DEAD MILES DIRECT TRAFFIC live listings top fiveS

a d v e r t jonathon p i c k u o p

Y R A U N A J

Contents ------------------------------------------------------------

15ROBBIE MCBRIDE

16ABSORB

Happy new year and welcome to the first Manifesto of 2009. It’s starting to show a lot of promise in being a vintage year for music, from the Oasis and Take That gigs in June, to the progression of the Sunderland Music Forum and maybe even the national breakthrough of a few local acts. Let’s make sure we all put max effort in to make it a good one. Fight the power.

-Jarvis

EDITOR Philip Jarvis

21THE TOWELS

04 08 10 18 22 25

30GIVE ME THE HORN

news five minutes with....

BREAKING BANDS Reviews top fives listings

disclaimer The articles in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the Sunderland Music Forum.

DESIGN Callum Brand callumbrand@gmail.com

LISTINGS and news Chris Wake

WORDS Nina Cowey, Alice Cohen, Daniel Clifford, Stephen Gilbert, Greg Robson,

PHOTOGRAPHY Nicholas Gray, Josh Cockroft, Ian West, Amy Brammall, George Whittaker, www.xooo.co.uk

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

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News

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The Motown Show

On Fri 16 Jan at 7:30pm the Sunderland Empire takes a step back in time with ‘The Motown Show’ - a slick and high-energy recreation of the 60’s and 70’s Motown era, and celebrates two of its finest vocal groups, The Four Tops and The Temptations, along with many other legendary artists’ from the great Tamla Motown stable. This show is 100% LIVE, and 100% MOTOWN, featuring a large quota of UK Hits of The Four Tops and The Temptations, - ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’, ‘Walk Away Renee’, ‘I Cant Help Myself’, ‘Going Loco in Acapulco’, ‘My Girl’, ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’, and ‘Get Ready’, to name but a few. PLUS, hits from other famous Motown artists - ‘Smokey Robinson’, ‘Marvin Gaye’, ‘Stevie Wonder’, etc. This show is guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles!!!! Admission is £16.00 - £18.00.

For further info call 0844 847 2499, email sunderland.boxoffice@livenation.co.uk or visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

catfood by seven Catfood By Seven are two immature adults from the North East of England who both enjoy attending and promoting gigs of a wide variety. Their aim is to help restore the local scene to former glory by putting on so-called ‘DIY’ gigs of a high quality and working their fingers to the bone. This month CBS are hosting Quack Quack (Run of the Mill Records) + Pifco (Run of the Mill Records) + Bubble Project (Stop Looking Records) + Dressed In Wires (Distraction/Stop Looking Records) at the Manifesto Bar (Independent’s room 2). It all kicks off at 8pm and is £4 in.

Rockin’ On Heavens Door Great Balls Of…feel-good tunes – yeah I know that’s not quite the line so why don’t you head down to the Sunderland Empire on Thurs 15th Jan at 7:30pm to see a phenomenal performance by Darren Green as Jerry Lee Lewis, whose rendition of Great Balls Of Fire actually sets his piano ablaze! Also featuring performances by such legends as Elvis Presley (Richard Atkins), Buddy Holly (Dave Wickenden), Roy Orbison (Barry Steele), Eddie Cochran (Steve Halliday) and The Big Bopper (John-Simon Rawlings), and brilliantly backed by a band of stunning musicians, Rockin’ On Heaven’s Door just well…rocks! Admission: £16.00 - £17.50.

For further info rock the phone line on 0844 847 2499, or email sunderland.boxoffice@livenation.co.uk or visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

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

Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music The hills are alive with the sound of…a classic. On Mon 12 Jan at 7pm at the Sunderland Empire it’s your chance to sing along with Maria, hiss the Countess and boo the Nazis in this subtitled sing-a-long version of the classic Julie Andrews musical The Sound of Music. So cut up that chintz, pull on the lederhosen and join in the nation’s craziest communal karaoke. This screening of the film is shown in glorious technicolour, complete with subtitles so that the audience can sing along! Running time:3 hours 50 minutes (including 20 minute interval). Tickets are £14.50.

For further info Tel: 0844 847 2499, Email: sunderland.boxoffice@livenation.co.uk or visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

Cabaret Anyone like the chocolate bar Kit Kat? Okay I admit that was a really poor link to advertise the Sunderland Empire’s hosting of the musical Cabaret (one of the characters works at the Kit Kat club…okay I’ll drop it). Anyway, since its Broadway premiere in 1966 and the famous movie version it has won a gazillion stage and screen awards.

If that’s not enough to tempt you then Samantha Barks, the hugely popular finalist from hit BBC series “I’d Do Anything” stars as the legendary Sally Bowles and joins renowned dancer Wayne Sleep who reprises his role as the notorious Emcee.

Performances are from Monday 26 Jan 09 Saturday 31 Jan 09 (Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Mats 2.30pm) Tickets are £6.25 - £28.50. For more info call 0844 847 2499, email sunderland.boxoffice@livenation.co.uk or visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk.

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

Goldenman - I Was A Robot

Sunday Best - Cogs

Our favourite lo-fi electro song about a robot by our new fave band. Their live shows are as good, if not better, than their amazing recorded output. Bishop Aukland has never been as cool as what these cats have made it. Look out for their contribution to ColdSample1, the new compilation by Sunderland’s Coldseat Recordings.

