Sunday 6th November - Staks Battle of the Bands 05 (2/3) By Michelle Dee

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Photograph Gallery   Hollywood Gallery ,    the Vels Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    Minus 272 Gallery.

These and other factors, including an outbreak of tactical voting, meant that virtual newcomers were knocking out well-established bands with considerable musical ability; bands, that have been gigging for a considerable time. Bands like Shindigg who proved their salt again and again by taking the title of Springhead Best Original Band 2004, ( Elsie Creek's review ) were knocked out by Minus 272 who are at best a good covers band and who, it has been rumoured, have already split up since the final. Pitting virtual unknowns from the metal scene against popular bands from the indie scene in what was, let's face it, a contest dominated by Indie-based bands ensured some had an easier path than others to the latter stages.

The final beckoned and our three bands lined up to find out who would be crowned champion. On the day the bar was packed yet again, ensuring the biggest winners of this contest would most certainly have been the Staks Bar itself or the proprietors thereof. Two judges were wheeled in to lend the proceedings a certain amount of gravitas but the lack of judges to oversee results during the previous rounds left me feeling this was a last minute, tokenistic, public relations exercise. Katy Noone, respected producer of local BBC Raw Talent radio programme joined forces with Hannah Haughton, editor of the popular music magazine Sandman Hull to deliver the final verdict.

Hollywood opened with some loud rock, which excited at times and had quite a few tapping feet and nodding heads in time to the beat. I was glad to see the presence of another female musician in the male dominated scene in the form of Hollywood's talented bass player. Next up were the Vels. This band have grown from nothing in the last four or five months.

They have played most of the venues in Hull including supporting The Raywells reunion and playing some notable venues outside of Hull too. The Vels have hit upon a formula that has captured many hearts: uncomplicated songs with memorable, catchy choruses and a fearless front man in Danny. An accomplished bassist in Alfie, the proprietor of Chinese Laundry Vintage Clothes Emporium, Marv on drums and Fegs, proprietor of Musicman pub, re-instated on guitar bring all this and more to the audience's attention. They are also the only band to have a fully utilised acoustician in Craig, and a favourite number, he makes his own, about ex-Libertine Carl Barratt.

Continued..... Next Page (3/3)

Check the thisisUll.com Gallery Photographs courtesy and Copyright ©  Michelle Dee 2005

Photograph Gallery   Hollywood Gallery ,    the Vels Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    Minus 272 Gallery.

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