The Gigwatcher 30/08/2006

Aft'noon..

Slightly late again this week I'm afraid, but I got waylaid reading about the Reading Festival in this week's NME (if anyone wants the aerial photo poster things just let me know and they're yours). After I turned to the back pages and was surprised to find it rammed to the gills with news of gigs in our locale (it's a big locale, honest):

CSS @ Audio, Brighton - 09/09/2006
White Rose Movement @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/09/2006
Trailing Laces @ Unit 22, Southampton - 18/09/2006 (supported by Brannigan's Law, who have that Ant Shue on rhythm guitar so they do)
The Misfits @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 27/09/2006
Peter Bjorn & John @ Sumo, Brighton - 27/09/2006
Hot Club de Paris @ The Consortium, Bournemouth - 28/09/2006
Air Traffic @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 04/10/2006
Babybird @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 05/10/2006
Metric @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 06/10/2006
The Young Knives @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 09/10/2006
Rooster @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/10/2006
Plan B @ The Union, Southampton University - 17/10/2006
Milburn @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 19/10/2006
Howling Bells @ The Joiners, Southampton - 24/10/2006
The Long Blondes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/10/2006
Guillemots @ The Corn Exchange, Brighton - 29/10/2006
Scissor Sisters @ The Brighton Centre, Brighton - 11/11/2006
Scissor Sisters @ BIC, Bournemouth - 16/11/2006
Gomez @ The Old Market, Brighton - 26/11/2006
Ray Lamontagne @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 03/02/2007

As soon as I can be bothered (as there's a lot to type) I'll add the above into the SoMC Events Calendar, where they'll join all the other gigs I stumble across, such as the following:

Who's This @ Chicago Rock Café, Fareham - TONIGHT! (They're a Who tribute act, nice)
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band @ The Brook, Southampton - 01/09/2006
Hudson10 @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 09/09/2006
Teddy Thompson @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/09/2006
Peter Andre @ Chicago Rock Café, Fareham - 05/10/2006 (no, really)
King Naat Veliov & the Original Kocani Orkestar @ Turner Sims Hall, Southampton - 07/10/2006
The James Taylor Quartet @ Turner Sims Hall, Southampton - 14/10/2006

There's more where they came from, all you need to do is register on the forum and you can interrogate the Events Calender to your hearts content. If you're still in doubt then this handy posting on the forum should answer most of your questions.

In addition to the above gigs, tomorrow night sees the first semi-final of The Wedgewood Room's Showcase'06 event. I mention this because The Pancake Eating Freaks will be playing, having won their heat earlier in the competition. If you like Californian Punk why not go along and give the lads your support.

As mentioned in the big list above, Brannigan's Law are gigging at Unit 22 in Southampton in a few week's time. Click on the link to visit their online presence and hear some demo material.

Crumbs, I'm nearly at the end of this week's Gigwatcher and I've not gone off on one about Girls Aloud! Oh yes, that's right, I did it here. Well, that about wraps it up for this week.. see you in the funny pages.. or the yellow pages.. whatever..

The Gigwatcher 23/08/2006

Shoulda known, shoulda cared, I shoulda hung around the kitchen in my.. umm.. err.. *koff*

[tumbleweed]

OK, so I'm going to see The Tweedy and chums this weekend (sadly not at Portchester Castle, curse you local goverment) so I'm more than a little bit excited. That said, hopefully there'll be a beer tent so I can evade the horror that is Journey South. Anyway, all this talk of Girls Aloud has reminded me that I know of someone who has a spare ticket for this fine event for sale. If anyone out there fancies taking it off his hands leave a comment and we can, like Noel Edmonds, do a deal.