We knew Robbie McBride could write a decent tune, but this knocked us sideways when we first heard it. It’s a stripped down, acoustic track with a melancholy twist and puzzle some lyrics. Think Richard Ashcroft covering a John Lennon song and you won’t be far off the mark.

Saint and The Cynics A lovely serving of souped up funk rock from the Newcastle sextet. Powerful, strong vocals and supa dupa musicianship. One of the best live acts we’ve witnessed in ages. Catch them at the Sunderland Music Forum gig on Jan 14th.

s

Absorb - Just Move Another track from County Durham, this one’s dirty, with a crunchy, crunky bass and a beat that makes banging your head unavoidable. Expertly rhymed, impeccably produced (by Sequel) and destined to make Absorb a massive act in 2009. Check out his Blah EP now.

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

The Manifesto Quiz

Answer this collection of brain destroying nuggets correctly to be in with a chance of winning a year’s subscription of Manifesto delivered to your door. Answers, along with your name and address, to manifestomagazine@ymail.com before close of play on Jan 31st.

1. In what year did The Futureheads release their News and Tributes album?

5. Name Kenickie’s drummer?

6. What is Iggy Pop’s real name?

2. Complete the line-up of this classic band: Morrissey, Marr, Joyce, _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

3. Who had a top 10 hit in 1982 with the song You Should Hear How She Talks About You? 4. On which record label did The Stone Roses release their Second Coming album?

7. According to the lyrics of Oasis’s recent single, Shock of the Lightening, what is love?

8. David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour stopped off at which Sunderland venue in June 1987? (clue: it wasn’t the Glass Spider)

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Five Minutes with...

----------------------------------------------------------FIVE MINUTEs with...

Jarvis MANIFESTO EDITOR AND DJ

what you Listening to?

I like to listen to Jazz when I’m cooking and I seem to have been cooking a lot recently, so Jimmy Smith’s Back at the Chicken Shack has been on quite a number of times. I’ve also been getting my regular fix of Bowie and Wu-Tang.

What you Watching?

I love good American TV drama. Just finished the seventh and final season of The Shield on DVD, it’s damn good. I’ll not tell you the outcome but it’s explosive. I was given the Mad Men season 1 boxset for Christmas and I’m gonna work me way through that next.

what you reading I can’t seem to get away with fiction at the minute. I’ve tried numerous novels only to get bored and put them down halfway through. I seem to be drawn more towards biographies now - Julian Cope’s Repossessed/Head On is class, even if he comes over a bit twat-ish. Next on my list is Simon Napier’s White Powder, Black Vinyl.

Where you going to?

After a quiet New Year’s Eve I’ll be hibernating for a couple of weeks, detoxing and preparing the February issue of Manifesto. Might have a jaunt to Manchester for the New Year sales too.

Matt Robinson INFLUX FRONTMAN

what you listening to?

I listen to everything at different times of the month, it depends on the mood. I have always got time for Sigur Ros and Stevie Wonder. I’ve had The Kooks on too... That’s right.... I’m not scared of mainstream music

What you reading?

On The Road by Jack Kerouac... It was recommended to me by my girlfriend and its brilliant, it just makes you want to cut your ties and get out there. This country is f**ked up at the minute too so it increases your urge to go for it! It’s a great read for daydreamers and people with big imaginations.

What you watching?

I don’t really watch a lot of TV to be honest, if I want to watch anything I look on youtube for it. I love QI, Stephen Fry is a genius, his series about him visiting every state in USA was brilliant, which ties in nicely with On The Road. If all else fails theres always the news or Dave.

where you going to?

I am moving in with my girlfriend within the next few months so money will be amazingly helpful, hence I probably wont be going out too much. I’m looking forward to relaxing after Christmas. I have completely lost interest with going out clubbing in Sunderland too, id rather get home and chill out after work or have a few quiet drinks with the band in the Ivy.

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Five Minutes with...

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Chris J. Allan NO, ROBOT NO! & DJ

WHAT YOU Listening?

I’ve been listening to a ton of Lou Reed’s solo stuff lately, he is such an amazing song writer you get something new out of it every time you listen through one of his records, admittedly some of the weirdest stories you could imagine but great all the same.

WHAT YOU READING? I finally got round to reading J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, its so interestingly written, really hard to put down and really moving, a real American classic. I’ve also been re-reading the equally classic Preacher graphic novels, a personal favourite, its series of Supernatural Westerns, definitely not a kids comic but worth checking out.

WHAT YOU WATCHING? I got the DVD of the classic Vic Reeves’ Big Night Out, its so funny and has caused me to start spouting phrases like “What’s on the end of the stick?” or “You wouldn’t let it lie!” and singing in a club singer styled fashion. I’ve found doing this pretty funny, not sure if anyone else has mind...

WHERE YOU GOING TO? I’ll be going to a few Squares gigs in the upcoming weeks, they’ve got a few lined up here and there on the road to the release of their ace sounding debut album, and I’m not even saying that just because I’m trying to DJ at the launch party. . .

BILLY BLOODAXE ELECTRO WIZARD

WHAT YOU LISTENING TO? I’m loving Nico’s voice at the minute, it‘s amazingly haunting. I can’t get enough of The Velvet Underground and Nico album. I’ve also just discovered Grauzone, a German electro/post-punk band. Their sole album came out in 1981 but is sounds like it’s from 2081, it’s way, way ahead of its time.

wHAT YOU WATCHING? I’m always surfing around Youtube, looking for weird stuff. That’s where I discovered Grauzone. Donnie Darko is probably one of my favourite films. It nails the 80s so well and it’s also got time travel in it, so that’s a double whammy for me.

