AFTER the success of its first season of shows at Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough promoters Kula Productions are already looking ahead to next year.
In the meantime, after the excitement of last week’s concert with classic Scottish soul belter Maggie Bell, Kula have announced a special offer for their next two shows.
Fans can now buy a combined ticket for the show on Friday, June 19 by Christine Collister (her first show in a few years - a real coup!) and John Tams & Barry Coope on Friday, July 3.
It involves big cash savings, so it’s probably worth checking out at www.wegottickets.com/ft/FrazerDoubleTicket

KARL Culley & Friends returns to the Blues Bar next week.
The second of these regular, high quality acoustic sessions once again features some of the cream of local singer-songwriters.
As well as the unique Kulley himself, a great guitarist and vocalist (think a more intense version of John Martyn) who will be promoting his forthcoming third album, Bundle of Nerves, with Ashley Johnson on melodious double bass, the line-up from 8pm next Tuesday is completed by Danny Webster of quirky alt-pop band The Birdman Rallies, Adam West (member of The Birdman Rallies, ex-Nothing, ex-Flowered 3rd) and Nick Mackay (member of Las Sangras).
The Blues Bar has another packed schedule of live gigs this week, including popular singer-songwriter Jason Feddy this Sunday night (£5 ticket), and Scapegoat Kelly next Thursday,.
You might also like to catch a minor homecoming by talented ex-Purple Mushrooms guitarist/vocalist Tom Syson, whose new band also includes another ex-Harrogate, Johnny Ogle, on harmonica, plus Matt Tooke on drums and Mark Slater on bass.
The Honey Slides bring their idiosyncratic mix of blues covers (Ry Cooder/Muddy Waters/Elmore James - plenty of slide guitar!) to the Blues Bar on Sunday lunchtime.
Syson & co are also playing No 19 on Parliament Street tomorrow (Saturday).

AFTER a quiet six months, brilliant Ripon-based promoters DMB are back with another intimate, high-quality acoustic/indie gig - and tickets are going fast already.
The star is US-based singer-songwriter David Berkeley from Brooklyn, whose influences include Nick Drake, Ryan Adams and David Gray.
Currently on tour with Katie Melua in the States, DMB have secured him for two consecutive nights in Ripon’s David Stead Gallery on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.
He will be accompanied by trumpeter/banjo player Jordan Katz of Brand New Heavies/De La Soul fame and supported by Gary Stewart (Friday) and Mickey P Kerr (Saturday).
Tickets, costing £13 each, are limited to 50 people for each night and are already going fast.
Grab ‘em while you can from David Moss-Blundell at dmb@dmblivemusic.co.uk or by telephoning 07739 720732 or 01765 609764.

HARROGATE’S ever-popular rock night Bottom of the Bottle returns to the Viper Rooms this Sunday night when the headliners are The Felons from Darlington who’re a little bit like Kings of Leon, reportedly, and so fab they’ve been invited to appear with the likes of Igloo & Hartley recently.
Doors open at 9pm with live music until 11pm. Support comes from Stiletto Farm and The Return Of.
Then it’s on into the wee small hours with DJ Trev playing metal, metalcore, emo, punk, screamo, hard rock and more.
Entry costs £3 before 11pm and £4 after.

CONGRATS to local Dales man Chris Simpson of Magna Carta fame.
One of this long-running legendary folkie band’s songs has been chosen for this month’s Mojo Playlist in the big-selling national magazine.
The track, Mixed Up Sensations, can be found on the album When All Is Said and Done on Talking Elephant records.

LOCAL singer-songwriters Ade Payne and Nige Harrison have reformed their popular Desperado acoustic duo and have started a weekly residency in Harrogate’s Lure Bar on The Ginnel (which is under new management).
Expect great acoustic covers each week of hits by The Eagles, Crowded House, Radiohead and more.
Payne is also hosting a + guests session each Tuesday at Lure from next week and is looking for acoustic acts of all shapes, sizes and genres for 20-minute live slots (no full drum kits) on Tuesday nights.
And, busy as ever, Payne is starting a weekly lunchtime acoustic session at Paca cafe at Clarendon House on Victoria House in Harrogate every Sunday from noon-2pm.
If you’re interested, please email Ade at ade@adepayne.com

REHAB’S Sunday night Battle of the Bands has reached the semi-final stage in the race towards the prize final on May 31.
This Sunday’s semi-final features Idle Maestro. Arion. Wildcard tbc. Sunday, May 24: Kid October. Pseudo Nympho. BoogenHaagen.
The contest has £1,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. Prizes include vouchers from Rock Steady Music shop, a day’s studio time at Valley House Studio and a slot at a local music festival this summer.
Take note, Rehab also has a jam session every Wednesday night and live bands each Thursday.

