GIG REVIEW // IAN McNABB // (BUMS) // 4-MARCH-2017 // Barrow-in-Furness

Barrow Underground Music Society // Saturday 4^th March 2017

Barrow Underground Music Society (BUMS for short) announced itself to the world towards the end of last year as a secret club hosting bespoke music events on a strictly invite only basis. Located in Carlisle Street, also the home of East Beach Studios and Sonic Zoo Radio, DJ/Producer Graham ‘Gripper’ Newby and Rob Dunphy have created a pop-up venue and bar that is a welcoming and relaxed haven for committed fans.

I could hear the familiar tones of Ian McNabb’s voice as I approached, while I also tried to work out which door to open to gain access. Thankfully, he had only just taken to the stage, and followed up his opening salvo with Icicle Works favourites Evangeline and Who Do You Want For Your Love?. Ian was joined by long-time collaborator Roy Corkill with his trademark electric fretless bass, underpinning the acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica/gob iron interludes from the main man.

Alongside well-known selections from the Icicles back catalogue including When It All Comes Down and Birds Fly (with a smattering of George Michaels Faith), McNabb played a mixture of his extensive solo work such as You Must be Prepared To Dream, Still Got the Fever and German Soldiers Helmet Circa 1943.

Audience participation and sing-alongs were encouraged throughout and Ian also peppered the set with anecdotes and tales from his colourful career in-between songs. Amusing and engaging throughout, Ian also threw in a few choice cover versions including The Beatles You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, Ben E. Kings Stand By Me (famously covered by John Lennon) and a couple of Neil Young classics in Heart of Gold and Pocahontas.

What She Did To My Mind and Melanie Still Hurts, from the underrated 1990 Icicles album Permanent Damage, were both given a welcome airing before Love is a Wonderful Colour made a welcome appearance. Strapping on an electric guitar, McNabb roared through Understanding Jane before reverting to acoustic for the final song of the evening, the 3-minute marathon that is Hollow Horse.

David Duffin

Photo by Graham Newby

Upcoming BUMS Events

• Saturday 18^th March: ATIC Records Party (SOLD OUT)
• Friday 31^st March: Mike Joyce (from The Smiths) DJ Set
• Saturday 15^th April: Paddy Steer live + support + DJs

Tickets from http://www.undergroundmusicsociety.com

GIG REVIEW: THE CHADELICS / LARKINS / ZAC THOMPSON: The Nines, Barrow-in-Furness // Friday 8th July 2016

 

Zac Thompson got things under way beginning with a version of the John Legend hit song All of Me, and continuing with one of his own compositions, Let It All Out. Zac’s powerful and emotive singing was in evidence throughout on songs such as George Ezra’s Blame It On Me, and the Killers staple Mr. Brightside which even had some of the audience up on the dance floor.

 

Larkins are a 4-piece band from Manchester, but they were without their bass player for this gig. With this in mind, the drummer played a lighter and more percussive role behind acoustic guitar and an effects drenched electric, for a set that seemed heavily influenced by 80s pop. Notable tracks were their version of London Grammar’s Strong and one of their own brand new songs called Athena.

 

The Chadelics took to the stage and delivered a set full of energy from the start with their own material to the fore. Cheap Thrills, recently recorded by the band, rubbed shoulders with new tune Love Me Again, and live favourite A Tara to Arms.

They paid homage to their influences with well executed covers from the likes of the Stone Roses, The Jam, The Coral, The Prodigy and the Arctic Monkeys. The high points, though, lay with their own incendiary material, such as the edgy Sociopath, the reggae tinged Mexico and Out of Line, with its refrain of ‘Please don’t waste my time’.

The next big stop for the band is a main stage slot at the Kendal Calling festival at the end of the month. Onwards and upwards.

