The Gigwatcher 22/11/2006

Howdy do..

I know, late again. I can only apologise for the Gigwatcher's tardiness for I was tied up with real actual work. No, really I was. Honest. Stop laughing at the back, I'm being perfectly serious. I was doing proper manly IT work; lifting heavy tape libraries, pushing the impressively masculine blue trolley of dobber and swearing at SCSI adaptors with some aplomb.

Umm.

OK so I was down in Stores listening to the radio, y'happy? I couldn't help it, Edith Bowman was having a go at Lil'Chris. I mean, that's just not right, she should pick on someone her own size.

Oh.

She was.

*koff*

Moving swiftly on, here's the cream of the gigs listed in the back pages of this week's NME:

Little Man Tate @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 29/11/2006
The Levellers @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 03/12/2006
Rocco Deluca @ The Joiners, Southampton - 21/12/2006
Kerrang Tour 2007 (featuring Biffy Clyro, The Bronx & The Audition) @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 18/01/2007
The Noisettes @ Mr Kyps, Bournemouth - 20/01/2007
The Maccabees @ The Joiners, Southampton - 01/02/2007
Larrikin Love @ The University, Southampton - 10/02/2007
The Noisettes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/02/2007
Keane @ BIC, Bournemouth - 22/02/2007
The Black Keys @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 25/02/2007
Eagles of Death Metal @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 10/03/2007
Incubus @ BIC, Bournemouth - 08/04/2007

As per usual I'll update the SoMC's Events Calendar with this just as soon as I can be bothered. The SoMC Events Calendar is, of course, rammed to the gills with lots of local gigs for local people (y'know, like you lot). However, in order to ch-ch-check it out (you see what I did there?) you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum (it's simple, painless and, best of all, FREE!). If you're still undecided, here's some gigs from the Events Calendar that I've picked for your perusal:

The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Joiners, Southampton - TONIGHT
Ed Harcourt @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - TONIGHT
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 24/11/2006
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 25/11/2006
Spear of Destiny @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 30/11/2006
The Jamm @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 08/12/2006
King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 09/12/2006
The Bluetones @ The Brook, Southampton - 07/02/2007

Such is the demand for Steven Seagal's appearance at The Brook on 24/02/2007 that a second, matinee, performance has been arranged for the same day. As it's a matinee performance some restrictions apply; no alcohol will be served in the downstairs bar (I don't know if they'll be selling Mr Seagal's famed energy drink instead though).

December the first is, as you should all know, World Aids Day. In an effort to promote Aids awareness (and, at the same time, have some fun) the mighty Hudson10 are once again joining forces with the equally mighty Adi Henry to become Adi & The Gaze. The gig takes place at the Old Vic in Portsmouth, entry is FREE; a whole load more information on what they've got lined up can be found here.

Red Honey & The Pimps, featuring the legendary John 'Two Chillies' Nixon on guitar, are taking to the stage. They'll be bringing their brand of X to the Nell Gwynne in Southsea on Saturday 2nd December and I expect to see you all there.

Well, that's about it for this week.. this afternoon I have mostly been listening to Wolfmother (does anyone have a flute they want to sell me?).

The Gigwatcher 15/11/2006

Back beat, the word is on the street...

So we're a week closer to Christmas and the Oasis 'best of' has been released. The NME have, quite surprisingly, given it the full 10 out of 10. To be honest I think I'll stick with the first two albums and perhaps buy The Masterplan in the Music Zone sale. Not to be outdone though The Beatles have released a 'new' album too. It's the soundtrack to a Vegas show, comes on 5.1 Surround DVD and is, from what I can make out, like a Jive Bunny Mastermix (but without the hand-claps). As for whether it features the previously unreleased efforts of the famed Fifth Beatle, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, I can't say.