And so, after that poorly constructed and quite shameless sales message, it's that time of the week again. I've pored over the back pages of the NME and have found the following local gigs (for local people):

Keith @ Unit 22, Southampton - 09/09/2006
The Rifles @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 02/10/2006
NME Rock'n'Roll Riot Tour (featuring The Fratellis, The Horrors, The Maccabees and The Dykeenies) @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 11/10/2006
Mumm-Ra @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 29/10/2006
Two Gallants @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 01/11/2006
The Magic Numbers @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 14/11/2006
The Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Southampton University, Southampton - 21/11/2006
The Charlatans @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 30/11/2006
Paolo Nutini @ The Dome, Brighton - 02/12/2006

The above gigs will, just as soon as I have a spare five minutes, join all the other gigs I find on my travels across the interweb in the repository that is the SoMC Events Calendar, like the following for example:

Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 25/08/2006
Kojak's Revenge @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 26/08/2006
The White Knuckle Blues Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 16/09/2006
The Poozies @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 04/11/2006
Easy Star All-Stars @ The Brook, Southampton - 04/12/2006

If you want to peruse the Events Calendar then this handy blurb should answer most of your questions. There's bound to be something listed that pulls your chain, or the chain of someone you know, or the chain of whoever is in the cubicle next to you.

If Girls Aloud aren't your thing then there's plenty of music in the area this weekend. From Friday through til Monday the sixth annual Southsea Folk & Roots Festival will be taking over the South Parade Pier (and a couple of nearby pubs); more information can be found here. If that doesn't grab you, and it looks like rain, why not stay home and indulge in some on-line karaoke. Bizarre, truly bizarre.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week; have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and, above all, be excellent to one another..

;o)

The Gigwatcher 16/08/2006

Hello everybody..

Apologies for the delay this week, it's been one of those days; a whirlwind of meetings, legacy restores and laptops misbehaving themselves (I think they're doing it to spite me). Before my afternoon got taken up with all things going wrong I had enough time at lunch to peruse the back pages of this week's NME to see what's coming our way, thus:

Ben Kweller @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 21/09/2006
Embrace (with Delays) @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 04/10/2006 (a dilemma for Shaun there)
The Eastpak Antidote Tour (Gogol Bordello, Bedouin Soundclash, Danko Jones & Disco Ensemble) @ The Dome, Brighton - 06/10/2006
Rancid @ The Dome, Brighton - 20/11/2006
The Long Blondes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/10/2006
Jamie T @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 28/10/2006
Rancid @ The Dome, Brighton - 20/11/2006
Lostprophets @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 28/11/2006
James Morrison @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 11/12/2006
Kasabian @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 16/12/2006
Kasabian @ BIC, Bournemouth - 18/12/2006

As soon as I get a spare five minutes I'll add the above into the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar; there they'll join all the gigs that catch my eye as I wander across the interweb, such as...

!!! @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 21/08/2006 (it's pronounced 'chk chk chk')
Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 03/09/2006
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band @ The Brook, Southampton - 01/09/2006
Arlen @ The Cellars at Eastney - 20/09/2006
Seth Lakeman @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 04/10/2006

If you want to peruse the repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar, then I've knocked up something that should answer all your questions. There's gigs on there through to the end of the year so there's bound to be something that boils your egg, or the egg of someone you know, or the egg of that bloke who sits across from you and looks at you funny).

And finally.. the new Scissor Sisters single reminds me of the Nolans. Discuss.

TTFN

The Gigwatcher 09/08/2006

Another week and another rock icon sadly leaves us...

"Oh, the snot has caked against my pants, it has turned into crystal..."

So sang Arthur Lee, of seminal 60's outfit LOVE, who sadly died last week. In case you're not aware of his work I urge and implore you to hightail it to the nearest music emporium and purchase a copy of their Forever Changes album; it really is a beautiful piece of work and may well improve your quality of life just by hearing it...

And so to the Shippam's meat paste of the Gigwatcher sandwich; once again I've squandered my lunchtime to bring you good people the local highlights from the back pages of the NME:

Keith @ The Joiners, Southampton - 09/09/2006
Babyshambles (with The Holloways and The Noisettes) @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 03/10/2006
The Cooper Temple Clause @ Southampton Uni, Southampton - 15/10/2006
Club NME on Tour @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 17/10/2006
Milburn @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 23/10/2006
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 24/10/2006
DJ Shadow @ BIC, Bournemouth - 07/12/2006

I'll update the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar with the above just as soon as I get the chance; there they'll join all the gigs I trip over on my forages through the interweb, such as...

