Notts About Rock

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The Rescue Rooms was the venue on Wednesday night for an eclectic selection of bands headlined by American quintet La Dispute.

A good crowd was already in place for the opening band of the evening - Shapes are a trio of noisy experimental musicians from Birmingham who play a mixture...

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Baby Godzilla - As Dedicated As They Are Unpredictable by Wolfpack Media. An in depth look at the life of Baby Godzilla, both on stage and off the stage. 

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Upcdownc / 8mm Orchestra / Karhide / A-tota-so – Chameleon Arts Café, 13/01/2012

Friday night saw a stellar lineup of UK bands come to the Chameleon Café, showcasing the variety and diversity of the Post Rock genre. The event was hosted by Buttonpusher promotions, who have been hosting some excellent shows in the Midlands in recent months.

Opening the show were the Derby duo A-tota-so, who play an experimental, somewhat minimalist selection of tracks. There are many of the hallmarks of the genre present, with the music building up repeatedly before returning to its original sounds and melodies, before moving off to explore a new direction again. A tried and tested formula perhaps, but A-tota-so deliver it well, switching from calm to frenetic effortlessly. The set passed in what felt like only a few minutes, which is a testament to the band’s ability to keep you interested – definitely one to watch.

Next to the stage was Karhide, an instrumental project from Southampton composed and fronted by Tim Waterfield. Tim has previously toured with a live band but tonight was performing solo for us, playing the lead guitar parts himself and feeding in the remaining parts via laptop. Karhide’s pieces focus far more on the heavier elements of the rock music spectrum, with atmospheric, pounding bass parts complemented by droning guitar compositions. Once again it doesn’t take long for the crowd in attendance to collectively nod in time to the music, as Tim works through his complex melodies effortlessly. In no way is the performance harmed by the absence of a live band – the production qualities on the laptop track are superb, and it would take a well trained individual to spot the difference if their eyes were closed!

Nottingham’s own 8mm Orchestra were up next, a band who have been quickly gaining attention in the local scene in recent months for their atmospheric ambient works. The band were once again on top form tonight, performing to an almost full room, all of whom were hanging on every note. Musically the band are already creating pieces which sound both original and familiar, which is quite an achievement in such a varied scene. The gentle introductions build up slowly – always a challenge for newer bands, too often it feels like a race to the wall of noise at the end – and eventually crescendo to a fantastic climax. The band advertise themselves as suitable for fans of Post-Rock stalwarts such as Battles and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – personally the band most reminds me of the Japanese group Mono, and if they can continue to create music in that vein, then I can only see good things for this band.

With the clock almost striking midnight, Kent’s upcdownc (formerly upcdowncleftrightcabc+start, Google it if you don’t get the reference) close the night out for us. Since their last show at the Chameleon, the band have released another full length album, Calaveras, and so it is a good opportunity to see some new material from a band who have now been playing shows for several years. This fact shines through in the performance, which is confident, professional and emotional. The band has experimented with many different styles across their 4 albums, so in the space of a 40 minute set we were treated to gentle, ambient introductions, melodic keyboard parts, droning guitars and intense drumming, which concluded with an almost apocalyptic wall of noise and all 4 members of the band breaking drumsticks left, right and centre, in a scene more akin to a military tattoo than a rock gig. The set once again leaves those in attendance with very little doubt – upcdownc are one of the premier bands in the UK Post-Rock scene, and quite simply you should go and see them whenever you can. The comment I heard from someone as they were leaving the show was “that has just rewritten the rulebook for how I rate gigs”. I think that says it all.

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Talent 2012 Review - The Bodega - 7/1/12

Despite having an already busy schedule planned last weekend I just could not resit popping down to Talent 2012 at the Bodega for a few hours last Saturday. With 7 bands performing for only £1 it was better value for money than anything to be found in the January sales! Hell, even though I only had time to see 5 of the 7 bands, it's still the best bargain I've seen around for a while!! I arrive just as the first act Leela and the spaceship are finishing their set. At this point of the evening the room is somewhat empty but there is an atmosphere in the room, like the calm before the storm, that somehow suggests you should enjoy the space and, for short people like myself, a clear view of the stage while it lasts. This is very easy to do when alternative-electro 3 piece Walter Bottle take to the stage. Made up of lead and rhythm guitars and a violin all backed by tracks that are produced by the rhythm guitarist & vocalist James McBreen, this small group have a big sound. Having listened to a few of their tracks on their Facebook page a few times in the past week I find it remarkable how close their live sound is to that on their recordings. It's easy to see why The Beat: BBC Introducing listed Walter Bottle's live session as one of their favorites of 2011 (Walter Bottle are featured at approx 1.37 mins). Their sound mixes soothing melodies and an up-tempo beats flawlessly leaving me feeling somehow relaxed yet energetic all at once. Possibly down to the violin part which adds a delicateness to the sound not to mention something to differentiate themselves from other acts among this genre. However the use of instruments not commonly used in popular music is not something that is unique to them this evening. Next up are The Golden Troubadours and as expected the room is much busier than it was all of 45 minutes ago. This folksy-blues 6 piece spice up their sound with a wide variety of percussion instruments and we see the second violin of the night. Their modern take on classic sounds makes me feel like it could be warm and sunny outside although I know it's only January.

Delta Sun are a good choice to follow, being the only act of the night to offer any serious banter which always endears me to the 4-piece.  I think it goes a long way both with regards to being remembered and to setting a good atmosphere at a gig. That's not to say the banter was not the most memorable thing about their performance. They played a beautiful mix of  both original material and covers including Wicked Game and Umbrella, meaning that between Delta Sun and Biffy Clyro I now know more versions of the later that I adore as opposed to the original version which in all honesty, I can not stand.   Atticus Anthem are the act of the night with the most Facebook followers, at 1856 followers at the time of writing and it's easy to see why. Their sound has all the qualities that could make them the next band from Nottingham to get signed to a major label. Catchy riffs delivered flawlessly with soothing lyrics from singer Bjork who has an ear pleasing husk to his voice, a combination that makes me hunt out my Goo Goo Doll's albums the next day. I can't put it better than the host of talent 2012 who observed "If these guys don't have success written all over them like a child gone mad with a marker pen then I don't know who has." The last act I have chance to see before I have to un-willingly dash off are one of my personal favorite acts on the local scene, 8mm Orchestra. Each time I hear this band they seem to grow more and more epic in their sound. All 5 members are masters at their own instruments and their combined sound is as grandiose as an orchestra, as their moniker implies. It’s the attention to detail that that really makes them shine; not afraid to adopt a ‘less is more’ approach one minute sounding akin to the barren, haunting sound-scapes of Godspeed! and then building in complexity to math-rock à la Battles.

