Coming up.....
Monday 1st September to Sunday 7th September
Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!
Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.
Remember if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.
You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace.There's a link on the right of this page.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Friday, 29 August 2008
Coming Up ..... Monday 1st September
Alt_Rock_Metal_Electronica_Punk_Grunge
Black Scorpion Promotions present Jazz Thrash Assassin + Wrapped in Plastic +The Fairytale + Elmo Sexwhistle and it’s a Rocky Horror themed fancy dress night.
The Fairytale:
Inspired by rock music ranging from the The Melvins, Sabbath, Suede and David Bowie, the Fairytale create music which defies categorisation with influences from punk, grunge, metal, stoner rock and alternative. Their philosophy is that they neither adhere to the practices of, nor shun, any particular scene. Live shows emphasise performance, theatricality and showmanship which are a reflection of their music - after all what good is a gag if the whip isn’t gonna make you scream?
Venue: The Fox and Goose, Ward End, Brum 8
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/blackscorpionpromotions
http://www.myspace.com/jazzthrashass
http://www.myspace.com/wiplastic
http://www.myspace.com/thefairytaleisdead
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=14517652 (Elmo Sexwhistle)
Alt_Rock_Metal_Electronica_Punk_Grunge
Black Scorpion Promotions present Jazz Thrash Assassin + Wrapped in Plastic +The Fairytale + Elmo Sexwhistle and it’s a Rocky Horror themed fancy dress night.
The Fairytale:
Inspired by rock music ranging from the The Melvins, Sabbath, Suede and David Bowie, the Fairytale create music which defies categorisation with influences from punk, grunge, metal, stoner rock and alternative. Their philosophy is that they neither adhere to the practices of, nor shun, any particular scene. Live shows emphasise performance, theatricality and showmanship which are a reflection of their music - after all what good is a gag if the whip isn’t gonna make you scream?
Venue: The Fox and Goose, Ward End, Brum 8
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: £4
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/blackscorpionpromotions
http://www.myspace.com/jazzthrashass
http://www.myspace.com/wiplastic
http://www.myspace.com/thefairytaleisdead
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=14517652 (Elmo Sexwhistle)
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
Acoustic_Electronica_Ambient
Bohemian Jukebox presents Elliot Jack + Raf & O + Electroflex.
Since October 2003 Bohemian Jukebox have provided a quality platform for artists and bands working in the fields of Alt-Folk, Post-Folk, Americana, Anti-Folk, and left-field acoustic.
Elliot jack:
A four piece who mix together loops, samples, guitars and occasional vocals to make a lovely melancholic warming sound. Their songs are beautiful enough to warm the heart of cadaver.
The lovely BBC have used their music on the uber-trendy Countryfile and elliot jack wrote the soundtrack for BBC short film 'Over the Edge'. They've had abag of airplay recenlty all over BBC Radio.
Raf and O:
"Indietronic delicacy...Seductive, winding pieces of jazzy vocal electronica. Like Björk on her intimate 'Vespertine' album, these songs feel like they're playing inside your head – and once there they won't leave." (Mixmag)
"It enchants with dense sound sculpture combined with fragile rhythms and sweet smokey vocals" (Skug Magazine-Germany)
"If you liked the less obvious outings of Lamb and vocalist Lou Rhodes solo work, then there should be plenty for you here. " (IDJ magazine)
"Opening track ‘Sky’ has glitchy, dream-like appeal; imagine strolling through a sun-swept computer generated garden with a beautiful digital pixie you’ll be half way to grasping what this sounds like."
(Kingdom Magazine)
Electroflex:
80’s influenced electro in the vein of Human League, Goldfrapp, and Depeche Mode
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/elliotjack
http://www.myspace.com/rafando
http://www.myspace.com/electroflex
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
Indie_Rock_Alternative
Humbucker promotions present Darko + Rudi’s New Outfit + My Secret Life + Rundown
Darko:
"Sometimes when you least expect it a sound comes along that makes you sit up and pay attention as happened to me on the 8th July. The line-up at the Sound Bar included this young three piece band formally known as "Autumn Ignites" – the band now go under the name of Darko, and very impressive they are too. The lads have some really strong material which they deliver with amazing maturity, their material is well crafted and has obviously been written and constructed with a lot of care and attention. It is quite common to come across bands that can churn out good tunes, but with Darko you get that little bit more. There is a great feel of light and shade about their songs, which makes them easy to listen to. As a live act they have great stage presence and put their material over well. I was very impressed with Darko and I will definitely be seeing them again."
My Secret Life:
my secret life are a indie, alternative, pop, punk three piece from Birmingham (uk). not long after there formation in mid 2005 they recorded there debut demo 'whatever it takes' which saw overplay.com compare them to radiohead, pixies, rem and supergrass and 'ryan's gig guide' claim they were the missing link between placebo and snow patrol. the demo lead to live favourite 'easy when you know how' being included on the u.s only released 'britainrocks!' compliation and the same track was eventually released as a single through horusmusic at the beginning of 2008. the band continue to gig everywhere and anywhere they can and are in the very early stages of putting together there own label with which they can release their own stuff and plan to have released a couple of e.ps by the end of the year.
Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/thisisdarko
http://www.myspace.com/rudisnewoutfit
http://www.myspace.com/mysecretlife1
http://www.myspace.com/rundownuk
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
R&B_Pop_Jazz
The Go! Club presents Lottie Plimmer + Support
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lottieplimmer
Acoustic_Electronica_Ambient
Bohemian Jukebox presents Elliot Jack + Raf & O + Electroflex.
Since October 2003 Bohemian Jukebox have provided a quality platform for artists and bands working in the fields of Alt-Folk, Post-Folk, Americana, Anti-Folk, and left-field acoustic.
Elliot jack:
A four piece who mix together loops, samples, guitars and occasional vocals to make a lovely melancholic warming sound. Their songs are beautiful enough to warm the heart of cadaver.
The lovely BBC have used their music on the uber-trendy Countryfile and elliot jack wrote the soundtrack for BBC short film 'Over the Edge'. They've had abag of airplay recenlty all over BBC Radio.
Raf and O:
"Indietronic delicacy...Seductive, winding pieces of jazzy vocal electronica. Like Björk on her intimate 'Vespertine' album, these songs feel like they're playing inside your head – and once there they won't leave." (Mixmag)
"It enchants with dense sound sculpture combined with fragile rhythms and sweet smokey vocals" (Skug Magazine-Germany)
"If you liked the less obvious outings of Lamb and vocalist Lou Rhodes solo work, then there should be plenty for you here. " (IDJ magazine)
"Opening track ‘Sky’ has glitchy, dream-like appeal; imagine strolling through a sun-swept computer generated garden with a beautiful digital pixie you’ll be half way to grasping what this sounds like."
(Kingdom Magazine)
Electroflex:
80’s influenced electro in the vein of Human League, Goldfrapp, and Depeche Mode
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £4 in
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bohemianjukebox
http://www.myspace.com/elliotjack
http://www.myspace.com/rafando
http://www.myspace.com/electroflex
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
Indie_Rock_Alternative
Humbucker promotions present Darko + Rudi’s New Outfit + My Secret Life + Rundown
Darko:
"Sometimes when you least expect it a sound comes along that makes you sit up and pay attention as happened to me on the 8th July. The line-up at the Sound Bar included this young three piece band formally known as "Autumn Ignites" – the band now go under the name of Darko, and very impressive they are too. The lads have some really strong material which they deliver with amazing maturity, their material is well crafted and has obviously been written and constructed with a lot of care and attention. It is quite common to come across bands that can churn out good tunes, but with Darko you get that little bit more. There is a great feel of light and shade about their songs, which makes them easy to listen to. As a live act they have great stage presence and put their material over well. I was very impressed with Darko and I will definitely be seeing them again."
My Secret Life:
my secret life are a indie, alternative, pop, punk three piece from Birmingham (uk). not long after there formation in mid 2005 they recorded there debut demo 'whatever it takes' which saw overplay.com compare them to radiohead, pixies, rem and supergrass and 'ryan's gig guide' claim they were the missing link between placebo and snow patrol. the demo lead to live favourite 'easy when you know how' being included on the u.s only released 'britainrocks!' compliation and the same track was eventually released as a single through horusmusic at the beginning of 2008. the band continue to gig everywhere and anywhere they can and are in the very early stages of putting together there own label with which they can release their own stuff and plan to have released a couple of e.ps by the end of the year.
Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/thisisdarko
http://www.myspace.com/rudisnewoutfit
http://www.myspace.com/mysecretlife1
http://www.myspace.com/rundownuk
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 2nd September
R&B_Pop_Jazz
The Go! Club presents Lottie Plimmer + Support
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lottieplimmer
Coming Up ..... Wednesday 3rd September
Indie_Rock_Post-Punk_Alternative
444 Club presents StRANGtIME + ScreamSayonara + The Lowlifes
ScreamSayonara:
"ScreamSayonara are an energetic, dynamic three piece band from Birmingham (UK) whose influences are drawn together from many genres and eras to create the band's unique sound"
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 7pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/strangetime
http://www.myspace.com/screamsayonaramusic
Coming Up ..... Wednesday 3rd September
Indie_Pop_Experimental_Progressive_Folk
This is Tomorrow presents Flux with Das Wanderlust + Ace Bushy Striptease + Bumblebees + Lime Chalks + Autumn Store DJ’s
Das Wanderlust:
Das Wanderlust are a three-piece based in north eastern England who, since the beginning of 2008, have consisted of Laura Susan Simmons (mostly singing and keyboards), Andrew Richard Elliott (mostly guitar and keyboards), and Wesley John Stephenson (mostly drums).
Work on their long-awaited debut album ‘Horses For Courses’ is now fully completed, the first single from which is scheduled for release on 6th October 2008. Ahead of themselves as usual, work on material for a second album is already well underway.
As a group Das Wanderlust enjoy confounding others’ expectations, and have been tirelessly contradicting themselves since their first live performance nearly four years ago. They abhor what they regard to be the artistic dishonesty and misplaced arrogance of many of their musical peers, and yet constantly worry that they fail to live up to their own high standards of integrity and lack of pretence. They find the smokescreen and mirrors of affectation employed by many other groups both hilarious and infuriating.
All of which is to say nothing of the music, which they themselves find it hard to classify beyond the deliberately vague self-applied term ‘wrong pop’. Critics seem similarly unable to agree on what they are, veering in opinion between structureless avant-garde experimentalism and super-melodic noise pop. The band, naturally, disagree with both schools of thought…
Artrocker
When was the last time you heard a band who made your head feel like it was going to burst open? When was the last time you went to see such a band live, only to discover that not only were they as wondrous and superlative as you’d hoped, but also more mystifying and more startlingly arresting than you’d expected? If you’ve ever heard Das Wanderlust’s records or seen them live, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about…
The Guardian
If John Peel were still walking this earth and muttering inanities to himself in the wee small hours about bedroom pop there's no doubt that Das Wanderlust would be held to the heart of the great man. Is that a chiming chorus of recorders? Is that a young woman in a pinafore dress shrieking her eyes out? Is that the sound of Kenicke being throttled in their sleep? Hell, yes…
NME
Das Wanderlust follow in the frolicsome tradition of post-riot grrrl popsters Bearsuit and Bis. Their weirdo witticisms have resulted in shed-loads of hype and tours with similarly minded comrades like Art Brut…
Plan B magazine
Screeching, stomping and wailing, their hyperactive school orchestra songs build a sugar rush that recalls the nausea of a waltzer ride, along with the syrupy splatter of messy shapes and bright colours… Music as comforting and sticky as an ice cream on a hot summers day...
Das Wanderlust have so far released two 7" singles and a demo EP. The first single, The Orange Shop, was named by BBC 6music's Marc Riley as his no.1 single of 2006, and reached no.14 in the annual festive fifty. They have recorded sessions for Huw Stephens at Maida Vale (BBC Radio 1), for Marc Riley in Manchester (BBC 6music), and for John Kennedy at XFM. They have performed at various UK & European festivals including the inaugral Latitude Festivals of 2006, and as the sole representatives of the BBC at Eurosonic Festival (NL) in 2007, which was accompanied by a half-hour live slot on Radio 1. They have toured with Maximo Park, Art Brut, Persil (NL), and many of their friends. They'll play for you too if you ask nicely.
