Sounds around town with Dave Franklin (From Swindon Advertiser)

Sounds around town with Dave Franklin

4:49pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in News

Reuban Tyghe of Port Erin

What do you get if you mix up blues playing voodoo priests with burlesque dance routines? You get the latest offering of Bands and Burlesque at The Victoria tonight, that’s what.

The Hoodoo Kings will be delivering high energy, bourbon soaked, blues whilst looking like that scary bloke from Live And Let Die and a bevy of Burlesque beauties will strut their stuff in time to the dark funky grooves.

As if there was some sort of horror theme running through the night, The Beehive plays host to We Ghosts, an Anglo-Swedish outfit who, despite their spooky name, actually play a glorious blend of folky blues and indie fixated pop, though it might be folky pop and blues fixated indie – either way, they are well worth checking out.

It seems that the year has kicked in with more than a few bands coming up with the same idea – let’s record an ep. The latest to do so are those purveyors of that beautiful cacophony, The Racket. If you like the thought of Libertine-esque gutter anthems being driven headlong into the early days of punk and stopping only to wrestle with the 60s garage band scene, then you may find everything you need at The Victoria on Friday as they showcase the results of their recent studio sojourn.

Also on the bill are the “Beatles on Speed” sound of The Rhubarbs and the punked out, indie jangle and sheer infectiousness that is Nudy Bronque.

Simultaneously launching their CD, this time over at Riffs Bar, are Blackwaters, who are joined by covers band Early Daze and acoustic duo Him And His Brother, who may or may not have read the same article about naming their band as Me And My Sister who we will come to later. These kids and their crazy ways!

One of the most original bands to hail from this part of the world will be at The Beehive that same night. Port Erin are a genre defying three-piece who manage to encompass everything from pop to prog-rock, funk to folk, jazz and rock without getting stuck too far into any particular genre. I highly recommend catching this band.

But there is stiff competition for your hard earned drinking money. The Furnace has The Half Term Pop-Punk Special, headed up by The Headstart, who combine grin-inducing songs, infectious, dance inspiring beats and partial nudity. Bristol’s Run from Robots make a welcome return to the parish and local outfits Tides of Change and Falling With Style start the night off.

Fans of the likes of Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan might wish to note that Larry Miller will be treating The Arts Centre to a showcase of mesmerising, virtuoso blues.

As we finally move into Saturday’s options we will stay at the Arts Centre for a moment. Do you remember a few years ago on Britain’s Got Talent when that soprano saxophone playing music teacher stole the show and ended up coming third in the whole competition? Well, now a recording artist and internationally renowned musician, Julian Smith, will be appearing there to show you just what all the fuss was about.

The Sunday afternoon slot at The Beehive features Nicky Swann a singer-songwriter rooted in Americana traditions but able to call upon folk, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll to flavour her set.

That evening it’s all about acoustic music at the Rolleston. The aforementioned Me And My Sister (shouldn’t that be My Sister And I?) deliver humour and harmonies of the indie pop persuasion and are an act that are really worth checking out. Also on the bill is Marky Thatcher, who mixes punk simplicity with wonderfully crafted songs and great melodies. It’s worth noting that if you buy him enough cider he might play you After The Goldrush. Well, he always used too.

Final mention of the week goes to jazz night at Baker Street on Tuesday and The Dave Newton Trio. Deceptively smooth piano lines compete with a whole host of musical cleverness and complex background grooves. Jazz fans will lap this up.