Broken Chord Can Sing a Little..

Monday nights are pretty lame. I was planning to go to a gig but I have little money. I feel quite bad about it though, because there was a gig tonight and one tomorrow, and Really, I can only afford to go to one at the minute. :( At least Ill probably go to one tomorrow (Hair traffic control, Kinema and the Tupelov (sp?) ghost.)
Tonight I missed Collider and fullwater, and 2 other bands. I feel doubly bad because Im friends with both those bands :D I will see them next time though. Im just rubbish. Sorry guys.

I spent most of my evening playing God Of War. Its still pretty good. I saw my last save was in 2006. haha. Still though, after 2 1/2 hours, I called that a day.

I would just like to take a minute to talk about how amazing A Silver Mt Zion are. Or at least, the one album I really like of theres; "He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corners of Our Rooms" by A Silver Mount Zion. After this its not been quite as good IMO, but this album is probably my favourite album ever. It was the point I realised that music was a lot more than just the normal thing. It really is a piece of art in musical form. I would almost go as far to say that it is my favourite album, ever. But that is a big thing to say. Lets leave it at its my favourite album at the moment (the moment being the last few years). I think it will hold up over the years and I can say in 10, 20, 30 years time (if Im still around) that it is still my favourite album.
Its strange because I wouldnt listen to it all the time, I would go months without listening to it. But its still one of the best things Ive heard.
The concept of the album... I use cncept loosely... is that it is an Ode to a band members dog that died while they were on tour. You get the idea of the tone of the album then?
I am going to post a link to download this album at the bottom of this post. Im am pretty sure the band wouldnt mind this. BUT, I do really suggest that if you like it, then buy it, if you can, on Vinyl. I thought I had it on vinyl but it turns out I dont. This will be rectified when I have the monies.
If you cant, then buy a different album by them, or an album by godspeed (Skinny fists or Yanqui UXO if you want my opinion) and support them in some way.
(If you didnt know, ASMZ are an off shoot of Godspeed You Black Emperor.)

The thing about post rock is the majority of it is the same, I think. Technically, all build up and release kinda thing. But thats why I hate the term Post-Rock. I dont like a lot of post rock bands, as I do find them samey. I will say that Im not overly a fan of Explosions in the sky or Mogwai. But I am a fan of Godspeed and Mono. I would say that these 4 are 'THE' post rock bands. Im not overly sure why I dont really like EITS or Mogwai, but nothing really grasps me. I hevent heard all their stuff though. Maybe thats the problem.
Then again I havent heard all of Mono's music, but I much prefer them.
Godspeed, I think, are much more like classical music but done alternatively, using some guitars and things, but not just guitar part layered on guitar layered on guitar etc etc. Technically thats what a lot of monos music is too, but its done better by them IMO.

Its all personal preference anyways. The ".. shafts of light.." album by ASMZ isnt exactly post rock. Im not sure what it is. Other than amazing. Listen to it in the dark, when you are feeling a little sad and it will destroy you, in the best way possible. Its not often an album will do that, but it is amazing when it does.

Give it a spin:
He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corners of Our Rooms

Positivity is pretty over rated sometimes.

x

ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!

Slow sundays. Well, technically its been a busy sunday, but it feels slow. I finished recording a new song today for my New ep that I'll be releasing over the summer. Awesome.
Other than that though, Slow sunday.

Oh... Apart from I booked another show. SUCIOPERRO! :D Wednesday May 13th. The Marquee. Support tbc. £5. All amazing. Lets hope this does well. Woody will be helping but has other commitments that week, but he will be sorting the press and things, which is awesome.

Anyways. A gig I went to.

