What's On May 2012
Apr 12|This Month|Jun 12
Tue 1st May Palma Violets + Taylor's & Me
8pm Doors Free
Palma Violets are a London based indie rock/psych rock band who have created a lot of buzz in A&R rooms across the country, comparisons have been made for being a upbeat version of The Horrors and Toy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC_2P7qTnyM
This is the only track that is currently available online and it is a live video from a gig they did with 2:54 at the Manchester Deaf Institute.
+
Taylor's & Me
Wed 2nd May BRAINWASH presents
8pm Doors £5
Up River
Up River deliver songs that are heartfelt and are full of personal angst. These four individuals have established themselves having only released a demo. They have shared the stage with Polar, Bastions, Feed the Rhino, Horror Show and Dead Swans.
Palm Reader
Palm Reader are just balls out, kick ass, Hardcore Punk. Currently storming the UK, PR are on the road for pretty much the whole of 2012 destroying every crowd they travel to. The Woking Based 5-Piece have played alongside the likes of Feed The Rhino, Heart in Hand and Bastions.
Floods
Floods are a 4 piece Post-Hardcore/Punk band from Saint Albans, Hertfordshire who play music they love to play and write without any preconceived intentions, a recent change in members have pushed Floods to the next level.
First Light
Alternative Hardcore from Herts/Beds featuring members from Run! and The 40Seven
Thu 3rd May JUICEBOX
9-12 £4 adv / £6 door Buy Tickets
THE ZIPHEADS (http://www.facebook.com/zipheads)
Formed as Rock'n'Roll covers band The Runaway Boys in early 2005, cousins Ray and Tom learnt to play together from the age of 13 through a shared love of Punk, later being turned on to Rockabilly and Psychobilly.
In 2008 they wrote and recorded 6 songs for their debut EP. Joined by Drummer Will from St Albans based Ska-Punk band Kiss My Brass, all the flavours mixed together into what we now know as the archetypal Ziphead sound.
FELLA
(http://www.facebook.com/fellatheband)
FELLA are a four-piece rock/pop band from Slough. Laddish in name and sound, they sing about everyday life in a simple, but effective style that is definitely easy on the ear. The boys formed in June 2011 and have already made their mark in the local music scene with regular gigs in London, air play on BBC Introducing and press coverage in local news papers. They recently won ‘The Showdown, a Camden based battle of the bands competition at Proud Galleries and are gaining a reputation on the influential music scene there, not only for their music but also for their loyal following who always seem to pack out each gig. The boys, all in their 20s, spent a lot of time coming up with their quirky band name. Peter, 26, said: “We wanted a name that stood out and said something about us. We define Fella as a lad's lad who loves a bit of banter and that's something we all have in common". Their musical influences come from punk and rock artists like the Jam, the Clash, the Rifles and Jack Penate.
SOME RIOT
(http://www.facebook.com/someriot)
SUBURBAN RIOT
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suburban-Riot/124047474337633)
Links: JUICEBOX
Fri 4th May THE WHOLLS
9-2am £5
The excellent Battle of the Bands 19 Winners The Wholls headline tonight with support from Columbia and Florida Recounts. THE WHOLLS - a 4 piece band based in Bedford, England - have been making a noise in the music scene over recent months with a fresh brand of music of their very own. The band deliver rock n roll with an urban influence and when you get the chance to see them on stage you can expect a lively, hectic night and a set of original bangers with a few surprises chucked in - a typical set hinting at influences from rock n roll to garage and grime. Live favourites such as ‘Rollin’, ‘No.30’ and ‘B-Man’ are already fast becoming a cult smash and reasons alone to check them out....
The boys have gone from strength to strength since being plucked from the obscurity of rehearsing in a garden shed in the early months of 2011 and have now gone full time, recording their debut mini album 'Back to the B-Hive' in February at Londons Premises Studios with engineer Jason Howes (Arctic Monkeys, Lilly Allen, Faithless) & enabling them to build their own rehearsal space and take on an active gigging schedule.
THE WHOLLS have regularly sold out Bedford’s legendary venue Esquires with many ‘Spartans’ (as their fans have become collectively known) having to be turned away, and also walked away as champions in the final of the battle of the bands competition at the Horn in St. Albans in December 2011, taking over 60 acts from all over the country. Since the win they have made some great links and record breaking responses from fans during two recent BBC Introducing interviews have done them no harm.