The Bumblebees:
They are the bumblebees, a well-formed three-piece with enough audacity to play for half an hour. They have ambition. They have morals. They have fun.
They are self releasing their debut EP on 1st september
Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk
http://www.myspace.com/daswanderlust
http://www.myspace.com/acebushystriptease
http://www.myspace.com/thebumblebeesinfestya
http://www.myspace.com/limechalks
Indie_Rock_Post-Punk_Alternative
444 Club presents StRANGtIME + ScreamSayonara + The Lowlifes
ScreamSayonara:
"ScreamSayonara are an energetic, dynamic three piece band from Birmingham (UK) whose influences are drawn together from many genres and eras to create the band's unique sound"
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 7pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/strangetime
http://www.myspace.com/screamsayonaramusic
Coming Up ..... Wednesday 3rd September
Indie_Pop_Experimental_Progressive_Folk
This is Tomorrow presents Flux with Das Wanderlust + Ace Bushy Striptease + Bumblebees + Lime Chalks + Autumn Store DJ’s
Das Wanderlust:
Das Wanderlust are a three-piece based in north eastern England who, since the beginning of 2008, have consisted of Laura Susan Simmons (mostly singing and keyboards), Andrew Richard Elliott (mostly guitar and keyboards), and Wesley John Stephenson (mostly drums).
Work on their long-awaited debut album ‘Horses For Courses’ is now fully completed, the first single from which is scheduled for release on 6th October 2008. Ahead of themselves as usual, work on material for a second album is already well underway.
As a group Das Wanderlust enjoy confounding others’ expectations, and have been tirelessly contradicting themselves since their first live performance nearly four years ago. They abhor what they regard to be the artistic dishonesty and misplaced arrogance of many of their musical peers, and yet constantly worry that they fail to live up to their own high standards of integrity and lack of pretence. They find the smokescreen and mirrors of affectation employed by many other groups both hilarious and infuriating.
All of which is to say nothing of the music, which they themselves find it hard to classify beyond the deliberately vague self-applied term ‘wrong pop’. Critics seem similarly unable to agree on what they are, veering in opinion between structureless avant-garde experimentalism and super-melodic noise pop. The band, naturally, disagree with both schools of thought…
Artrocker
When was the last time you heard a band who made your head feel like it was going to burst open? When was the last time you went to see such a band live, only to discover that not only were they as wondrous and superlative as you’d hoped, but also more mystifying and more startlingly arresting than you’d expected? If you’ve ever heard Das Wanderlust’s records or seen them live, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about…
The Guardian
If John Peel were still walking this earth and muttering inanities to himself in the wee small hours about bedroom pop there's no doubt that Das Wanderlust would be held to the heart of the great man. Is that a chiming chorus of recorders? Is that a young woman in a pinafore dress shrieking her eyes out? Is that the sound of Kenicke being throttled in their sleep? Hell, yes…
NME
Das Wanderlust follow in the frolicsome tradition of post-riot grrrl popsters Bearsuit and Bis. Their weirdo witticisms have resulted in shed-loads of hype and tours with similarly minded comrades like Art Brut…
Plan B magazine
Screeching, stomping and wailing, their hyperactive school orchestra songs build a sugar rush that recalls the nausea of a waltzer ride, along with the syrupy splatter of messy shapes and bright colours… Music as comforting and sticky as an ice cream on a hot summers day...
Das Wanderlust have so far released two 7" singles and a demo EP. The first single, The Orange Shop, was named by BBC 6music's Marc Riley as his no.1 single of 2006, and reached no.14 in the annual festive fifty. They have recorded sessions for Huw Stephens at Maida Vale (BBC Radio 1), for Marc Riley in Manchester (BBC 6music), and for John Kennedy at XFM. They have performed at various UK & European festivals including the inaugral Latitude Festivals of 2006, and as the sole representatives of the BBC at Eurosonic Festival (NL) in 2007, which was accompanied by a half-hour live slot on Radio 1. They have toured with Maximo Park, Art Brut, Persil (NL), and many of their friends. They'll play for you too if you ask nicely.
The Bumblebees:
They are the bumblebees, a well-formed three-piece with enough audacity to play for half an hour. They have ambition. They have morals. They have fun.
They are self releasing their debut EP on 1st september
Venue: The Yardbird, Paradise Place, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk
http://www.myspace.com/daswanderlust
http://www.myspace.com/acebushystriptease
http://www.myspace.com/thebumblebeesinfestya
http://www.myspace.com/limechalks
Coming Up ..... Wednesday 3rd September
Acoustic_Eclectic_Open Mic
The Secret Music Club runs every Wednesday night at Nicole's, 18 Hall St, Hockley, Birmingham. B18 6BS (about midway between St Paul's Square and the Chamberlain Clock).It includes one or two featured acts each week, together with an open mic session which begins around 8.30pm. So: Bring instruments, voices, songs, poems...etc. Free pint for any performers
This week Mike Falzon + Open Mic
Venue: Nicoles, 18 Hall Street, Hockley, B18 6BS
Time: 8pm
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/secretmusicclub
Coming Up ..... Thursday 4th September
Indie_Punk_Pop Experimental_Alt
The Catapult Club presents Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay Not Gay + The Mallory Heart + The Manhattan Project + Hoodoo Fifties
The Mallory Heart:
The Mallory Heart are Nicole, Fi and Sarah based in Birmingham. Along with a drum machine, Nicole and Fi merged late 2006 through a mutual love of The Clash. Whilst marvelling at the greatness of local band Miss Halliwell and their drummer Sarah, Nicole and Fi quickly set about the business of recruiting Sarah into Mallory ranks and in return, the Mallory ranks were recruited into an awe inspiring joint venture with Miss Halliwell. One or the other coming to a venue near you soon.
The Mallory Heart bring you a mixture of grunge and lo fi punk with a feminine, intellectual twist.
The Manhattan Project:
Potent four piece formed in Leicester at the tail end of 2004. They have channelled their influences and fervent passion for noise into a powerful and intense rock n roll stew. Blistering live shows in the city have garnered them the reputation of a band to watch...
Support slots with the likes of Arctic Monkeys and The Enemy amongst others have whetted their appetite. Now, with new material and an unshakeable sense of self belief they are ready to undertake the next stage of their manifesto. To realise that potential and unleash the glorious, visceral beast within them and join the lineage of truly great bands…
Hoodoo Fifties:
Who the hell are Hoodoo Fifties I hear you scream! Well they are a brand new band formed from the ashes of faded dreams, a collaboration in admiration and a fantasists wet dream. Put simply they are an Indie Band, cobbled together by overtly sexual beasts of the night, playing their stringed tools with skill and passion. Their songs neatly crafted through bizarre rhetoric and keen observation, produced by a wizard to create a tasty Indie Pop soup as catchy as a knobbled stick.
Sounds too good to be true I know, but such dreamy pleasures do await you upon introduction to this group of cunning songsmiths. The world has seen so many breakthrough acts, but in such a world does the Indie Pop band ever fade? I think not, and here we see a band shining brightly, filling the lives of those involved with love and heartfelt genius.
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
http://www.myspace.com/gaygaynotgay
http://www.myspace.com/themalloryheart
http://www.myspace.com/themanhattanprojectuk
http://www.myspace.com/hoodoofifties
Acoustic_Eclectic_Open Mic
The Secret Music Club runs every Wednesday night at Nicole's, 18 Hall St, Hockley, Birmingham. B18 6BS (about midway between St Paul's Square and the Chamberlain Clock).It includes one or two featured acts each week, together with an open mic session which begins around 8.30pm. So: Bring instruments, voices, songs, poems...etc. Free pint for any performers
This week Mike Falzon + Open Mic
Venue: Nicoles, 18 Hall Street, Hockley, B18 6BS
Time: 8pm
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/secretmusicclub
Coming Up ..... Thursday 4th September
Indie_Punk_Pop Experimental_Alt
The Catapult Club presents Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay Not Gay + The Mallory Heart + The Manhattan Project + Hoodoo Fifties
The Mallory Heart:
The Mallory Heart are Nicole, Fi and Sarah based in Birmingham. Along with a drum machine, Nicole and Fi merged late 2006 through a mutual love of The Clash. Whilst marvelling at the greatness of local band Miss Halliwell and their drummer Sarah, Nicole and Fi quickly set about the business of recruiting Sarah into Mallory ranks and in return, the Mallory ranks were recruited into an awe inspiring joint venture with Miss Halliwell. One or the other coming to a venue near you soon.
The Mallory Heart bring you a mixture of grunge and lo fi punk with a feminine, intellectual twist.
The Manhattan Project:
Potent four piece formed in Leicester at the tail end of 2004. They have channelled their influences and fervent passion for noise into a powerful and intense rock n roll stew. Blistering live shows in the city have garnered them the reputation of a band to watch...
Support slots with the likes of Arctic Monkeys and The Enemy amongst others have whetted their appetite. Now, with new material and an unshakeable sense of self belief they are ready to undertake the next stage of their manifesto. To realise that potential and unleash the glorious, visceral beast within them and join the lineage of truly great bands…
Hoodoo Fifties:
Who the hell are Hoodoo Fifties I hear you scream! Well they are a brand new band formed from the ashes of faded dreams, a collaboration in admiration and a fantasists wet dream. Put simply they are an Indie Band, cobbled together by overtly sexual beasts of the night, playing their stringed tools with skill and passion. Their songs neatly crafted through bizarre rhetoric and keen observation, produced by a wizard to create a tasty Indie Pop soup as catchy as a knobbled stick.
Sounds too good to be true I know, but such dreamy pleasures do await you upon introduction to this group of cunning songsmiths. The world has seen so many breakthrough acts, but in such a world does the Indie Pop band ever fade? I think not, and here we see a band shining brightly, filling the lives of those involved with love and heartfelt genius.
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
http://www.myspace.com/gaygaynotgay
http://www.myspace.com/themalloryheart
http://www.myspace.com/themanhattanprojectuk
http://www.myspace.com/hoodoofifties
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Pop-Punk_Indie_Alt_Rock
Platform Promotions present On Screen Heroes + Lady Rain + The Words + The Strikes.
On Screen Heroes:
Born out of the ashes of 2 bands, On-Screen Heroes were formed early in 2007. One rough live demo and several gigs in Birmingham later, they are already building up a loyal fanbase. Despite having only 3 members, the live sound is something to be experienced, as is the real variety in their tunes, which keeps everyone interested from start to finish. The ride has only just begun, but it's already heading somewhere exciting...
Lady Rain:
Are an unbreakable group of friends, united by a passion for creating outrageously contagious music.
Songs that stir the soul, caress with melody and spit venom in equal measure. Tunes that leave you exhausted but longing for more.
Live performances that recapture the exhilaration of the moment the song was written; an interactive outpouring of creations always destined to be shared.
No longer content with only indulging the real music aficionados of hometown Birmingham, Lady Rain want the rest of the world to have some!
The Words: (from their myspace)
Hailing from the Tameside area in Manchester, brought together by luck, chance, but most likely destiny. Lyrically deep, musically profound, will make you smile, break your heart & fill you with a feeling of vitality never before deemed possible via the means of audio. Songs filled with infectious melodies, soft, yet stubborn & angry in all the right places. Cheeky & witty, diverse, yet distinctive. A sound derived from the fun & struggles of everyday life, dripping with a hunger & a drive to improve......
Yeah sure, we could sit back & work nine to five jobs watching the world go by, but we know we're not here for that... We're here to entertain. With one direction, one aim and one sound. A sound that ignites, delights and uplifts leaving you with a sense of fulfillment.. and a belief that maybe, just maybe, 'The Words' are here to make the world a better place...
The Strikes:
Screaming with spat back indie rifts set to blow away there home town of Cov, The Strikes! are ready to introduce the midlands to an all new bread of alternative rock.
Formed in early 2008 Tim, Loz, Tom and Matt instantly found their feet and began to carve their way into the glowing music scene that lay before them in Cov. From then on local venues such as The Kasbah have supported the lads and aided them along their way to fulfilling their potential.
The Strikes! failed to find a ceiling to their music and have since played some of the biggest and best venues the region has to offer, boasting a live show of precision and striking energy. Instantly accepted by fans stretching as far away as Brisbane, Australia, the euphonic melodies created by The Strikes! have hit the airwaves with a bang and caused a storm amongst music lovers.
The four piece are now brimming with tunes to quench peoples thrust for a kick in their music and gigs and will not fail to leave you breathless and bellowing for more….