I went out Saturday to B2 of all places. The reason I did this was because 2 awesome bands were playing; Kunk and Fever Fever. Apparently it was the 'RED STRIPE' awards or competition or something. Fuck knows how they chose the bands, but I guess 2 good calls and 2 not so good ones isnt all bad. hah!
Also playing were 2 other bands. I cant remember the name of the first band but they were pretty slick. Not my cup of tea, but good at what they do.
Fever Fever played second and were fantabulous as always. Seriously love that band. Plus when greeted with a few boos by some unruley looking women (more on that in a minute) they heralded the immortal phrases "I booed your mum" and "yeah, well I FUCKED your mum last night, and she loved it". Both of which were amazing. Some sound issues dogged their set, but other than that, seriously good.
A band I had never heard of played next. Their name was canine feline or something. I didnt really see much of their set, but apparently they had a guitarst whose fretboard lit up. ... Less said the better. From what I heard though, they were pretty bland pop rock. Yawn. The main thing that put me off was the sheer ammount of horendous women-that-look-like-slash-want-to-be-men come with them. Fair enough, Im pretty open minded, but when there are a load of manly women yobbing it up and shouting generally, ignoring the other bands, talking through their sets and booing etc. I mean jesus. Be polite! I didnt like the band they came to see, I went outside. Awful.
Kunk headlined. Opening with an amazing driving riff which was supoib. They have the songs, the presence, and ability. Awesome band. The 'new song' which Hannah, their bassist sings is one of their best in my opinion; It has the most incredible riff for a chorus. Great band.

Also generally chatted and schmooozed with people, promoting it up (flyers and shizz) and things. Some people even recognised me as Ndx, which was nice :)
I do like it at B2, but its so far out of town, it really puts me off putting on gigs there. Nice place though, alright sound, really lovely staff :) But it was a saturday night and the turnout wasnt amazing. Enough, but not amazing. And it was free entry. Ah well.

Anyways, thats about it for now. (oh the title refers to a Kunk song by the way :D)

Night all

x

This is not revolution rock...

Not a huge ammount to say tonight. But I have been productive today. Firstly, there is a facebook group for the Jeniferever gig. Linked below:

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60977037101

Also, I made this poster for Del of 'This Is Not Revolution Rock' promotions in Kingston (London, not Jamaica.)


:D

I dont know if anyone from around that area reads this blog, but if you do, go to that gig.

Night all. x

Its such a simple plan...

Friday the 13th. Red Nose Day (apparently), I was aware but completely forgot.
I had a pretty busy day of CD making and flyer cutting out. Turned up for the gig and Bambi were already sound checking. Superb. I love it when bands know what they are doing. Paul wasnt having such a great time though.. It would seem all the Mics wanted to not work. But he fixed them and got everyone soundchecked and all was awesome. I think the total count of gig goers was 53, which isnt bad at all :D Awesome turn out!

Review:
Fullwater kicked off the gig with awesome tone and promising songs. They really delivered a stonking set of american style indie rock/emo in the proper way ala American Football/the Appleseedcast et al. Keep an eye on these guys though, they should be destined for big things if this gig was anything to go by. Fever Fever were up next and to be honest blew everyone away! Second time I've seen them, second time I have been thoroughly impressed. Such a good band. I could watch them for hours. Brilliant stage presence and they really do have an awesome set of songs, much more suited live than on record. Their ethos of 'just crank it up to full' is exactly what I like.
Portman took to the stage third. Starting their set to a diminished crowd didnt diminish their spirits and they completely played their hearts out. The crowd filled out though and they won over a good bunch of new friends for the night. Great guys and great songs. I like to have some variety in the gigs I put on and these guys certainly brought it. And they played my favourite song of theirs for me. Listen to it on thier myspace - "We Are Nihilists Labowski". Awes.
Bambi Get Over It completed the gig to a full room, including dancing people, and absolutely nailed it. What an awesome band :D Also they had a good negative chat about a certain label named 'Milkbar' mid-set, which put a huge smile on my face! They played their songs, entertained and entralled, Finishing the night on a complete high.

So that was awesome :D It really was a great gig. Thank yous go to all bands, Paul, and everyone that came! Amy soapbox was taking photos of the night, so they should surface at somepoint. Lets hope that people enjoyed it so much, they will come to all the Screaming Ground gigs from now often :) That would be super!
The bands that played have been linked in the above review, so keep checking their myspaces and such for gigs to go see them. They deserve your support :)

Ill post a new blog in a few days time probably about upcoming things and such. But just to say quickly, The Next Screaming ground gig is a co-promote with Woody again :)
Safetydance and Screaming Ground Proudly present:
Jeniferever
Caesura
Maths
Codes In The Clouds

Tuesday 14th April
The Queen Charlotte
8pm £tbc.

Super.

Watch LOST. Do it. DO IT.
x

Crushed by the weight of enourmous bullshit.

