It is always sad when a great band decides to go their separate ways, especially one as good as York’s Everything After Midnight. But this parting last year was clearly amicable as Steph and Jacob from the band are now performing as After Midnight and the rest of the band turned up to show their support at the duos debut gig in York last month. Sadly the talented support act, Kitty VR was unwell and unable to play. However we were treated to two sets, one by Steph and Jacob as After Midnight followed by another from the pair with friends. It was great to hear so many great songs from the Everything After Midnight catalogue. “Still Sleeping” was the best of the night for me. But the cover of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”, Stockard Channing’s key song moment in the 1978 blockbuster movie, ‘Grease’ ran a very close second. I should add that this venue is incredible, a bakery and cafe by day and a gig paradise by night. A bit like a super hero with a secret identity. But most importantly it was great to see at least some of Everything after Midnight back on stage. If the pair of them go solo what happens to the name? Will one be called Midnight and the other one After?
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With humble apologies to the creators of the iconic NOW series of compilations that began in 1983, I posted and compiled the first WOW That’s What I Call Mayhem collection back in March, with volume 2 following just a few weeks ago. So are you ready for volume 3? I certainly hope so, because here it is! This includes the third 20 singles we reviewed in 2024 in another maniacal eclectic playlist for your listening pleasure! With 70 minutes of music, click here and lose yourself in the music!
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Everything After Midnight recently released a new single “So To Speak”, and what an exquisite example of perfect pop-rock it is. It has a summery feel and starts off with quite a soft sound but it builds into something great featuring some mesmeric hooks and riffs. There are tastes of Fleetwood Mac in their late 70s pomp and even a small measure of All Saints at their prime in Steph’s gorgeous, ethereal vocal. This band continues to get better and better with each new release!
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Here is the Mayhem chart for April 2024. Regular readers know that the chart is based on my Spotify listening habits over the last month gathered together by obscurify.com. Apparently, my tastes are 99% more obscure than the rest of the UK! The chart remains contemporary-ish (but if a classic artist releases something new they might feature in the chart). However, the top three “Legacy” artists are David Bowie, the KLF, and Public Image Ltd. Obscurify also suggests the most obscure artists I have listened to and for March those are Liz Davinci, The Apocalypse Disco, and Kindelan. There is a top ten artists chart and a top 5 songs chart. There is the usual eclectic mix of artists, including just one that was in the top ten last month, Delilah Bon! Delilah is one of only two artists to feature in the artist chart and the song chart for April, the other is the Blackheart Orchestra. Delilah Bon has been in the artist charts for five consecutive months and after topping the March song chart with “Maverick” she sits at number two with her new single, “Finally See Me”. Joe Solo, who we interviewed recently, tops the artist chart and Everything After Midnight takes the top spot on the song chart with their cracking new single “Little Hints” So without further ado here are those charts in full! Click on the header of the song chart for the playlist on Spotify.
MAYHEM ARTIST CHART APRIL 2024
1 Joe Solo 2 Grace Potter 3 Ian Hunter 4 Frank Turner 5 English Teacher 6 Julia Othmer 7 The Blackheart Orchestra 8 Delilah Bon 9 Avalanche Party 10 Paraorchestra
1 Little Hints – Everything After Midnight 2 Finally See Me – Delilah Bon 3 Cinderhaze – Stumbleine 4 The Tide – The Blackheart Orchestra 5 Manoeuvres – Carol Hodge
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It is always an exciting night when a great York band plays at a fabulous local venue in their home city. This time it was Everything After Midnight at the wonderful Crescent in York. But before I tell you about Everything After Midnight I will tell you about the two support acts. First up it was Marnie Glum, known as Charlotte to her folks, she is most certainly not glum. She has a voice stolen from one of the Greek goddesses that entertained the deities of Olympus. Her voice is heavenly and has the pureness and clarity that few singers possess. She could harmonise perfectly with Karen Carpenter and Rumer. Marnie Glum is not just that gorgeous voice though, she is also an incredibly talented songwriter.
Rushbonds from Leeds were next to take the stage. They played some delightful soulful prog-jazz. Vocalist Robyn McLeod could make a living singing pop-styled blue-eyed soul songs but has chosen something far more challenging and so much more beautiful. They have an incredibly sparse drum set up and yet drummer Teruki Chan draws sounds and volume that would have impressed John Bonham. Nika Ticciati on keyboards and synth performed like a young Rick Wakeman or Keith Emerson. “Close But No Cigar” was my highlight of a set full of them. I love a band that defies being easily packaged into a genre box and Rushbonds cannot be pinned down to any one genre!