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/onscreenheroes
http://www.myspace.com/ladyrainband
http://www.myspace.com/thewordsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/thestrikes
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_New-Wave_Alternative_Punk
Tropical Hotdog featuring Sunset Cinema Club + Idnetity + Herzoga
TROPICAL HOTDOG is a shindig brought to you by SUNSET CINEMA CLUB. On the first Friday of every month we take over the upstairs room at Birmingham's award winning ISLAND COCKTAIL BAR to throw a sexy-party for geeks like ourselves. For each shindig we collect together the bands we already love, the awesome new bands we keep discovering on our travels, and throw in a daddy cool 80s-90s disco at the end for good measure.
We dont care what band you've come to see, or what you think of the night, we just want you to PARRDEEE and CHUG CHUG CHUG your way into oblivion...
So come on down and see what the fuss is about...
Sunset Cinema Club:
SCC formed way back in 2001 when we named ourselves after a now defunct porn cinema in Birmingham. Our mission has always been to provide party music for geeks and grebos
Herzoga:
Herzoga were birthed, fully grown, when a tempestuous cloud hanging over downtown Fenton disgorged its musicy load. Much to the relief of local residents, Matthew (voice and guitar), Mark (drummering) and Steve (bass and voice) were deposited without injury atop a local grassy knoll. Once they had given up trying to work out the precise biological quirks that had seen them born of a weather system, the chaps decided to make some sweet, sweet music. Sooner rather than later this meant their debut single “Things to Say” was released on Org records. This led to airplay from Steve Lamacq on Radio 1 and Radio 6, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy on XFM. Herzoga smiled in a contented manner as they kicked off their work boots and lit their pipes on the stove. But they did not rest on their entirely metaphorical laurels. Instead, the men of Herzoga decided to go and play some gigs, including topping the bill for Silver Rocket at Highbury Buffalo bar as well as supporting acts such as Maps, Prinzhorn Dance School, Glasvegas and Hot Hot Heat. Earlier this year, the sterling young gentlemen at We Like Danger records decided to release Herzoga’s second single, the double A-side of “Nice Car” and “Blood School”. Again, airplay on Radio 1 and XFM followed, including John Hilcock making “Nice Car” his favourite track for a bit. Recently, a panel of wise people at Radio 1 decided that the band should be one of a handful of up and coming acts to record a live session at Maida Vale for the station’s “Introducing” thing. Herzoga thought it would be rude to refuse, so they went and laid down some hot cuts. That is all for now.
Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/showagojira
http://www.myspace.com/sunsetcinemaclub
http://www.myspace.com/poppunkprats
http://www.myspace.com/herzogaband
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_Rock_Ambient_Pop-Punk
444 Club presents The Hoi Polloi + Subkicks + Hawker + Dizzolvers (Acoustic Set)Tweak DJ’s.
The Hoi Polloi:
The Hoi Polloi have been together for 3 years and consists of 4 musicians from the Black Country in the West Midlands who have locked themselves away in a rehearsal room until they felt that the time was right to try and gain exposure and industry attention.
The Hoi Polloi have a huge sound but are also able to create an ambience that can cross over to a wide audience. This has been true at recent high profile supports with bands such as Ghosts among others.
The band have also produced some acomplished recordings but should be seen live for music lovers to fully appreciate the passion, sweat and raw emotion that this band delivers from song to song
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thehoipolloi
http://www.myspace.com/subkicks
http://www.myspace.com/hawker777
http://www.myspace.com/dizzolvers
Pop-Punk_Indie_Alt_Rock
Platform Promotions present On Screen Heroes + Lady Rain + The Words + The Strikes.
On Screen Heroes:
Born out of the ashes of 2 bands, On-Screen Heroes were formed early in 2007. One rough live demo and several gigs in Birmingham later, they are already building up a loyal fanbase. Despite having only 3 members, the live sound is something to be experienced, as is the real variety in their tunes, which keeps everyone interested from start to finish. The ride has only just begun, but it's already heading somewhere exciting...
Lady Rain:
Are an unbreakable group of friends, united by a passion for creating outrageously contagious music.
Songs that stir the soul, caress with melody and spit venom in equal measure. Tunes that leave you exhausted but longing for more.
Live performances that recapture the exhilaration of the moment the song was written; an interactive outpouring of creations always destined to be shared.
No longer content with only indulging the real music aficionados of hometown Birmingham, Lady Rain want the rest of the world to have some!
The Words: (from their myspace)
Hailing from the Tameside area in Manchester, brought together by luck, chance, but most likely destiny. Lyrically deep, musically profound, will make you smile, break your heart & fill you with a feeling of vitality never before deemed possible via the means of audio. Songs filled with infectious melodies, soft, yet stubborn & angry in all the right places. Cheeky & witty, diverse, yet distinctive. A sound derived from the fun & struggles of everyday life, dripping with a hunger & a drive to improve......
Yeah sure, we could sit back & work nine to five jobs watching the world go by, but we know we're not here for that... We're here to entertain. With one direction, one aim and one sound. A sound that ignites, delights and uplifts leaving you with a sense of fulfillment.. and a belief that maybe, just maybe, 'The Words' are here to make the world a better place...
The Strikes:
Screaming with spat back indie rifts set to blow away there home town of Cov, The Strikes! are ready to introduce the midlands to an all new bread of alternative rock.
Formed in early 2008 Tim, Loz, Tom and Matt instantly found their feet and began to carve their way into the glowing music scene that lay before them in Cov. From then on local venues such as The Kasbah have supported the lads and aided them along their way to fulfilling their potential.
The Strikes! failed to find a ceiling to their music and have since played some of the biggest and best venues the region has to offer, boasting a live show of precision and striking energy. Instantly accepted by fans stretching as far away as Brisbane, Australia, the euphonic melodies created by The Strikes! have hit the airwaves with a bang and caused a storm amongst music lovers.
The four piece are now brimming with tunes to quench peoples thrust for a kick in their music and gigs and will not fail to leave you breathless and bellowing for more….
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/onscreenheroes
http://www.myspace.com/ladyrainband
http://www.myspace.com/thewordsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/thestrikes
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_New-Wave_Alternative_Punk
Tropical Hotdog featuring Sunset Cinema Club + Idnetity + Herzoga
TROPICAL HOTDOG is a shindig brought to you by SUNSET CINEMA CLUB. On the first Friday of every month we take over the upstairs room at Birmingham's award winning ISLAND COCKTAIL BAR to throw a sexy-party for geeks like ourselves. For each shindig we collect together the bands we already love, the awesome new bands we keep discovering on our travels, and throw in a daddy cool 80s-90s disco at the end for good measure.
We dont care what band you've come to see, or what you think of the night, we just want you to PARRDEEE and CHUG CHUG CHUG your way into oblivion...
So come on down and see what the fuss is about...
Sunset Cinema Club:
SCC formed way back in 2001 when we named ourselves after a now defunct porn cinema in Birmingham. Our mission has always been to provide party music for geeks and grebos
Herzoga:
Herzoga were birthed, fully grown, when a tempestuous cloud hanging over downtown Fenton disgorged its musicy load. Much to the relief of local residents, Matthew (voice and guitar), Mark (drummering) and Steve (bass and voice) were deposited without injury atop a local grassy knoll. Once they had given up trying to work out the precise biological quirks that had seen them born of a weather system, the chaps decided to make some sweet, sweet music. Sooner rather than later this meant their debut single “Things to Say” was released on Org records. This led to airplay from Steve Lamacq on Radio 1 and Radio 6, Huw Stephens and John Kennedy on XFM. Herzoga smiled in a contented manner as they kicked off their work boots and lit their pipes on the stove. But they did not rest on their entirely metaphorical laurels. Instead, the men of Herzoga decided to go and play some gigs, including topping the bill for Silver Rocket at Highbury Buffalo bar as well as supporting acts such as Maps, Prinzhorn Dance School, Glasvegas and Hot Hot Heat. Earlier this year, the sterling young gentlemen at We Like Danger records decided to release Herzoga’s second single, the double A-side of “Nice Car” and “Blood School”. Again, airplay on Radio 1 and XFM followed, including John Hilcock making “Nice Car” his favourite track for a bit. Recently, a panel of wise people at Radio 1 decided that the band should be one of a handful of up and coming acts to record a live session at Maida Vale for the station’s “Introducing” thing. Herzoga thought it would be rude to refuse, so they went and laid down some hot cuts. That is all for now.
Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: 8.30pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/showagojira
http://www.myspace.com/sunsetcinemaclub
http://www.myspace.com/poppunkprats
http://www.myspace.com/herzogaband
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Indie_Rock_Ambient_Pop-Punk
444 Club presents The Hoi Polloi + Subkicks + Hawker + Dizzolvers (Acoustic Set)Tweak DJ’s.
The Hoi Polloi:
The Hoi Polloi have been together for 3 years and consists of 4 musicians from the Black Country in the West Midlands who have locked themselves away in a rehearsal room until they felt that the time was right to try and gain exposure and industry attention.
The Hoi Polloi have a huge sound but are also able to create an ambience that can cross over to a wide audience. This has been true at recent high profile supports with bands such as Ghosts among others.
The band have also produced some acomplished recordings but should be seen live for music lovers to fully appreciate the passion, sweat and raw emotion that this band delivers from song to song
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/thehoipolloi
http://www.myspace.com/subkicks
http://www.myspace.com/hawker777
http://www.myspace.com/dizzolvers
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Metal_Hardcore_Progressive
Rehab Promotions present Fury + Dissidence + Hand of Grief
Dissidence:(from their Myspace)
We are Dissidence. We want to play lots of gigs to lots of people. We want to play our own blend of metal/hardcore, and cover material actually worth shouting about. We aim to break your ears, open your hearts and make you leave a show feeling a little more pissed off than when you first arrived.
Hand of Grief:
Hand of Grief are a 5 piece metal band hailing from Rotherham, South Yorkshire. we formed in 2007, essentially for the sole purpose of causing damage to eardrums across the globe. A quick demo was thrown together for myspace purposes and then we hit the road, playing all around the country. Hopefully as our tentacles spread out and choke the life out of this god forsaken rock we call the British Isles we can reach more ears and spread the word.
Venue: The Swinging Sporran, Priory Sq (opposite Forbidden Planet), B4 7LL
Time: 7pm
Cost: £3
Links:
www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/dissidenceband
http://www.myspace.com/handofgrief
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Punk_Hardcore
The Go! Club presents Contempt + Ram-man + District 13 + support
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/contemptpunk
http://www.myspace.com/ramman
Metal_Hardcore_Progressive
Rehab Promotions present Fury + Dissidence + Hand of Grief
Dissidence:(from their Myspace)
We are Dissidence. We want to play lots of gigs to lots of people. We want to play our own blend of metal/hardcore, and cover material actually worth shouting about. We aim to break your ears, open your hearts and make you leave a show feeling a little more pissed off than when you first arrived.
Hand of Grief:
Hand of Grief are a 5 piece metal band hailing from Rotherham, South Yorkshire. we formed in 2007, essentially for the sole purpose of causing damage to eardrums across the globe. A quick demo was thrown together for myspace purposes and then we hit the road, playing all around the country. Hopefully as our tentacles spread out and choke the life out of this god forsaken rock we call the British Isles we can reach more ears and spread the word.
Venue: The Swinging Sporran, Priory Sq (opposite Forbidden Planet), B4 7LL
Time: 7pm
Cost: £3
Links:
www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/dissidenceband
http://www.myspace.com/handofgrief
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Punk_Hardcore
The Go! Club presents Contempt + Ram-man + District 13 + support
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/contemptpunk
http://www.myspace.com/ramman
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Drum & Bass
Fixed presents an all-nighter featuring:
BC B2B OPTICAL
DIE
NICKY BLACKMARKET
HAZARD
BAILEY
PHASE 2
VYTOL & TNT
MC'S
EKSMAN
BIGGIE
ACCAPELLO
Venue: Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth
Time: 10pm – 6am
Cost: £5 adv, £10 on the door.
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Dance_House_Bassline_Brks_Minimal_D&B_Dubstep
Magnetik present the Summer Beach Ball & Nex Level Big Bass Warehouse Rave.