Basically, Im not having a good week. Ive had a bizzare cold since friday which while not being completely debiliating with coughs and sneezes, leaves me feeling pretty awful all the time. Which isnt fun. Also, just to moan self-centeredly for a second, my musical efforts dont seem to be going anywhere and I think I might just have a break from doing anything Ndx related for a while.
I also have an job interview coming up, basically because Im 22 and need to grow up. Massive lolz. :(

I've just been feeling pretty worthless this week. Hopefully this feeling will pass.

In non-screaming ground related gig news, Ive found out about this thing happening in Norwich around the start of July called Hot City Sounds. I believe its being organized by Kingsley Harris, who was/is the NR1 records dude.
I guess its exciting. I mean, its full of bands that I dont like or havent heard of, so it must be good, right?...
Buried In Pompeii and BK and DAD are playing shows for it so it cant be all bad. I'd go along and see them if I were you. Im probably selling it short.. My boy My girl are playing. So are Fever Fever. Sadly not all at one gig but 4 different ones, which are all padded out with stuff which is apparently popular, so I would guess you will see a lot of 14-18 year olds wearing crotch destroying jeans and thier grandads cardigans.
Hah, I sound so bitter. Im not. It's a good thing for the city and at least there is some diversity in the line ups. Good work Kingsley, hope it all goes well.

In other news. The May 22nd line up has changed. It will now be Maybeshewill, (The amazing) And So I Watch You From Afar, BK and DAD and Arcadia Lake. (Ndx is dropped from the line up, because I dont want to promote a 5 band line up which will have to start early, basically.) But to be honest, I would love to get the Marquee packed out with people for this show! Not only to have the 2 amazing local bands play to loads and loads of people, but imagine what will happen when ASIWYFA and Maybeshewill kick off thier sets to a full room. Fucking Chaos! :D of the best kind! If I can get the place full, that will seriously be amazing. By which I need everyone to come. Thats right. EVERYONE. I want the marquee to be the fullest I have ever seen it. All 4 bands deserve it.

Anyways. Tomorrow its Bambi get over it, portman, fever x2 and Fullwater. So it should be awesome :) Im looking forward to it anyway.

"You're not scared, but you've still got your eyes closed." :'Adava Kadavra' by The Age Of Rockets

x

13. Unlucky for some.

So firstly, I just wanted to talk about the next few Screaming Ground gigs.
On friday the 13th of March, Screaming Ground will be hosting an event at The Marquee in Norwich, featuring such awesomeness as BAMBI GET OVER IT, PORTMAN, FEVER FEVER and FULLWATER. £3 to get in. 8pm start.
Poster!


Should be pretty great :)

After that, Im once again teaming up with Woody of Safetydance to host an amazing show at The Queen Charlotte. It will feature Jeniferever, Codes In The Clouds, Caesura and Maths. Poster pending :P

Then in may a gig that I am very excited about... Screaming ground will play host to MAYBESHEWILL, BK and Dad, Arcadia Lake and Ndx at the marquee on May 22nd. Also poster pending. That should be astounding though. Really looking forward to it.


... deep breath....

Recently, I read a little piece about a new 'label' in Norwich called Milkbar.
You can read it HERE

Basically it was sucking them off saying about how 'new, exciting and revolutionary' they are. Pfft. Tbh, they are about as new, exciting and revolutionary as my little finger. They are keen to stress they like certain norwich bands, who may be popular but are basically dull or awful or both. It's hugely saddening to see people respond to such things in such a arse kissing way. Really, its just setting Norwich back rather than pushing it forward, like they like to think it is. Twee indie is not something to be proud of really, is it. Everything has its place, for sure, but really pushing these bands is not something that is good.
Im not going to link their myspace or anything, If you want to find it google milkbar records norwich. If anyone has something saying "Milkbar Encourages Vintage Knitwear" anywhere on their website, 'ironically' or not.... Jesus christ.
..