WHAT YOU READING? Just finished Rip It Up and Start Again by Simon Reynolds. It fills you in on the whole story of post-punk and all the splintered genres that arose in the late 70s and early 80s. Our Fathers’ Gods by Viktor Rydberg is a book I return to all the time. It’s packed with stories from Norse mythology.

WHERE YOU GOING TO? I’d love to be going to Manchester on a mad shopping spree but my limited funds just won’t allow it, so I’m gonna hibernate and plan my tour for later in the year.

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Breaking Bands ----------------------------------------------------------This section is dedicated to giving new bands the chance to tell us all about themselves in their own words.

breaking

three kings and a jack

Three Kings & A Jack are a South Shields-based alternative rock group that have been shuffling their way around the bars and clubs of the North East since the summer of 2007.

The band first started playing together when they met at school, before they left for college where they decided to give the ‘being a real band’ idea a try. Soon after, they were playing live showcasing arrays of covers along with their own original songs.

3K1J consists of Milburn (Guitar/Vocals), Dan (Lead Guitar), Phil (Bass) and Jack (Drums). The combined influences of the group are somewhat eclectic, with inspiration ranging from classic rock to rap to blues, so no doubt you’ll find something within their melodies to suit your tastes.

Over the past months, several songs have been written amongst members and developed as a band both in practice and whilst playing live, a technique that they still believe is an effective method today; each member brings their own element to the grouped effort. At present, the band have a six song demo entitled ‘Joker Demos’ which includes songs that were recorded during their time at college and also in Milburn’s bedroom using make-shift recording techniques. They hope to get into the studio soon to record updated versions of these songs along with the many others that they have conceived since.

Three Kings & A Jack can currently be seen playing around the North East and, with an album’s worth of songs to be rewww.myspace.com/3kings1jack corded, will hopefully be dealing you in for a long while yet.

dead miles

Dead Miles are a young indie rock band based in the North East of England. They were formed in 2007. Darryl Todd (vocals), Gary Holmes (guitar) and Michael Richardson (drums) made up three quarters of the now defunct band ‘The New Truth’. After bringing in Alex James on bass, then recruiting John Aspinall on guitar, Dead Miles were born.

Their influences cover a wide range of music from, 90’s Indie to Early Rock and Roll, Pop Music to straight up Rock! They have previously been likened to bands such as Stereophonics, Ocean Colour Scene, Razorlight and The Fratellis.

Dead Miles have been gigging regularly throughout 2008, quickly becoming once of the North East’s premier live bands steadily gaining an ever increasing fan base. They plan to continue this success throughout 2009.

www.myspace.com/deadmiles

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bands

Breaking Bands -----------------------------------------------------------

Direct traffic

Direct Traffic are a four piece band that formed on the foundations of a college project. Originally all four members were guitarists, but due to students in their group dropping out, Dan took up bass and Sean took over the drums, leaving Josh and Mark playing guitar. With a short set of covers, they started to do gigs outside of college, but due to a lack of confidence, and no real singer, the band decided to stop gigging and began working on original tracks. As the band progressed Josh took over singing duties from Mark, and in June 08, the band were able to record two rough demos, ‘Off the Rails’ and ‘Running Lights’, thanks to the ‘Sunderland Music Collective’. Following a short break over the summer, the band continued working on original material, and they now have a selection of new songs, which they hope to record in the early New Year, as part of their first EP. The bands main musical influences range from genres such as Indie, ska, punk and soul, with bands like ‘The Clash’, ‘Larrikin Love’ and ‘Bloc Party’. They also draw influence from local bands and the local music scene.

The band have so far played with ‘Sunday Best’, ‘Anglo Form’ and ‘Paper Street’, and recently played at Independent on the 7th Dec, as part of the Feedback event, organised by The Bunker.

www.myspace.com/directtraffic

BlackMassk BlackMassk are a 5-piece band from Ashbrooke, Sunderland. We formed in November 2008 over cups of sugary tea and slices of the finest Tiramisu. Our influences include Guy Debord and the Situationist movement, occult literature, red wine, massive amounts of music, from Grauzone to LCD Soundsystem, David Bowie to The Chipmunks’ Christmas album, the films of Jean-Luc Goddard and the free-thinking spirit of Michael Foot. Bonded by our shared bitterness and love of misery, we intend to bring to the people of Sunderland and the wider world something new and fresh for their ears and mind in 2009.

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T C

T o e t

A t i i

T

F

ADVERT the central

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The Music Collective, based at the Shiney Row Campus of City of Sunderland College is an initiative which provides full-time students of the College with free rehearsal facilities, studio time and advice from industry professionals.

Feature ------------------------------------------------------------

This year’s collective comprises of eight local bands (although those still wishing to join are more than welcome) all at different stages of devel opment; the only stipulation is that each group must perform original compositions. Each group has access to qualified staff, a rehearsal room equipped with a full PA, guitar and bass amps; drum kits and keyboards. When the musicians and staff feel that their songs are ready, they then move into the studio to record a CD.

RESIDENTS ON THE WARD

After Christmas the collective will invite guest speakers from across the industry to give talks ranging from making a living in the music business to gig promotion and merchandising. These sessions are free and open to any full-time students, regardless of whether they actually play an instrument or not, and will hopefully cumulate in the formation of an independent record label. Although the College plans to support the labe it will be entirely student run and will release and promote material recorded by members of the Collective.

