EAST ANGLIAN GIG LISTINGS:
29TH DECEMBER 2017-11TH JANUARY 2018

COMPETITION:
WIN! A R*E*P*E*A*T RECORDS BUNDLE OF JOY

We hope you all had a thoroughly splendid Christmas, with all the food and presents and merriness your hearts desired.  However, whatever you wanted, those lovely people at legendary Cambridge-based indie label R*E*P*E*A*T Records are here to give you everything you need: a tidy bundle of all their releases from the last 18 months.  

So - generous souls that they are - the following could be yours to cherish for all eternity:

- ‘External Shallow Actions’ 3-track CD EP by The Batts, plus badge.
- 'This Was The Sound Of Sugar Town’ 20-track compilation CD.
- 'Venus Envy’ 7" flexi single featuring The Baby Seals and Beverley Kills.
- 'This Is The Sound Of Sugar Town Volume 2’ 13-track vinyl compilation LP.
- 'You Flexi Thing Vol. 2’ 7" flexi single featuring Saltfen and SIAH.
- 'Heartbreak Major’ 4-track 12" vinyl EP by Careless Sons.

That sounds tasty, doesn’t it?  YES IT DOES.  BECAUSE IT IS.

All you must do is answer one simple-if-Google-is-your-friend question:

Which of the following is NOT a popular game played with a bat and ball?
A) Pesäpallo
B) Bat-and-trap
C) Odbyt Odbyt

If you want to win (and why wouldn’t you?), e-mail your answer to b-side@toonteenrecords.co.uk by 5pm on Sunday 31st December 2017 with the subject heading, “Hot rock action, please!”  Now, back to the drinking with you.

The winner will be notified via e-mail.  Please note that the editor’s decision is final, for he is fine like a fox and supple like a minnow.

Photo: Careless Sons (from Facebook)

THE B-SIDE MONDAY MEGAMIX

Deck the halls, polish your baubles and violently jingle all the bells in your vicinity – iiiiit’s Chriiistmaaaaas! 

FIGHTMILK - IT’S ONLY CHRISTMAS (CHEER UP YOU MOODY PRICK)

Now, I’m a fervent follower of festive fun, and I’ll be having no truck with the humbug collective. You’ve got the rest of the year to whinge about other people enjoying themselves – leave us this one day, eh? In that spirit, I’ll start off the Christmas megamix with a cheeky song from London’s Fightmilk. It starts as it means to go on: 

“I bet you’re the kind of guy who says that ’Die Hard’ is his favourite Christmas movie / And I bet you’re the kind of guy who spends the season trying to act all tough and broody”

We all know this guy. Why not send him a link to this playlist and permanently damage your friendship in the spirit of Christmas?  Even better, if you buy the pay-what-you-like mini-album from Bandcamp, all proceeds go to Shelter. 

See them live at: London Victoria, 10th Jan; London New Cross Inn, 1st Feb; Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club, 5th May.
Now listen to: ‘Pity Party’ EP, CD/download, out now on Fierce Panda.  
Follow: Facebook - Twitter

DROPKICK MURPHYS - THE SEASON’S UPON US

I only got introduced to this song, by Quincy, Massachusetts’ finest punk exports Dropkick Murphys, a week or two ago (cheers, Rob Pollitt), but I’ve played it a LOT since then, so I feel comfortable including it in my list of favourites. Replace the tired, whiny 'Fairytale of New York’ [What?!??! Sacrilege!!! - Xmas Ed.] with this new festive drinking song. Lyrics about the familiar, fun and shitty parts of Christmas are delivered straight to your ears by your favourite Celtic shouters. It’s both depressing and rabble-rousing - and best enjoyed with a glug of brandy.

See them live at: Touring US and Europe in Feb; no UK dates currently announced.  
Now listen to: 'Blackout’, 2004 album, on Hellcat Records.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter

THE DARKNESS - CHRISTMAS TIME (DON’T LET THE BELLS END) 

This song was chosen partly because of my yearly recollection that - ooh, The Darkness are from Lowestoft, aren’t they! – and partly because I just really like it.  Catchy falsetto and lots of jingly background noises. There’s even a sickly-sweet choir of children accompanying some of the 80s-style guitar shredding. By the way, if you haven’t checked out Justin Hawkins’ synthpop alter-ego “British Whale”, I highly recommend that you do so. 

See them live at: Touring North America March-Mary; no UK dates currently announced.
Now listen to: 'Pinewood Smile’, vinyl/CD/download, out now on Cooking Vinyl.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter

EARTHA KITT - SANTA BABY

Eartha Kitt’s smooth-as-silk voice is the perfect vehicle for blatant Christmas consumerism. I loved this song way before I could grasp its weird sugar-daddy overtones, and god damnit I’ll continue loving it. She was also the best Catwoman, hands down (fight me) and played Yzma in 'The Emperer’s New Groove’; so an all-around fucking boss. 

NAT KING COLE - THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE) 

I’m in the swing of old-timey Christmas, now, so onto another massive classic. I don’t know anyone who can’t enjoy this short-but-sweet song by Nat King Cole. Fun fact: this recording was the first of Cole’s to be recorded with a studio orchestra – it can therefore be argued that it marks the start of his international popularity. For the record, my favourite of Cole’s is 'Orange Coloured Sky’, so go and give that a listen as well.

COCTEAU TWINS - FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

This is a slightly odd, ethereal 90s version of a Christmas classic from Scottish indie legends Cocteau Twins, and I like it a lot. That is all. 

DAVID BOWIE AND BING CROSBY - THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY / PEACE ON EARTH 

Hands down the best Christmas music video, despite its slow start and sedate pace. Two musical geniuses, singing two sweet songs in gorgeous harmony. This gives me a warm and nostalgic feeling in my heart like no other festive song. Happy sighs all around. Merry Christmas, you beautiful lot. 

Words: Francine Carrel
Photo: Fightmilk (from Facebook) 

THE B-SIDE BUMPER BACKTRACK 2017 - PART TWO

Whoever you talk to, and whatever they’re into, the consensus seems to be that 2017 has been an incredible year for the East Anglian DIY music scene. For Part Two of our Festive Retrospective Extravaganza, we spoke to yet more promoters, writers, DJs and artists from around the region about their favourite albums, tracks, gigs and moments from the last 12 months, including Fightmilk, The Interesting Times Gang, Kyanos, Graceland, Desperate Journalist, Sophie Mahon, Kulk, Clown Smash Everything, F.O.X and more…

LILY RAE

The Tyler Durden of Fightmilk club.
www.fightmilkisaband.bandcamp.com

Album of the Year: ‘Juniverbrecher’ by The Indelicates. It’s spooky, furious, and you can dance to it. In other words, an ideal album.

Track of the Year: ‘Prom’ by SZA. You can just put it on repeat for about an hour and not get bored of it. Lovely.

Gig of the Year: I’ve got two: Julien Baker at (London’s) Union Chapel, for my favourite super sad telecaster porn or Tundra at The Hunter Club (In Bury St Edmunds), which was the most fucking amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You could make beer-glitter angels on the venue floor after the set.

Moment of the Year: Princess Nokia throwing soup at a racist. More throwing soup at racists in 2018, please. Turns out it’s a very versatile food. Tip for 2018: This is the year you go to the dentist, pal.

HANNAH CUTLER

Leader of The Interesting Times Gang.
www.facebook.com/interestingtimesgang

Albums of the Year: ‘Superman’ by Wednesday Campanella. Also, ‘A Deeper Understanding’ by The War On Drugs and ‘Every Valley’ by Public Service Broadcasting.

Tracks of the Year: ‘How Do You Sleep?’ by LCD Soundsystem.

Moments of the Year: Not sure if I have any.  To be brutally honest, my absolute favourite album I’ve listened to this year is ‘Power Windows’ by Rush.  But it was released in 1985. 

KYANOS

AKA Seth, Sam, Zach and Fintan: a four-headed psych beast who answer as one. 
www.kyanosbaby.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: ‘Flower Boy’ by Tyler the Creator; ‘The Ooz’ by King Krule; ‘Sketches of Brunswick East’ by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with Mild High Club; ‘Drunk’ by Thundercat.

Tracks of the Year: ‘Rolling Stone’ by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with Mild High Club; ‘For the First Time’ by Mac Demarco; ‘Call Me Up’ by Homeshake; ’Moment I Feared’ by Snoop Dogg.

