Pete and the Pirates, Duchess, 18 April 2011 - Snap review
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Oxford.
Home of the University that includes such alumni as the ever mythic Ted Hughes
and Sylvia Plath coupling, it is also the anchoring of Pete and The Pirates, a
deceptively titled bands which feature less songs about ships and more about
cats, girls and parties.
A thoroughly fantastic band, I defy anyone to hear
‘Come On Feet’ and not move. Genius.
The night magic came to York… The night started in Fulford Arms, York (one of the city’s best venues for live music) and ended in Wowtown, courtesy of Thomas Truax. I admit prior to the evening I knew little of his work, save for his reputation of inventing his own instruments. Starting with ‘Inside the Internet’, complete with dial up tones, it felt like the beginning of, what was, a very special evening. Words can’t really describe the gig in justice, but here’s a selection. There’s an incredible inventiveness about Thomas Truax that’s completely mesmerising. Sounding at times like a complete orchestra, it’s an one-man show like no other. It sounds impressive, ‘invents his own instruments’, but it’s more than just putting an extra string on a guitar (which may also be great). We’re talking hornicators, gramophones, beaters, mouthpieces from saxophones, fishing reels, a spinning jenny, just to list a few. I’m not one for superlatives, but to me, it’s complete genius. Th...
With the unexpected split of the Chapman Family, their legacy has loomed large over the last of the summer days. Haunted by every mp3 shuffle that brings back 'Kids', 'Summer Song' or 'Sound of the Radio' back to the conscious, it's like being trapped in a recurring Sandra Bollock film where the inevitable break up scene is replayed again and again. In short, it was time to get out and see some noise. Step forward the Portland Arms, one of Cambridge's premier venues featuring a beautiful array, nay cornucopia of rooms adjoined by what seems to be a striking loft extension that's had it's floor knocked through to create a space Kevin McCloud would be proud of - not least as it features it's very own painted curtains complete with plug socket. Still, in today's relentless 'X-Factor' campaign to unshackle every member of the population into thinking we too can be the next big thing, regardless of talent, teeth or dignity,...
North Tees . Stockton . Hartlepool . Darlington . Say these names, and wait for the reaction. Most people think its some kind of post-industrial backwater with nothing going for it than a parmo on a Friday night. The further down you go, the more visible people’s reactions get, horror mixed with curiosity that people still live there. Cracking sea air. Born in Stockton on Tees, fetched up in Hartlepool , I’ll be first in the line to say it can be a nightmare. A few steps in the wrong direction on West View, and you’re in a race to get out before your wheels are sold for scrap. The headlines write themselves - at least one of the towns will be held up every year for having the worst teenage pregnancy, the highest amount of drug use, the worst life expectancy, the worst/best binge drinkers, the lowest employment rate, the highest amount of council tax dodgers and state funders, the highest illiteracy rates or even the town that voted the monkey mascot as mayor. Beneath...
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