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The Bluesbunny

Blues Bunny


Last Updated: 12/23/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 99
Sign: Aquarius

City: Glasgow
State: Scotland
Country: UK
Signup Date: 7/17/2006

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Thursday, December 31, 2009 

Category: Music
Open Mic Extravaganza at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow - 30 December 2009

Open mic extravaganza. Excuse to consume beer. They're pretty much the same thing in my mind. Of course, there's always time between acts for standard conversations such as The Beatles versus the Rolling Stones or, somewhat bizarrely, why is there so much pubic hair in the urinal? No, I don't know (or want to know) the answer to that one.

There was a one man and a guitar theme going on tonight so let's run through the players. Franny McKeown did his intensely and relentlessly downbeat Radiohead on suicide watch songs. Jack James looked like the proverbial young Glasgow singer songwriter but showed himself to be a cut above the average with a polished and confident performance. Graeme Robertson rattled though his set like a disgruntled pub singer that had suffered at the hands of one too many hostile karaoke machines. Nick Bruce proved to have a distinctive voice and also had a pretty good idea of how to keep an audience's interest. Peter Getty proved proficient even if you got the felling that he was looking for a band. Matthew Malone had one of those clear, sonorous voices that was designed and destined for folk music. Steve Adams looked like Jerry Garcia and displayed an offbeat sense of humour as he delivered a selection box of damaged Christmas songs and quasi punk attitude. Gary McKenna then abandoned his compere role and shared with the assembled masses some of his curiously appealing yet distinctly oddball songs about deformed children. I think we shall be reading about him in the newspapers some day.

Anyway, it's a full moon tonight. That means I need a safe place to hide. Fast.

www.bluesbunny.com
5:53 PM 
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 

Category: Music
The Last National Band, Jamie Flett, Jim Byrne and The Recovery Club live at the Liquid Ship, Glasgow - 29 December 2009

I sometimes wonder why I spend so much time in basements. There must be some deep rooted psychological reason for it. Or maybe it is a sign from above regarding my final destination. It can't just be the music. Anyway, I am once more in a basement  - this time of the Liquid Ship - for the last Free Candy Session of 2009.

The tone for the evening was set by Jim Byrne as he brought comfort to the soul with his eloquent and mellow songs. Showing commendable dexterity on the acoustic guitar, he made the time pass in an amiable manner with the cherry on the cake being the intertwined elegance of the harmonies when Dinny joined him on stage.

The Recovery Club were new to these ears but they made a very positive impression. Again, this trio provided mellow sounds with Amy Rafferty's almost ethereal voice bringing silent respect from the audience as those delicately fragile songs drifted around the room. A captivating performance.

Trying bravely to remind us all of the sunnier sounds of folk rock from the west coast of the USA were the Last National Band. Three part harmonies were to the fore but it was just too cold outside for their valid attempt at defrosting to be successful. One for the warmer days ahead perhaps?

Last on tonight was Jamie Flett. Although still following the mellow path, his laidback approach nonetheless highlighted the shadows rather than the sunshine. Aided and abetted by his brother on guitar and harmonies, this was a distinctly reflective performance with - once again - "Ruby and Pearl" being the best song of his set.

Sometimes you find answers. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you just have to hand your car keys to fate and see where you end up.

www.bluesbunny.com
2:05 PM 
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009 

Category: Music
Louise McVey and Cracks in the Concrete, Blood of the Bull and She’s Hit live at the Captain's Rest, Glasgow - 28 December 2009

Back in the basement of life again.

Smoke. Screeching, wailing guitars. A sonic assault on the senses. She's Hit have just walked in to the stage and let rip. No fanfare for this band. They barely pause between songs leaving no time for any applause. Hell, they barely acknowledge that there is an audience. They are the Jesus and Mary Chain reborn. Super cool in that way that only delinquents can be, She's Hit are the new bad boys in town.

Red curtains line the back of the stage. Red lights cast their shadows on the stage. The sound of an electric piano escapes the gravitational pull of some entrancingly melancholy vocals from Hillary Van Scoy, the voice of Blood of the Bull. Then she escapes from the piano and exorcises a Tom Verlaine shaped demon with her guitar while the drums beat solidly behind her. Fade to black.