Gigs of the Year: Homeshake; Chic; Yung Lean; Jamiroquai; King Krule.

Moments of the Year: Being mentioned in NME.  First headline gig in London. The release of (debut EP) ‘Elevator to Japan’.

Tips for 2018: Treat 'em clean, keep it mean and have a sweet dream.

MATT CATLING

Ipswich Smokehouse’s Freakverbrator.
www.freakverbration.blogspot.co.uk

Albums of the Year: Alvvays - ‘Antisocialites’; Slowdive - ‘Slowdive’; Cigarettes After Sex - ‘Cigarettes After Sex’; Frankie Rose - ‘Cage Tropical’; Fever Dream - ‘Squid’; Thurston Moore - ‘Rock n Roll Concussion’; The Gluts - ‘Estasi’; Kamikaze Girls - ‘Seaform’; Anne Hart - ‘Impossible Accomplice’; Idles - ‘Brutalism’.

Tracks of the Year: No Vacation - ‘Mind Fields’; Hazel English - ‘Fix’; Softer Still - ‘Company’; Major Leagues - ‘Good Love’; Lowtide - ‘Alibi’; Desperate Journalist - ‘Hollow’; METZ - ‘Cellophane’; Diet Cig - ‘Tummy Acre’; Is Bliss - ‘Into A Dream’.

Gigs of the Year: Part Chimp at Cambridge Portland Arms, 13th April; London DIY Pop Fest 2017, 28th-30th April; Desperate Journalist at Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club, 17th June; Kamikaze Girls at Ipswich Smokehouse, 23rd June; Indietracks 2017, 28th-30th July; Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia, 22nd September; Pinkshinyultrablast at London Hackney Oslo, 20th October; Cambridge Indie Pop all-dayer at The Blue Moon, 18th November; Amusement Parks On Fire at London Borderline, 25th November. 

Moments of the Year: Covering festivals like DIY Popfest, Indietracks and Liverpool Psych Fest.  Interviewing bands I love such as pinkshinyultrablast, and getting myself an AAA pass. Putting on gigs at The Smokehouse. Getting back into blogging.  

Tips for 2018: Keep on plugging away with what you’re doing.  Get into covering gigs and festivals. Create your own blog or do your own radio show about your own interests.

MAXIE GEDGE

Graceland sticksmith and PRS Foundation guru. 
www.soundcloud.com/graceland_band

 Albums of the Year: 
1. Nubya Garcia - ‘Nubya’s 5ive’
2. Hannah Peel - ‘Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopeia’
3. Lana Del Rey - ‘Lust for Life’
4. Princess Nokia - ‘1992 Deluxe’
5. The Big Moon - ‘Love In The 4th Dimension’

Tracks of the Year:
1. Flohio - ‘SE16’
2. Superorganism - ‘Something For Your Mind’
3. Charli XCX - ‘Boys’
4. Sink Ya Teeth - ‘If You See Me’
5. Goat Girl - ‘Crow Cries’

Gigs of the Year: Mykki Blanco - Meltdown at Southbank Centre; Hannah Peel and Mary Epworth at Norwich Arts Centre.

Moments of the Year:Ray Blk speech at Women in Music Awards and (documentary) ‘The Ballad of Shirley Collins’. 

Tips for 2018: Flohio; Soeur; Bonzai; IDER; Maya Law. 

NEIL JONES

Bringer of rock thunder to Cambridge 105fm and KLFM; Operations Manager at Cambridge Live. 
www.cambridge105.co.uk/shows/neil-jones

Album of the Year: Wayward Sons – ‘Ghost Of Yet To Come’.

Tracks of the Year: ‘Play’ by Marmozets. 

Gigs of the Year: Subterranean Festival at Cambridge Corn Exchange; Marillion at the Royal Albert Hall; Iron Maiden at Nottingham Arena.

Moments of the Year: On a personal level,  launching the new Subterranean one-day festival at Cambridge Corn Exchange, which is back for 2018; a (partially) reformed Guns ’n’ Roses playing the UK; and Prophets of Rage slaying Download. 

Tips for 2018: Milk Teeth’s 2017 EPs showed a promise that should be delivered upon in 2018, and Cambridge bands Hollowstar and False Hearts are great bands with a bright future. 

PAUL JENKINS

Our man in Norwich.
www.outlineonline.co.uk

Albums of the Year: In order: Peter Perret - ‘How The West Was Won’; Madonnatron - ‘Madonnatron’; Jay Ducker - ‘Country Sober’; Mogwai - ‘Every Country’s Sun’; Amadou & Mariam - LA CONFUSION’; Wooden Arms - ‘Trick Of The Light’; British Sea Power - ‘Let The Dancers Inherit The Party’; Wire - ‘Silver / Lead’; The Jesus & Mary Chain - ‘Damage And Joy’; Ho99o9 - ‘United States of Horror’. (I’ve not included compilations. If I had, ‘This Was The Sound of Sugar Town’, ‘This Is The Sound Of Sugar Town Volume 2’ and ‘The Best of Chris T-T’ would have been in there.)

Tracks of the Year: In order: Zero UK - ‘Things You Love’; Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Beehive’; Ho99o9 - ‘United States of Horror’; Janet Street Slaughter - ‘The Sensitive Side of Bill Sykes’; Mega Emotion - ‘Sick Burn’;  Charlotte Gainsbourg - ‘Deadly Valentine’; Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind - ‘Something’s Gonna Get Its Hands On You’; Madonnatron - ‘Mother’s Funeral’; Marc Almond - ‘Something Bad On My Mind’; Peter Perret - ‘Troika’.

Gigs of the Year: Almost every gig I have been to this year has had at least one excellent act on the bill so picking highlights is tougher than ever but here goes (in date order): Ho99o9, Norwich Waterfront, January; Nightingales and Graceland, Norwich Arts Centre, February; Horse Party and Claws, Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club, April; Melt Banana, Mega Emotion and Algae Bloom, Norwich Arts Centre, June; Magoo, Norwich Arts Centre, July; Dowling Poole and Last Great Dreamers, London Borderline, September; Gaffa Tape Sandy, Norwich Arts Centre, October; Bad Apples, Norwich Owl Sanctuary November; Wonk Unit, Owl Sanctuary, November; Icicle Works, Norwich Arts Centre, November.  Honourable mentions also to British Sea Power, Subhumans, Wire, The Lovely Eggs, Rainbow Girls, Hot Raisin, Tubes and the four Quireboys/Last Great Dreamers dates I managed to get to.

Moments of the Year: Driving, crewing and doing merch for Last Great Dreamers when they supported Quireboys in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle and London; chatting to Alex from Wonk Unit before their Owl Sanctuary gig about addiction and being sober - anyone else would have been dull as chuff but Alex was his usual entertaining, engaging self (haven’t paid any attention to him, though); meeting the various members of The Tubes - albeit briefly – after their show at the Waterfront.

Tips for 2018: Charlotte Carpenter, Bryde and Tibetan Night Terrors should break through to some mainstream success. The next She Makes War LP and Last Great Dreamers’ LP number four will be absolute belters. I have not seen New Scientists yet but everyone I know who has seen them says they are destined for big things. Ooh, and I’ve had sneak previews of the next Lovely Eggs and Hookworms albums, and they are crackers. 

RICHARD HAUGH

BBC Introducing in Suffolk’s other lovely chap. 
www.bbc.co.uk/radiosuffolk

Albums of the Year: Dingus Khan - ‘Dunce Kap’. The wait had been too long, but I’ll let them off for that. Sadly, it’s so far only been available at two gigs, but a full release early in the new year [our spies tell us it’ll be out in April - Espionage Ed.] should be celebrated. 

Tracks of the Year: Bessie Turner, ‘Words You Say’ – just wow. It never gets boring. And Gaffa Tape Sandy’s ‘Water Bottle’ and ‘Beehive’. It’s really hard to be a stand out indie band but Gaffa Tape Sandy have managed to do just that.

Moments of the Year: My memory is terrible, so I may well be overlooking things, but earlier this week I went to Maida Vale with Bessie Turner and spent the day being stunned by her talent and how much she’s achieved this year. She only released her debut single in April but went on to play at Latitude and has become a firm favourite of Jo Whiley’s. It’s refreshing to see that good things can happen to artists who are doing everything on their own terms, without the reliance of industry connections or a large pile of cash.

Tips for 2018: Hopefully the momentum behind Bessie Turner and Gaffa Tape Sandy will result in further nice things for them both. I’ll also be eagerly awaiting new music from Leaone, Amy Milner and Radio Orwell, who are now a very good live band.

