The Ponys

The Pony's - The Late Room, Manchester 17/5/07

With being off work for a couple of days I was able to take my time here. Well sort of. I still had to get stuff ready for work on Friday, butties and clothes etc and take them to work. I did that and aimed to get the 2 pm train to arrive in Manchester at 3 pm.
I wanted to give myself some time to visit Piccadilly records. There was some stuff I wanted I could not get in Chester. Also I wanted to visit the Circus Manchester's smallest pub my friend Tim had told me about. I managed to find what I was looking for in Picc'y records plus a bonus. I found a four song EP by Lonelady, an artist I've been tracking for a while. I then went to Circus Tavern, jeez that is one small Ale - er! cupboard? Shame the Tetleys was not on good a form as Tim had predicted it would be.

I then went to check the venue as I had a pick-up ticket so I wasn't sure what time doors were. There was a poster on the door but it didn't give any info as to times. Ah well 7:30 - 8 pm I guess. I strolled off to get something to eat. I ate in a Spanish tapas place I've been to before which is very good and reasonably priced.

I got back to the venue at about 7:40, I wasn't sure if there would be a queue or not. Not sure how well known the Pony's are here. There was one guy stood outside, I started chatting to him after a few mins of just hanging around. Then some people came out of the venue so we asked what time doors were. It turns out the Pony's were running late so they were going to open just gone 8. As time went on no one else came to join the queue, or lack of! The guy I got chatting to was a nice chap called Nas, he loved the Pony's album so thought he would come and check them out. He reckoned he may have been too old to come to a gig like this, he's 35!! "Thanks" I said "how bloody old do you think I am" I ain't stoppin' yet either.

Doors opened at 8:10, in we went. It was a very poor turnout, I recon no more than 100 people. Nas an I sat stage right and chatted for a while. We worked out that practically everyone else in the place was in the entourage of the other two bands playing. Leaving just Nas and myself there to see the Pony's. I don't understand that, their album is really good it's on Matador records too.

Because of the delay the first band on called Married to the --(something) announced they'd only be playing a four song set. That they did, who were they again? Next up were a band called the Vipers. They seemed to have the biggest entourage with them so, ok let's see how they are. At first I thought OK not bad. The bass player was leaping up and down like Flea on acid. I then realised they had two bass players and there was no way there was two bass coming out of the speakers. This really pissed me off this fuckin' guy was for fuckin' show. I can't tell you how
angry this made me feel I almost went up to the stage to expose the twat.

OK! calm down. The Pony's. They came on quietly set their gear up and pleasantly smiled. I moved up to the stage next to the pillar center stage right. I was the only person standing watching them. Even Nas kept sat down at our table.

I really enjoyed them they played exclusively the new album. I like the way Melisa head rocked her hair while playing bass, almost Janetesque at times. It has to said she is a strange looking girl, but I had a chat with her after and she seemed really nice. I apologised for the poor turn out and said I had been championing the album the best I could. She thanked me for turning up though.

I bought a t - shirt and their first album, partly in sympathy I think.

Creatures Tan Wierdo's

Vile Vile Creatures, Fake Tan and Party Weirdo.

The Castle Hotel, Manchester 13/5/07

As I stayed over after the HSCS show I decided to hang around and catch up with the Creatures again. They were putting on a tea time show with two other bands. Fake Tan who I know and Party Weirdo who I don't.

As I had to be out of my hotel by 11am it meant I had 5 hours to kill. This was dangerous as I would have been so easy to explore some of my fave Manchester pubs. I made the decision to stay out of the pub until I went to the "Tea time tango". I visited the city gallery which was good. It was so peaceful wandering round there on a Sunday morning. I virtually had the place to myself. I then just walked round, armed with my map I walked a circular route round the city center taking in areas I didn't know.I decided to go for something to eat at about 2:30ish, this should time it right to get to tango at near enough 4. I went to my usual fave French restaurant (I know, yawn!). Being a Sunday afternoon I was a great time to people watch too. As it turned out I didn't leave till gone 4pm.

I got to the Castle Hotel at about 4:20 ish, just as the Creatures were sound checking. The Castle Hotel? mmm! is one of those small neglected pubs, not a Hotel, in the Northern Quarter that should be put down. OK, it isn't that bad just one of those places of the dive variety.