Then there's a voice. The voice of a siren calling men to their doom. The songs she sings evoke elemental forces crashing around you like waves in a storm. The saddest, angriest guitar you have heard cuts those songs up with total precision - not so much a musical instrument as a weapon. How do I describe Louise McVey and Cracks in the Concrete? Dark cabaret? Art house pretention? A Devil sent temptation sent to get me to sell my soul? Run if you like but there's no escape for you have already fallen under their spell.

The Devil has all the best tunes.

www.bluesbunny.com

11:59 AM 
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009 

Category: Music
Gary Johnstone, My Old Blue Terraplane and Man Gone Missing live at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow - 22 December 2009

You never know what you will find in a basement. You could, as I did, find three young guys starting a blues bonfire with an impromptu jam session. It turns out that they were related but, even so, you'd never have guessed, they hadn't played together before. Not even a real band, they knew what they were doing and they would have blown away a lot of the "proper" bands that I've seen this year.

In a "what's the word?" moment, Gary Johnstone and his band took to the stage and blasted through a confident set of blues and r&b standards with his firebrand guitar style much to the forefront. You can't argue with the feel good style of this band and it isn't hard to see why Mr Johnstone is making a name for himself. The word, as they say, is given.

One rapid changeover later and My Old Blue Terraplane started their set. Four good men and true and led by keyboards instead of guitar, they provided laidback entertainment that made me think of the likes of the Hothouse Flowers. A bit mournful, a bit melancholy but sometimes that's how the blues hits you.

Ending proceedings tonight was one man and his guitar trading under the name of Man Gone Missing. No doubt exorcising the darker corners of his psyche, Man Gone Missing sang of emptiness and despair in songs that neither started nor finished but instead echoed around the room like distant cries for help.

They say the blues ain't nothing but a feeling and they also say that in all feelings there is the truth.

I can feel her heart.

www.bluesbunny.com
12:05 PM 
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 

Category: Music
Dan Lyth, Billy Bates, The Dirt and Matt Norris and the Moon live at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow - 21 December 2009

Maybe it is the festive spirit. Oh yes, blame it on the drink. It's usual to blame it on the drink anyway. She deftly uncorks a bottle of Sailor Jerry's with a knife. She smiles but you can see the madness in her eyes. Too many hours behind a bar give her a positively scary intensity. But her eyes still have that purity, that beauty, that entrancing sparkle…

Make it happen with the music. A man needs a distraction after all. Let's start with Dan Lyth. He's come all the way from Dunfermline which is in Fife, as I recall. The snowflakes apparently illustrated his journey here and he shows no fear in his melodic folk flavoured set. Nearly offbeat, he spins the kind of tales that would give him a home in the Fence Collective.

Altogether more downbeat are The Dirt. There's a gallows on the horizon in all their songs but there would have to be something seriously wrong with your soul if their bone dry humour and dark harmonies don't get to you. Veering between spaghetti westerns and absurd conventionalities, this is a duo (or even trio) that will turn your head away from your beer.

Matt Norris and the Moon make the moves that would suggest that they could pull off a buoyant right turn into the territory occupied by exalted Glasgow brethren like Woodenbox. They hit the ground running but too often they stumbled. Nearly but not quite there.

The Billy Bates Trio take to the stage. I was sort of expecting a bit of avant garde jazz - accidentally talking to musicians can colour your perceptions -  but the resulting sound was that of mid range jazz rock. Immaculately played of course and undoubtedly they impressed the crowd with their musical dexterity.

Final thoughts. James Woods is cool. Woody Harrelson is not. Why do people compare my exquisite good looks to Woody Harrelson? Handsome is as handsome does (unless you have access to firearms). Which takes me back to The Dirt. I'm going to build me a gallows and settle a few scores in neck jerking fashion. It's only illegal if you get caught, for redemption needs a sinner to sin before he can be saved.

www.bluesbunny.com
12:15 PM 
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Monday, December 21, 2009 

Category: Music
Sugar Crisis, Miss the Occupier, The Dirty Cuts, Little Doses, TheRedShow and Boygirlanimalcolour live at Capitol, Glasgow - 20 December 2009

It's Sunday night and there's music to be heard - at Capitol, no less. Sounds good. Neither lack of sleep or awful Chinese food can keep this 'bunny down. As the saying goes, "Anything worth having is worth…suffering for." So from the State Bar we hop to Capitol. Bunnies are less susceptible to black ice than people, you know.

