DREADZONE
Dreadzone enjoyed a brief period of success between 1995 and 1997 which included 7 UK Chart entries. I remember seeing these at Maker Festival a few years ago and I remembered it being quite dull. I also dropped my mobile phone in my pint as I tried to answer it so that says a little about what kind of state I was in. I may not be a fan but at lot of people are, as they continue to tour the country and released their sixth album last year. Their biggest hit was ‘Little Britain’ which got to #20 in the UK Charts…

Dreadzone are one of many bands returning from last year’s festival, so they were obviously a hit last year. You can see them on the Main Stage on Friday just before Goldie Lookin Chain. To check out some more Dreadzone, go to THEIR MYSPACE PAGE

THE VAN DANIELS
Before the onslaught of irish jiggery on Saturday evening are The Van Daniels, a indie-pop quartet similar to The Seahorses or Supergrass. The Dads in attendance are bound to love them. This video isn’t the best of quality so you’re probably better off heading to their myspace page if you want to hear these guys properly: THE VAN DANIELS MYSPACE

VINCE LEE & THE BIG COMBO
I must admit that upon visiting Vince Lee’s myspace page I couldn’t finish listening to a single song. But then, I’ve never been big on the Blues. However, Vince Lee is known for his great live performances and his guitar playing is quite exceptional. Perfect for sitting in the Sunday afternoon sun (hopefully!) with a cool beer helping you to regenerate before one last night of mayhem.

Vince Lee & The Big Combo just released a new album in February so if you want to check it out visit VINCE LEE MySpace

STRANGLE KOJAK
I’m not going to pretend that I’m a fan of their music, although their live shows sound better than their recordings.

I will make up my mind when I see them on the Saturday afternoon.

JOSIE & THE LOVECATS
Upon first listening to Josie & The Lovecats, they are very reminscent of The Dresdon Dolls but a closer inspection reveals there is much more going on here than just a simple DD clone. Josie has a lovely voice that make my ears smile. They’re a perfect choice to open Sunday’s proceedings and their music is very kind on the hungover brain. I’m speaking from experience. To hear more go to their myspace: JOSIE & THE LOVECATS MySpace

And that’s it for this week. It’s the weekend now and the weather is terrible. Surprise surprise!! Still, it’s FA Cup final day tomorrow. At least that’s something. Have a good time whatever you do and we’ll be back on Monday with Part 4 of our mega Volksfest Preview. Bye!

- Dom Cruise

***A QUICK NOTE***
The views of the author do not represent musiccrate.co.uk as a whole.

NEVILLE STAPLE
Neville Staple is the singer of legendary 2-tone ska band ‘The Specials’ who had a UK number one hit with ‘Ghost Town’, a song many of us can relate to as it’s about unemployment, which is also why I have the time to do things like this. They also had another UK number one hit with ‘Too Much Too Young’ which goes a little bit like this…

The lead singer there obviously was not Neville Staple, but he was to the side of the singer jumping about with his tambourine. To be honest I’m not even sure if he does any of The Special’s songs live but I can’t seem to find out anymore information. Either way, he’s a bit of a legend and I’m sure it will be an awesome show.

RICHARD JAMES & THE REDOUBT
Richard James is a local chap who has been making music for a very long time, citing his influences as Bob Dylan & The White Stripes. He’s toured all over europe and has supported Jamiroquai & Radiohead but probably remains best known round these parts. He seems to play at pretty much every music event in and around the city, including Maker Festival. Here’s what he sounds like on his own…

He will be playing with his band at Volksfest. I will be back at the tent drinking cheap cider. But if you like this you can listen to more at http://www.myspace.com/richardjamesmaker

PUBLIC IMITATION LIMITED
Last year, ‘The Sex Pistols Experience’ were the headliners on the Friday night. After 2 songs I had had enough and went elsewhere to seek entertainment. It’s not that i dislike Sex Pistols, or that the Sex Pistols Experience were rubbish. Its just that i’m not the biggest fan of tribute bands and as I stated in my 2009 Volksfest review for MusicCrate, it just doesn’t seem very punk rock. This year they’re keeping with the theme of John Lydon cover bands with Public Imitation Limited, a clever little ploy on Lydon’s Public Image Limited. I would show you a video but there’s no real point.

