Tamworth Bands History : 1987 : February
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
THE MUSICBOX local band of the year Dance Stance will attempt on Monday to broaden their sphere of influence when they play their first prestigious university concert. The band have been lined-up for several top college shows throughout the spring and summer and it all begins on Monday at Loughborough University.
Dance Stance will headline the show with support from Leicester-based band Ella. Among the band’s other future ventures is a concert on February 21 at Lichfield Arts Centre. There they will be joined by fellow Atherstonians Catch 23 in an intriguing-looking double-header. Monday night’s Loughborough show promises to be a big night for our chaps so if you want to help them through the ‘sweetest pain’ get along and cheer them on!
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
ATHERSTONE punk-revivalists Catch 23 heard the marvellous news on Monday morning that they have won through to the regional finals of the TSB Rock School contest. The group will meet up with seven other Midlands-based young bands at the Dome on March 2 and judging by the appalling entries in last year’s contest, they have got to be confident. They will be given just 12 minutes to impress, but I for one am convinced that will be enough. Lead singer Steve Webster also wants the world to know that he also finally managed to pass an O’ level – just two months after winning the Worst Exam results section of the MUSICBOX poll! Well done Steven and well done Catch 23 in the contest, TSB – the band that like to say YES! To Catch 23.
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
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| Caption: Rising hopes…Rape In Yellow set to do battle with metal men and the uptempo guys. |
TAMWORTH’S ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition starts in style tomorrow night (Saturday) when Kara and Breaking Point take in the debut-making new boys, Rape in Yellow.
The trio will battle it our for a place in the grand final on Friday, February 27 where they stand to win a special trophy, a special title and a very special £50!
Obviously most eyes tomorrow night will be on new Dosthill-based band Rape in Yellow. They have been quietly rehearsing for some time and have just burst onto the local scene with a superb three-track demo which was reviewed in MUSICBOX last week.
The band’s music is modern psychedelia with influences including The Cure and The Doors and it has an original and distinctive feel.
It is produced by two brothers Ian and Graham Harwood and guitarist Lee Partlow. In the studio the rhythm section was made up of Batman and Peter Wright but tomorrow night Graham, Lee and Ian will be joined by former Love On Board and Orange bassist Glen Lewis and ex-Femme Fatale and Orange member Nigel Horton on drums.
The band are keenly looking forward to this, their first ever concert and the sound they produce looks like being welcomed with open arms by the Tamworth public keen to see something new.
Powerful
Battling it out against Rape in Yellow will be two more experienced bands both of whom have considerable presence and following. Kara will open proceedings at 8.30, have already played several prestigious gigs and have made many friends with recent shows alongside The Dream Factory and Strap On Jack.
Their music is commercially orientated metal with a powerful feel. As well as being cohesive and strong, it also has a general appeal which means that more than just metal-men have sung Kara’s praises in recent weeks. They will clearly be formidable opponents.
Completing tonight’s line-up are Breaking Point who will be second in the three-band billing. They have slowed down the gig-rate of late while they promote their excellent single which ensures a good-sized crowd whenever they take to the stage.
Their music for those who may have forgotten(!) is ‘uptempo’ modern alternative rock owing much to the feel of bands such as The Alarm and U2. They sing about passion and play passionate sounds, and as previous winners of the battle of the Bands crown, they are certain to start the heat as favourites to go through.
Putting all the elements together, the gig offers the widest possible range of music which should hopefully attract the widest possible audience. Entry is just £1 at Tamworth Arts Centre and the whole show starts at around 8.30 finishing about 11 o’clock.
With the recent gig glut that has infected the area tomorrow night offers a fine chance to enjoy a great night out and three great bands to boot. Be there or forever be a lemon.
All the bands will be given 30 minutes each to impress a three-man judging panel. It will be chaired throughout by Herald staff-man Martin Warrilow and tomorrow’s guest judges are Dance Stance member Nick Reed and local poet Kevin McGeough.
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
Plumbing Eddie’s Depths
A NEW BAND, sporting the name ‘Fetch Eddie The Baby’s Gone Blue’ made their first demo on Saturday and we hope to look at them in more detail shortly. Among their tasteful numbers is one called “He’ll Love You ‘Til You’re Pregnant”. Lovely.
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
An ambitious keyboard player is being sought to join the band on the verge of a host of concerts. The group featuring former Powerplay favourites Graham Phelps and Mick Simpson play modern rock music and have already received considerable attention. Now they want a good keyboard player to complete the line-up and more details are available from Graham and Mick.