Line-up:
THE BEACH SOUNDSYSTEM
**ELECTRO, JACKIN HOUSE, PARTY TUNES
WILL BAILEY &
CALVERTRON
AKA TWOCKER
ALEX SCHMITZ
MIKEY HOOK
WILL POWER &
ELLIOT CROFT B2B [G.L.A.S.]
TOM SHORT, GOLDSBY &
FRIENDS [Bangers n Mash]
THE WAREHOUSE [ON FUNKTION 1]
**DUBSTEP TO THE NEX LEVEL
GLACIUS, VEGA
NIPSY & MILLER G
OPIATE, E’N’D, PROCESS
ROOM 3: PURE FM BREAKS & DRUM N BASS
CEMTEX,HUDDERS
ROLZ, LOFDE
FREEFALL, SINISTER
HOST: BRINK
Venue: The Rainbow Beach & Warehouse, Adderly Street, Digbeth
Time: 9pm – 3.30am
Cost: £FREE b4 10.30pm, £5 b4 11pm, more after!!
Links:
http://www.magnetik.biz/
Drum & Bass
Fixed presents an all-nighter featuring:
BC B2B OPTICAL
DIE
NICKY BLACKMARKET
HAZARD
BAILEY
PHASE 2
VYTOL & TNT
MC'S
EKSMAN
BIGGIE
ACCAPELLO
Venue: Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth
Time: 10pm – 6am
Cost: £5 adv, £10 on the door.
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
Coming Up ..... Friday 5th September
Dance_House_Bassline_Brks_Minimal_D&B_Dubstep
Magnetik present the Summer Beach Ball & Nex Level Big Bass Warehouse Rave.
Line-up:
THE BEACH SOUNDSYSTEM
**ELECTRO, JACKIN HOUSE, PARTY TUNES
WILL BAILEY &
CALVERTRON
AKA TWOCKER
ALEX SCHMITZ
MIKEY HOOK
WILL POWER &
ELLIOT CROFT B2B [G.L.A.S.]
TOM SHORT, GOLDSBY &
FRIENDS [Bangers n Mash]
THE WAREHOUSE [ON FUNKTION 1]
**DUBSTEP TO THE NEX LEVEL
GLACIUS, VEGA
NIPSY & MILLER G
OPIATE, E’N’D, PROCESS
ROOM 3: PURE FM BREAKS & DRUM N BASS
CEMTEX,HUDDERS
ROLZ, LOFDE
FREEFALL, SINISTER
HOST: BRINK
Venue: The Rainbow Beach & Warehouse, Adderly Street, Digbeth
Time: 9pm – 3.30am
Cost: £FREE b4 10.30pm, £5 b4 11pm, more after!!
Links:
http://www.magnetik.biz/
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Garage_Hip Hop_Garage_Electro
Bigger than Barry present the Back to School Disco featuring Tapedeck + Rattus Rattus + Obvious + Tuck Shop + Mirror! Mirror! (DJ Set) + Lenny & Smile + Deptford Noise Team
Venue: Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse, Adderley Street, Digbeth
Cost: £8 adv
Links:
http://www.biggerthanbarry.com/
http://www.myspace.com/biggerthanbarry
http://www.myspace.com/tapedeckdjs
http://www.myspace.com/djrattusrattus
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Electronica
Chicks Dig Jerks are DJing for Discomendments.
Venue: The Red Baboon (opposite the Actress and Bishop)
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks
http://www.myspace.com/discomendments
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
DJ Comp
D-Joust (European DJ Competition)
The D-Joust European DJ Competition – Europe's finest breakthrough DJ talent touch down at a venue near YOU for some awesome LIVE battles.
Don’t miss a beat of the action – There are 6 ferocious regional quarter final battles taking place in London, Birmingham and Antwerp… The quality of DJs entering this year has been sublime. Those lucky enough to get to a live contest are in for an awesome blend of DJ talents and a carnival atmosphere.
The Midlands heats will be held at the renowned Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA. There will be 2 heats, number of DJs in each heat TBC. Kindly running things for us in the Midlands is DJ RCaine.
Venue: Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
Time: 6pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
http://www.djoust.com/Web/DJoust/Index.aspx
Indie_Garage_Hip Hop_Garage_Electro
Bigger than Barry present the Back to School Disco featuring Tapedeck + Rattus Rattus + Obvious + Tuck Shop + Mirror! Mirror! (DJ Set) + Lenny & Smile + Deptford Noise Team
Venue: Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse, Adderley Street, Digbeth
Cost: £8 adv
Links:
http://www.biggerthanbarry.com/
http://www.myspace.com/biggerthanbarry
http://www.myspace.com/tapedeckdjs
http://www.myspace.com/djrattusrattus
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Electronica
Chicks Dig Jerks are DJing for Discomendments.
Venue: The Red Baboon (opposite the Actress and Bishop)
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/chicksdigjerks
http://www.myspace.com/discomendments
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
DJ Comp
D-Joust (European DJ Competition)
The D-Joust European DJ Competition – Europe's finest breakthrough DJ talent touch down at a venue near YOU for some awesome LIVE battles.
Don’t miss a beat of the action – There are 6 ferocious regional quarter final battles taking place in London, Birmingham and Antwerp… The quality of DJs entering this year has been sublime. Those lucky enough to get to a live contest are in for an awesome blend of DJ talents and a carnival atmosphere.
The Midlands heats will be held at the renowned Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA. There will be 2 heats, number of DJs in each heat TBC. Kindly running things for us in the Midlands is DJ RCaine.
Venue: Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
Time: 6pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
http://www.djoust.com/Web/DJoust/Index.aspx
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Ska_Rock_Alt_Electronica
Platform Promotions presents Geezer + Mezzatonic + Three and a Half Englishmen + Mr Cricket
Three and a Half Englishmen:
Three and A Half Englishmen are 4 friends that formed in early 2008 and went straight onto playing gigs in the Coventry area. This then led to recording a 3 track demo at Far Heath Studios in June 2008 with Angus Wallace (The Fall, Spiritualized, The Prodigy). Currently trying to play as many shows as possible to get their name out, look out for this young, energetic 4 piece.
Three and A Half Englishmen are 4 friends that formed in early 2008 and went straight onto playing gigs in the Coventry area. This then led to recording a 3 track demo at Far Heath Studios in June 2008 with Angus Wallace (The Fall, Spiritualized, The Prodigy). Currently trying to play as many shows as possible to get their name out, look out for this young, energetic 4 piece.
" Firstly I want to thank Three and A Half Englishmen for restoring my faith in music. These 4 guys are an indie band and sound like they've been playing the circuit for years, not few months, with their already distinctive sound. I'm sure they will be an amazing band, one for the future because of the rate they are working at. They're coming out of nowhere but they'll soon be heard everywhere." -Broken Toy Box Music
Mr Cricket:
We are Mr Cricket, we are pleased to meet you. Take a seat over there and we will get you a dose of highvoltage calamity...... then we might play some music. We have checked the figures and stocks are up for this week, this is a good thing, but not if you are the ones crushed by the stock's unbearable weight! If we have any reason to speak today it is in inaudible slurs crushed by the the 'comfy' lifestyle, we have beg no reason but reason begs us.
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/thisisgeezer
http://www.myspace.com/threeandahalfenglishmen
http://www.myspace.com/mrcrickettheband
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Rock_Electronica
444 Club presents Bi-Polar Baby + Prospect Lane + JKLMNO + Satori
Bi-Polar Baby:
Bi-Polar Baby are a female fronted five piece band from Birmingham, England. They are masters of sweet, sinuous melodies and evocative arrangements with dark edges, but can also give you vital guitar pop and rock solos worthy of air-guitar tributes. The current lineup is Texan born Kaytee DeWolfe (vocals / lyrics), Pete Moth (guitar), Wayne Page (lead guitar), Jim Perkin-Ball (bass), Julian Forshaw (drums, percussion).
A regular fixture on the Birmingham rock scene, Bi-Polar Baby formed in late 2004 from the ashes of the disbanded band, CrazyFace. The name was taken from one of their songs after dropping the moniker Sedona, having discovered that it was also the name of a (rubbish) car. BPB's songs typically consist of Kaytee's haunting vocals, laden with guts and vibrato, telling stories of lost not-so-little girls and the delusions of modern living. Accompanied by dark electric guitar and undulating bass, they have written a series of unforgettable songs, both epic and catchy, melancholic yet punchy, combining contemporary flair with classic beauty.
All members are experienced musicians. Since 2005, they have played extensively on the Birmingham circuit, finding a spiritual home in Moseley's Jug of Ale. Bi-Polar Baby recently recorded their debut single, "Suicide Girl", with Gavin Monaghan (Editors, The Twang, etc.) at Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhapton. Since then, they have played live in session for BBC WM's "Introducing" show last Dec, enjoyed the support of 6Music DJ, Chris Hawkins and Kerrang!'s 'Unsigned Sunday' show. They toured the UK at the end of 2007 to help promote debut single, "Suicide Girl" and have many dates lined up for 2008.
Prospect Lane:
The foundations for 'Prospect Lane' were laid at 7.25pm on a spring day in 2005 at the Sharmans Cross public house on Prospect Lane in a leafy suburb of Birmingham.
The Lane's first recording was 'Tear me to Pieces' which was produced by Gavin Monaghan (Kings of Leon, Editors, The Twang) and is closing title soundtrack on the recent Killers rockumentary - 'Leaving Las Vegas'. Mr Monaghan also produced 'Fickle' and 'Isolation' for Prospect Lane in March 2007. Prospect Lane have toured and supported the likes of Ghosts, Boxer Rebellion and Silversun Pickups. They have also been played and acclaimed on BBC Radio 1,BBC Radio2, BBC WM, BBC Shropshire and Kerrang Radio. The band recently performed a live BBC radio session in February and also another one in April 2008
JKLMNO:
Named after a random row of letters in the alphabet, JKLMNO was formed by best friends Carl Harrison (Vocals/Guitars/Keys), Daniel Pierce (Synths/Percussion), Daniel Kehlenbeck (Guitars/Vocals), Elliot Knox (Bass/Vocals) and Nick Roberts (Drums/Programming). Writing their material in a small youth center situated in North Wales, the band found their own unique sound forged by many influences such as Jeff Buckley, The Flaming Lips and Sigur Ros. The band went to Autumn Road Studios in February 2007 to record their first demo which generated a lot of interest in the Wrexham area, gaining them top slots in some of North Wales' prime music nights and branching out to further success in venues such as The Cavern Club, Liverpool.
On 15th May, JKLMNO self-released their first and only single to date “Locking Doors” on Apples' Itunes. The single had a great reception with the bands fan base and was described by a reviewer as “pulling at your heart-strings from the word go” and “leaving you wanting more”.
With touring under their belts from previous bands JKLMNO plan to spend their summer branching out further in the U.K. following their success in the Supajam 'fast track to FIB festival' competition in which the band won the competition out of 1000's on entrants. Their entry song “The War Song” is to be released soon on Itunes by the competition organizers.
Venue: Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/bipolarbabyuk
http://www.myspace.com/prospectlane
http://www.myspace.com/jklmnomusic
Indie_Ska_Rock_Alt_Electronica
Platform Promotions presents Geezer + Mezzatonic + Three and a Half Englishmen + Mr Cricket
Three and a Half Englishmen:
Three and A Half Englishmen are 4 friends that formed in early 2008 and went straight onto playing gigs in the Coventry area. This then led to recording a 3 track demo at Far Heath Studios in June 2008 with Angus Wallace (The Fall, Spiritualized, The Prodigy). Currently trying to play as many shows as possible to get their name out, look out for this young, energetic 4 piece.
Three and A Half Englishmen are 4 friends that formed in early 2008 and went straight onto playing gigs in the Coventry area. This then led to recording a 3 track demo at Far Heath Studios in June 2008 with Angus Wallace (The Fall, Spiritualized, The Prodigy). Currently trying to play as many shows as possible to get their name out, look out for this young, energetic 4 piece.
" Firstly I want to thank Three and A Half Englishmen for restoring my faith in music. These 4 guys are an indie band and sound like they've been playing the circuit for years, not few months, with their already distinctive sound. I'm sure they will be an amazing band, one for the future because of the rate they are working at. They're coming out of nowhere but they'll soon be heard everywhere." -Broken Toy Box Music
Mr Cricket:
We are Mr Cricket, we are pleased to meet you. Take a seat over there and we will get you a dose of highvoltage calamity...... then we might play some music. We have checked the figures and stocks are up for this week, this is a good thing, but not if you are the ones crushed by the stock's unbearable weight! If we have any reason to speak today it is in inaudible slurs crushed by the the 'comfy' lifestyle, we have beg no reason but reason begs us.
