Just when you thought it was safe.
OK so it's been awhile since any of us could be bothered but one of our number has pulled his finger out and knocked up a CD of what he's been listening to lately. The culprit this time is Neil who has lovingly crafted a 15 track trawl through his record collection called Storm Damage.
As
is our way reviews will possibly (but most likely not) appear on the
forum as the CD makes its peripatetic journey around the office. Its
release was delayed for a few days as the first burning suffered from
skipping on the last two tracks (the second attempt plays A-OK however).
Just when you thought it was safe.
There I was at lunchtime, idly flicking through the NME whilst munching on a cheese and onion roll, with not a care in the world. All was good in my world. And then I turned the page. There it was, the news I never thought I'd see. Straight away my skin started to crawl, a cold feeling of dread gripped my stomach and a wave of nausea swept over me.
I read it again. No, it was true. There was no denying it.
James have reformed.
[insert Charlton Heston style NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO like from the end of Planet of the Apes here]
What? What do you mean it's not that bad? It is, trust me. If I hear that bally song of theirs one more time I'll go postal. Or cry. Or possibly both.
*koff*
It's not all gloom though. In a karmic balancing act akin to that of the Mint card adverts I read on the BBC News site that Crowded House are reforming as well. Nice.
Anyway, enough of that.. here's what I found listed in the back of the NME this week:
Foals @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/02/2007
The Early Years @ The Engine Room, Brighton - 13/02/2007
Duke Special @ Duke of Yorks, Brighton - 17/02/2007
Micah P. Hinson @ Audio, Brighton - 19/02/2007
The Pigeon Detectives @ Audio, Brighton - 04/03/2007
Bromheads Jacket @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 11/03/2007
The Hours @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 12/03/2007
Towers of London @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 19/03/2007
Good Shoes @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 28/03/2007
Enter Shikari @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 28/03/2007
The Waterboys @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 08/05/2007
Ray Davies @ The Centre, Brighton - 26/05/2007
Damien Rice @ BIC, Bournemouth - 09/10/2007
As is usual practice I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. I've lovingly plucked the gigs below from the calendar as a taster:
Whole Lotta Led @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/01/2007
Hundred Reasons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 30/01/2007
Bluesky Research @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/01/2007
Fairport Convention @ The Brook, Southampton - 02/02/2007
pluck @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 10/02/2007
Sonny Black @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 15/02/2007
Zoot Money's Blues Quintet @ The Brook, Southampton - 22/02/2007
Frank Sidebottom @ The Alma Arms, Portsmouth - 25/02/2007
A provisional line-up for this year's Wickham Festival has been released. As I alluded to last week the big headline act for the opening night is Jethro Tull; also there this August will be Boo Hewerdine, The Hamsters, Eliza Carthy, Eddi Reader, The Men They Couldn't Hang, The Sawdoctors and (wait for it) Dean Friedman. I'll add a posting on the forum with more information.
This Saturday Portsmouth Guildhall plays host to a rocktastic showcase featuring four local bands. Big Squirrel, Five Mile Drive, Dragon Eye Morrison and Little London make up the bill, tickets are a very reasonable £8.00 in advance (or £10.00 on the door).
And that just about wraps it up for this week; I was going to rant off on one about the NME giving The Decemberists' new CD a measly 6 out of 10 but I predicted they'd do as much months ago. This afternoon I have mostly been listening to The Young Knives, they're a bit bonkers but I like 'em.
The line-up for this year's Wickham Festival, which takes place in early August, has been released. Once again there's a definite folk feel to the proceedings, though the Friday night has been given to the blues.
The Festival fires into life on Thursday 2nd August with prog-folk legends Jethro Tull headlining (what are the chances of curry-loving frontman Ian Anderson paying a visit to the Verandah in the square after the performance?).
The Hamsters top the bill on the Friday night, with Eddi Reader and Kathryn Tickell appearing on the Saturday.