RICHARD ROSE

R*E*P*E*A*T Records’ lone honcho. Does his lists a little differently. 
www.repeatfanzine.bandcamp.com

Loves:
Idles – ‘Brutalism’
Bury St Edmunds #RockCity (and Sugar Town records)
International Blue
Tories eating themselves
Superglu at Washing Machine
You Flexi Things SIAH and Saltfen, Beverley Kills and The Baby Seals
Relevant Records
The Graffiti on Gilbert Rd – JC for PM / I “heart” Catalonia‘
Flawed Is Beautiful’ – These Animal Men / S*M*A*S*H DVD
Desperate Journalist – ‘Grow Up’
Introducing ten year old punks on stage (Sound Wave)
Vinyl
Joanna Gruesome
Hardcore Hobbies
Strongbow
Gaffa Tape Sandy green vinyl
The A14
The Batts’ debut EP
Finally seeing The Skids live, 40 years on at Cambridge Junction
Jeremy Corbyn – kids singing for him at gigs, millions voting for him at the polls, Tories running from him, despite the shit spreaders
Badges
Badgers
My new and lovely red 'entry level’ turntable
Damage and Joy
Janet Street Slaughter
Vanilla Coffee
Leon Britton (the footballer not the politician)
S*M*A*S*H at The Portland Arms
Spiders
God’s Favourite Band
Swansea Bay
The Virtues at Washing Machine
Goldblume

Hates:
Lists
Football Lads Alliance
Retweets of Fascists by fingers on buttons
The job you hate but are too scared to pack in
Hedge Funds wrecking our clubs
The A14
Punctures
POP STARS and anyone else without an opinion
Fancy cider
Punk rock nostalgia
Originality
Handwriting

SEYMOUR QUIGLEY

B-Side news editor; Washing Machine operator.
www.washingmachinebse.co.uk

Albums of the Year: The Baby Seals - ‘The Baby Seals’; Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Spring Killing’; Slowdive - ‘Slowdive’; Underworld - ‘Beaucoup Fish’ (re-mastered); Janet Street Slaughter - ‘Janet Street Slaughter’. 

Tracks of the Year: Fightmilk - ‘Pity Party’; Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Beehive’; Songhoy Blues - ‘Bamako’; Charlotte Gainsbourg - ‘Deadly Valentine’; Bicep - ‘Glue’; Blue Mean Eyes - ‘Escapade’; Desperate Journalist - ‘Hollow’; Goat Girl - ‘Cracker Drool’. 

Gigs of the Year: Desperate Journalist at the John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, February; SuperGlu at Bury Fringe Festival, May; Ryan Jordan at The Rehearsal Rooms, Bury St Edmunds, November; Gaffa Tape Sandy at The Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds, December. 

Moments of the Year: Playing 'What I’d Do’ at [former band] Horse Party’s final gig, at The Hunter Club in April - still not sure how I managed not to weep the tears of horrible sadness. 

Tips for 2018: I’m really excited about Sun Scream, The Glitter Shop and Lemondaze. If Slowcoaches release a new album, I will be so so happy. Also: Grimes.

SIMON BAKER

Green Mind’s perennial thrill-monger. 
www.greenmind.co.uk

Album of the Year: Waxahatchee – ‘Out In The Storm’.  Lyrically superb demolition of an abusive relationship coupled with some of the best indie rock I’ve ever heard.  So many hooks.

Tracks of the Year: The whole of ‘Out In The Storm’.

Gigs of the Year: Too many to mention, but here’s a short list:  
Melt Banana at London Highbury Garage – always earshredding and just incredibly fun. 

The Jesus & Mary Chain at Cambridge Junction – one of mine and a show I’m incredibly proud of.  Bucket list band, coupled with an “all killer, no filler” set list.  Nearly exploded when the really chiming bit in ‘Some Candy Talking’ kicked in.

Waxahatchee at End Of The Road – horrible rain all day, but they managed to cut through the rain and were essential.

Car Seat Headrest at End Of The Road – “KILLER WHAAAAALE, KILLER WHAAAALLE!”

Idles – superb live band, but I put them on twice while I was dealing with a recurrent brain condition, so never saw a whole set due to being tired all the time.  I need to rectify this in 2018.

Fickle Friends at Junction 2 – straight up pop band with no pretensions.  Seeing 350 kids having a brilliant and unpretentious time made this jaded old bastard smile.

Tips for 2018: Idles are clearly going to be the band of 2018.  There are so many tedious trench coat wearing post-punk revivalists and Idles just destroy all of them, by being wittier, cleverer and funnier and having their own ideas.

SIMON DROWNER

Desperate Journalist mover, shaker and bass-wielding groove-maker. 
www.desperatejournalist.co.uk

Albums of the Year:  Peter Perrett - ‘How The West Was Won’; LCD Soundsystem - ‘American Dream’; Dexy - ‘Tear It Down’; IDLES - ‘Brutalism’; Moon Duo - ‘Occult Architechture Vol. 1’.

Tracks of the Year: Makthaverskan - ‘In My Dreams’; FEWS - ‘LaGuardia’; Sheer Mag - ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’; Ride - ‘Charm Assault’; British Sea Power - ‘Bad Bohemian’.

Gigs of the Year: LCD Soundsystem at Alexandra Palace; Paul Draper at Scala; Ezra Furman at The Barbican; Peter Perrett at The Electric Ballroom; Moonlandingz at The 100 Club.

Moments of the Year: Desperate Journalist playing Scala.  Releasing, and eventually selling out of, our album ‘Grow Up’ on vinyl. When the General Election exit poll results came in and half the country (and media) had egg on their faces.

Tips for 2018: Calva Louise, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Bad Nerves, White Trash.

SOPHIE MAHON

Your new BF. 
www.soundcloud.com/sophie-mahon

Albums of the Year:  One which deserves a mention is an instrumental album by one of my bucket list session musicians. Admittedly I don’t normally go for instrumental albums but ‘Trigger’ by Jacob ‘Quist’ Quistgaard is fun and good for when you don’t know what lyrics you need to hear.  An album I only discovered this year after reading Nile Rodger’s autobiography is his solo album ‘Adventures In The Land Of The Good Groove’. Yes, it was made in 1983, but it’s Nile experimenting at his peak. David Bowie liked it so I think it deserves a mention. 

Tracks of the Year:  These questions are much harder to answer than I thought! I’m quite fond of Tears For Fears recent single ‘I Love You But I’m Lost’, very catchy chorus; you’ll wake up at two in the morning with it on your brain.  Bryan Ferry’s jazz reworking of his songs for the German TV series ‘Babylon Berlin’ are beautiful (a continuation from his album The Jazz Age’ if you’re interested), particularly ‘Bittersweet’, which he recorded new vocals for too. The song becomes ten times darker, melancholy and weary; I had to listen to it on repeat for at least an hour.  Lastly an old track, which I discovered recently, is Etta James’s cover of ‘It’s Alright’ by Curtis Mayfield. The snare is like machine gun fire; give it a listen, that’s all I’ll say. 

Gigs of the Year: Chic at The BBC, ABC with Kid Creole and The Coconuts as support and Bryan Ferry at Hampton Court. So much I could say about these, but all it boils down to is that they’re legends for a reason, which is why I will always try to see them whenever possible.For my own gigs, playing The Hunter Club for the first time was awesome - such a great crowd and the first time I have seen strangers dancing to my music, which has always been my aim so it felt great. The second would be playing the Inbetweeners Stage at Latitude - while neither the stage nor the audience were massive, just to be part of something so big was incredible.Actually another band to mention was Divine Comedy, they were at Latitude and I went to watch because they were the only band on that day that I vaguely knew. Best decision I ever made, Neil Hannon is eccentrically English [Actually he’s Irish, but you wouldn’t know it from his singing voice - Lineage Ed.], his lyrics are witty and clever and the performance was so light hearted it made a nice change. I didn’t stop listening to his music for about two months afterwards. 

Moments of the Year: Releasing my first single ‘2BF’ and it getting played on BBC Introducing in Suffolk, bit daunting but the feedback on the whole has been pretty positive, thanks to everyone who liked it.Tony Hadley leaving Spandau Ballet; I am still upset. 

