Been to a gig recently in or around Birmingham, or heard some great music? We want to hear about it!
Send a review (approx. 250 words) to this address: reviews@musichounddog.com
PYSCHEMODO
"Shallow"demo cd
Pyschemodo’s latest demo cd kicks off in great style with “I’m So Shallow”, with guitar and bass riffs driving the song along, while strong vocals introduce a real energy to the music. If Psychemodo can record, mix and master this in their bedroom studio, then the big boys should watch out! “Never Going Back” (available as a download from their website www.psychemodo.com) is a more melodic number, with some great guitar work, rock solid drumming and a really catchy chorus. The final track of the cd “Traffic Communist” is an altogether more rock-driven affair, with wailing siren guitar work and real aggression in the vocals and instrumentation. Psychemodo are Pete Sweeney (vocals, guitar), Stu Stevens (guitar, vocals), Jools Tyler (bass) and Dave Rowlands (drums). The band is currently preparing to record their second album, which I look forward to with considerable excitement!
Vinyl Lionel
Dec 05
THE MAGIC NUMBERS
Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
8 October 2005
The Magic Numbers came to town with big smiles on their faces and their mix of cheery pop/rock that went down really well with an enthusiastic full-house. They played most of the tracks from their hit album “The Magic Numbers” and looked like they were really enjoying it. They gave the impression that they’re amazed at their popularity, but this would be unfair and their audience really enjoyed their feelgood music. Romeo Stodart proves a really charismatic frontman, but all the band members play their full part in producing the great sound that is “The Magic Numbers”. Add a rocking cover version of Neil Young’s “Cowgirl in the Sand” and you get a great evening’s entertainment from a one of this year’s surprise successes. Long may it continue!
Vinyl Lionel
PAISLEY RIOT
“Crackerjack”, The Priory Demos
The opening number on this their debut three track demo, Walk Into A Room, is the perfect combination of those influences, it has something of a classic sound with a modern edge, perhaps the sound of the aforementioned Small Faces with the attitude of Johnny Borrell (Razorlight frontman), it’s a brilliantly catchy number with great vocals and loads of tasty little guitar riffs that seem to strut from the speakers. Day Before The Revolution proves that the opening track in no one off, once again there’s that attitude, that certain confident swagger that the band seem to ooze and the riffs echo back to a time when Brit pop was king, only this is no second rate copy, Paisley Riot play it like they mean it and make sure that you’re not going to dismiss them as they supply yet another killer contagious chorus.
The final number, Crackerjack could be the best of the trio, it’s indie rock the way I like it, there’s an urgency, a passion and it makes you want to bounce up and down, it’s the single that The Coral should have released after Dreaming Of You. I hope to hear a great deal more from Paisley Riot in the future. Checkout their website for free downloads of all these tracks now, it’s well worthwhile.
Will Munn
DEXTER
Bar Academy
I’m glad to see and hear that Dexter are back on the scene again after taking a few months out to re-shape themselves. I have seen them a number of times now and they have never let my musically trained ears down. With no word of them coming back, I happened to be listening to Kerrang radio one afternoon on the 10th June '05 and then out of the blue they announced that Dexter were headlining that night @ bar academy, I dropped all plans much to the disappointment of a few friends and headed down there. I got there shortly after 10pm and the place was packed waiting for the Dexter boys to blow everyone away. With a new line up of band members and some kicking new tunes, they blew the lid off bar academy that night. The first thing that struck me from this new line up was the passion and belief that flowed from all of them now, and you can really feel it when you watch them. You can’t help but get drawn in by this original sound that they somehow come up with, which can only be described as 'the dexter' sound and before you know it you’re there in a world of your own tapping your feet as if you have known the songs for ages but at the same time wonder why these songs are not at home on repeat in your cd player.
I remember seeing them last year playing next door at the proper Academy and you could just tell that Dexter could easily punch their weight with the big boys (supporting a now well-known London act) as they showed no fear and played to 600+ people that were left wanting more!
Since the gig on the 10th June '05 I have searched the internet high and low to find out more about the band but all I can find is one of their anthem tracks (liverpool station) on www.overplay.co.uk/dexter. I have been re-assured though that there is soon to be a website for the band up and running soon. Come on then guys you have impressed me now its time to impress the big boys out there I know you can do it and so do another 700+ people out there.
