MUSIC

Rock to the genius of Wolfsbane

The best part of 30 years have passed since Wolfsbane were last live in Milton Keynes - but that substantial drought is set to be broken in spectacular style when the Tamworth terrors return on June 14.

Back in ye olde rock n roll days (when music was vital and tattoos were rudimentary) Wolfsbane were a major draw at The Pitz Club.

That venue is a long time gone, but the memories remain, and now the band are set to make some more with a date at The Craufurd Arms.

The guys also recorded here; choosing Linford Manor to complete work on their self-titled 1994 disc.

Wolfsbane - Set for an MK return

“Milton Keynes really does have a very special place in our hearts and the band’s history,” guitarist Jase Edwards told Pulse, “Those gigs had a special kind of energy and we have some of the loveliest and craziest memories of that time! I think the thing I take away from those times are the memories that MK knows how to let its hair down and have a great time. Literally how to ROCK!

“We always had the best time there and can’t wait to be back.”

A short time after that aforementioned third album was laid down, frontman Blaze Bayley jumped ship, joining Brit Metal titans Iron Maiden, and Wolfsbane wilted, but they eventually reconnected and have been keeping busy – they’ve just issued their new elpee, Genius.

“The album has a Genius vs Zombie theme,” Jase said, “Each song has a retro tattoo linked to the song’s subject.” Obviously.

For now, the band is buzzing for the Wolverton show and ready to paint the town red again: “We are very excited to be back in MK. What could possibly go wrong?” he laughed.

> Get tickets at thecraufurdarms.com

EEE issue new EP

FR33ZEHEAD Records will make tracks to the motorway and journey south from its home in Manchester to present a showcase event at The Craufurd Arms in Wolverton on Friday, June 3.

Mancunian music makers Aughra and Slowknife will be in the van for the trip, but gig-goers from these parts will recognise the rabble of fine noise that goes under the moniker Exploding Ear Ensemble (EEE).

Exploding Ear Ensemble (EEE)

The MK guys have a new EP coming out and so this is a bit of a toast for that – not least as the EP is being issued through FR33ZEHEAD.

Switchlead will complete the bill and tickets are a snip at just £6.

That’s a whole heap of nice, noisy stuff for next to nothing.

Music to remember

Ashow being hosted at MK11 on Friday, June 10 will welcome sets by Supakarma (pictured above), Chemical Minds, All Tied Up, Liam Payne and Forbidden Romance.

Tragically, all four bands have lost members to suicide, or circumstances linked to addiction. Now, they are pooling talents to remember their family, friends and bandmates; to celebrate them with music and to raise a swell amount of money – funds from the show will be given to mental health charity, Mind.

“If you or anyone you know has been affected by the loss of a loved one through suicide or a mental health related illness, this event provides a great opportunity to remember them, to encourage people to reach out for help and support, and help change the way we think and speak about mental health problems,” said Steve Sciberras from Supakarma who lost his brother David through suicide.

“This show is honouring the lives of David, Jamie Paul Morris, Stephen (Billy) Hunt and Leebo,” Steve said, “Nothing brings people together more than music. It’s the universal language. The power a music event can generate is something spiritual and unique and I don’t think any other platform can unite people more than music. Music is what we do and it’s who we are. We wanted to do something really honourable for our brothers and our friends.”

Tickets are £8 in advance, £10 on the doors.

Dogzen Zendog returns

Less than a year has passed since Dogzen Zendog (dogzenzendog.co.uk) presented their debut album, Walking Quickly Standing Still, and they are back with Petals Nails, but when the ambience is as good as this, no-one will be caught complaining about the quick succession of releases.

Petals Nails is an eight track journey that tiptoes into the room and then holds court with a clever expanse of musicality.

Glenn O’Halloran is the man with the musical plan, and he’s employed a clutch of his favourite people to make Petals Nails, including returns for ‘Big Tenor’ Joe O’Halloran, guitarist Howard Lewis and bassist/producer/pal Blake Leyh.

There’s no dragging heels during the recording process, either. Sessions are done and dusted in two hours. No messing. And he wants his bandmates to contribute organically, to play ‘the first thing that hits them.’

Glenn said: “I work this way not give them added pressure, but to show I have confidence in them to be able to contribute without the hassle of spending hours trying to get something down before ultimately failing in the original plan, which was to collaborate rather than dictate.”

And that reasoning has worked a treat. There’s no failure here.

Sophie Knochelmann’s violin delivers a delicate beauty and another O’Halloran, Brent, turns his attention to vocals, piano, harmonica and acoustic guitar.

There’s a lot going on, but it’s delivered with a gentle persuasion. And Laura (In The Rainstorm) is playing in our mind on a loop...

A super stylish soundscape of art rock for the here and now, and tomorrow. Music your neighbours would bang on your door and ask you to turn up, if they were cool.

Pic: Neil-Krug

Eddi for Togfest

Togfest is back in 2022, with a two-day stay at the usual site of Bradwell Abbey.

The ‘all music festival’ will be back on June 24/5, although sadly The Blockheads won’t now be a part of the action.

