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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
ARTICLES
GIG OF THE MONTH
THE REZILLOS, THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON – WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 10.
 A
band who made their debut on BBC’s “Top Of The Pops” an astonishing thirty years
ago play The Brook this month.
The Rezillos originally consisted of Eugene Reynolds (born Alan Forbes)on
vocals, Fay Fife (born Sheilagh Hynde) vocals; Jo Callis on guitar, William
Mysterious on saxophone, Angel Patterson on drums, Hi-Fi Harrison guitar, Dr D.K.
Smythe on bass guitar and Gale Warning (Gail Jamieson) on backing vocals. The
Rezillos' early live repertoire included versions of songs originally recorded
by the likes of The Sweet, Screaming Lord Sutch and Fleetwood Mac.
This line-up released their first single "Can't Stand My Baby" on Sensible
Records. This led to a major recording contract with Sire Records, home at that
time to such other rising new wave acts as Talking Heads and The Ramones. The
band also underwent a transformation, shedding both Hi-Fi Harris, Dr. D.K.
Smythe, and two backing singers. William Mysterious then shifted to bassist for
the band's debut album “Can’t Stand The Rezillos,” widely regarded as a classic
of both punk rock and New Wave. A second single "Flying Saucer Attack" / "My
Baby Does Good Sculptures" grazed the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart and
contained different versions of the songs found on the album release.
The quintet reached the Top 20 of the UK chart with their third single, "Top of
the Pops" in 1978. By this time, William Mysterious had left the band to be
replaced by another bass player Simon Templar (a pseudonym for Simon
Bloomfield). The single version of "Top of the Pops" features him, whilst the
album version was recorded with William Mysterious.
After releasing their debut album Can't Stand The Rezillos — also in 1978 —
Reynolds and Fife left the original band. The live album “Mission Accomplished
but the Beat Goes On” remains as a testament to the original line-up. A final
single, "Destination Venus" made the lower reaches of the UK chart, and earned
them a final appearance on BBC’s Top Of The Pops.
Reynolds and Fife renamed themselves The Revillos for contractual reasons,
recruiting new members, including original Rezillo Hi-Fi Harris, and released an
album “Rev Up” in 1980 under the new name. The Revillos had a longer career than
The Rezillos, and toured and released music continually during the 1980s. The
band had an ever changing line-up, but the focus and nucleus always remained
Reynolds and Fife. The band later also released a compendium of their music.
Some of The Revillos reformed in 1994, playing a series of concerts in Japan and
recording the “Live and On Fire in Japan.” In 1996, they issued a rarities
compilation album “From The Freezer” and played some live dates in the UK.
In 2001, the band reformed as The Rezillos with the “Can't Stand…” line-up,
except for new bassist Johnny Terminator. They continue to play live to the
present day. They are probably best known outside of the UK for their cover
version of the song "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight,”
originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac in 1969 as the B-side of their "Man of the
World." single.
PAUL BARRERE & FRED TACKETT, THE
CELLARS AT EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA – SUNDAY DECEMBER 14
 Two
members of famed American blues-rockers Little Feat play an intimate acoustic
set at The Cellars this month.
Paul Barrere plays guitar and slide guitar, and sings lead and background vocals
for Little Feat, whilst Fred Tackett plays guitar, trumpet and mandolin. Paul
Barrere joined Little Feat for the band's third album “Dixie Chicken,” and has
been with the band ever since. During Little Feat's early 80's hiatus, Paul led
the group Chicken Legs. Since Little Feat's return with "Let it Roll", Paul has
stepped more into the spotlight. Paul's guitar, vocals, and songwriting are now
an important part of the Little Feat sound.
In addition to his work with Little Feat, Paul Barrere has also recorded and
performed with many other fine musicians including: The Blues Busters (featuring
Catfish Hodge), Valerie Carter, Chico Hamilton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, and
Carly Simon.
Paul has a solo album out on Zoo Entertainment called ‘If the Phone Don't Ring’.
This is a compilation of material from Paul's ‘On My Own Two Feat’ and ‘Real
Lies’ albums.
Fred Tackett is from Arkansas, and worked as a side man on many Little Feat
albums before becoming a full member of the band for “Let It Roll.” Along with
his fine guitar work, Fred's mandolin and trumpet have become a featured part of
the Little Feat sound. In addition to his work with the Feat, Fred has a very
large discography of work with other artists.
A bonus for the Cellars gig is a support slot with Show Of Hands’ man, Phil
Beer!
ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN,
WEDGEWOOD ROOMS, SOUTHSEA – TUESDAY DECEMBER 9
 There’s
an interesting pairing at The Wedge this month when former Belle & Sebastian
member Isobel Campbell and ex-Screaming Trees and Queens Of The Stoneage man
Mark Lanegan join forces. The duo have collaborated on two albums together.
Isobel was a member of Scottish band Belle & Sebastian from 1996 until 2002. She
was cellist and keyboard player with the band, and cowrote their Top 20 hit
“Legal Man.” After leaving the band she released two albums with The Gentle
Waves in 1999 and 2000, then released her first solo album “Amorino” in 2003.
