 Offlinelast online:
May 15 2008, 13:43 PM
Posts: 28
Joined: Jul 06
| | Posted: Jan 5 2007, 15:34 PM |
Just wanted to say Happy New Year and thanks to everyone for their support at The Sesh and Grapevine nights over the last twelve months. It was a phenomenal year, though slightly tiring as I'm getting old ! (... and grumpier by the day with nose hairs to prove it !).
The Xmas gigs were incredible and my thanks go to all the bands who played especially The Paddingtons who could of quite easily got paid several thousand pounds to play elsewhere but decided to 'come home' and do it for free at the Sesh. There were no rock star demands, no hissy fits, just sheer professionalism and pure class. I will not have a word said against them and you shouldn't too. They are consistently flying the flag for 'our' city, so support 'em. New album out in a month or two we hope.
PS : Apologies to anyone who got left outside and couldn't get in on Boxing Night. I did say for weeks beforehand, that you'd have to get in The Linnet early for that one. Sorry !
Looking back at last year, there were so many personal highlights at The Sesh and further afield. I can't recollect all my fave gigs at The Sesh itself, as I'd be here all day but special mentions have to go to Freaks Union who blew everyone away earlier in 2006 with their infectious Punk offering at The Sesh, and the night Mr Beasley debuted at The Linnet alongside City Ghosts - phew ! - that was special. The homecoming of The Favours and the 59 Violets in July was another and who can't forget Fonda's triple samba offering, and the night the venue nearly caved in on Boxing night with The Padds, Turismo, The Favours and The GST Cardinals. (Just thought of one whilst proof reading this article - what about Halagoogoo from Bristol who turned up in spandex, and had their drummer breakdancing and offering everyone out in the car park in his squeaky West Country drawl ! Classic !)
Away from home, it was great watching 'our lot' proudly at the Carling Leeds Festival Unsigned stage. The Bonnitts opened the proceedings in a fine fashion, The Dirty Dreamers rocked, The Landaus took their chance to the max with an awesome display which was made even more memorable for the ladies when some Linnet regulars started crowd surfing naked. Ernest were majestic too, and Mr Beasley mesmorized everyone. It was an amazing weekend and I thank BBC's Raw Talent team especially Katy Noone for the invite and the 'legendary' Darren Rogers for his company and all those I met up with, each of whom gave me the utmost respect and a few laughs besides. The main head tingling 'moment' and there was many, was seeing Josh of the Padds on stage in front of 30,000 alongside The Dirty Pretty Things. Following that, the Silent Disco experience with his sister Ali was surreal, as was Daz's Donkey Rides, the midget security guard, Big Bruce Grobbelar, Ducking with Tom (Padds) to The Streets and the Muse 'trip' ! Best I forget the campsite wrestling for another day !
As well as Leeds, the inaugral Humber Bridge Bash was certainly a professional highlight as I shared the stage with BBC's Alan Raw in presenting some of our coolest talents. A huge thanks to Hannah Houghton and John Gilbert for getting me on board for that experience.
Besides the gigs, it was the emergence of talent within the area in the last twelve months that has excited me the most. It never ceases to amaze me the abundance of talent we have on our doorstep in Hull and it's growing by day. It wasn't just bands either, there were many an acoustic delights that were discovered this year.
I have to be careful here because I know for certain I'll forget to mention someone and they'll forever remind me throughout the next 12 months, but on the band front, the ones to watch out for locally this year who have emerged in the last 6 months are The Talks, The Neat, Dance Bastards, Ivy Sins, Riley & The Mumps, and The James Dean Syndrome. There's many more but you're just gonna have to turn up at a Sesh night in 2007 and catch a new 'un that takes your fancy. Slightly more established, keep your eyes out on The Johnsons, Kill Surf City, She Likes Parties and the GST Cardinals this year, as to me they're good candidates for Leeds already, and further up the scale Mr Beasley, Last People On Earth, The Bonnitts, Turismo, The Favours, Ernest, 59 Violets and The Landaus who should of by now gained national recognition.
I know I've missed out your favourite but that's your job now to expose them to the masses. Seriously, if we all shouted from the rooftops in this city about the amount of talent we have, then surely someone would notice. I've just looked back at our roster and we must have well in excess of 250 + local bands plying their trade around venues near you. Get out there and support them.
Away from the bands, there's been an incredible upsurge in rising acoustic artists in the city. I've made it no secret down at The Sesh how highly I rate John Copley. This local lad is immense, his guitar playing is above his tender age, and his arrangements are sublime. From original masterpieces to obscure covers, this lad is a genius and I urge you to check him out. Alan Raw on BBC Raw Talent was left speechless when I took John down to their excellent show to play a couple of acoustic delights. Just give him time to mature like a fine old wine and I assure you John Copley will be a name to remember. On that note Tom Ritchie, another born singer, has been working with some top producers down in London and has done various showcases out in the states. Others worthy of a mention is the delicate Steve Reed, the confident Shane McMurray, and one guy who never fails to deliver quality everytime I've seen him, Bobby Joyce. The girls are represented too with the likes of Emily Sholtysek shining through and there's many a band out there that can excel acoustically, Michael Wright (The Bonnitts ) is a master at it, as is Paul Baggot (Turismo), Danny Tonkin (The Johnsons) and (Danny, Loz, Gaz) The Landaus. Wow - there's so many thinking about it who do it so well stripped - bands such as Shindigg, Tarifa, The Favours, GSt Cardinals, Ernest etc etc etc etc ..........
Finally, The Grapevine Club nights on Tuesdays following The Sesh have been ace as well. (Can I still say 'Ace' and get away with it at 36, or do I need a skateboard underneath my arm and a bubblicious in my gob !) With the Free Transport that's provided each week at The Linnet from 11.30pm after the headline act at the Sesh, and the wondrous Club that is the Attic with it's luxurious decor and great staff, The Grapevine has become firmly established as a midweek gem.
(I forgot to mention you can drink for free at The Attic every Tuesday by playing the 'game' at the bar.) Steve Snowdon and I , (Steve also runs the funky Satisfaction and Shakedown clubnights) started the night to work alongside The Sesh nearly three years ago, and this year we made a great decision in getting Patrick Tobin (Paddy - Last People On Earth) on board to do the 67 Lounge upstairs. Between the three of us, the night remains eclectically fresh. Where else can you here Otis Redding next to AC/DC or Cypress Hill next to The Libertines in a club or what about the free sweets that inadvertantly get thrown out into your face each week whilst your raving to The Prodigy or banging to the Foo fighters. No genres, just good music and a good time is all we ever wanted from the night.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to 'em all and to you if you love it as much as I do. Live Music in this city could be the making of us as a Top Ten City. Why not eh ? The Arctic Monkeys did it for Sheffield, The Kaiser's did it for Leeds amongst others in the last couple of years, and what about past connections between bands and cities such as the hedonistic 'baggy' days of the Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays in Manchester and even further back, what The Beatles achieved for Liverpool.
We've got talent that can do the same for Hull, it just needs exposing.
Embrace it, Support It and Promote It. Together we can be great.
The new year is halfway to being confirmed at the Sesh, with gigs booked up until June and with a bit more of your support it's gonna be a special 2007.
Take care and be lucky,
Mak
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