I have been lucky enough to see young York music funsters the Unnamed Band a couple of times and each time they showed a lot of promise. Their delivery of some great classic rock cover versions were ace and their self penned songs were good but needed a bit of polish. Well they have had the polish out and “Don’t You Know” is so well buffed that it screams to be heard! If you love a hard driving funky rock song then look no further. If the Unnamed Band ever need a name, on the strength of this release, I would name them the Fucking Good Band!
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Robo kindly invited me to this gig for the launch of their new single “All Night” and frankly it would have been rude to refuse! So obviously I went along and I am glad that I did. Community Centres like this one are like a home from home for me after more than 30 years as a mobile DJ. But it was an interesting place for a gig like this. There was some great support before the main event too. First up was Jasmine Lowe, someone I had heard a lot about but had not seen until now. She has a wonderful collection of sad songs that drift in the soft swell on a sea of serene fragility. The songs with spoken word elements reminded me of Kate Nash. In Jasmine’s voice I can hear not just Kate Nash but also Delores O’Riordan and on the saddest of the sad songs a hint of Sinead O’Connor too. Jasmine is a great performer and she knows how to write a great song. I definitely need to see her again.
Next up it was the Unnamed Band. This was the second time that I have seen them, the first was just a couple of weeks ago when they supported Pedestrian at the Fulford Arms. Once again they played mostly covers and as before that selection of classic songs was deliciously eclectic and included the Kaiser Chiefs, the Killers and Chuck Berry. Ace front man took a walk through the crowd during an incredible “Johhny B Goode”. They played a good version of the Hall and Oates 80s smash “Maneater”. The short, saxophone supported, excerpt from “Careless Whisper” dedicated to guitarist Luke and his girlfriend was nicely done. They then played “I Can See Your Face” which Luke actually wrote for said girlfriend. Luke it sounds like she’s a keeper! When I reviewed them earlier I said that I thought their originals were good but that they needed a bit of polishing. I was quite touched when I spoke to Arthur later and he said that they had taken that advice on. In fact that much was evident from their fiery, barnstorming closer “Don’t You Know”.
Finally it was time for Robo. I can tell you that for this performance, their first headline sell out, they were as tight as fuck! Their were shades of Television spliced with the Doors, but without the Ray Manzarek keys. On one song (was it something like “Appalachia”?) it was like hearing the ghost of Jeff Buckley. On the song were the band introduced each other and added each members star sign it took me back to the Floaters “Float On”, not in style, just in sentiment. Robo are far more rock than the Floaters ever were. Some of the band’s songs draw on the blues base of Led Zeppelin and drag it into the 21st Century. When they psych out they do it with style and panache. For one song they were joined on stage by a talented female vocalist who added a Nicoesque layer to the track. The finale was a storming live take on their new single “All Night”. You can find my review of that song here. But essentially if you imagine Tom Verlaine producing the Arctic Monkeys it might sound a little like this new song. This was a short, punchy and absorbing set from a band on top form. After that we were treated to a premiere of the “All Night” video which was produced and directed by Natasha Pugh. The video will have a separate review soon on these very pages. All I will say before that is that it is bloody good!
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Four bands in one night is how I kicked off my gig journey for 2025. All at the fabulous Fulford Arms and promoted by Northern Radar. Simon P, head honcho of Northern Radar, has never let me down with his choice of bands. Would tonight be that moment? Read on to find out dear reader. The evening kicked off with the Unnamed Band. It’s not that they don’t have a name, the Unnamed Band is their actual name, genius! They played mostly covers, but they played them damned well. The selection of covers was gloriously eclectic. It ranged from Chuck Berry to the Killers. They also included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kaiser Chiefs, the Fratellis, and Queen along the way. The band’s original songs are good, but probably need a bit of polishing. Arthur Kay is a great frontman and I believe that this bunch have potential.
Second on stage were Sweeping Statement. I would describe their sound as Post Punk Prog. I suspect that if you used Artificial Intelligence to create a band that mixed largely unrelated genres and encouraged moshing it might well deliver Sweeping Statement. At one point I thought that this band were very good but probably wouldn’t set the world on fire. Then they did a Pixies cover and an original called “Working Man”. Those two blew me away! They also get a bunch of extra points from me for hating Reform UK and GB News. Check them out!
The penultimate band was Birdlands. I reviewed their debut album ‘Season Of Loss’ back in October. I love that album and I have an apology to make to the band. Due to a clerical error it never made it onto Mayhem’s Top 20 albums of 2024. John Peel would have loved Birdlands. They are very much post, post, post, post punk with an added pinch of funk, punk and jazz. The band were on fire. At times, their sound reminded me of David Bowie’s touring band from 1978’s Isolar 2 tour. Frontman Billie’s vocals were a little Bowieesque at times too. Evoking the Bowie of Tin Machine and ‘1: Outside’. Billie’s angular, motorik, Ian Curtis style dancing was a sight to behold. This was an almost perfect set. What would have moved it to absolute perfection? More time! Apparently they only rehearsed once for this show, now that is fucking awesome!
Finally it was time for the headliners, Pedestrian. They might be called Pedestrian but you could never describe their music or performance as such. They absolutely fucking smashed it with their delicious funky, angular art rock sounds. Flo’s vocals are truly ‘out there’ in a simply perfect way. Her performance was powered by some kind of perpetual motion. They have been a band for just over a year and this was, surprisingly, their first headline show. One of their songs gave birth to a mosh conga, I kid you not! Their is a dark funk vibe to some of their songs, particularly the slower numbers, and I love this. There was also some classy threads of Lene Lovich in Flo’s performance too. The cover of the Beatles “She Loves You” was great. Did they perform that one for Battle Of The Bands at the Fully last year? “What’s In The Box” and “Rush Hour” were two massive highlights in an awesome set. The latter turned the funk up to 11. Personally I would not have fancied following Birdlands onto the stage, but Pedestrian blew the fucking roof off. In a sad footnote Pedestrian will be bowing out as a band. (is that why the grim reaper style character was the centrepiece of the gig poster?) This was their penultimate gig. But I suspect that the individual members will go on to new musical projects. I certainly hope so!
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