GIGS IN JUNE 2006
NICALS, BODMIN (29TH JUNE)

STEEL SPECTRUM AND MUTUAL FLAME
(Reviewed by Akos)

Something's stirring in Bodmin. The local music scene has been struggling against both geography and local apathy in recent years, but the emergence of a new breed of young bands and the launching of the "Summer Nights @ Nicals" gigs seems to be changing that. Opening night saw locals Steel Spectrum, in only their second live show, paired with Penwith's rising stars Mutual Flame.

The five-piece began their set in front of a good-sized crowd of around 50, their dextrous intensity quickly impressing. "Last Bullet" amply displayed MF's distinctive sound, with a glacial classic rock intro giving way to pummelling metal; a melodic, distorted blend recalling Iron Maiden and "One"-era Metallica, but with a hyperactive melodic burst echoing (whisper it quietly) early MCR. Set highlight "Malady In Red", another song from
their sold-out first EP "Versailles Rising", rides the crest of Jack Stevens' heartbeat bassline, and is at once moving in its tragic beauty, as well as a veritable paradise for air guitarists. Ben Farmer's voice is consistently striking in its versatility - veering from ethereal murmur to impassioned wail. Despite recently losing a guitarist, it was actually
difficult to tell much difference, and the Nicals crowd were certainly appreciative. They sold a few more copies of second EP "Vermillion Hymns", too. This band is surely destined to bathe much bigger venues in their enormous sound.

Steel Spectrum was the major draw here, however, and they did not disappoint. Still a relatively new band, their set was comprised entirely of covers, and they produced some very satisfying takes on Nirvana's "Polly" and The Offspring's "Original Prankster", among others. Technically they excelled, particularly guitarist James Lakey, who reworked some of the most famous riffs of all time in his own inimitable style, and it will certainly be interesting to hear the original material they are currently working on
in time for their next Summer Nights @ Nicals headline slot on July 27th. Steel Spectrum closed the main part of their set with Bloodhound Gang's "Fire Water Burn", a song I must admit I hate. However, their throbbing version was infinitely better than the original, creating a heaving, sweaty moshpit in front of the band, joined by vocalist Matt Pooley. The impact of this was significant enough to provoke the crowd into demanding an encore, and the local heroes were only too happy to oblige.

There's still some way to go before Bodmin has a real local music scene, but nights like this will certainly help.

THE GOLOWAN FESTIVAL, PENZANCE (24TH JUNE)

ANDREW BATE, MY ELVIS BLACKOUT AND THE EDUCATION

Three artists amongst many that played throughout the boiling hot weekend across the town of Penzance as the locals celebrated The Feast of John with all styles of music, performance and art. This fantastic cultural event attracts locals and tourists to the area in equal measure and came to climactic close on the last weekend of June with the Mazey Day marquee gigs from the top class local musicians that are making such an impact at the moment.

ANDREW BATE

Sporting his new shorter summer haircut, Andrew Bate took to the stage after a particularly long-winded introduction from the bizarre compere, (think Pamala Stephenson doing Janet Street Porter doing Su Pollard!), and let his magnificent voice take over.

Starting with atmospheric moans coming from somewhere deep in his soul, Andrew created the perfect setting for his emotional performance. Holding the moment and the audience in the palm of his musical hand, he grips your attention instantly and I noticed around me the conversations ceased as he sang. Haunting and enigmatic, Andrew`s songs are the perfect antidote to the fast moving world left outside the marquee when you enter. His voice is exceptional and without a doubt, will soon be spoken of in the same hushed reverence that people hold Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake. His performance showed understandable confidence in both his abilities and his material, proving to be one of the highlights of the day. The applause was long, loud and certainly well earned.

MY ELVIS BLACKOUT

The five piece outfit have no concept of `warming up` or `100%` - My Elvis Blackout start with 200% and just get more intense! One of the most powerful and professional performances of the year, without a shadow of doubt. Backed with excellent sound balance, the lads kicked butt the like of which the Golowan Festival and the people of Penzance have probably never heard before.