Tips for 2018: Start as you mean to go on; I live by this and it seems to be working so far. Also just do what makes you happy, the music, image, brand and performance will naturally be more genuine and original, plus you feel happy too.  Finally, invest in a bigger car - there is, I find, only so much you can fit in a Ford KA. Or go acoustic; it’ll fit in nicely.

THOM LONGDIN & JADE ASHLEIGH SQUIRES

Together, they are Kulk. 
www.kulk.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year:  One of our albums of the year is Ty Segall’s self titled album. We discovered Ty through the band Fuzz (who encouraged the purchase of the Fuzz War guitar pedal, which has been a huge impact on our sound).  We bought the album as it was engineered by Steve Albini and has a classic rock and roll/garage fuzz feel. Well worth a listen, especially ‘Break A Guitar’.   Our other album of the year would be Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile’s ‘Lotta Sea Lice’, this is their first collaboration of hopefully many. This is on the lighter side of our listening, but is poetic and beautifully bluesy. Highlights of this album include ‘Over Everything’ and ‘Untogether’ . 

Tracks of the Year: Our first track of the year is ‘Tasteless’ by Shame. We first discovered Shame supporting Slaves; their sound is best described as indie but in a punk way, the music is heavy and the lyrics are angry but not distorted. If you like ‘Tasteless’ you will love ‘Gold Hole’ and ‘Concrete’.   We are also huge fans of Sunflower Bean, so naturally their new single ‘I Was A Fool’ would be on this list. This song is a homage to classic rock with still a hint of psychedelia from their previous album sound. We look forward to this new album next year and seeing them live again. 

Gigs of the Year: Our best gig of 2017, which could possibly be the best gig of our lives so far, would have to be in Brixton on Hallowe’en this year: Melvins and Red Kross. Melvins are an inspiration to our music and it was amazing to see them live, with an even heavier sound than on record. For us, the highlight was ‘The Bit’.  They’re a must-see for any heavy music fan.  The Wytches at Norwich Waterfront studio was another best gig of 2017: the psychedelic riffs and heavy drums with the grit of Christian Bell’s vocals makes for an amazing live show. Their cover of Misfits ‘Cough/Cool’ (from their home recordings) live was particularly exciting. Their support acts - We’ll Be Detectives and The Weirds - created a great sense of what was to come. 

Moments of the Year: One of our best moments was our first gig, at The Smokehouse Ipswich, which we organised with our friends Con Party and Jessie Ingate. The night was terrifying but it was amazing to play amongst friends for the first time.  
We were also amazed after being asked by John Peel’s wife, Sheila, to play on BBC Radio Suffolk for the unveiling of John’s BBC Music Day Blue Plaque award - it was a huge opportunity and we really enjoyed every moment.  
One of our biggest achievements this year would be the amount of awareness and money raised for the mental health charity Mind, through a gig we organised at The Smokehouse and an online campaign supported by the East Anglian Daily Times, in tribute to our friend Cameron Ray. It was co-organised with Cameron’s friend and celebrated his life through the connection we had with him through music. This moment sadly came from tragedy but it was everyone coming together that made it special.  
Finally, re-recording our first single with Jamie Robertson has been a massive highlight of the year, the whole process has been great and Jamie has really helped us create something that sounds like it should. When we met Jamie for drinks to discuss the recording it was high on the list that it sounded like “you are in the room with us and can’t get out”, and he has done us proud. It’s very likely that we’ll be able to release it early 2018. 

Tips for 2018:  We’ve decided to direct our tips at people who want to start bands and want to start gigging:
1. If you want a start a band but there’s only you and a mate who plays bass, go for it and jam together. Basically, start a band with what you’ve got not what you want. Even if you’re not Grade 8, if it sounds good to you it will to others.
2. One of the best tips we can give if you want to start gigging is to support local artists and go to gigs. Enjoy local music and it won’t be so scary to become part of it. Support the scene and it will support you. Speak to people and don’t be afraid to send promoters your stuff.
3. The most important tip of all is keep playing, even if you only have three songs. You want to be able to play them backwards with your eyes closed. Make the most of the one song support at your local pub, no gig is beneath you. 

ZAK WHITTAKER

Drum punisher, Clown Smash Everything/Janet Street Slaughter.
www.clownsmasheverything.com

Albums of the Year: My album of the year is Slowdive’s self-titled comeback, followed closely by ‘Stubborn Persistent Illusions’ by Do Make Say Think and Von Spar’s 'Garzweiler’ EP.

Tracks of the Year: My tracks of the year are 'Anthem For No State (Pts 1-3)’ by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, 'No Longer Making Time’ by Slowdive, and a special mention to the 3 unreleased gems that cropped up on Radiohead’s 'OK Computer’ reissue.

Gig of the Year: Best gig has to be Shellac at London’s Electric Ballroom back in October.  Also, I almost forgot about Part Chimp’s triumphant and deafening live return at Cambridge’s Portland Arms in April.

Moment of the Year: My moment of the year: Probably Theo (Morris, former Janet Street Slaughter guitarist) spectacularly stacking it off the stage at the final JSS gig in November!

ZOE KENT

F.O.X’s singing stadium superstar.
www.foxtheband.com

Album of the Year: Lana Del Rey - ‘Lust For Life’.  I love everything she does, her voice is so haunting and powerful and I love the visions she creates in her lyrics of broken surburbia. Always takes me somewhere else.

Tracks of the Year: ‘Cover Me’ by Depeche Mode. The first time I heard this song it was like a lightning bolt, I always knew it was incredibly powerful and then when we supported them on tour it became almost their new anthem. A song of two halves. It’s beautiful. 

Gigs of the Year: It has to be Depeche Mode in Bucharest: it was the most beautiful stadium and the most perfect day. I’ve never seen them so on fire as I did there, the energy could be felt the entire way round the stadium and I just watched in in awe of it all. I’ll never forget the thousands of lighters and phones lighting up the stadium - magical! 

Moments of the Year: When we were invited to fly with Depeche Mode on their private jet to Leipzig. It was a true rockstar moment and I totally forgot my fear of flying! 

Tips for 2018: My tip would be Amethysts, from Suffolk. I think they’ve got great songs and star potential - plus they’re very nice people. 

Click here to read Part One, featuring SuperGlu, Gaffa Tape Sandy, The State, The Glitter Shop, Blue Mean Eyes, Sun Scream, Young States, Lemondaze, Druids, Italian Books and more! 

Words & Collage: Seymour Quigley

THE B-SIDE BUMPER BACKTRACK 2017 - PART ONE

Whoever you talk to, and whatever they’re into, the consensus seems to be that 2017 has been an incredible year for the East Anglian DIY music scene. We spoke to promoters, writers, DJs and artists from around the region about their favourite albums, tracks, gigs and moments from the last 12 months, including The State, The Glitter Shop, Blue Mean Eyes, Sun Scream, Young States, Lemondaze, Druids, Italian Books, Gaffa Tape Sandy, SuperGlu and more… 

ANDY GUY

The State’s man.
www.thestateuk.com

Albums of the Year: Marilyn Manson – ‘Heaven Upside Down’; Gary Numan – ‘Savage (Songs from a Broken World)’; 3 Teeth – ‘Shutdown.exe’; Chelsea Wolfe – ‘Hiss Spun’.

Tracks of the Year: ’16 Psyche’ by Chelsea Wolfe; ‘We Know Where You Fucking Live’ by Marilyn Manson.

Gigs of the Year: The Psychedelic Furs at Norwich Waterfront; Gary Numan at Norwich LCR.

Moments of the Year: The State performing ‘A Forest’ with Thy Last Drop (at Bury St Edmunds Constitutional Club) was a big highlight of the year; a night I will never forget.

Tips for 2018: Eliminate things and activities that are a waste of your time. Eliminate the inner voice that says “I can’t; It’s impossible”. Eliminate the naysayers, liars, and people who do you harm in your life. Then you will be able to run toward your full potential and embrace it with both arms.

BARNY CUTTER

The Glitter Shop keeper. 
www.soundcloud.com/theglittershop

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice’s second album ‘Visions of a Life’ was magical. There’s no real specific genre there, but the album still sounds incredibly cohesive.

Tracks of the Year: ‘#1 Anime Dad’ by Huckleberry Harrison, taken from (debut album) ‘What The Huck’. He literally does whatever the fuck he wants and I appreciate that a lot.

Gigs of the Year: I don’t get to relax during many local gigs as I’m usually working at them, but Tundra at the Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds was amazing as it was just a bunch of friends having a shit-ton of fun. My favourite gig I played was with [former band] Fortunato at the Bury Fringe Festival All-Dayer; it was probably the best performance we ever put on.

