July Edition (Published 29/06/2015)
Transcription
July Edition (Published 29/06/2015)
WE’RE LISTENING! - FREE NORTH EAST MUSIC MAGAZINE | www.nevolume.co.uk |Issue #1 Follow us! ! BIG ALBUM RELEASE NEWS FRANKIE & THE HEARTSTRINGS ON THEIR BIG ALBUM NEWS! BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE HEAD TO TEESSIDE! Interview with Cattle & Cane! THE SHERLOCKS AT THE GLOBE! And many more from the best of the north east music scene! THE STRYPES ROCK THE GEORGIAN! JULY’S ARTIST SPOTLGHT ‘Billy the KId’! Bring this magazine to the next Big Figure Promotions gig and receive 10% discount on entry price EZRA FURMAN & JOOLS HOLLAND! YOUNG REBEL SET COMPETITION! NE Volume is proud to release to you our very first printed magazine - written for the North East, by people from the North East. We hope you enjoy reading this magazine. For more regular updates please follow NE Volume on social media and visit www.nevolume.co.uk LET’S TURN UP THE NORTH EAST VOLUME! Welcome to NE VOLUME! Contents Thank you so much for picking up our very first print edition of NE Volume! After months of hard work, we’ve finally put together something that we hope you will find both interesting and informative. The magazine is designed to help bring local people, bands, and businesses together and to highlight the immense talent found across the region; while also keeping you up-to-date with out-of-town bands popping into the area. 3 Al Lover + Girl Sweat At The Green Room 3 Lower Than Atlantis Heading To Teesside 4 Bullet For My Valentine In Teesside 4 Mechanical Mouse Organ Album Launch 7 The Monochrome Set 7 Into Tomorrow Gigs 8 Chase Park Festival 9 Stockton Pirate Festival 10 Jonah Matranga In Hartlepool 10 Durham Big Meeting 11 Featured Artist - Billy The Kid 12 Young Rebel Set Competition! 14 Corbridge Festival 2015 16 Frankie & The Heartstrings’ New Album! 18 Lisbon Exclusive Interview 18 Hidden Charms in Middlesbrough 20 The Raging Sickness 20 The Stranglers in Teesside 21 Cattle & Cane Exclusive Interview 21 Glass Caves in Darlington 22 Ezra Furman and Jools Holland 22Mouses 26 The Strypes Rock the Georgian 27 Ten Ton Friday & Support 27 The Sherlocks at the Globe 28 Humanism in Newcastle 28 Holy Moly and the Crackers 29 Du Blonde at the Cluny 31 The Magick Godmothers 31 Carvella at the Fleece Inn 32 From the Jam in Stockton 32 Willoman Festival 34 Twister - Famous Last Words 34 Violet Deep - Self-Titled 34 THE30YRMEN - Cloth Works 35 Avalance Party - The Avalance Party EP 35 Sons of the City - Hold On 35 Tessera Skies - Out of Sight + Dreaming 38 NE Volume Gig Listings In this month’s edition, we chatted to Frankie & The Heartstrings about their new album ‘Decency’, we provide you with our honest opinion of The Strypes recent gig at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton, we keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the region next month including Pirate Festival in Stockton, Ezra Furman heading to Middlesbrough, Glass Caves heading to Darlington, and so much more. As this is our very first edition, we welcome your feedback. We will be looking to constantly improve the magazine, so if you would like to send your thoughts over to us at [email protected] we will take every single opinion on board. Thank you again for being one of the very first readers of NE Volume. We love you! Lee Allcock - Follow us! NE VOLUME 2 Visit us at: www.nevolume.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in whole or part without permission from the publishers. The opinions expressed in NE Volume belong to the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of NE Volume or its staff. NE Volume welcomes ideas and contrbutions but can assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. NEWS Gig Preview: Al Lover + Girl Sweat at The Green Room, Stockton Renowned Teesside-based promoters Tees Music Alliance will be presenting a psychedelic brain-punch next month with San Francisco born Al Lover making his way over to the Green Room in Stockton on Saturday 20th July. On the way to becoming one of the most prolific contemporary psych producers of the modern age, Al will be heading to the UK fresh from Sweden’s Skankaloss Festival before jetting off to Spain and Portugal. Describing himself as someone who is “taking drugs to make beats, to take drugs to”, Al Lover’s brand of psychedelic dance-hop will take some supporting and Stockton’s very own Girl Sweat will be providing just that.The one man noise machine will be churning out his trademark ‘swirling garage spectrum’ sounds before Lover takes to the stage. Of the eight dates in Lover’s UK tour, only one will take place in the North East and that happens to be in one of the most intimate venues on Teesside - Stockton’s Green Room.With a capacity of 60, and with tickets priced at only £5 in advance and £7 on the door, this gig is sure to sell out quickly so buy yours now so that you don’t miss out.Tickets can be purchased from the Tees Music Alliance website at: teesmusicalliance.org.uk/live-events/al-lover Written by Jamie Boyle Lower Than Atlantis Heading to Teesside! Lower Than Atlantis are renowned for their British alternative sound and have made a significant mark on the UK alternative scene over the years. After taking part in a nine-date tour across the UK in April, the band are still in fierce demand. Responding to the eager demands of their fans, they have recently announced their second tour of the UK this coming December. However, this time Lower Than Atlantis are featuring Teesside in their broad tour of England on Monday 7th December as they are set to play at the Middlesbrough Empire.The venue is renowned for its alternative gig reputation and is no stranger to the alternative scene. Bands such as Bullet for My Valentine and Brand New are also set to play the North East venue later this year. After a successful Published monthly by NE Volume. Printed by Trinity Mirror Printing, Middlesbrough. For more information please contact [email protected] and long career of 8 years to date, the band are no stranger to the North East and it is refreshing to see them returning to the region tour after tour. With a discography of four albums, including their self-titled album which was released late last year and peaked at number 16 on the album chart, it can be guaranteed that a range of old and new songs will be exhibited. Tickets for the event are priced at £14 (plus booking fee) and can be bought from www.ents24.com/middlesbrough-events/ the-empire/lower-than-atlantis/4317995.The event is already heading for a sell out so it is important to buy your tickets now. Written by Katie Cain Magazine designed by Tom Brown Graphic Design. Free quotes on Design and Photography services, contact for more details. Contact - [email protected] 3 NEWS adamant in ensuring fans that they are back to their blistering best with ‘Venom’, which is due for release in mid-August through RCA records. Lead single ‘No way out’ certainly seems like evidence to support the claim - aggressive and heavy, the track embodies everything that made Bullet the band they are today. IN TEESSIDE! Having conquered arenas around the world and topped the bill of many of Europe’s top festivals, the decision to embark on an intimate tour is an interesting one. It’s refreshing to see a band of this size play every nook and cranny up and down the country rather than simply three or 4 arena dates in the big cities. It’s not every day one of the planet’s biggest current metal acts stops off in the North East of England, and it certainly isn’t every day they visit Teesside, which is why Tuesday 13th October is an essential date in the calendar for any metal fan in and around the area as Bullet for My Valentine are in town. The Welsh metallers will play the Middlesbrough Empire as part of an intimate tour in support of their highly-anticipated fifth album ‘Venom’. Following a somewhat disappointing effort from the band with their last album ‘Temper Temper’, the band are Purchase tickets for Bullet for My Valentine’s upcoming Middlesbrough date, priced at £44 (Plus Order and Delivery Fees) from: www.getmein. com/tickets/bullet-for-my-valentinetickets/middlesbrough-277081.html Written by Jake Smith Gig Preview: Mechanical Mouse Organ – Album Launch Party Newcastle’s infamous venue, The Cluny, will be hosting Mechanical Mouse Organ’s album launch gig this coming July. The Tyneside based four-piece have only released three tracks to the public so far, however on Friday 3rd July this will change. The long-anticipated debut album from a band that rose from the ashes of 90’s success story Hug will be released to buy. After entering the studio in March, fans of Mechanical Mouse Organ have waited patiently to hear everything they were creating. Drummer Dave Curle has plenty of experience when recording a band so naturally he took over producing responsibilities. He noted that his aim was to “capture the live sound of the band on this album” and he truly has. The album is raw, hard edged and certainly not one to miss out on. The event promises to be a big one as the night will also host two incredible local acts including crazy world punk rockers The Smokin’ Coconuts and garage rock rising stars The Exes. If Mechanical Mouse Organ follow in the footsteps of the founding member’s original band then now would be the perfect opportunity to see them in a small, intimate setting before they break out and play much bigger venues. You can pre-order ‘Get Over It’ now on the bands Bandcamp page at www.mouseorgan. bandcamp.com/album/get-over-it for just £5. 