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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
ARTICLES
Bowling For Soup. Preview by Peter
Ashton.
 Bowling For Soup, the self-styled drunk-rockers from Wichita Falls, Texas, return to
Southampton Guildhall on Tuesday September 28.
Beer has always been high on the band’s list of priorities from the day they all
got together in Wichita Falls, Texas, back in 1994. Guitarist Chris Burney and
bassist Erik Chandler were in a band that frequently played a local coffee shop.
Drummer Gary Wiseman was also in a group that frequented the store, as was Jaret
Reddick who wanted to start a band that was a punk-rock Beatles. The four all
got together over a beer and formed a band.
At the time, Reddick, Burney and Chandler were all attending Midwestern State
University and had no intention of doing anything more than making music for
fun. "It was never like 'let's start a band and be
real musicians’ remembers Reddick. "We got together in '94 because we discovered beer. Beer is really fun!
And what better way to get free beer than being in a band? You'll notice that's
been a recurring theme for the band over the years."
After relocating to Denton, Texas, Bowling For Soup continued to load their
concert riders with outrageous requests for alcohol and suddenly found
themselves to be a popular draw. Perhaps it was due to their undeniably catchy
pop hooks, or their love of old-school metal, or maybe it was just the band's
goofy charm. After putting out two albums on their own in Wichita Falls, their
third record, 1997's “Rock On Honorable Ones!!” sold a whopping 10,000 copies on
a tiny Denton-based label. Their fourth release, “Tell Me When to Whoa!!”
featured the "The Bitch Song", which got some local radio buzz and helped the
band land a deal with Jive Records, home to Britney Spears and the Backstreet
Boys. "When we were signed, we were sort of the ugly stepchildren of the label,
but that was OK," says Reddick.
Since signing to Jive, the band's career has taken off. 2000's “Let's Do It For
Johnny” and 2002's “Drunk Enough to Dance” have sold over 300,000 copies and
spawned hit singles, including "The Bitch Song", "Punk Rock 101" and "Girl All
the Bad Guys Want."
Their latest album for Jive is “A Hangover You Don't Deserve” from which the
single "1985" comes, an irresistible slab of bubblegum New Wave that fondly
recalls the days of The Breakfast Club, Springsteen and Motley Crue. "The 80s
were really influential to me," says Reddick. "And a lot of people coming to our
shows are fourteen or fifteen, but their parents are barely in their thirties.
And everyone thinks they're outdated, but you know what? we're outdated too.
"If you want to be angry, this is not the album for you," says Reddick. "If you
want to smile and have a good time and think about chicks and beer, this is your
album."
The band name incidentally is a takeoff of Steve Martin's "bowling for shit"
routine on his 1979 classic comedy album “Wild and Crazy Guy.”
For ticket details on the Guildhall gig ring 02380 632601.
Last Nights Fun. Preview by Peter
Ashton.
 Described
by Irish Music Magazine as “the most exciting and entertaining traditional Irish
music band in England" Last Night’s Fun top the bill at this year’s Swanage Folk
Festival on Saturday September 11. The trio comprising concertina player Chris
Sherburn, guitarist and vocalist Denny Bartley and uilleann piper Nick Scott are
an irresistible combination guaranteed to produce a great Saturday night
experience.
Last Night's Fun combine breathtaking virtuosity with creative arrangements and
their trademark patter always makes for an audience-involving intimacy.
The key to their unique sound is the electric, spontaneous interplay between
three musicians very much at one with each other, and the fiery passion and
intensity of their playing. In Chris Sherburn they have a concertina player
widely regarded as being one of the best in the world, and in Nick Scott
probably the best uilleann piper in England. Guitarist Denny Bartley has an
unparalleled style of interpreting traditional music, while his singing has a
command and gravitas to make any song his own.
Their last album, “Dubh”was described by Living Tradition as “stupendous, both a
landmark release and a seriously important contribution to the modern
presentation of Irish traditional music,” while their new album “Tempered” has
already been described as “their best album to date” by
www.folking.com .
Recorded over two weeks last January at Doxfold Hall, Northumberland, it’s a
beautiful, soulful album, bristling with a spontaneous musical exploration which
received four stars in Mojo Magazine, and was described as an album of “wintry
elegance” by The Observer.
Originally touring as Sherburn and Bartley, the addition of Nick Scott to become
Last Night’s Fun has added an extra dimension to their sound. The quiet and
unassuming Nick is often the butt of Nick and Denny’s humour but takes it in his
stride, and once he starts playing those pipes the jokes take a back seat as the
band play with a devastating synchronicity. The folk world has taken to the trio
in a big way, selecting the band for 17 UK festivals last year including the
headline spot on the last night of Sidmouth International Festival 2003. Last
Night’s Fun were also one of only two English based acts to be invited to Celtic
Connections.
Last Night’s Fun have maintained their momentum this year too, with a major 30
date UK tour to promote the new album and even more festival appearances than
last year including Main Stage and Radio 2 Stage spots at Cambridge Folk
Festival.