Finally, it was time to witness the obscenely talented Everything After Midnight. This band is always on fire but tonight it was on a super nova level. Steph gets better as a singer and frontwoman with every show and this gig showcased her at her most captivating and powerful best. I have watched this band grow into something special musically since I first saw them back in February 2022 when they supported Where’s Slater at the Victoria Vaults in York. They are still moving forward and despite how incredible they are I don’t think they have hit their peak. What do they sound like? Think Tori Amos and Wolf Alice backed at times by some really decent prog rock, but a band also well aware of what makes a great pop song. As far as lyrics go then Steph is the Priestess of poetry, her lyrics are not just clever, they are meaningful and add so much to the songs. The highlight for me was probably their new single “Little Hints”. This was a brilliant set which also featured a classy guest appearance from Louise of Pennine Suite. I love this band, and to cap it all they are all wonderful human beings!
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The new single from Everything After Midnight opens like a more upbeat Cocteau Twins track and then at around 40 seconds in it expands its musical scope into something so much bigger. The guitar chops are as funky as fuck and Steph’s voice is ethereal and soars heavenward with immaculate ease. The band have spoken about the song and said that it “is about the bittersweet feeling of sharing intimacy one last time before parting. The lyrics “dial and comply, recite the cliché, if this is goodbye then that is okay” encapsulates the clichés of break ups, post break up sex, relief, sadness, love, and acceptance.” This tune is a sign of a band being more complete with each release and each gig! Click here to stream “Little Hints” on Spotify.
I am looking forward to hearing “Little Hints” live at the Crescent in York tomorrow, Friday,
April 19th 🙂
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It has been a while since the last Mayhem Singles Round Up so I thought how about one that focused on bands and artists from or based in York? This post contains songs from eighteen different artists and showcases the diversity of styles, the strength of music, and the depth of the music scene in my adopted city of York. All these tunes were delivered into the world by the magical music stork in the last few months. OK fact fans, three of these acts have a link to the school that I currently work at, can you guess which ones? Click here to take a listen to a Spotify playlist of all eighteen tracks, which is more than an hour of fab music! In case you are interested, the order of the songs was simply drawn out of a metaphorical hat 🙂
“G.U.N.N.E.R” – YouVee YouVee get proper heavy on this blockbuster of a tune. Shades of early Kasabian and even Black Sabbath abound!
“Start A New” – Bull – This is a band that moves closer to perfection with each release and “Start A New” has the makings of a Bull classic. The harmonies are good enough to melt even the hardest of hearts with the genius of adding a school choir too.
“Make Up” – Pennine Suite – I reckon this is Pennine Suite’s finest song so far. It has power, awesome vocals, and a chorus that sticks around in your head for quite a while.
“In Ecstasy” – Shed Seven featuring Rowetta – York’s musical titans the Sheds are back and with an absolute banger featuring the unmistakable vocal support of the magnificent Rowetta.
“Break In The Weather” – Benjamin Francis Leftwich – A gorgeous ballad of heartbreak that shows the emergence of buds of hope. Potentially a real tearjerker.
“Rebellion” – Anthea Drive – Is this Anthea Drive’s heaviest tune yet? I think so. Full of mountainous, immaculate riffs and roaring vocals.
“Your Mind’s Closed” – Offbeat – A delicious slice of indie pop that will get everyone moving a indie nights everywhere. I felt like the ghost of Altered Images haunted this tune a couple of times.
“Said And Done” – Fendry and Liv North – British rap is alive and well and Fendry might one day be at the forefront of it. This delightful collaboration with Liv North has parallels with some of Eminem’s work with female vocalists like Rihanna. Ace beats and rap that bleeds feelings and passion.
“Alive” – The Apocalypse Disco – If the apocalypse is truly on its way then this bunch must be on your end-of-the-world soundtrack. This joyous slice of electro does make me want to stay alive though. Dance to it and tell the four horsemen of the apocalypse to fuck right off!
“Marionette” – Vaquelin – a deep, dark tune from one of my favourite rock bands, Vaquelin. As usual, the guitar sound is immense as are the vocals. But the stand out is the drumming which would give Bonham and Moon a run for their money!
“Kelly’s In The Garden” – Heavy Bloom – A wonderfully chilled indie-style pop tune, like Air with added guitars. This will be on my summer playlist for next year.
“Tomorrow” – Fervent Red – This hits you like a hard-edged Beatlesy Brit Pop tune. It has a slight psychedelic vein running through it and a rather nifty chorus.
“Solemn Power” – The Exceptional Mr. Hyde – Is this electro dance or heavy rock? Actually, it is both. If Hawkwind began in the 21st century they might sound like this. This bodes well for their upcoming album!
“Last Train To Selby” – PERCY – Those West Yorkshire Superheroes are definitely back on form. A song that only PERCY could deliver. A great singalong that highlights a ghost on the train lyric. Check out the excellent video below.
“On My Mind (Radio Edit)” – CHAZ – A pounding piano-led house anthem that would move even the comatose. Dance music is alive and well in York as this debut single from CHAZ proves. The vocals are brilliant too.
“Save Your Time” – Rosettas – This captures some of the energy and power that the Rosettas have on stage. A great tune from a great band and every member is on top form.