*koff*

This way to the cafeteria.. I mean, here's the pick of the gigs listed in the back pages of this week's NME:

White Rose Movement @ The Joiners, Southampton - 26/11/2006
Union of Knives @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 26/11/2006
The Futureheads @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/12/2006
Ralfe Band @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/12/2006
Forward, Russia! @ The University, Southampton - 02/03/2007
Inspiral Carpets @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 07/03/2007
Jet @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 10/03/2007

I'll add them into the SoMC's Events Calendar just as soon as I can. Don't forget that the SoMC Events Calendar is just packed with forthcoming local gigs for local people. In order to access this most useful of resources you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum. Once you've signed on the dotted you can also post up reviews, jokes, plugs or whatever the hell you want to (within reason) on the forum boards. To whet your appetite here's a selection of local gigs I've found on my aimless wanderings across the interweb:

The Bluetones @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 18/11/2006
Flip Top @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 18/11/2006 (and I've double-checked on The Cellars MySpace to make sure)
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 19/11/2006
Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ The Dome, Brighton - 27/11/2006
Miss Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra @ The Consortium, Bournemouth 29/11/2006
Thea Gilmore @ The Brook, Southampton - 18/03/2007
Girls Aloud @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 29/05/2007
Girls Aloud @ BIC, Bournemouth - 30/05/2007

The Sawdoctors gig at The Brook on 10/12/2006 is also SOLD OUT; luckily they've added a second appearance at The Brook to their tour so you can catch the boys from Tuam there on 08/12/2006. Such is the demand for Steven Seagal's appearance at The Brook on 24/02/2007 that a second, matinee, performance has been arranged for the same day. The question now is, of course, at which point in the proceedings should I explode out of a large cake. Ahem.

On the font of all knowledge that is the forum more things are appearing on the YouTube thread. As the new Bond movie opens tomorrow there's some Bond-tastic clips for your perusal. I may add the cute animation about a Kiwi that I found last night, then again I might not.

That's about it for this week, this afternoon I am mostly listening to The Pineapple Thief, and rather good they are too..

The Gigwatcher 08/11/2006

Wibble wibble wibble.

I think my SAD might be kicking in, for some reason I really felt like having a moan this week.

Initially I was going to gripe on about Bar Black in Albert Road; the piano guy isn't there any more, he's been replaced by a DJ so it was actually busy in there on Saturday night. But I guess change is a good thing, and the Wonkey Donkey next door had Match of the Day on.

I then decided to to go off on one about it nearly being Christmas; seven weeks to go and I've not bought a single present yet. But it's my favourite time of year (and I'll be doing a special Lyric Quiz for you good people too).

So I finally decided to kick right off about Sunday's exceedingly lame episode of Torchwood. But I really don't want to relive the trauma of it.

*koff*

Quite. Here's the pick of the gigs listed in the back pages of this week's NME:

Youthmovies @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 09/11/2006
Jeremy Walmsley @ The Albert, Brighton - 12/11/2006
'Taste of Chaos' (featuring Taking Back Sunday, Alexisonfire, Underoath) @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 13/11/2006
Grace @ The Engine Rooms, Brighton - 15/11/2006
Men Women & Children @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/11/2006
The Decemberists @ The University, Southampton - 09/02/2007
Plan B @ The University, Southampton - 15/02/2007
Faithless @ BIC, Bournemouth - 24/03/2007
Faithless @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 27/03/2007

I'll post them up on the SoMC's Events Calendar just as soon as I can. Don't forget that the SoMC Events Calendar is liberally sprinkled with a selection of local gigs for local people, all there for your perusal. However, in order to access this invaluable resource you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum (after which you can post up reviews, jokes, plugs or whatever the hell you want to within reason, on the forum boards).

Umm.

Moving swiftly on, here's a selection of local gigs what I have found on my "Journeys Across The Internet":

The Jamm @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - TONIGHT!
One Weird Fish @ The Cellars at Eastney - 11/11/2006
Misty's Big Adventure @ Unit 22, Southampton - 13/11/2006
Paul Carrack @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 14/11/2006
Amplifer @ The Joiners, Southampton - 19/11/2006
Thunder @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 20/11/2006
The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Joiners, Southampton - 22/11/2006
Sugababes @ BIC, Bournemouth - 03/04/2007
Sugababes @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 12/04/2007

Owing to bereavement, the Dreadzone gig at The Wedgewood Rooms, scheduled for 16/11/2006, has been cancelled. The Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings gig at The Brook on 22/11/2006 is SOLD OUT! The Sawdoctors gig at The Brook on 10/12/2006 is also SOLD OUT; luckily they've added a second appearance at The Brook to their tour so you can catch the boys from Tuam there on 08/12/2006.

