vibrations april (lowres)
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VibrationsMagazine
LeedsandWestYorkshire
April2012
Free
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8/2/2019 Vibrations April (Lowres)
2/21
04 Editorial
06 British Wildlife Festival
08 Hawk Eyes
12 Sam Airey
15 Leeds Fest with Melvyn Benn
17 Passport Control
19 New Pose - Old School Fanzine
20 The Spills
24 Honour Before Glory
28 Reviews
34 Live Reviews
38 Wombeatz - This Womens Work
Vibrations is
Editor
Design
BenMcKean&NiallHargrave
Picture Editor
Reviews Editor
Live Editor
Web Editor
Web Design
Advertising
Founded and Published by
www.vibrations.org.uk
Contributors
TomMartin,RobWright,SteveWalsh,BartPettman,Tim
Hearson,NeilDawson,MikePrice,BenjaminManey,Ellie
Treagust,AaronJones,CarlFleischer,JadeTill,Rochelle
Massey,SamSaunders,EmmaQuinlan,GilesSmith,Greg
Elliott,ChrisEnsell,BenjaminRutledge,MartinHaley,
JonathanLees,JenessaWilliams,StacieLloyd,Hana
Walker-Brown,GaryWolstenholme,KateWellham.
Cover Photograph
HawkEyesbyTomMartin
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SteveWalsh
VibrationsMagazine
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NewCravenGateIndustrialEstate
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Helloreaders,
Thisismysecond,possiblythirdattemptataneditorialas
thersttwowereshit.Imnotpromisinganythingmorefor
thisone,butImhopingithasmoregagsandswearingin
itthanthelasttwo,whichwerealmostfreeofboth.That,I
thinkyoullagree,justwontdo.
Anotherreasonforanotherbiteatthecherryisthatthis
issueissochocfullofqualitywriting,photographyand
designthatIfeelIwouldbeinsultingtheeffortsofall
concernedbyturninginahalfarsedpieceofwork.
Itshouldbewholearsedornothing.
Imean,justlookatthisqualitypublication.Goon,closeitup,oglethenelookinggentlemenonthefront,feel
thequalityofthepaper,marvelatthesuitabilityofthe
typeface,thensearchfortheprice.
Stilllooking?Thatsright,youwontndone.
Thenonceyouvenishedthisgothroughthemagfrom
starttonishyoudontevenhavetostoptotakeapiss
asthesizeofVibrationsisdesignedspecicallytobeheld
onehanded,leavingtheotherhandto...no,stopthat.
Thatsjustnotright.Oh,youdirtybugger.
Areyounished?Good,thenIshallcontinue.Our
incumbentgovernmentiscurrentlydoingitslevelbestto
stripthejoyfromeveryoneslife(look,Imallforaprice
perunitapproachtoalcoholaslongasitliterallymeans
justthat40paunit,soapintofAbbotAlewouldbe
2.00aperfectlyacceptableprice.JaipurIPAwouldbe
justunder2.40andthatIcoulddenitelylivewith)and
provideuswithquitefranklyshoddyvalueformoney(I
knowmyminimumwagewillincurlesstax,butImgoing
toendupspendingthedifferencemadeonoverpriced
underbrewedbeersthanksalot,Camel-leg)butwehereatVibrationstowersarededicated,yesDEDICATED
toprovidingthesamevaluethatwealwayshave.
Letmepresentyouwithalittleequation.Stephen
Hawkinssaidthatyoulosehalfyourreadershipforevery
equationyouincludeso...gladyoustuckaround,bothof
you,butImgoingtoloseoneofyounow:
Qualityofproductoverpriceofproductequalsvalue.
Well,allyoumathematiciansoutthereshouldknowthat
ifyoudivideanynumber(exceptzero)byzeroyouget
innity(actually,Ivehadafewargumentsaboutthis:if
youdividezerobyzero,doyougetone?Thinkonthat,if
youwill)soconsideringthatyoupaidnothing,nip,zilch,
nix,nishpenceforthispublication,youareholdinginyour
hand...innitevalue.
Well,fuckmyoldboots.
Ihopeyourealisehowluckyyouaretobeabletotouch
theinniteonabimonthlybasis,andhereatVibrations
Towerswewillendeavourtoprovidethesamelevelof
qualityEvery.Bloody.Time.
NowbeforeIletyouoffthehook,afewhello/goodbyes.
Firstoff,sayhellotoournewdesigners,BenandNiall
Ithinkyoullagreethattheyvedoneastirlingjoblong
maytheyreign!AndgoodbyetoLeedsGuide,cruelly
cutoffinitsprimeby...venturecapitalists,Ishouldnt
wonder.Booooooooo!
Nearlydone.Acoupleoffestivalstonotefordifferent
reasons:LiveatLeedspromisestobeaneaffairagain
thisyearImayventureout,butIamafraidIamtoo
oldtodothemarathondasharoundthatisL@Lmight
justholeupinavenueanddrinkuntiltheyaskme
politelytoleavebecauseIhaventgotanarmbandand
asmallpuddleisgatheringaroundmyfeet;andthat
PeterWatermandebacle,ShitFactoryLiveSteps,
2untalented,JasonPissingDonovan,RickCocking
Astley?WTF?Whenthereisnomoreroominhell,the
deadwillwalktheearth.StayinLeedsandgoandsee
somequalityoldschoolbands,likeHumanLeague,
Heaven17andTheLevellers(guiltypleasuregreat
liveband)atMFestyes,Morrisons;Iknow,hard
tobelieve,buttherellbesometopscrantoovery
importantforamanofmyexpandinggirth.
Sooffyougoenjoythemag.Ifyoureallylikeit,think
aboutgettinginvolvedbepartoftheinnite...
Rob Wright
Ed with god-complex
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ImagebyCarlFleischer
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Herein be a recollection of the sixth and
nal British Wildlife Festival. May she
rest in peace. Feel free to reect on these
heart-warming and tting testimonials from
Benjamin Maney, Ellie Treagust and Steve
Walsh. Oh well, theres always Brainwash
Friday 2 March Brudenell Social Club
Firstup,Super Luxury,alo-fourpiecethatstarted
theirsetwithwarmupscreamsanddiscordantguitar
noiseleadingintoamurkyopeningnumber.Notricks,
frills,ormelody.Isupposethepre-gigstretchesshouldve
forewarnedthecrowdthatthefront-manwouldspend
thesetinamongstthem,wailingfromtabletops,withnoregardforthemicrophoneleadthatgotentangledaround
atleastvethroats.Itsallfunandgamestilsomeone
getsdecapitated,boys.
Bad Guys.Double-headedguitars,brightredjumpsuits,
classic,clevermetal.Theymanagetousedroning
interludes-oftendetrimentaltoaliveshowsatmosphere
-perfectly.Somuchsothatoneoftheirbreaksledtoa
distinctlyprogrockoutrothatmustvelasted17minutes.
Imagineifyouwill,themostpainfulheadacheofyourlife.
Now,imaginereallyquiteenjoyingit...Ultimate Thrush,
asIcanbestdescribethem.Threepeopleshouldnt
beabletomakesuchahugesound,butwiththehelp
ofasmallclarinetandachaospad,theymastershort,
gut-punchingpost-punk,notforthefaintheartedorthose
pronetohyperventilation...SomewhereinruralAustria,
Mozartturnedinhisgraveastheclarinetwasdesecrated
insuchaninnovativefashion.
Threegirls,oneguy?Divorcesmusicwasevenlthier
thananadultlmtitledthuswouldundoubtedlybe.The
tonegotlowerandthecrowdmovedinwhentheirhomegrownbrandofcaptivatingdebaucherytookhold.The
inevitablebrawlbrokeoutinthecrowd,mirroringthe
unharnessedadrenalineoftheheadthrashingalt-punk-
metal-hardcore/indenable-brashness.
Finally,ifliveviasatelliteisthefutureoflivemusic,
thenitshouldALWAYSbeDisasteradio.Playingaset
containingthemostcheerfulelectronicaevermade,
headliningforthedarkestmetalbandsontheplanet.
BecauseitdALWAYSbethishilarious.
Benjamin Maney
Saturday 3 March Brudenell Social Club/Royal Park
Cellars
Well,whatavariedprogrammeSaturdaywas.Itwas
reassuringtoexperienceafestivalattheBrudenell/
RoyalParkwheretheactsdidntallsoundthesame.
Thatdoesntmeantheywereallgood,butanyline-up
thatincludesYugoslavian Boyssmacksofsomething
reasonablyradical.Theprogrammed6.30startmight
havebeenalittleearlyfortheirset(whichinvolvedthe
destructionofvariousfoodstuffs)buttheywerealready
runninglate.Theirsetincludedshngers,twosalami
batons,chips,atunasandwich,fourdrummers(two
ofwhichwerewearingson-of-Godthemedrobes),a
cowboy,amod,oneassassinandalotofpinkhair.Id
betemptedtosuggesttheirmusicalvariationbetween
songsisnonetooimportanttothemorthecrowd,but
theywereeasilythemostentertainingbandoftheday.
Theyscreamedandcavortedtheirwaythroughtheset
anddespitehavingdoubledinsizesinceIlastsawthem,
itwasnttoadddiversity,justtoadddrums.Immense.
Teeth of the Seaprovidedaverydifferentslantonthe
playingofsongs,bothmusicallyandpractically.Ido
approveoftheirstagelay-out(allmembersinoneline
acrossthefront)andalthoughtheythrewtheirallintoa
typicallyelectronicset,Icouldntgetasexcitedasthey
were.Theirmusicdidhaveadecentall-encompassing
qualitytoit,butmoreinaphysicalsensethananything
else;itfeltalittlelikewewereunderwater.Unlike
YugoslavianBoys,thisformeisonebandthatisbest
servedrecorded.
Thenextband,Cold Pumas,Iknewabsolutelynothing
about,buttheyturnedouttobeanotherofthenights
pleasantdiscoveries.Theyplayedmotorikrhythms
packagedupinanindieimage(whichdidnotdothem
justice)toaslightlyunresponsivecrowd(whoalsodid
notdothemjustice).Thereweresomeprettysoulless
soundingvocalsthatechoedoverthemusic,butasaset,
itwasfarmoreabsorbingthanTeethoftheSea.Theonly
downsidewasthattheycouldbeviewedasalittledull
comparedtosomeoftheotherbandspresent,butforme
thediversitywasverymuchappreciated.
NextwereHookworms,whobroughtanentireshipment
of60spsychadelicrockwiththem.Anditwasloud.Very,
veryloud.Therewasalotofreverb.Inmynotesfromthe
setIhavewrittenOhwowasongended.Ohwait,noit
didnt.Idontrememberanyactualmomentsofsilence.
ItwasatthisstagethatIregrettednotbringingany
earplugs(butwhatsrockandrollaboutthat?).Theygot
veryintotheirmusicwhichisdenitelyagoodthing,but
unfortunatelyIdidnot.
ResolutionswerequicklydashedbyBlacklisters,andI
haventseenmanyworsebandsattheBrudenell(apart
frommaybeShiningat2010sBrainwash).Therewas
suchanirritatingwaveofarrogantnonchalancethatcame
fromthesingeranditwasimpossibletofocusjustonthe
music,andforawhileIwaswonderingwhetheritwas
performedinallsincerity.Onebeginstowonderwhatthe
pointofwritinglyricsisifyourejustgoingtoshoutthem.
Whynotjustshout?Itwouldbeeasier.ToquoteJohn
Betjeman,Imsureitsalldonewiththebestpossible
intentions,butitdidjustthrowmebacktomyTrivium-
infusedyoungerteenageyears.
Andnally,theverylateheadlinersZun Zun Egui.
Withtheirusualbizarremixofstyles,languagesand
footwear,itshardtoknowwhichgenretodenethis
bandby.Ofallthegroupsthatperformedthisevening,theycameacrossasthemostsophisticated(thoughI
suspectthisisbecausetheyare).Itsreectedintheir
songwritingability,whichhasthembuildingupsongs
outofagreatmanylayersandelements.Thesongsare
prettyunpredictableandhalfthetimeIhavenoideawhat
heissingingabout(becauseitsinadifferentlanguage,
notbecausehesshouting).Iveseenthemcreatemore
atmospherethanthisbefore,butitwastheendofthe
nightandrunningverylate.ApartfromYugoslavianBoys,
theywereeasilythemostinterestingbandoftheday.
