Just writing a quick blog about The Doghouse's new spiritual home on Ward Road because i actually think it's gonna be BETTER than the old venue on Brown Street! A bold statement i know and i must also add that my view may come from the fact that i'm in a band and that i don't smoke but i'm gonna list some reasons as to why i think the new venue is gonna be better.

I'v heard a lot of people mention how big a loss the gardens are to the Doghouse especially in the summer or for the smokers ,however,  there are many positives in NOT having the gardens. Since the smoking ban i'm sure all bands/performers noticed that while they were playing the old venue, it was often the case that, during some part of their set at least there were just as many people outside as were inside. People would go out for a smoke and get caught up in chat, meaning that from a bands point of view less people were watchin/listening/involved in the atmosphere. Also people getting caught up in chat etc outside would miss big parts o sets that they were truly enjoying. I'v done it many times myself and am sure loads more people have and then regretted later that they missed what they really went there for in the first place. The new venue doesn't allow this as there's no room to get too comfortable and people will be more likely to nip out for a couple of minutes before joining the fun.

The main part of the hall of the old venue was good as was the sound but the new venue seems to have better acoustics and better sound. Also once you passed the open shutter to the main bar of the old venue the sound quality decreased meaning that only people in the main hall got the best of the sound. There was also a great distance from the bar to the stage meaning that on busy nights if you were that far back you never had a good view and the sound wasn't as good. However in the new venue the balcony's mean that as well as having an excellent view the sound quality is unaffected by your position. When busy it all seems a lot more close and personal experience for bands and music fans alike. One other fault of the old venue was too many people hanging about the band rooms upstairs instead of being involved in the atmosphere of the gigs. These are important factors in creating a really good atmosphere and togetherness.

Other probably less important positives are two bars, one on each level and two sets of toilets, upstairs and downstairs which means spending less time queing and less time going to the toilet. Which obviously leaves more time for the music etc.

Our gig on Friday past for the unofficial opening night was awesome. I saw most of Lefty and Friends and really enjoyed their set, but to be honest, if it was at the old venue i prob woulda spent most o the time chillin in the garden, instead of boogying to the music and that sort of emphasises my earlier point from a punters point of view. I also know that others, who not being the biggest fans of Hanney likewise watched and enjoyed our set when at the old venue they too would have probably been in the garden chilling after their set.

So far i'm pleasantly surprised at how good the new venue is shaping up and once the new stage is built i can see it going from strength to strength. I loved the former venue but already i love the new venue too and am really excited about it's future and looking forward to playing there again asap.

Peace and Love folks!!

Brian/Hanney
HANNEY - "IRON FIST" - HANNEYFEST 2 VIDEO MONTAGE

We're absolutely delighted to announce that the Hanney Festival will be returning to the Doghouse on Saturday the 4th of July after last years amazing success. Get the date in your diary as this year promises to be even better with an amazing line up consisting of some of last years performers and some worthy additions.
We will again be using the Doghouse garden to its full potential with a bbq, cocktail bar and some stalls as well as some terrific performances and live artwork. Last year was awesome so we know we've to make this one even better and we're confident we can.
To show our appreciation for those of you who bought tickets last year, you will have first shout, for a small period of time, to purchase your tickets before they go on sale to those unfortunate enough to have missed last year!
We'll keep you posted on when the tickets will be on sale.
If you were at last years Hanney Festival im sure you'll want to be at this years where again you'll have live music, artwork, food, drink, general banter and hopefully some sunshine all at your arse! Who can ask for more?

Confirmed so far for Hanney Festival 2 are....
HANNEY [duh],
Edinburgh funksters RBRBR,
hip hop neebors YOSHI fay Fife,
the tayport trip hopper ARKANNA,
KEMIKAL dundee's verbal drum machine and Tays Got Talent Finalist,
PEG and the BOUFFANTS acoustic set,
soulful dundonians THE VETACORE,
live art by legendary artist ZONE,
breakdancers and Tays Got Talent winners PRO STYLES CREW,
Dundee poet Mark Thomson,
Plus more t.b.c.