I said my hi's to everyone. I told Jen I wanted to buy another 7" to send to Andy, as he had added them as a my space friend and likes their sound.

First band up were Fake Tan a three piece from Leeds who I'd seen with V V C before. I was not that impressed first time but I took to them here. They seemed tighter and I liked the drummers little runs and sense of rhythm. The two girls up front seemed more in tune with each other too.

The Creatures came up next. With them being basically in the corner of the back room in some dodgy pub it was more intimate. The restricted space seemed to work for them too. Jen put more energy into her guitar playing and vocal work. Sian on the other hand really seemed to bounce around a lot more. So much so twice they had to stop to find where Sian's glasses had flown off to, priceless! At one point too she had to receive medical attention in the form of a thumb plaster. Play your bass that hard it makes your thumb bleed, great stuff. David too was on good form, I like his drumming style and his facial expressions. I think I enjoyed this set more, I don't know why perhaps it was the intimacy of it and and its little moments of chaos.

Last to play were a band called Party Weirdo, who I'd never come across before. They were ok, they used a variety of instruments. These included keys, cello and a glockenspiel, it made for an interesting set.

In all a good entertaining afternoon. I went and had a chat with people after and got the Creatures to sign their 7". I made a donation to the bands fund jar as that's all they were asking people to do. I said my goodbyes just before 8 pm and made my way back to Piccadilly and got the train home.
I was quite tired by now as I'd seen 6 bands in 24 hours. Well as I always say to myself, it beats watching TV. I love the interaction with new people too, even if they think I'm nuts!!

Help She Can't Swim.

Satan's Hollow - Manchester - 12/5/07.

Got to Manchester at 7pm, got to my hotel and literally chucked my stuff in my room. I then headed of to Satan's Hollow a venue I have not been to before. I was not sure what time doors were so I went straight there to find out. When I got there a couple of lads were stood outside
who reckoned doors were at 8pm. It was now 7:25
so I nipped across the road to a little pub for a quick pint. I nipped into the tiny Grey Horse Inn a tiny little pub selling Hyde's ale a good local brew. I ordered a pint after a couple of sips I thought wow now there is a beer on form. I wolfed the pint down in a matter of minutes and ordered another one. It's great when you get a good real ale on top form. I nipped back to the venue at about five to eight and they were getting ready to open the doors. As I had a venue pickup ticket I asked the guy on the door where to pick it up. As I did he said you can go in now.
As the name Satan's Hollow suggests the place was done out with all sort of devilish features and gargoyles etc. The main point here was that the stage area was in the round and positioned in the center of the place. I bought a drink and worked out which direction the bands would be playing. At that moment tones of dry ice started to be pumped into the place, making it barley possible to see anything.

The first band who came on were an electro punk band, a three piece who swapped instruments practically ever song. I couldn't photograph them because of the bloody dry ice.
I didn't catch their name either, noting to shout about though. Next up were a band I have already heard of and checked out called Pistolas who
are ok. In fact I'm sure Ive seen them
before, they could not have made that much of an impression then. The lead singer is quite watchable and has a good stage presence. Think on the lines of Curtis but a bit less intense.

While HSCS were setting up I noticed a girl stood next to me had an S-K bag over her shoulder. I was wondering whether to say anything to her. By now I started to recognise some of the people around me, including S-K bag girl. Mostly from Creatures and the Partyline show last week. Just as HSCS were about to start "Burn don't freeze" came on over the PA. The group of girls to my right sent out a yelp and started to sing along. I was fairly center stage and the ice had cleared by now so thankfully I could get some pics. As I only got the new album a few days before the gig I was not too up on the new material. I do like the album though it's less screemy than the first one. They played a good but short set (bloody curfews) highlight being Hospital Drama off the new album which totally rocked.
After I went over to merch table were Leesey was and told her I'd seen them last year supporting S-K in Bristol. "Ah!" she said "I thought I recognised you from somewhere" Jeez do I stand out that much?
Anyway I told her I liked the new record and made my way into the night.

Partyline & Vile Vile Creatures

The Retro Bar - Manchester 2/5/07.

