With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

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

Live At The Library – York Explore – Sunday 19th May 2024 May 29, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 10:13 pm
Tags: , , , , , ,

This was a fundraiser for Explore the organisation that runs York’s wonderful libraries. The show was pulled together by that wonderful human being Joe Coates of Please Please You. Activities going on throughout the day including an open mic session and screen printing workshops. Sadly I missed all of those, but I was in the city centre library Great Hall for some great music. There was also some excellent poetry, particularly from Stu Freestone, whose cheese rap was awesome. First up was Rowan, of Rowan and Friends fame, with a rather spiffing solo set. He gave us folk with a punk attitude with some intelligent and often very humorous lyrics. The Jesus song (sorry I didn’t get the full title) was ace as was the bloody hilarious closer “Love On Top”. But for me where Rowan comes into his own is when he sings about York. “Leeman Road” and “Skeldergate” are magnificent story songs. Rowan is to York as Jonathan Richman is to New York.

Marnie Glum (not her real name) was next. She has the vocal styling of Joni Mitchell the clarity of voice that only Karen Carpenter and perhaps Rumer could match and a smattering of jazz in her tunes. Her band is phenomenally talented and helped Marnie bring her wonderful songs to life. She closed her set with “Fairweather” which in my opinion is her best song to date, although she hinted that new music might be coming soon. “Iron Me Out”, “Polaroid Ghosts” and her Bjork cover were highlights! But it must be said that “This Car’s A Train Wreck” is crying out to be covered by Taylor Swift. Are you listening Taylor?

Finally, it was time for Bull, probably one of the best bands to emerge from the York music scene, ever! I have compared them to the Byrds before and their harmonies during this gig mean that I absolutely stand by that comparison. But Bull have so much more than that within their musical arsenal. They have psych, some ethereal pop, a bit of rock, and plenty of punk attitude all aligned with some throwbacks to Frank Black, the Pixies, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, and even early R.E.M. Bull are intensely informal and always seem to be having a gargantuan amount of fun on stage. Their gigantic sound is built around some stylish, simple yet exquisite songs. They have moments of quietness, very appropriate in a library, that soar to frantic, frenzied sonic magnificence. Their debut album ‘Discover Effortless Living’ from 2021 was good, but this year’s ‘Engines Of Honey’ takes them to a new level of true greatness. They gave us songs from both albums in this stunning set. “Start Anew”, “Stuck!” and “Green” were probably my highlights, but oh boy the competition was tough! You need this band in your life if they are not already. If I had to encapsulate their performance in two words those words would be fucking and brilliant!

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.

 

Everything After Midnight – Micklegate Social, York – Friday 5th May 2023 May 8, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:51 pm
Tags: , , , , ,

This was the first time I had been to a gig at the Micklegate Social in York since before Covid and it is still a wonderfully intimate basement venue. It is almost perfect for smaller shows, but I really hope they can sort out the toilet issue, two toilets for the whole venue upstairs and down really isn’t good enough. Anyway, that is enough of a toilet rant, let me get on with telling you about the gig! First up was Rowan, who has been featured on these pages before. This talented troubadour weaves some great tales in his 21st Century folk-style songs. “Skeldergate” is epic, contemporary, and topical (in a York sense for the latter). While many of Rowan’s tunes have somewhat dark themes, “Once A Rock Star” proves that he can write stuff that is a bit lighter, although even here there are some dark elements, but this was a great song with a hint of Jonathan Richman behind it. Tom Gulliver was next and he has a great collection of songs. “Place Of Peace” was damned good indeed. At times Tom’s vocal phrasings reminded me of Elton John, Mark Everett a.k.a Mr. E, and even Marc Almond. Everyone one of those inflections fitted perfectly with his well-played maniacal acoustic guitar playing. My highlight from his short set was probably “Cemetry Song” which I thought was sublime.

Next on stage, was Marnie Glum who says in her socials that she writes “sad songs for sad saps”, which I think is a little self-deprecating. She does write some sad songs, but for me, they work for everyone on many emotional levels, not just for sad saps. Marnie’s voice has the quality of a 21st-century Joni Mitchell in her phrasing and a hint of jazz in her styling, particularly on the new songs. She tells kitchen sink dramas and heartfelt soap opera tales with her infectious tunes. She is a Clifford T Ward for our troubled times. “Polaroid Ghosts” is gorgeous, heartfelt, and soul-baring. If you love great music then you need Marnie Glum in your life!

