What’s On This Jan – Staines and Area

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The River Card – Jan 29 2010      The Firestation     Windsor

Formed in Stoke-on-Trent at the end of 2005, The River Card are a melodic hardcore band who after a few member changes have existed with the current line up since the beginning of 2007.

The River Card have shared a stage with the likes of Hatebreed, Killing The Dream, Set Your Goals, Grave Maker, Have Heart, Vultures United, Bane, Down To Nothing, Parkway Drive, Your Demise, Verse, Dead Swans, Reign Supreme, Cruel Hand, Ruiner, Unrestrained and Dirty Money to name a few. Since the release of ‘No Prize Just Pride EP’ in 2007 The River Card have worked hard touring the UK and Europe a number of times.

The River Card have just released a new album ‘Serious Titles’ in March 2009 and extensively toured the UK, followed by a 6 week Euro tour in late 2009 and a split 7″ release on Power Negi Records. 2010 will continue to see The River Card as one of the hardest working bands in hardcore.

http://www.myspace.com/therivercard

Ad Pontes Staines- music arts & going out IN STAINES

AD PONTES - © Rights Reserved Neil_Mach 2007

BAD PENNY ~  Live


Formed by some of the most accomplished and gifted musicians on the circuit. BAD PENNY will rock you to your foundations, playing the best classic rock anthems, executed with all the passion and fury you would expect from this impressive collection of musical maestros.

Bad Penny  JAN gigs

Jan 16 2010      9:00P
Ye Old Swan Inn     Burnham

Jan 29 2010     9:00P
The Royal Oak     Hampton

Jan 30 2010     9:00P
Rose and Crown     Sandhurst

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/badpennylive

Ad Pontes Staines- music arts & going out IN STAINES

AD PONTES - © Rights Reserved Neil_Mach 2007

Prezence

Local hard working 5 Piece Classic Rock Covers Heroes,  Prezence have a load more gigs lined up at local venues this January…

JAN/FEB gigs

Jan 16 2010      9:00P
The Coach & Horses     Isleworth

Jan 23 2010     9:00P
Pyrford Social Club     Pyrford

Feb 6 2010     9:00P
The Fox & Duck     Ham

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/prezencerock

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Alix Live-  Percy Lambert – Jan 30 2010
2 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey

Like a lot of great artists, Alix is influenced by different genres and keeps his music fresh and exciting by blending rock, soul and funk in a wide ranging repertoire.

This includes James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Doors, Funkadelic, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Troggs, Lenny Kravitz, Otis Redding, Little Richard, Prince, Marvin Gay, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, Doobie Brothers, Stereophonics, Sam and Dave and other major rock/soul artists.

Overseas tours have included clubs and stadiums in Canada, Hong Kong, Belgium, Holland, France and Dubai where his band Unkle Jam, played at major function venues including the Hard Rock Cafe. Alix has backed Dennis Edwards and The Temptations on the same billing as the James Brown Band and has played with George Clintons P Funk Allstars to name a few major bands.

His vocal range continues to wow audiences with the authentic sounds of the original artist in his own unique style.

Alix can now be seen touring the Home Counties with his Alix Live Band performing a mix of his own material and covers as one of the most versatile acts available to live music venues.

Sat 30th Jan ( + Jam Pact With Tony Chick & Mark Z):
The Percy Lambert, Weybridge

Ad Pontes Staines- music arts & going out IN STAINES

AD PONTES - © Rights Reserved Neil_Mach 2007

Land of Cain

Land of Cain is a superb four piece rock/metal outfit from West London. Featuring astonishing guitar work, a pounding rhythm section, progressive strains and thought provoking lyrics the band are becoming a force to be reckoned with on the local  hard rock scene.

The band started life as “One Bitter Pill” in 2004, with Grant Chambers and Aaron Waddingham in the original line-up. In 2007, Grant and Aaron decided to take the band in a darker and heavier direction, and with the addition of Spencer Dargue on Drums and Chris Jordan on Bass, the band began writing the new material which would later evolve into the songs for their first album “Collapse the Control”.