One Weird Fish @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 12/08/2006
Gilkicker @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 19/08/2006
Catfish Keith @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 14/10/2006
Ezio @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 18/10/2006
Kate Rusby @ New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 19/10/2006
King Creosote @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 25/10/2006 (Kenny, as he's known to his chums, is a thoroughly nice chap; Neil and I had a chat with him in the bar at the Wickham Festival)

Don't forget, if you'd like to peruse the repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar, all you need do is point your browser to that place and log in (there's bound to be something in there that pops your cork, or the cork of someone you know, or the cork of someone you haven't yet met but is just a blind date away).

Nathan has posted up some information on the forum about a one-off gig of a favourite band of his. And that just about wraps it up for this week. Relax.

The Gigwatcher 02/08/2006

Well, here we are again.

I hope you're all having a lovely super smashing week (note to self, stop inserting Jim Bowen catchphrases into everyday conversation) and not, like me, muttering and swearing at Lotus Notes because of how rubbish it is when it up and abends on you three times in a row [takes deep breath and goes to the happy place]. My regular lunchtime perusal of the back pages of the NME has yielded the following local gigs:

The Young Knives @ Southampton University, Southampton - 08/10/2006
Ladyfuzz @ The Joiners, Southampton - 09/10/2006
Infadels @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 10/10/2006
James Dean Bradfield @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 15/10/2006 (one for Shaun)
Rye Coalition (plus The Bell Rays) @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 24/10/2006
Delays @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 20/09/2006
Liam Frost & The Slowdown Family @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/09/2006
Juliette & The Licks @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 15/11/2006

I'll add those onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join all the gigs I trip over on my journeys across the interweb in an "Oooh, look at what you could've won" sort of way..

Ezio @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 15/09/2006
Jim Bob (ex-Carter USM) @ The Edge of The Wedge, Southsea - 17/09/2006
W.A.S.P @ The Brook, Southampton - 31/10/2006 (no, I couldn't believe it either)
The Wonder Stuff @ The Brook, Southampton - 06/12/2006
Delays @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 20/12/2006

If you'd like to interrogate the multitude of local gigs that the Events Calendar contains just point your browser to the usual place and log in (there's bound to be something in there that floats your boat, or the boat of someone you know, or the boat of that strange guy over there who keeps winking at you).

Apropos of nothing, this Risk-type game is way too addictive for its own good. And that just about wraps it up for this week.. if anyone is off to the Wickham Folk Festival this weekend then chances are I'll see you there, if you're not then I won't.. toodles!

The Gigwatcher 26/07/2006

Nobody mention air-conditioners (the failure of which have caused the Gigwatcher to appear much later than planned) and we might make it through this OK. In the few brief minutes I had to scan the back pages of the NME this lunchtime (before I found myself in a small hot room full of expensive IT equipment that had acquired a funny 'burning' smell) I was able to spot the following:

Seafood @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/07/2006
The Rifles @ The Wedgewood Room, Southsea - 02/10/2006
Embrace @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 04/10/2006
J Spaceman @ The Arts Centre, Salisbury - 20/10/2006 (an acoustic return to the stage)
Lily Allen @ Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/11/2006 (I bet it sells out damn quick too)
The Zutons @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 29/11/2006

I'll bung the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join the large number of gigs that I stumble into on my endless journey across the interweb, for example:

Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 28/07/2006
Scarlet Soho @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/08/2006
The Hamsters @ The Brook, Southampton - 11/08/2006
Kojak's Revenge @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 26/08/2006
Amy Wadge @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 27/09/2006

Yadda yadda if you wish to interrogate the repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar rhubarb rhubarb just point your browser to that thing in the place and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy, or the fancy of someone you know, or the fancy of whoever happens to be sat beside you).

As readers of The News will know, Fareham Borough Council have done for Girls Aloud. Bah, and furthermore, humbug. Status Quo can rock all over the world, just not in Portchester thank you very much. I'm beginning to think maybe Anakin was right with his views on dictatorships. There's a feature in today's edition where several people expressed their umbrage at the decision, not that it'll make a jot of difference.

Right, I'm out of here before the lightning hits and fubars the air-conditioning again. Allez, c'est la maintenent!

The Gigwatcher 19/07/2006

Yo Blairs.. how's it hanging?

