freedom costs money

Itch
This fantastically dynamic four piece have but one gimmick, a Helmet, with simply “trademark” written on it. I found this very fitting. Complex and intricate songs with shifting beat and rhythms hint at a professionalism behind the group and their music history. Itch seem to have the perfect name, they seem to just have the itch for good tunes, reminiscent of Modest Mouse, hints of alternative rock of the ninety, Pavement with the impulsive rests and pauses of Queens of the Stone Age and other Rocks greats. Not so much a band than four musician playing together in a coordinated unison. See Itch Now.

She Wants Revenge & The Soho Dolls at The Roadhouse, Newton Street, Manchester.

The Soho Dolls

You might be forgiven, seeing that they’re fronted by a girl wearing only a short skirt and some strategically placed tape, that the Soho Dolls might have some design afoot to distract their audience from their music, which you might expect not to be very good if it needs such a distraction. Distracting as she most certainly was, the music was pretty jolly good too - a varied range of songs that called all sorts of things to mind from New Order through The Kaiser Chiefs (or possibly those other ones that are a bit like them but aren’t them, you know, the ones with the one about walking away) and possibly even unto the lovely Morrissey. They were great. I’d like to see more of them. Come to Leeds and York, Soho Dolls!

Good Question.

and Question 2 "WHO CARES?"

It was the Leeds Wireless festival at the weekend, and for the most part Leeds seems to have acquired the better line up, but due to some stupid decisions by the organisers this potentially fantastic day was blighted, and FCM left early.

Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry.

Yes. At last I have cast my beady eye over and turned my shell-like ear to Jerry Springer The Opera. I didn't know very much about it before I went other than the big fuss it had caused among Christian groups (on which more later, if I remember).

Piskie Sits

Clearly heavily influenced by the school of flaming lips and pavement, the Sits combine some playful guitars off beat lyrical flow that works well, but at times lacks real strength to the melody. This, combined with that standard flaw of American accented vocals. Piskie Sits are from Wakefield, so come on boys lets hear a wakey accent. But they're a talented bunch and played with confidence, finishing with a Christmas at the Drugstore song by Drugstore, very festive, warming and easy to listen to.

Well the proper title should be Music, drink, guitars, shouting, girls, more drink, bands, videos, drink, Smokestacks, Vatican Jet, tunes, cigarettes, beer…. Drunken staggering, lying in the road shouting at a tree and going up to my old house and looking in the windows like a demented zombie (so glad no-one was up)… but this would too long a title so The Launch will have to do

This gig is something of a celebration heralding the second instalment of The Engine Room compilation CD and The Brudenell Social Club is packed. The Young Professionals kick off proceedings and get the musical ball rolling along nicely.

It doesn’t seem long ago the band’s previous incarnation The Bilderburg Group looked easily good enough to become part of the nation’s listening diet rather than simply staying a regional delicacy. Their music remains proof of how potent a pure pop formula can still be put in the hands of proficient players and talented song-smiths.

Though placed further towards the rock end of the spectrum, the same is true of Vatican Jet. They perform a really strong set of songs this evening coupled with a visually upbeat performance. Tonight’s the night where the new drummer is unveiled and he passes the test with flying colours, lending a real explosiveness to the overall sound. New single ‘Plan B’ goes down a storm with the punters.

This builds up well to new toast of the town O Fracas. When I first saw this band they seemed distinctive but hadn’t honed their ideas enough to do their creative ambitions justice. Now however they’ve rapidly fashioned one of the most dynamically interesting styles around. Truly innovative and executed extremely convincingly – this group look like becoming a very special band indeed.

I was lucky enough to review an early demo from tonight’s headliners The Sunshine Underground and they’re more than fulfilling their early promise. Though still full of angst they’ve mellowed slightly in favour of more groove driven tracks that even have my aching toes tapping despite a nasty cold. So forget flu remedies, if you’re feeling under the weather fix yourself a whisky and listen to The Sunshine Underground – it’s sure to blow the cobwebs away!

Whether tonight’s success is rooted in a brilliant bill, a great new compilation, better promotion or a new influx of students, it’s very pleasing to see raw talent getting the audience it deserves.

Will Gray

To find out more about The Engine Room music night and record label click here!

So finally, the time for Engine Room has returned, blessed be. In from the rain and welcomed by such lovely friendly faces. Thin multicoloured veils hang from the ceiling of the Brudenel, like the clouds textures of GTA:SA. More so after everyone has spent all night smoking. The Beatles tell me I should be grateful the Taxman doesn’t take it all and I remember he has, and I should really send off my P60s.