4 If you want to buy tickets for the album launch party, visit: www.wegottickets.com/event/317408 now. Written by Nathan Douthwaite Full Weekend Advance Tickets: £15.00 Weekend Advance on the gate: £25.00 (Friday £10 / Saturday £15) For full lineup, information and tickets visit: NEWS The Monochrome Set make a welcome return visit to The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Saturday 11th July to promote their new album ‘Spaces Everywhere’. Formed in 1976 as The B-Sides with Adam Ant as an original member, the band soon became The Monochrome Set and were heavily influential in the post-punk scene that evolved after the initial scorched earth of punk.The band’s early releases were on the legendary Rough Trade label before they signed with Virgin offshoot Dindisc and have since had a long association with Cherry Red Records. The band split in 1985, although they recorded and played live sporadically over the years before reforming as A Going Concern in 2010. Any momentum was soon halted, however, when vocalist Bid suffered a SAH (a form of stroke).Thankfully he recovered and a new album was released in 2012 entitled ‘Platinum Coils’.The band have continued to tour and record and released follow up ‘Super Plastic City’ in 2013.They are now touring to promote this year’s new album ‘Spaces Everywhere’ on the Tapete record label. Support for the night comes from The Fallen Leaves who are proving mighty popular on Teesside after supporting Subway Sect and then headlining their own show at The Westgarth in Middlesbrough.The band are described as “Punk rock for gentlemen” and they sing “Simple songs for complex people”. Second support act, Pellethead, are a band who combine their self-taught instrument skills with northern humour to create a noisy, tuneful, and exhilarating experience. Purchase tickets from MinusMe Promotions online at: www.minusme.ticketsource.co.uk/ Tickets priced at £10 in advance. Written by Lee Allcock Stockton and Middlesbrough-based promoters Into Tomorrow have put together two eclectic line-ups for July with two critically-acclaimed Leeds-based acts set to head to Princess Alice in Middlesbrough. First up, on Friday 10th July, sees surf rockabilly punk psychobilly rock ‘n’ roll band X Ray Cat Trio head to the Teesside venue.The Yorkshire band, signed to Gin House Records, have received some great local reviews and are looking to spread their wings across the UK. The three-piece will be supported by Billingham lo-fi punk rock two-piece Mouses (who have just signed a publishing deal) as well at Whitby-based rock ‘n’ roll band Ten Foot Tom and the Leprosy Crooks whose sound was described by BBC York as: “like Bob Dylan fired up with Primal Scream”. Just two weeks later, the venue will host the mod/soul sound of Samuel S. Parkes - a band who recently featured in Mojo and Uncut and have supported the likes of Cast,The Rifles, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, and Ocean Colour Scene. Support for the night comes from local garage/psych band Thee Strawberry Mynde and the acoustic blues/folk artist Tim Oxnard of The Magick Godmothers and The Approved. Into Tomorrow promoters, Gary Diz Walters and David Pottinger, will also be performing DJ sets until 1.00am on corresponding nights.They will be playing a host of Northern Soul classics as well as indie, mod, soul and psychedelic hits. Both gigs are free entry. Written by Lee Allcock Teesside Promoters Into Tomorrow Line Up Two Impressive Gigs for July @in2_tomorrow /in2.tomorrow 7 S EN TS ASH PR E 12.00PM - 08/08/2015 C HAS E PA RK, W HI C KH A M The North East’s Festival for Everyone. Gold standard disabled access! TURIN BRAKES SLUG MONOGRAM BLIZZARD HOT SOLES GALLERY CIRCUS BETH MACARI HULKENBURG MC CRAZY LEGS FOR TICKETS, VISIT K E I R O G R O U P. C O . U K @Chaseparkfest ChaseParkFestival Award-Winning Gateshead Festival Returns With Its Strongest Line-Up Yet Irish rock legends Ash have been confirmed to perform at the fifth annual Chase Park Festival in Gateshead this summer along with some of the nation's finest established and emerging talent. revealed that time has been called on both Sunderland's celebrated SPLIT Festival and the Stockton Weekender. The family-friendly, open-air festival will feature two stages of live music on Saturday 8th August and will also welcome appearances from London's chart-topping indie folk foursome Turin Brakes, Sunderland's Field Music-backed outfit SLUG, Glasgow's post-pop assemble Monogram and Newcastle's soul singing sensation, Beth Macari. Chief vocalist and guitarist, Tim Wheeler, said: “We're really excited to be playing in the North East again. We've never had the pleasure of playing a big festival up there unless you count the minimum wage gig we did in 1999 at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. We should do one soon for a living wage! This event will be special. Bring on Chase Park 2015!” The announcement of the festival's most ambitious line-up to date will come as a shot in the arm to the region's summer festival circuit and music lovers after it was For a full festival line-up and information visit www.keirogroup.co.uk/chase-park-festival-2015 8 Pop-punk rockers Ash - who's legendary album 1977 was named as one of the NME's 500 greatest albums of all time - can't wait to headline the event and will perform songs from their newly released album ‘Kablammo’ as well as classics from their illustrious career. NEWS Taking place on the 4th till the 5th of July, pirates from all across the world will sail back to Stockton's sunny docks for a weekend which will be packed full of music and entertainment. The free entry event will see over 130 bands and artists perform across nine venues in the market town’s centre including the Music Lounge, Bar Vista,The Garrick Hotel,The Sun Inn,The Dubliners and the HM Bark Endeavour ship itself and more. On main stage you can expect to see acts such as Captain Jack,The Time Bandits, Just William, and many more. Other live acts also appearing across the weekend include: Hayley McKay, Julie Freeman, Colleen's Fancy, Boo, Amelia Jade, Ramble Gamble, Driven Serious,The Bluesics, Anna Leigh Stainton,Tom Joshua,V12 and more than 80 other performers. The Saturday night’s Pirate Party on board the HM Bark Endeavour sees Canterbury folk band CoCo and the Butterfields, one to watch as they have just performed at Glastonbury, along with Gilded Thieves, a firm favourite from last year’s festival. Organiser Angie Taylor from North East Live said: “We were absolutely overwhelmed with the response to last year’s event and are delighted to be bringing it back for 2 days this year.We have decided to support three very local charities this year as we felt that the larger charities do tend to receive a lot of support but the smaller ones can often be overlooked. It’s our hope that this year we can not only deliver a fantastic festival but also raise much needed funds for our nominated charities and also raise awareness for them too.” Besides the music, there will be a plethora of entertainment throughout the two-day event including a treasure hunt, craft fair, a reptile show, Jack and Will Turner from Captain Jack’s Pirate Parties entertaining the kids, and a whole boatload more things for pirates young and old. Entry is free, but tickets are being issued and are available through the aforementioned venues. Tickets for the Pirate Party are £5 and available from the HM Bark Endeavour or can be arranged through www.facebook.com/ stocktonpirateday?ref=ts&fref=ts Written by Hannah Dodsworth NEWS Gig Preview: Jonah Matranga + James Leonard Hewiston at the Studio, Hartlepool Jonah Matranga has been entertaining crowds for nearly 25 years with a mixture of solo work and band work.The Pitzer College graduate began his career in music soon after graduating as he was involved in bands such as Far and New End Original, before going solo. Having worked with the likes of Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, as well as members of Nine Inch Nails and Deftones, the 45 year old has some serious experience under his belt.The Massachusetts born singer/ songwriter has a few more gigs lined up stateside before he embarks on a 15-date strong tour of the UK, including in our very own back yard in Hartlepool. Bringing his own brand of electro-acoustic post-hardcore/alt-rock,The Studio will be playing host to the event on the Sunday 19th July where Mr. Matranga will be supported by local indie-pop singer/ songwriter James Leonard Hewitson. Hewitson released his new single ‘Care Less, Love Less’ last month and has managed to gain radio play for the track through the airwaves at BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Tees.Tickets for the gig (which starts at 8pm) can be bought on the door for £7. It is important to get down early so you don’t miss out. Written by Jamie Boyle Durham Big Meeting - After Party Details Announced Four incredible acts will be heading to Vennels Yard, Durham City, on Sunday 12th July as part of the Durham Big Meeting After-Party. Headliners The Kets, a song-driven rock ‘n’ roll/ indie-punk band from Peterlee, are set to release ‘Brand New Sound’ very shortly.The track is a feel good northern soul tinged floor-filler that only someone in possession of an optimistic outlook could serve up. Fourth on the bill are Dennis, an eight-piece outfit from Hetton Le Hole who have claimed the genre of pit–pop for themselves.They play songs that reflect the region’s heritage of colliery bands, working men’s clubs and pit village life. Third to play are The Ree-Vahs. The band is built up of a collective of musicians from North West Durham who coalesce around lead singer Andy Loan. Andy’s Grandfather was from Ireland and settled in Stanley between the two World Wars. It is said that Tommy O’Loan created a style of localised singing which Andy is intent on keeping alive. Second on the bill is Scarborough-based singer/songwriter Joe Solo. Being thought-provoking, comical and punch-the-air political, often in the same song, he is a troubadour you won’t forget in a hurry. First up is singer/ songwriter Chloe Lawton. I guarantee the richness of her voice and the quality of her guitar playing will have you spellbound.Tickets for the event are priced at £5 and are available from www.peoplesbookshop.co.uk and by contacting facebook.com/clubresistancedurham. Written by Lee Allcock 10 DURHAM BIG MEETING THE AFTER PARTY SUNDAY JULY 12TH VENNELS YARD, DURHAM THE KETS +DENNIS +THE REE-VAHS! + JOE SOLO +CHLOE LAWTON TICKETS £5 FROM THE PEOPLE’S BOOKSHOP, DURHAM FACEBOOK.COM/CLUBRESISTANCEDURHAM At first glance, you might think that Matt Chipchase is just another afternoon waster: Sunglasses on, pint in hand, the barmaid for company. But, as the frontman of massive Stockton export Young Rebel Set, he can definitely afford a boozy whirl. And, when he's not playing to thousands internationally or tippling down the local, he's working on his side-project as Billy The Kid. "I've always seen myself as a rock-and-roller," he reveals at The Storytellers pub, Dylan on the jukebox, a Red Stripe in his grasp. "Music is a vocation, not a job, and the whole industry drags it down, takes the passion out of music. I just want to reclaim a bit of that for myself." And so this labour of love; A solo project, the latest chapter in a storied career. From the hype of debut single ‘If I Was’ in the music press, to being coveted by just about every major before signing to the same label as Oasis in 2011,Young Rebel Set rapidly had it all. It almost fell apart just as swiftly. "We didn't really understand what was put in front of us, everything came so quickly," remembers Matt. "People were taking us out, giving us drugs, we'd go to a venue and there'd be unlimited booze. I think we nearly got dropped, we were totally debauched." Young Rebel Set survived the turbulence - just - and have prospered modestly ever since. Locally they've headlined Stockton Calling Festival, and more recently performed to a packed-out Middlesbrough Town Hall.Two albums have been released so far, with a third in development and more international tour dates on the way. But Billy The Kid is a different world: Back at the grassroots, smaller audiences and few on-stage comforts. "It's exciting," says Matt, who's already played his first shows, basking in the anonymity. "I'm so used to the crew on the road and everything being perfect, when I haven't even got a monitor here. But it's fun, what music should be." The project is wholly extracurricular, a musician's fixation during downtime from his band. And so, despite label Ignition's support, the shackles are very much off. Former Young Rebel Set member Paddy Jordan is involved ("I kind of have a connection with him"), the sound will be "Pogues-y" and acoustic, and there's plans to tour with emerging Americana talent Tom Blackwell. But, beyond that, little is certain. No timeframes are set for an album - if there even is one. "There's no restraints, so I don't know what I'm going to do," he explains. "First we were going to do a single, then an EP, then an album. I've got about 200 songs, some too good to be lost in the realm of the Ignition office. It'll kind of just be a bit haphazard." The first single ‘Penny To My Name’ is set to surface in July. It's a "drinker's song" that should reveal a sound more heartfelt than fans of Young Rebel Set might be used to from their husky lead. "The solo stuff will be more in-depth, more soulbearing. I can go a bit more inward and be more honest. "It's a no-frills Young Rebel Set, really. Rough around the edges and not as trimmed up. I guess people will call it folk because it's one man and a guitar, but it is what it is." Billy The Kid is Matt Chipchase on vacation from the gang, revelling in the role of pub jukebox hero, bearing all raw and organic. It's sure to interest fans of Young Rebel Set, and will also entice fans of the folksy, gritty and acoustic. And, with the restraints of the band eased, it's a chance for one Stockton son to get down and dirty, rediscover his roots, and once again be a real Teesside rock-and-roller. Interview and Photography by Katy Louise Blackwood 11 Win a signed et S ebel R Young T-Shirt and Poster ! olume V E N with 12 ing question to Just email the answer to the follow NE Volume on Facebook! [email protected] or message BEL SET’S NEWEST ALBUM! WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUNG RE A) - Crocodile B) - Alligator C) - Stringray D) - Cobra E) - Shark F) - Fish are friends not food to a prize draw and All correct answers will be put in th July via the NE Volume announced on the Wednesday 15 Facebook page! Watson Photography by Lawrence Corbridge Festival 2015! Celebrating its landmark 5th birthday, Corbridge Festival, Northumberland’s biggest family friendly music festival, is returning to Tynedale Park on Sat 11th July, with legendary punk rock band The Undertones headlining.The Londonderry band – famed for hits such as ‘Teenage Kicks’ (which was often cited by John Peel as his favourite song of all time), ‘Jimmy Jimmy’, ‘Here Comes the Summer’ and ‘My Perfect Cousin’ – will take to the main stage for the climax of the event. Miles and Erica of The Wonder Stuff will also be taking to the main stage and will be performing many well-known tracks including ‘Welcome to the Cheap Seats', 'Size of a Cow' as well as some of their more recent material. Also to be hitting the main stage is dance sensation Angie Brown from Bizarre Inc, singing anthems such as ‘I’m Gonna Get You’, ‘Took my Love’ and ‘Playing with knives’. The Seahorses front man Chris Helme will make a welcome return to Corbridge after wowing the crowds on the acoustic stage in 2014 and the most recent addition to the festival line-up is Sunderland band Hyde & Beast (Dave Hyde from The Futureheads and Neil Bassett from Golden Virgins) who have recently released their second album ‘Keep Moving’. Hartlepool’s very own ‘bohemian’ lads The Jar Family will be introducing Corbridge to ‘industrial folk’ with their own unique sound. Saturday 11th July 2015 Tynedale Park, Corbridge Adults: £25 Concession: £12 Under 10’s: FREE Tickets available at www.corbridge-festival.co.uk Headlining the acoustic stage is the increasingly popular Ourselves and Us who got together whilst studying music at the Sage Gateshead and frequently perform at the venue. Joining them on the acoustic stage are Lost in Paradise, 3 at Sea, JustSO, Kobadelta, Jinski, Koleidoscopes, Carl Cape, Amy Ridley, Silent Houses, Alex Dobson and more to be confirmed. Pipe Riot the Punk Poet from Ovingham will also make a short appearance and Steffen Peddie will once again complete the Main Stage in his hilarious and upbeat way. During the event, there will also be a chance to take part in music workshops and the family friendly Kids Zone where you can enjoy crafts and other activities, or simply browse the stalls which will stock a fine selection of real ales, ciders, and lagers, as well as cocktails, champagne, and a wide range of food.The venue is compact and everything is within walking distance, with parking also on the event grounds. Camping is available for 2 nights (at extra cost). Festival Director Cheryl Durkin, says: “The aim at Corbridge is to create a line-up of music that combines iconic headliners with the best of up and coming bands from across the Region (and beyond), getting a mix of music which appeals to young and old from across the genres. This year will see our strongest line-up to date”. LET’S GET SOCIAL! NE VOLUME Tickets and more information can be found on www.corbridge-festival.co.uk Priced: £25 - Adult, £12 - Concession, Under 10’s FREE. Camping - £7.50 per tent pitch per night, £10 – per Caravan/ mobile pitch per night. Written by Hannah Dodsworth FOLLOW US TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE NORTH EAST MUSIC SCENE! 