Moments of the Year: Working with Suburban Minds on their debut EP and touring for five months with them, playing session guitar.

Tips for 2018: The Japanese House is releasing her debut album and I can’t wait! There’s a big Imogen Heap vibe there.  Also, keep your eyes and ears out for a lot more from The Glitter Shop!

BLUE MEAN EYES

Riff-mongous escapade-cravers.
www.bluemeaneyes.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year:
Toby Powell (guitar/vocals): My favourite album of the year was Biffy Clyro, ‘Ellipsis’. Although technically released in 2016, this is the only album I have listened to and loved throughout 2017. This is my favourite album because it’s a perfect example of how a band can reinvent their sound when they release a new album and still reach out and gain new fans as well as please the old ones.
Charlie Douglas (drums/vocals): 'To The Bone’ by Steven Wilson. It’s one of the best examples of progressive rock with a pop twist. It has some very interesting chord progressions, amazing vocals and vocal harmonies and represents to me a significant change in style from his normal jazz style.
Lauren Bradford (bass/vocals): Mine is Liam Gallagher, 'As You Were’. I listened to this album the whole way through rather than just picking songs from it like I normally do, and it’s just so good. I absolutely loved Oasis, but I can definitely say there are songs from this album that I prefer over some Oasis songs. I love the melodies, harmonies and lyrics in particular because that’s what I always listen for in music as a vocalist.

Tracks of the Year:
Toby: Firstly, Boy Azooga’s 'Face Behind Her Cigarette’ - this song was Huw Stephens’ pick of the week in early December and as I drove home with the radio on, I was astounded with how good the song actually is. The band have reinvented and are destined to breathe new life into the indie genre.  Secondly,  'Man’s Not Hot’ by Big Shaq - I’ve chosen this song because music doesn’t have to be taken seriously to be a hit. The guy created a character, and people loved it. What David Bowie did with Ziggy Stardust is what this guy has done but in the modern age.
Charlie: My favourite tracks are gonna have to be 'Speak To Me’ by Amy Lee and 'Havana’ by Camilla Cabello.
Lauren: Tonight Alive’s 'Temple’.  This is the first song they released from their upcoming album 'Underworld’. I’ve loved Tonight Alive since my early teens and I’ve never been able to stop listening to them since! This song is so powerful and so different from their last album and I just fell instantly fell in love with it. Also ‘Crack My Heart’, the second song to be released from the album - the vocals are so powerful and effortless, and Jenna McDougall has such an amazing voice.

Gigs of the Year:
Toby: Superglu Fundraiser (‘Help SuperGlu Get To SXSW’, Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club, 25th February).  We weren’t just paying a gig; we were raising money for SuperGlu to go and do what they love, and I hope every other band would do the same.
Charlie: My favourite gigs to play were Eddy Fest with the Harry Slater Band and Norwich Waterfront with Blue Mean Eyes. My favourite gigs to see were Bad Touch at London Borderline and Evanecsence at Hammersmith Apollo.
Lauren: Bury Fringe Festival.  I’m taking this bit a little closer to home because it was such a pleasure to play, and even more more of a pleasure to stay and watch everyone else who played, such as Sun Scream, Superglu, Goldblume and Suburban Minds.

Moments of the Year:
Toby: Charlie joining the band. Having somebody come in who loves playing our music as much as we do has pushed the band into a better and healthier direction.
Charlie: My favourite musical moment is probably a 15-minute improvised drum solo at a gig in the summer with The Harry Slater Band.
Lauren: Superglu Fundraiser. They’re such lovely people and it was an absolute honour helping out to raise money to get them over to SXSW. They were all so thankful and appreciative to everyone involved, because all anyone wants to do is make music and get it out there to be heard.  SuperGlu have completely blossomed in that respect and it’s been wonderful seeing that happen.

Tips for 2018:
Toby: People need to learn to get along despite their difference in opinions. Everybody has their own opinion, and you have every right to express your own, so respect that and let them have it, there is no need to force yours upon them.  Also: listen out for Boy Azooga.
Charlie: As for what to listen out for in 2018, well… it’s gotta be Blue Mean Eyes!  And Tool might finally release their new album so look out for that.
Lauren: My tips are: check out the new Tonight Alive album 'Underworld’ when it’s released in the new year because they’re just such a good band. Also, just listen to the whole of 'As You Were’ on repeat for the rest of your life.

CATHERINE LINDLEY-NEILSON

Bass ninja, Gaffa Tape Sandy.
www.gaffatapesandy.co.uk

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice - ‘Visions of Life’; Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; Idles - Brutalism

Tracks of the Year: ‘Dreams’ by Superglu; ‘Yuk Foo’ by Wolf Alice; ‘Bellyache’ by Billie Eilish; ‘Well Done’ by Idles.

Moments of the Year: Playing with Fortunato at Bury Fringe Festival, with Horse Party at The Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds, Glastonbury (with Gaffa Tape Sandy), and GTS’s most recent headline Hunter Club gig. Going to get soppy and say it was a privilege to play all of them. 

Gigs of the Year: Indoor Pets (formerly known as Get Inuit) and Pinegrove, both at London Lexington; Suburban Minds EP Launch and last gig at The Hunter Club.

Tip for 2018: If you haven’t already, MAKE A BAND.

DAVEY HAMMOND

Cambridge 105fm’s Smelly gentleman. www.cambridge105.co.uk/shows/flowerpot

Albums & Tracks of the Year:  
Album of the Year for me is the second release from The Granite Shore, called 'Suspended Second’ (Occultation Records). When Nick Halliwell started writing for this album, he had a vague idea of addressing the issue of anxiety in his songs. With the Brexit referendum happening at around the same time, the songs became more focused on the big issue of the day, dealing with all the emotions felt by someone who clearly felt the outcome was the worst possible one. Disbelief, despondency, anxiety, confusion and sadness all ultimately give way to defiance during the course of the nine tracks. This is a quietly angry album, but in it’s own way it’s as subversive as, say, the Sex Pistols getting to number one, in that it uses a much more subtle method in getting it’s message across by avoiding the sloganeering or shouting from the barricades to crashing chords that might be expected from such a release.Instead, the listener is treated to a soundtrack that takes classic Abba from the mid to late 70’s as it’s template, adding in hints of prog rock along the way. That, to these ears, the vocalist has shades of Bing Crosby only adds warmth and emotion that enforces the feelings being conveyed. Throw in references to the likes of Philip Larkin and Shakespeare, not to mention a nod to the aforementioned Sex Pistols (the opening to 'Performance of a Lifetime’ uses the same BBC sample of a marching band that is used on 'Holidays in the Sun’, only slowed down a little) and The Clash and you have a piece of work that has a rare depth and intelligence with some outstanding performances and moments packing a real emotional punch.

Similarly commenting on happenings in Europe and over the pond is 'Euromillions’- from the excellent debut album by LIFE called 'Popular Music’- which is one of the standout tracks of the year. With a sneering, in your face vocal and added spoken word parts, it addresses the state of the world in a very different way to The Granite Shore. A pounding bass line coupled with thundering drums drive the song along with guitars alternating between 'phasers set to stun’ and 'all out attack’ settings. The lyrics rip into the racists and right wing nationalists that support the likes of Trump, Farage et al. The band are a tremendous, life affirming proposition on stage- I just wish I could pogo like I did 40 years ago.

Looking closer to home, two releases that stand out are 'John Doe’ by The Mammoth Penguins and 'Interstellar Fuzz Star’ by Psychic Lemon. The former is the second long player from Emma Kupa’s band and is a concept album about a man who disappears, feared dead, only to return years later. All the songs are from the perspective of different people that knew the man and are titled as such ie. ‘The Child’, ‘The Ex’, ‘The Wife’, ‘The Line Manager’ etc, giving a hefty emotional clout to proceedings. Musically, the template has been expanded with more electric guitars, synths and piano added by 'Friends’ as well as regular band members. I’m hoping to catch the band live locally in the not too distant future.  The latter is the first release from what what will be Psychic Lemon’s second album, due to be unleashed in January. This is a head spinning assault on the senses with elements of heavy psychedelia, space rock and kraut rock melded into a wholly satisfying and thrilling 10 minute ride, a bit like a roller coaster ride with all the slow, uphill bits taken out. I eagerly await the album, 'Frequency Rhythm Distortion Delay’- a title that pretty much sums up the music.

Gigs of the Year:
As a family man with 4 young children, I don’t get to gigs as often as I’d like, so I tend to be really selective about the ones I attend. Humber St Sesh in Hull was the event of the year for me, especially as it’s my home town and holding the title of City of Culture for 2017. Highlights were many, including Tom Skelly, Crooked Weather, Fonda 500 and LIFE. The event is held over one day, with 14 different stages (indoor and outdoor, various capacities) and around 200 bands playing. You can get early bird tickets for next years event in August for £5. Yep, that’s what I said- £5. You’d be mad not to.  

As for gig of the year…as I mentioned, being so selective means I’m rarely disappointed so this is a tough one. I’ll plump for Dave Graney and Clare Moore at O'Rileys in Hull, a venue also used for boxing events. Bit of an unusual one this as I had a hand in setting it up. Following my failure to secure a gig in Cambridge (Oxjam was going on at the time, all venues fully booked), I contacted Lou Duffy Howard (former Red Guitars bassist) to see if she could recommend any promoters in Hull. She not so much bit my hand off as ripped it from the shoulder. Turns out Lou had toured with Dave in the 80’s and was very keen on supporting again. I met a few old friends from Hull and Bob Osborne of German Shepherd Records (who travelled over from Eccles) and enjoyed a cracking gig from the Aussie legends (formerly fronting The Moodists, Coral Snakes, The Mistly etc) backed by Orange Juice’s Malcolm Ross and Giorgio 'The Dove’ Valentino. Lou’s latest band, Loudhailer Electric Company, provided excellent support.

Tips for 2018:
One of my favourite songwriters of recent years is James Burling who works under the band name The Seven Twenty. His debut album was released in 2015 to some acclaim, and rightly so. It was very ambitious: James enlisted the help of a mariachi band for one track and flew to New York to record a choir for another while my favourite track on the album had a great Velvet Underground feel to it. I am reliably informed he has album number two ready for release early(ish) in the New Year and also has two other albums written and recorded. Without doubt one to watch and, being Cambridge based, should also be gigging in the area in 2018.

EMILY WALLACE

Guitarmeister general, Sun Scream.
www.sunscreamband.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; The Magic Ray - ‘The Magic Ray’; PINS - ‘Bad Thing’; The Babe Rainbow - ‘The Babe Rainbow’; Here Lies Man - ‘Here Lies Man’; Kyanos - ‘Elevator to Japan’.

Tracks of the Year: Paramore - ‘Fake Happy’; Something Leather - ‘Shotgun Persona’; The Babe Rainbow - ‘Johnny Says Stay Cool’; Ezra Furman - ‘Love You So Bad’; King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - ‘Doom City’; The Moonlandingz - ‘Sweet Saturn Mine’; Kevin Morby - ‘City Music’.

Gigs of the Year: Pond at End of the Road.  The Avalanches at Kentish Town Forum. Death Valley girls in Brighton. Dingus Khan in Bury St Edmunds. The Babe Rainbow in Brighton. Weaves.

Moments of the Year: Recording tracks with Theo Verney which incidentally lead to Tom [Lawrence, Sun Scream bassist] falling down the crack of a sofa in Brighton and discovering a new psychedelic realm.

Tips for 2018: MAKE THINGS! KEEP LISTENING TO MUSIC!! DONT BE ASHAMED, EVEN IF ITS ABBA - EMBRACE ABBA WITH EVERY FIBRE OF YOUR BEING!!! [Just to clarify, there is NO SHAME whatsoever in loving Abba. - 70s Disco Ed.]

FRANCINE CARREL

B-Side’s interrogator-in-chief.

Albums of the Year: Fightmilk - ‘Pity Party’; Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Spring Killing’(Literally everyone will be saying this, right? Fuck it, they deserve it.)

Tracks of the Year: Shiners - ‘Just Got Paid’; Fightmilk - ‘Pity Party’ (again); Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Manager’; Jack Rundell - ‘Cold Coffee’.

Gigs of the Year: Blackballed, at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket. Supported by the Wilsons, who are always awesome - but the main event was such a weird, superb surprise. Left me absolutely buzzing.

Moments of the Year: Getting to interview Justin Sullivan for B-Side was pretty fucking cool. As well as being very talented, he’s the most quotable man I’ve ever interviewed, and - as a writer - I appreciate that in a person.

Tips for 2018: Hoping for more from Jack Rundell - an album of Suffolk country music would be very welcome. Also keeping an eye on Thy Last Drop, who’ve been making noises about another album once they’ve re-released (2013 debut EP) ‘Dead Drunk for Two’.

GEORGIA LEEDER

Young States frontbassist.
www.youngstates.co.uk

Albums of the Year: Pvris - ‘All We Know of Heaven and All We Need of Hell’; Nothing but Thieves - ‘Broken Machine’; Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; Halsey - ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom’; Royal Blood - ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’

Songs of the Year: Halsey - ‘Don’t Play’; Demi Lovato - ‘Cry Baby’; The Regrettes -  ‘Seashore’; Will Joseph Cook - ‘Plastic’; Pvris - ‘Same Soul’.

Gigs of the Year: Busted at Norwich UEA; Mallory Knox at Norwich UEA; Yonaka at Norwich Waterfront Studio; Pvris at O2 Academy Brixton; Milk Teeth at Norwich Epic Studios.

Moment of the Year: During our hometown show at the Waterfront Studio, I told the crowd that I was going to sing something and they had to repeat after me, I then went to sing the chorus of ‘Over It By Now’, and I couldn’t even finish the first three words before the entire crowd joined in. It really took me by surprise and is something I definitely won’t be forgetting. That whole show was pretty special!

New Years’ resolutions: Go to more gigs, play more shows and write more!

GRAEME MCLOUGHLIN

BBC Introducing in Suffolk presenter and all-round chap.
www.bbc.co.uk/radiosuffolk

Albums of the Year: It’s a tough one. A two horse race earlier in the year for me between ‘Constraint’ by Plaitum and ‘Pink’ by Rad Pitt, but I think the recent release from Izzy’s Daughter (‘Luna’) might edge it! Let’s just have all three and listen to them simultaneously.

Tracks of the year: I was in love with ‘Killing Me’ from Crystal Bats as soon as the bass kicked in; the whole three and a half minutes or so is just perfection. ‘Water Bottle’ by Gaffa Tape Sandy was this year as well, wasn’t it? It’s the opening piece on their fabulous ‘Spring Killing’ EP, which is actually packed with track of the year contenders. Rad Pitt’s ‘Hick Mucknall’ is also a tune, and I think ‘Are You There’ - the opening track from the Izzy’s Daughter record - might just be the most beautiful track we’ve ever played on BBC Introducing.

Moments of the Year: I think this one has to come from the Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds where we celebrated the 10th anniversary of BBC Introducing with a live broadcast and gig in early October.  Gaffa Tape Sandy and Cathedrals and Cars both performed incredible sets to a truly supportive and bouncing audience. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces – all happy as well! It was also nice to take BBC Introducing to the beach during the summer and watch Amethysts and Phil Jackson, among others, perform on the bandstand for Aldeburgh Music.

Tips for 2018: Bessie Turner continues to be one to watch, and now that some of the nationals appear to be on board, it could be a big year for her. I’d also hope and expect to see Gaffa Tape Sandy at more major festivals. They belong on the big stage.

ISIS DE CHASTELAIN & ROSIE HEARD-EDWARDS

Lemondaze’s twin guitar heroes.
www.lemondaze.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice - ‘Visions of a Life’; Slowdive - ’Slowdive’.

Tracks of the Year: Peace - ‘From Under Liquid Glass’; MGMT - ‘Little Dark Age’ (Rosie); King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - ‘Loyalty’ (Isis).

Gigs of the Year: Wolf Alice, Ride, Slowdive, The Stone Roses, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bloody Knees.

Moments of the Year: NMG Awards (Isis fell down the stairs.) Drunk interview on Cambridge 105.  When people actually turned up to our headline gig at (Cambridge’s) The Blue Moon.

JAY GOODRICH

Thighmaster frontman and bass-thrust specialist, Druids.
www.soundcloud.com/druidstheband

Albums of the Year: ‘Pinewood Smile’ by The Darkness. It’s true rock and the kinda rock that makes you wanna rock more and more like you’ve never rocked before. I’m not one for words, although I understand they’re kinda needed. On first listen I was caught by how it is so well constructed musically and clearly a fantabulous recording of a band playing the shit outta the songs. That’s rare today in an age of digital perfection. Anyway, on second listen I hear all the words and there’s some interesting subject matters present. It’s a must listen for anyone who needs a bit of rock. Check their vids too, they’re really serious and bound to put you in a terrible mood.

