That rather jolly bunch of ace tune-smiths and smart rockers from York known as Honours are back with another single. It is called “Gone” and trust me despite the title you really won’t want this one to go away! I can hear elements of Ocean Colour Scene, Primal Scream and even the Who in this classic rock riff avalanche that would impact the world on a seismic level. It is funky, it is soulful, it is made to dance to and it is a staggeringly good song. Everything this band has released so far points to a brilliant début album when it happens. Check this fabulous new single out and check Honours out at a venue near you soon. See them before they start moving on up to much bigger venues! These boys are a rock force to be reckoned with! Click here to find it on Spotify!
My last gig of 2018 was an appearance by York’s own PERCY off the back of their rather spiffing new album ‘Sleepers Wake’. I had the pleasure of reviewing that LP last month, just click here to see what I thought of it. But before I say any more about Percy I should tell you about the blooming bountiful support bands they put on the bill. Firstly it was Freek from Hull and York. This mightily talented duo blast out some stupendous blues based rock which for me is rooted in the best that old school rock had to offer; Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Yardbirds and Cream. On top of that they have a kinship with grunge and punk too. But I would love to know where Ellis Best’s monumental voice comes from. Freek also have an innate sense of fun which is epitomised in their closing song “Killer Moth” which is about……. a killer moth! The Rems were next up featuring three of Pompey’s finest musicians, including Steve ‘Bodge’ Duffield one of the founders of the sublime Beta Band. I felt so much eclecticism in their sonic assault which was blended with some perfect post punk vibes. Vocally I could hear tones of Joe Jackson in his pomp and even the much maligned Tin Machine. The latter was particularly strong on the jagged, punked-up “Pills”. The Rems are the sort of band that leaves you wanting more after the first time you have seen or heard them (and probably after the second, third and fourth time too). I definitely want to hear more from them!
Freek
the Rems
Tonights headliners Percy are now at Percy Mark 3 having formed originally way back in 1996. They took a break in 2005 and spent a couple of years as the Nielsens before becoming Percy again. Colin Howard on guitar and lead vocals and Andy Wiles on bass and backing vox have been the core of the band since 1996. They are now aided and abetted by Paula Duck on keys and Jason Wilson on drums. One thing that seems obvious about Percy is that they really seem to enjoy playing and they are a tight unit in the live environment. Any act that can succeed in a small but fabulous venue like the Fulford Arms has to have some special magic about them and Percy have an abundance of it. If you were a fan of Mark E Smith you will love Percy, but while they might be influenced by the Fall they are refreshingly original. Their songs are all brilliantly told stories (“Alice Stone”), simple vignettes on life (“Off The Meds”) or fury venting political comment (“Why Are You Still Here?”). It was a great set that found the perfect cadence from the off and never dropped in either pace or quality. Particular highlights for me were the grungy quiet to loud and at times Pixies-esque “Hep” and the venomous put down of Brexit and all the lies that surround it, “Unicorn”. If you have never seen Percy live then you are in for a treat when you do. This will most definitely not be my last Percy gig!
Public Service Announcement: – All photographs (except the gig poster) were taken and edited by me using my cheap android phone from China. (Watch this space for some top classy photos from me next year!) All videos were found on YouTube. If one of the videos is yours and you would like a credit or for it to be taken down please let me know.
Jared and Amarah from the Sour Notes have a side project under the alias of Memory Keepers. They have just given birth to their Daft Punk lite take on Brian Eno’s “Third Uncle”. Eno recorded and released his original as a part of his second solo album ‘Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)’. The song was also covered by Bauhaus in the early 80s. My memory of the Brian Eno track was that it was a ground breaking piece of electronica and it is. However Memory Keepers take it to yet another level of electronica. This is an infectious and insanely danceable version of a great song with treated vocals reminiscent of classic Air. The is the first release from an EP expected early next year. It was recorded at Sour Patch Bay in Austin, Texas. Then mixed at The Treehouse in Houston, Texas by Steve Christensen and mastered at Timeless Mastering in Brooklyn, New York by Heba Kadry. A big thank you to those lovely folk at Noisy Ghost PR for giving me the chance to take this track for a spin. Click here to listen to this exciting new release on SoundCloud.
