ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE - KINGS CROSS WATER RATS, 12/10/06

The small Water Rats theatre in London?s Kings Cross is quite simply packed. Maybe not totally sold out - but still very much on the busy side. Why? Because it?s a rare London gig from Brighton?s re-energised rockers Electric Soft Parade, that?s why. And yes, they?ve only gone and bagged two quite stunning support acts as well.

First of who also hail from Brighton - the hotly tipped 4 piece Actress Hands, who in the absence of their usual drummer, feature Soft Parader Alex White on stick duties for the night. ?Boys Need Jazz? is a slow builder, featuring a climatic guitar freak out ending, ?The Reducer? comes across like a meaner Teenage Fanclub with intent, whilst new single ?Half An Hour? is one fast paced, guitar driven bastard of a rocker - in a similar vein as The Wedding Present. Effortlessly catchy chord progressions, some breezy vocal harmonies and most importantly some wondrous songs. Quite simply brilliant!

With such a hard act to follow, you have to feel relatively sorry for The Hazey Janes. But to be fair, they don?t disappoint - with a set crammed full of country tinged power pop, like a less irritating version of The Magic Numbers with hints of early Delgados, complete with some lovely boy / girl vocals. When it works its damn near prefect, as on the sublime pop of ?Don?t Look Away? and ?Fire In The Sky?, and they?re also joined onstage by Tom White of the Soft Parade to add his guitar stylings to their closing number. Someone mentioned they don?t have a record deal?.if that?s the case then why the hell not?!

By the time the Electric Soft Parade amble onstage, they really do have to pull out all the stops for fear of being shown up by the two support acts - and its not often you can say that. The pressure is on.

Things kick off with a new instrumental, the 6 minute psychedelia of ?The Friday Before Christmas?, before pleasing the crowd with two old numbers - the rocking ?Things Ive Done Before? and ?Biting The Soles Of My Feet?, in which the guitar and vocal duties are shared by brothers Tom and Alex. By the time ?Human Body EP? tracks ?A Beating Heart? and ?Cold World? are dispatched, rock star shapes are being well and truly pulled by Tom White - and things are clearly going to plan. Alex White steps out from behind his keyboard to take over lead vocals and guitar for ?Lose Yr Frown?, much to the delight of sections of the crowd who duly partake in some mosh pit action down the front - whilst being keenly egged on by bassist Matt Thwaites.

Throughout the night the band are clearly chuffed at the turnout, as Tom continually thanks everyone for bothering to come and see them. Opportunities are taken to also air a few new tracks - the best of an impressive bunch being the partially acoustic ?Secrets? - sung and played beautifully on acoustic guitar by Tom, and featuring some lovely harmony vocals and gentle keyboard backing by Alex. "Keep your feelings well hid / they will only get trodden on / there are secrets to keep / you don?t have to tell everyone", as the spirit of Elliott Smith looms large.

The set is finished off with the slow space orchestration of ?Everybody Wants?, before the baying crowd urge the band triumphantly back on stage for an encore. "Do you want two new ones or two old ones?" asks Tom - which proves to be quite a silly question. Old it is then, and what a treat - two fan favourites from their debut album - ?Red Balloon For Me?, which sounds as wonderful as ever, and finally they?re joined by their old keyboard player Steve Large for a roaring version of their 2001 debut single ?Empty At The End?.

Triumphant return to the capital? Most definitely - in quite epic proportions!

Electric Soft Parade set:
The Friday Before Christmas, Things Ive Done Before, Biting The Soles Of My Feet, A Beating Heart, Cold World, Lose Yr Frown, Secrets, Misunderstanding, Silent To The Dark, If Thats The Case Then I Dont Know, So Much Love, Everybody Wants, Red Balloon For Me, Empty At The End

Ian Chambers, Oct ?06

MY LITTLE PROBLEM - 'ALL THESE THINGS / LAZY'

Despite a rather lovely self released EP last year, Brighton's My Little Problem are still very much in their infancy, with only three gigs under their belt. Hopefully though, that is soon to change thanks to the good people at Life Is Easy Records - who are releasing this - their debut single 'All These Things'.

