PRESERVED AMMONITES

Ammonites are due to have a new CD entitled 33.3 released on the Reverb Worship label. The provisional release date is July 17th. It will be available in a limited edition of 50 copies with a hand numbered insert, so keep an eye on Popwatch for further news. Click on their link to hear Ammonites' music.

POP QUIZ PRIZES AND KAZOO SPONSOR

So Pop Quiz draws near and the latest exciting news is that Robinson's Jet of Whitby, the finest purveyors of Jet jewellery in town have agreed to sponsor the Kazoo round! To celebrate here are some kazoos and a picture of Clicker in his jet workshop!

But that's not all! There is also a fantastic selection of prizes on offer in return for your pop knowledge and your £1 entry fee...

You could win:

* A Marshall MS-2 Micro Amp

* A signed copy of 'Father of Loud' by Dr Jim Marshall OBE

* A pair of tickets to see Chumbawamba at the Coliseum on the 25th of July

* A voucher for a CD of your choice from Folk Devils CD shop on Sandgate

* Some Beer tokens for use in the Station Inn

Many thanks to Marshall Amplification, Folk Devils, Musicport, Robinson's Jet and The Station Inn for their support.

And remember, you don't need to be a band to enter, the maximum team size is five, but couples, individuals, 5-aside football teams, families, businesses and any other permutations you can come up with are all welcome, the more the merrier!

Tuesday 15th July, 8pm the Station Inn. £1 per person, maximum of 5 people per team.

NO PONIES, NO RAINBOWS: MEET DISCARNATE

NEW! This post has been updated with an extremely rare Discarnate live photo!


From the edge of the local music scene, surfing in on a black wave of mutated guitars and sore throat inducing vocals come Discarnate. Purveyors of high quality death, doom, destruction and desolation, and anything else you can think of that begins with D. Except possibly daintiness.

I asked singer and guitarist Dave Barker for a brief history of Discarnate. "Me and Rob Martland (drums) formed a band about 3 years ago, and we've been in the same one ever since, we've just had members come and go as our style's continued to develop. Chris and Matt Dudman (bass/vocals and lead guitar respectively) are brothers, so it wasn't long after Chris joined that Matt did. I've been in a few other bands around Whitby, I played bass for DraYven for a while, as well as some other failed projects. The other guys have been in other bands as well, such as Infidel and Tautology."

Their new songs Face Of Insanity and Purge The Unclean would come into my top ten most listened to tunes at the moment. I often click them on when I'm surfing the web. What I like about this music is that you think you know exactly what's going to happen next, then it changes.

In Face Of Insanity for instance, after a fierce opening salvo of fast riffing and guttural vocals, it all drops out leaving a single guitar riff in the left speaker. Then a subhuman growl hoves in from the right, and we're back in again. Then, suddenly a burst of tuneful guitar interplay takes us somewhere else entirely.

Likewise in Purge The Unclean, which is apparently an old song revamped, a slow riff suddenly appears from the maelstrom before reverting to full belt mayhem again leading to an abrupt ending.

The tracks were recorded at Wayland's Forge in Sheffield. The studio is owned by a guy out of metal band Bal-Sagoth. "We thought it would be better to go there than going to some pop studio who thinks we write songs about ponies and rainbows", Dave reckoned.

Lyrics are Dave's responsibility and the rest of the songwriting is a group effort. A gradual build up of mega-riffage and ideas that eventually coalesce into a workable whole. "In total, we have about 7 or 8 songs, and we're working on more. We also play some cover songs, by bands that no-one has heard of."

"It was great to hear songs that started as an idea in the practice room become a high quality recording that people can get and idea of our sound from". says Dave, who admits Discarnate had never ventured into a studio before. Jonny Maudling at Wayland's Forge guided them through the recording process, and the results speak for themselves. The tracks will be sent out to try and get gigs, recording opportunities and more exposure for the band.

So Dave, will Popwatchers be able to see Discarnate live anytime soon? "Nope, unfortunately not. We just played CultureShock festival a few days ago, and we got a nice response there (aside from the people wearing Burberry caps and gold chains). We managed to sell some CDs too."

They need gigs and they're working on more songs and promoting themselves, although not via the medium of photography, as you can see from the grinning band member's pictures that aren't decorating this article. In fact I've had to resort to the band's logo in different colours and a photo of the studio, and there isn't even a hairy death metaller working the controls on that bugger. Elusive bunch.

Also I've done the text in blood red so it looks a bit macabre, but if anyone leaves a comment saying its too difficult to read and it hurts their eyes, I can change it back.

Support your local Death Metal band!

Since writing this article, the band have come up with a photo, which I've used twice in different ways in the hope that people won't notice and will think its really two pictures. Thanks.