14 16 Renowned Sunderland band Frankie & The Heartstrings are gearing up to release their new album this July. Our editor Lee Allcock spoke to frontman Frankie Francis, to find out more about the release and their upcoming launch night. So the new album ‘Decency’ is set to be released on the 10th of July. How do you think the recording and writing process went? The writing process and the recording process, thinking about it, was a very organic and straightforward time.We wrote the songs in our shop in Sunderland [Pop Recs Ltd.] after opening hours. At the time we were listening to bands like Martha, Eagulls and Hookworms, so MJ [Hookworms’ vocalist] seemed like the obvious choice as he recorded all those bands - and we like Leeds [where his studio is]. What can fans expect from your new album? Has there been a transition in your sound for example. On our first record [‘Hunger’] we got mega hype. I think that this new record is our best to date and deserves all the exposure it can get. Ross [ex Futureheads’ guitarist] brought a breath of fresh air to the team but didn’t change the sound that much. He even made us realise what our sound was/is. What track do you think is the standout song on the album and why? I have a few favourites on there. 'Think Yourself Lucky’ is our new call to arms track, ‘Anna’ is a shot in the heart of pop music, ‘Decency’ throws two fingers up to lots of people at the minute and 'Money' is a future classic.We always like to show a more tender side in our records too so there’s also tracks that do that such as ‘Hate Me Like You Used To' we spent a while on the textures and tones for that song. You’re releasing the album at The Cluny on the 10th of July. What are you expecting the crowd to be like? And tell me some more about the acts supporting you… I'm hoping the crowd will be naked.That’s what they say isn’t it, if your nervous then imagine them naked. But what if they were actually naked? Also on the bill are Durham band Martha who are great guys, Rhys Patterson who works in our shop and has also toured as part of SLUG and Tom Smith who is a very talented young man who will be getting the night underway with some of his incredible guitar skills. Apart from the album release, what else do you have in store for 2015? I think we all have to work this record as hard as we can and see what happens after that.We are hoping the record will speak for itself and then we all get *hot tubs and *cocaine addictions. (*new pants) To pre-order the band’s upcoming album ‘Decency’ head to: www.wichita-recordings.com/shop/category/frankie--theheartstrings. For tickets to Frankie & The Heartstrings album launch at the Cluny in Newcastle, priced at £11, head to: www. seetickets.com/event/frankie-the-heartstrings-album-launch/ the-cluny/874732. By following the link you can also purchase a ticket and CD bundle or ticket and 12” vinyl bundle. If you can’t make it to the launch night, the band will also be performing at Sunniside Live in Sunderland on the 11th of July.The event is free and open to wristband holders only. For details on how to obtain your free wristband head to: https:// www.facebook.com/SunnisideLIVE?fref=ts or follow the festival on Twitter at: @SunnisideLive. 17 Our editor Lee Allcock had a little chat with the Lisbon frontman as the Whitley Bay favourites are currently out on a UK tour. The last time I spoke to you lot you'd received Radio 1 airplay for 'Blue Love' and now you've embarked on a full UK tour and you currently have five dates remaining. How has it been, exciting or nervous? We've definitely been more excited than nervous. It's been more than a year now since ‘Blue Love’ got its first spin on Radio One, and constant support from radio since then is the reason our music has spread across the UK.We’ve met a number of fans who have got in touch through Twitter and Facebook and it’s been incredible.We can’t wait to meet more fans on our remaining five gigs in Whitley Bay, Stoke, Leicester, Middlesbrough, and London. As a band, what has been your greatest achievement so far? It's hard to measure our greatest experience so far, there's the Maida Vale session we did for BBC Introducing, or our sell out at O2 Academy, and our tune ‘Natïve’ has just passed a million plays on Spotify. But it's difficult to state which achievement is better than the other - for me the proudest moment is still ‘Blue Love's’ primetime plays on Radio 1, we still get that buzz every time we're on air. And finally, what else can we expect from you lot in 2015? A lot of shows, a few more songs, and hopefully a lot of progress.We're excited about putting more songs out there, but we really need to intensify our reach across the UK - we want to put an EP or an album out in the near-future but we really need to do it at the right time; when we have the fans and resources to do it the best way possible. For tickets for any of Lisbon’s upcoming UK headline tour dates please head over to www.wearelisbon.com www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yVlzXsv5HhU INTERVIEWS Hidden Charms in Middlesbrough! Hidden Charms are a London-based retro rock outfit currently touring the UK and building a rather substantial following.They’re on the brink of releasing their debut EP and single ‘Dreaming of Another Girl’. Claire Banton caught up with bassist Josh prior to their forthcoming gig in Middlesbrough on July 7th, 2015 at The Keys. What are you expecting from a Middlesbrough crowd? Rock ‘n’ Roll fans, hopefully! The only time we’ve been in the North East before was when we played in Newcastle so we’re looking forward to it. We’ve heard its cool venue. We’ll bring the best we’ve got! Being the bass player in the band, what is your favourite bassline of all time? A toss-up between Paul McCartney’s ‘The Word’ and a James Jamerson bassline from that Marvin Gaye song… [humming song] the name will come back to me - it’ll be worth it! Last but not least what’s the song that you most enjoy jamming to and why? Josh: Anything by Dr Dre, he’s our favourite producer at the moment, or ‘Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz. [Following ongoing Marvin Gaye song discussion in other room] Ah! that song was ‘What’s Going On’ by Marvin Gaye! Haha Thanks! We look forward to seeing Hidden Charms in Middlesbrough next month. 18 New Single from The Raging Sickness Our editor Lee Allcock spoke to Newcastle metal band The Raging Sickness to find out more about their new single. You're set to release your debut single this July, how is the recording process going? Has there been any issues? The actual recording of the single ran quite smoothly and we were blown away at how powerful the track was sounding.We did encounter some problems during the mixing stages that caused some unwanted delays, but once we are all happy with the mastered piece we will look to unleash it soon. What is the your new single ‘Devil’ about and what sound have you gone for? ‘Devil’ is a song that sort of brings to light the devil within us all.The song tells us that anybody can be the devil in disguise, you may be the devil too. ‘Devil’ aims to bring back that traditional old school rock and metal sound we all know and love. The song is definitely going to be our anthem. A UK tour to promote the new single is in the pipeline and dates will be announced shortly at www.facebook. com/theragingsickness. Details of where to purchase a copy will also be released on the band’s Facebook page very soon. Interviewed by Lee Allcock 20 NE Volume Interview exclusive: The Stranglers The Stranglers are heading to Middlesbrough’s The Venue this July so I caught up with frontman Baz Warne ahead of their gig to talk the venue, solo work and a catalogue of 17 albums. Have you been to Middlesbrough’s The Venue before? I’ve never been to the venue myself, is it big? I’m aware of Middlesbrough but I’m not sure on the venue, I know the band will most likely know it, they have been all over. It’s fairly big. It can hold a good amount of people... Oh good, I was in Stockton the other week, I played a very low key set at the Georgian Theatre. It was spread by word of mouth but it was still very well attended. That’s great, I wasn’t aware of your solo work... I like to keep them low-key. Everyone who attended the solo gig has got tickets to The Stranglers at The Venue and I know there will be people coming from all over, as always with our gigs. What can we, as an audience, expect from the gig? We have a range of songs that we can choose from - we call it ‘the black jukebox’. There is going to be a mix of music, new and old, and we will certainly be playing the classics. We like to please ourselves when playing, but we always keep the audience in mind, so we like to deliver fan favourites. It’s cliché to say, but with this gig, just expected the unexpected. Is there anything you want to say to people coming? Come and see how four old men can still play rock ‘n’ roll.” Tickets for The Stranglers gig at The Venue in Middlesbrough on July 14th are priced at £27.50 and are available from