live music – Page 2 – Hereford City Centric Retail & Culture Blog

Last Tree Squad 2017 EP Launch at the Booth Hall Filled the House

LAST TREE SQUAD EP LAUNCH LIVE AT THE BOOTH HALL HEREFORD

17 March 2017

Review by Gavin Brown

Heading a lineup of fresh talent of varied musical styles, Last Tree Squad brought the good-time vibes to The Booth Hall for the launch of their new EP. The crowd inside were witness to an almighty example of energetic live performance throughout the night, culminating in an impressive display of musicianship, charisma and moving the crowd from the headliners.

Last Tree Squad 2017, the Booth hall, Hereford — Last Tree Squad

REGGAE PIE

Upon arriving at The Booth, we were treated to the sounds of the Reggae Pie DJs who were reliably dropping dub, reggae and jungle bombs in a fashion that really set the scene for the night ahead with the bass rattling, exactly as it should be.

COOSIE

With the bass still resonating through the walls of The Booth, local MC Coosie from Verbal Highz took to the stage and dropped a concise but effective set of beats, rhymes and life that showed off his lyrical prowess with knowing mentions of everything from Shrek to Madeline McCann and adding effects with a little toy horn, he demonstrated a wry sense of humour throughout the set. Coosie definitely got the live aspect of tonight’s show off to a flying start.

ESKE FORTE

As the interim dub classics erupted and then subsided, it was time for Esk Forte to take the stage for the next portion of live entertainment. Armed with a guitar, saxophone and a sublime voice, she was reminiscent of Laura Marling in her early days but with a lot more attitude and vigour, and captivated the audience with that spellbinding voice. Alternating between playing the songs with the guitar and the saxophone showed how talented she is and the set was a joy to watch, the only thing wrong with it was that it wasn’t longer.

RUCKA SMALL

Following Esk Forte wasn’t an easy task but Rucka Small proved himself to be more than up to the task with the rappers double-time style of emceeing going down a storm, a style that reminded me of one of this country’s finest rappers, Skinnyman, partly because of the double-time style but also the delivery and lyrical content, which bordered on the humorous at times, especially when he declared he’s got “bite like Tyson” in a hip hop moment straight out of 97 that still sounded fresh!

Rucka Small was joined towards the end by Last Tree Squad man BDS to hype the crowd up a little more, which definitely worked as he rattled off his quick-fire rhymes to serious applause and ended a great set on a high.

CUT LA VIS

Before the night’s headliners took to the stage, the man that is Cut La Vis demonstrated his formidable DJing skills as the bass heavy cuts kept coming in fast and heavy; this proved to be the perfect opening to Last Tree Squad kicking out their jams.

LAST TREE SQUAD

Wasting absolutely no time at all, the six-piece (featuring Esk Forte among their ranks) raised the energy levels even further with an enthusiastic approach to their craft and those energy levels stayed risen for the remainder of the night.

Blasting out memorable tracks from the EP as well as other cuts, Last Tree Squad proved how good a live band they are with every member of the band firing on all cylinders, ably led by BDS whose passion on the mic was suitably impressive and constantly hyped up the crowd.

Between the music, the stage chatter was constant with usual suspects, Theresa Dis-May and Stig Trump (as BDS put it) were ridiculed with the frontman declaring it as being “like Thatcher and Reagan all over again” to mass applause and sending a message of good vibes over war and hate as well as a closing impassioned rant against the manufactured music industry and all the X Factor rubbish.

Last Tree Squad put on a hell of a show, and their sound, one that takes in reggae, dub, hip hop and jungle, delivered with an infectious lust for life that was so enjoyable to listen to and the enthusiasm of the crowd was testament to this.

Seek out the brilliant EP, and seek out Last Tree Squad live as it is an experience not to be missed out on, one that was rapturously received tonight at The Booth accompanied by a strong supporting bill. It is nights like this that are needed to keep live music alive.

Images: Booth Hall Photography, Nick Vidal-Hall

You can also pick up a printed version of this interview in April’s Slap Mag (Free)

The Underground Revolution: Doghouse, Reality Attack & Wolf Cryer Review

24 September 2017

The Booth Hall Hereford

The Underground Revolution Presents Doghouse, Reality Attack

and Wolf Cryer

Music Review by Gavin Brown

Following hot on the heels of the immense Steve Ignorant gig earlier in the month, it was with great pleasure to be able to witness the formidable music machine that is Doghouse, an outfit with the very same ideals and outlook as the great Mr Ignorant. Add to this a great supporting lineup courtesy of the down and dirty punk of Reality Attack and the grungy hard rock of Wolfcryer, and you’ve got a recipe for a great night. And a great night it was with a healthy turnout from an enthusiastic audience showing once again how vibrant the musical climate is in Hereford nowadays.