Land of Cain  JAN/FEB gigs:

Jan 30 2010      8:00P
THE COACH AND HORSES     Isleworth

Feb 5 2010     9:00P
THE GLOBE     Brentford

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/landofcain

Ad Pontes Staines- music arts & going out IN STAINES

Raw Glory – Dog & Partridge Staines

rawglory1

An acquaintance recently stopped me and quizzed, “You are interested in music aren’t you?” Answer: “It is my life”. Question: “Have you got Rock Band – you know- the game?” Answer: “No!”  Reply: “Mate, you should get it. It is so goo-ood that I went out and got the guitar controller and the drum set for it last week.  Probably cost me about seven hundred quid for the whole set up.”   I was tempted to respond:  “Why don’t you just go out and buy a second-hand acoustic guitar and learn how to play the real bloody thing”. But I did not. Because we all know (from Homer) that, “If something is too hard to do, then it’s not worth doing..”

The day after this short exchange I went to see Raw Glory at The Dog & Partridge, Staines Feb 15th. (BTW: The pub is doing an Open Mic/Jamming Session every Wednesday starting 25th Feb- so come on down,) and I thought, “Now, here are some fellas that didn’t waste their youth playing video games”.

Take Russell Crowe and stick a frizzy mop on his bonce and you have got Paul Manzi, the lead vocals. Cosmo, the lead guitar, looks a bit look Judas Priest (Halford) and Mick Underwood looks like your uncle (but he is on the drums so it doesn’t matter what he looks like… a  ‘guest’  was playing the nite I saw the band,)  Ronnie Garrity is a kindly looking gentelman on bass. Mick Underwood has played with just about everyone- and their companions- in the rock universe. Peter Frampton, Paul Rodgers, Gillan etc etc. You name ‘em and he has played with ‘em. The man has a rock n roll pedigree that is as long as a roll of sari silk. And twice as extravagant.

But it is the sensual and slinky Paul Manzi who lives, breathes and becomes your own true ideal of a rock n roll hero. He is as supple as Robert Plant and as lithe as Jim Morrison. He is the front man you have always wished you could have become- had you not spent your entire childhood playing on the poxy computer.  He is a singer, gyrator and a genuine rock n roller.

This band is a celebration of glorious raw rock. They grind and chug their way through each and every one of your favourite rock anthems (you know the drill, AC/DC, Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Free) pausing only briefly between each song to take a well earned swig. Their combined energy is breathtaking and the noise is like a sustained artillery barrage from a line of mutliple launch rocket systems. This band is truly a thrusting pulsing power pack of adrenalin and sweat.

Check this high voltage rock and roll act at a venue near you. Startling!

© Neil_Mach


Feb 2009

Mar 14 2009      9:00P The Globe, Brentford
Apr 10 2009     9:00P The Cardinal Wolsey, Hampton
Jul 4 2009     10:00P The Rising Sun, Slough

www.myspace.com/rawgloryrock

5 Things – This Week in Staines

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1.

Rock & Roll with Four Wheel Drive, Staines

Four Wheel Drive- Staines

Four Wheel Drive at HOBGOBLIN STAINES, Thu Aug 07 2008 8PM £3

Four Wheel Drive is a band that exists to play live. They deliver what can only be described as a relentless onslaught of good time, balls out Rock ‘N’ Roll. Ben Austwick and Paddy Achtelik provide rhythm guitar interplay recalling Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards at their best; while Ben also hits you with incendiary, gut-wrenching, Blues-based lead guitar with the same sheer physical force of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Angus Young.

The rhythm section generates a force capable of knocking down walls, yet with enough control to retain the R’n'B feel of ’70s Aerosmith and Rolling Stones. The band have been clocked at close to 120 decibels in rehearsals, almost earning the Guitar Institute their first ASBO!

This musical force of nature is topped and led by Jamie’s vocals. Switching between a sleazy drawl reminiscent of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler, and the ball-busting scream of Back in Black-era Brian Johnson, the vocals compliment both the Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Rock elements of the band. Tightly rehearsed vocal harmonies add an extra dimension to the songs, giving the live performances the same depth as the recordings.

The songs have always been written with the live show in mind and the delivery is enough to get anybody’s mouth away from their pint. Four Wheel Drive is made up of a highly “driven” collection of individuals whose lives are designed around the band to make sure it is constantly moving forward. New material is always being written and they can, and do, play any night of the week.

Jamie and Ben’s mutual love of all things Rock ‘N’ Roll make them a well suited writing partnership. Above you will find a taster of the music they’ve written since graduating from The Institute in summer 2007. After finding guitarist Paddy Achtelik at the new Guitar Institute in Kilburn, and introducing extremely talented drummer Will Richards thanks to ACM in Guildford… The Band is ready… It’s Time To Go.