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Rock Sound Riot Tour - Nottingham Rescue Rooms - 5/12/2011 - Review

Spycatcher take to the stage just as the room is filling up. It’s a shame that there weren’t more people to witness their anthemic brand of melodic punk rock. The few people who have made it into the venue early are rewarded with a passionate performance on par with what you would expect from a headline act. This Watford quintet are eager to win the crowds hearts tonight and they can walk away with their heads held high knowing that they have done just that.

Amongst all the bands that think it’s obligatory to put out the occasional half hearted acoustic track, Defeater are a band who take it seriously and do it well. Tonight, the Boston quintet opens with ‘But Breathing’ before launching into the plugged part of their set with ‘Dear Father.’ The contrast of between the too songs makes the latter track go off like an eruption. Too many other bands make a lot of empty noise for the sake of it. However, Defeater really excels at putting emotion and meaning behind the hardcore they play. Derek Archambault’s impassioned vocals often need little aid from the mic. Whenever he is drowned out by the ruckus, the diehard fans down the front fill in for him during favourites such as ‘Cowardice’ and ‘Red, White and Blues.’ Playing on such a high profile tour such as this bookends a triumphant year for the band with their new album ‘Empty Day and Sleepless Nights’ has been getting top reviews all round.

Next up, Trash Talk changes the pace entirely with salvo after salvo of straight up hardcore punk aggression. They manage to blast through over a dozen songs within 30 minutes. To best sum up the experience, one of the punters was overheard saying - “You don’t watch a Trash Talk show, your ARE a Trash Talk show.” Vocalist Lee Speilman Invades the front rows more than a few times, gets stick into the middle of the mosh and encourages a circle pit to charge around him. Before they leave the stage to make way for Every Time I die, Lee takes to the balcony and climbs over the outside of the railings. There is a mixture of trepidation amongst those who know the band for his extreme antics and his habit of throwing himself of such places. Fortunately he saves himself the broken bones tonight by exiting down the stairs.

The last time the reviewer saw Every Time I Die play Nottingham it was at Rock City. They seemed to be lack of much needed ferocity to their frenetic Southern Rock tinged Hardcore sound. However, tonight they are well and truly back on form. Kicking off with ‘Apocalypse Now and Then’ makes sure that the crowd don’t hesitate with getting a mosh going. It seems like after 2 years since it’s release, touring to promote 2009’s New Junk Aesthetic is out of the window because what follows is a set of solid fan favourites mainly off of Hot Damn! and Gutter Phenomenon. ‘Ebolarama’ and ‘She’s My Rushmore’ in particular cause a sudden influx of people trying to get into the mosh, making the pit swell to almost reach both sides of the narrow venue. Those not wishing to partake hug the walls in a state of wonder and anxiety. Meanwhile frontman, Keith Buckley openly encourages people up to stage dive, an activity that DHP venues don’t usually tolerate. But words must have been said before hand because the security ‘are your friends’ as he puts it. By the time the set closer ‘Floater’ comes about, anything goes! The stage is invaded what must be upwards of 50 people. Every Time I Die and the fans present tonight have set a high benchmark for the rest of the tour.

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Rock Blog Week 16: 29/11 – 5/12

This week we have another look at what's going on in the world of Some Dudes - Notts DIY Collective. Make sure you keep reading because at the end of the article we have a preview of some of the gigs coming up in December!

Lost On Campus/Jimmy Holland - Nottingham House Show, 19/11/2011 

We have previously covered gigs on this blog promoted by the Nottingham Based collective Some Dudes. In addition to their full shows they are also quickly gaining a reputation for promoting House Shows, which are promoted in association with the University Of Nottingham's Alternative Musical Society, PunkSoc. These are open events though, as evidenced by the mixture of students, former students and other punters looking for a fun evening. Last Saturday saw another in their 'Someone Say House Show?' series, with 4 artists performing songs in a Lenton living room.

Opening the evening was Nottingham's James Wright, part of the Some Dudes collective, who warmed the crowd up with some original compositions and cover songs. James plays original compositions which are inspired by some of the great emo/pop-punk bands of the past decade such as The Movielife and Midtown, and shows tremendous confidence playing some of these pieces to a crowd for only the first or second time. His vocal range and strength is impressive, and whilst the original compositions are not disappointing, a cover of Saves The Day's iconic "At Your Funeral" is undoubtedly the highlight. If any of the crowd weren't already won over, a cover of the theme tune from Arthur sealed the hearts of the entire crowd.

Next up was Hertfordshire's Nick Akam, a Nottingham University student, who also performed both original compositions and cover songs. Nick's style leans more towards the political-punk end of the spectrum, with covers by Bad Religion and The Gaslight Anthem sprinkled in amongst his own works, which have been seen at many house shows in the past couple of years, and as a result are as much of a singalong event as any cover song or more 'established' act. Nick sings with a vocal style that relies far more on passion and emotion than outright power or noise, and it lends well to the small room environment, particularly during an impressive cover of Gaslight's "1930". The set was enjoyed by the crowd, and even in resulted in the destruction of a ceiling, but more on this later.

Following the local boys was the first of the evening's 2 touring artists. Jimmy Holland has quickly gathered a following both in his hometown of Leeds, where he headlined the Acoustic Stage at this year's Slam Dunk Festival, and also elsewhere, with his thoughtful and emotive compositions. Jimmy uses guitar more as an accompaniment than other artists, often singing to a backdrop of total silence, which only helps to emphasise the words and the meanings behind them. Jimmy's songs are written straight from the heart and talk about his life experiences, and although he's only in his early twenties, he writes with a maturity beyond his years. An enjoyable set finished on the light hearted note of the Pokemon Theme Tune, to everyone's pleasure!

Closing the evening was London's Rob Lynch. Rob has previously released material under the name 'Lost On Campus', but is now touring under his own name, delivering his upbeat acoustic pop-punk to crowds around the country. Rob's rhythms are catchy and inspire many handclaps amongst those watching. The choruses sound instantly familiar, meaning that even those who don't know the words are singing along before the end of most of the songs. The set was thoroughly enjoyed by all those present, and whilst the smoke alarm that was set off towards the end of the set may well have just been a coincidence, it summed up the energy in the room.

In closing, this show really was something a bit special. Whilst going and seeing bands in larger venues is always enjoyable, the chance to attend something like this, with people playing for the sheer enjoyment of it, is what music is really all about. This is not the first Some Dudes House Show this reviewer has attended, and the visiting artists always say the same thing - these shows and this atmosphere does not exist in many other places. If you have even a passing interest in acoustic or alternative music, then take the time to find out about the shows being promoted by this collective. You'll always find great bands and great people - tonight's show alone saw several human pyramids, including one which dented the ceiling, and one of the performing artists crowd surfing out of a window. And how can that not be fun?

December Gig Preview

With December just around the corner, Notts About Music takes a look at a selection of shows in and around the City, so you can go and enjoy some live music before you stuff yourself full of Turkey and watch rubbish films this Christmas.