Booth Hall Photography, Reality Attack at The Boothhall Underground Revolution Night Feb 24 2017 — Chillin’ Photograph by Raphael La Roche

WOLF CRYER

Kicking off the night were Wolf Cryer and the local lot got the night off to a brilliant start with their grunge-inspired rock, which was a definite highlight. The band’s extended heavy jams were completely mesmerising as was the powerful groove that they laid down and the vocals of singer Claire Perkins were undeniably impressive and topped the bands sound off perfectly. Wolf Cryer have that grunge influence with heavier bands like Babes In Toyland, or even Gruntruck with their more metal sound and even a hint of the Melvins in there too. These bands seem like an influence on their sound, but Wolf Cryer do their own thing with it and this is definitely a band that need checking out again. Having not heard the band before, I was blown away and won’t hesitate to catch them when they next play live, which will hopefully be soon!

Booth Hall Photography, Wolfcryer at The Boothhall Underground Revolution Night Feb 24 2017 — Wolfcryer Bassist Jon Wilson – Photograph by Raphael La Roche

REALITY ATTACK

Reality Attack were up next and their raw punk didn’t disappoint at all, with their defiant and in your face noise a joy to watch. The speakers were tested to their limits as the band thrashed through their set as if it were the last one they’d ever play! Their crust/anarcho punk sound went over so well with the dancing audience, and they debuted some new material that will be forthcoming on their new EP. It is just as pissed off as their older material with the brilliant You’re A Cunt a highlight of the bands set.

Reality Attack rallied against the system throughout with a heartfelt tribute to the young Russian punk stabbed to death for standing up to fascists a few days earlier only adding to the band’s anger – and the band certainly told it like it is. They finished their set with their bassist up on vocals singing his heart out and ended things on a high. Reality Attack are definitely the real deal and proved this tonight beyond a shadow of a doubt.

DJ BDS

Between each of the acts, BDS of Last Tree Squad was spinning tunes and this added to the eclectic nature of the night as well with bass, heavy dub, reggae, dancehall, hip hop and grime cuts testing the Booth Halls speakers to the max! Heating songs like Murder She Wrote, Raggamuffin, Welcome to Jamrock and 99 Problems really loud definitely added to the atmosphere.

DOGHOUSE

Formed out of the ashes of cult Cardiff techno punk band Sicknote, tonight’s headliner’s Doghouse play a much-anticipated set and are another band who don’t disappoint either with their defiant and cutting lyrics really hitting home over energetic and hard techno beats that got an enthusiastic response on the dancefloor throughout their whole set. Their spirited performance has much in common with Steve Ignorant as they spew bile about the current state of the nation and like the former Crass man, they do it with an element of humour and cleverness, never coming across as preachy with the techno elements adding to the warm and energetic atmosphere. Doghouse has a massive performance art and cabaret (that they have dubbed Cabarave, a description that fits perfectly) element to them that works so well, from costume changes to some inspired dancing, you couldn’t take your eyes off the duo all night.

Delivering songs, mainly culled from their debut album Idiot Savant, their passionate delivery on topics ranging from council tax to unemployment and thinking for yourself was very inspiring too. The band were as informative as they were entertaining all night. A great performance from two true musical mavericks that deserve to be heard by all.

Overall, this was a brilliant night that saw so much variation in musical terms, but this certainly united everyone in attendance as the atmosphere was amazing and that can only be a good thing.

Feature Image: Nick Vidal-Hall for Booth Hall Photography

Join the Underground Revolution on Facebook Here

De Koffie Pot Gallery on the River Wye – Ria Parfitt Exhibition Open To Public Until March 17th

ARTIST RIA PARFITT EXHIBITION – FEBRUARY ’28 PAINTINGS IN 28 DAYS’

De Koffie Pot, Bridge Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 9DG

http://herefordleftbank.com/

Friday Night was an absolute charmer of an evening. I Popped into the ‘February – 28 Paintings in 28 Days’ Exhibition with my trusty sidekick and photographer in crime, Grace Biddlecombe, and was greeted by a buzzing atmosphere – a room of smiling art appreciators, or perhaps they were Ria Parfitt fans. After all, the girl is a diamond. Grace snapped plenty of photographs for us to share with you and hopefully, inspire you to come along and experience Ria Parfitt’s playful art. Interpret as you wish!