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £4 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/thisisgeezer
http://www.myspace.com/threeandahalfenglishmen
http://www.myspace.com/mrcrickettheband
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Rock_Electronica
444 Club presents Bi-Polar Baby + Prospect Lane + JKLMNO + Satori
Bi-Polar Baby:
Bi-Polar Baby are a female fronted five piece band from Birmingham, England. They are masters of sweet, sinuous melodies and evocative arrangements with dark edges, but can also give you vital guitar pop and rock solos worthy of air-guitar tributes. The current lineup is Texan born Kaytee DeWolfe (vocals / lyrics), Pete Moth (guitar), Wayne Page (lead guitar), Jim Perkin-Ball (bass), Julian Forshaw (drums, percussion).
A regular fixture on the Birmingham rock scene, Bi-Polar Baby formed in late 2004 from the ashes of the disbanded band, CrazyFace. The name was taken from one of their songs after dropping the moniker Sedona, having discovered that it was also the name of a (rubbish) car. BPB's songs typically consist of Kaytee's haunting vocals, laden with guts and vibrato, telling stories of lost not-so-little girls and the delusions of modern living. Accompanied by dark electric guitar and undulating bass, they have written a series of unforgettable songs, both epic and catchy, melancholic yet punchy, combining contemporary flair with classic beauty.
All members are experienced musicians. Since 2005, they have played extensively on the Birmingham circuit, finding a spiritual home in Moseley's Jug of Ale. Bi-Polar Baby recently recorded their debut single, "Suicide Girl", with Gavin Monaghan (Editors, The Twang, etc.) at Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhapton. Since then, they have played live in session for BBC WM's "Introducing" show last Dec, enjoyed the support of 6Music DJ, Chris Hawkins and Kerrang!'s 'Unsigned Sunday' show. They toured the UK at the end of 2007 to help promote debut single, "Suicide Girl" and have many dates lined up for 2008.
Prospect Lane:
The foundations for 'Prospect Lane' were laid at 7.25pm on a spring day in 2005 at the Sharmans Cross public house on Prospect Lane in a leafy suburb of Birmingham.
The Lane's first recording was 'Tear me to Pieces' which was produced by Gavin Monaghan (Kings of Leon, Editors, The Twang) and is closing title soundtrack on the recent Killers rockumentary - 'Leaving Las Vegas'. Mr Monaghan also produced 'Fickle' and 'Isolation' for Prospect Lane in March 2007. Prospect Lane have toured and supported the likes of Ghosts, Boxer Rebellion and Silversun Pickups. They have also been played and acclaimed on BBC Radio 1,BBC Radio2, BBC WM, BBC Shropshire and Kerrang Radio. The band recently performed a live BBC radio session in February and also another one in April 2008
JKLMNO:
Named after a random row of letters in the alphabet, JKLMNO was formed by best friends Carl Harrison (Vocals/Guitars/Keys), Daniel Pierce (Synths/Percussion), Daniel Kehlenbeck (Guitars/Vocals), Elliot Knox (Bass/Vocals) and Nick Roberts (Drums/Programming). Writing their material in a small youth center situated in North Wales, the band found their own unique sound forged by many influences such as Jeff Buckley, The Flaming Lips and Sigur Ros. The band went to Autumn Road Studios in February 2007 to record their first demo which generated a lot of interest in the Wrexham area, gaining them top slots in some of North Wales' prime music nights and branching out to further success in venues such as The Cavern Club, Liverpool.
On 15th May, JKLMNO self-released their first and only single to date “Locking Doors” on Apples' Itunes. The single had a great reception with the bands fan base and was described by a reviewer as “pulling at your heart-strings from the word go” and “leaving you wanting more”.
With touring under their belts from previous bands JKLMNO plan to spend their summer branching out further in the U.K. following their success in the Supajam 'fast track to FIB festival' competition in which the band won the competition out of 1000's on entrants. Their entry song “The War Song” is to be released soon on Itunes by the competition organizers.
Venue: Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/bipolarbabyuk
http://www.myspace.com/prospectlane
http://www.myspace.com/jklmnomusic
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Indie_Rock_Experimental_Progressive_Alt
This is Tomorrow presents the Island Bars 2nd Birthday with Wintermute + Minnaars + The Traps + Solomons + DJ Tommy Disco
Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: Open from 5pm.
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk
http://www.myspace.com/wintermuteband
http://www.myspace.com/minnaars
http://www.myspace.com/thetrapsofficial
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Rock_Metal
Rehab Promotions presents Obsidian Rain + Supanaut +Sour Mash
Obsidian Rain:
born out of 80's rock and in the twilight of the millennium, under the influence of numerous bands such as Skid Row and Motley Crue! Obsidian rain was born. A volcanic explosion of old school rock and metal mixed with the elixir of modern day guitar riff's, molten lava vocals, boot stomping bass and drums that brings any venue alive.
Sour Mash:
Sour Mash, in its full line up of Shane Kiely: Drums, Dave Payne: Guitar, Ben Newbery: Bass and Adam Newbery: Vocals and Guitar, formed in September 2005. The aim was simply to play songs by bands which we all enjoyed and also to create songs of our own. Influences include Metallica, Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. After spending a few months preparing Sour Mash played its first gigs in early 2006. These include venues such as The Flapper and Firkin, Sheldon Marquee and Bar Academy (Bham), The Jailhouse and Oak (Coventry) and also gigs at local schools and colleges. These shows have been attended by larger crowds as our fan base has grown and many promoters have promised more dates in the future. We have committed some of our songs to tape. These are recorded and produced by the band and are available on our my space site
Venue: The Swinging Sporran, Priory Sq (opposite Forbidden Planet), B4 7LL
Time: Doors 7pm
Cost: £3
Links:
www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/obsidianrainpfr
http://www.myspace.com/supanaut
http://www.myspace.com/sourmashrock
Indie_Rock_Experimental_Progressive_Alt
This is Tomorrow presents the Island Bars 2nd Birthday with Wintermute + Minnaars + The Traps + Solomons + DJ Tommy Disco
Venue: The Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street (Next to the Alexandra Theatre), B1 1LT
Time: Open from 5pm.
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk
http://www.myspace.com/wintermuteband
http://www.myspace.com/minnaars
http://www.myspace.com/thetrapsofficial
Coming Up ..... Saturday 6th September
Rock_Metal
Rehab Promotions presents Obsidian Rain + Supanaut +Sour Mash
Obsidian Rain:
born out of 80's rock and in the twilight of the millennium, under the influence of numerous bands such as Skid Row and Motley Crue! Obsidian rain was born. A volcanic explosion of old school rock and metal mixed with the elixir of modern day guitar riff's, molten lava vocals, boot stomping bass and drums that brings any venue alive.
Sour Mash:
Sour Mash, in its full line up of Shane Kiely: Drums, Dave Payne: Guitar, Ben Newbery: Bass and Adam Newbery: Vocals and Guitar, formed in September 2005. The aim was simply to play songs by bands which we all enjoyed and also to create songs of our own. Influences include Metallica, Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. After spending a few months preparing Sour Mash played its first gigs in early 2006. These include venues such as The Flapper and Firkin, Sheldon Marquee and Bar Academy (Bham), The Jailhouse and Oak (Coventry) and also gigs at local schools and colleges. These shows have been attended by larger crowds as our fan base has grown and many promoters have promised more dates in the future. We have committed some of our songs to tape. These are recorded and produced by the band and are available on our my space site
Venue: The Swinging Sporran, Priory Sq (opposite Forbidden Planet), B4 7LL
Time: Doors 7pm
Cost: £3
Links:
www.myspace.com/rehab_brum
http://www.myspace.com/obsidianrainpfr
http://www.myspace.com/supanaut
http://www.myspace.com/sourmashrock
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Acoustic_Folk_Alternative
Acoustic Brew present Daisy Chapman + Vad +Mike Bethel + Amber Talons & Boomshadow.
Venue: Atticus, Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood
Time: 7pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.acousticbrewuk.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Alt-Rock_Experimental_New Wave
Robot Professor promotions present Everyone to the Anderson + Lebanons
Venue: Concrete (The old Boiler Room),The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Jewellery Qtr
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/robotprofessor
http://www.myspace.com/everyonetotheanderson
http://www.myspace.com/thekidsthatmadeamerica
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Alt-Indie_Rock_Experimental_Electronica
It’s Just Noise presents Mimas (Denmark) + Calories + Great Eskimo Hoax + Little Dipper.
MIMAS (Denmark)
sublime and delicate indie-pop soundscapes recently signed to Big Scary Monsters
www.myspace.com/mimas
CALORIES
ex members of Distophia play refreshing, hook-laden indie-rock
www.myspace.com/caloriesband
GREAT ESKIMO HOAX
beautifully crafted indie-electronica
www.myspace.com/greateskimohoax
LITTLE DIPPER
www.myspace.com/littledipperlove
Venue: The Rainbow, 160 Digbeth High Street, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/itsjustnoise
www.myspace.com/mimas
www.myspace.com/caloriesband
www.myspace.com/greateskimohoax
www.myspace.com/littledipperlove
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Acoustic_Folk_Alternative_Pop
The Sunflower Sessions present Kommoncense + Laz Rogers + Austin Francis Connection + Elliot Hall + Hannah Harris
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway, City Centre
Time: 7pm onwards
Cost: £1
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/sunflowersessions
http://www.myspace.com/kommoncense07
http://www.myspace.com/lazrogers
http://www.myspace.com/shambolichiphopbehaviour
http://www.myspace.com/elliothallmusic
http://www.myspace.com/hannahharris
WANT TO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR GIG OR NIGHT WILL APPEAR ON HERE?
If you’re a Band, Artist or Promoter and want to GUARANTEE that your Gig or Night appears on the Coming Up Birmingham Blog then you can do so by doing the following.
If you’ve not already done so, ADD ME as a friend on the Coming Up Birmingham Myspace
(link on top, right side of this page)
Then, send me a message through Myspace with the following information:
Date of your Event
Style of Music
Line-Up of Whose Playing
Any Additional Information about the Event
Links for any Myspace or Artist/Promoter Pages
Start/End Time and Cost
Any Images (Jpegs)
If I get this information I will guarantee to put your event on here. You can put as little or as much as you like, just look at some of this weeks entries for examples.
Acoustic_Folk_Alternative
Acoustic Brew present Daisy Chapman + Vad +Mike Bethel + Amber Talons & Boomshadow.
Venue: Atticus, Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood
Time: 7pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.acousticbrewuk.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Alt-Rock_Experimental_New Wave
Robot Professor promotions present Everyone to the Anderson + Lebanons
Venue: Concrete (The old Boiler Room),The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Jewellery Qtr
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/robotprofessor
http://www.myspace.com/everyonetotheanderson
http://www.myspace.com/thekidsthatmadeamerica
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Alt-Indie_Rock_Experimental_Electronica
It’s Just Noise presents Mimas (Denmark) + Calories + Great Eskimo Hoax + Little Dipper.
MIMAS (Denmark)
sublime and delicate indie-pop soundscapes recently signed to Big Scary Monsters
www.myspace.com/mimas
CALORIES
ex members of Distophia play refreshing, hook-laden indie-rock
www.myspace.com/caloriesband
GREAT ESKIMO HOAX
beautifully crafted indie-electronica
www.myspace.com/greateskimohoax
LITTLE DIPPER
www.myspace.com/littledipperlove
Venue: The Rainbow, 160 Digbeth High Street, Digbeth, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/itsjustnoise
www.myspace.com/mimas
www.myspace.com/caloriesband
www.myspace.com/greateskimohoax
www.myspace.com/littledipperlove
Coming Up ..... Sunday 7th September
Acoustic_Folk_Alternative_Pop
The Sunflower Sessions present Kommoncense + Laz Rogers + Austin Francis Connection + Elliot Hall + Hannah Harris
Venue: The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway, City Centre
Time: 7pm onwards
Cost: £1
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/sunflowersessions
http://www.myspace.com/kommoncense07
http://www.myspace.com/lazrogers
http://www.myspace.com/shambolichiphopbehaviour
http://www.myspace.com/elliothallmusic
http://www.myspace.com/hannahharris
WANT TO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR GIG OR NIGHT WILL APPEAR ON HERE?