Steve 'The Human Jukebox' Arnott will be playing a benefit for the Portchester Players this Friday at Portchester Community Centre. Entrance is by ticket only, priced at a very reasonable £5. There are a limited number of tickets available, if you're interested in attending then leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Meanwhile on the forum things are slowly starting to appear on the YouTube thread; Stu has posted a cracking slice of old skool hip-hop and something by some old chums of his. Elsewhere our resident Spear of Destiny fan has some information he really wants you to know.

And that's about it for this week. I'm off to make a Black Forest Gateau, Heston Blumenthal style! Now, where's my vacuum cleaner?

The Gigwatcher 01/11/2006

Pinch, punch, first of the month..

November hoves into view and brings with it the first icy wind of the season, thankfully I invested wisely in a new duvet during the summer months so I wasn't a complete block of ice first thing this morning. Of course, some might say that the addition of double-glazing or central heating would improve matters further but I'm slight distrustful of such modern thinking (and Ted Moult always gave me the heebie-jeebies, though not as much as that BOGOF bloke I must say).

With the nights drawing in you'll be glad to know that there's a panoply of gigs coming our way over the next few months, which is just as well as The Amazing Mrs Pritchard finishes next week.

*koff*

Moving swiftly on, here's the pick of the gigs listed in the back pages of this week's NME:

CSS @ Nexus, Southampton - 16/11/2006
Polytechnic @ The Old Consortium, Bournemouth - 30/11/2006
The Bishops @ Sumo, Brighton - 05/12/2006
The Hot Puppies @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 04/12/2006
The Good, The Bad & The Queen @ South Parade Pier, Southsea - 28/01/2007
Jamie T @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 30/01/2007
Bowling For Soup @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 07/02/2007
Pink Grease @ The Joiners, Southampton - 24/02/2007
James Morrison @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 26/02/2007
The Killers @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 03/03/2007
My Chemical Romance @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 21/03/2007

I'll update the SoMC's Events Calendar with those when I get a spare five minutes, and here's Troy McClure to tell you all about it...

"Hello, I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such emails as 'Comedy Cat Photos' or 'RE: Fish fish!'. The SoMC Events Calendar is literally (thought not actually) packed with a selection of gigs coming your way. In order to access this resource you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum (if you're not registered then no dice I'm afraid). Once signed-up you'll also be able to post on the forum, though not about fish unfortunately. If you're still unconvinced then this handy posting on the forum should answer most of your questions. Isn't that right Jimmy?"

Yes. Well. Here's a selection of local gigs up and coming that I've found in my journeys across the internet:

Jason Donovan @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 02/11/2006
Altan @ Turner Sims Hall, Southampton - 04/11/2006
Blue Horses @ The Brook, Southampton - 04/11/2006
Deacon Blue @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 06/11/2006
The Jamm @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 08/11/2006
The Selecter @ The Joiners, Southampton - 08/11/2006
Seu Jorge & AfroReggae @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 17/11/2006
Dead!Dead!Dead! @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/12/2006
Steven Seagal @ The Brook, Southampton - 24/02/2007 (yes, THAT Steven Seagal! I don't honestly know if parts of the set will be 'sped up' to make his guitar playing look slicker)

The Ed Harcourt gig at The Wedgewood Rooms, postponed from 14/10/2006 due to a touch of laryngitis, has been rescheduled to 22/11/2006.

The techies at Last.FM have tweaked their website again. This time they've added gig-listings to which you can add yourself as an attendee, after which it adds an entry into your calendar. Nice. They've also added a selection of free MP3s for download, again tailored to your listening habits. If anyone out there wants a Last.FM invite then leave a comment and I'll send you one.

As for the forum, things are appearing on the YouTube thread. I've added some Pure Reason Revolution and Stu has posted a cracking slice of old skool hip-hop. There's also a link to a Prog Band Name Generator. Nice.

And that's about it for this week. I'm off to ride around the city on my bike all day cos the cops took away my licence. Ahem.

The Gigwatcher 25/10/2006

Back once again it's the Renegade Master..

I know, the Gigwatcher is somewhat tardy again this week. My apologies, I had to sit in a small room with a tall man and talk about content management systems. I tell you, the days are just packed with interesting stuff like that happening to me, I should have my own TV show I really should.

[a tumbleweed rolls lazily by]

*koff*

Or perhaps not.