The good news is she sold 14 paintings that night and several prints. On the second day she sold more. Wow. The prints are rather stunning as well, so you can pick one up if your favourite painting has sold. I am sure they are limited edition so you probably don’t want to linger too long. The possibility of a sell out is in the cards.

The exhibition is open to the public until St. Patrick’s Day in the De Koffie Pot Gallery located on the first floor. If you have not been to this Dutch-inspired converted coach house cafe you must add it to your places to lounge after a long day of shopping in the Hereford city centre. It is located along the River Wye and is part of a family venture that also manage the famous Left Bank venue. It’s beautiful and the coffee and cake are a hook – they also serve scrumptious food.

De Koffie Pot has become a social hub for culture on the River Wye in Hereford. The city’s creative demographic are being welcomed by venues around Hereford to host events and perform. The city is undergoing an evolution which is taking a positive direction.

I must mention that on the way out there was a room right across the gallery on the first floor that Grace and I gravitated towards illuminated with beautifully lit candles on the tables. They were preparing for their free Friday night live music events. Magical!

Follow Ria Parfitt on Facebook Here

Photography by Grace Biddlecombe

Catch Ria Parfitt performing with her band Mexicola at The Booth Hall Hereford March 25th. Doors 8pm £6 entry £4 with NUS card.

The Booth Hall & AR Studios Join Forces For 2017 Open Mic Night Relaunch

Reopened in late 2015 by pocket rocket team Arran and Willow Vidal-Hall, The Booth Hall on East Street has become the go-to place in Hereford revered for its friendly welcoming atmosphere, live music and alternative entertainment.

Over the last twelve months it has played host to punk-rock legends TV Smith, Subhumans and Steve Ignorant, supported up and coming artists of all genres from all over the world and has become the home for sell out charitable festivals and fundraisers.

The Booth Hall Hereford Open Mic Relaunch 2017 — Photo by Distorted Image Photography

Continue reading “The Booth Hall & AR Studios Join Forces For 2017 Open Mic Night Relaunch”

The Underground Revolution brought Punk Hero Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life To Hereford

Seminal is a word that gets thrown about quite often when bands or records are talked about or discussed and it is often a word that gets overused, but when that word is used to describe the influence of Steve Ignorant then it is definitely spot on. A founding member of the legendary Crass, a band who were always about a message just as much as the music as well as Conflict and many others, Crass were about a legacy and that legacy is still resonating today and their ethos and spirit can be found in everyone from the Levellers to Napalm Death as well as countless numbers of punk bands and is still being carried on today by bands like Sleaford Mods.

Steve Ignorant is still carrying on that legacy today too and who better to do it than him, and that is what everyone at the Booth was here to see tonight. The gig was postponed from last November and since then, the anticipation has been electric in waiting to witness a true British icon live in Hereford and the gig didn’t disappoint anyone in attendance in the slightest.

24 February 2017

Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life, Headsticks and Terminal Rage at The Booth Hall Hereford

TERMINAL RAGE

The night kicks off with local rabble rousers Terminal Rage and they make sure things go off with a bang in a set that was has to be the tightest and most focused that I’ve seen them play. Going straight for the jugular from the get go, the band take no prisoners with their pure, angry and loud punk rock and get things off to a great start. The bands energetic performance sees them dedicate songs to enemies like Ian Duncan Smith with digs at the likes of May and Trump and tracks like Guilty and brand new song Class Crime (which is dedicated to “fucking, fuckers, politicians” go down a storm and as they finish with their cover of Pretty Vacant, the audience consider themselves truly warmed up.

HEADSTICKS

After that fiery opening, Headsticks follow and their glorious mixture of punk and folk is treated like reunion with a long lost friend with the likes of the rousing World Away, a stirring rendition of Mississippi Burning (dedicated with utter hatred to the BNP), a prophetic version of Killing Me America and even a new track get the audience stomping away with singer Andrew coming on like Stoke On Trents answer to Jello Biafra with his heartfelt statements. A great set from a great band that deserve all the plaudits they get and hopefully they will come back to Hereford soon.

