Aldershot | Ad Pontes Staines

Satellite State

Monday 4 June saw the release of a new Satellite State EP boasting what has already been described in some circles as four epic ‘stadium filling’ tracks.

The Guildford band’s eponymous EP starts with the sad and soulful sounds of “Plans”, a song that has been described as reminiscent of Snow Patrol but I think shares more similarities with material by The Editors due to the sweet sweeping synth or even to work by the progrock band Porcupine Tree for the sheer depth of longing. This is a smooth, charming and irresistible rock song for a generation that urgently needs some solace in the turmoil of these turbulent times.

Then try “Sometimes/Always” Track 2 -for rhythm, grace and rapture. With the vocals of Gary Nicks and gently increasing support from Ryan Nicks and Ciaran Stephens, this sumptuously orchestrated track- constantly flavoured by sweeping and majestic guitar-work leaves a bitter sweet aftertaste and gently washes away the cobwebs from a worn-out and cynical mind.

The third track on the EP is “One Small Step” which evokes memories of the Lightning Seeds and could be described as one of the most accessible of the songs on the album with its shimmery pop-synth sounds and grandiose vocal arrangements acting as counterpoint to the scintillating guitar.

“Lights Out”, the final track on the album, starts with simple repeated piano chords and synth-strings and Gary’s vocals standing proud of this structure. But these simple themes soon develop into an anthemic and nostalgic hymn for our times, redolent of sunny Sunday afternoons in Surrey and the strain of living and loving in a world stained by disappointment and starved of hope. But the desire is there. And the longing. Towards the end of the track the listener is left with some hope for the future, as this last song gently lifts its head suggesting light and expectation.

Does it happen sometimes or always? The promise from Satellite State is for always.

If you like Snow Patrol, Editors or even Marillion, Syn or Porcupine Tree you will adore this.

Satellite State is:

RYAN NICKS
{drums,synths,backing vocals}
CIARAN STEPHENS
{lead guitar, backing vocals}
GARY NICKS
{vocals, acoustic guitar}
WILL GRAY
{piano, synths}
IAN COOKE
{bass}

See them at:

4 Jul 2008 09:00 Redfest, Redhill
5 Jul 2008 20:00 Stage 2 @ Guilfest 2008 (on stage midday)
1 Aug 2008 20:00 Jericho Tavern, Oxford
2 Aug 2008 20:00 Water Rats, Kings Cross,
20 Sep 2008 20:00 West End Centre, Aldershot

Download the EP here

http://www.myspace.com/satellitestatemusic

Sing & Dance Along with Abba Gold at Hayes

Abba Gold at Hayes

ABBA GOLD The Beck Theatre, Hayes Friday 6 June 2008 7:30P

CLICK HERE YOUR TICKETS

The fantastic and sensational Abba Gold – Live on stage. A non stop high energy performance from one of the leading Abba tribute bands who have been thrilling audiences since 1992 with hits like Money Money Money, Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper and many more.

Get those feet tapping and vocal chords ready to sing-along to your favourite hits. A spectacular show for Abba fans of all ages – bring the whole family.

JOHN HESSENTHALER PRESENTS
ABBA GOLD
BECK THEATRE
GRANGE ROAD, HAYES
FRIDAY EVENING 19:30
6TH JUNE 2008

Get Folked Up with Eleanor McEvoy

Eleanor McEvoy

Eleanor McEvoy – June 4 2008 at West End Centre, Queens Road, Aldershot 8:00P £9

In a world where the word star and the gift of talent are often devalued, Eleanor McEvoy is neither an overnight success nor a four week wonder. A musician and songwriter of note, the real deal, possessing all of the qualities that go to make up the complete artist.

Her career began at the age of four when she took piano lessons, taking up violin at the age of eight. Upon finishing school she attended Trinity College in Dublin where she studied music by day and worked in pit orchestras and music clubs by night.Eleanor graduated from Trinity and was accepted into the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland where she worked four years before finally taking the plunge to concentrate on her passion for songwriting.

After a long hard slog, the girl who spent the year of 1988 busking in Union Square, New York had come a long way, a route that took her through the disciplines of classical music, Irish traditional music and contemporary music to a point where she finally found success in 1992.

It happened when one of her songs “Only a Woman’s Heart” inspired the title for, and appeared on, the “A Woman’s Heart” anthology album. It has since gone on to become the best selling album in Irish history, staying in the Irish Top 10 for over a year.

