January

31/01/02
Lets sing some songs of praise
Part II of my Shifty Disco two-parter, watching AM60 for the second times in 2 days. They played a longer set this time round, although their songs were still great pop songs, the set seemed to drag on for a bit. Partly this was probably because the songs all had this grooving feel about them. However along with Just A Dream, which is one of the most perfect pop songs ever, another of my favourites from these couple of gigs was Treble, Bass and Midrange
Gig Count:10

30/01/02

Shifty Disco birthday party @ the BBC
Now this was fun. About 40 of us squeezed into the balcony of a studio at BBC Maida Vale, watching AM60 and Dustball, live for the John Peel show. AM60 were great, in their laid back vibe style. Of course the standout track was Just A Dream, but the others were pretty good too. Looking forward to seeing them again tonight. I know I'm a massive Dustball fan, but they're just getting better with every gig. This special one featured the top 5 Shifty Disco singles, starting off with Building by The Unbelievable Truth. I was dissapointed that they didn't mess around with the covers that much (except to play a reeaaaaaally laid back version of Thrown Like A Stone by Murry the Hump), but their version of all the songs were brilliant.

Gig Count: 9
28/01/02
Another Trailerpark
Which means it's time for me to be drunk again. Spending 4 hours down in the Cellar is definately not a good idea. Rachel Dadd is a singer, and for her set she was backed by a bloke on guitar. It sounded pretty cool and relaxing, and she even covered Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley. I'm glad Ponyclub's set went down pretty well (they're the first band i've ever suggested for Trailerpark). However they've changed the monologue bit of Easy Peasy, the stuff about Scrabble sounded so much better. However it was good that everyone at the front was laughing along. The Relationships sounded good too, but like Ponyclub they weren't the sort of band you'd have expected for trailerpark
Gig Count: 7

18/01/02
Ooh noisy end to the week
Six Ray Sun, Lapsus Linguae, and Tempertwig @ the Wheatsheaf
Here endeth my mad week of gigging (hmm actually I've done 3 gigs in a week before - but they don't seem as manic as this week), with another Truck related gig.

Wasn't that impressed with Tempertwig really. They're sort of doing the post rock thing, but with lots of spoken monologues, instead of singing. Some of their songs reminded me of early Idlewild, if not as energetic. The most amusing thing about the set, was when Jamie Dustball shouted out, at the end of a song, 'That was Fucking Good' to a stunned silence. However Lapsus Linguae were worth the hype. On record (mp3s downloaded from their website) they sound like a band playing classical music with a rock style, with flowing keyboards and everything. But live they are totally different. There was just so much energy, and like loads of bands around, have a great image as well, the entire band decked out in black hair, identical black sleeveless top with 'Lapsus Linguae' written on it, and black leather trousers, except the drummer with his blonde wig. Basically they were like a rock pantomime, with their responses to heckling, and the fighting onstage. Deadly Travolta joined in as early as the second song, while they were fighting and spitting at each other up till their final song.
So it's been a while since Six Ray Sun's vocalist Andy could sing, and finally he returned to his vocal duties tonight, even if he was a little bit ahem under the influence. But the fact that the band still sounded so good, even with only 2 rehersals since Justin's (Mr Nunuworld according to Andy.. and everyone who voted) return from holiday, says a lot about how great the group are. Again, like the group before them, they had loads of energy onstage, and what was amazing was that they managed to follow Lapsus Linguae's amazing set, and not disappoint.

So I end this week much poorer, but I've had an amazing time.. Still some more gigs to go this month though...

