Search for musical quality performed on Saturday, 22nd November 2008.
musical quality
We found the term musical quality in 118 articles.
Band Profile: David Thomas Broughton
acoustic folk
After touring and recording with New Jersey art-underground outfits such as Van Pelt and The Lapse, Chris Leo took a brief sojourn to write the novel "White Pigeons".
The Hypes are a 4-piece band from Leeds. They formed the band in 2007 and since have being creating quality musical material.
Columbus Dixon: Nothing Concrete Ltd
Newcastle four-piece Columbus Dixon play tightly shaped acidic rock music with an inventive edge. The playing is the most enduring quality in this four track EP.
There is a marked progression between this record and the last supreme effort, 'Walking Lonely Streets': not only does the sound quality seem to fare far better, but it is in the musical arrangements and lyrics that the band truly prove their longevity.
Diverse: It's Making Me Crazy EP
Diverse. A word true to fact in this band, as five people from backgrounds ranging from members of senior choir to musical freaks come together and create a musical sound which is so new in today's scene with two vocalists.
Go to a folk gig... what is that about? Well, I've been into Kate Rusby's music since I got her excellent album "10" as a present from a discerning music lover.
David Thomas Broughton releases "The Complete Guide to Insufficiency" ...
The debut release by David Thomas Broughton will be "The Complete Guide to Insufficiency", a five track 40 minute CD on the Leeds-based Birdwar Records label that was recorded in one complete take in Wrangthorn Church hall, Leeds.
The Baddies: Monkeys in their Money Suits
Wow, it's another nu-mod punk band, but hey, they aint half bad, they have a real catchy sound as this live mini EP shows.
I heard Change My Mind on BBC 6 Music this week and rather liked it, but as usually happens with me I didn't have a clue who I was listening to.
The Dance To The Radio seal of quality gets yet more credibility with this debut release from Yes Boss.
Various Artists: Anthems From The Phantom
Anthems From The Phantom is a compilation released by fledgling record label Phantom Power Records, based in Sheffield, and consequently weighted heavily towards Sheffield and Derby artists though not exclusively so.
This second self-released EP, from Manchester based 4 piece Finka, carries on what the band's "The Whistleblower" EP started a mere 6 months ago.
Computerman: No More Broken Hearts
I first look at the back of this CD sleeve and I'm thinking to myself they look like every single asymmetrical gender bender who goes to the Cockpit on a Friday night (this is not a good thing!) so I'm praying that the quality of music on the CD is going to be better than the air conditioning at the sweat-pit.
Band Profile: Anti-depressants
alternative rock
Entering the cool downstairs bar of The Wardrobe I'm greeted by a sea of the city's most beautiful inhabitants.
Just as the simple album title so glaringly suggests, Jim is Jamie Lidell's most conventional release yet...
Plasticine: The Man Who Makes Volcanoes
Describing yourself as the sort of band journalists hate to write about because you are so genre defying is equivalent to tying up a lamb in front of a lion...
In recent years, so many Bradford bands have passed through without a mention, by not living up to the hype that has been set by their peers.
Hailing from Detroit, Deadstring Brothers have delivered a fine album worth of songs that evoke thoughts of 'Exile On Main Street'.
As ninepoundnote so politely put it, "Well there's people judging music on originality. I move my feet if I like the beat and that's good enough for me!" Well my ska punk playing friend this is Leeds Music Scene and you won't get far with that attitude.
Instant Species: The Longer You Leave It, The Louder It Gets...
Lured by some professional quality graphics I bought Instant Species' "Home Alone" CD last year. I ended up a bit disappointed by what I thought of at the time as bleak plodding music.
The cognoscenti gathered in the music room of the Grove as light slowly faded across a daylong sky of flawless blue.
This is the first single release from the Dance to the Radio label that doesn't feature a Leeds artist.
There's an air of anticipation at the Blank Canvas, tickets have been trading for silly money and there are people here who wouldn't usually venture out to see a band on a Monday evening.
Now this my friends is indefinably kooky, a little bit whey a little bit whoa, slightly off centre, away from the norm, granted a bit geeky but nevertheless something smoulderingly original that you will not have come across before.
Baggage is unfortunately in possession of the dodgiest 5 second intro in music history and you generally have to stick to the rule that anything which reminds you instantly of The Darkness can not be a good thing.
