Live Review: The Skints @ The Winchester, Bournemouth - 04/08/12

Kicking of the evening are local ska band, Know One. The seven-piece are more than capable of the task and get the crowd skanking right from the first note. Looking slick in their black shirt, red tie uniform they deliver a great set of classic ska, and although their tracks become a little drawn-out and repetitive at times, they manage to keep the party atmosphere going.

Next up, The Bots have no trouble keeping the energy levels sky high. Fresh from supporting Brit legends Blur no less, the two brothers, aged just 18 and 14, put on a remarkable performance. It may not be ska, but tonight’s crowd are more than happy to jump around to their aggressive punk with driving guitar and furious drums. At times it feels like we’re watching them jam in their bedroom at home which, at best, gives the set a raw feel but at worst is a little messy. Slower track ‘Dinosaur’ doesn’t quite hit the mark and a bizarre synthesizer solo is an assault on the ears but when they hit their stride and flash their cheeky grins it’s hard not to be impressed with what these young boys have achieved.

The Skints soon arrive on stage and show just why so many have come out to see them tonight. They really are a perfectly formed band with each member bringing something unique to the mix. Jon Doyle is a true master on the bass, providing the intricate yet easy-going backbone to each track. Josh Waters Rudge on vocals injects a bit of cockney into their sound, giving the group’s summery reggae a more mainstream, King Blues-esque feel. Marcia Richards is the jewel in the crown with her smooth voice and ability to play almost any instrument, from keyboard to flute. Whilst Jamie Kyriakides is the unlikely hero, proving that men can indeed multitask with expert drumming and effortless vocals. Every song of their set sounds like a sure-fire hit and the audience find it impossible not to move along with the music. Although it doesn’t feel like August outside, in The Winchester tonight it certainly is a warm summer’s evening in paradise.

Live Review: Tiger Please @ iBar, Bournemouth, 22/07/2011

We all know that Wales has produced some of the UK’s greatest musical talent over the years, and South Wales five-piece Tiger Please are not about to break the tradition. A crowd of bright young things have eagerly arrived at Bournemouth’s iBar, ready to kick off the summer holidays with a night to remember.

Mightily impressive local support comes from Basingstoke outfit The Fortunate. The four fresh faced youngsters are fronted by Natalie Woodward. She may be small but her voice most certainly is not. Natalie and the band perform a catalogue of infectious pop/rock tunes that deserve to be classics. They also give a stunning rendition of U2’s With Or Without You. The Fortunate are definitely ones to watch.

Let’s Go Safari don’t leave quite the same impression this evening. The electro-pop duo from Poole consists of Clive Robert Coats – a.k.a. The Panda - and Ryan Daniel Wood – a.k.a. The Tiger. They come across as a not-quite-as-talented and not-quite-as-funny, Tenacious D, and their very quiet backing track doesn’t do them any favours. Nevertheless, they appear to have a solid fanbase and as the set progresses, a few potential hits emerge. The catchy sing-a-long in ‘Mister Masochist’ proves to be a memorable highlight.

It’s then time for tonight’s Welsh visitors to showcase their talent. Cardiff five-piece Cuba Cuba build a wonderful wall of sound with their angular pop. Combining the catchiness of Canterbury and the ambiance of Bloc Party, Cuba Cuba are onto a winner. What they lack in energy they make up for in dry wit and stage banter with tonight’s headline act.

Soon enough, it’s Tiger Please’s turn to show us how the Welsh do it. Frontman Leon Stanford’s powerful voice inspires powerful sing-a-longs on tracks from the EP and debut album. But it’s the new material that steals the show. It’s clear that Tiger Please are supurb storytellers, so it’s just as well that their second album is a compilation of songs inspired by stories emailed to the band by their devoted fans. Leon is clearly a little disappointed when crowd attendance appears to dwindle towards the middle of the set, so brings out some old tracks inspired by the presence of the boys from Cuba Cuba – two of whom are ex-Tiger Please members – to pick things up again. Despite Tiger Please ending their set with a song about suicide, the crowd still leave iBar with beaming smiles. Now that is quite an achievement. 

Introducing: Asp - Bournemouth's Live And Unsigned 2011 hopeful

Bournemouth based band Asp, have made it through to the area semi finals of Live And Unsigned 2011, one of the largest national music competitions for unsigned bands.

Describing their sound as ‘kind of AC/DC meets Kiss’, Asp are a four piece classic rock band who formed back in 2007.

Front man Adam "The Yeti" Phillips met guitarist Paul "Brains" Gow at college through a friend. “We didn't know each other but after playing music together we became really close friends” said Adam. The band then grew, with Bassist Rob "Guns" Boivin joining in 2008 and drummer "Demon" Stephen Warr – who Adam says ‘was just too good looking to turn down’ – joined in 2009.

Complete with their rock ‘n’ roll nicknames, the band released their debut self-titled three track EP last year which they followed up with a mini tour of the south of England. They also, quite literally, reached new heights last summer when they became the first band ever to play 500ft in the air inside the Bournemouth balloon. Adam said “It was terrifying and yet an unforgettable experience.”

Since then, Asp have been busy recording their brand new six track mini album "Let's Get This Show On The Road" which is due to be released next year. The album was recorded at the 896 Coffee Bar in Boscombe, Bournemouth, and was produced by Nick Bryson (of Fearne) and Russ Gannicott (of Nemesis). “Every track is different, with elements of 80's metal, blues and funk” said Adam; “It’s a ballsy, high energy, classic rock party album and should always be joined by a cold beer.”

Asp are heavily involved in the Bournemouth music scene and list The Winchester as one of their favourite Bournemouth venues. “The Bournemouth music scene does its best for all bands, there are some great people to work with and gig along side in the town” said Adam.