Boygirlanimalcolour were on first. Obviously not taking themselves seriously at all, you could just about smell the influence of Nirvana. Brimming with youthful energy and enjoyment, this power trio put in a set that is sure to win them the respect of their friends and family. A decent performance from an average band.

Next up were Edinburgh act Little Doses who were noticeably more businesslike onstage. Songs such as "Stolen Cars", built on a tasty guitar lick, gave the audience reason to applaud in a more than obligatory manner. Front woman Kirsten's vocals rose nicely over the guitars while the rhythm section were undoubtedly the unsung heroes of the set. Look out for this band. You might just like them.

The Dirty Cuts took to the stage. Now, you wouldn't feel ashamed to dance to this act. Delivering a radio-friendly pop-punk sound, there seemed an underlying deviance in their sound. However, on a purely musical level, they put in a commendable performance. From this set we can conclude that The Dirty Cuts are three guys and a girl, who, collectively, are intent on doing evil things with their music. Evil is good in this case.

They were to be followed by TheRedShow. Their set fell somewhere within the confines of punk, blues and rock, and tracks such as "Nurse" went some way to suggest that they're adept at melding all three into three-minute hard rock assaults. Nothing flashy, but a solid performance from a band confident in their own sound. Expect to see more of this mob.

Miss The Occupier have been making quite a name for themselves in Scotland recently and didn't let anybody down tonight. While frontwoman Roz was perhaps more rigid than usual, she led her band through a host of enjoyable indie-punk gems from their repertoire, with "All Night" allowing guitarist Magnus a little of the limelight. Performances like this are sure to give further credence to this act's rising popularity in the country.

Last, but by no means least, came Sugar Crisis. This electro pop duo are almost too cute for their own good. There was nothing even remotely complex about their set. Neil and Lorna shared musical duties - Lorna with her guitar and Neil on keyboard and programming duties. Decidedly 80s in sound, there's a cheesy element to their set but it's near-impossible to dislike songs like "Stuck In Traffic" no matter who you are. You can try and ignore them, but Sugar Crisis are here to be loved.

A nice evening of music. Not long until Santa comes. At this point in time there is no more vulgar a thought than that of Christmas shopping. Time for some much-delayed sleep. That's procrastination for you. Goodnight.

Review by Peter McGee

www.bluesbunny.com


5:33 PM 
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Sunday, December 20, 2009 

Category: Music
Right, live gigs part two. This time it is the turn of the "not from around here" set. So here is the list of top bands that played Glasgow or ones that impressed us when we were - what's the phrase - "out on patrol".

1. Red Gap at the Red Lion, Lancaster on 10 October
Just a simple wow! Red Gap came from the Isle of Man and played in an alcove in a pub. They didn't even have a drummer. They were great.
Read the full review.
More about Red Gap.

2. Juke Joint Pimps at the Halt 2, Glasgow on 30 January
White suits, red shirts, blues trash. All the way from Germany to Glasgow. Oh, and a burlesque dancer too. 100% sweat provoking fun.
Read the full review.
More about the Juke Joint Pimps.

3. Katy Moffat at The Village, Leith on 3 November
Take that folk music and sprinkle magic dust on it. Katy Moffat did. Class
Read the full review.
More about the Katy Moffatt.

4. Martin Simpson at the Victoria Hotel, Largs on 5 October
Raconteur and truly a master of the guitar, Martin Simpson made a hotel bar seem like your living room. That's the way to do it.
Read the full review.
More about the Martin Simpson.

5. Bob Cheevers at the Liquid Ship, Glasgow on 10 November
Another fine raconteur but this one cleaned his guitar with a pair of women's panties. Our kind of guy!
Read the full review.
More about the Bob Cheevers.
 
6. Hijak Oscar at the Captain's Rest, Glasgow on 23 September
Prmal and offbeat alt-folk meets British blues band from York finds itself in a basement in Glasgow. They decide to blast their way back out. Helluva fight as nobody wanted them to leave.
Read the full review.
More about the Hijak Oscar.
 
7. King Khan and the Shrines at Stereo, Glasgow on 2 October
Leopard print jacket and over the top showmanship won the crowd over. I feel like dancing. Yeah!
Read the full review.
More about the King Khan and the Shrines.
 
