FUZZBOX - Eighties pop punk band ‘We’ve Got A Fuzzbox & We’re Gonna Use It’ are making a return in 2010
April 28, 2010
You may want to know that it’s Official – FUZZBOX are back. The Eighties pop punk band ‘We’ve Got A Fuzzbox and We’re Gonna Use It’ are making a welcome return in 2010 with the announcement of a UK Tour.
The reunion will see the band take to the stage with their infamous fuzzbox sound, which dominated the charts in the 80s. Hits like ‘Pink Sunshine’, ‘International Rescue’, ‘XX Sex’ and ‘Rules and Regulations’ will feature in what is to be the band’s first European Tour in 20 years.
May 2010 Dates
13 Southampton Joiners Arms
14 Bristol Fleece n’ Firkin
15 Manchester Roadhouse
16 Glasgow King Tuts
17 York The Duchess
18 Norwich Norwich Arts Centre
19 Nottingham The Social
20 Oxford Oxford Academy
22 Birmingham Birmingham Academy
23 Colchester Colchester Arts Centre
24 Brighton Audio
25 London Islington Academy
Fuzzbox will be releasing a new single on Gotham Records, as well as working on a new album. For all enquiries, please contact Barry Tomes: barry at barrytomes.com or +44 (0)7966 174 319
Yes! They’re back! ?And the fabulous “We’ve got a …FUZZBOX… and we’re gonna use it!!” have specially selected all of YOU to attend their secret exclusive tour launch-party. ?Expect an evening of FUZZTASTIC entertainment…?Prepare yourselves for a taste of tour – See an exclusive live performance. ?Be entertained with much FUZZ and NONSENSE including a splendifierous 80’s disco with DJ Declan.? Be rewarded with a prize for the best 80’s fancy dress.
Tuesday 4th May Starts 7.30pm? DON’T BE LATE!
The Asylum?38-43 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3LS
All enquiries to Barry at BTMG 07966174319? barry at gotham-records.com
www.fuzzboxfans.com
www.youtube.com/fuzzboxfans
CREATIVE LEAP - A NEW FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS
March 14, 2010
CREATIVE LEAP…..
Call all Artists who want to kick start a career in the creative sector
Creative Leap is a new development programme for emerging artists which will enable you to turn your creative ideas into reality…..
It is open to artists working in any artform including film and digital media, visual and performing arts, written and spoken word.
The scheme is aimed at individuals who have had limited opportunities to produce and showcase work.
Artists from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
Creative Leap will offer artists the chance to:
· Apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to develop and showcase innovative new work/projects
· Participate in a professional development training programme working within a pool of artists
· Work with an artform mentor to support the development of creative ideas and new work
· Work with a career start-up mentor and receive industry information, advice and support
Creative Leap is about new work, new collaborations and new ideas to create work in both traditional and unusual spaces. We want ideas for new work to be artist generated and led, and we’re here to discuss your ideas with you and to support you from the initial development stage through to showcasing. We’re also here to help newer artists access or progress in the industry and to support your career development needs.
A Creative Leap introductory meeting will take place in early May and the programme will then run in part time stages with showcasing taking place between September 2010 and March 2011.
Taking part in the programme is free of charge.
To apply for a place on Creative Leap, you will need to be:
· Over 18
· Living or working in any of wards making up the following Birmingham constituencies :
Erdington - Erdington, Kingstanding, Stockland Green, Tyburn wards
Hodge Hill - Bordesley Green, Hodge Hill, Shard End, Washwood Heath wards
Ladywood - Aston, Ladywood, Nechells , Soho wards
Perry Barr - Handsworth Wood, Lozells & East Handsworth, Oscott, Perry Barr wards
· The deadline to apply for a place is Wednesday 14th April 2010
If you want further information on Creative Leap, and to apply for a place, please contact:
Pat Dawson on 0121 446 3267 or email pat@sampad.org.uk and mention you got the details from Birmingham Music Network.
Creative Leap is a collaborative project run in partnership by sampad, Ulfah Arts and the Drum.
Neil Farrington passed away on 20th December 2009. His music lives on.