And so down to business, once again I've scoured the back pages of the NME to pick out the local gigs coming our way, thus:

Mojave Three @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 03/11/2006
Four Day Hombre @ The Joiners, Southampton - 06/11/2006
The Hours @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/11/2006
New Found Glory @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 28/11/2006
Nina Nastasia @ Komedia, Brighton - 29/11/2006
The Bishops @ Sumo, Brighton - 05/12/2006
Black Wire @ The Joiners, Southampton - 13/12/2006
Bloc Party @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 27/01/2007
brandnew @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 05/02/2007
Thirteen Senses @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 13/02/2007
The Feeling @ BIC, Bournemouth - 19/02/2007

When I get a spare five minutes I'll add those onto the SoMC's Events Calendar. There now follows a public service announcement..

The SoMC Events Calendar is rammed to the gills with all manner of gigs coming our way, though you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum to peruse it (if you're not registered then, you can't. so there). Once registered you'll also be able to post on the forum; plugging this, asking that or perhaps creating a poll on the new Girls Aloud single (g'won, go nuts and post something).

And now back to our regular programming. Here's a selection of local gigs up and coming that I've found in my journeys across the internet:

King Creosote @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - TONIGHT!
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 27/10/2006
Oxjam Finale @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 31/10/2006 (it's for charidee, and Hudson10 are headlining)
WASP @ The Brook, Southampton - 31/10/2006
Jason Donovan @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 02/11/2006
Lily Allen @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/11/2006 SOLD OUT!
Misty's Big Adventure @ Unit 22, Southampton - 13/11/2006
The Be Good Tanyas @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 15/11/2006 (hopefully the roof won't leak like it did the last time)
The Decemberists @ The University, Southampton - 09/02/2007 (woohoo!)

The Ed Harcourt gig at The Wedgewood Rooms, postponed from 14/10/2006 due to a touch of laryngitis, is STILL yet to be rescheduled.

Brettles braved the rain on Sunday to take part in the Great South Run (apparently he could be seen on Channel 5's coverage), to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation. He finished in the 7000s, his name can be found in the results in today's edition of The News. If you'd like to make a donation to this very worthy cause, you can still do so online.

I've started a YouTube thread on the forum, there's a couple of odd europop clips up so far. If you fancy a look, or want to add something, just go here.

And that's about it for this week; put a fork in me, I'm done.

The Gigwatcher 18/10/2006

Howdy Doody*

Is it me or are the nights starting to draw in? Y'know, it's getting dark earlier, and colder too. Already strange men have started selling pumpkins at the side of the road and, just last night, the sound of fireworks could be heard in my street. The year seems to have just flown by.

[insert mournful violin solo here]

Damn, I'm getting old.

*koff*

Moving swiftly on, in a rare display of multi-tasking I was able to peruse the back pages of this week's NME whilst simultaneously fixing Smudger's laptop (hella yes), hence the following local gigs for local people:

The Paddingtons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 02/11/2006
Fortune Drive @ Lennon's, Southampton - 04/11/2006
The Paddingtons @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 08/11/2006
The Aliens @ Audio, Brighton - 01/12/2006
Goldie Lookin Chain @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 11/12/2006
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly @ Southampton University, Southampton - 18/01/2007
The Boy Least Likely To @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 24/01/2007 (Rescheduled Date)

Just as soon as I can be bothered I'll add those into the SoMC's Events Calendar. And now, a message from our sponsors..

The SoMC Events Calendar is chock-a-block full of gigs coming our way over the next few moths. In order to trawl through this valuable resource you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum (if you're not registered then, well, you can't. them's the breaks I'm afraid). You'll also be able to make postings on the forum as well plugging this, asking that or posting up a link to something on YouTube (g'won, go nuts and post something).

And now back to our regular programming. Here's a selection of local gigs up and coming that I've found in my journeys across the internet:

Ezio @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - TONIGHT! Sold Out
Rick Wakeman & Jon Anderson @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - TONIGHT!
Hudson10 @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Southsea - TONIGHT!
Kate Rusby @ The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 19/10/2006
Sandi Thom @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 19/10/2006 Sold Out
Jason Donovan @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 02/11/2006
Amplifier @ The Joiners, Southampton - 19/11/2006
Tony McPhee @ The Joiners, Southampton - 10/12/2006
Barenaked Ladies @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 01/04/2007

The Napalm Death gig at The Brook tomorrow night has been cancelled, as has the Amy Winehouse gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on 20/11/2006. The Ed Harcourt gig at The Wedgewood Rooms, postponed from 14/10/2006 due to a touch of laryngitis, is yet to be rescheduled.

