Ash, Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms

Ash

Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, 4th June 2009

Things have gone a bit stale for Ash in recent years. Whether you blame the departure of Miss Hatherley or the lack of musical impact since the release of Free All Angels, it’s apparent that despite a couple of hits (Clones, Orpheus) and a ‘controversial’ decision not to release any further albums, Ash have barely hit the headlines.

Maybe things are about to change, the emergence of Irish 3-pieces seems to be the ‘in thing’ at the moment, with the likes of Fighting with Wire and In Case of Fire being signed to major labels, and as Ash were the original trio, (barre the coming and going of Hatherley, of course) this could be the perfect time for them to make a comeback. Plus, their new plans to release 26 singles, one per fortnight, across 12 months, could be what they need to create a buzz about the band again.

Jumping straight in with Walking Barefoot then on to Girl from Mars and A Life Less Ordinary clearly shows the repertoire of hit singles that Ash have created over the years, but despite succinct performances and the crowd reaction displayed throughout these tracks, relying on these alone can only last so long. This was very much a ‘best of’ gig, with the exception of 4 new tracks on the set list, most of which weren’t very well received and juxtaposing newer material alongside hits like Kung Fu created an awkward atmosphere amongst the crowd.

The modern sound they’ve acquired this past year, using synths, drum machines and mechanical whirring noises, certainly didn’t provoke excitement amongst the audience, which poses the question – where have all the hooks gone?

The catchy rock and roll riffs that first captured the Ash audience, alongside front-man Tim Wheeler’s charismatic lyrics, seem to have been neglected and replaced with banal repetition and dodgy electronic intros. Whilst an overbearing drum-machine blasts out behind Wheeler’s vocals on Return of the White Rabbit, I wonder if he notices the irony as he painstakingly sings ‘Is this the end of the line my friend?’. Reciting a few lines over and over again doesn’t always guarantee success (unless you’re the Ting Tings *Ahem*) – and even then, if it’s not cleverly done it threatens the sustainability of a bands career.

Still, if all this fails, throwing in Teenage Kicks (an oddly post-pubescent rendition, given Tim’s never-fading boyish looks) and ending on Burn Baby Burn is a wise move.

The release of their 26 singles (The A-Z series) begins in September, but the ‘prequel’ Return of the White Rabbit is now available for free, from their website: http://www.ash-official.com

Work work work…

Howdy!

I have set up Student Officer blogs on the Solent SU website for students to follow so please feel free to visit them to find out what we do (and who we are…)

Read mine here.

There are links to the President and other officer blogs under mine to make it easier!

these blogs are merely worked based, used to keep students and other stake holders informed as to our most recen activity, whereas this ‘ere thingy (blogspot) is more my own personal rant/rave/show off space 😀

I hope you enjoying reading them!

Filming for SCONUL

Whilst working at Solent Students’ Union I often worked alongside the E-Development Centre team at Southampton Solent University.

Initially, I was involved in selling programmes and working as a roving student reporter at both Glade and Glastonbury festivals.

Upon being elected as Vice President Communications for Solent Students’ Union I maintained my links with team and helped to coordinate many projects; such as The Sound website and The Joiners listings magazine – both written by Solent students, as well as coordinating photoshoots and conducting filming for the University Portal page.

This particular video was created for SCONUL; the Society of College, National and University Libraries.

The aim of the video was to gain feedback from University students, across the South of England, as to the quality of their campus libraries.

We visited University campuses in Bath, Bournemouth and Southampton – the end result was shown to staff at the SCONUL Conference.

SCONUL Filming – Web Version from Nick Jewell on Vimeo.

If you cannot see the video, please view it on Vimeo HERE

For more information about SCONUL, visit their website.

RE:SUS Magazine 2008-2009

As Vice President Communications at Solent Students’ Union for the 2008-2009 academic term, one of my main responsibilities is to manage and edit our student media platforms.

