Having previously seen local lads The Chevrolites play in Edinburgh simply by chance... I was eager to check them out in their hometown. So I scampered on down to The Cluny where the boys scuttled onto the stage. Getting straight down to business with Came Here To Fight I felt my toes tapping and the alcohol flowing. Think Milburn, think Arctic Monkeys, these influences are pretty obvious; catchy riffs and edgy lyrics aplenty, particularly in Malia. A good-time band, look into these kids if you’re one for dancing. A few gigs’ time and a larger variety of songs could see The Chevrolites stand out from the rest. Quite possibly the funniest gig I’ve ever been to, you know those gigs every so often where someone takes things a bit too far, this was one of those times. If not for the music go for the girl jumping onstage and the man rolling around on the floor whilst the rest of the crowd are bowled over with laughter. If a band can inspire fans such as these well they must be worth making a fuss over.
Review by Marzena Dabrowska
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
The Automatic at Northumbria 01/10/2008
For the third time in my life I attended a gig by the Welsh band The Automatic. It was in fact the second time in less than two weeks. I had not in anyway planned to go to this gig, but you can’t always plan how life works out for you. After having interviewed Frost I was asked if I would like to go to the gig later that night.
I missed the opening act Operahouse, and that when they were a band that I was really hoping on seeing. Lately it seems like that I miss out on the first support band, you could blame Rob and Frost of the Automatic for that.
The second support act was Dinosaur Pileup, band from Leeds that are on their first major tour at the moment. For me it is rather hard to describe what they were like. They put a lot of energy to show. Behaved like they owned the world when they played their music and were shy when it came to talking to the people. With their long hair they were playing heavier rock, not something that you can call indie. Some of their songs were very melodic, while others weren’t. I can’t complain about what they gave to show, I very much enjoyed myself, even though it isn’t my favorite type of music.
The Automatic! As I already said this was the third time that I saw them. I was a bit deceived by the second time, but this is about the third concert I attended. So I must say I was well impressed, the music was good, the crowed was good, which is always a good thing. I think they very much enjoyed themselves playing for a public that was to an extent made up of friends of their newest member who in fact is from Sunderland. The setlist was not just focusing on the songs of the new Album, but also on classics of the debut album, including the obligatory Monster, I feel sorry for them that they more or less have to play that song at each of their gigs. And of course Raoul got played. They almost seemed embarrassed when playing their second to last song Love In The Club the cover of the Usher song they had done for Live Lounge this August. Now I am wondering when I will next see the Automatic reform live.
Review by Solveig Werner
I missed the opening act Operahouse, and that when they were a band that I was really hoping on seeing. Lately it seems like that I miss out on the first support band, you could blame Rob and Frost of the Automatic for that.
The second support act was Dinosaur Pileup, band from Leeds that are on their first major tour at the moment. For me it is rather hard to describe what they were like. They put a lot of energy to show. Behaved like they owned the world when they played their music and were shy when it came to talking to the people. With their long hair they were playing heavier rock, not something that you can call indie. Some of their songs were very melodic, while others weren’t. I can’t complain about what they gave to show, I very much enjoyed myself, even though it isn’t my favorite type of music.
The Automatic! As I already said this was the third time that I saw them. I was a bit deceived by the second time, but this is about the third concert I attended. So I must say I was well impressed, the music was good, the crowed was good, which is always a good thing. I think they very much enjoyed themselves playing for a public that was to an extent made up of friends of their newest member who in fact is from Sunderland. The setlist was not just focusing on the songs of the new Album, but also on classics of the debut album, including the obligatory Monster, I feel sorry for them that they more or less have to play that song at each of their gigs. And of course Raoul got played. They almost seemed embarrassed when playing their second to last song Love In The Club the cover of the Usher song they had done for Live Lounge this August. Now I am wondering when I will next see the Automatic reform live.
