Where have all the gigs gone? It seems like everyone's playing a hundred miles away at the moment - come on bands and promoters - let's see a few more home fixtures!
Another trip up to the excellent Tardebigge venue in Redditch for their regular Thursday night showcase. First up were flute-fronted Mr-Johnson from Birmingham who describe themselves as 'urban psycho folk rock' - phew! A bit Crosby/Stills/Nash-ish for me but tuneful enough stuff generally going down well with the punters.
The Tide are mostly from Leamington - except for the drummer who's a local Redditch lad. Very much an Oasis/Stone Roses feel especially on the opening 'Turn Up The Sun'-type number - and their dedicated vocalist
(Karl) has the best set of lungs we've heard in ages. A couple more memorable numbers though and this outfit could really start shaking.
Bit of a double anniversary at the Marrs Bar in Worcester last week - 4 years since And What Will Be Left Of Them? kicked off - so plenty of party poppers, cake and balloons to go round - wahey!
It was also Meg from Kidderminster's 100th ever gig - respect to this outfit who I think are genuinely original and innovative with their own brand of experimental electro rock. Some tasty numbers also in the shape of 'Fireworks' and 'Chips' which in places sounded like a factory being demolished - great stuff!
Good to see a return to Worcester for one of AWWBLOT's regular road buddies - this time it was the tight Cardiff ska-poppers that are Spencer McGarry. A bit more facial hair than when I saw them about a year ago but they're still cranking out their own breezy good-time numbers - catchy stuff!
Great to see all of Cobweb Dilemmas in the enthusiastic crowd - no doubt appreciating the groovy new Marrs Bar light system - my pal Nick also thinks that the shelves around the walls have been widened - think we'll have a shilling on the side on that one mate
No one does good-time though better than the original clatterpoppers And What Will Be Left Of Them? Combine new numbers like 'Come With Me' with classics like 'L'Amour Violent' and this infectious bunch will get the crowd bopping every time - great party guys!