December 23, 2009
Neil Farrington, Drummer with Warlord, Damn Dirty Apes, Lokey, Sensa Yuma and many others including Last Under The Sun from 2003 to 2006 passed away on 20/12/09. His music lives on. He left an 8yr old son behind and many people who loved him. He was 38 years old.
There is a facebook group at: R.I.P Neil Farrington 1971-2009
I first met Neil when he was in a band called “Beaver” many years ago. It must have been 1997 or 1998. He would ring me up and ask for a gig for his band. At that time I was organising shows at the Fallow and Firkin in Harborne under the guise of Badger Promotions. £3 in, music started at 8pm, three bands played and there was cheap bottles of beer before 9pm. Neil couldn’t get his drum kit to the gigs as he had no transport so as the promoter, i used to go and pick him up and we’d put the kit in my car to get it to the venue. Quite often, if Neil’s band didn’t play the other bands would have had no show as very few of them had their own gear, let alone a decent drum kit.
The years passed and Neil played in many different bands, and I ended up doing regular gigs for new bands at The Old Railway, Curzon Street Digbeth. He used to come down to play almost every other week either with his new band Damn Dirty Apes or the other band he was in at the time called Lokey. Time passed and in 2003 or thereabouts, Neil joined the band I was in called Last Under The Sun. Rehearsals moved to two or sometimes three times a week and I remember this one time we had a gig and while sat there waiting to play someone tried to engage him in conversation. When asked about how often the band rehearsed, Neil in his typical diplomatic manner turned and said “We practice 15 hours a week, every week, minimum. MINIMUM! All these other bands are shit!” That was Neil.
I was reminded today of another thing he said towards the end of his time with Last Under The Sun. “I’ve spent more than half my life behind a drumkit, and what have I got to show for it? Nothing.” He had the capacity to be hard on himself at times but he could also be inspirational. He pointed out many important things to me. I was talking to him one day about the ever changing task of taking the band from nothing to something and the amount of problems that we were constantly up against. He just said “adapt and overcome.” That has pretty much stayed with me ever since. I feel sad after hearing the news of his passing. Neil put a lot of work into Last Under The Sun and whilst some of the rehearsals, gigs, reviews or memories may be forgotten, his music I hope will stand the test of time. He played drums on Last Under The Sun’s records “All Empire’s Crumble” and the recent release “Gone.” He also played Drums on tour with Sensa Yuma and on recordings by Lokey, Damn Dirty Apes and Warlord. He even tried out for bands like Conflict when they found themselves without a drummer.
Some people may ask themselves why he did it. Why did he spend half his life behind a kit for nothing? Why the endless rehearsals? What motivated him? Why would he sit sipping a glass of water before playing in the back room of some run down pub on the edge of town when he could have had a straight job, a suit and tie, a pint and some money in his pocket and maybe a car that didn’t break down. I think I know why, he didn’t need a reason, he did it because he had something in him he wanted to express, something he wanted to let out. He had his demons but he also had a passion for playing the drums, he hit the drums harder than anyone i’ve ever worked with and he enjoyed playing. Like most musicians, he liked meeting other bands and going to different places, seeing how his drumming stood up against the best of the rest and sharing his love of music with other like minded people.
Neil was a fan of Subhumans, he was often seen behind the kit wearing a Subhumans t-shirt. In 2004 Last Under the Sun played with Sensa Yuma and Subhumans at the Wagon in St Brieuc, Briezh. The gig was a moment of greatness for Neil, he had a good gig and as he walked off stage, Trotsky (who drums for Subhumans) handed him a a roll-up and said “This is for you, you’ve earned it.” A simple thing like that made Neil’s day, somebody somewhere had noticed his drumming. And the drummer from one of his favourite bands too. He didn’t stop smiling for days after that.
Neil may not be be here to tell me what shit I talk all the time anymore, but his music lives on. He was a good drummer. He will be missed - Mark (Last Under the Sun, Iron Man Records)
We Need Your Music - tel: +44 (0)121 233 9888
September 22, 2009
Music Poster - FINAL - Screen Res, originally uploaded by Iron Man Records.
RHYMES - Best of Birmingham’s Performance Poetry. 24th September 2009
September 22, 2009
RHYMES
The Best of Birminghams Performance Poetry.
