Worcester Music Forum

The Llama Lounge Saturday 18 April 2009.

Fellfield.

I'd seen Fellfield/Sam Eden on a number of occasions by now but tonight they were a 5 piece band and were already on excellent form when they did a brilliant cover of Hurt

Lots of bands have a number of people singing at the same time but tonight on the soaring section of the song there were some true harmonies in there with Si and Sam blending perfectly, this was one of those magical musical moments.

In true Commitments like story line they go and do a poorly organized event on Saturday 16 May at the Marrs Bar where the previous bands just seem to play as long as they want to, therefore the acts before over run leaving the lights and sound to be pulled halfway through the Fellfield set and the band splits afterwards amid acrimony and to this day they have not reformed love Footsteps by the way!

Cripplegate Park Minifest, Saturday 27 June 2009

Lewis Spelt Backwards

This really shouldn't have been a natural audience for Lewis as his material is usually very adult orientated and this was a younger teenage audience enjoying a day in the park.

However his humour and personality soon won them over and there was a memorable scene at the end when with the loops running he is running around the audience and then go-go dancing on a tree stump, very funny and very entertaining!

The Bigge Venue, Redditch, Thursday 02 July 2009

Absolute Ataxia

In the summer of 2009 there was one (only one!) truly hot summers day and this was it and Absolute Ataxia were on fire!

This was a slow burner of a set but the groove and momentum were irresistible and the guitar work for me was at times outstanding and by the end of the first few songs you couldnt help but get carried along by this first rate rock outfit.

The Marrs Bar, Saturday 18 July 2009.

Damo Suzuki, Dudes Of Neptune, Narcoleptic Penguin.

I went to this gig not expecting miracles as I'd already been told that the legendary Can front man would not be playing any Can songs, so no 'Mother Sky' or 'Oh Yeah' then and that he would instead be doing an improvised jam with some invited Worcester musicians, so it all pointed to a potential hit or miss affair.

So Damo starts singing or more like channeling something from another cosmic plane and the Dudes Of Neptune take his lead and soon start to pick out an impeccable groove, then it really starts to lift off with some fantastic drumming from Ed Steelefox who truly looks possessed by now and the music is really flying now but new people join in and it just gets better and better.

First Johnj does some lovely electric violin work over the top of this and he is quickly joined by Craigus on Theremin (the most cosmic instrument ever invented), a kids ray gun and even more bizarrely a FURBY, yes that talking toy from the nineties and it works! By now we are in in Psych territory with some lovely work from the Dudes and Damo is giving it everything but there is more!By this point the jam is probably half an hour in and the Narcoleptic Penguins (If Carlsberg were naming a band this is what they'd be called!) and their ranks of percussionists line up in front of the stage and take the music to a higher level still, they are beating their instruments to within an inch of their lives but not in anger but in joy with beaming smiles and laughter.

After about an hour it is over, the Shaman that was Damo is now a mere mortal, drained and dripping and he gives each of the band a heartfelt hug and he must be thinking that this was a great gig and the audience are still cheering.

AsI leave the venue into the pleasant summer evening air I am still buzzing and 3 words keep going through my mind as I am trying to come to terms on what I had just witnessed...Outstanding...Inspired...Joyous.....

The Marrs Bar, Saturday 22 August 2009

AWWBLOT, The Donns

Why is it that nearly all the best bands I have seen this year have split, my theory is that they know they should have made it but the frustration of todays music industry saps the life from them. I had not seen or knew anything about these acts tonight we were just taking in lots of gigs as part of the Worcester Music festival.

Both these acts put on a helluva show and the audience reaction was fantastic and I was particularly struck with the energy of Heather Wilson.

These were the last performances from both these bands so farewell and good luck with your new ventures.....

The Marrs Bar, Friday 18 September 2009

Crazy Mobos Nomad 67, The Atats

A memorial gig to celebrate the life of Alessio Adorissio who died in a car crash earlier this year and there was a fantastic line up for this gig but these three acts really won me over on this evening.

The Crazy Mobos are one of the most original acts I have seen with 3 singers, a very funky sound and an incredibly catchy tune Cinnamon Flavour(?), Nomad 67 did a couple of great covers with fantastic energy and aggression while the Atats did a storming set of some very catchy Britpop originals, overall a very high quality evening of music.

Worcester Arts Workshop, Saturday 17 October 2009, Glamour Llama Lounge.

Scarlet Carmina

After a very enjoyable evening of great music, Scarlet Carmina rocked the crowd with a real rock show with Albie doing Axl Rose type poses and proving himself to be a top quality front man when working the crowd and some fine guitar licks from Tommy C and a good time was had by all especially the College kids in the mosh pit!

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