www.seetickets. com/event/the-stranglers/the-venuemiddlesbrough/86462 Photography by Stuart Steele Interview by Nathan Douthwaite INTERVIEWS Gorgeous George, Pronunciation issues and a new album on the way! Cattle & Cane speak to NE Volume! Thornaby-on-Tees based folk fivepiece Cattle & Cane are set to release their new album very soon and will be touring the UK to promote the release. Our editor, Lee Allcock, spoke to the band to find out more about how they are preparing for the months ahead. You've just announced that you're heading out on your first UK headline tour this coming autumn. Excited, nervous? We're definitely excited! It feels like we've been building to this for a while. We've spent a lot of time indoors writing and recording so it'll be good to be on the road again! What gig are you most looking forward to playing and why? The obvious one is our home town show at Teesside University. How could it not?! It's our biggest show yet! But there are some great venues and great places on this tour so we just hope to keep building from that. What can gig-goers expect from your sets during your headline shows? Will it be primarily new songs or old songs? It’s going to be a mixture of both! We'll be playing our debut album on the road.We re-recorded some of our old releases and they feature on our new album so people will know some of the songs! What's the strangest thing that's ever happened at one of your gigs? It tends to be that people struggle to pronounce our name, or know what our name is.We've had Cattle & Can, Caytal & Cain, Kattle & Kane, Cattle & Crane.The list is endless! Your video 'Isn't he Lovely’ in reference to Middlesbrough FC player George Friend or 'Gorgeous George' has been viewed by over 100,000 people. How does that feel? And why did you decide to do it? Sadly it didn't seem to inspire the team although Gorgeous George was the best player in a red shirt on the day… We thought it would be a funny thing to do, we didn't expect the reaction it would have! Everyone loves George Friend he wears his heart on his sleeve! You never know I might still name my son George. What else do you have in store for the rest of the year? Writing the second album! We're always keen to keep things moving and having different projects in the pipeline! Pre-Order Cattle & Cane’s debut album ‘Home’ from www.pledgemusic.com/cattleandcane Buy tickets for the bands Teesside University gig, priced at £11.50, by heading to: www.seetickets.com/ event/cattle-cane-home-album-launch/ teesside-university-su/867155 Interviewed by Lee Allcock Photography by Sally T Photography Glass Caves in Darlington! York-based alternative rock band The Glass Caves are set to play the Green Room in Darlington on the 17th of July - just weeks after playing the Isle of Wight Festival. Our editor Lee Allcock caught up with the four-piece to find out more. You've gone from starting off as busking band on the streets of York to playing the likes of Isle of Wight Festival. How do you think you've managed that? Is there some form of secret ingredient? I think hard work has been key. Busking a lot has been a mint tool for what we’re doing and promoting the band but without being able to win people over or have people like our songs then busking would have been a complete waste of time.There has been no secret ingredient, just masses of taking our music to the people and them loving what we’re handing them. Is there anything else you have in the pipeline for your North East fans to get excited about? Album two is currently under way. We’ll write a song about the North East? Tickets for The Glass Caves upcoming show at the Green Room in Darlington are priced at £5+booking fee and can be bought from www. skiddle.com/whats-on/Darlington/ The-Green-Room/The-Glass-Caves(Plus-Support)/12395249/ Interviewed by Lee Allcock 21 Evanston, Illinois, singer/songwriter Ezra Furman is set to play Middlesbrough’s Westgarth Social Club on the 10th of July to showcase his new album ‘Perpetual Motion People’ INTERVIEWS Emma Bolland caught up with Steven Bardgett and Nathan Duff of Billingham alt-rock duo Mouses to talk about their already hectic year. You recorded your debut album with sister 9 recordings back in May. What was that like? Did any challenges come up? S: Quite a lot. Recording that many tracks in such a short space of time took it out of us quite a bit and we nearly ran out of time. But we did it and we're really happy with what we've got. N: Was definitely an amazing experience - really exciting to hear some of our tracks with the 'studio treatment' as we know there were some limitations when self-recording our EPs. I think the hardest part has been trying to create a great sounding record that sticks to the distorted Mouses sound and captures the urgency and frantic energy from our live shows but without sounding too polished or rushed - a tough balancing act which will hopefully pay off. How are you feeling about the Middlesbrough show? Are you looking forward to it? Whatever I see, whoever I meet, I give myself completely to the performance. I don't care much about Middlesbrough or any place else. I aim to have an encounter with the people of Middlesbrough. I care about the people, and being truly present to meet them and be with them. What was it like to perform on Jools Holland? I told myself I wouldn't get self-conscious, but I got incredibly self-conscious. When all the cameras are about to start filming live to a million people it's very hard not to obsess about every aspect of how you'll be perceived. But in the moment of actually performing, it didn't matter. Our band is exactly what I want it to be, and we do what we do regardless of who's watching. Tell me more about your new album ‘Perpetual Motion People’ which is set to be released on the 6th of July. Where was it recorded? What sound have you gone for? What is the standout track for you and why? We recorded it in Chicago, in a half-built studio under construction. I wanted to make it sound less like a garage band this time around and more like a little rock'n'roll symphony. But mostly we just took my best songs and did exactly what they needed to have maximum impact. It's not right to choose favourites, but at the moment I'm feeling proud of ‘Hour of Deepest Need’. Purchase tickets for Ezra Furman’s gig at the Westgarth Social Club in Middlelsbrough at www.seetickets.com/events/ezra-furman Interview by Lee Allcock and Emma Bolland 22 Can you also tell us some more about your recent publishing deal with Wipe Out Music Publishing? N: We've been very lucky to have the support of Tees Music Alliance who managed to get us in touch with John from Wipe Out. They're a bunch of great guys from Newcastle who are helping to get our music out there to other bods in the music industry and hopefully get our songs played in some cool adverts, films, games, shows etc. which is all really surreal to us! To find out more about the Teesside-based band head over to: www.musicglue.com/mouses/home The North East’s most intimate Blues venue! Every Friday night - 9.00pm start - Free Entry July Sweet Suzi & Sugafixx, Early Mac Band, The Idiom, Bad Bob Bates, Barrel House August Bonnie Mac Band, Struggle Buggy, Memphis Suns, The Groove-a-matics Camra Award Winning Real Ales The Cleveland Bay | Yarm Road | Eaglescliffe | Stockton-on-Tees | TS16 OJE | 01642 780275 www.bluesatthebay.co.uk GIG REVIEWS THE STRYPES ROCK THE GEORGIAN THEATRE - 06/06/15 First up tonight to play to the enthusiastic Teesside crowd were Dublin-based rock ‘n’ roll band The Mighty Stef. Although it seemed that all members had their own unique style of attire that didn’t seem to compliment each other on stage (frontman Stefan Murphy wore a cowboy hat and guitarist Dan Fitzpatrick had a certain Joe Strummer-esque look), the originality of each member helped them to create tracks that divulged into numerous genres including country, blues, rock, and even punk. Standout track tonight for me was ‘Nightwatchman of the Iveagh Flats’ with its dark lyrics, frantic sonic tone, and slow burning vocals. After a 45-minute long interval, out stepped headliners of the night - four-piece rhythm and blues band The Strypes from Cavan, Ireland. Opening with ‘Now She’s Gone’ from 26 the band’s yet to be released ‘Little Victories’ album, it was evident right from the off that the lads (who are no older than 17) were ready to perform an adrenaline-fuelled set for their passionate fans.They flew through hits such as ‘What the People Don’t See’, ‘Mystery Man’ and ‘Blue Collar Jane’ barely stopping for breath and made sure the crowd were involved throughout. Having supported the likes of Arctic Monkeys and the Courteeners at venues such as the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle and the Castlefield Bowl in Manchester, tonight was a little different for The Strypes as they performed a very intimate set to a capacity crowd of just 200, but they seemed to love every single minute of it, as did we. Reviewed by Lee Allcock Photography by Tom Brown GIG REVIEWS Ten Ton Friday + Tombstone Crow + Hypochrist + Dirty King at 02 Academy 2, Newcastle - 04/06/15 Five-piece stoner rock band Dirty King (previously Losing All) kicked off proceedings tonight. Opening track 'F.D.A.’ (Face Death Alone), with it's heaving metal chug-a-long riff was reminisce of Quiet Riot's 80's classic 'Metal Health - Bang Your Head’.The riffing output throughout was like being witness to a car being pummelled into a 4x4 cube of metal yet with some tasteful, melodious intermissions thrown in. Thrash metal followed with Tyneside 5-piece Hypochrist. Nick Parson's (formerly of Whatever), started recording songs on to his computer before assembling the line up.The band roared through a set of six songs which featured two of the three songs (available as a free download), 'My Little Eye' and 'Catch 'em & Kill em'. Next up were Newcastle metal band Tombstone Crow who used tombstone props to show their name and showcase the words 'Original Geordie Metal'. A girl-fronted death/thrash four-piece,T.C. started the night like they finished it with the exception of 'Turn to Stone' with its Sabbath-type intro riff. Demonic screaming and guttural phrasing featured throughout. So to the headliners and by far the most experienced act of the night (having formed in 2004),Ten Ton Friday.The band’s set featured songs from their 2012 album 'Crunk Shaft' along with the meanest version of Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady' that the crowd will have ever heard. Future single, 'Boat Bottom' saw the guitar neck's sweat and The Sherlocks + The Face + The Champagne Charlies + Montclare at The Globe, Newcastle – 05/06/15 big choruses boomed out. Camera phones were put away and metal fisted salutes went up in acknowledgment of a great performance. Reviewed by Neville Larkin Opening tonight's event were the talented Montclare, a local three-piece band that instantly set the scene for the evening. Deep vocals crooned over bluesy guitar riffs and a fast-paced tempo, with every brief pause between songs teasing loud applause from the appreciate audience until they left the stage. Next up were Newcastle indie band The Champagne Charlies who delivered an energetic performance. All three members bounced eagerly from song to song; letting their creative, original tracks and thumping instruments do all of the talking. After a brief interlude, penultimate band The Face arrived to an enthusiastic crowd.The four-piece punched out catchy choruses and pacing guitars; tirelessly committing high amounts of energy and talent to their full set of crowd-pleasing songs.The gig was unfortunately running well behind schedule when headliners The Sherlocks finally picked up their instruments.Thankfully, however, no amount of disorganisation could dampen the electric atmosphere of the venue. Frontman Kiaran Crook offered a confident swagger as he breezed through the lyrics of standout track ‘Live For the Moment’, hypnotising his captive audience into a gentle sway.Their genre is hard to pin down - lead guitarist Josh Davidson frequently played electrifying solos that make classing the band as wholly indie impossible; however it would be easy to define them as such if focusing on the gentler pacings of their rhythm guitar. Final song ‘Chasing Shadows’ taken from the bands first EP ‘First Bite of the Apple’ suitably closed a fantastic night provided by four extremely talented bands. Review by Andrew Brown Photography by Lauren Young 27 Holy Moly and The Crackers + John Harrison at The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe – 07/06/2015 Humanism + Street Party in Soho at Newcastle 02 Academy 2 - 06/06/15 The Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe is one of Teesside’s hidden gems. It’s one of the most eclectic regular music venues the region has to offer and, of course, it’s also a great vegetarian restaurant. Events at the venue, known as ‘Matchbox Cabaret’ have been running for several years and have experienced a recent resurgence in popularity with a number of sell out events featuring a wealth of talent both local and further afield. John Harrison, frontman of Teesside band John and the Ragmen, opened the event tonight with an outstanding set to a relaxed and friendly crowd who were largely perched on comfy old cinema seats. A haunting cover of Moby’s ‘Natural Blues’ captivated the audience (you could have literally heard a pin drop) and an acoustic version of new song ‘Changing Ground’ was well-received by the well-mannered audience. Next up were Newcastle gypsy folk ‘n’ roll band Holy Moly and the Crackers; a band with a name that is intriguing and sums the band up perfectly. Their set tonight was musical brilliance from the offset. They sang tales of lost loves, Russian circus-folk, dastardly pirates, women from Spain with “a little bit of this and a little bit of that” and they had the audience gripped to their every word. The six-piece left no genre unturned, were exhilarating to watch, and every member of the audience was clapping, laughing, and loving every minute of their sensational set. Despite having to deal with technical issues, talented Newcastle band, Street Party in Soho, delivered a fantastic set which showcased their infectious afro-pop sound. New song ‘17’ was the standout track of their seven-song set.The track has an instantly catch pop melody and it showcased the bands growing songwriting maturity. Whitley Bay four-piece, Humanism, headlined tonight with an impressively polished performance.The band kicked straight into the thumping ‘White Lies’ with its great melodic synth breaks which seems a corner stone to all of their well-crafted songs. The band had a distinctive ambient/rock groove and used a combination of wistful synth, rhythmic guitar, and driving percussion to create tracks that were both melancholic and powerful.The now short haired Andi Anderson (lead vocals) bellowed out his unique, soulful vocals with passion and emotion and he had the enthusiastic audience gripped to his every word. The majority of the setlist was taken from second album ‘Porcelain Soul’, the title track of which had a splendid mix of gentle verses and bright build ups to the chorus sections. From the sophisticated ‘Up in Smoke’ to the dreamy and elegant ‘Reset’, it was over all too briefly due to the 10pm curfew.The future can only be bright for Andi, Pip,Tom and Jack after this incredible performance. Review and Photography by Peter Fannen. 28 Photography by Peter Clayton Reviewed by Claire Banton Du Blonde + Keep Breathing + Mouses at The Cluny, Newcastle – 11/06/2015 First up tonight were Mouses, a Teesside based two-piece who have been gaining some local acclaim for their punky low-fi sound and rightly so - they are clearly energetic and talented.Tracks like ‘Rollercoaster’ manage to maintain a care-free and youthful vigour which is engaging live. Next up, and rising from the ashes of local outfit Watchers and now joined by Symphonic Pictures’ frontman Dale Knight on keys, were Keep Breathing.Their re-incarnation is a pop/indie rock mash-up that doesn’t quite conjure the sinister thrill of their previous projects however, yet it proves a hit with The Cluny’s growing crowd. Beth Jeans Houghton knows all too well about re-incarnation. Recently she’s decided to go through a visual and aural transformation from sombre folky to bleachhaired, red-lipped alter-ego/project Du Blonde - a caricatured vision of the ultimate punk front woman. Houghton hops onto The Cluny stage and effortlessly belts out tracks with her unified band, slying in an amicable cover of Pixies ‘Where Is My Mind’ at the half way point. Singles ‘Black Flag’ and ‘Hunter’ sound even better live and the band’s chemistry is solid, ruining any chance of it becoming a one-woman show. Houghton has chosen well, she’s now a fully-fledged rocker and she has the tunes to match. Review by Nad Khan FRIDAY 3RD JULY All Kings & Queens + Samantha Durnan FRIDAY 10TH JULY NGOD FRIDAY 17TH JULY LA BÊTE BLOOMS FRIDAY 24TH JULY FRIDAY 31ST JULY FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST THE JACKOBINS PRINCE REGENT ST.STOCKTON-ON-TEES WWW.KUBAR.CO.UK SEETICKETS.COM GIG REVIEWS The Magick Godmothers + Idle Violets at Ku Bar’s, Stockton – 12/06/2015 GIG REVIEWS Photography by Sam Edge Fresh back from recording their debut EP, Grunge/‘Jizz-Rock’ outfit Idle Violets were first on stage for KU Bar Stockton’s Shine Like Stars live music showcase tonight. The three-piece from Stockton delivered an energetic opening set that was tight musically and well-received by the crowd. Fast-paced songs driven by strong, catchy bass riffs and frantically delivered lyrics featured predominantly. Stand out tracks included ‘Fever’ and ‘Fuzz’ – both solid rock tracks interspersed with unexpected dance-worthy interludes. Teesside band the Magick Godmothers were up next and became last minute headliners following the postponement of LIVES who have rescheduled for later this year.The relatively recent collaborative effort between established rock outfits Avalanche Party and The Approved swaggered onto stage in some rather dapper suits.The Magick Godmothers tonight renounced being cogs in the corporate machine and chose to pursue the path