The Dawn Chorus / The Retrospective Soundtrack Players - Blogging all over the World

My name is Kyle. I am a happily failing indie/punk/folk/country/rock musician from Hampshire, UK. I have been singing and songwriting in The Dawn Chorus since 2005, and The Retrospective Soundtrack Players since 2010. I love these two bands like my brother/wife rolled into one. This blog details the shows I have played with both bands, in chronological order.

Monday, July 31, 2006

 

XXXIII - Southampton Unit 22 - 26/07/06

Wednesday 26th July 2006
Southampton Unit 22

The Dawn Chorus
Openroom
Leptany
Chris Bath

As usual i've left it too long to update the blog, so i'll keep it nice and snappy. This was our first proper headline show, thanks to our good friend Rich's Dead Man Skanking promotions. The night started well with tasty Fajitas at a trendy bar by the docks, and ended with me in an absolute sweaty wreck under the ridiculously hot stage lights. Inbetween were Chris Bath's interesting Killers re-interpretation, promising sets from young bucks Leptany and local boys Openroom (despite their protests of 'nah, we were pissed!'), and amazing lightning storms outside. We are having a nice break up until September now, hope to see you soon K x

Monday, July 24, 2006

 

Truck 9 review, July22/23 2006, Steventon, Oxford

Truck is the best festival in Britain. I haven't been to many, but i know this is fact. No corporate sponsorship, no queueing for half an hour for a plastic cup of carling, tasty food, friendly people, brilliant bands right in front of your face and all for 40 quid. Marks out of ten in brackets:

Saturday

Caught a bit of Harry Angel on the Main Stage, the less said of which the better. The biblical weather conditions then forced us into the Barn to see Kill Casino, whose punk dirge was instantly forgettable (2). Plastic Ponchos were then bought so that we could see Goodbooks on the Main Stage. Nothing groundbreaking, but the melodies are strong, the lyrics are interesting and they seemed genuinely pleased that a handful of people stood through the downpour to watch them. Expect them much higher up the Main Stage bill next year (7). Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly was up next, and the weather - or possibly unproffessionalism meant that his laptop died so the set was acoustic. The same set was performed as a year ago, but there certainly seemed to be a buzz about GCWCF. His half hour was apt, but without the programmed beats this was only half a performance (6). The sun finally came back for Brakes, who delivered a joyous set on their main stage debut. The new material promises another strong album to come (8). Next up were :( on the Trailer Park Stage, whose emo crossed with 8-bit Spectrum sound effects was interesting, but holds little beyond the initial intrigue (5). Good Shoes drew a decent crowd to the Trailer Park Stage, but their set was 10 minutes too long in my humble opinion, and despite a handful ofpotential indie disco toe-tappers, it's hard to see them as a band that anyone could truly fall in love with (6). Chris T-T is somewhat of a Truck legend, and packed out the newly expanded Market Stage (ex-Acoustic Stage). Chris' comedy side is now truly a thing of the past, as his political rage overspilled into between song rants aginst animal testing. This was a shame in my eyes, as his music is capable of doing the talking in a much more eloquent manner, but any set containing the biting protest anthem 'The huntsman comes a-marching' surely can't deserve any less than a (7). Forward Russia got the evening's proceedings underway on the Main Stage, but including some more downbeat moments from their debut album (sixteen, fifteen pt. 2) seemed like a strange choice for a festival set. However, their energetic (as ever) stage presence meant that they just about pulled it off (7). Hundred Reasons wisely played a set heavy on material from their debut album, and the Main Stage crowd gave them the best reception of the day (7). Finally a long, leg-ache enducing wait hardly seemed worth it for a Futureheads headline set that seemed tired and passionless. Second album highlight 'Yes/No' was inexplicably left out to make way for weaker material from their latest effort, and even ever-present crowd singalong 'Hounds of Love' seemed somewhat flat. As a veteran of 7 Futureheads gigs now, it's disappointing to see a band once full of manic energy introduce a song with; 'this one's a bit of a downer...' (5).

Sunday

Skullthrash sound exactly as you'd expect, surely it's someones's cruel joke to put them on at the ungodly hour of 10.30 Sunday morning. The Keyboard Choir - another band who do exactly what it says on the tin - seemed a better bet to get the day going, and their host of tin foil clad robot dancers had the Trailerpark tent filled to the brim. Look past the novelty, however, and this six man keyboard choir - complete with conductor - make genuinely moving live electronic music (8). Next in the Trailerpark tent were Six Nation State, a band who scientists have proven it to be literally impossible to keep your feet still to (7). Emmy the Great put on a fascinating performance in the crammed Market Stage, her heartfelt folky ditties - equal parts Conor Oberst, Joan Baez and Jenny Lewis - a reminder of the brilliant eclecticism of the festival (8). Easy Tiger's Trailer Park set had been reccomended by Brakes the previous day, but this good-time cowboy hat-wearing heading-down-the-open-highway rock'n'roll nonsense made me want to cut my ears off (2). Not much of an improvement in the Barn, where My Awesome Compilation's unremarkable brit-rock won't have won them many new fans (4). Youthmovies were back in the Barn after two years with little activity, but their intelligent post-rock - now with extra vocals and permanent trumpet player - is truly compelling, if a little confusing to newcomers (8). The huge surge of bodies from the back of the Barn stage could only mean that 65daysofstatic were up next, unleashing the trademark intensely energetic set that will surely see these Truck regulars play the Saturday night headline slot one year (8). Seth Lakeman offered a change of pace on the main stage, and despite some terrible sound problems his four piece folk band managed to capture the relaxed mood on this sweltering Sunday afternoon (6). Buck 65 is another Truck legend, and a packed barn were clinging on the Canadian hick-hopper's every word. Unfortunately these words were almost impossible to hear over the deafening backing tape, but his effortless charm and genius between-song stories put a smile on every face (7). Which left Regina Spektor to round off the weekend in the Barn. The crowd's anticipation is reaching fever pitch when the Russian born New Yorker steps onto the stage, but she doesn't disappoint. Whether playing piano, guitar, singing acapella or whacking a wooden chair with a drumstick, the crowd stand in silent reverence and hang off her every word. The likes of Samson and The Flowers absolutely soar, and every single conversation overheard on levaing the Barn is along the lines of; "that was absolutely amazing". With which I can only agree - a fitting end to another succesful Truckfest (9.5).