Brettles will be plodding the pavement this weekend when he competes in the Great South Run. He's running in order to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation, if you would like to make a donation to this very worthy cause, you can do so online here. It'll be on TV so be sure to keep an look out for a breathless bloke dressed in purple (cue Gogol Bordello).

And that's about it for this week, ay caramba!

;o)




* For best effect say in a David Bowie-style voice.

The Gigwatcher 11/10/2006

Aftnoon all..

I've just had a very nice and relaxing weekend in sunny Krakow (and I'm not being sarcastic, it really was sunny and it really was nice and relaxing) so I'm nicely recharged; I'd say it was good to be back but I'd be lying. In Poland the beer is cheap, the weather is good and their version of Deal Or No Deal features a whole bunch of lovely Polish ladies (a vast improvement over Noel Edmonds I'm sure you'll agree), I could quite happily have stayed there but other than knowing how to ask for three beers my Polish is near non-existent.

*koff*

And so back to reality (or as near as I'm likely to come to it) I must return; I've pored over the back pages of this week's fun-packed NME to bring you the following local gigs for local people:

Tiny Dancers @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 11/10/2006
The Southern Electrics & The Rise @ The Pressure Point, Brighton - 11/10/2006
Switches @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/11/2006
The Hours @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/10/2006
Milburn @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 23/10/2006
My Alamo @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/10/2006
Good Books @ The Pressure Point, Brighton - 28/10/2006
Badly Drawn Boy @ The Pyramids, Southsea - 04/11/2006
Gossip @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 05/11/2006
Midlake @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 09/11/2006
Art Brut @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 17/11/2006
Rodrigo y Gabriela @ The Dome, Brighton - 27/11/2006
Captain @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 04/12/2006
My Chemical Romance @ The Brighton Centre, Brighton - 21/03/2007

I'll add those onto the SoMC Events Calendar just as soon as I get a spare five minutes.

Once in place they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my wanderings across the interweb. As stated before, you need to be registered on the SoMC forum in order to interrogate the Events Calendar; if you're not registered then, well, you can't (them's the breaks I'm afraid). You'll also be able to make postings on the forum as well (g'won, go nuts and post something). Moving swiftly on, here's a selection of local gigs up and coming:

Dead Men Walking @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - TONIGHT!
Catfish Keith @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 14/10/2006
De La Soul @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 25/10/2006
King Creosote @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 25/10/2006
WASP @ The Brook, Southampton - 31/10/2006
NME Rock'n'Roll Riot Tour @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 08/11/2006 (rescheduled from the Pyramids on 11/10/2006)
Seth Lakeman @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 13/12/2006

Also, to rain on Mr Yemm's parade somewhat, the Hundred Reasons gig at Southampton University has been cancelled. To bring some sunshine back into his life, they're playing at the Wedgewood Rooms early next year.

As mentioned last week, the charitable efforts of one of the Moustacheers continues. Young Brett, or Bunty as he prefers to be known, will be taking part in the forthcoming Great South Run in order to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation. If you would like to make a donation to this very worthy cause, you can do so online here.

And that's about it for this week; put a fork in my pierogi, they're done!

;o)

The Gigwatcher 04/10/2006

Dzien dobry!

Isn't technology wonderful?

Here we are, in the 21st century, and a little bit of ill communication between us and those chaps at International Omni-Mega-Communications means that Fortress Gigwatcher is cut off from the real world. Apparently a crack team of engineers is beavering away (ooh, a dam, nice!) at fixing the problem, thus you good people out there in the real world will have received this missive sometime after I've sent it. The rest of us are getting withdrawal symptoms from the lack of internet access (or maybe that's just me) or attempting to better our Mini Golf scores.

And so, after all that, welcome to the Polish 'special special' Edition of the Gigwatcher. There's not all that much special about it, and only a hint of Polish, but considering I throw this thing together in about 10 minutes flat (and make it up as I go along) there you go.

