Tag Archives: clubs

04.04.15
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Things I have been doing

It is true. I’ve been a rubbish blogger recently. I could explain via a schedule of excuse. Some readers might sympathise.

 I’VE BEEN FUCKING BUSY. 

 A couple of weeks ago now, I caught a fine set by Sleaford Mods which I (eventually) reviewed for eGigs.co.uk here. Their sweary rants really did impress me. 

 

 

The support band for the night, Purple, also marked themselves out as ones to watch. The next day I was, eating a sandwich, on my way to a work meeting in Warwick, when the three members of Purple walked by. I chose not to distract them from their sightseeing by saying something like, “You were great in Leicester last night”. I regret that a bit now.

 

 

I’ve also had my first review published here in the Leicester Mercury. There’s a real challenge in writing a 300 word live review but I tried my best to sum up the fine night at “Watch This Space” with up and coming Leicester band, Clubs. I knew I’d like them since seeing them at Liverpool Sound City last year and they didn’t disappoint. 

 

 

Lucy Rose did a ‘really smelly fart’ live on stage at the Nottingham Bodega. I’ve got notes about that night and I’ll write them up in good time. I also popped into the Maverick festival launch party when in London. In a basement beneath the Gibson Guitar shop, I was treated to free ciders and duck wraps whilst watching a selection of live acts from the festival. Dayna Kurtz really caught the eye with her mournful country from the soul and I’m sure I’ll feature her on Sonic Breakfast before this year is out. 

 

 

Tonight, I’m back at the Musician for the Original Bands Showcase callbacks. There’s seven bands on the line up and most will be new to me on account of being otherwise engaged for many of the heats this year. Later this week, the excellent Tuff Love play the Musician and I plan to be there for that – and then next week, Sinkane will be doing a very rare show outside of London. Not to be missed. 

 

 

 

I do promise that normal Sonic Breakfast coverage will resume soon though. 

05.02.14
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Liverpool Sound City – Breakfast Monkey

So, I’ve arrived in Liverpool. It’s much how I remember it.

Yesterday was a fine day. I had free beer and free Falafel. I wandered into venues I’d not been into last year. There is still much to see.

Whilst having a free beer (paid for with a piece of jigsaw) I got talking to the most wide-eyed and charming band ever. Breakfast Monkey brought seven promotional CD’s to a networking event. Here’s a band with no press pack and no staged pics. Breakfast Monkey were asked to pitch their band in  30 seconds by senior promoters and festival organisers – and beautifully, they struggled to do so.

Instead, they waffled. And they enthused. They didn’t have a clue about the ‘people’ they might meet at Liverpool Sound City. That’s not to say they didn’t care. They were attentively taking on board advice from everybody who cared to offer it. They are all based in Liverpool at University.

Breakfast Monkey are playing Sound City at half past nine on Saturday in Sound Food and Drink. Clubs from Leicester play the same venue earlier in the day. The story they tell about how they were chosen to play is as charming as the band. They played a gig at which somebody from Sound City was present. That person came up to them at the end of the gig and said they wanted them to play the festival. Breakfast Monkey heard nothing for months until an E-Mail arrived in their inbox confirming the Sound Food And Drink gig. Simples..

Those people from Sound City are no fools. They know a good live act when they see one so I’d suggest that Breakfast Monkey’s understated confidence is misplaced.

Amongst acts who are desperately attempting to get profile through elaborate social media stunts, this morning I give you the simple, uncomplicated approach. This is rock rap. This is a Breakfast Monkey. 

 

 

 

04.30.14
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Liverpool Sound City – Clubs

I’m running out of days to preview the great acts that are going to be playing Liverpool Sound City this year (the brilliant Kagoule are getting Radio One airplay this week so their stock is rising) – but it’d be wrong to get on my train tomorrow from Leicester having not mentioned THE Leicester based band that are on the bill.

I have to make a terrible confession. Although Clubs have been making considerable noise around these parts, I’ve yet to catch one of their live shows. Friends who have touched upon their considerable power tell me that I’m a fool for doing so.

Subscribing to the google game of awkward searches discussed when I profiled Movie, I’m aware of previous incarnations of Clubs. I understand the sound is different now with an increased pop sensibility replacing the more angular guitars of Panda Youth but even a casual gig goer could have seen that in lead singer, CJ Pandit, here’s a band that would turn heads.

They seem to delight in projecting a mysterious presence. Other acts listed to play this weekend provide complicated press releases detailing what their Grandparents like for breakfast (mostly porridge) whereas Clubs simply say ‘Progressive: Patience Is A Virtue.’ And their Soundcloud account isn’t cluttered with remixes or tracks released 5 years ago that give no indication of what we’re about to see. Instead, we just get this one track, Bleed. ‘Heavy pop’, they describe it as and they’re not wrong. It’s a fine tune with which to beckon in these longer daylight hours. It pop peppered with pollen. Full of muggy, fuzzy warmth, it could provide us with this Summer’s soundtrack… And there’s more to come.

 

 

Clubs play ‘Sound Food And Drink’ at half past 6 on Saturday evening. If this is your first opportunity to see them, take it.