Sat 5th May THE DOORS ALIVE
8-2am £10 adv / £12 door Buy Tickets
The Doors Alive, widely regarded as the closest and most enthralling representation of the legendary 1960's rock gods The Doors in the world today, The band most recently played to 3,000 people as headliners at Rock Radio’s Monsters of Mock event in Manchester on 7th May. They will play two special shows in Europe this summer to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s untimely death in 1971, the Melkweg in Amsterdam on 1st July and La Cigale in Paris on 3rd July. As a warm up for these big shows they play at the The Horn,
The band re-create the sound, look, presence and magic of a real 1960's Doors concert, perfectly and effortlessly transporting the crowd back in time with classic hits such as 'Light My Fire', 'When The Music's Over, Riders On The Storm, The End and many more.
Willie Scott captures the look, attitude, and rich baritone voice of the late, great Jim Morrison with ease while his compadres showcase the musical chops of original Doors members Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore with finesse and skill.
To achieve that authentic Sixties sound, the band use the very same instruments that members of the Doors originally used. These include a vintage Fender Rhodes Bass keyboard, a vintage Gibson keyboard and a vintage Gibson S.G guitar.
They have left awestruck audiences all over the world and repeatedly sold out some of the most respected venues in the business, including 02 Academies all over the U.K.
"Truly AMAZING... They capture the true spirit of The Doors" Zane Lowe, BBC Radio 1
"The best tribute band I have EVER seen" Clint Boon, XFM
Links: THE DOORS ALIVE
Sun 6th May THE BLUE ANGEL ACOUSTIC CAFE
8-11.30 Free Entry
Now in its 14th year, the Blue Angel has been a highlight of Sunday nights, showcasing a wide range of acoustic styles including singer/songwriter, folk/roots, rock + pop in an intimate setting with tables and candles & a superbstage and pa.
Floor spots welcome for the semi-acoustic weekend wind down. A free drink for performers
Tue 8th May Brainwash Presents The Social Club Vs Jumping Ships + Support
7.30 £5
The Social Club
the new home of sophistication and fun, where all are welcome! Based in North London but soon to open new branches across the UK, we count among our number former members of Captain Everything and Fireapple Red, and looking forward to making YOUR acquaintance
Jumping Ships
an alternative rock pop quartet from Brighton, formed in mid 2008 through a shared musical vision.
Plus support from
Chorus of Nine
Thu 10th May HONEYSLIDES
9-12 £7 adv / £8 door Buy Tickets
Summer 2012 sees Neil Young launch his 35th album (not including countless compilations, live albums, soundtracks!). 'Americana' is a collection of traditional American folk songs recorded with with longtime collaborators, Crazy Horse... and a children's choir!So, what better than 'An evening of classic Neil Young with The Honeyslides'!
With a pool of material spanning nearly 45 years and countless musical styles to choose from, the Honeyslides cover everything from his most intimate acoustic moments such as Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done and Heart of Gold, to the more upbeat and country tracks such as Come's a Time and Are You ready For the Country climaxing to his face-melting, mind bending guitar wig outs of Down By The River, Southern Man and Rockin In The Free World!!
Fronting the Honeyslides on guitar and vocals is Tom Billington who says 'Neil is my Elvis... he ticks every box for me. Sometimes, when you've been listening to a lot of Neil Young, everything else sounds small and shallow. He does what he wants, when he wants to and is true to the music and the inspiration at all times... The Honeyslides is just me and a bunch of like minded Neil fans who happen to be able to pull it off! These songs have been under my skin since I was a kid"
Fri 11th May DB BAND ( with Mick Quinn, Supergrass)
9-2am £9 door / £7.50adv Buy Tickets
The DB Band story begins here, long before their rise to global acclaim. It all started when Barry (Mick Quinn of Supergrass) walked through the alleys and backstreets of Oxford in search of the ideal musical partnership, and came out into the sunshine with Fab (Paul Wilson of Shake Appeal), as the perfect bass-playing foil, followed shortly by Nick Aspey, who had been scraping a living as an itinerant bongo player, but was persuaded to become the beating heart of this lively rock‘Stranger In The Alps’, their debut EP released in Autumn 2011, has made it from embryonic ideas, forged from performing at some of Britain and Europe’s finest dance halls, to a digital little package, with some knockout artwork, and some nifty hidden gems (go ahead, go find ‘em).