If you miss ‘em in Staines (don’t) then catch the boys here:

Aug 30 2008 Filthy’s Heath Road, Twickenham

Sep 25 2008 Filthy’s Heath Road, Twickenham

Check them on:

http://www.myspace.com/4wdtheband

2.

Enjoy some punk with the Blow Ups, Staines

Blow Ups - Staines


The Blow Ups Aug 10 2008 8:00P The Hobgoblin, Staines

Noisy and fast, loud and fun, The Blow Ups are a four piece punk band from South West London with a memorable melodic edge. They are set apart from the rest of the punky contenders by lead singer Kelly. With an impressive stage presence and a powerful voice she dominates the songs and the stage. The songs are full of sharp observations about superheroes in rehab, c-list celebrity drop outs, alienation and abuse.

Band Members:

Kel – vocals and guitar
Arda – bass and backvox
Marc – lead guitar and backvox
Cem – drums

Check them on:

http://www.myspace.com/theblowups


3.

Enjoy the smooth sounds of Succotash

Succotash - Staines

Succotash at Six Bells, Brentford August 10 9:00P

Just to let you know that Carl (drummer in Staines favourite band Foulplay) and his ravishing young assistant, Ravi (solo guitar and a local staines hero), will be playin’ dahn The Six Bells, 148 High Street, Brentford TW8 8EW on Sunday 10th August @ 9pm.

It’s a “proper” London boozer wiv a very friendly atmosphere and, more importantly, good beer!

So, cor blimey, Guv’nor, stike a light, better get yerselves dahn the “frog & toad” rahnd the “Johnny ‘orner” & into the “Rub a Dub” for a right old Cockerney “Knees up”.

If you miss Ravi and Carl at the Six Bells Brentford, catch up wiv ‘em at:

Sep 12 2008 9:00P Three Horsehoes Laleham

Oct 18 2008 9:00P Red Lion Egham

Check them at:

http://www.myspace.com/succotashuk

4.

Get wowed by the New Assassins at Staines

New Assassins - Staines

New Assassins with 4WD at THE HOB STAINES Aug 07 8:00P

The New Assassins

MIK PERRY – Vocals & Guitar RIK PAYNE – Lead Guitar
NOAH HARMON – Bass Guitar. DAN MCDONNELL – Drums.

The New Assassins are an American sounding rock band from Staines ( they like to call themselves ‘the elder statesmen of Staines- but they don’t seem to look as old as Ming Cambell to me!) and they play everything from experimental, punk, new wave to raw blues, rock to indie. I saw them play at The Hob, Staines last year.

Some of their material seems a bit experimental and improvised- yet tight enough that it does not stray into ‘jazz odyssey’ territory. If you take a pinch of PiL (Public Image Ltd) and then add a spoonful of psychedelia a lá The Verve with a dollop of post-punk juice like Joy Division you get close to the sound of the New Assassins.

In fact, the band look awfully similar to The Verve in appearance but seem less inclined to shoegaze and more inclined towards a more raucous and, to my mind, enjoyable rocky style more like The Black Crowes.

Check them here:

http://www.myspace.com/newassassins

Highly Recommended by Ad Pontes


5.

Get your holiday reading in – local author

Prank!  By Hag Hughes

Prank! By local author – Price £8.54 (5% discount) from Amazon

The Hilarious New Book by Hag Hughes

Lots of local landmarks feature in the new book by New Haw author Hag Hughes make this an entertaining read- just right for your summer reading list.

The plot of the story revolves around the World Endurance championship and features fun-loving Weybridge man Paul “Hazy” Hayes who spends most of his booze-fuelled time plotting wind-ups. Then during one of his pranks something goes horribly wrong and someone winds up dead. If you were a mate of Hazy’s would you help him dispose of the body and cover-up the evidence? We follow Hazy as he battles with friends, foes, lovers and his own conscience and attempts to hold his life and sanity together under the crumbling reality of divorce and self-destruction. Oh, and don’t forget the body in the boot of his car…

With references to lanmarks in Shepperton, Addlestone, Brooklands and Weybridge, this is a great book for any local reader.