That George Bush, he's so street. I bet his air-conditioning works as well. Don't get me wrong, I like the heat.. but it's a dry heat (first one to name the movie wins a bag of molten yoghurt covered banana pieces). Moving swiftly on, with my Diet Coke warming gently, here are the goodies from the back pages of this week's NME:

The Automatic @ Southampton University, Southampton - 04/10/2006
The Goo Goo Dolls @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 08/10/2006
Paolo Nutini @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 09/10/2006
Larrikin Love @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 04/09/2006
Aberfeldy @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/09/2006
The Flaming Lips @ BIC, Bournemouth - 04/11/2006
The Feeling @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 11/11/2006

I'll bung the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join the large number of gigs that I trip over on my endless journey across the interweb, for example:

Dead Jack @ The Frog On The Front, Southsea - 20/07/2006 (OK, so I've not added this one in yet)
John Otway @ South Parade Pier, Southsea - 21/07/2006 (nor this one.. NTL have been 'fiddling' with my broadband)
Who's Who @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 25/07/2006 - This is a benefit gig for local guitarist Steve Kew.
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 28/07/2006
Manfred Mann's Earth Band @ The Brook, Southampton - 27/09/2006
The Selecter @ The Joiners, Southampton - 08/11/2006

Don't forget that the first heat of The Wedgewood Rooms 'Showcase 06' competition (featuring The Pancake Eating Freaks) takes place on Monday 24th July.

Blah blah if you want to interrogate the vault of local gig-ness that is the Events Calendar blah blah just point your browser to blah blah and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy, or the fancy of someone you know, or the fancy of whoever happens to be sat beside you).

And on the Forum, the Girls Aloud saga rumbles on. There have been letters in The News every day this week, all decrying the NIMBYs. Lovely. Oh, and the Mercury Music shortlist has been announced; tough one to call this year.

And that about wraps it up for this week. If you go out in the sun don't forget the sunscreen (so you should now remember that song and have it in your head all day (it makes a change from Brett whistling the theme to The Great Escape I guess).

Adios!

The Gigwatcher 12/07/2006

Hello campers..

Before we get down to my usual ramblings, let us take a moment to reflect on the passing of Syd Barrett with these lyrics from one of my favourite songs of his..

colonel with gloves
strauss leeches
he isn't loved on 'Sundays Mail'
all the fives crock Henrietta
she's a mean go-getter
gotta write her a letter

If you haven't heard any of Syd's solo work I suggest you check out The Madcap Laughs, it isn't easy listening but it's interesting and intriguing stuff.

Moving swiftly on, it's Wednesday once more and, just for you good people, I've pored through the back pages of the New Musical Express to pick out the tasty local morsels of gigness, thus:

Plan B @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 23/07/2006
The Boy Least Likely To @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 05/10/2006
The Rapture @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 09/10/2006
Paul Weller @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 02/12/2006

I'll add the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join the many many other gigs that I stumble into on my amazing journey across the interweb, for example:

Dlugokecki @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/07/2006
Bad Manners @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 03/08/2006
Delays @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 20/09/2006
White Rose Movement @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/09/2006
The Bluetones @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/09/2006

Next week also sees the beginning of The Wedgewood Rooms 'Showcase 06' competition (i.e. battle of the bands). The first heat (of eight) takes place on Monday 24th July. There are four bands in each heat, notable about the first heat though is that the nephews' of one of my colleagues make up one of the acts. The Pancake Eating Freaks play California punk (think Blink 182 or Green Day) and need your support, so why not pop on down to the Wedge and cheer them on.

As I've said before, if you want to peruse the invaluable repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar for more information any of the gigs mentioned, just point your browser at the forum and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy, or the fancy of someone you know).

Meanwhile, on the forum, I've had a rant about the NIMBYs of Castle Street and posted up a link to the shockingly bad video for David Hasselhoff's new single. Words fail me.

Until next week true believers, nanu nanu!

;o)

The Gigwatcher 05/07/2006

It's my fault it's raining.