I act as Editor in Chief of RE:SUS magazine, which is released 5 times a year and is distributed around campus and to Student Residences.

To view the back catalogue and read online features visit the Student Union website (which I also maintain):

http://solentsu.co.uk/resus

Sidecar 46 feature for RE:SUS magazine

RE:SUS loves to give credit to local talent, so we went along to Sidecar 46’s second show at the prestigious Monto Water Rats venue in London, to see what the Southampton-based trio have to offer.

Sidecar 46 are a three piece rock band consisting of Andy Convey (vocals and drums), Dan Fellows (bass) and Rob Bray (vocals and guitar).

The three guys started jamming together at college back in 2003 whilst they were studying Popular Music. The band kicked off after their previous musical ventures split up and thus Sidecar 46 was born.

After a gap year recording their first EP Paper vs. Scissor vs. Rock vs. Glue, performing around the country and failing to save much money, the three mates decided to continue the fun and success of Sidecar by enrolling at the same university, here in Southampton.

Rob: “We all wanted to do the same course and keep the band going at the same time”
Andy: “and we all thought we were alright with each other so why not live together play together and learn together.”

Now in their second year at Solent University studying Popular Music and Record Production the band have built up a large fan base here in the South, and have played a list of successful shows at the Joiners, Unit 22 and even the Water Rats in London.

Live Sidecar 46 definitely know how to get the crowd involved. With their cardboard cut out pal Arnie on stage with them (yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger), a timely rendition of Rhianna’s Umbrella and drummer Andy incorporating the Fresh Prince of Bell-air theme tune into the set, what’s not to love? Not to mention that they have the cheeriest bass player I’ve ever seen.

Andy: “I hate bands with the mentality that its‘us and them’ so we always try to get people involved, whether it’s a sold out venue or just one person.”
Rob: “The people coming through the door are the ones who are gonna buy your T-shirts, CD’s and support you. So why not make it a bit of a party.”

As a trio they certainly pack a powerful sound particularly on the beautifully composed song Glow Worm and the band’s finale track; a cover version of Angel by Massive Attack. The reverb on Andy’s impressive backing vocals combined with one last burst of explosive guitar noise made for an intense end to the show.

http://www.myspace.com/sidecar46

Jimmy Eat World live at Southampton guildhall

Printed in the Solent Star, Solent University’s Journalism Course newspaper:

Interview with Dallas Green

Interview with Hadouken

Interview with Rob Rolfe, from Enter Shikari

Inner Party System – Inner Party System (Album Review)

Inner Party System – Inner Party System (Album Review)

Die Tonight, Live Forever is like a robotic anthem that throws you onto a packed dance floor. The vocals resound in your mind, blending beautifully with the synthetic beat and echoing off into the distance. This is the kind of record I wanted Shiny Toy Guns to release, but instead IPS come along and steal their thunder.

The problem with STG’s is, that they had two great tunes on We Are Pilots, but then they began to resemble some dated 80’s electro group, with seemingly meaningless lyrics about robots (very iRobot). Inner party system however, despite the similarities, take on a much more energetic, contemporary & most of all, non-patronising approach.

The track ‘Structure’ boasts perfect harmonies; merging the music and Drum ‘N’ Bass beats with vocalist Patrick’s emotionally powerful words. These tracks could quite easily be played across the board, from a Zane Lowe mix tape to Dave Pearce’s Dance Anthems. These are party tunes with real meaning, backed by moderate intelligence – sod the bimbo singers resonating across your airwaves, bands like this need to be taking over the dance genre.

‘This empty love’ carries heavy Nine Inch Nails similarities – this is the darker side of the album coming through. However, it does leave more to be desired. Like a disappointing chance-encounter, when it kicks in towards the end it is an atmospheric, industrial explosion, but it does take it’s time to get there and it doesn’t last long.

Inner Party System is an electro-rock-rave riot captured on record. This crossover rock is paving the future, let’s educate the new generation in that you don’t always have to be restricted to one sound.