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
A new band featuring three ex-members of the Dream Factory are on the lookout for a bassist and a drummer to complete an all-new outfit. Tim Goode, Dave Stevenson and Lloyd Barnett are hoping to make music which combines old Dream Factory directions with new sounds and influences including the likes of U2. If you would like to team up with these three talented and experienced musicians contact Jane…
Tamworth Herald – 06/02/87
Two magazines worthy of note have just come to my attention. The first is called LM, a new magazine aimed mainly at males aged between 15-30. It’s full of music, comment, football, sex, films, videos and all the other things males 15-30 are supposed to be into.
07/02/87
Battle of the Bands
Rape In Yellow
Kara
Breaking Point
Tamworth Arts Centre
09/02/87
Dance Stance
Loughborough University
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
TAMWORTH pop producer Alan Caves is battling to stay in the music business – despite his shock departure from the recording studios of UB40 last week.
Alan of Adonis Close, Perrycrofts, left his top job as manager at the DEP International Studios in Birmingham when they closed last week and claims he was made redundant by the band.
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
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| Caption: Catch 23…tomorrow night’s favourites |
THE SECOND HEAT of the Tamworth Battle of the Bands blazes into action tomorrow night (Saturday), when Atherstone favourites Catch 23 take on the might of two rock outfits – Depth Charge and Shellshock.
All three bands have every reason to feel confident of success on the night and on paper it seems the Arts Centre concert is wide open.
Staring proceedings on Saturday will be Depth Charge, who are looking forward to this their first concert for some time.
The band – who recently flirted with names like The Muff Doctors and Caging The Raven before returning wisely to their original monicker – were desperately unlucky not to win their ‘Battle ‘ heat last year, when they were just edged out by Wolfsbane.
Then, like now, Depth Charge played the sort of music people like me hate – i.e. the sort that is very difficult to label. It is rock in essence, but rock owing more to the spirit of the mid-late Seventies rather than the mid-late Eighties.
It has a popular edge and a well-disciplined sound and Depth Charge earn almost universal respect among the town’s musicians.
Accolade
A rare accolade and an enjoyable band who will kick off Saturday’s Arts Centre proceedings at around 8.30pm.
Next up will be Shellshock, playing their first Tamworth concert with new lead singer Andy Mottram. Andy who hails from Measham, has already impressed many people after fronting the band at three Burton shows and Tamworth’s rock fans will be able to make their minds up tomorrow.
The band say their music can best be summed up as heavy rock with an occasional metal edge, and they are confident that it has improved and refined since their last appearances around the time of the Rock Festival.
The group have also expanded their set somewhat and are confident that their songs are now more complete and well-structured. They are keenly awaiting their show which comes hours after their gig at Burton tonight.
Completing the three-band extravaganza are Catch 23 who really made their name by appearing in last year’s ‘Battle’. Since then the band have been regularly in action and have made friends with every single show.
According to the band, their music is ‘pop with aggression’, an all-embracing term which shows their all-embracing appeal. It is stylish, spirited and polished power pop and the band will approach Saturday’s show with their normal enthusiasm and determination.
A quick head-count with some local music-watchers made Catch 23 favourites to win the heat but as any good bookmaker will tell you the favourites don’t always win.
Great
So there it is – another fine, varied and enjoyable concert. One winner will be chosen by the three judges – Martin Warrilow, former Orange singer Anice Byfield and XPD man John Reeman – but in the real tradition of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ this is not just about competition.
It is about bringing together three different bands to produce one great night out for local gig-goers. It costs just £1 to enter (starts at 8 and finishes at 11) and as it is Valentine’s Night why not be romantic and bring a friend?
After all what could be more romantic than spending Valentine’s day in a sweaty little room full of loud noises, screaming singers and pulsating speakers? Answers on a postcard please to St. Valentine’s Day Massacred, Tamworth Herald, etc. etc.
N.B. Will all bands please arrive at the Arts Centre at 5.45 – and be prepared to stop and sort out the stage at the end of the evening.
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
FIRST NIGHT of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ turned into an entertaining, controversial and thoroughly enjoyable night. All three bands played well enough to leave large sectors of the audience thinking their favourite had won, and the scores couldn’t have been tighter.