No really, it is. Yesterday I braved the sunshine and attacked the long grass that makes up my front lawn, thus making the tigers homeless and depriving Andy of his longed-for "Little House On The Prairie" moment. I must have antagonised the Weather Gods somehow by brandishing the Strimmer in a "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart" way, hence the downpour. Serves me right for trying to make a pseudo-crop circle that spelled a very rude word I suppose.. ahem.. anyway, enough of my Titchmarsh antics, here's what I found in the back pages of this week's NME:

Cat The Dog @ Lennon's, Southampton - 08/07/2006
The Organ @ The Joiners, Southampton - 19/07/2006
Captain @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/08/2006 (saw these support Delays awhile back, pretty good they were too)
Jurassic 5 @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 28/09/2006
The Rapture @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 09/10/2006
The Paddingtons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 02/11/2006

I'll add the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join the other gigs I happen to trip over on my forays across the interweb, for example:

Hudson10 @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 09/07/2006
Finger Monster @ The Joiners, Southampton - 11/07/2006 (supported by the rather good Brannigan's Law)
UK Subs @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 22/07/2006
Nick Olivieri & his Mondo Generator @ The Brook, Southampton - 05/09/2006
Los Pacaminos @ The Cellars At Eastney, Portsmouth - 06/09/2006
Sherman Robertson & Blues Move @ The Cellars At Eastney, Portsmouth - 13/09/2006
Bic Runga @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 17/09/2006 (one just for Brett)

In addition to this don't forget the South Coast Five charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK this Saturday. There are 5 bands on the bill, including Brannigan's Law (which features Ant Shue on rhythm guitar and backing vocals) and the action takes place at the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea.

This weekend also sees the return of Dead Jack to the stage; they're gigging at The Wedgewood Rooms this coming Sunday and I'll add details into the Events Calendar just as soon as I get the chance.

As I've said before, if you want to peruse the invaluable repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar for more information any of the gigs mentioned, just point your browser at the forum and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy, or the fancy of someone you know).

The forum has been a bit quiet of late though I bung something up about The Who gig that Andy, Stu, Chris and I caught on Monday (rocktastic it was too).

Well, that's about it for this week.. I made it all the way through without mentioning Wayne Rooney.. oh pants..

South Coast Five

South Coast Five takes place at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea, on Saturday 8th July. 

The event is in aid of Cancer Research UK and features, amongst other fine outfits, Brannigan's Law (who have the SoMC's own Ant Shue on rhythm guitar).

Tickets are £10 and are available by contacting the organisers on 07774 051659 or 07789 742215.  

The Gigwatcher 28/06/2006

Turned out nice again in't it?

The sun is shining, the air-conditioning is fubar again, the baby pigeons in the tree outside the office window have fledged and ickle Tim Henman looks to be on his way out of Wombledon. Oh well. That's the English summer for you. And what to do on these long light evenings now there's a break in the World Cup? I don't really want to check in with the freaks going paranoid in the Big Brother house, and though excellent I've seen Bullitt more times than I can remember. Guess it's time to rearrage the sock drawer again..

Enough of my bimbling, here is the slightly later than usual (due to my having to attend a meeting on Content Management Systems followed by a sojourn in the stores) list of gigs what I found in the back pages of this week's NME:

Rocco DeLuca & The Burden @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/07/2006
The Pipettes @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 05/07/2006
The All American Rejects @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 27/09/2006
Hot Chip @ Bournemouth University, Bournemouth - 08/10/2006
Graham Coxon @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 24/10/2006
The Divine Comedy @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 31/10/2006
New Found Glory @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 28/11/2006

I'll add the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar. There they'll join all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb, for example:

Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 30/06/2006
Dead!Dead!Dead! @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 09/07/2006 (Charity Showcase)
Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers @ The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 12/07/2006
Regina Spektor @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/07/2006 (rescheduled from 27/06/2006)
Wilko Johnson @ The Brook, Southampton - 05/08/2006
Hugh Cornwell @ The Cellars At Eastney, Portsmouth - 18/08/2006

I'll also be adding in details of the South Coast Five charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK which takes place at the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea on the 8th of July. There are 5 bands on the bill, including Brannigan's Law (which, as you all know, features Ant "GuitarMeister ShredKing RiffHero LickMonger Professor of Rhythm" Shue* on rhythm guitar and backing vocals).