PRIVATE AFTER PARTY {invite only due to limited space}
TOADTASTIC,
BAXTER PARK SUNBATHER,
THE ELECTROLITES

Most of the above acts can be found in our top friends @ www.myspace.com/hanney1

The Hanney Festival has diversity in abundance and serves as a deserved platform to the often underestimated or unnoticed talent in and around Dundee and ALL acts and performers we bring to grace the stage have our uptmost respect and should, without doubt, be playing at major festivals etc. I'm sure you'll all find, in a live environment, that you'll be in your element.
This is the real deal, true expression, diversity and creativity like you'll struggle to find at ANY major festival, and all under one roof in this small but very talented city.

Hope to see you there.

Peace and love!

HANNEY!!!

..WHO PERFORMED/WORKED OR CAME TO THE HANNEY FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY!!! IT TOOK A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ORGANISING BUT WE FEEL IT WAS TRULY WORTHWHILE!!

ALL BANDS, KING THING, KALEL, PARANOID MONKEYS, PEG AND THE BOUFFANTS, RBRBR AND OURSELVES PLAYED SUCCESSFUL SETS. THE ARTWORK BY ZONE, MACISM, ALEX, KRIME N MOIST WAS PHENOMENAL. ARKANNA'S FIRST LIVE BAND APPEARANCE SOUNDED GREAT IN THE GARDENS, WEE RYAN THE BREAKER B-BOPPED N BREAKDANCED REALLY WELL, KEMIKAL TOOK HIS BEATBOXING SHOW TO A NEW LEVEL, SKINNY, AS WELL AS SUPPLYING MUCH NEEDED EQUIPTMENT, WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE ON THE DECKS AND TOADTASTICS SET WAS EXCEPTIONAL IN THE GARDEN AS WELL AS AT THE AFTERSHOW ALONG WITH GRAHAM. DUNDEE STREET POET, AKA, GARY ROBERTSON HAD EVERYONE IN STITCHES WITH HIS POETICAL, RAP STYLED HUMOUR. STEVE MILLER OPENED THE FESTIVAL SUPERBLY WITH HIS SET. JANINE N LYNNE HELPED OUT WITH WITH THE OPEN MIC TO KEEP THINGS RUNNIN. THANKS ALSO TO DAVIE N HIS CO-CHEF FOR THE IMMENSE BBQ. HOOLY'S BANTER WAS BRILLIANT AND IS ALWAYS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO HAVE IN YOUR COMPANY. THANKS TO THE TREND WHO CAME AT VERY SHORT NOTICE AND DESPITE BEING A MAN DOWN PLAYED A SHIT HOT WEE SET. THANKS TO THE DOOR LADY, forgot your name sorry, FOR BEING EASY TO WORK WITH ON THE DOOR AND TO THE BADGE MAN, JAKE, WHO HELPED US TO SELL SOME OF OUR GLOW PRODUCTS AS WELL AS PRODUCING SOME EXCELLENT HAND MADE BADGES WITH BANDS NAMES ON. BIG THANKS TO SARAH AND THE DOGHOUSE STAFF AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED IN ANYWAY TO MAKE THIS FESTIVAL WORK. THE PEOPLE WHO TURNED UP , WHO ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ANYONE ELSE I'VE MENTIONED WERE A CREDIT TO THE CITY AND BEHAVED IMPECABLY WELL. THANKS TO LUKE AND STAFF AT THE CITY FUNCTION SUITE FOR ALLOWING US OUR MUCH NEEDED AFTERSHOW PARTY. LUKE PERSONALLY COMMMENTED ON HOW GREAT OUR CROWD WERE!!!

WE HAD AN AWESOME DAY N NIGHT AND IT WAS A SUCCESS FOR THE DOGHOUSE, ALL PERFORMERS, MANY ARTFORMS, DUNDEE, SCOTLAND AND THE WHOLE FUCKING WORLD LOL!

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO PLAYED THEIR PART! WE HAVE A DEEP LOVE FOR YOU ALL!!!

PEACE AND LOVE FROM HANNEY!!!

we're fuckin delighted that you are all set to play at our festival!! we've very nearly sold ALL 300 tickets so lets get together and give everyone involved a fuckin stomper of a day and night!! hope you're all looking forward to it as much as us!!!

peace love n massive respect to you all!!

 

hanney.

 Once again, Andy Garibaldi stikes with another gig review.........

