Four young men are sat around, waiting for their headline set at Barnsley’s premier Indie Nightclub, Lucorum.They’re all smiles, and quite happy to be kept waiting for their set.
‘It’s not our first gig,’ bassist, Tom, informs.‘So it’s not like we have first night nerves or anything.’Indeed, it is not the first gig for The Northern Swagger, but it is only their second as a band.Drummer, Marc and lead singer Matt, used to be in a band with Tom, and will treat us later on to a song from their previous incarnation.New member, guitarist Dave, does look somewhat nervous.
‘Things didn’t work out for us with the last band, the sound wasn’t quite right, and we had some other issues.Matty called Dave, and as a guitarist, he’s got Swagger!’Marc informs, grinning from ear to ear.
So, it’s a totally different sound from your last band then?
‘Oh, yeah, totally.It’s fuller, somewhat heavier.Not so punky.’
Finally, the band come onto stage, at around midnight, which is a shame, as most people have by now, left.They start with The Crazy Gang, a fairly thumping Oasis-esque floor filler.They easily progress into the next tune, Fairy Tales, before asking the remaining audience triumphantly ; ‘Who’s Got Swagger?’This announced their third song for the night.
Unfortunately, the sound wasn’t quite right, and nothing could be heard of Matt’s vocals, or Dave’s lead guitar.The songs, however, sounded melodic, drawing influences from Oasis circa ’96 and Kasabian.Thumping Stone Roses style bass lines, and a slight Muse feel to the drum riffs rounded off their sound.
The band finished their 7 song set with Cast Your Problems, the sole survivor from the bands previous incarnation, before the encore Me and My Friends.
All in all, a good night, even if the band were on late, and there were issues with the sound.Who’s got swagger?You boys, I do believe.
After months of growing anticipation, the date that around 50,000 Muse fans were waiting for, was finally here.It hailed the return of the band to the UK for their much hyped European Stadium tour, Glastonbury and T in the Park, notwithstanding.
Although to be honest, if the televised Glasto and T in the Park, were anything to go by, fans would be up for a treat of some of Muse’s greatest hits, and much loved live songs.
Finally, at 8.15 precisely, the music in the cricket ground is turned off.The assembled Musers take a deep breath, and are greeted by a troupe of hooded flag bearers.Slogans such as; ‘They will not force us!’ and; ‘We’re not droplets in the ocean!’ are borne triumphantly for all to see.A flash of light from the opulent giant triangular stage, and the opening chords of Uprising, are drowned out by hysterical screams and cheers.
Matt Bellamy struts around the stage, in a silver suit, with his usual aplomb.From knee slides to high jumps, to those perfect ballerina spins.Dom Howard, is dressed in a very tight, wet look, black spiderman – thing, and Chris Wolfenstholme is resplendent in a black and white stripy suit.
A long wail from the Manson generates another ear splitting roar from the adulating crowd, as Supermasive Black Hole is announced, and the crowd, already ready for a party after waiting 10 months from the sale of the tickets, begin to bounce proper.Or should that be pwoppa?
Morgan Nicholls’ tinkering on the keys announces the next song, New Born, a staggering amount of hands with wiggling fingers appear in the air, as Matt saunters to the front to begin to bash out the heavy guitar riff on his beloved red glittery scream maker.
Map of the Problamatique , and Butterflies and Hurricanes follow next, ensuring the craziness in the crowd continue, before allowing them a brief respite during Guiding Light.Dramatically, however, Matt and Chris move slightly away from their microphones as a huge streamer and glitter filled canon goes off, and covers both the sound tower, and Dom.
The band then provide a rest for Matt’s vocals as they proceed into live favourite jam, Interlude.It doesn’t last long though, as they launch into Hysteria, again, amongst much moshing from the audience.
Finally, Matt deems it appropriate to address the gathered masses (Dom has already spent a while informing, that it has been too long), announcing a change of the website.
‘So we’ve got to change our website, I think, from muse.mu (big pause) to CitizenErazed.com.’This song was voted for by fans following a poll on the muse.mu website, hence the pun from Bellamy, and the resonant pogo’ing.
The instrumental Nishe, was next up, providing a wedge of time for the piano to be prepared for United States of Eurasia, and Feeling Good.For some reason, mass moshing took place during the piano centric Eurasia, and more appropriately, mass swaying and heartfelt bellowing for the Nina Simone cover.
