PAPA GEORGE BAND — Staines Riverside Show Review

A superior night of musical entertainment was had by all this Thursday at Staines Riverside Club when the PAPA GEORGE BAND came to town to play a magnificent concert to a crowded house.

The award-winning blues-man PAPA GEORGE is one of the leading British live blues artists around and he’s a regular attendee at the Staines club, often appearing in company with MICKY MOODY or friend Alan Glen (the harmonica musician and band leader who was originally with The Yardbirds.) Like Alexis Korner, GEORGE is of Greek Cypriot origin.

Papa George – @neilmach 2020 © “razor-sharp guitar-play that feels kinda swampy ‘n’ moist and often impudent in nature…

His numbers almost always come with razor-sharp guitar-play that feels kinda swampy ‘n’ moist and often impudent in nature.

George introduced the others in his power trio quite early on: Peter J. Stroud (on drums, known for his work with The Foundations) and the amazing Pete Rees (the session bassist who is very famous for his work with Gary Moore.)

Their interpretation of “Red House” (Hendrix) was as authentically raw as the original, with lots of inventive guitar and many incredibly tight rhythms.

Papa George photo credit: @neilmach 2020 © His voice is the texture of worn leather with the bitterness of tobacco smoke…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there was plenty more waka-waka chung to be enjoyed on the self-penned “Blackjack” — one of the highlights of this top-level show. Of course, as we have said before, George’s voice is a mixture of dark molasses and plum wine, with the texture of worn leather and the bitterness of tobacco smoke. You could drown in his voice of tar and syrup, you really could! But this show was surprising due to the extraordinary electric guitar work that the maestro brought to Staines.

We all knew that George was one of the best blues singers on the circuit, a brilliant composer and a master of the Amistar resonator. What we didn’t know was that, armed with his Fender Strat or Flying Finn, he’d be the Southern Area Champion electric guitarist too! As one keen club-member observed, after a particularly spirited guitar solo: “I guess George is the best guitarist we’ve had in this joint.” I think he could be right!

The evening proceeded with splendid covers of old Elmore James, a Paul Rodgers penned blues paean (Muddy Water Blues ) and an old John Hiatt number (Feels Like Rain — made famous by Buddy Guy.) The concert ended with an ingenious and totally immersive rendition of the funky-soul hit “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) that had originally been written with Jeff Beck in mind, for his Beck, Bogert & Appice project. At Staines Riverside Club, this song was a hugely enjoyable final piece, full of intelligent rhythms, extraordinary rebound and lots of cheerful energy.

What a show! What a guy!

Words & Pictures: @neilmach 2020 ©

Link: http://www.papageorge.co.uk/papageorge.co.uk

 

5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Rattling Good-Time Rock – Live in Staines

Albany
Down
Mar 19 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines

With THE DAQUIRIS

Albany Down can be counted on for pleasure and honest to goodness fun. Here is what ADPONTES had to say about this great band last time they came into town:

The sound of Albany Down is stripped-down-to-the-waist no nonsense rhythm and blues 70’s inspired Brit rock ( the feel of early ‘Free‘ or ‘John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers‘) but with a bit of jazz-funk to mix it up a little…very fine and accomplished performance…insistent guitar hooks, stripped down licks and rattling good-time rock…

Read the full Review here >>>

Link:

www.myspace.com/albanydownofficial

http://www.buckleuppromotions.com

2.

Authentic Jazz & Blues …  Live at Windsor

King Pleasure
and  The
Biscuit Boys
Mar 21 2009 8:00P
The Auditorium
Firestation Arts Centre
Windsor

“A shot of pure and authentic jazz and blues
from an era when swing was king” – Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2

Quite simply one of the most popular jazz & swing bands in the world, King Pleasure And TheBiscuit Boys have entertained countless thousands around the globe for years.

Rough, tough and always rocking, the legendary King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys’
off-the-wall stage show sometimes belies the fact that here is the finest,
most authentic Rhythm & Blues band ever.

http://www.myspace.com/kingpleasurethebiscuitboys

£12(GA) £10(Conc) £9(Mem)

http://www.firestationartscentre.com

3.