Track listing commences with the eponymous ‘Stranger In the Alps’, followed by three original slices of aural intensity: ‘Five A Day’, ‘Dreams’, and ‘Bus Stop Shuffle’. Also included is the never issued before video for ‘Stranger In The Alps’, an added visual treat for the discerning eye.
“But, Dr Louie, how can we get our hands on this musical marvel?” I hear you say. Well, dear readers, this is simple, and you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your armchair. You can order directly from www.dbband.com.
You owe it to yourself – you owe it to all who look up to you – check out the DB Band and all the pleasures that await you. Genius brought to your ears and phonograph player.
You’ll be glad you did!
+ SUPPORT
MY LITTLE EMPIRE
THREE DAY WEEKEND
THE AUTUMNKIND
Links: JUICEBOX
Sat 12th May IMAGINE THE BEATLES
8 - 2am £7 door / £6 adv Buy Tickets
Musically, no detail is overlooked to re-create the true sound and excitement of The Beatles, with every song performed totally live and in its original key. Visually, their presentation is as close to the real thing as you can imagine... Quality stage outfits, authentic vocals and instruments, complete the perfect tribute. Links: IMAGINE THE BEATLES
Sun 13th May THE BLUE ANGEL ACOUSTIC CAFE
8-11.30 Free Entry
Now in its 14th year, the Blue Angel has been a highlight of Sunday nights, showcasing a wide range of acoustic styles including singer/songwriter, folk/roots, rock + pop in an intimate setting with tables and candles & a superbstage and pa.
Floor spots welcome for the semi-acoustic weekend wind down. A free drink for performers
Wed 16th May ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY
9-12 £5
Once again Acoustic Alchemy returns with another fantastic evening of Acoustic music. Line up Elliot Porter + David Hoare + April Blue + Joe Ferris
Thu 17th May BATTLE OF THE BANDS 20 FINAL
9-12 £6
The fantastic Final to the Battle of the Bands 19 competition, showcasing four brilliant bands all with the chance of walking away with the top prize of £100 cash, 1 Fender Guitar and a whole day recording in the up-to-date and state-of-the-art recording and production studio Red Bull London. Also, the 3 runners up will receive £150 cash each. Battle of the Bands 18 is sponsored by Jack Daniels & Red Bull. Finalists are Mucky Tuppence vs Jakobi vs Trial by Fire vs Saving Sebastian
Links: BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Fri 18th May ANIMAL KINGDOM + THE GOOD SUNS + support
8.30-2am £5
Animal Kingdom are a London three piece, The first single ‘Tin Man’ was Itunes ‘Single of the Week’ and Itunes named them ‘Best New Alternative Act’ recently they have support on tours with Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Snow Patrol and Silversun Pickups followed, as well as numerous festival appearances in the UK and Europe.
London foursome The Good Suns play washed out indie driven by a gracious balance of melodies, harmonies and scuzzy guitar riffs, backed by a gonzo rhythm section.
The band recently found themselves trending on Twitter and emblazoned across the homepages of The Guardian, New Statesman and the NME, for their new single 'Pop Wound' in which former Liberal Democrat MP and serial reality TV star Lembit Opik fools about in front of the camera pulling some quite gimpy rock poses
Watch Said video here
From 11pm MILKSHAKE will be providing you with a funked out selection of smooth grooves, soulful boogie, deep house and forward-thinking electronic into the early hours. Expect a fresh and rhythmic dancefloor experience led by the accomplished team of resident DJs on rotation.
