Thursday 16 May 2013

END OF AN ERA / SLAMFEST 2013 / DROP IN CENTRE NEWS / THE COMING WEEK



LOOKING BACK

Two super weekends packed with some great music in Rotherham, and at Festivals a little further afield.

So let’s start with now well broadcast news that a stalwart of the South Yorkshire Folk scene, Jenny Fox, has retired from Toein’ In The Dark.  I think it’s typical of Jenny that she swore people to secrecy concerning her decision, not wishing the main purpose of her last regular Gig with the Band to be  lost.

The Concert with The Rotherham Red Choir, was to help raise some funds for the Red Choir’s main cause SOSA YA’s Youth Work in Zimbabwe.  Those with a good memory will remember that SOSA YA Choir performed at the Red Choir Fringe Festival Concert.  The work being done by the Charity taking performance skills to Zimbabwe, and helping with education is truly beneficial to Communities, despite the awful Government, and an economy now based on an inflated US Dollar. 

It’s a pity that the upstairs room of the Bridge was not full to overflowing for such an outstanding evening of music, but with The Wath Festival moving into gear, choices for the Folkie were numerous.   I don’t suppose the clash with ROMP who were reading down stairs at The Bridge helped either.  But the size of the Red Choir, as I’ve commented about before, means that one ends up with almost a full house without too much trying.   Having said that well in excess of £350 was collected for the Charity.  Well done one and all for that effort.

Unfortunately because of the mysteries of the 108 /109 bus service in Rotherham I missed The Red Choir, but was firmly in my seat ready for Toein’ In The Dark. 

As per usual Toein’ produced a super set of old favourites that had the audience singing along and newish songs with their own special arrangement that can be found on their new CD “About Time” which if you missed my review you can find HERE

The CD is available from the RAE Music and Arts Drop In Centre at 25 Wellgate in the centre of Rotherham for £7.50  

And so to Jenny.  I’m a Johnny come lately, but even before I met Jenny and the Band I felt I knew them such was their legendary status on the Folk circuit.  Jenny especially would be mentioned for all the work that she and her Husband Malcolm did on the South Yorkshire scene.  If you go onto Jenny’s Facebook page and check out the photographs you’ll discover just what an influence they had. 

But most of all Jenny will be missed for the key role she played with Toein’ – her driving accordion accompaniment  providing a bounce that makes the Band’s sound so distinctive. 

The good news is that Jenny threatens to play the odd Gig with the rest of the Band from time to time: well that should keep them on their toes. 

On the Saturday RAE held what I hope will be the first of many Youth Festivals at The Trades.   

It was all a bit strange in the Concert Room with the Bar closed down, and a youthful chatter, some of it nervous filling the room.   We organised the Festival to give young Bands and performers, that’s under 18s, the opportunity to perform on a real stage in front of an audience, while also involving the Bands in the marketing of the Promotion, something that will be critical if they are to make a name for themselves on the music scene at any level. 

The standard of performance was outstanding, from those making their debut on stage to one or two performers who were clearly already experienced. 

 It really is naughty to highlight anyone from the line-up, but look out for a mainly female Band called Grafters. They performed a three song set, two covers and an original, the standard of which was equal to the very best on the day.   In Vitro Babies gave us a slick set of Indie, while John “Lennon” McCullagh   (who made his UK debut at a Fringe Festival RAE event last year), demonstrated why he has already been recognised as an outstanding talent of the future.  John is signed to play at Slamfest and to support Dirty Dylan and is not to be missed.  And congratulations to Whiskey Spirit on a super set to wind the event up.    The whole event was kicked off by Krypt who performed a good set of rocking classic covers.

As organisers we learnt a few things and we hope to be able to add more value to event for the young people at future Youth Festivals. 

Another first over the Bank Holiday weekend was our link with RMBC Parks for a series of Sunday Concerts at the Clifton Park Bandstand, Party in The Park.  Our contribution can be found on the first Sunday of each month.   

