Imicus – Hobgoblin, Staines – 7 May 2009

Miller-Imicusx500

The National Union of Imicus – Hobgoblin, Staines – May 7th 2009

Rock, as we know,  is theatre and this band knows how to play a crowd. The crowd is clapping for a while and the band has been playing ‘long time’ before the singer even takes to the stage. And when he does I really can’t help thinking that he reminds me of someone. For a start, lead singer Miller appears to be an eighties throwback (think a cross between Gary Numan and the Cure’s Robert Smith ) And, Sorry, Imicus, you are probably not gonna forgive me for this… but this is the second time in a week that I have had to compare a singer to Tony Hadley… I know it sounds mad but it’s true. The vocal style of Miller (with and without the growls) is Spandau-esque. Yes, I know that Hadley didn’t perform groove melodies, death growls etc, and I know you think I’m mad but still, I am right… if you look / listen you will agree with me.

The song ‘Inveigle’ went down well with the large crowd at Hobgoblin, Staines – bellowing wolfhound bass notes and thudding great drums hunting you down like an army of orcs raging across the border of oblivion. Contrasted with the golden lines of strings and occasional pinch harmonics, lush and rich lead breaks from Billy and the whole damn effect was other-worldly, dark and devastatingly addictive musicianship. Superb stuff.

My favourite ‘Imicus’ number was the slowest song in their repertoire ‘Isolation Dawn’ with its bitter melancholy edge and a Gothic, earthy sub-text. This number starts as raindrops on a pool of silence and ends in a climax of earth shattering shuddering release.

‘Animal Factory’ with its classic-rock sounding lead guitar breaks laid against the blackest of black velvet gauntlets also gained enthusiastic applause at The Hob. This was a thing of sparkling glory. A black diamond.

Billy plays lead guitar with a rare emotion and skill, and so, it seems, sirens and demons spiral and twirl from his dark strings. These are often beaten down by the raging rattling and unpredictable percussion from Dale and doomy bass notes from Steve, with darkly woven textures from Dan on rhythm guitar. But then, like mystical genies, the lighter guitar  sounds begin to rise again like  fireflies in  the  smoke to  encourage and enchant the enraptured audience  ( check the track ‘Visceral’ to appreciate this.)

This band has already gone down well at this year’s Hammerfest and is due to play at the 2009 BULLDOG BASH FESTIVAL. It is no surprise to learn that the band has recently been signed to TRANSCEND RECORDS and it is a tribute to the good folk at Buckle Up Promotions that they managed to secure this young band for us metal-heads of Staines.

The finale ‘Oedema’ with its melodic hardcore overtures reminded me of ‘Killswitch Engage’ or even melodic death metal bands like ‘In Flames’ – this is a progressive, nutritious and amazing number with unexpected twists and turns and heavy sludgy riffs led, as always, outrageously and energetically, by Miller’s vocals and Billy’s guitar.  Satisfying and motivating stuff.

Billy - Imicus Lead Guitar

Billy - Imicus Lead Guitar

If you like your heavy metalcore sounds to include an enticing classic rock attitude (acceptable to Motörhead or Black Sabbath fans) then you should really take time to listen to this band, or better yet, catch ‘em live.

© Neil_Mach
May 2009

Link:  http://www.myspace.com/imicus

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5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.


Hardcore Rock – Live in Staines This Week


Imicus at Staines


Imicus

May 07 2009

Hobgoblin

Staines



supporting/ BLOODLOSS & WITHOUT THOUGHT


Imicus
formed at the turn of the year 2005…

Early highlights in 2009 have included being part of the first ever
Hellfire festival at Islington academy alongside acts such as Breed 77,
Sabbat, Exit Ten, Malefice, Romeo Must Die, Forever Never and Sacred
Mother Tongue.

