Heavy, Loud, Gothic and Looking Great

I noticed Bad Pollyanna were playing Newcastle's Think Tank? again so was determined not to miss them again, and £11 to see a band you want to see is not too expensive except ......

This gig was being promoted in conjunction with Novacrow and Sick'n'Beautiful (details here) which I didn't realise were other bands on the bill, I though they may have just been promoters, but it turned out instead of one band worth seeing I saw three amazing bands.

Novacrow were first up and though the bowler hatted lead guitarist cum judderman (Jonyx) was an amazing visual sight, and Kitty the singer had an excellent voice as well astoting an excellent guitar and suitable gothic front lady attire, very black and white.

The rhythm section of Federico and Torben kept it tight and heavy. I did video on song "Mantra" but  the sheer heaviness and small venue plus my camera knowledge resulted in unlistenable footage, but luckily I bought their "Black Syrup" EP from Kitty which means I ca list their names and listen to them properly. Another band on the "see again list".

I managed to find a promo video for "Fight The  Horde" so turn it up and you have some idea of what to expect.

Bad Pollyanna were next up and this is the third time I have seen them, you can check out their youtube channel here, again steeped in Goth and Horror and similar to Novacrow, so that is two bands to satisfy dark musical tastes, although they are both great fun and very approachable. Aad again I was not disappointed but Bad Pollyanna were even louder and heavier than Novacrow.



They are great supporters of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which is another reason to support them.Please visit the site to find out more.

I could have left after either of these bands and not felt short changed.

Finally we got Sick'n'Beatiful. The price of the ticket included a download of their latest album so I knew what to expect, but as well as their music you get a visual feast as well, with incredible costumes and back drops . Probably one on the most impressive bands I've seen at the venue and the experience reminds me a little of GOAT with their impressive visual display.

Every band was worth the admission fee alone, so check all of these out at  your earliest convenience.

How Much Pop Can You Have?

It's Iggy Pop's 71st birthday and my friend Brian along with three other people hosted an "Iggy and the Stooges, Shambolic KO Tribute Afternoon"and truly wonderful it was. The revers running order for the afternoon was:

16.25 IGGY AND THE RAW POWERS
16.00 IZZY POPPED'S FUN HOUSE
15.30 RUBY AND THE SHAKIN' STOOGES
15.10 THE IGGYOTS
14.30 FIVE FOOT JUAN AND HIS GO GO MIDGETS
13.45 MOTOR CITY MYSTERYS
13.10 THEE RAVAGED IGUANAS
12.45 ZIGGY AND THE GERMANS

..and every band was absolutely brilliant. I managed to have quick chats and hugs with Lynn and Dave, Sheila , Barbara, Jonathan, Sarah, and met a wonderful singer called Stephanie and though we have been Facebook friends for yeans for the very first time spoke to Caroline.

So this was a great afternoon for catching up with friends, although when I got there the door was locked, though that was soon rectified.

I was surprised to see quite a few family groups there and the kids loved the bands and were active in the mosh pit.

Each band played three songs and was surprised to see Ziggy and The Germans using pedal steel as the guitar part of the band.

Although everything was excellent I loved Ruby and The Shakin' Stooges take on "No Fun" and Ziggy and The Germans take on "Funtime" so they are the ones I'll include here but you can see all my Youtube posts from today here and my Instagram posts here. I must apologise for the sound quality, I think it was a bit loud for my my Wilefox phone to deal with but you get  the idea.

Looking forward to the next afternoon gig, it was awesome. 

Liquer .. Madame and Sirs?

Another review I wasn't intending to write, but tonight I attended an excellent gig by the cleverly named Liquer, and wonderful Cure tribute band. With the lead singer looking and sounding the Robert Smith part down to the lipstick and hair and an unfeasible array of guitars on a smallish stage for the amount of equipment that band played a storming set mixing hits and less obvious songs delighting the crowd.

Maz and Shev have turned the Doll at The Black Bull into an amazing venue and Shev's sound set up for the band was spot on. I got a video of the band playing "Head on The Door" but there is a lot of video online , but even better, go and see them live, and you will get a bit closer than the real Cure.

The gig was put on by Aly Smith to raise money for a Christmas Party for kids in Byker

Liquer's website is here so you can find more video and information on when they are playing.

An absolutely brilliant night, thanks Aly, Liquer, Maz and Shev for making this happen.

Life ... and Nadine Shah

I wasn't intending to write up this gig, but basically it was a stunner.