LOCAL CD REVIEW

Drowned in Flames: Save Yourself (EP)
HARROGATE four-piece metal band Drowned in Flames make the sort of sound that makes you want to floor a house with your bare hands - or invade a small country.
I once described their drummer David Colston as the most exciting I’d ever seen in Harrogate, arms flailing, bass drum pounding, conjuring up a rattling, rollicking storm at one of DJ Trev‘s Bottom of the Bottle nights.
That was in the days of their first demo back in 2006 when the band could be awful or brilliant, sometimes in the space of a song.
Time and experience has taken away a lot of that unpredictability - and some of the excitement of that unpredictability.
What has replaced it on this new EP is something slicker and more focussed - the finished article.
The thunderous, drill hard aggression and growling vocals remain, as does the mix of grunge-pop chord structure married to thrash metal energy and rock lead guitar.
It’s just done better and tighter with their biggest previous weakness, the singing, now replaced by impressive call and response vocals by dual frontmen Niall Macdougall and Craig Gordon.
All the band lack now is one quirky spark of originality, that killer tune, though there isn’t a bad track here, not opener Save Yourself, closer I Am The Destroyer nor, my favourite, Another Day In Hell.
When the track breaks down after two minutes 43 seconds into a showy, stop-start section, then at 3.34 min breaks out into a fast-paced, fuzzy, melodic guitar solo straight from early Smashing Pumpkins (or Queen), all that granite hardness softened by a hint of lushness, Drowned in Flames make you believe a marriage of the hardcore and the mainstream lies just the other side of the mountain.
Graham Chalmers
PS I haven’t mentioned bassist Arran Johnson anywhere. Sorry, Arran.
www.myspace.com/drownedinflamesrock

IT’S official - Wally are back in the studio!
Having reformed for a triumphant reunion gig last month in the Royal Hall, Harrogate’s most famous rock group have kept their word to come up with their first new album in 30 years.
Favourites of BBC Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris, the surviving original members of this melodic, semi-prog band have been joined in Sound Works studio in Leeds in the same line-up which featured in the sold-out live show and are now working on new tracks.
A DVD of that gig is nearing completion and Wally souvenirs are set to go on sale in Harrogate’s Rock Steady Music shop shortly.
The band’s website is currnetly being redesigned but it’s still worth a visit to add yourself to the mailing list for the latest news and access to Wally goodies.
www.wallymusic.co.uk

HARROGATE’S ever popular rock night Bottom of the Bottle returns to the Viper Rooms this Sunday night, May 17 when the headliners are The Felons from Darlington who’re a little bit like Kings of Leon, reportedly, and so fab they’ve been invited to appear with the likes of Igloo & Hartley recently.
Doors open at 9pm with live music until 11pm. Support comes from Stiletto Farm and The Return Of.
Then it’s on into the wee small hours with DJ Trev playing metal, metalcore, emo, punk, screamo, hard rock and more.
Entry costs £3 before 11pm and £4 after.

THE stars of the first Gig Scene Sessions are to play Fibbers in York later this month.
Kasiuss, a modern rock duo who make incredibly powerful music for a duo, will be supporting hotly-tipped glam punk band The Gay Blades on Wednesday, May 27.
Energetic but sophisticated, Kasiuss, aka Biz Denton (Vocals/Guitar) and Joe Bothamley (Drums/Backing Vocals) can be caught in action in our Gig Scene Sessions video in the Magazine section of our website www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk
The video shows Kasiuss performing their own song City Lights and was filmed especially at BASH Studios on Harlow Hill in Harrogate by Harrogate Advertiser photographer Graham Schofield.
The ‘geezers’ doing the short introduction are Gig Scene Editor Graham Chalmers and BASH Studios owner Laurie Hopkins.
www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk
www.myspace.com/kasiuss
www.bashstudios.co.uk

A GREAT blues/rock band are in the area tonight, Friday thanks to local promoters RipleyBlues.
The Nimmo Brothers play Ripley Town Hall with support from Dave Speight. More info from www.ripleyblues.com