Norwich generally has never really been on the musical radar. I believe this is due in part to the geographical location and also it just never had the bands. This has changed loads though and Norwich really does have the bands that deserve a push. Good, original, talented bands who deserve to gain something from their efforts. NOT shabby indie outfits who generally care more about how they look and who they know rather than anything else. If Norwich does one day become a hub of musical activity within the media and things, I would hope it would be because of original, hard working, amazing bands, rather than the collective back scratching of indie hipsters like it seems to be heading towards.
Any publicity for the cities music is good I suppose. I just wish it was bands that properly deserved it rather than peoples friends bands because they are 17, wear skinny jeans and havent heard of Overdrive or Distortion.
I dont want to name names because I find it vulgar, but one band in particular is The Kabeedies. Seriously. What the actual fuck is so special about them? Fair enough, they play competent indie rock and more for them. But as far as I can see it, they are only getting pushed so hard by everyone because they are young, in with the cool crowd, wear the right clothes and have a pretty girl fronting them.
Im not knocking them, because they do work hard and tour lots and things, But I cant help but think of the reasons why they have been picked up and pushed so hard compared to a lot of, in my honest opinion, better bands.

What Norwich needs, instead of the same old labels signing the same old bands and claiming to be the saviours of rock and roll, are quality labels of worth, signing good quality bands. Labels like Big Scary Monsters, Holy Roar, Mentronome, Erased Tapes, Captains of Industry (rip), Deep Elm, Constallation, sub pop etc etc etc. These labels are all highly respected and have put out many brilliant bands work over the years.

So why is Norwich stuck with rubbish? There certainly are the bands here who could fit an any number of those labels effortlessly (That does include The Kabeedies) so why is there not one signing them? Why does all manner of rubbish slip through the net and get the attention of label people while the good bands get left behind?



With that, I would just like to champion a few people who, I believe, certainly work to give norwich an amazing alternative scene rather than hinder it and hold it back:
In no particular order..

Woody at Safetydance.
Sunny and Dan at In An Emergency Dial.
Annie and the team at WombatWombat.
All at BBC Norfolk Introducing.
Amy at Soapbox
Paul at the Marquee.
Mike Darkside
Ian at PowerUp.
Em at B2.
Kev/Karen at the QC.
All of the small promoters who have these same ideals.

The rest of you.. For shame. Join in or get out.

(all that said, at least the people who arent working on the good cause are doing something, which is better than nothing I suppose.)
x

Fuck...

Well.. Saturday was AMAZING! :D Jimminy crickets!

Lets recap: Me and Woody had teamed up to put on a great show, consisting of This Town Needs Guns, Pennines, Maths and Buried In Pompeii. The early indications were that the gig was going to be busy. Something like 115 people had said they would come on the facebook group, which I though "wow" at for starters. Then we got there and sorted things out. At 7pm people were outside queuing to come in. 7pm!! The gig wasnt even going to start untill 8.15! We opened doors at half 7 and in flooded the swarms of people. Before the first band had even played a note there was something close to 80 paying customers in the room. By 9pm, 130 people or so. By the time everything was done and dusted, the attendence was at around 215 people. 215!!! :D Seriously amazing and thank you loads to everyone who came. Never have I seen the QC so jam packed full of people. Woe betide you should you need to go to the guys toilets. Nae chance brother :D (what with them being positioned right next to the stage)

So anyways. Attendace: GOOD! (tick)
Bands:
Stunning. Simply :)
Buried in pompeii kicked out an awesome set to start the evening off. A big crowd already had formed and I think they won over a whole new heap of friends that night :) I could watch them play for hours, seriously.
Maths. My gosh. 7 months away seems to have done them a world of good, blowing the now packed audience firmly away with some of the best visceral 90's style screamo the UK has seen. This band are amazing (and have gotten progressivly better each of the 4 times I've now seen them)
Pennines were great, proving to be a huge crowd favourite and a big star in the Norwich crown of bands. Lovely guys, hugely entertaining and definately a band to watch.
This town needs guns thrived on the audience and played a set that every single person in the now rammed tight room enjoyed. Keep an eye on them this year, they are getting pretty big now!

What an awesome night :) Great people, great bands and great times.

And just to end this little night review on an even more exciting note, I shall be joining Woody again in April for a co promoted gig. April the 14th to be exact.
The bands?
Jeniferever. Codes in the clouds. Caesura. Maths.

Excited? I am! :D

The next Screaming ground gig is on March 13th. A friday. At the Marquee.
Featuring: Bambi Get Over it. Portman. Fever Fever. Fullwater.
8pm. £3 on the door.
More on that later.

