Andy Dykes

Andy Dykes has recently started writing for thisisUll.com and has proved himself to be a talented writer, a relly nice bloke and great music reviewer. Andy's contributions are listed below..

Articles - Iraq By Andy Dykes

	So it happened. After weeks of waiting, and a short lived escape, Ken Bigley was finally pinned down and felt the blade of a knife against his neck. It was as close to inevitable as anything could be, given the recent trend for sacrificing hostages in Iraq. But it brought the atrocious nature of Read more...

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Articles - Quit Your Job For A Healthier Mind and Body By Andy Dykes

	Before I begin, I would just like to take this opportunity to say that this isn't intended to be some anarchic rant about how we should all escape the rat race, subverting and thus bringing about the downfall of the evil that is the capitalist system under which we all live, but don't all prosper. Read more...

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Reviews, Theatre - Up 'n' Under at Hull Truck Theatre with Cast Interview 23/07/2004 By Andy Dykes
	John Godber's play 'Up 'n' Under' has enjoyed widespread success for twenty years. So it's obvious that the story, although I have to admit I don't really know it, does not need to be reviewed. So I realise that if this report is going to be of any worth at all, tonight I need to review the performance. Read more...

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Band Interviews - Sweet n Sour at the Welly Club 22/07/2004 Mad Action Interview By Andy Dykes
	After the show I go backstage. Admittedly it's partly to use the toilet, but also to catch up with the bands, particularly Mad Action, with whom an interview has been arranged. The lead singer and guitarist/backing-vocalist from Kasabian are immediately welcoming, allowing me to use their toilet without fear of violence or harassment. Read more...

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Music Reviews - Jaz Bar 10th August 2004 The Ludes, The Mardous, 59 Violets, The Applewhites By Andy Dykes
	The classy setting of the Old Town's Jaz Bar plays unlikely host to a range of bands tonight. The wooden floors and high concrete ceilings make Jaz Bar an unusual choice for this evening's entertainment. Combined with an absence of carpets, cushions on chairs and curtains on windows and I get the feeling that there are going to be a Read more...

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Music Reviews - Blind Frog Ernie, Le Shed, Shindigg, Killer of Saints, Displacements at the Piper Club Tuesday 7th September 2004 By Andy Dykes
	I walk through the door of The Piper tonight, straight into a wall of sound created by three guys who look and sound like a very early Blink 182. This band is Displacements. It's hard to figure out exactly what's going on until they introduce a little subtlety. And then it all starts to sound pretty good. Vocally, neither singer Read more...

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Music Reviews -The Spark, BBC at The Piper, Tom Jackman, Thief, Le Shed, Turismo 21st Sept 04 By Andy Dykes
	When I arrive at The Piper tonight, I'm greeted by my friend Charlotte. She's here as a photographer, but has also been roped into being compere for the evening. Apparently, preparations for tonight's show aren't running smoothly. Absent sound guys and faulty monitors aside, there are cameras everywhere. Read more...

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Music Reviews - Unite Against Fascism - Fraction of the Cost - The Ringside Sunday 19th September - By Andy Dykes
	Tonight I expect The Ringside to be dimly lit and packed to the rafters with members of the Zapatistas, Rage Against the Machine and the Cuban government, all talking earnestly and with hushed voices. Possibly the A-Team too. I expect an air of urgency, a feeling that we're all taking part in some Read more...

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Music Reviews - Sweet n Sour at the Welly Club 22/07/2004 Kasabian, Mad Action, The Landaus By Andy Dykes
	Outside the Welly Club tonight there's thunder, lightning and heavy rain. The bouncers pass umbrellas down the queue so that the line of punters waiting to get in can stay as dry as possible. I'm told that there aren't as many people here as last week. This is only the second time that the Welly has put on its Sweet n Sour night, and Read more...

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Music Reviews - The Favours, Dirty Dreamers, Sweet Assassin at The Welly Club on 16th Sept 04 By Andy Dykes
	Tonight's openers Sweet Assassin get proceedings underway with an apology. Their bassist hasn't turned up and so they welcome onto the stage Paul, a real, bona fide session musician. The band open with a punchy little number called 'Touch Me I'm Sick'. It's a solid effort, although the action onstage Read more...

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Music Reviews - Sweet n Sour at the Welly Club 19th August - 5678's, 59 Violets and The Morphines By Andy Dykes
	I've heard tonight's openers The Morphines described as something like Ian Curtis singing with The Clash. If my musical arithmetic is correct, then The Morphines should sound something like Sham 69. And they do. A bit. While the garage rock revival grips the world like nuclear war, The Morphines hark back to an era Read more...

