Gigs

Elbow at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle next wednesday.

The Pineapple Thief were superb. Next up , Battles at The Arches and ASIWFA at Oran Mor

Saw The Pineapple Thief on Sunday at our local venue - I am not sure that I actually like their style/music but enjoyed the gig, if you can appreciate the difference.  Very good musicians and willing to chat to the audience, which was appreciated.  Shame the attendance wasn't better.

Mind you, it was another case of chalk and cheese acoustics: Godsticks were the support and the overall sound was a mess.  And yet, TPT's mix was almost spot on.  Shame they're just 'not me'.

I'm really looking forward to IQ at The Assembly in Royal Leamington Spa in June - never been to that venue and never seen IQ live (oh, what a sheltered existence!)

I saw The Boxer Rebellion earlier this month in London Town. Third time i've seen them, and they are a fantastic live band. They really should be bigger than they are.

Got Suede to look forward to in May at Brixton, one of their 'Album' nights, Dog Man Star it is for me.

They were supported by a band called Second Skin who played a post rock set, with some lyrics and were not bad at all. I thought TPT's sound was superb, so much so I took out my ear plugs as I was not going to be deafened and wanted to appreciate their musicianship more.

Bought two tickets to see Yes at the Clyde Auditorium on 12th November

Due to post operative recuperation, once again this year I have missed out on another long anticipated show ( Blackfield with support by The Pineapple Thief).  Gutted (literally ).

However, I'm intrigued by TPT and I know IDC in particular has always been a big advocate of this band. I've just been listening to a montage on their website plus the video to the song Someone Here Is Missing. Sounds pretty good to me.

What would you suggest as a good entry point ?  I was thinking of buying the double CD "3000 Days" which I believe is a compilation. A good choice?

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Gutted, The Pineapple Thief have disappeared off Spotify . I cannot single out one album from another, so 3000 Days is a good start.

Presently listening to Foxhole, melodic post rock from Kentucky.

Went to see the Matt Schofield Trio last night at Manchester's Band on the Wall venue. A welcome return for Britains premier blues guitarist. A hard core of about 200 was there at this fantastic intimate club.

I've seen a few ace players over the years but this guy is up there with the best. Can rock out like the proverbial, but can play some sublime melodic funky lines that take your breath away. If you're into electric blues with a bit of New Orleans funk thrown in for good measure Matt's your man.

Note must be made too for his band, Jonny Henderson on Hammond organ & bass lines, and new drummer Kevin Hayes. Tight as a ducks ****.

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Just got some tickets for 'Between The Buried And Me' & 'Animals As Leaders' at The Underworld in September.

Hopefully, Red Snapper at King Tuts on the 17th, just need a babysitter.

Saw Bon Jovi tonight at Ashton Gate football ground in Bristol. I'm not a huge fan, but the missus is. Well I suppose if I hadn't already seen them 2 years ago at the same venue I would have been more impressed. First time I saw them they were really impressive, huge stage, massive lighting display. This time though it was just a repeat of what I'd already seen, couple of different numbers, a few new lights, so for me it was an 'OK' gig.

Rich

Went to see 'Mastodon' at Brixton Academy last Saturday. We missed 'Red Fang' (who I'd never heard of, but they have a couple of fun vids on Youtube).

We caught  'The Dillinger Escape Plan', but 10 years too late for me. I've grown steadily more tired of their output since their awesomely good 'Calculating Infinity' debut. Don't even think I've heard their latest CD all the way through

Mastodon were excellent. And we certainly got our money's worth. They must have played about 20+ songs by the time they walked off. As a big fan of their last album 'The Hunter', I was pleased they played pretty much everything from it, ending with 'Creature Lives' with all the other members of the other bands joining them on stage.

A great night..... Oh, and Bill Bailey was sitting about 4 rows in front of us!

Next up is 'Meshuggah'/'Animals As Leaders' in April and 'Veil Of Maya' in May.

I want to get tickets for Meshuggah in Bristol, just hope there are still some left come payday.

Was gutted last friday - tickets went on sale for a small Kerbdog show in Bristol but wasnt fast enough

Off to see Rammstein in Nottingham 2nd March which should be fun!

Enrico Rava at the Portland Jazz Festival last night - wow, he has a great young Trombone player in his band.