8. The Foghorns at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow on 6 August
Alt-folk duo from Seattle neatly overlooked the poor attendance and spun a web of lo-fi charm. Weirdly satisfying.
Read the full review.
More about the Foghorns

9. How's My Pop at the Park Hotel, Lancaster on 10 October
Quntessentially British pop band took pole position at an alldayer as part of the Lancaster Music Festival. Smoke me a cigar 'cos I need a passive hit.
Read the full review.
More about the How's My Pop.
 
10. Fol Chen at Nice and Sleazy, Glasgow on 10 September
Quirky Californian band come to Glasgow and show that you can sugar coat musical complexity. A delightful confection.
Read the full review.
More about Fol Chen.

www.bluesbunny.com
11:19 AM 
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Saturday, December 19, 2009 

Category: Music
Dinny, Davie Boyle and First Tiger live at the Liquid Ship, Glasgow - 18 December 2009

They say the streets of London are paved with gold (presumably removed now to pay the expenses claims of our elected representatives?) but tonight the streets of dear old Glasgow were paved with multicoloured vomit. The season of the amateur drinker is truly upon us. Watch in wonder as your pint gets knocked over by some festive fool as he attempts to pick up a work colleague - maybe that's what happens when men drink girly cocktails? Watch in awe as an old guy takes a piss on Woodlands Road whilst texting - who said men can't multitask?

There are times when I (almost) feel sorry for musicians and tonight was one of those nights. Dinny went up against the crowd first. She's a fine, soulful singer and can belt out a song with a confidence and power that belies her small stature. In fact, given the nature of her own songs, she'd make a fine torch singer. Pity the audience were suffering from a terminally short attention span.

Davie Boyle was next into the ring. A buoyant performer, he fought bravely for the audience's attention and he succeeded - for a few songs at least. However, even with a clever, downbeat take on some Christmas classics to complement the season, he barely scored a points victory. Still, a creditable performance considering what he was facing.

First Tiger carried on regardless. Two guys, two guitars and plenty of talent would normally do the trick but their subtle musical pleasures fell on deaf ears. Full credit to them nonetheless as they ploughed on and they even managed to do a somewhat surreal bit of incredibly laconic Christmas crooning to end their set. So right and so wrong all at the same time. I doubt the audience got the joke but I did. Pure class!

Time had marched on. Time to go for the last train. Not the smartest move as it was little short of carnage. But that, as they say, is another story.

www.bluesbunny.com
10:59 AM 
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Friday, December 18, 2009 

Category: Music
As Bluesbunny does a lot of live reviewing, it seems like a good idea to do a top ten list of bands that have impressed us this year and this particular list is limited to bands from round about Central Scotland. That means you will probably be able to see them for yourselves soon. By the way, the list is in no particular order. It was in order but has been randomly shuffled so that I wouldn't be right and wrong at the same time.
As usual, the standard of sound at many venues proved something of a disappointment and it was also noted that sell-outs were distinctly rare this year. No doubt that is recession related so we should all give thanks to our beloved government for taking the time between making expenses claims to cripple the entertainment industry. At this rate, all that is going to be left is Saturday night television.

And the marks from the Luxembourg jury are…

1. Woodenbox at King Tuts on 13 June 2009
Woodenbox are the kind of band that brings joy to the world. That night they provided the glorious proof but, if you were there, then you know that already. Read the full review. 
2. The Viragoes at the Liquid Ship on 23 June 2009
A somewhat mercurial band, they set the basement of the Liquid Ship on fire that night with a smoking set. Hot, hot, hot! Read the full review.
3. Shimmer at Pivo Pivo on 9 September 2009
Neat, focussed and melodic performance. That might not sound like much but the band were right on the money and convinced all that heard them. Read the full review.
4. Kick to Kill at Pivo Pivo on 23 July 2009
Intense, emotional performance that highlighted this band's potential. Read the full review.
5. Foxgang at Nice and Sleazy on 2 December 2009
Quirky, left of centre band that played to a less than enormous audience. However, you couldn't doubt their musical abilities. Pure class. Read the full review.
6. The Dirt at The State Bar on 13 November 2009
A duo that did murder ballads in the basement of the State Bar. Sounds just about right to me. And it was. Read the full review.
7. Laki Mera at the Classic Grand on 30 October 2009
Out of nowhere came Laki Mera. Polished post rock meets electronica with compelling female vocals. A total surprise but simply magical. Read the full review.
8. Iona Marshall at the Liquid Ship on 28 August 2009
Bringing an entrancing mix of folk and ambient electronica to the Liquid Ship was Edinburgh's Iona Marshall. Her music stuck in the mind long after the gig. Read the full review.
9. Susanna Macdonald at the Liquid Ship 9 September 2009
A national treasure, no less. Susanna Macdonald performs with all the dedication of a psychopathic Sunday school teacher. No one does light and shade like her (even if she is a bit scary). Read the full review.
10.  Dave Arcari at the Liquid Ship on 23 June 2009 
That's Dave f*cking Arcari to you! Whisky fuelled, this bluesman never gives less than 100%. Read the full review.