LOCAL singer-songwriters Ade Payne and Nige Harrison have reformed their popular Desperado acoustic duo and have started a weekly residency in Harrogate’s Lure Bar on The Ginnel (which is under new management).
Expect great acoustic covers each week of hits by The Eagles, Crowded House, Radiohead and more.
Payne is also hosting a + guests session each Tuesday at Lure from next week and is looking for acoustic acts of all shapes, sizes and genres for 20-minute live slots (no full drum kits) on Tuesday nights.
And, busy as ever, Payne is starting a weekly lunchtime acoustic session at Paca cafe at Clarendon House on Victoria House in Harrogate every Sunday from noon-2pm.
If you’re interested, please email Ade at ade@adepayne.com

BLUEGRASS fans in Harrogate are in for a rare treat when Union Central play this Saturday, May 16.
This five-piece outfit specialise in songs recorded by Alison Krauss and Union Station, with stunning vocals and a great array of acoustic instruments.
Expect everything from emotive ballads to up-tempo instrumentals.
The concert takes place at The Empress bar near The Stray on Saturday, May 16.
Doors 8pm for an 8.30pm start. Admission is £7 on the door.
To reserve tickets in advance, contact Phil on 01904 783029.
More info from www.unioncentral.co.uk

IF you enjoy soul music, a bit of folk and a bit of rock, don’t miss a live charity gig at Bellwood Hall near Littlethorpe, Ripon this weekend.
As part of the Zomba Mental Health Link’s charity show this Sunday, May 17, the following bands are playing from noon to 5pm: Button Hole Jam, Road House Blue, Exiles From Eden and Soul Union.
Entry is £1 per adults, childen go free, and there’s a wide range of fun and enertainment in the afternoon, asides from music.

IN The Dock, which has successfully been presenting live shows in the ornate but intimate surroundings of The Old Courthouse in Thirsk for the past couple of years, is back with its latest quality acoustic show on Friday, May 22.
Headliners are those fastest-rising stars of Americana, Rachel Harrington whose sweet and thoughtful music has been championed by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris. All tickets can be bought online at www.inthedock.net or in person at White Rose Book shop or simply tel 01845 595152.

A NEW musician-friendly shop has opened in Harrogate town centre. It’s called MUZO and it will be offering guitars, amps, drums, books - plus there will be some home studio gear on demonstration.
The shop is on Beulah Street above Le Deli.

HARROGATE’S home of top tribute acts and covers bands, The Alexandra promises a great night for Britpop fans this Thursday, May 14 when True Brit plays songs made famous by the likes of The Jam, The Specials, Ocean Colour Scene and more.
Next Thursday, May 21, popular rock-pop covers band Desilva play The Alexandra.

THE Malt Shovel in Boroughbridge has increased its live music content with gigs sometimes happening three times a week.
This Friday, May 15, there’s The Blues Cruise, a York-based blues band, Saturday is disco night while Sunday has a live act tbc.

THERE’S a big name in country music coming to a village outside Harrogate this weekend. Irish star Brendan Shine plays Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall this Sunday, May 17 at 7.30pm. Tickets/info from 01423 770609.

TRUE North Studios in Knaresborough is supporting a new weekly series of live gigs at The Market Tavern.
Taking place every Saturday night in this Knaresborough pub at around 9pm, if you’re interested in playing should contact True North on 07916347864.
On Saturday, May 16, The Cheeky Monkeys will be playing.

THE Worlds End pub in Knaresborough has live music from The Blue Kings this Friday, May 15.

KNARESBOROUGH’S award-winning Country and Western club, The Last Chance Saloon presents live music from Mick Denver this Friday, May 15 in the Park Place Social Club.
Also taking place at the same venue this Saturday is the weekly residency by Ian Shaw.

SOUNDS Like Us, the popular male/female covers duo, bring sounds from the 1950s onwards to The Half Moon in Knaresborough on Saturday, May 9 from 8.45pm.

HARROGATE’S Tap n Spile has put its weekly Thursday night jam session on hold for holidays but it will return on Thursday, May 28.

THE Mitre in Knaresborough hosts the monthly Folk Singers & Musicians open mic session this Friday, May 15 plus an ‘unplugged’ session with laidback covers from Nick & Sarah this Sunday night, May 17.

HARROGATE Organ & Keyboard Club returns next Thursday, May 21 with a live show by Dave Smith at St George’s Social Club starting at 8pm

POPULAR male/female duo Sounds Like Us play covers from the 1950s to the present day at the Market Tavern in Knaresborough on Sunday, May 24 at 9pm.