Ellie Treagust
Sunday 4 March - Oporto
ThelastdayofthelastBritishWildlifeFestival?Sayit
aintso,Adam.
ThejaggedmathrockofMagnapinnagetsthings
underway.Theyplayadry,gnarlykindoffunkthatfeels
likeyoushouldbeabletodancetoitbutindoingso
wouldsurelyleadtomultipledislocations.Fortunatelythat
leavesthesynapsesinyourbrainfreetorevelinthejoys
ofbandsexplosive,unpredictablemusic.
ManchestersextetStanger Sonutiliseabraceof
keyboardsandextensivepercussiontoopenwitha
formlesswashofnoodlingthatthreatenstodisappearup
itsownjackplug,untileverythingmorphsintoagigantic,
drivingkrautrockygroovethatseemstostopprematurely
beforeitblowstheroofoff.Thereafterthebandtake
simpleideasandworkeachintoasimilarlyepicbut
controlledfrenzy.LankysingerGarethSmithstandslike
heshouldbeholdingacigaretteandreadsratherthan
singshissongsinadeadpan,detachedvoice.Themusic
andlyricsalmostsoundliketheyre(partiallyatleast)
improvisedandsongsseemstostopafteranodfrom
Smithratherthananythingelse.
JeffTSmithmayhaveabandonedhistruckloadof
instrumentsandeffectspedalsforthisgig,buthesstill
tradingasJuffage.So,apartfromviolaaccompaniment
fromJennaIsherwoodonthersttune,itsjustJeff,his
uncharacteristicallyreined-inguitarandhisfantastically
quirky,idiosyncraticsongs.Andwhatatreatitturnsout
tobe.Therealwaysseemedtobeamismatchbetween
theliveandrecordedversionsofSmithssongs;its
quiteasightwatchingSmithassemblinghislivesheets
ofnoisebuttheracketdoestendtodetractfromthe
actualsongs.Here,withouteventheminimalmusical
backingusedondebutalbumSemicircle,thesongs
soundalmostfreeformandinvestedwithafragiletension,Smithmodulatingthevolumeandattackof
hisguitarandvoicetocreatedramaticnewreadingsof
thesongs.
ItsdifcultnottolikethesoundofGalaxiansthumping
instrumentaldiscofunk,butthisduoofJedSkinneron
synthsandprogrammingandMattWoodwardondrums
dontreallydevelopwhattheydomuchbeyondthe
openingbarsofthersttune.
Ontheotherhand,Bearfoot Bewaresongshaveso
manyideasandsomuchenergycrammedintothem,
theyclearlynditdifculttocontainthemselvesintheir
givenformandsoundliketheydbehappytothrow
themselvesoffacliffjustforthehellofit.Guitarist
TomBradleyandbassistRichardVowdenbounce
alloverthestagewhentheyrenotyellingintotheir
mic,andMichaelOsbournetriesdesperatelytohold
everythingtogetherfromhisdrumstool.Itsathrilling,
riotousridealright.
ShefeldquartetWoodersonhavebeenknocking
aroundsince2008butitshardtoseehowtheirderivativeguitardrivenrocksongshavemanagedto
sustainsuchalongcareer.Thesongsarebuiltaround
musicalandlyricalclichsandseemdevoidofanyreal
senseofdynamism.Dull.
LondontrioGum Takes Tootharewellestablished
ontheEuropeannoiserockcircuitandprovideatting
climaxtothefestival.ThomasFuglesangandJaxon
Paineplaytwodrumkitswithonewiredupandthe
soundfedthroughhomemadeelectronicinstruments
tobemanipulatedandmessedaboutwithbyJussi
Brightmore.Thedrumsandtreatednoiseproducea
giganticsoundthatspartnoiseritualandpartecstatic
rave.Brightmorepunchestheairlikeatrippedout
DJ,hismangledvocalsbarelyheardoverthe
thunderingdrums.
Steve Walsh
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ImagebyGilesSmith
BritishWildlifeFestival
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Last time we met them, we covered them in
mud and inadvertently showered them with
glory. Now it looks as if they are about to
take the world out for dinner and dancing
and seduce the hell out of it. Rob Wright tried
vainly to resist their charms in the name of
quality journalism...
IamnotsureifyeoldemansettingofTheVictoriaHotel
isthebestplaceformeetingoneofLeedsmostintense,ultratechyetsoftlyspokenmetalsbands,especially
seeingasitisaSaturdaynightandtheplacehas
suddenlylledwithsuit-wearing,bellowingtwats,butit
ishandyforfreeparkingonaSaturdaynightandserves
DandelionandBurdock.Thisarethesortsofthingsyou
startmakingdecisionsbasedonwhenyougetold.
ThoughIamsurethatIwillnotbethankedforthis,Hawk
EyesarenospringchickenhawkseitherIhavefond
butvaguememoriesofthemastheywereoneoftherst
bandsIeverwroteareviewof,backin2005.Oneofthem
woreamask.ThatmuchIremember.Ialsoremember
thatPaulusedtodrumaswellassing,butnowMattReid
isintheband...
MattisnolongerinHawkEyes,announcesPaul,whose
birthdayistonight(soyoucanimaginehowpopularIwill
beasaresultofkeepinghimfromhisirresponsibilities
andfestivities).Woah,letmejustgetmyheadaround
this.ImsurroundedonallsidesbyHawkEyesinthis
darkwoodpanelledboothanddonthaveabeerinmy
hand,andiftheykeeplayingannouncementslikethaton
me,ImayneedsomethingalittlestrongerthanDandelionandBurdock.Itsalltotallysanctioned,Paulreassures
me,hesjustdecidedhewantstodosomethingelse,
whichseemsentirelyinkeepingwithHawkEyesethos,
ifthereweresuchathing.SteppingintoMattsshoeswill
betheabsentSteveWilsonofJapaneseVoyeursfame.
Interestingtimes...
Forthemorekeeneyedreadersamongyou,Ishould
pointoutthatthisisnotthersttimePaul,RobandRyan
havegracedthesepages.Backin2009,theymadethe
coverwithapicturefromDannyNorth.JokinglyIsuggest
thismadethem.
Ithinkifwehadntgotthatatthattime,confessesPaul
quitesincerely,afterscurryingawayforyearsandyears
forbasicallyourownbenetandthenallofasudden
people,inthistownespecially,weresayingthisisquite
good...Werereallygratefulforthat.Wegenuinelyare.I
feelfairlythrownbythisandhaveastrongurgetoshufe
mynotesorsomething.Tocovermyembarrassment,Igo
ontosayhow,regardlessofthat,2009wasagoodyear
forthemanyway:asigningtoBrew,alivelyslotatLeeds,
thezombievideo...andthenanabruptnamechange.
Roblaughsatthis.Wedontliketomakethingseasyfor
ourselves.Thethingis...hepausesalmostdramatically,
wedidntreallylikethenameandmovingforwardwe
couldseesome...technicalproblemswithit.
ChickenhawkwasamilitaryoperationinVietnamwhich
iscurrentlyundergoingthecelluloidtreatment.Itisalso
anAmericantermforapredatorygaymanwholikes
youngguys.
Thataswell,saysRobuncomfortably,ifwewantedto
takeourmusicoverthere...peopletalkingaboutaband
calledChickenhawkandallthatconnotation...heletsit
hangforamoment,butitwasntaboutpanderingtowhat
weneededtodo...itswhatwehadtodoourselves.
HawkEyesareveryclearonthispointthereisnogrand
schemeinvolved;infact,Paulgetsquiteincensedabout
theimplication:Theresneverbeenaplan,hesays
rmly,andwevebeenveryluckytogetwhereweare
weveworkedhardbutweveneverhadthestructure
andbackingof...corporatemusic.Wevegottowhere
wevegotbydoingabitofthis,abitofthat...andthereve
beenmistakesthatwevemade...yeah,itsbeenpretty
messy,butunlessyoureactuallygeekyenoughtogoand
readaboutit,yourenevergoingtoknowhowmessyits
been...butthatspossiblywhywestillexist.
Eventhoughtheysaythereis/wasnoplan,the(almost)
re-releaseoftheirdebutalbum,ChickenhawkasModern
Bodiesdidseemtohaveacertain...shapetoit?
Wegotpickedupbythismanagementcompany,says
Paul,theyaskedwhathaveyougot?Weplayedthem
theCDandtheysaidhasanybodyheardit?Sothey
wantedtorereleaseit...andweweretotallyagainstit.
SomuchsothattheydontactuallycountModern Bodies
asaseparatestudioalbum.Paulsighs.Itfeltlike...
stalling,notgoingforwardorbackward,itdidntmake
anysensetoustoputitout...andsomeoneshowedus
therealitywedsold200CDsbutwhodactuallyheard
it?Asabodyofwork,itactedasacallingcardanda
requiem,itseems.Modern BodiesisChickenhawkis
dead,itwonthappenagain...notthatweknewthatatthe
DREAMERS, NOT SCHEMERS...
9
HawkEyes
WordsbyRobWright~ImagesbyTomMartin
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time...Paullaughsfreely,consciousofhisownnearslip
intocontradiction.
ButModern Bodiesismostdenitelyanending,asmuch
asIdeasisabeginning,andinthespiritofthenew,itis
evenbeingsoldinarelativelynewfashion.Thoughthe
albumisessentiallypaidforalready,thewholethingis
beingsoldthroughPledge.Itsawayforustogivemore
backtothefans,explainsPaul,thewholepointofitis
thatpeoplecanchoosetointeractwithus.Peoplecan
sayIwantthat,Iwantthatitmakesiteasierforfans
whoreallycareaboutittobuyintoitatthebeginning.A
differentapproachtomarketinginadifferentmarket?In
thelasttenyearstheresbeenamassivechangeinthe
dynamicofhowthewholesystemworks,Paulcontinues,
youcantjustknockoutagreatalbum,putalovelycover
onit,getsomegoodpressandexpecttoshiftloadsof
copies,peopledontwantthatanymore.
Peopledownloaditforfree,saysRobbrusquely,thats
ageneralisation,butpeoplewhousetobuymusiclike
teenagersoryoungadultsdownloadit.Inthemajority.So
areleaseismorelikeacallingcardtogetyoumoretours
andactuallydrivesomerevenuebackintothebandto
keepitgoing.
Thereareplentyofgoodreasonstobuythisalbum
though,onebeingPaulsvocals,whichhaveundergone
ametamorphosissinceModern Bodies.Iaskwhere
thisamazingvoicehascomefrom.Hisrstansweris
ayarninvolvingoldwomen,fruitandmagicalpowers.
Hissecondisabitmorecoherent.WhenIwaseleven
Ijoinedthechoralsocietyatschool...Ihadbigbraces
andbiggingerhairandIsangsoprano,headmits,Idid
HandelsMessiahinitsentirety.Ivealwaysbeenableto
sing,butthatwasntthepointofthemusicwemade.Then
everyonewaslikeletstrysomesingingnow,because
wedgainedincondenceasaband...Again,itsounds
likeitsplanned,butitsjustahappycoincidence.
Wethoughtletsnotdoanotheralbumfullofchugging
guitars...saysRyanacrossthetable,whohasnotbeen
entirelysilent,buthasbeenalmostentirelydrownedout
bythenoisyclientele.
Wecandodifferentthingsonaguitar,laughsPaul.
AndwithanewstylecomesadifferentlabelFierce
Panda.Alltold,HawkEyeshavebeenonatleastfour
labels.Paulshrugs.Idontthinkbandsneedtosignto
onelabelforlife,hesays,whateverworksatthetime.It
canbequitedangeroustosigntomultialbumdealswith
labels,becauseyourethenbeholdentothem.Itstrue;
Iveheardaboutlocalbandswhovegotlockedintothe
wrongdealandsufferedtheconsequences.ButHawk
Eyesnarrowlyavoidedmakingthesemistakes,making
themwiseintheeyesoftheirpeersandverythoughtful
onthealbum.
