With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

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

Flat Moon – The Fulford Arms – Thursday 26th February 2026 March 8, 2026

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 5:09 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

It had been quite a while since I last saw Leeds Funkateers Flat Moon. In fact it was back in August 2021 when they stepped in to replace YouVee supporting TommyRot at the Vaults in York. So have they got better, stayed the same, got worse? Read on to find out dear reader, because first I need to tell you about the two rather splendid support acts.

First up it was the always delightful Gents and Ginger. I reviewed their album ‘Githerments In Groove’ 18 months ago. Sadly it was just the Gents as Ginger was unwell. But they didn’t let that deter them. They were still cranking the funk dial up high with some dirty, lowdown, bluesy bass heavy jams. I love how this lot are not afraid to use the space between the notes too. At times they reminded me of the early days of iconic Scottish funksters the Average White Band. Their cover of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” really got the whole room grooving.

Next up it was No Cameo from Leeds. This was funk rock with a hard edge or perhaps math rock on speed. I sensed an occasional nod to the Red Hot Chili Peppers too. The band’s new single “Win A Fortune”is a sonic nuclear explosion with the power to wipe out a small country. No Cameo signed a record deal earlier in the day with the same label that Flat Moon are signed to. Their music won me over easily, but the band chanting “fuck the far right” sealed the deal!

Finally it was time for Flat Moon. This was a fiery, funky mix of the likes of Parliament, Funkadelic and Pigbag. A truly funkbustible combination. Flat Moon can move, they can groove and they can fucking party too! They played a new song (something about a layby I think) which was very special indeed with elements of James Brown and Sly Stone. Can white boys sing the blues? (To paraphrase Deacon Blue). Possibly but this bunch can outfunk the best of them! But it is not just the funk, their salsa and Latin beats are so authentic I thought that I was back in Cuba. The band did a great ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ skit in the set and it was on a par with classic US comedy show Saturday Night Live from the 1970s. Has there ever been a funk mosh circle before? I have no idea, but there fucking is now!

It was also good to see so many members of great bands past and present in the audience. I bumped into members of Sweeping Statement, Heartsink, Punk Ass Kids, Vagabond and the now sadly departed Everything After Midnight. What a fantastic night!

If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin.

Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch via EMail.

 

‘Githerments In Groove’ – Gents & Ginger October 6, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:49 pm
Tags: ,

York band Gents and Ginger have got a funk box and they know how to use it! Their recently released album, ‘Githerments In Groove’ showcases their steadfast talent for being as funky as hell. There are a few great instrumental workouts on the album. “Ricke” opens proceedings with an explosion of joy while “Abience For A Kebab Shop Pt II” oozes the style and ability of some of the great funk bands from the past to rock out. I think I prefer the songs here that feature vocals and the first of those to appear is “Turtle”, musically it has the feel of the classic Bowie band from the 1974 American tour. “4 Silly Balls”, what a great title that is, and “Style Control” power on like extended versions of one of the jazzed up interludes that Earth, Wind, and Fire included in their best 70s albums. There is a strong 80s synth-pop vibe in “Those Were The Days” and this gorgeous story song is one of the best on the album. On “Hardware Store” the band gives a very British take on George Clinton. This probably just about shades it as my favourite track on this fine collection.

Gents & Ginger join a club of great artists that have recorded a song about tea, this includes Kacy Musgraves, the Police, Nirvana, the Kinks, and Led Zeppelin to name just a few. The song, “Social Tea”, has some great Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs feeling in it. I was reminded of early Commodores tracks like “Machine Gun” while listening to “Bunk Bed” and “Hi-Vis Activator”. The album closes with the heartbreakingly beautiful “Don’t Delete The Playlist”. This is perfect as a late-night chill-out tune. It would fit perfectly on Angela Griffin’s Radio 2 show. The band explained the album title saying “Githerments is defined as a collection of unmatching things, much like the contents of the album, yet they are all somehow in groove with one another.” It would be hard not to agree with that statement! This is a great album, if I have one minor complaint it would be that at just under 32 minutes it is too short, but it really is a rewarding way to spend 32 minutes of your time!

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.

 

Battle Of The Bands 2023 – Fulford Arms, York – Week 3 September 27, 2023

Filed under: Observation — justwilliam1959 @ 3:24 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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.

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.