An Interview with The Holloways at Yo-Yo - Saturday 21st October 06 (3/3) By Michelle Dee

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

Photograph Gallery 1, Gallery 2.

Having heard the band play tonight I would think that comparisons to The Clash would be far more accurate than likening them to The Libertines. They had some of that rawness about them, the post punk energy, and also during some of the songs the political anti-establishment vibe. I hear the pride in Rob's voice when he talks about the pioneering group and note that he is sporting a Clash t-shirt so believe some of my assertions to be correct. At this point the interview takes a strange turn as some of the girls sat in the room start firing questions at the band. From this brief dissension we learn that the band wear matching underwear on tour due to the fact that they pack many CDs but never enough pants.

This results in trips to T.J. Hughes to stock up on this essential item of clothing.

I managed to steer the conversation back to the band and asked Rob about the inclusion of the violin in their music. He said that the rest of the band welcomed the fiddle sound to ally the guitars and add another element to the whole. I was surprised to learn that Rob's violin playing has appeared on other recordings of late including the excellent album the Freedom Spark by Larrikin Love on Infectious Records. He plays on no less than five of the tracks on the album. Hearing this London connection again I asked about the band's roots and was surprised to learn that none of them actually come from the capital city. In fact their home towns are spread throughout the country.

I quickly learn that lead singer Alfie is originally from Leeds, Bryn is from Scunthorpe and speaks fondly of his Ashby origins. Meanwhile Dave comes from Braintree in Essex. Dave then explains to me that Rob's family were in the R.A.F. so he lived in many different places including Cyprus. Rob also speaks proudly of his East European roots, but bizarrely the band professed their love for Cleethorpes. What has sparked this keen passion for the seaside town on the Lincolnshire coast goes unsaid, but they do say that whenever the heavy gig schedule allows, a trip to Cleethorpes is always first on the list.

We talked more about the touring and Rob told me that the inside of their tour bus is plastered with pictures of Snoop Dog the Ying Yang twins and Little John. He then explains that the van is owned by TVT and that TVT is a big hip-hop label based in the States. They, the band, are licensed to the U.K. side of the label.

Some complicated discussion on what this licensing means continues, but much of the contractual terminology goes over my head.

I ask whether the band has aspirations to break into the U.S. market and learn that a series of showcase gigs in America are penned for January 2007. Dave explains to be big in America would be good but it's not everything we are about. Britain remains a priority he assures me. Knowing that the boys opened the show tonight with title track So This Is Great Britain? I ask whether there is a strong patriotic vein running through the group. Rob replies flatly patriotism is disgusting, which puts an end to that topic.

The album is released through TVT on the 30th October and the next single is as yet undecided. The Holloways are currently resisting pressure from the label and Radio 1 to re-release previous single two left feet. Stating it would be unfair to all those who bought the single first time around. However, if they do bow to pressure from on high they could find Two left Feet sitting pretty on the Radio 1 Playlist; a sure fire way to have a big hit on your hands. If they decide to go with their hearts, then a completely new song, not taken from the album could be released as the next single. We wait with bated breath to see which path The Holloways take.

For more information go to: www.the-holloways.com www.myspace.com/theholloways

Photograph Gallery 1, Gallery 2.

Music Reviews, Galleries - 22nd April 06 - The Dirty Dreamers do it for thisisUll.com at The Adelphi
	You missed it? You were there? Well, whichever - here are some photos from the gig back in April, organised by local boys with the eye lashes, Dirty Dreamers for thisisUll.com. A brilliant gig - thanks to all of you who filled the Adelphi and showed us all your appreciation for local brilliant bands and a local brilliant website! We're here for you, by you. Don't forget, Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 25th May 06 - The Beautiful South at The City Hall with support from Aberfeldy By Michelle Dee Photographs by Matt Rudd
	Yesterday was a very special day. Around five o'clock on Thursday evening, I was listening to The Beautiful South sound check. The hall was a hive of activity with technicians climbing rope ladders to the gantries, erecting barriers at the front of the hall, and making ready for the first TBS gig at the city centre venue for over 16 years. I listened to the band running Read more...

Music Reviews, Galleries - Saturday 22nd April 06 - Dirty Pretty Things in Bristol By Julia Grant
	Sometimes we get photographs of a past Gig in without a review. This Photo Gallery of Dirty Pretty Things in Bristol Saturday 22nd April 06 by Julia Grant is accompanied by an Album Review link By Steve Rudd. Dirty Pretty Things - Bang Bang You're Dead (Vertigo) Reviewed By Steve Rudd Release date : April 24th 2006 Read more...