www.bluesbunny.com

2:55 PM 
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Friday, December 18, 2009 

Category: Music
Bluesbunny Albums of the Year 2009

Another year in reviews. It seems but a short while since this list was last compiled and we are now all a year older and deeper in debt. Still, it has not been the greatest of years in music either. Mainstream releases proved generally disappointing so it wasn't just in the world of the eclectic and obscure that inspiration and adventure went into hiding. Nonetheless, the Bluesbunny list for this year turned out to be surprisingly commercial.

So to the list...

1.    Lee Patterson - Stella Maris (LP Music CDLPN007)

This album is one of those albums that is just right. It took a while to track it down as it seems to have escaped rather than having been released. However, this is one to treasure as this is the most human of albums with Lee Patterson painting pictures of human frailty and failings with grace and compassion. Album of the year? More like album of the decade.


2.    Rev Simpkins & The Phantom Notes - Lions (Righteous Holler RHRCD1109)

The oddball charms of Rev Simpkins and the Phantom Notes are no stranger to the Bluesbunny's ears. There's no sign of "second album syndrome" on Lions and their swaggering Kinks meets Pulp in a pub style scored another victory.


3.    Hijak Oscar - BlackSheepMoneyBox (No catalogue number)

Saw this York based band live in the compact basement of The Captain's Rest. Left with the album (and a t-shirt) and fell in love with the Beefheartian mix of British blues and folk on this album. Also fell in love with the primal power of Gaby Milner's voice. Dark haired women were something of a theme in 2009 with the Bluesbunny...


4. Lisa Germano - Magic Neighbor (Young God YG39)

A subtle and haunting album from Lisa Germano. Whilst it lacked immediacy - which is no surprise given her cult credentials - this album won us over in the end. Close your eyes and it will charm you completely. That's all it took for us.


5. Kimberly Trip - Generation Stereotype (Glitter Kitty GKR2009-0601)

Another end of year entry. A Californian band doing their thing in retro pop style might not sound magical but there were perfect pop songs here aplenty. Catchy melodies and astute lyrics were the icing on a very commercial cake.


6. The Foghorns - A Diamond As Big As The Motel Six (Beefy Beef Records)

Another band unknown to the Bluesbunny until we stumbled across them in a bar in Glasgow. The album tuned out to be a lo-fi gem full of oblique urban folk tales held together by unforced harmonies from Bart and Kate. It left us with a warm feeling.


7. Screaming Mimi - Leap Into My Fervent Arms (Phantom Power PPR012)

Bluesbunny has a bit if a fondness for power pop and this Sheffield based band did the business. Big girl vocals and a sense of fun pervaded this album. I was about to say something like "so stupid it is smart" but it takes a lot of work to create music that doesn't quite sound like anybody else. Done deal here.


8. BirdEatsBaby - Here She Comes-A-Tumblin' (84502-02554)

Art house rock survives (in Brighton at least) and there was no finer example than this album from Birdeatsbaby. Resoundingly over the top at times, their wild cabaret style brought some much needed style to a rather drab year.


9 Hercules Mandarin - Fast Behind the Times (HM Records HMR004)

Glasgow band Hercules Mandarin seem have the developed an ability to avoid recognition and success. I don't know why as this, their second album, is chock full of radio friendly songs and is performed with imagination and passion. So, credit is given where it is due.


10. John Hinshelwood & Sandra Gellatly - Shattered Pleasures

There are no musical surprises in this album so that's not what makes it special. What makes it special is how well a tried and trusted formula can be reused with the two participants giving mellow and neatly understated performances that give much needed comfort to tired ears.

Read the full reviews at www.bluesbunny.com

12:24 PM 
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