24th September. 8pm.
The Mixing Bowl Theatre@The Custard Factory. £5 on the door.
This Months Poets;
Marcus Taylor started performing his own poetry through the encouragement and tutelage of Wrote Under’s “Sunday Express”. He has a large quantity of self penned “Straight” poetry and a small collection of “Comedic” poetry and supported John Cooper Clarke as part of last year’s Comedy Festival
Dave Reeves was editor of Raw Edge Magazine for 13 years and now presents a spoken word and music show for www.radiowildfire.com, the internet spoken word broadcaster and has had work commissioned by BBC Radios 4 & 5.
Kerry Orange writes poems that combine a sense of place with intimate memories. His work is full of play with sounds as well as details of towns, landscapes and journeys. He is also guitarist and singer of The Orange whose debut album ‘Concealed Exit’ is available on itunes.
Kimmy Sue Ann, freshly arrived from her most recent bemused and accidental appearances on1click2fame talent show, is dysfunctional and proud of it and regales audiences with recitations of her pwoetry wot as got social comment innit.
Marcuszodiac69, Red Man Green Man, Eastfield - City Tavern 26th Sept 2009
September 22, 2009
City Tavern 26th Sept, doors 8pm (Presumably upstairs),
38 Bishopsgate Street, Five Ways, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 1EJ
Tel: 08721 077 077
£5 on the door
marcuszodiac69 (Towns Van Zandt, Woodie Gutherie and anything else that’s good - reworkings - Guitar and song)
Red Man Green Man (dynamic poetry and comic music)
Eastfield (urban railroad punk) accoustic set
51 Breaks - From self release to the edge of V festival!
July 21, 2009
It’s been a whirlwind year for 51 Breaks. The band from Birmingham have gone from self releasing an a download single with only 100 limited pressed copies to standing on the edge of opening this years V Festival, whilst supporting The Spinto band, The Maccabees, The Infadels and even Tinchy Stryder along the way!
They find themselves as part of the final 6 acts now facing a public vote to see who will open this years V festival. It all came as quite a surprise to the band and their singer Michael Turner, who by his own admission never saw all this coming. ‘’We released 3 tracks, and carried on gigging and soon we were getting asked to play alongside some of our favourite bands, and then from up loading a track onto the V site we get a call saying were into the last 10’’
This saw 51 Breaks play the Great Escape festival in Brighton last month where they supported competition mentor Just Jack. ‘’It was an amazing feeling, to look back at a year ago, wed just finished recording and had a whole load of dates stretched out in front of us, the single did better than we ever thought it could and we just seemed to be on a roll, gigs kept coming and we we’ve now ended up here! Hopefully people will be voting for us and well get to go even further’’
Their mixture of orchestral arrangements, catchy hooks and electro beats has earned them rave reviews and with fans including the NME & Tom Robinson you get the feeling this is far from the end of the ride.
Music can be found for reviews @ http://roadtov.com/artists/51-breaks/
info at 51breaks.com
CLUB 444 @ THE RAINBOW, DIGBETH: MAEVEN, DRAG AND NEWSPEAK DIVIDE, AGE 14+ GIG
February 3, 2009
Event Title - CLUB 444 @ THE RAINBOW, DIGBETH
Event description - FEMALE FRONTED BANDS, MAEVEN, DRAG AND NEWSPEAK DIVIDE PERFORM AT THE RAINBOW IN DIGBETH, AGE 14+ GIG
Event Date(s) and Time(s) - MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, DOORS 8PM
Website link to event information - HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KAMIKAZEE
Website link to book tickets - £4 FROM HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FORERUNNERRECORDS
Any other external links (such as a performers website) - HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DRESSEDASGIRL, HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NEWSPEAKDIVIDE
Event Title - FORERUNNER RECORDS OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Event description - Forerunner Records is the new record label of Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham. Its main purpose is to give students the experience of working in the music industry, in a safe and educational environment. The label is of benefit to student-musicians, as well as those wishing to gain experience in sound engineering, live sound, photography and journalism. The official launch will take the form of a performance ind introduction featuring some of the artists Forerunner Records is currently working with. Tickets are FREE, but must be prebooked.