The Sunday session includes Dean Friedman, Hazel O'Connor and Eliza Carthy. The Festival comes to a close with what looks to be a rousing singalong with The Men They Couldn't Hang and The Saw Doctors. Full details follow:
Thursday 2nd August (1930-2300)
Jethro Tull, The Spooky Mens Chorale
Friday 3rd August (1300-2300)
The Hamsters, Maggie Bell & The British Blues Quintet, Hans Theesink, The Spooky Mens Chorale, Les Barker, Ashley Hutchings' Rainbow Chasers, The Mick West Band.
Saturday 4th August (1300-2300)
The Donnie Munro Band, Eddi Reader, Kathryn Tickell, Yves Lambert & Le Bebert Orchestra, Eivor, Lisa Knapp.
Sunday 5th August (1300-2300)
The Saw Doctors, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers, Shooglenifty, Hazel O'Connor, Dean Friedman, Quimantu, Boo Hewerdine.
For its sophomore year the Festival will be moving a short distance up the road from Wickham Community Centre to a new green field site on adjacent farm land. This will mean more room, better facilities and the organisers won't have to obscure the location on their website (something intentionally done last year as, sadly, a community centre just doesn't have the same cachet).
Tickets are on sale now, with "early bird" pricing in place on weekend season tickets until 31st March.
What's that coming over the hill? It's Niko Kranjcar. It's Niko Kranjcar.
Hello again.
Yes, it's Wednesday, it's long past lunchtime, it must be Gigwatcher time (I spent about 10 minutes working out an elaborate Crackerjack-style opening but it just didn't work. Maybe I should've used Howdy Doody instead).
*koff*
Moving swiftly on; I put my nut cutlet and chilli sauce baguette to one side just long enough to flick through the back pages of the NME, where I found the following:
The Black Velvets @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 27/01/2007
Blood Red Shoes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/01/2007
Make Good Your Escape @ The Albert, Brighton - 30/01/2007
Assembly Now @ Unit 22, Southampton - 03/02/2007
Ben Taylor @ Komedia, Brighton - 05/02/2007
Last Gang @ The Joiners, Southampton - 06/02/2007
Aereogramme @ The Joiners, Southampton - 07/02/2007
The Rapture @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 08/02/2007
The Violets @ Unit 22, Southampton - 10/02/2007
1990s @ The Joiners, Southampton - 03/03/2007
Charlotte Hatherley @ The Wedgewood Rooms - 04/03/2007
Ash @ Southampton University - 06/03/20073
The Twang @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/03/2007 (this is the CORRECT date, the information lifted from NME.COM last week was wrong).
Incubus @ BIC, Bournemouth - 08/04/2007
If I'm not too busy trying to make my Guild Wars character stand like the lead singer of Jethro Tull this evening I'll add those onto the SoMC Events Calendar. The Events Calendar contains a selection of local gigs for local people, all you need to do is log into the forum to access it. Here's a taster of some of the gigs I've stumbled across that I've added in already:
Saiichi Sugiyama @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 18/01/2007
Marmalade @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 19/01/2007
Karmadeva (with Hudson10 supporting) @ Unit22, Southampton - 21/01/2007
I Am Kloot (Acoustic Set) @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/01/2007
Bluesky Research @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/01/2007
Red Letter Day @ Unit22, Southampton - 04/02/2007
Bedouin Soundclash @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/03/2007
The line-up for this year's Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival has been released. Amongst the artists gracing the stage of Ferneham Hall this April are Kate Rusby and Seth Lakeman. More information is available here. The bill for this year's Wickham Festival is due to be released next week (I can however let slip that the headline act for the first night will feature a guy who stands on one leg and plays the flute).
There's still time to catch the 2006 Festive Fifty on Dandelion Radio; the station operates a rolling programme over a 16 hour period, check the forum link for the schedule.
And finally, The Obligatory YouTube Thread has had some bizarre Darth Vader skits, new British hip hop and a lot of Eddie Murphy added to it. Well that just about wraps it up for this week. This afternoon I have mostly been listening to Gogol Bordello. Bojemoi!
Giggity!