Firstly, lets get the introductions out of the way - My Little Problem are a diverse and talented eight piece band, who musically can loosely be described as folk or alternative country. Led by the production and songwriting talents of Simon Janes, the band also features local lo-fi folkie Laurence Collyer (or better know as The Diamond Family Archive).

Here we're treated to two songs that are both beautifully mellow, hushed affairs. Kicking things off with a slow picked banjo line, 'Lazy' meanders along at a happily placid pace, with some wonderfully hazy vocals and gently strummed guitars. "You wont move, you say you'll bruise / But I'm always waiting, time again / Your so lazy". 'All These Things' is in a similar vein - a quietly shimmering number, complete with soft cello and trumpet which help create the song's wonderfully lazy groove. Slightly different but never failing to be interesting - that's what this band is all about.

These songs are the perfect backdrop to the long winter evenings, and have a warm, intimate feel to them that you'll grow to love. Gentle, ever so chilled out, and full of haunting beauty. My Little Problem - welcome back.

7/10

Ian Chambers, Oct '06

www.myspace.com/mlpsongs

www.mylittleproblem.co.uk

BRIGHTON LIVE 2006

After the massively over hyped Great Escape festival came to Brighton earlier in the year, the time has come for Brighton to showcase its very own local talent - so here it is again - the return of the hugely successful annual Brighton Live festival - and this year its only gone and got even bigger and better. Over 250 bands, playing in 31 venues throughout the wonderful city, and the best part is - the whole things free - that's right, it won't cost you a penny! A bit good I think you'll agree, so take the week off work and enjoy.

Monday 25th

The first live action of the week just happens to be in a coffee shop named the Red Roaster - a large converted post office with a very high ceiling, and a somewhat arty, bohemian atmosphere. Luckily they do sell beer - a hot chocolate or warm milk doesn't sound quite so appealing. Upon arrival, we just catch the end of the set from Ellie Blackshaw, who plays some rather nifty contemporary tunes on the violin. It soon becomes apparent that at regular intervals we'll be greeted with the sound of a coffee blender, which it has to be said does spoil the atmosphere somewhat - but it is a coffee-house after all, so what did we expect?

Next its the turn of the ever brilliant Birdengine - who's twisted and mysterious take on folk music never fails to astound. Wonderfully enchanting songs such as 'Heads Off Dogs', 'You Gave Birth To A Horse', and 'Buried In Black Snow' are worked through with his usual finger picked nylon guitar precision, allowing us all glimpses into an eerie and atmospheric world.

To most, Willis is best known as songwriter & vocalist in local outfit The Customers - but for now the band are taking some time off, so these days Willis has turned his hand to other musical projects. Aside from being the newest addition to the line-up of local power-pop favourites The Poppycocks, he's also gone down the solo route, with a full length record coming out on Drift Records early next year. But he's not in this alone, having lovingly assembled a backing band of local musicians to form The Tandy Hard (with who he plays with for the first time this evening) featuring Johny Lamb (Actress Hands, Thirty Pounds of Bone) on bass / backing vocals, Jane Bartholomew on piano, and Nick (Country Analogue) on drums. His songs have a wonderfully intimate feel to them ? relatively simple yet effective - creating a cosy kind of warmth around the songs. Standout track, the captivating 'Shrinking From View' has hints of Dylan about it, while the brilliant 'Desperate Measures' and 'Price On Your Head' are hushed woozy affairs that lyrically could be compared the likes of Leonard Cohen. Excellent stuff all round, and on this showing Willis' album will be well worth checking out upon release.

Tuesday 26th

Tonight the decision is made to make the trek up the mighty hill known as Southover Street, and see some nice intimate stripped down music at the Dover Castle pub. Is 'stripped down' the new acoustic?!

After that walk, a nice pint and some breezy tunes are just what's needed - and that's just what we get from the man known as Parker. Joined on drums / percussion by Mr Pugh of The Poppycocks, together they perform some brilliantly quirky, 60's influenced songs that are very much in the vein of an acoustic Kinks. Songs about pirate ships ('The Charming Man'), pretty ladies ('Barbara') and an inspired cover of Belle & Sebastians 'Me And The Major'. Someone give the man a record deal!