They are now going through the signing process with Transcend Records…

MILLER (VOCALS)

DALE (DRUMS)

BILLY (LEAD GUITAR)

STEVE (BASS)

DAN (GUITAR)

Links:

www.myspace.com/imicus


Buckle Up Staines


http://www.buckleuppromotions.com

For
LIVE MUSIC REVIEWS  in STAINES keep checking WWW.ADPONTES.CO.UK

Here are the links for BLOODLOSS REVIEW and WITHOUT THOUGHT Review

2.


West Coast Jazz Live at Ascot


Allison Neale - Jagz Ascot


Allison Neale

Quartet

May 10 2009

Jagz

Ascot


Allison Neale Quartet


Allison Neale is a jazz saxophonist and flautist. born in
Seattle, USA, and raised in Northamptonshire, UK. She has been playing
alto from an early age, assimilating the stylistic approach of many
players, but above all Paul Desmond and Art Pepper, with whom she still
has a particular affinity. Spending her formative years playing alto in
the midland youth jazz orchestra, she had the opportunity to perform
with many leading international artists such as Adelaide Hall, Bud
Shank, and Lanny Morgan, amongst others. she also held the flute chair
in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra between 1996 and 1998. after
completing a Ba(Hons) in performing arts at de Montfort University,
Allison attended the Guildhall school of music and drama in London,
where she attained a postgraduate diploma in jazz and studio music. The
Allison Neale Quartet features Dave Cliff on guitar, Simon Thorpe on
bass, and Steve Brown on drums.



Upcoming shows


Sunday, 10th May

Show will start at Doors 12.30pm, two sets 1pm to 3.30pm

Ticket cost: £6.00

Special entrance and roast lunch £12



Links:


http://www.myspace.com/allisonnealemusic


3.


Powerful Rock Covers – Windsor



Axis at Old Ticket Hall Windsor




Axis

May 08 2009

Old Ticket Hall

Windsor


AXIS is a powerful rock covers band making some serious waves on the local music scene. You haven’t heard AXIS until you have heard them
live as performing live is what they love. You can expect to hear rock
favorites from the 70s era thru today. Performing hits in our own AXIS
style from Nickelback to Pink Floyd from Greenday to Lynyrd Skynryd,
from U2 to The Eagles and everything in between + DJ PLAYING
80’s & 90’s HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM

The
Old Ticket Hall Windsor & Eton Riverside Station

5/8/2009 8:00 PM at AXIS

THE OLD TICKET HALL, WINDSOR, SL4

Links:

www.myspace.com/axisrockyou

Also on at the Old Ticket Hall this week:

Grouper

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND…GROUPER play songs from Coldplay Travis TheStrokes Stereophonics Wheatus Van Morrisson Wild Cherry James BrownEagle Eye Cherry Toploader Steelers Wheel Kinks Beatles Dandy WarholsLenny Kravitz Chili Peppers Reef… AND MANY,MANY MORE! FOR MORE INFO
VISIT  + DJ PLAYING 80’s & 90’s
HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM

www.grouperband.co.uk/

4.


New Wave Punk Covers – Live at  Hampton


Scam 69 at Royal Oak, Hampton


Scam 69

May 09 2009

Royal Oak

Hampton


A tribute to the classic hits of 1977-1982


Scam 69 are widely regarded as the finest New Wave Tribute act in the UK.
Scam 69 authentically reproduce the sounds and energy of the Clash, the
Undertones, the Buzzcocks, the Stranglers, the Adverts and many more…


Links:

http://www.myspace.com/scam69com

Royal Oak Hampton

45 Oak Ave, Hampton, TW12 3BS

http://www.theroyaloakhampton.co.uk/


5.


Local Alt Rock band  -   Live in Staines



Instincts of Nature- Sticky Fungus Staines


Instincts of

Nature

May 07 2009

Sticky Fungus

Staines

w/ Big Truck – Powerful,
melodic rock with a punch. Emotive stuff…


Instincts of Nature are a STAINES band mixing elements/influences of grunge, punk and even the Chilis (a big rock soup)!