Sat 19th May THE TOTAL STONE ROSES
9-2am £10 Door/ £8 Adv Buy Tickets
The Total Stone Roses play a set of all of the best roses material including ‘She Bangs The Drums’, ‘Fools Gold’, ‘Waterfall, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ and ‘Love Spreads’.Throughout the last year or so, The Total Stone Roses have been playing gigs and stunning audiences throughout the country building up a solid fan base that makes them a force to be reckoned with in the tribute scene. The band are all in their early to mid twenties, bringing the same passion, vigor, arrogance and charisma that only the young have, the old want and that cannot be faked. This same drive is what gave The Stone Roses their ‘X Factor’ and took them to the heady heights of success and fame that they achieved in the late 1980′s and early 1990′s and beyond.
The Total Stone Roses are all pro musicians that do this for a living; all players involved are top draw Leeds College of Music graduates. They strive to re-create the roses sound live and are meticulous in the recreation of their material. You will not find a better sound a like band this side of 1989!
Links: THE TOTAL STONE ROSES
Sun 20th May THE BLUE ANGEL ACOUSTIC CAFE
8-11.30 Free Entry
Now in its 14th year, the Blue Angel has been a highlight of Sunday nights, showcasing a wide range of acoustic styles including singer/songwriter, folk/roots, rock + pop in an intimate setting with tables and candles & a superbstage and pa.
Floor spots welcome for the semi-acoustic weekend wind down. A free drink for performers
Mon 21st May Extravaganza
8-12 £4 ADV /£6 OTD
Laugh, drink, dance and enjoy. Nate Johnson a contestant on a brand new BBC 3 TV show is hosting a music extravaganza for charity at the Horn in St Albans on May 21st. The line-up includes St Albans' fan favourites LS ONE and Killa Impact, hailing from the streets of north London the one and the only King Carter, the seriously talented south London duo of Reece Rydar and Laura Williams, East London’s finest producer turned rapper Uncle Mix, the Stevenage singing sensation that is Priscilla-Leah and the heavenly voice of West London Singer Gabriella Rego.
The night will feature a range of music styles from soul to hip hop, commercial to pop. Cheap drinks will be available and the event will be filmed for BBC 3, with footage set to air in autumn. There will be booths set up where the featured artists singles or albums can be purchased either on either CD or MP3 and all money raised from the door and music sales will go to children in need. During the night there will also be a chance to be featured in a documentary about the business of music. The documentary will be distributed in a new type of educational GCSE business product which will be launched nationwide in Aug 2012.
Thu 24th May I DREAM IN COLOUR
9-12 £5 adv / £7 door Buy Tickets
JuiceBox presents I DREAM IN COLOUR“With bludgeoning beats, intricate guitar lines and soaring choruses, I Dream In Colour are a peerless live act. Add to this a vocalist in Richard Judge, whose near-operatic tones can channel messieurs Bellamy and Buckley, and you have a truly special band on your hands.”
Rick Pearson London (Evening Standard Music Critic)
"Every now and then a singer comes along who’s voice by sheer bent of will alone, could, you feel, fell cities and lay even the most stoic of hearts asunder. Jeff Buckley had it; Muse’s Matt Bellamy’s got it. But where Bellamy’s overindulgent operatics might not be to everyone’s taste, I Dream In Colour’s frontman, Richard Judge, tacks his way across rising crescendos with such dexterity that he never abandons a melody for melodrama."
Gym Class Magazine
"With a vocal as towering as city metropolis, as British as Moz and gritty like real life. Front man Richard Judge is a star built in a rock n roll mould."
The Fly
+ Support
DARK STARES
UNDERVIEW
DANNIE HUNT
Links: JUICEBOX
Fri 25th May Brainwashed Presents SLAM DUNK PRE PARTY
8PM - 2AM £3
LIVE BANDS:
----------------------------------
INSURGENTS
FALLOW FIELDS
HANG EM HIGH
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN
DJS TILL LATE
------------------------------------------------
St.Albans Alternative new rock night, bring you amazing music from request-friendly DJs, the cheapest drinks around as well as surprises such as live acts, Guest Djs and wild party vibes.
THE CHEAPEST DRINKS IN TOWN!
••• £2.00 bottles!
••• £5 for 2 Jagerbombs!
••• £1.00 shots!