Stunning. :)

x

The Curious Incident of co-promotion and other news.

Screaming Ground has news. news news news.

Firstly, as you can tell from the previous post, The first Screaming Ground promotions night of the year was a success. Cheers all round! But we cannot dwell on the past and we must move on to new things. The first new thing being an event of titanic proportions. An event that will be so good men, women and children will weep. This event being..

A co-promotion between Safetydance and Screaming Ground. We Proudly present.

THIS TOWN NEEDS GUNS - myspace.com/thistownneedsguns

PENNINES - myspace.com/pennines

MATHS - myspace.com/mathsband

BURIED IN POMPEII - myspace.com/buriedinpompeii

See. Told you it was awesome! This will all be taking place on the 28th of February at the Queen Charlotte, for the price of 5 English Pounds.


This line up is exciting not only because of the bands, but for me personally its extra special because its the sort of line up that I want to one day have as a standard: A great touring band who want to play in Norwich and 3 of the creme de la creme of Norwich bands. Screaming Ground is very much about Local Talent and hopefully it will stay that way. But having well known bands from outside of Norwich come and play is also a big part of keeping a scene going.
This is also special to me because I get to work with Woody (Safetydance). The ammount of awesome bands he has put on in Norwich over the years is astounding and it is a privilige and pleasure to work along side him.
Maybe one day we could put on an all dayer, along with In An Emergency Dial and WombatWombat and have it be the best thing to happen to Norwich in a long time! hah.

This is pretty much a one off though, for the time being. I'm all for helping out and things but Screaming Ground has to establish a name of its own with some awesome gigs too. Speaking of which... 2 Very exciting gigs are happening in March and May Respectivly for Screaming Ground.

Not all the bands are confirmed yet though... But once they are it shall be known across the land and beyond!

Over and out, for the time being! x

New Year: all go!

Right then. Screaming Ground has had a little bit of down time over the seasonal period but it's all back in full swing now! More so.
Many exciting offers from bands asking to be put on. Not all are possible of course, but some.
First things first: The January 9th gig went awesomely well :) Really good turn out, 4 awesome bands, great night had by all! Unfortunately, What Happened To Robbie? had to pull out near last minute. But a replacement was found in the form on Microchip and it was alll goood :)
So yeah, that was a good start to kick the year off with :)

The next gig lined up is a collaberative effort with Woody AKA: Safetydance Promotions.
This is very exciting really.
The Bands: This Town Needs Guns, Pennines, Buried In Pompeii and *TBC*. Still waiting to hear back from one band, but yeah. Should be super awesome :)
Its at the Queen Charlotte on the 28th of February.

Im still very much a promoter for local bands, but I like the idea of putting on a few touring bands now and then. Woody is an awesome guy and really, I'm only helping with this gig. Its his line up, but it's one I really like too and BIP and Pennines are both Norwich bands :) There may be a few more gigs from Screaming Ground coming up involving out of town bands.. but more on that when and if.

Also, as well as one off gigs, Screaming Ground might be taking up an offer to have one night a month, regularly, at the Marquee. Paul (the awesome sound guy and overlord of the backroom) really likes the idea and also the whole screaming ground mentality, which is a very positive thing.
It would seem a few people are picking up on the idea that Screaming Ground is a good thing for Norwich and are getting behind it. World domination soon, eh? :D

More on these things when they happen. I'll try to keep this blog updated as much as I can with goings on, rants and rambles, information etc etc etc. as the year goes on.

This could be a big year... x

The Next Gig..

Just a quick post to say about the next Screaming Ground gig. It will be on the 9th of January, A friday, at The Marquee in Norwich; A fine little venue with a great atmosphere and fantastic staff.

The bands playing will be:

WEEK 1 LETS GO!
NDX
WHAT HAPPENED TO ROBBIE?
ARCADIA LAKE

Good times will be had be all! 8pm start, 2 English Pounds in.

Here is the facebook page for the event.

Hopefully it should be a good turn out :)
Poster!!


That is the last Screaming Ground gig booked at the minute.. Hopefully there will be more! I have a few in the pipeline, just waiting on dates. Also one lined up is a possible collaberative effort between Screaming Ground and SafteyDance Promotions, which is exciting! More on that later though once everything is confirmed...

x