For those wanting to explore the more light hearted side of music, you could do far worse than The Old Angel on December 2nd. Headlined by Essex's Kunt And The Gang with Nottingham's Arse Full Of Chips supporting, you're not likely to find too many songs about emotional breakups here.

Location: The Old Angel, Stoney Street, Nottingham

Date: 02/12/2011

Price: £6

Link: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/140931

Nottingham's Bodega Social will be visited on December 6th by two up and coming bands in the Indie Rock/Indie Pop scene, with We Were Promised Jetpacks, supported by Let's Buy Happiness. Both of these bands are already receiving coverage in established music magazines and airplay on the radio - catch them now before they hit the bigger venues.

Location: Bodega Social, Pelham Street, Nottingham

Date: 06/12/2011

Price: £7 in advance

Link: http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_13668a.html

If you're looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of Nottingham, Mansfield's Atmosphere Clubnight will be hosting live bands for the first time on December 8th, hosting a lineup headlined by Essex Sextet Finisher. Local bands Armed For A Crisis and With Silent Eyes will also be playing. Entry is cheap and the drinks are cheaper, this should be a good night.

Location: VIBE Mansfield, Stockwell Gate, Mansfield

Date: 08/12/2011

Price: £3

Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121098561334106

The Rescue Rooms will play host to some of the premier bands in the thriving Emotive Hardcore scene. Headlined by Pennsylvania's Title Fight, the lineup also includes Balance & Composure and Transit. Expect emotional singalongs and crowd surfing galore.

Location: The Rescue Rooms, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham

Date: 14/12/2011

Price: £8.50 in advance

Link: http://www.rescuerooms.com/gig-guide/89/title-fight

And once, Christmas is done and you start hastily arranging your plans for New Year's Eve, may we recommend The Maze as your choice of venue? This New Year's Party will feature all the usual celebrations, but also sets by Notts About Music favourites Baby Godzilla and Hot Japanese Girl, amongst others. And at only £10 on the door, it's significantly cheaper than the majority of New Year Clubnights. We'll see you there!

Location: The Maze, Mansfield Road, Nottingham

Date: 31/12/2011

Price: £7 in advance, £10 on the door

Link: http://www.themazerocks.com/gigs?lgig=b73c8ca5-3da4-4893-b23e-e0f3835f82c3&performance=1

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Rock Blog Week 15: 21/11 – 27/11

Exit Ten/Fei Comodo/Never Means Maybe - Rock City, 10/11/11

Notts About Music once again ventured into the friendly confines of Rock City's smaller room, The Basement, to see 3 of the UK's most dedicated touring Rock Bands on one night of their 22 date UK Tour. The show attracted a good crowd, who received all the bands well.

Covered before on this website, Laguna Sunrise were tonight making their first appearance at Rock City. And they certainly stepped up to the plate - despite sharing very little in common with the bands to follow, they delivered a set full of energy which had the majority of the audience bobbing along to the mix of keyboard melodies and breakdowns. The performance was notably crisper than previous occasions that this reviewer has seen them, and they were warmly received by those that had arrived early. It's safe to say that Laguna Sunrise will be gracing the stage at Rock City again before too long.

Never Means Maybe were the first touring band of the evening, and they delivered an energetic set for the ever increasing crowd. The Chelmsford quintet play an upbeat brand of hard rock music, which they themselves describe as 'Pop-Post-Hardcore'. What makes this band stand out is the vocals - where so many bands in the genre rely on screams or growls mixed in amongst melodic vocals, vocalist Renz Byrne relies on a much higher vocal range, avoiding the screams which polarise opinion against so many people. What it all adds up to is a sound which is undoubtedly defined as 'Hard Rock', yet remains very accessible to all listeners. Tonight's performance was a good showcase of the band's work, with tracks such as 'Ziva Killed Houdini' demonstrating why this band is already seeing airtime on Music TV channels. They have now released 2 EP's, and as they continue to tour are very likely to grow their fanbase.

Cut from a similar mould, Fei Comodo are another five piece who call Chelmsford home. The finished product is very different though, calling out to a more traditional 'post-hardcore' sound of bands such as Thrice or InMe. The band has toured regularly for the past few years but has been very selective with the release of material - only about a dozen tracks have been officially released in a timespan where many bands put out 2 or even 3 albums. However, this means that the songs have been perfected, and the whole set tonight was a polished performance which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed. Their opening track, appropriately named 'Break The Ice' is a great showcase of both the musical variety of the band and also of vocalist Marc Halls' diverse vocal delivery. More recently released songs such as Rival Tides also show that the band is clearly progressing and refining their style, and you're left thinking that with a few more releases and a couple more tours, Fei Comodo could easily take themselves to bigger venues.

Closing the evening is Reading's Exit Ten. It feels almost right now to describe the band as veterans of the UK music scene, as they have been playing Nottingham venues for several years and have been together as a group for over a decade. Despite this, the tour has been scheduled to co-incide with just their second full length release, Give Me Infinity, which sees the band taking a slightly mellower, more thoughtful direction with their music. There is perhaps something of a split in the crowd here, some are here for the newer material, whilst some respond far more positively to earlier singles such as 'Warriors' and 'Resume/Ignore'. What cannot be argued, however, is that Exit Ten now have a diverse enough selection of songs to support almost any band from the Rock music spectrum. Already established as a regular touring band (as this mammoth tour demonstrates), and with a live show which always brings energy and a high level of involvement with the crowd, they are probably only one big support slot away from a breakthrough, and one which would be very well deserved.

The Eastpak Antidote Tour - Rock City, Nottingham - 17/11/11

Thursday night saw Rock City play host to one of the Marquee tours in the alternative music spectrum. The Antidote Tour, sponsored by Eastpak, has been running since 2005, and has hosted a wide variety of headliners, from Millencolin to Soilwork. More recent years have focused mainly on Pop and Punk as the headline offerings, with Florida's A Day To Remember occupying the slot most recently filled by Sum 41 and Alexisonfire. The show had been sold out for weeks, and the queue to the door at Rock City for the somewhat ludicrous 5pm door time still stretched back a mile.

Whilst all the bands tonight were making their first appearance on Rock City's Main Stage, Living With Lions are the only group gracing Nottingham for the first time. Despite containing members from metalcore bands Misery Signals and A Textbook Tragedy, what follows is straight up Canadian Pop-Punk, sounding more like Fireworks or The Wonder Years. The band worked through their set at a rapid pace, and although they couldn't quite work the crowd into the same frenzy as the subsequent acts, they received a very positive reaction.

By contrast, by the time Californian Quintet The Ghost Inside made it to the stage, a moshpit covering about half the main floor had already opened up. Opening with recent single 'Unspoken', the crowd burst into life with an energy and intensity that didn't let up until the end of the set. The Ghost Inside play an uptempo brand of Melodic Hardcore, with heavy bass riffs giving way to melodic choruses, interspersed with breakdowns and singalongs from the passionate crowd. Whilst the set was not particularly lengthy, lasting only 25 minutes, the reactions from the crowd left you in no doubt as to the success of the set. The band are returning to the UK next year with one of the biggest names in Metalcore, Parkway Drive, and based on tonight's evidence, everything is in place for them to be just as successful.