The College’s Shiney Row Centre runs full-time music courses from Level 1 (Introductory Diplomas) to Level 4 (Foundation Degrees)

For more info on the Collective, call 0191 511 6060

2008 was a great year for Ward 10, both in Independent’s Room 2 and the last three parties, where they moved into the big room. Apart from being included twice in DJ Magazine’s recommended clubs section (April and December), over the course of the year they were joined by the likes of Manuel Ter (Germany), James Priestly (Secretsundaze) and Burnski. Technique resident Dave Martin was their last guest in Room 2, and Jamie Jones played to a packed Room 1, christening their new space perfectly.

With the addition of new member Ross Fellows, Ward 10’s 7th birthday party saw one of their favourite DJs, Bugged Out and Back to Basics resident James Holroyd play Sunderland for the third time.

Closing the year in style was Marcus Worgull.

The Ward 10 boys have big plans for the new year, with firm favourites returning to their night and some new, exciting guests taking to the decks. First up though is the residents party on Friday, January 30th, with Gary Ogden, Kieron and Ross Fellows - the faces behind Ward 10’s massive success - playing all night long. It will most definitely go with a bang.

Ward 10’s Resid ents Party takes place at Indepe ndent, Holmesid e, Friday January 30th, 10pm - la te.

Burnski

Marcus Worgull

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Feature ------------------------------------------------------------

advert questionaire if need be

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10 Questions With...

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BRA

robbie mcbride

10 Questions with . . .

Best’s The man behind the spellbound EP and one ofSunday our favourite mixesRobbie so far thisMcBride year joins us at Ward10.

Maclub and experienced, for the first time, how a good DJ can take the crowd on a journey into different worlds of music. Worgull’s enthusiams for black music was born - and so was the decision to become a DJ himself.

1. Describe the sound of Sunday Best in 3 words.

For quite some time, his sound has been heavily influenced by broken beats. Eventually, Worgull has British. Mod. Rock. changed his focuses to intelligent, soulful but danceable house - at the edge of being techno. Influenced by the majestic house of the “Prescription” label or classical Detroit-Techno, he developed his own style.

2. What single piece of music has had the most influence Besides running a record store, landing national and international gigs, remix assignments and of course on you? raising his son Ole, Worgull produces new tracks which will be released soon on Innervisions.

The first record by Stereophonics, ‘Word Gets Around’ Expect deep house, Detroit techno and upfront tracks and re-edits courtesy of Marcus and best mates For the storytelling, the tales of small town characters and Dixon and Henrik Shwartz. the day to day just mirrored where i was.

We’re in for a treat.

3.Apart from music, what else are you influenced by?

Everything I see, hear, or do ends up in the lyrics in some way, shape or form. Other than that a line from a book or a script can set thoughts in motion.

4. Pick 5 acts for your fantasy festival line up In no particular order... Joy Division, The Smiths, The Kinks, Interpol & The La’s 5. What to you is the point of making music?

I make music ‘cos I love the connection it invites, whether a song is about mundane life or the meanings of it, someone will find a truth in there they relate to. Nothing else can do that.

6. Who or what is winding you up at the minute?

There are so many things at the minute, but that would take up the page, so i’ll leave it at the fact i am without a cup of Tea. 7. Who would you like to see playing you in the movie of your life story?

A young version of Jack Nicholson would top the list, other than that i’d get Jean Claude Van Damme.

8. Has anyone in the band got any strange habits or hobbies?

Well, Gibs our bassist loves doodling on the back of his set list. All his work has elements of Skulls, Elephants, and the Female genitals juxtaposed with Male genitals.

9. Where do you envisage the band being in two years time?

Signed & touring our first album, I’d try and take a local band with us as well cos every band needs support. Oh aye, and a model girlfriend for mesel.

10. . If you could pick anyone, dead or alive, to form a supergroup, what would your line-up be?

Easy, it’d consist of; Vocals - Steve Marriott, Lead Guitar - Johnny Marr, Bass - Alex James, Drums Keith Moon, Piano - Paul Weller, and Ricky Wilson strapped to a bomb for Keith Moon to set off at the end of the set.

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absorb

Features

-----------------------------------------------------------take it all in.

ABSORB, 24, was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire and moved up to the North-East aged three. Having started out as a songwriter, he started listening to the likes of The Artful Dodger, So Solid Crew, Craig David, and The Streets, and was an avid listener of The Dream Team on Radio 1 at a time when UK Garage music was emerging as a more recognised genre. He began experimenting with different vocal styles as a singer and later as a rapper.

Although “Now Is The Time”, his first solo release in 2004, was primarily an angry hip-hop record, it contained lots of positive messages which ABSORB felt hadn’t been fully explored. It wasn’t until 2005 when grime had really caught his ear that the rapper saw something worth pursuing, and quickly became interested in the up and coming grime sound. The bass, combined with the fast, intelligent lyrics found in this style of music made him think more about his writing which ultimately led to his next CD, 2007’s “That Was Then, This Is Now”, inspired by the likes of Boy Better Know, Lethal Bizzle, Big Narstie and Dizzee Rascal as well as electro and dubstep sounds.