Event Date(s) and Time(s) - Thursday 26th February, 2pm (schools event) and 7pm (public)
Website link to event information - http://www.myspace.com/forerunnerrecords
Website link to book tickets - email forerunnerrecords@hotmail.com stating how many tickets you require and for which performance
Forerunner Records
http://www.myspace.com/forerunnerrecords
“The forerunner in innovative music…”
Cubans to record new single at Framework Studios, part of Musoplex.com
February 3, 2009
Over the next week the Cubans will be recording a new AA single with Head Producer Si Reeves at Framework Studios - part of the Musoplex family of music lovers.
Please Don’t Start Again is in a style that has got them recognised across the Midlands and beyond as a distinctive indie band that stands head and shoulders above the crowd.
Face to Face will see a slightly heavier leaning with a departure from other material and a bass-driven monster-beat of a song that has been the star of recent live performances.
The success of the last single (now sold out on hard copy but available on iTunes) and the remastered album of earlier work saw them sell out the Little Civic in Dec 2008 and get a joint headline in March 2009 (7th!!) with the legendary reformed Bluetones.
The new single will be released in time for their biggest gig to date but just so you know what you might miss - the review from the Little Civic….
The rise continues…
RYANS GIG GUIDE - ISSUE JAN 09 - REVIEW “LITTLE CIVIC GIG”
Early on it was clear to see why they are called The Cubans. The Latin feel to the music, combined with some harder guitar riffs was a unique sound base which instantly draws you to them. Song titles, such as ‘Ron’s last Act’ and ‘Women Tennis’ are especially quirky, and apparently the latter is best not questioned! During the 45 minute set, the band treated us to a first live hearing of new track ‘Flow’ with quick fire vocals and an addictive bass line. Most enjoyable and reflective of range was ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ which had the big boned man in front of me waggling stuff I didn’t need to see, and the whole room bouncing happily. There is a cultural feel to their verses, flattered by catchy choruses and an eclectic mix of influences to ensure each track is different. On stage, the band play as a solid unit, with a clear respect for each other’s input and space. There was great movement by the band and some of the gutsiest bass playing I’ve heard in years. They looked comfortable on stage with a performance that reflected their touring experience, whilst showing no arrogance. Many bands brag to love what they do, but few prove it so intensely. This band is not to be missed!
The culinary delights from Mr Sizzle brought my evening to an end, with The Cuban’s excellence still ringing in my ears. There were many surprises and I give thanks to whoever it was that recommended The Cubans to me. Breaking news is that they are set to headline at The Wulfrun in March, so there’s an opportunity for you, but don’t leave it too late as this band have a reputation for selling out wherever they play. I’ll be front row with my glow sticks.” Meriel Flavell 2008
APNA SANGEET to reunite to RAISE FUNDS TO BUILD SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN IN INDIA AND SRI LANKA, second city suite 100 Sherlock Street Birmingham B5 6LT - Friday 29th May 2009
January 30, 2009
This is to inform you that after nearly 12 years apart APNA SANGEET have decided to reunite for a very big cause for one performance only to RAISE FUNDS TO BUILD SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN IN INDIA AND SRI LANKA
The name of the charity is BRIDGE OF LOVE TRUST UK reg. charity number 1096302 website www.bridge-of-love.org/
The charity’s focus is on Sri Lanka and to a lesser extent, South India and its main objectives are:
§ To relieve poverty, sickness and distress amongst children and widows.
§ To advance the education of children and young people who are in severe financial need by providing books, equipment and grants
This charity function will take place at second city suite 100 Sherlock Street Birmingham B5 6LT on Friday evening of 29th of May 2009 with buffet Dinner sponsored by Sukhdev Catering Services
All the original members have put their differences aside for this worthy cause which has captured our hearts and bought us together, with the common aim of raising valuable funds to help those poor, defenseless children, whose plight is the result of the fighting and war in their country. One evening of our time, promises to provide a great night of entertainment for APNA SANGEET fans, plus enables us to raise much needed funds to help the lives of those children who do not have the means of helping themselves.