In the end the three judges – Edward ian Armchair, Kevin McGough and chairman Martin Warrilow – were split somewhat, and the difference between the first and third bands was a mere five points. And this is how it all went…
KARA
A lively, well-structured enthusiastic set from a band who certainly had the backing of the majority of the large, noisy crowd. The band three out the cover versions and replaced them with their own much stronger material which fully displayed their inherent knack for writing commercial, powerful and anthemic metal pop. A strong, intelligent set.
BREAKING POINT
Making their first appearance for some time, Breaking Point were loud, brash and exciting. Their material combined the dazzling old (‘Nicholas Romanov’ and ‘Ambergold’) with the dazzling new (‘Britannia and ‘Israel’) to produce a fiery, well-balanced set. All three members sounded musically better than I can remember, but a special word for bassist Daydo who was simply magnificent. A fire-cracking 30 minutes.
RAPE IN YELLOW
A confident and extremely promising debut which led one judge to say ‘they’re going to be the best band in Tamworth’. Rape In Yellow’s sound mixes the Sixties feel of The Kinks and The Beatles, with the Eighties feel of the Cure and Julian Cope and is played with inventiveness and considerable musical prowess. Graham Harwood has a superb voice, the band have a strong, marketable image and when they get through the inevitable early teething problems they have literally masses of potential to be very big indeed. A band with a big future and very nice haircuts.
THE JUDGES’ VERDICT
Breaking Point sneaked into the February 27 final by the smallest of margins. They won it through their choice or material and general impact although all three judges scored very highly for both Rape In Yellow and Kara.
MY VERDICT
Although my love for Breaking Point is well-known and unabashed I think on the night Kara just about deserved to win. They played with spirit and enthusiasm and looked hungry for success. In a sense it was perhaps unfair to judge Rape In Yellow as they were making their debut but I am sure if they had sneaked in there would have been few complaints from anyone. Three good bands and a hard decision for three good judges. The debate will go on about the final result but one thing is certain – Tamworth definitely won!
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
R ‘n’ B night is a tester
A NEW band specialising in ‘maximum r ‘n’ b’ will be appearing in Atherstone on Tuesday night. The group The Witch Doctors, feature two old members of La Grange, Mick Kingston and Paul Kent, along with another r ‘n’ b enthusiast Ian Green. The trio will line up at Atherstone Rugby Club and if the gig is successful Mick is hoping to organise other Atherstone, Tamworth and Nuneaton bands to play at the venue.
14/02/87
Battle of the Bands
Catch 23
Depth Charge
Shellshock
Tamworth Arts Centre
13/03/87
Geno Washington
Dance Stance
Keele University
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
Another piece of good news from Atherstone is that the Musicbox band of the year Dance Stance have secured a prestigious support slot with soul legend Geno Washington. Dance Stance will team up with the great man on Friday March 13 at Keele University. We wish the lads the best of luck on the night and music fans will probably find the line-up of Geno and Dance Stance quite amusing. After all they are both titles of Dexys Midnight Runners songs!
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
Former Dream Factory men Lloyd Barnett, Tim Goode and Dave Stevenson are still on the lookout for a bassist and drummer.
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
Rape In Yellow, fresh from the triumph of their first demo and their first gig, are now on the lookout for a permanent bassist. If you can play bass and want to join an ambitious and original outfit, the person to ring is Graham.
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
The Cheesy Helmets who are due to play in next week’s Battle of the Bands heat, are desperately seeking a new drummer. The band, who play strong, original music can be contacted on…
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
Former Parade musicians Andy Stokes and ‘Simo’ are on the lookout for a guitarist and singer to form a new band.
Tamworth Herald – 13/02/87
It was very pleasing to see so many people turn up for heat one of the Battle of the Bands – and also pleasing to see all three bands given a warm and enthusiastic response. Not so warm and enthusiastic response. Not so warm and enthusiastic, however, was the response to cleaning up afterwards and it was left to myself, the Byfields, Emma Gibbs Loves Badges and amazingly Murray ‘Not So Metallic’ Pickett to the dirty work.
The battle was followed by yet another tasty party at the Byfields populated by rock stars past, present and future who all settled down to that typical party game – watching the cricket.
If cricket isn’t your idea of fun, however, perhaps Wolfsbane are. Well, they have just been in the studio to record a new demo including three tracks unfamiliar to Tamworth ears – ‘Get Up’, ‘Hot Shoe’ and ‘Dance My Tune’.