If you’re a Band, Artist or Promoter and want to GUARANTEE that your Gig or Night appears on the Coming Up Birmingham Blog then you can do so by doing the following.
If you’ve not already done so, ADD ME as a friend on the Coming Up Birmingham Myspace
(link on top, right side of this page)
Then, send me a message through Myspace with the following information:
Date of your Event
Style of Music
Line-Up of Whose Playing
Any Additional Information about the Event
Links for any Myspace or Artist/Promoter Pages
Start/End Time and Cost
Any Images (Jpegs)
If I get this information I will guarantee to put your event on here. You can put as little or as much as you like, just look at some of this weeks entries for examples.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Coming up.....
Monday 25th August to Sunday 31st August
Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!
Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.
Remember if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.
You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace.There's a link on the right of this page.
Monday 25th August to Sunday 31st August
Simple.... Just one page for all of this weeks gigs and events in Birmingham with links to audio!!
Down the right hand side of this page are links to all promoters myspaces featured on this blog as well as some of the other sites worth checking out for Birmingham Music.
Remember if you're an artist or promoter and want to get your night/event featured on here there's instructions on how to do it further down this page.
You can also contact me or check out what certain promoters are doing via the CUB myspace.There's a link on the right of this page.
Friday, 22 August 2008
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 26th August
Rock_Alternative_Progressive
Humbucker presents The Bad Pennies + Davee Mach + Burning Thirteen + When Autumn Falls
The Bad Pennies:
Born from the ashes of 2 of the most successful bands to hail from the Derbyshire hills the most anticipated new band of 2008, featuring members of the Written Apology and Polite Notice, THE BAD PENNIES. A funky combination of 70s classic rock and new age experimental prog.
Davee Mach:
In the dark corner of a back alley pub, two long time pissheads, overcome by succession of alcoholic beverages stumbled upon the brilliant idea to resurrect grimey ’70s rock. Thus formed Davee Mach, named after an Irish trucker. Originally named "The Greasy Dildos", but the name would not stick. A thuggish moody 3 piece, powered by heavy riffs, wannabe daydreams, and large quantities of alcomohol, and so it begins.... Due to different artistic opinions it s was..ok we’ll be honest, our lead singer is "bone idol", (that’s not a bad billy idol tribute band) he’s just a lazy git, and wanted another guitarist to relive the pressure of his "2 whole jobs" in the band, and so along popped luke, who’s last name I cant remember, so for now, we’ll call him luke "skunky". After a moment of maddness we found out skunky could play drums "well", and since has had a cushy sit down job,.. that’s right 2 lazy 70’s style rockers and an arsenal of rock n’ roll triumph’s, ...its just a shame were so laid back were horizontal! A short time after this, that oh so common idea of gigin’ came into play, at which point our first bassist quit and the drugged up sex toy of a weird blonde bimbo,.. whom was befriended to a ginger love crazed, ac/dc obsessed rocker who was knocking boots with the lead singer decided to take the bass up, and play the whole gig.... without even knowing the songs,.. To turn this hafty rock n’ roll band into the 8th wonder of the world, we then stuck luke on geeetar, and brought in the 4th person stupid enough to befriend us, dan.."TAMPAX DAN" a double bass kicking, hobit looking, ego maniac with the charm and good grace of a rhino in heat. NOW WHOM DARE TRY AND STOP US ... seriously,.. no one try , were loverly really
When Autumn Falls:
The band started back in early 2004 after various name changes, band line-ups and styles we each grew into our own and fell upon what is now When Autumn Falls. The current line-up has stuck since January 2006 and has never been stronger since Ryan took to the stage.
We take influences from bands such as Thrice, Alexisonfire, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Taking Back Sunday to name just a few. Live we blend a sound of raw energy and power with a presence to match.
Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/thebadpenniesbanduk
http://www.myspace.com/daveemach
http://www.myspace.com/whenautumnfallsuk
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 26th August
Acoustic_Folk_Indie_Rock_Roots
Acoustic Brew presents Ivan Campo + Blue Radio, Bernard Payne + One Sixth of Tommy
Ivan Campo: (from his myspace)
Ivan Campo, the super Spaniard with the big hair, shares his name - with a nu-folk ensemble who will take you on a journey through the mysteries of their minds. Hitchcock and The Beatles’ White Album are just some of Ivan Campo’s preoccupations. Characterised by a playful suspense, their songs are as likely to be about the unsolved death of Alexander Litvinenko as they are about love and loss. Based in the Northwest of England, Ivan Campo produce interweaving melodies combined with a musical unpredictability influenced by artists as varied as Devendra Banhart, Nick Harper and Arcade Fire. The effect is a unique style infused with echoes of films, snatched memories and a healthy sense of the absurd. Playing live regularly, Ivan Campo have been spotted in pubs, clubs, venues, kitchens, festivals, ballrooms & basements, all over the UK, & have shared stages with Marrisa Nadler, Thomas Denver Jonsson, Jeff Lewis, Misty's Big Adventure, Jay Jay Pistolet, Dufus, The Courteeners, Jim Noir, Shack, & The Pale Fountains. Their first song, Bandit (visit ivancampo.net), was produced in 2003, and they have since recorded 9 seven track E.P's. Meanwhile, their self-directed videos echo the gentle yet unexpected pace of their sounds.
“A unique and mildly unsettling sound, like David Lynch circa Blue Velvet. Can't recommend them enough!” Yorkie - Space
"they are pretty good in a refined, literary kind of way." Simon Hattenstone - The Guardian
"Mixing a strong sense of the traditional singer-songwriter genre, this three-piece made their audience feel a little like we had just stumbled into the best jam session ever." Meg - manchestermusic.co.uk
Venue: The Island Bar, Smallbrook, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/ivancampo
http://www.myspace.com/bluenation
http://www.myspace.com/bernardpayne
(One Sixth of Tommy)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=271199204
Rock_Alternative_Progressive
Humbucker presents The Bad Pennies + Davee Mach + Burning Thirteen + When Autumn Falls
The Bad Pennies:
Born from the ashes of 2 of the most successful bands to hail from the Derbyshire hills the most anticipated new band of 2008, featuring members of the Written Apology and Polite Notice, THE BAD PENNIES. A funky combination of 70s classic rock and new age experimental prog.
Davee Mach:
In the dark corner of a back alley pub, two long time pissheads, overcome by succession of alcoholic beverages stumbled upon the brilliant idea to resurrect grimey ’70s rock. Thus formed Davee Mach, named after an Irish trucker. Originally named "The Greasy Dildos", but the name would not stick. A thuggish moody 3 piece, powered by heavy riffs, wannabe daydreams, and large quantities of alcomohol, and so it begins.... Due to different artistic opinions it s was..ok we’ll be honest, our lead singer is "bone idol", (that’s not a bad billy idol tribute band) he’s just a lazy git, and wanted another guitarist to relive the pressure of his "2 whole jobs" in the band, and so along popped luke, who’s last name I cant remember, so for now, we’ll call him luke "skunky". After a moment of maddness we found out skunky could play drums "well", and since has had a cushy sit down job,.. that’s right 2 lazy 70’s style rockers and an arsenal of rock n’ roll triumph’s, ...its just a shame were so laid back were horizontal! A short time after this, that oh so common idea of gigin’ came into play, at which point our first bassist quit and the drugged up sex toy of a weird blonde bimbo,.. whom was befriended to a ginger love crazed, ac/dc obsessed rocker who was knocking boots with the lead singer decided to take the bass up, and play the whole gig.... without even knowing the songs,.. To turn this hafty rock n’ roll band into the 8th wonder of the world, we then stuck luke on geeetar, and brought in the 4th person stupid enough to befriend us, dan.."TAMPAX DAN" a double bass kicking, hobit looking, ego maniac with the charm and good grace of a rhino in heat. NOW WHOM DARE TRY AND STOP US ... seriously,.. no one try , were loverly really
When Autumn Falls:
The band started back in early 2004 after various name changes, band line-ups and styles we each grew into our own and fell upon what is now When Autumn Falls. The current line-up has stuck since January 2006 and has never been stronger since Ryan took to the stage.
We take influences from bands such as Thrice, Alexisonfire, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Taking Back Sunday to name just a few. Live we blend a sound of raw energy and power with a presence to match.
Venue: The Sound Bar, Corporation Street, City Centre, Opposite Aston Uni
Time: 8pm
Cost: £4 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theiconspresentsoundbar
http://www.myspace.com/thebadpenniesbanduk
http://www.myspace.com/daveemach
http://www.myspace.com/whenautumnfallsuk
Coming Up ..... Tuesday 26th August
Acoustic_Folk_Indie_Rock_Roots
Acoustic Brew presents Ivan Campo + Blue Radio, Bernard Payne + One Sixth of Tommy
Ivan Campo: (from his myspace)
Ivan Campo, the super Spaniard with the big hair, shares his name - with a nu-folk ensemble who will take you on a journey through the mysteries of their minds. Hitchcock and The Beatles’ White Album are just some of Ivan Campo’s preoccupations. Characterised by a playful suspense, their songs are as likely to be about the unsolved death of Alexander Litvinenko as they are about love and loss. Based in the Northwest of England, Ivan Campo produce interweaving melodies combined with a musical unpredictability influenced by artists as varied as Devendra Banhart, Nick Harper and Arcade Fire. The effect is a unique style infused with echoes of films, snatched memories and a healthy sense of the absurd. Playing live regularly, Ivan Campo have been spotted in pubs, clubs, venues, kitchens, festivals, ballrooms & basements, all over the UK, & have shared stages with Marrisa Nadler, Thomas Denver Jonsson, Jeff Lewis, Misty's Big Adventure, Jay Jay Pistolet, Dufus, The Courteeners, Jim Noir, Shack, & The Pale Fountains. Their first song, Bandit (visit ivancampo.net), was produced in 2003, and they have since recorded 9 seven track E.P's. Meanwhile, their self-directed videos echo the gentle yet unexpected pace of their sounds.
“A unique and mildly unsettling sound, like David Lynch circa Blue Velvet. Can't recommend them enough!” Yorkie - Space
"they are pretty good in a refined, literary kind of way." Simon Hattenstone - The Guardian
"Mixing a strong sense of the traditional singer-songwriter genre, this three-piece made their audience feel a little like we had just stumbled into the best jam session ever." Meg - manchestermusic.co.uk
Venue: The Island Bar, Smallbrook, Queensway, City Centre
Time: 8pm
Cost: £FREE
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/acousticbrewuk
http://www.myspace.com/ivancampo
http://www.myspace.com/bluenation
http://www.myspace.com/bernardpayne
(One Sixth of Tommy)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=271199204
Coming Up ..... Wednesday 27th August
Jazz
Birmingham Jazz with Chris Bowden’s The Tomorrow Band. Chris Bowden (Herbaliser / Ninja Tune) on Sax, Ben Markland on Bass and Neil Bullock on Drums.
DJ set by DJ Maxwell.
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghamjazz2007
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbowdendoesrehab
http://www.rehabrecords.co.uk/
Jazz
Birmingham Jazz with Chris Bowden’s The Tomorrow Band. Chris Bowden (Herbaliser / Ninja Tune) on Sax, Ben Markland on Bass and Neil Bullock on Drums.
DJ set by DJ Maxwell.
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/birminghamjazz2007
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbowdendoesrehab
http://www.rehabrecords.co.uk/
Coming Up ..... Thursday 28th August
R&B_Pop_Jazz_PopPunk_Rock
Go! Club presents Lottie Plimmer + Throwaway Soldier
Throwaway Soldier:
Throwaway Soldier is a three piece Alt Pop Punk band with bits of hardcore appearing wherever possible! The band started in late 2006 with Joe & Butler pissing about on a guitar and bass, then the man, the legend the myth that is Jonny Hiam joined the band to take up the position of drums! After countless practices at Joe's house the band decided to start giging, playing their first show at a college party at the buttermarkert, which in the words of the security there was; 'fucking mental' and that is where the story of the troops leaves us to this very day.
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lottieplimmer
http://www.myspace.com/throwawaysoldier
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Experimental_Alternative_Indie_Rock
444 Club presents The Dead Fish + Miss Halliwell + The Erotic Spirals + The Dixsons + Clarky Cat DJ Set & Ray Wilburn!!
The Dixsons: (from their Myspace)
Hello, we're The Dixsons. We are a three piece from solihull (well apart from scouse whose a B11 rude boy). We got together in 2006, but then started playing gigs in early 2007 around brum. Since then we have played numerous times around the west midlands and even once in London....
