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Whitmore, Sonic Boom Six +
Supports, @ Fibbers, York
01.10.03 | |
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Jym |
| Posted: Oct 3 2003, 01:11
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| theSka Druid |
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| Group: Admin |
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| Posts: 414 |
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| Member No.: 2 |
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| Joined: 9-July 03 |
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Whitmore, Sonic Boom Six, Chairmen Of The
Bored and Duck Sick @ Fibbers, York 01.10.03
The 1st
gig of my 2 night stand following the ‘Over The Moon Tour I’
to the traditional capital of the north: York. Now anyone who
regularly reads my reviews (you poor sods!) will know that
Fibbers is my favourite venue in the UK, as I’ve never seen a
bad gig there. Tonight was no exception as we were treated to
some excellent performances and dehydration for free!
^Ducksick. Copyright: Jym Harris 2003
Duck
Sick were tonight’s local band that was expected to bring a
crowd to boost the takings of the venue. This ploy doesn’t
always work, as bands under these circumstances are generally
crap, as I self-righteous told my friends who joined me on the
night. I told them this with verve as having seen Duck Sick on
their last performance with Moonska bands I was seriously
worried for my love of Ska music but what a difference a few
months makes however, Duck Sick have improved immeasurable to
what I saw back then. They seem to have dumped their brass and
are now all guitars, bass and drums. Plus the lead singer who
last time appeared to be trying to hard to be crazy seemed
crazier for doing less! A serious improvement, though still
not a band I’d travel an hour to go see.
^Chairmen Of The Bored. Copyright: Jym Harris
2003
Which is something the Chairmen Of The Bored can
say I’ve done for them. Still in the infancy where live
performances are concerned (still not reached double figures)
the band seemed to be enjoying the limelight and a hyperactive
York crowd who bounced through their entire set. The
occasional fuck up still appeared here and there in the set
such as again forgetting the last chorus to their last song
but they have definitely improved since I saw them last. I
still feel however they need to work on their stage presence
to keep the crowd entertained.
^Sonic Boom Six. Copyright: Jym Harris
2003
^Sonic Boom Six.
Copyright: Jym Harris 2003
Entertainment value of the
Manchester based fivesome Sonic Boom Six was off the scale
tonight as the whole place exploded in a flood of red, black
and white. Feeding of the energy of the sweating, bouncing pit
upfront proved to many around me why I have been hyping this
band for months and turning out to see them on regular
occasions. With the sad demise of King Prawn there needs to be
a band to take over the torch of excellent live shows and
perhaps the successors to the throne are the band KP
themselves nurtured. ‘Blood For Oil’ and ‘The Devil Made Me Do
It’ were remarkable, the political and drugs charged lyrics
helped along with the fact the sound guy managed to get the 3
way interplay of vocals at the correct level which worked
wonders. ‘People Acklike They Don’t Know’ was perhaps the most
eye-catching song of the gig. What people seem to forget to
appreciate is the sheer talent doing the guitar and drums
whilst the front types get the adulation, the backing really
has to take to credit for musicianship involved in all the
songs but this is where they really shine forth.
^Whitmore. Copyright: Jym Harris 2003
^Whitmore. Copyright: Jym Harris
2003
Whitmore entered the stage to a bigger crowd
reaction, that’s what TV exposure will do for you but perhaps
didn’t put the same amount of effort into working the crowd,
but there again they don’t have to. Playing a strong mixture
of favourites from their album, the singles and a few new ones
from their upcoming album, the crowd seemed to lap it up.
‘Scones’ and ‘On The Ceiling’ were particularly good on the
night, though to end on ‘Alison’ in my judgment isn’t the best
idea. I know it’s their most known song but it does nothing
for me I’d much prefer it if the ended on ‘29 times’ but
you’ve gotta play your biggest song at the end. Overall a good
set from Whitmore if a little going through the
motions.
Duck Sick: 3.5/5
Chairmen Of The
Bored : 3/5
Sonic Boom Six: 5/5
Whitmore:
3.5/5 |
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The
Ninja |
| Posted: Oct 3 2003, 08:36
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| theSka Ninja |
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| Group: theSka |
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| Posts: 316 |
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| Member No.: 7 |
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| Joined: 10-July 03 |
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I think thats his york top... always seems to
wear it there...
