Sidewinder, still life and Martyn Wharrie Adelphi Club 20th November by Cilla and Mo

We started off the evening badly by arriving late at the gig. Shame on us, we missed most of the first performance. However, what I did hear made me want to listen. Mo came along too and he was knocked out - by all the musicians we saw. I think he thought I was exaggerating when I raved about still life and Sidewinder in my last review - until he saw for himself. Yippee! Another convert! When I think about it, I've seen very few solo singers around Hull. I can think of Emma Rugg, but that's about all. So, I suppose it was a bit of a novelty to see a guy and a guitar, making good music and drawing the attention of the audience.

Martyn Wharrie, singer/songwriter was invited to play at the gig by Sidewinder. Moggie (Sidewinder, Drums) told me he really thought highly of Martyn and his work - both on and off stage. Martyns day job is teaching English and Drama at Henry Cooper School, Orchard Park. The first thing you notice about Martyn is his voice. One of those chocolatey, deep, smooth voices. And the songs he chooses to sing complement his voice - soulful and melodic. He sang a mix of his own songs and some numbers by his musical influences, which include Sam Cooke and Jeff Buckley. I was there in time to hear him sing Chain Gang, and then John Martyn's May You Never.

In the early 90's he was in the band Never Never, who during their time together supported the Stone Roses, also at the Adelphi. He then spent a year in London when he won a publishing deal with Heart and Soul Music. More recently, Martyn has been active in the Northern Theatre and other local drama. He also took part in the Humber Festival event Counter-Act at the Dorchester Hotel, Beverley Road a couple of weeks ago.

The bands played 8 songs a-piece, battling and winning against the sound system which wasn't perfect by any means - but they got the point across! Sidewinder, playing all their own music again, are a delight to watch. Chris (guitar, vocals) seemed on top form this evening and along with the rest of the band, looked like he really enjoyed the gig.

I love the Beatley Yeah, Yeah, Yeah ring to their sound, bouncing bass and energetic rhythms. Music to cheer you up rather than to make you melancholy. Their song Living is Easy is one such tune. It bounces along, competing easily with so much music I hear all the time created by lesser, if more successful talents. continued below

Sidewinder, still life and Martyn Wharrie Adelphi Club 20th November continued by Cilla and Mo

Some of the sudden beat changes are really quite daring and as a listener, pleasantly surprising. Just as you think you've got the rhythm, it changes. Really memorable and good, honest music! You can hear influences from just about every era and genre - 60's harmonies to Spanish flamenco. They have it all, and deliver in such a charming and relaxed way. Lovely guys.

Neil (guitar) seemed to be more prominent than last time and really came into his own, even though from his position on stage he was well out of the spotlight. I think he had a good gig.

Sidewinder are about to launch themselves into an out-of-town tour, appearing at venues in Leeds and Manchester (keep an eye out for dates in the Coming Up section) and are looking hopefully ahead to a recording deal in the near future.

Also up tonight was still life - currently just about my favourite local band. It's the same for both of these bands - the more you hear them, the more you realise that its true, not just a lucky gig, you didn't imagine that they were so good - they really are! still life played their usual top-quality, fabulous songs. I tried to find hints of influences from elsewhere and did feel a niggling memory somewhere which was immediately gone, leaving me kicking myself because I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Was it late 70's, tuneful punk? The Jam? Dexy's Midnight Runners? Maybe The Beatles, or Santana?

Whatever, they have a sound of their own which deserves to be heard. They've got the touch of a French Detective novel with really unusual echoey, harmonica-like tunes in Lost All Feeling as well as skilful bass and even a tambourine! And there's some kind of mesmerising gizmo sound in Sensory Perception which I loved.

still life's music is melodic and cleverly put together. Mike Richmond (guitar) is outstandingly talented, both as a songwriter and guitarist. Not to decry any of the others at all, but he is, as I said, outstanding. This is what Mo had to say about them: From the moment the band entered the stage to their signature opening fanfare, you could tell these fellas were professionals. The act of taking their positions was, in itself part of the performance and served to establish their strong presence on stage.

Now they had our attention and smoothly entered into their first set. Everything professional. A great performance from a well-tuned and extremely well-talented band.

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