LOCAL singer-songwriters have the chance to perform in the glamour of Malmaison hotel in Leeds.
The hotel’s bar is launching a fortnightly Sunday night music session this week and is looking for artists to perform.
There will be four acts performing each time from 7pm (this Sunday’s , May 17, has a guest appearance from Keith Hagger and Jody McKenna who were recently discovered on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire)
If you would like the chance to play, submit your demo or a recording of your music, please call Malmaison and ask to speak to their events manager on 0113 398 1000 or email songwritersundays.leeds@malmaison.com

THE recent all-day gig at Rehab for the local H-Bomb compilation CD, featuring Tunji amongst other local acts, was so successful, Gig Scene hears it may lead to a two-day festival next year at Harewood House with a major sponsor.
The CD is on sale now at HMV in Harrogate.

THERE’S good news and bad news about August’s Leeds Festival.
Held at Bramham Park, the full line-up for The Lock-Up Stage has now been confirmed.
Included in this feast of punk, ska, hardcore and more, are Billy Talent, Anti Flag, Rise Against, The Plight, Rival Schools and The Bronx.
The bad news is THAT all tickets for the three-day festival are already sold out.
For the unlucky ones without a ticket, organisers Festival Republic recommend trying www.viagogo.co.uk

EXCITING news for Wally fans - Gig Scene’s heard a whisper the Harrogate prog rock legends are definitely going into the studio later this year to record a new album AND that they will be returning to the Royal Hall in April 2010 for another show after their recent triumphant reunion.

TOP alt-indie pop Harrogate band The Birdman Rallies‘ new EP has received rave reviews all round.
On sale now from local website www.da-gate-com, the six-track CD is released on new Harrogate indie label Da Gate Records.
It features six new songs, including You and I, Creative Dance. Colour in a Corner of the Night perfectly arranged and played by the current line-up of singer/multi-instrumentalist Danny Webster, bassist John Davey, multi-instrumentalist Adam West and drummer Dave Armstrong.
Despite being unsigned, this genre-bending, semi-acoustic band were played on the Huw Stephens on In New Music We Trust show recently.
You can catch the band live at the following gigs: May 30: Cottingham Festival in Cottingham. May 31: Fibbers, York. June 12: No 19, Harrogate.
More info from www.myspace.com/thebirdmanrallies

EX-TRIGGER indie singer-songwriter Graham Parry has secured a new deal with iTunes for his next album.
Called Reason & Hope, the new release will come out this July but if you’d like a sneak preview of the title track, visit Graham’s myspace site at www.grahamparry.t83.net where you can watch the promo video.
You can catch up, and comment on, Graham’s musical activities on his new Twitter-based blog.

HIGH-octane, punk-tinged, rumbustious rock n rollers PseudoNympho (formerly Moneyshot) have a new EP out shortly on Harrogate label Straytown.
Having changed their original name after a legal battle with a Canadian band, the band have posted two tracks for fans to listen to on their myspace site.
Catch Cocaine Casanova and Here Comes The Moneyshot at www.myspace.com/psuedonymphoband

MASTERS of the big stage, entertaining Harrogate band Beauty & The Beasts, who played a huge outdoors gig at Ripley a few years back, have a new single out.
Lead singer Mark Thomlison said this fun rock band were planning a high-profile launch party for the release, called, I’m Allergic To Peanuts which will be available on iTunes.
www.myspace.com/beautyandthebeasts1

ONE of Harrogate’s most original singer-songwriters has his first-ever single out now.
Called Elephant Juice, the alt-acoustic song features Karl Culley’s rapid finger-picking guitar-playing style, as well as his distinctively twisting and turning, demon-possessed vocals.
Often compared to the late John Martyn - but with extra bite - it’s a new, quieter version of a track which first appeared on his impressive debut album Demons.
Kulley is also launching what is hoped will be the first of a series of Karl Culley & Friends acoustic nights at the Blues Bar shortly.
To hear his new single, visit his myspace site (www.myspace.com/karlculley) where you can also check out two tracks off Culley’s forthcoming third album, Bundle of Nerves.

JAZZ SPOT

AFTER years of offering live jazz every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, the Harrogate Brasserie is branching out on Tuesday nights, too.
A weekly residency starts next Tuesday starring Huddersfield entertainer David Bailey (keyboards/vocals) from 6pm-10pm.
This Friday, May 15 there’s swing classics from Frank Brooker’s entertaining trio while Sunday has talented jazz, blues and soul singer Nicki Allan with keyboardist Simon Parkinson.
Don’t forget resident act Simon Parkinson plays every Wednesday and Thursday at the Brasserie.