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex: Life Begins Again
This release sees the return of rock veteran Jimmy Chamberlain, getting behind his drum kit again following his involvement in some of the most memorable musical moments of the 90s, as drummer for both Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan.
With nagging question marks over the quality of independent music in Britain it's always mightily refreshing to stumble across a promising outfit such as the Leeds based Vest For Tysso.
Futuresound 2006: thirty bands given opportunity to play at Leeds Festival
Futuresound 2006 organisers have today announced the thirty bands that will take part in the annual event that will eventually see six bands selected to appear at this year's Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival.
Lily Allen, the 21 year old daughter of rock and roll legend Keith Allen seems to have caused quite a stir of late and The Faversham buzzed this evening with a sold out crowd comprising of quite a mixed bag of individuals - there were those looking to check out the potential 'next big thing', there were those who were probably fans of her father and saw her mentioned in The Observer, there were minor celebrities (Alex Carter from Emmerdale) and even the odd major one ( Ricky Wilson and Simon Rix of Kaiser Chiefs fame).
Line up announced for Futuresound 2005...
Futuresound Music have today confirmed which thirty bands have got through to the next round of their annual unsigned competition, Futuresound 2005.
Kid iD: That Dreaded Monster What If
Bright young things Kid iD charmingly fuse a clean living blend of acoustic blues and folk, occasionally tinkering with bordering genres to mixed effect.
It is said everybody is worth their 5 minutes of fame. Be it car crash reality TV carnage or that guy who once streaked at Wimbledon, everyone deserves their moment of glory no matter how fleeting.
Tiger Shadow @ Leeds Festival 2008
Tiger Shadow were a late addition to the Introducing Stage. Being such a recent arrival on the Leeds scene that this is only their third gig as a band.
The Sleepy Jackson: God Lead Your Soul
The timing couldn't be better for the return of Australian eccentrics The Sleepy Jackson as they release the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album 'Personality'.
Salivating over the artists on show tonight, I was going to come here tonight regardless of whether I was reviewing the show or not.
A smiling six piece band with trumpet, trombone, drums, percussion, bass, guitar and vocals, all played with serious pro skills can hardly go wrong in the festival sunshine.
There's going to be a sequel! The charity CD will launch this year's CD at Leeds newest venue The Platform
Guns'n'Roses @ Leeds Festival 2002
August bank holiday weekend rolls around again and this years Leeds festival will rock!!! Anticipation is high after an amazing return for the Glastonbury festival earlier on in the year.
The world is undoubtedly a better, not to mention considerably more interesting place with The Butterfly in it.
Arctic Monkeys: Leave Before The Lights Come On
Despite being a firm believer that the hype surrounding New Yorkshire's success story, Arctic Monkeys, is entirely justified I didn't want to believe the latest hype surrounding them...
Beneath Augusta: Mellonova 00-03
Something must be happening in Canada these days. From the nation that brought us such luminaries as Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, and the miserable Alanis Morisette, the country that sits atop the United States of America is quietly out-doing their southern neighbour for quality musical exports.
The Boy Tate: In The Head Of The Ice Cream Girl
Well, thanks, Dave. 12 tracks, a terrible band name and an even worse title. I cursed the day the editor was born, reached for my trusty Star Trek phaser and set it to "snore".
Beautiful Feet @ Royal Park Cellars
I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that as much as anything else when it comes to gigs, the 'flow' of an evening's entertainment is as important as the quality of the music in catching and holding people's attention.
Various Artists: Full Charge: High Voltage Sounds Compilation
What with all the exciting musical happenings occurring in our own backyard at the moment, we folk of West Yorkshire could be accused of having become ever so slightly introspective when it comes to seeking out our sonic thrills these days.
More funky house music? Oh yes. King Booty sound like some sort of cross between those endless 'chilled dance music' CDs you see clogging up valuable space in Virgin Megastores and the sound of French dance music from about 1998 - 1999.
Electric Soft Parade @ Cockpit
Icelandic moodsmiths Lorien aren't exactly influenced by the Sex Pistols. No, Radiohead are probably more their bag.
Band Profile: Bikini Black Special
indie pop
Already widely regarded as one of the most musically gifted and technically astute bands currently holed up in Leeds, tonight was another night where the immaculately attired red and black attack upped it a gear and unleashed holy hell all over another set of baiting followers and potential converts.
Tonight was unlike the typical gig where, if you want to catch the first band, you have to rush your tea and give yourself indigestion running down to the venue for at least 8 o'clock.
