If I was getting bored and jaded with the local music scene then last night was just the kick up the arse I needed to unravel that feeling and revive my interest. Only a true music lover would pay a fiver to get in to see the opening act before buggering off somewhere else, which is just what I did at the start of the evening as Simon York was kicking off the night at The Chameleon as support to Spiral 69 and as a big fan of his band Luxury Stranger (who once supported Spear of Destiny and wiped the floor with them) I wanted to catch him as I hadn't seen him play live solo before. I would recommend that anybody knocking around the Nottingham music scene with an acoustic guitar first goes to see Simon play a solo show before trying for themselves. You should take a notebook and pen with you to make notes on how it is done as he will make you look stupid. There are too many kids moaning about feelings that they are too young to have felt and Simon York last night knocked them all into a cocked hat. Luxury Stranger play all over the country and have (naturally) made very little impact in Nottingham, which of course draws me to them because their under the radar status appeals to my own outsider status within the scene. While there are pricks about I am happy to kick against them with company like this.
As soon as Simon finished I was on my way to Jam Cafe to catch The Rutherfords and Diablo Furs, there was someone else on the bill but he/she didn't turn up. Both bands played a blinder and the advantage of seeing something loud is that it doesn't matter if ignorant people talk through it as you can't hear them. It doesn't stop them but you can't hear them.
I genuinely believe that Diablo Furs are one of the most exciting bands on the circuit at the moment and get stronger with each appearance. You can catch them at The Maze on Sunday 1st November for my Sunday Alternative Live.
Pleased to announce that I have joined Diablo Furs as kazoo player.
The Sunday Alternative #54 is available from here.
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September housekeeping
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steveEoliver@gmail.com