Since then Eleanor has gone on to become an artist and performer known throughout the world. Her critically acclaimed canon of work spans six albums, several singles and appearances on numerous compilation albums and is today recognised as Ireland’s most successful female singer songwriter having enjoyed personal chart success and numerous cover versions of her songs. (Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Phil Coulter, amongst others). Her song “All I Have” features in the most recent series of the HBO cult series “Six Feet Under”.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/emcevoymusic

http://www.westendcentre.co.uk/

Go rock with Rosenbridge at West End Centre

Rosenbridge

Rosenbridge, June 6 8:00P West End Centre, Aldershot

Rosenbridge are a three piece progressive instrumental rock band from Guildford/North Camp.

Band Members Richard Fennings – Guitar
Ben Wainhouse – Bass
Greg Foord – Drums

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/rosenbridgemusic

Also catch Rosenbridge at:

Jun 19 2008 7:15P The Peel, Kingston w/ Agent Elf + Rigid Sky

Great Band – Foulplay – at Ye Old Swan, Burnham

Foulplay

Fouplay- Jun 7 2008 9:00P Ye Old Swan, Burnham , Berks

The time (before last) that we saw Foul Play at the cosy and bijou ‘pubette’ that is the Jolly Farmer, Staines, the band had managed to squeeze their four-piece guitar-based band plus amps & speakers plus some keyboards with female vocalist (plus two backing singers), into a space that was just about big enough to seat a pot-plant.
(They normally keep the pot plant on the corner table by the window.)

On that night, the band kept bringing out more and more songs from their plentiful archives like some kind of deranged ‘rock school’ lecturers.

“Do you remember Little Richard? No, well here’s some. Do you remember Rockabilly? No, well here’s some. Do you remember Surf Music? No, well here’s some”….their repertoire included everything ( as in EVERYTHING) from bygone ages of old-time rock and roll and skiffle, through to classics from the glam-rock seventies, big numbers from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and even into modern indie rock territory. I was astonished when the five piece ( and mainly guitar-based combo, remember) attempted- and pulled off with some aplomb- some 2-Tone British Ska.

That was the time before last.

When we saw the band last summer they had a new lead guitar player in the shape of Pete Downes – and, boy, can he play !!!

The lead singer, Lee Ridley, (who uncannily resembles David Brent) is still the main dynamo for the group and provides some nice chunky chords for Pete Downes to ornament and adorn. But they have now ‘lost’ the keyboards. But they retain Carl Gaywood on drums and Huw Stokes on Bass.

When did you last see a band without keyboards attempt a Pink Floyd number? It is typical of these boys to attempt Pink Floyd now they DON’T have keyboards any longer! Yep! The Foul Play boys even did a track from Dark Side of the Moon… God bless ‘em.

So if you like classic rock, and you like some fancy guitar work, and you like a good old sing-song why not go on a musical journey through the entire seven ages of rock with Foul Play?

You could do lot worse than coming down the Jolly Farmer the next night the boys are playing. It could be an education.

[Below] David Brent … sorry Lee Ridley foreground, with Pete Downes on lead

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/foulplayuk

http://www.petedownes.com

YE OLD SWAN : 34 High Street, Burnham, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 7JP

Also see Fouplay at:

Jun 14 2008

9:00P

The Carpenters’ Arms

Hayes, London and South East

Jun 28 2008

9:00P

The Red Lion

Egham, London and South East

Jul 26 2008

9:00P

Filthy McNasty’s at The Red Lion

Twickenham

Aug 9 2008

9:00P

Ye Olde Swan

Burnham, London and South East

Sep 6 2008

9:00P

The Red Lion

Egham, London and South East

Sep 27 2008

9:00P

The Jolly Farmer

Staines, London and South East

Oct 4 2008

9:00P

Ye Olde Swan

Burnham, London and South East

Dec 13 2008

9:00P

The Red Lion

Egham, London and South East

Dec 19 2008

9:00P

The Jolly Farmer

Staines, London and South East

Dec 20 2008

9:00P

Ye Olde Swan

Burnham, London and South East

Laugh out loud with Andrew Lawrence at Walkabout

Andrew Lawrence Comedy

Andrew Lawrence -Sat 07 June 2008 20:30 Walkabout, Putney London

with Scott Cappuro, Colin Cole

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Andrew Lawrence’s dark, musical comedy landed him a place in the final of So You Think You’re Funny? in 2003, and won him the BBC New Act of the Year Competition the following year. His debut Edinburgh show in 2006 was nominated for the if.comedy best newcomer title, and his 2007 follow-up nominated for the main award.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/andrewlawrencecomedy

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Get Your Tickets for Beck Theatre, Hayes

The Beck Theatre
Grange Road
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 2UE