Exciting Grunge / Rock- Live in Staines

Kill The Baddies
Mar 22 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines

Kill The Baddies formed in 2006 to fight evil and corruption with the power of ROCK! Formerly “And A Thousand Elephants”,

KTB have a breadth of experience playing live shows all over London and the South-East of England whilst based in Surrey.

Kill The Baddies have just finished their 5 track CD, “Who Is This Girl?”. Last year Kill The Baddies were invited to play at Guilfest, which turned out to be an absolutely storming show. A video should be ready soon!! ..

With THE LIKES OF US

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/killthebaddiesmusic

http://www.buckleuppromotions.com

4.

Live Covers Party Band – Live Windsor

Grouper
Mar 20 2009
Old Ticket Hall
Windsor

GROUPER play songs from Coldplay Travis The Strokes Stereophonics Wheatus Van Morrisson Wild Cherry James Brown Eagle Eye Cherry Toploader Steelers Wheel Kinks Beatles Dandy Warhols Lenny Kravitz Chilli Peppers Reef… AND MANY,MANY MORE! FOR MORE! + DJ PLAYING 80’s & 90’s HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM

03-20-2009 21:00
THE OLD TICKET HALL, WINDSOR, SL4
Cost: £3

Link:

http://www.grouperband.co.uk/

5.

Classic Soul Sounds –  Live at Ascot

Soul Disciples
Mar 21 2009
Jagz
Ascot

West London’s Soul Disciples came together late in 2005 with the express wish of bringing the classic soul sounds of the 60’s & 70’s to the dance floors of Britain.

Dismayed at the disservice these great tunes are being paid by many covers bands, we have resolved to make our interpretations as faithful to
the spirit of the originals as possible.

The soulful voice of Miss Clare “Bubbles” Moloney combined with the authentic soul sound of the SD band has to be witnessed to be believed.

The Soul Disciples constantly strive to instill their performances with the spirit and skill which made soul music of the 60’s & 70’s so exciting.

The SD’s have found themselves in the enviable position of having an 8-piece line-up which combines experience, virtuosity, personality & good looks …
All wrapped up with a shared love of Classic Motown, Atlantic, Stax & Northern Soul.

Saturday, 21st March
Show will start at 8.45
Ticket cost: £8.00
Doors open from 7.30pm. £26 for 2 courses and entrance (£30 for 3 courses). Entrance for the bands is £8 but is strictly

limited and on a first come first served basis. Entrance for dining or just the band INCLUDES free entrance to the nightclub

Links:

http://www.jagz.co.uk

–Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts–

Netherworld Rocks

Netherworld Rocks! Feb 13th 2009 Old Ticket Hall, Windsor

“Heavyweight musicians” is not a term to be bandied about willy-nilly, but in the case of Netherworld, if the cap fits- wear it. Local lads (of a certain age) Jason Stretch, Paul Smith and Ian Roberts play the kind of heavy metal and industrial strength rock n’ roll that mama said would make your head go deaf. They play it so powerfully, and at such eardrum shreddingly high decibel levels, that it feels like your entrails have been torn clean from your body and whipped up into the electrically charged air in a frenzy of savage butchery.

Jason is the man mountain lead guitarist with a an effective voice and a cool-hand whose fingers lacerate the frets in a cruel, incisive, sharply cutting manner much like a sushi chef on a day-out at the samurai sword factory. His foaming froth of jet-black hair blowin’ free like a cornfield, and total concentration on the fingerwork, mark him out as a truly experienced and proficient axeman.

‘Smiffy’ Smith is the bands ‘second’ vocalist (he does mean and cruel vox whereas Jason does clean-cut yet impulsive vox) and looks like a slightly more paranoid version of Ritchie Blackmore with dark beady eyes glancing this way and that as if some unspecified, yet hideous, graveyard creature was stalking him. But his bass guitar pounds out those dark stormy notes with controlled aggression.

Ian Roberts looks like a slightly more gangly version of Robert Plant with a loose mop of golden locks constantly frizzing and boiling on top of the stove whilst, beneath, the frantic sticks pummel the hell out of a seriously large drum set. The effect is the musical equivalent of the advance of a mechanised infantry brigade. Threatening,  posturing,  powerful heavy metal.