Finally, it was the turn of headliners Everything After Midnight to take centre stage. Their opening song showed the depth of musical quality they now have as a band. It was largely acoustic and fucking beautiful as it built to a fabulous 1970s rock-styled crescendo. The wah-wah style guitar licks were ace. The way Everything After Midnight have grown in confidence, skill, and stature since I first saw them a mere 15 months ago is incredible. Tonight is the fifth time I have seen them live. They possess a great maturity of thought and attitude that belies their age and adds to the compelling complexity of their rather wonderful tunes. I really loved “Sale Sign” with its mostly spoken word vocal, an awesome track. The band was joined on stage by two of the support acts for “Still Sleeping”, Marnie Glum and Tom Gulliver. The latter of whom produced the first Everything After Midnight EP. The final song of the evening was a cover of Razorlight’s 2006 UK number one “America”. It was a chilled take of Razorlight’s greatest tune. Some might say the only decent tune Razorlight ever did! But enough of Johnny Borrell’s boys, Everything After Midnight played a perfect set for such an intimate venue, another mark of a great band.

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.

 

Trueman And The Indoor League – Fulford Arms, York – Saturday 26th March 2022. March 30, 2022

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 5:42 pm
Tags: , , , , , , ,

This was originally planned, with a slightly different lineup, as Shezza’s Leaving Do. Shezza is of course Chris Sherrington who has decided to move on to different pastures after being at the rather wonderful Fulford Arms for quite a few years. And like many of us, Covid caught up with Chris so he was unable to be there for his leaving do! I am sure we all wish him a speedy recovery. Emerson, Lake and Palmer once said “Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends” (“Karn Evil 9” from the 1973 album ‘Brain Salad Surgery). Maybe the show that never ends will be Shezza’s Leaving Do. If it is I am sure it will be an absolute blast! A big shout out to Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography for all the excellent pictures below.

Rowan – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography
Amy May Ellis – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

Unfortunately, Luke Saxton had to pull out, so I hope you are better soon sir! First on stage was Rowan. This bloke does folk with a punk attitude. His songs are full of anger, sadness, and also fun, even though some of those tunes are incredibly short. He makes his acoustic guitar talk and the way he attacks it gives it a real percussive element too. “Scrap Heap Man”, now that is a song! Following Rowan was singer-songwriter Amy May Ellis, who I first saw at the York City Screen Basement back in 2016. I said this about her nearly six years ago, “She is a great talent with a haunting and siren-like voice which weaves the words of her songs with a soaring grace.” that comment remains true. Musically she writes and performs 21st Century ethereal folk music with one foot in the long history of English folk storytellers. Amy has a gorgeous voice that reminded me of Laura Kindelan and on some occasions, her vocal phrasings were reminiscent of Bjork. She also has a great style of banter with her audience too. Why did I wait nearly six years before seeing the immensely talented Amy May Ellis again? I don’t plan on leaving it to 2027 for my next live show from her!

50% of Seattle On The Mantle – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography
What the Dickens? 50% of Seattle On The Mantle – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

Next was Seattle On the Mantle, this was the second time I have seen them. The first being in November last year when they were supporting Seagoth. Back then they were a four-piece but they seem to have lost a couple of band members since then as they appeared here as a two-piece. It definitely sounds like the split with the most recent bass player was somewhat acrimonious, but I won’t dwell on that, this is a gig review, not a gossip column right? The two members left played an absolute blinder of a set. This is a band quite like no other, although, that said, I did detect some small pockets of influence from the Libertines and the Velvet Underground. The only song from their drunkenly planned concept album (how prog it would be to make a one-song concept album?) was a musical highlight for me. Another highlight was perhaps having an ace drummer stood up behind an economical drum set which he played like a sticksman possessed while dressed as a character from a Dickens novel. Great songs from a truly entertaining band, a Seattle On The Mantle album, concept or not, is needed methinks!

Trueman – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography
The Indoor League’s very own Clarence Clemons – Photo by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

In a recent review, I described tonight’s headliners Trueman and the Indoor League as a Pound Shop E-Street Band. When I first wrote that my wife said “you can’t say that, it’s mean”. I replied that I meant it in a good way and thankfully that is the way the band took it, something I discovered after speaking to a few of them. Anyway, after a stupendous set, it is fair to say that they are definitely more E-Street than Pulp. They are evolving into a band that puts on more of a full-on entertaining review than just a gig. “Flares” and “Frivolous Things” were my top picks from tonight’s show, but it was a hard choice indeed. Trueman is a veritable cultural commentator through his songs which are in most cases astute observations of ordinary life. I believe that this band has the potential to outgrow intimate grassroots venues and ultimately move up to Arenas. So in case that happens, and I hope it does, then you need to get out and see Trueman and the Indoor League at wonderful places like the Fulford Arms while you still can. I am really hoping for an album from this lot soon. One final question, if the band ever graduates to playing stadiums will they have to rename themselves Trueman and the Outdoor League?

All pictures, except the gig poster, were taken by Aron Murray, Head Honcho of Vexed Music Photography. The videos were found on YouTube. If the video is yours and you would like a credit or for it to be removed please let me know.

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.