Stuffy and The Fuses: Join me or Die!
Stuffy and the Fuses crash in like a lump of hard coal through the window. There's a scary noise, some local damage, and a cold wind rushes in behind.
For the first time in the running of this competition have I managed to find out what the rules are for scoring, and what catgories the judges are marking out of.
Guitars. Lots and lots of guitars. Leather, screaming girls, sweat, passion, sex, sleaze, bourbon. Just some of the things that pop into my head when I think of the words Rock n Roll.
Dashboard Confessional: Don't Wait
Acoustic-emo superstars Dashboard Confessional are back after two years of writing and recording the follow up to the 2003's million selling "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar".
Full line up for Futuresound 2004 is announced...
Futuresound Music can now confirm which thirty bands have got through to the next round of their unsigned competition, Futuresound 2004.
The Amazing Pilots @ Royal Park Cellars
Any band with a name containing the word "fury" give you a huge hint as to what they're going to sound like before playing a note, so it's no surprise that Two Wheel Fury provide a riotous, fun affair ranging from punk to alternative rock sounds.
Violet, Indigo, Blue: Green, Yellow, Orange, Red. The colours of a rainbow when you stand on your head.
30 minutes of careful mood setting music. It's rhythmically well under control, it's well played and thoughtfully arranged.
First onstage tonight are the Bradford-based quintet Seven Hours, who mix a dose of funk into their otherwise straight-ahead rock sound.
O Fracas @ Brudenell Social Club
At surely one of Leeds' most important live venues, the monthly Engine Room is always worth a visit. Unfortunately it would seem that due to soundproofing deficiencies, the Council have threatened the Brudenell with closure.
Interview: The Dave Bakewell Plot
Andy Roberts finds out about the Halifax music scene...
Colin Mounsey: The Hungry Pig EP
This vintage quality EP has five full-bodied songs from Colin Mounsey (aka The Hungry Pig). Colin is a recent solo arrival in Leeds as a fully-formed songwriter and performer with a lavish sense of musical adventure, having served time with Blue Planet and Anabasis.
Received wisdom has it that Steer are something of an acquired taste. On the basis of this performance it is difficult to fathom what it is that needs to be acquired to appreciate their music other than a pair of fairly basic functioning ears.
Chevron's two-track CD release on the Valentine label is a chaotic splurge of grungy-school-kid rock with an unsteady blast of musical intelligence struggling to escape.
Regardless of how bad a day it might have been for everyone here this evening, for those who managed to catch i concur's set, things certainly improved - brilliant performances like this transcend most contexts.
A good name, a good front cover, and a kudos-worthy work ethic, and oh boy it fits in my CD player like a penis in a vagina.
Various Artists: Gnarly Dude 2
Compiled by Voltage Records head honcho Tim Walker in conjunction with the skate website middle-age-shred.com, the sequel to the original "Gnarly Dude!" compilation features 23 bands from across Britain and the U.S.A.
"George Harrison isn't dead" Well that's according to the pensioner who took it upon himself to stand by the speakers throughout the whole of Dakota's performance, waving his walking stick and strutting his stuff, heckling at the poor lads, putting fear into the lives of those who dared breathe let alone stand more than a couple of metres from his well-guarded stage front.
Last Letter @ Stinky's Peephouse
Having frequented Stinky's Peep House a couple of occasions before for a number of house/drum and bass nights, I must admit the venue did not register as the most obvious place where you would expect to find a rock gig on a Thursday night.
The first band were STONEFISH who I'd never seen before. The things that struck me were the singer's amazing natural voice and the guitarist's energy.
We're Not The Cool Kids: I'm A Hungry Little Girl EP
If somebody told me that Mary Cook (a.k.a. We're Not The Cool Kids) lived an entirely solitary existence, away from anybody else's music or influence, I think I'd believe them, at least for a minute (that being the minute that someone informed me that there was a Springsteen cover on her EP).
The Checks are one of those extremely rare bands whose musical output is far more advanced than they are in age - put simply, this fresh-faced New Zealand band were in the right place at the right time when talent was being, unequally, handed out.
A Swedish hitchhiker near York asked if I played a musical instrument and when the answer was no he told me he was returning from Ireland.
Tonight's showcase at Josephs Well was in aid of Link Community Development to raise money for the Leeds University Hitch hike to Morocco.
