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December 20, 2017

BPREVIEW: The Sunset Beach Hut @ Mama Roux’s 21.12.17

On Thursday 21st December, Sonic Gun Concerts present indie/pop act The Sunset Beach Hut at Mama Roux’s in Digbeth, with support from Quinn, Junior Weeb and Miss World. Doors open from 7pm, with tickets priced at £6.60 (inc bf) – for direct gig info and links to online ticket sales, click here.

Sonic Gun Concerts showcase their penultimate gig of 2017 with The Sunset Beach Hut headlining an evening of emerging talent within the West Midlands indie/alternative scene.

Starting the evening will be acoustic duo, Miss World. Having made their online debut in September this year Miss World are the night’s new kids on the block, albeit one who have already had a headline performance at the O2 Institute in October. With the promise of a mix of their own material and “classic bangers”, it will be interesting to see what has so quickly captured the interest of local promoters.

Next up are Junior Weeb, an indie/alternative quartet from Droitwich who have previously shared stages with Muncie Girls and The Americas, as well as being part of the line up at this year’s Worcester Music Festival. Junior Weeb were also in Baddies Boogie Top 20 Tracks of 2016, playing as the headlining act for the local indie promoter’s 2nd Magic Garden Records Night at the O2 Institute 3. So, a busy 18 months then. And with the promise of new material being recorded, Junior Weeb are likely to have a few fresh songs to add into their now seasoned set and should be an exciting addition to the lineup.

Described in our Birmingham Review of their September gig with Semantics as looking ‘like a fresher’s party at five in the morning’ but ‘with languid melodies disguised by fast paced distortion and an unashamed rock outlook on life’, the main support comes from Quinn – who will performing tracks from their debut EP, Seems Fine. Gaining acclaim with their ‘superstar in the making’ frontman Sam Lambeth, Quinn are band that offer a show that ‘sparkles from head to toe’ so let’s see how they shine on 21^st December.

Having spent 2017 billed in The Catapult Club lineups, and supporting La Dharma at The Flapper in August, Benjamin Thomas, Aphra Smith and Matty George – otherwise known as The Sunset Beach Hut – are our headliners, with their unique blend of lo-fi, indie/pop.

It’s been a steady year for the Shrewsbury based trio, focusing on new material and recording with a few performances keeping their live set polished – a move that seems to be paying off as the band move from support to headliner, as well as recently having BBC Introducing airplay.

The Sunset Beach Hut come across as a band that are dedicated but cautious and it will be interesting to see how much they ‘let go’ in a live setting. Although, personally, I’m also hoping to establish if their name is a reference to the surreal 90’s US soap opera. Guess we’ll find out at Mama Roux’s.

On Thursday 21st December, Sonic Gun Concerts present The Sunset Beach Hut at Mama Roux – with support from Miss World, Junior Weeb, Quinn. For direct event info and links to online ticket sales, click here.

For more from The Sunset Beach Hut, visit www.thesunsetbeachhut.wixsite.com/sunsetbeachhut

For more from Quinn, visit www.facebook.com/quinnrocks

For more from Junior Weeb, visit www.soundcloud.com/juniorweeb

For more from Miss World, visit www.facebook.com/misswworldband

For more on Mama Roux’s, venue details and further event listings, visit www.facebook.com/mamarouxs

For more from Sonic Gun Concerts, visit www.facebook.com/sonicgunconcerts

December 19, 2017December 19, 2017

BPREVIEW: Skellig @ The Old Joint Stock 20-30.12.17

Words by Lucy Mounfield

Running from Wednesday 20^th to Saturday 30^thDecember, The Old Joint Stock Theatre will present Skellig, their family- friendly Christmas show produced in association with Tin Robot Theatre.

Skellig will run daily at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Doors will open at 7pm for all evening shows, with 2pm matinees on 23rd, 24th, 28th and 30th Dec. Tickets are priced at £16 for all performances – for direct event info and online ticket sales, click here.

Tin Robot Theatre are a Midlands-based company led by director Adam Carver, an associate of The Old Joint Stock Theatre. Having only been established a few short years, Tin Robot Theatre have already built an impressive back catalogue and most recently produced their interpretation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds (to read Lucy Mounfield’s Birmingham Review of The War of the Worlds, click here).