Well, here we are again. Another year, another Gigwatcher for your delectation and delight. I hope you all had a lovely super smashing Christmas and took the opportunity of the festive break to recharge your batteries. I indulged myself by lounging around the house listening to music, accompanied by a pile of books and an endless supply of coffee. Is there a better way to waste time over Christmas? Probably not.
I also got beaten hands down at Star Wars Top Trumps. I've since have come to the conclusion that it's impossible to lose if you've got Yoda in your deck after the deal (not that I'm bitter or anything).
*koff*
Moving swiftly on, the NME must have pigged out at Christmas and gone on a crash diet; it's noticeably thinner post-yule but it still has a fair selection of gigs coming our way listed:
Loney, dear (supporting The Boy Least Likely To) @ The Wedgewood Rooms @ 24/01/2007
Hot Club de Paris @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 23/01/2007
Clinic @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 09/02/2007
Larrikin Love @ Garden Court, Southampton University - 10/02/2007
Switches @ The Joiners, Southampton - 13/02/2007
The KBC @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/02/2007
Mika @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 20/02/2007
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 22/02/2007
Howling Bells @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 27/02/2007
The Twang @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/02/2007
Forward, Russia! @ Garden Court, Southampton University - 02/03/2007
Aim @ The Brook, Southampton - 09/03/2007
The Broken Family Band @ Komedia, Brighton - 11/03/2007
The SoMC Events Calendar is liberally sprinkled with a selection of local gigs for local people, all there for your perusal, and those above will soon be added on. Those below I stumbled across earlier:
Arachnotaur @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - TONIGHT
The Electric Light Orchestra Experience @ The Brook, Southampton - 12/01/2007
Tom Lillywhite @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/01/2007
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 20/01/2007
Bluesky Research @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/01/2007
Aereogramme @ The Joiners, Southampton - 07/02/2007
John Otway @ The Joiners, Southampton - 09/02/2007
Portsmouth Guildhall plays host to not one but two local showcases this month. The first is promoted by Native (no, me either), features Before We Left, Jaimison, Run Riviera and Sheilatakeabow and takes place on Saturday 20th January. The second is promoted by Portsmouth Scene Promotions, features Big Squirrel, Five Mile Drive, Dragon Eye Morrison and Little London and takes place on Saturday 27th January.
Online broadcaster Dandelion Radio have inherited John Peel's mantle and taken on the task of producing the famed Festive Fifty. Follow this link to the forum for more information and details on when to "tune in" to the finished programme.
Also on the forum, freshly added to The Obligatory YouTube Thread, is just about the weirdest advert I've ever seen. It's for the Microsoft Musicbrick (aka the Zune) and, well, you'll see if you go here.
Included with the Festive Gigwatcher was the lovingly compiled Most Fantastic Lyric Quiz. Several of you took the challenge and, as promised, it's time to name the winners.
In third place, having combined their efforts with the rest of their office, are Ali and Jim. In second place are the triumvirate of Simon, Claire and Dan; together they solved several of the sneakier and more obscure lyrics included (so I now know I'm not the only person who bought Highway 5 by The Blessing). There must be a winner though, and the soiled chalice of victory goes to Team HSBC (aka Shaun and his chums at the bank).
Congratulations, high fives and tickertape are directed in their direction. As promised there is a prize for winning; sadly Calendar Club had run out of Hollyoaks Babes calendars so they'll have to make do with whatever I can find. I suppose you want to know the answers now? Click this link to get them (they'll be available for download for the next 7 days).
And that just about wraps it up for the first Gigwatcher of the new year, late hitting the streets though it was. This afternoon I have mostly been listening to Girls Aloud's Greatest Hits, ding dang doo!
Ho Ho Ho!
So the slow wind-down into Christmas begins; the tins of sweets on the centre desk have been multiplying, the rubber bands have been flying across the office for most of the morning and we've spent a good hour or so working out what topping to have on our pizzas on Friday lunchtime (I may even set up the Big Big Loader for a play as well).
Umm.
And worked really hard and not wasted your tax dollars, obviously.
*koff*
Quite.