After joining the band Soul Technique later that year, ABSORB was introduced to producer Sequel by the singer of the band, and since November 2007 the pair have been working together, experimenting with different styles and sounds, all of which resulted in “The BLAH EP”. The EP combines a mix of grime and electro with dubstep and rock guitar influences, with their mutual appreciation for bass coming through strongly. Sequel’s background as a traditional songwriter has given the material more classically recognisable elements such as a traditional verse / chorus structure, whilst at the same time the heavy bass found on some tracks places the material firmly in the grime / electro / dub categories.

Successes from their debut EP have so far included the track “Nasty” being awarded Future Music Magazine’s Demo Of The Month for their December issue, and also the track “Just Move” receiving Radio 1 airplay courtesy of Huw Stephens. Much more is planned for 2009, with the pair continuing to release new material from their debut album as well as performing their tracks live at events which help promote the scene. Check out absorbonline.com for more information, as well as myspace.com/ iamsequel – free tracks are available from both websites.

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

SMF Monthly update Words - Daniel Clifford

article in The Crack ic Forum (SMF) is in Manifesto before, an I’ve gone over what the Sunderland Mus the bottom). at don’t know, check out the MySpace (listed and now monthly in the Echo. If you still ised when I surpr was I and – SMF meeting of its first year Wednesday 10th December saw the last Well, not the e. plac g takin dy alrea was ting to find that the mee arrived 10 minutes early (I’m punctual) main meeting but I’ll get to that... r frivolous but enjoyda for the meeting – the first was rathe There were two main points on the agen back. We reminisced the on pat nice a and giving ourselves able: looking back at the forum’s first year at The White Room Seaburn’s Cliffe Park, the Spearhead gig about the 3 Sunderland Live events at forum had been involved with. and a few of the other bits and bobs the is what the pretitution that had been drawn up – this cons the at We then went on to take a look t this invite-only abou nt vole male ing noth was happens there meeting meeting had been about. As it debates does not help group-unity. gathering, but excluding members from , which almost dees were invited to become members atten and So the constitution was adopted filled. All hail Chair ions posit r office and held committee were everyone did. After that, elections for the of everyone good can get on with being a forum for the Hewey! Hopefully, this will mean the SMF from now on. d City Library, Fawcett Wednesday 14th January at Sunderlan The next meeting takes place at 6pm on networking opportube followed at 7:30pm by an informal Street – all are welcome. The meeting will Miles, Saint and the d Dea eside with live sets from Absorb, nity and gig at The White Room on Holm Cynics and Your New Escape Plan.

Saint and the Cynics

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Reviews

cd

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The Refreshers Slam The Door According to the sleeve notes, this CD was produced and recorded at Digital Garden studio - wherever that is - and it sounds absolutely spiffing. All four tracks are cemented together by a tight, tight rhythm section that bounces and shuffles with relentless amiability. The vocals are strong and powerful and carry the descriptive and concise lyrics, which paint vivid images, in a perfect manner. Probably the best of the four tracks is Slam The Door, the title track. It’s a riff heavy, punky, blitzkrieg of a song.

The Refreshers have just signed to PMP Music, so keep an eye out for them in record shops and online music stores soon.

SG

Absorb The Blah EP Hailing from County Durham, Absorb has delivered up a stunning collection of hip-hop with this 4 track EP. Opening track Blah is a tirade against full of shit MCs, played out over a dirty beat and riffy, rock guitars. Nasty is a dupstep-heavy track that has a go at former lovers who won’t leave you alone and, with the nastiest bassline this reviewer’s heard in an age, is probably he stand out number. The following tracks, Just Move and Swings and Roundabouts, maintain the high standard, with deep, dubby basslines, grimey beats and some excellent rhyming. All in all, along with producer Sequel, Absorb has created a masterful piece of UK hip-hop to keep going the lineage from the likes of Rodney P, Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal.

AC

The Anglo Form 2 Track Demo Having heard great things about this band without ever actually hearing their songs, I was excited to the point of climax when this landed on my desk. So was the tension and build up worth it? The Anglo Form have created some deeply dark and disturbing music on the two tracks on this CD. First track Silos sound like a lost outtake from Joy Division’s bleak masterpiece Closer. Its lilting, staggering guitar riff lends it an eerie quality that’s backed by an almost dubstep type drum machine beat. Andrew Holder’s creepy vocals simmer over the top, his lyrics foreboding, making your skin crawl. Archiketure, the second track, is less shade/more light, an electro track with nasty synth bleeps and a drum track that will make you wanna chop off your ears (in a good way) and dance around uncontrollably like a possessed nun. I’m gonna have to give this a massive thumbs up. Supreme!

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Reviews -----------------------------------------------------------Words - Alice Cohen & Steve Gilbert

Blackmassk 2 Track Demo Post-punk, electro clash, dark wave are all names with which you could label Blackmassk, none of them however would do justice to the Sunderland five-piece. Ultimately, they make music that grabs your soul with its icy fingers and won’t let go. First track, Damage, is an exercise in despair, its beats pounding and pounding, building up to a crescendo that never comes, before flailing back down to its loose rhythm, like one of John Coltrane’s messed up masterpieces. Second track, Wishing Away, is cleaner and clearer, coming at under 3 minutes long. It’s synth riffs feel like needles digging into your ears. If Blackmassk ever get it together to play live, they’ll surely put on one hell of a show.

AC

The Grins Howl EP According to their press pack, The Grins are four-piece-teenage-garage-rock-band from Sulgrave in Washington. They’re made up of John H on lead guitar and vocals, John Z on Bass, Wilky on drums and Lee on Hammond organ. On the evidence of their music I’d deduce that they regularly consume mammoth quantities of Love, The New York Dolls, Allen Ginsberg’s poetry and Amphetamine Sulphate.