There was no let up in the intensity as August Burns Red continued the evening. Over the past few years the band have established themselves as one of the frontrunners in the American Metalcore scene, but have not toured outside of North America that frequently. Despite this, the band has a very large following in the room, with hundreds of people singing along to both their older tracks and works from their most recent release, 'Leveler'. In addition, the band has no hesitation in playing some of their more instrumental pieces - whilst these are just as heavy and full of full of aggressive bass lines as their other songs, there is a danger that the lack of vocals could lead to a drop in the energy levels of the crowd, but this isn't the case. The boys from Pennsylvania worked their way through a lengthy set, showcasing all of their best songs, and by the time they closed out with 'Back Burner', they had more than satisfied their existing fans, and no doubt won over dozens of new ones too.

So by the time the lights went down for the main event, it was safe to say that the crowd's anticipation had been worked up to a fever pitch. And A Day To Remember absolutely delivered. The band's unique mixture of poppy choruses and breakdowns, known to some as 'pop-mosh', has seen the band catapulted from relative obscurity only 4 years ago to one of the most well known acts in the alternative music scene today. The band's live shows have only added to their reputation, and tonight is no exception, with an energetic, well-choreographed performance accompanied by glitter cannons, smoke machines, toilet rolls and beachballs, all adding up to a visual show as well as an auditory one. The musical performance is flawless, and the vocals from Jeremy McKinnon are a significant improvement on previous performances, which in the past have attracted criticism. The highlight of the set came during the performance of the track 'Homesick', where Jeremy climbed into an inflatable, zorb style plastic ball, and proceeded to run on top of the crowd. Throughout the set, the crowd was signing along to every word of every song, and after the band closed out with 'The Downfall Of Us All', a very sweaty crowd made their way out of the venue, well satisfied with what they had seen.

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Rock Blog Week 13: 07/11 – 13/11

This week we have a bumper edition of our rock blog with double the usual gig reviews. Thanks to Robert Moody for all his hard work!

The Artery Foundation Across The Nation Tour - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 24/10/11

The Rescue Rooms played host to a selection of bands on Monday night, all part of the Artery Foundation, a large collection of bands from across the alternative music spectrum. This show offered 4 bands, each one very different to the next, and that was reflected in a good size crowd, with most people turning up mainly to see one or two of the bands on offer. It's a premise that's used more in North America than in the UK, but the show was received well.

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! is the grammatically correct printing of this French quintet's name. Obviously they will win most 'stupid band names' competitions that they enter, but they are also rapidly building a fanbase with their lively brand of breakdown-infused pop-punk. At the risk of being cliche, there really is something for everyone here, whether you like heavy bass riffs, screaming vocals, melodic vocals or big singalongs. Despite being the first band of the night (and onstage at 6:30pm, no less), the crowd was very much into them, and their closing song, 'In Friends We Trust', was met with a tremendous response from the crowd. Expect to see this band touring regularly into 2012 - if the success of bands like A Day To Remember is anything to go by, these guys are going to be huge.

Abandon All Ships! are up next, and are undoubtedly the most difficult band I've ever had to review. The musical offering is unlike anything you've ever heard, packed full of Synth, Keyboard and Autotuned vocals, yet still maintaining the standard breakdowns and screams that define the Metalcore genre. They make Asking Alexandria look like Napalm Death by comparison. Couple that with a group of individuals who you'd associate more with the cast of Jersey Shore than a Rock Music show and it all adds up to a unique experience. All I can say is that if bands are judged solely by the crowd response, then Abandon All Ships! are the biggest band of the night. The response to songs such as 'Geeving' and 'Take One Last Breath' is huge, alternating between large moshpits during the breakdowns and club-style scenes during their Techno interludes. The best review I can leave for this band is to describe them as a 'Marmite band' - check them out, see what you think, you'll either adore them or detest them.

By contrast, Chelsea Grin do not use Synths or Keyboards. They also do not use melodic vocals, and there isn't much melody. This was 30 minutes of straight-up Deathcore, which almost constant breakdowns, and vocals that alternated entirely between Screams and Bree-Squeals. This was another band that divided the crowd - those at the front and in the mosh pit were hanging on every note, those standing further back looked distinctly disinterested in the whole proceedings. Personally, I struggle to review this band because I just don't 'get' this genre of music. What I can say is that a significant portion of the crowd were clearly in attendance purely for this band, and for that reason alone they cannot be ignored in what appears to be an ever growing genre.

Miss May I closed the night with something altogether more familiar. The band has toured relentlessly over the past couple of years on a number of package tours of this nature, although musically they sit a lot closer to the modern metal bands such as Killswitch Engage and Trivium than many of the bands they have toured with. One thing is clear though, all the touring has shaped the band's live performance into something spectacular. The vocals are strong, the guitar work is incredibly tight and the drumming is relentless and aggressive. It all adds up to a ferocious set which the remaining crowd responded to very positively. The band ended on a song called 'Relentless Chaos', which is an apt description for the band as a whole, and for any fan of metal, metalcore or just heavy music in general, Miss May I come recommend as a band well worth seeing.

Departures/Take Courage/Forester/Borders - The Old Angel, 28/10/11

Another in the growing list of shows put on by Nottingham-based collective 'Some Dudes' took place on Friday at The Old Angel, with 4 UK bands taking to the stage. All the bands should be credited for their efforts, playing full sets despite horrendous traffic on the drive up from Falmouth, some 250 miles away, meaning they only arrived shortly before the advertised start time.

Borders opened the evening with a lively Pop Punk performance. The music has a familiar feel and the vocals borrow heavily from the likes of well known bands such as Four Year Strong. Despite this, the South Yorkshire quartet have penned some very original songs, and if they sound as good on CD as they do here, they wouldn't be out of place on anyone's summertime roadtrip playlist.

Forester are the next band to take to the stage.  These boys from Nottingham have not been playing shows for very long, but despite this they manage to put on an impressive show. Their post-hardcore/old school emo sound harks back to the days of early Brand New, and it's refreshing to see a new band playing this style, not relying on breakdowns or gimmicks to win the crowd over. The performance is slick, the vocals passionate, and if Forester continue to play these shows they will build up a fanbase very quickly.

Take Courage are up next, and are a complete culture shift from the previous offerings. Their 25 minute performance was fast, aggressive and chaotic, with vocalist Leo unable to stay still for more than 3 seconds, even whilst delivering powerful vocals. The boys from Kent put on a show which demands attention, and this reviewer recommends that you catch them as soon as you get the chance.