Last week's NME was a double issue, tempting though it was to re-list the selection of gigs I picked out from it last week I decided not to. If you're in need of a gig fix over the Christmas period don't forget that all the gigs I pick out and send on are added (eventually) into the SoMC Events Calendar. It's packed to the rafters with an assortment of local gigs for local people, there should be something in there that tickles your fancy (think of it as a gig version of a tin of Quality Street and won't go far wrong, for every Noisette Triangle there's probably a couple of Toffee Pennies and Peanut Cracknels).
It just wouldn't be the same if I didn't have any gigs listed though, so I've picked the following morsels from the Events Calendar for your delectation:
One Weird Fish @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 23/12/2006
Skylar @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/12/2006
Kojak's Revenge @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 29/12/2006
Wilko Johnson @ The Brook, Southampton - 06/01/2007
Bluesky Research @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/01/2007
Kristin Hersh @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 06/03/2007
Thea Gilmore @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 03/05/2007
Lou Rhodes @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 10/05/2007
As I may have mentioned once or twice over the past few weeks, I've concocted a Most Fantastic Lyric Quiz for your delight which you can download here (link valid for 7 days). Email recipients of the Gigwatcher (who recieve it several hours before I blog it here) are teased each week with a Mystery Lyric so they've had a bit more practice; it's not fiendishly difficult but it should get you scratching your noggins.
It's for fun but there are some rules (which are listed in the PDF) as there may be a prize for the highest scorer. I'll post a new thread on the forum where you can post your scores or ask for clues/help. You've got until January, I'll link to the answers in first Gigwatcher of the New Year. Enjoy.
Well that about does it for the Gigwatcher for this year, I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and that Santa brings you some nice new choons to enjoy. This afternoon I shall mostly be the glorious tones of the late great Richard Burton. Of course, it's Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. Excellent!
One two three O'Leary.
So here we are again, another Wednesday and, as per usual recently, the Gigwatcher is a wee bit late in hitting your inboxes. Usually I have a good excuse, something to do with servers or important boxes of lights that occasionally go phut. This week's reason? I finally realised that Christmas is just around the corner.
Yes, I know, you'd have think I'd have twigged from the houses on my street that are festooned with gaudy lights. Or maybe the Santa-less grotto substitute in Fareham Shopping Centre would've given it away. Or that it was December even.
No. It's lamer than that.
The festive edition of the Radio Times arrived in the shop at work and, as expected, I spent too long perusing it to get the Gigwatcher out on time. This could be termed as slacking I know, but it's got that lovely 'new magazine smell'. And how else would I know when to set the video for Herbie Rides Again or The Last Starfighter.
Just count yourselves lucky I didn't break out the highlighter pen to plan my viewing.
*koff*
Umm. It's not just me who does that is it?
Right. Well. Moving swiftly on, this week's NME was the festive double-sized issue (featuring Girls Aloud), so here is a bigger than usual selection of new gigs as found in the back pages:
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 @ Komedia, Brighton - 05/01/2007
Isobel Campbell with Mark Lanegan @ Komedia, Brighton - 24/01/2007
Hundred Reasons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 30/01/2007
Assembly Now @ Unit 22, Southampton - 03/02/2007
Wolfmother @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 04/02/2007
Air Traffic @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 05/02/2007
Aerogramme @ The Joiners, Southampton - 07/02/2007
Regina Spektor @ The Corn Exchange, Brighton - 11/02/2007
Larrikin Love @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 11/02/2007
Little Man Tate @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 13/02/2007
Switches @ The Joiners, Southampton - 13/02/2007
Frank Turner @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/02/2007
Patrick Wolf @ The Wedgewood Rooms - 14/02/2007
Mr Hudson @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/02/2007
Alterkicks @ Lennons, Southampton - 17/02/2007
The Holloways @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 21/02/2007
Little Barrie @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 23/02/2007
Howling Bells @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 24/02/2007
The Black Keys @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 25/02/2007