All four tracks on the Howl EP - Railroad, Every Time She Goes By, Tornado and Cremation Blues -come in at under two minutes thirty seconds, have whip-like guitar riffs, and the most reverby, 1960sy drum sound that I’ve ever heard and that includes everything produced in the 1960s. The Grins are fantastic, just my cup of tea. You should have a taste yourself, you’ll love them.

AC

March of the Dogs 3 Track Demo Teesside’s March of the Dogs play real heavy rock with added elements of blues, metal and punk.

Two of the songs, Dark Days and Ignorance is Bliss, are traditional four to the floor rock songs, complete with chugging riffs and rhythms and complicated guitar solos. You can tell that the four guys in March of the Dogs are really accomplished musicians. The other song, Superficial is the more punk influenced of the three tracks. It’s ballsy and less complicated than the other two songs and really just makes you want to bang your head. These lads have got plenty of gigs coming up in the next few months so keep an eye out for them if you like your rock on the mean side.

SG

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LIVE

Reviews -----------------------------------------------------------Djangelarbra, Your New Escape Plan, The Towels @ The Manifesto Bar (Independant), 05/12/08

by Steve Gilbert

It’s one of the coldest nights of the year. The band who were supposed to be on firston the bill, Darlington’s mini pop-punksters All That’s Left, haven’t even made it to the gig; they’re still trapped at home, snowed in. As the result of the cold weather, Djangelarbra there’s a pretty lousy turnout, but that doesn’t deter Djanglearbra taking to the improvised stage to warm us up a little. Sounding like Stereolab with Bootsy Collins on bass or The Police with Nico on vocals (I can’t quite make up my mind) the four lads and a lass were a marvel. Comprised of members from as far a field as Hull and Scotland, but based in Newcastle, Djanglearbra’s girl-boy vocal interchanges, hooky choruses, bouncy beats and funky basslines merged together to form an astounding body of music.

Next up are Your New Escape Plan, a five piece (minus a Your New Escape Plan member) from in and around Sunderland who, earlier this year, were runners up in Too Far North‘s Battle of the Bands at The Porterfield. Their sound is well balanced - raw and extreme in places and polished and serene in others, using the word Emo to describe them however, is unavoidable. They’re definitely Emo. YNEP’s vocalist had a load of stage presence and charisma. He bounded around throughout their set and, a number of times, nearly wiped out a few members of the audience.

Your New Escape Plan are a great live act. Their only problem, I believe, is that their set is too long, they should maybe think about shortening their set by one or two songs so as to leave the crowd wanting more.

The Towels

Third and last up, at nearly half eleven, are The Towels, a punky four piece in the mould of Green Day or The Clash in their early days. While not the most competent of musicians, The Towels made up for it with an unnaturally high level of enthusiasm and a great sense of humour which led them to never take themselves too seriously. I’m not sure whether their cover version of the theme tune to The Fresh Prince of Belle Aire was either an utter shambles or intentionally 100% comedy gold. Overall the night was saved from being a complete catastrophe by Djanglearbra’s exquisite music, Your New Escape Plan’s raw energy and The Towels’ enthusiasm and hilarious deadpan comedy.

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please send any live reviews to info@sunderlandmusic.com

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manifesto 21

Top Fives

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TOP FIVES

Hayley and Louise’s Top 5 PJ and Duncan Tracks

Anth’s Top 5 Top Mods

Dean’s Top 5 Stones

1. Sting 2. Garry the Mod 3. Phil Daniels 4. Liam Gallacher 5. Pearhead

1. Jagger 2. Richards 3. Hail 4. Kidney 5. Tiger’s Eye

Hannah’s top 5 Lanky Birds

Martin’s Top 5 Jacksons

Phill’s Top 5 Boozers

1. Flamingo 2. Emu 3. Kiwi 4. Uma Thurman 5. Suzy Scissor Kick

1. Randy 2. La Toya 3. Tito 4. Jermaine 5. Action

1. Substance 2. Heppie’s 3. Welcome Tavern 4. Redhouse WMC 5. The King’s Arms

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1. Stuck On U 2. Perfect 3. One Look 4. Better Watch Out 5. Our Radio Rocks

Top Fives ------------------------------------------------------------

The Anglo Form’s Top 5 Forms

Chris’s Top 5 Wombles

1. Housing Benefit 2. Jobsearch 3. Passport Application 4. 8B Castleview Comp 5. Plato’s Theory of Form

1. Great Uncle Bulgaria 2. Orinoco 3. Tobermory 4. Tomsk 5. Chris Henry

Gaz’s Top 5 Choc Bars

Rebecca’s Top 5 Local Live Acts

1. Mars Bar 2. Star Bar 3. Milky Way 4. Texan 5. Jarv’s Chilli Choc

1. Blackmassk 2. B>E>A>K> 3. Billy Bloodaxe 4. Bubble Project 5. Dave the Rave

Emily’s Top 5 Foot in Mouth Moments 1. Craig’s Fringe 2. Dean’s Mullet 3. The Guinea Pig Remark 4. Meg White 5. Pauline’s Wig

