February Listings

Wednesday 1 February

Pedalmania

Hard-swinging organ trio with the mighty JP, top dog organist in this corner of the world, on the rare groove tip. It's one of the world's classic sounds in the hands of an expert: trust him, he can do it no hands! [myspace link]

Sunday 5 February (lunchtime)

Poppy & Friends PLUS Bashema

Poppy is wry, quirky, left-field, funny; Bashema is a bit more street; both of them have pulled together everything they hear into observations and a sound of their own, wrapped in a melody that would be pop of you were (or weren't) listening. [video link]

Monday 6 February

The Ox

Alt.Country from Canada. No! Don't run! These guys are *magnificent!* With a nod one way to the Velvets and bad psych noises, and in the other to lo-fi verité so-real-it-hurts indie, there's something for everyone who likes to hear guitars and dustbowl tales treated with intelligence, but not too much respect. [myspace link]

Wednesday 8 February

The Erin Bardwell Collective

A personal angle on Vintage Ska & Bluebeat from one of the nation's top young exponents; think of Jackie Mittoo rather than Two-Tone, but as cool as either. Loving that organ sound! [video link]

Sunday 12 February (lunchtime)

The Boat Band

Simply lovely cajun-folk combo a long time absent from this purlieu, so warm welcomes and nicely aged-in-the-wood tunes will abound. And, canal dwellers note, these guys were doing tours of the country by boat when half of you were still in the paddling pool. [myspace link]

Monday 13 February

Baile la Cumbia

Latino party fare from the band who sound most like they hang out on the streetcorners of Medellin out-cooling the narcos and playing all the best parties. Plenty others play it flash and polished, these guys play it like it's your wedding and you've just found another care of rum. [facebook link]

Wednesday 15 February

Yes Sir Boss

Yes indeed! Boss sounds from Bristol town, muscular horns, urgent guitars, contagious rhythm, and the politics of party. One of the westcountry's most popular bands in one of the westcountry's best music pubs; tonight is a cultural necessity, people!. [website link]

Sunday 19 February (lunchtime)

Three Cane Whale

Gardening sources provide the name, we're told, and that's typical: managing to be both everyday and enigmatic, Alex (Spiro), Pete (Get The Blessing) & Paul (Organelles) make a genuinely homespun and unique acoustic architecture, tunes flowering in unexpected corners. [video link]

"...a record deck was placed on the bar and plugged in, an LP placed on the turntable and the wonderful sounds of "Almost Cut My hair" by CSN&Y flowing through the speakers. You just don't EVER get that in today's plastic pubs and JDW's. Sublime! :-)" MisterX - Beerintheevening.com

Monday 20 February

Radio Banska

Seriously swinging but subtly smart, high muso values but good time inspirations; some of Bath's very finest players (just see how many of their peers turn up in the audience) waltzing around Gypsy, Eastern European, Swing and doubtless more. [website link]

Wednesday 22 February

5000 AD

So these boys are claiming to be a whole 2 and a half times more dark, mutated and future-funky than my favourite comic? That's some claim! But with the lineup on this, a veritable rogues' gallery of B-Ristol faces, they might just hit it

Sunday 26 February (lunchtime)

Pontchartrain

Pontchartrain the place is in Louisiana, and there are at least two great pieces of country/folk with it in the title. That's enough clues: rootsy cajun & country with strong vocals; a little to the west of what we usually do, but try some, you might like it!

Monday 27 February

Kidnap Alice

Seriously one of my favourite bands of last year. Acoustic bluegrass/country framing the truly soulful voice of Ms. Alice herself backed by some of the most in-demand players on the circuit (you'll have seen them before). Come with enough money to buy the album, it's fab. [website link]

Wednesday 29 February

James Morton's Funky Affair

There's no keeping this boy down, and he's on exceptional form at the moment; both on sax and on his ability to have the best players hereabouts (several rapidly being recognised nationally) responding to his call for a humble (or not so humble) pub gig. The rest of the country are catching on, we won't be offered this forever, best get some in now. [myspace link]