--------------------
You can say it all you like i'll just go on
strike - You can tell my mum that i died laughing. |
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GringoMonkee |
| Posted: Oct 4 2003, 01:13
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| S-Punk |
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| Group: Members |
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| Posts: 6 |
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| Member No.: 90 |
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| Joined: 31-August 03 |
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Here's my review of the night, originally
posted on http://www.noseboard.net/.
I'm
in a reviewing mood, so here goes....
I was persuaded
by Jym (from www.TheSka.co.uk) and my girlfriend to come along
to this Moon Ska Europe organised gig, to catch Jyms faves
'Sonic Boom 6' and Danni's current Beau's 'Chairmen Of The
Bored', as well as the more popular and well-know 'Whitmore'.
Didn't really know what to expect, apart from 'COTB', having
seen them play in Rochdale a few weeks back. So here's my
review of my night....
First off the venue, Fibbers,
was excellent. Perfect size for small to medium gigs such as
this one, with an excellent sound system that really made the
bands sound the way they should.
'Chairmen Of The
Bored' - 6/10
After an entertaining set by local
ska-monkeys 'Duck Sick', the 'COTB' took to the stage. Their
simple, yet effective three-piece pop-punk is generic to say
the least but they are saved by their ear for a good hook, and
perhaps most importantly, having a good looking bastard of a
frontman in the guise of Ben (or more well know as 'Cameron'
from Hollyoaks) on guitar/vocal duties.
Recent MoonSka
signings, they did their best to entertain, certainly holding
the passive (ie: Me) audience member's attention. Whilst
having nothing spectacular to offer at present, it's obvious
to see the experince gained on this tour will stand them well
in the future. Ones to look out for in your coming months
copies of Kerrang, if they can prove themselves in the
meantime.
'Sonic Boom 6' - 9/10
If ever
there was a band that needed to be awesome to live up to what
i had been told about them, then 'SB6' are it. Casually
strolling on stage and breaking into a noisy feast of an
intro/attention grabber 'SB6' look as if they're going to
cause some pain tonight...and by-jove do they.
The
noise subsides and as quick as you can think 'King Prawn?',
singer Leila starts machine-gunning out lyrics over a backdrop
of dub, punk, metal and ska. First thoughts are of a younger
'Skindred' or 'King Prawn', with the vocal styling of a really
pissed off 'Bis'. I shit ye not. Sounds absurd? Its not......
Within about 30 seconds the dancefloor is packed with the
'Whitmore' kids slamming and skanking into each other, the
band and audience feeding off each other, and best of all,
that very rare thing at a gig - the entire crowd strolls
forward from by the bar, the bogs and the merch stall, to see
what this marvelous cacophany is all about.
Firing out
tracks from their new EP 'Turbo', including 'Blood for Oil',
and Jym's fave 'Northern Skies' (from their debut unsigned
EP), the band know they're onto a winner tonight, grinning
from ear to ear and looking like they OWN that stage. They're
not wrong. Far too soon, its all over and i'm left with a new
band to add to my 'Fuck Me!' list, whilst 'SB6' look like the
happiest band on the planet, surrounded by their new converts
in York. I suspect many, many beers were drunk afterwards, and
many, many tshirts and CD's procured by their new
'flock'.
'Whitmore' - 7/10
It's obvious
who the majority are here to see, as the crowd swells prior to
MoonSka darlings 'Whitmore' starting up. As soon, if not
before, the first chord is struck and the first beat belted
out, the crowd are going for it like loons. Despite the
temperature inside reaching reactor-core levels (the band
exclaim they are 'fucked' after 4 songs), there's no stopping
those crazy kids from enjoying their P-Rock TV
idols.
The band themselves are obviously old hands at
this punk malarkey. Even a self desctructing bass can't stop
the set as the crowd is kept entertained even in the shortest
of breaks. The tunes didn't stick, i must be honest, but their
energy and star-class shone through. A well picked
'Sublime'-esqe ditty gives the crowd a well deserved respite,
before they launch into their last few numbers, finishing with
the distinctly hummable 'Alison'.
All in all a
predictably solid set, but felt a little like they were
preaching to the converted.
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