Gig guide for Stoke-on-Trent (28/03/08-03/04/08)

So things should return back to normaility now after the big bank holiday weekend. I spent my time (and an awful lot of money) abusing my body down in the London. Although I did make a visit to a pub which is listed twice. Once for the main building and again for the toilet. I can provide no pictures of this fine place for urine, but I can assure you it was worth a mention.
Anyway, where was I. Back to the ye olde gig guide of course. The main attraction for this week is the Foals (pictured below) are coming to town, only it is a DJ set and not a full gig. The band have exploded onto the scene lately and they have ben pretty hard to avoid.

Go to Foals MySpace page

For all you Foals fans out there you are in for a treat as members of the band will be performing an exclusive DJ set. They will be spinning the tunes at the night called F.A.K.E. which is at Touch nightclub in Hanley.
Foals DJ set is at Touch on Friday, March 28, at 9.30pm. Free entry.

Also on Friday you can catch local indie band Dirty Mundays when they headline at the Sugarmill. They originally started out as an Oasis tribute band but now perform their own material.
Dirty Mundays play at the Sugarmill in Hanley on Friday, March 28, at 7pm. Tickets cost £4. (01159 454 593)

Be Your Own Pet will stop off in Hanley as part of their nationwide tour following the release of their second album. They are one of the many current female-fronted bands and come all the way from Tennessee. Their music is very fast paced so expect an energetic performance.
Be Your Own Pet are at the Sugarmill on Saturday, March 29, at 7pm. Tickets cost £8.50. (01159 454 593)

Alternatively, you could lend some support to some local bands at the Glebe in Stoke. The Greenhouse Project, Jacks A Girl and The Llight will all have their chance to shine.
The gig is at the Glebe on Saturday, March 29, at 8pm. Tickets cost £4. (01782 844600)

On Monday rising Glaswegian band Make Model are appearing at the Sugarmill. The band recently played at the South By Southwest festival in Texas. Further planned appearances at Camden Crawl could help propel them into the mainstream.
Make Model play at the Sugarmill on Monday, March 31, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6. (01159 454 593)

Also on Monday there is another chance to see Everything On Red when they perform at Fat Cats in Hanley.
Music starts at 8pm and is free entry.

Look See Proof return to the region and are another band that seem destined for bigger things. They have supported high profile bands such as The Frattellis, Foals and Good Shoes and even played at last year's Glastonbury.
Look See Proof take centre stage at the Sugarmill on Tuesday, April 1, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5. (01159 454 593)

This week's featured bands at the Old Brown Jug in Newcastle are Sub-Rosa and The Vicious Toys.
Music starts at 8pm and there is no entry fee.

Finally, on Thursday you can absorb the distinct sound of Yoav when he appears at the Sugarmill. He has a radio-friendly voice but provides all the backing tracks himself by strumming and banging away at his trusty guitar.
Yoav is at the Sugarmill on Thursday, March 3, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6. (01159 454 593)

Gig guide for Stoke-on-Trent (21/03/08 - 27/03/08)

This weekend we all celebrate Easter in our own way. You can either go to church and say a prayer, stuff your face full of choccie or just take advantage of an extra couple of days off. Some are just greedy and do all three, and others just do this all year round anyway.
My highlight for the upcoming week of gigs is this gruesome twosome (pictured below) who go by the name of Blood Red Shoes.

Go to Blood Red Shoes MySpace page

This week we begin when a bunch of local bands have a share of the limelight. Fall 42, Hudson, Blue Origin and Hollow Victory are all featured on the roster at the Underground in Hanley.
Fall 41 et al are at the Underground on Friday, March 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4. (01782 206000)

Also on Friday there is a night of rock on offer at the Glebe in Stoke. Headlining are Stafford-based band Daily Intake with the support slots filled by Nemo and Edison Rise.
Music starts at 8pm and ticket cost £5. (01782 844600)

On Saturday metal band Bad Coma are headlining at the Sugarmill in Hanley. They are a four-piece group that possess bags of experience and have a decent following. They will be supported by Hebephrenic and Defkon.
Bad Coma play at the Sugarmill on Saturday, March 22, at 7pm. Tickets cost £4. (01159 454 593)

Fat Cat Café Bar is playing host to a couple more bands on Monday night. Herzoga are part of the Wrongpop army and have been championed by Steve Lamacq. They are also due into the famous Maida Vale studios in London where they will record some tracks for BBC Introducing. Morning Sparks are the other band that will be featured on the night.
The gig is at Fat Cats on Monday, March 24, at 9pm. Free entry.

