I'm too giddy!

I've already started this blog in advance of this gig.

Dead looking forward to it.

NOW it feels like Christmas..........

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It's the morning (just) after the night before.

Personally? Very, very much enjoyed. And whilst the crowd never quite reached the numbers of last years', it was an extremely good night.

I think, for me, seeing Jason's formal dinner dress attire; three piece black suit, dress shirt and dickie bow, at the very start of the evening, foretold the events to come. It was certainly comforting to see Jason sat in the venue, making notes for his compere stints after receiving the bad news that some performers were not going to be able to make it, having fallen foul of The Lurg.

This event, SheffieldSounds Democratic Alldayer was all about celebrating the fantastic talent we have locally. And more than that, this gig showcases the bands that forum members of SheffieldSounds voted for. Each member having the opportunity to name their favourite three local bands. Some of the bands that made the top voting were unable to play the event for various reasons (mainly festive out-of-Sheffield visiting of friends and relatives) but extra special mentions go to: The Mirimar Disaster, Balor Knights, The Venkman Heist, Flatlands, Screaming Mimi and Saving:Mitsuko. Good to see some of the members of these bands there at the gig too.

Mark Andrew had agreed to be our official event photographer and he beat Jav and I to the venue too. It's so good to have a photographer that not only takes the most amazing photos but thoroughly enjoys himself at gigs too. I cannot wait to see the pics. We are planning something with them too....

And Bainy turned up! He was there so early, I never had chance to get the red carpet out! Seriously, was nice to see you Bainy especially when we had another 2 members of Vasquez, Rich and Andy turn up. I did offer them the chance to fill in the empty slot but it was VERY short notice!

And an absolute bummer that local favourites, Flatline, had both drummer Marc and singer Mike bed ridden and TG and Dexter very much worse for wear. However, it is with the highest praise that despite their illness, we thank TG and Dexter for turning up to the gig to honour their loan of the bass amp for the first part of the evening's performers. How's that for support and commitment? Love you, boys.

As Flatline were unable to perform, we moved proceedings on half an hour, and it was lovely to see Trouble Breathing have a nice crowd. They so deserve it. Nat just gets better and better. As Jason said to me; she's blossoming. And the just-so guitar from Nik and bass from Paul never detract from the atmosphere of the songs. Grand opening to the event.

The whole evening was held together very nicely by Jason Richford. There can be few of you regular Mentholman gig goers that have not witnessed Jason in action as compere. So professional, that he stuck to water for most of the evening (!) despite offers of something much stronger and I certainly cannot imagine having such an event without Jason doing his thing. It isn't just about getting on stage and announcing the next band, it's about knowing information about each band and generating a warm and congenial atmosphere where everyone knows they can just enjoy themselves, be a bit raucous and really appreciate each band's performance. Hats off to you Jason for being so darn good in this role.

And we thought at some point in the evening we might get to see a little more of Jason than (most) of us normally do, when his flies bust. Must have been the excitement, eh, Jason?

Next on stage were Actionier. There's a real buzz about this band at the moment. Felt quite honoured that they were able to take the time out of a very busy schedule of 'happenings' to play for us all. Intense stuff, perfectly executed by lads that were so down to earth and personable that you just so want them to succeed. The very, very best of luck with it all guys.

It was Mac's (Alistair MacLatchy) birthday on the day. He'd requested an earlier slot so that he could get nicely hammered with friends that had come to both watch his band Mantank and celebrate his fast approach to the 'Big One'. Perhaps his idea of 'hammered' and mine are a little different as he still appeared to be standing perfectly upright, coherent and grinning nicely by the end of the evening. Perhaps he was only imbibing the sherry that Jason had suggested was fitting for a person of such great age.

Mantank exude so much force from stage, that I'm surprised folks near the front weren't blasted and pinned to the back wall. But they are more than that. Jonny's vocals are outstanding and their songs are as a catchy as 'man-flu'. They even 'own' the cover of Queen's 'Mustafa'. And songs 'Kill It' and 'Road of Bones' are delivered with such passion and enjoyment, I defy anyone not to be headbanging or toe tapping.

Ahh. A personal double treat up next for Jav and me. One of our favourite bands with the loan of one of our sons on drums. As many of you will know, [sub]NOVA parted company with their long standing drummer recently but ever the professionals that these guys are, they refused to cancel a lot of the gigs they had on their tour. So they asked Taz (Axis Dynide) to stand in for them.

Guitarist Dario (very scathingly referred to by Gaz for his festive absence) was living it up in Ibiza. How many bands would have just said 'We can't play, sorry' with 2 members missing? Not these guys. Gaz picked up guitar again and faultlessly played the whole set with equally matching superb vocals. I'll refrain from heaping too much praise on our youngest son Taz, but have to say he was the perfect complement to a band that have few equal peers in their genre. Very much looking forward to seeing new drummer Chris play with them.

Jav described [sub]NOVA's performance as a personal highlight and remarked on how Oli, Gaz and Matt present a 'wall' of action on stage. Have a very distinct feeling that 2008 is going to be THE year for [sub]NOVA. And utterly, competely deserved too for some of the nicest and best looking (!) lads on the circuit.

We had what could be described as a minor furore on the forums during the voting. The question of 'How local is local?' was raised. I believe we decided a 25 mile radius from the centre of Sheffield counted as 'local'.

