Wednesday 8th February 06 - Heat 2, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston

Heat 2 - What can one say? As one partakes of post-gig port and a cigar - pphh f***'s sake what were The Shine all about? Whichever band you came to watch - and be fair - you couldn't miss the we're going to blow 'em out of the stadium attitude of The Shine! Watch out the Arctic Monkeys if you've offered them a tour support! But, back to Earth. We do have three excellent bands to talk about and, just like any good mother; I don't have ANY favorites in the competition.

Our friends Krave, who had to live down the embarrassment of the Hull Dowly Moo misspelling them and Bubblegum Radar. Bubblegum Radar I can understand - you need to concentrate for 14 letters, but how much effort does Krave need? Any road up, The Krave stormed the stage, lead by singer, Karl, in excellent voice and looking like a serious style agent. I just love it when he holds those long ..... notes. He did a great job of leading the band who were Dave, on rhythm and BVs, Nick on lead guitar, who astounded us with his great but rather modest style until the end when he went berserk and played over his head, back to front and places you don't normally put a guitar...

On bass was Matt - don't think so- we know who you are and you're not Matt. Well played to Joey Dep on bass. The musical style was funk rock blues and keeping a funky rhythm was Lee on drums.

To follow the heavy mob were the Bubblegum Radar who never planned to do any storming, but they were out to confound us into submission. Formed last summer they already have an impressive list of songs. Though the songs were tantalizingly short and used a number of musical scales which weren't invented when I studied music, they made very interesting listening and the musicianship was excellent (I made allowance for the new scales).

Chris made a good job of front man/guitarist well supported by Rob (who I suspect was related to him) on bass with Randal on drums. They say they are influenced by Kraftwerk and the Yardbirds so that gives a breadth of variety! I loved the lyrics and some of the titles - Robots in Space Station Mishap as an example. Definitely one to follow. That's it then.

Oh, did I forget someone? Can't go without giving a mention to The Shine boys whose fans packed the place to the rafters and who really did take the set by the throat. - just teasin'. The playing, especially the guitar riffs from Matt (yes I do know the difference) was faultless, singing and harmonies were superb. Adam came on stage and the whole band meant business from the off. They played as though they had been doing the job for years (well OK, about 3 years doing covers, but your own stuff is so much harder to pull off).

Adam included the audience from the start, which is very important to do - but - hey - they all waited nearly 3 hours to see their heroes! Craig (bass) and Rich (sir) on drums kept a relentless rhythm and what can I say about Kris fisher on rhythm who nearly got man-of-the-catch. All contributed to an awesome set. The Shine were conclusive heat winners - 203 points - second highest ever and Adam was Man-of-the-Match. Krave and Bubblegum Radar both got 115. Great show everyone. See you next week. We are still looking for Woman-of-the-Match ... or should that be Bitch of the Pitch? www.bestoriginalband2006.co.uk www.theshine.org www.kravemusic.net www.myspace.com/thebubblegumradar

Music Reviews - Thursday 23rd February 06 - Fado Rock at Adelphi By Michelle Dee
	On a strange winter's night I decided to drop in to Adelphi on De Grey Street in the hope of finding some good live music. What I found was an eclectic mix of musicians and bands. As I walked in I found, much to my disappointment, that I'd missed Ade Webb. He is a rather talented singer song writer whose soothing album has calmed my nerves from time to time after a long day. Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 15th February 06 - Dazed Dakotas Double Up at Ringside By Michelle Dee
	Due to some late cancellations the Dazed Dakotas were left without supporting acts tonight. However, rather than worrying about it they turned the situation very much to their advantage deciding to play not one but two very different sets. The first was a selection of the songs played at the Sesh the previous night, including the confessional Drugs Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 21st February 06 - The Last Stand Feat The Future Elements and Franks Right Hand Trouser at The Sesh By Jon Durham Review Photos by Jon Durham and Cilla
	Who is Frank and what does his right hand trouser have to do with anything? It wouldn't surprise me if I wasn't the only member amongst The Sesh's audience left feeling a little mystified by the name of tonight's support act, FRHT. Perhaps this explains the reason why the band is currently in the process of rethinking their name. Having never seen or even heard of FRHT before Read more...

Music Reviews - 14th February 06 - Valentines Sesh Dazed Dakotas By Michelle Dee
	Tuesday night after running around like a blue-arsed fly I finally got to the Sesh. As ever, it was packed from the doors to the bar and getting from one to the other was going to prove problematic. Drink in hand I steered my way over to the right-hand side of the tiny stage and caught up with tonight's headliners SideWinder. Also on the bill were Tonik and new Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 12th February - The Modern at Sweet N Sour and gallery from Hull University 18th September 2005 by Michelle Dee
	Tonight saw two very different bands playing Hull. First was the hard fast rock n roll chant fest of The Strokes at the city hall, second was the electro disco sounds of Mercury signed London band The Modern. I never got to the former but I heard mixed reports about the gig. Many said it was amazing and commented on an incredible light show, whilst others said Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 1st February 06 - Silver Star at Piper featuring City Ghosts, Kill Surf City, The Morphines, Thief and Black Dog Sunday By Michelle Dee
	As I sit here four weeks into my three month ban from Hull's premier live music venue, I can't help wondering why I am about to write yet another of my reviews. Is it to justify the wavering of the usual door charge? Is it because I told the bands in good faith that I would? Is it the fact that one day I hope someone of significance will finally recognise my genuine passion for Read more...

