With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

How To Build Your Own Record Processing Plant – Steve Spithray October 22, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:43 pm
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This book is the true story, documented sporadic diary style, of Press On Vinyl in Middlesbrough. Steve Spithray’s excitement and enthusiasm oozes from the pages and is wonderful to feel. When my review copy of ‘How To Build Your Own Record Pressing Plant’ arrived through the post my wife said, based on the title, that is the most boring book you will ever read. She is always right, at least she always was up to that point, I read the book in around three days. It has everything. Science, business, nerdiness, geekiness, vinyl and obviously, music.

Press On Vinyl was set up by David Todd and Danny Lowe from an initial idea which arose in a chat, just like so many wonderful ideas, but this one took flight in a huge way. Steve Spithray clearly has a great relationship with not only David and Danny, but also with pretty much everyone who played a part in getting this amazing venture off the ground. To have a new pressing plant in the UK at a time when the vinyl revival is in full flow is very special indeed. The highs and warts and all lows are documented eloquently and my interest in this story never waned once. Now I need to get myself up to Middlesbrough for a visit! As a footnote I also loved that there are a couple of people, places and bands mentioned that I actually know. Step forward Vinyl Eddie (York’s finest record shop), Avalanche Party (Possibly one of the best bands on the planet right now) and a special mention for Avalanche Party front man Jordan Bell. The book is out soon (3rd November), if you love records, love music or simply love a tail where a potential underdog reaches the top, get it. You will not be disappointed. It is published by Butterfly Effect, click here to order it via Bandcamp.

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Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – The Final!

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 10:28 am
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Here we are, after six heats and three magnificent semi-finals today is the grand final of the Fulford Arms Battle of the Bands 2023 competition. We have seen some incredible performances from some spectacularly good bands. But only four remain. Offbeat, Hunter Gatherer, and HÆrtstrings all won their semi-finals and Ømmis are this year’s judge’s wild card. I am once again on the judging panel for this sell-out show, so I don’t think it’s fair to review it. But I will say that I think the contest tonight will be as close as hell and truly gladiatorial, although the spilling of blood, and probably no chariots! I hope to see you there, bring it on!

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Live At Leeds In The City 2023 – Saturday October 14th October 21, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:00 pm
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Live At Leeds often throws up a myriad of dilemmas, particularly which bands I choose, knowing that it is impossible to see all of them unless I had a TARDIS. Alas, I don’t have Dr. Who’s contact details so I had to make do with just fourteen acts on the day as the Soundsphere Team (Myself and ace rock photographer John Hayhurst) rushed around Leeds. Click here to check out my review and John’s excellent pictures on Soundsphere! A big thank you to Soundsphere for getting us there!

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“Witch” – Delilah Bon featuring ALT BLK ERA October 12, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 3:55 pm
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The release of a new Delilah Bon track is always a big event for me. Delilah Bon (super alter ego of Lauren Tate) is by far one of the world’s most talented and passionate performers today. The new song is “Witch” and it stems from Delilah researching the Salem Witch Trials some months ago. After a few listens, it feels like a song that parallels the infamous witch trials with the misogyny that is so prevalent today. The power, anger, and passion are full-on and that is one of the things that makes it such a great track. Can this be the springboard to burning misogyny at the stake and heating things up so much that the glass ceiling will start to melt? Let’s hope so. Delilah Bon is at her very best here and this, in my opinion, is her best single to date. I have said that before and every time she throws something even better to the world. Not only is Delilah at peak performance but she is supported by none other than the rather amazing ALT BLK ERA. If ever a match was made in music heaven it is this one. Get “Witch” in your ears and on your playlists now! Tell your mates, everyone needs to listen to this.

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The Mayhem Charts – September 2023 October 2, 2023

Filed under: Mayhem Monthly Chart,Mayhem Top 20 Chart — justwilliam1959 @ 10:14 pm
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The Mayhem Monthly charts return for a second month. Regular readers know the chart is based on my Spotify listening habits over the last month. But I have kept it to contemporary/ contemporaryish artists. The top three “Legacy” artists are David Bowie, Paul Simon, and the Clash. There is a top ten artists chart and a top 5 songs chart. As expected there is quite an eclectic mix of artists including three that were in the top ten last month (ALT BLK ERA, Ren, and Anchor Lane). The top five songs features just one artist that also appears in the artist top ten, that is the Lambrini Girls who sit at the top of both charts this month! So without further ado here are those charts! Click on the header of the song chart for the playlist on Spotify.

MAYHEM ARTIST CHART SEPTEMBER 2023
1Lambrini Girls
2 Bleach Lab
3 Slayyyter
4 Taylor Acorn
5 Stuart Pearce
6 ALT BLK ERA
7 Ren
8 Anchor Lane
9 Hawksley Workman
10 Fall Out Boy

MAYHEM SONG CHART SEPTEMBER 2023
1 Boys In The Band – Lambrini Girls
2 Ripples In The Ether (Live) – Public Service Broadcasting
3 Perfect Picture – Hannah Diamond
4 Choices – Tennessee Holy Water
5 What Did I Say – Fendry

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Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – Semi Finals – Part 1 October 1, 2023

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 5:47 pm
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After six monumentally exciting heats, we have had two of the three semi-finals. I was there as a judge for semi-final 1 but unfortunately could not make the second one. But I will be back in my judge’s wig and robes for the last semi-final on Friday, 6th October, and then the grand final on Sunday, 22nd October!

In the meantime, I can tell you that the first semi-final was, for me, the most exciting night so far and also one of the closest as far as scoring goes. It was won by HÆrtstrings, first band to qualify for the final. It was an unlucky night for Vaquelin, Attacker TV, and I Tell Lies, who all performed great. Don’t forget there will be a judges wildcard again this year so one band that missed the cut in the semis could still make it through.