David Duffin

The Chadelics: Joe Mansergh (lead vocals/guitar), Robbie Coplen (guitar/backing vocals), Joe Simon (bass), Zack Smith (drums)

THE TIER GARDEN: The Canteen (Barrow-in-Furness): Sunday 27th December, 2009

The last time I saw the Tier Garden play live, I was 21 years old. The band had been through a number of different incarnations with the usual personnel changes along the way. Eventually, they folded and life rolled on.
There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then. This summer, they announced that they were reforming for a one-off gig. This news came out of nowhere, and was about as unexpected as can be.
On Sunday night, the Canteen was bristling with an air of expectation.

New local indie band Audio Conspiracy got things underway, with their mix of covers by the likes of Editors, Echo & the Bunnymen and Snow Patrol.
Norman Rodger, ex-of cult band TV21, (and Tier Garden producer) took to the stage next. His lush-sounding 12-string and soaring, folky vocals were flanked by another acoustic guitar and sensitive violin playing.

The Tier Garden roared into action with their first song, India. It was as if they had never been away. When they were an active unit in the 80’s, Britain was in the grip of a depression. Thatcherite policies were crushing the welfare state, the coal miners were on strike and the country had recently been to war with the Falklands.

As it was then, so it is now, and the refrain from ‘The Army Song’ (“The Army’s not the answer”) is still as valid today as it was then. ‘Julia Says’ and ‘Caravan’ were always live favourites, and they proved so again in this set. ‘Working’ always brings back the push-pull battle between employment in the shipyard or addressing the artistic side of life.

‘Passing Bells’ and ‘No Pasaran’ were later offerings from the band, with a more bouncy, textured delivery.
The closing song had to be ‘The Afrikaan’, the band’s first single. This may have been a re-union, but it seemed to be more of a re-affirmation that they actually had it right all those years ago.

Words: David Duffin. Pictures: Martin Millar.

GIG REVIEW: MOTORKILL + Brief Sobriety

 The Nines, Barrow-in-Furness // Saturday 25th June, 2016

POPULAR local acoustic duo Brief Sobriety kicked the night off, beginning with a forceful rendition of AC/DC’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. Bob Bell booms out the vocals and keeps a mean and accurate rhythm guitar going throughout too, while Sean Kelly adds interlocking licks and solos that just knit everything together. Their set included fine versions of Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama, both Lynyrd Skynrd originals, plus a great take on All Along the Watchtower, the Bob Dylan song, probably best defined by Jimi Hendrix. They ended their stint as they began with another AC/DC classic in Highway To Hell.

Echoing Lemmy’s customary greeting, ‘We are Motorkill and we play Rock ‘n’ Roll!’, the Midlands based four piece took to the stage with intent, launching into the first of a mammoth 25-song set. As a rule, Motorhead songs don’t outstay their welcome, they get the job done and leave, so we were soon bombarded with back catalogue gems such as Damaged Case, Shoot You In the Back and Dead Men Tell No Tales. The Hammer was dedicated to Philthy Phil Animal Taylor, Motorhead’s original drummer, who died in November last year, not long before Lemmy also sadly passed away.

Motorkill’s front-man, Tilly, not only looked like Lemmy, complete with signature Rickenbacker bass, but he also had the great man’s raspy vocal style covered too. The twin guitars and thundering drums gelled together as they tore through fan favourites such as No Class, Love Me Like a Reptile and Just ‘Cos You Got the Power, the latter being a personal highlight. God Was Never On Your Side, The Chase Is Better Than the Catch and Over The Top ended their set, before they encored with a clutch of explosive classics in Bomber, Ace of Spades, Killed By Death and Overkill.

Jointly promoted by the Nines and TP Music, if there was a downside to this gig, it would be the sparse attendance, but with big events happening elsewhere in the town that day, it was perhaps to be expected.

David Duffin

GIG REVIEW: Collie Stewart and The Roomers + The Coulton Brothers: The Drawing Room, Barrow-in-Furness: Sunday 27th March, 2016

 

THE Coulton Brothers got things off to a fine start with one of their more poppy cover selections, in Hey Ya by Outkast. Both Paul (lead vocals) and Kris (guitar/vocals) were on top form, carrying on with Del Shannon’s gem from 1961, Runaway, and a twinkly reading of Clocks by Coldplay.