Review by Solveig Werner
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
The Sound Ex
The End Bar Newcastle is the small bands dream: dark, dingy and cosy. The small corner pub was surprisingly packed with around 100 people ready to listen to the local boys’ second album, entitled ‘Palomino’. Sound Ex have toured with The Datsuns, and the Mooney Suzuki, and their influences were easy to see on their music. The support band came on the stage first though, but just a general hint with support bands. They need to be of a similar genre to the actual main act. This band was a punk band. I’m sorry for all the punk fans that read this, but it’s not my cup of tea, so when I want to hear Rock music, don’t pump out Punk. It’s one of those great lists called ‘the oldest trick in the book’, which they obviously didn’t read. They did have the ‘I look really bored’ bassist and the ‘I don’t think that I should be here’ lead singer that looked more like an accountant than a punk singer.
Anyway, The Sound Ex came on. As this was an album launch, it’s not the best place to judge a band on their live performances, the crowd obviously here to support the release of the album. As a band they worked well, they interacted with each other, having two vocalists sharing almost equally, except they have an obvious front man. The album as a whole is one of those efforts in which bands have fallen into the trap of producing a ‘safe’ album, one which doesn’t really do anything, but at the same time still gets your foot tapping, but this could be by the energy of the band on stage, as opposed to their music. Its interesting to see what they do from here, they are already signed with Damnation Records, so it’s not like there one of the masses of bands unsigned. It is, though, a crossing point for The Sound Ex, between going ‘reasonably’ big nationwide, regional or even going into the doldrums. Its something that could go either way, but with their life performance they have… more up than down.
Review by Izaac Carlisle
Anyway, The Sound Ex came on. As this was an album launch, it’s not the best place to judge a band on their live performances, the crowd obviously here to support the release of the album. As a band they worked well, they interacted with each other, having two vocalists sharing almost equally, except they have an obvious front man. The album as a whole is one of those efforts in which bands have fallen into the trap of producing a ‘safe’ album, one which doesn’t really do anything, but at the same time still gets your foot tapping, but this could be by the energy of the band on stage, as opposed to their music. Its interesting to see what they do from here, they are already signed with Damnation Records, so it’s not like there one of the masses of bands unsigned. It is, though, a crossing point for The Sound Ex, between going ‘reasonably’ big nationwide, regional or even going into the doldrums. Its something that could go either way, but with their life performance they have… more up than down.
Review by Izaac Carlisle
Friday, 26 September 2008
The Hoosiers Freshers Gig
This year’s freshers’ second gig was the London band The Hoosiers supported by two local acts. After having the treat of interviewing the lovely lads of the Hoosiers my friends and I settled far away from the freshers in a quiet room of the union close to the basement. We missed the first of the two support bands, which is of course unfortunate, but let our ears be virgin to the sound of Detroit Social Club or DSC.
I had heard of DSC before, but never anything by them. So it came as a pleasant surprise that they are in fact a really good live band. In a way live bands are good when even without knowing their music you are totally in the vibe once they step on the stage. There was energy present in the room that filled it from almost empty to almost completely full in a matter of minutes. I absolutely loved what I saw and heard and I believe that I was not alone on that account. Certain songs a lot of fresher’s chanting along with their hands in the air, the last song was probably the best, no one wanted the band to leave the stage behind. The ambiance was absolutely amazing, and I can’t do anything but recommend you to see Detroit Social Club.
Then it was for the Hoosiers to prove what they could do with their Yeti amps, and good looks. I had for some reason always heard form people that the Hoosiers are not such a good band. I have to say whoever told me that was exaggerating. The Hoosiers were a fun band, making the drunk and the sober students party. Their keyboard player, who was the additional member, from Newcastle, could apparently play everything. After asking the crowd what they should play, it came down to an extract of a Killers song, and the theme tune to Inspector Gadget. The Killers song was almost a mistake, as the crowd could not stop singing even though they had stopped playing it. When they did Cops and Robbers, it seemed like everyone was dancing. It is too bad that the weeks held during freshers week do not come with encores.
Review by by Solveig Werner
I had heard of DSC before, but never anything by them. So it came as a pleasant surprise that they are in fact a really good live band. In a way live bands are good when even without knowing their music you are totally in the vibe once they step on the stage. There was energy present in the room that filled it from almost empty to almost completely full in a matter of minutes. I absolutely loved what I saw and heard and I believe that I was not alone on that account. Certain songs a lot of fresher’s chanting along with their hands in the air, the last song was probably the best, no one wanted the band to leave the stage behind. The ambiance was absolutely amazing, and I can’t do anything but recommend you to see Detroit Social Club.