Order Your copy of Prank! Click Here Now

Availability: In stock. Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk

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Get Your Tickets for Beck Theatre, Hayes



The Beck Theatre
Grange Road
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 2UE

-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

Netherworld Rocks

Netherworld at Staines Riverside Club, 30th May 2008

Netherworld can be regarded as an instrumental trio of power, with the addition of a strong vocal armoury. Though the band relies heavily on Thin Lizzy numbers and cites Lizzy as a major influence, the lack of twin-leads (and therefore the consequential loss of any lead-clashes) makes their Lizzyfied sound a little weak. Instead, you would be better off comparing the band to Cream. Their’s is the classic three-way rock explosion that most aptly defines the work of Netherworld.

The predominant instrument in the arsenal of these long-haired do-gooders is the guitar of Jason Stretch. Or should I use the plural- guitars? That would more accurately describe the monster wails, sighs, cries and laments that heavily depend on lyrical echo to achieve their full splendour. Jason has, reputedly, toured with the likes of the Iron Maiden Steve Harris and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray and the sheer professionalism and dedication of his rock pedigree is fully demonstrated.

With a rampaging and driving rhythm provided by Ian Roberts, from the engine room, and the structure of each song carefully woven by bassist Smiffy, the Netherworld experience is as exhilarating as it is satisfying. Heavy and technically proficient, the two guitarists share out the vocal leads (actually I prefer Paul Smith). They even, at one stage, employ their road manager as a lead vocalist (very talented and well received by all.)

This band demands that the audience pays attention. Even in a small (and to be quite honest- fairly olde worlde) venue like Staines Riverside Club, the band were provocative and hard. One old-time club member pointed out to me before the show that the bass drum was amplified, “We have never experienced that kind of power here before”, he exclaimed with a startled expression. The hair is big, the sound is wide and fills a barn. The sense of urgency is electrifying. The sheer exhilaration is dizzying and uncompromising.

If you like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Free, Hendrix and a big dollop of Cream and you don’t mind having your eardrums shattered by power-crazed solos, riffs and fills- then Netherworld is for you.

If you missed them in Staines, try to catch them locally here:

Jun 15 2008 8:00P The Six Bells Brentford
Jun 20 2008 8:00P The Shire Horse Hounslow
Jul 11 2008 8:00P The Running Horse Bracknell
Jul 12 2008 8:00P Social Club Hounslow
Jul 20 2008 8:00P The Six Bells Brentford
Jul 25 2008 8:00P The Shire Horse Hounslow
Jul 26 2008 8:00P The Cardinal Wolsey East Molesey
Aug 1 2008 8:00P The Red Lion Twickenham

http://www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

Keep checking www.adpontes.co.uk for gig guide, reviews, articles and what’s on in your area

5 Things- This week in Staines

1.

The Getaway Team in Staines

The getaway team- Staines

The Getaway Team, The Hobgblin, Staines May 29 2008


The Getaway Team from Guildford are here to write music and have the time of their lives!

They started writing together in mid 2006, and found a knack of producing some catchy pop songs, with some pop-punk and indie thrown in!

In the past few months they have started playing those songs in what has become an exciting, adrenaline-fueled live show. The band have recently finished recording a debut mini album titled ‘Haven’t You Heard’, out June 2nd.

The Debut single ‘Lost All Hope’ will hit shops on May 5th, available for download and on limited Green vinyl, with a postcard and stickers inside; so make sure you hook yourselves up!

See them live in Staines on the 29th at The Hob or on:

Jul 24 2008 8:00P The Boileroom, Guildford w/ Cut The Blue Wire

http://www.myspace.com/thegetawayteam

2.

Go see the Cadillac Kings at Jagz, Ascot

The Cadillac Kings at Ascot


Cadillac Kings – May 31 2008 8:00P Jagz Club, Ascot Berks

Featuring six of the UK’s top blues & roots musicians, The Cadillac Kings play music inspired by the sounds & styles of the 40s & 50s. A mix of mostly original songs with a few well-chosen covers from the likes of T-Bone Walker, Roy Brown & Champion Jack Dupree have made the band firm favourites on both the blues & jump-jive scenes. With their stunning musicianship & exciting stage act, this is a band that knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, from intimate clubs to major festivals.

Influences: T-Bone Walker, Louis Jordan, Slim Harpo, Champion Jack Dupree, James Harman, Elmore James, Billy the Kid Emerson, William Clarke, Ray Charles, The Coasters, Professor Longhair, Boozoo Chavis, Jimmy Reed, Clifton Chenier, George Smith

Also catch them at:

Sep 20 2008 8:00P Blues at the Fort Festival Fort Purbrook, Hants

CLICK HERE for the acclaimed Cadillac Kings Allbum- Highway 17

http://www.myspace.com/thecadillackings


3.