They also snook in a few original tunes, including Hand In Hand and the mighty Flee from their Atlas band days, plus Walk to the Sun, which was from their brief period as Memorymode.

Although I’m not the biggest fan of Michael Jackson, their version of Man in the Mirror was very affecting, and Paul has found a way of singing it that is all his own. They ended their set with a couple of live favourites; John Legend’s Ordinary People and their version of Toto’s Africa, which never fails to please, and also showcases Kris’s vocals to good effect.

Collie Stewart & The Roomers were up next, kicking off the first of two terrific sets with a great version of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. It’s worth remembering that as well as his relentless solo gigging schedule, acoustic guitarist and singer Collie also has this full band element at his disposal.

They recorded a 3-track CD EP, Home, in 2012, with bassist Joe Garnett and original drummer Dan Payne. Following a quiet period, they have regrouped and new sticks-man Jonny Shields (ex-of Atlas) has settled in really well, providing a rock steady back beat throughout. Joe Garnett’s Rickenbacker bass playing is understated and accurate which works really well with Collie’s syncopated acoustic guitar work and spirited vocals.

Their set-list features a couple of Ray LaMontagne songs, including Trouble and the lesser known New York City’s Killing Me, which was a personal favourite. Collie joshes and verbally abuses the audience when it suits him, as seen when a group of dance-hungry girls were placing their drinks on top of the p.a. speakers.

In a nice touch, he dedicated both Ocean Colour Scene’s The Day We Caught the Train and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary to much-missed local legend Dean ‘Zacca’ Zaccarini. They ended with Collie’s signature version of Prince’s Kiss, before being called upon to encore with 500 Miles by The Proclaimers.

– David Duffin.

THE BLUE LAKES @The Derby, Barrow-in-Furness: Saturday 12th March 2016

* Another top-notch night of live music at The Derby – Hotel & Music Bar last night (Sat.12th.March) with The Blue Lakes.
Although they are a relatively new name on the local scene, their line-up features seasoned musicians with bags of experience. The 4-piece band specialise in authentic and chilled-out blues/rock renditions of classics by the likes of Eric Clapton, Cream, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Whitesnake and the Rolling Stones plus many others.
Great musicality and feel was on show throughout the evening, and I get the feeling that these guys will be back really soon.

The Blue Lakes (photo by Matt Southwell)

Band line-up: Ricky Allen (guitar/vocals), Joe Pickthall (drums), Dave Armstrong (bass), Paul Waters (keyboards)

GIG REPORT: ACOUSTIC MELTDOWN # 49: Thursday 25th February 2016: Bar Five, Barrow-in-Furness

Kerry Zaccarini

Kerry Zaccarini got the night underway with a version of Jake Bugg’s Country Song. Most of Kerry’s live sets are peppered with Oasis songs, and tonight was no exception, with her take on The Importance of Being Idle and Half the World Away. The Libertines and Pete Doherty are another of her other main musical inspirations, and she offered up understated covers of Libertines staples What Katy Did and Can’t Stand Me Now as well as a trip Down In Albion from Babyshambles. It was good to hear one of her original songs too, Reason, which had a bittersweet quality to it, totally suited to her high ‘songbird’ style vocals.

 

 

Mike May

Mike May was up next with a diverse mixture of songs in his set-list. His first three choices included One Man Band, made famous by Leo Sayer, Green Day’s Give Me Novocaine and a version of Motorhead’s signature song, Ace of Spades. After a couple of more reflective self-penned numbers, he proceeded with the Stones classic (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction and Queen’s I Want To Break Free, the latter complete with a kazoo solo, before wrapping things up with a ukulele version of the evergreen ballad Dream a Little Dream of Me.

 

Collie Stewart

Headliner Collie Stewart is a well-known figure on the local live music circuit, and he always turns in a quality performance. Kicking off with Terence Trent D’Arby’s Sign Your Name, his strong, emotive vocals and sure-fire guitar accompaniment add that little bit extra to all of his song choices.

