The Coal Porters at Pocklington Arts Centre - 15th November 04 By Steve Rudd

Brandishing brilliant brushstrokes of Alison Krauss-creased Bluegrass music as it is meant to sound, this quintet in the Mojo-magazine-championed Coal Porters played to an almost sold-out venue in the small town of Pocklington on that one night of the week when most people prefer to stay home instead of braving the weather and heading out on the town.

Yes, it might have been a Monday night, but this band proved to be a major draw for over 150 people who turned out to see them in all their glory, fronted by the fast-talking and naturally charismatic American singer and musician extraordinaire Sid Griffin. Yes - that Sid Griffin who used to play in the Long Ryders and can also often be found larking about as part of Western Electric or playing solo gigs. Just like The Alarm's Mike Peters, Sid never seems to stop working. Fans of the Bob Harris radio show should be familiar with the music of the extraordinarily talented Coal Porters, who magically bring-to-life jaw-droppingly beautiful and breathtakingly complex music. The banjo-playing Pat McGarvey writes a great number of songs himself that they play, but TCP (for short) are also extremely well known for the cover songs that they perform in such an original-sounding manner.

Perhaps their best known and best loved cover song is of The Who's My Generation, which sounds genuinely exquisite as the three main singers in the band dissect the song's structure in style, each of them individually picking out their own unique harmonies. Other cover songs that they performed included a startling rendition of Bob Dylan's Idiot Wind, Elvis Costello's Peace, Love & Understanding and the Gram Parsons/ Chris Hillman-penned number Sin City (that closed their two-hour set).

Sid Griffin might well initiate much of the between-song talking and does provoke much of the witty banter that sizzles between band and crowd, but each of the five band members are stars in their own rights - and they are all amazing musicians. All five members play a different instrument each, with Scottish geezer Neil Robert Herd (a former comedian who used to perform at the Edinburgh festival, and who is now involved in the film industry in his spare time) on acoustic guitar, Pat on banjo, Sid on mandolin, Gemma White on fiddle and the lanky Paul Sandy on the doghouse bass. Four of the members also sing, and Pat's voice in particular is unique - coolly coming on like a sultry cross between Sting's and The Eels' frontman's singing voice. They also literally let their music do all the talking through an odd instrumental here and there, and aside from their subtly compelling blasts of Bluegrass music they also spare time for a spot of Gospel music too.

The Coal Porters are a 'band' in the truest sense of the word. None of the members can be seen or heard vying for all the attention themselves. They are all considerate and show respect for each other, and because of this the resultant band sound is sensational, packed with purity and vitality. Their good old-fashioned ballads are a joy to listen to (even when there is an achingly melancholic edge to them), and there was - as a direct result - little wonder that the amassed crowd of people who had turned out to see them all looked to leave the gig in high spirits indeed.

Incidentally, a select number of songs that they performed, including No Tongue Can Tell, the sublime Leaves On The Trees and the catchily chorus-based Maybe I'll Cry Tomorrow, were taken from their new How Dark This Earth Will Shine album.. which, if you love Bluegrass music, really does have to be heard - or else! www.sidgriffin.com www.pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk (check here for the latest line-up of events, which features upcoming gigs from Curtis Stigers and Hank Wangford!!!)

Music Reviews - Ian McNabb at Fibbers, York - 4th November 04 By Steve Rudd
	Former Icicle Works frontman, Liverpudlian genius Ian McNabb has long been setting mid-sized venues alight with his talents since such band glory days. Ian is one of the hardest working and genuinely enthralling singer-songwriters in the UK and has released plenty of truly incredible Read more...

Music Reviews - Black # 5 Band Biog
	Since forming just over a year ago, Black # 5 have had a rapid ascent and are now recognised as one of the best new rock bands in the country. Based in Lincolnshire, the band's name came about when bassist Dale Jeffrey decided to visit a casino. I was really skint, he explains Read more...

Music Reviews - The landaus (Grimsby Auditorium 15th November 2004) By The Lazyswede
	The Landaus arrived in the dressing room to be greeted by Freefaller-The Noise next door Dominic Paul and Frencheryk. It didn't take long before the games started and the ice was broken and everyone was running around laughing and joking with each other and the backstage shenanigans started, even for Read more...

Music Gig Gallery - The Others at Jaz Bar - Wednesday 6th October 04 by Darren Rogers
	Checkout this incredible 6 page Photo Gallery of The Others at the Jaz Bar Wednesday 6th October 2004 by Darren Rogers. Darrens photographs are brilliant, almost as good as being there and too good to miss so I'm publishing it for all the music fans to enjoy... and thanks Darren. Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 3rd November - The Ludes, Park n Ride, Thee Unstrung and The Landaus at Under the Influence By Cilla & Mo's photos.
	Another evening of superb entertainment brought to us by Under the Influence. Yes, another quality night. First up, The Landaus. The four piece with the growing name - from here to Australia and back. I saw them last week at the Asylum and thought to myself that this band really does have something. This week Read more...

Music Gig Gallery - Republished with unseen pictures - The Ordinary Boys at Sweet N Sour at The Welly Monday 4th October 04 by Darren Rogers
	Checkout this incredible 7 page Photo Gallery of The Ordinary Boys at the The Welly Monday 4th October 2004 by Darren Rogers. Darrens photographs are brilliant, almost as good as being there and too good to miss so I'm republishing it with unseen pictures for all the music fans to enjoy... and thanks Darren. Read more...

Music Bands - Introducing the sonic purveyors A Local Band Bio
	Formed in Grimsby in 1999, the sonic purveyors have worked hard to perfect their sound and build a fan base across the north of England. The band met at school and on the gigging circuit, and played around the pubs, clubs and festivals in North Lincolnshire for three years. Read more...

Music Reviews - Thirteen Senses at the Welly - 4th November 04 By Michelle Dee Photos by Darren Rogers
	Cornish band Thirteen Senses formed when keyboard player Will and guitarist Tom met up with college friends Adam bassist and Brendon on drums. They played the pub circuit in Cornwall showcasing original material vowing never to play covers. Due to the paucity of suitable venues in Cornwall they looked further a field Read more...

Music Gig Gallery Silence In The Streets, Blue Sand, The Landaus, and Misshapen Lodge 28th October at Asylum, Hull University By Michelle Dee
	Occasionally we get photographs of a Gig emailed in and no accompanying review to go with them. Never-the-less this 7 page Photo Gallery of Silence In The Streets, Blue Sand, The Landaus, and Misshapen Lodge at the Asylum Hull University 28th October 2004 by Michelle Dee is too good to miss. Read more...

Music Reviews - Bloc Party, Mystery Jets and The Infidels at The Welly - Thursday 21st October By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers - NEW GALLERIES.
	Once again, Sweet and Sour at The Welly have provided the people of Britain's critically acclaimed crappest town with another great line up including one of Britain's hottest new bands. I've heard that Bloc Party are the favourite band of the kid who plays Harry Potter in the films, and as I stand in the queue Read more...