Reuben @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/02/2007
Howling Bells @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 27/02/2007
Enter Shikari @ Southampton University - 04/03/2007
Richard Swift @ Audio, Brighton - 09/03/2007
Shiny Toy Guns @ The Joiners, Southampton - 13/03/2007
Electric Six @ Engine Room, Brighton - 13/03/2007
Archie Bronson Outfit @ Audio, Brighton - 20/03/2007
The Rakes @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 30/03/2007
Fall Out Boy @ BIC, Bournemouth - 31/03/2007
The Young Knives @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 06/04/2007
Midlake @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 12/04/2007
INXS @ The Dome, Brighton - 17/06/2007
I add all the gigs I list into the SoMC Events Calendar (well, just as soon as I put my mind to it I do), which is chock-a-block with local gigs (some more local than others admittedly) for the delectation of you good people. In order to peruse its delights you have to be registered on the SoMC forum, but once signed up you also have the run of the forum boards to post, well, whatever takes your fancy I suppose. If not, then I've plucked the following from the Events Calendar to whet your appetite:
Dead!Dead!Dead! @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/12/2006
Perfect Alibi @ The Brook, Southampton - 16/12/2006
The Velvet Doonicans @ Talking Heads, Southampton - 31/12/2006
Tom Lillywhite @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/01/2007
La Chicana @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 24/02/2007
Courtney Pine @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 24/02/2007
Kate Rusby @ Ferneham Hall, Fareham - 07/04/2007 (part of the Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival)
After seven years, during which time they've shared their love of ska with thousands of sweaty punters (no, not like that), 2-Tonic have decided to call it a day. They'll be performing their last EVER gig at The Brook on Friday 29th December. It's likely to be a sell out, so you'd best mosey on over to The Brook website PDQ if you want to bid them farewell.
For us muso types the best thing about Christmas was always John Peel's Festive Fifty. Sadly Peely is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on; online station Dandelion Radio has taken on the task of producing the show. More information and a link to the voting page can be found here.
There's still plenty of time to take part in the 2nd Annual Son of Music Club poll-type-thing. Why not cast a slightly pink eye over the past year and dump your musical high (and low) lights onto the forum:
And that about does it for this week's Gigwatcher; this afternoon I shall mostly be listening to A Triumph For Man by the most excellent Mew. Lovely.
And relax.
Following the great unpleasantness of last week (I'll spare you the gory details) normal Wednesday service is resumed. Yay! It was the pills what did the trick, isn't science just the most useful thing? I tell you it's just a matter of time before we're all bouncing down the streets in anti-gravity boots, making sure to look up as well as left and right when crossing the road to avoid the hovercars.
*koff*
Or perhaps not.
Moving swiftly on, so here are the pick of the new gigs I found listed in the back pages of t'NME:
Fortune Drive @ Sumo, Brighton - 13/02/2007
Forward, Russia! @ Southampton University - 02/03/2007
The Rapture @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 08/03/2007
The Deftones @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 19/03/2007
I know, slim pickings this week, don't forget though that ALL the gigs I list are added into the SoMC Events Calendar at some point. The calendar is just full to the brim with gigs in this locale (and thereabouts). In order to pick through its delights you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum. Once signed in you can post up reviews, jokes, web-links et al on the forum boards. To whet your appetite here are some gigs from the Events Calendar that I've picked for your perusal:
Keith James & Rick Foot play Nick Drake @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - TONIGHT
Mike Sanchez @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 11/12/2006
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel @ The Brook, Southampton - 15/12/2006
St Agnes Fountain @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 15/12/2006
Jon Amor @ The Joiners, Southampton - 17/12/2006
Helsinki @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 19/12/2006
Rocco Deluca @ The Joiners, Soutampton - 21/12/2006
The Bog Rolling Stones @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 31/12/2006
Wolfmother @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 04/02/2007 RAWK!!
If anyone was tempted to turn up on the door at The Brook tomorrow night for The SAS Band (featuring Spike Edney) gig then you'd best make other arrangements; it's SOLD OUT. No, I couldn't believe it either.
