Zappa Plays Zappa - Manchester Apollo

zappa plays zappa

manchester apollo 1st june 2006

It may be over 10 years since the unfortunate death of the genius that was Frank Zappa, but for tonight in Manchester, his music lives on, aided and abetted by his son Dweezil & many friends. One of whom strat abused his way through many Zappa albums & performances, the equally bizarrely monikered guitar hero, Mr Steve Vai. Another is minus his tiny horse, but will mime one it if requested, Napolean murphy Brock.

This night should have been another night, that night being an earlier night, but for unseen circumstances it became this night & not the other night. But if that night was the night then this night would have been an oedinary night with nothing of significant importance to write about. But as this night is the night & this night is about to begin, then the start is the place to be.

It begins at the bar, where else may be asked, but lubrication is required & the bar will provide. This location must be possessed of exqusite Britishness, as the institution of the queue is in effect. An orderly line has formed in parallel to the bar and patience dictates a serving order. All is not what it seems as premium prices are in effect, 1 can of beer & a soft drink emptied my wallet of nearly £5. Time to sit down & cherish these premiumly priced beverages. Of course we are not here fot the beer, for the beer is too dear, and we have no idea, when the band will appear, oh dear (Dr Seuss would be hating me for that).

Eventually seats are filled, techies ensure all is well, armed with their maglites, drum roll please, the show is imminent. A rather large projection screen is situated at the rear of the stage flickers into being, onto which is projected concert footage of the great man himself, despite the fact we are watching a screen there is certain, quite special feeling being generated by the seated Zappaphiles. Slowly the band drift onto stage just as the projected Zappa tunes his guitar, similarly as an awaiting orchestra twiddles with sound, the non-projected band do similarly, now its live. An apt seque.

Napolean Murphy Brock provides vocals for the evening, looking younger than he did over 20 years ago, performing the same strange dance and mine routines he did many a year ago, as a fully fledged Zappa band member of previous incarnations. When not exercising his vocals, his talents are explored via the flute, sax, and some Brian Jacks style dips between stacks of equipment. Why you may ask, who knows.

Dweezil leads the menagerie of talent from the front, Gibson SG around his neck, performing leads breaks as though channeling techniques from his late father. At one point he attempts some Zappa style conducting with the band. Having devised visual queues, hand signals and gestures, a combination of which inform the individual members to perform intended musical actions. Thus providing each member the ability to show off their respective talents, and boy can they play.

As this is to be a 3 hour gig, the set comes in 2 parts, over half way through the first part, gremlins enter the preceedings. Dweezils guitar rig decides it doesn't want to produce sound anymore, techies armed with obliatory maglites try to accertain the problem, leads are exchanged, pedals unplugged and effect units reset. Nothing cures this ailment, of course Dweezil apologises to the audience & the band strikes up tunes that would not normally be part of the set (Pound for a brown), hurrah for us. Somebody from the audience tells Dweezil to plug into Vai's amp, to which he replies, 'I can't do that, it would be like sleeping with his wife'. Normal service is evenually restored, apart from the fact that Dweezil has to plug straight into his amp, no effects.

The techical delay has interupted the set, so some songs have to be dropped, not that you would know, unless you had prior knowledge of what they would be playing tonight, or had been informed somehow. Eventually the fault is found, fixed and facilitates Dweezil to effect his guitar again.

A short intermission follows, and all is resumed from where we left off. A couple more songs are played & out steps Mr Vai, the room goes wild. No surprise there, as Spinal Tap's amps go up to 11 to give them 1 louder, with Vai around the skill level tonight steps up to 12. Playing the most amazing solos, effortly and pristine, this true showman knows how to put on a great show. Trading licks with Dweezil, a crossroadian duel, where we are the victors, if anyone had sold their soul tonight it had to be Vai, you have to wonder how many fingers he has on each hand, 7 would not be enough.

The rest of the evening continues to raise the bar higher and higher, complex songs are performed to an eager audience, old favorites of many colours wash over an expected audience, nothing dissapoints even when the screen desends for a second time. This time the band are to play along with the projection, Frank Zappa on screen, Dweezil Zappa on stage, this we are told is the first time this had been attempted, again a special occasion for us at Manchester. Frank Zappa solos his way across the screen, his son looks up at his father, again a special moment. Of course all this must end, it is decided not go go through the usual encore routine of going off stage, waiting, comming back on and so on. The Band go straight into what would have been played on returning to the stage without actually leaving it.

Yes, it does end, and we have to leave, there is no encore for us, just happy memories of a wonderful night. A one off performance from a group of seminal musicians, it was well worth the wait. The music of Zappa lives on, a new generation of fans continue the memory, long may it last.