Tonight’s music is part of a gig swap with Sheffield, and the first band up, Crowley’s Dead, are a Sheffield bunch. Crowley’s dead a loud, raw, blissful mish-mash of chunky-chunky guitars. The throw wall of noise with shouty laddish vocals that give them a character in what could easily be a bland noise. The guitar work was modest, both showed them selves to be able in more intricate work, but also simple note work more resembling Joey Santiago, effective and well placed. Then first few songs made me think they could do with some arrangement work and less crowding to their sound, but these I suspect were early numbers because as the set progressed to some more off-beat riffs, with space for the audience to find the vibe. Overall a solid sound with well textured rock riffs and some old fashions harmonies and lovable tunes overall. Crowley’s Dead are a definitive pub rock band, and with a bit more experience, and if they can craft their sound some more they will benefit hugely.

A lovely bunch of lads they are apologetically between websites at the moment, but they invite you email them on crowleysdead_875@yahoo.co.uk or if your reading this towards the end of 2005 or beyond, you could google for them.

Next up, Downdime, not headlining, sorry, FCM got its wires crossed…

Down dime make a strong Indie rock entrance, an interesting construction to their sound has their keyboards following the melody, intrinsic and catchy like early Wannadies, leaving their guitarist to do pretty much whatever the hell he likes, which he pleasingly does, roaming freely from relatively standard riffs to add depth to their pop-sound. Downdime are fantastically easy to listen to, joyful to watch and make teenage death really something to sing about. Fronted by a comedic playboy who loves his riffs and loves showing it they are a fun band the likes of which you don’t see much. This can be cringe making or even irritating if done with arrogance, but Down dime do it well. My one gripe, that old singing with American accent… But overall good songs, a great vibe, a definite for fans of Granddaddy and T-minus Band

The Feds, failed to show for mystery reasons that we were not treated to…so New Minds Eye played us home.

These first thing I noticed about New minds eye was the lack of a bass, then the melodic fury bounce that came from their sounds. The drummer played mouth organ. The sound is slick and well rehearsed and fills the listener with the over whelming urge to see it again. New Minds eye have Vibe in excess, they spend time on their sound and that clearly pays. Each song has its own feel and its own sound and on large New Minds Eye are a band which could call the Leeds sound they’re own, bluesy and charismatic, with funky keyboards and a selection of instruments made them the most professional act of the night. Very tight and very smooth, there was little visible communication between the members but they played with a fluidity reminiscent of the SFA or the Earlies. And just when I’m thinking they’ve done their lot, the drummer pulls out a sax for their big finale. A fantastic group who have outgrown the half hour set, they needed longer.

All in all a great night, welcome back Engine room, oh how I’ve missed you…

I grovel in appology for the lateness of this appearing on FCM, i thought i did it ages ago... an edited version appears also in sandman magazine where it stands out as being from someone not incapable of enjoying themselves...

To find out more about The Engine Room music night and record label click here!

So finally, the time for Engine Room has returned, blessed be. In from the rain and welcomed by such lovely friendly faces. Thin multicoloured veils hang from the ceiling of the Brudenel, like the clouds textures of GTA:SA. More so after everyone has spent all night smoking. The Beatles tell me I should be grateful the Taxman doesn’t take it all and I remember he has, and I should really send off my P60s.

Good versus evil might be an overly loyal Leeds’ music fan’s perception of tonight’s gig with local favourites Buen Chico and Kenosha playing second and third fiddle to visitors from Oxford Dive Dive. Hand to hand musical combat begins with the joyfully raucous Kenosha who have that Nirvana/early Smashing Pumpkins/QOTSA thing going on and pump out what can only be dismissed as a dirge if you’re too dumb to notice the sheer brilliance of it all. Fingering the fret-board nimbly, the bassist fills a lot of the gaps and the snarling guitar and aggressive drumming hits you right between the eyes. Bottom of the bill shouldn’t be a position this band gets too used to but the quality’s high tonight as the excellent Buen Chico now serve to show. Whilst similarly frenetic, this band offers more in the way of harmonies and start strongly with some abrasive, catchy songs. Imagining a new –wave mixture of Pixies and Weezer might be a good way of getting closer to achieving an understanding of what this band sound like if you haven’t yet heard them but they possess a distinctive quality all of their own, especially regarding the admirably original nature of their arrangements. The quality of the performance perhaps wanes slightly towards the end but really takes nothing away from a fine set. Stacks of potential and a high level of proficiency on display from the first two acts then, and after a welcome ditty from The Engine Room crew, it only remains to be seen what Dive Dive have to offer. Are you a fan of punk edged melodic hardcore with vaguely progressive leanings?! You don’t have to be to appreciate this band because they transcend their chosen medium to create a sonic force bubbling over with energy, playing with heartfelt urgency and pinpoint directness. Twisted cleverly into their grinding song structures are lyrics that are clearly audible despite the noise levels and this makes all the difference. Undoubtedly - a gig to remember.

Will Gray

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