Once again, if you want to peruse the invaluable repository of local gigness that is the Events Calendar, for more information on the South Coast Five gig or any of the others mentioned, just point your browser at the forum and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy, or the fancy of someone you know).

The Events Calendar is but a part of the forum, the rest of it features links to interesting stuff, like some cats who look like Hitler. How freaky is that?

So, that's about it for this week. I'm off to listen to the new Seth Lakeman CD, have a good one..





* that's his official name, he told me so.

Music for Anoraks: Transcendental Cheese Meditation

Disco Stu has pillaged his record collection to bring us his latest offering, it's 18 tracks of goodness with an Emmental-tastic name (and this is despite him continually telling me that cheese is not my friend).

As for the guy playing the cheese drums on the cover, his name is Hans Bennink (isn't Google great?) and you can see more photos of him using his Gouda drumkit in action here.

The Gigwatcher 21/06/2006

"Willkommen zu Gigwatcher", as Pele might say if he was on my mailing list.

The shenanigans in Germany roll on, though now without Ickle Michael Owen who crocked himself a treat last night (having popped my knee a couple of times I know much it hurts). If the sight of the wee man crawling off the pitch wasn't bad enough I then found out that the BBC had cancelled Top of the Pops. So much for Tuesday; Wednesday brought forth a strange quorn and lemon mayo concoction in the canteen (interesting) and, of course, the NME:

Four Day Hombre @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/07/2006
Howling Bells @ @ The Joiners, Southampton - 22/07/2006
Seafood @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/07/2006
Keane @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 25/10/2006

I'll add the above onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar. There they'll join all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb, for example:

Dlugokecki @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 23/06/2006 (an acoustic set from the "as heard on Hollyoaks" local singer/songwriter)
Scritti Politti @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 10/07/2006
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett @ Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury - 20/07/2006 (the tickets aren't really free. ahem)
Sandi Thom @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 19/10/2006

I've also added in details of the Tin Hut Music Festival, which takes place in Stroud (near Petersfield) on the 15th of July. There's a mixed line-up of local(ish) acts taking part, the event itself being held to raise money for the Stroud Village Hall Rebuilding Fund. If you'd like to peruse the Events Calendar for more information on the Tin Hut festival (or any of the other) gigs then just aim your browser to the forum and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy).

On the forum there's a link to some quite dodgy 80's music videos and, following the news of TOTP's demise, I revisited Poet's Corner. Oh dear.

And that's it for this week..

The Gigwatcher 14/06/2006

Typical.

The air-conditioner has been fixed and I've stocked up on anti-histamines, therefore the summer has decided to 'do a Ronaldo' and not really bother turning up today. Oh well. On the plus side I have my wee bag of yogurt-coated apricots and this week's NME (featuring a 15 track CD) to keep me entertained. A quick check of the famed back pages has yielded the following:

Dead Kid @ Lennons, Southampton - 22/07/2006
Beth Orton @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 13/09/2006
Orson @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 27/10/2006

As per usual I'll add these onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar where they'll join all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb, such as:

Mach Schau @ The Joiners, Southampton - 17/06/2006
Rocco DeLuca @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/07/2006
Billy Joel @ The Rose Bowl, Southampton - 14/07/2006
Go West @ Ferneham Hall, Fareham - 05/10/2006 (I was tempted by this, out of sheer curiosity you understand, until I found out the tickets were £20)

I've also added in details of the FREE Sunday afternoon gigs at the Bandstand in Southsea this summer. As with previous years the afternoon gigs are themed, each week offering something different to listen to. There's a broad selection of musical tastes catered for, including Indonesian Samba (no, me either), and there's always the added bonus that the sun might come out.

If you wish to peruse the contents of the Events Calendar for more information on the Bandstand gigs then just point your browser to the forum and log in (there's bound to be something in there that tickles your fancy).

Well, that's it for this week.. remember, if you see a punk rocker with flowers in their hair be sure to laugh and point..

;o)

The Gigwatcher 07/06/2006

Ahh.. isn't it a lovely day? The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the office's air-conditioner has gone 'tits up' again and the pollen is really making my eyes sore. Yes, the brief annual English flirtation with summer appears to have again arrived. Lovely. And just in time for the World Cup too, which is nice.