David Bowie once pitched the question ‘is there life on Mars?’ Well? Is there life on the red planet? I suppose no one really knows but Suncharm’s new single “Red Dust” reflects on their desire to be a Mars Rover so I would like to believe that this band live on Mars or at least emanate from there! Is Sheffield on Mars? This is their first single since 1991 and things could have been so very different had social media existed back then. Back in 1993 Slumberland Records expressed a desire to release something by the Suncharms, so the band sent a DAT Tape (remember those kids?) to the US record label in a decorated padded envelope. Slumberland never replied so the band assumed that they just weren’t into the charming Suncharms. The band got back together on the back of a retrospective compilation CD on Cloudberry Records in 2016. Amazingly Slumberland picked up on this and contacted the band via FaceBook to explain that they never in fact received the DAT Tape and asked for new songs. The band duly obliged and “Red Dust” is one of those songs that was initially available on seven inch single. I reckon I might just have to get my hands on a copy!
“Red Dust” is nearly six minutes of sublime blissed-out indie dreamgaze reminiscent of Ride, the Inspiral Carpets (without the organ) and for me even the more chilled elements of the Kinks. The subject matter of the Red Planet is fascinating as well. This song relaxes me and makes me happy, do you want or need much more from a song? I can picture myself lounging in the sun drinking a cold beer with this tune as the soundtrack. I am looking forward to seeing the Suncharms playing live soon. Leave your duster in the cupboard but get some “Red Dust” in your life!
Everlit from Pennsylvania’s City Of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia have a new single out. “The Call Of Gaia” is a call to arms from the perspective of the earth/ mother nature/ the biosphere/ the ancient Greek Goddess of the Earth a.k.a Gaia telling us humans to get our act together and start caring for our beautiful planet. It is an impassioned and powerful protest song which needs to be widely heard. This is a staggeringly good slice of heavy rock with true heart made stronger by some monumental riffing and Ryan Panfil’s soaring, soulful vocals. If you like Weezer, the Foo Fighters, Placebo or many other great bands you will love Everlit and this song. The message in “The Call Of Gaia” is one that we need to heed and act on now! We should send this to every politician who refuses to accept what we are doing to our planet. Check it out and check it out NOW! If you don’t I will know and you won’t like me when I’m angry!
Who doesn’t love the wonderful music of Beans On Toast? I love it and so do those smashing folk over at 3 Songs & Out. They even gave me the opportunity to review the new Beans On Toast album, ‘A Bird In The Hand’. Click here to read that review and also check out the many other delights at 3 Songs & Out. But don’t forget to come back to With Just A Hint Of Mayhem for even more delicious delights!
I guess it must be my age in that so many people who were a part of my younger years have left us. I am sure many of you are now aware that northern punk stalwart Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks passed away at just 63 after a suspected heart attack. The Buzzcocks were a classic British band in so many ways. They did not ape the US vocalisation of some, they stuck to their guns, remembered their roots and produced some amazing music along the way. Contrary to popular belief the band were probably not named after a slang term for a vibrator. But supposedly about the buzz or the happening with cock being English north-western slang for mate, pal or friend. The band formed in Bolton in 1976 in a coming together of Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto. Both became early fans of the Sex Pistols, travelling down to London to see them play in February 1976. After that Devoto and Shelley were the instigators of the Pistols now infamous and iconic show at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall in June 1976. The pair was unable to get a band together to get on the bill for that gig, but with the addition of Steve Diggle and John Maher the Buzzcocks opened the second Sex Pistols Manchester show in July 1976. By the end of that year they had recorded and released their ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP. The following year they signed for the United Artists label and released the punk classic “Orgasm Addict” a song that was very risqué for the time.