Upon recent visits to The Vine I must admit to being impressed by the seemingly more coherent approach taken to choosing the line-ups for nights, with what appears to be more consideration given to how compatible bands are both in terms of their musical style and fanbase.
There's something about The Cut that just keeps me coming back for more and it's frustrating that as a music journalist I can't articulate that je ne sais quoi.
Grimper: Straight out with the Worcesters
Grimper are very nearly wonderful. "Straight out with the Worcesters" is a private labour of much love and great ambition.
OK, here's a strange one - a CD that comes with a disclaimer! Apparently it's "by no means EP quality and the songs aren't the finished article", but having enjoyed the USA live onslaught, I was keen for a listen all the same.
Various Artists: Big Tunes: Ministry of Sound
If you are part of the clubbing scene at the moment, you will either already be familiar with these tunes, or you soon will be as they continue to make waves in the clubs.
To say this was a popular night would be somewhat of an understatement. We were packed and packed in proper...
Bright Young Things 2008: the 15 successful bands are revealed
Following an intense two-day judging process, the fifteen successful acts for Bright Young Things 2008 have been announced today.
First up, playing to a half empty square, are The Motorettes. These Geordie guys aren't half bad really, even though they fit the mould of typical indie rockers.
The Twilight Singers: Blackberry Belle
So you start off as a crazy youth with point blank attitude and more guts than sense. You play in stupid venues and say yes to everything and anything, including a name to die with: "Afghan Whigs".
Minus The Bear @ Joseph's Well
Minus The Bear are a breathtakingly awesome band with a sound so in tune with the times whilst being apart from other bands of the guitar-electronics melody section, base-drums rhythm section set up.
Tupamaros @ Royal Park Cellars
First - an apology to NONE OF THEM KNEW THEY WERE ROBOTS - as I trotted down the steps of The Cellars for this my first "Collective AKA" night, I heard the final chord of their set and saw the singer lie down on the stage.
Leeds Parish Church is such a perfect venue for a band like Low. As soon as the bright eyed crowd had filled up the carved choir stalls, the boxed pews, the balconies and the nave seating it was obviously going to be something special.
The Swedish four piece trip daintily on stage, accompanied by a hurdy gurdy soundtrack that conjures up images of accordion playing moustachioed fellows and Heidi running through lush meadows.
A night of ROCK down the Royal Park... when isn't it these days? The Royal Park is getting a name for itself now as a more rock sort of venue, possibly due to promoter Steve Kind's insistance that all bands rock at all times.
Efterklang @ Brudenell Social Club
It's an absolute truth that gigs vary wildly in quality and, even at heights where every single punter comes away completely astonished, it's more than extremely rare to have headliners and supports that live up to and even exceed expectations.
This 10 track CD on Eggbert Records is a celebration of traditional guitar pop values. Danny Slack, Sam Forrest, Dave Hunt and Tom Johnson do timeless craftsman-built songs as if English punk had never happened.
A prolific indie band and a back-to-basics set from a folk-rock band interspersed with poems sung by a rather quirky young man to backing tracks on an iPod were always going to make for an extremely odd gig experience.
Tonight may be billed as 'Forest of Sound Vs Gizeh Records', but the musically complementary and socially affable dynamic between the two rooms, and quite literal musical-chairs of collaboration going on in the Packhorse, negate any connotations of rivalry.
I didn't have a clue who the support was going to be this evening, so I eagerly awaited the arrival of the support band: Captain.
International Trust @ Brudenell Social Club
I'm a prat. Got my times muddled and missed out on opening band Chops. Oops. I hear they were stupid but great, so that's that one hastily out of the way.
Rose Kemp @ Love Apple (Bradford)
Blank generation disco is the new monthly live music night at the Love Apple, Bradford, a venue that is well worth the train journey from Leeds, or wherever you may be coming from.
Ske: Life, Death, Happiness & Stuff
OK, this is getting ridiculous... yet another Icelandic band ventures down south for some loving. Ske (which means 'happening' in Icelandic, but 'slut' in Japanese) are a collection of writers and musicians that work in the fields of theatre music, film music and TV ad jingles that decided to make an album of guitar based pop songs.
¡Forward, Russia!: Life Processes
Let's take a leaf out of the Life Processes book and get straight on with this one (it's precisely three seconds before the first of many huge choruses on display here).
Considering the torrential rain wiping out anything on the streets across Leeds, the Well was surprisingly full.
