Fortnightly Music Reviews from the streets of Teesside and beyond the wandering Zac, a vocal and focal point that burns with intensity. He plunges into the crowd in the very first song, Away Away he sings. You cannot take your eyes or ears off him. He might end up behind you. There is something in his delivery spitting out every line with an urgency that tells you that his messaging is urgent and important. The music orbits around the driving bass lines and tight drum rhythms. There are swirling guitars and riotous riffs. The sax appeal is also key and not just an add on. I am old enough to think back to the Psychedelic Furs the way the sax wraps itself around the vocal lead.
Deadletter, RyGuy, The Grove, Newcastle 3 June 2026
Deadletter Two immense albums and a serious live reputation are reasons enough to draw us up to Newcastle on a school night for Deadletter. We were so fortunate to witness an almost private work through on home soil of Robin Hoods Bay and now we get a chance to catch these firebrands on the rearranged national tour at the Grove.
This is fast becoming a favourite away venue for Off The Beat with its separate bar and food area and inside and outside seated spaces and a venue room with instant atmosphere. A great place then to first engage with tonight's support, South London art popster Ry-Guy. This multi instrumentalist switches seamlessly between bass and fuzzy guitar. Push Me In The Water is a tower of shuddering distorted fuzziness and mardy mood. It is Dirty Like a River. There are shades of 70s psychedelia and pop passages that hark back a decade even earlier. It is a tight set up of drums, bass and samples leaving ample space for Ry's vocals to run riot. Something's Gotta Change for the soul-ful Change is Gonna Come but there is a lyrical twist as his name is plastered all over the gun. Definitely worthy of future musical research. And apparently their merch includes t-shirts made out of avocados! Told you they were interesting.
Deadletter play songs off both albums Hysterical Strength and the recently released Existence is Bliss. They also step back for their 2020 welfare satire Fit For Work which draws maximum audience participation. Singer Zac Lawrence tells us What This Place Needs and we heed without need to take notes. There is a positive depth charge to his singing Existence is potential. The set builds and builds to a crescendo climax. We return for a Binge encore. The audience shouting along to the slogan wants, needs, hopes, dreams binging off Deadletter. Essential listening. A real live brand.
Deadletter Words: Robert Nichols Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Now for Deadletter a band with real presence and in
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Freschard and Stanley Brinks, The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe 8 June 2026 It is a joyfully welcome return for two Waiting Room favourites. The transcontinental duo Freschard and Stanley Brinks stopped off to perform two sets for us on their latest epic UK and European tour. All too soon they had the audience eating and singing along in a blissful musical evening. Freschard oozes French charm, taking lead vocals for many of the easy going, calypso type songs driven by Stanley's latest purchase, a miniature battery operated guitar. The couple harmonise their way through two brand new CDs, Hotel Berlin and Pole Fitness, both are eagerly snapped up afterwards. There are many gentle, after hours drinking refrains. The wine fuelled sadness of Nobody Loves You is counterpointed by the tender You Never Let Me Down. Stanley's manages to deliver his lilting guitar and sparkling lead breaks on the toy like instrument. Finally, romance wins out in the end with I Love You So Much.
the branches on Tweet Tweet. All the while there are broad smiles from Freschard and a more studious furrowed brow from Stanley on lead guitar and high harmonies. Waiting Room host Luke appears reluctant to join in up on the new stage for an old Stanley Brinks standard Orange Juice. So, instead the former Herman Dune musician steps down and takes the music to him on the back row. There is no escape. It has been a delightful way to spend Sunday in the company of Freschard and Stanley Brinks at the Waiting Room. Come back again soon. Words: Robert Nichols Pictures: Tracy Hyman
There are choruses for us to singalong. It doesn't take much prompting before the whole restaurant back room is joining in a Hoochie Coochie wah wah wah. We then get to make requests from their extensive back catalogue. Everyone supported the words and sentiment on Freschard's I'm The Boss. There was delightful silliness as we live in the trees and swing in
Freschard and Stanley Brinks
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Pellethead, Shrug, Tim Oxnard, Disgraceland, Middlesbrough, 10 July 2026 I have no idea what the judges are looking for when they assess the criteria for the Middlesbrough City of Culture 2029 bid but if creative longevity and resilience were crucial factors, the award would be a shoe in. We might have lost the legendary Westgarth Social Club and Base Camp in recent years but to slightly paraphrase one of Teesside’s favourite sons, Dunstan Bruce, ‘We get knocked down but we get up again’. From Café Etch, The Chapel, The Auxiliary, Toft House and Disgracelands, we carry on putting on amazing gigs in amazing spaces served by brilliant promoters like Steve Harland, Industrial Coast and Leigh Sayer. On Friday 10th July, in the hot and intimate confines of Disgracelands, we had a great triple bill honouring Shaun Pellethead’s 60th birthday. Ex frontman of the legendary High Plane Drifters, Tim Oxnard started off the evening with his magnificent take on electric blues and garage rock. From the primitive howl of ‘Sing Me A Song That The Dead Men Sing’ to the glorious harmonica driven ‘Slow Train Moving’, it was a prefect start to the evening.