Gig Count: 6

16/01/02
Moan about Tall People Time
Goldrush, Black Nielson and Fonda 500 @ the Barfly @ the Monarch, London
This gig was going to be full, but I was amazed at how packed the Monarch was, and in my little countrybumpkin way, shocked at how people were just pushing in so much, unlike gigs in Oxford.
Anyway the bands were great. Fonda 500 were amusing in their usual way. They sound like the Super Furry Animals, if they were even odder. When the lead singer asked 'if there was anyone in the audience from Oxford tonight?' it certainly reflected how the whole audience seemed to have been made up of media types or people from Oxford. Black Nielson are improving with every gig they play. No doubt helped by a stability in the line-up, now that Pat 'Prince Harry' is drumming for them, they seem to be more confident on stage, but there is still that element of shyness that makes them so adorable in the first place. And that well worn gag about My Friend sounding like a certain Simply Red song, well at least Mike didn't seem to mind and joined in the singing in the end. For the past few months Goldrush have been recording material for their debut album, and playing gigs in much larger venues than the 250 capacity Monarch. Watching them live reminded me why I liked them in the first place. Although I think their new material isn't as good as the songs they wrote in the days of Whispering Bob, live they could even make the dullest of their songs sound interesting. Since getting signed you could see that they've improved as musicians, Garo's guitar playing is almost like the characteristic sound of the group now, and Robin just sings with such intensity that is usually reserved for rock/noisier bands.
<rant time<The only downside to the whole evening was the fact that it seemed the tallest blokes in the venue stood right in the front row of the audience, when it was obvious to them that shorter people were right behind them. Even if they did stand behind us they could still have had the perfect view. Rude Londoners....</rant over>
Gig Count: 5
14/01/02
Arrggh far too drunk tonight
Trailerpark with Juno Pixie, KTB and Archers of Twang
I suppose it wasn't the most relaxing way to start off a gig, getting a call 2 hours before the gig asking if I wanted to dj tonight. So after a quick dash home to grab some random cds and records, I ended up in the Cellar.
Archers of Twang were your typical acoustic country duo. Sorry, wasn't paying that much attention, was more trying to think of what songs I could play tonight. After that the other 2 acts on could have given a theme to the night, bands that are tipped to be successful, except various members of them are buggering off in perfectly good timing. This was the last KTB gig for a while, as she is disappearing off to New Zealand for a while, and just like her last gig in December, it was great to see Joe Bennett playing with her. Particularly fun was the version of Do You Or Don't You when she managed to get various members of the audience playing percussion along to the song. Dave Juno Pixie is also buggering off, this time to Cuba, and so for the time being the Pixies will be on a standstill, until his return. Again I'm not in the best state of mind to review, but I remember thinking that they sounded like Belle and Sebastian with a dancebeat backing. Hmmm
Gig Count: 4
11/01/02
I went a bit mad tonight. 2 gigs in one night
Dustball and Econoline @ the Point @ the Zodiac
Econoline were rather interesting, they're bridging the gap between the interest in instrumental post rock type music, and the more traditional punk-pop style. But Dustball were just amazing tonight. They shocked everyone by opening up with Senor Nachos. It took a few stunned moments for everyone to compute what they were hearing, methinks it's probably something to do with a Poll that's being announced on John Peel's show later in the month.. Anyway the mix of old and new material worked really well together, and the band themselves were a joy to watch. Watching Nigel drum is one of the funniest things ever, his enthusiam and you could see how much he was enjoying it. The rest of the band have refound their confidence as well. There aren't that many other bands with as good interaction between the members.
Gig Count: 2
Dog @ the Wheatsheaf
Well i think it was Dog anyway, it could have been Silverman. Anyway they were rather amusing. They had a very strong lead singer, who reminded me quite a lot of Sam from Beaker. The style in general actually reminded me of Beaker, because of the dramatic songs, and psychotic tone. But their set whimpered out, as they ended up playing rather bland songs, which the singer sang in an annoying whiny voice
Gig Count: 3
04/01/02
Caliber, Ponyclub and Burn @ the Point @ the Zodiac
This gig was a bit Spinal Tap. Burn were quite funny, with their guitar solos, and intro for their songs. All that was missing were some stonehenges and onstage fireworks. In Ponyclub I might have found my Holy Roman Empire substitute. Complete with dodgy jumpers, and a jumping bassist, I haven't laughed so much at a gig for ages (well except for Your Songs). There was even a monologue in the middle of one of their songs, Easy Peasy, about Scrabble. After these two bands, Caliber seemed to take their music a bit too seriously, with their rocky Hole styled growl.
Gig Count: 1
31/12/01
The Candyskins and The Samurai Seven @ the Zodiac
OK. This one is cheating a little. The bands played in 2001, but I came out of the venue in 2002, so it sort of counts. Originally I was a bit reluctant to part with my Ł20 for a gig. I did say earlier in the year that I'll refuse to pay more than Ł10 for a gig (done it twice now, this and Radiohead) but I'm glad that the obsession with music won.
I was quite desperate to see the Candyskins, when they were originally around. I remember that they played an all-ages show when I was 14, but I wasn't allowed to go, because my mum thought the Cowley Road was too dangerous (hmmmm), so when they split up, I thought there goes another band I'll never get to see. Seeing them tonight, with the Samurai Seven, reminded me of an era of Oxford music, when POP seemed to be the most important thing, and there was less experimentation. Both of the bands, if they just had the right luck, could have been so successful, but just by being in the right place at the wrong time, and things that happened outside of their control, their chances never came.
Seeing the Candyskins tonight was great. All the songs just reminded me of being 14/15 again, and then there were their covers. She don't use Jelly was great, probably even better than the original, and then a cover of I Can't Get You Out Of My Head by Kylie. They should reform, just to play a Your Song this year...
Gig Count: 0 - I've decided it doesn't really count... it was in 2001

If you can't see this page with the navigation lists at the side of the window try clicking here.
Photos, interviews and reviews are generally © nunununa 1999-2004.
If you want to get in touch e-mail me here