Got myself down to the Boston Arms, Tuffnell Park, for an hour or so. Just wanted to swing by and check it, get the low down, see what was on offer.
...and there was a fair bit actually... in the shape of a Carl, Kyle and Mick hole. Along with Mongrel filling the gaps.
Pretty packed crowd, not bad for a Tuesday probably with it being close to Christmas the giveaway of free festive cheer tuned by a jamming session.
Carlos, Drew and Kyle performed an impromptu Libertines set, only a couple of tracks but more than enough to whet anyone’s appetite. They played ‘Don’t Look Back into the Sun’ and ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’. More than lovely.
Twenty minutes later Mongrel filled their gap playing hits off their forthcoming album. Seemed a lot tighter this time round, not so aggressive or preachy. Jon the reverend rapping it out in a puffa jacket whilst the venue had the heating on...wasn’t just the music making everyone sweaty. The brrrrap girls were their causing a few whistles and ‘here here’ chants. Not sure what they were saying though so I just kept schtum and played nodding-tap-dancer-dog-girl.
Played:
Lies- The Menace- Julian
Following their set, Jon invited guys, girls and fellow musicians out of the audience to join in a jamming session. Mick Whitnall obliged. That was pleasant.
Starting to like this venue. Small enough for the intimacy but large enough for the atmosphere. Toilets are rank though the Irish men with no teeth make up for it i suppose. Just for the comedy value.
The night I had a fag with Carl Barat. Wasn’t worth it, don’t even smoke. One to tell the kids though is s’pose.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Beardyman @ Proud 4.12.08
Not many people could get me ravin' on a Wednesday night but if anyone can it's Beardyman (real name Darren Foreman)
And what a lovely bearded man he still is and what an amazing set. The things this guy can do with his voice are out of this world, absolutely incredible. I have no idea how to even attempt a beat box let alone do it for an hour or so rolling out a whole array of tunes. Some kind of human jukebox.
Other than his usual sounds, he did the whole layering and mixing of the different ‘voices’ using equipment and building up songs...that was enough for me right there. But no, he went a step further each time, beating out tunes to the name of....
Bobby McFerrin 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' - 'Popcorn' - Prodigy 'Out of Space' (crowd request) - Nina Simone 'Feeling Good' - Kanye West 'Goldigga' - Jay Z '99 Problems' - Fatboy Slim 'Renegade Master' - Massive Attack 'Unfinished Sympathy'- Bob Marley - Take That 'Never Forget'
Providing the ecstatic crowd ( a mixture of students, music bods and beautiful people) with a melody of soulful singing, trumpets and drums all at the same time, it's the least you would expect from a three piece band, but Beardyman manages to do it all. Alone- one man and his voice. Dazza continues to amaze me.
The night was for Clash magazine’s end of year Revue party – celebrating music and fashion in 2008, with Proud Galleries in Camden accommodating the couple- hundred people. Xbox Rock Band going on in one room, artists performances in the next (ft: Simian Mobile Disco, XX Teens and Baddies) and then each of the stables was occupied by a different activity- from Disco pole dancing (for those who fancied providing a small audience with some 70’s leg action), Bed Head makeovers and a ‘cosy’ barn for chill out. Not to mention the three bars providing refreshments, but at £5 for a bottle of Kopperberg perhaps I should re-consider my choice of drink on my next visit.
And what a lovely bearded man he still is and what an amazing set. The things this guy can do with his voice are out of this world, absolutely incredible. I have no idea how to even attempt a beat box let alone do it for an hour or so rolling out a whole array of tunes. Some kind of human jukebox.
Other than his usual sounds, he did the whole layering and mixing of the different ‘voices’ using equipment and building up songs...that was enough for me right there. But no, he went a step further each time, beating out tunes to the name of....
Bobby McFerrin 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' - 'Popcorn' - Prodigy 'Out of Space' (crowd request) - Nina Simone 'Feeling Good' - Kanye West 'Goldigga' - Jay Z '99 Problems' - Fatboy Slim 'Renegade Master' - Massive Attack 'Unfinished Sympathy'- Bob Marley - Take That 'Never Forget'
Providing the ecstatic crowd ( a mixture of students, music bods and beautiful people) with a melody of soulful singing, trumpets and drums all at the same time, it's the least you would expect from a three piece band, but Beardyman manages to do it all. Alone- one man and his voice. Dazza continues to amaze me.