They are also hoping to get a gig in what they describe as the smelliest, sweatiest place they have ever seen – Jav’s club in Burton. The band have lined up shows at places such as Nottingham and Birmingham too, so it shows that they never left their enthusiasm on the Dublin beaches.
And finally, a sincere Musicbox apology to Great Express singer Brian Lacey. It seems that every time I write about this most talented of songwriters I spell his name Bryan instead of Brian…it won’t happen again…
17/02/87
The Witch Doctors
Atherstone Rugby Club
Tamworth Herald – 20/02/87
Advertisement Feature
ALL dressed up but nowhere to go? Don’t just sit there – come along to Tamworth’s newest nightspot – Lakins – which opens its doors tonight at 9.30pm.
Tamworth Herald – 20/02/87
Battle of the Bands
THE final heat of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ takes place tomorrow night (Saturday) with the wild, wacky and wonderful Wolfsbane red-hot favourites to beat the alternative-based acts The Calling and The Cheesy Helmets.
It is Wolfsbane’s first Tamworth appearance since they disappeared to Dubai before Christmas and Steve, Jeff, Bayley and Jase have been keenly awaiting the chance to slay their ‘home’ audience with a new bristling act.
Faced against such titanic opposition, The Calling and The Cheesy Helmets will have to be at their very best but Wolfsbane will be only too aware that, as Breaking Point found out in the first heat, neutrals do not like favourites. Wolfsbane could find they have to work very hard indeed to claim the heat, ensuring a tremendous night of rock and roll excitement at the Arts Centre.
Wolfsbane actually open the proceedings at around 8.30. The boys have promised a set littered with newies, some of which were created and perfected literally thousands of miles away.
The band regard their show as a belated coming-home party and they are itching to show off their enthusiastic, bountiful sound. It is metal packed with mirth and much gyrating of bodies and brains is expected.
Going on first isn’t the easiest place to start, but if anyone can pull it off, Wolfsbane can.
Second up will be a band making perhaps their final appearance – The Calling. The band have played Tamworth only once before as support to the not-so-mighty Mighty Mighty. Then their black alternative sounds met with a mixed response but they have battled on regardless and will be looking to go out in a blaze of glory. The band are made up of ex-Cradlites, ex-Green Swingians et al, and are visually very powerful.
Their musical heritage owes much to the likes of Sisters of Mercy and their sound should appeal to most people who walk on the blacker side o life. If this is their last show – as I am reliably informed – it could prove an interesting night for musicians and audience alike.
Third up will be The Cheesy Helmets a Chameleons-style outfit who have already traded under the names The Gargoyle Brothers and Spartan Cruise. At the last count the band were somewhat drummerless, but they promised to carry on unperturbed and their original and entertaining end product could well make them the successful dark horses of the whole competition.
Combined
In addition, on the night, there is a chance that the neo-legendary Emma Gibbs Loves Badges may well play a short acoustic-based set to add an extra dimension to an already exciting night.
Judging the three groups tomorrow will be local fanzine editor Rob Cross, ‘Rathole’ organiser Pam Patton and chairman Martin Warrilow. Just one band will be chosen to go through to the final on Friday, February 27 where they meet the combined power of Breaking Point and Catch 23.
The final already looks noisy and intriguing, so if you want to see who joins Breaking Point and Catch 23, make your way to the Arts Centre tomorrow night at around 8.15pm and bop ‘til you drop! It costs just £1.
Tamworth Herald – 20/02/87
BRIAN LACEY has surprisingly left The Great Express. Brian, who was both the group’s lead guitarist and its singer walked out at the weekend after a disagreement about his role in the band.
The Express felt that Brian should concentrate on guitar playing and should find a new singer but the former Parade man did not agree and decided to quit. Both sides have stressed that the split is amicable and both say they have respect for each other’s opinions.
“There is no animosity at all and the band will be carrying on without me” said Brian. “It’s just a question of trust as I see it.”
Bassist Mark Mortimer was also keen to stress that this is not the end of the line for the Great Express. “It means we will probably have to cancel some of our local dates in March but we are certainly staying together,” he said. And he added jokingly – “It must be because I smell or something because people keep leaving me!”
If you would like to team up with Mark, Chantel and Dave, you can contact Mark.
Tamworth Herald – 20/02/87
THE SECOND night of the ‘Battle of the Bands’ was yet another exciting, powerful night of pop fun. All three groups – Depth Charge, Shellshock and Catch 23 – played as well as I have seen them play before, and the large, good-humoured audience gave each of the bands an enthusiastic response. And, it all went like this…
DEPTH CHARGE
Back with a new line-up and back with a bang. The group have obviously spent a long time sprucing up their image and sound, and effect certainly worked.