Then it was for the Hoosiers to prove what they could do with their Yeti amps, and good looks. I had for some reason always heard form people that the Hoosiers are not such a good band. I have to say whoever told me that was exaggerating. The Hoosiers were a fun band, making the drunk and the sober students party. Their keyboard player, who was the additional member, from Newcastle, could apparently play everything. After asking the crowd what they should play, it came down to an extract of a Killers song, and the theme tune to Inspector Gadget. The Killers song was almost a mistake, as the crowd could not stop singing even though they had stopped playing it. When they did Cops and Robbers, it seemed like everyone was dancing. It is too bad that the weeks held during freshers week do not come with encores.
Review by by Solveig Werner
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Woodpigeon at the Cumberland Arms 18/09/2008
Arriving a bit late at the gig, I almost missed the whole of the first act that was on, the solo artist Francis Conway. I made it just in time to hear the last two song of his acoustic set. They were absolutely amazing, and both were rather long so I can say I got a good picture of what Francis Conway sounds like.
Beth Jeans Houghton was up next. Last time I saw her live she was performing on her own, this time around she was joined by a drummer, ok he did not only play drums, he also was gifted for the piano. I am still very impressed by Beth’s good use of the loop pedals, they give her music the extra something that make is very special. It is going to be interesting to see where Beth is going to be in a couple of months time as she has just released a single and has a lot of new songs up her sleeve.
It was so hot in the Cumberland Arms that night that I seriously considered leaving as it made me really tired. I am happy, that I did stay around because Woodpigeon are a really good band that I would have regretted not seeing. This Canadian band had the characteristic of having many people on stage. As a consequence they had a lot of different instruments including a violin. The music was absolutely stunning. Everyone seemed to try to figure out what genre they belong to. “Unclassifiable” that’s most likely what they are, the music is a mix of eastern European folk and Abba, with elements of all sorts of musical styles. The fact that they are Canadians with many band members and a diverse selection of instruments makes them a bit Arcade Fire-ish. By any means if you have the chance to see Woodpigeon, you should definitely take it, as for them as well you can’t know where they will be in a bit.
Review by Solveig Werner
Beth Jeans Houghton was up next. Last time I saw her live she was performing on her own, this time around she was joined by a drummer, ok he did not only play drums, he also was gifted for the piano. I am still very impressed by Beth’s good use of the loop pedals, they give her music the extra something that make is very special. It is going to be interesting to see where Beth is going to be in a couple of months time as she has just released a single and has a lot of new songs up her sleeve.
It was so hot in the Cumberland Arms that night that I seriously considered leaving as it made me really tired. I am happy, that I did stay around because Woodpigeon are a really good band that I would have regretted not seeing. This Canadian band had the characteristic of having many people on stage. As a consequence they had a lot of different instruments including a violin. The music was absolutely stunning. Everyone seemed to try to figure out what genre they belong to. “Unclassifiable” that’s most likely what they are, the music is a mix of eastern European folk and Abba, with elements of all sorts of musical styles. The fact that they are Canadians with many band members and a diverse selection of instruments makes them a bit Arcade Fire-ish. By any means if you have the chance to see Woodpigeon, you should definitely take it, as for them as well you can’t know where they will be in a bit.
Review by Solveig Werner
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
The Little Ones at the Cluny 17/09/2008
Back in Newcastle for three days I had my first proper night out at the Cluny. The American band The Little Ones were playing supported by local acts Spies in Limbo, and New Vinyls.
First up it was the New Vinyls, over the summer this band has worked on a lot of new songs. I must say that they were really good. They are catchy and very different one from the other. For the song Polytechnic the lead singer leaves his guitar behind and dances on stage à la Jarvis Cocker. If you have the chance to catch New Vinyls live you should do so. Interaction with the public is another thing that characterizes this band. Surprisingly the Cluny was fuller than normally at the time of the first band. Maybe the word did spread that New Vinyls is a must see band.