The night was for Clash magazine’s end of year Revue party – celebrating music and fashion in 2008, with Proud Galleries in Camden accommodating the couple- hundred people. Xbox Rock Band going on in one room, artists performances in the next (ft: Simian Mobile Disco, XX Teens and Baddies) and then each of the stables was occupied by a different activity- from Disco pole dancing (for those who fancied providing a small audience with some 70’s leg action), Bed Head makeovers and a ‘cosy’ barn for chill out. Not to mention the three bars providing refreshments, but at £5 for a bottle of Kopperberg perhaps I should re-consider my choice of drink on my next visit.
Monday, 1 December 2008
Clash night thing @ a North London institution 30.11.08
To shy away from my Sunday Blues I rocked up to the Lock Tavern last night with beans-and-cheese in tow. What a lovely evening was had. Our night was split into three phases.
Phase 1 - Arrived just in time to get a pint of the good stuff and to watch Sam Isaac perform. Very pleasant on my ears. Very Get-Cape-Wear-Cape-Fly-esque...singing tracks on his own with help of some backing vocals by a striking looking girl. Followed by the help from some friends on keyboard, tambourine and a rice shaker thing. Very easy Sunday night listening. Sam also enlisted the hands of the audience, by requesting we clap like the Gypsy King’s at a certain point in one track. I did this and it felt good...
Phase 2- ventured outside for a good ol’ knees up and a sit down to rest my drunk legs. When we went back in, there were balloons everywhere! Whole ceiling was covered, it was a lovely site but also slightly annoying at the same time as I felt someone was tickling my hair - it was in fact just the ribbon. Roses Kings Castles were on next. Bit more of a crowd than Sam had pulled in. Still they (the crowd) got on my tits as a lot of them chose to talk amongst themselves throughout the set. Really riles me. Still Adam performed well, if not a touch sulky. But as discussed last night, if you’re gunna sulk, do it properly and do it big. The end of phase two was met by spending some time with Adam – a business meeting, with family and Virginia and Leicester cheese, which just turned in to a piss take. Standard.
Phase 3- we ventured back inside for headliners Department of Eagles. In keeping with the artist theme for the night, very slow, mellow, pretty, folky type music. Gentle on the ear, pleasant listening. A touch of banter with the crowd, not much though. Was all over quite quickly. Rach tried to make friends with them but they didn’t have much to say for themselves- miserable little fuckers I guess.
And so I ended my day wrapped up in bed with a lovely young lady. Beans and cheese babe, me and you- beans and cheese. x
Phase 1 - Arrived just in time to get a pint of the good stuff and to watch Sam Isaac perform. Very pleasant on my ears. Very Get-Cape-Wear-Cape-Fly-esque...singing tracks on his own with help of some backing vocals by a striking looking girl. Followed by the help from some friends on keyboard, tambourine and a rice shaker thing. Very easy Sunday night listening. Sam also enlisted the hands of the audience, by requesting we clap like the Gypsy King’s at a certain point in one track. I did this and it felt good...
Phase 2- ventured outside for a good ol’ knees up and a sit down to rest my drunk legs. When we went back in, there were balloons everywhere! Whole ceiling was covered, it was a lovely site but also slightly annoying at the same time as I felt someone was tickling my hair - it was in fact just the ribbon. Roses Kings Castles were on next. Bit more of a crowd than Sam had pulled in. Still they (the crowd) got on my tits as a lot of them chose to talk amongst themselves throughout the set. Really riles me. Still Adam performed well, if not a touch sulky. But as discussed last night, if you’re gunna sulk, do it properly and do it big. The end of phase two was met by spending some time with Adam – a business meeting, with family and Virginia and Leicester cheese, which just turned in to a piss take. Standard.
Phase 3- we ventured back inside for headliners Department of Eagles. In keeping with the artist theme for the night, very slow, mellow, pretty, folky type music. Gentle on the ear, pleasant listening. A touch of banter with the crowd, not much though. Was all over quite quickly. Rach tried to make friends with them but they didn’t have much to say for themselves- miserable little fuckers I guess.
And so I ended my day wrapped up in bed with a lovely young lady. Beans and cheese babe, me and you- beans and cheese. x
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