The evening was closed off by Scottish group Departures. This melodic hardcore band have been touring regularly in recent months on the back of their Debut 'When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted,' which mixes fast riffs and passionate vocals. Once again there is no pretence about this band, just honest music played with tons of passion. Whilst Departures can easily be compared to many other bands in the genre, they play with an enthusiasm that cannot be ignored, and we fully expect them to be seen supporting more established bands in the very near future.

In summary, this is about the 5th show I've been to promoted by 'Some Dudes', and the two constants are passionate, honest bands and friendly, genuine crowds. Any show promoted by them comes recommended, and they are fast becoming one of Nottingham's treasures.

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You can find the review of the gig here.

Photo's provided by Carla Mundy Photography.

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Rock Blog Week 12: 31/10 – 06/11

Violet/Northpaw/Romans - The Maze, 17th October

Notts About Music was in attendance at The Maze once again for an evening of Rock and Metal hosted by BigSmall Promotions - the lure of 5 bands for 4 quid, as always, is hard to resist!

Laguna Sunrise

This reviewer had been waiting years to hear it, and upon Laguna Sunrise's intro finally saw the inevitable - DubstepCore. Like it or not, the 2 genres share many traits, and undoubtedly more bands will incorporate this into their music in the coming months. After this, the band ran through a 5 song set which covered most of the alternative music spectrum, as poppy choruses gave way to metalcore breakdowns and screams. The set was generally enjoyable, although the group will need to work on their live show to stand out amongst the many bands in this very busy genre.

Romans

"Let's clear something up. We don't think you're going to like our band." So proclaims Tom Sivell, lead vocalist of Romans, before they even begin playing. The rather dry sense of humour continues throughout the set - the Kidderminster quartet clearly enjoy what they do, and it shows in both their well polished performance and between song banter. The music itself is lively, upbeat Hard Rock, with Drummer Denny Connolly lending some effective screaming to the main vocals, which you would normally associate with more of an Indie Rock band. It's an interesting combination, and it works well, and to clear something up, I think the crowd rather liked their band.

Armed For A Crisis

Previously reviewed on this website, this Nottingham based Hardcore band have been playing an increased number of shows in recent months promoting their debut EP, Progressions. It is safe to say that the work is paying off, as Armed For A Crisis are now putting on a live show which demands attention. The music is fast paced and intense, but the performances are engaging and polished. It all adds up to a great show, and you get the feeling that these boys are only a couple of support slots away from bigger things.

Northpaw

If this band makes the big time, then you can say without doubt that you heard it here first, as this was Northpaw's first ever show! Ok, so they've been playing shows previously under the name of Forever Wednesday, but we won't let the facts get in the way of a good story...anyway, this band from Surrey kept the energy of the evening going with a short but explosive set. Vocalist Charlie explored all 4 corners of the venue whilst delivering a ferocious performance, backed up by some well practised performances from the rest of the band.

Violet

This Derby based 7 piece have been making waves in the East Midlands scene in recent months, so much so that they are now headlining shows around the country, building up a fanbase. Tonight they were on top form, and if their live performances are always of this standard they will have no trouble achieving this. You will read reviews of this band which will make the lazy comparison to American bands Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa, in the same way that any female fronted Rock band now gets compared to Paramore. In reality, this band is very different, the riffs are heavier, and the alternating melodic and screaming vocals complement the nature of the music perfectly, rather than being the sole focus. The band manages to pull off some very complex songs really well in a live environment, and it's clear from tonight that this band is going to be playing larger venues in the near future. See them now before the crowd!

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 11: 24/10 - 30/10

The Maze - Friday 14th October

8mm Orchestra

Post-rock bands often get described by that old cliché of ‘sounding like a soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist’ that’s 8mm Orchestra have picked a pretty deft name for their 5 piece. Referencing the genres affinity with the listeners imaginary films and their larger than rock sound.

With no singer for a front man, it is the lead guitarist that steals the show with an arsenal of playing styles and skills. The precision of his picking creates an almost loop pedal like effect but its all him. He is the machine. During a more sombre part of the set a guitar is played with a violin bow to create some of the most chilling sounds known to man. Think of dead whale song prophesying about an impending apocalypse.

Going back to the subject of cinematography; It makes me wonder whether 8mm would be a big enough medium for a band this monumental, but the IMAX Orchestra just doesn’t quite have the same impact.

Kill Chaos

Kill Chaos are a welcome throwback to the UK alternative rock at the beginning of this millennium, a time particularly close to my heart, when Reuben, Million Dead, Biffy Clyro (in their early years) and Hundred Reasons ruled the underground. With their jarring riffs, off kilter beats and caffeinated vocals they’re more like the seminal Mclusky, if any comparisons to bands of that era had to be made.

The entertainment isn’t restricted to their songs, between songs their witty, sarcastic banter is actually welcomed and laughed at compared to the usual sighs and looks of ‘get on with it.’ Over the course of the set we learn that they’re selling some guitars, or will happily trade them for a new drummer, as this is his last gig with the band and claim to have wrote the only song in existence about Leamington Spa.

Best of luck to Kill Chaos in finding a new drummer, we would like to like to see more of them.

Shapes

The day that a friend of mine described Shapes as ‘the worst band I have ever seen live’ was the day I stopped trusting their opinion on music. Tonight Shapes are being very particular about their sound check and fair play to them. They can’t launch headlong into a set when they’ve got a sound as complex as theirs. On the surface its gritty, abrasive alt-punk but underneath time signatures switch and jerk in jazz like fits.  What Shapes lack in catchy choruses, they make up for in captivating math rock instrumental hooks. There’s still chance to catch Shapes in the near future, as they are the main support for tonight’s headliners, &U&I, on their current tour. 

&U&I

Being made up of 3 quarters of the critically acclaimed Blakfish can’t harm a bands chances of working up a devoted underground following. The Birmingham trio’s current 19 date tour covers most corners of the UK and the fantastic new ‘Light Bearer’ album should make that a dead cert.

&U&I are a band you can’t easily pigeon hole with each song jumping in and out of post hardcore, math rock and indie. There’s an overall cohesiveness that binds this unlikely mix together. It’s apparent that Peckett, Lee and ‘Wiz’ have taken their experience Blakfish and built upon it, in their short space of time as &U&I they’ve already struck out in a new direction. With a band this eager and passionate I have ever confidence that they will maintain this momentum. Watch out world!

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 11: 17/10 - 23/10

The Maze - 5th October 2011

The Maze hosted another of its regular Rock and Metal nights on Wednesday, showcasing a mixture of young, local talent. These nights are always great value (tonight offered 5 bands for just £3) so we headed along to check out a few of Nottinghamshire's up and coming names, and sample some of the always excellent Castle Rock Ales.

(Apologies to Artifice, who I did not arrive in time for - finishing work at 6pm does not help with seeing a band at 7!)

