Come one come all to the Beacon Court tavern this March the 9th where The Furry Lovelickers, Medway’s rising star of British rock will be taking stage at the release of their highly anticipated 4 track EP album launch. You do not want to miss this piece of history in the making.

How has 2013 started for Wildfowl?

2013 so far has started pretty well for us. Every Friday for the first 3 weeks of January we were playing, in Camden a lot which was great. We’ve been doing gig after gig after gig and we’ve been writing lots of new material so overall it’s been a great start to the year and hopefully it will be a big year for us too.

What inspired you to begin as a band and choose to play blues rock?

Blues has always been a genre that I was very fond of ever since I started playing guitar and writing songs.  I’ve always found people like Robert Johnson really inspiring.  He was such a brilliant guitarist and wrote about his life as it was without giving a rose tinted spectacle on it.  Another reason behind my love of blues is Howlin Wolf. He has this incredible rough and husky voice that anyone would die for.  Blues is one of them genres that matches my personality and also the whole mood of the band.  It’s just a genre where you can write about anything you want and express it in a million ways.  We’re not strictly a blues band but there are so many strong links it that it’s the closest thing we can compare our music to.

You got through it pretty quickly, what was it like recording the E.P?

The whole way we approached the E.P was mad.  We’d been together as a band for a little under 3 weeks when we recorded our E.P. We played one gig at an open mic night at the Barge in Gillingham and another at a small bar called Poco Loco in Chatham.  As I’m very picky with recording techniques and everything that comes along with recording I really wanted our E.P to sound how I feel it should. I got in touch with Jim Riley at Ranscombe studios in Rochester, I’d recorded with Jim and Brendan Esmonde in previous bands so it was the right thing to do this time. Jim’s studio is completely analog and is recorded on a tape reel just how they used to do it back in the day. It made making the E.P so much more fun. We recorded it all live and it feels like you’ve accomplished so much more doing it that way because it goes to show you have to be tight as a band otherwise you have to wind the tape reel back and start over. If anyone ever needs a recording done, YOU NEED TO GO TO JIM RILEY !

It’s got you some interest from far and wide, a French music blog commented on your review and we saw an American label add you into a compilation. How far has word about you spread?

It’s been a bit strange how it’s reached France and America.  We’ve had a lot more American fans since they featured us on their winter compilation. It’s great to know someone’s keeping an eye on us from overseas. As far as we’re aware the furthest it’s gone out to is Oklahoma which is mad for a band based in Medway.
You’ve been gigging A LOT recently, whats been your favourite gig to date? How have the crowds received you?

Purple Turtle was a very good gig of ours. But then in terms of a crowd pleaser we all agree that Beacon Court on the 23rd of December was fantastic for us.  We were the band opening for the evening but we managed to pack out the whole room before 9 o clock.  Everyone there seemed so happy as it was 2 days before crimbo and all of our friends and family came down and to have a room full of people coming just to see you play cheer you on is the best feeling ever.  Every gig we’ve done we always get the best reaction from people afterwards.  The main comments are the harmonies between Genevieve and me.  We once got a comment saying we sounded like the beach boys with our harmonies.  It’s great to have comments like that.

What have been your funniest/weirdest experiences gigging?

I’m not going to lie but being in a band with our bassist Shaun Meaney is the funniest thing. He’s just mental and never ceases to amaze us. He’s so eccentric on stage and we now have a crowd pleaser called ‘The Meaney Bop’.   It’s one of them signature things that Shaun does on stage. It’s a joy to watch as he’s off in his own little world.

What are your plans for 2013?

GIG, GIG, GIG and also GIG !!!!  We’re going to be working on our album this year too which I will be recording myself in my home studio.  We aren’t in any rush to get it completed anytime soon and we aren’t in any rush to leak any details on it but we are going to keep this one very closely to our chests.

When 2013 goes off for you in a big way, what band big or small do you pick to tour with?

Crybaby Special and The Monsters.  They have been tweeted by The Libertines recently.  They’ve been asked to play with and support Pete Doherty and they are the most respected band out in Kent at the moment.  There’s no contest as to what band we want to gig with.  We’re already gigging with them all over our hometown and throughout London too.  They are the hardest working musicians about and they deserve everything they work for.  As a band we’ve had the amazing honour to follow them in their steps and we’ve learnt so much from them.  They’ve helped us out in more ways than I can thank them for.  Not only are they the best local band I’ve seen live before and they are three of the best people I’ve met. We gig with them what seems to be every gig these days but I wouldn’t change that. We always have such a laugh with Jason, Josh and Lewis.  They are the reason we’re so busy.  Seeing them do over 100 gigs last year made us all want it soo much as well. I have no fear in saying they’re going to be massive one day in the very near future !

And most importantly, whats your favourite kind of biscuit?

This is the hardest thing you’ve asked today. I’m going to have to say chocolate digestive. It’s sweet, it’s tasty and it’s got chocolate all over one side. It’s better than your average bourbon ! !

Wildfowl on Facebook

David Horn

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Release Review: Wildfowl – The Carousel E.P

Tonight at the Beacon Court in Gillingham Tyrannosaurus Alan will play their last ever gig.  For four years the band have pedaled their unique sound, built on ska, punk, hip-hop plus more other genres than there are words for.  During their four year life span Tyrannosaurus Alan have even played across Europe, playing over 680 gigs or one million by their own count.  They’ve rocked crowds from our own Kent to places like London, Bristol and Newcastle.  Across the channel they’ve made friends in countries such as France and the Netherlands.  All this has gained them over 5000 fans.

Musically the seven piece have released one album, Campaign, which received high praise including this from one unknown reviewer.