Plenty of AC/DC goes down well with the crowd. Followed by bucketfuls of Thin Lizzy and washed down with Hendrix, Sabbath, Motorhead…this band have a large ‘biker following’ and you can see why. But the Windsor crowd at tonights Old Ticket Hall gig were slightly more charming and slightly less greasy than the normal Netherworld punters. They politely cheered
and clapped each song and were clearly delighted with the offerings from this metal madness.

The acoustics at the Ticket Hall didn’t do some of the songs justice and, at times, the feedback was annoying (the room is like a huge cathedral with an enormous high ceiling and yard-upon-yard of stark blank walls.)  A small stage canopy helps to muffle some of the echo, but the venue is a ‘difficult’ space. It was also damn cold on top of and in front of stage and the Netherworld boys were obviously having some difficulty getting their joints warmed up…I mean the joints in their fingers and wrists!! (No smokin’ inside the Old Ticket Hall.)

So, out into the crisp night air with my eardrums melting as quickly as last week’s garden snowman… what did I think of them? Hard working, monstrously strong and a multi-talented group of severely serious heavy metal masters. In fact, heavyweight musicians.

© Neil_Mach
Jan 2009

5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Small Outfit, Big Sound Ideas at Staines

29th JAN 2009  8:00P at HOB STAINES £3 2 SICK MONKEYS

2 Sick Monkeys formed in December 2000, as a live two piece bass and drums, primarily to support Darrin Mooney (Primal Scream) at a drum event in Swindon.
They have now played over 400 gigs (270 in the last 3 years) including 4 European tours.

They describe themselves as tight, melodic and percussively in your face.
Basically……small outfit, BIG SOUND!!

2 Sick Monkeys are with:

Page Not Found

Page Not Found are a punk rock group form Slough Berkshire UK.

Formally known as Ollie Impossible, Page Not Found play their own style of Fast paced skate punk. After the change the band along with new bassman have wasted no time and headed straight into the studio to record some material.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/2sickmonkeys

www.myspace.com/pagenotfoundrock

2.

High Quality Funk & Groove – Ascot

Jan 30th 2009 8:45P at Jagz Ascot MIMOSA £5

Whisk together smooth soul, funky grooves and a hint of rock, fold in a combination of catchy brass riffs, fat bass, creative guitar as well as watertight drums and percussion. Heat for 2 hours with probably the best vocal talent in the south and you have the unique sound of Mimosa.

Some people have said – “it’s a bit like being attacked by a shark wearing a woolly jumper” “best served hot with Mango Chutney a cold beer!” “You’ll drive through an
amber light to see them!” “Just like the Brand New Heavies, only not as famous!” The band have spent the last year putting together a high quality varied mix of songs to give a great show, keeping people grooving well into the night. Gigging since April 06, this band will definitely impress and leave you wanting more. Time to find out what you have been missing……

Links:

ww.myspace.com/mimosaband

3.

Stripped Down Classic Rock – Shepperton

Jan 30 2009      9:00P Kings Head-Shepperton FIREWATER

The ED HUDSON project “Firewater” was formed in 2000 and has been regularly gigging around London and the South East since then. The early blues
material gave way to more classic rock songs as time went on and the duo format lends itself to a stripped down approach to the songs, showcasing the considerable talents of singer Ed Hudson and lead guitarist Tim Scopes.

If you like blues and classic rock (and don’t like being deafened in the process of hearing it!) go and see ’em -you will not be dissappointed….

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/firewaterduo

4.

80’s & 90’s  Hits – Live Band – Live in Windsor

Fri 30 Jan Old Ticket Hall, Windsor £3 !Daft!

!daft! are a party rock cover band comprising 5 professional standard musicians who perform high energy and dynamic gigs across the Home Counties and West London to consistently excellent responses. Our sets and gigs are designed
to be fun, enthusiastic and crammed with recognisable anthemic tracks from artists including Queen, Guns N’ Roses, The Killers, The Fratellis, Green Day, Elvis, Bon Jovi, Madness, Kaiser Chiefs, Oasis, Michael Jackson… even ABBA and Take That, plus many more legendary groups.

Random quote: “It’s like going to see all your favourite rock bands in one night!!”

Links:

http://www.daftonline.co.uk

5.