Time: May 7, 2009 at 8pm to May 8, 2009 at 1am

Location: Sticky Fungus

Street: Elmsleigh Road

City/Town: Staines

Doors open at 8pm. £5 entry. Over 18′s only (ID required)

Links:

www.myspace.com/instinctsofnature





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At the Bridges – Staines Live Music News

funguslogo
So STICKY FUNGUS is finally opening YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST- the new STAINES LIVE MUSIC venue replacing The Exchange/Cheekees is planning some run-throughs next week before an opening night on March 25th.

Keep a Watch on this space for announcements…

I met the smooth grungers The Meat Eating Orchids at Sticky Fungus Staines last week as they were prepping for a run-through for the sounds/stage …. they loved the new live venue and will be back to play to a big crowd at the new venue soon, soon, soon.

They are also playing The Hobgoblin Staines on Apr 23rd check them at http://www.myspace.com/themeateatingorchids

Wow – we had a great time at The Hob on Thursday night 19th – Albany Down played a terrific set … bags of passion and noise. These lads are the new Rolling Stones!  This weekend they are doing live-radio… We wish ‘em well.  They were supported by sexy-Sadie fronted band The Daquiris- who put on a steadfast show…covering stuff from Katrina and The Waves and (yep it is true I didn’t dream it) her ‘Dollyness’  the Parton – this band sound a little like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Mudhoney so please try to see them next time they are in town.

Last time Without Thought came to Staines we described the show as “thermodynamic energy and sheer vibrancy and the whole product is one brutal burst of starlight”    >SEE REVIEW HERE> Well, it seems you had better come and see what all the fuss is about because they are playing our Middlesex hometown again… Sticky Fungus on Apr 13 2009  and also our favourite friendly venue The Hobgoblin on May 7…

That brilliant Indie-Blues band LOS will be playing Sticky Fungus Apr 11th – this band are a local favourite with an amazing sound and huge vitality…

Beutiful honey-voiced Cate Ferris and Afterspark will be in town 19th April at The Hob along with ‘Apple in My Teeth’ pop-folk boy wonder David Gibb.

Brutal local metal band Bloodloss are up Apr 12 at The Hobgoblin…

We hear that the Sticky Fungus ‘run through’ bands this week will be The Sketch, Over and Out and fIN on Wednesday and Instincts of Nature, Five Foot Something and Foulplay on Thursday !! We have heard that the funky ‘Junkyard Scientists‘ will be playing on the official opening night….

5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Purge and Bloodloss at Staines

Purge at Staines

Oct 31 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin (Halloween Fancy Dress!)

SPECIAL HALLOWEEN SHOW

Purge is a furious mix of distortion-fueled guitar accompanied by seat-tearing bass and knockout percussion is shot at with a colt 45 of gravelly chants and rhyme delivering glory. Crushing heavy rock. Never a better solution

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/purgeuk

BLOODLOSS

2.

Get some Latin Voice – Georgia Mancio

georgia mancio at Ascot


Nov 2 2008      1:00P Jagz Ascot,  Georgia Mancio

Georgia Mancio is a London-based jazz singer and has been working professionally since 2000 – fortunate enough to have collaborated with many inspiring musicians including the amazing experience of performing at the London Jazz Festival as part of an acapella choir led by Bobby McFerrin. She recorded her first album, PEACEFUL PLACE, in 2003 and have just released TRAPEZE, a mix of jazz standards and songs from Chile, Italy, Cuba and Brazil. Both albums are on indie label, Roomspin Records and distributed in the U.K. by Proper. The accompanying 23 date tour for Trapeze began with a support slot at Ronnie Scott’s opposite Cedar Walton and included: The Pizza Express Jazz Club, Wakefield, Ipswich, Swanage Jazz Festival, The Hawth, the 606, Harri’s and The Fleece

Sunday, 2nd November
Show will start at 1pm to 3.30pm
Ticket cost: £6.00
Special entrance and roast lunch £12

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/georgiamancio


3.