Music Reviews - Foot Loose at The Adelphi By Michelle Dee
	As the lights go down in and the club fills up, relatively new band Foot Loose take to the hallowed stage. The four-piece play a pleasing blend of U.S. styled popular rock. They have that unmistakable jangly guitar sound which is put to good use on song Rise and Fall. Front man has command over his voice displaying a good range and a good set of lungs. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 31st January 06 - The Sesh By DJ Mak, Kill Surf City Photos By Claire Adamson
	Wow, what a night. First up, thanks to the hundreds that made it down to The Sesh last night at The Linnet. It really was a case of digging the new breed. Three fantastic bands and an amazing soloist. First up were The Chase, who despite losing their drummer earlier in the day due to injuries sustained in a car crash, were determined not to let anyone down. They put together a Read more...

Music Reviews - Wed 1st February 06 - Heat 1, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Mo and Cilla Photographs By Mo
	It was far too cold to go out at all. You'd have to be mad. After a long day, all we could see was the front door closing for the last time, kids in bed, listening to some sounds (59 Violets, usually) and sipping our way through a bottle or two of vin rouge. Little did we know that the effort would not be without its reward. Sitting here at home, much later on Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 14th October 05 - The Subways at The Asylum By Andy Tullock
	Whoever said the quote best laid plans... and all that, must not only have had a better memory then myself but also must've been under the thumb of The Man, like me. The plans had been set in stone for The Subways gig at Asylum for well over two days, and were looking pretty water-tight. However, when I stupidly agreed to do a job which I fancied I could finish by Read more...

Music Reviews - Wednesday 1st February 06 - Heat 1, Best Original Band at The Springhead By Anita Blakeston
	Heat 1, glad the first one's over. My nerves were ready for a rest. What a great night. Sartorial elegance prize has to go to Nic Hales from local band Soulflame for his delightful ethnic top, fantastic hairdo (said one fan) and his underpants which Mr Blako described in graphic detail to the whole audience. We love the sarcasm, keep it coming! The evening started with a well and truly kick ass set from Immingham lads, Just:. They did Read more...

Music Reviews - Thursday 19th January 06 - Stripped at The Wellington Inn By David Smith
	Thursday 19th January 2006 meant only one thing - the return for the highly popular acoustic night, Stripped. The event takes place at The Wellington Inn, just outside of the city centre, and always attracts the attention of local music lovers. As a relative newcomer to the area, a bit of research did no harm, and from what popped up in the archives, the line-up did not seem to be Read more...

Music Reviews - Live Forever at The Springhead, Friday 13th January 06 By DJ Chris Plant
	Live Forever are a local Oasis tribute band, playing hits from 1994 to the current album Don't Believe The Truth. The band have been playing in Yorkshire's top venues for the last three years, including The Springhead, Stone Roses Bar and The KC Stadium to name but a few. The band has a great five-man line up: - Vocals: - Tony Lead Guitar Read more...

Music Reviews - Christmas Eve at The Ringside - 24th December 05 By Anthony Baine Photo Gallery By Mo
	Hang your heads, Hull music lovers. Christmas Eve, the only place open for live music is Ringside. And there's nobody here. Well, perhaps I exaggerate but the turn out is shoddy. I cannot believe that at the end of a year when so much has been printed and spoken about this town's potential to be the next big thing in British music, on a night arranged by Hull's leading independent Read more...

Music Reviews - The Chase, GST Cardinals and The Blackouts at the Under The Influence Xmas Show at The Adelphi - Sat 17th Dec 05 By Michelle Dee The Chase gallery by Michelle Honess
	Under The Influence celebrated its Christmas bash down at the Adelphi with a line up of rather new Hull bands them being, GST Cardinals, The Blackouts and The Chase. The billed act, !Forward Russia! sadly cancelled so promoter Dean Shakespeare had to make a few fast decisions to insure the show went on. He called upon good friends GST Cardinals to open with a very welcome Read more...

Music Reviews - Neville Staples, Quartermain and The Bonnitts at The Ringside, Monday 19th December 05 By Dick Spring Photos By Mo
	Monday December 19th 2005 is a date that could go down in the musical history of the city, for that was the day Neville Staples, original rudeboy singer of the legendary Two Tone band The Specials, and co founder of Fun Boy Three, made a triumphant return to Hull. Opening up were Hull favourites The Bonnitts who, though beset by a few technical problems, marched on through Read more...