For their latest endeavour, The Old Joint Stock Theatre and Tin Robot Theatre will be bringing to life David Almond’s much-loved story, Skellig, for the Christmas period. Skellig has fostered numerous productions and is particularly malleable source material due to its ambiguity of meaning and richness of allusion – adaptations can emphasise facets of the original work and build on them in their own way.

A mainstay of secondary school English lessons, Skellig tells the story of a young boy called Michael who, when his younger sister falls ill after moving to a new house, stumbles into the ramshackle garage of his new home where he inadvertently discovers a magical creature, Skellig.

In uncertain times, Michael finds hope and a sense of belonging when he begins to look after the unknown creature. Along the way the story offers meditations on numerous subjects, prompting you down avenues of thought but always leaving elements open to interpretation and the imagination of the audience or director. This is true even as far as Skellig himself; his true nature is not fully determined by the end of the story. It is exciting, therefore, to see Skellig get the Tin Robot treatment.

In Tin Robot Theatre’s own words from their website: ‘We believe in story, and champion the stories of Others; our work has focused on identity (in its many guises), its construction, and relation to popular and dominant culture. We make “full-fat” theatre. We believe in theatre as an experience beginning the moment the audience arrives, transforming space and bringing our distinctive visual style to breathe new life into the familiar.’

With their claustrophobic apocalypse, The War of the Worlds, having only just run its current course, Skellig offers a similar opportunity for Tin Robot Theatre to make their own mark on a classic. What threads will they choose to pull on, and how will their take on Skellig develop?

Skellig runs the The Old Joint Stock Theatre from 20-30^th December. For direct details, including show times and online ticket sales, click here.

For more from The Old Joint Stock, visit www.oldjointstock.co.uk

For more on Tin Robot Theatre, visit www.facebook.com/TinRobotTheatre

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017

BPREVIEW: Dots & Loops #5 @ The Rose Villa Tavern 19.12.17

Words by Ed King

On Tuesday 19th December, Flatpack: Assemble present the fifth edition of their Dots & Loops event – a ‘short film night… with a comic twist’, where ‘animated people’ can explore a showcase of selected short films and productions.

Held at The Rose Villa Tavern, doors for Dots & Loops #5 will open at 7:30pm with entry priced at £4. Please note this event was previously scheduled for The Outback in Wolverhampton on 2nd Nov – for direct event info, including links to the new venue, click here.

Dots & Loops held its inaugural event at The Oobleck in October 2014, hoping to establish itself as ‘sociable evening of short films’ where Birmingham’s local film community, both industry and enthusiasts, could come together to celebrate some ‘really good work’.

Each event has been curated by a variety of film makers, animators and creatives – selecting a series of shorts from both their own portfolio, and of those that have inspired or compelled them. Previous Dots & Loops have welcomed work from Peter Millard, Simon Ellis (Soft) and Charlie Lynn (Beyond Clueless) – Dots & Loops #5 will see the return of animator/director Louis Hudson (Dice Productions) alongside writer/producer, Ian Ravenscroft (Dice Productions, BBC Three).

As cited on the Flatpack website, Hudson and Ravenscroft have ‘worked together on a number of short films’; and will be presenting ‘some of their favourite collaborations as well as a bunch of comedy shorts that have influenced them and their work throughout their careers.’

Dots & Loops #5 will be held at The Rose Villa Tavern on Tuesday 19th December – as presented by Flatpack: Assemble. For direct event info, click here.

For more from Flatpack, including full event listings and project information, visit www.flatpackfestival.org.uk

For more on The Rose Villa Tavern, visit www.therosevillatavern.co.uk

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017

RELEASE: Tough Crowd EP – You Dirty Blue

Words by Ed King

On 15^th December, a shrewd week and a half before ‘the big day’, You Dirty Blue release their sophomore Tough Crowd EP.

Out via the band’s own online know how and social media, Tough Crowd is all yours for the minimal fixed price of £3 – for direct info and online sales, click here.

A condensed follow up to the band’s somewhat monstrous debut, Tough Crowd is a three track skid through the raw grit we’re beginning to expect from the Tamworth twosome. Opening with the short and punchy ‘Nonsensical’, You Dirty Blue lull us into a false sense of something with a sneakily detached riff from Messer James, before… well, throwing short punches, across a two and half minute barrage of blues rock, duel vocals, and an ending that is gloriously unapologetic. I’m a cynic, but if this opening track doesn’t compel you to buy a TV, book a hotel room, and then do what every respecting human with a heart should do you might as well just stop breathing. A solid introduction, one you just know it’s going to destroy a venue near you soon.