to righteousness by blowing the crowd away with a haze of hypnotic guitars, pertinent but powerful lyrics and straight up dirty rock ‘n’ roll. Strong musically and some of the best stage presence I’ve seen of late, this band possesses an edginess and coolness which engages (to the point of general hypnosis) those watching them. “Now is the time you gotta use it” drawls Singer Timothy Oxnard into the microphone.You heard him: make time to see The Magick Godmothers at your earliest convenience. Reviewed by Claire Banton Carvella + Casual Agenda at The Fleece Inn, Northallerton – 13/06/2015 West Midland’s indie rock ‘n’ roll three-piece Casual Agenda opened up tonight’s event in the small, cramped and cosy venue of the Fleece Inn in Northallerton. The start of their set was plagued with technical issues, but thankfully they didn’t let this bother them. New single ‘Moonlight’ with its upbeat indie pop guitar chords and deep funky basslines contrasted with ‘Apple Eye’ a much deeper, darker and sentimental track to showcase that the band are improving their songwriting abilities; as they are not confined to one certain style of music. Their 45-minute long set concluded with ‘The Notion’ after being introduced with a 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown by a member of the audience who was clearly enjoying herself. After a short interlude, up stepped atmospheric rock ‘n’ roll band Carvella from Leeds. It was evident right from the off that all four members of the band were truly gifted in their technically ability. Frontman Tom Pritchard’s voice complimented both their soft indie tracks such as ‘Runaway’ and their faster, punchier tracks such as ‘World Outside’ which is certain to be their debut single, or it certainly should be. The night ended with the now famous member of the audience introducing final track ‘Shoot the Moon’ before dancing around, on her own, and loving every single second of it. Reviewed by Lee Allcock 31 GIG REVIEWS From the Jam + The Skapones at ARC, Stockton - 13/06/15 Tonight saw mod favourites From the Jam grace the stage in the small town of Stockton in the impressive ARC venue. The night started brightly with Darlington band The Skapones. The seven-piece ska/reggae band produced the sound of British reggae (made famous by the likes of UB40 and The Specials) perfectly and they had the crowd moving non-stop throughout their energetic set. After a short interval, up stepped From the Jam. Bruce Foxton walked on stage still rocking the look even in his old age.The band wasted no time kicking straight into their adrenaline-fuelled set which included infamous tracks like ‘Saturday’s Kids’, ‘Thick as Thieves’ and ‘To be Someone (Didn’t We Have a Nice Time)’ which they dedicated to tour keyboardist and musician friend who joined them on stage; creating a sentimental moment. After Fan favourite ‘A Town Called Malice’ the drummer left the stage and keyboardist, Hasting’s and Foxton pulled up stools together before playing the powerful acoustic ballad ‘That’s Entertainment’. As the drummer returned, the band then blasted through the fantastic “Eton Rifles’ with a stunning instrumental section that wowed the crowd. The band ‘finished’ on ‘What You Give Is What You Get’ and ‘Going Underground’ before returning to play three encore songs, one of which included the classic ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’ one of the tracks the crowd had waited for.To conclude, From the Jam carry the sound of The Jam perfectly and Foxton has still got it. Photography and review by Nathan Douthwaite Willoman Festival in Knayton, Thirsk – 19/06/2015 Personality, humour, and talent are what Willowman Festival in Yorkshire has become famous for over the last six years and it was in abundance today across all three stages.Throughout the day there was a number of fantastic moments as we were treated with the likes of a cocky rhyming slang rendition of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ by Kingsize Voodoo Traveller, chants of “Aitor Karanka” (in reference to the Middlesbrough FC manager) by Shoot The Poet while playing through a cover of ‘Seven Nation Army’, the White Negroes frontman Ish dancing around like a lunatic while shaking his maracas, Frankie & The Heartstrings drummer Dave Harper making a number of sexual references while the band dealt with technical issues, and Astralasia playing out of this world synth with a funky beat that sent the energetic crowd into an absolute frenzy.When it came to headliners Echo & The Bunnymen however this humour disappeared as it was evident right from the off that the indie icons of the 80s meant business. Sadly the swagger of frontman McCulloch soon became a little subdued though and the infamous band’s new songs from their fan-funded album ‘Meteorites’ merely seemed to fill in time between their classic post-punk confections such as ‘The Killing Moon’ and ‘Bring On The Dancing Horses’. It was a slightly disappointing end to what had been a fantastic day. Reviewed by Lee Allcock Photography by Tracy Hyman 32 Big-Figure-Promotions-Real-Music-for-Lost-Souls Violet Deep ‘Self-Titled’ EP Review Twister - ‘Famous Last Words’ Single Review THE30YRMEN ‘Cloth Works’ Album Review The new self-titled EP from Teesside five-piece Violet Deep includes five tracks full of soaring guitar riffs, angry lyrics and unbridled sex appeal. It is inherently apparent in the music and lyrics that the band see the world with a healthy cynicism but have the desire to rise above the status quo. ‘Tears from Bottles’ and ‘Witchcraft’ are a deadly combination that kick start the EP. With anger and torment seeping through lead singer Jack’s vocals and a high-octane beat, I am taken to a place of rebellion and upheaval in a way that The Strokes took me as a teenager. ‘I Wanna Know’ follows a similar trend but is subtly softer in its projection.There is an emphasis on the lyrics, which continue the poignant theme of the EP. The final two tracks differ somewhat in tempo, timbre and theme. As they turn from anger to lament, the vocal harmony and soft rhythm of the guitars bites at the soul in ‘Sound it Out’, which is a track that pays tribute to the legendary Stockton record shop.The final track ‘I’m asking you for more’, unlike the rest of the songs, is a sinister love song.The vocals are epic and display a complete vocal range. Violet Deep is a band with all the right ingredients and like a Michelin chef they have created an exotic, exciting and veracious recipe of rock ‘n’ roll straight out of the distant glory days. Yummy. After playing shows with the likes of Status Quo, Durham-based Twister seek to become known everywhere with their single turned music video ‘Famous Last Words’ ; an easy-listener lying somewhere between the early indie of Sonic Youth and the punkier overtones of My Chemical Romance (along with a common title). It’s evident that Twister, as a band, have grown up listening to the many major breakthrough acts in mainstream rock and sought to emulate the style and impact these bands have historically achieved.To me, ‘Famous Last Words’ is the archetypal soft/indie rock song that many of Twisters precursors have brought to their live sets over the years.The feel-good stadium rock is here, carrying with it the large history of the genre and summarising all its tropes and flavours. The end result is a competent track for fans of the aforementioned; however it is this competency that is my biggest problem with the single.Though very well recorded, it is hard not to feel that Twister aren’t pushing enough to make innovation in a saturated musical environment.With a large library of similar singles, released over multiple decades, it can be a hindrance to an up-and-coming band’s longevity if they offer no new reason to choose them over a greatest hits LP. In short: good recording quality; competent entry into the softer tastes of rock, yet nothing the nostalgic similarity leaves something to be desired. Speaking candidly about their debut album ‘Cloth Works’, Newcastle indie/alternative rock band THE30YRMEN told me that the theme that runs through the entirety of the record is “redemption and hope”. From the outset, it’s needless to say that the North East four-piece have created something truly heartfelt and openly honest. Opening track ‘The Silence’ of the 10-track album, blends an understated introduction, filled with little more than guitar chords and vocals, with a heavier chorus that explodes with energetic instrumentals and multiple vocals. It’s not only the sound that catches the attention of the mind however, as the band are able to eloquently reflect raw emotions and messages through their lyrics. Moving towards the end of the album, ‘Fans Of Yesterday’ and ‘The Lovers And The Thieves’ provide something of a contrast to each other. Where ‘Fans Of Yesterday’ continues the same edgy indie rock sound that’s woven throughout the album, ‘The Lovers And The Thieves’ is noticeably more mellow and slower in the beginning, but builds up and takes on a more indie sound overall. As a whole, ‘Cloth Works’ brings together the very reasons THE30YRMEN