Obviously, to increase the success of this event and to maximize the funds that we can raise, we need to raise the profile of this event and get as many supporters and sponsors on board. For this purpose, I would appreciate if you would consider putting yourself forward as a formal sponsor by making a contribution and if you could recommend other sponsors who would be interested in supporting, to help promote the event and its cause. I need to have all my sponsors identified ASAP in order to insure that I can include them in my publicity material.
Please please please support this worthy cause from your heart
Any support and help you can provide is welcomed and appreciated.
Call me any time on:
Mobile: 07977 217 319
Or email at arjender@blueyonder.co.uk
Apnasangeetcharityevent29@blueyonder.co.uk
Arjender Kang on behalf of APNA SANGEET
The Orb updated for 2009 - Twitter, Facebook, Bebo, Last.fm
January 19, 2009
You can find The Orb here:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/orbinfo
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/reverbnation_fb/artist/theorb
Bebo: http://apps.bebo.com/my-band/artist/theorb
Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Orb
Website: http://www.theorb.com
Posted via email from Iron Man Records
THE ARCADIAN KICKS (Birmingham) “The Arcadian Kicks are one group whose star is most certainly on the ascension…..
January 19, 2009
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“Love the idea it’s what all young bands should do to get profile”…….. Alan McGee
with extra support from Tantrums and Jessie Rose plus Jon Brookes (from The Charlatans) dj set. open at 8pm. Bands who have confirmed to be involved in the Syndicate Club Nights are The Arcadian Kicks (Birmingham), The Grants (London), The Chairmen (Leicester), Bells For Rene (Liverpool). The dates are listed in the events section with more to follow over the next few days. THE ARCADIAN KICKS (Birmingham) “The Arcadian Kicks are one group whose star is most certainly on the ascension, and their hybrid of indie rock and a smattering of funk and soul…………Finishing with a funked up swagger.” - FUSED MAGAZINE THE GRANTS (London) “I got it wrong. Hands up. I will admit it. I have been saying the Grants are the best unsigned band in the United Kingdom. No. They are the best unsigned band in the world.” - ALAN MCGEE - THE GUARDIAN BELLS FOR RENÉ (Liverpool) “This band are defiantly showing promise and having energy and reaction similar to bands such as The Arctic Monkeys and Operator Please, I can see them pasted all over next years sell-out festivals.” - HALTSMAL MUSIC MAGAZINE _______________________________________________ REMEMBER KEEP CHECKING THE MYSPACE/FACEBOOK PAGES FOR ALL THE UPDATES AND GIG DATES - THEY WILL ALL BE UP OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS
www.myspace.com/syndicateclubnight
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Posted via email from Iron Man Records
Review of forthcoming NIGHTINGALES album
January 19, 2009
(Skug magazine by Heinrich Deisl)):
The Nightingales, follow-up project of Birminghams first legendary punkband the Prefects around Robert Lloyd, that supported acts like Nico or Bo Diddley, are back with a nonchalant noisy album. While we’re in history: Lloyd, in his various incarnations, has been a regular guest at John Peels, only outplayed by the Fall. Lloyd, Alan apperley, Daren Garrett and young Matt Wood drone themselves through 12 rocknumbers, containing Avantgarde, Punk and borrowings to große kosmische musik - (annotation: i like that one) there are two guest appearances by Faust bass player Andreas Schmid (he he) - held together by Lloyds grumbly(?) singing, that sometimes sounds like Iggy Pop. Rock&Roll and Surf also consistently look around the corner: not for nothing the ‘gales dedicate “insult to injury” to Bo Diddley and Link Wray. This record scores with bulkiness, lots of bittersweet (there’s no way to translate Hinterfotzigkeiten… backc..tness? something like sneakyness) and pop-down to earth melancholy. A tour is coming up in spring 2009. Don’t miss it.