Contact information & numbers: general enquiries email:
swanagefolkfestival@yahoo.co.uk
- tickets & accommodation:
Swanage Tourist Information Centre, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset
Telephone 0870 4420680 or email
mail@swanage.gov.uk
Richmond Fontaine. Preview by Peter Ashton
 That
great little venue The Railway Inn in Winchester hosts another enticing evening
of alt country music on Thursday September 16 when American band Richmond
Fontaine from Portland, Oregon play a set.
Richmond Fontaine is the brainchild of singer, guitarist, and songwriter Willy
Vlautin, who was born in Reno, Nevada. When Vlautin was in his early teens, his
elder brother moved to Los Angeles and
became interested in the many
roots-influenced bands in the city's punk rock scene. He began sending Willy
tapes of bands such as The Blasters, Rank and File, and the Long Ryders, and
Vlautin became hooked on their blend of punk energy and country and western
twang.
At 16, Willy put together his first band, but after several years he became
disenchanted with the limited opportunities to play original music in Reno, and
moved to Portland, Oregon in 1994. Not long after he relocated, Vlautin met
bassist Dave Harding and discovered their shared enthusiasm for The Blasters,
The Replacements, and Hüsker Dü. Willy and Dave decided to form a band
recruiting drummer Stuart Gaston to form the first lineup of Richmond Fontaine.
After gigging locally, the band recorded their first album “Safety” for local
record label Cravedog in 1996.
Later in 1996 the band bought the album back from Cravedog and signed to a
larger independent label, Cavity Search Records, who reissued the album. Lots of
West Coast touring and a few trips to the East and Midwest followed and in 1997
the band released their second album “Miles From” and set out on another
nationwide tour.
By the time their third album “Lost Son” came out in 1999, Sean Oldham had
replaced Gaston on drums, and pedal-steel guitarist Paul Brainard, who had
played on several cuts on “Miles From” had become a full-time member of the
band. A live EP ”Whiskey, Painkillers and Speed” was released in 2001, and in
2002 the band completed their fourth album “Winnemucca.” Earlier this year their
fifth album “Post To Wire” was released getting some rave reviews and inspiring
a five-page article in Uncut Magazine by editor Allan Jones, who described it as
“beautiful, desolate, fractured and unforgettable.” Uncut also described their
music as "Exquisitely bittersweet, pain-blasted country-rock from America's West
Coast" - be warned, Richmond Fontaine’s music is dark and edgy with disturbing
songs about alienation, drugs, rape, murder and despair - they don’t do happy!
There’s a great bonus to this gig, though - ex-Hoax guitarist Jon Amor who has
since formed his own band Amor, is doing an acoustic support. For more details
ring 01962
867795. There’s also more Americana with Laura Veirs & The Tortured Souls at the
same venue on Tuesday September 21.
The RedEyeBand. Preview by Peter Ashton
 A
band who count the great Walter Trout among their admirers have two bookings in
the South this month. The RedEyeBand featuring guitar virtuoso Danny Bryant play
at Mr Kyps music venue in Poole on Saturday September 18 and Bullfrog Blues Club
in the Albert Bar on South Parade Pier in Southsea on Thursday September 23.
The RedEyeBand were formed in 1999 and comprise Danny Bryant on lead guitar and
vocals, his dad Ken Bryant on bass and recent addition Dave Raeburn on drums.
Dave’s illustrious career spans the past 25 years, he has toured with some of
the greatest names in blues/rock, including Buddy Guy, B.B.King, Little Feat,
Walter Trout and Status Quo plus many more. In 1993 Dave was drummer for The
Hoax and following their demise, the Nimmo Brothers. Not a bad pedigree to bring
to an already thriving band! Ken’s solid bass playing meshes perfectly with Dave
to make a tight driving rhythm section. Since the bands inception they have
already performed over 800 shows and built up a huge following in the UK and
abroad with their dynamic, passionate blues-rock style.
The powerhouse trio are led by a Danny, a guitarist who has an amazing ability
to wring every last drop out of his guitar, complimented by his belting vocals.
Signed to Blues Matters Records, their second album ”Shadows Passed” was
released last year and looks like being the label’s highest selling album for
the second year running.
The RedEyeBand don’t just play, they put on a show, which is one reason why they
have climbed from the pub circuit into music venues and festivals.
Another is the songwriting talent of Danny and the musical virtuosity of the
band.
Fans will also be able to buy a brand new CD, “Covering Their Tracks” at their
September gigs. The album represents the first time that the band have featured
some covers as well as original songs, bowing to popular demand from their fans.
Gig contact details: Mr Kyps - telephone 01202 748945 or see
www.mrkyps.net ;
Bullfrog Blues Club, ring the Barking Spider hotline on 023 9243 6267 or see
www.webplus.barkingspider.abelgratis.com
Steve Knightley, Seth Lakeman & Jenna Witts. Preview Peter Ashton
 Three
generations of singer-songwriters combine for the Western Approaches Tour which
hits the South this month. Steve Knightley of Show of Hands, Seth Lakeman
formerly of Equation and 16 year old Jenna Witts bring the music of the West
Country to venues in Bridport, Hambledon, Marlborough and Havant on their
17-date tour.
