31 October 2009

GIG SCENE: Music with Holby City and Nicky Campbell!

IF you're wondering whether to plump for next year's Harrogate show featuring Holby City actor Mark Moraghan singing the swing jazz songs of broadcaster Nicky Campbell, you can get a sneak preview with a series of intimate warm-up shows next month, writes Graham Chalmers.
Although Moonlight's Back in Style doesn't happen at Harrogate Theatre until Friday, May 7 next year, a mini Monolighting is swinging our way, albeit without Campbell himself.
Moraghan, who is perhaps best known for his television work, as an actor on shows such as Holby City, Dream Team, Harry Enfield and Chums, and Brookside, will appear with a trio of musicians in the following shows:
Thursday, November 26: West Park Hotel, Harrogate - 8pm, tickets £10
Tuesday, November 24: Coopers, Guiseley.
Wednesday, November 25: Wakefield Jazz, Wakefield.
Two years in the making, Moraghan and Campbell have produced an album entitled Moonlight's Back in Style which showcase 'new swing' in the classic style, inspired by Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Big Band Music.
It turns out Campbell has been writing songs since he was 11-years-old, and has held a lifelong dream of recording a swing album.
Moonlight's Back in Style is at Harrogate Theatre on Friday, May 7, at 8pm. Tickets are £20 from the box office on 01423 502 116 or on line at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
The show is being brought to Harrogate by Knaresborough promoters Kula Productions.


A HARROGATE musician is hosting a special music event tomorrow, Saturday to launch an epic motorbike ride for charity.
Jonathan Skinner, former lead singer with leading local indie rock band Revolve, is hoping to raise a large sum for Cystic Fibrosis when he zooms round the whole of the UK next year in his self-christened Close To The Edge tour.
To get the ball rolling, so to speak, on what will be a 2,000-odd mile journey, he's holding a music night at Lure Bar in Harrogate on Saturday, October 31.
Headliners will be Harrogate rock band Faces of Dorian featuring former IV Play songwriter Nader Mabadi.
Entry costs £3, doors open 7pm and the show runs to midnight with proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Close to the Edge T-shirts are going to be on sale at the launch for £10 pounds (bargain at twice the price!!) along with them there will be the white Close to the Edge band on sale to for a piddly £2.
Jonathan will be taking to the road for his marathon journey in August next year, which gives him plenty of time to fundraise of charity.


RIPON is preparing to welcome one of the country's hottest new indie bands.
Ellen & The Escapades, who are currently being pushed by the likes of Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq, play The Golden Lion on Friday, November 13 .
Support comes from Ripon band The Weeknights.
Described as an "alternative folk" indie five piece, Ellen & The Escapades's first single Without You on their home-grown record label Branch Out Records was played by Alan Raw on BBC Radio Leeds, before being picked up by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 2, and Tom Robinson on BBC Radio 6.
For further details on DMB shows, email dmb@dmblivemusic.co.uk or call 0176 605987 or 07739 720732.www.dmblivemusic.co.uk


"THEY'VE spent the last year building a killer live reputation, destroying PAs and bursting ear drums. . .investigate this vital new band further" - no, it's not something Gig Scene's written while getting a bit carried away about the merits of Harrogate metal band Drowned in Flames, it's what national magazine Rock Sound wrote recently about mssrs Craig Gordon, Niall Macdougall, Arran Johnson and David Colston.
The band's next live gig is a support slot for Shadows Chasing Ghosts on Sunday, November 1 in a Rock-it night in Bridlington.
www.myspace.com/drownedinflamesrock


EXCITING news about Harrogate's most famous band.
The new DVD by Wally is now on sale from their website but is already being snapped up as we speak.
Costing £12, it's captures their entire reunion show at the Royal Hall earlier this year.
If you're quick, you'll also get a free That Was Then concert T-shirt with each DVD purchase.
The new album, featuring all-new tracks, is at the mastering stage and should be on sale early December.
The band now seem set to get together for a single night next April, again at the Royal Hall with legendary broadcaster Bob Harris pencilled in hopefully in his MC role.
Fans should sign up at www.wallymusic.co.uk for advance notice of when tickets go on sale and news on their new album.