Alotoftherecordisaboutthat...Paulscrabblesfor
adescription,thatfeelingof
hopelessness...reallynotknowingwhereyouregoingandmore
generallytheworldnotknowing
whereitsgoing.Theresalotof
stuffonthere,certainlylyrically
Ifeelsorryfortheotherguys
sometimesbecausetheydontknow
whatImgoingtodolyrically...as
longasthewordstandthemelody
suitsthemusicImprettymuch
allowedtodowhatIlikeItryto
involve[theband]asmuchasI
canItrynottomakemylyricsthe
PaulAstickshowbecausethats
notwhatthebandisthebandis
fourpeoplesoitsreectiveof
themoodsofthemusicandallthe
experiencesthatwevehadtogether,ouropinionsand
values.Butdespiteoraswellasthis,itisstillfun,just...
seriousfun.TheyvealsojustreleasedanalEPwith
BrewcalledMindhammersasakindofsafetyvalvefor
theircreativeoverow.Consideringwhattheyvegoton
thego,itsamazingtheyvefoundtimetotalktomeatall.
OurtimeisnearlyupandIcanseethatPaulisanxious
toenjoyhisbirthday,soIdontwanttokeepthem,but
IstillfeellikeIvemerelyscratchedthesurfaceofHawk
Eyes;theyrealmosttoomercurialasaband.Idont
thinkweshoulddeneourselvesasonethingIthink
thatsveryimportantforaband,explainsRob,notgoing
overthesamegroundtwiceletsprogress.
Itsallverygrownup,veryforwardfacing.Thenoneof
thebandmemberssuggestsItakeallmyclothesoff.
Butthatisanotherstory...
Ideasand Mindhammersare both available to purchase (just
check out www.hawkeyesmusic.com), and Hawk Eyes will
be supporting Andrew W K on the UK leg of his tour in April.
Party Hawk.
11
I dont
think we
should
defne
ourselves
as one
thing.
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Sam Airey, mild mannered guitar slinger
with a hint of folksiness, has been stamping
like a buttery of late. From being the house
band at the recent Live at Leeds launch to a
Radio 1 Maida Vale set, he has been making
his quiet presence known in quite a loud
way. Ellie Treagust cornered this timid yet
feisty little performer and pelted him with
questions which you, dear reader, might like
to know the answers to
ETHowwouldyoulikeyourmusicto
bedescribed?
SAIneverreallyknowhowtoanswerthis
questiontobehonest.Idratherpeoplejustmaketheirownmindsupwhentheylistento
it.Idprobablycallitsomethingalongthelines
ofindie-folkstorytelling;theresarealfolk
elementtoalotofthesongsbutitsnotalways
adeningfeature,Ithink.LyricallyItryand
writewithastrongnarrativemostofthetime,
butitsnotalwaysthecase.Withthelatest
thingsweverecordedtheresanemphasis
onatmosphere,tryingtocreateamoodthat
reectsthecontentofthesongs,Iguess.
ETHowdoyougoaboutthe
song-writingprocess?
SATheresnodenitivemethod.Sometimes
Illhavepiecesoflyricsoramelodyinmyhead
anditcantaketheshapeofasongwithin
minutes,othertimesitsmoreforcedandyou
havetoworkatitalittlemore.Iusuallywrite
withaguitarbutIvebeensatatthepiano
alotrecently.However,Ivewrittenwhole
songsbeforewithoutbeinganywherenearan
instrument;IwroteEndlessSeaonalate-nightferrycrossingfromIreland.Itstartedwithjust
acoupleofwords,butinmyheadIcouldhear
everything-thechordprogression,melodyline,
andsoonIhadawholesong,withoutactually
makingasound.AssoonasIgothomeIplayed
itinfull,itwasprettyoddhowitcameout
completelyformed.
ETHaveyounoticedmuchdevelopmentinyour
song-writingsinceyoubegan,andifso,how?
SAIliketothinkso.Lyricsareabigthingfor
meandItendtospendabitmoretimeonthem
thesedays.Musically,Imlessafraidtoletthe
songstakecourseandchange,soImenjoying
layeringthemandndingnewsounds.Youd
alwayshopeyoureconstantlydeveloping-if
yournextsongisntasgoodorbetterthanyour
last,youprobablyneedtositbackandquestion
whatyouredoing.
ETWhatsyourfavouritevenuetoplayat
inLeeds?
Ihaveafew.TheBrudenellisanobviouschoice
thesedaysforalltherightreasons.Thesound
isalwaysgreat,andNathandoesabrilliantjobofrunningit-itsnotjustacherishedvenuebut
anintegralpartoftheLeedsscene.Interms
ofothervenues,Ilikeplayinginslightlymore
unusualspacestoo.ThenewEPlaunchatHoly
TrinityChurchwillbethethirdtimeIveplayed
there.Itsabeautifulspaceanditlendsitself
reallywelltothetypeofmusicIplay.Wedida
singlelaunchlastyearcuratedbyAnthologies,
insidethechapterhouseinKirkstallAbbey,with
noPAoramplicationatall-thatfeltlikearisky
decisionbutitturnedouttobeoneofthebest
gigs.Finally,OportoandShopkeepersgigs
arealwaysfun.Itsbrillianttheyhaveadecent
budgetforlivemusicandyetputonsomany
freeshows.
ETTheresbeenquiteasurgeofonemanand
hisguitaractsinrecentyears-whatmakesyou
standout?
SAIvealwayssaidtheresaninherentaw,or
atleastdanger,withthetermsinger-songwriter,
ifthatswhatyouwanttocallthis.Theproblemliesinthefactthatthetermattemptstodenote
agenre,whenallitreallysuggestsisthatit
concernssomeonewhobothsingsandwrites
songs.However,thesedayswemostlycome
toassociateitwithagreatdealofbland/dross
music.Oneofthebigproblemsformeisthat
itsquiteeasytopickupaguitarandgetyour
songsontheinternet-thismayseemlikea
goodthingbutitmeansyouhavetowade
throughquitealotbeforeyoundsomethingof
worth.Iveworkedprettyhardthelastcoupleof
yearsbothonsongwritingandlearninghowto
holdacrowdonmyown,whichatrstseemed
likethemostdauntingthingintheworld.
Butnowthattherecordingsareincreasingly
layeredandorchestrated,Illbedoingmore
withafullbandtoo.
ETWhatsyourbiggestmusical
achievementtodate?
SATherehavebeenafew.Musicformehas
alwaysjustbeensomethingIveloved-Inever
reallyintendedtogettothispoint,butwith
everythinggoodthathappens,itseemstospur
youontothenext.AtrstitwasacaseofI
havethesesongs,Illwritesomemore,thenitwasIllrecordandreleaseanEP,andnow
twoyearsdownthelineIvereleasedsingles,
playedaroundtheUK,andImcurrentlywriting
analbum.Ithinkthemostoverwhelmingthing
hasbeentheradioattention;theRadio1Maida
Valesessionwasahugehighlightforme.
ETDoyoursongsalwaysturnouthowyou
wantedthemtoordoesthecreativeprocess
changethem?
SASometimesyoullhaveanidealisticsense
ofwhatyouwantthesongtosoundlike,but
youhavetolettheprocessrunitscourse
becauseyoumightendupwithsomethingthat
soundsbetterthanwhateveryouanticipated.
ET Howmuchinspirationdoyoutakefrom
yoursurroundingarea?
SAAvaryingdegree.ImfromruralNorth
Walesoriginally,andbitsofthesongsare
partlyinspiredbymymemoriesofit,andalso
bymymovetoLeedsandgettingusedto
lifeinthecity.ButIdsayItakejustasmuch
inspirationfromthepeoplearoundmeandthe
placesIvisit.
ETAquickrun-downofwhatsinstore
musicallyforyouthisyear?
SAFirstlytheresthenewEPAMarker&A
Map,releasedinMarchwithaccompanyingfull
bandgiginHolyTrinityChurch,andwerealso
doingaLondonEPlaunch.ThenIllbedoing
sometouringinAprilincludingmyrstgigsinScotland,thenofcourseLiveatLeedsinMay,
andhopefullywellbeplayingafewfestivals
duringthesummertoo.
ETIfyoucouldhostafantasydinnerpartyof
sevenguests,whowouldtheybe?
SASamCookeandJoniMitchellwould
come,andIdalsomakethemsing.Ernest
Hemingwaywouldbeondrinksduty,Audrey
Hepburnforsomeeleganceandstories,
SalvadorDaliseemedprettyinterestingtooso
hecouldprobablycomealong.ThenIdinvite
CharlesDarwinandGod,andmakethemhave
anarm-wrestlingduel.
You can catch Sam Airey at Live at Leeds on
Saturday 5th May. Be patient...
13
SamAirey
WordsbyEllieTreagust~ImagesbyAaronJones
13
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15
Anticipation. Despite what the hacks will try
and tell you i.e. that they know the line up for
Leeds 2012 and have done for months blah
blah blah, there is a very tangible sensation
of anticipation in this room full of giggers,
liggers, bloggers, sloggers, tweeters and
the occasional writer. In ten minutes time
there will be an electronic barrage comparable
to the EMP kicked out by a small nuclear
device departing from the cockpit, but for
now... anticipation.
Bythetimeyoureadthis,thelineupwillbeoldnews.
Therewillbetheusualaccusationsofplayingitsafeand
soooopredictable,butasforme...Istillgetexcitedby
this.Imlovingtheprospectof(hopefully)seeingTheCure,re-acquaintingmyselfwiththeGallicdancemetalinsanity
ofJustice,goingbollocks-mentaltoPulledApartByHorses
ONTHEMAINSTAGEand...well...AtTheDriveIn...
ItcouldonlygetbetterifSoundgardenmadean
appearance(crossesngers).
AndwehaventevengottotheFRorIntroducing
stagesyet...ortheLockDown/Dancelineup...orthe
comedystage...
Yes,itiscommercial,yes,itisfullofpissedupteenagers
butitisstillLeedsfestival,amassivefestivalinourback
yardthatbearsourcitysnameandIhaveitongood
authority(fromtwoguyswhocameallthewayfrom
ReadingtogotoLeeds,so...)thatitisthepreferred
locality.Andforthatweekend,therewillbethatsamebuzz
ofanticipation,onlygrownseveralmagnitudeslargerand
Ihaveafeelingthisisgoingtobeamightyweekend.
InafugoffreeGaymers,Iamluckyenoughtogeta
momentoftimewithFestivalRepublichonchoMelvyn
Benn,aformerHulliteandfanoffanzines.Heissippingawhitewine,leaningagainstasparestageandlooking
slightlyrelaxedbutalsoslightlyanxiousaboutcatchinghis
traindowntothebigsmoke.
SeeingasthisisaGlasonbury-freeyear,Iaskhimif
hefeelslikeakidinasweetshop,literallyhavingthe
pickofthebunchwhenitcomestobandsthisyear.I
alwaysfeellikeakidinasweetshop,heresback,
anyoneinmypositionshouldfeellikeakidinasweet
shop.Glastonburysauniquefestival,entirelyonitsown.
ReadingandLeedsaremusicfestivals,theyhavemusic
runningthroughtheirveinsandessentiallyonlymusic
runningthroughtheirveinstheresnoclowns,nore
eaters,nosnakecharmers.
Aswellasbeingafanzinefan,italsotranspiresthatheis
aPulledApartByHorsesfan,havingbeenintroducedto
thembytheirmanager.Hehadtobuyhisowncopyofthe
newalbum,though.OpeningontheFriday,Iaskhimifhe
seesthemasawarmupband:Onthecontraryactually
Ithinkthatworlddominationbeckons-theyvegotasoundthatwillblowpeopleapartinGermany,inAmerica,
inJapan.
NotonlyarePABHplayingthemainstage,butLeedsown
KaiserChiefswillbeuptheretoo.Hashegoneforsome
localactionspecically?Somepeoplehavesaidtome
doyoupickthelocalbandsforLeeds?butthefestival
republicintegritywouldntallowthat.Wepickthebands
becausetheydeservetobethere.
Aswellasthebignames,LeedsFestivalwillalsobe
hostingthewinnersoftheMartinHouseHospices
CentreStagecompetitionforathirdyear,demonstrating
FRsdedicationtonewmusic:Thefactthatitbenets
thehospiceisaplus,butitsarealopportunityfor
youngmusicianstobeonstageandtolearnabout
theircontemporaries.Hesalsoachampionofyouthin
general:IvealwayshadyoungpeopleatmyheartI
abhorthewaythatyoungpeoplearegivenahardtimeby
thepress.TheyoungpeopleintheaudiencesatReading
andLeedsaretomorrowsleadersofthecountry-Ive
beenatfestivalswherethefuturekingofEnglandhas
beenexcitedbybeingstoodatthesideofthestage.
