One More Grain

FIRST ALBUM SHOUT OF THE YEAR!

Really liking this album, a band from London called One More Grain. Forget where I picked them up from I think I just came across the name and myspaced them. I ordered their album almost immediately though.

To describe them, I would say think of the Fall with a horn section. Yep as weird and unlikely as that sounds it actually works. Or think Mark E Smith/John Cooper Clarke fronting Pram, ah! yes that's more on the mark I think. Anyway whatever I like it. So much so I've immediately ordered their first album.

(click on the post title to link to their myspace, I think I'm getting the hang of this interweb thingy!!)

Jenny Hoyston/VVC

The Red House, Sheffield, 14-2-08.

I didn't realise 'til late on that the Creatures were supporting JH in Sheffield. I was not sure whether to make the journey until it occurred to me a week before the event. Thus nowhere to stay had to take a days hol in work and planning to be done in a short space of time.

Anyway set off to Sheffield early-ish as I had to find accommodation when I got there. The only place I've stayed there is the Travelodge, which I got a good deal last time of £26 now they're quoting standard price of £44.

I also had to (as is my geeky way) find the venue and source somewhere to eat. It being Feb 14th the later was not going to be straight forward. Anyway got to Sheff about 2pm and phoned a pub I'd found that did accom, no rooms though they did recommend another place so I made my way there with a stop off at the Tourist info on the way to see if they could point me anywhere. Long story cut short found hotel in the north end of town, which was handy for the venue though more than I wanted to pay but not too bad.

Next task find venue, The Red House a pub on the northern edge of the city center, map in hand I went off to discover. On my walkabout I found a nice Indian restaurant to eat in, I figured this the best option on such a day. I found the Red House ok though a little off the beaten track, I popped in had a drink and a chat with the guy there about stuff and more stuff!!.

I had a wander round to get my bearings properly and decided to go eat fairly early.

Anyway got back to the Red House about 8:20 ish, shortly followed by the Creatures who had driven up from Manchester, and were going to drive back!.

There were four acts on JH and VVC being the main two. The first act up were a girl duo who were a sort of rap act who sang their songs to a backing track. In fact I quite enjoyed them and I admired their guts for getting up and giving it a good shot.

Next up were a standard three piece though their material was interesting as each song lasted less than a minute, ok I didn't time this but it's a good guess. Wasn't too keen on these though they were just a bit too screemy and incoherent for me. Added to the fact that the drummer kept having kit problems.

VVC came up next. Jen was wearing a white T, don't think I've seen her wear anything other than her black. Obviously dressing for occasion eh Jen? Sian had sorted her glasses out by wearing a "lazzy" band sort of thing that prevented them from falling off every now and then. They played a similar set to last time but included City Lights. They again opened with the instrumental Ricochet and included "New Song" obviously still without a title. Main prob here David had loads of kit probs, at one point one of his cymbals literally cracked. In true rock'n'roll style he just ripped it off and threw it on the floor in front of Jen and Sian. Amusingly Jenny Hoyston stepped up to stamp on offending cymbal and try to flatten it back to shape. I should have taken a photo of that in retrospect, but sadly didn't.

Jenny H then started setting up. I was stood on the left of the room and she came over and started getting her guitar from its case which was right next to me. I said hi and introduced myself. I announced that we have a mutual acquaintance in SF. We had a quick chat then she carried on setting up. There was just her and a drummer and I enjoyed the set she played though I didn't know any of the material. I remember thinking to myself at one point just what a quality musician she is and why is she playing a small pub in the arse end of Sheffield on a dank Feb night. Glad she was though.

After I was chatting with Jen and Jenny came over I explained to her that she was responsible for me meeting the Creatures due to the photo I took at the EE gig in Leeds two years ago now I think. Anyway we all had a nice chat for a while and some photos were taken too.

10 - 4 Me.

How good is this idea?

Kristin has come up with this super idea that will, and has, sent her hardcore fans into a frenzy of spending $50. It's called 10 - 4 you.
http://www.throwingmusic.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=105&osCsid=6257b49ffcebea999b113797dceb0f9c

Basically she's given a list of 200 of her songs (KH and TM) you choose 10 and she records them solo onto a cd. She introduces the cd with "your" name and also signs it to you. Wow!
As a hardcore K fan this is just awsome.
Ok $50 may sound like alot of money but with a decent exchange rate at the mo it's under £30. In my opinion a bargin.
It took me too long to settle on a 10 so I missed the first wave of orders. Damn!

I'll hopefully get the next order window K puts up.

Enon/Ill Ease

Faversham, Leeds, 7/2/08.

This is the itinery I've been thinking about doing for a while ie: up to Leeds, gig, get 3:38 train home arrive in Chester 7:15, home and climb into bed at 8am.

WHY? well quite simply, because I can coupled with a pervese desire to just travel at strange hours.
Ok that aside got the train to Leeds with the aim of arriving about 4ish. Got there about 4:20 and decided to go and check The Faversham as it was a venue I haven't been to before. This I did and found it within a 15 min walk from the station. I walked in and thought I'd get a drink and and have a look round and source best view points etc (ok I'm getting just a little too geeky now, note to self.). Had a look round then decided I needed to use the loo, so walked over and placed my drink on a table next to a couple chatting away. I asked if they would just look after my drink while I went to the loo I then noticed it was Elizabeth Sharp (Ill Ease) so I said hi and that I saw her last year in Leeds. "Thanks, thats cool" came the reply in a New York drawl.

The plan here was to wander round Leeds go to gig then go for something to eat in an Indian or Chinese restuarant open till 2ish. Then make my way back to the station. Change of plan. I was hungry by now and as I'd only eaten my customary 11am banana I decided to eat in an Indian restaurant I know in the city center, which is very good. So I did, bloody good to.