*koff*

Moving swiftly on.. here's some local gigs blatantly lited out of the back pages of this week's NME..

newcassettes @ Unit22, Southampton - 10/10/2006
Vincent Vincent & The Villains @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/10/2006
Akala @ The Venue, IOW - 20/10/2006
Johnny Panic @ Unit22, Southampton - 27/10/2006
Luke Haines @ The Joiners, Southampton - 01/11/2006
SixNationState @ Lennon's, Southampton - 11/11/2006
Ugly Duckling @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 15/11/2006
White Rose Movement @ The Joiners, Southampton - 26/11/2006 (rescheduled date)
Idlewild @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 30/11/2006
The Levellers @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 03/12/2006
The Blood Arm @ The Joiners, Southampton - 08/12/2006
The Boy Least Likely To @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 24/01/2007 (rescheduled date)
Journey @ BIC, Bournemouth - 10/03/2007

As soon as I have a spare ten minutes or so I'll add those into the SoMC Events Calendar. There they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my meanderings across t'interweb. You have to be registered on the SoMC forum in order to interrogate the Events Calendar; if you're not registered then, well,

Ordinarily I'd pick some imminent gigs from the Events Calendar and plop them in here, but for earlier explained reasons we're stuck in the 50's here. So, instead, here's the heads up on a gig in beautiful down town Krakow (where I'll be) this weekend..

Chumbawumba @ The Rotunda Students Club, Krakow - 06/10/2006

Whatever will the Poles make of those mid-90s agitprop indie types? I may find out on Friday, depends whether or not we've found a Polish version of Scandals or not (which is entirely possible, we found one in Prague!).

*koff*

The Tacheback campaign finished at the weekend, at which point those taking part here shaved off their funky face furtniture as soon as they possibly could. As mentioned before all involved were cultivating hairy top lips in order to raise money for the Everyman cancer charity. A ballpark figure on the monies raised is around the "one followed by three noughts" mark, so a big thumbs up to all of the chaps who took part (and didn't wuss out like me) and another to everyone who donated. If you would like to donate then links (to both their website and photos of the guys taking part) can be found here.

Not content with growing a 'tache for charity, Young Brett will soon be taking part in the Great South Run for a very good cause, more information on that next week.

And that's about it for this week; as they say in Poland, do widzenia!

The Gigwatcher 27/09/2006

Aftnoon..

After last week's excursion to the big city, which I didn't see all that much of (not above ground anyway; I saw a lot of the tube though thanks to my country bumpkin-like ineptitude at following a map), it's business as usual here at Gigwatcher Towers.

Once more I've wasted my lunch break to bring you good people the head's up on what's coming our way gigwise, courtesy of the back pages of the NME. This week's edition comes with the annual Student Guide, full of pointers to life in the bright lights for young whippersnappers; once again Portsmouth gets barely a mention yet Southampton gets a double-page feature. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Moving swiftly on..

The Heights @ Unit 22, Southampton - 14/10/2006
James Yorkston @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/10/2006
Killa Kela @ Nexus, Southampton - 18/10/2006
The Heights @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 19/10/2006
Dartz @ Lennon's, Southampton - 23/10/2006
Brightblack Morning Light @ Komedia, Brighton - 24/10/2006
My Alamo @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/10/2006
Enter Shikari @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/11/2006
The Fratellis @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 04/11/2006
Arab Strap @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 05/11/2006
Gossip @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 05/11/2006
The Others @ The University, Southampton - 07/11/2006
The Others @ Ryde Theatre, Ryde - 10/11/2006
The Rumble Strips @ Sumo, Brighton - 10/11/2006
The Rumble Strips @ The opera House, Bournemouth - 12/11/2006
Misty's Big Adventure @ Unit 22, Southampton - 13/11/2006
Switches @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/11/2006
The Bees @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 20/11/2006
The Bees @ The Pier, Southsea - 21/11/2006
Kubichek! @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/11/2006
Ali Love @ Unit 22, Southampton - 26/11/2006
The Futureheads @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/12/2006
Brakes @ The Pavillion Theatre, Brighton - 08/12/2006

As soon as I have the time I'll add the above gigs onto the SoMC Events Calendar where they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my trundlings across the interweb, like these for example...

Teddy Thompson @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/09/2006
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 29/09/2006
The Exits @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 30/09/2006
Embrace @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 04/10/2006
Go West @ The Ferneham Hall, Fareham - 05/10/2006

Once registered on the SoMC forum you can interrogate the Events Calendar to your hearts content, if you're not registered then, well, you can't (them's the breaks I'm afraid).

Red Honey and The Pimps, featuring the legendary John 'Two Chillies' Nixon, are still looking for a new bass player. Are you up to the task?