Opening up with the excellent ‘Back on my feet again’, the group soon settled down to turn in a professional, enjoyable and very uplifting set. Trevor and John Muggleston combined for a superb joint-guitar attack and with good work from Gary, Steve and the ever-improving Mick Goodby, Depth Charge proved they are well on course in their masterplan to take over the universe as we know it!
SHELLSHOCK
Another honest and pulsating set from a band who have tightened up beyond belief since their pre-Christmas days. Andy Mottram adds a strong dimension to the overall attack with the powerful vocals and full credit to drummer Bruno Edwards whose technique and confidence seem to have improved beyond recognition. Although this is obviously metal music, the opener in particular showed that the band have the ability to cross over strict metal barriers and appeal to an even wider audience. The best Shellshock set I have seen to date.
CATCH 23
Well, what can say? This was simply outstanding and ranks as one of the finest set I have EVER seen a local band perform. The group were confident, stylish, musically ambitious and literally oozing with potential and promise. They have matured from a good young band into a great young band, and they never put a foot wrong all night. I felt rather as I did last year when I saw Dance Stance play at the Rathole and came out saying ‘that’s it, they are going to make it.” Catch 23 I salute you. Your time has come – and this was a magnificent set.
THE JUDGE’S VERDICT
Had Depth Charge and indeed Shellshock played on any other night they may have made the final. But against Catch 23 in this form they were always on an uphill struggle. Catch 23 scored what I think is the highest mark ever seen in a Battle of the Bands heat and their overall sound and impact seemed to hit the judges right between the eyes. The opening two bands both excelled themselves, but even Shellshock singer Andy Mottram knew that the young Atherstonians had snatched it. The judges were – unlike last week – unanimous.
MY VERDICT
Well this week I had to agree with the judges. I stood with my mouth open from the first until the last note of Catch 23’s set and everything about this exciting quintet impressed me. ON Saturday I could see the band maturing before my eyes and it was a maturing process I found very, very exciting. Worthy winners and I would say a good bet for next week’s final.
Tamworth Herald – 20/02/87
Musicbox – Catch 23 will support Dance Stance in a special show in Lichfield on Saturday night.
21/02/87
Dance Stance
Catch 23
Lichfield Arts Centre
27/02/87
Battle of the Bands
Wolfsbane
Cheesy Helmets
The Calling
Tamworth Arts Centre
Tamworth Herald – 27/02/87
TAMWORTH Arts Centre will tonight host one of the most exciting concerts of the year – the grand final of the ‘Battle of the Bands’.
Four varied and enjoyable acts – Catch 23, Wolfsbane, The Cheesy Helmets and Breaking Point – will battle for the crown which was won last year by One On One.
The success of the whole ‘Battle of the Bands’ event has been staggering. Already all the overheads have been covered meaning every penny raised tonight will go towards the ‘TAMAID’ charity.
Tonight’s final promises to be the most wide-open in the three year history of the tourney. Two years ago when Breaking point won it, they went into the final as favourites, last year’s winners One On One were widely tipped to take the title, but tonight looks like ‘anybody’s game’.
Because there are four bands, the concert will start at 8.30pm instead of 9pm – and opening up the proceedings (a draw was made after last week’s heat) will be the Cheesy Helmets. These are certainly the dark horses in the contest, but the way they won over last week’s judges implies they could yet pull off an overall victory. Musically it is powerful post-punk new wave which has a modern and absorbing atmosphere and is fiery, frantic and frenzied. With the temporary help of outstanding drummer Richard Deane the overall effect is an earburning experience of pure power. Get there on time, because you should not miss this band…
Following the Helmets, will be the youngest band ever to appear in a ‘Battle’ final – Catch 23. Despite their tender age the Atherstone outfit have matured beyond belief in recent months, and are now at the stage where their confidence matches their considerable musical talent. The five piece were simply magnificent when they took their heat with their aggressive, commercial, pop which won friends of all musical persuasions. Many people think they will win tonight’s final – including both Jeff and Steve from Wolfsbane – but whatever the outcome the group intend to enjoy the night to the fullest. The audience will do the same if Catch 23 are even half as good as they were in the heat.