Posted via email from Iron Man Records
Wolves In The Throne Room + Haxan + Taint Pram + Women Chris Corsano & Paul Dunmall + Theo Vetiver + guests Mono + Iroha
January 19, 2009
Wolves In The Throne Room + Haxan + Taint
Friday 30 January, Dragon Bar, Digbeth
Tickets £10 in advance www.theticketsellers.co.uk
The music of The Wolves In The Throne Room is rooted in the traditions of Black Metal, but they subvert the common aesthetic and ideology in order to remain true to their own personal manifestations. Their strong convictions appropriately compliment the confident decisive execution of their sound. This is the sound of paradox, ambiguity and confusion. Catharsis is the objective, not a lilly-white and guilt free existence. Death and rebirth, transformation and enlightenment. They believe that in Black Metal, there is great truth, transcendence and power.
“Our relationship with the natural world is a healing force in our lives. If you listen to Black Metal, but you don’t know what phase the moon is in, or what wild flowers are blooming then you have failed. The music is about wild forests, unfettered rivers, nature: furious and vengeful.”
This “natural” aesthetic permeates the bands every expression, Lyrically, musically, and ideologically. “Black Metal is the cleansing fire that frees us from the bondage of rationality, science, morality, religion, leaving us free to choose our own path…The deep woe inside black metal is about fear that we can never return to the mythic, pastoral world that we crave on a deep subconscious level”
www.myspace.com/wolvesinthethroneroom
Haxan is a Midlands based musical project that mixes dischordant black metal riffing, psychedelic atmospherics and melancholic doom into epic pieces that openly address mans relationship with religion, nature and self. Formed in 2004, the band rarely play live and openly shun most aspects of the modern music business. Their self titled debut album, available later this year will be a varied 40 minute concept piece and story that details the descent into madness and chaos of the main protagonist. Haxan tread a line between many genres to create something fresh and organic and truly emotional. Features ex members of Doom and Police Bastard.
http://www.myspace.com/000haxan000
Taint Of South Wales are something of an enigma. Many have striven to place their sound within a handy genre definition, only to find themselves wondering whether a band so dynamic and full of surprises can really be called ’sludge’, or whether music so antithetical to boredom can justifiably be termed ‘post-hardcore’. Taint’s 2005 full-length debut for Rise Above, ‘The Ruin Of Nova Roma’ was a crafty beast that revelled in contructing such riddles for the listener and, of course, the critic. Pigeonholes are for pigeons, after all. It’s the purpose of great rock groups to not quite fit in.
http://www.myspace.com/taintuk
Pram + Women
Friday !3 February, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Tickets £6 in advance www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Pram Birmingham’s Pram craft fairytales from concrete reality. The second city’s spin cycle of perpetual renovation, from the slum clearances to its current cosmetic upgrade, is etched in Pram’s restless groove, an endearing and gently refusenik mix encircling early Rough Trade innovators The Raincoats, astro jazz, sci-fi soundtracks, creepy Victoriana, tropical analogue and tumbledown funk.
www.myspace.com/pushthepram
Women, latest signing to Jagjaguwar (home to Bon Iver + Black Mountain) produce light and spacious sounds, at other times eerie and dense with an ominous weight, touching upon Velvet Underground, Swell Maps or This Heat while not really having any obvious precursors - a lo-fi masterpiece cloaked in layers of vibrato and guitar wash.
Noisy and claustrophobic songs smash through junkyard trash brawls while others lift and soar across the landscape of 50’s-informed pop; a contradiction and an enigma, the debut album by Women will find its way onto summertime pool break-in boombox mixes and the turntables of record store devotees.
“…. straddles the 1960s’ divide between the Warhol crowd’s speed-addled New York cynicism and the echoes of psychedelic San Francisco that bubbled up across the pond in the fey, catchy pop of UK groups like the Zombies.”
- Pitchfork
http://www.myspace.com/womenmusic
Chris Corsano & Paul Dunmall + Theo
Sunday 22 February, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Tickets £7 in advance www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Both players, Chris on drum and Paul on saxophone, have vibrant solo and group and improvised projects but the two love playing together and this is a rare instance to be celebrated. Their music manages to move people in a way that is just beyond words. Bear witness.