Isobel and Mark first teamed up in 2006 when they collaborated on the album
“Ballad of The Broken Seas.” A follow-up album “Sunday At Devil Dirt” was
released earlier this year. In between, Isobel issued her third solo album
“Milkwhite Sheets.”
Their very different talents combined to produce some fascinating work on both
albums, with Isobel’s pristine folky voice contrasting nicely with Mark’s
grizzled and grungy burr. Isobel wrote most of the songs for both albums and
admits to being very much influenced by Johnny Cash and the work of Nancy
Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood. Both albums were well-received by the critics, with
Uncut Magazine particularly impressed with their latest offering, giving it four
stars.
NINE BELOW ZERO, MR KYPS, POOLE –
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13
 If
you like gritty, old-style R&B in the Dr Feelgood mode, then you’ll love Nine
Below Zero who are back at Mr Kyps this month.
The band was originally formed in 1977, by guitarist Dennis Greaves, who
disillusioned with the hard rock direction of the band he was in at the time,
decided to set up a proper blues band. Taking bassist Peter Clark with him, he
also recruited Kenny Bradley on drums, and vocalist and harmonica player Mark
Feltham. They originally called themselves "Stan's Blues Band", and for two
years built up a local following in London clubs.
In 1979 while playing at The Thomas A'Beckett pub in the Old Kent Road in London
they accepted an offer from former musician Mickey Modern to manage them, and it
was he who persuaded them to change the band's name to something sharper. Dennis
chose Nine Below Zero after the Sonny Boy Williamson song.
Under Modern’s management the band went full-time, and in the summer of 1980
released their first album, “Live At The Marquee.” By the end of that year they
were one of the most popular club attractions in London. They headlined at the
Hammersmith Odeon, and featured respected bluesman Alexis Korner, a long-time
champion of new electric blues talent. Throughout this period Mickey and his
partner Dennis Arnold encouraged the band to work as much as possible in Europe;
they realised fame was fleeting and to have Europe as a place to work in the
future was a prudent move.
In 1981 they released second album, “Don't Point Your Finger,” produced by Glyn
Johns. Johns complained the bass was too basic for the new songs, so taking his
advice the band subsequently replaced bass player Clark with the much more
musical Brian Bethall. There was a period when Nine Belwo Zero were on TV almost
weekly, appearing on shows like “The Old Grey Whistle Test and “The South Bank
Show.” They also supported The Kings and The Who on tour around this time.
Their third album, “Third Degree” was poorly received, causing the band to
argue. The record company got wind of the unrest and dropped them and interest
in the band evaporated. However, the album was their highest placing appearance
on the UK Albums Chart, spending six weeks within and reaching number 38.
Nevertheless, the band decided to split, and members went off to do session work
or join other bands. In 1990 Mickey persuaded Feltham and Greaves to reunite for
a tenth anniversary gig. He also persuaded Dennis Arnold to promote the band at
the Town And Country Club, which they did to a sell-out success. Suitably
encouraged, they decided to stay together, with Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill
(ex-Rory Gallagher's band) added on bass and drums. In 1992 Feltham left due to
musical differences and was replaced by the noted session harp player,Alan Glen.
Feltham subsequently returned and the band have continued to tour and record
ever since.
The support slot for the Mr Kyps gig features popular local band, Renegade.
EDDIE & THE HOT RODS, THE RAILWAY INN,
WINCHESTER - SATURDAY DECEMBER 20
 Eddie
and the Hot Rods began life in 1976, when four teenagers from Southend on Sea
got together and playing their own style of fast energetic rock and roll and
R&B. They were soon a big hit on the London pub rock scene. Catching the eyes
and ears of the music press and the major record companies, they were soon
signed up by the legendary Island Records, and went on to record three hit
albums and four top forty UK singles, including the Top Ten hit 'Do Anything You
Wanna Do'. There have been numerous TV appearances worldwide and they have
filled almost every major venue in the UK. A success in the USA too, they have
toured alongside The Ramones, Tom Petty, The Police, Squeeze and Talking Heads.
In the year 2000 the band were asked to take part in a 76 date tour of the UK
alongside Dr Feelgood, John Otway and The Hamsters. The tour was a great success
and the band have been back in demand ever since. In 2003, after recruiting
Richard Holgarth on guitar, they recorded an album of brand new songs, “Better
Late Than Never,” which was snapped up in France by Bad Reputation Records and
then by Voiceprint Records in the UK. Shortly afterwards they recruited Chris
Taylor as a second guitarist, giving the band a much rockier sound.
2004 was spent touring the UK and France promoting the album and 2005 started
off with the band back in the studio, writing songs for their next album. There
then followed many festival appearances and tours all over Europe, as well as a
return to the USA. 2006 saw the release of the bands first full concert DVD,
recorded at London's Mean Fiddler, as well as a brand new studio album, "Been
There, Done That...". This year they have played in France, Italy, Norway, Czech
Republic, Poland, Germany, USA and Japan, as well as the UK.