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Music Reviews - Sweet n Sour at the Welly Club 29/07/2004 Har Mar Superstar Salako The Paddingtons By Andy Dykes
	I arrive early (ish) at The Welly tonight, but still have to queue quite far back. By the time I reach the door, the line behind me is about to snake round the side of the club. I've got a feeling tonight is going to be busy. But then why wouldn't it be? Aside from the raw Read more...

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Music Reviews - Friday 20th May - The Music with Youth Group at Asylum By Andy Dykes
	It's hard to believe that Asylum at Hull University Union could be full of students, all suited, booted and blind drunk celebrating at the end of year ball. Now that the summer break has hit and the university is all but devoid of students, it's great to see that there is still a huge crowd at the venue tonight to welcome The Music. Read more...

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Music, Album Reviews - Red To Violet By Andy Dykes
	The old adage, never judge a book by its cover has never meant so much to me as when reviewing Red To Violet's eponymous offering from way back in 2000. Why am I reviewing it five years late? Who knows. Anyway, the front cover Read more...

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Opinions - Take The Highground - or why we shouldn't read The Daily Mail By Andy Dykes
	Oh The Daily Mail: bastion of British journalism, voice of the British people, key to the formulation of a balanced opinion and veritable textbook of reporting and the written word. It was within a day or two of the catastrophic Read more...

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People - Interview with The Ga*Ga*s at Asylum By Andy Dykes
	I walk into Asylum in the middle of a soundcheck. There are people all over the place, any number of whom look like they could be a roadie, or the member of a band, or a vagrant. Never before having met any of the people I am about to interview, figure a bit of Read more...

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Reviews, Theatre - Lord Of The Rings The Musical By Andy Dykes
	Lord of the Rings the musical arrives on Drury Lane after a popular stint in Toronto. Riding on the coat tails of the Oscar winning trilogy of films and billed as a visual spectacular, the stage version is hotly anticipated by the London crowd. Tonight the Theatre Royal is packed with theatre-goers eager to see just how Tolkien's voluminous tale Read more...

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Reviews, Theatre - Lord Of The Rings The Musical By Andy Dykes
	Lord of the Rings the musical arrives on Drury Lane after a popular stint in Toronto. Riding on the coat tails of the Oscar winning trilogy of films and billed as a visual spectacular, the stage version is hotly anticipated by the London crowd. Tonight the Theatre Royal is packed with theatre-goers eager to see just how Tolkien's voluminous tale Read more...

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Music Reviews - Friday 4th March 05 - The Ga*Ga*s at Asylum By Andy Dykes, Photo Gallery By Darren Rogers
	Its rock-a-rama at Asylum: tonight. Three bands, one bill, all about the rock. First up, Disarm:. Their cover of New Order's Blue Monday is superb, harking back to Marilyn Manson and Dope's covers of new romantic greats. Disarm:'s own material is intricate Read more...

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Music Reviews - The Zutons and Little Flames at Asylum - Monday 18th October By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	The sky is black and clear tonight. This means that for the first time in a while, the stars are being given the chance to shine on Hull. This also means that it's pretty bitter outside. Inside Asylum tonight, it doesn't seem to be any warmer. Maybe that's why so many people are huddled together so closely? Or maybe Read more...

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Music Reviews - Biffy Clyro At Asylum - 24th September By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	The cult of Biffy Clyro swirl, pulse and swell like a spring tide while their heroes rock mercilessly infront of them. On record, Biffy Clyro are a band whose songs range from the heart wrenchingly emotional to the jaw droppingly powerful. But I'm totally unprepared for the sheer intensity of the Biffy Clyro live experience. Read more...

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Music Reviews - Har Mar Superstar at Asylum - 30th September By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	Above the stage in Asylum tonight hangs a giant g-string. It's not the remnant of some bizarre student ritual; it's the calling card of Har Mar Superstar. He's marked his territory. Tonight, this venue and all the beautiful people who show up to dance to his insane party grooves will be his. Har Mar bounds onto Read more...

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Music Reviews - The Morphines and The 89 80s at The Sesh, Linnet and Lark - 30th November 04 By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	Once again tonight, Princes Ave's Linnet and Lark plays host to a evening of live bands. With a stage littered with instruments and a bar crowded with rock n roll types, it looks suitably like the home of what is fast becoming one of the most widely respected and indeed played evenings in Hull. Tonight's headliners Read more...

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Music Reviews - The 22-20s, Cathy Davey and Willy Mason - Thursday 14th October - Sweet n Sour at The Welly By Andy Dykes, Photos by Darren Rogers
	Outside The Welly Club tonight, people huddle together or dance absent-mindedly on the spot. It's dark and it's cold. But there's good reason to be braving the elements tonight. The buzz surrounding The 22-20s is increasing so steadily, it's becoming more like a roar. And the interest isn't lost on the good people of Hull who flock Read more...

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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...

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