Twickenham Locals- Marner Brown

Marner Brown - Filthys Twickenham at Westfield Opening

Oct 29 2008      9:00P Filthys     Twickenham Marner Brown

Formed in 2004, Marner Brown are the next phase of Twickenham’s Rock and Roll Legacy. Fiachra Kerrigan (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Aaron A Grimes (Lead Guitar), Jacob Hollebon (Bass Guitar), John Wildgoose (Keyboards, Backing Vocals) and James Irving (Drums) are making music exciting, energetic and raw again. Over the past three years they have played with and supported some great acts. In 2006 alone they were on a UK tour with The Feeling, supported Whitesnake (Hammersmith Apollo, May) and The Towers of London (ULU and 100 Club) as well as headlining the T4 Popworld Promotes Tour (Madame JoJos). 2007 has been fantastic for the guys. They supported Babyshambles in January, have a nationwide tour planned for Autumn 07 and won VIRGIN XTREME Best Indie Band at the INDY awards in May out of 40,000 live acts.

It is apparent almost immediately that these guys are destined for greatness. They are an extremely tight outfit, both musically and visually. With such influences as: Led Zeppelin; The Rolling Stones; Jimi Hendrix; The Faces; Supergrass; The Stone Roses and Kula Shaker, Marner Brown have a lot to live up to. However, with these five collaborating to produce the Marner sound, they’re more than capable. John Wildgoose is an accomplished keyboard player whose pitch perfect ear makes him an invaluable member of the group and his harmonies add a strong flavour to the bands sound. Jacob Hollebon and James Irving (22-20′s), provide a tight and energetic rhythm section. Both accomplished musicians in their own right, they are the backbone of the group. To describe Aaron A Grimes as simply a guitarist would be doing him a great injustice, he is one of the brightest young stars emerging from the UK music scene. Both he and Fiachra are all round musicians. With a voice likened to Rod Stewart and an amazing talent for song writing, Fiachra Kerrigan is a future superstar fronting one of the future great rock and roll bands!

Also see them at the WESTFIELD opening:

Oct 30 2008     7:00P Westfield Centre – Showcase Stage     Shepherds Bush

Oct 31 2008     7:15P Westfield Centre – Showcase Stage     Shepherds Bush

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/marnerbrownband

4.

Hardcore Rock at Shepherds Bush

Without Thought at Shepherds Bush Empire

Oct 31 2008      8:00P shepherds bush empire w/ The Wonder Stuff

Without Thought

An intense blend of galloping rhythms, intelligent melodies and vocals that flow from touching harmonies to savage screams epitomise Guildford-based five piece Without Thought.

The quintet’s technical ability combines with heartfelt lyrics to create an edgy, aggressive sound – mixing the brutal intensity of hardcore acts like Give Up The Ghost with Jimmy Eat World-style melodies and quiet sections comparable to
Explosions in The Sky.

After four years of regular touring, the band have built up an army of loyal fans and continue to attract admirers with every show. Taking to the the stage with acts including Sikth, Hurt Process, Days In December, Hondo Maclean, Million Dead,
Enter Shikari and Exit Ten the band are becoming a regular fixture on line-ups across the south east.Heralded as one of the best new rock bands to come out of the UK, the quintet’s admirers already include Matt Pinfield of MTV/Sony USA and Bruce Dickinson who championed their debut single Grey Matter on his 6 Music show.

Without Thought are now set to release their debut album Get Down and Give Me Infinity. Bursting with punishing melodies, beautiful breakdowns and truly innovative songwriting, the record will soon be at the top of every rock fan’s wishlist.

Also catch them at:

Nov 20 2008      7:30P the boileroom w/ In Case Of Fire     Guildford

Dec 20 2008     8:00P the boileroom ***xmas show***      Guildford

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/withoutthought



5.