Usual routine get a flyer from work and the train up to Manchester. I got to the hotel about 6:15 and booked in. While I was there I booked rooms for the up and coming gigs I have, EE, The Ponys, Help She Can't Swim and Silversun Pickups.

I wasn't sure what time doors were as I had a venue pickup ticket. I figured it would be either 7:30 or 8 pm. so decided to aim to get there about 7:45 ish. I decided not to go for something to eat as for some reason I wasn't hungry. It was a really hot day and there was a strange atmosphere in town due to a certain football match most Mancunians would be watching this night. I reacquainted myself with the location of the venue and decided to go for a drink down the road.

Ok my first mistake, wandered int a bar and as I hadn't eaten I asked for a glass of white wine. I was informed by the barmaid that a glass would cost me £2.80 but I could have a bottle for £5. I bought a bottle, so I had about 30 mins to drink it and get back to the venue, jeez I'm an idiot at times. Anyway I drink up, feel ok and I get back to the Retro at 7:45. The doors were open so I walked down the stairs and in. There was no one to check I had a ticket or whatever so I
just walked in. I spotted Jen, Sian and David sat down so I wandered over to say hi. As I suspected Jen was a little nervous as she had had a stressful day. They unveiled their first piece of vinyl titled Widerness (pic above). I purchased one and got them to sign it. I think I may have been the first to buy one and in retrospect I should have bought two. Thanks anyway people.

I bought a drink at the bar and took up residence Carries side, don't know why really. Second gig in a row going stage left, what's goin' on? Ok next gig back to Corins side I promise.

First band on were a five piece all girl band whose name I don't remember, sorry. They were ok though. They played electro pop rock and the singer read her lyrics from a pad. That's all I can remember.

Next up were an Italian duo called Trouble -something or other, I'm crap with names. They were quite good and very quirky. At first the thought was what the hell are these doin' here but after a tune or two I quite liked them. Typical Italian electro punk.

Next up the Creatures.

First thing the stage here was smaller that the one at the Star & Garter where I saw them last time. I noticed that while they were setting up they had changed sides. This time Jen was stage right and Sian left different than the S&G gig. Again they were very enjoyable. I like David and Sians rhythm section and again Jen added the edge of unpredictability. Again Jen did her thing with her megaphone. Her leaping into the audience didn't have the same effect here though as there was no "stage" to speak of , but still great fun. Their set seemed to be over really quick though and by now the bottle of wine I was forced to buy was taking its effect.

By the time Partyline came on my head was spinning a bit and in all honesty I don't remember too much of their set. I just remember Alison just dancing round and being very gesticulative (pro0bably not a word) with her arms. I do remember them being very talkative though, there was a lot of banter between the band. Oh yeah the drummer was I think the brother of the normal one as she was well somewhere else!! I did enjoy them though and seeing Alison Wolfe close up was good.

Ok this is probably the least informative review I've done, sorry.

Note to self:- When offered a bottle of wine for £5 refuse it and buy a glass for £3. Hmmm!!

Errata tour Erased.

Some sad news.
Andy has informed me the EE Euro tour has been cancelled. Ellie is not well, she was wearing a n arm brace at the Portland show that he was at. She may be suffering from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, I'm sure that sounds worse than it is, hopefully.
This a real shame as I was so looking forward to this gig. The support was from a band called Red Vinyl Fur who I've been tracking for a while and Lonelady (says it all) who I saw last year supporting Quasi. All at my fave venue the Roadhouse too.

Let's hope she gets better soon and the tour is rescheduled.

Good job I have the Ponys gig the following night. He He!!

At last, the long lost Philly photie.

I had almost forgotten about this. The photo that we had taken with Corin after the Philly show. Andy asked some girl to take the shot then mail it to him, 9 months later here it is. I dont remember too much about it to be honest. I was on about my 30th hour awake by then and totaly drained from the best gig I've ever been to. I was the hottest I've ever know the planet to be as you can see from the fact that everyone is "glowing".
It brings back some great memories though.

from left to right - Andy, Garrett, Corin, Kori, Me. don't know the two dudes at the back.

Edit, aparently it was Garrett who asked for the Photo to be taken. Cheers Andy He He!!