Stripped to their vests in the scorching afternoon heat, the band pulled out the stops to roar through a set of classic M.E.B. material and showcased some new songs that are about to appear on their first cd, (finally out in July). I always love to see a double fronted band, with harmony vocals and passion which brings thoughts of the Clash mixing with the Manics to mind. It shows real talent within a band to have so many skills between them and gives them much more strength in both performance and songwriting.

Having seen the band sometime back at the first High Rollers gig (see review earlier in the year), I wasn`t instantly won over at the time, but at the Golowan Festival they got me hook, line and sinker. My Elvis Blackout - nothing less than amazing!

THE EDUCATION

It all looked promising - a white telecaster, blue hair, punky attire... and then he spoke the immortal words, "Hello, what a fucking lovely day!"

Now I`m seriously not a prude, but considering the situation - toddlers and O.A.P.s mixing with the mums, dads and other musicians in the middle of a hot public marquee, this was a totally misplaced introduction to win over an audience. Of course the f-word,(as it likes to be called in polite company!), has strong youth and musical connections, but that old daytime TV show said it all with `The Time and the Place`. Oh what a clanger dropped! Having been oblivious to this, The Education continued swearing loudly at the audience in their lyrics that could be clearly heard thanks again to the great sound balance and low volume guitar.

The duo, clearly more used to a London audience of indie kids, were enthusiastic and enthralled by their performance, but left me cold, (which considering the weather is quite a feat I suppose!). Electronica with low-fi, low volume guitar, didn`t do it for me, but maybe it was the juxtoposition after the great M.E.B.`s performance that really killed it.

I liked the pot plant they placed on stage - nice use of foliage.

(Photos by Mildly Disabled Dave)

THE PRINCESS PAVILION, FALMOUTH (10TH JUNE)














MEBA, THE HITCHCOCK RULES, THE BARNABY RAY QUARTET & JON KENNEDY

(Reviewed by Pete Green)

The K Summer Party, held at The Princess Pavilion, Falmouth on Saturday 10^th June was a party that all will remember.

The charity gig raised several hundred pounds for The Dreadnought Centre, a Cornish children’s charity. The money will go towards new music equipment, and will help to pay for music workshops across the county.

The party featured an outstanding live performance from the band Meba, followed by the extremely talented Hitchcock Rules. Both bands performed in front of a spectacular backdrop provided by local ‘VJ’ artists.

Next up was an extraordinary display by The Barnaby Ray Quartet. Without their usual compliment of crew, the fantastic drummer ‘Barnaby’ played a live set alongside Beth and Andy on vocals, with Roger on the decks. The Party atmosphere was brought to life with a display of glowing Poi and Diabolo. There was even some break dancing performed by some of the members of the audience. The Headline act was Jon Kennedy, who took time out of his busy schedule to help support the charity.

THE HIGH ROLLERS 2, THE STANNARY, FALMOUTH (2ND JUNE)

MARVIN AND THE GAYES

Throughout the night the DJ sets from Vicar and the T-Bone, kept the people busy, but never more so than in the last break of the night before the much praised Marvin and the Gayes made the evening there own. The audience were whipped into a frenzy by the tunes from the decks and hyped up for the post-midnight appearance of the criminally youthful band of skinny little heroes.

And then disaster, first the Gayes` decks weren`t plugged in properly and then the bass cut out... all this and they hadn`t played a note yet! The DJs tried to fill the silence as the crew worked feverishly to mend the problems and keep the restless throng happy, and finally the band were away.

Cranked up by now, the audience joined in with the band and we briefly saw the first crowd surfer of Spring, before he was swallowed by a `people wipeout`.

Marvin and the Gayes played distorted indie rock that was mixed live with samples to create a vortex of sound which travelled around the cavernous Stannary like a whirling dervish and left no ear unburned. Loved by their fans with a passion that`s almost religious, this young band will be learning on their feet for sometime to come.