Butmorethanthat,hehasvowedtoputabeerand
aburgerinthebellyofeveryindividualwhobuysa
weekendticket:Intruth,nothingpromptedmeapartfrom
philanthropy-IdowhatIcantomakethesponsorshelp
meiftheydontdothat,Illpayforit.Imnotnaturally
apersonthatjusttakesandtakes,Ialwayswanttogive
thingsbackandatfestivalrepublicwealwaysworkreally
hardoncharityprojects.IjustfeltIneededtodoit.And
forthat,Isaluteyou.Willtherebehaggistherethisyear
though?CanIgethaggis...?
InterviewbyRobWright~ImagesbyCarlFleischer
MelvynBenn&LeedsFest.
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17
Not ones to let the grass grow under our feet,
weve had a bit of a recruitment drive here at
WYPC, so please welcome Ofcer Rochelle
Massey she doesnt take any, as Reel
Big Fish found out when they got a proper
grilling. Fish? Grilling? Oh, forget it...
Names?
Dan,andIplaythetrombone.
Derek,andIplayBass
John,JohnnyChristmas,andIplayTrumpet
Matt,Iplaysaxophoneandsing
Reason for Visit?
DanWellonceayearaplanecomesbyeachofourhouses,picksusup,andsaysyouhavetogodancelike
amonkey,overwithintheUK.Sincewedontreallyhave
alotgoingon,weusuallygetonthatplane.
Business or pleasure?
DanAbitofboth.Betweenthehoursof9and10.30,
itsbusinessandtherestofthetime,itsbusiness.
DerekIaminthebusinessofpleasure.
Dan-Businessisgood.
DerekBusinessisabooming.
How has touring changed for you over the years? We
hope you wont be all... rock and roll.
DanOnthistourwetendtobeourPJsby11pm.
JohnnyHeisveryhappyaboutthat.
Derek-StagetoPJsintenminutes.
DanAlthoughlastnighttherewasabitofpartying.
JohnnyInGlasgow.
When you come to the UK what do you enjoy the
most?
DerekKebabs!
JohnnyYeah,kebabshereareawesome.Weenjoymeetingallthepeople.TheBritishfansarealwaysso
awesome.Wereallyappreciatethat.
MattYouguysdoreallygooddelimeat.Ienjoythedeli
meat.Idolovesomegooddelimeat.
When constantly touring do you ever get on each
others nerves and want space to yourself? I think we
have a free holding cell...
DanIthinkweareoldenoughtoknowwhensomeone
wantsspace.
Johnnyyeah,denitely,wehavelearnthowtostayout
ofeachotherswaywhenwearefeelingthatwayout.
Thenthenextdaytheywillbene...
DerekActually,youshouldhaveeachofusintheroom
aloneandaskthequestionagain,andthenseewhat
answeryouget.
Drummers are known for being troublemakers,
bassists for being lazy how does a trombone player
behave?
DanThetromboneplayerisusuallystoned,althoughnotnow,Imuststressthat.
MattTheyloveDoritos.Theycaneatanentirebagof
Doritosinonesitting.
DanThatisnottrue.
MattAndtheylie.
DanIhavenothadabagofDoritosonthisentiretour.
Iwasnebeinginsultedbymyself,butifyouwanttojoin
in,pleasedo.
Calm down, gentlemen. How have you kept the band
relevant when ska is in and out of favour?
DanItcertainlyisnotbygettingasaxplayer.
MattOooohhhhh,likethatnowisit.
DanYoubetitis.IthinkAaronhaswrittenthe
soundtracksofmostpeopleslivesfromabout12tothe
ageof25.Soheisdealingwithalltheproblemsthatyou
gothroughatthattime.
MattYouarestillgoingthroughthem.
What is next for Reel Big Fish?
DanWeareactuallyworkingonanewrecord.
JohnnyYeyyynally.
DanNowIknowwehavehadsaidwehavebeenworkingonanewrecordforwhatseemslikeyears...
DerekItisyears!
Dan...ButAaronlikesthesesongs,whichisveryrare.
Sothistimeitshouldhappen.Itwillhappen...(sternface)
Anything else to declare?
JohnnyDonteatspacecakeandtrytocomebackto
Britain.
(shouts:bloodtestforJohnny...)
DanIwouldliketodeclare,thatIdidweartheseshoes
inanagriculturalsituation,andbroughtmadcowintothe
countrywiththesoilonmyboots.
DerekYeah!Ihavesomethingtodeclare...Iam
notlazy!
Thankyou,youmaynowproceedthroughpassport
control.EnjoyLeeds.
PassportControl
InterviewbyRochelleMassey~ImagebyChrisEn
sell
REEL BIG FISH
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Long before most Vibrations readers and
writers were even born, the insanity of
providing quality musical opinion, info, news
and reviews for our ne city was under the
auspices of a certain Martin Tindall. In 1977 he
blazed a trail with his fanzine, New Pose, for
such mags as ourselves, so we called on an
old friend to big up his seminal publication,
now reissued after 35 years. Vibrations own
old schooler Sam Saunders was there, so he
knows what hes talking about!
Inthemiddleoftheblandestmusicaldecadeinhistory,
ayoungMartinTindallwasgoingabouthiswide-eyed
lifelisteningtoNewYorkDollsandTheStooges,being
expelledfromArtCollegeandvisitingLondon.
InLondon,lookinglikeapunkcouldmeanhidingin
MalcolmMcLarensshopforsafety,withteddyboy
assailantslockedoutside,shoutingforblood.InLeeds
itwasworse.HangingaroundTheQueensHallonthe
nightofaconcertcouldleadtoakicking.
Nomatter;theAnarchyInTheUKTourbroughtThe
SexPistols,TheDamned,JohnnyThundersandThe
Heartbreakers,and(SpecialGuests)TheClashtoLeeds
PolytechniconMonday,December6th1976.Unlikeother
citiesontheadvertisedtour,Leedsactuallyallowedthe
gigtoproceed.Martinandhispalswerethere,withhearts
poundingandaplan.
Bythespringof1977,Martin,withtypingbyJayneCobbe
andphotosbySteveDixon,hadphotocopiedtherstissueofaremarkablefanzinecalledNewPose.Itwas
copied,onesided,onto16sheetsofA4stapledtogether
andsoldthroughoutletslikeVirginRecords(who
quicklyputMartininchargeoftheirpunk-record
purchasing).Withartschoolstillinhisblood,hegot
contributionsfromcartooniststoo:MarkManning(founder
ofthebandZodiacMindwarp),RayBurns(akaCaptain
Sensible)andJerzySzostekofKnockaboutComicswere
activecontributors.
AlotofthetextwashandwrittenbyMartin.The
photographsbyJayneCobbeandMattDixon(Elvis
Costello,SexPistols,Ramones,TheClash...)are
denselyzeitgeist(withcontactprintsinoneissuetosave
onprocessingcosts).Pin-upcartoonsbyMarkManning
(andMartin)arebrilliant.ThecomicstripreviewofanIggy
PopgigandacomicstripbiographyofTheDamned(by
CaptainSensible)aresomethingelse.Vibrations
shouldadopttheformatimmediately(dulynotedany
takers?Ed.).
Overvespikyissuesthroughthewholeof1977writing,
photographs,comicstrips,cartoons,gignewsand
personalviewspouredout.AlongsidethefewYorkshire
artistslikeS.O.S.,TheJerks,Cyanide,TheMirrorBoys
andTheNeckFuckerstherewerereviewsandinterviews
withmostofthebest:TheRamones,TheStranglers,The
VibratorsandTheSexPistolsandloadsmore.
Thefanzinehashadagooddealofnationalattention
overtheyears.NME,championingpunkatthetimeand
fastbecomingTHEmusicweeklyasMelodyMakerlost
itsbearings,putitsecondonlytoSnifnGlueasthe
nationsbestfanzine.(SnifnGluehadstartedabitearlier
andMartinthoughthecouldmakesomethingthatlooked
better.Hewasright.)NewPosehassincebeenfeatured
inTVdocumentariesoftheera:notablyinBBC2sArena
seriesin1990andChannel4sTheStiffRecordsStory
in2010.
ButafterveissuesMartinhadrunoutofsteamandthe
Leedspunkscenewasturningintosomethingalotless
excitingandalotmorecommercial.NewPosestopped
whileitwasstillhot.Eachissuehadgotstrongerthanthe
previousone,butthingswereshiftinginLeeds.Martintold
methatthosedescendantsoftheskinheadsandfootball
hooliganswerestartingtoarriveatpunkgigs,lookingfor
troubleandgoingforthesmellofbandslikeSkrewdriver
whorepresentedeverythingthatpunkhadstoodagainst.
Thecultofpunkitselfwasmorphingintogothandnew
wave.Recordlabelswhohadbeenfastasleepin1976werestartingtothrowchequebooksatpeoplelikeElvis
Costellowhocoulddeveloptheirmusicandmakea
seriesofbigmoneyalbums.Theerceenergyofthepunk
singlesthatMartinwassellinginVirgincouldnt
maintaintheirimpactonwholealbumsandsomethinghad
beenlost.
HestillremembersdoingoneDJsetatJohnKeenans
rstStarsofTodayseriesatLeedsPolytechnicbutthe
pressuresofhisfull-timejobandputtingoutNewPose
madehimbackoutofafutureasaDJ.
The New Pose full-set reissue of ve can be bought from Crash
Records and Jumbo Records. If you have original copies,
treasure them and buy these to read all over again.
19
WordsbySamSaunders
NewPose-OldSchoolFanzine
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Just outside of Leeds (I know, bear with
me) there is a little star cradle of a town that
has spawned the likes of The Cribs, The
Research, Runaround Kids and now The
Spills. Emma Quinlan managed to get some
sense out of them between ts of laughing
and breaks for South Park. YOU WILL
RESPECT HER AUTHORITAH!
Theylikechillisauceonbeansontoast,eatingshandchipswhilstrecordingandwatchingSouthPark.They
areTheSpills,anindierockquartetfromWakeeldwho
infactlikewatchingSouthParksomuchthatwestopthe
interviewhalfwaythrough,sotheycanpayattentionto
theTVintheroomandwatchacartoonRobSchneider
makeatoolofhimself.Sorryaboutthat,saysSam,its
thebestbitofthewholeepisode.
WereinthelivingroomareaatGreenmountstudios
inArmley.Aone-timeplaceofworship,thisconverted
churchhasceasedtoopenitsdoorstothereligiousand
insteadactsasaplaceforbandstorecordtheirmusic.
TheSpills,consistingofguitarist/singerRob,bassist
Sam,drummerJoe(whoissadlyunabletoattend)and
guitarist/singerChad,haverecordedhereafewtimes
anddontseemtobeputoffbytheweirdeerinessthat
surroundstheplace.
WedidourEPhereandthenwedidouralbum
here,explainsRob,LeeandJamie,theguyswho
ranitthen,didourEPandalbumandnowIrunthe
studiowiththem.Wejustalwaysreallylikedthisstudio
andwerecordtoanaloguetapeanditsgotloadsofvintageequipment.
Formedaroundsixyearsago,TheSpillsallmetin
secondaryschoolandbeganplayingtogetherwhenRob
wasinschoolandtheotherswereinsixthform.We
startedprettyyoung...Iwas15whenIstartedwriting
somesongsandthenmeandSamboughtafour-track
taperecorder.Itsbeenthesameline-up[eversince]but
whenyouhavebeengoingfromthatyoungobviouslyits
verydifferent.
YoudontmeanthatofTheSpillsdoyou?interjects
Sam.No,laughsRob,Itssodifferent.Itsjustthat
mostbandssplitup
Theyrelikeschoolbands,continuesChad,andthen
theykindofbreakupandactuallydosomething.
Withthis,theyallbeginlaughing,whichtheycontinue
todothroughouttheinterview,normallyattheexpense
ofoneanother.Basically,saysRob,wecarriedon
whenwewenttouniversity[eventhough]weallwentto
universityindifferentplaces.Intherstyearwetookita
bitslowerandthenwekindofbuiltitupagain.Thenwe
didanEPandthenafteruniversitywedidthealbum.