Tim Smith - Liverpool Academy

tim smith

liverpool academy march 26th 2006

Cardiacs being lovable funsters, and lacking frequent live appearences, are allowing limited exposure in limited locations. Such an appearence wherever the location, is of prime interest to a pond dwelling, shark fearing fish. The location Liverpool, the incarnation for the evening is Mr Tim Smith playing a selection of Cardiacs tunes, accompanied by Mr Jon Poole (ex Cardiacs guitarist, now Wildhearts bassplayer) & Ginger (Wildhearts) and a big bass drum.

The evenings entertainment of primary concern is of a supporting kind, Ginger has collected together like minded individuals to be known as Ginger & The Sonic Circus. This will be the main act of the night, but for us fishies, it is of lesser importance. We want Tim. Cameras are primed, recorders are set to record, and time must pass before all that is about to happen.

Happily flapping about are a small school of fish, bestowed in monochromatic attire potraying appreciaton of all things Alphabetical and Business Concern. The last seconds make their long swing around the clock, time is apparent, its Timmy time.

Sitting at the front of the stage, guitar on his lap, not so big big bass drum infront of him, Tim beams at his welcoming audience. To either side of him are Jon and Ginger, unmoving, emotionless. Jon is sporting a rather sporting moustache and beard, both he and Ginger have dressed up for the evening, but still they make no sound. Regular fish in the pond greet Tim with love and admiration, vocalising such emotion, trying to elicit a response from Tim. Tim bespectacled for the evening uses his Quade-like grin, signals to his cohorts, time to begin.

Conducting all around him from behind his not so big big bass drum, his accoustic guitar manages to become more that it was built for, sequences appear from nowhere, swirl around us and dissapear as though they had never been. Punctuating at irregular intervals, the not so big big bass drum pounds out beats from under Tims flapping foot. Keeping some measure of time, not controling but guiding the processes eminating from the minds on stage, forcing fingers into fret based dancings best described as elusive.

New arrangements of familar Cardiacs tunes bemuse and amuse the welcoming crowd, newbies maintain a bemused expression, this is like nothing they have experienced before, even to the initiated, its refreshing and new. Somebody compares it to Tenacious D mixed with Fantomas, but comparisons aside all regard what they are experiencing as most enjoyable. In between peculiar renditions of 'Duck And Roger The Horse' and 'Anything I Can't Eat', Tim regales the shallow pond of eager fish with strange stories of tiny people, and often surreal oneway conversations.

During one such musical rendition, the song is paused until the fish make a selections as to who should perform a guitar solo to accompany and continue the song, Ginger is tonights chosen one, and expressing a slight flicker of emotion, plays said solo and returns to the stoic stance, both he and Jon have maintained throughout. More familiar tunes are given a fresh, yet stripped approach, ' To Go Off And Things' still has its manic stop start twitchiness about it, and 'Body's Bad' still drives its way epileptically to a final conclusion.

A final slowdown brings us to the eventual stop that had to arrive, unfortunalely there is no encore, but what we had was more than enough, its just a pity we dont get to experience this type of evenings cavalcade of musical stylings a little more often. Too much of a good thing if this sort of thing can never be bad, for it is never the same, no matter how many time to experience it. Its only spoiled by the fact that it is over, and who knows when we will see the likes of it again.

Next on the bill is 'Ginger And The Sonic Circus', so back on stage is Ginger and Jon, looking a little more relaxed than earlier. To say that this cup of tea is not my cup of tea, is more than adaquate for this musical styling, so a quick view is all that is needed, its time to go home, goodnight.

Cumbawamba - Hebden Bridge

chumbawamba

hebden bridge trades club february 23rd 2006

Good job I checked what was about to happen tonight, as I am not sure how I would have reacted to turning up at the Trades Club, finding out that Chumbawamba are going acoustic on this mini tour would have come as some of a shock. My friends from Cornwall are spending half term in Blackburn, and had found out that Chumbawamba are playing at the Trades Club in Hedben Bridge. In years gone by we had spend many evenings at this venue, enjoying the non turkish delights they had to offer, often lubricated with many pints of Beamish. So with those facts stated and entered here, a new visit would be on the cards.

Unfortunately a personal matter precluded other friends from making it tonight, so for the evening it would be a 'threesome'. That being the case, and meeting my Cornish friends at the venue, a train must be caught. Timetables being fluid and constantly without edge, an early arrival would be improbable, so food must be consumed before any drinking commences. A telephone box must be procured for a non super quick change, camera fully charged ready for recording the evenings events and video set, for my sad addiction to crap TV must be sated.