Sunday, July 16, 2006

 

XXXII - Winchester Railway Inn - 15/07/06

Winchester Railway Inn
Saturday July 15th 2006

Spearmint
The Dawn Chorus
Dave Miatt

No massive blog this time, just the facts. The promoter Andy was a top bloke and we'd love to play a show for him again. Spearmint were old but good, Dave was quiet and erm, downbeat. Our third show at the railway but the first we've been happy with. Fairly empty but not painfully so. We thought we'd be lacklustre after the Wedge show the day before, but we played well and it was nice to chuck in some 'oldies' like 'All of This', which we kind of had to remember as we went! I'm off to bed, i have bad wind. Good night x

 

XXXI - Build a Mighty Alliance @ Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms - 14/07/06

Build a Mighty Alliance @ Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Friday July 14th 2006

The Strange Death of Liberal England
Golden Section
The Dawn Chorus
Red Campion

Our first wedge show was always going to be a memorable day for us regardless of how it turned out, so we're very glad that it went so well. Some of the shows i've seen at the Wedge have been a massive influence on me ever wanting to start a band, and i'm ecstatic that our first gig there wasn't a battle of the bands or something similar.

The evening started with me nudging/smashing (keith's interpretation of events/mine) my car into my dad's van when pulling off my drive. Then it was panic stations when i thought i'd forgotten our ultra-pompous intro music, but it turned out that Simps had it all along. Then i went and got a refund for my Regina Spektor tickets that i can't use any more, and then we kicked a football around the empty wedge which was pretty cool, and then we soundchecked with our special guest Mr Pauly B on trumpet.

After soundcheck me, simps and paul had a hilarious interview with dvd pete and his colleague (sorry i forgot your name). Sample question:

Interviewer: 'I notice a strong Celtic influence in your music'
Simps: '........'
Kyle: '...........'

Our constant hassling of our friends & acquantances paid off and we sold all our tickets, which was a nice relief. Hopefully they all enjoyed themselves. The night went so fast with the constant running around trying to say hi to everyone that we were onstage in no time, although i did enjoy what i saw of Red Campion. It bordered a little on Corrs territory at times, but mostly i did like it.

Our set felt absolutely awesome, and although i'm aware some of the songs were a little fast, i reckon we nailed it. Although our pretentios stage entrance was nearly fucked when i realised 20 seconds before the tape finished that my guitar had come unplugged at both ends. Almost extremely embarrasing. But it was good sweaty fun, and Paul B stole the show with his cameo on 'Everest', seemingly getting a bigger cheer than us lot!

I enjoyed TSDOLE's set on the whole, and while it was clear that their were some sound and tuning problems, it was the first time i'd seen them live and i think it's great that the area has a band thinking well outside of 'the box', whatever that might be. All us other bands went onstage to sing and manically hit tambourines on 'Motor' and 'Days', although no-one else - including the rest of my band - seemed to have learnt 'Days'. But what the hell, it was great fun, and DJ DVD hands down pants 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc succesfully managed to scare any stragglers out of the venue.

Thanks a heap to TSDOLE for having us, we all hope that the BAMA nights can build up a great reputation, they certainly deserve it for the effort they put in.
x

Thursday, July 13, 2006

 

XXX - Portsmouth Exposure @ Havana Bar - 12/07/06

Wednesday 12th July 2006
Exposure @ Portsmouth Havana Bar

The Shake
The Dawn Chorus
Angelgear (acoustic)

Well you wouldn't fathom it would you, playing with Angelgear again! We've now played with them 5 times, and our good friend Clewee has been to four of them. It was a nice little warm up for Friday at the Wedge, and it was good to give our 2 brand new songs - tentatively titled 'The Town and the City' and 'A Drop in the Ocean' - their first run out. Some interesting discussions whilst waiting for soundcheck, such as the old predicament - is it possible to be friends with a Stereophonics fan? I thought not, but Simps reckoned it may just be possible. Although i was outed as a closet fan of 'Dakota'. It was a bit empty at Havana; with our big show on Friday we didn't bring a huge crowd (Clewee), Angelgear only brought a few and The Shake came from Newbury, so the punters who were there were all in on the off chance. It does help, however, if all the bands help out by watching eachother instead of going to the back room to play pool (hello Angelgear). The Shake put on a great show and were lovely people, I wish them all the best. We're now itching to get onstage at the wedge, see you Friday x

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