Aerosmith to ZZ Top Covers – in Hampton

Jan 31 2009      9:00P  The Cardinal Wolsey Hampton Court PREZENCE

Prezence are fast becoming a STAINES and area fafourite covers band… playing a huge mixture of classic rock from way-way back to much more modern material from the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, Foo Fighters etc. A thoroughly enjoyable evening is guaranteed…. also coming to venues in Staines, Hampton, Walton-on-Thames soon (keep checking our ADPONTES music pages for updated GIG GUIDE)

Link:

myspace.com/prezencerock

——————–

–Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts–

Albany Down at The Hobgoblin, Staines

Albany Down

“Don’t try to tell me I’ve had my share”

Albany Down are on the way up! I saw the boys at the Hobgoblin Staines last night performing new tracks and laying down the
beat. They are also soon to be heading for the Purple Turtle and the Barfly in Camden, as well as completing some new [free]
streaming MP3 tracks.

The sound of Albany Down is stripped-down-to-the-waist no nonsense rhythm and blues 70’s inspired Brit rock ( the feel of
early ‘Free‘ or ‘John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers‘) but with a bit of jazz-funk to mix it up a little. The sensation is a bit like having an-honest to goodness pint of real ale in a local pub with your best mates, whilst your girls are all up on the dance floor bopping to Sly & the Family Stone …the two things shouldn’t go together but they really do. For example, the Albany Down song “Baby Where’d You Stay” is a classic Stones type song through-and-through, yet we all know how funky the Stones can sound- especially after a few large ones.

Paul Muir is the band vocalist ( he looks like a smaller version of Clydebank born Marti Pellow – and he sounds like him too when he introduces each song) …but Paul needs to project his voice a good deal more if he is to achieve clarity and intensity. He needs to demand attention by lifting that voice up to a new level. Sometimes his vocals were lost inside the hard-as-nails musical themes, which is a shame.

The large bruiser in the porkpie hat is the bassist Billy Dedman -his bass play is fast and deadly in its earnest gusto. It is finger-lickin’ good too. Billy has a prowess for solid bass lines and a  certain reliability about him – but he also demonstrates the aptitude and dexterity for a higher vision and pulled off some nifty bass solo pieces of his own.

Diminutive drummer Jonny Bescoby is as fast as the white water at the Grand Rapids, after a particularly heavy downpour. Many of the Albany Down songs have a funky beat to them, so the drummer needs to have loose wrists and a compassion and an understanding for rhythm with a grooving back-beat. His musicianship brings to mind Blink-182’s Travis Barker in style and ability, with an intrinsic understanding of agile rap-rock box-beats that he adds to the rhythmic soundscape when so required. But Jonny is also reliable and prescient enough to provide reliable and thunderous percussive downpours in the more conventional blues settings.

Paul Turley on lead guitar makes most of the magic happen up on stage. Wearing the face of Jimi on his chest, but the smugness and charm of a rogue city trader upon his countenance, he may be clean-cut and young but his guitar-work speaks of generations of earthy blues players cutting their thumbs on sharp chords and picking up the notes of barbed tunes in an artful agony almost angelic in its anguish.  He puts on a very fine and accomplished performance with a few daring and flaring Hendrix-style licks but reverts down to a sensible chug-a-chug chord or two when things are brimming.

The surprise of the evening was the Steve Booker/Duffy number “Mercy” played stripped down to the gun-metal and served with
plenty of angst. This and the crowd pleaser ‘The Morning After’ with its tribal thumping (the feeling of drums banging in your head after a session… we know don’t we kids?) were the musical highlights in an enjoyable set.  Albany Down can be counted on for pleasure and honest to goodness fun. Insistent guitar hooks, stripped down licks and rattling good-time rock are all handed out to an eager crowd like a kind of pass-the-parcel game full of authentic British R&B sounds.

Grab some and join in!


© Neil_Mach
JAN 2009


staines
live music
rock music
gigs

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5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Heavy Classic Rock Masters – in Staines

Netherworld Nov 28 2008      8:00P Staines Riverside Club     Staines £3

Fronted by the awesomely talented Jason Stretch on vocals and guitar, backed by the brilliant bass playing and vocals of Paul Smith and the dynamic drumming of Ian Roberts, NETHERWORLD ROCKS. Covering the best classic rock songs known to this planet, this three-piece bring their wealth of professional talents together for this new project.