Rob Pearson
PAISLEY RIOT
Flapper and Firkin, May 2005
As indie/rock gathers more retro 80’s electronica on its perpetual bandwagon, Paisley Riot choose to stick with a more laid-back (almost southern rock sounds), which make for a satisfying and refreshing addition to the alternative music scene. Down in the depths of the Flapper & Firkin, the intimate atmosphere was a perfect setting for this gig. There’s always a better ambience in smaller venues and this was no exception.
With fervent lyrics merged with catchy music hooks, the guys definitely have that circa ‘Kings of Leon’ vibe within their material and PR’s performance was brimming over with just as much spirit and zeal as their longhaired cross-Atlantic counterparts – it’s so evident that these guys live and breathe music. For example, the awesome ‘Walk into a Room’ is without doubt PR’s most stunning track and proved to be a great opener. The set was very upbeat and the band themselves were genuine and played without arrogance despite the excellent music. This is a credit to them and a quality that should set them up for a very successful future in the industry and in saying that – (get ready to groan!!) I really do predict a Paisley Riot.
Sarah Coelho
THE MEXICOLAS
“Falling” (free download)
The Mexicolas seem to ooze promise wherever you hear about them. With a plethora of solid support slots under their belts in and around the Midlands, God knows how many weeks at the top of the download charts on music sites like Overplay and a place on the Kerrang Radio 2005 compilation album, not to mention the ability to ram full any mid-sized venue vaguely close to Birmingham, they’ve always seemed to be a band who are just about to take off.
Their ‘debut single’, available free to the first 5000 downloaders at themexicolas.com, begins with a hint of early Oasis, before perking up and showing itself to have a little more swing. The sultry vocals arrive with finesse but unfortunately, though not steeply, it’s pretty much downhill from there. The chorus is predictably clichéd lyrically, and a minute and a half in, despite the introduction of spacey guitar effects in an effort for variation, I’m bored. While there’s no question these guys can play, they offer nothing that’s interesting beyond being one of the best outfits in the Midlands. Perhaps that says more about the Midlands’ music scene than it does about them.
It may also be why there’s still around 3000 free downloads of ‘Falling’ left. Any takers?
Gavin McLaughlin
ROBIN TROWER
The Robin2, Bilston, March 17th 2005
Thirty years ago, as a mere teenager (!), I was at the Town Hall in Birmingham (and the Birmingham Odeon later the same year!) to witness guitar-driven rock and blues at its very best. Robin Trower (ex Procul Harum) had donned his spandex suit and, with his 3 piece band (the late, great James Dewar on bass and vocals and Bill Lordan on drums), produced a fantastic exhibition of guitar playing that wowed the audience. Happy Days! 10 minute long guitar solos (and probably drum solos-remember them!), etc, etc.
Robin Trower was 60 a couple of weeks ago and is celebrating in style. Based in the USA these days, he’s giving his European fans a treat with a 2005 tour. The Robin2 is a great venue for such a gig, intimate and friendly. Robin and his band (Davey Pattison on vocals, Dave Bronze on bass and Pete Thompson on drums) gave the packed house a fantastic night’s entertainment. Okay, we were mostly 40 and 50 somethings, but so what! Trawling through his extensive back catalogue and his new cd (Living Out of Time), Robin proved that a 60 year old can still play a Fender Stratocaster like a 30 year old (okay, probably a lot better than most 30 year olds!). I’m sure most fans went home and dusted off their copy of “Bridge of Sighs” to confirm that Robin Trower is truly among the guitar greats! Thankfully, Robin no longer wears spandex! www.trowerpower.com
Neville Green
VAN MORRISON
Birmingham Symphony Hall, Saturday March 5th 2005
Van Morrison and his band made a welcome return to Symphony Hall to play a mixture of well known classics and some of his later material since the disastrous start to the 21st Century that saw him dueting with the excruciatingly painful Linda Gail Lewis his act has undergone a complete transformation with only lead guitar player Ned Edwards surviving from that era. Undoubted leader of the latest band is the Trumpet player, Matt Holland, who is now entrusted by Van with deciding the order of songs to be played. Star player in the band though is the much-improved Martin Winning who can play not only the Saxophone but also the Clarinet, Bassoon, Flute and any other instrument that comes to hand
From a superbly played "Inarticulate Speech of the Heart" at the start to the inevitable "Gloria" as encore there was not a dull moment in this 95 minute set. The highlight being when Van picked up his acoustic guitar for a superb rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia on my Mind" (a song made famous by Ray Charles) followed by a St Patrick's Day rehearsal of a "new" Irish version of "The Beauty of the Days Gone By" from the "Down The Road" album. Inevitably, we got "Brown Eyed Girl", "Bright Side of The Road" and a prolonged jazz version of "Moondance" so there was plenty to kept the average punter happy as well.
