MrZ and the Splitters at the Ringside Sunday 10th October By Michelle Dee and Hollie Peck

next page

On a warm autumnal evening we made our way across town to experience what was to be a very enthralling night of ska and skulduggery. MrZ from Edinburgh and The Splitters from Leicester were showcasing their talent at the ska bar, an up and coming night at the Ringside, Beverley Road. First to perform were MrZ; their name was taken from a Tori Amos song Mr Zebra then shortened.

The name is open to interpretation and it's said in different ways up and down the land. The band started off as a four piece called Far From Out consisting of three current members and one now absent. During this incarnation they gigged for a few years the highlight being supporting Real Big Fish at Glasgow Garage, a highly acclaimed venue for up and coming bands which features touring bands with worldwide appeal. They also appeared at Cat House a similar venue. Bassist, Emma joined up and they formed MrZ together. They advertised for a brass section and came up trumps when they found Colin, Mike and J- trumpet, trombone and saxophone respectively.

The brass section were already a complete outfit when they answered the add. Being time served musicians having played since they were at school. They have a passion for live music you can dance to and represent a current trend of moving away from digitised sound. As the Edinburgh mist rose on Princes Street they passed purveyors from all cultures, breathed in the tantalising air and took up the challenge to bring live dance music to the masses.

They have spent the last year or so gigging around Scotland learning their craft. They are often to be seen at Bannermanns and Citrus in Glasgow, as well as Ska pubs and Clubs in Edinburgh with the likes of Howard Alias and Capdown. MrZ recently competed in the Emergenza battle of the bands tournament. Out of two hundred and fifty acts they reached the last twelve to play in the final. Sony Records and other top names in the music industry support this competition. Their performance clearly showed why they have reached such heights. The confidence and musicianship of it created an immensely inviting atmosphere of excitement and energy. They were outstanding. Creating beautifully crafted pieces thoroughly entertaining the crowd MrZ sure got that syncopation thang going on! Which any ska lover should know about.

Lauren, the incredibly sexy front woman and songwriter, is a fantastic reason alone to come see MrZ. In three quarter length jeans and a sparkly silver belt, she belts out surprisingly immense vocals for her petite stature. She oozes assured sexuality with class and a certain air of sophistication, a Gwen Stefani in the making. However, the fact is they all deserve standing ovations.

With a cerise bass, her pride and joy, Emma exudes intriguing androgyny whilst inputting lively and elaborate bass lines. She has an obvious understanding of her instrument. Each musician has equal flair and talent in their chosen field. Craig (guitar) is a superb entertainer managing to hold the crowd's attention even when he's not playing. He encouraged people to get up and dance, and dance they did. He even raised a laugh when he said about Hull being a lovely place to be. Little does he know.. bless! Last but certainly not least the heartbeat of every band, the drummer. Chris held the band together in style.

Upbeat and in time, keeping everyone as tight as a Scotsman's wallet. MrZ currently have an EP out called Zebra Crossing featuring their new single and a version of Ring Of Fire inspired by Blondie. Lauren also fronts a Blondie tribute band soon to be on the road, another chance to see this multi talented woman. Jay 2 Sax said, Thanks for a great night, hope to be back soon. Love you, especially the dancers Collin - the marglar was great in marglar, tonight I had a wonderful marglar after the marglar. Thanks again

Lauren- MrZ had a cracking night! Emma- MrZ had a lovely night being interviewed by Hollie and Michelle, we were so happy by all the nice things they wrote about us

Into the wee hours of the morning we both heard lots of funny stories from the band. Hollie tried to teach them the Hull accent all night with little success. Their inability to pronounce, Oh no, there's snow on the road in the Hull vernacular left her in a state of amused frustration. However, they got their own back at the end of the night when they challenged her to utter all right in their own tongue. She failed, they laughed, we parted company in high spirits.

We can though, have the last laugh and share with you just one of the stories they told us.

continued ...next page

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Clive K Lavery.

Music Reviews - The Paddingtons Single Launch at Yo-Yo - 2nd October By Andrew Coe
	On Saturday night (2nd October) a sell out crowd descended onto The Yo-Yo indie night at the Welly Club, Hull for the official Poptones records launch party for The Paddingtons debut single Twenty One. Not since Kingmaker exploded onto the scene back in the early Read more...

Music Reviews - Off The Wall at City Hall, Hull - Friday 1st October 04 By Shirley Gardner
	At Hull City Hall on Friday 1st October, Off The Wall played 2 hours worth of top notch music, which left the audience thoroughly entertained and wanting more! Pink Floyd were one of the most influential and innovative bands of the last 40 years, some people Read more...

Music Reviews - Har Mar Superstar at Asylum - 30th September By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	Above the stage in Asylum tonight hangs a giant g-string. It's not the remnant of some bizarre student ritual; it's the calling card of Har Mar Superstar. He's marked his territory. Tonight, this venue and all the beautiful people who show up to dance to his insane party grooves will be his. Har Mar bounds onto Read more...

Music Reviews - Morphines, Amber Souls, Fado Rock and Superscape 23rd September 2004 at Thee Box, Asylum By Cilla
	Mo and I were happy to go back to the Asylum. It's been several months since our last visit and even though our names weren't on the guest list as we'd expected, Cheryl and her co-door lady (whose name I have forgotten - sorry and thanks!) let us in. Cheers to you both for that! It looked like we were early Read more...

Music Reviews - Ernest and Ottogono at the Adelphi - 24th September By Michelle Dee
	This was an eagerly anticipated gig by many. Having been fortunate enough to hear the lyrically superior E.P. Pimps B**ches and Superheroes a few weeks previous I too was looking forward to hearing the ever -popular Ernest. This must-have disc was ably reviewed on here by Read more...

Music Reviews - Biffy Clyro and This Girl at Asylum 24th September 2004 By Steve Rudd, Photos by Darren Rogers
	If only I knew that the gigs at Asylum start earlier than most gigs. The Asylum, for those that don't know, is all swanky part and glorious parcel of the Hull University Campus (off Cottingham Road) - and, of-late, the venue has been welcoming a whole host of incredible talent. The gigs there tend to start just Read more...

Music Reviews - Biffy Clyro At Asylum - 24th September By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	The cult of Biffy Clyro swirl, pulse and swell like a spring tide while their heroes rock mercilessly infront of them. On record, Biffy Clyro are a band whose songs range from the heart wrenchingly emotional to the jaw droppingly powerful. But I'm totally unprepared for the sheer intensity of the Biffy Clyro live experience. Read more...

Music Reviews - 30th August 2004 - Anarchy in Jaz Bar By Kelly Bolder
	It seems at the moment Hull's collection of successful young bands cannot help but impress. The line up tonight included 3 Hull bands and 2 other Northern stars. On a bank holiday Monday in Hull you could be forgiven for thinking that the places to be were Beverley Road and the Waterfront but you would be Read more...

Music Reviews -The Spark, BBC at The Piper, Tom Jackman, Thief, Le Shed, Turismo 21st Sept 04 By Andy Dykes
	When I arrive at The Piper tonight, I'm greeted by my friend Charlotte. She's here as a photographer, but has also been roped into being compere for the evening. Apparently, preparations for tonight's show aren't running smoothly. Absent sound guys and faulty monitors aside, there are cameras everywhere. Read more...