We're made up of Luke Davies, Andy Cuntsumat, and Jack Sampson. Luke is the designated driver, guitarist, song writter and singer. Andy is our drummer and I (Jack) try to play the bass. But both of us make the songs sound as less like Nickleback as Luke would like them.....
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/devaneys
http://www.myspace.com/misshalliwell
http://www.myspace.com/theeroticspirals
http://www.myspace.com/thedixsonswayforward
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Rock_Indie_Acoustic
The Go Club in conjunction with Rock and Rose Promotions presents Coyote + Starscreen + Support
Starscreen:
Hailing from Nottinghamshire, Starscreen are a blend of uplifting energetic rock with a melodic undertone. Being friends from a young age Lead Guitarist Neal Davis and Lead Singer Daz McNevin met Bass player Scott Price through a friend at college and formed Starscreen. Having lost their Drummer in 2005 they spent time looking for the right replacement and in the summer of 2005 met drummer John Kidger through an advertisement and formed Starscreen Mark2. The band began to develop their own sound taking influence from bands such as Led Zeppelin, U2, Pearl Jam, The Doors and Roxy Music. Starscreen always try to be different, every song they write has its own personality, a song has to excite and inspire people. The band has its own unique style, tending not to go for the straight ahead power chord rock, the guitar lines are varied, the rhythm section supply the groove, the lyrics are insightful and the melodies are catchy and filled with memorable hooks. All four members play an equal part in the band and this adds to the unity of the band
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/rocknrosepromotions
http://www.myspace.com/starscreenonline
R&B_Pop_Jazz_PopPunk_Rock
Go! Club presents Lottie Plimmer + Throwaway Soldier
Throwaway Soldier:
Throwaway Soldier is a three piece Alt Pop Punk band with bits of hardcore appearing wherever possible! The band started in late 2006 with Joe & Butler pissing about on a guitar and bass, then the man, the legend the myth that is Jonny Hiam joined the band to take up the position of drums! After countless practices at Joe's house the band decided to start giging, playing their first show at a college party at the buttermarkert, which in the words of the security there was; 'fucking mental' and that is where the story of the troops leaves us to this very day.
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lottieplimmer
http://www.myspace.com/throwawaysoldier
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Experimental_Alternative_Indie_Rock
444 Club presents The Dead Fish + Miss Halliwell + The Erotic Spirals + The Dixsons + Clarky Cat DJ Set & Ray Wilburn!!
The Dixsons: (from their Myspace)
Hello, we're The Dixsons. We are a three piece from solihull (well apart from scouse whose a B11 rude boy). We got together in 2006, but then started playing gigs in early 2007 around brum. Since then we have played numerous times around the west midlands and even once in London....
We're made up of Luke Davies, Andy Cuntsumat, and Jack Sampson. Luke is the designated driver, guitarist, song writter and singer. Andy is our drummer and I (Jack) try to play the bass. But both of us make the songs sound as less like Nickleback as Luke would like them.....
Venue: The Rainbow Pub, Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD
Time: 8pm
Cost: £5 / £3 NUS
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/kamikazeevents
http://www.myspace.com/devaneys
http://www.myspace.com/misshalliwell
http://www.myspace.com/theeroticspirals
http://www.myspace.com/thedixsonswayforward
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Rock_Indie_Acoustic
The Go Club in conjunction with Rock and Rose Promotions presents Coyote + Starscreen + Support
Starscreen:
Hailing from Nottinghamshire, Starscreen are a blend of uplifting energetic rock with a melodic undertone. Being friends from a young age Lead Guitarist Neal Davis and Lead Singer Daz McNevin met Bass player Scott Price through a friend at college and formed Starscreen. Having lost their Drummer in 2005 they spent time looking for the right replacement and in the summer of 2005 met drummer John Kidger through an advertisement and formed Starscreen Mark2. The band began to develop their own sound taking influence from bands such as Led Zeppelin, U2, Pearl Jam, The Doors and Roxy Music. Starscreen always try to be different, every song they write has its own personality, a song has to excite and inspire people. The band has its own unique style, tending not to go for the straight ahead power chord rock, the guitar lines are varied, the rhythm section supply the groove, the lyrics are insightful and the melodies are catchy and filled with memorable hooks. All four members play an equal part in the band and this adds to the unity of the band
Venue: The Old Wharf, Oxford Street, Digbeth, B5 5NR
Time: 8pm
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thegoclubmusic
http://www.myspace.com/rocknrosepromotions
http://www.myspace.com/starscreenonline
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Indie_Rock_Acoustic_Alt_Experimental
Platform Promotions presents Imogen’s Kiss + Barnesy + Sweet Talk +Recherche
Imogen’s Kiss:
"I didn't think it was one of my best when I first wrote it," recalls singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Wilson. "But when we play it, it's the song that people comment on the most. I guess we were made to pick it as our first single."
Viva La Diva is the first Digital Download single from Imogen's Kiss. Filled with their trademark song writing hooks and harmonies, Viva La Diva is a tale of love, loss and being there for the girl... even if she did leave you. "It's about a girl I know. There are some references to real life hidden in the lyrics, so hopefully she won't realise it's about her. But the aspect of her and me being in a relationship is fictional. You just need that angle to make the song and the lyrics come full circle." explains Adam "And the la, la, la, la's are for everyone to sing along to." he adds with a smile.
Viva La Diva is available to download now from iTunes and HMV Downloads.
Imogen's Kiss are Adam Wilson, Dave Harris and Kev Thompson. Formed early in 2006, they have concentrated mainly on playing in their local area of Tamworth and Birmingham in a bid to drum up a local fan base, before beginning to spread the word of Imogen's Kiss further.
In 2007 they began working with M.A.S Records who they would record Viva La Diva with. "We're lucky in that we don't have to pay for things like studio time, M.A.S provide us with that as well as any promotional material. These kind of things are costly and not all bands have the finances to do it. Especially when there are very few gigs that pay or bands are relying on ticket sales, of which they'll only get a percentage. We get on well with the people from M.A.S. They're a great bunch of people." Adam construes.
This is where Imogen's Kiss are today. Keep your eyes and ears open for them.
Recherche:
Recherche are a new band from the middle of the UK (Litchfield/Burton) and this is some blah blah blah about us.
We like making music. Sometimes we make dirty dirty distorted music that your mum wouldn’t approve of, and sometimes we make funk. Sometimes we make upbeat pop songs, and sometimes we like making chords jar together. Occasionally we like jazzing out a bit with rhythmic basslines and abstract solos, and occasionally we’ll do reggae cover version of 90’s grunge songs, just for laughs.
Venue: The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick Street, Digbeth, B12 0NH
Time: 8pm
Cost: (Usually) £4/£3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/imogenskiss
http://www.myspace.com/barnesyboy86
http://www.myspace.com/sweetalkk
http://www.myspace.com/ukrecherche
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Indie_Alt_Rock
Platform Promotions presents Smart Soutane + The Arcadian Kicks + Thieves Like Us + Dead Letter Office
Smart Soutane:
We are the band Smart Soutane
Comprising of four boys: Russell, Phill, Mark and Daniel
Since becoming friends we have played all over England in some wonderful places to some equally wonderful people
We met at the University of Birmingham (England) where we studied Music
The Arcadian Kicks:
When was the last time a band captivated its audience with a timeless look and inner beauty that is only bestowed on the very few? The Arcadian Kicks are two girls, three boys all eighteen years old. They combine soaring melodic beauty with hard-edged sax, soulful guitar soundscapes and pounding tribal rhythms contained by a wall of sub bass.
They began their journey as school friends in classroom practise sessions and soon they were masquerading as adults to play countless gigs at the request of local Midland's promoters. They entered themselves in to the Surface Unsigned band competition where Jon Brookes (drummer with The Charlatans) was guest judge.
Although the band didn't go on to win the big prize Jon had seen enough in that short 25 minute set to ask them if they were interested in letting him go on to manage them.
In September 2007 Jon and his business partner, Ian Light, formed One Beat Media with express intention of managing only one band - The Arcadian Kicks. The following couple of months were spent honing the bands considerable live talent and recording their first demo which gives a rare glimpse of song writing partnerships in exciting early stages with the band securing the services of producer James Spencer (New Order, Electronic, Johnny Marr and The Charlatans).
At the band's request we started a monthly residency called Arcadian Kicks Club Night in a fantastic underground jazz bar called The Bash Bar in Central Birmingham. The band themselves chose to also support other local bands by asking them down to do warm up slots. Word soon spread it was the place to catch fresh new bands plus regular guest dj sets. Those allnighters have gone down in folklore with regular write ups as the highlight of the weekend in The Birmingham Mail What's On guide. We ended up having to move the venue of the club night to the larger Sunflower Lounge round the corner.
It was off the back of these gigs the band got there first big breaks when they were asked to play In The City in Manchester and they have also recently played the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2008 on The Big Top Stage with Feeder, NYPC and The Music. The band were given the accolade of the band to watch in 2008 by The Birmingham Post and they have their first tv appearance to look forward to this Summer when they are due to play live on Alan McGee's Death Disco show.
Their following and reputation grew when the band collaborated with a fresh young production company called Carefully Crafted Media who had just scooped the Music & Experimental award at the Wood Green International Film Festival in London. The result of this burgeoning partnership is the first ever Arcadian Kicks pop video for a brand new song "Standing in The Road". Filmed across three nights in the studio, in concert and on the no. 9 bus to one of their own gigs at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham the promo shows the band at ease with their talent and hungry to prove that their growing reputation will be totally justified.
Musical influences are diverse and range from classic to contemporary with artists such as Cajun Dance Party to Zeppelin, Julie Driscoll, The Zutons, New Young Pony Club and early Fleetwood Mac being particular band favourites.
Thieves Like Us:
Thieves Like Us. Their sound is a tight mixture of classic (Brit-Pop) and contemporary (Post-Indie) – it’s a direction which really pays off for the band, being both distinctive and modern, yet firmly rooted in the British indie Rock we know and love. In terms of material they’ve written some atmospheric yet energetic tracks, complete with clever lyrics, some hooky riffs and a superb, almost Interpol-meets-Little-Man-Tate-esq vocal from Dan. Live they played with precision and maintained a captivating stage presence that ensured an impressive all-round performance that set a high standard for the other acts to follow.
Dead Letter Office:
"Straddling the sonic boundaries between muse, interpol and radiohead. Dead Letter Office are a triumph. An intense blend of fractured guitars, intricate yet powerful drums, intelligent lyrics and breath-taking anthems that create an awe-inspiring sense of drama. Epic and life affirming music."
Dead Letter Office are a young band of dedicated muso's who are currently making great waves in the underground music scene. Blending the passion, intensity and melody of contemporary alternative rock with the complexity, range and experimentalism of the progressive, Dead Letter Office are truly a band that stand out from the indie rock herd. Having spent most of the winter months of 2007/08 focusing their efforts into recording their first critically acclaimed (see press below) studio album "Complications" the band are ready to set their sights on the mainstream. Their next release was recorded with esteemed producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors/Twang/Kings Of Leon etc) who asked to work with the band specifically after he heard the album. The resulting songs are the two most accessible, melodic and engaging songs the band have produced so far and have already sparked interest from major record labels and promoters.
The band have been together for a little over 3 years and have spent that time honing their sound into something which manages to capture all the best aspects of left-field rock music with it's emotional highs and crushing lows. Having spent 2006 playing across the country at venues as established as the barfly, the London ULU (where incidentally they were filmed for MTV2), Dublin castle and the birmingham carling academy supporting popular headline acts such as Howling Bells, The Young Gods, Future Of The Left, 1990's and Tiny Dancers as well as playing their own headline shows. Live the band are a revelation, tearing through a set that encompasses everything from epic post-rock build up's and crushing breaks, to haunting, melody driven pop songs and catchy, edgy alternative rock (with elements of electronica, jazz and even classical music thrown in for good measure). In Dead Letter Office all musical bases are covered and re-imagined as something dark, beautiful and utterly unique.
Press:-
"Straddling the sonic boundaries between Muse, Interpol and Radiohead. This pressingly experimental quintet have got some serious talent."
ROCKSOUND
"Dead Letter Office are a triumph, this is epic and life affirming music."