His take on Ray LaMontagne’s New York City’s Killing Me was a heartfelt favourite, while his version of America by Simon & Garfunkel with it’s opening line, ‘Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together’, was another highlight. After that particular journey over the New Jersey Turnpike, Collie took us right back there with one of Bruce Sprinsteen’s most incisive songs in Bobby Jean.

A fitting tribute to David Bowie came in the form of Ashes To Ashes and was added to with a taste of Chubby Little Loser, from the Ricky Gervais Extras TV series. Playing just one of his own well-crafted songs, the lovelorn and affecting Part Of You, he closed his set with a resplendent version of the Prince classic Purple Rain.

David Duffin

* ACOUSTIC MELTDOWN is an ongoing series of concerts held on a monthly basis at Bar Five in Dalkeith Street, Barrow-in-Furness since April 2012. These are planned showcase events with invited guests, with the aim of highlighting the very best in local talent.

GIG REPORT: THE FORGOTTEN SONS: The Derby, Barrow-in-Furness

The Derby Hotel & Music Bar … Saturday 20th February 2016

* Last night The Forgotten Sons made their live debut in far-flung Barrow-in-Furness, at The Derby, one of the town’s undisputed top tier live music venues. Having made the 2-hour drive from their hometown of Pendle, the band were polite, professional and very keen throughout to please the local gig-goers. With two full 50+ minute sets of self-written and original groovy hard rock on offer, they delivered a fresh sound that was both thrilling and illuminating in equal measure.

The power trio consist of Chris Walton (vocals/guitar), bassist Steve Hemsworth (recovering from a recent broken leg) and drummer Tony. Thoughtful, melodic and expressive guitar parts, intuitive and fluid bass lines and slinky yet powerful drumming made for quite a combination.
Linking to their Pendle origins, they played a song called ‘The Other Sisters’, about the historic case of the so-called Pendle Witches, who were eventually tried and executed in Lancaster.

Other tracks, such as ‘The Fridge Magnet Song’, ‘Broken Road’ and ‘Anti-Social Media’ all contained interesting musical aspects which had members of the audience swaying along as the band worked out through the instrumental passages. You don’t often see that, and it’s a credit to the band that they pulled it off, despite the punters oft-times forgetting to applaud when a song ended.
Here’s hoping that they make a swift return and entice more people into their intriguing live show.

(c) David Duffin

* Photo by Paul Coulton of Still Frame Media Promotions who booked the band for this gig.

GIG REVIEW: Devastated By Desmond: Barrow Rocks Charity Night

Event poster designed by Ginger Edges

The Nines, Dalkeith St., Barrow-in-Furness

Saturday January 23^rd 2016

Following the recent catastrophic floods throughout much of Cumbria, this night of local live music aimed to raise funds to help those affected.

Black Mountain Trio got things off to a vigorous start with their rock and R’n’B flavoured covers of songs by the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zep.

Celebrated acoustic duo the Coulton Brothers delivered a brief but sprightly set including their take on Michael Jackson’s Man In the Mirror, Toto’s Africa and dedicated as ‘a song for a legend’, a rousing rendition of David Bowie’s Star Man.

The Coulton Brothers

Next up were The D90s who had got back together after a seven-year absence. Featuring Jon Dawes of Paper Cranes back behind the drum-kit, bassist Dan Large, Phil Turner on lead guitar/backing vocals and Channel:Surfer:Live DJ Ryan Fallon (lead vocals), they turned in a high energy and danceable set of Indie classics. Otherwise known as the general manager of the Nines, Gaz Wood also joined the band on acoustic guitar and keyboards as they whizzed through songs by the likes of Shed Seven, Reef, Ocean Colour Scene, the Seahorses and Kula Shaker.

Urban drum ensemble Deatbeats filled the dance floor with their illuminated instruments as they hammered out room shaking rhythms, dressed alternatively as Lemmy and David Bowie, in tribute to the musical icons we have so recently lost.

