ROCK NIGHT: OCTOBER 18th AT THE MET

I finished work at 9pm in Scarborough and flew over the moors back to Whitby grinding gears and shattering speed limits like nobody's business. I was like Lewis Hamilton, except in a Peugeot 106 instead of one of those big Formula One cars. On some straight stretches I was topping 50mph!

At one point something dashed out across the road, and I hit it a glancing blow. I honestly thought I'd killed a badger. Sure enough, on arriving home there were black and white hairs on the bumper. Poor thing.

The next morning there was a news report stating that ex World of Sport anchorman Dickie Davies had failed to return home after a solo evening hike on the North Yorks Moors. Putting two and two together, and bearing in mind his two tone coiffure, I realise now that in my haste to catch Scarlett Alliance at The Met, I may have accidentally hit the erstwhile iconic ITV presenter on a night time ramble.

Dickie, this one's for you!

Needless to say, I missed Scarlett Alliance, who I would have really liked to hear. They got a good review from Jean for the Homegrown gig. I have to disagree with her about joining up with other musicians to form a bigger band with more clout, for want of a better word, though. I like the fact that not everybody forms guitar/bass/vocals/drums outfits. The same with High Tide, who I also failed to catch. The addition of a minimal percussionist is a great move, but I don't think they need any more embellishment. What they do is what they do.

Apparently Jack was happy with the Scarlett Alliance performance, but I think he wished they'd played through a bigger amp or something. I know Sam had tonsillitis which meant they didn't have a Friday rehearsal. Jack told me when I saw him on Baxtergate. If you want to go Whitby Popspotting, Baxtergate is our Sunset Boulevard. And Botham's do a lovely cup of tea. Brack too.

The Committee play very competently, and they actually benefitted from the sound quality at The Met. To me the acoustics always give the impression that the gig is taking place in a huge biscuit tin. It made their guitars a bit more grungified and ever so slightly dirty.

Its true what Jean says, they need some sort of stage presence to evolve. A chemistry of some sort needs to become evident when a band performs. They did a few of their own songs, which were fine and dandy. Popwatch loves original songs. Then they did this...

I probably should know what it is, but I don't. I liked it though. Unfortunately they followed it with Chasing Cars and Sweet Caroline, much to everyone's delight. I say REBEL COMMITTEE, REBEL! Go on, upset your Mums.

Yabbadabbadoo set this whole thing up to raise money for Whitby Now. It would have been nice if more punters had turned up, but those that did venture out were treated to a fabulous Rock Night of entertainment.

The Yabbas took to the stage, and it was as effortless as ever. they make it look so easy, which it isn't, by Jimminy. My particular favourite was this cover of Love Me Like You , a song by the poptastic Magic Numbers. Superb. The sound quality is a result of all those sonic waves swirling around that high dancefloor ceiling.




During a routine visit to the clean and user friendly Met bogs, I could hear through the closed door that someone was performing in the bar. On further investigation it turned out to be no other than Mark Liddell. I ordered a beer and had a sit down in one of the comfy chairs to drink in some of Mark's melodic loveliness.

Tom, a builder who once did our bathroom up for us was there with his partner Dee. She reckoned Mark's voice has become smokier of late. All the better to do songs like Dirty old Town I'd say.

For educational purposes, contrast and compare this version of Joe Jackson's Is She Really Going Out With Him? with the previous tunes in this article, and I think you'll agree, it was a veritable Kellog's Variety pack of an evening.




I used to always go for the Coco pops when I was younger, but I've grown out of the sweet toothiness of that now. I prefer common or garden Corn Flakes, although I do stray into Special K territory sporadically.

When I went back into the main hall to catch the tail end of The Yabbas' set, dancing was taking place. The world seemed to be a happy planet and Whitby, at least a bit of it , was rocking.

I returned home for a nice cup of tea and some cheese on crackers, before scraping the remaining bits of Dickie Davies' bouffant off the car.



If anybody who saw them play fancies reviewing High Tide or Scarlett Alliance, please feel free to do so.

One Poet Short of a Bill

Word has come from the Pride Of Whitby that this virtual zine's moderator, some would say editor, is not doing Whitby Now this year - Whitby Now being the multi-faceted festival of coastally-based creative endeavour to be held on the 14th and 15th of November. I believe I am not alone in thinking this is a mistake. Hundreds of hormonal hoolies hacking away at guitars makes for a good evening's entertainment in my opinion, but oh, how much better it is when leavened with poetry and practiced sarcasm.

Thus I will be posting dodgy recordings of Chris, taken from an open-mic night at Java when he forgot his notes and had to recite poems from failing memory, until he relents and promises to do at least a short set.

Here's the Pitbulls' Wedding. I like this one.

BUS TRIP FOR THE LEVELLERS

Any Popwatchers who fancy a trip out can catch the magic bus to Bridlington to see one of the festival's headline acts – The Levellers – on Friday.

The bus leaves Langborne Road at 7.30pm and returns from Bridlington at 12.30am, stopping in Scarborough en-route.Tickets are priced £30 which includes admission to see The Levellers and return bus travel. For details or to book ring (0845) 3732760.