STEVE IGNORANT’S SLICE OF LIFE

After those two great performances, it was time for the main event and Mr. Ignorant ably assisted by his Slice Of Life cohorts definitely didn’t let anyone down with a passionate set consisting of inspiring anthems and tales of real life that had the audience transfixed from the very start. Despite being in this game for 40 years, Steve Ignorant showed that he still has the same fire and anger raging through him just as he did in the heydays of Crass and Conflict and the enthusiastic crowd responded in kind.

All sorts of topics are addressed tonight from animal rights to mental health issues, each done so with a mixture of infectious passion, warmth and humour as well as focused rage and the audience listen intently to every word that comes out of the vocalists mouth and he is on fine form throughout and his band show that they are a talented bunch too with their acoustic and keyboard attack being the perfect backing for Steve Ignorant. Songs like Slice Of Life and a version of Stratford Mercenaries Killing Time are despatched and are stand out moments of a set that is packed with them and Ignorant shows exactly why he is highly regarded as a lyricist as well as a frontman, and as a frontman he is highly formidable, at ease with the audience but purveying a sense of authority for the duration and this was a real treat for everyone in attendance.

Steve Ignorant's A Slice of Life, The Booth Hall Hereford, The Underground Revolution, punk, folk punk, spoken word — It appears Terminal Rage need to go on the naughty step From Left: Rapahael La Roche (Terminal Rage), Rich Lovell (Terminal Rage) Dave Tomlin and Far Right: Dave Owen (Sons of Clogger)

With the political climate, not only in this country but all over the world becoming more worrying all the time, it is people who speak the truth like Steve Ignorant as well as Headsticks and Terminal Rage that we need to inject some right into the world and having witnessed all three on top form, everyone here tonight can agree on how inspiring it was.

Music Review by: Gavin Brown

All Photography by: Nickie Bates Distorted Image

DOGHOUSE: A CONSTANT STATE OF BECOMING

I was fortunate enough to interview Doghouse and receive a stream of thoughts and information that has brought to life an even more fascinating character. Let’s just say I have unearthed some of the mystery that makes him a special part of the festival and live music circuit.

The former front man of Punk Rave band Sicknote, Doghouse will be gracing us the 24th of February at The Booth Hall in Hereford with support from Hardcore Traveller Punk band Reality Attack and local Noise Rock band Wolfcryer. Expect the building to shake with the latter two. Hey why not? You want a good party we will give it to you.

“I would say that my lyrics are a call for action, a condemnation of the status quo. I like to use humour, to elevate the role of the fool and re-affirm his unique position, as someone who can scathingly criticise the powers that be. The only man who can tell the king the truth and get away with it”

Then prepare yourself to be put into the DOGHOUSE where you find your toes and minds tapping. I mean really…our minds will do little cartwheels. In between acts you will get a chance to get your dance on while DJ BDS Last Tree Squad fills the sound waves with some pretty bomb reggae, hip-hop and bass tunes. Will you ever be the same again after this night? We hope not.

We have also been fortunate enough to team up with the ‘No Herefordshire Cull’ Benefit gig on the following Saturday night (February 25th) headlined by Citizen Fish and two other great support acts –Reverend Schneider and The Band of Angels and Owain Price. We are offering a Weekender Special price of £11 for two nights of great live music with a purpose.

THE INTERVIEW

HEREFORD CITY CENTRIC: So tell me a bit about what the name Doghouse represents?

Continue reading “DOGHOUSE: A CONSTANT STATE OF BECOMING”

The Underground Revolution bring you Culture Shock, Atterkop and Alvin and The Angry Barrels with Special Guest Dub DJ’s Last Tree Squad TONIGHT!!!!

Thursday 1 December @The Booth Hall Hereford HR1 2LW. $8 Entry and £5 with N.U.S card. Join us for a night of Ska and Punk Beast legends.

The Underground Revolution Hosted A Wild Night of Psych Garage Sounds At The Booth Hall

On November 25th The Underground Revolution hosted ‘A Wild Night of Garage Psych’ with special guests The Hungry Ghosts, Pablo Alto and DJ’s Sam and Siobhan at The Booth Hall in Hereford. It was a night of raw psych energy and enigmatic performances that included frontman Joe Joseph lying on the floor in the fetal position screaming into his mic. The crowd watched in amazement of course, and were carried away by their brand of ‘slaughterhouse blues’ and psychedelic fusion. They most certainly had us dancing to their sexy but at times violent sounds.