As usual the train is delayed, its only a 40minute journey to my destination, but if you add any delays its always a longer journey, but the best part of any journey is finally getting there. A quick wander down the main road and my destination is arrived at. Passing the band on the stairs, they have either just finished and I have missed it, or they are adjourning for a short respite before entertaining us with accapellic treatments of old classics. As this is a 'working mans' club of sorts, you must have membership qualities, this can be achieved by passing some small coinage to recieving hands and a quick scribble in a large officious book.

Cramming into a small reception bar I catch up with me mates, quickly exchanging news of recent happenings, fortunately this never ever takes long. A support act is going to warm up the proceedings, so the main doors are opened and we are herded into the main room. Tonight it will be an all seated affair, condusive to acoustic performances, not that standing is any different, it all adds to an air of refinement, all mixed up with socialist anticipation and some confusion. For my none attending friends a refund for unused tickets is procured from the woman with the money, time for the support to support.

Madeline Brooks takes to the stage, a little horse, also a little husky is with her, not that any animals are performing, just a sore throat. Not that you could tell when she started belting out original renditions that Tori Amos would be proud of. Her set is full of warmth and good humour, the seated audience remains seatbound throughout, bladders are held tight along with an almost hypnotic attention. No gimmicks, just one girl with a guitar, a few short tales punctuate the gaps between songs, home humourous some heartfelt, but all original. A great start to what is going to turn out to be a great evening.

A short break follows so more beer can be aquired, baldders emptied and the no-smoking policy reinforced by the commitee, this is no Wheeltapers and Shunters club, but some aspects of Phoenix Nights are in evidence, more tattooed socialism than garlic bread.

Tonight Chumbawamba are a 5 piece, no Danbert or Alice of old, but for tonights interpretation that aspect of Chumbawamba is not necessary, stripped down to its acoustic roots, harking back to English Rebel Songs. Straight away classics are delivered to raptuous applause. 'Stitch That', 'Homophobia' and 'Timebomb' have the audience singing in their seats, explanations preceed new songs, brief history lessons on the origins of old English folk tunes of insurrection against the established order. 'You Can' recounts the mass tresspass of ramblers back in the 1930's, a protest without violence can have a loud voice, but 5 unacompanied voices in harmony delivers a loud message often forgotten in these times of technological marvels.

An intermission gives chance to stretch legs, relubricate the parts other drinks fail to, and deposit wasted waters upon stainless troughs. Returning to the stage after a brief hiatus, Chumbawamba pick from where they left off, mixing old classics with classic old folk tunes, perfectly executed without backing tapes, just acoustic guitars, accordian and trumpet. Stripping songs down to a more basic form gives a greater impact to its lyrical and sometimes comical content. 'On EBay' has us all singing seperate parts from different sections of the audience, but all good things must come to and end. Leaving us with 'Enough Is Enough', all that is left is to wait for the obligatory encore for the payoff. Rounding off the evening with rousing reditions of 'The Last Nazi' and 'Her Majesty' is more than enough, for tonight has been quite a revelation. A tightly packed audience leave the Trades Club with the knowledge that tonights performance, along with all on this mini tour have been recorded for a future CD release, so at some time in the future we may be able to relive the moment we heard it live right in front of us.

So homeward bound we go, with a song in our hearts and beer in our belly, contented that an evenings entertainment was worthy of note, and that note was accapellic and came in many keys, all of which came without plugs.

Whole Lotta Led - King Georges Hall, Blackburn

whole lotta led

King Georges Hall - 10th feb 2006

To be honest I don't much care for tribute bands, reason being, tribute bands by their very nature owe their existence to another bands ability to write and perform original material. Performing covers in an original way as a non-tribute band has its place, as many bands do this paying tribute to another band they have been influenced by. Few exceptions exist for me, Australian Pink Floyd and The Muffin Men, to name but a few. These do exactly as prescribed, they are tribute bands, they don't pretend to be anything else, but have a certain special quality, that enables them to rise above the run of the mill tribute band. Enough about the merits of being or not being a tribute band, its time for the evenings entertainment.

Packed into the Windsor Suite on a cold February evening, passionate followers of probably the most classic of all classic rock bands, have collected together to witness a tribute band attempt to recreate the music of Led Zeppelin. This has to be a most monumental task, how can you emulate the originators of all that is 'rock'. This attempt could be such folly, and fall so flat that no glue soaked patchwork of vulcanised rubber could re-inflate, but any attempt must be viewed with an open mind. Even if clouded with a modicum of alcohol.