Chris Corsano’s drumming has to be seen to be fully appreciated. An ‘into the void’ musician who collaborates with a huge range of artists and can still pull off mad solo shit. It is a rare drummer that can hold his own with his customized kit, clatter practice and circular breathing drone exhortations but retain a dynamic and structure that works. He also self-releases a CD of distorted and spiked keyboard pieces on the Hot Cars Warp label to confuse those who try to pin him down. Loose-limbed, intense, even melodic, he exposes the audience to sounds and rhythms that defy normality. He moves light footed around the world sparking off into all kinds of collaborations playing with/alongside Jim O’Rouke, the Dimension X project, Whitehouse, Bjork, Mick Beck, Okkyung Lee, Thurston Moore and Bill Nace among many.
PAUL DUNMALL
For thirty years Paul Dunmall has carved out a reputation for himself and is now widely recognised as one of the most uncompromising and talented reed players on the International jazz/improvised music scene. Whether playing in small groups or big bands his musical sensitivity and imagination combined with a powerful sound to make him one of the most distinctive improvisers playing today.His octet and Moksha big band showcases his abilities both as a composer drenched in the Jazz traditions and Folk traditions and as a sympathetic leader able to give maximum freedom to a elite group of fellow improvisers.
Theo, the work of one Sam Knight, is one for themath rock fans. Taut, chugging guitar loops layer up with frenetictapping patterns that interweave in spiralling complexity before nearsub-atomically precise, powerhouse drumming clatters and builds eachsong into juggernaut of riffs and rhythms. To achieve something likethis recorded is one thing, but to see Theo perform live is quiteanother as each song blurs into the next and the dazzling guitar anddrum acrobatics leave jaws sagging on the faces of all who bear witnessto the talent on offer.
www.myspace.com/theo1000
Vetiver + guests
27 February, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Tickets £10 in advance www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Vetiver is an American folk band headed by songwriter Andy Cabic and often joined by Devendra Banhart, cellist Alissa Anderson, drummer Otto Hauser, violin Carmen Biggers, guitarists Kevin Barker and Sanders Trippe, bassist Brent Dunn.
Vetiver released their debut album in 2004 on the small indie folk label DiCristina. Since the album`s release Vetiver has toured extensively, opening for and collaborating with Banhart and Joanna Newsom. Before moving to San Francisco, Cabic was a member of the Greensboro, North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake who released some records on the now defunct Simple Machines label. The band shared the bill with Vashti Bunyan on her US tour in early 2007.
The band is named after the grass, vetiver. Their music has been described as `surreal`, `lullingly pleasant`, `tender and accessible` and `quirky and warm`.
http://www.myspace.com/vetiverse
Mono + Iroha
Saturday 21 March, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Tickets £10 in advance www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Just in time for their 10-year anniversary, MONO return to Birmingham in support of their fifth studio album, the absolutely massive Hymn To The Immortal Wind.
The music is naturally majestic, with MONO’s trademark wall of noise crashing beautifully against the largest chamber orchestra the band has ever enlisted. The instrumentation is vast, incorporating strings, flutes, organ, piano, glockenspiel and tympani into their standard face-melting set-up.
Recorded to analog tape with long-time friend and producer Steve Albini, there is an intimacy captured here that is at once beautiful and a little terrifying. The creaking of old wooden chairs as the orchestra rocks in their seats (both literally and figuratively), puckered lips rolling along flutes, and even the conductor’s opening cue can be heard during the hauntingly quiet opening moments
While Hymn continues to mine the cinematic drama inherent in all of MONO’s music, the dynamic shifts now come more from dark-to-light instead of quiet-to-loud. The maturity to balance these elements so masterfully has become MONO’s strongest virtue.
IROHA
Featuring current and former members of Jesu, Cable Regime and Final, Iroha mixes layers of textured guitar and basslines with heartbreaking melodies and brutally slow beats to produce songs of melancholic beauty.
“Although its scent still lingers on, the form of a flower has scattered away. For whom will the glory of this world remain unchanged? Arriving today at the yonder side of the deep mountains of evanescent existence. We shall never allow ourselves to drift away intoxicated, in the world of shallow dreams”
www.myspace.com/irohamusic
If you are organising any live events in the midlands region and would like your listings posted here too then get in touch
Posted via email from Iron Man Records
Pure Techno 5th Birthday 6th Feb 2009 at The Square, 48 Spring Bank, Hull, HU3 1AB
January 17, 2009
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