EXPECT TO HEAR:
A Day To Remember / Brand New / New Found Glory / Alexisonfire / Slipknot / Bring Me The Horizon / Emarosa / Four Year Strong / Architects / Hit The Lights / Comeback Kid / A Loss For Words / Thrice / Chunk! No Captain Chunk! / The Wonder Years / Lower Than Atlantis / Deez Nuts / August Burns Red / Underoath / Gallows / Your Demise / Paramore / Set Your Goals / Limp Bizkit / Dance Gavin Dance / The Ghost Inside / Deaf Havana / Of Mice & Men / Oh, Sleeper / Andrew WK / We Are The Ocean / Fall Out Boy / Parkway Drive / Glassjaw / Every Time I Die / Confide / Circa Survive / Asking Alexandria / Cancer Bats / All Time Low / Escape The Fate / Blink 182 / Man Overboard / & MANY MORE!
Sat 26th May TOOT 'n' SKAMEN
9-2am £7 door / £6 adv Buy Tickets
Toot ‘n’ Skamen originally formed in 1985 playing at friends parties then local pubs and clubs in and around Kent and soon picked up quite a following. Since then Toot ‘n’ Skamen have landed many open air summer festivals including Medways Parklife, Maidstone’s River Festival and Gravesend Water Front playing to a crowd of over 12,000, alongside many universities and college gigs and scooter rallys. Through their many years of playing the band have always still played the pub and club scene, close intimate gigs that they really enjoy but now its over the length and breadth of England and tonight they make their Horn debut. During the last few years Toot ‘n’ Skamen have supported ska legends such as Bad Manners and The Selecter and even playing both of the offical The Specials and Madness after show parties. Last summer (2010) saw the birth of the Skabour Festival, a three day ska event in Folkstone with appearances from many ska bands from all over the country, Toot ‘n’ Skamen headlined by closing the event on the final day.
In a nut shell, Toot ‘n’ Skamen look great and sound great, their performance on stage is what can only be described as high energy which results in a high degree of audience participation. All in all this adds up to be a truly memorable 2 tone experience which is simply second to none.
Expect to party to the sounds of The Specials, Madness, The Selecter, Bad Manners, The Beat, The Body Snatchers, Arthur Kay & The Originals, Toots & The Maytals, Prince Buster, Harry J Allstars, The Pioneers, The Ethiopians, Charley Anderson, Dandy Livigstone, Desmond Dekker, Potato 5, Hot Knives and Laurel.
Links: TOOT 'n' SKAMEN
Sun 27th May THE BLUE ANGEL ACOUSTIC CAFE
8-11.30 Free Entry
Now in its 14th year, the Blue Angel has been a highlight of Sunday nights, showcasing a wide range of acoustic styles including singer/songwriter, folk/roots, rock + pop in an intimate setting with tables and candles & a superbstage and pa.
Floor spots welcome for the semi-acoustic weekend wind down. A free drink for performers
Wed 30th May ZAMBANDIA
8-12 £5
A charity night for Mission Direct who's sending 20 people to Zambia to build a school. Featuring bands CC5 (Motown), Boutique Blues (Blues), Katie Masson (Acoustic/Folk/Pop), The Shallows (Indie/Pop) and Bill & Delores.
Thu 31st May TOWNS + SULK
8PM-2AM £6
Towns:
A four piece band from Bristol made up of brothers Adam Hastings (bass) and Miles Hastings (drums) and childhood friends James Maclucas (vocals) and Jon Paul Beaumont (guitar). These four lads have been close friends since school but only began making music together in February.
Their early demos caught the attention of the NME who reviewed their first London show and have featured the band in the radar section and online:
NME 50 Best New Bands of 2011 http://www.nme.com/photos/50-best-new-bands-of-2011/217451/22/25
The demos can be heard here: http://soundcloud.com/townsmusic
The band are gearing up for their debut release at the moment a split 7" on In It For the Money records with Damages, Town's contribution has been produced by legendary producer Owen Morris (Oasis, The Verve, Ash etc). Sulk:
Fresh from supporting The Dandy Warhols, the NME Radar tipped SULK will be bringing their alt/shoegaze to Hoxton B+K
'SULK mix what came before, and what’s yet to come into crushing waves of beauty, honesty and anthemic bliss for a whole new generation.'
'A new dawn is rising for British music and SULK are the leaders of the pack.'
www.sulktheband.com
www.facebook.com/sulktheband