HARROGATE Jazz Club presents blues guitarist Steve Phillips of Notting Hillbillies fame with the Andy Cholerton Organ Trio tonight, Tuesday, May 12 in the West Park.
Next Tuesday, May 19, Harrogate Jazz Club has Newcastle-based singer Zoe Gilby with the Andy Cholerton Trio.

THE weekly Jazz in the Spa session at the Trustees Hall in Boston Spa on Saturday, May 16 will feature Jim Fryer & Karen Sharp with the Tom Kincaid Trio.
Entry costs £8, doors 7.30pm. www.jazzinthespa.co.ukLEEDS Jazz Club presents the Savannah Jazz Band at Armley Conservative Club tonight, Tuesday, May 12.
Next Tuesday, May 19, Leeds Jazz Club presents Andrew Hall’s Memories of New Orleans at Armley Conservative Club.HARROGATE’S long-standing breakbeat gurus 601's new album is being stocked by HMV in Harrogate.
Called, Dirty North, it’s already received great reviews in the dance music press all over Europe and in some strange places (Fast Car Mag gave it five stars, bizarrely).
Comprising George Miller and Nathaniel Slater, the versatile electronic/dancefloor musical duo have enjoyed appearances on Jay Cunning's Kiss100 Radio show as well as recording an exclusive 30-minute mix for Radio 1's Annie Nightingale.
HMV in Harrogate are reportedly offering the album on CD, which is released on their own Polar Red label, at the special price of £6.99.
You can check out some 601 tracks on their myspace site: www.myspace.com/polarred

LOCAL CD REVIEWS

THE BIRDMAN RALLIES: 6 track EP
THIS is a big claim, and there’s no slight intended to the many excellent bands playing locally now or in the past, but this EP is proof positive that The Birdman Rallies are the single best group the Harrogate ‘scene’ has produced since I first started writing Gig Scene a hard-to-believe16 years ago.
Summing up this inventive four-piece in a single line is virtually impossible and the best I can do - “lo-fi prog-pop” - isn’t nearly good enough.
The first amazing thing is the range of musical styles and time signatures, the band zip through.
Faint suggestions of the following famous acts pop up, often within a single, stop-start track: Beck. Vampire Weekend. Flaming Lips. Elvis Costello (early albums). XTC. Grandaddy. Donovan. Badly Drawn Boy. Syd Barrett. Nick Drake.
The second amazing thing is the sheer catchiness of the hooks and the brilliant musicianship of mssrs Danny Webster (vocals/guitar/trumpet/everything) John Davey (bass/vocals), Adam Westerman (keyboards/percussion/everything) and Dave Armstrong (drums).
A glorious mix of pastoral and the urban, the whimsical and the pithy, the acoustic and the electronic, it’s always possible to push this type of curios in the attic eclecticism too far.
Thanks to the sophistication of the arrangements and the band’s energetic playfulness, the result is almost always a multi-faceted thing of wonder.
I could pick out highlights; you could argue the most instantly catchy songs are Lost In The Hubbub and You and I while my favourites are The Box Called Miscellaneous and Colour in a Corner of the Night, but, in truth, there are no low points on this brilliant EP.
Instead let’s just celebrate the sublime greatness, the blinding genius that is The Birdman Rallies.
Graham Chalmers
www.myspace.com/thebirdmanrallies

Broadcast Society: 3 track EP
IMAGINE The Editors if they were exciting et voila, you've got Broadcast Society.
With two members from Harrogate, including ex-Soze frontman John Wellby on vocals and bass, this new Leeds-based band trade on the same, dark components as that successful group (if you can remember tracks from their bestselling first album such as as Munich or Blood.)
The rumbling bass, martial drums, icy, piercing guitar riffs and deep, doomy vocals.
But the Broadcast Society are different; more rock n roll, their roots lying as much in the human pop of The Killers and U2 as The Editors (and their Joy Division fixation).
What's best about Broadcast Society so far, asides from the catchy hooks, is the way they rampage through these songs as if they can't wait to wow you.
Liam Pickering's drums pound harder, Dave Horner's lead guitar surges in and out with exhilarating pace and everytime they reach a big, fat chorus Wellby's impressive vocals stretch up and out beyond icy coolness into the realms of real emotion.
Cracking lead track Behind Your Back is the one hip indie label Dance to the Radio have chosen for a new 12inch release, but the tracks which follow, Dance Alone and Piano Pig, aren't far behind in quality, though the band may have to broaden their template if they're going to produce an entire album.
In the meantime, move over The Editors, you're about to get run over.
Graham Chalmers
www.myspace.com/broadcastsociety