Scouting For Girls

Catapulted with cataclysmic force into the British mainstream musical consciousness, the four piece indie pop phenomenon that is Scouting For Girls are the ones responsible for men and women of all ages claiming ‘Elvis aint dead’, ‘she’s so lovely’ and ‘every time we meet, I skip a heartbeat’. Love or loathe them, it’s undeniable that these London lads have an ear for an infectiously catchy melody. They have been setting stages alight all across the county on the Just for a Day tour, and their sold out Newcastle show at the Carling Academy on Thursday 6th November was to prove no different.
After two truly excellent support slots from Sam Beeton and The Days the scene was set and the audience feverishly anticipated the main event. After a Bond themed introduction video the band took to the stage and performed their latest single, the aptly named ‘I wish I was James Bond’. The crowd, which, may I note was largely made up of screaming fifteen year old girls, was eager for more and the quartet did not disappoint, it felt as if every song played was a ‘big’ song, owing largely to the sing- along friendly hooks and dance inducing rhythms. In reality, all the band had to do was stand on stage and play their instruments as the crowd would gladly finish any line that front man Roy Stride began to sing. The audience response was huge, they knew every word and Roy’s interaction with the crowd was greatly appreciated.
Roy and his fellow band members seemed to have a genuine appreciation for the support shown by the people of Newcastle; the entire show was performed with a smile on his face, and at times the singer appeared speechless, taken back by the energy and admiration being thrown at him by the crowd. The band continually thanked the fans insisting they were the stars of the show and even went as far as to write a heartfelt song dedicated to all their followers. It would be hard to leave a Scouting For Girls gig without a smile on your face and some lyric or other in your head, so what if all their songs sound the same? The fact is they know how to entertain, and they do it well.

Review by Matt Blackwell

Rancid @ Carlin Academy

From the moment the lights go out, Carling Academy Newcastle is filled with excitement. Rancid always know how to entertain a crowd and tonight is no different. Opening song 'Radio', a noted fan-favourite, really sets the tone for the evening; whether the songs are fast or slow the band are completely captivating.
Tim Armstrong is fully connected with the audience, often sitting at the front of the stage on the monitors to sing to the front row, even shaking hands from the stage with this lucky fan. Lars Frederksen is the onstage voice of the band, thanking the crowd regularly and introducing each of the 30 songs performed that evening. His guitar playing is flawless, stage presence strong and his vocal lines are sung completely from the heart. Matt Freeman is undoubtedly one of the greatest bass players in punk rock. His extended solo in Maxwell Murder has to be seen to be believed and throughout the whole show his solid basslines lay a great foundation for the band to play over. The newest addition to Rancid, Branden Steineckert fits in perfectly to what must be his dream come true (Rancid were his favourite band before he was given the opportunity to join). He never drops a beat and even appears on stage sporting a Newcastle United football shirt.
At a Rancid gig, there is no such thing as a filler track. Whilst the majority of the material comes from 1995's '...And Out Come The Wolves', the setlist features tracks ranging from the most recent 'B-Sides and C-Sides' collection all the way back to 'Knowledge', the punk rock classic penned by Tim and Matt's old band Operation Ivy. Every track is a classic, though the personal highlight of the gig is the ska-tinged 'Who Would've Thought' from 1998's Life Won't Wait album, a great song that's really enhanced in the live environment.
This show is punk rock at its finest performed by some of the greatest talents in the genre. The band leave the stage with promises of a new record and another tour next year, so it leaves little so say except bring on 2009!

Review and photos by Mike Sherlock

The Pigeon Detectives, The Virgins, Red Light Company @ Newcastle Carling Academy 27/11/08

With a line-up like this - it’s no wonder I trotted down early to the Academy, my aim – to soak up as much of this evening as possible. On meeting my fellow Yorkshire-man-friend this was bound to be a night of beer-guzzling, Pigeon-chanting and general obnoxiousness, and I wasn’t to be disappointed.
Red Light Company opened the night with their brand of chilled-out tunes, sloshing about somewhere between Death Cab and The Manics. Easy on the ear though obviously easier to appreciate if you know the songs – checking out their MySpace should definitely be on your to-do list.
I was particularly excited to see The Virgins, as I had been recommended them by a friend. Supporting The Pigeons for the majority of this tour, there seems to have been a lot of hype around this band, so I was eager to see them in the flesh. As the lead singer shimmied and stomped on stage to what can only be described as ‘funky’ music, the crowd seemed won over. There’s something about this band that I can’t quite put my finger on, maybe it’s the slap bass that seems to underlie most of their songs, or maybe it’s their irresistible melodies and lyrics that mean that I now just can’t seem to stop listening to them.
As expected, the crowd began to get more of a buzz about them, rowdy in anticipation for a rowdy band. The excitement peaks when those five leather-clad lads appear and jump straight into their usual set-starter ‘Romantic Type’. Now safe to say I have seen this band a fair few times, and after seeing such a large variety of their gigs – different venues, from tiny crowds to massive Leeds Fest-type crowds, they still never disappoint me; I find my feet dancing before I even told them to. With lead singer Matt spraying out water from his mouth and swinging his microphone around higher than ever – you know what you’re getting with a Pigeons gig. Old tracks excite the masses as do newer ones such as ‘This Is An Emergency’. However whereas the first album’s tracks impress, the second ones’ don’t so much – as the gig goes on they play lesser known songs that don’t really stand out and aren’t all that necessary. But let’s face it – how can they go wrong with an ‘I’m Not Sorry’ encore?