ThealbumheistalkingaboutisOccamsRazor,their
fantasticdebutthattakesallthebestbitsoftheindie
genreandwhacksthemtogetherinonegloriousCD.Theirworkhasgatheredarespectableamountof
praisefromthemusicmedia(includingthisveryne
publication),whichcameasanicesurpriseforthe
makers.
Wegotalotmorereviewsthanwethoughtandthey
wereallreallynicesoitwasapleasantsurprisereally,
smilesRob.
Yeah,chucklesSam,Ithoughtwewouldgetlikethree
reviewsorsomething...
Thankfullythishasnotbeenthecaseandinstead
OccamsRazorhasignitedaameinTheSpillsand
showntherestofYorkshirehowindierockshouldbe
done.However,eventhoughtheyregardthemselves
asanindieband,theyarentfullycomfortablewiththe
tagline.
Itsquiteanindieband,mullsSam,butIdontlikethe
wordindiebecausepeoplealwaysturntheirnoseupat
it.Hesgotapoint.Ifyousaythewordindietopeople,
mostofthemwillenvisageabunchofposhlads,toutingguitarsandannelshirtsbutTheSpillsaredenitelynot
oneofthesebands.[Oursound]isnoisyandIdont
knowifitsheavybutitsnoisyandabitrough.[Its]kind
ofindieinthesenseofAmericanindie[like]Pixiesand
Pavement.
SodidthesebandsinspireTheSpillstopickuptheir
instruments?WhenIstartedplayingguitarIwaslike
10,remembersRob,Soprobably[someone]likeJimi
Hendrixinspired[me]tostartplayingguitar.Apparently
thisisntthersttimeJimiHendrixhasbeenmentioned
duringaninterviewDoyourememberthatinterview
wedidwhenyoukeptreferringtotheJimiHendrix
tapeinyourdadscar?smirksChad.Hedoesnt,but
accordingtoSamhementioneditoverandover.
Chills, Thrills and... The Spills!
WordsbyEmmaQuinlan~ImagesbyGilesS
mith
TheSpills
21
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Thebandbreaksintomoresmilesandmoregiggles,
withRobnowthetargetformockery.Yeah,mydadhad
aJimiHendrixtapeinhiscarjokesRob,takingtheir
mocksinhisstride.Apparentlyhealsohadafewothers
includingBobMarley,butwedontneedtogointothat.I
didntstartplayinguntilIwas15,saysChad,Soitwas
mainlythatIlikedalotofbandsbut[also]thateveryone
elseplayedinstrumentsandIjustalwayswantedtoso
Ijustdid.
HemakesitsoundsoeasyandTheSpillsasawhole
makebeinginabandlookeasierthanitprobablyis.For
theseladsthough,thisisntexactlyaneasylife-theyall
haveregularjobsaswellasplayinginTheSpills.Theres
noBono-styleprivatejetsandfullstadiumtoursforthem,
justsmallchapelswithnobarsandabring-your-own-beer
policy.WedidanalbumlaunchatChantryChapel,which
isachapelinWakeeld.Thecapacityisprobably50
people.Itsareallylittleplace,explainsRob.
Theresnobarsoitwasbringyourownbeerandno
toiletssopeople[were]justhavingapissintheopen,
addsSam,Ithink[thatwasthe]bestgigofours.
Notexactlythevenuedreamsweremadeof,butitsnot
allpissingonwallsandcansofRedStripeforTheSpills
no,notalloftheirliveappearanceshavebeenthatclassy.
Lastyearhowevertheywerebookedfortheone-day
extravaganzathatisLiveatLeedsandthisyearthey
aredoingLongDivision(whichtheyalsodidin2011),
WakeeldsanswertoLiveatLeedsandaccordingto
Sam,thefestivalthatisputtingWakeeldonthemap.
Thisbringsalittlegrintoallourfaces,butapparently
theclaimisdeserved.Itactuallyis,saysChad,itwas
amazinglastyear.
Theysolditoutlastyear,addsRob,TheyhadDarwin
Deezcomeover,andTheWeddingPresent.Isgetting
DarwinDeeztoplayreallyathingtobragabout?
ItsprettycoolthathecamefromNewYorktoplay
inWakeeld,answersRobandwhenputlikethat,I
supposeIhavetoagree
SothatsTheSpills,pastandfuture(theredoingasplitEP
withRunaroundKidsscheduledforlateronintheyear)
butwhataboutthepresentandmorespecicallywhatare
yourecordinginthiscreepyoldchurchanyway?[Were
recording]atrackforacompilation,explainsSam.
Yeah,addsRob,DoyouknowwhoRhubarbBomb
are?Queuetheblankexpression.ItsaWakeeldzine
thingandtheirdoingacompilationwithloadsofWakeeld
bands.ItscomingoutwithabigbookontheWakeeld
musicscene.Theresus,RunaroundKids,TheCribs,Imp,
TheResearch:itsWakeeld
bandspastandpresent,so
wererecordingforthat.
SoundsgoodtousbutwhilstI
wishIcouldtalktoTheSpills
allnight,weallhavehomes
togotoandworktogetup
for.Beforewesaygoodbye
though,anylastwords?Not
thatImeanthattosoundso
terminal.Illmakeapledge
forthisRhubarbBomb
compilation.[Theres]loads
ofmemorabiliafromgigs
inWakeeldlikebigprints
ofArticMonkeysplaying
WakeeldforinstanceIthink
thatsoneandtheresoneof
KateNashplayingWakeeld.
Basicallyyoumakeapledge,
acertainamountofmoney
forwhateveritemand
obviouslyyougetthatitem,
explainsRob.
Thatsthenfundingthecompilationandthisbigbookon
theWakeeldmusicscene[showing]thehistoryofitand
thehistoryofthemagazine.Youcanmakeapledgefor
thatonline,soitwouldbegoodifeveryonechecksthat
out,itsagoodthing.Whenisthisout?[Thecompilation]
comesoutApril21stIthinkanditscalledTheCity
ConsumesUs.IsitnotcalledTheBomb-palation?
UnfortunatelynotSam,butbyGodwewishitwas.
The City Consumes Us will indeed be available at the end of
April, complete with funky book. It is unclear as to whether
Robs dad still has a Jimi Hendrix tape in his car...23
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It actually came as a shock to realise that
iForward Russia! Have actually been on
permanent Hiatus since 2008, but time ies
and all that. Whiskas, not a man to let the
grass grow under his feet but having to
deal with the responsibilities of a young
family, took time out of his busy schedule
to speak to Greg Elliott about new honours,
new glories...
Musician,labelowner,manager,producer,promoter-the
manknownasWhiskashashadmanyguisesthroughout
hislongassociationwiththeLeedsscene.Hessatwith
meinaHeadingleywateringholetalkingaboutHonour
BeforeGlory,thesoloaliasunderwhichheself-released
theThis Is Broken LinesLPin2011anditsfollow-up
EPThe Maisonearlierthisyear.Theoriginsofthe
projectcanbetracedtothedyingdaysofForward,
Russia!,withwhomWhiskasplayedguitarandrode
themid-NoughtiesNewYorkshirewavetosomething
approachingmainstreamsuccess.Breakingintothe
charts,however,cameataprice.
Wegotswallowedupbythemachine,hetellsme,we
werereactingtowhatotherpeopleweredoingandwe
werenttakingintoaccountwhatweneededtobedoing
asindividuals.Lookingbackitwasmentalthatwewere
hangingaroundwithbandslikeEditorsandDirtyPretty
Things,thinkingthatwehadthesamekindofappeal!
Wewastedalotoftime,energyandmoneyonpromotion
-itdenitelygotusbigger,butwhetheritwastheright
thinginthelongtermIdontknow.Hepauses.Itsa
bitlikeChelseareally.
In2007Forward,Russia!decampedtoSeattletorecord
theirsecondalbum,Life Processes.Thesessions
weremarkedbyachangingdynamicwithintheband.
Iwascomingupwiththingsreallyquickly,Whiskas
recalls,before,Iwouldjustwriteaguitarpartandwed
buildasongaroundthat,butnowIwasturningupwith
fully-formedideas.Iwouldgoinandsayyoudothis
andyoudothat.Icouldhearinmyheadhowthe
wholethingworked.SomeBuildingswastherstsong
wedrecordedinsuchanun-collaborativeway.Itwas
awkward-itwasnthowthebandworkedanditjarred
withallofusIthink.WhentherewasdowntimeIwould
disappearandmessaroundwithideas,buttheydidnt
reallytwithwhatweweredoing.
Whiskashadunknowinglyplantedaseedwhichwould
cometofruitionwithThisIsBrokenLinesindeed,
standouttrackBrokenBottles,EmptyHeartswaswritten
inSeattleandcouldhavebeenaForward,Russia!
song.UponhisreturntoLeedshetriedtorecordsome
demoswithfriendsJamieLockhart(MiMye)andJon
Foulger(Duels),buttheprojectquicklystalled.Ididnt
reallyknowwhattodowithit,whyIwasdoingitorwhatit
wasfor,headmits,Ididntwantittobeanotherband,
butmaybeamorecoherentcollectiveofpeoplethanit
endedupbeing.Inmanywaysitwasareactiontothe
experienceoffourpeopleinaroomtryingtowritesongs
together.Whenyoureinabandyoudontthinkofevery
detail-theresalwayssomebodyaddingtheirtwocents
andusuallyinareallygoodway.Itwasalmostlikean
experiment,pullingalloftheideastogethermyselfand
seeingwhathappened.Thatsprobablywhyittookfour
years!Helaughs.
ItwasthedemiseofForward,Russia!attheendof
2008thatstartedbringingthingsintofocus.Aninterest
inproduction,sparkedbythemoreholisticapproach
tosong-writinghehadtakenwithLife Processes,ledWhiskastoenrolonapostgraduatecourseatLMU.
Freshlyup-skilled,heenteredtheHouseofMook
recordingstudiosinMeanwoodtobeginworkonhis
debutsoloalbum.Itwasaseriousundertaking-aswell
asproducingWhiskasplayedeveryinstrumenthimself,
withtheexceptionoflivedrumsperformedbySimon
FogalofILIKETRAINS.Backingvocalscamecourtesy
ofacastofLeedsmusiciansknowntoWhiskasfromhis
famousassociationwithlocalindependentlabelDance
ToTheRadio,includingFranRodgers,SamAireyand
ILIKETRAINSfrontmanDaveMartin.Iwouldsayto
themIwantthistohappenItrustyoutomakeitgood,
heexplains.IdknowIwantedacertainvocalrange
lling,oratransitiononthedrumstogetusfromaverse
intothechorus,butpeoplehadthelicensetobecreative
andcomeupwiththeirownwaysofachievingwhatId
askedfor.
Not Back in The USSR
HonourBeforeGlory
25
WordsbyGreggElliott~ImagesbyChrisEnsell
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ThiswasunchartedterritoryforWhiskas.Foronething,
hewasplacingamuchgreateremphasisonthesoundof
thesongs.Ialreadyknewaboutarrangements,hetells
me,like,inthesecondversetheguitarsgoingtodrop
outorthevocalsaregoingtochangemelodyorwhatever
butnowitwasmorelike,okay,thedrumsaregoing
topassthroughalter,thekickdrumsgoingtobottom
out,allthesesynthandpercussionthingsaregoingto
behappening.IwaslearningasIwent.Ienjoyedthe
process,butifIcouldntgetthesoundthewayIwanted
therewasnooneIcouldturnto.There
weresomeadvantagestoworkingin
isolation,however.Myexperiencewith
bandsisthatyouhaveathing,thenyou
doanotherthing,thenyoudoanother
thing,heexplains,youcantgetinto
thedetailtoomuch.WithHonourBefore
Glorythesongsaremainlyverse-chorus-
verse-chorus-end,buttheyreinteresting
becauseofhowtheyreproduced.Icantimaginebeinginaroomwithpeople
discussingwhyallthesedifferent
thingsneedtohappenatthesevery
specictimes.
This Is Broken Linesalsorepresents
Whiskasrstexperienceofwritinglyrics.