Unlike the beautiful game, the Gigwatcher doesn't have jumpers for goalposts, and it's not so much 'two halves' as 'two slices of drivel bread with a yummy peanut butter filling'. It also has a cold bottle of Cherry Diet Coke and a copy of this week's NME, thus:

The Pipettes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 04/07/2006
GoodBooks @ The Joiners, Southampton - 21/07/2006
Howling Bells @ The Joiners, Southampton - 22/07/2006
boykillboy @ Southampton University, Southampton - 20/10/2006
Razorlight @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 31/10/2006
Primal Scream @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 29/11/2006

Yes, we've not even really started into Festival season and the end of year gigs are being plugged already. As per usual though I'll add these onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar, along with all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb.

If you wish to interrogate the Events Calendar then just point your browser to the forum and log in (if you're not a fan of football then you may find a live musical event to entertain you).

Well, that's it for this week.. if anyone is off to the IOW Festival this weekend I hope you have a real good time. The crowd are on the pitch, they think it's all over.. etc..

The Gigwatcher 01/06/2006

OK, so the Gigwatcher is a day late. I have a valid excuse though, and it's not one involving dogs eating my homework or being swept into another dimension after a bizarre incident involving a rollercoaster then having to fight evil dragons with only my trusted unicorn for company. If you must know I was in the pub.

Now, I know what you're thinking, "Dave? In the pub? With his reputation for abstinence? Gadzooks!", but it's true. My sojourn in a local hostelry meant I didn't have time to peruse the NME's back pages. Thankfully today my lunchtime has been alcohol-free, thus:

The Fratellis @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 08/06/2006
The Feeling @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 29/06/2006 (this has sold out.. no, I couldn't believe it either)
The Heights @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/07/2006
Vincent Vincent & The Villains @ The Joiners, Southampton - 09/06/2006
The Automatic @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 19/07/2006

Once again there's not much to report; it's fast approaching festival season so the back pages are full of shiny adverts luring people to stand in fields and watch tiny people on a stage*. As per usual though I'll add these onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar, along with all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb. Recently added to the Calendar are the following:

Brian Houston @ The Cellars, Eastney - 21/06/2006
Brannigan's Law @ The Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea - 08/07/2006
Blue Oyster Cult @ The Brook, Portswood - 19/07/2006 (!)

Brannigan's Law are, of course, the band featuring the SoMC's very own Ant Shue, and are well worth checking out.

Well, that's about it for this week. I made it safely through my regular drivel without going off on one about Peter Crouch's amazing robot dance. Oh. Oops.

Auf wiedersehen..

;o)

* tiny? or far away?

The Gigwatcher 24/05/2006

Another week in rock has passed us by; I'm now closer to forty than I've ever been before and, strange but true, on Friday night a geeky looking American made me do squats.

[tumbleweed]

No, really.

*koff*

Moving swiftly on; once again I've played my dangerous game of reading the NME at lunchtime, though it didn't remind me of the heady days of Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin:

Zero 7 (with José González & Sia) @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 29/05/2006
Roland Shanks @ The Joiners, Southampton - 02/06/2006
Echo & The Bunnymen @ The Old Market, Brighton - 05/06/2006
The Heights @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/07/2006
Milburn @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 14/07/2006

As per usual I'll add these onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar, along with all the other gigs I stumble across on my forays across the interweb. I have to say though, this week's are all a bit of a trek to get to/from. What we need is a local gig, for local people. To be precise, one that I can walk home from..

Girls Aloud @ Portchester Castle - 26/08/2006 (!!!)

Yes, believe it or not, The Tweedy and her chums are rolling into the village for an evening's entertainment (I wonder if they'll pop in the Seagull for a Light Ale or an Alcopop?). And Status Quo are there the next night, which is nice. More information can be found on the forum.

Ant "Axe-meister" Shue has furnished us with more information on next Tuesday's Brannigan's Law gig at Unit22. Brannigan's Law are second on the card, so they should be on stage around 2100ish. For those travelling by train (i.e. me) there's a free Citylink bus from Southampton Central Station to the venue. Which is nice.