BLUES Bar stalwarts Simon and Sharon Colgan's success continues with news they've taken on a new bar - in Leeds.
The bar in question is that nicely old skool Duck & Drake and, in true Blues Bar style, they intend to inject as much live music into it as possible.
Paul Middleton, for one, may be playing a monthly residency there, though not with his Angst Band, which has come to a sudden full stop, as the veteran Harrogate musician undergoes one of his periodic dramatic changes of direction which keep him so creative and vibrant.


FANS of the late John Martyn can catch this genius singer-songwriter's best songs at Harrogate's Blues Bar next week when two of the UK's most active and respected performers present a celebration of his work.
After John's tragic death earlier this year, Keith James and Rick Foot put together a sensitve and very personal set to commemorate one of music's most talented and influential figures.
The duo bring their tour to the Blues Bar on Tuesday, November 3 when they will also be playing songs by other modern folk legends such as Davy Graham, Sandy Denny and Nick Drake.
To see Keith & Rick perform selected songs please visit www.keith-james.com/videos.php.
The Blues Bar in Harrogate's other gigs coming up include: Fri, Oct 30: Will Tang. Sat: Jed Thomas Blues Band.


THE fruit of local singer-songwriter Angie Shaw's small, but credited role, in backing sining duties at world-famous Abbey Road studios on the new Children in Need appeal single can be sampled on iTunes and HMV from this weekend, November 1.
The Children in Need album will be out on November 9 and the TV recording will feature on the Children in Need night on November 20.


IT'S always good to recognise anyone trying to good things for local music and there's a chance to celebrate the efforts of John R Dowbiggin to bring bands and fans together through jd74.
He's holding a party next Tuesday, November 3 at Harrogate's Revolution from 9pm.
If you're interested, visit www.jd74.org


THERE'S at least two events this weeknd which prove what a big town Harrogate is for rock, metal and punk - and what a healthy scene it's got for those types of music:
FOLLOWING the success of rock/metal/punk event Full Metal Racket, Crabtrees in Harrogate has its annual fancy dress Hallowe'en party on Saturday, October 31 with live music from local heroes Nihilist plus the weird and wonderful Damien S Fear running until 1am.
RULING punk promoters North Yorkshire Hardcore present a Hallowe'en night of mayhem on Saturday, October 31 at the Little Wonder puib in Harrogate from 7.30pm-11.10pm.


ROCK and indie fans should make a note that each Thursday night at Rehab bar in Harrogate, it's the Almost Famous night with DJ Jacko playing classic rock/indie/punk/alternative sounds all night plus a different live band each week. It's held under the auspices of those hard-working boys at Harrogate's leading recording studios, BASH. It runs from 11pm-4am. Free entry.


MASHAM Arts Festival closes tomorrow, Saturday, October 31 with a show by The Peace Artistes from Bradford.
Featuring members of Chumawumba, the concert at the Black Sheep Brewery tops a week of quality music from the likes of Mercury Prize nominee. Kathryn Williams, The Birdman Rallies and Landermanson.
Tonight, Friday, excellent alt-indie band The Birdman Rallies from Harrogate/York play Fearby Village Hall at 7pm.
More info from www.mashamarts.com


SO! Bar in Knaresborough is aiming to combine acoustic music and relaxed fun with a new fortnightly night called Song, Wine and Tapas to be launched shortly (the title gives the idea o the evening away).
It starts on Sunday. November 8 at 7pm, usually featuring entertaining acoustic duo The Wigglers (who play everything from Dolly Parton to Coldplay).


AFTER a sellout show by Fleet Foxes band member J Tillman in Thirsk last weekend, promoters In The Dock have plenty of other great gigs coming up in the classy Old Courthouse including ex-Seahorses frontman Chris Helme.
They've also just launched a new website at the following address: www.inthedock.net
Tickets are still available for the remainder of their autumn programme.
Friday, November 6 – Double bill of Chris Helme and The Lost Brothers.
Friday, December 11 – Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin.
Call 01845 595911 or in person from White Rose Books in Thirsk.


TOP local rock covers band Speedsta, who have a wide set but are particularly good at Foo Fighters, are the musical guests for Pateley Bridge Cricket Club's forthcoming annual dinner and awards presentation night.
The band will be playing from around 10pm at the event which takes place on Saturday, October 31 at the Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge.
The bar runs until 12.30am and tickets costing £4 each in advance are available from Richard Light on 01423 711815 and Ellie Jackson on 01423 712067.


HARROGATE alt-rock band Ventriloweb play the Lure Bar on The Ginnel in Harrogate on Tuesday, November 3.
The new band line up of Graeme and Andrew Baranyai will be on stage from 9pm. You can download Ventriloweb's Alternative/Electro/Folk Rock music singles, watch music videos, read their blog and listen to free streaming mp3s at www.myspace.com/ventriloweb



MALE/female covers duo Sounds Like Us bring hits from the 50s onwards to The Half Moon in Knaresborough on Friday, October 30 at around 8.45pm and then The Punchbowl Tavern in York on Saturday, October 31 at 9pm.
Incidentally, Gig Scene has been told Janet and Morv generously donated the receipts for their last gig to the Shelterbox Rotary charity which is sending aid to the tsunami victims in Samoa and the earthquake victims in Sumartra.


POPULAR seven-piece combo The Nightjars play their only public show of the year at The Alexandra in Harrogate next Thursday, November 5 and the boys promise to unveil some new material.


THE Mitre in Knaresborough continues its series of Sunday night acoustic sessions with some sultry bossa nova/jazz soul Simon Parkinson and Vanessa Chutturghoon from Mauritius on Sunday, from 8.30pm.


THE Worlds End in Knaresborough has live music from The Roosters on Friday, October 30.


THE live country music act at Knaresborough's Last Chance Saloon this weekend is Pete Redfern who performs at Park Place Social Club on Friday, October 30. Park Place Social Club also has a weekly residency every Saturday night with entertainer Ian Shaw.


THE Fox & Hounds in Langthorpe near Boroughbridge has live music every Saturday night. This weeks' is a Hallowe'en special starring The Greedy Zebras from 9pm. The pub has also launched Sunday evening music nights from 7-9pm each week.


THE George in Wetherby has live music from Marts on Sunday, November 1 late afternoon from 4pm.


IRISH band The Tree Fellas appear at The Golden Lion in Helperby on Sunday, November 1 from 7pm.


RIPON & District Social Club has live music from Nikki Martin at Allhallowgate. As Saturday is Hallowe'en, you're encouraged to wear fancy dress, though it is optional.


THE Malt Shovel in Boroughbridge has live music from the likeable and talented Sarah Bear on Friday, October 30 from 9pm and then there's an evening of blues from Blues Cruise on Saturday, October 31. Don't forget, Wednesday nights are Jam Night at the Malt Shovel.


CLASSIC four-piece rock band Flood Damage are back on stage at The Ainsty in York on Saturday, October 31 with hits from the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Free. www.flooddamagelive.co.uk


A NEW classic Britpop/60s covers band on the scene are looking for gigs. The Shrinking Violets are a five-piece playing hits by the likes of The Beatles, Kinks, Stones, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs and more. Tel 07834 196 053 or visit www.myspace.com/shrinkingvioletsband



JAZZ SPOT

HARROGATE Jazz Club has live music from Cherie Gears with the Watermelon Men at the West Park Hotel on Tuesday, November 3.

HARROGATE Brasserie has live jazz/blues from the Karl Mullen Duo (featuring Karl on piano and Paul Baxter on double bass) on Friday, October 30 while on Sunday, November 1 there's live jazz from Aspects of Jazz.

Other Brasserie weekly music nights include: Tuesdays: David Bailey. Wed: Simon Parkinson and Vanessa Chutturghoon. Thurs: Simon Parkinson plus guest.

JAZZ In The Spa's weekly session at Boston Spa Village Hall on Saturday, October 24 features Dutch outfit the Freetime Old Dixie Jazzband. Doors 7.30pm, entry £8.

LEEDS Jazz Club has live music from the Harlem Hot Stompers on Tuesday, November 3.


RIPON is preparing to welcome a genuine Swedish folk/pop/rock sensation.
Thanks to imaginative promoters DMB, Josefina Sanner is to play The Old Deanery on Sunday, December 6 as part of her UK tour.
Tickets for theis intimate show are expected to go quickly - and are limited to 80.
Sanner, who sings in English, was inspired by peers like Joni Mitchell, Kathryn Williams, Ron Sexsmith and Kathleen Edwards.
The melancholic songstress releasd her self-titled debut CD in late 2006 and quickly won rave reviews throughout Europe which have won her slots in some of the continents biggest music festivals in the past few years.
For tickets, contact 01765 605987.


HIGH quality local promoters Kula Productions have booked folk legend Ashley Hutchings and his latest outfit The Lark Rise Band for a Knaresborough show.
I say latest - well, it's not the first time the Fairport Convention founder has turned the classic book/stage play and TV series into music.
Origjnally, it was his Albion Band who turned Flora Thompson's book's themes into a hit album.
Now Hutchings has linked up with a new generation of singers and musicians to produce a new album - Lark Rise Revisited.
The line-up features Hutchings on vocals and bass plus the following: Judy Dunlop (vocals), Simon Care (melodeon/vocals/dancing), Ruth Angell (fiddle/vocals), Mark Hutchinson (guitar/vocals) and Guy Fletcher (fiddle/drums/guitar/vocals).
The band play Frazer Theatre on Friday, February 19. Tickets costing £15 are on sale online from www.wegottickets.com/event/47441
Or buy them in person from Rock Steady Music shop on Regent Parade, Harrogate and Pear on High Street, Knaresborough.
Kula Productions are also planning a real feast of top acts for Knaresborough next year - many of whom made their name and fame in the 70s and 80s.
So far stars confirmed are Mari Wilson, Hazel O'Connor and Gordon Giltrap.
Dates include the following:
Friday, April 23, 2010: Mari Wilson, famous for her beehive hairdo and songs such as Julie London's Cry Me A River plus Just What I Always Wanted.
Friday, March 26, 2010: Hazel O'Connor, famous for her peroxide blonde hair, hit movie Breaking Glass and semi-electro pop like Will You and Eighth Day.
Friday, May 21, 2010: Gordon Giltrap, famous for his terrific guitar playing, musical styles which cross multiple genres and 1970s hit album Perilous Journey and hit single Heartsong.
While we're talking about Kula Productions, apologies for a blunderette in a recent Gig Scene. It seems Gig Scene made a 'slight mistake' about Knaresborough promoters Kula Productions live swing show next year starring TV/radio broadcaster Micky Campbell with Holby City actor Mark Moraghan.
We said it was taking place at Frazer Theatre but, for once for a Kula presentation, it will be at Harrogate Theatre.
Please note, Kula's October 16 show with 70 singer Kiki Dee and Carmello Luggeri is already sold out.
Tickets costing £16 are also going fast for Neil Innes, a man who was in Monty Python, the Bonzo Dog Band and The Rutles and who appears at Frazer Theatre on November 6.
Tickets for all Kula shows are available from www.wegottickets.com/event/47441 except for the Gordon Giltrap show for which you should visit www.kula-productions.com


POPULAR 1960s covers band The Diamonds (though they're not from that era, I hasten to add) are playing a special gig at The Manhattan Club in Harrogate on Saturday, November 28.
Tickets costing £5 are available from the club or you can pay on the door.


CLUB nights are still going strong at Harrogate's Rehab venue in its upstairs section called, appropriately, The Club.
Monday nights see the weekly FREEK night with "dirty beats and musical treats" from guest DJs and MCs.
It runs from 10pm-3am and entry is free.
Fridays at Rehab, meanwhile, see a massive FUSION event with an amazing 12 DJs - including Digital Future from Leeds, formerly Czech Republic, playing dirty electro, nu rave, breaks and electro techno.
The night was split between house/techno in the bar and drum n bass in The Club.
Finally, on a related dance theme, though at a different venue, Ventriloweb is about to take place at Lure Bar on The Ginnel in Harrogate on Tuesday, October 13 at 9pm.


POWERFUL art rock band I Like Trains, who blew the power at a Charm gig at the Blues Bar a few years back, are featured in a new season of hit TV show CSI Miami.
The Leeds-based post-rockers are delighted their new single Sea of Regrets is to be highlighted in this way.
Said drummer Simon Folgal said: "The track is going to be used for the closing credits of an episode. To have our music soundtrack the most popular television show in the world counts as a big tick in our lifetime ambitions box!"
The single is available at www.iliketrains.bigcartel.com or visit the following shops in person:
Crash, Jumbo, Leeds. Rough Trade, London. Picacadilly Records, Manchester.

LOCAL CD REVIEW

Tunji: MK Ultra (EP)
BARNSTORMING but brilliant, Tunji take the best elements of 70s prog rock on this EP and plunge them into a dystopian future - or is that the present?
It's easy to forget amid those old accusations of 'self-indulgence' that as well as things like time signature-hopping, elaborately-structured, show-off musicianship, the likes of Yes, ELP and even Genesis (check out their 1973 live album) also displayed National Grid levels of pure energy.
Ditto this impressive, no-holds barred, four-piece Harrogate-Leeds outfit who are due to play Harrogate's Dragongate Festival tomorrow (Saturday) around 4pm.
What is different and new about mssrs Tiff Miller (guitar/vocals), Chris Maysom (bass/vocals), Dave Dowson (keyboards) and Steve Campbell (drums), not to forget Dave Middleton on vocals, what they have in common with the new breed of prog rockers such as Mars Volta, is that their musical influences don't include such important old fogey 70s staples as r'nb, folk or jazz.
Tunji are children of the Rave and 'crusty' generation and, as such, their two dominant musical building blocks are ambient-dance and pure rock.
And, boy, does this EP rock. Not at the expense of hooks and melody, especially on the opening tracks Fires and De-Ja Vu, which have the punchy but slick vocal style of the Foo Fighters allied to a slight 1980s sheen.
They simply never get dull, not on the toughest, most snarling rock track Good Company. Not even on the 9min 30sec of the closing track, the epic instrumental Cos We Can (MK Ultra).
Awash in heavily-phased vocal narration about the treatment of prisoners, emergency sirens wailing in the psychedelic wind, it's hard to tell exactly what it's all about, though thoughts of Blade Runner or the CIA's secret drug-based, mind control programme from the 1950s (also called MK Ultra) rise and fall.
Perhaps, they're genuine US Government instructions for detainees at Guantanamo Bay? Perhaps Tunji are saying we're all trapped in a new Cold War?
Is that why their music sounds so urgent?
Graham Chalmers
www.myspace.com/tunjibuzzing

LIVE REVIEWS

Super Pop starring Pagan Wanderer Lu.

Pagan Wanderer Lu was playing at Milo as part of a new night called Super Pop which I'd never come across before.
Though it was hot in this small Leeds venue, it was also musically bold, visually stunning and a lot of fun - although it was certainly sweltering upstairs.
I've never been at a gig where the audience stood swaying most of the time in 3D glasses, the idea of organisers www.modernmusicreview.com and VJ Quadrod.
As this inventive, DIY one-man band played tracks from his new album, Fight My Battles For Me the VJ projected amazing, moving images which took on a whole new life of their own if you put on the spectacles given out on arrival.
Pagan Wanderer Lu's songs had no fixed point, moving from style to style rapidly, one second sounding like an early 60s girl group, the next a little bit of folktronica before settling for New Order.
Witty, clever and provocative, his songs were full of synths and bleeps from one of those old mini Casio MT-40 keyboards mixed with traditional electric guitar and juicy sampled beats.
Playing two short sets, the first was more experimental, the second showed Pagan Wanderer Lu was capable of writing more conventional songs.
Highlights included one called The Bridge of Sighs and a great guitar track called The Memorial Hall which closed the evening.
As members of the crowd swayed from side to side, still wearing those red and blue spectacles, Pagan Wanderer Lu took the song beyond its rock roots into Rave, the beats booming out for some time in a terrific mash-up with soundman Dave Procter.
I haven't seen an 'indie' act who could change from Badly Drawn Boy to MGMT so quickly and still have a decent tune.
He's definitely one to look out for and the organisers modernmusicreview.com deserve congratulations for putting on such an unusual and brilliant show.
Next time some electric fans though, please.
David Procter
www.myspace.com/paganwandererlu

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