Following Catch 23 will be those mayhem-merchants of metal (good alliteration, huh?), Wolfsbane. The quartet, who seem to be following the old maxim every day in every way we’re getting better and better’ thoroughly enjoyed last week’s heat and are keenly awaiting taking the audience to pieces tonight. Particularly looking forward to it is drummer Steve Ellett whose exhilarating performance and appallingly ‘cheeky’ trousers last week showed that he is a true bonafide Wolfsbanian fruitcake. Wolfsbane are a lot of fun and on their night they are simply unbeatable. Is tonight that night.
Completing tonight’s line-up are Breaking Point – an ambitious trio who thankfully seem now way near their own breaking point. Kevin, Daydo and Jason will enjoy the large, noisy audience the night will certainly produce and their modern guitar-orientated power-rock should find favour with followers of all the other bands on the night. They will enjoy going on last and should put the perfect, pulsating end to a fine night.
So four great bands to make one great final. The judges will be Stu Blane (One On One), Mark Mortimer (Great Express), Mick Goodby (Depth Charge), Denis Byfield (Reverb PA) and Martin Webster who has helped throughout the contest. Entry is just £1 – and remember all of that is charity-bound. The winners will pick up £50, individual ‘Battle of the Bands’ trophies and maybe the odd surprise gift. Ina sense all four bands have won already by getting to the final, but the battle is still not over.
By about 11.15 tonight one band will be crowned Tamworth young Peoples’ Arts Festival Band of the Year. Will it be the Cheesy Helmets, Wolfsbane, Catch 23 or Breaking Point. Make sure you are there to find out – and don’t forget get there early because we are expecting an Arts Centre sell out!
Tamworth Herald – 27/02/87
An enthusiastic girl bassist is on the lookout for interesting musicians to form anew band. If you like the Furs and Siouxsie and the Banshees give Pauline a ring.
Tamworth Herald – 27/02/87
Catch 23 follow up their appearance in tonight’s Battle of the Bands by taking part in the TSB rock school regional final on Monday at the Dome. MUSICBOX whishes them the very best of luck.
Tamworth Herald – 27/02/87
Battle of the Bands
A MASSIVE crowd piled into the Arts Centre on Saturday night to witness a Battle of the Bands sensation – a dead heat. Two of the three groups – Wolfsbane and The Cheesy Helmets – tied for the top slot and after some deliberation between the judges it was decided to invite both to take part in tonight’s (Friday) final. And this is how it went…
WOLFSBANE
Exactly the sort of Dubain homecoming Wolfsbane wanted. There was aloud, lusty and very biased audience, a big, meaty and even louder sound and an exciting, vibrant powerful set.
Wolfsbane, I have decided, never ever play a bad set, and this was an example of one of their most murderous, metallic peaks. ‘Get Up’ was pricelessly excellent, ‘Dane To My Tune’ was stylish musical barbarism and ‘Manhunt’ was as good and as fast as I have ever heard it. Another superb crowd-pleasing set and a special word is in order for Jeff Hateley. Brian Edwards had told me to look out for his bass playing and so I did. And you’re right Brian. He’s as good with his bass strings as he is with his G-strings.
CHEESY HELMETS
Now THIS is my type of music. This was a quite brilliant set packed with feeling, power and musical charisma. Watching – and dancing – I could spot The Chameleons, The Psychedelic Furs, New Order and several other bits and bobs that combined to make a mighty, strong dynamic 30 minutes. Songs such as ‘Steamroller’, and ‘Memories’ are songs of real quality and I wasn’t alone in thinking that here is a band with a potentially huge cult appeal. Great music, great show. I wonder what the name means though?
THE CALLING
Playing their first set in their present guise, The Calling battled on surprisingly well against a drum machine that seemed to be working for the other two contestants! Their set was littered with early Sisters of Mercy numbers, which they did with considerable success but the most interesting aspect of the band’s set was the improved and impressive guitar work of Paul Keeton which complimented and boosted the whole Calling sound.
THE JUDGES VERDICT
For the first time in the Battle of the Band’s three year history the judges – Martin Warrilow, Pam Patton and Rob Cross – gave exactly the same marks plunging both Wolfsbane and the Helmets into an exciting final.
MY VERDICT
When we realised there was a dead heat, I had the option to give a casting vote – but decided not to take it. Both Wolfsbane and The Cheesy Helmets in their own contrasting ways impressed me enormously and for either of them to lose would have been a great injustice. Both oozed style and potential.
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