Peter and Martin’s Top 5 Places to Work The Door 1. Substance (good craic) 2. Chillino’s (free scran) 3. Gala Bingo (sexy nanas) 4. Roker Hotel (loads of aggro) 5. The Jacobian (ambience)

manifesto 23

sun 8pm-1am

from 60’s to modern indie with dj’s lyndon and shellie 11 D er w en t St , P a rk La n e , S u n d e rla n d , S R 1 3 N T

mon 8pm-1am make it happen hew present the best in indie and punk with dj’s laura and lyn

fri 8pm-3am

start the weekend with 60’s classics and psychedelic

wed 8:30pm-1am the best of techno, tech-house, prog-house and minimal with dj’s leila, amy, kris and liam

sat 9pm-3am from at the drive in to zz top (downstairs)

thur

the very best mod classics and more (upstairs)

8pm-1am dj’s (playing everything from aphex twin to zeppelin), guest dj’s and bands

seven sunderland

sun

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bar substance

gold soundz with dj’s, guest dj’s and bands 1 Tu n s t a ll R o a d , S u n d e rla n d , S R 1 3 N Q 20% s t ud e n t d is c o u n t a ll d a y e ve ry d a y

mon

interested?

fri

with dj phil coolman, plus local bands

indie, new wave, punk, northern soul, 60’s and 70’s classics and old-skool rave with dj’s ju-lea and jarvis

sat

tue acoustic showcase

wed from 60’s to modern indie with dj’s lyndon and shellie

thur

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indie, new wave, punk, northern soul, 60’s and 70’s classics and old-skool rave with dj’s ju-lea and jarvis

live music 12th jan - the chaps + support 19th jan - milbur n presents..

MEGA LEISURE LTD

QUALITY MUSIC BARS

james brown hosts the weekly quiz

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

Live gigs

January gigs in Sunderland, at 7pm & free unless otherwise stated.

02/01/2009

The Poorboys @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Big River @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Washington 9pm Broken Spoke @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

03/01/2009

Hybrids @ Ox & Plough, Oxclose Village, Washington 9pm Stormy Monday @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

04/01/2009

Scratch The Surface @ Luma, Park Ln 8:00pm Big River @ Borough, Vine Pl 8:30pm Force @ Square, S.Shields 8:30pm

09/01/2009

GSD @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Vendetta @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Fatfield, Washington 9pm The Force @ The Ox & Plough, Oxclose Village, Washington 9:00pm Angels Of Harlem (u2 Tribute) @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm Shanghai @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

10/01/2009

The Rives @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm New Age Jam

The Monologues @ Luma, Park Ln 8:00pm Big River @ Vane Arms, Vane St, Silksworth 9pm

23/01/2009

Four Kinnels @ The Borough, Vine Pl, 9pm Wang Dang Doodle @ Luma, Park Ln 9:00pm

AKM @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Washington 9pm Scratch The Surface @ Paddy Whacks, Green Ter 8:00pm Knee Jerk Reaction @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm Monologues @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm

14/01/09

24/01/2009

@ Colliery Tavern, Hedworth Ln, Boldon Colliery 9pm Bullet @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

11/01/2009

The Flytes @ Paddy Whacks, Green Ter 7:30pm

15/01/09

Rockin’ On Heavens Door @ Empire Theatre, High St West 7:30pm £16-£17.50

16/01/2009

Sunday Best, Static From Stereo, Direct Traffic, Blunt Monkey, Sword Attack Kling Klan @ Manifesto Bar, 8pm, Independant The Rives @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Fatfield, Washington 9pm Steve Daggett @ Maltings, 9 Claypath Ln, S.Shields 8:30pm How Sweet It Is (Motown legends) @ Empire, High St West 7:30pm £16/£18 Dark Secret @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm 17/01/2009 Rayne @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Tramp Juice @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

18/01/2009

Longsands @ The Borough, Vine Pl 9pm

Big River @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm Stan @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 8:30pm

25/01/2009

The Rives @ The Borough, Vine Pl 9pm Stereo Red @ Luma, Park Ln 8:00pm Angels Of Harlem (u2 Tribute) @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

26/01/2009

Clear Blue Skies @ Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Ln, Washington 8:30pm

30/01/2009

AKM @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm The Strobes @ Paddy Whacks, Green Ter Raw Spirit @ Keelboat, Stockfold, Fatfield, Washington 9pm Somebody Else`s Omelette @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm

31/01/2009

Judas Priest @ Lord Clyde, Western Approach, S.Shields 8:30pm The Kicks @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm

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

Busker nights Mondays

Buskers Night @ The Isis, Silksworth Row 8:30pm Buskers Night @ Arts Centre, Fatfield, Washington Amp & Dek Karaoke @ Steels Club, Peacock St, 8pm Buskers Night @ Blue Bell, Fulwell Road, 9pm Buskers Night @ Greens, Low Row 8pm Muso`s Corner @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Indie & Rock Night with DJ Wayne G @ P.U.R.E, Olive St 9pm Buskers Night @ Golden Lion, S.Hylton Tom Le Moosh & Steves Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Student Night with Steve yer Irish Busker @ Shamrock, North Bridge St 7:30pm

Tuesdays

Buskers Night @ Jolly Steward, Fullwell Avenue, S.Shields 8pm Buskers Night @ BoAB Bar & Grill, Vine Pl 9pm Buskers Night @ 7even, Derwent St Terry Gorman @ Keelboat, Stockfold Fatfield Village Centre, Washington 9pm Buskers Night @ Borough, Vine Pl 9pm