Review by Marzena Dabrowska

NSR Session: Our Imaginary Friends

On the 26th of November 2008, Our Imaginary Friends played an exclusive gig for NSR in the Green Room. All photos by Solveig Werner.

The Valkarys at the Dog and Parrot 22/11/08

Short but sweet? Try short but simply spectacular. This 25 minute gig managed to rock the foundations of the Dog and Parrot in a short period of time providing mesmerising lyrics, powerful guitar solos and practically perfect drum structure. The Valkarys started their tour in Edinburgh with their new song Candy Girl, which already has 12000 hits on MySpace music. Even though they only had a small stage, no whiskey, no brandy and a 25 minute slot they were able to turn this seemingly small gig into a psycaldelic rock show. Playing some incredible songs such as their new single Candy Girl which included such unique and powerful vocals combined with an astonishing guitar and percussion concoction. Ending the night with my favourite of they’re tracks Protect and Serve, the band were able to get the crowd going wild young and old alike, while producing ear candy for all the listeners . It was a fantastic night by a fantastic band.
Never mind just being incredible artists the band were nice enough to let me interview them in their amazing tour bus, who needs the Iron Maiden tour plane when you have they’re bad boy bus. As they were going on stage soon I picked the best of the million questions in my mind to ask them such as my interest in they’re name. “The name is from the plot to kill Hitler but we changed the spelling around”, Scott, the lead singer answered. They have a sixties feel with influence such as Brain Jonestown and the Beetles its no wonder this band is able to produce such fantastic music. After a series of questions my final one was to find out what was the next step for the band. “We plan on getting an EP out with around 6 tracks, we also plan on getting into the student circuit”, the manager answer. Well I can say this they are very welcome to come back to this university. Check them out yourself!
Review by Aron Riordan

NSR Session: Kate Agerskow

On the 18th of November 2008, Kate Agerskow played an exclusive gig for NSR in the Green Room. All photos by Solveig Werner.

White Denim @ The Cluny 16th of November

The majority of reviews you’ll read about this band will no doubt mention their performance at SXSW this year. But the mark of a band is to build on hype, as hundreds of failed ‘next big things’ will testify. On a cold Sunday evening, Newcastle is a far cry from White Denim’s home of Austin, Texas. Support act, Six Nation State warm the arriving crowd with a mix of punk and coral-like balladry but make little lasting impression. In contrast, White Denim waste little time with a nonstop frantic performance of 3 tracks from their debut album ‘Workout Holiday’. The songs, which blend together seamlessly, show the band to be more then what a garage band pigeonhole would have you believe. Amid their powerful sound it’s easy to forget there are only 3 of them. The energy, rhythm and experimentation highlight that White Denim are at their best live. For forty minutes tonight the crowd were rid of their winter blues as the Texan trio delivered a fiery set to remember.

Read Christian's interview with the White Denim!

Review by Christian Allen

Marllion at Newcastle University Students' Union 10/11/2008

Initially, Newcastle University Students' Union seems like an odd choice of venue for this Aylesbury Progressive rock band. The majority of the band's fans in attendance tonight are not students; instead the crowd is made up primarily of middle-aged adults.
When you take a glance at the stage, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer amount of equipment Marillion have set up. The stage has been completely taken over with gear, leaving limited room for them to move around. As the lights go down, the band take to stage in turn, consequently receiving their own round of applause, but also leading to the inevitably predictable entrance of the lead singer after the rest of the band. Steve Hogarth finally bounds onto the stage, barefoot and dressed in a flamboyant Indian gown. The 5-piece launch straight into new song, 'Nothing Fills the Hole', to a widely positive reception. This was the first of many tracks played tonight from the band's new 'Happiness Is The Road' album. Another new track, 'Essence', demonstrates influence from modern bands such as Radiohead, whilst maintaining the Marillion trademark sound of epic, layered soundscapes.
Throughout the show, Hogarth really performs for the crowd, often seeming transfixed with the lyrics he is singing. At one point he plays a strange MIDI controller, constructed from a hollowed out cricket bat; another strange, in-joke for fans of the band. The penultimate song of the main set sees the band launch into a lengthy instrumental passage, leaving time for Hogarth to leave the stage and change, ready for his costumed entrance for the song 'The Invisible Man'; a good ending to the main set. However, even after the encore, there is still a feeling of disappointment at the lack of older, 'Fish-era' material in the set. Especially the lack of favourite 'Sugar Mice', which fans were calling out for throughout the gig.