Previous gigging and recording credits include ; Bad II The Bone, British Lion, Steve Harris (Iron Maiden),Hal Lindes(Dire Straits) Neil Murray(Whitesnake,Black Sabath) 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

Links

www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

Also check them at:

Nov 29 2008     8:00P The Cardinal Wolsey     East Molesey Surrey
Nov 30 2008     6:00P The Dog & Partridge     Middlesex, London and South East
Dec 5 2008       8:00P Ye Old Swan     Burnham, Berkshire,

2.

Big Rock/Punk Sounds – in Staines

HER: ENEMY Nov 27 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin *with nixa*     Staines £3

Links

http://www.myspace.com/herenemy

3.

Hot Dance – Latin and Jazz – Live at Ascot

Palenke      Saturday, 29th November  8:45P   Jagz Ascot £8

Columbian band with a passionate Latin repertoire. Back by incredible popular demand, Adrianna and her fellow Salsa partners are back and ready to shake Jagz from its very foundations! Palenke, Londons leading Latin American Dance band, was born in 1990 to the collective talents of Fernando Suarez – Kinacho and Lisandro Zapata from Colombia. Both are highly professional performers and are widely experienced in the Latin and Jazz scene. The Bands eclectic repertoire is passionate, dynamic and eminently danceable: from the characteristically hot blooded tempos of Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Lambada, the traditional folk rhythms of Colombian cumbia and Dominican Merengue, to the latest Caribbean Reggae and universally popular Spanish style Gypsy Kings.

Saturday, 29th November
Show will start at 8.45
Ticket cost: £8.00
Doors open from 7pm. £26 for 2 courses and entrance (£30 for 3 courses). Entrance for the bands is £8 but is strictly limited and on a first come first served basis. Entrance for dining or just the band INCLUDES free entrance to the nightclub

Links:

http://www.palenke.co.uk/

4.

Smooth Jazz Piano at Ascot

John Donaldson Quartet Sunday, 30th November    Lunchtime     Jagz Ascot

The winner of the piano category at the 2006 British Jazz Awards

Jazz gigs began when he was a student in 1978. He was part of the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club’s resident trio, backing visiting guest soloists in the city. In 1980 he won the prize for best soloist at the San Sebastian International Jazz Competition.

In 1982 he moved to California . He worked there and gigged with local notables including Eddie Henderson, Red Holloway, John Handy, Richie Cole, Paul Jackson and David Baker as well as working in groups alongside Larry Grenadier, Jeff Ballard, Donny McCaslin, and Louis Romero.

Since returning to England in 1993 he has worked with many of the leading musicians on the British scene including groups led by Iain Ballamy, Art Themen, Clark Tracy, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Dick Pearce and Norma Winstone.

Sunday, 30th November
Show will start at 1pm to 3.30pm
Ticket cost: £6.00
Special – entrance and roast lunch £12.

‘With remarkably little publicity or fuss John Donaldson has emerged as one of Britain’s most exciting jazz pianists with his own distinctive style’
Dave Gelly. The Observer.

5.

Top Unsigned Act of  the Year- at Staines

Nov 27 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin *with HER:ENEMY*     Staines £3

“One of the top 10 unsigned acts in the UK”
Metro National Newspaper

Rock / Tropical

Nixa are rock. They’re here to remind you that despite reality TV, plastic indie tat, the cult of celebrity, and production-line pop, ultimately it’s still all about the music. They write great songs, and have a lot of fun while they’re doing it – and that’s their manifesto. Fundamentally, they just love music and want music to love them back, and as a result they have so many riffs that they’re currently being investigated by The Monopolies Commission. Multi-layered and yet accessible to anyone who’s ever felt adrenaline surge through their veins, Nixa songs combine addictive melodies, intertwining vocals, riotous screaming, ferocious guitars, pulsing drums, and dirty bass to create an energetic morass that climbs the walls and rips the roof off. Nixa was born in the summer of 2006 after a massive gangbang involving Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Soulwax and Death Cab for Cutie: the custody battle still rages…

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/nixaspace

——————–

–Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts–

5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

Cats and cats and cats Back Home at Staines

Oct 16 2008      7:00P
The Hobgoblin HOMETOWN ALBUM FUNDRAISER SHOW!      £3 entry

CATS and cats and cats

Welcome the heroes home and give ’em some cash for recording

Ben (Vocals, Guitar)
Doug (Drums)
Tom (Bass, Backing vocals)
Adam (Synths, Guitar)
Eve (Violin)
plus sometimes John (Trumpet)

http://www.myspace.com/catsandcatsandcats

2.