Then it was Spies in Limbo’s turn to show what they’ve got. Nothing can be said against their music, because that was class. The atmosphere that was created by the previous band was carried on just there were no direct exchanges of words with the public. If they would have done that it could have been even better.
The Little Ones, probably most known for their song Lovers Who Uncover had a wide variety of songs on their set list. High, sweet voices, is what probably best describes the singing of this very particular band. They were a lot of fun to see perform. The Cluny must be a lot smaller than the venues they are used to, also a lot nicer. In a way they reminded me a bit of Vampire Weekend, the same style of music but a bit less quirky. All in all it was a great night back in the Toon.
Review by Solveig Werner
First up it was the New Vinyls, over the summer this band has worked on a lot of new songs. I must say that they were really good. They are catchy and very different one from the other. For the song Polytechnic the lead singer leaves his guitar behind and dances on stage à la Jarvis Cocker. If you have the chance to catch New Vinyls live you should do so. Interaction with the public is another thing that characterizes this band. Surprisingly the Cluny was fuller than normally at the time of the first band. Maybe the word did spread that New Vinyls is a must see band.
Then it was Spies in Limbo’s turn to show what they’ve got. Nothing can be said against their music, because that was class. The atmosphere that was created by the previous band was carried on just there were no direct exchanges of words with the public. If they would have done that it could have been even better.
The Little Ones, probably most known for their song Lovers Who Uncover had a wide variety of songs on their set list. High, sweet voices, is what probably best describes the singing of this very particular band. They were a lot of fun to see perform. The Cluny must be a lot smaller than the venues they are used to, also a lot nicer. In a way they reminded me a bit of Vampire Weekend, the same style of music but a bit less quirky. All in all it was a great night back in the Toon.
Review by Solveig Werner
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Tokyo Police Club @ The Other Rooms 11/06/08
No they are not from Japan, they are from Canada, you should know this if you have been on wikipedia and have read about this band. Tokyo Police Club is a band with four rather young members. Three are 21 and one is 23, and they make music that is worth going down in rock history.For me this gig in Newcastle was the second time that I have seen them. I must say Tokyo Police Club or TPC have progressed loads since the 16th of February 2006. Elephant Shell their debut album was released this spring, providing fans with music that by far excelled the material found on the EP
(treated like and album, but not being one) A Lesson In Crime. But I am meant to write about the gig and not about their records. By now I am late writing about the gig, I am sorry about that, but sometimes I feel the need of these things settling in my memory before I produce them on paper.Dave, Graham, Greg and Josh were on their last week of a 61-gig tour, but they still had more energy than most bands have these days. Their music is ‘demanding’, I am not sure if it is the right word that should be used, it is different from the other things that are out there. Not only their music is different, the lyrics are different. It was really too bad that there was a problem with Dave’s microphone, so on a few songs his beautiful voice was drowned out by the instruments.
Your English Is Good and/or Tessellate and other songs had the whole of the public singing along. Some songs are there to be clapped to, in those cases the whole venue was clapping. There was no encore given by TPC, there was no need for one, the set was finished of in the certain harmony you want it to finish. If they would have played one more song they might have collapsed.TPC brought with them the newest New York revelation Mobius Band for the European part of the tour. For a couple of months I had known one of their songs Hallie and I thought that it would be cool to see them live. I did not think they would be coming to the UK any time soon (allow some pessimism) and well the last thing that I though was that they would be the support band for one of my favorite bands.These three Brooklyn natives are a rather geeky bunch they know how to charm their public. In the beginning of their set everyone in the crowd kept the ‘obligatory’ distance to the stage. Mobius (I permit myself to shorten it to that) did not seem to like it, one of them more or less told us off and said that we should be filling the space right in front of the stage.
I believe that with them it is interesting to see where they are going to be in a couple of weeks or months or years time. There is something very special about them, a momentum seems to be building up around them in the States, if the wave will hit Europe remains a yet unanswered question.A year ago or so Tokyo Police Club would play their gig with only 10 songs, all they had in stock back then. Now their set list is miles long written on a paper plate and not including every release they have had so far. I believe I might have gotten a bit carried away with this review, but good music can sometimes hardly be described in a couple of words.
Review by Solveig Werner
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