Review by Michael Sherlock

VV Brown @ The Carling Academy 9/11/08

At 8:15pm a tall, lanky V.V Brown stepped on stage, in very high wasted tartan trousers, and began clapping a complicated rhythm, into the microphone. The audience were slightly bemused at first, but quickly got into the swing of things and joined in. V.V was great at addressing the crowd, and saying who she was and what the songs were about, and even though many in the audience weren’t there to see her or necessarily knew who she was (as she was the support for Ida Maria), people were listening and seemed to be enjoying her act. By “Back in Time”, she managed to get most of the audience dancing, and if they had known the words, I’m sure they would have been singing as well.
She sang several very good original songs, such as “Bottle”, accompanied by her keyboard playing, and 60s hip shaking dance. However I think the 60s feel is slightly over done, in “Crying Blood” her first single, as it is basically the Monster Mash with new lyrics. Despite this, perhaps poor choice for a first single, VV should not be cast a side as another Duffy/Winehouse/Adele/ type. She is original in both her songs, funky dress sense, and wide eyed self. She clearly has so much more to offer, not only as a singer and performer, but as a song writer and producer. She has come along way since writing on a one stringed guitar from a charity shop, and I’m sure we will be seeing a lot more to VV Brown in the very near future. Keep a look out for when she is next in town.

1) Everybody
2) Leave
3) Bottles
4) L.O.V.E
5) Quick Fix
6) Back in Time
7) I miss you Rolling Stones Cover
8) Crying Blood

Words and photos by Emilia Flockhart

Neon Neon at the Sage, 9th November 2008

With a few notable exceptions, pop music in the 80s was rubbish, wasn’t it? A Flock Of Seagulls feasting off the corpses of bloated pop bands fuelled by the attitudes of Thatcherism only to be swept away in a blizzard of cocaine and hedonism. Appropriate then, that Neon Neon have appropriated sounds so synonymous with a time so rich in distended self-indulgence to tell the tumultuous story of John Z. Delorean, founder of the Delorean motor company; a man notorious for his sordid affairs, crafty business mind and ceaseless self indulgence. It’s an album about the highs and lows, the dizzying ecstasy and inevitable pitfalls of consumerism, capitalism and the American dream. And where better to preach this message than Gateshead?
Crammed into The Sage’s hall two with drink in hand, after a ferocious set by hip-hop troupe Yo Majesty! which left my companion and myself reeling with massive grins on our faces, Neon Neon’s Boom Bip kicks things off by constructing the metallic, smooth, futuristic sounding bleeps and beats that colour ‘Stainless Style’. Gorgeously danceable while self aware, Neon Neon avoids being bogged down by it’s own self- referencing intelligence, because for all it’s a cleverly constructed concept, it’s also got soul and tunes by the bucket load. Boom Bip was gradually joined onstage by a drummer, the nauseatingly beautiful Cate Le Bon on bass and backing vocals, and, of course, the man with the golden throat, that Welsh master of melody- Gruff Rhys. And from the in, we are treated to an evening of eccentric pop perfection. Current single ‘Dream Cars’ floats through the rafters like a wistful smokescreen of melody that latches into your cerebellum and refuses to let go. The consistency of quality is almost overwhelming; every song fizzing with the hooks and quirks to make it a potential single.
As much as I Iove the Super Furries, it must be said that tonight Neon Neon possessed the energy, imagination and eccentricity that SFA gigs have been lacking in recent years. Not since Super Furry Animals donned the stage at Leeds University in a golf cart and glow-in-the dark druid outfits back in ’05 have I been to a gig that felt so much like a carnival; an all encompassing sensual experience. Documentary films glimmer and crackle behind the band, Gruff employs a cavalry of visual aids, but the highlight of the extent of their showmanship comes when collaborator Har Mar Superstar raps for at least 60 seconds while standing on his head. No mean feat, I can attest.
After the pulsating gorgeous beats fizzled out, and the band took a gracious and humble curtain call, we are left with a glorious ringing in our ears. The unlikeliest of pairings has generated one of the finest all out pop albums of the decade.