“here’s a notice to you all: the band’s album, ‘Campaign’ (picked up tonight), is storming. It’s skacore with a wit and intelligence, and just a bloody big sound, and it’s very reminiscent of tonight’s headliner. This band will be followed closely next year.”

Tyrannosaurus Alan also have a track free to download called S.T.B.  Beyond Kent however the ska scene has lost a vibrant and entertaining presence.  The band have played with the likes of Imperial Leisure.  Tyrannosaurus Alan have achieved international airplay and played a Maida Vale session for the BBC, voted one of the best punk sessions recently.

Catch them tonight and hear what all the hype was about at the Beacon Court, Gillingham with Slaves, AvaGrace and Clay Pigeon.

David Horn

Tyrannosaurus Alan on Facebook

Tyrannosaurus Alan on Bandcamp

We went to Beacon court, Gillingham in the need of metal and beer.

What we received was a brutal onslaught of music, vocals and awesome stage presence that left me grinning like a maniac and were I not suffering from a bad neck this week I would have have smashed the very  foundations.

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Katy B was damn good too.  Her set was not nearly as theatrical.  She simply let her music do the talking.  She played a few songs of hers that I had not heard and it reminded me that I need to get her album. She looked like she loved being on stage there in Hyde Park and the crowd loved her too.

The act that I was really blown away by was Ke$ha.  I like her music A lot and had forgotten that she was playing so I was well chuffed when I was reminded that she was in fact there.  Her music in my opinion speaks for itself but the stage show that she put alongside her music was her down to a tee.  There was an overall 80′s Punk theme to it and lots, and lots of glitter.  What really impressed me and I think was needed otherwise the performance would have failed was the energy from Ke$ha and the team she has on stage with her.  From the drummer to the two male dancers that she has throwing themselves across the stage all gave a 110%  There was a lot of chemistry between them all, especially these two male dancers and her two backing female vocalists who played various instruments and danced around on stage, and Ke$ha and for me this was the true selling point.  This was the part of the performance that really sucked the crowd in . I cannot sing to save my life, nor can I dance and I am hopeless with an instrument so I have no idea how hard it is to get up on stage and perform like this.  I have no idea how much hard work must go into it, but they looked like they were enjoying it as much was I was.  It was clear that this wasnt just one big step by step routine. There were A number of moments where someone would do something with someone else on stage and the reaction of the other person is just one of surprise.

We only stayed for the Streets after that, seeing Chromeo before they played.  Chromeo were good and they had A lot that I could like about them, but I was irritated by the simple fact that they kept repeating their name.  Dont get me wrong I have no problems with self promotion but it felt like every fifth line was their name.  Their music was good but this put me off them.  I’ll keep an eye out for them though because I can see me liking their music.

I’m not A big fan of The Streets, their music isn’t bad just not me but my friend is a fan so we stayed for them.  I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t stay for The Chemical brothers but my friend had been at Take That the night before and I’d been out at a friend’s house much later than I had planned to be so we called it a night after the The Streets wrapped up. I loved it and will probably go next year.  maybe my writing skills will have improved enough to give A much better account of my day.

Beacon Court! A Brand new Acton community at a great value of over 3600 sq ft! 2 new construction homes along w/ the original Robbins St home..wonderful opportunity to be part of a new neighbohood! 4 BR, 3.5 Baths, partial walk out basements and full walk up 3rd level on a 1/2 acre lot! Wow!

57 Robbins st-Acton-The  original Robins St home..all part of the new Beacon Crt neighborhood– has loads of charm and many thoughtful renovations! Great opportunity to be part of a new community!!

It can only be one band that gets adults in their thirties/forties moshing at the front of a small venue.

That band would be the UK SUBS.

The Beacon Court played home to the London based four piece for the night. Only the singer remains in the group joined by three other musicians, that didn’t matter as you weren’t there for the people, you were there for the music. Every one of the audience knew all the words and if you forget about today’s fashion than you could have believed you where back in the good old seventies seeing the band for the first time.

The music was loud, the venue crowded and drinks were flowing. What more could you want out of a gig. OK so their not the Sex Pistols but they have talent and have a great stage presence. Even the people that didn’t know the words were enjoying themselves, the image they had on stage worked. People were jumping into the crowd from the small stage and the lead singer was encouraging them to go mental.

Even after they finished their set everyone in the room joined together to yell ‘UK SUBS, UK SUBS’. Not one single person wanted them to leave the stage. I’m sure if there was no such thing as drinking laws we could have been sweating in that room all night and all day.

I’d see them whilst you can. Proof that music is still music and not just all pretty boys and girls.

 <UK SUBS from the 70s (lead singer second from right)

Videos and images do not belong to me, so I take no credit what so ever for them…

It can only be one band that gets adults in their thirties/forties moshing at the front of a small venue.

That band would be the UK SUBS.

The Beacon Court played home to the London based four piece for the night. Only the singer remains in the group joined by three other musicians, that didn’t matter as you weren’t there for the people, you were there for the music. Every one of the audience knew all the words and if you forget about today’s fashion than you could have believed you where back in the good old seventies seeing the band for the first time.

The music was loud, the venue crowded and drinks were flowing. What more could you want out of a gig. OK so their not the Sex Pistols but they have talent and have a great stage presence. Even the people that didn’t know the words were enjoying themselves, the image they had on stage worked. People were jumping into the crowd from the small stage and the lead singer was encouraging them to go mental.

Even after they finished their set everyone in the room joined together to yell ‘UK SUBS, UK SUBS’. Not one single person wanted them to leave the stage. I’m sure if there was no such thing as drinking laws we could have been sweating in that room all night and all day.

I’d see them whilst you can. Proof that music is still music and not just all pretty boys and girls.

 <UK SUBS from the 70s (lead singer second from right)

Videos and images do not belong to me, so I take no credit what so ever for them…