I heard from my judicial colleagues that the second semi-final on Saturday was another very closely fought contest with Hunter-Gatherer coming out on top at the end. While Belle Velvet, Manic Calm, and Heavy Bloom missed the top spot, there is still the judge’s wild card to be awarded. That will be after the final semi-final. The last semi-final will feature sets from Ømmis, Fervent Red, Offbeat, and Frantics. I suggest that you be there or be a plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles!

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Absolute Bowie – The Crescent, York – Friday 22nd September 2023 September 27, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:10 pm
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I have never been a huge fan of tribute acts and I have only seen a handful over the years. Some that were very good and many that, let’s say politely, weren’t. As far as David Bowie tribute acts went I really wasn’t interested, but then I went to Fibbers in York in January 2017, a year after David Robert Jones’ death to see Absolute Bowie. Let me be completely honest, I really didn’t want to enjoy it, but I did. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I have now seen Absolute Bowie four times including this 2023 show at the wonderful Crescent in York. To paraphrase the words of the Dame himself I had drunk a lot (well a couple of glasses) of wine and I was feeling fine and ready for a night of Bowie nostalgia. I was lucky enough to see the real David Bowie 13 times. That is never going to happen again, so I am happy to accept a classy show from Absolute Bowie, fronted by one of the best Bowie tributes in the world, John O’Neill.

This tour consisted of two sets. The first was a celebration of fifty years of Ziggy Stardust, a character that Bowie famously, or perhaps infamously, killed off back in 1973 and the second was a a great selection of mostly 80s hits. The costume changes in the first set were truly spectacular and included facsimiles of many of Ziggy’s weirdest and most extravagant costumes. All the classic Ziggy period tunes were there. Highlights for me were “Moonage Daydream”, “Time” and “Life On Mars”. The Spiders costumes were spot on too, especially Mick Ronson a.k.a Andy Marr. But it wasn’t just Marr’s costume that was perfect, so was his emulation of Ronson’s greatest riffs. I have never been the biggest fan of Bowie’s 80s output, although I do own everything he ever released, so I wasn’t expecting to be wowed as much as I was by the second set. Kicking off with “Look Back In Anger” was a master stroke. Even “Blue Jean” sounded very special. But my favourite part of the whole night was “Young Americans”. The singalong opportunities with that classic from 1975 almost brought a tear to my eye! I would urge any Bowie fans who feel negative towards tribute acts to get yourselves along to an Absolute Bowie night. We know it’s not the real thing, but it is certainly the closest you are ever likely to come. A truly maximum rock ‘n’ roll night and immense fun remembering the Dame in all his glory!

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Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – Week 3

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 3:24 pm
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Regular readers will know that I was invited back to judge this year’s Battle Of The Bands competition at the Fulford Arms in York. It is a fabulous honour to be chosen to judge such a great contest! As I am on the judging panel, I do not think it is fair to review the shows. But I thought you might like a few updates, this is the third one and covers the final two of the six heats.

Heats 5 and 6 took place on Wednesday, 20th September, and Thursday, 21st September. The lineup for Heat 5 was Red Recluse, Manic Calm, Ømmis, and 5 Or 7. It was yet another close contest, and Manic Calm, along with Ømmis will be in the semi-finals! Heat 6 had another great lineup with Trent and the Crickets, Hunter Gatherer, Gents and Ginger, and I Tell Lies. The two acts going through to the semi-final from Heat 6 are I Tell Lies and Hunter Gatherer. Gents and Ginger initially made the cut but were unable to make any of the dates. Get yourself to the Fulford Arms on Friday, 29th September for the first of the three semi-finals! The other two semi-finals are on Saturday, 30th September, and Friday, 6th October. Check out the semi-final lineups below.

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Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – Week 2 September 18, 2023

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 4:58 pm
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Regular readers know that I was invited back to judge this year’s Battle Of The Bands competition at the Fulford Arms in York. Obviously, as I am on the judging panel, I do not think it is fair to review the shows. But I thought you might like a few updates, and this is the second one.

Heats 3 and 4 took place on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th September. The lineup for Heat 3 was Frantics, HÆrtstrings, Chased By Machines, and Uncultured. It was a very close contest, and HÆrtstrings and Frantics will be in the semi-finals! Heat 4 had another great lineup with Belle Velvet, Offbeat, Robo, and Darted. The two winners of Heat 4 were Belle Velvet and Offbeat. Get yourself to the Fulford Arms on Wednesday 20th September and Thursday 21st September for Heat 5 and 6!

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Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – Week 1 September 17, 2023

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 1:52 pm
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I am incredibly honoured and pleased to say that I have been invited back to judge this year’s Battle Of The Bands competition at the Fulford Arms in York. This year, it is a much bigger event with six heats, three semi-finals, and the final. Obviously, as I am on the judging panel, along with some fine people who are all a part of the music scene in York, I do not think it is fair to review the shows. But I thought you might like a quick update, and yes this one is a bit late.

The first two heats took place on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September. The lineup for Heat 1 was Heavy Bloom, Attacker TV, Anthea Drive, and Someone Else’s Radio. It was, as usual, a tight contest, and Heavy Bloom and Attacker TV made it through to the semi-finals! Heat 2 had another great lineup with Fervent Red, Rockbreath, Vaquelin, and Stageminus. The winners of that heat were Vaquelin and Fervent Red. Look out for a brief post on Heat 3 and 4 very soon. Get yourself to the Fulford Arms on Wednesday 20th September and Thursday 21st September for Heat 5 and 6!

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