Saturday 3rd September
After a few minor setbacks the much anticipated Sonner EP launch had finally arrived, and I was excited! The Little Room at Independent, Sunderland, was host for the night, and there was already a good crowd taking shape. First up was Fatfield-based singer/songwriter Black Goose. There was quite a bit of narration and I was a little apprehensive, as I've often witnessed solo acoustic artists struggle against such noise. But this wasn't to be the case. This guy had a really distinctive, unusual and clear vocal, which dominated the room. His second song, for me, was very reminiscent of the Joy Division classic 'Love Will Tear us Apart', a song which I happen to love. Next number 'Polka Dot' was introduced as an acoustic version of a song by the artists' former band, You and Yourself. The set was quite varied, with songs different in both tempo and beat, and boy could he play guitar.
It was now time for headliners Sonner to take the stage. Opening with new song 'Back to the Border', they soon had the up-for-it crowd onside. The band are a four piece from Sunderland and surrounding County Durham, who describe themselves as "rock and roll with heart and soul", and that comment describes their music to a tee. They then played 'The Call', the first track on their new self-titled EP. Going on to play the crowd-pleasing 'Horizon', which didn't make the final cut, much to my surprise. They went on to play another favourite of mine, 'We Go Forth Tonight', dedicating it to David Burn, former Detroit Social Club frontman and producer of the EP, who had came along on the night to catch the lads live. The brooding 'Prison Man', the second song on the EP, followed. This is my top Sonner song of choice (not least of all because it reminds me of Depeche Modes' 'Personal Jesus'). By now both audience and band were in high spirits, and singer Mick left the stage and ploughed into the crowd, causing a great stir, especially when he adopted a real rock stance and brandished his guitar above his head, whilst hammering away on the strings! It had taken a while for this night to happen, but, in the end it was well worth it. These lads have really worked hard, have some great anthemic tunes and are really entertaining. I would suggest that you buy the EP (available from http://www.amazingtunes.com/users/sonner) and try to catch them next time they play live.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Sunday 4 September 2011
Symphonic Pictures
Wednesday 10th August
I was really looking forward to this gig, as all of the artists playing I had seen before and enjoyed. First up was The Matadors, a four piece band from Newcastle. I first saw these guys supporting Detroit Social Club, at Plugged Inn earlier in the year. With an almost flamenco guitar-driven sound reminiscent of Last Shadow Puppets/Arctic Monkeys, I was reminded how much the singer sounded like Alex Turner, so much so that the second song in their set could have easily been an Arctic Monkeys tune. Although the crowd was small, the band semed to be well received. These guys don't have much between-song banter, they just dive from one song to another with a minimum of fuss. When they went into their 5th number, I was reminded of a cross between the Doors and Nick Cave, neither being a bad thing as I am a fan of both. They finished with a new one, 'Face Like Thunder' which was brilliant. Well worth checking out.
Next up was Sunderland singer/sonwriter, The Lake Poets, to whom I am no stranger. Martin opened with 'Rain' and then went on to play my favourite, 'Windowsill'. Next up was 'Friends' (about "friends who are
tossers"). Martin always likes to have a bit of banter between songs usually explaining the inspiration behind the lyrics. For the last few songs he was joined on stage by a bass player and finished with 'City By the Sea', which has become his regular set closer and always gets the audience going as it is a really catchy number.
The next act on stage was duo Gallery Circus, who I had only seen for the first time a few weeks earlier, and was I excited about seeing them again as they had totally blown me away first time around. The duo are obviously influenced by Muse, who just happen to be one of my favourite bands. When listening to Gallery Circus, it is hard to believe that there are only two of these guys. I didn't know one drum kit and one guitar could create so much beautiful noise. Launching into 'Outlaw Killer', the frontman announced that the song was due out on video soon. This song reminded me of a Darkness hit (of which the name escapes me!). These lads have great stage presence, and are fantastic showmen. I've never seen anyone take command of drums the way this drummer does, sitting at, standing up and running around his kit like a man posessed, whilst his twin brother attacks the guitar and belts out the vocals. The next song, 'Hands up for the Hipsters', was slightly different to the previous songs, with an underlying funky beat. You can check these guys out at gallerycircus.com, and I would strongly recommend that you give them a listen. Even better, catch them live.