The support band were from Hull and and the name sort of didn't inspire me, Life. The bassist's T-Shirt stated "It's Never Dull In Hull", and were a basic guitar/ bass / drums / vocals four piece. Their sound was excellent and they won amn initially reticient crowd over in spades. The lead singer had obviously studied Jarvis Cocker but was his own man as he declared Life "Kings of Yorkshire".

I've included the excellent "In Your Hands" and go through to their site or get their album "Popular Music" here. Their Vevo channel is here if you would like to hear more.

Then Nadine Shah appeared. Her singing voice is amazingly powerful almost divorced from her friendly geordie talking voice. Her mum and dad were in the audience in teh packed Sage Hall 2. The sound of the band ais incredibly percussive , often the guitard being just hit, and the saxophone sound recalling Van Der Graaf Generator.

A Nadine Shah gig is an experience and if you get the chance of seeing her , you need to do it as soon as possible.

She is not easy listening but she is essential listening. The song "Holiday Destination" inspiredby the self serving reaction of holiday makers when refugess wer washed ashore on a Mediterranean beach.

Ig you can't get to a gig get her albums.

Early Evening at The Late Shows with Good Music and Moomin Coffee

Newcastle's Grainger Market is probably not the first place on your mind to see a live band , but tonight as part of The Late Shows there were three areas set out as Stages featuring lots of artists between 5 and 9 pm.

I walked in and heard an excellent sound coming from the Grainger Street end being made by Brent and The Brads , a three piece , with the bassist playing what looked like a Hofner violin bass as favoured by Paul McCartney in his early Beatles days. Here's the instagram video of what I walked in on,and I was very impressed. The problem is in any festival situation you need to move around to see and hear more, although I heard them covering "Ain't No Sunshine" efficiently later demonstrating their range.

Next I dropped to KOTA talked with Krista, had some complimentary Moomin Coffee and Finnish Licorice before finding my friend John Lee.

John's Audience

John's Boots

John was on Stage 3 and performed his country rock based set for an appreciative audience despite having forgotten his capo, his audience loved the set.

John was also playing later as part of a combo with Jazz in their name but I've forgotten what it was, but I'm glad I captured a song that Hedley missed for you to enjoy.






I wandered round and returned to see Simon Wood playing three Hangs with a partial drum kit. This was absolutely amazing and you can find out more about him here, you can see a little of his Late Show set here

I met a couple of friends and enjoyed my short time among the cool shops that were open, including Long Play Cafe, and as I am writing this I know across Tyneside events are continuing into the night.

This is my small experience of it.

Jah Wobble with Smokin' Coconuts

My first paid gig of the year was to see Jah Wobble at The Cluny. There was a support which turned out to be The Smokin' Coconuts who opened with "Animals" , very reminiscent of The Baghdaddies and I was immediately hooked.


After forty minutes they left the stage to applause.

Jah Wobble and combo were on stage very quickly and we were treated to heavy subsonic bass, lots of dub sound and absolute diamond geezer banter. Jah Wobble's back catalogue is probably as huge as anyone you can think of covering almost every spectrum and influence you can think of barring outright commercialism.

Last night they revisited Metal Box and Harry J All Stars "Liquidator" amid new stuff and favourites.

I know this is short but what else can I say about a man who is a total down to earth legend , entertaining , accessible and challenging all in the same package. If you get the chance to see either Jah Wobble or The Smokin' Coconuts take up the opportunity, you will not regret it.

My Vertigo Swirl - Status Quo - Piledriver

Today I got hold of a Vertigo Swirl album (full swirl not metallic mini swirl) and they are difficult to track down. It's a 1972 version of Status Quo's Piledriver which is actually a very good album, containing the excellent Paper Plane and their take on The Door's Roadhouse Blues. I posted  a video on Instagram here.

This sort of the thing that makes me recollect vinyl. It looks amazing playing. In the video below is Black Sabbath's Paranoid and a copy of that will set you back around £150. Even the Swirl Inner sleeves sell for a tenner so they are actually a good investment.

My Status Quo album cost me £15 which is the going rate for a new vinyl album, but essentially I got it for the effect that you get when you play it, it's funny I never really thought of it when I played my Vertigo records in my teens, but maybe I see things a bit differently now.

Anyway enjoy , the videos. These vinyl pieces are things of true beauty.

There is a book on the label and various Youtube videos , just search for Vertigo Swirl.