Future of The left

Headliner: Future of the Left

Venue: Bodega Social Club Nottingham

Date: 08 Nov 2013

Support: The Wytches

Future of Left have to be one of the most underrated bands around with some of the quirkiest, intelligent lyrics you are ever likely to hear and after the genius of their latest album I couldn't wait to see them again.

First up tonight was a band called The Wytches.  I first saw these at Tramlines 2013 in Sheffield and they were on my to watch list so I was delighted to see they were supporting future of the left.

They didn't disappoint either the sound they produce is immense so of the noise coming from the guitar was insane, they may only be a three piece band but they have a sound far bigger than that.

Time for Future of the Left what can you say immense sound, brilliant lyrics, one of the best live bands around, throw in a couple of old Mclusky songs and well you have a great gig nothing else to say really...  well except for the fact they didn't do one of my favourite songs of the new album I mean who wouldn't want to watch a TV Show on the MTV where Kim Kardashian is chased through the woodland by a giant bear wearing a mask that carries the visage of the recently deceased film director Michael Winner?  I mean it's not the bears fault he doesn't qualify for a workplace pension and is angry at Daniel Day Lewis for what he perceives as the lack of action in there will be blood.

Deap Vally

Headliner: Deap Vally
Venue: Rock City Basement
Date: Monday 4 November 2013
Support Acts: Offshore Rivers, Skaters NYC

I first saw Deap Vally in September 2012 upstairs in the Rescue Rooms with about 100 other people, without knowing to much about them they kind of blew me away with the music.  Since then I have seen them already this year and tonight would be another opportunity.

First up tonight was a band called offshore rivers, never heard of them before and to be honest they were pretty boring and didn't really fit the evening with their kind of bland rock with the singer seemingly alternating  between Bob Dylan and Liam Gallagher impressions.  Not that memorable and easily forgotten.

Next up Skaters NYC I was going to go and see these at the Bodega in August but in the end didn't bother they play a kind of Strokes esq indie rock and were pretty good I enjoyed their set especially after the first band although I which they went a bit heavier sometimes.

Time for Deap Vally, 2013 has been a great year for Deap Vally with them seemingly breaking though, releasing a debut album and relentless touring all over the world,they never seem to be not on the road.

The crowd was somewhat bigger than the first time I saw them and they came one and played a blinding set. Something I love about 2 piece bands no messing about, just straight to the point.

Deap Vally continue to grow and so do their audiences as they build on their reputation as a great live band. In my opinion they deserve some time off to plan the next level and get some more songs down, even though the album came out in the middle of the year all the songs seem far to familiar.

Ghostpoet

Headliner: Ghostpoet
Date: 18 October 2013
Venue: Bodega Social Club Nottingham
Support: Mt Wolf

So this would be my second time seeing Ghostpoet this year after the record store day launch party.

One thing you can always guarantee about the Bodega Social Club is they NEVER open the doors at the stated which does trigger the OCD about punctuality in me....  While in the queue I did have to chuckle when   a lad in front was on about seeing Ghostpoet at the Queens Social Club in Sheffield which he described as being "a little smaller than the Bodega" He obviously hasn't been because it's like Wembley stadium compared to the Bodega.

Anyway first up tonight was Mt Wolf, over the past few years music with really big, strong female vocals has become popular think Florence... who I can't stand or more recently London Grammar... who I really am not sure about, I kind of like the music but like by vocals a little more mellow. Mt Wolf follow this theme strong vocals over mellow beats and to be honest I'm not sure I get it all the time. I kind of prefer softer vocals think Marina Topley-Bird on Teardrop by Massive Attack.

Next up Ghostpoet, After seeing Letlive on Monday to Ghostpoet on Friday that is probably about as polar opposite as you are going to get, no crazy crowd surfing or balcony jumping tonight just a collection of chilled out beats and mellow rhymes, while subdued the crowd were appreciative especially towards Survive it singing along to the chorus and cash and carry me home.

Letlive

Headliner: Letlive
Date: 14 October 2013
Venue: Rescue Rooms Nottingham
Support: The American Scene, Night Verses

So once again due to some venues need to take money from drunk students wanting to get obliterated on a Monday Evening after a hard days study, it was another early doors, early finish effort.  As a result after finishing work  and driving over to Nottingham it was to late to see the first band The American Scene.

Next up were Night Verses, I must admit I knew nothing about them before tonight and I seemed to be the only one at points with the crowd singing along, If I was to describe the sound Deftones Esq would be a start  a big powerful sound, with mellow vocals but with the ability to mix it up.  I really enjoyed their set.

Time for the Headliners Letlive.  Their latest release The Blackest Beautiful has been one of my musical highlights of the year Fast, Brutal, Slow, Soulful a stunning piece of work so I was looking forward to the show.

And Letlive didn't disappoint absolute carnage bodies everywhere including that of lead singer Jason Butler who at one point after joining the crowd decided to do this...

Climbing up the back of the venue and walking himself around the balcony and then positioning himself to jump into the waiting crowd.

Letlive were absolutely stunning ending the performance with an encore of the first 3 tracks of Fake History with an amazing version of Renegade 86 to finish things off.

Some bands flourish in the live arena and some hide.  Letlive put it all on the line and are simply amazing.