(Photos by Johnny Echo Echo)

THE HIGH ROLLERS 2, THE STANNARY, FALMOUTH (2ND JUNE)




















THE MOSQUITOES

From Hayle via Bogota in a tortuous route that even western national buses wouldn`t consider, the madness of The Mosquitoes came to The High Rollers like a blast of salsa sauce.
This is the weirdest idea yet - Spanglish Punk! They all dress in blue football shirts with their spanish names emblazoned on their shoulders and are led by Raul, the crazy hombre who`s dad was shot by Clint Eastwood a long time ago. Like a Ramones tribute mixed with a spaghetti western, The Mosquitoes play loud punk rock with a latin soul. It`s fast, funny and bloody good actually. With more energy than a football crowd, the band zipped through their lively set with professionalism and style. The youthful Stannary crowd seemed unsure of themselves, (as is often the case when confronted with the bizarre), but once bitten by these bugs - it`s only a matter of time before this infection spreads!

(Photos by Johnny Echo Echo)

THE HIGH ROLLERS 2, THE STANNARY, FALMOUTH (2ND JUNE)
HEDLUV

Redruth Rap came to Falmouth and found a willing and excitable audience tonight as madcap Hedluv and his unconventional style stood centre stage at The Stannary. Michael Pascoe, (for it is he), has a quirky take on rapping that has to be heard/seen to be believed. In a very John Peel-esque way (if that isn`t a word yet, it will be!), he plays on his amaturish casio keyboard and raps along to backing tracks.
Imagine John Shuttleworth`s Cornish nephew and you`d be on the right lines, and all `irony` aside, the audience loved it. Laughter and cheers followed everywhere he took them, from student life to dictionary discussions. Hedluv has an affinity with the crowd that defies logic. You`d think he`d bomb this little slip of a lad in a pringle sweater, but everytime I see him perform the audience take him to their collective hearts.
He`s got a lot of balls to stand up after the previous two bands and change the tempo of the evening so radically, but I`ve got to say it was an inspired bit of planning from the High Rollers crew and it went down a storm.

(Photos by One Word Wombat)

THE HIGH ROLLERS 2, THE STANNARY, FALMOUTH (2ND JUNE)
THE REELS

These local lads strolled onto the stage and immediately the crowd surged forward to greet their arrival and watch the mighty Reels crack through their exciting set at a blistering pace. Alex and the band are producing some of the most interesting, powerful and original music on the Cornish music scene. It`s full of harmony vocals, catchy hooks and jangly guitars but with a punked attitude that recalls the Buzzcocks crossed with Lloyd Cole.
The audience lapped them up and why not? The Reels have got talent in buckets and we saw them slosh it all over the stage tonight in a successful attempt to get the crowd, the weekend and maybe even the summer started. When you saw the reaction to the band, you just know that we`ll all be hearing alot more from The Reels before too long. The word `awesome` was used by one of the promoters of the High Rollers, having witnessed them in action and I think you`ll use it too, when you get your chance to see them.
A fabulous set from The Reels.

(Photos by Mildly Disabled Dave)

THE HIGH ROLLERS 2, THE STANNARY, FALMOUTH (2ND JUNE)

THE ENGLISH ELECTRIC

Billed as special guests and having travelled down from London for a very short Cornish tour, The English Electric took first place in tonight`s running order and strode to the stage like the last gang in town. Coming on like a monochromatic version of The Hives, The English Electric, dressed all in black, (except the stripey tie of the drummer), instantly created a professional image before a note had even been played. Although the venue was still only half full when they started, (due mainly to the fine weather), The English Electric played to a small but receptive crowd that included musicians further up the bill, who listened with pleasure to their cosmopolitian cousins.

For me though, the sound tonight was too distorted and hard to follow and I put this down to their own set up at the venue, having heard better on their myspace page and as the Stannary is superb when it comes to sound balance normally. Others will (and did) disagree, but I was disappointed.

(Photos by Johnny Echo Echo)