POPWATCH FILM NIGHT

What with our weekly trip to The Station Inn for Quiz Night, usually followed by a pint in The Black Horse and then on to Rosie's (hats off) to hear Carl Robinson, Thursday nights are always special. However Thursday June 26th was even more specialer than normal, because we were invited to the screening of a new feature film.

After winning the quiz, with the help of Cooky (Sludge Ghaut, The Frictions etc.), despite a controversial answer concerning Mrs Flanders out of The Simpsons, Andy, Kate, Chris Corner and myself made our way to The Bridge Inn at Ruswarp for a few preliminary drinks and some arty film chat.

Then it was off to Ruswarp's leading arthouse cinema, with its tiny state-of-the-art screen for the film itself. Refreshments including hot and cold drinks were on offer, together with a tempting array of snacks and some comfy chairs.

Alright then, we watched it at Kate's house on her laptop, but you've got to get into the spirit of these things, y'know!

The movie in question was The Tales Of Donkey The Whale 2, made by Chris Corner (Sludge Ghaut, Loki, The Frictions etc.) and Dave Ezra. For a 51 seconds long animated feature, it packs a lot in. Subjects such as isolation, alienation, fish fingers, weeing, global warmering and whether a penguin can hold a balloon are all covered. The dancing scene is a particular highlight.

As the director of the film was present, a post screening Question and Answer session took place, conducted by Kate. It is reproduced in full here in order to give an insight into the artistic mind that created this work:.

Kate: Fancy another beer Chris?

Chris: That'd be lovely, ta.

Kate: There's some Tunnock's teacakes on the table if you're partial?

Chris: I'd be rude to say no.

Kate: There's olives too, if you fancy one at some point?

Chris: Ooh no thanks. I don't like olives.

So grab a Tunnock's teacake and a can of Grolsch and relive that screening yourself. Both films, the original and the sequel, are presented here uncut for your delectation so you can make up your own minds. Popcorn is available in the foyer.

POP QUIZ: CAN YOU BEAT THE GAZETTE?

Over in the Popwatch facebook group (48 members and counting! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15405436911 if you're in that particular virtual world) the Whitby Gazette are claiming that they will be the team to beat at the Pop Quiz... surely the bands of Whitby can't take that kind of gauntlet lying down?

There are rumours of Yabadabadoo, DT's and even a Sludge Ghaut team... so come on the rest of you... Tuesday 15th July, 8pm at the Station Inn only £1 per member and a chance to prove that the pop kids (and pop-oldies!) of Whitby can beat the local journo's!

WALESY PULLS IT OFF

James Wales the songwriter has emerged from under the cover versions with a brand, some might say spanking, new MySpace page.

So far, there are two tracks. The first is what you'd expect from the pen of a Yabb: a fast-paced howl of small-town anguish ("I'm stuck inside my life again...") called Bring It Down. It's great, as indeed it has to be, because everyone writes songs about how crappy it is to be young, under-valued, frustrated, with acne and permanently aching boy-marbles. To the man's credit, it sounds both real and melodic. Hats off.

The second track is... well, how many of you remember when every band in the world claimed to have (and to have always had) A Dance Element In Their Music? Well, Walesy didn't do that. He just made a big, boingy dance track with lots of dubby spaces, called it Bang Bang (rather than Big Boing) and then blamed his 6th form music teacher for making him write something from "outside the comfort zone." I want to hear more of this, much more. How far outside the comfort zone can the man Wales go?

LYRICS - WHAT'S THE POINT?

I have to say I am partial to a good lyric myself, being a lifelong Sparks fan - how could I not be?(My favourite Sparks lyrics later).


However, there is another more philosophical path to musical enjoyment - just open your ears to everything and let it all seep in and bounce and sway along. Does it matter that you can't quite get through the voice decoders of your favourite death metal band? They do use some fancy equipment don't they? Otherwise they would have ever such sore throats the next morning.

Does it matter that Sigur Ros are not only not singing in Icelandic, but in a completely made up language - as long as you get the dreamy haunted quality of their sound? ( Icelandic/Invented - doesn't really matter much to non Icelandic's does it? )

Does it matter that you haven't a blooming clue what The Kings of Leon were singing or talking about at Glastonbury last week, because - overall it still sounded pretty amazing?

I think the answer is sometimes, it doesn't matter. It really doesn't. But if you were really showcasing your band and your songs, wouldn't you want the audience to catch all the nuances that you thought you wrote into it? Wouldn't you want them to laugh when you were being funny, sob when you were being mournful, dance when you perhaps issued dancing instructions?

Now, there can be lots of different reasons why the audience aren't picking out your lyrics:

a. they are Icelandic.
b. your PA is really pants.
c. you are not ENUNCIATING PROPERLY DARLING! (said like that shouty actorly bloke with the beard - oh yes, Brian Blessed.)

But I do know one thing that will help you to be better understood. Talk to the audience more, lead them into your song, tell them what it is about.