65daysofstatic

Headliner: 65daysofstatic
Venue: Rescue Rooms Nottingham
Date: 24 Sep 2013
Support: The Physics House Band, Sleepmakeswaves

Tonight it was 65daysofstatic now what do you describe them as Post Rock, Instrumental, math rock or just simply a post rock industrial math rock band.  What ever genre it is some of these bands like explosions in the sky, mogwai etc are massively underrated creating some immense soundscapes with amazing highs and lows in the same song epic stuff.

I don't mind an early curfew on a week night at my age but the one down point to this is that after finishing work, grabbing something to eat and driving over to Nottingham it's often the case that you miss the first support band, arriving at the venue at 19.45 the first band of the night The Physics House Band had been and gone and I missed all their set.

Next up was a band called sleepmakeswaves an Australian post rock band, the first thing that struck me was the bass played with his bald head and big ginger beard looked like the bloke from the guess who game!

Anyway their set was epic and almost destroyed me, dream like soundscapes intertwined with chaos mind blowing stuff, music that sucks you and transports you to another place WOW!

Next up 65daysofstaic I have seen these a few times before but this was the first actual club show and the last time was in a museum! see tramlines post.

Anyway they came on and did what they do best and played for about 80mins before they had to finish up and let the students in.

Most people get put off my instrumental music or post rock music but once you give in it's such a rewarding experience especially live

Walking back to the car you could tell it was student night as we walked past about 4 Romans dressed in togas, a few men in drag and a man dressed as a penguin.... made me look the weird one in my traditional outfit of jeans and a check shirt.

The Front Bottoms

Headliner: The Front Bottoms
Venue: Bodega Social Club Nottingham
Date: 20 Sep 2013
Support: Shankland, Alsion Weiss

So its been a while but plenty of gigs coming up in the next few months but it was of to see The Front Bottoms at the Bodega in Nottingham.

First up tonight was Shankland playing solo acoustic music I have seen him before at one of my least favourite venues The Maze where he seems to be "local" in the league of gentlemen sense. He's ok but not brilliant.

Next up Alison Weiss an artist from New York again playing solo with a guitar I liked her the music and it was backed up with some nice interaction and stories, not totally my style of music and would I go searching out here music in the future? probably not but I enjoyed her set.

The Headliner for the night was The Front Bottoms from New Jersey touring their latest album Talon of the Hawk which I really enjoyed and was in fact their fourth album.

I'm not really sure how you can describe The Front bottoms part Blink 182, part Pavement, part like nothing else. Quirky indie pop punk I guess.

I was really impressed with the crowd they new all the words and were singing along and having a really good time a little bit of crowd surfing and all that.

The Front Bottoms blasted through an hour long set with no time for an encore at the end of the set the crowd were desperate for one more song but alas due to the venue wanting to take the money off a load of drunk students for a Friday night club night the sound man became the most hated man in the venue by denying this request.

Chris Murray The Maze

Headliner: Chris Murray

Venue: The Maze Nottingham

Date: 16 August 2013

Support acts: Nadia Latoya, stuck in 2nd, Ashmore, project o'kane

So another gig this time Chris Murray, a legend in the ska scene and probably the best in the business when it comes acoustic ska to get you bouncing.

This gig was at the maze in Nottingham a venue I have been to a few times in the past. My main gripe infact a rather large one with this venue is that it seems to be a pretty much closed community for bands performing there.

I get the point and the idea that a large proportion of them are all friends and know each other pretty well and that by having a dedicated number of followers/fans/gig goers etc that they are able to put on these sort of shows by guaranteeing a number of heads through the door. BUT and it's a big BUT it seems to me that if you aren't a friend of the family you don't seem to be given much of a chance or an audience.

When one of the family is onstage they all appear, start jumping around, dancing, singing along etc but as soon as they finish they all vanish and some of the support bands seem to perform in front of nobody. Infact in my opinion the two best bands on the support bill last night played in front of an almost empty venue.

Anyway enough moaning and onto the gig.

First up Nadia Latoya 

Big voice, a mixture of soul and reggae made a good impression on me and a great way to start the night.

Next up one of the family bands stuck in 2nd they were ok but not as good as the family made out.

Next up Ashmore, obviously by now the family had done a runner.  Ashmore is an 18 year old musician from Nottingham together with his mate Motomouf beatboxing, what else can you say but wow, this lad is onto something and with the beats laid down by motomouf they were ace especially the version of redemption song at the end of the set which was awesome.  Best artists on the supporting bill tonight and will probably be bigger than anyone else on the bill eventually.

Next up project o'kane led by Liam O'kane big fish small pond springs to mind not a fan but they love him down here even at the end as a supporting band they left instruments, cases, setlists all over the stage that Chris Murray had to move himself, oh and he sounds a little like Miss Piggy when singing.

Chris Murray was next, I have been a fan of Chris Murray for over 10 years since I got hold of a copy of the 4 track adventures of venice shoreline Chris, and have seen him multiple times.  I love music that is raw, uncomplicated, no need for efffects and Chris Murray does this amazingly well.

Playing a set of mainly requests asked before and during the gig he was great however when the headliner doesn't come on till midnight half the crowd are to drunk to notice and the audience dwindles.  having so many artists on the bill and not starting till 9pm leaves it to late for the headliners to take the stage in my opinion.

I am sure they love what they do here and it's great that as a collective people can get together put on and promote their own shows and have a good time etc, I'm not knocking that at all, it's just I wish they would give more time to other artists all seems a bit local.