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FREE No. 7 February 2003 M E D W A Y & M A I D S T O N E E X P R E S S !! DD EE KK CC OO RR y l l a i c i f f O band reviews *gig & club listings* INSIDE... tell tale signs of a great band contacts list *music news Hey gorgeous! January started with an contents inspiring, awesome gig at the Bull &Gate with Upcdownc. A must see for anyone wanting Music News p3 to hear something truly original, see pages 4 &5 for a live review. The Labels &Clea UpCDownC @ The Bull & Gate p 4 & 5 played to a small but appreciative crowd at the Command House (see page 6) and Abinger Drive &Who The Labels & Clea p 6 Kinky supplied an interesting evening of entertainment, see pages 8 & 9 for the full story. Tell Tale Signs of a great band p7 Cool Kit is back this month with the Yamaha electric drum kit, you’ll want one. Abinger Drive & Who Kinky p 8 & 9 Next month we’ll be joined by 80’s boy’s view of the music world in his monthly journal and a poetry / weird shit Tab - ‘Drive’ by Incubus p10 & p11 corner from Ant, the cheeky monkey! MM2K are now accepting CDs Gig & Club listings p12 & 13 from bands who want to play Parklife 2003 and the search for the best has started for the Cool Kit p14 Beacon Court’s Battle of the Bands. Phew... Lots going on, read, absorb, act on it!! Forum p15 Big Love, Nixta (Ed) Contacts p16 MMETRAVEL “I managed to get my grubby paws on your Dec issue, can I get a regular copy? I’m stuck in the supposedly ‘Great’ Yarmouth, Norfolk and in a band called Feral Creatures.....Roach :) ” Yeh!! An MMEreader in Norwich, 115 miles away. How did he get it?“James passed it to me in a pub” EEhh??!! If you see a copy far from its home, let us know - we wanna see it travel . . . . . Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 2 Music News (cid:27)Six Stage Suicidetook a trip to Radio 1this week to hand deliver a demo (cid:27)Local music charity MM2Kis now accepting applications requested by the Producer from individual performers and bands for this summer’s of the Rock Show! Mary Ann Parklife festivalin Gillingham. The organisers are Hobgoblin will be getting looking for bands, DJs, stallholders, entertainers, people the demo! who would like to run creative workshops and business’ The band are also currently interested in sponsoring the event. MM2K are particularly in discussion with a video keen to hear diverse music, all material must be original producer regarding the and of good sound quality. Musicians need to send a short making of a video for Pretty biography, contact details and three tracks to MM2K, PO Dead! Storylines are being Box 242, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 4BZ. Visit the website thrown around at the www.medwaymusic.net or email the Chairman Jay Allen moment and they are dark! with any questions on [email protected] Watch this space....... (cid:27)The second night of (cid:27)Refurbishment of the 36 bands will take part in the 45 clubis coming to Beacon Courtin the quest for the top local the Tap n Tin on Saturday Gillingham is due to be band over 12 heats. Your 22nd Feb. The Crimea completed sometime in band will need to perform (formerly The Crocketts) April. Capacity will be half hour sets of ORIGINAL will be playing, supported increased to over 250 and music, absolutely no covers by El Padre. Tickets are £5 the venue will benefit allowed! The winning band and are available from from an in-house PA will take home a minimum Sounds Perfect and Loco system. To kick start the of £1000, with three Records. new improved boozer, winners up receiving £100. Should be a good one, get Simon Olly has asked MME Contact Mick at Magic Disc your ticket while you still to inform you that the Records asap on 01634 can! Battle of the Bands 2003is 281596 for more details. now on. l(cid:27)The local music scene a resurgance. You only have music venue... somewhere has not been recognised by to look at the popularity of younger people can go and the local press as much as it something like Parklife to get caught up in the buzz" should but things are see how much it means to says Laura. changing. MMEbegan with people." While individuals and the sole purpose to get Like ourselves, she spent her organisations such as MM2K people talking and sharing teens watching local bands work towards this, we need ideas because everyone at venues such as The Old Ash to keep sharing ideas, which involved with the magazine Tree. Nowadays pubs are is where you and I come in. is mad about music. Laura stricter and quite rightly, Keep your news coming into Patrickis also enthusiastic have to turn young