have become so successful in their two years as a band. Not only does their album show a genuine idea of craftsmanship from the seamlessly produced content, but it’s constructed in a way that allows a listener to get a true insight into the band. Reviewed by Adam Taylor Pick up the EP at: www.itunes.apple. com/gb/album/violet-deep-ep Reviewed by Mark Fearns. Artwork by Rachel Martin and Stevie Stoker Pick up the single at www.itunes. apple.com/us/album/famous-lastwords-single 34 Reviewed by Emma Bolland Purchase ‘Cloth Works’ at www.musicglue.com/the30yrmen/ buy-stuff/ ALBUM/EP/SINGLE REVIEWS Avalance Party ‘The Avalanche Party’ EP Review Everything about Avalanche Party is chaotic.Their name, image and sound are a hectic mix of garage and punk rock that has crept its way out of the North Yorkshire Moors into the sleeping public domain.There’s no escaping the band at the moment, as their bold name beams across my Facebook news feed with updates about gigs – they’re now set to make an appearance at this year’s talent crammed NARC. Fest. Listening to their debut EP simply titled ‘The Avalanche Party’, it’s easy to see why people are taking interest. It’s a mix of heavy, distortion driven guitar that’s reminiscent of The Stooges wildly raw anarchistic approach. Opening track ‘Obstacle’ is almost Motörhead-like in its speedy delivery of full throttle guitar riffs and trotting drums.Things calm down a little on ‘Mountains’, with Jordan Bell’s straightedged vocals layed atop an old organ. This doesn’t last too long though, as the band thrust back into punk mode on ‘Let’s Get Together’. ‘Closer Money’ is Last Shadow Puppets all over, with a spaghetti western hook and sing-a-long chorus that plays on the 60s throwback sound, with added punch. Avalanche Party seem to be the full package.They’re anthemic, simplistic and loud in all the right places - a promising start from a band that have all the signs of becoming a brutal force in North East music. Review by Nadeem Khan Artwork by Kath Cronin Pick up the EP from: avalanceparty.bandcamp.com Sons of the City ‘Hold on’ Single Review Redcar band Sons of the City are a group of experienced and mature guys; as much is obvious from their current work.Their latest single ‘Hold On’ is a staple of modern rock functioning as an imperative to remain stoic in times of personal hardship and dealing with the usual emotional compilations that arise through adulthood. After repeated play-throughs, I found it hard not to be filled with a thorough sense of melancholy - empathising with my young adult self over what could or should have been - a theme Sons of the City handle concisely in 3 minutes; but that’s not to say that it’s all gloom. I opened with a statement on how Sons of the City are mature musicians, and in my opinion the biggest indicator of maturity is how one can persevere and remain stable and optimistic through adversity, which I feel is achieved through ‘Hold On’s’ upbeat melody and solid tempo. The sound here is modern and with a high-recording quality. I’m reminded of the mellower numbers by Foo Fighters, tending towards The Gaslight Anthem with some indications of My Morning Jacket mixed in for welcomed flavour. The Redcar-based Sons of the City have a few releases on the way. If ‘Hold On’ is an esteem indicator we have a few things to get excited about. Tessera Skies – ‘Out of Sight’ Single + ‘Dreaming/ Sleeping’ B-Side Review Tessera Skies are an act quickly gripping the imaginations of many music writers both locally and across the nation.The Newcastle-based three-piece have, in a short space of time, created a massively intricate and vibrant sound. But just what is there to say of their two tracks - the single ‘Out of Sight’ and B-Side ‘Dreaming/Sleeping’.The group have managed to encapsulate a laid-back style of music that is very easy to sit back and listen to.They use long instrumentals and synthesised sounds to build layer-upon-layer before singer Mark Broughton pushes a relaxing melody giving an ideal blend of warmth and tone that keeps the music enticing. What is striking about this group is the amount and blend of noise generated by three people and I am intrigued to see how this works on a live stage.The two tracks on the single represent the two sides of their music. On the one hand ‘Out of Sight’ is vocal-led with a powerful beat, however ‘Dreaming/Sleeping’ harks back to the psychedelic instrumentalists of the nineties such as Massive Attacks’ ‘Teardrop’, or the later works of Ian Brown. ‘Out of Sight’ is a real grower and deserves the credit it is getting. I wait in anticipation for their future offerings. Review by Mark Fearns Reviewed by Adam Taylor Pick up the EP at: www.itunes.apple. com/us/album/hold-on-single Download the single, B-side and remix for free via the band’s official website at: www.tesseraskies.com 35 NE VOLUME GIG LISTINGS 3rd July: • Black Atom Movement + First Born Son + Prysm + Hawkeye Roadshow + Deep.Sleep. 02 Academy 2, Newcastle. £6 Adv. •All Kings and Queens + Samantha Durnan + Joe Ramsey. Ku Bar, Stockton. £3 Adv. •Mechanical Mouse Organ Launch Party. Cluny 2, Newcastle. £4.40 Adv. 4th July: •Pirate Festival. Stockton Town Centre. Free. •Bez (Happy Mondays) + Vince Vega, DJ Set. The Green Room, Darlington. £5 Adv. 5th July: •Pirate Festival. Stockton Town Centre. Free. 7th July: •Kathryn Williams. Cluny 2, Newcastle. £14.30 Adv. •Hidden Charms + John & The Ragmen. Keys, Middlesbrough. Free. 9th July: •Modest Mouse + Hippo Campus + Elle King. 02 Academy, Newcastle. £19.68 Adv. •Larkin Poe + McDade. The Cluny, Newcastle. £13.75 Adv. 10th July: •Frankie & The Heartstrings Album Launch. The Cluny, Newcastle. £11 Adv. •NGOD + Figmennt. Ku Bar, Stockton. £3 Adv. •X Ray Cat Trio + Mouses + Ten Foot Tom & The Leprosy Crooks. Princess Alice, Middlesbrough. Free. •Ezra Furman. Westgarth, Middlesbrough. £11.50 Adv. •Butterwick Hospice Presents Violet Deep + Shoot The Poet + Back Into The Wild + Cellar Door + Joe Ramsey + Ellis Rayney + Megan Dotchin. Georgian Theatre, Stockton. £5 Adv. 11th July: •The Kill. The Belvedere, Bishop Auckland. £10 Adv. •The Monochrome Set + The Fallen Leaves + Pellethead. The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. £12otd. •Sunniside Festival. Sunderland. Free. 38 •Corbridge Festival. Tynedale Park, Corbridge. £25 Adv. 12th July: •The Kets + Dennis + The Ree-Vahs + Joe Solo + Chloe Lawton.Vennels Yard, Durham. £5 Adv. 14th July: •The Stranglers. The Venue, Middlesbrough. £27.50 Adv 15th July •Heavy Trash + Bloodshot Bill. The Cluny, Newcastle. £14 Adv. 16th July: •Twister + The Silence + Black Nevada + One-Man Revival. Head of Steam, Newcastle. £5otd. 17th July: •PinDrop Special: Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra + Tom Blackwell + The Bluebuds + Andy Jones. HM Bark Endeavour, Stockton. £7 Adv. •La Beta Blooms + John & The Ragmen. Ku Bar, Stockton. £3 Adv. •Goldie Lookin Chain. 02 Academy 2, Newcastle. £13.50 Adv. •The Glass Caves. The Green Room, Darlington. £6 Adv •The Total Stone Roses + The Tapestry. Northallerton Town Hall, Northallerton. £9.75 Adv. 18th July: •James King & The Lone Wolves + The Ferriday Fireballs. Cluny 2, Newcastle. £7 Adv. •Forever Cult. The Head of Steam, Newcastle. £4.40 Adv •The Cureheads + Lizzie and the Banshees. The Cluny, Newcastle. £11 Adv •Austinn + Keandra + Lacey. Riverside, Newcastle. £8.80. 19th July: •Jonah Matranga + James Leonard Hewitson. The Studio, Hartlepool. £7otd. 20th July: •Al Lover + Girl Sweat. Green Room, Stockton. £5 Adv. 21st July: •Lisbon + Plaza. Keys, Middlesbrough. Free. 22nd July: •Amaryllis + 48Hours + City of Ashes. Think Tank? Newcastle. £6 Adv. 23rd July: •Cohesion. Independent, Sunderland. £3 (+ Booking Fee) Adv. 24th July: •Samuel S.Parkes + Thee Strawberry Mynde + Tim Oxnard. The Princess Alice, Middlesbrough. Free. •Orphan Boy + Jacques and the Giants. Ku Bar, Stockton. £3.30 Adv. •The Holy Ghost + Yoko Oko + Monkey Junk. The Cluny, Newcastle. £5 Adv. 25th July: •Eskimo Boys UK. The Blake Arms, Northumberland. Free Entry. •Saltburn Calling Festival. Saltburn. £6 Adv. •West Fest. West Auckland Village Green and Football Club. £6 Adv. 26th July: •The Honey Buzzards.The Tuns, Sadberge. Free. 28th July: •Last Vendetta + Apherium + Forty Four Heads + Magic Trik. The Head of Steam, Newcastle. £6.60 Adv. 29th July: •Badly Drawn Boy. Sage, Gateshead. £20-£24 Adv. •The Delta Bombers + The Revolutionaires. Cluny2, Newcastle. £11 Adv. 31st July: •Richmond Live. The Batts, Richmond. £15 Adv (weekend). •Uncle Gilbert. The Red Lion, Stockton. Free. •Death to Indie + Arcane 39 + Temple Avenue. 02 Academy 2, Newcastle. £7.05 Adv. •Lethal Bizzle. Inside Out, Darlington. £7 Adv. •Louie Louie + Sons of The City. Ku Bar, Stockton. £3.30 Adv. Add your August gigs for free by emailing our team at [email protected] /nevolume ADVERTISE WITH Promote your local business, venue or gigs in our local music magazine from as little as... £35!! Gain works experience with NE Volume! We are currently recruiting for the following roles: Photographer Reviewer Find out more by emailing our team today at [email protected] www.nevolume.co.uk