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Mathew Priest on the local music scene |
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A PRIEST WRITESWell, a lot has happened since my first groundbreaking column appeared in this organ a few months ago. Several rival publications have tried to poach me. I was tempted by the offer made by the ‘Stamford Hill Bugle’ of a free pen and some paper, but I said to them: ‘I may take your free stationery today but where does that leave my principles tomorrow?’ They couldn’t answer me. So here I am. From all reports, it looks like this year’s Festival is going to be the best yet, musicwise, for one main reason - all the stages are to be moved into the park. A smart move considering the Gladiator-like crowd scenes over the last few years on Church Street. In the park, as well as the new band stage, jazz stage and main stage, there will be various stages of drunkenness, achieved with the assistance of a bar (hurrah!). The reggae Solution Soundsystem from Hackney will be there as well to make doubly sure you have a top day. I’m going to help compere the new band stage (steady, ladies!) and there is still time to nominate a band as one of the six to appear. Send a tape of two songs and a bit of info to New Band Stage, Stoke Newington Festival, Room 15, Old Town Hall, Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0JR. Nominations by 20th April, please. The winning bands will also get a chance to be involved in a workshop I love-in with several people involved in the music industry, including managers, A&R persons, agents, radio programmers and a strikingly good- looking drummer. Considering there is no Glastonbury or Islington Festival this year, it looks like 10th June in Clissold Park is going to be a right royal knees-up. Local bands Diego Brown and the Good Fairy - Fairy Stories. Good name. Good album. Good start. Vocals shared between chap and a lady (Diego and the Good Fairy, I guess). An eclectic and theatrical Stokey band. Sounds like Billy Bragg and Carter. European Baroque-y folky with very good English lyrics (don’t want to mention the Levellers — shit, just have). Standout tracks are ‘Who the hell was Herbert Hardwick?’ and ‘Look, Basil, there goes the Titanic’. Good songs. Contact Adam (02088061675) or Kate (0708 806 6239). The Disco Bomber - Hackneyed Psalms (EP). What rock stars have in common is that they are eco-aware (or pretend to be) and they are short. Well, Mark, the lead singer of the Disco Bomber, is the little chap on tiptoes behind the counter at the green shop on Church Street. If that isn’t enough to convince you of their imminent stardom, then this EP will. Glammy, punky, poppy with a bit of a nod towards SFA and Primal Scream, these cats are on their way. And any band who is a friend of the chorus is a friend of mine. ‘Karaoke’ and ‘Darling of the Underclass’ are my favourites. Contact www.thediscobomber.co.uk. Local clubs Shoplocal at the Trolley Stop, 28 Stamford Street, Dalston. Last Saturday of every month. Free entry. Apparently North London’s best-kept secret after my brother’s video collection. They play the best of reggae, psychedelic soul, funk, hip hop and sports metal. Just joking on that last one. They sent me a free mix tape and it sounds fab. (You now know how to get a club review.) Stacked at Bar Lorca, Church Street, every Thursday. Free entry. A veritable stalwart of Stokey life, this club must be into its third year by now, playing the best funk and Northern soul you’ll hear this side of Bristol. There is an extra special night on the 26th of April when they present the debut gig by The Soul Winners who appear to be the only genuine Northern soul band in existence, or so I’ve been told. Entry three pounds on the night. Mathew is the drummer with Dodgy. The band’s new album ‘Real Estate' is released in May. Check out their website www.dodgy.co.uk for further information. |
music listings Barracuda (125 SN Church St) Free jazz for the price of a meal Saturday 14 April - Sarah Dihlon Friday 20 April - Johnny Miller Saturday 21 April - Caroline Nin with Sean Hargreaves on piano Friday 27 April - Johnny Miller Saturday 28 April - Victoria Newton with Jenny Carr on piano Friday 4 May - Johnny Miller Saturday 5 May - Malia with Dave Cotton on guitar Blush (8 Cazenove Road) All events free Sunday 15 April - Martha Lewis and Diane McLoughlin Saturday 21 April - Julia McNamara + friends Sunday 28 April - Blush’s Birthday Party with Deirdre Cartwright and Sarah Pritchard Sunday 13 May - Rosie Wilby Saturday 26 May - Gael Force Booths (71-73 SN Church Sf) Free Thursday and Sundays DJ Basement Stax Fridays and Saturdays guest DJ Route 73 @ The Londesborough (36 Barbauld Rd) See ad this issue Ryan’s Bar (181 SN Church) Wednesday 18 April - ‘Flim Flam’ (formerly Vortex — appearing here on the last two Wednesdays of each month). Improvised and left-field new music. Tony Bevan, John Edwards and Mark Sanders + Voltage. 830pm. £5/£3 (conc). Friday 20 April - Brick Lane Boogie Boys. East’s original hillbilly rockers. 830pm. Free. Wednesday 25 April - ‘Flim Flam’ with Hession, Wilkinson and Fell — intense sax lead free music + Rap group Hotel Full of Cops. 8.30pm. £5/£3 (conc). Friday 27April - Six Mile Walk accomplished four piece trad & folk band. 830pm. Free. Wednesday 2 May - Comedy Club (appearing here on the first Wednesday of every month). 9pm. £4/£3 (conc). Wednesday 9 May - ‘Kacy nails’ open mic acoustic night. 8.30pm. Free. Wednesday 23 May - ‘Flim Flam’ Birdyak with Hugh Metcalfe, Bob Cobbing, Lol Coxhill and Jennifer Pike. 830pm. £5/£3 (conc). Friday 25 May - Six Mile Walk. 830pm. Free. Wednesday 30 May - Metafour with Gina Southgate, Maggie Nichols, John Russell and Mark Sanders. Improvised interaction linking music, art and vaudeville. Plus Alan Wilkinson group. Vortex (139-1 41 SN Church St) Wednesday 2 May - Blast Radio Orchestra Friday 4 May - Dave O’Higgens Quartet Saturday 5 May - Stan Tracey Quartet Sunday 6 May - Sonny Mann’s Karoake Monday 7 May - Pirate Jenny Wednesday 9 May - Partisans Friday 11 May - Ben Clapworthy Trio Saturday 12 May - Houseplants Friday 18 May - Don Weller Quartet Tuesday 22 May - Comedy Night - New Club Wednesday 23- Blow the Fuse |
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