Music is clearly a massive part of the boys’ lives as when they are not making music as part of Asp, Adam and Rob volunteer as youth workers at The Lighthouse in Christchurch, providing tuition for guitar, bass and ukulele. “Asp grew up at The Lighthouse” said Adam; “We practiced there and learnt there and when we became too old to attend we were so attached to The Lighthouse that we decided to stay as volunteers. We wanted to give back to them what they gave to us and pass on our experiences to new musicians”

And the boys all have day jobs too; Adam is a carer and teaches music at an after school club at Christchurch Junior School, Paul studies physics at Southampton University, Rob works at Langdons Electric Music and Southern Ukulele Store and Stephen works for Apple Conservatories.

Now Asp are through to the semi finals of Live and Unsigned 2011 and if they get through, they will get to play live at the final which will be held at The O2 in London. “To think we're in the semi's and one step away from London's O2 is completely surreal” says Adam; “but we are excited about the opportunities this competition can provide for us.”

To get to the final, Asp must put together a 3 minute 30 second mash up of two songs for which they have chosen a brand new Asp track ‘Bad To The Bone’ and a cover of  Led Zeppelin's ‘Whole Lotta Love’.

If they are eventually crowned the winners of this year’s competition then they will win a comprehensive music management package which includes; festival slots (including representing the UK at the biggest festival in Asia I rock), a UK tour exposing their music to over 40,000 people and a recording contract with Future Music, with up to £50,000 investment.

However, if they don’t win, the boys are determined to push forward and will be gigging around the south of England as much as possible. This will include a big show at Christchurch Music Festival on Saturday 2nd July. “Apart from that we’ll just be saving our money and writing new songs, putting it all towards what shall be our next album!” says Adam.

The Live and Unsigned 2011 semi finals will take place at Portsmouth Guildhall on May 21^st. Tickets are £7.50.

Introducing: Dom Remi

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of local heroes The Metropolise, Dom Remi are a new Bournemouth band on a mission.

Determined to start afresh, the alternative indie rock four-piece feel they have moved on from their previous outfit – which managed to sell out several south coast venues, including the esteemed Southampton Joiners. Guitarist Michael-James Dent said; “The Metropolise was that band you’re in when you first get into music. Once you pick up a guitar after hearing some Interpol record, you form that band”.

James, and bass player Richard, are both first year Popular Music students at Bournemouth University. “We’re still young but we’ve learnt a lot more, and we know how to write songs that can affect people without being just another carbon-copy. I wouldn’t say we’ve matured though, just learnt how to channel our influences in different ways” said James.

Among these influences, Dom Remi list everything from The Stone Roses and My Bloody Valentine to hip-hop and 90s dance music, with a bit of Doves and Animal Collective thrown in. This helps to shape the group’s ‘unique sound’. James adds; “With some bands, it’s so easy to just group them into a particular genre or group of people, but with us, we try to vary what we do. We have catchy, poppier tracks, but we’ve got tracks that build on soundscapes and use our skills in sonic techniques.”

Named after Joan of Arc’s birthplace - as a result of James’ and front man Ben’s love of history as kids – Dom Remi are planning to relaunch themselves with a free download of their single ‘Midnight’ which will be available on 8^th May. The track is full of soaring hooks and teenage angst layered on top of an atmospheric soundscape that can be legitimately described as ‘groovy’. That may sound odd, but it works.

A launch show at Champions, Bournemouth on 14^th May with Kinnie The Explorer will be followed by the release of the band’s debut self-titled EP on 6^th June via This Scene Isn’t Dead. When asked to describe the EP in three words, James’ responded “nice and loud”.

“We’ve got a load of shows booked in June, including stops in London and Southampton” said James, “and we’re recording more singles this year, so over the summer and winter you can expect to see a lot more releases from us.”

Live Review: Not Advised get sweaty in Bournemouth

You know you’re doing something right when you manage to sell out a venue before you’ve even released an album. But Southampton pop punk five piece Not Advised have done just that, taking a little break from recording their debut full length record to pop down the road and play Bournemouth’s favourite little sweat box, iBar.

As the crowd pile in, the first support act I Met Nature launch into their set. The female fronted group from Salisbury appear to be having brilliant fun and deliver some standard pop punk. Unfortunately, microphone issues - which continue to crop up for all three bands this evening - disrupt their tight performance but are soon laughed off as the five piece power through.

The girl power continues as Checking Pulse take to the stage with leading lady Emily. The trio’s blend of stomping rock and soaring electronica beings something truly original to the table. Emily’s pre-programmed auto tuned vocals manage to avoid being irritating, leaving the crowd hugely impressed and content to sing along with every word. An outstanding cover of Tinie Tempah’s ‘Written In The Stars’ tops off the set, getting everybody suitably sweaty for tonight’s main act.

Preceded by some rousing classical music, Not Advised grace the tiny stage and commence with their massive sing along anthems. Kicking off with the lyrical genius of ‘The Winner’, the packed out iBar basement starts to move as front man Jim clings onto the ceiling. After a couple of classic tracks from their two EPs, the lads showcase some of the new material they’ve been busy recording for the album. The new tracks receive a warm welcome from the fans but the excitement really starts to bubble when the group announce that tonight will be the night they play ‘A Red Light Situation’ for the last time. And what’s more, to mark the occasion, they treat the fans to a remarkable stripped down version of the track.

After a few more new songs the band launch into huge anthem ‘Right Now’ and the crowd go crazy once more. Further mic issues almost go unnoticed as the crowd have no trouble taking over vocal duties for the mighty chorus. Not Advised finish their set with a sincere thank you to the fans, particularly the two girls who made the mammoth journey down from Edinburgh for the show. With hardcore fans like that, it’s hard to see how these guys won’t be huge news this year. Roll on album number one!