KERNUYCK
A per usual around these parts, you can get all the irish folk / blues / reggae you like at the festivals but the heavier acts tend to get left out. Kernuyck are a metal band from Cornwall and appear to be the only metal band on the bill which is a damn shame as local metal acts tend to be amusing at the very least. However, these guys made it to the final of the Evening Herald / Hippo Battle Of The Bands and judging by this video, they look pretty sweet…

That’ll do for today. Check back on Friday for Part 3 of our MEGA Volksfest preview.

- Dom Cruise

***A QUICK NOTE***
The views of the author do not represent musiccrate.co.uk as a whole.

The Undertones

At festivals like this, very often you don’t know who to go and see, and you usually find yourself hearing something you like when you’re sat at your tent and then when you do go and see a band it’s usually one of the crap ones. So over the next 2 weeks, I will be having a good look at the line-up and writing about my discoveries on here to help you decide who you might want to see and who you might want to give a miss…

The Undertones
First we have The Undertones who are famous for their hit ‘Teenage Kicks’, apparently John Peel’s favourite ever song. I’m not really sure of anything else they ever did but a quick look on wikipedia tells us that their biggest hit (and also only top 10 single) is actually a song called ‘My Perfect Cousin’. Let’s give that a go…

Damn. Forgot how awesome Subbuteo was! If you liked that, have a look for ‘Wednesday Week’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ or ‘Its Going To Happen’. Those three songs were all top 20 hits for the band. Spotify or Youtube them!

The Mahones
Canadian celtic punk rockers The Mahones have been around since 1988, having their biggest success during the mid to late 90’s. Fans of drunken Irish singalongs will be enjoying themselves the most on Saturday night as just before The Mahones, the very similar Mad Dog McRea will also be playing. Check this out:

It’s not what I would personally classify as punk, but I guess after a few tipples it could be fun. Not really my kinda thing and having these straight after Mad Dog could provide an intensely irratating couple of hours.

Auction For The Promise Club
These guys are a local Plymouth band, and the first scheduled band on the main stage on Friday. They also have a pretty singer, which always help. They state PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth etc etc and all the usuals as their influences, but they don’t sound too bad. Perfect early afternoon opening of festival kind of stuff.

Obviously this isn’t the best recording but you can go to there OFFICIAL MYSPACE page to check them out properly.

So there’s 3 of the bands from this years festival. I’ll be back with 4 more bands on Wednesday. See you then.

Dom Cruise

***A QUICK NOTE***
The views of the author do not represent musiccrate.co.uk as a whole.

The event kicks off mid day with a Mountain Board free ride session before a competition featuring some of the best riders in the world kicks off at 3pm. An outdoor stage will host various live bands and DJs whilst a BBQ will also be taking place.

In the afternoon, the bar will open in the Energy Room, which will be the venue for the rest of the nights entertainment including live sets from local faves like Hillside Heroes, Richard James and Hexadeci. The party doesn’t stop there, however, as after the bands there will be DJ sets from the likes of DJ Coy who has recently played with DnB legends such as Grooverider, Mampi Swift and Nicky Blackmarket, as well as sets from DJ Polo and DJ Skank Maggot.

With a graffiti demo from Andy Knights also included, this event has a lot going on. If you’re not worn out by the Sunday, a wind down session will be taking place with more bands tbc. Check back here to get the latest news on Rooster Park Open Day.

- Dom Cruise

 Plymouths 14th best dj makes records. He has in his time remixed the Jackson 5, Queen, Nore, Dr Dre and a whole host of others, though nowadays, he does tend to ask the artists first. He’s getting better at it and some of them are even in key.

www.myspace.com/aldovanucci

HILLSIDE HEROES BEGAN WHEN FOUR FRIENDS, WHO ALL SHARED A PASSION FOR WRITING AND PERFORMING, MERGED THEIR INDIVIDUAL STYLES TO CREATE A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF ENERGETIC, NO-NONSENSE INDIE AND HIGH-OCTANE SKA, WITH A TIGHT REGGAE FLAIR. A TRULY DISTINCTIVE SOUND.

