The Black Keys, The Bournemouth O2 Academy, A couple of weeks ago...
An old opera house, human beings of all ages and races all packed into the adorable venue that is The Bournemouth O2 Academy, to witness the pair from Akron Ohio; The Black Keys!
With not a Fender or a Gibson or even a bass player for the most part in sight, The Black Keys aren't perhaps you're traditional blues house-hold name band. But they damn well should be! The first track by the Black Keys I ever heard was 'Girl Is On My Mind' from The Rubber Factory album, I was shocked to find out that it was just two guys making such an epic sound! I was immediately hooked, so I went out and bought a couple of their records and after hearing nothing but great gig reviews, I felt compelled to see them live,and I'm still hyped on the band as I was when I heard that one track.
As soon as Patrick Carney and the sexy beast that is Dan Auberach walked onto the stage, no less than a couple metres away from me, I was not aware of the raw energy and just sheer brilliance myself and the sold out audience were about to witness, first hand! Opening with a blistering 'Thickfreakness' they played everything from 'The Breaks' to 'Stackshotbilly' to 'Sinister Kid' to 'Strange Times' and many others which I believe to be classic blues/rock songs, successfully covering their excellent back catalogue. Also bringing on a bass player and keyboardist to play on the tracks from their critically acclaimed 'Brothers' album, was a great touch. They finished with fabulous 'I Got Mine' and I was just their, shocked, that I had just witnessed the best gig I've ever been too!
I've never said that I've lost faith in music, but if I had, then by golly they are my saviours!
My Name's Sam Hughes And That's The Way It Is!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Hello Cleveland! Hello Cleveland!
The Gryphon School Battle Of The Bands 5/11/2010
Remember remember the fifth of November, and I'm sure I will always remember this years! No, I'm not talking about bonfire tonight- I'm talking about Battle Of The Bands!
The time was around 7:24, only around 30 people in attendance, no long hair in sight, but Superdry beanies, Nike 6.0s, skinny jeans and short hair, yes I'm talking about the feeble race that is teenagers!
Band Number One: The Hot Rods
With the now 'legendary' thanks to the blog, Jonny Morgan on lead guitar and vocals, myself on the bass and my brother Jacob on the drums. We had the daunting task of opening, which as some of you may agree is often a bad thing. None the less, we started out with ZZ Top's 'Gimmie All Your Lovin'' which to my surprise no one really knew, if they didn't know this,then I wonder how they would know Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues' needless to say- they did not. I believe we gave a very enjoyable opening act. Although sadly, we didn't make it to the next round. However, it was just a 'one off' for us!
Photos courtesy of Tom 'Bashful' Brown
Band Number Two:Unzipped
It was this bands first appearance at the Battle Of Bands. They may be year 8s but they gave a good show. They played 'Sweet Child O' Mine' first, now, although I cannot stand that song and every time I hear it I want to rip my any part of my body off just so I can use it as a weapon to make the music stop, the crowd did enjoy it! The next song they played, I wasn't familiar with, although did seem to please the crowd. Highlight for me was Harry Clark's voice, very very good! Sadly, they didn't get through as well.
Band Number Three: China White
Now, they have been together on and off for a while now, yet they seem to get better every single time! They played a song by Muse (which I don't know- Damn modern music!) and another which I cannot remember;sorry! Yet the amazing bass work of Will Ellis coupled with the soaring vocals and guitar from Joe Ferdinand and superb drum work from Aaron House, they were through to the next round! Although they didn't make it to the final, they placed everything from to The Killer's 'All these things that I've done' to Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and seemed to satisfy every ones music taste one way or another.
Band Number Four: Popeye And The Pixies
I don't want to sound biased, here but I am this band No.1 fan as I even do their sound at gigs, but they blummin' fantastic! Playing a fair share of modern contemporary music and even there own song 'Microphone Hiccup' they gave one of their most energetic and exciting gigs to date, making it all the way to the final!
www.myspace.com/Popeyeandthepixies
Photos Courtesy Of Tom 'Bashful' Brown
Yes, that handsome devil is me!
Photos Courtesy of Robyn 'Where the hell is Megan!' Pitts
Band Number Five: The Roadhouse Trio
Your winners ladies and gents, with repertoire of three, yes three, Hendrix songs, plus a Robert Johnson song et al, they weren't exacly commercialy savy, but sure could they play! We didn't experience Morgans trade mark solos, but also Mr. Jake Hitch on his fish that is his bass, but also 2X winner of Battle Of The Band, Pete Keys. Well done lads and great show!
Photos Courtesy of Tom 'Bashful' Brown
Overall, a fantastic evening, and if you missed out, it's your fault, but there is always next year...
I personaly got up to a spot of dancing myself....
My Name's Sam Hughes And That's The Way It Is!
Remember remember the fifth of November, and I'm sure I will always remember this years! No, I'm not talking about bonfire tonight- I'm talking about Battle Of The Bands!
The time was around 7:24, only around 30 people in attendance, no long hair in sight, but Superdry beanies, Nike 6.0s, skinny jeans and short hair, yes I'm talking about the feeble race that is teenagers!