Instead Eddi Reader will head up the Friday night stage, with Tinkers Lane, Stella, Gwen and the Good Thing, 3rd and Lindsley and The Beneficial Blues Band on the musical menu.

As is traditional, festival creators Togmor will round things off on the Saturday night, but before they do you’ll have artists including Paul McClure, Stray, forest of fools and Lucy Shaw to enjoy.

It’s a trusted, affordable, family-friendly festival on your doorstep.

> Visit togfest.org for tickets and info.

Pic: Elly Lucas

From sin city to the new ‘city’ for the Dragons

They’ve sold in excess of 40 million records, and 50 million songs globally, and now Imagine Dragons have decided to ‘drop’ into Milton Keynes as part of their current tour, playing the not insignificant stadium:mk to an audience of more than 30,000 on Saturday, June 18.

The MK show is the only UK date the multiplatinum, Grammy-winning Last Vegas dwellers will play, and tickets are still available for the band which released its fifth studio album, Mercury – Act 1 at the end of last summer.

Support is coming from Canadian players Mother Mother, and British singer Lola Young, who positively sizzled with her performance of Fake on Later...with Jools Holland.

If you want to catch a fast-riser with a truly authentic feel, get along nice and early. You’ll be rewarded when she takes the stage.

> Still want tickets? Visit stadiummk.com

Spiers & Boden are back

John Spiers & Jon Boden hung up their highly regarded hats back in 2014, by which time they had earned a place in the hearts of the folk audience that few could rival.

John and Jon also founded and fronted the lauded folk big band Bellowhead, but now the duo have returned to their Spiers & Boden name.

They issued a new album, Fallow Ground, late last summer which is bursting with ideas. Although the decision to make new music was made pre-pandemic, the album was recorded between lockdowns.

“I guess we were looking for songs during lockdown with a sense of fun and light relief,” says Jon, “I realise there are zero songs about death on this album, which is probably a first and may get us expelled from the English Folk Dance & Song Society. Yes, traditional songs with a joyous edge,” he added.

Spiers & Boden near the end of their tour with a show at The Stables on Friday, June 24.

> To book your seat visit stables.org

If you were reading last month, you’ll know that we are rather enamoured with the debut EP from MK’s Space Pistol.

If you want to check them live, the band will bring its moody, layered alt-rock to The Plough in Newport Pagnell on June 5. Whoever said Sunday’s were for chilling got that wrong!

Women’s Euros come to MK

It has been a busy month in Milton Keynes, as the start of May marked the local elections. The latest election results mean that Labour and the Liberal Democrats continue to have the highest number of seats on the Council, and they have come together for the second year of the Progressive Alliance – reflecting the views of the majority of Milton Keynes.

2022/23 Budget The Progressive Alliance will continue to put people before politics and work for the local community. Some of the key aspects of this year’s budget include £16m in direct cost-of-living support for people that are struggling financially as inflation continues to skyrocket. Half a million pounds has been set aside to help residents during the energy crisis, and we are providing help with peoples’ council tax bills.

In addition, over £14m will go towards mental health support including dementia placements in the next year. The budget also tackles child poverty and funds projects such as a second Summer of Play, where children will have access to free activity sessions and healthy meals during the summer holiday. Millions of pounds have also been invested in our key services to ensure we can stamp out fly-tipping and litter, fix more potholes, tackle rats and pests, and improve our roads and pathways.

Women’s Euro You may have heard the news that Milton Keynes will be hosting part of the record-breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Next month, football fans will be descending upon Stadium MK to watch three group games involving teams from Germany, Denmark, Spain, and Finland, as well as the heavily anticipated semi-final:

• Spain - Finland, 5pm on Friday 8 July • Finland – Germany, 8pm on Saturday 16 July • Denmark – Finland, 5pm on Tuesday 12 July • Semi-final match, 8pm on Wednesday 27 July On each of the match days, there will be events taking place at Station Square in CMK to give the thousands of fans a warm welcome. The square will be transformed into a party, fully decorated in tournament colours, complete with entertainment, refreshments, and football-themed exhibitions.

The UEFA Women’s EURO is expected to be the most-attended women’s football tournament in history, and you can be a part of it. Any remaining tickets will be on UEFA’s website, or you can simply come along to Station Square on match days to soak up the atmosphere.

MK’s Libraries Did you know that there are ten libraries in Milton Keynes? They each provide an open door to anybody wanting to borrow books, access IT facilities, or those who simply wish to find a space to meet and study. Milton Keynes Council operates libraries in CMK, Bletchley, Kingston, Olney, Newport Pagnell, Westcroft, Stony Stratford, Woburn Sands, Wolverton, and Netherfield. The Netherfield library is the city’s newest, having opened at the end of March, and Stony Stratford Library has just had a major refurbishment. The libraries are a brilliant way to access free information and you can find out more, including opening hours, by visiting www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/libraries.

Pete MarlandLeader of Milton Keynes Council

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 252442 Email: peter.marland@milton-keynes.gov.uk Facebook: @mklabour ADDRESS: c/o Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