The Buzzcocks embraced punks DIY attitude and principles even though they signed to a major label. the band disbanded in 1981 but got back together later that decade. Shelley and Diggle were the constant members overseeing a number of personnel changes. Over the years the Buzzcocks released nine studio albums and a string of compilations. For me they were best remembered as an incredible singles band. How can anyone not love “What Do I Get” and their biggest hit (a UK number 12 in 1978) “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)”. I was lucky enough to see them a couple of times in London in 1978 and then once again in York on the Buzzcocks 40 tour just a few years ago. My thoughts are with Pete Shelley’s family, friends and fans, he will be very sadly missed. RIP Pete Shelley.
I have always had a sneaky bit of respect for All Saints cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers “Under The Bridge”. It was an inspired choice which Nicole, Natalie, Mel and Shaznay took to it number one in the UK in 1998. It was the second of their five UK number one singles. As I said, sneaky respect is what I have for this cover version, but that respect is multiplied immensely now that I know who provided the rather nifty guitar on the track. It was none other than Richard Hawley! How did I not know that until now?
Mr Hawley does his best to try and save a few seats for All Saints!
This was the second time that I had seen the headliners in just over twenty-four hours after their sneaky set at the Fulford Arms the previous day (click here for my review of that show). In fact this is probably the first time that I have seen any band or singer twice in two days in more than 46 years of going to gigs! This was a showcase gig for Skylights who are powering along the path of success and greatness, it’s a long road but they have the means and the fuel to finish the journey. But enough of Skylights for a moment, they were supported by a couple of excellent bands. Taking to the stage in the Brudenell Main Room first were Pool Sharks from Leeds. They were having a great week after being featured on BBC 6 Music and now on stage at the iconic Brudenell in only their second gig! They had clearly rehearsed incredibly well and played like veterans of shows like this. At times I was reminded of early Franz Ferdinand and maybe to a lesser degree Orange Juice and Edwyn Collins. Their songs have depth, clever lyrics and great pop hooks. “Thank You, Have a Nice Day” has the makings of a big hit.
Second on stage and second on the bill were the Sheratons, all the way from……. Leeds! This lot are well aware of what great rock music is and inject their sound with a full on punky attitude. The live performance of their new single “These Kids” was a sharp and jagged riff fest and even better than the rather spiffing recorded version. “Hacienda” their song about the famous, or maybe infamous, Manchester venue was a particular highlight. But their choice of a cover version medley to close their set was awe-inspiring and a challenge that many bands would not have been able to meet, but the Sheratons totally owned their take on two classic tunes. Firstly it was the Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus” (often used as an encore closer by Oasis) which they segued into a perfect run through the instrumental part of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”. I bought the CD single of “These Kids” and I hope there is an album on the horizon soon!
Now for the nights main attraction, one of York’s best bands, Skylights. This showcase gig was a big deal for them and they were magnificent. Following a raucous crowd sing along to one of the few football songs that is quite good, “Leeds Leeds Leeds” (just in case you didn’t know, these boys are Leeds United supporters) they lit the fuse on an incendiary set with the opening bars of “Life Line”. The power, passion and pace did not let up once. Their biggest influences for me are some of the best bands from the Brit Pop era; Blur, Oasis and Primal Scream. Lead vocalist Rob had the audience eating out of his hands, even if by his own admission he is not a storyteller. Whilst Rob is a superb frontman and vocalist this is a great band because they are so much bigger than the sum of their parts. Turnbull’s guitar skills have future axe legend written over them, he makes smart use of his array of effects pedals to enhance his signature sound. Then in the engine room you have Jonny on bass with a sound that would have given John Entwistle of the Who a run for his money. Myles bashes those drums like the fate of the planet depends on it. “Britannia” is definitely becoming one of my favourite Skylights songs, but it still has a little way to go to usurp “What You Are” and the stone cold classic that is “YRA”. Skylights owned the Brudenell and if they are not taking this excellent sound to festivals before very long then I shall be forced to eat a Skylights T-Shirt. If you haven’t checked out Skylights yet then what in the damned world is holding you back? Trust me you really need some of these songs in your life. Get into them now before they start playing arenas!
Public Service Announcement: – All photographs (except the gig poster) were taken and edited by me using my cheap android phone from China. All videos were found on YouTube. If one of the videos is yours and you would like a credit or for it to be taken down please let me know.
Also very proud to see a quote from this blog on the poster!
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 