One Weird Fish roll into town again this Friday; they're at The Railway Inn in Gosport, entertaining the masses with a fine selection of choice covers from the 70s/80s/90s, come on down and check them out why don't you.

And that's that. Until the next time...

The Gigwatcher 10/05/2006

Ahh.. we're midway through another week, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the air conditioning is on the blink.. lovely. Anyway, enough of all that, here are the meagre offerings from the back pages of the NME this week..

You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 18/05/2006
Jamie T @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/06/2006
The Holloways & The Pigeon Detectives @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/07/2006

..not all that much I know, mostly because the back end of this week's paper is full of big colourful adverts for festivals that have pretty much sold out already. Nice. Regardless, I'll add these onto the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar.

As I may have mentioned once or twice before, the trusty Events Calendar is continually updated to include any up and coming gigs, at a variety of local venues, that I happen to stumble across on the interweb (for example the forthcoming visits to the Wedgewood Rooms by Regina Spektor and Nizlopi). The Events Calendar is an almost invaluable resource for the gig monkey, why not register on the forum and give it a spin (oh g'won.. please?). As well as gigs purloined from the NME it also features local gigs by local people:

One Weird Fish @ The Railway Inn, Gosport - 26/05/2006 (any band that kicks off their set with Warriors Of The Wasteland gets a big thumbs up from me)
Bushmen @ The Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea - 08/07/2006 (Ant Shue takes to the stage for the indie funksters' live debut)

Yes, the SoMC's very own Ant Shue will begin his path to total rock domination at the Royal Beach Hotel. They are, according to Ant, "better than Wyld Stallyns". Excellent! [insert guitar noise here] He's assured me that there will be a bar, so I'll be there.

And finally, in the week that saw Theo Walcott get called up to the England World Cup squad, the Official England World Cup song poll thing continues on the forum. I must say, having heard the Tony Christie effort, the official song doesn't sound all that bad.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week.

Under Your Nose Vol.3

Portsmouth label Under Your Nose has recently released its third compilation from (mostly) local artists. The track-listing is as follows: 
 

01 Little Bitch - 'UYN Volume Three Intro'
02 Simian Plus - 'L.I.F.E.'
03 Big Squirrel - 'German Sex Tourist (Rusty Sheriff Remix)'
04 Weedbeeds - 'Mumma'
05 Dr. Food - 'Krimticulous'
06 Wiservice - 'Drawn In (Dub)'
07 Fotza - 'Council Gritter'
08 Thief - 'Tell You Tomorrow'
09 Lenski featuring MC Whipcrack - 'Life of Luxury'
10 The Exits - 'Neon City'
11 Udy vs Golden Section - 'Intermangle'
12 GlitchswitcH - 'Hollabak'
13 Simon Heartfield - 'Cubular Theme'
14 Vortechtral - 'Ascension'
15 Ian Void - 'Version 2.0'

MP3s of the above tracks can be downloaded, in one big ZIPped up package, from the UYN website. Gratis. Which is nice.

The Gigwatcher 03/05/2006

Don't you just love Bank Holidays? They make the week just that wee bit shorter. Anyway, I've spent my lunch break perusing the back pages of the NME and have the following gigs of note to report:

Protokoll & Veto Silver @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/05/2006
Semifinalists @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 06/06/2006
Billy Talent @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 11/07/2006
The Cult @ Southampton Guildhall, Southampton - 19/09/2006 (yeah baby!)

These will be added into the Son of Music Club's Events Calendar, umm, eventually. I know I keep harping on about it but the Events Calendar is continually updated to include any up and coming gigs, at a variety of local venues, that I happen to stumble across on the interweb. It's a handy resource for the local gig monkey, you just need to be registered on the forum to interrogate it.

As for the forum, the Official England World Cup song poll continues and there's a free CD with this month's Q which is worth a look.

And that about wraps it up for this week. Remember kids, I read the NME so you don't have to.. though it's worth getting this week if only for the comment on the Letters page from the Ed which says people should ignore Pete Doherty and his drug-fuelled antics. I've been trying to do that for ages.. but they keep putting him in the bally paper!

[bud-dum-dum tish!]


I'll get me coat...