Sunday 16th July 06 - Humber Fest (5/11) By Michelle Dee Photographs by Roland Standaert

(1/11), (2/11), (3/11), (4/11), (5/11), (6/11), (7/11), (8/11), (9/11), (10/11), (11/11).

Photograph Gallery   The 59violets Gallery,    The Bonnitts Gallery,    City Ghosts Gallery,    The Dirty Dreamers Gallery,    DumpValve Gallery,    Fonda 500 Gallery ,    The Johnsons Gallery ,    Last people on Earth Gallery ,    The Maker Gallery ,    Turismo Gallery ,    People Gallery .

Before the Dirty Dreamers came on I took the opportunity to have a wander back stage I bumped into Digsy and Bill still high on the after show feeling, then caught sight of Mike Wright from The Bonnitts. He was busy taking on fluid to keep his vocal chords lubricated he told me that the worse thing that could happen on stage would be him losing is voice that and snapping all his guitar strings.

The best thing would be if everyone gets up and shows their support he said hopefully. I wished him well and took a breather in the shade back stage. The lack of shade was an issue pointed out to me early on in the day and apart from the Beer tent there was nowhere to get respite from the sun's rays. The tents at the bottom end of the field were stacked high with chairs from the previous night's entertainment.

I walked back ground just as the Dreamers began their high octane set. A crowd fifty strong moves to the front and shout and scream for the boys on stage. I can see Ash is visibly shaking as he gives it his all during Overload. New bass player Carlos gives it some too taking his bass for a walk and the doo-hickey he's plugged into is dragged across the stage.

Luckily eagle eyed Engineer James is on hand to set the thing back in place. The Dreamers hit the stage running and were the first band to really pull a crowd.

I get to hear some of the new songs live for the first time; Japan has more of an Indie vibe this could be due to the changes within personnel or a reflection of the current trends in emerging music. The mid section's break down shows variation, consisting of a single drum beat repeated backing up the guitars and has Chris getting a rare chance on the mic. The atmosphere on stage is one of togetherness the four seemed to have really gelled as a band. More is made of the bass guitar in Carlos' capable hands particularly with the newer material. Perhaps the dreamers will push the Indie envelope and come out the other side into a new rock plain.

On You've Gotta Fight 'em the Stones influence is clear and reinforced by Ash's stage swagger. And although a mic down by this time the band do there best to keep the mood at boiling point. My favourite is next, Let Me Show You How for me, is one of the best, out and out rock n roll songs, around. I'm at the front dancing, enjoying every second from the tambourine shake on feeling down coming around through the manic chorus then to the guitar solo, that erupts stage right to the last distorted note from Baz. Three lines comes next and sees Ash straddling the mic stand and a serious attempt at the rock star pout from Carlos.

The jury is still out on the pout but the song still has much to recommend it. Shape up come's straight out the barrel and delivers a say no message to the kids. Trouble is the message falls on deaf ears because the rock n roll lifestyle is made to look like so much fun.

Continued..... Next Page (6/11).

Photograph Gallery   The 59violets Gallery,    The Bonnitts Gallery,    City Ghosts Gallery,    The Dirty Dreamers Gallery,    DumpValve Gallery,    Fonda 500 Gallery ,    The Johnsons Gallery ,    Last people on Earth Gallery ,    The Maker Gallery ,    Turismo Gallery ,    People Gallery .

Music Reviews - Neville Staples, Quartermain and The Bonnitts at The Ringside, Monday 19th December 05 By Dick Spring Photos By Mo
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