Amazing Emotional Based Rock

Mann Friday at Kingston Peel

Oct 30 2008      7:30P The Peel, Kingston     Mann Friday

A London based band that has emerged as a force revered for producing an emotionally charged, melodic and captivating sound. Mann Friday music has also been noted for its provoking lyrical technique.

Extremely ambitious, Mann Friday have gained a loyal fan base from the London gig-circuit and have also released a riveting current independent album, ‘Blue Sky Science’. The Mann Friday appreciation is a beast that continues to grow worldwide and things are all a-go!

Having ‘Gone Fishing’ in the Summer of 2007, the Menn are currently working on their follow up album to ‘Blue Sky Science’ called ‘Sunburn And Wonder’, so get those taste buds ready.Their live performances, predominantly rock and emotive lyrics also lead to an award winning featured appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They have gone on to headline various famous London venues such as The Borderline, Bull & Gate, Halfmoon Putney (sold out five times in a row so far), Camden Barfly (broken record), the Clapham Grand & the Marquee Club.

The band was also invited to perform the topically controversial rock-show at the prestigious Riverside Studios in Hammersmith for a prime ten-day summer run.

Their ability to produce sounds ranging from big melodic rock to acoustic sets, plus being able to pen tunes gently mixed with African rhythms right through to smooth Electronica has also caught the eye of the media. A sample of their delicately crafted electronic track ‘Counting Down’ was used on Sky News’ Year in Review.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/mannfriday

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Apex of Extinction


STAINES  HOBGOBLIN
Thursday 11th September 2008

Apex of Extinction- Staines - Hob Neil_Mach Sept 2008

Metal / Progressive / Death Metal

“Progressive metal for the masses!”

Drums: Raj
Lead Guitars: Stefan
Rhythm Guitars: Mark
Bass: Omar
Vocals: Nathan

I come from the planet Zog myself. But my new friends are from Barrachus (part of the United Colonies Alliance) and are members of a secretive order of spiritual warriors known as The Apex of Extinction. They are also a symphonic power metal band incorporating more growling vocals than one would normally expect from the likes of ‘Dragonforce’ or ‘Angra’. The Power metal guitarists and the bassist play rapid streams of notes and lead guitarist Stefan is an accomplished proponent of this dark art.

Played at immense speed (see ‘Savage Circus’ to get an idea) with
melodic hooks and a symphonic structure to be proud of.  AofE also incorporate superb basss tonal imagery and rapid fire percussive effects into their epic soundscapes. The limitations of Apex are quite clear. The vocals are not fully cohesive within the overall structure of the musical elements. Whilst the guttural growls are useful in certain settings the lead vocals in this kind of band really need to be sufficiently flexible to increase range and to support the breathtaking depths of ambition that this genre sets itself. If you listen to the power vocals of a band like ‘Raphsody of Fire’ or even local prog-metallists like’Hollow Limit’ or even ‘Hypercoma’  you will find a greater flexibility and range in the vocals.

All the shred techniques one would expect from a grandiose band like this were present when I saw Apex of Extinction at the Hob, Staines. The sweep-picking, the trills and the speed building were effusive and the compositions were fully developed landscapes of sound. The cluster of images and the thrill of the drama unfolding was one of the most enjoyable aspects of this young group. Perhaps Springfield melodic death metal group ‘All That Remains’ is more similar to the profile of ‘Apex’ than ‘Dragonforce’ or ‘Angra’ and I may be partly guilty of overlooking quite what they are hoping to achieve… That said, even Phil Labonte’s vocals are harmonious when needed and are well suited to the epic nature of the working material.

Apex of Extinction are a ‘work in progress’ with bags of enthusiasm and a fair dose of talent. I have some great expectations. One to watch develop.

Lads, give my regards to the planet Barrachus and keep up the good work.

