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Openers, Retro Grade comprised of two deck-meister djs who occupied a sort of letter-box apertured hotdog trailer booth with projected geometric humanoids strutting their stuff. It was stun-grenade, bass-bin bunker bombardment for the discerningly wasted and was enthusiastically received. |
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This was the second of my “reliving my childhood” gigs that I had been to this week. Earlier in the week was the mighty Shed 7 and they pulled out a night that was just superb. To be honest I have really struggled to write this review. You need a bit of background information to really understand some of the comments that I am about to make. The Wonder Stuff was the band that got me into alternative music... |
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It’s their seventh year Christmas tour itch to, yet again, stitch themselves into the tapestry of Q’s one of the top fifty live bands of all time (and who are the others, pray?) The Pogues thump the boards and enchant the hoards of giddy up-for-it punters whose stage barrier rib-crunching jiggery Pogueries are bathed in a phosphorescent blue. Scanning the age range reveals an ever-growing youthful fan-base who could only have been but twinkles in their parents’ illicitly shared Rum, Sodomy and Lash fueled heavy petting 1980’s eyes. |
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John Lydon is an acquired taste. He is happy to alienate and aggravate both friend and fiend alike. He will endeavor to do what is least expected. He is confrontational with a touch of paranoia. He is the eternal anarchist. But like or loath him, you cannot deny his honesty and passion when it comes to Public Image Ltd. Born out of the train wreck that was the Sex Pistols, PiL eclipsed the pub rock of Steve Jones and Glen Matlock and immediately influenced the music world from their conception in 1978. |
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Supergroups - some are famous (Cream, Traveling Wilburys, Blind Faith, and more recently A Perfect Circle, Audioslave and Velvet Revolver) and some, to me, are not (has anyone heard of Tinted Windows? Go and look them up and try not to snigger at the line up). Them Crooked Vultures are, and will forever be, famous. TCV are Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme on guitar and vocals, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl back behind the drums full time for the first time since Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin bassist extraordinaire John Paul Jones. |
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The life of Brian (Warner) aka Marilyn Manson is a strange one. Is he absurd? Is he a Blaine? No, he’s the uberman, spawn of the Devil; come to Earth to impregnate ever anticipated horrors in the expectant wombs of the virgin Daughters of the American Revolution: possibly! |
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On a very cold December evening and still nursing the hangover from the night before I headed to the Birmingham O2 Academy to see one of the iconic indie bands of my youth Shed Seven. There aren't many bands still around that I was really into when I was young but these guys keep their loyal fans happy with their fairly regular Yule-tide appearances! |
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It’s strange the way things pan out sometimes. One minute you’re at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath preparing to review Black Gold and The Bookhouse Boys - Two bands I’d never heard before. But when an invite to review the gig comes from Black Gold’s PR manager, it’s rude to refuse and quite an audacious move when I discover Black Gold are the support act and not the main event. So, I’m just about to climb upstairs when my pocket starts vibrating with a message asking if I want to go and review Yeah Yeah Yeahs instead. Oh, and one more thing “They’re on in 30 minutes!” Sorry guys, I’m sure the gig rocked but come on? This is YYYS we’re talking about here… |
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I didn't go into this gig with much expectation from the recordings I had heard. From her presentation and image I got the impression of Paloma Faith as just another melodramatic pop artist like Florence and the Machine. She came across more as a graduate of performance school than a musician with heart and soul. Musically, her voice seemed to jump too eagerly on the neo Soul/Jazz bandwagon along with Winehouse, Duffy. It just goes to show; when you don't hold out much hope for a gig, it can surprise you in a big way. |
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Given the strength of the lineup this year, the Taste of Chaos is particularly tasty; four top quality bands playing a fantastic selection of metal – what more could you ask for? |
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A dreary Tuesday night in Birmingham city centre and, while thousands head towards the NIA to witness Lily Allen going through the motions, those in the know are at the Academy to witness one of the most spectacular musical groups on the planet - Rodrigo Y Gabriela. |
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This could quite possibly be one of the worst reviews you're about to read. Having been made aware of the existence of Alice In Chains a little over 15 years ago by an ex girlfriend who was going to see them. I confess to having never listened to any of their material until tonight’s gig and having Alice in Chains on as back ground music whilst penning words together for this very review.. |