Also on Monday, Resonate and Rig Up Explosive are stopping off at the Glebe as part of their nationwide tour. Resonate are currently signed to independent rock label Lockjaw Records and have also been played by Steve Lamacq.
Both bands are appearing at the Glebe on Monday, March 24, at 8pm. Tickets cost £5. (01782 844600)

Blood Red Shoes come stomping into the region on Wednesday to take centre stage at the Sugarmill. The tour is in aid of promoting their upcoming debut album Box Of Secrets which shall be released in mid April. They are a two-piece rock band that is based in Brighton and have regularly been featured in all the popular music press.
They will be supported by two bands with rising profiles in the form of Johnny Foreigner and Peggy Sue And The Pirates.
Blood Red Shoes play at the Sugarmill on Wednesday, March 26, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7. (01159 454 593)

Finally, On Thursday local band Tribal Brides Of The Amazon are taking to the stage at the Glebe. They are signed to local label Owd Ear Recordings which is also home to a small number of artists. They will not be alone on the night as support is supplied by both Monski and Seers.
The music starts at 8pm and tickets cost £4. (01782 844600)

Gig guide for Stoke-on-Trent (14/03/08 - 20/03/08)

It's a bit of a quieter time on the Stoke's gig front this week. I of course won't be attending any of these as I'm off to the London. Doing a bit of work experience down there so muchos filing and photocopying for me. Sex. I should still be posting bits about my time down there and may even include some snaps taken by my good self.
In the mean time back to the gigs. Boy Kill Boy (pictured below) are coming to town this week, but for a full round-up just keep on reading.

Go to Boy Kill Boy's MySpace page

This week we start off with a couple of local guitar-based bands taking over at the Underground. Headlining on Friday is the four piece modern punk/indie band St. Six supported by The Vancouvas.
St. Six are at the Underground in Hanley on Friday, March 14, at 8pm. Tickets cost £4. (01782 206000)

Saturday night brings a more progressive sound to your ears when Mountain Became Machines take to the stage at The Band Stand. If you are still unsure what and where this venue is, it was formerly Kay’s Mobster Rock Bar and can be found on Marsh Street in Hanley.
Mountains Became Machines play at The Band Stand on Saturday, March 15, at 10pm. Entry fee is £3 payable on the door.

Also on Saturday Everything On Red are headlining at the Sugarmill in Hanley. They have described their sound as “an assault on the ears and mind.”
Everything On Red take centre stage at the Sugarmill on Saturday, March 15, at 7pm. Tickets cost £4. (01159 454 593)

On Sunday you can head to the Sugarmill for a classic rock sound supplied by Big Linda. The name suggests that it’s a lady with an above average appetite, but don’t be fooled. They are in fact a London-based band with an album due out in April.
The gig is at the Sugarmill on Sunday, March 16, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5. (01159 454 593)

Boy Kill Boy return to the region just a couple of weeks before their second album is available to buy or download. Their latest offering was produced by Dave Sardy who has previously recorded Oasis, Johnny Cash and Soulwax.
Boy Kill Boy play at the Sugarmill on Monday, March 18, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8. (01159 454 593)

Alternatively you could check out Year Long Disaster who are taking a break from their tour with Velvet Revolver, to storm into the Underground. Support is supplied by a trio of local bands in the form of Blind Pilot, Navaho and Renton.
The gig is at the Underground on Tuesday, March 18, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4. (01782 206000)

The Displacements return to the Sugarmill as warm-up preparation for their tour supporting The Enemy. The group have been regularly featured in the music press and were even championed by the legendary Peter Hook.
The Displacements are at the Sugarmill on Wednesday, March 19, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6. (01159 454 593)

Finally, local indie band The Seconds top the bill at the Sugarmill on Thursday. The band only formed a couple of years ago, but has already won a battle of the bands competition in sunny Blackpool.
Music starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £4. (01159 454 593)

Free baby with every festival ticket

http://www.spermfortickets.com/

Picture the scene. Fifteen years from now you hear a knock at the door. You open it only to be greeted by a young lad performing a scene out of the Riverdance. With a quick scratch of the head you wonder what the hell is going on. Then he chirps them immortal words: “Top of the morning to ya. The name’s Paddy McGuiness and your ma daddy so you are”

This time you scratch your head more manically. Is this a wind-up? You have a scan about to see if one of your mates is hiding in the bushes. No sign of anyone except this hyper little kid jigging around in front of you. Then BANG! It smacks you in the face like a right hook from Rocky. Bestival, it must be.