The Bowie thread continued with When All Else Fails ending their on-stage stint with a version of Heroes. Serene drummer Matt Southwell stepped in for usual sticks-man James Kirkby as the band covered songs such as Waterfall by the Stone Roses and the James anthem Laid, which also featured a cameo vocal from Mark McClinchey.

Well known for bands such as Screwy, the recently reformed Pity the Small Thumbs and the much-missed Atlas, it was Mark’s idea to stage a benefit gig for victims of the recent floods in association with the venue and Still Frame Media Promotions.

Topping the night off were local Oasis tribute band Mad4it with lead vocalist Paul Byrne at the helm as Liam and John-mark Millar (rhythm guitar/vocals) taking on the Noel duties. John Rennie (lead guitar) has been with the band for a while now, but this was the first time I had seen Dave Fisher (bass) and drummer Jevon Turner in the line-up. The band powered through a host of Oasis classics including Supersonic, Lyla, Whatever, Don’t Look In Anger and closing number Champagne Supernova.

Paul Byrne, the ‘Liam’ element of MAd4it

All told, this was a highly successful evening with so much high quality music on offer, and here’s hoping that a good sum was raised for the designated charity, Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal.

David Duffin

UPDATE: *** The great sum of £651.76p was raised on Saturday night for the Devastated By Desmond Charity Night at the Nines Barrow – the money has been paid directly into the Cumbria Community Foundation Flood fund. Well done to all who attended, played and organised this fine event.

GIG REVIEW: FROM THE JAM: FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER, 2015: THE FORUM (Barrow-in-Furness)

WHAT sets From The Jam apart from almost all of the other tribute bands doing the rounds is the inclusion of an original member amongst their ranks.

Bruce Foxton was, is and always will be the bona fide bass player with original punk/new waver trio The Jam, from their formation in the mid-70s to their Beat Surrender farewell tour in late 1982.

After honouring the recent anniversaries of Jam classic albums All Mod Cons and Setting Sons, this current tour sees them marking an incredible 35 years since the release of the band’s 5^th studio album, Sound Affects in 1980.

Coming on stage to a recording of the largely instrumental Music For the Last Couple (track 9 on Sound Affects), they then proceeded to play the rest of the album in its entirety, beginning with the familiar opening bass riff to Pretty Green.

Sound Affects also includes Jam classics such as Start! and That’s Entertainment, plus fan favourites But I’m Different Now, Man In the Corner Shop (which was to have been a single) and the upbeat Boy About Town.

With sterling help from front-man Russell Hastings, ably filling the Weller spot with both black and sunburst Rickenbacker guitars, the band were on great form aided by snappy, accurate drumming and a keyboard player who also added additional tambourine and acoustic guitar wherever necessary.

Without pausing for breath, the band ploughed straight ahead with a good selection of Jam standards, including David Watts, Smithers-Jones and News of the World, all of which featured Foxton’s lead vocals.

Encoring with Down in the Tube Station At Midnight and the seminal Jam track Going Underground, the band bade Barrow a fond farewell.

Here’s hoping they come back again next year.

(c) DAVID DUFFIN

[ Photos by DD, except solo shots of Bruce Foxton by MARTIN MILLAR ]

SET-LIST

(intro music) MUSIC FOR THE LAST COUPLE *

(side one)

1. PRETTY GREEN
2. MONDAY
3. BUT I’M DIFFERENT NOW
4. SET THE HOUSE ABLAZE
5. START!
6. THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

(side two)

7. DREAM TIME
8. MAN IN THE CORNER SHOP
9. *
10. BOY ABOUT TOWN
11. SCRAPE AWAY

————————-

1. IN THE CITY
2. DAVID WATTS
3. GHOSTS
4. SMITHERS-JONES
5. WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG
6. SATURDAY’S KIDS
7. NEWS OF THE WORLD
8. TO BE SOMEONE (DIDN’T WE HAVE A NICE TIME)
9. SLOW DOWN
10. TOWN CALLED MALICE
11. THE ETON RIFLES

(encores)

12. DOWN IN THE TUBE STATION AT MIDNIGHT
13. GOING UNDERGROUND