“How Can You Be” – Everything After Midnight – My favourite Everything After Midnight song from the first listen. It has been aired live in a different form. But now it is an all-round close to perfect tune. The guitars smack you in the face in a good way while Steph’s vocal is close to heavenly.
“Fixed Point” – Heartsink – Those cheeky pop-punk chaps Heartsink have another great tune for our delectation. A little more acoustic than usual, at least initially. But a song that turns the riffage and passion up to 11 towards the fade.
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Everything After Midnight is a band that has grown in strength and confidence since forming four years ago. This gig was a showcase for the launch of their new single “I Guess,” and promoted by the talented Mr. P at Northern Radar. How did Everything After Midnight perform? You will need to read on to find out as there were two great support bands, neither of which I had seen before. Starting with PH7, they kicked off like the 60s Fleetwood Mac but with more of a Heather Baron-Gracie (Pale Waves) vocal sound. It would not be easy to put PH7 into a specific genre and they have some great tunes. “Botheration” was ace. Their cover of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” really kicked arse and rocked harder than Chris Martin and the lads have ever done. The PH7 guitarist was stunningly good, but sadly he is leaving the band. If you get a chance to see PH7 live, take it!
Next, it was the wonderfully named Mollie Coddled. If you can imagine Cydi Lauper fronting a jazz-funk/post-punk hybrid then you might come close to how Mollie Coddled sounded to me. The bass sound and playing was immense and skillful. Sadly, just like the PH7 guitarist the Mollie Coddled bass player is leaving, this was his final gig. “Guilt Trip” gave me some Hooray For The Riff Raff and Bran Van 3000 vibes. Meanwhile, “Lonely Bitch” was like a 60s girl group and punk crossover, like classic early Blondie.
Finally, it was time for the future legends known as Everything After Midnight. They took to the stage while the jaunty and jolly theme from The Simpsons was playing. That really had to be their walk-on music didn’t it, given the gig poster. The big question was whether Lisa Simpson might play some saxophone for them, sadly she didn’t, but maybe next time. This was a really imaginative set that bordered on epic in both style and content. The band was in top form and showed super-powered control and command of the depth and dynamics of their sound. Everything After Midnight have continued to develop a real melting pot of musical styles and influences with which they create that distinctive and idiosyncratic Everything After Midnight soundscape. They have matured relatively quickly for a band, and remain hard, or more likely, impossible to drop easily into a specific genre box. There is alt.folk, electric folk, prog, post-punk, classic rock, and even some melodies that would not be out of place in a classical music score.
Jacob’s guitar playing moves from Mick Ronson to Johnny Marr and most things in between. Then there are Steph’s soaring, confident vocals, she has grown hugely as a singer since I first saw the band back in February 2022. In this set, I felt that she had the sweetness and clarity of Sandy Denny’s voice and in the heavier moments more like Kiki Dee on steroids or Lulu fronting a metal band. The highlights were plentiful and bounteous, but among that crop of great songs “Real Estate” and new single “I Guess,” stood out for me. Check this band out NOW, that is an order!
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I had the pleasure of visiting Everything After Midnight Mansions last week on the eve of the release of the band’s fabulous new single “I Guess,“. Hear me chew the fat and shoot the shit about all things Everything AfterMidnight and other music-related stuff with three members of this rather wonderful York band! Click here to listen to the interview and let us know if you enjoyed it! Look out for a live review of the band from the single launch gig on Friday 23rd June, that will be coming soon!
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Everything After Midnight are back with a huge, anthemic, banger of a tune called “I Guess,“. It opens and closes on a relatively quiet and low-key acoustic style vibe, but in between it packs more punches than Muhammad Ali did throughout his whole career. It has a massed choir of jangly guitars but that is sometimes overlaid with mountainous riffs. The drumming is pounding, incessant and insistent, and if you were wondering I do mean that in a good way. Steph’s voice is pitch perfect as she carries the tune perfectly with a real rock panache while remaining in touch with the pop elements of the track, notably the gorgeous hooks, and chorus. Lyrically it is smart, sassy, cutting, and clever, lines like “kiss me, cos’ I’m a number, cold, hotel lobby” evoke sadness, anger, sarcasm, frustration, and much more in just a few seconds. I think Steph is channeling her inner Leigh Nash (vocalist of Sixpence None The Richer) on “I Guess,”, although I suspect that this is certainly unconscious channeling given that band’s biggest hit was back in 1998, some 25 years ago. The production is of absolute quality too, nothing fails in the mixing and you can hear every member of the band playing supremely well. Everything After Midnight’s earlier releases, including 2021’s ‘Still Sleeping’ EP have all been good, but “I Guess,” takes them to a new and magnificent level entirely. Get this band in your life now, you will regret it if you don’t! Also, look out for a gig review on them and an interview with them appearing on these pages very soon!
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