The Trophy Cabinet: The First Xi
The Colour Blind James Experience, Robyn Hitchcock, Lloyd Cole, New Order, Edwyn Collins, Blue Nile, Yo La Tengo, Sin Ropas, Cosmic Rough Riders, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.
Million Dead: Harmony No Harmony
Million Dead are f**king awesome. No. Seriously. Folks. They really are. If 2003's debut effort 'A Song To Ruin' passed you by somewhat, firstly you are indeed a foolish human being and secondly, this, album number two, if you give it half a chance, will suck you in and spit you out believing THIS is something special and Million Dead are one of, if not the, best band in Britain right now.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ The Vine
It's been a weird day. October has gone from cold to colder to coldest. Today, the corn exchange and I witnessed Rik Mayall buying a shit t-shirt (emblazoned with "No-one knows I'm a lesbian" or a slogan of the same ilk) from my mate's shop.
The memories are hazy, the order of events may not be quite right but I know two things; beer flows freely in The Fav and amazingly it didn't rain, or at least certainly not enough to water down my Sol or to kill any of the musicians on stage.
AntiProduct @ Brudenell Social Club
Sex, Drugs, Profanity, Leaping, Stripping, Heckling, Moshing, Exploding Equipment, Biting the heads off bats...
Various Artists: This Is The New (art/goes/pop sampler)
I love art/goes/pop: they found me when they went looking and proceed to send me top quality compact discs like this little gem which compiles some of their glorious little upstarts onto one disc.
OFM @ Counting House (Pontefract)
"Doncaster's finest" reads the promo. Overzealous PR, or straight-laced fact? My mission - uncover the truth.
Badly Drawn Boy: Have You Fed the Fish
Badly Drawn Boy's "Have You Fed the Fish" (AKA All Possibilities) is a recording project devoted to two questions: "who is Damon Gough?", and "how can he survive as an aspiring artist in 2002?".
As another long night bleeds into another bright, sunny day, bleary eyed tent dwellers emerge from their probably now a little bit on the stale side canvas abodes to see out the last day of the festival.
By all rights Shatner really ought to be extinct. Given that the Big Brothers who quietly go about the business of corrupting the nation's youth decided to adopt the policies of Pol Pot somewhere around the late 90s, someone ought to have got round to sending Jim Bower & co to the glue factory by now.
Funeral for a Friend @ The Refectory
Who was Franz Ferdinand? He was an arch-Duke of the Austro Hungarian Empire until 1914 when he was killed by an assassin in Sarajevo.
Tonight it's a six band special with some of the Leeds and District gentry cavorting on the same boards.
I arrived at the Cockpit at about 8.00 pm and was pleasantly surprised to see the venue very busy for that time of night and on a Monday.
One Bullet Left @ Snooty Fox (Wakefield)
The Snooty Fox in Wakefield is slightly different to the majority of pubs that you'll will have no doubt drank in.
The Scaramanga Six: Cabin Fever
"Glad you all could join me, on another pointless journey". So begins the 2nd album proper of Wrath's finest premium export The Scaramanga Six.
I give you fair warning. I am about to break the ancient, time-honoured and globally respected code of the International Covenant of Authors, Note-Takers, Writers, Reviewers, Interviewers, Talkers and Editors (or ICANTWRITE for short) covering the critique of musical releases and/or performances on precisely 2 counts. In fact one of these has already been broken. So apologies if this warning comes too late in the day and has already caused you unnecessary distress.
The Sunshine Underground @ Faversham
Maybe it was the prospect of seven hundred ("Seven hundred??!") people squishing like marinaded sardines into the Faversham with such proximity that all sorts of potentially frisky things could happen; maybe it was the atmospheric buzz zipping about visibly like an electric-blue bolt of lightning over an array of extravagantly-varied haircuts; or maybe it was the range of world beers on offer but, whichever way, The Fourth Festival Of Nasty proved to be one stonking, stamping, stage-invading beast of an event with antlers Pan himself would have been proud of pronged firmly up its derrière.
'Twas a blustery wet night on Sunday 12th March 2006 when I forced my way into a packed out Cockpit in Leeds, to interview not only a legend, to all self respecting indie lovers, but also a rather splendid chap! In the immortal words of Take That would The Wonder Stuff be back for good?
Iron Maiden @ Leeds Festival 2005
Dark sky in the morning, festival goers warning. Fucking brilliant ensemble of bands on the main stage tonight, festival goers delight.