The Family..... "swaggering, bourbon-drenched, cosmic country for bow-legged women"
"The whole set swaggered and bubbled under the surface like a moody Clint Eastwood. The band were tight. The sound of the slide guitar held everything together expertly and even the introduction of a violin did not make the stage feel over-crowded...", mINTSOUTH, April 2007.
"...not some mafia-affiliated gang but a pedal steel-totin' bunch of southern rockers, and when we say southern, we mean Tooting, not Tucson.", The Guardian , June 2007.
"The Family sound unbelievably polished for an unsigned band, with deeply instrumental, layered tracks.... 'Bow Legged Woman' blends the sounds of Primal Scream, Oasis and Seventies rock'n'roll to perfection. To hear this live, with the husky vocals, raucous guitars, and Dylan inspired harmonica, must be brilliant.... It's great to see some different music coming out of Southampton, aside from the usual copycat bands that we keep seeing.", Penny Lane, NME, November 2007
www.myspace.com/thefamilyonline
Polly and The Billets Doux
"They take their influences from Jazz greats like Billie Holiday and add a quintessentially english Twist, with divine harmonised vocals."describe as a sumptuous blend of Jazz, Blues, Country, Folk and Gospel", and with the "sexiest voice in the South". "To a raptuous reception, Polly and the Billets Doux arrived and you'd have thought they'd just finished their encore let alone not started. The whole band knows how to please deftly working with effortless skill, bringing in each instrument and element, layering and lifting it into dreamy blues tinged delights. Welcome to the gospel according to Polly" (chronicle) "as polly and the billets doux become more established it is becoming substantially more difficult to actually get into the gigs as they are being sold out as soon as the support acts take the stage. I never cease to be amazed by this band, their live performances are astounding!"
www.myspace.com/pollyandtheband
Two Fingers Of Firewater were formed in 2005 by founding band members Jon Clake, Tom Harding and Alex Chappelow. The original line-up changed significantly in mid-2007 with the addition of Stephen Price and James Sacha.
The winter of 2007 was spent in the appropriately named "Chiller" unit of a local strawberry farm rehearsing and recording ten original numbers which make up the band's debut album. The basic tracks were recorded on a portable unit over the winter months in the old barn, where the only source of warmth was a paraffin blow heater. Having saved on studio fees the band were able to put in long hours on the farm capturing the rootsy sounds they were after, in an environment very much in keeping with the spirit of the record. The raw tracks were then edited and mixed at producer Mark Lawson's home studio, where vocals and overdubbed instruments were added. The final product was then mastered by Jon Astley, who has worked for The Who and Tori Amos among many others.
Summer 2008 has been spent gigging around the South of England and playing festivals: Riverside at Charlbury, Guildford (Guilfest), Keilfest, Weyfest, Cherryfest and the Americana Maverick Festival where they opened the main stage.
TFOF have supported the following US artists touring the UK: Deadstring Brothers, Eve Selis Band, Eileen Rose & The Holy Wreck.
Plus Dj Justin Exciter spinning hot soul, blues, garage, rock n roll, country, gospel and psychedelia......plus a little bird told me it just so happens to be the landlords 40TH BIRTHDAY!!! So extra special night with much celebrating to be had!
Tickets £6/£5 adv from Southampton Guildhall Box Office 02380 632601