This debate was sparked by the delightfully monikered 'The Scutty Neighbours'. Hailing from the depths of Derbyshire's Middleton/Youlgreve area, they qualified for SSDA nomination with just 2 miles to spare. Another band hit by lurgy (although according their myspace blog, their guitarist had temporary AIDS) they used supreme ingenuity and had their bassist 'mash' guitar and bass during their entire set. A lanky and screech laden frontman delivered us 'Decaying Corpse' and 'Rotting Apples' amongst other songs. Very well received, finding particular favour with the hooker Bentley boys and Eric Dodgem Miller, I'm sure it won't be too long before we get them back at WSL.

According to the next band's myspace page, they've been going since May 2006. So 18 months of song writing and gigging later and Tiananmen poll the most votes for this event. Not bad going!

I think we discovered part of the reason for their success on Sunday though. And it's a tip maybe all bands should take on board: make sure your drummer has a sh*t before going on stage. I met a panicking Jamie upstairs at the venue, desperately seeking toilet paper in the flat loo. No joy there either. I eventually delivered a pristine new roll to him on the venue floor, minutes before their performance, much to his relief and the rest of his band's mirth. I'm not sure how he'd have played with 'turtle head touching cloth' but I for one shared his relief.

Of course drummer's bowel evacuation aside, this band showed us why they deserved their top spot. Nate, as I have said before, has found his true niche with this band and genre and they deliver songs of epicness and grandeur. DO listen to their myspace tunes (www.myspace.com/tiananmenband) as I feel they are particularly well recorded and mixed.

If you are wondering why as most voted for band they did not take the headlining slot, then ask Nate Aww-but-I-want-to-get-smashed Kerfoot.

And Lee, sweetie, it's not the glasses that stop you seeing your effects pedals, it's the emo hair.

At the start of Tiananmen's set, the crowd had further swelled nicely and were ready for the next band. Apparently, off -duty hooker Bentley members like to spend their time on intellectual discussion and other taxing cerebral  exercise. Like putting the word 'Bum' in front of band names and comparing the results. It's little gems of information like this from bands (Jamie and the 'I need a poo' included), that I was feeding back to compere Jason throughout the evening, so that he could share it with the greater audience. Although Jason collected his own gem too when he relayed Nate's previous night's 'sexual mishap' of 'coming and sh*tting at the same time'. It's with some gratitude that Tiananmen's music can divert you from that particular mental image.

Anyhow, on to hooker Bentley, or Bum Bentley as Jason announced them. Another band that always makes these sort of events feel complete. A lairy bunch of rockers that also happen to play some of the best stuff around these parts. Obviously so cos they came came high up in the polling.

Riff meister Kerrin showed off his newly shorn ringlets, Lex adopted the super wide-legged bass hard man stance to rival Matt [sub]NOVA's and Fozz played his special 'catch you out' beats. But it's fair to say that the stage was competely and utterly stormed by frontman, Johnny Rock. It's just fantastic to see a singer so posessed by the music his band is playing, that you are never quite certain as an audience member, if you are going to survive the set without being decapitated by the mike stand. Totally watchable, hugely entertaining and recognition that their new stuff can hook you in just as easily as the old favourite numbers. 

I'd received a rather desperate text from Anna Haigh on the morning of the gig, telling me that half her band, Ed Nine More Lies and Heva Art Department, had also succumbed to The Great Sheffield Lurg and were unable to play.

I had complete faith, however, that Anna would still provide her usual show stopping magic. It would have been impossible for her not to with THAT voice. It's the sound of a once vanquished angel, finding new meaning in tales of earth bound love and angst.(Well, it is..)

Anna was complemented with bassist Edd Hammill fresh from Canadian wastelands, the sound of whale music still ringing in his ears. (I know, but still, it sounds good...) Really good to see him back, albeit on a temporary festive visit, and equally good to see the satisfied grin he brought to Anna's face.

Just loved the stripped back to venue-hushing bass and vocals of cover 'Fever'. Hudson Bay sized goosebumps ensued. But it's Anna's own songs, delivered with such delicate passion, that totally parade this woman's talent. 'Sickest Thing' and 'Beautiful Boy' just stay, resonating plaintively.

With super-teen sibling Chris Haigh on drums and Nik press ganged quite easily on to guitar, we were treated to a perfect, perfect finale to the whole day.

A hundred thousand thanks to every performer that played. It really is your fantastic attitude to these events that makes them so very special. Mention again to TG and Dexter for stoically attending in the face of real man-flu and bringing the first half bass amp. And to hooker Bentley for sharing their bass amp and guitar amp.

Big up to Taz for allowing all the bands to use his drum kit instead of the battered into an early grave house kit.

Slavish  thanks to Jason for being immaculate in every way. Such a dirty, dirty boy.

Immense appreciation to Tam for opening up the back doors at 3.00pm and staying with us on sound til way past the end of the gig.

Thanks to Mark Andrew for snapping away the evening with such obvious enjoyment.

And to Jared O'Mara and Nate Kerfoot for counting the votes that decided the line up.

To Kev Clabby, bar manager, and his loyal hard working team.

To Dean for letting us use his fantastic venue.

And to all of you that attended and hopefully had as brilliant a time as we did.

Happy New Year Everybody!!!