Get some sleazy rock – Imperial Vipers

Oct 18 2008      8:00P Windsor,Old ticket Hall     Windsor

Evolving from a gang of mates with a shared love of rock n roll, Imperial Vipers exploded into action in early 2005.

Ripping out tunes that fall somewhere between Soundgarden & The Clash their sound and live performance is hard to pigeon-hole and has been described quite simply as “Street Rock” by Anne Maria from Total Rock, a genre that the band
identify with.

http://www.myspace.com/imperialvipers

3.

Jazz Drummer- Masterwork

19 OCTOBER Concert  Riverhouse Barn

Walton-on-Thames is delighted to welcome back Clark Tracey who last played Riverhouse backing his father Stan. Here he leads a quartet featuring the sparky Gareth Williams on piano, augmented by eclectic tenorist Brandon Allen, best of the current crop of Australian saxophonists. Their latest album, ‘Given Time’, is a select anthology of British songs including evergreen standards as well as worthy lesser-known originals by Tim Garland, David Newton, Bobby Wellins and other contemporary jazz musicians.Django Bates, Iain Ballamy and Andrew Cleyndert. Later groups included Guy Barker, Jamie Talbot, Nigel Hitchcock, Dave O’Higgins, Mark Nightingale, Mornington Lockett, Julian Arguelles, Gerard Presencer, Alec Dankworth and Steve Melling.

He currently runs a quintet with luminaries from the new generation (Mark Armstrong, Simon Allen, Zoe Rahman & Peter Billington) and a trio with Gareth Williams and Arnie Somogyi.

Tickets:

full price £11.00

riverhouse boxoffice
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

01932 253354 (24 hrs)

4.

Hard Rock and Blues at Hampton

Oct 17 2008      9:00P    Royal Oak, Hampton

The Loudshirts

Loudshirts are a hard-rocking, close-harmony, blues-influenced rock covers band.
Formed in 1988 by guitarist brothers Steve & Jeff Summers along with powerhouse drummer Bruce Bisland and Malcolm Hoskins on bass. Line up changes over the years has now produced the current crew of Jeff & Gary Summers (bass) and Nigel “Reg Hampton” Robinson on drums & percussion.

Jeff has an illustrious recording career including international releases alongside ex-MSG vocalist Gary Barden and ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson. Jeff is currently guitarist and songwriter in the reformed Statetrooper with Gary Barden.

The LOUDSHIRTS are a regular and popular act on the London music scene who can guarantee a great night of entertainment!

http://www.myspace.com/loudshirtsband

5.

Amazing Rock Guitar at Shepperton

Oct 17 2008      9:00P    Kings Head-Shepperton

Firewater – with Ed Hudson

FIREWATER consists of Ed Hudson (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica) and Tim Scopes (lead guitar, slide, backing vocals). They started playing together as a duo in 1999, having got to know each other while in a rock band called Shakestone.

Their taste and musical influences have always been similar, incorporating the great American and British rock and blues bands of the ’60s and ’70s (Hendrix, Free, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC-DC).

They play this music live with a stripped down approach but losing none its vibe, integrity or passion – no backing tracks, ‘cos they don’t need them!

http://www.myspace.com/edhudsonband

——————–

5 Things- This Week in Staines

1.

See The Sketch at Staines

Sep 21 2008 THE SKETCH 8:00P

£3

with LIGHTS OFF. CLARITY, STARS OF THE SEARCH PARTY

@ Hobgoblin  Staines

The
Sketch

This 4-piece band from Kent -have been compared to ‘Saves The Day’, ‘Jimmy Eat World’ and ‘Weezer’

The Band:

Ajay, Ian, Mikee and Joe

You can purchase the new Sketch E.P. Here

The Best Kid in Town [Enhanced]

~ Sketch (Artist)

Price:     £6.99

http://www.myspace.com/thesketchmusic

———————————–

Lights off. Clarity

Lights Off. Clarity are a 3-piece Rock / Pop / Alternative band from
Kingston, Surrey. They’ve recently finished recording a couple promo
songs and now aim to hit every venue that allows them to set up and
play. Come and hang with them at THE HOB this week if you can make it.
They’d love to see you there!