Review by Ben Lowes-Smith

Ida Maria @ The Carling Academy 9/11/08

Ida Maria the Norwegian singer-songwriter, is probably best known for her chick rock song, “Better When your Naked”, which many may dismiss for being too superficial and a bit of a cliché. Those who do, are missing out big time, for this is an artist out of the ordinary.
It wasn’t until I heard “Oh My God” that I really began to like Ida Maria.The song is so powerful, you can just feel her frustration, and listening to it nice and loud, is a great vent for ones own. The more I heard her album through and through, the more it grew on me, and now that I have seen her live, I’m completely sold.
Ida describes her songs as square pop songs, and although they are quite guitar heavy in a good way, they are catchy pop tunes, easy to sing along and let loose to, and all under 3:30minutes. Her voice is so unique, cracking at all the right places. She has a wonderful Norwegian accent, adding to the charm of her presence on stage.
Ida stepped on stage wearing a big fur coat, and began with the line “whisky please”, which the crowd, consisting mainly of teenage girls, the alternative kind, began singing along to. The concert was very intense, her eyes, almost crazy looking, starring over the crowd, perhaps due to her synesthesia. The roadie had to come on stage several times, to pick up her guitar or microphone which she let crash around on stage, something that the security guards didn’t seem to be expecting, judging from the young girlie crowd. Despite her on stage performance, the crowd were very mellow, and it wasn’t until the last song, that everyone finally let loose, jumping around, and all pushing to the front in a big mush pit. The screams when she finished were piercing, and she said very sincerely thank you so much, before leaving the stage dripping with sweat. I have to say, it was great!

1) Queen of the World

2) Louie
3) Morning Light
4) Forgive Me
5) Keep Me Warm
6) Drive Away My Heart
7) Stella
8) Always Alone
9) Oh My God
Encore
10) Hell
11) Naked

More information visit: http://www.myspace.com/idamaria

Words and photos by Emilia Flockhart

McFly, Reemer, Avenue @ Metro Radio Arena 08/11/08

This evening the arena is crammed with all the expected bunny-eared, tutu-clad teeny-boppers, the younger McFly fans with their mummies, plus a surprising number of 20-something males getting w**kered at the bar...
First up is Avenue. Think no instruments, think backing tracks, think dance routines, think Five meets some Xfactor reject, think oh dear...
Delivering more the sort of thing I was expecting, Reemer are probably the perfect McFly support band – cheesy, poppy, good-looking, charismatic, and nowhere near exciting enough to upstage the main boys. They certainly have the cringe factor - the lead singer’s enthusiasm almost bordering on scary as he lies across the stage, thighs-galore, singing meaningfully into the camera and making the girlies swoon. As for their music, they will obviously appeal to a younger crowd such as this, with barely-memorable choruses and monotonous lyrics such as ‘I could wrap you up in circles...if you like’ repeated over and over. It all sounds about ten years too late, and even ten years ago it would be nothing new. It’s a shame; they seem like lovely boys, but lovely boys don’t make rock stars.
You can always count on Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry. No matter how much someone may criticise these boys, they never fail to deliver, and you can fall in love with each one individually as the show progresses. As the opening music builds up for their grand entrance onstage I couldn’t help but feel 16 again, let’s face it - when I loved them the first time around. They can sing, they can write good songs, and they can fly. Yes, McFly can fly. After balls of fire, fireworks, confetti and allsorts...a platform lowers and the boys clamber onto it as it travels over the crowd and plonks itself down right in the middle of the arena; a pretty amazing sight. I must say I prefer McFly’s older stuff, I seem to have lost interest recently, maybe that’s because I’m older and my music taste has changed (improved?) or maybe their songs aren’t as impressive and exciting as they once were? Whatever the answer, it was a damn enjoyable show.

Review by Marzena Dabrowska

NSR Session: Squares

On the 5th of November 2008, Squares played an exclusive gig for NSR in the Green Room. All photos by Solveig Werner.

Florence and the Machine gig, 3rd Nov at the Other Rooms

As we arrived the Other Rooms were filled with the psychedelic drone-rock of support band The Big Pink, atmospheric but no stage presence what so ever. We waited while the stage was strewn with hanging bird cages and the drum-kit with flowers. Flo came bursting on, hyperactive and held the crowd hypnotized by her piercingly powerful voice. She whirled around with feral energy, banging on drums and beaming constantly. For ‘Kiss with a Fist’ she demanded that the audience start fights with each other, in an ‘orgy of love and violence’. Flo’s magnetic personality saw everyone crouching down like children, then leaping up for her final song, and the set was predominantly upbeat with the pop-esque ‘Between Two Lungs’ and ferocity of ‘Bird Song’ New song ‘Cosmic Love’, showed off Flo’s beautiful, soaring voice and you can see how deeply passionate she is about singing, almost going into a trance at times then hurling herself out of it and dancing round the stage, a blur of gold glitter and sparkly jeans. Despite her claims of ‘I’m feeling violent!’ Flo still enraptures the audience with her quirky charm and playful banter. Catch her if you can!

Review by Louise Morris