The Hungry Ghosts

Pablo Alto have developed a following in the local music circuit. They are gregarious and put on a good n’ loud show – the crowds love it. Once ‘Spacecat’ came on we were all ears listening to a song that came to be after one of John Rose’s reoccurring nightmares about his cat Pablo going missing – except this time in space. I would’ve loved to be Pablo in that dream. They put some power into their performances which get me each and every time.

Pablo Alto

DJ’s Sam and Siobhan

I was quite excited to have DJ’s Sam and Siobhan doing their thing between the bands. It was really a nice touch to break up two bands with a DJ set. The highlight of their set was when Sioban broke out with SexWitch on vinyl. You could almost say I was in shock – I had been listening to that album on repeat lately.

Anyway, I really enjoyed how they fused old and new psych sounds, it could have been a house party in the 60’s, and they kept the atmosphere authentic. They are one of those young couples you could find in a place like London or New York who know their music in depth and put on a stylin’ set. Hats off to them both.

Many Thanks to Element Audio for their support

Photography by Grace Biddlecombe and article by Michelle Cuadra

We want to know what you think?

Hereford Dead – Make Sure You Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Hereford Dead presents: Vision Quest, Fetus Christ, New Cowboy Builders, Black Boxes, and Brunel: Booth Hall, Tuesday 18th October

“There was something of The Fall in there. The uncompromising angularity of the guitar and perhaps the vocal delivery too, which despite not being Mancunian, has a certain confident disarray of inflection.”

I’m probably not the right person to write this article. I saw a tshirt with a Nirvana smiley that had been changed into a drugged out cat and asked what it said. It said ’52Hz’ which is a name of a band apparently. I don’t know any new rock bands. I listen mostly to folk music now. This evening I’ve been listening to the new Leonard Cohen album (R.I.P). I used to listen to louder music a lot, but any of my frames of reference predate 1999, when I used to hear Steve Lamacq before the John Peel show and buy alternative CDs from Magpie and go to punk nights at the Jailhouse. Now I listen to Radio 6, which despite any cool credentials it seems to have acquired, is about as challenging as magnolia on the whole. The paint, not the film.

The other reason I’m not the right person to write this article is I wasn’t even there for half of it. By the time I got through the door Fetus Christ had finished playing, and I totally missed Vision Quest because I was stuffing myself with a beef burger that had macaroni cheese in it at The Beefy Boys. You might not believe it but I had been looking forward to this night for about a month. I’ve seen Fetus Christ before a number of times, and their energy and intensity drags me out of my mental quicksand like a well-aimed branch handed by an unusually angry man without a shirt on. It’s visceral and authentic.

Continue reading “Hereford Dead – Make Sure You Get A Good Night’s Sleep”

Visiting The Wild Places with Under a Banner

Under A Banner, whose nucleus is the West Midlands, and whose CV includes supporting New Model Army, have released a new highly-listenable album titled ‘The Wild Places’. On the Under a Banner bill for 2017, is a tour supporting Headsticks. If you haven’t heard of them, you need to check them out.

Under a Banner have a following of almost 58,000 music lovin’ humans on Twitter! Wow! Their ebullient sounds are a fusion of alternative and folk, mixed in with Adam’s ‘Big’ vocals that feel like a wave gently rolling in from the sea that suddenly catches you by surprise and knocks you over. Don’t worry no need for a sale on crutches..it is only a figure of speech.

I decided to dig deep into the matter that makes up Adam Broadhurst’s mind and ride the Under a Banner wavelength.

Continue reading “Visiting The Wild Places with Under a Banner”

LAST TREE SQUAD EP LAUNCH LIVE AT THE BOOTH HALL HEREFORD

REGGAE PIE

COOSIE

RUCKA SMALL

CUT LA VIS

LAST TREE SQUAD

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The Underground Revolution Presents Doghouse, Reality Attack

and Wolf Cryer

WOLF CRYER

REALITY ATTACK

DJ BDS

DOGHOUSE

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ARTIST RIA PARFITT EXHIBITION – FEBRUARY ’28 PAINTINGS IN 28 DAYS’

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TERMINAL RAGE

HEADSTICKS

STEVE IGNORANT’S SLICE OF LIFE

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THE INTERVIEW

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The Hungry Ghosts

Pablo Alto

DJ’s Sam and Siobhan

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