What to make of Jason Pegg? Clearly quite a talent, and responsible for the likes of the excellent 'Lido' and 'Cedars' records with his band Clearlake, tonight we get the chance to witness a rare solo performance in a now very busy pub. Unfortunately though, what promised so much, ends up turning into fairly uninspiring background music. Things do improve slightly though when the pace is upped with 'I Hate It That I Got What I Wanted', and the beautiful slow number 'Dreamt That You Died' from recent album 'Amber'. Aside from that, the rest seemed to pass me by. Not much to report here then.

Wednesday 27th

Night three, and its all getting quite exciting with what promises to be a cracking line-up of bands in the upstairs room of The Albert - the self titled 'most rock n roll pub in Brighton'. Which is nice. What's it like then? Quite simply, small, hot and very busy. Anyone for some air conditioning perhaps?

All the way from the rocking Sussex town of Worthing, we have the latest addition to the Drift Records roster - 4 piece band The Burns Unit. Oh and they're brilliant! Upbeat indie pop, complete with some jangly guitar work and some harmoniously crafted songs. I challenge you to listen to the likes of 'Sunshine Hurts My Eyes' and 'Never Let Me Go', and not want to break into a small dance floor shuffle. Like an English version of Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, mixed in with a bit of Kinks for good measure. Kindred spirits of The Poppycocks and ones to look out for indeed.

After being hand picked by the organisers of Brighton Live as a band to look out for, big things are expected of My Federation. The band arrive very sharply dressed in fetching white suits, and proceed to run through a set filled with keyboard / synth driven electro, featuring some big guitar riffs and pounding Primal Scream-like bass lines. Quite on the danceable side if you happen to be that way inclined.

Aha, it's The Poppycocks! Currently causing quite a stir in the local music scene, it was only right that they were given their own headline slot this year. Led by the lyrical wit of Miles Poppycock, and closely guided by the steady hands of The Captain, Willis, and the drumming of Mr Pugh, tonight they're bang on form - with song after song of smashing, slightly eccentric power-pop. A keen ear for melody indeed! The tale of an attendant at the local pavilion gardens is told in 'A Gentleman's Gentleman', looking through rubbish is discussed in 'A Rubbish Man', and on forthcoming single 'Lovebirds' we hear of imprisoned lovers. These are just a few highlights that make you grin like a mad man and make you want to perform that embarrassing drunken dance. Infact they even get an encore - and the choice couldn't be better than the postal themed 'She Sends Me Letters'. Throughout the evening the band look like they're clearly enjoying themselves and judging by the reaction of the crowd, everyone else certainly is too. 'The new Belle & Sebastian' someone said. No, they're The Poppycocks - and we love em.

BRIGHTON LIVE 2006

Thursday 28th


Ok, so its he's not local, and the shows not strictly part of Brighton Live - but a trip to Resident Records is in order to witness a brief instore acoustic performance from hotly tipped Irishman Fionn Regan. Disappointingly he only plays three songs, but what we do get to hear is impressive none the less - finger picked guitar folk songs with a hint of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith about them. Could well be worth investigating further.

Onwards and upwards we go, with the next stop being the festivals official pre-gig bar, the rather trendy Audio, for some more 'stripped down sessions' - starting at the stupidly early time of 6:00. Too early for beer? Not a chance. Word has spread that the scheduled Kooks gig at the nearby Dome has been cancelled - which goes some way to explaining why the place is packed full of scenesters with big hair, and worryingly tight jeans. Luckily we don't plan to be staying for long.

And now to the reason we're here - a rare solo and acoustic performance from Brakes frontman Eamon Hamilton - and he doesn't disappoint. Kicking things off with the short but brilliant combination of 'Heard About Your Band' and 'Hi How Are You'; we're also treated to a handful of new songs from the forthcoming new Brakes record. 'If I Should Die Tonight' is a countrified diamond of a tune, while the faster paced 'Hold Me In The River' has the more familiar spiky Brakes guitar sound we've come to know and love ? and even mentions Scarlett Johansson. As is now customary, the 6 second randomness of 'Comma Comma Full Stop' finishes things off perfectly ? with more than a few confused looks on the faces of the assembled Kooks fans. Without a doubt the usual country punk of Brakes songs works really well acoustically and it makes a nice change to see an intimate solo performance from the man Eamon. Excellent stuff.