people us and let Laura know of about the local scene and is away from fear of losing your band’s plans and gig the latest Kent Messenger their licenses. Unfortunately dates. Send biogs/gig recruit, working on the Big this means the ’underage’, dates/demos to: Laura Night Out in theMedway the very people who are Patrick, Editorial, Medway Today. Laura told us, forming the beginnings of Today, 385 High Street, "There’s always been a the ’future’ sound, have no Chatham, Kent ME4 4PQ, call really strong and thriving place to play or watch live her on 01634 821326 or music scene in Medway, music. "What this place email which is seeing something of needs is a dedicated live [email protected] Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 3 Upcdownc @ The Bull & Gate Reminiscent of a school Dave Garth- outing, a coach was dad of Chris and arranged to carry us from champion / the Medway towns to our manager of the destination, a journey which band (who is despite the small hitch of a also on the wrong turn in MM2K committee - Camden and some those people get dodgy sport channel on the everywhere!) radio part the way up, was a asks us before good one and helped build the band take our anticipation of the night’s stage if we want event (there was even a an idea of what In the space of the two party going on in the coach they sound like as we’ve songs we get tonight (yes toilet !) never had the pleasure of only two were performed, Before things got seeing or hearing them but they were a tad longer underway we were before, but we politely than your usual two and a subjected to two other acts decline and instead choose half minute pop song and on stage, the first ‘Kirk ‘ to take them as we find them. equivalent to a whole (SHITE!)had a singer who’s And how do we album’s worth of diversity). I voice was so god-damn pleasingly note down to find them?..... annoying we didn’t even give myself that I can hear the second band ‘Fast Food’ a fuckin’ amazing ! comparisons to bands such chance - instead preferring a as Slowdive (peers of Ride in The first thing that few pints, a few smokes and the shoe-gazing scene of the surprises you when (cid:24)C(cid:25)C getting some of the Medway early 90’s), at times, the take the stage is the fact that boys, who had also come up, Doors (but without the fat the band consists of 2 to stage a fight outside in the hippy moaning away), drummers, 3 guitarists and snow for our entertainment Radiohead (in one of their no singer (apparently it’s not (we got photo’s thanks to brilliant instrumental always this way) and the Amy!) breaks), Spirtualized astonishing wall of sound (particularly elements from that they are able to produce. ‘Floating In Space’), a touch They initially remind me of of The Stone Roses ‘Second one of my old personal Coming’ album (the intro of favourites Ride, around the ‘Breaking Into Heaven’) and time of ‘Leave Them All even two of my current Behind’ (one of the classic favourites Lemon Jelly and songs of the early nineties) - British Sea Power which is and there certainly isn’t incredibly odd as neither anything wrong with that, but sounds remotely like each then other comparisons soon other! come flooding forth. Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 4 Kentish Town, London 8 Jan 03 In addition to the amazing finish there, as shortly after Martin, up-c down-c sound , we get an element of the band departed, so did left-c right-c abc + start.... Radiohead-esque most of the audience in the venue and the band Revered stage antics “Thanks to everybody where at that followed were none too for coming up to see us at one point one of the impressed with this.One the Bull & Gate, making guitarists Chris starts using a aggressive altercation later our efforts to crack the bow to play and then lending and (cid:24)C(cid:25)C depart pride it to one of the drummers, intact and able to feel smug music scene in London takes the opportunity to that tonight they blew every worthwhile. We wouldn’t almost trash his instrument other band away on every be anywhere if it weren’t but appears to hold back at level. for the support and efforts of our local following, families and friends. It’s clear from the willingness we’ve seen for people to help us reach our goals that everybody is just as tired as we are of a music scene that continues to remain pathetically stagnant, devoid of any real creativity and originality. It’s the last moment. Perhaps it’s The journey back saw us tremendous to see that an idea that he takes a look again reminiscing on the our efforts to change this at the ‘Tell Tale Signs Of A coach about our