The Fly
“Endlessly interesting, dark alternative rock. A rousing success"
Subba-Cultcha
"The band sound little like anyone else out there at the moment"
Kerrang
"It's unlikely there will be anything else released this year, that will match this bands debut album for dynamic scope and faultless execution."
HARD ROCK HOUSE
"This bands debut album is a classic in the making and a sheer joy from start to finish, purchasing it really should be the least complicated decision you make this year."
Tasty Fanzine
"Keep an eye on this band because they have a VERY bright future ahead of them."
Powerplay
"This is a band constructing something beyond the three minute throw away pop effort. Eclectic and unafraid."
Rock Midgets
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm
Cost: (Usually) £4/£3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/smartsoutane
http://www.myspace.com/thearcadiankicks
http://www.myspace.com/thieveslikeusband
http://www.myspace.com/deadletterofficeofficial
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Folk Festival
The Moseley Folk Festival 2008 is taking place over three days in Moseley Park.
Line-up for the FRIDAY (3pm-11pm)
Morcheeba
The Accidental
Babel
The Miserable Rich
The Saffron Sect
Michael Weston King
Mickey Greaney
James Summerfield
Richard Burke
Kevin House
Dominic Crane
Venue: Moseley Park, Centre of Moseley
Time: 3pm -11pm
Links:
www.myspace.com/moseleyfolk
Indie_Rock_Acoustic_Alt_Experimental
Platform Promotions presents Imogen’s Kiss + Barnesy + Sweet Talk +Recherche
Imogen’s Kiss:
"I didn't think it was one of my best when I first wrote it," recalls singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Wilson. "But when we play it, it's the song that people comment on the most. I guess we were made to pick it as our first single."
Viva La Diva is the first Digital Download single from Imogen's Kiss. Filled with their trademark song writing hooks and harmonies, Viva La Diva is a tale of love, loss and being there for the girl... even if she did leave you. "It's about a girl I know. There are some references to real life hidden in the lyrics, so hopefully she won't realise it's about her. But the aspect of her and me being in a relationship is fictional. You just need that angle to make the song and the lyrics come full circle." explains Adam "And the la, la, la, la's are for everyone to sing along to." he adds with a smile.
Viva La Diva is available to download now from iTunes and HMV Downloads.
Imogen's Kiss are Adam Wilson, Dave Harris and Kev Thompson. Formed early in 2006, they have concentrated mainly on playing in their local area of Tamworth and Birmingham in a bid to drum up a local fan base, before beginning to spread the word of Imogen's Kiss further.
In 2007 they began working with M.A.S Records who they would record Viva La Diva with. "We're lucky in that we don't have to pay for things like studio time, M.A.S provide us with that as well as any promotional material. These kind of things are costly and not all bands have the finances to do it. Especially when there are very few gigs that pay or bands are relying on ticket sales, of which they'll only get a percentage. We get on well with the people from M.A.S. They're a great bunch of people." Adam construes.
This is where Imogen's Kiss are today. Keep your eyes and ears open for them.
Recherche:
Recherche are a new band from the middle of the UK (Litchfield/Burton) and this is some blah blah blah about us.
We like making music. Sometimes we make dirty dirty distorted music that your mum wouldn’t approve of, and sometimes we make funk. Sometimes we make upbeat pop songs, and sometimes we like making chords jar together. Occasionally we like jazzing out a bit with rhythmic basslines and abstract solos, and occasionally we’ll do reggae cover version of 90’s grunge songs, just for laughs.
Venue: The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick Street, Digbeth, B12 0NH
Time: 8pm
Cost: (Usually) £4/£3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/imogenskiss
http://www.myspace.com/barnesyboy86
http://www.myspace.com/sweetalkk
http://www.myspace.com/ukrecherche
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Indie_Alt_Rock
Platform Promotions presents Smart Soutane + The Arcadian Kicks + Thieves Like Us + Dead Letter Office
Smart Soutane:
We are the band Smart Soutane
Comprising of four boys: Russell, Phill, Mark and Daniel
Since becoming friends we have played all over England in some wonderful places to some equally wonderful people
We met at the University of Birmingham (England) where we studied Music
The Arcadian Kicks:
When was the last time a band captivated its audience with a timeless look and inner beauty that is only bestowed on the very few? The Arcadian Kicks are two girls, three boys all eighteen years old. They combine soaring melodic beauty with hard-edged sax, soulful guitar soundscapes and pounding tribal rhythms contained by a wall of sub bass.
They began their journey as school friends in classroom practise sessions and soon they were masquerading as adults to play countless gigs at the request of local Midland's promoters. They entered themselves in to the Surface Unsigned band competition where Jon Brookes (drummer with The Charlatans) was guest judge.
Although the band didn't go on to win the big prize Jon had seen enough in that short 25 minute set to ask them if they were interested in letting him go on to manage them.
In September 2007 Jon and his business partner, Ian Light, formed One Beat Media with express intention of managing only one band - The Arcadian Kicks. The following couple of months were spent honing the bands considerable live talent and recording their first demo which gives a rare glimpse of song writing partnerships in exciting early stages with the band securing the services of producer James Spencer (New Order, Electronic, Johnny Marr and The Charlatans).
At the band's request we started a monthly residency called Arcadian Kicks Club Night in a fantastic underground jazz bar called The Bash Bar in Central Birmingham. The band themselves chose to also support other local bands by asking them down to do warm up slots. Word soon spread it was the place to catch fresh new bands plus regular guest dj sets. Those allnighters have gone down in folklore with regular write ups as the highlight of the weekend in The Birmingham Mail What's On guide. We ended up having to move the venue of the club night to the larger Sunflower Lounge round the corner.
It was off the back of these gigs the band got there first big breaks when they were asked to play In The City in Manchester and they have also recently played the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2008 on The Big Top Stage with Feeder, NYPC and The Music. The band were given the accolade of the band to watch in 2008 by The Birmingham Post and they have their first tv appearance to look forward to this Summer when they are due to play live on Alan McGee's Death Disco show.
Their following and reputation grew when the band collaborated with a fresh young production company called Carefully Crafted Media who had just scooped the Music & Experimental award at the Wood Green International Film Festival in London. The result of this burgeoning partnership is the first ever Arcadian Kicks pop video for a brand new song "Standing in The Road". Filmed across three nights in the studio, in concert and on the no. 9 bus to one of their own gigs at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham the promo shows the band at ease with their talent and hungry to prove that their growing reputation will be totally justified.
Musical influences are diverse and range from classic to contemporary with artists such as Cajun Dance Party to Zeppelin, Julie Driscoll, The Zutons, New Young Pony Club and early Fleetwood Mac being particular band favourites.
Thieves Like Us:
Thieves Like Us. Their sound is a tight mixture of classic (Brit-Pop) and contemporary (Post-Indie) – it’s a direction which really pays off for the band, being both distinctive and modern, yet firmly rooted in the British indie Rock we know and love. In terms of material they’ve written some atmospheric yet energetic tracks, complete with clever lyrics, some hooky riffs and a superb, almost Interpol-meets-Little-Man-Tate-esq vocal from Dan. Live they played with precision and maintained a captivating stage presence that ensured an impressive all-round performance that set a high standard for the other acts to follow.
Dead Letter Office:
"Straddling the sonic boundaries between muse, interpol and radiohead. Dead Letter Office are a triumph. An intense blend of fractured guitars, intricate yet powerful drums, intelligent lyrics and breath-taking anthems that create an awe-inspiring sense of drama. Epic and life affirming music."
Dead Letter Office are a young band of dedicated muso's who are currently making great waves in the underground music scene. Blending the passion, intensity and melody of contemporary alternative rock with the complexity, range and experimentalism of the progressive, Dead Letter Office are truly a band that stand out from the indie rock herd. Having spent most of the winter months of 2007/08 focusing their efforts into recording their first critically acclaimed (see press below) studio album "Complications" the band are ready to set their sights on the mainstream. Their next release was recorded with esteemed producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors/Twang/Kings Of Leon etc) who asked to work with the band specifically after he heard the album. The resulting songs are the two most accessible, melodic and engaging songs the band have produced so far and have already sparked interest from major record labels and promoters.
The band have been together for a little over 3 years and have spent that time honing their sound into something which manages to capture all the best aspects of left-field rock music with it's emotional highs and crushing lows. Having spent 2006 playing across the country at venues as established as the barfly, the London ULU (where incidentally they were filmed for MTV2), Dublin castle and the birmingham carling academy supporting popular headline acts such as Howling Bells, The Young Gods, Future Of The Left, 1990's and Tiny Dancers as well as playing their own headline shows. Live the band are a revelation, tearing through a set that encompasses everything from epic post-rock build up's and crushing breaks, to haunting, melody driven pop songs and catchy, edgy alternative rock (with elements of electronica, jazz and even classical music thrown in for good measure). In Dead Letter Office all musical bases are covered and re-imagined as something dark, beautiful and utterly unique.
Press:-
"Straddling the sonic boundaries between Muse, Interpol and Radiohead. This pressingly experimental quintet have got some serious talent."
ROCKSOUND
"Dead Letter Office are a triumph, this is epic and life affirming music."
The Fly
“Endlessly interesting, dark alternative rock. A rousing success"
Subba-Cultcha
"The band sound little like anyone else out there at the moment"
Kerrang
"It's unlikely there will be anything else released this year, that will match this bands debut album for dynamic scope and faultless execution."
HARD ROCK HOUSE
"This bands debut album is a classic in the making and a sheer joy from start to finish, purchasing it really should be the least complicated decision you make this year."
Tasty Fanzine
"Keep an eye on this band because they have a VERY bright future ahead of them."
Powerplay
"This is a band constructing something beyond the three minute throw away pop effort. Eclectic and unafraid."
Rock Midgets
Venue: The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath
Time: 8pm
Cost: (Usually) £4/£3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/platform_promotions
http://www.myspace.com/smartsoutane
http://www.myspace.com/thearcadiankicks
http://www.myspace.com/thieveslikeusband
http://www.myspace.com/deadletterofficeofficial
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Folk Festival
The Moseley Folk Festival 2008 is taking place over three days in Moseley Park.
Line-up for the FRIDAY (3pm-11pm)
Morcheeba
The Accidental
Babel
The Miserable Rich
The Saffron Sect
Michael Weston King
Mickey Greaney
James Summerfield
Richard Burke
Kevin House
Dominic Crane
Venue: Moseley Park, Centre of Moseley
Time: 3pm -11pm
Links:
www.myspace.com/moseleyfolk
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
Techno_House _Minimalist_Electronica
Bunka at the Bulls Head with Anton Debiage + Patrick Cresswell + Matt Tilley + Leaon Garcia
Venue: The Bulls Head, 23 St Marys Row, Moseley
Time: 9pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bunkatech
http://www.myspace.com/matttdj
http://www.myspace.com/leongarcia
http://www.myspace.com/antondebiage
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
RnB_Dance_Electro_DnB
Ultimatum with Kronik Sounds – Summer Send Off Party in the Marquee.
In the Kitchen Bar:
Kronik Sounds
97.5 Pure FM!
DJ Sinister
Tommy B
E’n’D + Blair
Philly B
Fordy C + Co-ordinate
In the Med Bar:
Creepers
DJ aero
NAS DJ
Venue: The Custard Factory, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 9pm – 3am
Cost: Standard Tickets £8, V.I.P. £10
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
Techno_House _Minimalist_Electronica
Bunka at the Bulls Head with Anton Debiage + Patrick Cresswell + Matt Tilley + Leaon Garcia
Venue: The Bulls Head, 23 St Marys Row, Moseley
Time: 9pm
Cost: £3
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/bunkatech
http://www.myspace.com/matttdj
http://www.myspace.com/leongarcia
http://www.myspace.com/antondebiage
Coming Up ..... Friday 29th August
RnB_Dance_Electro_DnB
Ultimatum with Kronik Sounds – Summer Send Off Party in the Marquee.
In the Kitchen Bar:
Kronik Sounds
97.5 Pure FM!
DJ Sinister
Tommy B
E’n’D + Blair
Philly B
Fordy C + Co-ordinate
In the Med Bar:
Creepers
DJ aero
NAS DJ
Venue: The Custard Factory, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Time: 9pm – 3am
Cost: Standard Tickets £8, V.I.P. £10
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/custardfactory
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