Ollie Wright – Vocals/Guitar

Brian Leftley – Bass/Vocals

James Robinson – Drums

http://www.myspace.com/lightsoffclarity

———

Stars of the Search Party

Stars of the Search Party are a 6-piece rock band from Guildford in
Surrey. They play music which ties together all their
favourite genres, ultimately creating something that can appeal to the
majority of music fans out there. They hope you enjoy listening to it
as much as they enjoy writing and peforming it.

Rock / Alternative / Electro

2.

Blues & Classic Rock  – at Shepperton

Sep 19 2008  9:00P Kings Head-Shepperton Firewater

Firewater was formed in 2000 and has been regularly gigging around

London and the South East since then. The early blues material gave way

to more classic rock songs as time went on and the duo format lends

itself to a stripped down approach to the songs, showcasing the

considerable talents of singer Ed Hudson and lead guitarist Tim Scopes

If you like blues and classic rock (and don’t like being deafened in

the process of hearing it!) come and see us-you will not be dissappointed….

Ed Hudson-vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica. Tim Scopes-Lead guitar,
slide, backing vocals.

Music: AC-DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher, Free,
Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Humble Pie, Chuck Berry, Black Crowes, Steve
Earle

Future dates:

Sep 19 2008   9:00P    Kings Head-Shepperton

Oct
17 2008    9:00P    Kings Head-Shepperton

Nov 7 2008     8:00P   Barley Mow-Shepperton

Dec 12 2008   8:00P    Kings Head, Shepperton

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/firewaterduo

3.

Heavy Rock Mob from West London- at Staines

Sep 18 2008  8:00P Purge & The Vixens
@ Hobgoblin

One of Staines’ Favourite Bands!

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.

Purge is:

Burgon (Vocals)

Kinghorn Mills (Guitar)

Stanley (Bass, Vocals)

Rogers (Drums)

If you miss ’em
this week you can catch them here:

Sep 25 2008      7:30P The Fighting Cocks Kingston

Oct 30 2008     8:00P The Hobgoblin (w/ Los) Staines

Nov 20 2008     8:00P The Hobgoblin (w/ The Hollers)     Staines

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/purgeuk

4.

Prepare to ‘Glam’ Up at Windsor!

The Glamsters
Sep 20 2008      8:00P The Ticket Hall     Windsor

We Party like it’s 1973!

The Glamsters are the ultimate 70’s Glam Rock tribute band, unlike many
tribute acts, they encompass the whole genre of the 70’s Glam Rock era,
rather than concentrating on replicating a single act. Each member
models themselves on original icons of the Glam era. Rufus is the
ultimate ‘rock god’ front man, Jonny – a legend of The Glitterband,
Pussie – KISS kitten, Jimmy – the SWEET sensation, and Donny – ‘sex on
legs’ glam guitar hero. The Glamsters have been constantly working
since 1996, concentrating on Corporate Events as well asprivate
parties, festivals and good old pub gigs. When asked Rufus often says
‘we’ve never had a bad gig, people always remember the 70’s and the
great times they had, we just take them back to those fun times. We are
the spirit of the 70’s’

RUFUS FELTZ – Vocals… JONNY TEMPO – Drums… DONNY HARVEY OSWALD –
Guitar… JIMMY RIDDLE – Bass… PUSSIE GALAM – Vocals/Sax.

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/theglamsters

5.

Blues

Rik Martin Band Sep 20 008      9:00P THE BARLEY MOW

The Rik Martin Band is based in Surrey
& has been regularly gigging around south London since being
put together in sept 05. The band was formed after a meeting with a
good lookin’ drummer girl by the name of Helen Watt (now Helen Martin)
at Robin Bibi’s blues jam at the Grey Horse, Kingston on Thames. Bass
duties are now taken care of by none other than “BIG” Barry Pethers of
Trafficker fame. We have also recently had the pleasure of occasionally
expanding the band with the talents of Plateman’s Ross Ewart. Ross is
without doubt one of the most talented guitarists I have heard
& had the priveledge to play music with, watch out!

The Band always plays a dynamic energy packed set of both covers
& original material giving the audience a truly memorable
experience of our brand of blues & boogie.