Wednesdays

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

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Thursdays

Acoustic Session @ TJ Doyles, Hanover Pl, Deptford 8:30pm Musician And Buskers Night Hosted By Paul Jackson @ Royal Marine, Sea Rd, Fullwell 8:30pm Open Decks Night @ 7even, Derwent St Buskers Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Ter Band Night @ The Porterfield, Crowtree Rd Pete Dodd`s Open Mic @ Smugglers Bar, Roker 9pm Acoustic Night @ Luma, Park Ln The Crash Club @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm

Fridays

Rock Bands Night @ Paddy Whacks, Green Ter @ 7even, Derwent St RagnarRock @ Borough, Vine Pl 9pm

Sundays

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 Rd 2:30pm

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

Mondays Street 5 Student Night @ White Room, Holmeside 9pm Beer Pong @ Brogans, Crowtree Rd Wonderland Student Night @ Union, The Point, Holmeside 10:30pm £3 or £2 with NUS Blastbeats, Metal Music Night @ Voodoo Room, P.U.R.E, Park Ln 8pm Insanity Rock Night @ The Quayside Exchange, High St East 8pm £3 Student High School Disco @ New Privilege Nightclub, Crowtree Rd 10pm £3

Tuesdays Sunderland Music Forum @ White Room, Holmeside 9pm Classic Plastic @ 7even, Derwent St 10pm Honky Tonk Gay Club Scene @ Liquid-Diva, Green Ter 10pm Anything and Everything with Kirky and Co @ Bar P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm Crisco Disco Gay Night with Trixie and DJ Teapot @ Ttonic, Vine Pl 7:30pm Crisco Disco 2 with DJ Big Daddy Anth @ Glass Spider, Green Ter 12:00am

club nights Wednesday Audio? @7even, Derwent St, 9pm

Thursdays Student Night @ New Privilege Nightclub, Crowtree Rd Decadence @ Union, The Point. Holmeside (first Thursday of the month) Sleaze @ Voodoo Room, Olive St 10:30pm Indie Classics @ Bar P.U.R.E, Olive St 8pm

Fridays Jarvis & Ju-lea - at the the manifesto bar @Independant, Holmeside, 9pm The Local with Ward 10 DJs @ The White Room, Holmeside 9pm Friday Nights @ Union, The Point, Holmeside 10:30pm £4 (Ladies free before midnight) Chart and Party @ Liquid-Diva, Green Ter £5 Sounds of Substance @Substance, Tunstall Rd, 9pm The Love Inn @ Substance, Tunstall Rd Jarvis + Ju-lea

Saturdays Divine Wind with DJ Emmie @The White Room, Holmeside 9pm Sounds of Substance @Substance, Tunstall Rd, 9pm Hysteria Indie Night @ Privilege, Crowtree Rd 10pm £5 Soul Deep with DJ Adrian Dickinson @ 200 High St, 8pm Music For Misfits @ Independent, Holmeside 10pm £3 Hunger @ Point, Holmeside 10pm £5 Liquid-Diva @ Green Ter £6 before midnight

Sundays Fundamental Sunday Sessions @ The Voodoo Room, Olive St 8pm Sundays Expect Xtra @ Privilege Nightclub, Crowtree Rd 10pm £2 Liquid- The R ‘n’ B Hip Hop Show @ Liquid-Diva, Green Ter £3 West One @ London Inn, Spout Ln, Washington 9:30pm

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SEE FOR MILES thursdays, 8pm-1am residenT dj shem + GUESTS playing the best tunes from retro classics to cutting edge sounds of today

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47 sunniside west, sunniside, sr1 1ba (0191) 5652050

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manifesto 29

rn! o H e h e T M e v i G Have Yourself A Merry Little Mix-Tape!

- Kelly Horn What with this ‘credit crunch’ hindering the wish of spoiling our loved ones with extravagant gifts over the Christmas season, I opted for the handmade approach of knitting scarves and making mix tapes. Cheap at half the price yet effort is endearing, apparently! So while I sat on the floor of my bedroom, surrounded by mountains of CDs and facing my prehistoric CD tape player, I revelled in the fact that I was reminded of why I adored each hand-picked track I was taping for each individual giftee by re-listening to them. (Mix-CDs being a debased form as all one has to do is drag, click and burn and within 5 minutes, job done which is about as personal as getting a generic Christmas card from Gentoo.) Then I became rather nostalgic whilst penning each track name in microscopic handwriting on the dotted lines of the insert. Yearning for the days when I used to toddle off to Our Price on a Saturday morning to purchase an audio cassette album with my saved up pennies to listen on my fluorescent cassette player donated to me by a sibling while I read the lyrics printed on the sleeve. The quaint appeal of such music methodology has been crudely replaced by the medium of MP3s. Yes, I am the hypocrite; I own and use an iPod (a ‘retro’ Mini, might I add) but even as I click Shuffle and still skip through the cornucopia of tracks saved upon it, I miss the fact that with tapes you HAD to listen to the whole shebang before reaching the pinnacle release single because there was no Skip button and fast forwarding was so laborious. The full creative flow of an artist or band was offered to the listener on a ream of brown tape and was either appreciated or mourned with a lesson learned. So can you really be called a fan of music if you just buy a lone track you favour on Ti unes?

The album artwork is rendered redundant and the tangible nature of owning either a tape or CD is totally lost as you can’t display an MP3 on your CD/ tape rack that would either impress or disgust an onlooker; such situations that induce quality debate would be extinct! Ah, call me old-fashioned but I miss the clunk indicating that the side A has ended and the twist of the tape to access side B. 30 manifesto

A D V E R T i n d e p e n d a n t