There was plenty of empty space at Symphony Hall but those that were there appreciated a very slick and professional presentation with Van clearly on the top of his game.
Andrew Smith
THE BUREAU
The Glee Club, Birmingham, February 22nd 2005
Back in 1981, the original Dexys Midnight Runners disintegrated, and most of the former members ended up forming The Bureau. Adding vocalist Archie Brown, guitarist Rob Jones and keyboard maestro Mick Talbot, they ploughed a soulful furrow, but never achieved the greatness that was promised. Their 1981 self-titled album was released in Canada and Australia and then promptly dropped from UK release. Well, Warner Music have finally decided to release the album on cd and added a live cd and a few other goodies! Twenty odd years on, the lads from the Bureau have dusted off their instruments and vocal chords for a couple of gigs to promote the long-lost album.
The Glee Club was pretty full for the gig, mainly with Dexys and Bureau fans from the old days and they were treated to a great evening of soulful, brassy music, full of happy memories. Crispin Taylor sat in very effectively for Stoker on drums, and all the rest of the original line-up gave their audience a night to remember. All the band’s great numbers were there, including “Let Him Have It”, “Only for Sheep” and “The First One”. No doubt the fans will buy the cd. Whether the band will attract some new followers is open to question. Nevertheless, a great evening of nostalgia and the band really showed that they deserved greater success in the early eighties. www.bureau.org.uk
A brief mention for the support band, Stone Foundation. The lads played a virtually unplugged set, and were really well-received. If you like your rock to be in the American, Springsteen, Dylan mould, check out this talented group from Tamworth. Vocalist and guitarist Neil Jones produced a captivating performance that really impressed the audience. With a debut album out, this band is worth a listen. www.stonefoundation.co.uk
Lionel Vinyl
XAVIER FLOYD FIREBIRD
Actress & Bishop, Birmingham, February 5th 2005
Yes, that is the band’s name! Three guys from Southampton, on tour to promote their single “Boss Man You Scare Me”. A great gig, lots of energy, producing a sound reminiscent of the Pistols, The Strokes, Placebo,etc! Okay, so the lead singer looks like Billy Idol, but the band provided a great night’s entertainment for the punters at the Actress & Bishop. Add emotion to indie punk rock and you’ve got Xavier Floyd Firebird. Check out their website, www.xavierfloydfirebird.com, and give these lads some support by buying their single! I did!
Lionel Vinyl
ONE HELL OF A NIGHT
The line-up at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, on Saturday 26th February was that of unsigned music legends. In attendance were the newly signed Season, popular punk-rock band Superreal and true rock ‘n’ rollers The Wild Roses. And the night did not disappoint.
Season opened the show with a very powerful set. Perhaps a bit too influenced by some more famous bands than I would have liked, Season do put on a good show and their lead man, the Gavin Rossdale-esque Matt did not disappoint when he performed without his shirt and provided the stage presence perhaps lacking in the other members. However, for the real rock music fans the night was only just beginning.
Next up were Superreal, and from their first track the audience was right behind them. For a band that don’t like to take themselves too seriously, this was a professional performance which displayed their phenomenal talent for live shows and catchy, upbeat songs. The band themselves seemed thrilled by their reception and it is safe to say that they really stole the show.
The headlining band were The Wild Roses, and the audience was ready to go wild for them. The band bring to the stage as much energy as they can muster, so it is little surprise that their set involved standing on amps, diving into the crowd and song endings worthy of smashing your guitar for.
This really was a fantastic gig with something for everyone and a real atmosphere. The Wild Roses said it all in their final song, it really was ‘One Hell Of A Night’.
To find out about similar gigs, visit www.sleazydeathpromotions.co.uk
Katie Tonkiss