AUDIO FEVER + LITTLE KICKS + RBRBR + HANNEY - The Doghouse, Dundee 18-11-06

Well, I said last review, I'd let you have an update on what I thought of Audio Fever next time I saw them - little did I realise it would only be a week later! Tonight they were first on the bill and played a slightly shorter set, but the effect was markedly diferent. Whether a more sympathetic PA, or just the band going for it, or what, I don't know, but their whole sound was a darned sight more aggressive and altogether more solid, as the band really launched into a venemous slice of rocking indie, with some superb riffs and strident rhythms charging on a scintiallting set of songs, and somehow it really came together more so that you could appreciate that the band does have a serious appeal - only thing that still worries me is that they almost fall between the rock and the indie camps a little too close for comfort - not a bad thing for inventiveness - but if things are gonna seriously happen, they're gonna have to come up with one storming set of songs, of which what they played tonight is a definite step in the right direction.
Next up were Little Kicks. I last saw them when I judged the Emergenza Battle of the Bands finals at Glasgow's Carling Academy and they came so close to taking the top prize. I remembered that they wrote some good songs but lacked a bit on the stage presence and seemedd a bit insipid for the occasion, despite that they did so well, But now things have improved greatly from there. A quartet of 2 guitarists, bassist, drummer and lead + harmony vocals, thjey turned in a tight set of songs that were what you'd call "tasty", meaning that they came across more as album tracks than anything more commercial. Although musically dissimilar, they had some of the shared emotive qualities of something like vintage Dire Straits. The vocals rose above some great, almost Americana styled, guitar work and the songs proved quite hypnotic to the audience, starting with slower ones and gradually provideing more aggression (for them, that is) as the set wore on, the more sprightly tracks certainly coming across in a live setting. I - and much of the audience - enjoyed them, but as with Audio Fever, needs songs that are a tad more "instant" to go with the tasty morsels already on offer.
Nothing could have prepared us for what came next - all we knew was that the group was caled RBRBR - weird or what! Now, few enough groups these day do anything overtly visually impacting on a live stage, so you can only imagine the number of jaws that hit the floor, when onto the stage walked a guy dressed in jet fighter uniform, complete with helmet and goggles, two guys dressed all in black with the only visual body part being piercing eyes staring out from behind what looked more like a suicide bomber come to wreak havoc, with the icing on the cake provided by the the drummer, bassist and guitarist wearing what can only be described as a cross between a fisherman's outfit and a boiler suit, clad all in yellow with huge sow-westers practically burying their heads. Once on stage, all but the jet pilot turned round to reveal a letter on each of their backs - R-B-R-B-R!! They turned, the lights came on and the sound of spoken word samples filled the air. What followed, musically, was even more of a jaw-dropper. Where you might have expected traditional industrial mayhem, they did exactly the opposite. With an ease and effectivelness of execution that was as astounding as it was satisfying, they played a set that can only be described as chilled out while at the same time being industrial in a cosmic way on one hand, while positively laid-back bluesy, on the other. Amid decelerated rhythms from the samples and programmes, sharp and flowing solid rhythms from the drummer, the guitarist played some of the most sublime flowing lead lines which provided this almost serene slice of magical mood music as the band drove it on in chilled-out manner. But there were songs, too. The first was delivered by the bassist in a higher register vocal that made it sound more like an early industrial, laid-back Prince vein, while others sung by the guitarist, revealed something more akin to a bluesier 400 Blows or Portion Control style of things, with the crunchy beats, mirrored by the fluid lead guitar, samples and deep bass. Visually, and musically, it was different, engaging and worked a treat - the reception the band got being way more than mere appreciation. Totally out on their own, you really should check this band out if you want a seriously good live experience.
I have to admit, I was thinking - in terms of visuals - "poor old Hanney having to top that"!! Little did I know that Hanney had not only done their homework but acted on it too - for onstage, in virtual shadow, came Hanney - all dressed as ghosts, flowing single white robes covering each guy comepletely bar two eye holes for them to see out. The effect was mesmerising as they were joined by a gorgeous looking belly dancing lady, and introduced by a guy that looked like a psychedelic street cleaner! Slowly the moment arrived - the vocalist striding to front of stage and asking if we were ready - amid hollers of "yeah", the band began. Now you might have thought from last time that they'd take no prisoners right from the start - well, they did but this time in a much more positive and even more successful way. Rather than starting on nuclear, they used dynamics sooooo successfully, beginning the set with a rampaging mix of dance and drum rhythms, rock riffing and pounding bass as the vocals sung the song superbly, allowing you to take in that there was actualy a seriously good song lurking amid the musical muscle - and that characterissed tonight's set - you really noticed what great songs the band have unleashed, something so easily forgotten by many a band who rely purely on musical might for their live effect. BUt tonight, they upped the anti, increasing the power and intensity with each composition that was unleashed, without leaving the song and structure behind. But by the time "Freedom" came along (sory guys, I've forgotten the full title), the place was jumping and then some, both band and audience on fire and taking off like a rocket. The mix of riffing and roaring guitars allied to a drummer that didn't miss a beat amid the holocaust, a bassist who pounded it out to give the walls something to think about and a programmer who was delivering beats and rhythms of stomach-pounding power, were all toppped off by a vocal performance that mixed intensity with soaring power and as the final piece of the jigsaw, just ripped through with deceptive ease and effect. As the final number of "This Is Our Day" was announced to huge cheers, the track slowly emerged and gradualy climbed higher until - kerboooooommmmmmmmm!!!!!!!! - the band took the roof off, with a ferocious performance that had everyone dancing and a great many shouting for an encore at the end - something the band duly granted to complete another absolutely amazing set. Like so many Dundee Scene bands, they're unique - there's nothing like Hanney and you could imagine that they'd stun any industrial rock audience from one end of the UK to the other in a live setting. The UK doesn't know what it's missing - but I can only hope that someone in 2007 is gonna rectify this and provide Hanney with the live platform that they - and promotor and audience alike - so richly deserve.