First up was one of Rotherham’s top young Bands working hard to establish themselves Whiskey Spirit playing their super interpretations of classic rock standards, which played out in the warm sunshine that blessed the May Day Bank Holiday period.  Even though publicity was poor they attracted a fair audience of people enjoying both sun and music. The Band are  It was also good to have a listen to Tom Killner who did a cameo set with Jess giving him some super harmonised vocal support – for a debut it was excellent despite the PA problems. 

Another of the Town’s young Bands For Pete Sake are next up, you will find them on the Band Stand on the 2nd June – weather permitting!  

Another RAE satellite promotion evening came on Friday 10th May when Ian Huddleston debuted Be The Revolution.  Prompted by the actions of the Condemed Government which are hitting the poorest and weakest in Society, the lyrics and purpose of the Band is to act as a wakeup call to us all before everything that our Fathers fought so hard to get, decent pensions, free education, free health care and respect and help for the disabled and those without a job – have gone. 

The music has a sixties / seventies feel to it, almost John Lennon like in the way that eastern instruments and mystic chants are used to get his messages over.  

Ian is a brilliant song writer, and hopefully this will not be a one off Gig. 

An honourable mention to for Ben Renwick who did a super job at warming the audience up with an acoustic of mixed covers and self-penned songs.  I hope that I might twist his arm to come and do an Acoustic Rotherham for us.

Supporting Be The Revolution was Ian’s good friend Dave Woodcock and The Dead Comedians.  This proved to be a bit of a coup. Dave Woodcock is a son of Rotherham, now living in that City the other side of the M1 and this Gig heralded his first outing in the Town for eight years.  I don’t often go into detail about support Bands, but on this occasion I’m going to make an exception. 

Apparently this was Dave Woodcock’s first Gig since October last year and after witnessing this performance I’m sure their fans would consider the wait more than worthwhile.   

The set was one of the slickest I have seen recently.  There are some Bands who you can see are straining to find a groove and rock beat, NOT the case with the Dead Comedians who had a relaxed natural groove and rock that quickly sucked the audience into their World, while Dave’s relaxed true rock sounding voice delivers the songs brilliantly, despite

The performance was even more remarkable as all the material was new.  I simply can’t wait to hear the new CD, which I’m told is not far off completion.   

Negotiations are underway to find a slot in the Live at The Trades programme to bring the Band back to Rotherham soon. 

And that brings us onto the Live at The Trades nights.  The quality of our Heavy Metal night, which featured Immotus, Motorheadache and Hellbent Forever was simply amazing.   A full night of rocking the hard way.  Super audience, great atmosphere and rock as it should be. 

Being a wimp I couldn’t survive until the very end, but a hardy Mick saw it out to a 12:15 am finish when Hellbent Forever eventually ran out of energy.   We’re looking to bring them back soon. 

Not quite so many in last week for Powerage AC/DC  tribute Band and Cable 35, no let-up  in the rocking though.  I really enjoyed the original music of Cable 35, and they are certainly not afraid of experimenting.   They have left a few CDs in the Drop In Centre for £6.  Powerage are an excellent AC/DC Tribute.  Their set included all the favourites and a few of the lesser known songs put together in an entertaining package. 

Yes you’re right, the late finishes are not helping the out of Towners who need trains, so we’ll be looking at our timings. 

RAE / SLAMFEST NEWS

Next Live At the Trades is Friday 31st May, where Green Bay will be rocking out the best of Green Day.  My spies tell me they are an excellent Band so it’s one I’m looking forward to.  In support we have Phoenix Salvation, and Taxi For Bob.  Tickets £4 in advance from all the usual places and The Drop In Centre.  £5 on the door. Tickets HERE

Would you believe there’s no rocking Live At The Trades throughout June.  It’s to give you a chance to build up your energy for Slamfest on the 6th and 7th July.   But we are putting on a quality Burlesque Review on the 8th June at The Trades, entitled Night Train.  We’ve got some top quality performers for your entertainment, and you can check out some of the performers HERE along with ticket prices and availability. 