DAVE SWARBRICK, WINCHESTER DISCOVERY
CENTRE – FRIDAY DECEMBER 12
 Folk
legend Dave Swarbrick is still around, despite being prematurely killed off in
1999. And I have to admit that the writer of this preview was one of the
perpetrators. At the time, I was writing for the Southern Daily Echo in
Southampton, and spotting an obituary in the Daily Telegraph just before Dave
was due to play in the city, I wrote a piece recording his sad demise.
Unfortunately the Telegraph had got it all wrong after Dave was admitted to
hospital in Coventry with a chest infection. Fortunately the newspaper realized
their mistake very quickly and printed an apology, prompting Dave to quip later:
“It’s not the first time I’ve died in Coventry!”
Dave originally grew up in Birmingham where he learnt the rudiments of the
violin from a local fiddler and attended the Birmingham College of Art in the
late 1950s. Playing guitar, he joined Beryl Marriot's Ceilidh Band in
Birmingham. Beryl encouraged him to take up the fiddle again. Dave joined the
Ian Campbell Folk Group in 1960. Six years later he teamed up with Martin and
the pairing had a significant influence on the contemporary folk scene at that
time.
In 1969 he joined electric folk group Fairport Convention and was a member of
the group for the recording of their classic album “Liege And Lief.” Many
successful years with the group followed before Dave formed Whippersnapper in
1984. In 1989 he left the group to concentrate on solo work and revive his
partnership with Martin Carthy.
In 1993 Dave moved to Australia and met and began working with Alistair Hulett.
Returning to England in 1996, he started working with Kevin Dempsey, and was
later involved with Uiscedwr, and Martin Carthy and Alistair Hulettt again.
Dave’s health had been a problem for many years before the 1999 “premature
demise,” and eventually his his emphysema became so bad he was forced to have a
double lung transplant in October 2004, Fortunately this was successful and Dave
now has a better quality of life after being confined to a wheelchair for some
years. At the Cropredy Festival he was well enough to be up on his feet fiddling
away with the 1969 Fairport line up, with Chris While standing in for Sandy
Denny.
DANDY WARHOLS, BOURNEMOUTH FIRE STATION
– THURSDAY DECEMBER 11
 Often
compared to the druggy psychedelic pop of The Velvet Underground, the Dandy
Warhols do possess more than just a passing resemblance to Lou Reed and company
at times, but elements of such modern rockers as Love And Rockets and Ride can
also be detected in their sound.
Formed in Portland, Oregon during 1994, the Dandy Warhols consist of members
Courtney Taylor (vocals, guitar), Zia McCabe (keyboards), Peter Holmstrom
(guitar), and Eric Hedford (drums), who signed on with the independent label
Tim/Kerr shortly after their formation. In 1995 came the release of the
quartet's debut release, “Dandy's Rule OK?” and the Dandy Warhols decided to
openly advertise their influences, as the album contained such song titles as
"Lou Weed" and "Ride."
Capitol Records signed the group the same year, but the Dandys' new label
rejected a second album they submitted (claiming it didn't have any "hits").
Disappointed but undeterred, the group reunited once more with the producer of
their debut album, Tony Lash, and came up with “Dandy Warhols Come Down,” issued
in 1997. While the album didn't exactly establish the group as a household name,
it did prove to be an underground fave especially in Europe.
At the height of the band's popularity, Hedford left the band to take up DJing
in Portland, and Taylor's cousin Brent DeBoer stepped in to play drums. In 2000,
the band issued its third album, “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia,” featuring
"Bohemian Like You." Two summers later, founding member Peter Holmstrom married
his longtime girlfriend and took her maiden name of Loew. Taylor also got a name
change when he opted to go by Courtney Taylor-Taylor after an interviewer
misinterpreted the pronunciation.
Within months, Taylor-Taylor, Loew, McCabe, and DeBoer were back in the studio
for a fourth album, “Welcome To The Monkey House.” Released in 2003, it was a
tribute to writer Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s book of short stories and featured
collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, and Evan Dando.
The Dandy Warhols were personally asked by David Bowie to be the opening act for
his fall 2003 A Reality tour. Though the band was relatively quiet during 2004,
it remained prominent thanks to the fascinating documentary “ Dig!,” which
chronicled the love-hate relationship between the Dandy Warhols and The Brian
Jonestown Massacre. The group returned with new music in 2005, when “Odditorium
or Warlords of Mars arrived that autumn. Earlier this year the Warhols released
their sixth album, .”Earth to the Dandy Warhols
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THE REZILLOS
THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON WEDNES DEC 10
PAUL BARRERE
& FRED TACKETT
THE CELLARS AT EASTNEY, SOUTHSEA
SUNDAY DEC 14
ISOBEL CAMPBELL
& MARK LANEGAN WEDGEWOOD ROOMS
SOUTHSEA TUESDAY DEC 9
NINE BELOW ZERO MR KYPS
POOLE
SATURDAY DEC 13
EDDIE & THE
HOT RODS
THE RAILWAY INN, WINCHESTER SATURDAY DEC 20
DAVE SWARBRICK WINCHESTER DISCOVERY CENTRE –
FRIDAY DEC 12
DANDY WARHOLS BOURNEMOUTH
FIRE STATION – THURSDAY DEC 11 |
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