James from Panda Lasagne did a brilliant job of this at our last fundraiser, and as a consequence he had the audience laughing along with him. Then he surprised them all with a poignant song about his dad, who isn't well at the moment.

He connected with the audience. Ok, some of his lyrics were about dog poo, but Panda Lasagne are a great live band to watch because they interact with the audience.

Ditto the fabulous Forefathers. If Steve wants to attract the audience's attention - then he thinks of a way to do it - immediately and brilliantly. Ok, sometimes he gets his knob out, but everybody at this stage is listening very intently. Hopefully.

As you all know our November weekend of gigs is fast approaching, and maybe the audience there won't be straining for every word as they might at one of our Fundraisers, but this still doesn't mean you can't lead them into it. It is prescious to you, and you wrote those words for a reason. They make the difference between the song you've just done, and the one you're about to do next. Let's hear it for THE LYRICS!

So to one of my favourite Sparks lyrics, which comes from a song about a suicide pact. In it the boy goes first as in the Romeo and Juliette story - the girl changes her mind!

Clck on the mp3 player here to hear the song. You can even sing along with the lyrics! You'll have to be quick though. The singing comes in immediately!



SPARKS
Here In Heaven
lyrics by Ron Mael

Here, there are lots of things to do
And a panoramic view
Of the universe completely surrounding you
And here you cannot buy souvenirs
You're never going back, never, never

Basically, I guess it could be worse
Yes, I do suppose it could be worse

Here, there are many, many sheep
And the people only sleep
And awake to tell how gory and gruesome was their end
And I don't have many friends
And it's really very clean and I'm thinking

Juliet, you broke our little pact
Juliet, I'm never coming back

Chorus:Up here in Heaven without you
I'm here in Heaven without you
Up here in Heaven without you
It is Hell knowing that your health will keep you out of here
For years and years and years
(my favourite line! He is in Heaven - but he is in hell! ha ha)

Dear, do you often think of me
As you overlook the sea
Do I qualify as dearly departed or am I
That sucker in the sky
The fall guy for the first and the last time

Juliet, I thought we had agreed
Now I know why you let me take the lead

Chorus:Up here in Heaven without you
I'm here in Heaven without you
Up here in Heaven without you
It is Hell knowing that your health will keep you out of here
For years and years and years

Second thoughts, is that what you had?
Second thoughts, first I broke my back
Second thoughts, as I hit the sea
Second thoughts, for eternity, for eternity, for eternity...


Feel free to chip in with any comments about the lyrics you're most proud of, or the ones that have most inspired you.

This post was written by Whitbynowsec

JULY 15th, STATION INN, POPQUIZ REMINDER!

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR THREE WARM UP QUESTIONS

On Tuesday July 15th, which is just around the corner, Whitby Now are holding a fabulous Pop Quiz at The Station Inn. Surely the pub that serves the best beer in town. Top tip: Try the Daleside Blond. It's gorgeous!

For an entry fee of a measly £1 per contestant, you get the chance to pit your pop wits against the cream of the local music scene, I am led to believe. Teams of up to five pop quizzers are deemed acceptable, and one of the prizes may or may not be a cut out Cliff Richard on a stick! Although it has to be said, at time of going to press, no suitable Cliff cut out had been located. In fact no stick had been found either.

As a taste of what's to come and to hone your pop knowledge ready for the big event, here are three tester questions for the time being.

1. What do Morrissey and Beyonce Knowles have in common?

2. If Guns 'N' Roses played Rosie O'Grady's, which drink would Slash order as a refreshment between sets?

3. Who killed Kurt Cobain?

The answers are in the first comment under this item. Best of luck! See you there!

WHITBY PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN ROSIE O'GRADY'S.

NUMBER 1: ARTHUR BROWN

Arthur Brown was born in Whitby in 1944. His dad was a pub pianist who undoubtedly tickled the ivories in many a Whitby hostelry. A sort of 1940s Mark Liddell, if you will. The family moved to Cardiff when he was 11, but he was born within earshot of St Mary's church bells, and that's what counts.

Indeed Arthur was a religious man, a devout christian. In 1968 his debut LP with his band, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, was hailed as a landmark. The lineup was Sean Nicholas on bass, Vincent Crane on keyboards and Drachen Theaker on drums, later to be replaced by Carl Palmer. Unusually there was no guitarist.

The highlight of this album was a five track mini opera about the conflict between the comfort of sin and the fear of Hell! Of course everyone remembers Arthur from his appearences on Top Of The Pops singing the chart topping Fire! because he wore a burning hat and proclaimed himself 'The God Of Hellfire' in no uncertain terms. Click on the video near the bottom of this article to see Arthur baking his psychedelic brain for your entertainment. You don't get that on Britain's Got Talent!