Music Reviews - 21st April 06 - Chaser at The Bluebell Riverside Restaurant, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	Chaser are a well-known band in Driffield, largely due to having been around for a few years now, and because they are mean purveyors of some truly awesome cover songs. Driffield, unfortunately, is pretty thin on the ground when it comes to great bands worth shouting about. Since the main venue in town, Mavericks nightclub, didn't renew its entertainments license, Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 2nd May 06 - The Sesh With Ivy Sins, Cherry Cob Cartel and The Blueslide Circle By Michelle Dee
	This weeks Sesh night down the Linnet and Lark fell just after yet another bank holiday weekend. This meant that many regulars were spent up or still feeling the effects of partying till the wee small hours. I know my own weekend was full of drunken forays into various different pubs in the Avenues area. The highlight of my weekend was on Sunday night; yes the Sunday Sesh had Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 5th April 06 - John Copley, Afterglow and Sidewinder at Quayside By Emily
	This relatively new night has been running at the Quayside for just over a month now- named Quintessential Sessions- with live bands and fine Indie tunes every week. However, this gig showed the best turn-out so far. Regardless of whether this was due to the bands individual followings or simply word of mouth, it still proved that this night Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 19th April 06 - The Peasants, The Blackouts and The Landaus at Quayside Quintessential Sessions By Michelle Dee
	It was only a week ago when I met The Peasants for the first time but I had heard them being played by Alan on Raw Talent a month or two back. Also Steve Rudd had reviewed their CD on this site and as often happens round these parts I had been bumping into Jody, singer for The Peasants, regularly on the Avenues. Tonight, I was determined to see them. Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 5th April 06 - Heat 10, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston
	Heat Ten - The one with Violets and Right Handed Trousers ... Intriguing band names was the order of the night. I have met the 59 Violets many times and always wanted to know where the name came from. I don't know Franks Right Hand Trouser but in their case I dare not ask ... something to do with trying to get dressed when drunk? Tonik have been Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 29nd March 06 - Heat 9, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston
	Heat Nine - Turn left at Spaghetti Junction for Hollywood town ... Tinsel Town it ain't in Hull but I reckon our entertainment is just as glam and glossy as theirs. We had our very own A listers performing - our very own Brad Pitt alias David Elf, our very own Danii Minogue on bass and Meg Ryan on keyboards....not to mention Magnum PI as MC. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 25th April - Swellbellys, Assert, C-Squat and Undefeated at The Ringside By Dick Spring Photo Gallery By Mo
	When it rains it pours, as the saying goes, and this was very much true of Hull this evening, with big shows on at pretty much every proper Hull venue. Ringside weighed in with a heavyweight punk show, literally, with the monster that is a Swellbellys and Assert tour, their first together in over three years. Kicking off tonight's proceedings rather early, it has to be said, were Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 12th April 06 - Tarifa at Quayside Quintessential Sessions By Michelle Dee
	I have known of Tarifa since they opened the Renegade Writers Live Event at Ringside last year. Since then they have been hard at work practicing, writing and strengthening the ties within the band. Tarifa recently played at Music Man but tonight was the first time I'd seen them since last year. After a delayed start (they didn't take Read more...

Music Reviews - Sunday Sesh 2nd April By Michelle Dee
	To kick things off we had a few numbers from Mr. Baggott. He started with a new one I didn't catch the title then his usual Blur cover. The popular Turismo tune Skegness came next which went down well with the knowledgeable crowd. One person I think it was Rich Turismo was even heard to exclaim Amazing. He finished off with In Bed Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 22nd March 06 - Heat 8, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston
	Heat Eight - Sheriff Check, scenes from the exorcist and can't wait to be famous so I can get a guitar tech Callum Blackout! First on stage was Dressed for Stealing with lead singer Check Kilpatrick (great name!) on bass, sporting a smart full-western-jacket and tie. Looking like the sheriff who meant business he charmed his Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 15th March 06 - Heat 7, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston
	Heat Seven - Girls will be girls ... The night where Mr. Blake has, thankfully, recovered from his 'flu and is back on sarcasm and shirts. Good to see and hear, but beware the faint hearted. He never did tell us the Everly Brothers tale, by the way. Also a night for mysterious goings-on with the bands....two girls from Quick! went out shopping and never Read more...

Music Reviews - Mak's Birthday Sunday Sesh 2006 By Chu Nin
	Just come home from a top night at Sunday Sesh at Linnet and Lark pub. Unbeknownst to me DJ Mak decided to have a birthday (another one?). There were at least eighty to a hundred people in, maybe more. I walked in and caught the last of Matt Edible's set. I have experienced the intensity of his music before, songs that combine beautiful Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 1st March - Larrikin Love at UTI at The Adelphi By Emily Photographs by Mo
	Larrikin Love playing at Adelphi was a very interesting idea for everyone that turned up to the gig: they're known to be a very fresh and promising new band, yet although they have a wide internet audience, they still have quite a lot to prove. Me, I'm not so sure that they won everyone over. Park and Ride did their best to rouse the crowd, and put in a lot of effort with their 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...