Buried By Atlantis

It's always an interesting experience seeing a band play their first shows. Little practised songs in an unfamiliar environment, it can be a recipe for disaster. Fortunately that isn't the case with these boys, playing just their second gig. The influences are clear - metalcore and breakdown bands are certainly popular at the moment, so it's no surprise to see regular opportunities for 2-stepping and stomping in the crowd. 4 songs were run through in relatively quick time, but were enjoyed by the audience on hand. Not a bad debut at all. 

Beyond The Skies

By contrast, Beyond The Skies arrived on stage to an apocalyptic drum roll and an almighty scream. What followed was 25 minutes of fast paced melodic metal, which was well supported and very enjoyable. The riffs sound familiar but are played with a confidence that far surpasses the short time this band have been together. Taking on 'Laid To Rest' by Lamb Of God is a brave choice for a cover, and whilst it proves to be the weakest song of the set, I've certainly heard many worse versions. This young band is one to watch, and as a final note, any vocalist who starts his own circle pits earns bonus points in my book! 

A Dishonest Truth

This band made the short trip down from Chesterfield to play and again the crowd responded positively to a mix of beatdown-laced hardcore and more familiar metal riffs. These days, bands in this genre are in danger of being classified not by the quality of their own songs but by the quality of their pop music cover, but A Dishonest Truth are well placed to take advantage of this with an enjoyable take on Jessie J's "Do It Like a Dude". Aside from this, the songs flowed well, and it will be interesting to see how this band develops.

  Scarlet Walls

This 5 piece from Alfreton have been playing numerous shows over the past year - they are regulars at The Maze and have been playing all across Notts and Derbyshire building up a fanbase and refining their live act. Having seen them before, I can definitely say that they are doing the latter successfully. Their performance now shows a tightness and confidence that only comes with experience, and the vocalist is now much more comfortable with his range. The chances are that Scarlet Walls will be playing somewhere near you soon, and whether you've seen them before or not, as far as seeing live bands goes, you could do a lot worse.

Event Tip:

This Friday the Notts About Music team will be at the Crash of Rhinos gig at The Chameleon. If you want to find out more about the site then come down and say hi. We have some business cards to hand out to bands, promoters and venue staff.

Support comes from Well Wisher and Some Skeletons.

There is no door tax aka, ITS FREE! Kickoff at 8pm!

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 10: 10/10 - 16/10

Rock Nights in Nottingham

The Rock Blog is back! I know we have not managed to deliver these weekly as planned but we have been busy working on all sorts of exciting things to coincide with the website launch.

This week we have a run down of some of the rock, metal and punk nights that happen in Nottingham. So whatever genre/subgenre you’re into, we hope you find something here that you like.

  Rock City

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Where? Rock City

When? Every Saturday

Rock City’s flagship clubnight of ‘Alternative Anthems’, which is an all encompassing term for anything from Rage Against The Machine to Reel Big Fish, Biffy Clyro to Block Party, Paramore to Pendulum. The website describes it as ‘a festival inside Rock City’ which isn’t far off the mark. With a second room of music to featuring alternating The Lock Up, Afflicted and Hit The Deck Reunion clubnights, there’s an excellent range of alternative music under one roof.

The Lock Up

Where? Rock City, Basement

When? 1st + 3rd Saturdays of the month

The Lock Up is part of the Hey Hey Hey clubnight every 1st and 3rd Saturday. DJ Gazz Snowden has Djed stages at Leeds and Reading festivals so he is well versed in bringing you the very best punk, ska, hardcore and metal. So whether you want to skank, mosh or punch the floor there’s something to get you moving.

Afflicted

Where? Rock City, Basement

When? 2nd + 4th Saturdays of the month

Alternating weeks between The Lock Up, Afflicted melts the faces off of basement goers every 2nd and 4th Saturday with the heaviest alternative music your eardrums can handle. Kerrang DJ, Alex Baker plays the most extreme metal and hardcore from Emmure to Everytime I Die, Cancer Bats to Comeback Kid and Architects to August Burns Red.

Hit The Deck Reunion

Where? Rock City, Basement

When? Every 5th Saturday of the month

Due to the rarity of 5Saturdays in a month, Hit the Deck Reunion club nights only come around a couple of times a year.

2011 was Hit The Deck’s debut year and this reunion night was launched after to recreate the atmosphere attendees experienced in April with live bands and guest DJs.

Expect to hear the bands that played this year amongst other hardcore, pop-punk and metal hits.

Stick Tight

Where? Rock City, Basement

When? Every Thursday

Thursdays in the Rock City Basement have become renowned for its mix of punk, hardcore, emo and post-hardcore. Previously it was just art of the Tuned clubnight but in October this year it got an identity of its own and was re-launched as Stick Tight.

  Rescue Rooms 

Stealth vs. Rescued

Where? Rescue Rooms and Stealth

When? Every Saturday

Stealth vs. Rescued serves up a whopping 5 rooms of music across the 2 venues. To list all of the various alternating DJs and genres for each room would hog most of this article and would therefore appear biased. So if you like indie, post-punk, electro, rock, dubstep, mod or dubstep then there is something here to pull you through the door. One of Stealth vs. Rescued charms is exploring the many corners of the Stealth and Rescue Rooms, and discovering what musical treats each room has in store.

For a more detailed breakdown visit this link.

  Pressure

Where? Rescue Rooms Bar and Venue

When? Every Tuesday

Hosted by Nottingham’s own indie-pop band Dog Is Dead, Pressure has 2-4-1 drinks offers and a wide selection of alternative hits through the ages: from classic artists such as David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, right through to the latest avant-garde rock bands shaping the music of tomorrow. Previous guest DJs have included Matt Horne, Kate Nash, Mumford & Sons and The Vaccines.

Other Venues 

Sugar Ape

Where? The Bodega Social Club

When? 13th October, 17th November, 15 December

Sugar Ape is one of Nottingham’s newest and most exciting alternative club nights. The staff are going all out to give you the best night out Thursdays, or any day of the week, can offer. With recession friendly drinks offers, free vodka jelly shots and free sweets for people tearing it up, you’ll be wishing this was held more often than once a month.

More than just a clubnight, Sugar Ape is run by self confessed music geeks. Head over to the website and you will find a podcast, album reviews and band recommendations from the staff.

  Perdition vs. Violated

Where? The Maze

When? 4th November, bi-monthly thereafter

On 4th November The Maze will be hosting 2 club nights under one roof with Perdition vs. Violated. This will be Perditions debut, a glance over at the Facebook page reveals quite a promising playlist of bands. This is on track to be Nottingham’s premier dedicated metal and rock clubnight.

Violated is ‘extreme music for extreme people’ which, breaking it down into genres and subgenres means: death, black, grind, melodeath and doom! Sounds brutal!

Taken By The Tide and Drag The Lake will be playing before the club, from 7pm onwards.