Tracks of the Year: ‘Colors’ by Beck. Probably because BBC 6music bashed me in the face with it so often, but no, seriously, it’s pretty sweet. The whole album is to be honest. A nice contrast to The Darkness with a production that’ll make you go “mmmm, oh yeah” but in a different way.

Gigs of the Year: I joined some friends I vaguely like, and went to see Public Service Broadcasting. I would have included them in album of the year (PSB, not my friends) but I didn’t think (new album) ‘Every Valley’ was so great. However, seeing and hearing it live really brought it all together for me and the new material they played is on a par with older stuff.

Moments of the Year: Well, I’ve spoken enough of other bands, so I’m gonna have to say something regarding Druids. Joel (Kurta, drums) and I thought it’d be a great idea to shoot a sci-fi inspired music video for our new EP title track, ‘Up To Mars’, in spandex morph suits ’n’ all. Anyway, we filmed over at a place called Harkstead Shores in Suffolk accompanied by two friends dressed as aliens. It’s quite something - the sort of something that’ll question the meaning of life. Sort of. Anyway, these dog walkers walked past and asked what we were up to, like that kinda shiz doesn’t happen down those parts regularly or something. Outrageous.

Tips for 2018: Remember which days the bins go out. I was caught out twice this year and I’m still pretty angry about it.  In addition to that, Ken at The Rehearsal Rooms (in Bury St Edmunds) is a really nice guy. Rehearse there! And The LP (also in Bury) is pretty cool to eat at. So, eat there! I have every faith these places will be as cool if not cooler in 2018.  Also, I heard a band called, Oranje. They were recording at Punch Studios (in Ipswich) and sounded like they have more potential than a Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewell. Watch that space.

JAY VOLUNTEER

Bringer of the noise, Italian Books.
www.trenchartnoise.bandcamp.com

Album of the Year: Koufar - ‘Lebanon For The Lebanese’.  Recorded in 2015 but released on vinyl by Unrest early 2017 (so that counts right?!). One of the most challenging records I’ve ever owned in terms of the recording itself, the subject matter and artwork…  This record lead to lots of reading.

Track of the Year:  I was exposed to so much music that I didn’t know existed this year, so although recorded a while back, I’m going to break the rules and say Iron Fist Of The Sun’s ‘Smile Like Sword’.

Gig of the Year:  The two day festival ‘United Forces Of Industrial 4’ at Electrowerkz London, which I attended on my own at the end of April.

Moment of the Year:  I was lucky enough to see Ryan Jordan perform ‘Possession Trance’ several times last year…. Seeing this for the first time at NNNNN blew my mind!

Tip for 2018:  London pop-punk band Wonk Unit will be a household name by the end of the year!

JOEL CLAYTON

Thrill-hunter at Trapped Animal Records and CambridgeBands.com
www.trappedanimal.com

Albums of the Year: Bodycount - ‘Bloodlust’; Throwing Stuff  - ‘Fit Fine And Well’; Daniel Gadd - ‘As If In A Dream I Drifted At Sea’.

Tracks of the Year: No Halo - ‘Sorority Noise’; The Baby Seals - ‘My Labia Is Lopsided But I Don’t Mind’; Projector - ‘Love’.

Gigs of the Year: Metallica at London O2 and Guns ’n’ Roses at the Olympic Park.  

Moment of the Year: Launching The Baby Seals into space.

Tips for 2018: Fresh, Night Flight, IDER, Kerry Devine, Daniel Gadd, Maija Sofia, Trapped Animal (obvs).  

KRISTA SIÂN LYNCH

SuperGlu’s low-end lynchpin.
www.supergluband.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: ‘The Ooz’ by King Kruel and probs Taylor Swift. I haven’t listened to it yet but I imagine it’s wicked. Has anyone ever watched her solo acoustic stuff on YouTube? She’s insanely good

Tracks of the Year: ‘The Strangle of Anna’ by The Moonlandingz. Big fan of The Fat Whites and even bigger fan of these guys and girls.

Gigs of the Year: Dingus Khan at the Arts Centre Colchester; maybe I’m biased, but they are probably the best band on the planet.  The Fall at KoKo London would have probably been on this list but Mark E Smith was ill so it was cancelled - gutted. John Cooper Clarke at Colchester Arts Centre was bloody amazing.  Newish bands I weirdly didn’t see enough and will make an effort to see more emerging acts next year. I really enjoyed watching Dream Wife at Latitude though as well as The Magic Gang.  Best ever ever moment was seeing Gaffa Tape Sandy on TV at Glastonbury - I was so super happy and proud of them.

Moments of the Year: Landing in the USA for the for the time ever and exploring Austin Texas with my best friends and band members [SuperGlu], playing SXSW to packed out audiences… totally bizarre and definitely not something I could have ever predicted I would do. It really was incredible and I feel so so lucky to have had such an amazing opportunity. Also, eating lunch backstage sat next to (ok… well kinda near) Brian Molko. I didn’t embarrass myself by saying hello - but every part of me wanted to.

Tips for 2018: Have loads of fun and try not too worry to much, enjoy your friends and make the most of what and who you have around you.

Click here for Part Two, featuring Fightmilk, Graceland, Desperate Journalist, Sophie Mahon, Kulk, The Interesting Times Gang, Kyanos, Clown Smash Everything, F.O.X and more!

Words & Collage: Seymour Quigley

NEWS:
PINK FLOYD STICKSMITH BRINGS SECRETS TO STOWMARKET

On Thursday 11th January, Pink Floyd’s redoubtable drummer and fast car enthusiast Nick Mason will be visiting the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket to discuss his former band’s 1968 album, ‘A Saucerful Of Secrets’, as part of their Classic Album series.

A modest hit in the UK on its release, 'Saucerful…’ is unique among Pink Floyd’s releases in that it was recorded during a transitional period - with the slow departure of original singer/guitarist Syd Barrett due to addiction and mental health issues, and his gradual replacement by David Gilmour - and is therefore the only album they made as (effectively) a five-piece.

In keeping with previous Classic Album events, which have featured such influential luminaries as Julian Cope and Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, the evening will include a full playback of John Peel’s personal copy of the album through the venue’s rather tasty sound system.  For tickets and more details, click here.  

Photo: Pink Floyd in 1968 (L-R: Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Nick Mason).

EAST ANGLIAN GIG LISTINGS:
21ST DECEMBER 2017-4TH JANUARY 2018

Every Thursday, throughout the year, we bring you stacks of festive cheer.  To submit your own news and listings, click here!

Thursday 21st
Burston, Crown
Buskers Revisited
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Bury St Edmunds, Apex
Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band
£20 - 8pm - Tickets

Cambridge, Portland Arms
The Junkoactive Wasteman and His Tinphonia, 2late & Acid Tea
£5 - 7.45pm - Tickets

Colchester, Bull
Jazz Jam Christmas Special
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Colchester, Three Wise Monkeys
Wooden Maiden
Contact venue for details

Ipswich, Swan
Blues Jam
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Norwich, Arts Centre
The Vagaband & Shackleton Trio
£12 - 8pm - Tickets

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
Wayward Natives
Free entry - 7pm - Tickets

Norwich, Waterfront
Mostly Autumn
£16.50 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Friday 22nd
Bury St Edmunds, Hunter Club
Rebop
£14 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Cambridge, Blue Moon
Motherchip Connexion
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Cambridge, Corn Exchange
Cambridgeshire County Youth Orchestra
£12 - 4pm - Tickets

Cambridge, Junction
The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club
£17 - 10pm - Tickets

Colchester, Arts Centre
Goodiepal, The Dead Rat Orchestra, Lee Ashcroft & Mick The Hippy’s Krautrock Disco
£7 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Colchester, Bull
Electrum
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Colchester, Soundhouse
Special Measures
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Colchester, Three Wise Monkeys
Imoni, Hattie Erawan, Ellie Cornell, Lauren Francis & Sophie Nash
£3 - 9pm - Event page

Ipswich, Steamboat Tavern
Back To The Point, In My Disguise & The Naked French
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Ipswich, Swan
MotherfVnker
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Norwich, Arts Centre
The Blockheads & Ben C Winn
SOLD OUT - Info