Musicport at the Bridlington Spa runs from Friday to Sunday where a glittering line-up of acclaimed musicians from round the world will take to the stage. Debut performances will be from Toumani Diabaté, The Levellers, Rolf Harris, Ivo Papasov, Billy Cobham (with Asere) and Ska Cubano. While returning to the festival are Reem Kelani with a world premiere and The Warsaw Village Band. Twenty-plus acts on the acoustic stage include New York's angriest banjo player, Curtis Eller, Iraqi refugee musician Nahro Zagros and many local and international artists. The musical bill across two main stages and a DJ room are complimented by theatrical performance, a visual arts, workshop, film and children's festival programme, stand-up comedy and a festival market.

BATTLE OF THE SANDS

Coastival is a festival of the very best in Arts and Culture taking place in Scarborough February 13th - 15th 2009

Would you like to play support to a Coastival headline act with your band? Then you simply have to enter the 'Battle of the Sands' competition, then pop along and wow the judges, the prize being opportunity to play support to a big name headliner. The Battle of the Sands will be held on November the 30th in the Ocean Room at Scarborough Spa. Two winners from the ‘battle’ will then play alongside the main headline acts at Coastival in February 2009.

The competition is open to any musicians, groups or individuals, aged 16 and over from the Yorkshire area. To enter send in a CD of your music along with an entry form to Coastival before the end of October 2008.

A panel made up of people from the local music scene will select between 12 and 14 acts to take part in the Battle of the Sands on 30th November and then choose the winners based upon the performances on the night.

JEAN AND MARK, PRIDE OF WHITBY!

Congratulations to Jean Scales and Mark LiddelL who won the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Community Award at The Pride of Whitby Awards.

A hugely well deserved award for all the hard work they both put into the running and organisation of Whitby Now and it's fundraising events. Hurrah and raise your glasses in their honour!

YABBADABBADOO PRESENT...

MUSIC IN THE BASEMENT: ROBINSON INSTITUTE, GLAISDALE, 11th OCTOBER

MUSIC IN THE BASEMENT returns with a fantastic line up, with local and regional bands the night will bring all kinds of musical genres together. A great family night and a chance for new acts to perform alongside professional and semi-professional acts.

Please book a ticket in advance to avoid disappointment on the night.

MUSIC IN THE BASEMENT
ROBINSON INSTITUTE
GLAISDALE
WHITBY NY
YO21 2PZ
11TH OCTOBER 2008
Start - 7pm
ticket £5/£3
BOOKING LINE 01287 660279 01947 606623

CIRCUS ENVY are a rootsy five piece based in East Yorkshire, who eschew the indie rock zeitgeist in their home town in favour of a sound equally influenced by classic rock, folk rock and Americana.

LAUNDERETTE POETS is the musical collaboration of Marissa Claughan and Patrick Gradwell who began writing songs in 2003 when they met whilst studying music at university. After receiving positive feedback from listeners they soon realised that their music had a future outside of the classroom and continued their partnership beyond graduation. Musically and lyrically Launderette Poets bring depth and sincerity to their songwriting, drawing on their different musical histories to create the pretty, melodic sound that has become their forte. Lead vocals and cello are Marissa's responsibility, whilst the guitars are played by Patrick. Bass and keyboard parts are played by Craig Steer.

ELAINE PALMER'S extraordinary voice has a certain charm and character, some of her material is influenced by living by the sea, ocean and harbours on the North East coast of England, She has toured extensively and has recorded many albums and she writes all her own material.

Sally Ann Smith and Mark Atkinson are the organisers of Music in the Basement and currently working under name of FRAGILE. Joined by Kevin Meling on bass and Phil Moore on Keyboards.

ALSO APPEARING
JAMES AUGER
ADAM MOSS
THE COMMITTEE

TICKETS£5 ADULTS, £3 FOR UNDER 12’S
FOOD INCLUDED
BAR AVAILABLE
TICKET LINE01287 66027901947 606623

This post was kindly donated by FRAGILE

A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT 5X9 VIDEO

Here's a short interview with Kyle of 5x9 about the brilliant video for their song 'Falling Hard' which you can watch if you scroll down the page a bit.

Where was the video filmed?

The video was made for promo purposes as a college project, it was filmed in various locations across Scarborough, including a roundabout below Valley Bridge, some rocks on the sea front and the gig was at Vivaz. It was edited by Dane on an imac using HD imovie. It's the only one he's made, but I've made my own version for the same song. I'm not sure what's happened to it though, as I gave it in at college for marking. Dane will be making another this year for our most recent finished song 'Cant See'.

Where will the televised gig take place?
The York gig is at a venue called 'Speak Easy' on 2nd Nov. If people are interested in a ticket they should contact me on our myspace page or email fiveXnine@hotmail.co.uk

Who's televising it?

The TV channel is propeller TV, Sky channel 195

Got any new songs?
We are currently working on some new material and will be recording an album to be launched by April 2009.

Upcoming Gigs
October 10th - Vivaz - Scarborough
October 14th - Zero - Scarborough
October 23rd - Westwood College - Scarborough
November 2nd - Speak Easy - York
November 14th Whitby Now - Whitby!

Also we need more gigs, so if anybody wants to book us contact us:Myspace : www. myspace. com/fivetimesnineEmail: fiveXnine@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks Very much.

Kyle
5X9