Despite their diverse backgrounds Steve, Seth and Jenna all share a love of
songwriting and performing and a deep affinity with their West Country roots.
Steve Knightley is already well-known as a singer and instrumentalist with Show
of Hands alongside Phil Beer. Massively popular on the folk club and festival
circuit, Show of Hands sell out wherever they go. Seth Lakeman, former fiddler
and vocalist with Equation has also been a regular on the folk circuit for the
last decade and has just released his second solo album “Kitty Jay,” a stunning
set of songs inspired by the myths and legends of Dartmoor. Young Jenna Witts
from Ilfracombe in Devon is the baby of the trio at sixteen, but she has been
playing piano and writing songs for the last six years, and is regarded as one
of the brightest prospects on the folk/roots music scene.
Steve, Seth and Jenna have recorded a CD called “Western Approaches” which has
just been released to coincide with the tour, which can be seen at Eype Church
Centre for the Arts in Bridport, Dorset on Thursday September 9 (01308 424901),
Hambledon Village Hall on September 10 (02392 632418); Marlborough Folk Roots on
September 23 (01672 512465) and Havant Arts Centre on September 24 (02392
472700).
The Bees. Preview Peter Ashton
 Hit
Isle of Wight band The Bees play at one of the last major summer festivals on
Friday September 10, Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park at Newport on
the Isle of Wight. Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher and friends have successfully
followed up their Mercury Prize-nominated debut album “Sunshine Hit Me” in
2002 with the equally well-received“Free The Bees.”
Their first album was recorded in a garden shed in Paul’s parents garden, but
after a spell in the producers’ chair during sessions for fellow Islander
Drew at Abbey Road the pull of the studios where The Beatles made their finest
recordings was too much to resist.
The result is an album full of highlights including The Bees most recent single,
“Horsemen” with its Brian Wilson-like harmonies. “Sunshine Hit Me” was basically
a collaboration between Paul and Aaron, but now fellow Bees, guitarist Kris
Birkin, drummr Michael Clevett , trumpeter Tim Parkin and Hammond organists
Warren Hampshire who have playing with Paul and Aaron for years have bolstered
the line-up and will be playing on the massive nationwide tour after Bestival.
The reaction to “Free The Bees” has been very positive with many critics
declaring it even better than the debut album. The-Raft.com website sums up The
Bees’ latest effort by stating: "Bands sifting through old vinyl, recording only
on analogue (think Toerag), wearing their influences on their sleeves – such
groups are ten a penny in the current climate. And to a certain extent it could
be argued that everyone engaged at the musical coalface is mining the same
limited material, albeit sometimes with more modern tools. It’s what you do with
the stuff once you’ve hacked it out that counts. And this is where The Bees
stand apart. They not only defy categorisation – they revel in such an
exercise’s absurdities." The Bees join a host of music acts and DJs for the
festival - here’s a full lineup:
Friday:
The Bees, Lee 'Scratch' Perry & The Mad Professor, Dub Pistols, Drew,
Mocky,
Quantic Soul Orchestra, Barry Peters Halifax Hospital Radio Live
Saturday:
Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Magnet, Laid Back, Grand National, Ceux Qui
Marchent Debout, Roddy Frame, Hot Chip
Sunday:
Zero 7, Mylo, The Cuban Brothers, Chas & Dave, Willis, Boomclick,
Ori-Jah-Nal
Further information:
Festival Information Line: 020 7379 3133
Websites: www.bestival.net /
www.sundaybest.net
Weekend tickets: £85 per person
Day tickets: £35 per person [Day tickets for Islanders: £25 per person]
Ticket Outlets: Ticket Line -
www.ticketline.co.uk / 0870 100 0000
Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.co.uk
/ 0870 150 0989
OR buy from the Island's two Ferry Operators, Wightlink and Red Funnel, who
are selling package deals that include discounted ferry tickets for Bestival
goers (recommended)
Red Funnel - www.redfunnel.co.uk/music/ 0870 444 8898
(for services from Southampton to Cowes and East Cowes)
Wight Link - www.wightlink.co.uk/bestival/ 0870 582 7744
(for services from Portsmouth to Ryde, Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Lymington
to Yarmouth)
OR buy from selected HMV Stores and Independent Ticket Outlets (inc. most
good record shops). Please check www.bestival.net for a full list of all these.
OR, if you live on the island, you can go to...
Robin Hill - 01983 527352 / www.robin-hill.com (10am - 4pm)
Isle Of Wight Tourism Outlets - 01983 863151 /
www.islandbreaks.co.uk
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Bowling For Soup. Southampton Guildhall, Southampton. Tuesday 28.
Last Night’s Fun. Swanage Folk Festival, Swanage. Saturday 11.
Richmond Fontaine. The Railway Inn, Winchester. Thursday 16.
The RedEyeBand.
Mr Kyps, Poole Saturday 18
& The Albert Bar, South
Parade Pier, Southsea
Thursday 23.
Steve Knightley, Seth Lakeman & Jenna Witts
Various Gigs throughout September.
The Bees
Bestival, Robin Hill Country Park, Newport IOW
Friday 10. |
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