Giventhathebecameahusbandand
afatherwhilethealbumwasifyoull
excusethepungestating,didtheseupheavalsinhis
personallifeinformitslyricalcontent?Thealbumis
musicallyratherthanlyricallydriven,heinsists,thelyrics
arequiteinsulartheymeanalottomebutprobably
notmuchtoanybodyelse!Thefeelofthealbumisvery
mono-chrome;theideasareallveryblackandwhite.
Fran[Rodgers,alsoatalentedillustratorifyouever
wantedtotypeLazyDaneintoGoogle]cameupwith
somegreatartworktorepresentthat.
So,hehadanishedalbumhewaspleasedwithtime
topromoteitwithafuckloadofliveshows,right?Not
bythelooksoftheHonourBeforeGlorywebsite,which
proclaimsnogigsfortheforeseeablefuture.Itsneverbeenalivething-henceitsproblemwithbeingalive
thing!explainsWhiskas.Withmypreviousbandsthe
songswerewrittenwithgigsinmindanditwascooltobe
abletogetawayfromthat.Theun-livepartshavedened
thedirectionsthesongshavegonein,ratherthanvice
versa.Ivebeenabletoputtwodrumkitsortenguitars
onasongbecauseIhaventbeenworryingabouthow
Imgoingtodoitlive.Wevedonesomeshows,butIve
foundthemreallyunsatisfactory.Imnotastrongsinger
andIdontfeelcondentorcomfortablefrontingaband.
Itsashame,butthereareotherthingsIenjoymore.Im
sobusyIhavetoprioritise.
Thesecompetingprioritiesasidefromtheobvious
responsibilitiesofhomelife-includeplayingguitarfor
SamAireyandMonteCarlo,producingtheirnewEPs
aswellasupcomingreleasesbySoulCircusandKleine
Schweine,andorganisingthe2012Unconferenceas
partofLiveAtLeedsnextmonth.Thatsnottomention
thedayjob,whichseesWhiskaspassingonhiswisdom
asalectureratLMU.Heremainspassionateabout
empoweringmusicianstotakecontroloftheirartand
keeptheirintegrity,promptingmetoaskifthename
heschosenforhislatestprojectisareferencetothis
continuingpreoccupation.Henods.ItswhatForward,
Russia!wasabouttoo-doingthingsintherightwayand
fortherightreasons.Itsnotaboutglory-Ijustwantstuff
togettherecognitionitdeserves.
Itmighthavebeentakenofftheroadforthe
timebeing,butWhiskasiskeentostressthat
HonourBeforeGloryisstillagoingconcern.
Thereareplanstogobackintothestudio
withsomenewsongsthisyear,andthere
maywellbeaquitedifferentlivemanifestation
ofhismusebeforetoolong.Itcanbe
whateverhewantsittobe,afterall.TheearlysongswerequiteAmericana-inuenced,
abitmorerockandroll,hetellsme,things
gotmoreelectroasIwenton.Ireallylikethe
soundofthelatersongstheyrealotmore
synthetic.NoneofthesongsIrecordedat
theendhadlivedrumsandIdidntmissthem.
SoIhavethisideathatinthefutureIcoulddo
songslikeShadowInto[aseven-minuteepic
ofpensiveambienceandperhapsthemost
experimentaltrackonthealbum]onmyown.Hesmiles
wryly.Iwouldntexpectittobeexcitingtowatchthough!
Wellsee.
This Is Broken LinesandThe Maisonarebothavailable
viaBandcampand,thoughyoumaynotseeHonour
BeforeGloryinahurry,ifyouseeWhiskas,buyhim
abeer...
He remains
passionate
about
empowering
musicians totake control
o their art
and keep
their integrity
27
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Reviews
2929
Stalking Horse Specters (Role Model
Corporate)
Forthoseofyouwhoweredisappointedwith
lastyearsRadioheadcurveballKingofLimbs,
thiscouldbethealbumyouwerewaitingfor
allalong.TosaythatStalkingHorsehasonly
apassingYorke-ianvocaltwingewouldbea
massiveunderstatement.AndbythetimeThe
Creeps(oh,comeon)kicksinyourestartingtowonderifStalkingHorseisjustapseudonym
foranRHsideproject.
Inactualfact,SpectersisthedebutLPfrom
Ex-ThisEtAlfrontman,Wu,underanew
moniker.ComparisonstoRadioheadshould
bereceivedinthemostcomplimentarysense
tooasthisalbumisgenuinelybrilliant:warm,
pulsinganddareIsayit,catchy,thisticks
allmyhypotheticalchecklistentries.Other
comparisonstothelikesofWildBeastsand
ClinicholdtheirwaterwellintrackslikeThe
DawnIsFatherToTheSunandWaterhole
andtheresadeniteVesselsvibeabout99
Stairs.Plentyofvarietytoo:Mistressisa
piano-ledepiccompletewithquirkyobscure
lyricalhooks(Theresnofoodonthetable/and
yourelaughingathisbedsidemanner)while
closerLamentroundsthingsoffinasuitably
thoughtfulmanner.
IstruggletondfaultwithSpecters:asan
albumitswell-balanced(havingbeengiventhefullJamesKenoshatreatment)andfullof
beautifullyconstructedtunes.Theresonlya
verythinresemblancetoThisEtAl,itfeelslike
NeilWuWiddupiswellonhiswaytowards
developingatrulyidiosyncraticsound.Inthe
meantime,hesproducedastunningrstrecord
andwithalivebandofveritableLeedsall-stars
isaprojectworthfollowing,evenifitdoeshave
youreachingforyourcopyofIn Rainbows.
Tim Hearson
Blacklisters BLKLSTRS (Brew Records)
Admittedly,neverhavingheardBlacklisters
before,Iwasalittledauntedbytheprospect
ofcomposingareviewaboutabandthat
aregenerallyheldinademi-godlikestatus
byotherVibrationswriters.Iwasevenmore
perturbedwhenIheardtheydbeencompared
toGlassjaw.Ihadthedistinctfeelingthat
theyweregoingtobeoneinanumberof
bandshauntedbytheirritatinglegacyofthe
aforementionedbandandtheir90spost-
hardcorecontemporaries,andIhadthe
distinctimpressionIwasgoingtohateit.I
expectedsomethingbetweenovert,incessant
machismoandthewhinyverbalatrocitiesofteenagemelodrama.
WhatareliefthenwhenIinsertedtheCD
intomyhi-andwasconfrontedbysomeof
themostvisceral,unrelentingandsuperbear
candyIveeverencounteredduringmyshort
acquaintancewiththelocalmusicscene.
Blacklistersmanagetoexecutewithintrepid
precisionthebuildandreleasedynamics
requiredformusicofthisaggressivequality.
Buttheymanagetodoitwithoutresortingto
derivativebreakdownsorbravado.Instead,
theycombineaudiosavagerywithatonguein
cheekethos.
Ialwaysfeelalackofcriticalprowessinusing
theidiomgoodriffstojustifyapieceofmusic,
butinthiscase,itsobjective.Blacklistershave
anearforwhatmakesagoodriff.Check
outalbumopenerClubfootbyKasabianto
seewhatImean.Whateveritis,sublimeor
otherwise,Blacklistersaremastersoftheirown
gameandtheyvebarelybeenoutofmyhi-
eversince.
Benjamin Rutledge
Hawk Eyes Ideas (Brew Records)
Therearesomebandsthatyoulovebecause
youcanrelyonthemtoproduceaconsistent
qualityofworkeverytimelikeAC/DC,for
instance.WhoamIkidding?Youlovethem
becausetheyvebeenproducingthesame
albumforthelastthirtyyears.In2010,Hawk
Eyesdidthatliterallybutgrudginglywith
Modern Bodies.In2012Icanreassureyou
thattheyarenotdoingthisagain.Ideasis
acompletelydifferentshinfact,Idbe
temptedtosayitwasacompletely
differentspecies.
Itisstillafast,riffheavypieceofwork,buttheemphasishaschangedfromcrammingeach
songwithasmuchpunishingfretworkas
possibletocreatingmammothmelodieswith
Kyuss-deepbass,Mastodon-likecomplexity
andKorn-ishbeats;therearechorusestosing
alongtoaswell.
ItishowevertherevelationthatPaulAstickcan
singlikeJoeyBelladonnaorMikePattonthat
reallybringshomehowdifferentthisalbumis
toanythingthathasgonebeforeyes,hecan
barkshotupup!furiouslyonSkySpinners,
buthellfollowitupwiththeplaintivetospin
backdown,andbythetimeyoureachBears
ByTheHeadsvocalgymnasticstheevidence
isoverwhelmingHawkEyeshavegoneway
beyondtherealmoftheincoherentscreamand
voiceasinstrument.
HawkEyesmaynotbeasangryasbefore,
butthisconsideredapproachisjustas,ifnot
more,strikingtargetsincludeherdmentality
inBees,desperateavariceinYouDeserve
aMedal,directionlessexistenceinSky
Spinners.Butdespitethefrustrationfeltbythe
band,thepowerofthemusic,rhythmandriff
keeppushingitthrough.Evolutionisamessybusiness,butbygollythisisonebeautifulmess.
Rob Wright
Holy State - Electric Picture Palace (Brew
Records)
ThisLeeds(viaNorwich)four-pieceridethe
currentwaveofrstgenerationindie-rock
nostalgiaonanLPaboundingwithtasteful
referencestoFugaziattheirmorelanguid
(AgeofADHD)andSonicYouthattheirmost
reined-in(Ride).HolyStatestudiouslyreplicate
thestylisticquirksoftheirillustriousforebearsto
constructsongsrepletewithnimbleguitarlines,
insistentmelodiesanddynamictwists;thelead
singerevengivesThurstonMooresdistinctive
drawlanEastAnglianspin.
Suchrelentlessreverencecouldwearthinover
thecourseoftwelvesongs,buttheconcision
ofthebandsapproach-whichrarelyallows
atracktopassthethreeminutemark-sends
ElectricPicturePalacerushingbyinakinetichazewhichisundeniablyfun.Werenotjust
talkingsupercialthrillseithertheressome
realcraftondisplayhere,fromtheinfectious
stompofLadyMagikatohook-lledbarroom
delightMedicineHatandtheverging-on-the-
anthemicSolidStateMessiah.Inshort,itsan
albumfullofreasonstocatchthebandontheir
valedictoryMaytourandtolamenttheirearly
passing.Admittedlyyourreviewertssquarely
intothepost-grungedemographicatwhich
theyresquarelyaimed,butatleastHolyState
Albums
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openswiththeWire-esqueHarmsSweetWay,
itspropulsivesoft-topdownsheetmetalriff
suggestingthatTTAFmayhavehot-wireda
Mustanginordertoescapethepostindustrial
landscapewekeeptryingtoimprisonthemin.If
theydidwhereweretheyheading?Theobvious
clueisinthecloser,SomeoneElsesRainbow
TTAFunplugged,powereddownandchilling
inLaurelCanyon?Tooradicalajourneyto
contemplate?Perhapsyoushouldjointhemand
thendecide.
Martin Haley
Available free from http://thetruthaboutfrank.
bandcamp.com/releases
Arizona Bay Refuse (Self Release)
Toooftendobandsthesedayshavemediocre
leadvocals.Relyingmoreontheirdolled-up
guitarriffsandtheirrepetitivedrumpulsations
thanonthemanatthefront.Thankfully,Arizona
Baysubvertthisshitriddenconventionthatso
manybandsseemtofallinto.Youwantproof?
ThencheckouttheirnewalbumRefuse.
Ifyouwereoneofthosewhogrewupinthemidst
ofthegrunge-dominatedmediaphaseinthe
90s,thenyouwillrecognisethisalbumashaving
somepotential.Maybegrungeisthewrongterm
here,asthatinsinuatesareturntothe90s,
whichisntthecase.Post-grungeismoresuiting,
asthealbumismoreofacocktail-timemachine
ofmodernrockwithtraditionalgrittygrungeriffs
thatgivebirthtoamusicalhybrid,whichsounds
prettydamngood.
dontsullythelineagetowhichtheylayclaim.
Indeed,iftheireffortsturnyoungerlisteners
ontothegenretrailblazerstheirsoundso
skilfullyechoes,Imallforit.