Shrug were next on stage. They began the year playing the snow covered confines of Toft House in January. The temperature in July was slightly erm…hotter but once again Shrug didn’t disappoint mixing songs from their second 2018 ‘Island Complex’ (‘Whitby Kipper’ and ‘Resurrectionist’ (with numerous mask costume changes) and songs from the beginning of the bands existence in the 80’s ( ‘The Van With Square Wheels’ and ‘Walter Raleigh’s Fast Food Takeover’). Just fantastic. Pellethead closed the evening and once again they didn’t disappoint. If they can get the endorsement of ‘the greatest living Englishmen’ Vic Godard (who put out their excellent ‘Best Of A Bad Bunch’ LP on his Gnu Inc label), then they are good enough for me. A brilliant 10 song resume of their epic back catalogue. From ‘Skips’ to the legendary ‘Maguire’, it was a sublime evening and lovely tribute for a real Teesside legend. Here’s to the next 60 years Shaun! Words: Chris Bartley Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Pellethead
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Deer Shed Festival 2026, Baldersby Park, Topcliffe 14 - 26 July 2026 Deer Shed never fails to deliver. A long weekend of top music, comedy, lovely food and so, so, much more. A special atmosphere. The family friendly ethos obviously marks the Baldersby Park event out. It is just so chilled. A place you go to and make friends even if you are not in a family of friend group to start off with. You can also learn a trade, blacksmiths, potters, basket weavers all offering workshops. Kids climbing trees. Wild swimming in the Swale. Canoeing, frisbee golf, build a robot. There was even a roller disco big top an absolutely ideal place to spin disco records if you happen to be called Roller Disco Death Party. As this is Off The Beat I am obviously going to go heavy on the music which spanned the genres from acoustic folk to.. well.. much heavier sounds. Three stages, the main arena in a natural amphitheatre, the hill topping marquis of the Dock, a waterside Lodge stage and then lost in the woods of the Wilderwild. Which is where we start our journey with the marvellously named Rail Replacement Bus Service playing an acoustic set. A chilled melodic sound. Two, three, four part harmonies. The festival programmers booked the Leeds band after hearing them on the radio. They are totally independent. Even their merch
was contained in a supermarket bag for life containing starburst sweets as well as their vinyl offering. Rail Replacement Bus Service are touring in September. I think they need to book then at Eaglescliffe Waiting Room, mere yards away from Eaglescliffe Railway Station, can you imagine the confusion their name will cause. I don't tend to do much research before festivals, trusting to the organisers for their picks. But my friend Jacqui had delved into the spotify playlists and come up with a recommendation for The New Eves. I scrambled out of the trees and over to the Lodge stage for a band that is a real fireball of energy. Punky folk. Fuzzy guitar. Fiddle. Stand up drums. An overground Velvet Underground all female young Americans, thoroughly enjoying themselves and absolutely loved and adored by their audience. My headline choice was on the Dock Stage, North Yorkshire's own Deadletter making a triumphant return to Deer Shed. The band pivot around the fulcrum of driving bass, drums and vocalist Zac Lawrence. You just cannot take your eyes of the wandering star baritone singer. Add swirling guitars and a major sax appeal to the mix. It is just What This Place Needs. We are Fit For Work together and sing Cheers for the full on entertainment from a band that make a statement musically, lyrically and project real presence.
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Saturday at Deer Shed and who is that on the main stage? “Hello were Life and we're from f’king Hull.” No need for a programme then. The guitarist Tom is filling in for the singer's brother who is at a wedding and there is a crisis with the bass. The tank top wearing singer and drummer desperately try to fill and they are funny with it. They make an appeal for any bassists in the audience. Several hands are raised. “You're no use to us if you haven't got your bass guitar.” The bassist returns without a bass but a guitar tuned down an octave and the art rock continues apace with the singer sitting astride the edge of the stage. “I want to hear you humming,” he says. Is it his young son who is leading on maracas on stage? Life have made four albums so far, clearly not just for Christmas. Plantoid go into prog rock overdrive in the Dock. Rhythm and counter rhythm. Terrors of twiddly on no less than three guitars. You have to admire the way they dance all around the melody yet still come out on top. For sheer intensity you have to award Gans top marks. The rhythm blitz of bass and drums means it is an energy excess but the recent addition of flautist/
saxophone broadens out the sound. They appeal for little 'uns on shoulders and the crowd obliges. They have youth appeal. But what's this the drummer puts down his sticks to crowd surf. A final double barrel barrage of Oh George leaves the crowd in raptures. Now for the secret band. All the way from Wales Panic Shack. Playful punk. I don't want to hold your baby. Shushed me in the cinema! Vapes, phones, keys, lipgloss. All at 100 miles per hour. They have become so tight as well. Now for the main stage and two acts that are unapologetic, and play absolutely without compromise. “Hello Deer Shed, we're Fat Dog... woof.. woof.. woof.” A full on sound with elements of punk, ska, dance, techno and central European, klezmer. Violin and yet more sax with the guitar, bass, drums etc. It is an epic mix. Singer Joe Love is down at the front below the stage throughout working the crowd. They're cooking with gas. Am a real bad dog. They play Puppy Love over the PA as an outro. Earlier in the day Sleaford Mods, Jason and Andrew had been interviewed by Stewart Lee in a revealing and hilarious interview. Headlining the Main Stage they don't hold anything back whatsoever.