school days Great Band’ article in this and us claiming the back seat in some small way have month’s issue! and ride all the way home not gone unnoticed, and To have a further idea of pretending that we were as long as this kind of what (cid:24)C(cid:25)C sound like if hard (rather than just very fantastic support is there, you haven’t yet had the we have a reason to pleasure, think about the very smashed). On continue. Long live the best intro’s to the best songs arrival in Chatham we Medway Guitar Army.” that you haven’t yet heard departed and headed home, and you sort of get the some of us clutching CD’s of picture. the band - eager to relive the They finish as well as they night’s experience as soon as start, with perfect precision - possible. If you have yet to and those of us there to see (cid:24)C(cid:25)C make the effort witness things are blown and go - you owe it to Visit their new improved away and clearly longing for yourself. Website upcdownc.com more, but the night didn’t Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 5 The Labels and Clea @ Command House 10 Jan 03 Now I’ve heard Cleasing before but without a doubt we’re all Some of their songs remind when she joined El Padrea glad that we are. me of bands such as The couple of months back. It’s no She finishes with’Santiago’ Libertinesand Supergrass surprise then that the majority of after a request by the El Padre when in psychedelic mode. The the band are here tonight to see lads and departs on a high, drummer impressed us with his her in the support slot for The leaving us buzzing. Absolutely Animal from The Muppets Labels. glorious! mascot tied to his drum kit and Cleatakes the stage in an towards the end ‘Justice to the unassuming manner with just a believers’he almost gets his microphone and her guitar for head moving in the style of the company, from the moment she drumming god! strikes her first chord and sings In the last section of their set, her first note, every person in they prove that they have a the room is silenced in awe. good stock of well At times throughout her set, The first thing that strikes you she appears almost about The Labelsis that they crafted songswith a embarrassed to be here but my can’t pull more than the smallest mixture of Libertines-esque God she shouldn’t, for this handful of people to see them. numbers, a tune with a riff stolen woman has one of the most This is unsurprising however straight out of a Hives song astonishingly powerful voices when you find out that this four (there’s nowt wrong with that) that I’ve witnessed and sings piece are from the Broadstairs and another that pleasingly as if she has a area and have never played reminds me of the Who’s locally before. That said, it is to substitiute. century of worries on our bewilderment that they Unfortunately, as the crowd is her shoulders.Think charge people to get in (their so small, it is incredibly choice, but not the pub’s as noticeable when some of the few Nina Simoneor Tracy they’ve held many free nights). who are watching, decide to Chapman (circa first album) and you get the idea. Perhaps not the smartest move leave. “We’ve only got if you’re an unknown band trying Occassionally we get a little to make a name for yourself. two more to go!”plead banter and some ad hoc poetry Still, it’s their night - those of us the band, those that did leave and she states, “If you lot that were there were given a miss some good tunes. The weren’t here I’d be sitting at pleasant enough evening. band finish in a fury of noise and home in my room, or in my The band started, quite rightly, express grateful thanks to those mother’s room....oh I’d better by thanking Cleaand proceeded that did stay and enjoy. They play a song”, she later to plough their way through their depart with an exchange of confesses “Sorry, I had to stop set. The opening tracks are ok pleasantness with the El Padre there as I just burped”. Andy - but from the fourth, the band chaps and safe in the knowledge MMECartoonist and artiste come into their own. The track that they’ll be back again soon extroadinaire (who returns next ‘0-60’, which they announce is (Friday 21st @Command month) proclaims Cleaas the about a fairground ride, the lead House). We just hope that next best thing he’s heard in months. guitarist performs the most time more will be there to see it! Agreed. delightful riffs I’ve heard and the Towards the end of the set we other three band members get a change of guitar and the produce some excellent vocals promise of two more songs and Let us know what you in the chorus. even at this late stage she’s think of the bands that With a funky bass and drums looking at us as if she’s intro into the next track which you see. They always wondering what the hell we’re leads into a swirl of guitars, appreciate constructive doing here. It’s as if we’re things have really started to criticism - yeah right! intruding on something private, move along. Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 6 Tell tale signs of a great band no.4 The guitarist It is now the turn of the floor or through the destruction was needed he guitarists out there to read nearest expensive amp moved things onto a higher and learn. Unfortunately handy. The public loved it, for them however, and he’s still a legend for it greatness comes at the now. highest price, even greater Others have emulated than last month where we him since. Many involved taught you that to be a with the original punk great frontman you had to movement of the late 70’s die, as to be a great launched their careers by guitarist you must destroy trashing their guitars (well your instrument! Of course they couldn’t play them so the manner in which you what else could they do) do this can differ wildly, and this further carried and therefore so can your over to later bands such as plane - choosing not to level of greatness but Nirvana in the late 80’s / simply smash it a-la perhaps it’s wise to start early 90’s. Indeed Kurt Townsend or Cobain, but to with the original destroyer Cobain was so great and set fire to it and watch it - the prevailer of the power accomplished at trashing burn on stage. cord and occasional his guitar he actually also The sight of Hendrix internet user, Pete learned how to fix them in kneeling in front of his Townsend of The Who. his early days when he guitar fanning the flames Long before the days wasn’t yet the rich rock of it’s destruction, is one of when old Pete was signing god he was to become and the great iconic moments up to dodgy websites for couldn’t afford to buy new of the last century and one ‘research’ (and by the way ones. that you must successfully is it just me or has anyone It is perhaps one man carry out to prove your else now started wondering that shines above all others greatness. about some of his back in the claim for greatness, Take note then kids, all it catalogue titles - ‘The Kid’s however, and surely he is will take are some matches Are Alright’, ‘Fiddle About’, the only one who you and some lighter fluid and ‘See Me, Feel Me’) he was should aspire to for true you can make it to true the master of guitar greatness, as the person greatness. Does anyone destruction, carrying out who was able to need a light? the task with great demonstrate the most eagerness and ferocity. extreme destruction of his We’ve decided that the Nobody was safe to be near guitar was Jimmy Hendrix. local accolade of the him, where without a Everyone knows how greatest frontman, in terms moments notice he would much Hendrix worshippsed of suffering for their art is rip off his guitar and the guitar, so it is perhaps Marf from Six Stage proceed to smash it on the fitting that when Suicide. Smash it up! Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 7 Abinger Drive & Who Kinky @ Command House flows, it’s Some people are precise and the dancing, are they enjoying harmonies are this? I soon realise that lovely, but it they are doing the kind of sounds so dance you do after a few goddamn safe too many at a wedding and cosy! reception, case closed I would argue, they’re They kick off inspiring people to dance with ‘Day Train’, like spazzes! I don’t mean hang on, this is to be harsh, I am nice - the Top Gear honest. To check it wasn’t theme tune my hormones attacking isn’t it? It’s Abinger DriveI asked quite catchy around for other’s A good size crowd turned but you’d be kicking thoughts. They were up to the Vaults to see yourself if you had this described by one onlooker tonight’s line up, I must stuck in your head. ‘Don’t as a “modern day Bon Jovi” say I wouldn’t jump at the make me hang on’ is (not too sure!) ‘stagnant’ chance to repeat this groovy in parts and a bass said Dave, ‘they’ve no experience any time soon. solo stood out for me, energy’. To be fair, one guy I’m not one to bad mouth good work! Again though, I I spoke to said he quite bands because at the end was so close to texting my liked them. I am sure there of the day I take my hat off mum to spread the word of must have been others. to anyone who has the guts the easy listening gang. Martin said they were and the drive to get up ‘Goodall’s on his way’ is similar in style to The there and played and by this point I Rembrandts, we were bare their am ready to leave. There expecting them to break soul in a hasn’t been much into the theme tune from display of interaction between the Friends at any moment. musical band and the crowd up till Unfortunately, this is one of ability. BUT, I now and the band are the reasons that we were cannot say I looking serious. I am out and not in on a Friday enjoyed tempted to shake them, night! Abinger tell them how good they “That’s the trouble with Drivewhen I didn’t, so I are, technically speaking, love”, they sing, “Oh no”, won’t. perhaps even buy them we sigh. many drinks, anything to Singer Amu becomes These guys seem like a make them let rip! Get off more animated for ‘Eddie really nice bunch of lads the fence - play badly - Baggio’, more fun to watch and they each have a lot of scream unidentifiable at least. talent with their respective ramblings - just stop being Please tell me if you have instruments but I just do so bloody cheesy! seen these guys and like not like what they do with The guy on the Korg has them... I don’t want to hear them! Their music reminds a permanent grin on his from their best friends or me of the eighties, it’s the face, he’s enjoying this their mum! kind of stuff my parents (which is the important would hum along to on thing?) I’m chuffed for him. Radio 2. Yes it’s in key, it Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 8 17 Jan 03 For tonight’s set, the either the great Many Following another self beautifully named Who Coloursor Raiders of the penned track called ‘Swing’ Kinkykick off with The Lost Groovefor pointers on and another Hendrix cover Stereophonic’s‘Vegas Two ‘Foxy Lady’, we are treated Times’ which to us is either: to a drum solo that a) a good move as a well accurately gets described placed cover (even at the as “the biggest start of a set) can get masturbation in history”. people hooked and It’s also around this time appreciate where you are that Mike from local band coming from, or b) a bad Scarabgives the quote of move as it means that you the night when he states haven’t got many (or any) this). By the third song “It’s really good, it’s really good songs of your own..... (Reef’s ‘Naked’), I’m 80’s”, although this may With the start of the next getting a little bored, but actually reveal more about song (a cover of AC/DC’s for the fourth we finally him than it does Who Kinky ‘All Night Long’) we and thankfully get an (sorry Mike, had to be said, unfortunately get a hint of original Who Kinky number I’ll shout you a pint the which one of these it is to in the form of track ‘Sitting next time I see you !) be. Pretty’. While it’s not a A few songs later is It’s not that the first two great track, it’s certainly another original ‘Bloodshot songs aren’t done well, not terrible and I start to Eyes’, their best of the they sound extremely think what the band may be night. Announcing their last faithful to the originals - able to do if they crafted song as ‘Angel’ by Westlife, it’s the fact that to me their own songs rather unfortunately this proves that’s just karaoke and no than emulating those of to be untrue (they should better than the Pop Idol their hero’s. The next two have done it - at least it rubbish that has been songs also appear to be would have been different originals and are of a to the original and perhaps similar vein - think Led would have shown how Zep, with a touch of Guns n’ they can adapt a song to Roses,but unfortunately suit their needs!) and the they are also lacking, band depart with another although this may be track straight from AC/DC’s because they are putting set. They come back one them up for consideration last time for one more alongside some near Karaoke song, this time perfect copies of some with ‘Aeroplane’ from the polluting the television and really great songs. Chillis. the charts over the past It is no surprise that the It’s a shame that a band year or so. If a band wants band soon return to the with such obvious musical to do covers, surely they cover versions - this time ability aren’t able to show should either be sparse in the form of Hendrix’s their own songwriting throughout a set (as ‘Fire’, as with the other talent, preferring to rely signposts for where a band covers performed tonight, on other peoples. We’ve is coming from or perhaps the song is done well but got no doubt that you are wants to be thought of) or too faithful to the original good musicians guys, but done with exceptional to have a greater impact sometimes that’s just not creativity and style (see than it might have had. enough. Live a little. Medway &Maidstone Express Issue 7 Page 9