Yes Slamfest.  We’re now at crunch time for sponsors, advertisers and volunteers.  We need you!  And not to be gentle with you, your money to.  If you want to help in anyway Email us HERE or why not pop into The Music and Arts Drop In Centre during our current opening hours 11 – 3 Tuesday / Friday and Saturday.If you've not heard of it before check out the Web Page HERE

I’m pleased to say that more and more people are coming forward – but as always we need lots more.  From Stage Managers to Sound men to stewards and collectors.  We’d also love to be able to open the Drop In Centre on three remaining days of the week………   we have a slight logistic problem to solve as well as finding the manpower but nothing that cannot be overcome.

The techno gear found it’s way into Drop In Centre this week, again huge thanks to Bristol Street Motors (Vauxhall) Chesterfield.  Indeed without their support we would not have made the progress that we have with the Centre. 

The Official Opening (Sponsored by Amanda’s Blinds) will be held on 1st June starting at 11:00 am.  Music / Poetry / cheesy things and wine. 

While the downstairs of the building is now beginning to fill up with CDs, crafts, and RAE Posters, there are three walls to fill upstairs.  So if there are any visual artists that would like to put the walls to work please come in and see us.

We’ve added CDs from Cable 35 and the legendary Sheffield Band Haze including some of their back catalogue and their latest CD + one from Treebeard and we’re looking forward to a few more bands leaving their CDs with us over the next couple of weeks.    Your fans could pick up your CD from a Town Centre base – more sales, wider coverage. 

A reminder that all our services are free, although a donation towards our overheads would be appreciated.

Watch out for News of a General Volunteer RAE Meeting – coming very soon.

Finally on RAE matters, Slamfest is looking great – all we need is for summer to reach us before July 6th / 7th so that we can max the potential of the event.  Around eighty acts, across six stages on the Saturday and two in the Park on Sunday and more importantly involving some three hundred artists all making music demonstrates a healthy creative scene in Rotherham.  

Keep an eye on the Slamfest Web Site HERE

MORE OF WHAT’S TO COME

Speaking of which.  Open Minds Theatre’s production of  “Fault lines – The Second Generation”  a "touching yet hard hitting" play telling the story of the first days of the Kashmiri / Pakistani diaspora!. Before heading out on a short Yorkshire Tour, the play will be premiered at the Old Market Gallery, on Tuesday 21st May.   Tickets are £8 and £6 for concessions bookable through 07541475159 or by e-mail to steve@omtc.org.uk You can find details of the full tour program by following the link on our listings page HERE

There’s an interesting Gig at The Bridge on Saturday night where an old friend of Acoustic Rotherham Will Padfield and a “mate” collectively known as The Flux Capacitors will be making their duo debut.   I’m told that they will be playing covers dating across the past six decades – should be interesting.  All new acts need support so why not pop into The Bridge and take a listen and give a cheer for live music. 

Good luck to those of you venturing off into Derbyshire for the Bearded Theory Festival, I see a few local celebrities will be appearing, including The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonigan who will be the support to Saxon when they play Live at The Trades in October.   Stay warm folks, the weather forecast is not fantastic. 

On Friday Goat Leaf are playing The Corporation, bound to be a top Gig. 

Saturday it’s the Annual Bob Dylan night at the Princess Royal in Crookes, intensive Dylan for the real fans, with Lou in the chair, and our old friends Swansong are in action at The Imperial, Mexborough.  On Wednesday, String Theory and Pete Swift will be having their monthly session at the Wharncliffe Arms in Sheffield.  

Besides this the build-up to the Bank Holiday has all the usual regular Clubs and sessions, and just in case I forget, Bank Holiday Monday is Nellie Folk time and please wherever possible please check with Clubs or sessions before setting off anywhere during the Bank Holiday. 

One final Parish Notice.  The Chequers popular Open Mic is to return starting 3rd July.  To book your place you need to contact Clive  HERE

All the listings for the coming week can be found  HERE

Whatever you are doing, have fun, support your local artists and KEEEP IT LIVE


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