Norwich, Epic Studios
Tom Malachowski
£5 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
E.A. Dames
£5 - 7pm - Event page

Norwich, Waterfront Studio
The Visitors, No Story Goes, Couch & Suburban Tide
£6 - 6.30pm - Tickets

Saturday 23rd
Bury St Edmunds, Constitutional Club
Keys, Sun Scream & Static Shock
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Cambridge, Portland Arms
The British Public, The British IBM, Pete Um, Allotment & The Basque Roads
£5.50 - 7.05pm - Tickets

Colchester, Bull
Lettuceheads
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Colchester, Soundhouse
Mixtronicxs
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Ipswich, Swan
Oranje, Fick As Fieves & Impilo
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Norwich, Epic Studios
Bad Manners & Max Splodge
£21 - 7pm - Tickets

Norwich, Waterfront Studio
The Quireboys
£20.35 - 6.30pm - Tickets

Sunday 24th
Colchester, Bull
Stiff In The Morning
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Wednesday 27th
Cambridge, Portland Arms
The Furious Sleep & Doyouthinkhesawus?
£6 - 7pm - Tickets

Ipswich, Smokehouse
Pizza Tramp, Werecats & Dealing With Damage
£5 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Norwich, LCR
The Hollywood Undead & The One Hundred
£20.35 - 6.30pm - Tickets

Thursday 28th
Cambridge, Portland Arms
Moonstrips, Ian Jeffs, Pickering Brothers & Ricky Boom-Boom
£5.50 - 7pm - Tickets

Ipswich, Steamboat Tavern
Folk At The Boat
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
Alastoria, Deities, MTXS, To The Nines & A Thousand Voices
£5 - 7pm - Tickets

Friday 29th
Cambridge, Blue Moon
Grace Kuhl and the British Public
Contact venue for details

Cambridge, Portland Arms
R*E*P*E*A*T Anti-Christmas Party w/The Lost Volts, Karmadillo, Greg Ward, Matty G and Li’l Winter, Ben Udin, Magic Phil, The Horse and His Boy & Idealistics
£4 - 8pm - Event page

Chelmsford, V Bar
Vera Loves, Off The Wall, Boat Rich & Sam Eagle and the Lemon Lizards
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Colchester, Arts Centre
The Fabs, Short People & The Judith Charmers
£13 - 7.30pm - Tickets

Colchester, Bull
The Friday House Of Blues
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Ipswich, Steamboat
Hold Tight Winter Party
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Ipswich, Swan
Ip-Hop w/Rye Shabby and DJ Ghosty, Xidontle, Tooks and Snubes, WaveyxTimes, Ae Ther & DJ Daniel Lee Harvey
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
Rebel Lion Sound System
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Saturday 30th
Colchester, Bull
The Statins
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
Free Movement Skateboarding fundraiser w/Cheap Heat, Hollow Reign, Cuck, Throatpunch & Knowpeace
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Sunday 31st
Bury St Edmunds, Hunter Club
Thin Lizard, Sun Scream & Kyanos
£10 - 8pm - Event page

Cambridge, Portland Arms
Portland Rouge New Year Party w/Demelza Fox, The Honeysuckle Sweethearts & Tesla North
£10 - 8pm - Tickets

Diss, Burston Crown
The Thinking Men
Free entry - 8pm - Event page

Colchester, Arts Centre
New Town Kings & The Majestic
£15 - 9pm - Tickets

Colchester, Bull
The Hit List
Free entry - 9pm - Event page

Colchester, Soundhouse
Our House
£5 - 9pm - Event page

Ipswich, Swan
Hot Tramp NYE Party
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Norwich, Arts Centre
Soul Stew NYE Party
£10 - 8pm - Tickets

Norwich, Open
Tropical NYE
£25 - 9pm - Tickets

Norwich, Owl Sanctuary
Dub, Sweat and Beers NYE Extravaganza
Free entry - 7pm - Event page

Photo: Sun Scream (playing Bury St Edmunds Constitutional Club 23rd Dec and Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club 31st Dec) by Acid Box Promotions.
Listings Editor: Kate Quigley.

NEWS: 
HOMEGROWN FESTIVAL GEARS UP FOR 2018

Continuing its five-year mission to seek out the finest musical stuff happening around East Anglia, Homegrown Music Festival will return to Barrow Academy (just outside Bury St Edmunds) on the weekend of 8th-10th June 2018.  

Anyone interested in performing or being involved in any way - bands, duos, solo artists, performance artists and nice people who want to do something ace - is invited to get in touch via the festival’s website at www.homegrownfest.co.uk   

The deadline for artist applications is 31st December, and the line-up will be announced in the new year. 

Photo: Homegrown 2017 headliners The Downsetters (from Facebook) 

THE B-SIDE MONDAY MEGAMIX

This week, self-confessed grinch Paul Jenkins is listening to some classic bluesy rock ‘n’ roll, shouty hardcore, indie and post-rock in an attempt to avoid hearing any C******** songs (except Slade; there is ALWAYS time for Slade). 

THE QUIREBOYS - GRACIE B

OK, time to blow my B-Side credibility, perhaps [absolutely not; there is no such thing – Cred Ed]: The first band I ever saw playing a small club and the first band I ever helped out was The Quireboys. As a callow, spotty teen in 1980-forget about it, more interested in thrash-metal and UKHC than classic, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll, I found myself buying their ‘Mayfair’ single in Shades Records (RIP) in Soho. A member of the band - I am convinced it was Ginger, later of The Wildhearts, but I am told it was more likely Guy Bailey - saw me and asked me if I wanted to hand out fliers in return for free entry to a Marquee show that night. Well, of course I did and thirty-plus years on they remain one of my favourite bands. I was lucky enough to spend four nights on tour with QBs earlier this year (working with support band Last Great Dreamers); Ginger and Guy Bailey may be long gone, and the Stones-fronted-by-Rod schtick may not be everyone’s cup o’ tea but they still put on a top, top show 

See them live at: Norwich Waterfront (doing an acoustic show), 23^rd Dec.
Now listen to: ‘White Trash Blues’ LP.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter - Website

REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN - HECTIC DANGER DAY 

From the sublime to the ridiculous - or maybe vice versa - Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man [named after a splendidly awful 1980 cult sci-fi movie – Hollywood Ed.] are one of the most exciting live bands I have seen for a long time and almost certainly the best band I have seen at the “new” Owl Sanctuary in Norwich. Hardcore played at lightspeed this may be and the lyrics can be deadly serious, but there is also a sense of fun here. The turn-out for their last outing at the Owl was pretty pathetic. Don’t let it be the same next time. 

See them live at: Norwich Owl Sanctuary, 3^rd Dec.
Now listen to: ‘Colossal Velocity’ LP.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter - Website

HAPPY COLOURED MARBLES - LET ME IN

Named after a Ween song, Happy Coloured Marbles are a band I’ve followed for a while now and have seen ’em develop into a properly powerful power-trio.  This under-watched video was released in 2016, and deserves more attention. 

See them live at: Norwich Epic Studios, 27th Jan.
Now listen to: ;Can’t Seem To Shake You’, streaming.
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud 

NEW SCIENTISTS - AGAIN 

Right, I haven’t seen ‘em yet but everyone I know who has seen New Scientists says they a bloody amazing live. So, here it is. Make up your own minds.

See them live at: Norwich Epic Studios, 27th Jan.
Now listen to: ‘Miniature People’, on SoundCloud
Follow: Facebook – Twitter

KNOWPEACE - PAVE THE RAINFOREST 

Raging hardcore from King’s Lynn, I first saw Knowpeace support the mighty Ho99o9 (AKA Horror 999) and come close to blowing them away. Good stuff. 

See them live at: Norwich Owl Sanctuary, 30^th Dec (Free Movement skateboard fundraiser).
Now listen to: ‘It Gets Worse’ EP, streaming.  
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Bandcamp 

THE WOLF NUMBER – DEL MARS 

Described as instrumental-psych-rock, I’d be more inclined to class this trio from Norwich as post-rock, whatever the chuff that means these days. Regardless, The Wolf Number Name are preparing for their first Arts Centre headliner in the new year, and it should be a good one.
See them live at: Norwich Arts Centre, 19^th Jan.  
Now listen to: ‘The Bunker Sessions’ EP, streaming.
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Website   

Photo: Revenge of the Psychotronic Man (from Facebook)