I got back to the venue about 8:10, not too many people about but I had the feeling it was going to be attended ok. The first act was not much to shout about a guy who ran between varying instruments and looped the results. Not too bad but the songs didn't come over too strong.

Next up was Ill Ease of course. She seemed alot "bouncier" than the last time I saw her. Though it was a familiar set I think she seemed to enjoy her space more this time round. At the Brudenell last year she played on a space in front of the main stage, this time she had a full stage to perform in. Again she was back and forth from drums and guitar using loops, as a lot of people seem to be doing these days. Again I really enjoyed her set and detected a couple of new songs in there too.

Enon were next. I came across these last year and their Grass Geysors album was one of my fave discoveries of the year. They opened up with the first song off Geysors "Mirror on you" which was at full throttle. They played two or thre really upbeat numbers and really delivered themselves at the audience, which was nicely full by now. As often the case with US/Canadian acts I see the level of musicianship was excellent. Standout songs were Sabina and Mr Ratatatatat. They finished an explosive set with a song I did not know and were immediately cheered back on for an encore. I really enjoyed Enon and glad I made the trip to Leeds to see them and Ill Ease.

So after a good gig I slipped out into the Yourkshire night until 3:30 am. Time seemed to go quite quick really I found a bar open till 2 then made my way back to the station. I sat down and read a book for the last half hour.

On the left Leeds station at 4:30 pm and on the right 03:30 am.

Laura Veirs (Solo Acoustic)

Laura Veirs/Your Heart Breaks - Night & Day, Manchester, 4/2/08.

Bit of a dash from work and got to Manchester about 10 past 7. I took a walk past the N&D to check time for doors and see if there was many people about. I had a feeling this would be a well
attended show. As I thought the main people I expected to be there early, Colin, who I haven't seen since the LV gig at the Academy last year. Some other familliar faces too who I know but can't put a name too.

I got told doors were 7:30 so I dashed round the corner chucked my stuff in the Crown & Anchor and got back to the N&D about 7:40 just as they were opening the doors. The prime spot tucked by the piano was secured by the time I'd bought a drink so I went center/Carries side. I chatted with Colin and other faces for a while and it didn't seem long till Clyde from Your Heart Breaks (YHB) came on. They were the suport at the Academy last year on Laura's main tour. I remember quite liking them, enough to by their cd. It would be interesting to see how Clyde, who runs Laura's web sites by the way, come over solo.

Again I enjoyed what she did, she has a pleasant quirky nature too that came over well. She used loops to create a fuller sound at one point too she put a mike in her guitar case and drummed on the top and used this as a backing beat, neat!

There was a good crowd here as I'd suspected and Clyde was I think a little shocked as to how attentive and willing to join in and interact with her. A good start to the evening.

Laura soon followed and got a great reception and again I think a little surprised at size and eagerness of the crowd to interact and sing along. She opened with "Wandering Kind" which I wondered how she would translate to solo acoustic but it was great again she used some loops to fill the sound. Though halfway through she appeard to have problems with the lops in her moniters. It sounded ok to me but she kept asking the sound guy what the problem was. She coped ok though.

She played a great set and had a good banter with the audience, mostly stuff from Salbreakers and Meteors. Though she did from time to time ask if the sound was ok as she wasn't getting it properly through her moniters.

For the encore she just asked for any requests though some songs requested she said she couldn't play without her full band.

Laura really enjoyed herself here I think due to the fact there was a good knowlegable audience who were there on a Monday night in Feb to have a good night.

I had a quick chat with LV after and Clyde took our picture, rubbish one of me as usual.

Politburo

Politburo - The Frog & Nightingale, Chester, 31/1/08.

Just like busses you get one gig then several come along at once.
Politburo are a Manchester band I'd heard mentioned on a few occasions but have never caught them live. I spotted they were playing a pub gig in Chester this Thursday so off I tootled to the Frog.
I got there about 8:20 as I wasn't sure what time they would start. I've only seen a couple of poor quality vids of them so I wasn't too sure what they looked like. I bought a drink and had a scout round to see if I could spot them, hmm! no.

I went and stood near the door stage right as it seemed the best view just as three guys came in, two carrying guitar cases, Politburo I think. They put their stuff down by the other bands gear then as they turn round one guy spots me, smiles and comes over and says "Hi! how you doin'". Erm! does this guy know me I'm thinking. Anyway I ask him who's playing tonight and he says "my bands playing". "Who is?" I ask. "Politburo" he says. "Ah! good it's you lot Iv'e come to see". He then says "I've seen you at Vile Creatures gigs, you know Jenny and Sian don't you?" Starting to make sense now. "Yes" I say. The other two then come up and Dominic (guitar) introduces me to Nick (vocals) and Steve (bass) by saying this guy knows Jenny and Sian.

Turns out they too are good friends with the Creatures. They tell me they'll be playing an acoustic set tonight as their drummer is ill. We have a good chat about stuff, mainly the Manchester music scene.

A band then steps up and sound checks and starts playing, I didn't catch their name thank god cuz they were crap. Then Politburo step up and explain the vacant drum seat. I dont know their material well as I've only heard their myspace songs. So I concentrated on their abillity as musicians and Nicks vocal. They were very good and caried the acoustic set off well considering it was their first attempt. During one song a dude from the audience stepped up and asked them if they wanted in to fill in as a drummer to which they declined but let him play bongo style for one song.

In all I was impressed with them and told Dominic later that I'd get up to Manchester sometime and see them play a full sound set.