Round Two begins with pace setting drums, courtesy of Messer Reynolds, and rolls through the altogether more melodic yet fast paced ‘Sharp Left Story’. Not quite as much fun Samsung suicide from the top floor of a Premier Inn, but just the right flavor for Radio 6. And comparisons be damned, but about two minutes in and I’ve got ‘Made of Stone’, ‘Peace Frog’ and ‘In Bloom’ all arguing over the last line in my head. Make of that what you will.

Another set up from Reynolds and we’re off towards the end, with the EP’s longest proffering – a radio play fuck you that “can’t please everyone” and will die trying not to. Careering into the grunge fast lane, ‘Gallow Dancer’ is a five and a half minute reason why you should go and see You Dirty Blue play live – raw and raucous, yet somehow packed with melody and sly little hooks. Again, I can’t help but think of another grunge band you could count the out members with less than one hand.

So, time for the negative. Hang on. Wait. Wait. It’s coming… nope. Tough Crowd does exactly what you’d want it to do, and precisely what You Dirty Blue are building their well earned momentum for delivering live. Without posturing or pretence, this second EP from a band who quite simply stick to their guns is job done, as far as this reviewer is concerned at least.

I could challenge the rough edges or the live sound, but that would be defeating the DIY object of the point here; if you’re a fan of alt-J production or James Bay laments then Tough Crowd is going to really piss on your chips. Other than cutting six tracks to three, or that the band clearly hate having their promo photo taken, those are about the only legitimate counterpoints I can come up with.

But if you don’t like it, if Tough Crowd isn’t going to be on your secular wish list this December, if your take away spuds are a little warm and salty whilst you cry alone into your pillow, then please email me something wittier to say. Otherwise go and ‘support your local music scene’ for about the price of a pint.

You Dirty Blue release their Tough Crowd EP on Friday 15^th December. For more on You Dirty Blue, plus online purchase points for Tough Crowd, visit www.youdirtyblue.com

*You Dirty Blue will be playing at The Dark Horse at the Killer Wave End of Year Blowout on Wednesday 20^th December. For direct gig info and online ticket sales, click here.

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017

THE GALLERY: Touch My Secret @ Hare and Hounds 06.12.17

Words by Steve Crawford / Pics by Denise Wilson

Kushikatsu Records promised an eclectic evening tonight and so it proves to be, with three very different and distinct acts taking the stage in the smaller room at the Hare and Hounds.

The first act of the evening is Exotic Pets, a lo-fi indie garage punk trio consisting of two guitarists, Dave and Adam, backed by drummer, Becky. Although only forming a year or so ago they have already supported the likes of Ghosts of Dead Airplanes and Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam. It’s always gratifying to see a decent array of effects pedals with the guitar combination of Fender Jaguar / Fender Telecaster: we’re clearly in good, solid, garage indie territory.

Exotic Pets have a bright, single-coil, post-punk, unfussy sound, but with enough licks and flourishes to keep things interesting. The band’s first song, ‘Carrion’, is musically an upbeat cheery number, but this jauntiness belies the lyrically dark subject matter which drummer Becky delights in telling the audience about afterwards. As far can be ascertained, Liverpudlian drummer Becky is de facto leader of Exotic Pets, and her engaging banter with fellow bandmates and the audience gives us an insight into the band’s relationships and dynamics.

In stark contrast to Becky’s affable chattiness, Adam remains stoically silent, acknowledging the next track with just a thumbs up, with Becky declaring this as, “the most Yorkshire thing I’ve ever seen you do”. There are some Yorkshire vs. Lancashire dynamics going on.

Exotic Pets’ standout track is ‘Meteor’, with Adam’s vocals enhanced by delay effect on the microphone, giving it a slight Joe Meek edge. However, the biggest response from the night comes for ‘Hot Boys on Campus’ and at the time of writing this is the only Exotic Pets track available to purchase from Bandcamp for a mere £1, or more should you wish. Exotic Pets are the least polished act of the evening, at the moment at least, but it really doesn’t lessen their performance and it’s obvious that they already have a loyal following. An EP is due out next year and I look forward to more adventures in the lives of the band.