Next, sees the opportunity for Dom to stretch his legs, as he joins Chris on a spaceship style platform, which rises above the crowd.They bash out MK Jam, while Matt mysteriously prowls around towards to the left of the stage before joining them, with a glow in the dark keytar for Undisclosed Desires.Dom’s drums light up, each time he bashes them, as the platform rises higher and higher.
It’s back to the main stage for Resistance, complete with Matt playing a double 12-string guitar, before the crowd pleasing and clappy Starlight.
House of the Rising Sun provides karaoke enmasse, before the thumping bass line introduction of Time is Running Out.Unfortunately, Matt doesn’t treat the Manchester faithful to his infamous shuffle.A perfectly timed circle done to the songs middle eight.
Unnatural Selection provides the end of the main set, as the band trundle off stage to chants of ‘more, more!’Ever eager to please, the trio return to play Part One of Exegenesis: Symphony (Overture), and the never ending Stockholm Syndrome, before pretending that was it for the night.Hardcore Muse fans, however, knew that there was more to come, with at least two of the live favourites left out.
True to form, they return onto the stage, after giving Matt time for a costume change.Yes, that’s right, a costume change.Not into a flowing ball gown (although that probably wouldn’t have surprised many people, knowing Bellamy’s eccentric ways), but into a video suit, that flashed red and blue.
He embarks onto the spaceship platform for a rendition of Take a Bow, and hangs around for a few moments as he plays the distinctive riff for Plug in Baby.As ever, flawlessly performed, even with the spins.Unfortunately no knee slides, but maybe he was banned from doing them because of the suit.The giant balloons join the bedlam, as tradition, for the second chorus.
Finally, the dying notes leave the mournful sound of Chris playing his harmonica.Matt, still flashing, plays around with a box.Dom has a breather.Then the howling mid west riff and feverent arm saluting welcomes the last song of the night Knights of Cydonia.The last chords simmer in the warm air, as Matt thanks the crowd, Dom informs, again, that it’s been far too long.Chris wanders up to the microphones, hesitates, gives a big double armed wave, and then wanders off, to tweet: ‘Wow, that was pretty fucking amazing.You mancs are nuts.’
So?A good gig? As Chris put it, ‘it was pretty fucking amazing.’You Devon geeks are nuts.
It’s a very wet, rainy Friday night in Barnsley, and New Dancers are headlining at Burn Down the Disco at Lucorum. It’s their first gig, and the place is packed out.
The band, meet us in high spirits, quite literally, and although are nervous, are trying to play it down by dragging us to the bar to conduct a quick pre gig interview.
‘We only formed last year, sort of October time, so this is our very first gig, although we have got quite a lot of followers.’ Joshua, the guitarist/vocalist/keys informs us with a grin and a sweeping gesture with his arm encompassing the very packed out venue. ‘Most of these are here to see us!’ He adds, the rest of the band nodding along with equally big smiles.
Rather unlike their name suggests, New Dancers are an Indie band, drawing influences from the usual suspects; Stone Roses, Oasis, Jam, Muse... Their sound is rather punkish pulling other influences such as Arctic Monkeys into the equation. Even though this is their first interview, the band are a charismatic and friendly bunch, quite happily divulging information about each other.
‘Joshua really idolizes Matt Bellamy from Muse, but has a problem in that he’s scared of glitter.’ Matt, guitarist and vocalist informs us with a cheeky grin.
‘Ha, that’s not as bad as your phobia of Pineapples.’ Joshua retaliates, ‘I chased him round Tesco for two hours with a pineapple the other week...’
Pineapples and glitter aside, the band embarks on stage for their headline set, looking nervous, but accomplished at the same time.
They launch straight into ‘Cast your Problems’, a quick paced punky effort with optimistic overtones. The rest of the set follows in the same vein, all the songs with indie guitars and drums and then husky punk vocals. The band are just as charismatic on the stage as off the stage, and have the packed venue in the palm of their hands. The next really stand out tune is ‘Eyes are Crying’, another punk venture with husky vocals akin to Alex Turner’s early days.
‘Confessions’ comes next, and then a few more punk feel tunes, until the band decide to throw in an instrumental of ‘Pjanoo’ by Eric Pridz. They end on ‘Testify’, another homage to Indie/Punk before encoring on another blistering performance of ‘Cast Your Problems’.
The bands self declaration that their music is a ‘different sort of Indie sound’ is in some doubt. That they are a talented set of musicians who play some blistering Indie Punk tunes isn’t.
All in all, a great night, a great sound and a great band. Shame about the glitter phobia.