-Andy G.(deadearnest)

 Yar!

Local music reveiwer,Andy Garibaldi(www.deadearnest@btinternet.com) has recently reveiwed 3 of the songs featured on my space(we sent him a demo), check it out:-

HANNEY - MATERIAL SICKNESS E.P.

In concert, this band has a breadth of musical vision that takes you from reflective angst to all-guns-blazing rocket-fuelled firepower. This EP has elements of all that, but not as extreme in either direction, thus only providing a hint of the force that this band is in concert. This EP features three songs and it's the songs that are the key rather than any particular display of firepower. What it does reveal, though, is that this band can certainly write and arrange with a uniqueness that makes them stand out. The overall effect is a more subtle mix of Public Image and Linkin Park but much more complex in terms of its dynamics than either. The EP opens with the title track, a mix of chiming guitar riffs, lurching rhythms, scratching effects and the soaring, emotive powerful vocals of the lead singer, the whole thing coming across as an industrial version of PIL. It starts a bit like a Linkin Park track then this awesome bass comes thundering in as the vocal takes off, sung forcefully rather than hollered, the guitar undercurrent running alongside scratchy beats as the song suddenly erupts into its cauldron of a chorus. But then the power fades and you are left with a slowly flowing mass of rumbling bass, soaring guitar and crunchy drums - all very sedate and gorgeous - and then the track fires up once more on this thunder of a bass riff as the chorus returns and band plus singer take off to the end of the track, intoning the title in roaring mantra-like fashion, and one superb track. The five and a half minute "It Goes On" starts in atmospheric fashion with rain storm sounds and piano as the guitar starts to chime, sampled voices are heard and the guitar chimes. Over this the impassioned vocal delivers a thoughtful set of lyrics as things start to intensify as bas and effects thunder on, only they build the track slowly higher rather than actually break out, as the dynamic industrial indie song continues, changing pace and structure and dynamics as it goes, but always glowing with a molten heart. The synths and keys are to the fore with some wicked bass work while the guitars take a more accompanying role as the band delivers a flowing sea of brooding instrumental magic in the mid portion of the song, before the vocalist returns to take the song to a higher plane as the rhythms thunder slowly, the scratching effects continue and the song flows effortlessly to its conclusion. Dynamically, the near six minute "Life Is Strange" follows a similar path, only here the guitar is more to the fore, the synths are fuller-sounding and the rhythms from effects, bass and drums are altogether more urgent and commanding. On top, another forceful vocal performance is unleashed, the mix here being Lydon-esque angst and soaring anthemic chorus work, as the industrial indie-rock brew glides purposefully forward with passionate strength and determination. As an EP it's good stuff, not as incendiary as I've seen them live, but proving that they are way more than just a bunch of industrial punks where the songs and arrangements are concerned.

                                        - Andy Garibaldi