Greg Elliott
Pulled Apart By Horses Tough Love
(Transgressive Records)
LastyearsawPulledApartByHorses
eponymousdebutunleashedonanunwary
public,andboywasitafullontantrumof
stupiddiatribes,shrieking,guitarsandmore
nutpicksthanyoucouldshakeaplectrumat.
NowIwouldntsaythatToughLoveisamore
restrainedoffering;itsstillcompletelyderanged.
Iwouldhoweversayitisamoreconsidered
offeringand...Idontwanttosayit...moremat...
matu...look,thismaytakeawhile...
Startingwhereweleftofffromthelastalbum,
V.E.N.O.Misasunrelentingafacemelter
asyoucouldget,joiningthedotsbetweenMotorheadandGoldEarringviaAnthrax,witha
vocalintensitytomatchanythingfromthelast
album.Thereishowevermorebeneaththefury;
afrustration,venominfact.Theangeronthe
lastalbumwasjokey,goodhumoured;thisis
potentiallydangerous.
Theresalotoffearonthisalbumtoo.Thefear
ofageingandnotchangingonWolfHand
WhenIwasakidIwasadick/Butnothing
changes;thefearofpeopleonNightofThe
Reviews
31
Living;andthefearofnotbeingcool/beingtoo
coolonDegenerationGameandShakeOff
theCurse.WhatTomHudsonhasmanaged
todohereisamasterstrokeoflyricallaconic
understatement.Snappyandtothepoint.
Butdespitethisthealbumisawholelotoffun,
withitsBMoviereferencesbothinthesongs
andthemusicandpillagingofthegenresfrom
thrashtoglamandIkidyounotyouwillplay
thisoverandoveragainjusttosingorthrashor
empathisealongto.Butthisisnotjusta
bitoffun;thisisalonghaulalbumforalong
haulband.
Mature.There,Isaidit.Rob Wright
Various Artists The City Consumes Us
(Rhubarb Bomb)
WakeeldmusicmagazineRhubarbBombis
veyearsoldthisyearanddecidedtocelebrate
thefactbynotonlyputtingtogetheraCDof
exclusiveandraretracksdonatedbythegreat
andthegoodoftheCitysmusicscene,butalso
bywritingabookaboutthewholething.Hubris,
youmaythink,butasthismindbogglinglygood
CDdemonstratesforasmallcityofonly75,000
inhabitants,Wakeeldhasanembarrassment
ofmusicalexcellencethatpercapitaprobably
bettersthatofLeeds.Noreally.
Theresonlyacoupleofweaktracksonthis
18songcompilationandalthoughyoudhardly
expectahand-pickedselectiontoincludemany
duffers,thevarietyonofferisamazingandif
nothingelsethisCDshouldlaytoresttheidea
thatallWakeeldbandssoundthesame.Thebestthingaboutitthoughisthatallthereally
strongtrackswererecordedthisyear,some
specicallyforthecompilation,andsuggest
thatsuperbmusicissettoowfromthecityfor
theforeseeablefuture.
Theresnotenoughspacetomentionallthe
outstandingtrackshere,butyoushouldgetthe
CDatleastfor:MiddlemansHateYourself,
abrilliantbutuncharacteristicallydarkand
broodingruminationonbetrayalandback
stabbing;ProtectorsCauliowerapunchy,
chunkysongthatboastsachorusworthyofthe
Beatlesattheirverybest;LapelsHowIKilled
TheMagnethead,afantasticexampleofthe
ideathatallittakesisabattered,bangedout
acousticguitarriff,imaginative,freewheeling
lyricsandbucketsofattitudetomakeagreat
song;OneDay,AfterSchool.ssparseand
skeletalNovaScotia,whichdeliberately
payshomagetothegreatArabStrap;andthe
frazzledpunkofRunaroundKidsUndress.
Thebookwillprobablybeagoodreadtoo.
Steve Walsh
Rhubarb Bomb are funding the CD and book
through a Pledge Music campaign go here http://
www.pledgemusic.com/artists/rhubarbbomb
The Truth About Frank Dandelion Radio
Sessions (Self release)
ReadersmayalreadybefamiliarwithLeeds
electronicduoTheTruthAboutFrank(TTAF)
andtheirfulldebutCannibalWorkEthic
(CWE),votedoneofVibrationsfavourite
albumsof2012.The6tracksonDandelion
RadioSessionsarecompiledfromtwo
separatesessionsthatpredateCWEandtothis
extentseemlessdeveloped.
However,whatthelightertouchevidentin
theserecordingsdoesisofferlistenersthe
opportunitytolookbeneaththesurfaceand
getabetterfeelforthecoreforcesatplay
withinTTAF.
OrperhapsIamtakingitalltooseriously;
maybeIshouldjustputitonanddance,becauseessentiallythatswhatitmakesme
wanttodo.Notinajoyfullyexpressiveway
butmoreastheconscriptedmemberofa
synchronisedblastfurnaceworkerdance
troupe,droppingEsanduberstruttingin
anabandonedEastGermanfoundry.The
searingindustrialjazzopenerOxygenOrgy
establishesthetoneinthisrespectacting
asaviscousprecursortothemoreminimal
tranceofSectionBandorchestralmachine
frenzyofHeadlessRentman.Sessiontwo
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33
Vibrantindicatorsof
thebandspotentialcan
befound;Footsteps,
OpenFireandLetting
Gowheretherened
grungesynchronicity
shinesthrough.The
moststrikingelement
isundoubtedlyRhysWilliamsvoice,which
hastobesaid,isexactlyhowagrungevoice
shouldsound.Hittingthehighandlownotes
toproduceanalternativemelodicdimension
tothebandstracks,Williamsvoice
makesthealbumwithaparadoxofrugged
perfection.However,theSeattlescenetends
toinuencehissingingaccentattimes.
Thatsaminorissuethough,andfocus
shouldbeplacedonthebandscollective
abilitytoproduceaneasylisteningalbumthat
hasgreatpotentialtobecomesuccessful.
Denitelyonetolookoutfor.
Jonathan Lees
Wilful Missing Molehills out of Mountains
(Little Attic)
WithanamelikeWilful Missing,Iexpected
thistobesomesortofmodernagefolk.Iwas
notfarfromwrong.TheopeningofCryforthe
Cityisabeautifulopener(Iamasuckerfora
littlebitofmodernclassicalchoir).
HalfwaythroughIcanthelpbutthinkthey
arejumpingonthisfadoffolkmusic.Dontget
mewrong,itisagoodsong,anamazingsong
thatiswonderfullyproducedandcreatedwith
suchenthusiasm,butitdoesnotexciteme.I
feellikeIhavehearditbefore.
TheWaltzhasexcitingpartsthatmakesyou
wanttoraiseatoastandsingalongduringthe
chorus,butthenassoonasyougetintoit,its
snatchedaway.
IAmClayisarefreshingsongtohearon
thisalbum.Itisupbeatandmakesyouwant
tomove.Thisismyhighlightofthealbum.If
therewereafewmoretrackslikethisIthink
thatwouldratethealbumalittlehigher.
Overallitisagoodalbum,itjustlacksin
certainaspects.Ifyoureintoslowand
peaceful,thenyouaregoingtoloveit.Butfor
meitdoesgetsameyafterawhile.
Rochelle Massey
Available to buy from http://www.
marchofdimesmusic.com/sleeping-giant/
Cable 35 Louder (Self release)
Anotherday,anotheralternativebandfrom
Yorkshire.Thankfully,however,likemanyof
thebandsfromaroundthisregion,Cable35
arenotabigpileofconformisttripe.Instead
theyareloud,brash,excitinganduniquely
brilliant.WithasoundthatmeetssomewhereinthemiddleofPulledApartByHorses,Hawk
EyesandNirvana,Cable35sdebutalbum
Louderdoesexactlywhatitsaysonthetin.
Startingwithoneofthegrungiestandbest
tracksonthealbum,CowHead,thealbum
containsamammoth16songs,whichinthis
ageofshortattentionspansandquickxes
couldhaveprovedacostlymove.However,
wheneverysongisasgoodasthis,why
wouldyouleavesomeout?Fromthedistorted
guitarsandsnarlingvocalsonCanItothe
slowanddarkPixies-liketonesofLostCity,
thealbumpacksameanpunch,bothabove
andbelowthebelt.
FavouritesonthisdebutincludeHouseOf
Fire,whosechorussoundslikeabrutal
homagetoMadnesssHouseOfFun;Fact
InSpainwhichplayshosttoadeliciousguitar
solo;ComeDownToParty,amelodicyet
grittyaffairandMemories,atempo-switching
beastthatyoucanthelpbutbangyournogginto.
Theydonthavethemostrockandrollname
inmusic,nordotheyhavetheluxuryofbig
labelmoney.WhatCable35dohaveismore
preciousthanthat:talent,mostofwhich
seemstohavegoneintothisblisteringly,
fantasticdebut.
Emma Quinlan
Available to buy from http://www.cable35.co/
For more reviews, go to w ww.vibrations.org.uk
its been a big month!
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Bilge Pump/Two Minute Noodles/Cowtown @
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
FirstupisCowtown,whosebouncyquirk-rockhasyou
smilingandnoddinginthemostpositivesensesofthe
words.TheDevot-shirtadornedbysynth-maestress
HillaryKnottgivesacoupleofideasastowhereone
shouldlookforinuences,butforthoseunacquainted
theyrelikeagrungierWhiteStripeswithalesstokenistic
drummerandfarmorefreneticsound.Alittlebitone-
dimensionalperhapsitsallatadsmashandgrab-
butstill,bytheendoftheirsharpsetImsohappyI
couldpissmyself.
Two Minute Noodlesstepupnowtohavetheirsayand
itsanotherline-upthatpleasesmefromtheoff.Aduoofdrumsandelectricorgan,thisiswhatIimagineanice-
creamvanghtingitswaythroughthezombieapocalypse
wouldsoundlike.Whatamazesmeishowwellitall
hangstogetherthedrummingisespeciallybrilliant(and
apleasuretowatch)withitsfranticbeatsanditsgeneral
pissingaboutwithtempo.All-outstomperBlackRodhas
tobetheclincherthough;thesearesomebadasstunes.
Asifthatwasntenough,scenepatriarchsBilge Pump
lineupforadoseofheavyrifngthathastheheadsgoing
onceagain.FansofThatFuckingTankwillrecognisethe
styleofrock-riffmashupswhiletheproggylyricsassert
BilgePumpsstatusaskingsamongnerds.Something
aboutthemremindsmeofRush.Notsurewhy,but
Iimaginethatcomparisonmightgetmeintotrouble
somewhere.Amoretraditionalrocksoundtoendthe
night,butnolessballsyandexcellent.
Tim Hearson
Hawk Eyes/These Monsters/Hookworms/Shallows @
The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Tokickstartthismetalpackedmontageofmayhem,aworthyprecursorfortheheadlinersShallowswerethe
rstbandtotaketothestage.Shallowstalentedfemale
singerdominatedthezonewithanunforgivingdisplayof
strenuousvocalability,whichthecrowdseemedtoenjoy.
Hookwormswereupnextandtheirpsychedelic,cool
styleofrockwasapleasantchangeofpaceinthevenue.
Thebandwasvisiblyhypedtheirelongatedguitarriffs
andthoughtfulcombinationsofveryimpressivekeyboard
anddrumvibesreinforcedtheunconsciousjourneythat
everyonewasbeingtakenon.
AfterHookworms,These Monstersgearedup.Ididnt
knowwhattoexpectfromthistrio,butevenaftertheirrst
coupleofsongsIwasblownawaybyhowawesomethey
were.Fast,sharpandtastymetal/rockriffsthatsmashed
everyonesquareintheirfaces!Sufcetosay,everyone
lovedit.Thefront-manemittedascreamingvoicethat
perfectlymatchedthespeedofthecomposition,nishing
inabarrageofclapsandcheersDenitelyonetolook
outfor!