The concept for the evening, for this band works with Led Zeppelin based concepts, is to play the Knebworth 1979 set list in its entirity. In the past they have performed other classic concerts, including Earls Court 1975. This attention to detail does have its plus points, rather than just playing all the popular tunes, or a greatest hits, a snapshot of Led Zeppelin history at the end of its glorious reign.

The Song Remains The Same opens the set to a pensive audience. The band obviously do not look like Zep, and in no way attempt to dress like them, but musically they have it. Older members of the collected inquisitors look upon the band not sure how they should respond, some perplexed faces look around for re-inforcement, some nod heads with eyes closed re-capturing a lost youth. Younger members just enjoy what is being performed for what it is, rock music carved in marble, classic, timeless, influencing all that followed.

Classic after classic permiates the room, the band are working hard, unfortunately punching the air does nothing but add an air of fermented cows milk, cringeworthy, and not worth repeating, unless you are Spinal Tap. This band must really enjoy what they do, despite the air punching. Professionalism is obvious, no lightweight could play such bombastic songs with such ease. Each member has time in the spotlight, from playing the keyboard part from No Quarter on bass, to the compulsary skin pounding that is Moby Dick, even including a bit of Theremin play on Whole Lotta Love.

Vocally, on a good day he could probably pull rabbits out of hats, but tonight he sounded a little tired and ragged around the edges, more Bon Scott than Robert Plant, but there is only one Percy. Playing the Knebworth set is a mighty task, not just for its length, but for the variety of style, unfortunately the vocals let them down in the detail. That detail cannot be overlooked, to be Zep you have to have it all, or its nothing.

Tribute bands are, as tribute is, not the real thing. Emulation can work, but you have to make it your own. Dread Zeppelin did just that, mixing Zep with Elvis, playing it in a reggae style making it original. Tonight I saw a tribute band, nothing more nothing less. Enjoyable but not too memorable, personally I thought they were ok, glad I saw them, but not too sure if I would go again.

Shambala Festival

shambala festival

august 2005

Here we are again, another year, another festival, this time flying solo, but meeting the usual suspects at the festival. Getting there taking the usual route to the south west, that being the train, but getting from the train to the fields of joy was a little more complicated. A glitchless journey led me to an impromptu gathering at Plymouth station. Many potential campers making a temporary encampment outside awaiting transit via a shuttlebus, a bus at this time had only made one pick up any many more would be on the cards. A brief conflab among like minded travellers, and taxis were hailed and journeying continued.

On arrival, i had to negotiate the new layout and a myriad of tents to find my bunkmates for the weekend. Unfortunately their mobile was somewhere else, so communication was near impossible. So using a modicum of logic, a small amount of wishfull thinking and a smattering of improbability led me to the same spot we camped last year, and of course........thats where they were.

A quick assembly and my accomodation was erected for the weekend, time for a drink.

Well what can be said about the festival, well, this year many more had been invited, no longer an intimate gathering, but no Glastonbury. A larger crowd did not lead to any dissapointment, it only meant more revellers willing to dress up for Saturday night. Among us were some festival virgins, who had brought their daughter of 3 years. Not knowing what to expect they threw themselves wholeheartedly into the proceedings and had a wonderful time.

This would be said about everyone decending on these green fields, despite a slightly wet Saturday, this dampened nothing, and the largest fancy dress event went on without a hitch. As far as the eyes could see, more people had thrown themselves into the joy of dressing in all that is fancy, disregarding all conventions on style and gender, everything is possible.

A couple of the evenings were punctuated by the deep pulse and throb of a local rave, thus making sleep a little difficult for some of us camping relatively nearby, but for most of us, not a problem, it made for some interesting dreaming.

Among the highlights over the weekend are the woodland trail, illuminated by ultra violet light, lots of Chai tea, Falafel pita salads from the Thia Tea Shop, an impromptu fancy dress aerobic excercise class, strange Mad Max/Borg creatures wandering through the festival on Sunday. A wonderful circus on the Friday provided by Bassline Circus, rounded of the evening, but because of the rain on the Saturday, this event was not to be repeated. Many more happenings some large some small are too numerous to mention, hopefully some scale of it can be viewed via the photos (see link).

Unfortunately there was a downside to this wonderful weekend, firstly the toilets, not enough of them, and not cleaned regularly. Secondly, Monday, it came round all too soon, time to go home, but not for me, I had a few more days to enjoy the joys of the South West, for I was to continue the fun at my friends in Cornwall, the show must go on.