Fat Dog
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Andrew plugged in and wheeled away dancing, Jason prancing, mincing, ranting, ranting, chanting. Very sweary, very parrot squawking.. serious.. hilarious. Cut and thrust. “Are you enjoying it?.. You kids enjoying it?” Rapper Snowy joins the lads on stage. “Still enjoying it?” A52 Saturday night. East Midlands in North Yorkshire. Then a familiar refrain and a storming cover of Pet Shop Boys West End Girls, Sleaford Mods style. Tied up in knots.. this is the human race.
“Hope you enjoyed it.” We certainly did. We've made it to Sunday and Dominie Hooper provides a gentle Sunday morning vibe on the main stage. Hold on to your friends she sings and if we are still talking by the third day of a festival then we are probably going to stay the course. Plenty of cascading, swirling guitars and hair for Bathing Party. Several wild swimmers wander past in their robes clutching their towels. Slow Country are in the swim but they off target with their tote bag as the singer's dad catches it in the crowd.
A Scottish saltire flag makes its way to the main stage to welcome Falkirk band, Brogeal. Their folk rock blows away any lingering, malingering cobwebs. Och Aye The
Noo they say as a low flying RAF formation passes above. “We organised that,” they joked. Over in the kids activity field Roller Disco Death Party are spinning the disco 45s for the roller blading crowd. Great fun. Later on they reappear in the Wilderwild, the duo of disco drumming and synths and samples has the place absolutely jumping. A top Sunday afternoon disco party. Mid afternoon and the Dock tent is packed. Rumour has been going around that Madra Salach are a bit special, a top tip of festival organiser Kate. They make an immediate impression with the guitars, lilting drone of harmonium, mandolin and rich baritone vocals. It makes for an intense wall of folky rocky sound. But there is a complaint from the front man. “We played Truck Fest yesterday and not one truck, drove up to Deer Shed and no sheds or deer.” Mind you he has some Yorkshire kudos, his girlfriend's mother is from Rosedale Abbey. When he asks it turns out no one else is from the North York Moors village. Where are Avalanche Party when you need them? The set builds to a crescendo finale. The Man Who Seeks Pleasure (is the man who seeks pain) is an epic conclusion and absolutely brings the house (or tent) down. What a band.
Madra Salach
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
A couple of years ago Soweto band BCUC were a revelation at Deer Shed. This evening they blitz us from the main stage. Their side turned bass drums, lead bass, horns, dancing, singing, African pop, indigenous sounds make for so much energy, so much movement. Totally infectious.
crisps. Not quite as sweary as Sleaford Mods, they warn us, but they don't fall too far short. The kids have their ears covered in ear protectors and they are riding high on parental shoulders dancing to the rock and disco and laughing along to action and reaction from Getdown Services.
The announcement that they have one last song is greeted by boos.
Katherine Priddy closes the festival on the Lodge stage with her right hand man Northallerton's own George Boomsma on guitar and backing vocals. The folk sound has an extra layer provided by a third player on mandolin, keyboards and viola. Beautiful vocals from Katherine and wonderful song writing drawn from experiences, Greek mythology and being a woman in music. The final song is an oldie but goldy, Indigo. It is a gorgeous, gentle, pastoral refrain and such a wondrous way to conclude a fantastically rewarding long weekend in rural North Yorkshire.
“Hold on, it is a very long song.” True to their words they take us on what must be a 20 minute journey in which we have no option but to join in with movement, music and rhythm. It is a totally unique and uplifting experience. It is all water off a duck's back for Twilight Sad. The big man up front of the Scottish band admits to being a lord of misery but also expressed his love for Deer Shed. How could you not? Powerful, heavily emotional. She's not coming back. Every word, every painful episode acted out and etched on the face, hand gestures and through the voice. It is a scintillating performance.
Words: Robert Nichols Pictures: Tracy Hyman
And in complete contrast Getdown Services are absolutely hilarious. The topless beer bellied duo from Somerset prance and lead the call for quiche and
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman