GIG SCENE: Kulley's single from the isles

HARROGATE singer-songwriter Karl Culley releases his second single Bundle of Nerves via 3 Minutes of Madness label, the title track of his forthcoming new album, writes Gig Scene Editor Graham Chalmers.

Described thus Music News as "folk inspired with frenetic finger-plucking guitar makes Karl's single hypnotic", the desolate beauty of the Isle Of Jura in Scotland and the countryside around Karl's North Yorkshire home provided the setting for the recording of Karls' album 'Bundle Of Nerves.

The first single taken from the album was 'Elephant Juice' which received widespread online acclaim as well as radio support from Tom Robinson.

Bundle of Nerves was recorded over three sessions, joined by a bassist and a percussionist/producer, the twenty-eight year old musician was able to conjure 11 varied songs of light, darkness, love and doom.

The single, due for release on August 3, is accompanied by a clever video shot by fellow Harrogate musician Greig Johnson and now available on YouTube.

Culley has somehow managed to distil his many influences (listen closely for wisps of John Martyn, Elliott Smith, Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Kelly Joe Phelps, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Thom Yorke, Bruce Cockburn) into something uniquely his own.

The result is a deeply intriguing modern folk/punk/world/skiffle, in which a compelling tension ensues between breathtakingly visceral frenetic guitar-sparkle and unique groovy percussive guitar style with the vunerable spectral quality of his voice.

All releases available via www.3minutesofmadness.com

www.karlculley.co.uk/ www.myspace.com/karlculley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndDJ1WQfMdA

LOCAL rock band Kasiuss, who have grown from a duo to a four-piece consisting of Biz (lead vocals, guitar & sequencing), Joe (drums, backing vocals), Adam (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Jason (keyboards/synths, backing vocals) play The Cockpit in Leeds on Saturday, July 11.

SIXTIES fans are in for a treat thanks to local promoters RipleyBlues.

Playing at Ripley Town Hall. on Saturday, July 11 will be The Mods who promise a Tribute to an Era 1964-1970 featuring the music of The Who, The Kinks, Small Faces, Pretty Things.

Described as "the greatest 60's tribute band in the world", among the band's fans are a certain Mr Gallagher and Mr Weller.

Looking further ahead, RipleyBlues presents a performer from this year's Glastombury Festival in the shape of fine guitarist and sensitive singer Martin Harley.

He's playing on Saturday, August 1 upstairs in Ripley Town Hall's Blues Room.

For tickets, visit www.ripleyblues.com

OUR online version of Gig Scene has launched its latest live video of a local band especially shot by Harrogate Advertiser photographer Graham Schofield and recorded by BASH's Operations Director Jason Odle, writes Gig Scene Editor Graham Chalmers.

The latest Gig Scene Session at BASH Studios in Harrogate stars classy young pop band Kid October.

Singing one of their own, well-written songs, Do It Again (Everyday Girl), this teenage four-piece are influenced by Take That, Snow Patrol and Maroon 5.

With a professional maturity beyond their years, Kid October were runners-up at the AMP Awards at Harrogate International Centre earlier this year.

Bash Studios: contact: 0845 9000 686 – www.bashstudios.co.uk

BASH studios Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate HG2 0BA.

Link: http://www.bashstudios.co.uk/videos1.htm

THE hottest rising star of rap music right now is a 15-year-old called Fugative - and he's coming to Harrogate to play a live PA.

The producer/singer-songwriter who describes his sound as Hip Pop, has just signed an album deal with Ministry of Sound and is appearing at an under-18s night at Carringtons nightclub on Friday, July 17 as part of his current UK tour.

More news shortly.

FORMERLY both The Station pub and Jack & Dannys, The Harlow Gata on Harrogate's Station Parade has started regular live gigs.

Every Wednesday night is Jam Night from 9pm while Saturdays sees a series of guest live acts.

Tomorrow it's the turn of that talented singer-songwriter Rob Reynolds.

TALENTED Harrogate modern pop songwriter Graham Parry (ex-Trigger) has his new album Reason & Hope is released on iTunes next Tuesday, July 7 which is why he's appearing at Ade Payne's weekly session at the Lure Bar in Harrogate on The Ginnel.

Johnny and Al are expected to back him instrumentally for this showcase gig.

Parry is also planning a show in London in October.

EXCITING news for clubbers (is that term still used?) in Harrogate as Moko closes for five days in order to undergo a major refurb in preparation for some great new music nights at Moko, which explains why it's closing for five days next week.

The club closes on Sunday, July 5 and then hosts a grand reopening on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 with an exclusive red carpet VIP launch.

From then on, Moko will have a seven nights a week music programme: Friday: Pandamonium (house, pop, urban). Saturdays: Paparazzi (house, r'n'b anthems). Sundays: House Party. Thursdays: Top of the Pops (Stray FM's over-25s night playing 70s-90s music). Wednesdays: Mischief (house, urban, pop, indie). Tuesdays: Lost (indie/rock.alt) Mondays: Mash Up (Industry night).

If you want to get involved, email info@mokoharrogate.com or text 07841464880.

GOOD news for rock fans in Knaresborough. The town's only nightclub is back from the dead with live music.

Fusion (formerly Daddy Cools/Monteys/Night In) on the Market Place has started putting live music on regularly.

On Saturday, July 11, it presents UK-based metal band Forever Never who're Kerrang! favourites with support from Chasing Jade. Entry 5, doors 7pm.

WIDE-ranging pop genius Ashley Reaks is back at Harrogate's Blues Bar this Sunday lunchtime for his monthly residency.

Playing the same evening are Undergrass while rock band Knievel play next Thursday.

Other gigs at the Blues Bar this week include:

Thurs, July 2: Chantel McGregor. Fri: Chainsaw. Tues, July 7: Mohawk. Thurs: Knievel.

Regular weekly nights include Jed Thomas Band on Saturdays, Paul Middleton's Angst Band on Wednesdays and the Jam Night on Mondays.

IMPRESSIVE modern rock-prog band Tunji play tracks from their new EP at Harrogate's Bar 19 next Friday, July 10.

FANS of Harrogate's best alt-pop group (possibly its best group full stop), The Birdman Rallies can now buy both the band's recent brilliant album and the EP You and I from the town's newest music instrument shop MUZO on Beulah Street above Le Deli which is open Tuesdays-Saturdays.

www.da-gate.com

LOCAL indie-rock band Faces of Dorian, featuring lead singer Johnny Skinner and former IV Play guitarist and songwriter Nader Mabadia, re supporting Elliott Minor at the Copmanthorpe Carnival in York this Saturday, July 4.

www.copmanthorpe.org.uk/carnival

THE Alexandra in Harrogate has live music from mighty rock covers kings MFOR, led by vocalist Paul Kettley, this Thursday, July 2.

Next Thursday, July 9, the live band at The Alexandra are The Red Hot Chilli Bears.

KNARESBOROUGH'S award-winning Country and Western club, The Last Chance Saloon presents live music from on Friday in the Park Place Social Club. Also taking place at the same venue this Saturday is the weekly residency by Ian Shaw.

THE Malt Shovel in Boroughbridge has increased its live music content with gigs sometimes happening three times a week, namely Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (open mic session). There's also a weekly Wednesday night jam session.

WETHERBY pub the George & Dragon is looking for live acts to kick-start its new life with music.

Landlord Mat Ryan is particularly looking for duos. If you're interested, email matjohnryan@yahoo.co.uk

TWO ex-Harrogate musicians whose band's fans include Peaches Geldof, The Horrors and The Charlatans are on tour promoting their new single.

Singer John Sutcliffe and guitarist Andy Needle of The Ruling Class their latest 'double A-side' 7-in single on Loog Records which features new songs Sleeping Beauty/Marian Shine.

Compared to early Stone Roses and Ride, this highly-international five-piece band, who also include two Swedes and an Italian, have made a name for themselves with regular appearances over the past year at Club Fandango at the Dublin Castle in Camden.

For more info and to buy the new single, visit:

www.myspace.com/therulingclassuk

www.myspace.com/fiercepandamanagement

AS well as The Horrors being added to the bill at this year's Leeds Festival at Bramham Park, now it's been announced that Faith No More will beef up the rock bill on Sunday, August 30.

The addition of the US rock legends to the main stage line-up will certainly please the non-indie fans out there.

The band, who first came to prominence with 1987's Introduce Yourself album, are led by Mike Patton on vocals and are probably best known for worldwide hit single Epic.

Meanwhile, The Horrors, currently promoting their stunning second album, Primary Colours, (a big change of musical change of direction on this one) will appear on the NME/Radio One stage on Sunday.

Joining them that day are current electro pop disco favourites Little Boots who you might have seen on Jools Holland's Later show recently.

Just a reminder, the festival, which runs from Fri, Aug 28 to Sun, Aug 30, is now sold out but organisers recommend trying www.viagogo.co.uk

LATE night music fans haven't been best served in Harrogate on a regular basis especially those who enjoy revelling into the wee small hours without being bombarded by happy house or urban r'n'b.

But No 19 Bar & Grill on Parliament Street is certainly trying to buck the trend and more than once a week, too.

As well as their Thursday night link-up with BASH Studios to present great original local acts, both Fridays and Sunday sees music until 2am.

Fridays has a weekly acoustic session from midnight until 2am.

Sundays sees a Jam Session hosted by Adam Westerman of The Birdman Rallies from 9pm to 2am

Saturday nights also tend to have a live band from 9.30pm.

If you'd like to play the BASH Night, call 0845 9000 686 or email bashnight@bashstudios.co.uk

JAZZ SPOT

HARROGATE sax player Ian Peak and businessman Paul Welch must be feeling pretty proud at the moment.

Soundbyte, the alternative Big Band with an emphasis on improvisation which they set up for youngsters three years ago, has been invited to Birmingham to play at the National Festival of Music for Youth.

Made up of 26 12-17-year-olds, and blessed with the aranging skills of Frenchman Phillipe Marillia, Soundbyte perform at Birmingham Conservatoire's Adrian Boult Hall on Saturday, July 11.

Soundbyte will also be performing at The Royal Hall in Harrogate with Soul Federation on September 19.

Incidentally, one of the youngsters has become the first recipient of an endorsement programme for student musicians launched by Harrogate's newest music shop.

In conjunction with Ashton drums, Vintage and Indie guitars, MUZO is backing Jacob Fireman who is currently at St Aidan' s High School in year eight.

He has reached Grade Six in less than two years of study he performs with Soundbyte and has been chosen to play for the St Aidan's swing band.

The endorsement has provided Jacob, who also plays for St Aidan's swing band, with a new 'Fusion' drum kit and a year supply of sticks at cost.

MUZO are looking for other music students who show great promise and need new instruments to take part in the endorsement programme.

Music departments are also invited to participate in the programme.

Applications will be accepted from teachers either in-store or by calling 07916347864.

THE Harrogate Brasserie has live jazz from smooth crooner Chris White while Sunday night features Aspects of Jazz.

The Brasserie also has three weekly residencies: Tuesdays starring Huddersfield entertainer David Bailey (keyboards/vocals) from 6pm-10pm and Simon Parkinson plays every Wednesday and Thursday.

HARROGATE Jazz Club has live music from The Nicola Farnon Trio at the West Park Hotel on Tuesday, July 7, Harrogate Jazz Club has live music from The Nicola Farnon Trio.

THE weekly Jazz in the Spa session at the Trustees Hall in Boston Spa will feature the Tim Kliphuis and the Jim Birkett Trio on Saturday, July 4.

Entry costs 7, doors 7.30pm. www.jazzinthespa.co.uk

LEEDS Jazz Club presents live music from Frank Brooker's Happy Chappies at Armley Conservative Club tonight, Tuesday, June 30.

Leeds Jazz Club has the Savannah Jazz Band on Tuesday, July 7 at Armley Conservative Club.

LIVE REVIEWS

Super Pop starring Pagan Wanderer Lu.

Pagan Wanderer Lu was playing at Milo as part of a new night called Super Pop which I'd never come across before.

Though it was hot in this small Leeds venue, it was also musically bold, visually stunning and a lot of fun - although it was certainly sweltering upstairs.

I've never been at a gig where the audience stood swaying most of the time in 3D glasses, the idea of organisers www.modernmusicreview.com and VJ Quadrod.

As this inventive, DIY one-man band played tracks from his new album, Fight My Battles For Me the VJ projected amazing, moving images which took on a whole new life of their own if you put on the spectacles given out on arrival.

Pagan Wanderer Lu's songs had no fixed point, moving from style to style rapidly, one second sounding like an early 60s girl group, the next a little bit of folktronica before settling for New Order.

Witty, clever and provocative, his songs were full of synths and bleeps from one of those old mini Casio MT-40 keyboards mixed with traditional electric guitar and juicy sampled beats.

Playing two short sets, the first was more experimental, the second showed Pagan Wanderer Lu was capable of writing more conventional songs.

Highlights included one called The Bridge of Sighs and a great guitar track called The Memorial Hall which closed the evening.

As members of the crowd swayed from side to side, still wearing those red and blue spectacles, Pagan Wanderer Lu took the song beyond its rock roots into Rave, the beats booming out for some time in a terrific mash-up with soundman Dave Procter.

I haven't seen an 'indie' act who could change from Badly Drawn Boy to MGMT so quickly and still have a decent tune.

He's definitely one to look out for and the organisers modernmusicreview.com deserve congratulations for putting on such an unusual and brilliant show.

Next time some electric fans though, please.

David Procter

www.myspace.com/paganwandererlu

Paul Middleton Band night + special guests, The Blues Bar, Harrogate.

WEDNESDAY nights in the Blues Bar are known around town as The Paul Middleton Band night and that is just how this last Wednesday started out but didn't end out.

Suddenly heads started to turn with knowing looks and whispers as one by one Harrogate's legendary rock band Wally descended on the bar after a hard day laying down new tracks for their first album in more 30 years.

Paul, himself, was wearing his 1988 Wally reunion T-shirt which should have been a clue as to what was to come.

First up on stage was Roger Narraway who started playing bass before taking is more usual role on drums. Next up Pete Sage, sporting a new Wally reunion T Shirt, all the way from Germany, stepped up and wowed the audience with his superb fiddle playing.

The band flew through some of Paul's better known tracks and had the crowd dancing the night away.

The only members of Wally not on stage were Nick Glennie-Smith, keyboards, who was still in LA working on a new film soundtrack, and lead singer Roy Webber who was in the crowd enjoying the show.

Wally have been tucked away in a local recording studio ever since the highly successful reunion concert in April and are well on the way to having it completed for release towards the end of this year.

Stuart Rhodes

www.stuartrhodes.vpweb.co.uk

The DVD of Wally's reunion concert in April is almost complete and is on schedule to be out late July.

Check for updates at www.wallymusic.co.uk

David Berkeley, the David Stead Gallery, Ripon.

HALFWAY through his UK tour and David Berkeley is performing for two nights in a far from usual venue thanks to local promoters DMB..

Up close and personal is the order of the night as people squeeze into the David Stead Gallery to be entertained by a string of the finest singer songwriters.

Opening the night Adam Westerman, of The Birdman Rallies, sets the tone with a collection of his own songs, delivered with style and passion.

Gary Stewart, based in Leeds but hailing from Scotland, then delivers a collection of his finest tracks and premired new material in his sultry Scottish accent.

After a well-deserved encore, he makes way for the evening's American headliner David Berkeley.

Performing an acoustic set, without his usual band, Berkeley has the audience in his hands from the opening notes. Supported by Jordan Katz on trumpet and banjo, they perform a selection of tracks all four of his UK-released albums including the amazing Jefferson and Fire sign.

The wow factor of the night is, without doubt, the superb track Boxes from the After the Wrecking Ships album.

The performance of live music in a venue such David Stead's art gallery adds a quality to the experience. The atmosphere was superb and being up close to the artists made the whole night a very personal affair.

Stuart Rhodes

www.stuartrhodes.vpweb.co.uk

Ade Payne's Acoustic night with James Tait, Lure Bar, Harrogate.

THE Lure bar is not the usual live music venue in Harrogate.

The mirrored ceiling, large windows and deep soft seating create however does create an excellent atmosphere for relaxing and listening to some of the best acoustic sets you will experience in the region.

Hosted by Ade Payne who kicks of the acoustic music night every Tuesday, at 8.30pm till 11pm, every week there are a selection of up to four established local musicians and brand new emerging singer songwriters nervously presenting their material to the public for possibly the first time.

Top of the bill this week was a young teenage talent James Tait. This guy silenced the bar audience, who usually chatter through every set.

His voice is deep and mature and distinctive. Competent on the guitar James played some old and new songs of his own, which made you question where did such a young person learn to write such emotional lyrics and present them in such a professional way.

There is little doubt that James Tait is a name to watch for the future, yet another superb singer songwriter right here in Harrogate who is surely destined for great things in the future.

Stuart Rhodes

www.stuartrhodes.vpweb.co.uk

The Birdman Rallies, No 19, Harrogate.

THERE is quite a buzz around the local and national music scene about four guys playing in Harrogate who go by the name of The Birdman Rallies.

Having recently had airplay on BBC Radio One, Two and Six, they brought back their quirky and individual sound to No19 on Parliament street for a Friday night and played to an appreciative packed crowd.

Clearly there were many established fans dancing and singing to their upbeat songs including tracks such as Creative Dance, Lost in the Hubbub and closing with the superb You and I, true crowd pleaser and a mammoth track must surely one day be a hit single for them.

The range of instruments played spreads from classic guitars and drums to glockenspiel and trumpet all linked to brilliant harmonies and solid drum beats.

This is not just another band on the circuit, The Birdman Rallies have a sound of their own and material to back it up.

Stuart Rhodes

stuartrhodes.vpweb.co.uk

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