It was now time for the headline act - Symphonic Pictures, and there was a really good crowd in the room. Two of the band are former members of the now defunct Detroit Social Club, but there is no detectable DSC influence. In fact, there sound is really psychedelic and very late era Beatles with guitarist Johnny and keyboard player Dale, sharing vocal duties. This was the third time that I had seen this band and, their number swells each time. Tonight being joined by a saxophinist, who also contributed vocals on the third song. For me, the saxophone really brought another dimension and some depth to the songs and worked well. Next they played 'Bootstrap Paradox', which has become my favourite, and could have come straight from a Beatles album. This trippy tune makes me feel like I'm on something! An imaginary, accompanying video featuring spinning psychedelic wheels goes through my mind whenever I hear it! This band is just so different from any other act around right now. Again, I can't recommend them enough.
It has to be said that, for me, this gig showcased some cracking north east talent, which seems to be flourishing and getting stronger all the time. And long may it continue.
I was really looking forward to this gig, as all of the artists playing I had seen before and enjoyed. First up was The Matadors, a four piece band from Newcastle. I first saw these guys supporting Detroit Social Club, at Plugged Inn earlier in the year. With an almost flamenco guitar-driven sound reminiscent of Last Shadow Puppets/Arctic Monkeys, I was reminded how much the singer sounded like Alex Turner, so much so that the second song in their set could have easily been an Arctic Monkeys tune. Although the crowd was small, the band semed to be well received. These guys don't have much between-song banter, they just dive from one song to another with a minimum of fuss. When they went into their 5th number, I was reminded of a cross between the Doors and Nick Cave, neither being a bad thing as I am a fan of both. They finished with a new one, 'Face Like Thunder' which was brilliant. Well worth checking out.
Next up was Sunderland singer/sonwriter, The Lake Poets, to whom I am no stranger. Martin opened with 'Rain' and then went on to play my favourite, 'Windowsill'. Next up was 'Friends' (about "friends who are
tossers"). Martin always likes to have a bit of banter between songs usually explaining the inspiration behind the lyrics. For the last few songs he was joined on stage by a bass player and finished with 'City By the Sea', which has become his regular set closer and always gets the audience going as it is a really catchy number.
The next act on stage was duo Gallery Circus, who I had only seen for the first time a few weeks earlier, and was I excited about seeing them again as they had totally blown me away first time around. The duo are obviously influenced by Muse, who just happen to be one of my favourite bands. When listening to Gallery Circus, it is hard to believe that there are only two of these guys. I didn't know one drum kit and one guitar could create so much beautiful noise. Launching into 'Outlaw Killer', the frontman announced that the song was due out on video soon. This song reminded me of a Darkness hit (of which the name escapes me!). These lads have great stage presence, and are fantastic showmen. I've never seen anyone take command of drums the way this drummer does, sitting at, standing up and running around his kit like a man posessed, whilst his twin brother attacks the guitar and belts out the vocals. The next song, 'Hands up for the Hipsters', was slightly different to the previous songs, with an underlying funky beat. You can check these guys out at gallerycircus.com, and I would strongly recommend that you give them a listen. Even better, catch them live.
It was now time for the headline act - Symphonic Pictures, and there was a really good crowd in the room. Two of the band are former members of the now defunct Detroit Social Club, but there is no detectable DSC influence. In fact, there sound is really psychedelic and very late era Beatles with guitarist Johnny and keyboard player Dale, sharing vocal duties. This was the third time that I had seen this band and, their number swells each time. Tonight being joined by a saxophinist, who also contributed vocals on the third song. For me, the saxophone really brought another dimension and some depth to the songs and worked well. Next they played 'Bootstrap Paradox', which has become my favourite, and could have come straight from a Beatles album. This trippy tune makes me feel like I'm on something! An imaginary, accompanying video featuring spinning psychedelic wheels goes through my mind whenever I hear it! This band is just so different from any other act around right now. Again, I can't recommend them enough.
It has to be said that, for me, this gig showcased some cracking north east talent, which seems to be flourishing and getting stronger all the time. And long may it continue.
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