A very cold Sunday night at the end of February is the setting for Danny Lockwood’s first ever interview. Outside in the smoking shelter at the Sun Inn in Monk Bretton, a quiet suburb of Barnsley. There is snow on the ground, but luckily the smoking shelter has a heater. Danny is pacing back and forth with a pint of Snake Bite, and puffing away on a cigarette.
‘I’m not getting my cock out, so don’t ask.’ Are the first words out of the 21 year olds mouth, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Danny, started playing instruments from the age of seven, beginning with the trumpet. He soon progressed to the guitar and then the drums, throwing in vocals whenever he can. ‘Although, my favourite instrument is sex,’ he finishes with a sly smile. ‘No seriously, I prefer the drums and singing.’
Obviously nervous, Danny is still pacing constantly, unable to answer any question without referring to sex, except when we move onto his musical influences. Lockwood’s taste is eclectic ranging from James Brown to Phil Collins, Coldplay to Dire Straits, Muse to Sublime. ‘If it’s a good song, I enjoy it’ he says simply with a shrug of his shoulders. Although, his main influence comes from his parents, his father in particular. ‘It’s just a case of enjoying yourself isn’t it? Doing something you always wanted to achieve, and having good parents who push you in the right way.’
Danny’s musical career has been peppered with success already, his last band Doric Arch, made the final of Battle of the Bands, and at the moment, although he is looking for a new band, is concentrating on writing and composing.
Interview nearly over and very nearly freezing, we head inside to play some pool. Any more answers from Danny are not forthcoming, as he bulldozes into competitive mood. ‘Boys versus girls. If we win, get yer tits out!’ Shame he’s wearing bright pink pants then isn’t it?
You can catch Danny at the Sun Inn, Monk Bretton on Saturday Nights, DJing.
OK, so I know this isn't really the place to complain about my life, which, really I'm not. I'm just going to explain how difficult this week has been for me, and why the offer I received on Monday meant so much.
I suppose, really, I need to start from Friday. I had a gig to review, which sounds makes me sound a lot cooler than I actually am. Although I have a degree in Journalism, I haven't done anything with it for a long time. Recently, a friend who's in a band, asked me to go and review their gig, just because he happened to know I still write (very) occasionally. So, on Friday night, out we pop, and review this band. Hubby kindly came to pick me up afterwards (as, let's face it, I was pretty drunk by the end of the night), and home we go.
Saturday morning started off quite badly. Whenever hubby gets up with the kids, the living is always a mess by the time I venture down. Which, on Saturday morning, wasn't that late. The morning kids cartoons were still on. Anyway, I had a moan for a few minutes, and then took some paracetamol. My mum then comes over for a couple of hours, but leaves quite hastily after I just loose my temper with hubby. I can't even remember what it was about. The day spiralled after that. I curled up on the sofa and wept. Not cried, wept.
Normally, when I'm feeling low, the kids are sort of like a safe harbour for me. They're the shining beacon to my ships stormy waters. No matter how low I am, the kids can always pull me back. I sort of hang on to their bright spots in my mind, and physically pull myself out. Not on Saturday. Even though they were coming up to me and cuddling me, I just couldn't seem to respond to them. I actually felt like my heart was breaking. As I later described it to hubby, it felt like my 'aura' had been broken into smithereens, and it physically hurt.
This lasted a couple of hours. I couldn't move, I was actually too scared to move in case I hurt someone. I curled up in a ball, and was listless. It was horrible.
I eventually came around enough to watch Strictly Come Dancing, Merlin and X Factor, and to get myself to bed. Sunday morning came around, and I didn't feel too much better, although, somehow I managed to dress, do a quick shop, and write the gig review from Friday night. I emailed it to the band, and posted it on Facebook, and promptly, forgot about it.
By Monday, I thought I was going backwards. I asked hubby to take the toddler who won't speak to grandparents for the day, and 4 year old would be going to school. I just didn't want to loose interest in them again, without anyone there to be interested in them instead. Somehow, while my daughter was here, I managed to keep myself together, occasionally checking Twitter and Facebook on my iPhone. I'd had a friend request off someone I didn't know, but after checking their profile, decided to accept it. Half an hour later, I'd had an email from this person, asking me to be the InHouse reviewer for the venue where the band had played on Friday night.
That was the confidence boost I needed. Instead of spending the rest of the day wallowing after my daughter had gone to school, I cleaned the house, and then got busy on the old tinterweb. I created my own gig review page on Facebook and Myspace. I wrote up a review of the Muse concert I went to in Manchester at the beginning of the month. I posted them all online.