SINCE THEN THE BAND – WHO ARE BASED IN CORNWALL – HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. THE HEROES HAVE BEEN BUSY BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE FAN BASE AND A SOUND REPUTATION ALL OVER THE SOUTH, INCLUDING CORNWALL, BRISTOL AND LONDON.

www.myspace.com/hillsideheroes

24/7 Magazine Review, “Watching the Dark Move”

“Steadily ploughing their own furrow of progressive neo-folk are Plymouths Dharma Bums. But dont expect any native roots manouvers on debut album proper ‘Watching the Dark Move’. As their entrancing and understated live shows attest, the Bums operate in a parallel acoustic sphere – one where gentle guitar caresses, plaintive violins and Nick Cave-esque keys provide the most desolately melancholic of backdrops to Jonny Powell’s ineffably melodramatic croon: to all intents, the sound of Conor Oberst having a panic attack. Or rapturous revelation. Or both. Either way, the likes of ‘Everything Depends’ provide the perfect soundtrack to the lives of those with a more autumnal disposition. Lord knows we need one.”

http://www.myspace.com/thedharmabumsfolk

The Madding Crowd gathered in 1996 and have been playing in various festivals, art centres, pubs and venues around the Westcountry ever since. Influenced by artists as diverse as Paul Weller, Bjork, Ry Cooder and The Indigo Girls, we mainly use our voices and strings (and a few boxes joined with electric spaghetti known as “gear”) to create what has been described as acoustic-pop and Indie-folk . During that time we have had the privilege to support and be able to name-drop acts such as Al Stewart, Martyn Carthy, Kathryn Tickell, Colin Blunstone, Equation, Julie Felix, Roy Harper and Roy Wood.

In December 2001 we finished the album “The Release”, a 12 track c.d. of original songs and instrumental pieces created with acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, conga and memorable vocal lines. We took a break from playing live music after Hannah and Phil started producing babies in 2002 (and all being related this meant that Graham became a grandfather and Anthony an uncle). But the acoustic guitar wielding soldiers of harmony are back:

“I have vague memories of life before the boys when the songs I sang didn’t have to include actions. This time has been fruitful in many ways, as we have also written and recorded our latest collection of songs for “addictionary”, so called because the songs we have chosen are based on the themes of addiction and the power of words. So we have dusted off the guitars, fished the Lego out of the sound holes and are excited about the music we have been creating.” (Hannah)

“addictionary” (4-track EP) was released at Morwellham Quay in December 2006 and is now available to download from cdbaby.com and itunes.

We are a Plymouth-based band, writing and performing our own material and playing some covers. The last year has been very busy with gigs at The Hub, The Junction, Kitty’s, The Woodside, The Seymour and other local venues and festivals. Our new four track CD is now out, hear some tracks on our myspace!

www.myspace.com/theorkid

Singer / songwriter Nemo Jones provided a very chilled atmosphere on the Saturday afternoon, which was ideal for kicking off the day. His acoustic folk songs were very much in the vain of John Mayer but to the audience he mainly provided background music whilst they caught up with what they did the previous night, which was unfortunate.

Despite suffering to begin with due to the soundman not knowing they were playing, Lemanis were typically captivating. They played an acoustic set but were still accompanied by members of their Orchestra which helped make songs like ‘Colosseum’ and ‘A Witches Dog’ seem huge. A full Lemanis set at a festival is very much needed.

Plymouth Student Battle of the Bands winners Port Bandanas played to a fairly decent crowd (considering the early festival slot) but their brand of Rootjoose-esque funk rock was the perfect antidote to the Sunday hangover most of us were trying to fight off. Their infectious onstage presence kept the attention of the audience and despite a few techinical glitches, songs like ‘Highway’ kept people moving, albeit mostly in their seats.

Local favourites The Scribes did a fantastic job of working up the crowd and got most of the Main Stage jumping for much of their performance, getting them ready for headliners Stereo MCs. Despite being cautious about watching a bunch of men in their late 40’s playing songs as old as much of the audience, they were as energetic as the younger bands over the weekend, if not more, and they kept the crowd going right till the end although playing hit single ‘Connected’ at the end probably helped.

Dom Cruise