The Tacheback campaign has entered its final week and pretty much all involved are sporting fetching face furtniture. Both Stu and Andy have lovely Zapata handlebars, whereas Young Brett resembles a dashing gentleman thief more and more each day. As mentioned before they're cultivating hairy top lips to raise money for the Everyman cancer charity. If you'd like to donate then links (to both their website and photos of the guys taking part) can be found here.

And that's about it for this week, tune in next week for a Polish 'special special' edition.. tatty bye!

The Gigwatcher 20/09/2006

Cor blimey guv'nor..

This week's Gigwatcher comes to you from the nicely air-conditioned climes of our London office, a fairly large and mundane example of 1980's architecture. Sadly no-one is dressed as chimney sweeps or talking like Dick Van Dyke, neither has Babs Windsor made an appearance.

London, it's not like on TV is it?

Still, it's Wednesday and that means that, yes, I've once again squandered my lunchbreak to bring you good people the head's up on what's coming our way gigwise, courtesy of the back pages of the NME...

Bugs In The Attic @ Orange Rooms, Southampton - 24/09/2006
Battle @ Lennon's, Southampton - 14/10/2006
The Cooper Temple Clause @ The University, Southampton - 15/10/2006
Vincent Vincent & The Villains @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/10/2006
Badly Drawn Boy @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 04/11/2006
The Sunshine Underground @ The Joiners, Southampton - 13/11/2006
Mika @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 15/11/2006
Little Barrie @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 23/02/2007

I'll add the above gigs onto the SoMC Events Calendar when I get a spare five minutes. Once added they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my trundlings across the interweb, like these for example...

Showcase '06 Grand Final @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 21/09/2006
Flip Top @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 23/09/2006 (OK, so who remembers the Jail House?)
Soma High @ The Joiners, Southampton - 23/09/2006
Manfred Mann's Earth Band @ The Brook, Southampton - 27/09/2006
James Yorkston & The Athletes @ The Brook, Southampton - 16/10/2006
Scott Matthews @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 06/11/2006
CSS @ The Joiners, Southampton - 17/11/2006

Once registered on the SoMC forum you can interrogate the Events Calendar to your hearts content, if you're not registered then, well, you can't (them's the breaks I'm afraid).

This weekend sees the return of Blues at The Fort, once again high on the hill at Fort Purbrook. The line-up includes Dr Feelgood (Friday) and The Ben Waters Band (Saturday) as well as a fairly good selection of real ales. More information is available from the entries on the Events Calendar.

Red Honey and The Pimps, featuring the legendary John 'Two Chillies' Nixon, have found themselves minus a bass player. If you're tempted, or know of one who may be interested, more information can be found here.

The Tacheback campaign continues; as mentioned before some of the SoMC are proudly growing Chopper-esque facial hair to raise money for the Everyman cancer charity. If you would like to donate then links (to both their website and photos of the guys taking part) can be found here.

And that's about it for this week; hopefully I should make it safely home from The Big Smoke (and not get on the wrong tube train like I did this morning, doh!).

The Gigwatcher 13/09/2006

Hi-De-Hi!

Every Wednesday lunchtime I find myself sitting here, at my cluttered desk, wondering how to kickstart the Gigwatcher with some witty anecdote or a piece of dumb information. Some weeks inspiration comes swiftly, other weeks it takes awhile.

This week falls into the latter category.

I've sat here, mused on going off on one about the tickets to Kasabian that I "won" (but didn't really, it was one of those "the first 700 people get in" deals) or the Arctic Monkeys giving their Mercury winnings to charity (and I don't mean their ex-bass player), before deciding I might as well just get on with it. So, eyes down for a full house..

Motion City Soundtrack (plus OKGo) @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 27/09/2006 (it's SOLD OUT!)
Liam Frost & The Slowdown Family @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/09/2006
People Under The Stairs @ The Orange Rooms, Southampton - 04/10/2006
Pink Grease @ Traid, Brighton - 06/10/2006 (in-store gig, starts at 1500)
Ed Harcourt @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/10/2006
CSS @ The Joiners, Southampton - 17/11/2006
Mystery Jets @ St George's Church, Brighton - 22/10/2006
Reverend & The Makers @ Sumo, Brighton - 27/10/2006
Jamie T @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/10/2006
Cord @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 30/10/2006
Tenacious D @ The Brighton Centre, Brighton - 17/12/2006

