ska – and so she thinks

Fish Doctor

admin — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:05:26 +0000

It’s funny how we think that bands must have one style or be part of one genre. That would be like telling people they could only wear full evening dresses and tuxedos, never rock the casual style. Or that they could only be part of one group – family, doctor’s surgery, or blood type, but never all three. Given that most people go through numerous fluctuations of personality strain daily, what are we to expect when 6 of them are thrown together? Not only that, but when those people are ‘creative types.’ Yes, you know what I mean.
And so I wasn’t surprised to hear that Brooklyn’s Fish Doctor (Michael, Jared, Michael, Alex, Brian and Rocco) change musical direction every time the wind does the same. Sometimes surf, like on last June’s Atlantic and the lead track from their 2011 EP Summer In Wintertime, sometimes electro a la Infantry Song, and sometimes going off kilter completely on the chilled psyche Hawaiian Blizzard, complete with hazy feminine vocals. Things are never as happy go surfy as they seem, with even the simple refrain of ‘and you drown in the Atlantic’ hinting at a more sinister layer below. Fun but far from throwaway, full of confidence and frivolity that smells of experience rather than naivety.

Flash Bang Band – If You're Driving

admin — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 09:53:37 +0000

I’m a bit late to the party with this one, but the party is well and truly on form when Brighton’s Flash Bang Band, who describe their sound as ‘wonky pop’ are there. With a strong DIY approach – producing their own videos, hosting their own live shows (including a sold-out gig on a bus provided by the Brighton & Hove bus company back in Jan 2011) and making their own merchandise, they bring fun in a bow tied bundle to all they do, and If You’re Driving is slightly warped rumble along is bouncy and vibrant. Not until a minute in does it evolve into the buzz fuelled bash that it is, ridiculously entertaining, simultaneously a little awkward.
Signed to Brighton’s At The Helm Records following a live show in November 2012, the buzz that followed convinced them to put out their debut album, which ended up being Bite Your Tongue, released on July 29th. Watch this space for an interview soon!

UnorthodOXJAM – Proud Camden, 7th Oct

admin — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:36:17 +0000

The Switch, Orlando Seale and the Swell, Killing Fields of Ontario, The Wildes, and Shout Timber

A night of break-though indie acts brought to you by It’s All Happening, taking place at Proud Stables, Camden, all to raise money for the wonderful work of Oxfam.
Check out the line up…

Orlando Seale and the Swell
http://www.facebook.com/orlandosealeandtheswell

Rousing indie folk – think Arcade Fire and you’re not far off the mark

Killing Fields of Ontario

http://www.facebook.com/killingfieldsofontario
A meaty portion of Americana

The Switch

http://www.facebook.com/theswitchlondon
Wrap yourself up in hyped-up beats and bubble-wrap sounds

The Wildes

http://soundcloud.com/thewildes
Pumped up beats from the wilds of Thanet

Shout Timber

http://www.facebook.com/shouttimber/info
Melodious ska

Liam Young (XFM Club DJ)
Round off the night with a selection of rockabilly, indie and old soul.

Tickets

£5 in advance, £6 on the door
Available from We Got Tickets:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/187207

What might your excuses be?
‘It’s a Sunday night’ – exactly, what else are you doing?
‘It’s £5 – that could get me a milky coffee and half a stale pastry on the way to work tomorrow’ – or it could get you a night of excellent music AND help save lives
‘Who are these bands?’ – have a listen to the links, and embrace the joy of discovering something new. It’s what makes us human. That and being unable to hang upside down from a tree.
See you there then!