Following this we trekked up to the trendy watering hole The Providence (I don't know why either ? please forgive me), but I wont mention the fact we saw performances from Pope Joan, Early Morning Soundtrack and Puscha. Top marks for effort - but quite frankly, they were rubbish. Homeward bound.

Friday 29th

To be fair, tonight is actually cheating - a trip to London to see a little bit of Brighton in the big city - The Pipettes and Actress Hands at the Camden Koko.

On first, Actress Hands (minus guitarist Alex White) unfortunately play to a very sparse audience due to having a stupidly early stage time. But none the less they put in a great set that's scattered with a handful of new songs taken from their recently recorded forthcoming album - with 'Stitches' and 'Boys Need Jazz' being the highlights of an impressively rocking bunch. New single 'Half An Hour' is a short, fast paced slab of Wedding Present like Indie Rock, and old number 'The Reducer' is as always a stunning harmony led tune. Overall an excellent showing to the London crowd - although they may have left a few bemused looks on the faces of some of The Pipettes fanbase who are more used to choreographed dance moves and polka dots.
As for The Pipettes - who tonight are all sporting fetching new dresses - its business as usual. 60's girl band inspired tunes a-plenty, choreographed dance moves - you know what to expect by now. 'Pull Shapes', 'Boy In Uniform', all their big songs are here - infact it sounds like they play pretty much all the songs they have at their disposal. Pretty uninspiring from where I was standing, but then again its all a matter of taste, and you really do have to be in the mood to properly appreciate a live Pipettes show. Or perhaps I'm just a boring bastard after all? Who knows!

Saturday 30th

So to the last night of Brighton Live 2006, and we've made it through the week in once piece - well apart from our livers - probably. As it happens, it turns out be a night of three gigs - with the first being at the Dorset pub/café for local promoters Gilded Palace Of Sins showcase night - or to be more precise we've come to see the lovely Jane Bartholomew, who's stunning voice, gentle guitar work and soft folk songs are wonderfully encapturing and atmospheric. The pubs crammed full too.

Next stop - Resident Records once again, for a haunting performance from 3 piece Euchrid Eucrow. Experimental and mysterious folk at its best - featuring Euchrid on vocals/guitar, Ginger Lee on accordion and Abi Fry on violin. Wonderfully off kilter, the songs twist and turn as the three instruments combine to create something odd, but quite astounding. Pushing the boundaries of new folk music has never sounded so good.

"We're the Bobby McGees and your not. So fuck off!" Ukuleles, banjos, miniature guitars and face paint? Yep, it's The Bobby McGees - the duo of miniature guitar player Jimmy, and ukulele / melodica player El, who's sound has been described as 'anti-folk' ? whatever that may be. Whoever's idea it was to put them on in a bar the size of the tiny Arthouse is quite frankly mad, as it was obviously going to be busy and it certainly is. To the music - brilliantly twee songs that never fail to amuse - "I don't want to be Jar Jar Binks no more" sings Jimmy on 'The Best Star Wars Song Ever'. Songs about astronauts, being dumped, and having no friends are just a few of the topics covered in the space of the evening. Minimalist, and all the better for it ? I think The Bobby McGees may well be going places.

Phew, tired yet? Well you should be! Another successful year for the good people of Brighton Live, and on this weeks evidence, the festival continues to go from strength to strength. Roll on next year.

Ian Chambers, Oct '06

ACTRESS HANDS - 'HALF AN HOUR'

Jingle jangle, jingle jangle, blah blah blah. What's that you hear? Another guitar band with a Teenage Fanclub fixation? Certainly not - go and hang your head in shame, as we're here to talk about Brighton's much loved power pop hero's Actress Hands - and there's so much more to them than mere comparisons.