© Neil_Mach
Sep 2008

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Bloodloss – Staines

Bloodloss at STAINES HOBGOBLIN

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STAINES HOBGOBLIN
Thursday 11th September 2008

Bloodloss – Staines – Hob Neil_Mach Sept 2008

Bloodloss are in appearance, general style and musical ability, much like ‘Lamb of God.’ But, as with most successful basic metals bands from The New Wave of American Heavy Metal, you will find that there is a lot more going on ‘in there’ than you might at first think. There is a glimmer of melody and arrangement in the music of these bands – and these elements along with a generous slice of virtuosity can also be found in the music of Bloodloss … so compare this band to ‘Machine Head’ or ‘Chimaira’.

Barry O’Connor is the muscle-bound rhapsoidein wearing a British Bull Dog T-shirt and strutting and posturing across the stage with that British vim and vitality that we are so accustomed to. He takes the extreme de rigueur / Thrash Metal vocals (i.e. shouting hard) to the next level, but he can also occasionally mystify and delight the audience with some truly mournful and tuneful notes. Barry also drums with AfterDeath ( an up-and-coming London-based metal band) and it is very clear that his vocals are kept in perfect trim by his ‘insider’ knowledge of the rhythm. Bloodloss employs (almost) a twin-lead guitar-sound with Rob Ironmonger on number 1 lute and Mark Browell on No 2 (who also helps with supporting vocals) and these two churn out the kind of grinding chord progressions you so urgently and desperately need. Sometimes these chords are as unusual, complex and demanding as a high-class Tokyo call-girl who has found herself with her wrist-watch caught in the Vicar’s flies, but those ripping lead breaks lead you (and her) , ever onwards, to a place of wonder and, ultimately, sinful climax. The (temporary) bass chitarrone thumped those low-lines following the rhythm guitar riffs but also employed some deft intermezzi techniques and some nifty progressions. The thrashing drummer Daniel Kelly, on the bongos, is just a blur of hair, stamina and testosterone. Blast-beats came naturally to him, as do some magical ‘rim of the snare’ techniques and plenty of hyper blasts when the occasions demand them.

The low syncopated power chords and the powerful metalcore vocals (think ‘Killswitch Engage’) provide the petulant pomp to this team of screamsters. Their songs, like ‘Inside My Mind’ and ‘Taken Down’ speak of life, light, darkness and focussed, strain. “It is a struggle to be in a band” shouts out Barry, to the bassist from the support act (Demure), “Isn’t it brother?”. Clap, clap, clap. We all agree … as if we knew. The band do not underestimate the simpler facts-of-life though, ( the songs are often interrupted by reflective and gentler moments when simple chords are crafted,) or the more euphoric moments we live, when the vocals, fuzzy guitars and rhythmic blasts reach a ‘state of grace’.

There are several nods towards modern advocates of complex progressive metal (like ‘Opeth’), not just in the style, with occasional guitar interludes, but also with some uncommon time signatures and dynamic shifts… and polyrhythms abound. Grunts and shouts are more in order than the screams of some bands and are actually more tuneful and pleasing (think ‘Slipknot’) than some nu-metal bands. These styles elevate the ambience and the pomposity of Bloodloss to new highs. Yes , mood and rhythm and texture is more important than melody to the bands of this genre but in the music of Bloodloss pleasing musical arrangements can also be found. At the barnstorming end of the evening there was a timely and welcome breakdown- conducive to a bit of moshing/body-slamming- and so Bal attempted to create a wall of death inside the limited space of the Staines Hob with the – erm- nine or ten members of the ‘crowd’. And so moshing commenced.

All-in-all Bloodloss live was a strong, mesmerising and absolutely exhilarating experience and I thoroughly recommend this London/Guildford act to any metal fan.

To sum up and to quote Bal on the night, “If You call yourselves ‘Metal Heads’ then this is the time, this is the place, and this is the band

© Neil_Mach
Sep 2008

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You can see Bloodloss next at:

Sep 16 2008 8:00P RSVP, Woking Woking

Sep 27 2008 8:00P The Drama Club Bracknell

Oct 5 2008 8:00P The Phoenix Staines

Oct 10 2008 8:00P The Star Inn Guildford

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/thisbandisbloodloss




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