Hope y’all like…

Band Members:

Rik Martin – Guitar & Vocals

Helen Martin – Drums & Vocals

Barry Pethers – Bass

Ross Ewart – Guitar & Vocals

Influences:

Vaughan Bros, Albert Collins, BB King, Robert Cray

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/therikmartinband

If you miss Rik at Shepperton
this week then you can catch him here:

Sep 27 2008     9:00P SCRATCHERS (THE THREE LIONS)     Godalming

Nov 1 2008     9:00P THE HALFWAY HOUSE Barnes

Nov 9 2008     12:00A FARNHAM MALTINGS BLUES FESTIVAL

Dec 13 2008     9:00P THE BARLEY MOW Shepperton

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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–

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5 Things – This Week in Staines

1.

See Some Art at the Sunbury Art Trail Weekend

Surrey Open studios, Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury – Art Trail

Friday 13th June to Monday 16th June

The Studio & Craft Centre, Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury

Featuring the work of artists:

Malcolm West
Hildegarde Reid
Robert Shaw
Freda Anderson
Sue Munson
Robin Lee Hall
Douglas & Pauline Burnett
Annie Shaw
Mary Shanahan

2.

Get the Prog-Rock Sound with Pendragon

Jun 14 2008 8:00P The Peel, Kingston, Pendragon

Back in 1978, Stroud, Gloucestershire, four friends got together and decided to form a band. Zeus Pendragon consisting of Nick Barrett [guitar/vocals], Julian Baker [guitar/vocals], Nigel Harris [the most sought after drummer in the Stroud area] and Stan Cox [bass] was born.

Young and full of ambition Zeus Pendragon started out playing cover versions of classic rock tunes by Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and Santana and their first gig was ironically the same day that Nick left school, burning his maths text book and picking up his guitar on the way… The future had been determined.

The Zeus part of their name was later dropped when the logical and visionary Julian decided it was far too long to fit across a t-shirt, and this ridiculous cross pollination of Arthurian and Greek mythology just seemed plain silly.

Fast Forward to 2005 …. the release of Believe, the 7th studio album by Pendragon which reflected a renewed youthful exuberance and fresh approach both musically and visually for the band.Once again a line up change reared its ugly head, and after 20 odd years with the band Fudge Smith was replaced by 26 year old whipper snapper Joe Crabtree on drums. The band now had a real firecracker of a drummer underpinning the rhythm section which brought a renewed need to fight and the passion and energy of the band was almost like they were 17 years old again for the upcoming Believe tour.Pendragon undertook the biggest tour of Europe they had ever done and followed it with a release of the brilliant And Now Everybody To The Stage dvd.

2007 sees the 21st anniversary of The Jewel dvd release called Past And Presence which includes most of the musicians from those early days and shows how this tenacious band can still thrill, evolve and capitalize on its strengths over a 28 year period where so many others have failed.

So to the future, a new album is on the cards and a year full of festival dates just goes to show that in this hurly burly world of fickle pop music….some ships were built to last.

http://www.pendragon.mu/

3.

Go rock with Rough Justice – Staines

Rough Justice Fri 13th June Staines Riverside Club, Laleham Road £3

Sensational rock covers band with a huge local following,

Not to be missed

http://www.myspace.com/roughjusticerocks

4.

Get your Dancing Shoes On… dancing in the aisle

Dancing in The Streets Monday 9 – Saturday 14 June 2008 – Woking Theatre

The Hit West End Show

Dancing In The Streets

Experience the energy, emotion and electricity of Motown in Dancing in the Streets, the spectacular celebration of classic music from the heart of Detroit!

Featuring legendary Motown classics including I Heard It Through The Grapevine, My Girl and Dancing in the Streets and a full supporting company of singers, dancers and an amazing live band, Dancing in the Streets re-creates the energy, style and music of all your favourite Motown stars!

Box Office: 0870 060 6645

5.

Join in the celebrations at Egham – Magna Carta day

HMagna Carta Celebrations – High Street Egham Sat June 14th 11:00 to 4:00P

FTo celebrate the ‘signing’ of the Manga Carta (check the facts here) this years event at Egham will include Morris Dancers. live bands, brass band, dancing irish vocals, a belly dancer and lots & lots of fun

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Keep visiting www.adpontes.co.uk for up-to-date news, articles, reviews & gig guide for staines and area

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