Let’s face it, whatever some people say about the ska genre, it’s definitely not dead in the local and neighbouring scenes, Minimal Damage played the Sno Bar not too long ago and shown that Bedford has a similar love for the offbeat as some of us do. One of the things that the band have and put to good use is their horn section and it hits you pretty much straight away. With a hooky passage that drives the opening of “Writer’s Block” with a good blast that wakes you up when you start the Cd, it’s one of the strongest entrances we’ve heard on a ska Ep.
Folk on the Green was pretty fair this year with all the usual and more established names playing during the day. But there was one band that was a bit new, the semi-local Hidden Image who have some roots in our very own Stony Stratford, they also had some Ep material available, including their latest works on “This Beaten Track” a three track Ep to chill out to. Going into the CD, we’re introduced to a very simple melody that glistens into the first first few bars, “Something Is Broken” has a bit of a poppy and somewhat distended feel to it.
It seems that I’ve been missing something recently, because the Crauford is also used by the people of Annotazioni for monthly gigs, something I should really be aware about. Still, Saturday brings about one of their gigs featuring a range of artists and by the looks of the equipment (and fairly large stage) on hand, this is one promoter that doesn’t do things by halves. Being a fairly new promoter on the scene, they’re hard for me to resist checking out, but it seems the are pretty capable.
In the past weeks I caught the guys of Envision in action at the County Arms. Not only were they supplying a live set, but their new Ep, “Raise The Anchor”, was available. Recorded with the help of Fell Silent’s John Browne, it should be a good pairing to get the best out of the band’s sound. Of course, that sound being an exercise in complicated, organic and dark hardcore that definitely has it’s own vibes and definitely warrants some checking out, even if you aren’t into this particular genre off heavy, dark mathematicals…
It’s been moved around, had it’s ups and downs and a fair share of local talent and upcoming acts (Brigade anyone?), but Underpass is still around and still putting on gigs in Wolverton, albeit under the roof of the Crauford Arms now. It’s Underpass Promotions birthday and there’s an all-dayer to celebrate, the sun is shining so the good weather, cold beer and loud music should make as good a combination as they always do.
It’s been, promised, cancelled, put-off, moved and put on again, but it’s finally here! After supplying ska to the masses and pretty much putting Milton Keynes on the map for around a decade, it’s the final gig and there’s fans old and (fairly) new filling out the Pitz hall. But you shouldn’t be fooled by the amount of people here, this is an intimate gig first and foremost, no big introductions to derive from the moment.
Seethe @ The County Arms
06/06/08
Some of the more old-school fans amongst you may remember a certain band with a penchant for particularly wild hardcore gigs, Seethe have returned with a new vocalist, some new tracks and looking very raring to get back on track. “How the f*** are we doing?” shouts Gary, giving the room a call to arms and breaking into a set, “Means To An End” driving the middle of the crowd into the beginning of a mosh pit.
Envision @ The County Arms
06/06/08
A bit of a change from the standard metal earlier in the night (and a bit of a warm up before Seethe), Envision take up the Apt stage with a biomechanical breed of experimental rock, these gents don’t abide by the normal musical rules, instead there’s a lot of excess in every corner, two guitars churning out intricate or heavy lines whilst two screamers make for even more of an overload.
Abadden @ The County Arms
06/06/08
This Friday seems to be a bit of a metal/hardcore night over at the county arms, Abbaden are heading up the night and giving off different signals, the way they dress, act and play could all be put under the “hair metal”, they have a comfortable swagger and are hardly static along with a penchant for letting rip with some very rapid lead lines, they are essentially very, very good at what they do, the problem is that what they play is a little convoluted.
The Modus Vivendi @ The Pitz
31/05/08
The Modus Vivendi make a return to the Pitz and get straight into some of their new material that they’ve been busy at work on for the early parts of this year. The new tracks seems a bit more out there and even more on the progressive side than before, but still fitting in with the overall kitsch sound of moogy bass and jagged peaks of duelling guitars coupled with some manic percussion.
