Great to see that the local authorities are getting their priorities right and putting our money to good use - I'm talking of course about Worcestershire County Council's Art Education project to promote rock music in schools and coordinating an 'exchange scheme' of local bands with those in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany - now this is what the European Treaty should be about!
Mover and shaker is the enthusiastic Fred Mallinson who I met earlier this week at the Marrs Bar in Worcester on one of the three gigs of a mini-tour featuring local up-and-coming bands, two bands from Holland and a variety of school based outfits. The school bands kicked off quite early in the evening so I'll be looking out for The Griffs (Tenbury), Grasping Mexico (Worcester) and Tainted Disgrace (Redditch) another time hopefully.
First of the Dutch bands were Locomotiv Kollectiv who'd had their Iranian-born frontman refused entry by immigration - shame really as this was a tight stoner-blues outfit who'd go down a treat at most metal venues. Next up were fellow Maastricht-ians The Holy Stoned whose touch formulaic metal was enlivened by some classy slide guitar work - why don't we hear more of this? Wish I'd worn my Vennegoor Of Hesselink shirt now
Great to meet up with Dave, Jamey and Jesse of local soon-to-be monster outfit Aura - also on the mini-tour but not on tonight's bill though - shame! They're already booked for the Download Festival - more to follow I expect. Also bumped into JonJo of Meteor Street who I'm already predicting big things for this year
Accompanying Aura on the European leg of the exchange in February were Bewdley-boys Amoeba - sounding like a breezy cross between Brandon Steep and Dandelion Killers to my ears. Tidy set with new single 'Wait' a classy sounder - but you've just got to drop 'that' other number - you know the one I mean guys!