In complete contrast to Exotic Pets are Einstellung, reportedly playing live for the first time in about two years. Despite the Germanic sounding name, Einstellung are a four piece from Birmingham formed around 2004. The band are very open about their influences – given the name, plus the fact that their tracks can hit upwards of 15 minutes and all have German titles, then krautrock is one of the more obvious ones. With its members also citing Black Sabbath, My Bloody Valentine and Spiritualized as some of their favourite bands, Einstellung occupies an altogether darker and heavier sound than krautrock bands like Neu!, creating a sound that has been self-described as ‘powerkraut’.

Tonight they produce huge slabs of powerkraut, as wave after wave pummels the audience. One tune leads into another with no gaps in between. Well, virtually no gaps: there’s a point near the end of the set when the briefest of pauses allows the audience members to show their appreciation.Einstellung are a real force to witness in a venue like the Hare and Hounds.

You may think that lengthy instrumentals could get tedious and are something to be endured, but this is not the case at all. Einstellung (and it’s tempting here to now refer to the band as The Mighty Einstellung) are mesmerising live. Tracks start slowly and fairly quietly, with heavy riffs that repeat and build into something quite hypnotic, gathering pace until they can’t be contained, eventually erupting into frantic, unrestrained crescendos. The final tune sees the guitars being throttled into amps to produce wails of feedback. It’s possibly the reason why earplugs were being handed out on the door.

Chatting afterwards to Steve Hough from the band, he is asked why the two year gap between playing live? “We’re lazy, we’re getting older and we have careers”. All of which is fair enough. But he does admit just how it enjoyable it was to get back on stage again. We can but hope that all members of Einstellung enjoyed themselves equally as much, or at least enough to want play live again and soon.

There’s no setlist, apparently there never is, much to the disappointment of my setlist-stealing friend who had managed to nab Exotic Pets’ one earlier. My friend works his magic again with tonight’s headline act and duly obtains said setlist from the stage (after band has finished playing, of course). It’s a wonderful looking document, but given that it’s written in Japanese not particularly useful for reviewing purposes.

Headliners, Touch My Secret, are the second trio of the evening but an altogether different beast to Exotic Pets and, indeed, Einstellung. Labelled as ‘J-Rock’, Touch My Secret inhabit a more traditional power-rock territory compared to fellow compatriot J-rockers Mutant Monster, who they supported at the Hare and Hounds last year.

Touch My Secret are fronted by Anne on guitar and vocals, Chloe on bass, and Louie on drums. But it’s a lone Louie who emerges from the crowd to take up the sticks behind his kit and proceeds to kick things off with a quite magnificent drum solo, heralding the other two members on stage to complete the line-up.

From the start it’s clear that the trio are tremendously talented musicians. Louie’s drumming is outstanding; all drummer jokes are null and void after this opening solo and he doesn’t let up for the rest of the night. Similarly, Anne and Chloe fly around their respective fretboards note perfect with absolute precision. Anne is an exceptionally adept guitarist, with impressive chops that range from chugging power chords, dexterous solos and Eddie Van Halen-style tapping techniques along the neck. She also has the rock star moves down to a tee: foot-on-monitor poses and white Les Paul-style guitar held triumphantly aloft.

It is impressive how three people can make such an immense and powerful noise, but Touch My Secret can and do, yet making it seem so effortless. A few songs under their belts and Anne, apologising for her poor English, but in pretty much perfect English, addresses the audience, “Maybe you can’t understand Japanese lyrics. But fuck it.” She then proceeds to fire up yet another colossal J-rock monster of a tune. She’s right. It doesn’t matter that the lyrics are largely in Japanese and it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of watching such a high calibre band. Halfway through their set, Touch My Secret do break into English with a fine cover of Hole’s ‘Celebrity Skin’, one of the few times most of the audience can sing along.

Two songs before the end, one of Louie’s snare drums is killed in action; his drumming is too much for the poor snare to take, as he proudly displays the battered and ripped instrument to the crowd. There’s a quick interlude as the snare is replaced and for the first time tonight Touch My Secret come off the accelerator to play a slower, more melodic number. The final song finishes and its cheers and applause all round from the crowd, which is reportedly the biggest audience the band has had so far on this tour.

Touch My Secret are a winner tonight in Birmingham. The city’s growing taste for all things Japanese, along with the influence of Kushikatsu Records, hopefully means that more bands from the Far East will grace midlands venues in the near future.

Touch My Secret @ Hare and Hounds 06.12.17 / Denise Wilson – Birmingham Review