Go rock with Netherworld, Staines

Netherworld at Staines

Netherworls May 30 2008 8:00P Staines Riverside Club Staines

Fronted by Jason Stretch on vocals and guitar, backed by the brilliant bass and vocals of Paul Smith and dynamic drumming of Ian Roberts- this rockin’ band will rock your (nether)world. Covering the best of classic rock songs, this three-piece bring their wealth of professional talent together for this new project.

Previous gigging and recording credits include ; Bad II The Bone, British Lion, Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Reload, The Dhogie Band and Phil Mogg (UFO).

You will not fail to be impressed by the superbly tight musicianship of these three heavyweight players …

Also catch them at:

Jun 14 2008 8:00P The Camphill Club Surrey

Jun 15 2008 8:00P The Six Bells Brentford

Jun 20 2008 8:00P The Shire Horse Hounslow

Jul 11 2008 8:00P The Running Horse Bracknell

Jul 26 2008 8:00P The Cardinal Wolsey

Aug 1 2008 8:00P The Red Lion Twickenham

http://www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

4.

Go experience Kakuzi at Staines

Kakuki - Photo by Mark Richardson

Kakuzi- The Hobgblin, Staines May 29 2008

Kakuzi (formally known as DARK-FiRE) formed with the current line up in September 2006, jamming out just a few of songs to enter their first gig as a band in the Mole Valley Battle of the Bands. Since then the band has been through a short phase of high energy raw punky rock music, to exploring new dimensions and styles of music. They have really honed in their live set, gigging regularly at the Grey Horse, Kingston and other venues around Guildford and Surrey. Their first E.P, “Senses” can be bought off them at any of their gigs for £5 each.

Currently the band are back in the studio recording a variety of tracks for an E.P. titled “Corridors”.

The Band:

Lucas (Luc) O’Neill, Isamu (Sam) Yoneda, Alastair (Ali) Lawrenson, Alexander-James (AJ) Fritsch, David (Dave) Medlicott

Influences:

Audioslave The Cardigans The Clash The Doors Faithless Foo Fighters Hendrix Incubus Kasabian Leftfield Led Zeppelin The Mars Volta Muse Nirvana Pendulum Pink Floyd Radiohead Red Hot Chilli Peppers R.E.M. Stone Roses

Also catch the band at:

Jun 18 2008 8:00P Grey Horse – Kingston, Battle of the Bands

http://www.myspace.com/kakuzi
5.

Wonder at Prog-Rock Legends ‘Haze’ at Kingston

Haze at The Peel (house of progression) Kingston

Haze -May 31 2008 8:00P The Peel (30th anniversary show) Kingston

Formed in 1978 by Chris and Paul McMahon, Haze were one of the founders of the neo-progressive revival of the early 1980s. The band went through a number of line-up changes until drummer Paul Chisnell joined in 1983, completing the classic line-up which was to remain unaltered until the band’s demise in 1988. On 31st May 1998 Haze reunited for a 20th anniversary concert in Sheffield and now you can be part of the history-of-haze by seeing them on their 30th anniversary reunion.

Although part of the 1980s “progressive” revival, Haze were always much more than just another Yes/Genesis clone, moving with ease across the spectrum from rock to funk, pop to progressive in their own distinctive style. World Turtle have continued in this tradition, bringing modern sounds and influences, as well as powerful, intelligent lyrics to the brothers’ undoubted musical and songwriting skills.

On 31st May 1998 Haze reunited for a 20th anniversary concert in Sheffield. The show was a great success and was recorded for a limited edition double live CD on Cyclops Records. Since then the band have headlined a number of shows in Sheffield, supported IQ and John Wetton at the Whitchurch Music Festival and toured Italy, Belgium & Switzerland twice.

The band are now planning a European tour, a new live CD, and the re-issue of their “Stoat & Bottle” album.

Paul Chisnell – percussion, vocals
Paul McMahon – guitars & vocals
Chris McMahon – keybords, bass & vocals

Influences Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rory Gallagher, Steve Hillage, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Moody Blues, Rush.

http://www.myspace.com/hazeuk

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Keep Visiting www.AdPontes-Staines.com for news, views, reviews, articles and what’s on in Staines