With the end of the year in sight (well, it's a dim light at the end of a medium-sized tunnel) thoughts usually turn to presents, booze and some time off. Alternatively you could cast your mind back over the past year at the musical highs and lows, then take part in the 2nd Annual Son of Music Club poll-type-thing.
Or you could instead go to the YouTube thread on the forum and check out the Cat Head Theatre clip I posted a link to. They're doing Hamlet, and it scares me in a way I don't want to talk about.
And that about does it for this week's Gigwatcher.. this afternoon I shall mostly be listening to Stu's latest compilation CD, Transcendental Cheese Meditation. Nice.
Urgh.
Apologies for the excessive tardiness this week but I've been a tad unwell. I don't mean 'unwell' in a Jeffrey Bernard sense, I've not been languishing in a bar drinking heavily and doing bad O'Toole impressions (though that's something I can try tomorrow).
I've had one of the many many strains of lurgee that are doing the rounds, and very unpleasant it was too (I'll spare you the gory details). Thus I got to spend a few days at home, moaning pathetically as us blokes are wont to do when we're not feeling that great, watching old films* on TV and getting cajoled into online gaming by the chaps at work (even on my sick bed I can't escape it).
But now I'm feeling much better so, for some foolish reason, I decided to come back to work. On a Friday. Ah. Weddun.
*koff*
Luckily the nice lady in the shop had held onto my NME, so here are the pick of the new gigs I found listed in the back pages:
The Mescalitas @ Lennons, Southampton - 02/12/2006
Jackie-O Mofo @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 11/12/2006
The Enemy @ The Joiners, Southampton - 02/02/2007
+44 @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 09/02/2007
ShockWaves NME Awards 'Indie Rock' Tour 2007 (featuring The Horrors, The Automatic) @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 16/02/2007
Amy Winehouse @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 18/02/2007
ShockWaves NME Awards 'Indie Rave' Tour 2007 (featuring Klaxons, CSS) @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 20/02/2007
The Rifles @ The University, Southampton - 07/03/2007
Don't forget that ALL the gigs I list each week are added into the SoMC Events Calendar, it's literally packed to the gunnells with local gigs for local people (i.e. you guys). However, in order to peruse its contents you'll need to be registered on the SoMC forum. Once you've signed up you can post up reviews, jokes, web-links et al on the forum boards. If you're still undecided, here's some gigs from the Events Calendar that I've picked for your perusal:
Red Honey & The Pimps @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 02/12/2006 (featuring the legendary John 'Two Chillies' Nixon)
Easy Star All-Stars @ The Brook, Southampton - 04/12/2006
UK Subs @ The Joiners, Southampton - 07/12/2006
The White Knuckle Blues Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 09/12/2006
Tony McPhee @ The Joiners, Southampton - 10/12/2006
Fi Lo Beddow (aka Mark Morriss of The Bluetones) @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/12/2006
Seth Lakeman @ The Brook, Southampton - 19/12/2006
The Bog Rolling Stones (acoustic) @ Little Johnny Russells, Portsmouth - 20/12/2006
A Tribute To Joe Strummer (featuring The Neville Staples Band and Amsterdam) @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 21/12/2006
Wilko Johnson @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 30/01/2007
Both of the 'local' gigs by Faithless, 24th March at the BIC and 27th March at the Brighton Centre, are now SOLD OUT. I can't gets no tickets.. doo doo doo doo de de doo doo doo doo de de.. quite.
As you should all be aware, today is World Aids Day. In an effort to promote AIDS awareness (and have a laugh at the same time) local beat combo Hudson10 are joining forces with the one and only Adi Henry to become Adi & The Gaze. They're playing a FREE gig at the Old Vic in Portsmouth TONIGHT. It's likely to get a bit raucous, if the blurb here is anything to go by.
I can't wrap up this week's edition without a mention of the passing of Alan 'Fluff' Freeman, DJ and legend. RIP Fluff. Not 'arf. Well, that's about it for this week pop pickers.. this afternoon I have mostly been listening to Amy Winehouse. She scares me. A lot.
;o)
* The classic "I Was A Male War Bride" was on Sky Cinema, cheered me up no end.
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?).
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..
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?