All is busy in the world of The'Hands at present - with Matt Eaton and co. fresh (or not so) from playing a handful of dates with fellow Brightonians British Sea Power, and a forthcoming split 7" single with the Electric Soft Parade on the horizon. It all leads rather pleasantly to the release of this - the bands second single, a blistering new recording of firm live favourite 'Half an Hour'. But does it live up the excellent previous single 'Snack Horse'? In a word - yes?infact they've only gone and bettered it.

At less than two minutes in length, there's no messing around here. Just a short and sharp, guitar fuelled rocker ? lyrically inspired by the dangers of walking home late at night from the pub in Kilburn. "Just remember when you leave last thing at night / near the kerb, look around, and you'll be alright / you'll be home in an hour and half an hour / hold on for a minute and we can have some fun" sings Matt Eaton, as the guitars propel the song along, while the trademark vocal harmonies raise their heads briefly during the chorus - and its a wonderful thing indeed. If a comparison is to be made then think the scuzzy, fast paced guitar sound of 'Bizarro' era Wedding Present, raised down south ? and brought up listening to the likes of Teenage Fanclub and Big Star. Oh it rocks like one mean bastard. You gotta love it.

Flip things over (or not if you have a CD - obviously), and the usual rule of a slightly temperamental b-side goes straight out the window once you hear the opening guitar salvo of 'What's The Name Of The Planet You're From?' Another upbeat tune, with a catchy as hell guitar line, and hints of early Electric Soft Parade material - and that's a very good thing indeed.

Once again it seems Matt Eaton and co.'s knack for writing killer tunes and melody has come out on top - but then again did we really expect anything less? Quite simply some superb Indie Rock / Power Pop (whatever you want to call it ? I'm not fussy), minus the pretentious arrogant aspect of so many new bands these days. With a debut album currently in the process of being recorded at the Truck studios in Oxford, it appears the future is indeed looking very bright for Actress Hands. 'Half an Hour' - destined for an Indie night near you soon perhaps? Oh, come on - you don't really want to hear that Kooks tune again.

Lush - go and invest you pennies wisely.

Ian Chambers, Sept '06

9/10

Release Date: 2nd October

www.actresshandsmusic.co.uk

THE POPPYCOCKS - 'LOVEBIRDS'

The ship was to be a good ship, the crew were capable men, and the captain thoroughly understood his business. It was named The Poppycocks.

They'll be found off the blustery coastal region of Brighton - four men with wind in their hair and songs in their hearts - Miles Poppycocks (vocals / guitar), The Captain (bass / vocals), Willis (guitar / keyboards) and least we forget the man known as Mr Pugh (drums). Combined as one they are The Poppycocks. Four similar souls, with a liking for fanciful verse and song of the most catchy variety.

Anyone who's been lucky enough to witness them in live action will know what to expect, but for those who haven't - here is the evidence - their debut single 'Lovebirds'. Straight away you know your going to be in for something of a treat with the title track - guitars jangle, xylophones glisten and suddenly your smiling like a lighthouse. As with all good songwriters, their songs bring to life characters and stories - and The Poppycocks do that brilliantly here, with a cursory tale of a courting couple who become separated through imprisonment. Hear that chorus? "Danny says I'm so in love / I will wait for for / Molly says I'm so in love / I will wait for you" - oh it'll be in your head for days.

When asked "what news from the sea?" the fish replied "I have a lot to say, but my mouth is full of water". Fresh from those words of wisdom, we move on to the b-side 'Tenderhooks' ? that appears to be a whimsical story of yearning to be a fish and going back to the sea. Mermaid love perhaps? Its a dreamy song alright - the melody gently washing over you like the spring tides. Infact this song could easily be a single in its own right.

After all that merriment, its more than fair to say that for a debut effort, this really is a bit special - two songs with a distinct English nature to them, that are wonderfully different from the majority you hear these days. Think the Kinks with a slight nautical persuasion, playing the songs of Belle & Sebastian, and you may have a glimmer of what The Poppycocks are all about. Seafaring power-pop anyone?

With that, the vessel rolled steadily, dipping her bowsprit now and then with a whiff of spray. Everyone was in the bravest of spirits - for they knew that this was just the beginning of their adventure.

9/10

Ian Chambers, Sept '06

Release Date: 9th October

www.myspace.com/thepoppycocks