So Arthur almost certainly wouldn't be allowed into Rosie's on two counts. He clearly contravenes the stringent hat policy of North Yorkshire Police, and Fire Safety Regulations would also be breached by his incendiary titfer.

Sadly, after the success of his first album, things went a bit Pete Tong. He was sued for nicking the tune for Fire! off somebody else. Then, to cap it all with a fiery trilby, halfway through the first US tour Crane and Palmer left to form Atomic Rooster. Later Carl Palmer went on to be the Palmer component of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, the bastard!



He carried on for a bit with little success, until Alice Cooper nicked his act hook, line and sinker. Arthur hung up his inflammable headwear and eventually became a carpenter. Jesus would've been proud

POPWATCH MASSIVE END OF MONTH NEWS NUGGETS BONANZA!

As I write this Glastonbury is in full swing. A quick glance at the telly and Amy Winehouse is stumbling about looking thin as a rake. Eat some pies lass!

Its a sure sign that June is over and done with and July is about to start. I can see the coachloads of pensioners arriving now, complaining about the price of the Superloos and that the fish dock smells of fish. Its a FISH DOCK!

But there's lots to look forward to in July from the cream of our musical elite. For instance...

YABBADABBADOO

During July the Yabbas are doing a World Tour of The Star Inn, Whitby. They've also got a slot with The Blue Meanies and POPWATCH favourite Carl 'Wonderful Land' Robinson at The Spa Pavilion, just to break it up a bit.

July 3 - The Star, Whitby

July 10- The Star, Whitby

July 18- The Spa Pavilion

July 31- The Star, Whitby


UTOXATOR

Still after a new drummer as far as I know. I'll keep you updated though, in case you're fretting about it.


THE MERKINS

Speaking of drummers, Matt has now been officially installed on the Merkin's Myspace site, so he's definitely got the job. A contract of employment is being drafted as we speak. He doesn't have many heroes though. Just Pennywise up to now.


RANGAM PROMOTIONS

Very quiet at the moment on the Rangam front. I hope its not a sign that Heath's given up. Rangam have given many young bands a chance to play, and also brought loads of bands to Whitby that wouldn't otherwise have played here in a month of Sundays. When nobody else was doing it, Rangam were there flying in the face of apathy. Support Rangam and buy Heath a drink. Hero!


THE BANTER

Always flagged as being 'Our very own answer to The Arctic Monkeys', but they're better than that. Their own songs are definitely gaining in stature and they're always exciting to watch.


July 6 - Culture Shock Festival, Northallerton

July 13- Border's Bookshop, Middlesbrough

July 20- Empire Red Festival, The Empire, Middlesbrough

That's 48 bands in one venue. It starts at midday and goes right through until 11pm. £5 in advance. I'd say that's value for money.


AMMONITES

There's going to be an Ammonites CD out later this year it seems, on the Reverb Worship label, so keep a seasoned ear out for that gem.


JON HORNE AND THE MADONNAS

A demo of a song provisionally called Seconds Out is available to listen to on Jon's site. Its songwriting as it should be done. Surprising lyrical twists and turns make it a punchdrunk lo-fi jewel. He hasn't got a name for it yet though, but he's open to suggestions. Also if you could chip in with a middle eight he'd be grateful too. However, as always, timewasters are actively encouraged.


DISCARNATE

Two magnificent songs recorded at the band's recent sojourn to a metal studio in Sheffield are now up on the Discarnate site. I don't know how they get the drums to sound like that either, you know where the bass drum goes right fast? Crikey! Click on the POPWATCH link to hear Purge The Unclean and The Voice Of Insanity.

An article on the mysterious Discarnate should be gracing POPWATCH soon, if the band send me the answers to my questions back. Keep a death metal eye out for that.


THE SCARLETT ALLIANCE

The lads are currently looking for gigs and polishing their shoes like nobody's business.There's a great video of them doing a song called Chimes on their MySpace site, which is in the POPWATCH links section. It also features Mark Liddell walking across the stage and fiddling with the mixing desk thingy a bit. Genius.


FRAGILE

The Fraggies, as I like to call them, are putting on a gig at The Coliseum, Whitby on July 26th. Its a Whitby based version of the successful Music In The Basement shows they've been curating in Glaisdale recently. As well as their good selves you'll see Andy Stone, Barbara Hellen, Miles Cain and The Committee if you go. If you don't go, remember 90% of accidents occur in the home, so you're probably better off going out anyway. Safety first!

Also they play Kirkby Fleetham Folk club on July 19th in Northallerton.

3 FOOT NINJA

Always busy. Pop over to their site, which is in the POPWATCH links for full details.

July 4 - Thornborough Festival

July 5 - Culture Shock festival, Northallerton

July 16- The junction, York

July 25- The Ship, Marske


UTOXATOR

Yes, even after all the time you've just spent reading this, Utoxator are still looking for a drummer! Have you tried down the back of the sofa lads?