Goodbye Shambala, thanks for yet another great weekend, see you again next year.

System Of A Down - Manchester Arena

system of a down

manchester MEN 14th june 2005

Its Tuesday night, U2 are playing the City of Manchester Stadium, and where would i rather be, yup, Manchester Arena, to pay witness to one of the most bizarre metal bands you are probably gonna witness, ever. Perverting the supposed rules of what makes metal metal into something that resembles eastern european folk, mixed with an Italian castrato, dueting with Barry White with laryngitis.

Ripping through an imense back catalogue of political awareness, demanding nothing from the audience but appreciation of a job well done. When you hear 10,000 people shouting in unision the words 'Mother F**ker', you realise your tongue must be placed firmly in ones cheek, as nothing is what it seems.

No elaborate light show, just 3 carpets for the ones without a drum kit. Just 90 minutes of non stop hard core metal frenzy, quirky yet catchy tunes. All this cut in between Armenian vocal stylings and a penchance for bodily theatrics, leaves SOAD with no encores, as they don't do them, what is the point of following a expected norm, when you don't play to the expected norms.

All that leaves is to have a nice wander back to the car, its a fine evening, after a fine evenings entertainment. Go home, and look for the bootleg on Ebay in a few days.

Eden Project, Cornwall

eden project

march 2005

Whilst staying with friends in cornwall, I paid a visit to the Eden Project, a most enjoyable day with plenty to view and explore. It may seem a little expensive, but for £15 you can visit as often as you wish for an entire year, good if you live near, and intend to visit again. As an ongoing project, building work continues, a third biome being constucted to contain a desert environment, so another future visit will be on the cards.

Rammstein - Manchester Arena

rammstein

manchester MEN 6th february 2005


Saw Rammstein at Manchester Arena, wow what a show. Supported by Apocalyptica, a metal/classical string quartet and a drummer, playing classical versions of thrash classics, along with own compositions, giving a most apt support to what was going to be the highlight of a year that had only just begun, probably the most impressive gig I have witnessed for quite some time.

Rammstein fuse a solid driving beat, with techno splashes, over which twin guitarists play riffs that Black Sabbaths Tony Iommi would be proud of.

The stage set was like something out of Gigers imagination, flames erupt out of the stage at choreographed moments, even sometimes from the band members heads themselves. The band produce a stage show without speaking to the audience at any time, but participation from the crowd is compulsary, despite the fact Rammstein sing in their own language, German.

From start to finish, Rammstein gave a most polished performance, dedicated to providing their fans with a spectacle to remember, complete with a large cooking pot, inside which the keyboard player is roasted by the singer (dressed as a nightmarish chef) using a flame thrower from the other side of the stage. All this to a song about a cannibal who ate somebody who advertised themselves on the internet.

In all a memorable night, enjoyed by all and sundry.

Cardiacs - Manchester Academy

Cardiacs

manchester academy december 9th 2004

Not having seen the Cardiacs for quite some time i was looking foward to it, especially as earlier that day i was in Barcelona visiting friends, so it was going to be an eventful evening to a long day.

Gladly my band of choice did not dissapoint.

A new guitarist had joined the ranks, and was filling a well worn pair of shoes as though he had bought them for himself. As for the choice of songs they played, well, a history lesson in the bizarre word that the Cardiacs inhabit was on the cards this evening.

A veritably well ticked dance card of old favourites was presented to a confused audience, as the Cardiacs were the support act for another, namely The Wildhearts, so the audience was not fully their own, but a gentle nudge in the right areas, and the fish in the pond were well and truely swimming in delight.

Out came all the classic tunes, some, as far as i know, had not seen the light of day for many many a year, but sounding as fresh as the daisy that adorned many a convert in the crowd. Tim loved us all, Tim loved his brother Jim, and we all loved them back.

But all good things must come to an end, and the end it did come, pity.

Watched the Wildhearts for a couple of songs, but no comparison.

Lets hope the Cardiacs play again sometime soon.

Shambala Festival

Shambala festival

august 2004

In a green field just outside Plymouth, lies a gently meandering family based fun festival, where everyone is welcome and hardly anyone knows about it.

With that in mind, its well worth paying a visit if you can find out about it. All the usual facets are there, live music, camping, dogs on string, good food, a friendly atmosphere, and the oddly familiar face.

3 days of sunshine, a fine collection of friends, a Saturday night of compulsary fancy dress makes it a weekend to remember, even for those indulging on a few chemical breakfasts.

The pace is sedate, mushrooms are for sale quite legally, and the odd officer of the law (that you do meet) doesn't want to go go home after his shift has ended.