Tuesday, again, I had a good day. I managed to get a thousand words of my book done, in an hour, and finished a difficult chapter. But I wasn't feeling too well. I have had a cyst on my nose for the past three years. Most of the time, it's tiny, and you can't actually see it, but over the last few days it's began to grow. It's like it's got a life of it's own. Anyway, because of where it is, which is near the bridge of my nose, I can't wear my glasses at the moment, because it hurts. So, why don't I get it removed, I hear you ask. Simple. I did try to get it removed, I got gowned up for the day surgery, until the surgeon turned round and informed me that it couldn't be done. The consultant who reffered me for surgery, had out down that my cyst was on my temple. Not the bridge of my nose. I mean, what sort of idiot doesn't know the difference between the nose, and the temple? Especially someone who is apparently medically trained.
I digress. My sinuses were also beginning to hurt a bit, and by Wednesday morning, it felt like I had full blown flu. Grandparents, again, took the toddler who won't speak, and daughter would be going to school, so I slept and watched chick flicks.
Feeling a bit better today. Have got up bright and early, and sat writing this. A bit depressing, I know, but always best to be open and honest with these things, otherwise, I'm not going to be honest about anything else on here. Have emailed my contact this morning, as there's another gig on tonight at the venue, and even though I feel like it's deepest, darkest winter because of my stuffed up sinuses, I want to write. It's what I've always wanted. I've just never made enough effort before to get my name out there and get noticed. Always made excuses.
I've tried blogging in the past, and never really got anywhere. And then twitter came along. And I tweet, my how I tweet.
A couple of months ago, I quit work, thinking it would be a good idea at the time. Hubby was at a good , fairly well paid, job. We were also moving house, and as the summer holidays were coming up, I thought it would be a good time to quit my hated job, and spend quality time with the kids, getting them settled into the new house, as well as spend some quality time writing my book.
Unfortunately, the day before we were due to move, hubby lost his good, fairly well paid job, and we were officially skint. A very difficult summer ensued, arguments, paranoia, stress and lack of money sum it up particularly well.Although, I'm not here to dwell on that! No, I'm here to blog how mad my life is, now hubby is working again. Albeit a crappy, low paid job with very long hours, but it's a job.
So, my mad life. I sum myself up as an overweight, struggling writer and struggling mum of two slightly bonkers children. My oldest is currently four years old, and she is going to start school full time in January. I am counting down the days. My youngest, is a two year old boy, who refuses to speak, unless it's 'no', 'milk' or 'bubbles'. Instead he just points and grunts, and gets extremely frustrated when you don't quite get what he wants right. Don't get me wrong. I don't run around like a headless chicken after him, I speak to him, but he still won't talk. The fact that he understands every word we say to him, makes it just as frustrating for us. If not more.
The writing. Well, due to the long hours my hubby works, (10 hrs a day, four days a week, with at least an hour of travelling every day), means that I can only get to the laptop at the weekends. Or when the kids are asleep. Unfortunately, when I think I have got them settled, open the laptop and start to write, a crisis happens, and I have to go and settle them again, and again and again.
Weight wise, I know I am overweight, although I am probably not that bad. Everyone says; 'well, you've had two children...' Yeah, and I know a lot of people who have had more than two babies, and are in a lot better shape than I am. I've taken to going for a walk around the block a few times, hopefully letting it rise up to a jog. But again, I'm restricted by the hubby's long hours, and the two crazy kids. At the moment I probably weigh about 13 stone, and that's way too heavy for my height.
My major problem is what I eat. If I'm too busy to eat something proper, I'll just grab a packet of crisps. Or two, or three... I do cook proper meals for my family, and I'm not a bad cook, but I just won't eat it. Considering how little I eat (the crisps aside, and they're not everyday), you'd think I would loose the weight, but then again, I don't get the exercise. Gah, viscious circle!
So, no more excuses. This will be a regular, and truthful blog of how I'm getting on. If I blog, then I'm more likely to want to succeed. The other day, I got over a thousand words written because I had Twitter as a bragging station.
I am also a music journalist, although I haven't really been active since I graduated from Uni. Recently, though, a friend asked me to review a gig of theirs, and because I somehow managed to do the write up a couple of days later, he opened some new doors for me. This pushed up my flagging confidence somewhat, and made me decide to get up, and get on. Hence this mad blog.
Hope you enjoy it my sometimes random musings, and how I manage over the next few months!
(ps the picture is to demonstrate how overweight I am. I'm the one with the double chins... UGH!)