Yes, Jack Black and Kyle Gass are inbound; hopefully he won't phone it in like he did at the VMAs last week :o) The above gigs will be added onto the SoMC Events Calendar when I get a spare five minutes; there they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my pootlings across the interweb, a selection those in the next week follows:

Sherman Robertson & Blues Move @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - TONIGHT!
Ezio @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 15/09/2006
Superfly @ The Red Lion, Stubbington - 15/09/2006
Night of Treason @ The Railway Inn, Gosport - 15/09/2006 (supported by Red Honey and the Pimps, featuring Mr John 'Two Chillies' Nixon)
Racketeers @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/09/2006
Bic Runga @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 17/09/2006
The Cult @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 19/09/2006

To check what else is coming our way all you need do is register on the forum. Once registered you can interrogate the Events Calendar to your hearts content.

Don't forget that Brannigan's Law, featuring the irrepressible Ant Shue on rhythm guitar, return to Unit 22 in Southampton on Monday 18th September. If you want a listen beforehand then streaming demos are available on their MySpace.

The Everyman cancer charity is running its fourth annual Tacheback campaign this month, and some of the SoMC are proudly growing Chopper-esque facial hair (although Brett's is going a bit Errol Flynn). More information, including a link to some photos showing the progress of those involved, can be found here.

And that's about it for this week.. time flies when you're having fun eh?

Music for Anoraks: Big Wave

Inspired somewhat by Stu's last offering, admittedly if only in a "what the hell, I've not knocked up a compilation CD for awhile" kind of way, young Paul has cogitated over his record collection to bring us Big Wave. 

As the man himself says, "It's lean, only 11 tracks and around 42 minutes long, so there's no excuse not to give it a quick listen!". It's doing the rounds of the office, reviews will appear on the forum (if people can be bothered) with the tracklisting appearing here later on. 

Possibly. 

The Gigwatcher 06/09/2006

Ah, Wednesday.. the midpoint of the working week, from here on in it's downhill to the weekend and the joys that await us away from the daily grind. Is it me or does time speed up as we get older? It's probably me, I never really did have a grasp on science.

Moving swiftly on.. I've once again squandered my lunchbreak perusing the NME for local gigs for local people, thus:

To My Boy @ Lennons, Southampton - 09/09/2006
Aberfeldy @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/09/2006
The Datsuns @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 15/09/2006
The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club @ Unit22, Southampton - 16/09/2006
Imogen Heap @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 06/10/2006
Fightstar @ The Pyramids, Southsea - 16/10/2006
Ray Davies @ The Dome, Brighton - 17/10/2006
Chikinki @ The Joiners, Southampton - 22/10/2006
Salmonella Dub @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea - 26/10/2006
Guillemots @ The Corn Exchange, Brighton - 29/10/2006
The Hedrons @ The Joiners, Southampton - 31/10/2006
Ugly Duckling @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 15/11/2006
Bromheads Jacket @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/11/2006

The above will be added onto the SoMC Events Calendar some time soon; there they'll join all the other gigs I find out about in my pootlings across the interweb, a selection of which follows:

The Storys (with Brian Houston as support) @ The Studio @ The Petersfield School, Petersfield - 08/09/2006
Hudson10 @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 09/09/2006 (four local bands for a fiver, it's a deal it's a steal..)
Ezio @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 15/09/2006
Racketeers @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/09/2006
The White Knuckle Blues Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 16/09/2006
Ed Harcourt @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/10/2006
Napalm Death @ The Brook, Southampton - 19/10/2006 (no, really!)

Once registered on the forum you can interrogate the Events Calendar to your hearts content, there's gigs on there now through til February 2007. If you're still in doubt yadda yadda yadda...

The winner of the 2006 Mercury Music Prize was announced last night by a slightly sweaty Jools Holland, assisted by a rather nasal Jo Whiley. The cheque went to some chaps from Sheffield (hopefully the bass player will get a cut of it).

Before I wrap up this week's Gigwatcher I have to make a brief public service announcement. The Everyman cancer charity is running its fourth annual Tacheback campaign this month, and some of the Son of Music Club are proudly growing Chopper-esque (though in Brett's case it's more of a Clark Gable style) facial hair. If you would like to sponsor them, or donate to this very worthy campaign, then please visit their charity webpage.

And that's about it for this week.. have a good one!