  Phlebas

Where? Bar 11

When? Every Tuesday

Phlebas has been going strong for a few years now, pretty much inventing nights out on a Tuesday in Nottingham. Held in the intimate venue that is Bar 11, it often gets packed out and the revellers spill out into the streets of Hockley.

There’s no such thing as a typical Phlebas playlist, it is ‘the original mashup, rock, dubstep, crunk/funk/junk/punk all this getting a slam dunk. Oh and Journey plus every genre you want to think off.’

  Wild Side

Where? The Salutation Inn

When? 1st Saturday of the month

Wild Side revels in all things glam, sleazy and hair metal. Its hosting venues have come and gone (RIP Seven and The Central) but Wild Side has kept on rocking! Now in the ever popular Salutation Inn, there’s no stopping this unique club night. The Wildside Girlz dance the night away with you on podiums whilst DJ Wildside and DJ Johnny Fangz play 2 rooms of music.

  Assault

Where? Spanky Van Dykes (for the time being)

When? Every other Friday during term time

For the past 7 years Nottingham Trent SU has hosted Assault but whilst they undergo renovation it is now at Spanky Van Dykes.

Assault brings ‘you the very finest in alternative music. We play rock, we play punk, we play metal, we play the fool, we play around, we play hard to get... Our tastes are nothing if not eclectic.’ We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 8: 26/09 – 02/10

Apologies in advance that this weeks rock blog is a bit brief. We’ve been busy compiling the October gig listings and building the databases for the all new website that goes live on 24 October. We promise to return to a full feature blog next week.

Last month ago reviewed Breadchasers frontman, Will Baileys birthday gig/bash. Now we have news about Will’s other band; Arse Full of Chips. On 7 November Arse Full of Chips release their new album ‘Lickadickaday.’ To celebrate this there will be a record release party at the Acoustic Rooms, Rescue Rooms that very same day. It will be a chance to see AFoC for the first time in July and to sample the new tracks of the album. Expect the usual tomfoolery and hilarity that this comedy ska-punk 5 piece have become known for. The event will be free but there will be opportunity to buy the new album, DVD and T-shirts if you want to put a few quid in their pockets. There will be support from Stuck In 2ND, Jody Betts, Ben and Vinny and Gerry Trimble. You can find out more on the Facebook event page here.

Artist Tip:

This week we have The Repent for you, who have the gruff abrasiveness of hardcore and the chunky riffs of metal. On the 22 October there will be an EP launch party at the Vic Inn in Derby, which will be recorded for an upcoming music video. Complete with a solid support from Origins, In Hindsight, Forever Wednesday, Armed For A Crisis and Violet this will be one not to miss. You can find out more on the Facebook event page here.

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 7: 19/09 – 24/09

Nottingham boasts some great hardcore and metal bands. We’ve reviewed and featured the likes of Strike Team, Baby Godzilla and Armed For A Crisis but that’s just scratching the surface. Expect to hear more about these bands and many more in future blog posts.

This week’s feature casts its eyes (and ears) on some out of county bands that are passing through Nottingham this weekend. Hertfordshire’s, The Eyes of a Traitor headline the Rock City basement on Friday with their blend of metalcore and deathcore. The Eyes of a Traitor have earned themselves recognition for sticking out amongst the 2 overcrowded genres that their sound is made up from and not conforming to what the copycats are doing. Support comes from the south coasts rising stars Heart In Hand, whose melodic hardcore sound compliments the headliners. Also on the bill are Lincoln’s Martyr Defiled, ‘scouse metal’ courtesy of Carcer City and local support from Nottingham’s own Armed For A Crisis. We wouldn’t be surprised if this is a sell out show on the night seeing as it has an A list line up of bands from all corners of the country. Tickets are £7, available from the Rock City box office. Alternatively you can order online from Alt-Tickets, although there will be a small booking fee. Doors are at 6pm.

Feed The Rhino have earned themselves praise from Metal Hammer, Big Cheese, Rock Sound and Kerrang. It’s only a matter of time until these Kentish punk n rollers break out of basement sized gigs and play larger venues. Herefordshire’s post-hardcore 5-piece, Heights are the only advertised support. Tickets are £6.50, available from the Rock City box office. Alternatively you can order online from Alt-Tickets, although there will be a small booking fee. Doors are at 6.30pm.

Artist Tip:

We’ve had a lot to say about Armed For A Crisis. Just in case you missed our EP review we are bringing this band to your attention again. Check out their new music video for “VII: Open Hearts, Open Minds” here.

Event Tip: The next couple of ClubFist night have been announced. This Thursday Adelphia of Kings, Dead Reckoning, Go Fast or Go Home and Toecutter are playing The Olde Ramme Inne for the small fee of £2. You can find all the info on the Facebook event.

On 12 October Giants, Hospitals and Dead Harts will be kicking off the clubnight for £3 if you get your tickets in advance from here or £4 on the door. Again all the fluff can be found on the Facebook Event.

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 6: 12/09 – 18/09

Clubfist - Baby Godzilla/Strike Team/Sofa King, The Olde Ramme Inne - Mansfield, September 8th 2011

In something of a role reversal, Mansfield played host to 3 Nottingham based bands as part of the second 'Clubfist' night. The event was held at Ye Olde Ramme Inne on Church Street, which aside from having far too many e's in it's name, offered up an ideally sized pub/club venue for the crowd.

Compliments must be given to the management, who have converted the well sized Beer Garden into an outdoor stage. There is enough room for people to stand and watch the bands, whilst still providing adequate seating, an outdoor bar and barbecue facilities, offering a rather good Cheeseburger, which was very welcome after watching the bands! It may limit the appeal somewhat in the winter months, but the venue certainly provides a good facility for those wanting to play something slightly different.

The event had clearly been well promoted as by the time headliners Baby Godzilla took to the stage, the venue was, if you'll pardon the pun, Rammed. And the band responded to the energy - Baby Godzilla are already known for their hyperactive live shows, but tonight took things to another level. Guitarists Matt Reynolds and Jonny Hall explored all corners of the venue - climbing walls, benches, tables and playing in amongst the crowd - and that was all during the opening song! For well over 45 minutes these guys blasted through increasingly zany songs, with riffs and rhythms indecipherable to all but the most well trained ears. The performance was sharp, with the band members showing a confidence in themselves and one another normally associated with bands who have been working the live music scene for many years, but that didn't prevent the show feeling at times, completely out of control. At times you felt as though the crowd weren't quite sure what they were witnessing - all they knew was, they were absolutely loving it. Baby Godzilla are the sort of band who will gain many followers through word of mouth - if you've not been told to go and see them yet, then this is that moment. The band recently went on their first UK tour, so catch them soon before they start playing more shows outside Notts!

Support from the evening came from Strike Team, who we have previously reviewed on this website, and once again these boys brought their passion to the stage. With songs that feel instantly recognizable, yet with an originality that keeps them interesting, they also gave the crowd a show to remember, and with the amount of movement in what at times became quite a cramped space, it was clear that the crowd were enjoying their work.