FinallyHawk Eyes.Althoughthecrowdhaddiminished
slightly,thevenuewasstillrammedandeagertoabsorb
thenewtracksfromtheirupcomingLP,Ideas.Notime
wasted:theyquicklyshowedthecrowdwhytheyare
oneofLeedsnestliveacts.HawkEyesblewthelid
offtheSocialClub,performinganexplosivearrayof
metal.TracksplayedtonightincludedKissThis,NASA
vs.ESAandHeadstrung,eachproducingawaveof
noddingheadsthatbrokeoneachdrumpulsation.Their
newdrummerisananimal,andthebandasawholeare
exceptional.Anintriguingnight.Jonathan Lees
Pulled Apart By Horses @ The Leadmill, Shefeld
Takingtothestagetothenot-so-dulcettonesofRequiem
foraTower,itsclearthat Pulled Apart By Horsesmean
business.Bigbusiness.Twoalbumsinandthreateningto
breakthelockonthedoorofmainstreamrock,theyhave
alottoproveandtonight,inShefeldsTheLeadmill,they
dosowithaplomb.
IfthesonicassaultofopenerIPunchedaLioninthe
Throatheraldsthebattle,thenBromanceAintDead
andnewsingleV.E.N.O.Mwagethewar.Bothtracks
arefromnewalbumTough Loveandtheheavybut
remarkablytightriffsarerecallednoteperfectly,displaying
justhowfarthebandhavecomeasaliveunit.
Thenotablytattooed-older-maledominatedaudience
lendsitselftosomeformidablecirclepitting,evenif
frontmanTomdoesputthekiboshononeaudience
membersdrunkenrequestforawallofdeath.Pulled
ApartByHorsesarenotpugnaciousmen:infact,theycomeacrossasahumbleandwell-groundedfourpiece
whoprofessthemselvesthiseveningtobejustabunch
ofshitheadsplayingmusic.Allhumblenessaside,
thereisdenitelysomethingabouttheirepic,chugging
breakdownsandbrilliantlyludicroussongtitlesthat
seemtodemandariotouscrowdresponsemorebetting
ofaSundayderbybetweentwoYorkshireteams,creating
ajubilantatmospherethatlastslongintothenight.
Missionaccomplished.
Jenessa Williams
Submotion Orchestra @ The Wardrobe, Leeds
IwasintherarepositionofreviewingabandIhadnever
listenedtobefore,ararebutgoodposition.Beforegoing
tothegig,Ibegantoconjureupmyownideasabout
Submotion Orchestra.Mythoughtsweresolelybased
ontheirnamebutitturnedoutmypredictionscouldnt
havebeenfurtherfromthetruth.Theywerentquitethe
orchestraIwasexpecting.
Enteringapackedoutvenuewasmyrstindication
ofSubmotionspopularity.ForthersthalfofthesetI
couldntevenseethestage.Perhapsthiswasapositive
thingthough,asIcouldmakemyjudgmentsbasedsolelyonwhatIwashearing.
Towitnesssuchanarrayofextraordinarysoundswas
mindblowing;itwashardtotellwhetherIwasatan
indiegigoranundergroundrave.ThebestwordIcan
usetodescribetheatmosphereinTheWardrobewas
buzzing;therewasntonestillbodyintheroom.It
wasalsointerestingtoseethemixtureofpeopleat
thegig,provingthatSubmotionsmusicreachesa
wideaudience.
ThevoiceofsingerRubycouldeasilyrankhighamongst
someofthegreatestdancemusicsingersofourtime:
similartoKatyB,butwithmuchmoredepth.Thisvoice
iscomplimentedsoperfectlybytheuniquedub-step-
meets-jazzsoundcreatedbytheothermulti-talented
membersoftheband.Allhailingfromvariousdifferent
musicalbackgrounds,eachmemberbringstheyown
avourtotheexceptionalSubmotionOrchestra.Their
newsingleIts Not Me, ItsYouisdenitelyonetoaddto
youriPod.
Stacie Lloyd
Extra Curricular @ Hi, Leeds
Itsthestartofthenight;wereallthinkingaboutdancing,
butnooneisatthatlevelwherealcoholhasreplaced
inhibitionsowereallawkwardlyshufingatthefrontof
thestage.Thehardcorefansmighttakeitupagearto
atentativetwostepinpreparationforthebandbutthe
wholeroomisselfconsciouslyholdingontotheirdrinks,
savouringeverysip,becauseotherwiseweregoingto
havetothinkaboutwhattodowithBOTHarms.
HoweverassoonasExtra Curriculartaketothe
stage,drinksarethrownback,clothesarecomingoff
andeveryone,andItrulymeaneveryone,getsdown.
Strangersaredancingwithstrangersandeveryonehas
forgottenwhethertheirhairlooksalrightorifthatguy
fromFridayishereyet.Soonenoughthewholeroom
issweating,thekindofsweatthatnooneisgoingto
judgeyoufor,thekindofsweatthatmakespassersby
onthestreetjealousbecauseyouvehadabettertime
thantheyhave.
ItsnotjustthemusicExtraCurricularcreates-its
theatmosphere.Thesetwasperhapsalittletooshort
(theycouldhaveplayedallnightanditwouldnthavebeenenough)butitdidleaveeveryonewanting(and
chanting)formore.
Hana Walker-Brown
Arthur Rigby & The Baskervylles/Hunting Bears @
Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds
OpenersHunting Bearshavealush,fullsound
whichisimpressiveforafourpieceandowesmuch
tothedoublebass/violincombo.Battlinghardagainst
Shopkeeperspunk-friendlyacoustics,theresabuzzof
chatterthatsneverquitequasheduntilgorgeouscloser
OnlyinMySkin,atender4-partharmonycountry
chorale,leavesthemajorityscollectivejawhanging.
PersonalfavouriteHeavyTreealsopacksabitofa
punchonceitgetsgoingbutthisgentlebandcoulddo
withperfectingtheircrowdhandling.
Arthur Rigby & The Baskervyllesarenextupwith
amassivepopsoundandaboomingbaritonevocal
delivery:IcanthelpbutfeellikeImbeingsungtobya
1920saviator.Thatsaid,itsthecreative,vibrantbrass
arrangementsthatmakethisreallyspecial:fanfares,choralesandtheoccasionalsweepingutelinehave
apastoralcharmandgivethewholesoundamassive
mid-rangeboost.Oneparticularlyeffectivesonghas
therhythmsectionpoundingoutalowgroovethat
showcasesthisbandsearfortheoverallpackage.
IfIamtogripe,allthemostenergeticandbestwritten
songsseemtocomeatthestartandIcouldnthelpbut
feelliketheperformanceseemedtosettledownabit
toomuch.Also,thedrummerssenseoftimingisliberal
atbestbuttohiscreditIthinkitaddedabitofextra
energytoproceedings.Theseareveryminorcriticisms
thoughasArthurRigby...areoneofthemostinventive
bandsIveseeninalongtime.Inaword:sterling.
Tim Hearson
LiveReviews
35
ImagebyGaryWolstenholme
-
8/2/2019 Vibrations April (Lowres)
19/21
Pengillys/Garnets @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
OpeningupthenightisGarnetswhoaremellowand
spaceyoftheilkofHernameiscalla,TomorrowWeSailet
al.Theslowmovingcompositionsshowalotofpromise
butprovesomewhatformulaic.Thiskindofmusicneeds
epicrisesandfallstograbyourattentionbutGarnets
musicbyandlargeplateausaroundthemid-range.
Also,thelaptopadditionsseemslightlytokenisticgiven
theonstagekeyboard.Dontgetmewrong,allthe
ingredientsareinthereGarnetsjustneedsthestones
andthevarietytoshakethingsupabit.
Pengillys areabitspecial.FrontmanRicHollingberry
hasafaceyoudlovetopunchandanunabashedly
southernwhine(thinkTheKooksdialledupanotch)buttheirsoundiscaptivating.Strippedback,synthladen
andcerebral,theresadarkgroovetotheseminimal
tunes.LeadsingleTobysHillstartswithHollingberry
layeringupaloopedchoralebeforedippingintoawarm
bathofelectronica.AddinsomeRadiohead-worthy
basslinesalsoashamelessripoffoftheonefromThe
ImmigrantSonganddrumsthatsizzleandshimmer
andyouvegotabandwhodeserveeverybitofthe
recentradioairplaytheyvebeengranted.Ahomecrowd
andfairlypackedroomgivethisgigagreatatmosphere
leavingmeverylittletoquarrelwith.
Tim Hearson
Asa Hawks/Round Window/Iona Dhrum @ Carpe
Diem, Leeds
LasttimeIwasatCarpeDiem,someonecameinand
spatatthebarmaid,followedbyapitchforkwieldingmob
shoutingburnthewitch!Ireallyshouldgetdownmore.
Actually,itsnotbeenthatlong(thoughthespittingpart
istrue)butithasbeenratherremissofmenottocheck
outCDandGrainDivisionandtokeepaweathereyeonwhatsgoingdowninthetown.NaughtyEd.
IvealwaysbeenabitwaryofprojectsandwhenJess
KershawannouncesherselfastheprojectIona Dhrum,
warningbellsstarttochime.Shethenstrikesupan
etherealkeyonherRolandandsingsaboutdriftystuff.
Thedriftystuffisnotreallyherthoughandhardlya
decentmatchforhervoice,whichisstrongandwarm.
Fortunatelyshepicksupaguitaranddoesherself
justicewithsomemoreearthytunes.Thisisthegood
stuff,stickwithitbeloud,beproud,beJessKershaw.
IstartdoodlingabitofstickmanpornduringRound
Windowsset,whichisneveragoodsign.Theyare
denitelyprocient,butthemusicisinterestingrather
thanexcitingablendofprog,folkandgoodold
fashionedrock.Itsabit...indulgentandtwiddlyandcan
besummedupbytheleadsingersconfessionofwriting
thisoneinaconservatory.Thelastsongreallysteps
itup,though,inclassicWhostylethisisreallywhat
everythingelseshouldsoundliketoo.Getoutof
thatconservatory.
Despitecomingonat10.45,The Asa Hawksshowno
signsoffatigueandstrikeupajauntycountry...sorry,
Americana,numberthatischockfullofjoiedevivre.
Katy,inaverysparklytop,comesacrossasaYorkshire
KirstyMcColl,vocallycharmingandapproachable,while
therestofthebandcreatesaDickDale/JamesYorkston/
JohnnyCashgroove.Itsfunny,itsenjoyable...itsbloody
cheekyinplaces(especiallytheliftingofaCureriffand
thecasuallydroppedinhomagetotheDueling Banjos)but
morethanthat,thebandarelovingit.Thatmakesthemverylikeable,formeandtherestoftheaudience.You
mightlikethemtoo.
Rob Wright
Kane-Hession-DSilva/Swinepipe @ The Fox & Newt,
Leeds
Thiswastherstina(hopefullylongrunning)seriesof
jazz/improvgigsunderthenewFuseboxbanner,actually
acollaborationbetweenarevivedLeedsJazzanda
reactivatedLeedsImprovisedMusicAssociation(LIMA).
DontknowaboutyoubutImexcitedalready.
PriortothisgigIhadntreallyappreciatedthefullrangeof
instrumentsincludedintheclarinetfamily.Swinepipe,a
trioconsistingofRichardOrmrod,HelenBainesandOllie
Dover,comearmedtotheteethwithdifferentversionsof
theinstrument,andareheretoeducateanyoneprepared
tolisten.TheyopenwithanAstorPiazzollatangowhich
highlightsthetraditional,warmlywoodysoundofthe
standardclarinet,butthenmoveontoapiecewiththree
bassclarinetstocreateadeep,hypnoticdrone,andnish
withtheireponymousanthemwhichdoesagoodjobofcreatinganearsplittingstormofnoisenotunlikeelectric
guitarfeedback.No,really.
LeedsborndrummerPaul HessionandLeedsbased
doublebassistDave Kanearenostrangerstothe
nationalandinternationaljazzandimprovscene,while
saxophonistKarl DSilvamayonlybefamiliartoLeeds
audiencesfromhisotherbandTheTrumpetsofDeath.
HessionandKanedominatethistriowithsometypically
furiousplayingfromtheformerthatcooksthemusicto
boilingpointrepeatedlythroughouttheset,andKanerises
tothechallengewithsomeragingplayingthatsclearly
utterlyexhausting.DSilvaseemsabitunsureofwhatto
dointhequieterpassages,possiblypromptingHession
andKanetokeepthingsloudandfast,anapproach
whichseemstosuitthesaxophonistspenchantforshort,
repeatedphrasesanyway.
Steve Walsh
Previews
37
The Pigeon Detectives @ Elland Road Stadium, Leeds
18 April
Leedsdenitivebee