With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

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

Plastic Factory – Album Launch – Fulford Arms – Friday 30th August 2024 September 10, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:12 pm
Tags: , , , ,

I am always interested in seeing a band that I have never seen before and Plastic Factory are new to me. Are they named after the Captain Beefheart song of the same name I wonder? But I have seen and enjoyed both support acts before. First up it was Eugene Gorgeous, they are like a swampier, slightly less frenetic, but definitely still a tad bluesy Dr. Feelgood. They have some great songs, particularly the cannibal track. That one was hilarious, entertaining, and like no other band. There is a slight undercurrent of Nick Cave in their sound. They can be quite funky at the same time as showing their post-punk chops! Eugene Gorgeous creates gorgeous music for gorgeous people and not-so-gorgeous people too!

Victory Samosa have a complete arsenal of original pop-rock hooks. There is so much to like in their music which draws on some of the finest British artists. At times there were elements of the early Dire Straits, Rockpile, and Nick Lowe. Their songs are classic and well-thought-out story songs that are hard not to like. When they really put the pedal to the floor they sound like a more edgy Killers. Will Evans’ voice has hints of both Elvis Costello and John Lennon. I am still hoping that there will be a Victory Samosa album someday. Oh, and I have to say that the man on drums for Victory Samosa seems like the happiest drummer in the world. A truly great band!

Plastic Factory were here to give a formal launch to their album ‘Forgotten Dreams’ which was released a couple of days previously. They have a jingle jangle indie style with some cool ’60s vibes thrown in, think maybe the Byrds and the Hollies. The featured harmonica adds a fabulous extra dimension to some great songs. “The Bluest Eye” is based on Toni Morrison’s first novel, published in 1970, and is a stand-out track. Maybe I need to read the book now! “Tough Decisions” was a fine slice of funky rock which was like a polished Stranglers demo just missing the organ work of Dave Greenfield. My favourite track of the night was “Hollow Gesture”, a song which I believe is a smart takedown of that ridiculous clap for the NHS thing during Covid. The crowd participation, which was obviously clapping, was ace on this one! The closing cover choices were sublime and perfect; “Let’s Stick Together” (Bryan Ferry) and a magnificent take on the Feelgood’s “Down By The Jetty”. Plastic Factory played a blinder and I got to make two Dr. Feelgood references in one post, so all in all a great night of music!

If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.

 

Sherbert Flies – The Crescent, York – Tuesday 6th, August 2024 August 14, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:52 pm
Tags: , , , , , , ,

I always like it when I get to see a band that I have never seen before, so Sherbert Flies attracted me. But so did the mighty Soma Crew and Eugene Gorgeous. Eugene Gorgeous was first to take the floor, as it was a relatively small crowd the bands all played in front of the stage. They play funky post-punk sounds, does that make it post-funk? I don’t know, but in alignment with their name, they do make gorgeous music. I have seen them a couple of times before, back in 2016 I said of them “Imagine, if you will, the Velvet Underground meeting the Jesus and Mary Chain at a dive bar in Twin Peaks”. That description still stands, only they have got so much better too. This was a great set, the new song is damned good and would give the Strokes a run for their money, it also has a nifty Dr. Feelgood vibe. Sometimes their sublime garage rock has a bit of Nick Cave in it. A band for the ages. I promise not to leave it so long before I see them again!

Next, it was the turn of the magnificent Soma Crew. Let me be clear, absolutely no one does dark, dirty, psychy drone like Soma Crew. This is a supremely talented band. Frontman Si has more effects pedals than I have ever seen arrayed in front of one person. I think he must have a PhD in effects pedals mastery! All the songs were ace tonight, but it was “This Illusion” that reached sublime heights for me. If you haven’t already checked out the new album, ‘Confused OK’ you need to do it now!

Finally, it was time for Sherbert Flies who I had never witnessed before. Apparently, they formed in York ten years ago. They are grungy, punky, and highly original. The rhythm is hard and full-on in its delivery. The guitar sounds draw influence, but don’t steal, from fine classic rock. The vocals are laconic. lo-fi and, lush which both contrasts and complements the dynamic, Germanic, motorik rhythms of their awesome canon of songs. I want to give a huge shout-out to the drummer who feels like the engine room of this great band and he dominates his kit like a master sticksman! I need more of Sherbert Flies in my life! Incidentally, the band’s name is one of the best I have heard in ages. Does it relate in any way to the title of Alex Chilton’s first solo album from 1979, ‘Like Flies on Sherbert’? This night featured another great lineup pulled together by Joe at Please Please You.

If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.

 

Eugene Gorgeous – Fulford Arms, York – Wednesday 28th November 2018 November 30, 2018

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:46 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes I really need to psych myself up to go out to a gig on a week night, especially a Wednesday. But a gig hosted by Joe Coates (Please Please You) and Simon Pattinson (Northern Radar) ought to make it worth it and frankly it was well worth it! It was also great to catch up with the top bloke that is Dan Lucas, head honcho of the wonderful Boss Caine. First up was a sneaky set from one of York’s best bands, Skylights. A good opportunity for a final live show before their showcase headliner at the Brudenell in Leeds the following day (a review of that show will be heading your way very soon!). Often bands on first play like they are a support band, but Skylights blew that one away. They smashed into this like they were headliners. They were magnificent from the opening bar of “Life Line” to the loud feedback driven end to “Reverb”. Obviously “YRA” was amazing, but tonight “Britannia” stole the show for me. This was a  band totally ready to bring the house down at the Brudenell at their next gig.

Next up it was Liverpool’s the Mysterines. I must confess that I was not sure of that name, but once they start that becomes irrelevant. The noise they create is some of the best rock music that you will ever hear. The pace never slows down and “I Just Love To Hate You” is possibly one of my new favourite songs. Lia Mysterine’s voice has the passion of Patti Smith, the punk attitude of Joan Jett and the cheeky glam tone of Suzi Quatro. With a drummer channelling the spirit of Keith Moon and the Muppets Animal, alongside a bass player that provides a deep thudding underlay the Mysterines are destined to go far.

The headliners tonight, Eugene Gorgeous, should be the subject of some work by the world famous Pete Frame of Rock Family Trees fame. The singer’s brother is a part of Bull and tonight the drummer was Harry from Black Lagoons and the collective has representation from other bands too. The simplest way to describe them would be eclectic, but even that doesn’t do them justice. For me they have a lot of prime Lou Reed period Velvet Underground about them but then they put that aside with an incredible cover of Aretha’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” in which they don’t change the gender, which makes it work even better. This is the first time that I have seen them in more than two years and the VU came up in my description of them back then. I said “imagine if you will the Velvet Underground meeting the Jesus and Mary Chain at a dive bar in Twin Peaks.” well I believe that description still stands .Vocalist Paddy Beer is like the EverReady bunny fuelled by energy drinks and milk! If you love music then you cannot dislike this mightily talented bunch. I don’t think any of them are actually called Eugene but they sure as hell make the most gorgeous noise! If you haven’t caught up with Eugene Gorgeous yet then I suggest that you get yourself acquainted with them immediately!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTnDEFCy9mY

Public Service Announcement: – All photographs (except the Eugene Gorgeous name tag) 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.