The opening act of the night, Sofa King, are starting to gather pace - having been together for just under a year they are now starting to play shows more frequently. They describe themselves as 'Happy Jazz', and whilst some Jazz musicians would no doubt be horrified at the squeals that accompany some of the vocals, the music had an ecletic quality to it, which kept people interested.

With the live music completed, and Cheeseburger devoured, we ventured back indoors to check out the 'clubnight' section of the evening. It was pleasing to see a lot of people stay after the bands, be it to dance, have a few drinks, or just chat with mates in the beer garden, which meant the lively atmosphere continued well into the night. The DJs at Clubfist kept the unpredictable nature of the night going with a musical selection, which ran from Pop-Punk to Metal with Hardcore and Dubstep in between. The DJs were open to requests, and as the night progressed the dance floor became busier and busier. Unfortunately the drive back to Nottingham and work at 9am the next day meant we couldn't stay until closing time, but we left with no doubt that many people would be staying until kicking-out time, and would definitely recommend that you check out their next event. Chances are, you'll see us there.

Artist Tip:

Area 11 describe themselves as Gajin-Rock. Gaijin is the Japanese word for foreigner and a suitable prefix for a genre that this Nottingham based 5-piece play. They put a western rock band spin on all things Japanese pop culture. From J-Pop to Anime via chip tune, Area 11 have made truly crafted a unique sound.

Event Tip:

Kerblammo – Round 3 has an eclectic line up of 16 rock, punk, hip hop and jazz acts across 2 stages. There will be something for everyone at The Maze on 24th September and you will hear more about how the event went down afterward when we review it. Doors are at 8pm. At £3.50 a ticket it’s an absolute steal!

[nottsaboutrock-blog-blog]

Rock Blog Week 4: 29/08 – 05/09

Here at Notts About Music we love local festivals that showcase the great bands our county has to offer. What we love even more is when such an event raises money for a noble cause. A couple of weeks ago we had The Waterfront Festival raising money for P.A.S.I.C (Parents Association of Seriously Ill Children) now this coming weekend we have Macmillan Festival raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. We don’t just have an awesome music scene here, we have one that thinks outside of itself and extends its hand to those in need. This week’s blog is dedicated to giving you a quick run down of the bands playing Macmillan Festival to whet your appetite.

The young man behind Macmillan Festival, Kris Davis, started raising money for the charity in 2009. Only 16 at the time, Kris wanted to support the charity after they helped his form tutor through a brain tumour. He succeeded in raising £400 with 3 bands playing at Junction 7.

Last year Kris partnered up with his friend Curtis to organise and run the first Macmillan Festival. This when things took a huge leap forward for the event. 27 bands played 2 stages at The Central, raising over £1000. This year shows no sign of slowing down either. There will be 31 bands performing across 3 stages at The Rescue Rooms and Stealth. With a combined capacity of 850 we hope this is a sell out year that raises even more money than ever for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Rescue Rooms stage will be headlined by Reading’s Exit Ten. Having supported Funeral For A Friend, Enter Shikari and YouMeAtSix this 5 piece are used to wowing large crowds with their blend of melodic hardcore and metal. Lost Boys, also from Reading and Atlas & I from Norwich fill the 2nd and 3rd slots from the top, representing the national music scene.

Making the short journey down the A52, Derby’s Violet are certainly are ones to watch. Their own twist on melodic/post hardcore stands head and shoulders above the rest due to the soulful vocals that can only be compared to Johnny Craig of Dance Gavin Dance/Emarosa. These guys aren’t pretenders; they’ve got a genuine heart.

Powerful stuff! Patchwork Grace were voted by Kerrang Radio listeners as the best Female Fronted Unsigned band in the UK in 2010. Rightly so! With an EP produced by John Mitchell (YouMeAtSix, Funeral for a Friend, Enter Shikari, Kids in Glass Houses) it’s only a matter of time before a label snaps them up.

Stealth will be hosting the heaviest of the bands appearing this year, with a heavy focus on death metal, hardcore and metalcore. Mancunian death metal crew, Ingested headline the stage with what they describe in their own words as – “punishing beatdowns, epic riffage, guttural vocals and blistering speed.”

Illuminatus are possibly Nottingham’s worse kept secret. Having earned their stripes supporting some of the biggest names in metal, regularly playing underground festivals in Europe and being championed by Bruce Dickinson's Rock Show on BBC6; they’re on the brink of taking the mainstream by storm.

Extreme metallers Frozen Affliction hope to appeal to “both fans of dark metal and fresh faced kids looking for something different.” Citing Cradle of Filth as one of their influences only check these out if you’re not easily shocked and like your metal a bit sinister!

Sacrisity formed at a Metallica gig in 2009 and have been crafting their spin on thrash metal ever since. Having a classically trained lead guitarist guarantees that there’s bucket loads of shredding and rhythmic solos.

We caught Red Room headliners Captain Dangerous at Waterfront Festival and we couldn’t think of a better way to top the evening off. Their upbeat, nerdy take on pop infused indie got the crowd at the Canalhouse meerily bouncing and signing along. We don’t see why they won’t get the same treatment here. We’re looking forward to see them again!

In 2010 Christopher Dawson moved to London to study under, Paul McCartney’s song writing partner, Paul Bell. This year he returned to Nottingham to launch his professional music career as a solo acoustic artist. One man and a guitar is all you need when you’ve got an emotive voice like Dawson’s. We hope it’s a voice that will resonate through 2012’s festival season.

Paper Cape started as an acoustic solo project of Dan Hall in 2009. This year Dan acquired a backing band to compete in a Battle of the Bands competition. The emotive and haunting soundscapes of Joe Renshaw (guitar), Rob Crofts (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums) compliment an already powerful voice. Expect hairs to stand up on the back of your neck.

Indie rockers Great British Weather draws their influence from dancey post-punk and math rock. A smattering of pop hooks don’t harm their chances of rising up throught the Nottingham scene. We’ve got our eyes kept firmly on these guys.

We’ve only covered a few artists for each stage here so please check out the Facebook event for the full lineup, stage times and links to online tracks by all of the bands. Tickets are £8 on the door, 1pm start.

Artist Tip:

Marc Reeves got in touch with us to share the session he recorded with The Beat at BBC. You can check out his folk inspired acoustic indie here. If you’ve got a band you would like us to promote or feature then please post a comment on our Facebook wall or tweet us.

Event Tip:

A few weeks ago we gave you a heads up about Apparatus of Sleep. If you didn’t catch them at Waterfront Festival then you have a chance to see them at Spanky Van Dykes Fun House and Eatery on 10September. They’ll be supporting Kentish post-rockers Codes In The Clouds along with Alpha Male Tea Party. Tickets are £5 on the door, 8pm start.