THE JOHN DOE MEDICINE SHOW @ THE SOCIAL 18/11/08

7PM £4

 

THE TRAVELLING BAND
GRANTURA
THE FRANKS
DAVID JAMES HERBERT

Here it is, the last John Doe Medicine Show of the year, and it's a good un'! Following from their exploits at this year's Glastonbury Festival (winners of the 2008 Unsigned Competition don't you know) and in support of their new album out Nov 10th, we have Manchesters mighty TRAVELLING BAND..

'Under The Pavement' is the first album from Glastonbury starlets 'The Travelling Band'.

"They produce an inventive brand of guitar-laden country folk pop with a cosmic aesthetic and sprinkles of trademark Manchester's musical lineage. Opening with 'Only Waiting', plucked guitar melodies amplify their folk sound, as the conviction in vocals gradually ascends as the song unfolds. Previous EP track 'Desolate Icicle', is a beautifully assembled piece that drifts on in an REM brushed acoustic manner, as the higher lyrical notes of the chorus are reached with soothing aplomb. The album is a gentle dose of psychedelia, which answers all those asking what the fuss was about." CLASH MAGAZINE

Also riding high on the success of their recently released album "In Dreams & Other Stories, we have GRANTURA..


The Times 26th September 2008
****
You suspect that Grantura are a band who started writing songs when they couldn't agree which Crosby Stills & Nash songs to cover. With the wind in their sails, though, the South London six-piece can whip up an acoustic strum and drang that just as happily calls to mind the Lilac Time (In Dreams, Waves), Gram Parsons (Holly) and the La's (Lazarus - La's R Us, geddit?). What it all adds up to on In Dreams & Other Stories is a roasty, toasty quilty pleasure of an album.
(Pete Paphides)

UNCUT Oct 08
***
Heady Vibes from London Six-piece
West Coast rock has spawned many imitators in recent years, but few as convincing as Grantura. This euphoric debut aligns the '60s harmonies of The Byrds and The Mamas & The Papas to propulsive acoustic rhythms that often leak into country. Like The Cosmic Rough Riders before them though, it is a curiously British take on LA rock. Softened by pastoral delights like "Land of the Big Skies", they recast Nick Drake's "Cello Song" as a psych roustabout. Even odd excursions into weird polka ("House of Cards") are delivered with style, wit and rare warmth.
(Rob Hughes)

THE FRANKS - "Spiralling rhythms and soulful harmonies wash over you like a bourbon ocean.....creating the mournful warmth of that last pint before a wet walk to the bus stop. " - Overplay.co.uk
And then there's little old me, DAVID JAMES HERBERT..

"Heavy with spirit & emotion" BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

"David knows how to make people stop in there tracks and listen. With his wonderful lyrics and fantastic music this guy is going to go far." MUSIC NEWS SCOTLAND

"A mini-epic, full of electronic and emotional tension" DROWNED IN SOUND

"Looks – and sounds – every inch the troubadour!"****DAILY RECORD

Plus the magnificent Barbequities on turntable duties, so get involved.

THE SOCIAL - LITTLE PORTLAND STREET, LONDON, NEAR OXFORD CIRCUS