Now this is not just another story of a drunken fumble at a festival. This could be the reality for thousands of students around the country. They are strapped for cash but desperate to join in the summer frolics. This includes at least one visit to indulge in the shenanigans that this year’s festivals have to offer. While scouring the internet they come across an advert that could solve all their problems: “We need sperm donations…You need festival tickets…Wanna strike a deal?” An instant reply from a small army of desperate students was: “Too right I do. A ticket to Bestival for the small price of a five finger shuffle. That’s two for one in my book. Where do I sign?”

A few quick clicks on the keyboard and your off. The application pack will soon be dropping through the door along with the maxed-out credit card bill. Assuming you pass all the checks you’re free to enter the next stage of the process. It won’t be long till Dave from DHL will be delivering your special pot along with a selection of ‘reading material.’ “I’ll be in the van, you’ve got five minutes lad. Can’t wait no longer, off to Wakefield next.” No worries Dave, I’ll be back in a jiffy.

Now whoever thought of this idea clearly didn’t think it through. First of all there is the slight sexist issue. Do girls not like music? Or is that offer forthcoming? Maybe they’re just worried that they will put all their eggs in one basket, and that could be a messy affair.

There also seems to be a distinct lack of good morals. Just because the Irish sperm banks are struggling doesn’t mean they should take advantage of the poor. Aiming to seduce students who would sell their big toes for a pot noodle is just wrong. And why target the festival goers anyway? The majority are beer swigging, drug fuelled, party animals that have a forty a day fag habit. Surely that is not the ideal profile of a donor.

That’s not to say that the campaign was a failure. So many people have replied that the site has had to close down and have a re-think. A quick meeting and they’re ready for some more promotion. The next advert reads: “We need sperm donations…You need crack…Wanna strike a deal?”

Gig guide for Stoke-on-Trent (7/03/08 - 13/03/08)

This week there are plenty of choices on offer with numerous nights offering multiple options. So knock the dust off your gladrags (or whatever you wear) and check them out.
The Beatles are even coming to town on Thursday. Now as far as I know no-one has managed to bring back John Lennon or George Harrison just yet. It is in fact their leading tribute act The Bootleg Beatles (pictured below) who once supported Oasis at Earls Court. If thats your thing then nip to the bank and take out a mortgage as the tickets cost a small fortune.

The weekend begins on Friday with the sold-out show by The Futureheads at the Sugarmill in Hanley. They are an established band from Sunderland whose third album This Is Not The World is due out in May.
The Futureheads are appearing at the Sugarmill on Friday, March 7, at 7pm.

You could also opt to join in the party at the Glebe as Wrongpop celebrate their first birthday. There are numerous bands on offer this Friday including Truckdriver Jnr, Stringfellow Hawk and Notorious Hifi Killers.
The celebrations are at the Glebe in Stoke on Friday, March 7, at 8pm. Tickets cost £3. (01782 844600)

Also, The Band Stand continues putting on live entertainment and you can catch local bands Wavelength and Distinct 6 there.
The gig is at The Band Stand in Hanley tonight at 10pm. Entry fee is £3 payable on the door.

Alternatively, you could head down to Fat Cats in Hanley and soak up the sounds of The Wind Up Merchants, Coda and Radio Free Europe.
The music starts at 9pm and there is no entry fee.

On Saturday night there is another chance to watch local band The Black Apples as they continue their busy start to the year.
The Black Apples play at the Glebe in Stoke on Saturday, March 8, at 8pm. Tickets cost £4. (01782 844600)

On Sunday night the Cazals will bounce into the region in buoyant as their single Life Is Boring has just been released. They are currently signed to the super cool French label Kitsune which has previously released material from Hot Chip and Digitalism. The support slots are filled by The Rebounds, The Title and The Blue Collars.
Cazals are at the Sugarmill on Sunday, March 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6. (01159 454 593)

Yorkshire indie band Little Man Tate return to Stoke-on-Trent on Monday for a show at the Sugarmill. Support is supplied by The Lines and The Sport.
The gig starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10. (01159 454 593)

This week’s featured bands at the Old Brown Jug are the Kamikaze Pilots and Mint.Ive.
They both take centre stage at the Old Brown Jug in Newcastle on Wednesday, March 12, at 8pm. Free entry.

Also on Wednesday The Maybes? will be making the trip from Liverpool to appear at the Sugarmill.
The Maybes? play at the Sugarmill on Wednesday, March 12, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5. (01159 454 593)

Finally, on Thursday you can rejoice to the sound of The Beatles with renditions of their hits being reproduced by successful tribute act The Bootleg Beatles.
They are appearing at the Victoria Hall in Hanley on Thursday, March 13, at 8pm. Tickets cost £19.50/£21.50. (0870 060 6649)