Band Number One: The Hot Rods
With the now 'legendary' thanks to the blog, Jonny Morgan on lead guitar and vocals, myself on the bass and my brother Jacob on the drums. We had the daunting task of opening, which as some of you may agree is often a bad thing. None the less, we started out with ZZ Top's 'Gimmie All Your Lovin'' which to my surprise no one really knew, if they didn't know this,then I wonder how they would know Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues' needless to say- they did not. I believe we gave a very enjoyable opening act. Although sadly, we didn't make it to the next round. However, it was just a 'one off' for us!
Photos courtesy of Tom 'Bashful' Brown
Band Number Two:Unzipped
It was this bands first appearance at the Battle Of Bands. They may be year 8s but they gave a good show. They played 'Sweet Child O' Mine' first, now, although I cannot stand that song and every time I hear it I want to rip my any part of my body off just so I can use it as a weapon to make the music stop, the crowd did enjoy it! The next song they played, I wasn't familiar with, although did seem to please the crowd. Highlight for me was Harry Clark's voice, very very good! Sadly, they didn't get through as well.
Band Number Three: China White
Now, they have been together on and off for a while now, yet they seem to get better every single time! They played a song by Muse (which I don't know- Damn modern music!) and another which I cannot remember;sorry! Yet the amazing bass work of Will Ellis coupled with the soaring vocals and guitar from Joe Ferdinand and superb drum work from Aaron House, they were through to the next round! Although they didn't make it to the final, they placed everything from to The Killer's 'All these things that I've done' to Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and seemed to satisfy every ones music taste one way or another.
Band Number Four: Popeye And The Pixies
I don't want to sound biased, here but I am this band No.1 fan as I even do their sound at gigs, but they blummin' fantastic! Playing a fair share of modern contemporary music and even there own song 'Microphone Hiccup' they gave one of their most energetic and exciting gigs to date, making it all the way to the final!
www.myspace.com/Popeyeandthepixies
Photos Courtesy Of Tom 'Bashful' Brown
Yes, that handsome devil is me!
Photos Courtesy of Robyn 'Where the hell is Megan!' Pitts
Band Number Five: The Roadhouse Trio
Your winners ladies and gents, with repertoire of three, yes three, Hendrix songs, plus a Robert Johnson song et al, they weren't exacly commercialy savy, but sure could they play! We didn't experience Morgans trade mark solos, but also Mr. Jake Hitch on his fish that is his bass, but also 2X winner of Battle Of The Band, Pete Keys. Well done lads and great show!
Photos Courtesy of Tom 'Bashful' BrownOverall, a fantastic evening, and if you missed out, it's your fault, but there is always next year...
I personaly got up to a spot of dancing myself....
My Name's Sam Hughes And That's The Way It Is!
Hello Cleveland! Hello Cleveland!
Walter Trout Chhese and Grain 23/10/2010
If you like you like your rock bluesy and your blues blistering; if you like standing, arms crossed, in a large barn in Somerset, with middle-aged balding men in frighteningly tight leather outfits which should have been donated to charity years ago-then an evening with Walter Trout would be just your cup of tea.
Although Trout’s of the same vintage as Clapton, Beck, Page, Moore et al, he can easily be overlooked by audiences outside the blues world. However, as a true “guitarists’ guitarist,” Trout always delivers – with his trademark speed and aggression. Plus, after 20 years of relentless touring since leaving John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Walter shows no signs of slowing down.
OK, his set could stand a little more variety (Acoustic guitar? Slide? Harp?) – and yes, some might think basically one guitar – with one tone – for two hours might get bit wearing, but hey, judging from the crowd’s reaction, it seems like mission accomplished for Walter and his excellent if odd-looking band.
This current tour is to support WT’s latest offering, “Common Ground” – but the set list suggests Walter plays what he likes – when he likes…which is fine by me.
Some would give Trout “Guitar-God” status – yet he’s clearly happy to chat after the show, brushing aside a flood of compliments with no trace of ego…unlike some I could mention!
My Name's Sam Hughes And That's The Way It Is!
If you like you like your rock bluesy and your blues blistering; if you like standing, arms crossed, in a large barn in Somerset, with middle-aged balding men in frighteningly tight leather outfits which should have been donated to charity years ago-then an evening with Walter Trout would be just your cup of tea.
Although Trout’s of the same vintage as Clapton, Beck, Page, Moore et al, he can easily be overlooked by audiences outside the blues world. However, as a true “guitarists’ guitarist,” Trout always delivers – with his trademark speed and aggression. Plus, after 20 years of relentless touring since leaving John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Walter shows no signs of slowing down.
OK, his set could stand a little more variety (Acoustic guitar? Slide? Harp?) – and yes, some might think basically one guitar – with one tone – for two hours might get bit wearing, but hey, judging from the crowd’s reaction, it seems like mission accomplished for Walter and his excellent if odd-looking band.
This current tour is to support WT’s latest offering, “Common Ground” – but the set list suggests Walter plays what he likes – when he likes…which is fine by me.
Some would give Trout “Guitar-God” status – yet he’s clearly happy to chat after the show, brushing aside a flood of compliments with no trace of ego…unlike some I could mention!
My Name's Sam Hughes And That's The Way It Is!
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