Bearos News 04

Happy New Year to you all! Sorry for these belated greetings but things have been that busy that the website has taken a bit of a back seat. Part of the reason has been a lack of things to tell you - the pre-Christmas release of The Regulars CD "Effortless" (Bearos046) and the live Dreams of Tall Buildings CD (Bearos047) got delayed and the sad demise of mp3.com meant that I didn't have the latest upload to announce. At last I have The Regulars CD and I'm assured the DOTB CD will arrive tomorrow.

The compilation and mastering of The Regulars retrospective (Bearos046) was certainly not "Effortless" for vocalist and founder member Pete Green. A band that took 4 years to form and at least 18 months to record each of their singles went into self destruct overdrive back at the end of 2002 and disappeared overnight! Revisiting the songs has been an emotional task.
The 17 tracks are nowhere near exhaustive in terms of the band's recorded output and whilst they span several line-ups between 1996-2002 there's a certain coherence of sound and attitude. The limited release is accompanied by a 12-page mini fanzine with stories behind the songs, exclusive photos and contributions from fans such as "Their love of simple pop music was infectious and every gig was a cause for celebration. If 'nobody will ever write the perfect pop song' the The Regulars came exceptionally close on many occasions." It's a limited release, first come, first served.

The live Dreams of Tall Buildings CD (Bearos047) was recorded in 2001 at Birmingham's annual ArtsFest weekend. DOTB were commissioned to perform in the wooden paneled, fluted roofed practice space of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The resonance of the room cried out for a mixture of real instruments (from guitars to the resident grand piano), loops and samples and a wonderfully percussive typewriter. The resulting melange of instrumental moodscapes takes you from lush jungles to deep oceans to wide open plains. A wonderful piece of work that I've been asking them to release for a couple of years.
What's delayed this project has been the hand made packaging. I'll try and describe it knowing that I'm not doing it justice: individually hand drawn designs on CD and card sleeve, typed track list all held together with a Dreams of Tall Buildings embroidered strip. The case is then wrapped in distressed brown paper and string to give it the feel of a lost artifact or rediscovered heirloom. Again it's a limited release, first come, first served.

The Workhouse album "The End of the Pier" (Bearos041) continues to sell well both home and abroad. On 13th January they appeared on John Kennedy's XFM show, being interviewed and playing tracks especially recorded for the show. They are also now confirmed to play one of the XFM anniversary showcases with Explosions in the Sky. It's at The Monarch in Camden on 11th February and tickets are going fast. The band will embark of more national dates in May or June.

The Bearos Christmas gig was our most successful showcase yet. Simon "Grover" Fox and Clair Horton opened the evening with a luxurious acoustic collection of self penned and traditional Christmas fare including a charming version of The Waitresses' "Christmas Rapping". Following on from this it was great to see Jameson (below)on stage back from their SuperA sabbatical. Saul, ex-Og's Bunkadoo Band, is a worthy replacement for Fawlky who continues his break from the live circuit. Great version of "Winter Wonderland"! They are currently moving their studio from the rain soaked warehouse in Digbeth but they will be back recording soon. In the meantime there's another local gig with Distophia next month - more details as I get them.

Last year the Christmas show was The Starries' swansong, this year it was the turn of Crazyface with vocalist Simon off to pastures new. Dave Clewitt, top tip for his replacement, came on as our token Crazy-oke candidate and did himself proud with a great version of "Free Coke". More surprises later on in the set when the band were joined by original guitarist Matt for "Dealing with Strangers" - I didn't know it was going to happen and neither did most of the band from the looks on their faces! The band will be out of circulation for a while whilst they regroup, watch out for the new band later in the year.

Next showcase is again at the Jug of Ale, Moseley on Saturday 7th February and features Oxford's Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element who describe themselves as "Mixing the adrenaline rawness of Shellac with the kind of chaos theory electronica associated with Mille Plateaux, Sunnyvale Noise Sub Element combine the repetition of Loop, the invention of early Soft Machine and Killing Joke and the twin bass assault of Cop Shoot Cop, delivering it all with the precision of Tortoise." I saw them do a great set at last year's Audioscope in Oxford (and to my eternal shame missed them in Glasgow when they drove myself and The Starries up for a Diskant gig)

More news next time about the new album by Owen Tromans destined to be Bearos048 and updates on the Baxxter, Starries and Calvados Beam Trio albums.

08/02/04

We've just received the new Owen Tromans album. "Place" is the third solo album from the ex-vocalist/guitarist of San Lorenzo. Name checking Yo La Tengo, Buffalo Tom, Billy Bragg and Mary Timony he is a man intuitively immersed in Americana, traditional English folk and above all, the spirit of independence.
Many of you will be familiar with San Lorenzo form their Bearos releases. Some of you will know his first two solo albums - "Box of Tapes" (2001) and "From a Lost Library" (2003) both limited released on the Sacred Geometry label. "Three" from "From a Lost Library" and "Mirror Witch" from the San Lorenzo singles compilation (Bearos024) were included on Bearos040, our 5th birthday freebie.
The album was recorded in Northern Italy on the invitation of local DJ and record distributor Guiseppe Marmina. It mixes his studied craftsmanship with the spontaneity of playing with local session players to create his most complete and satisfying work yet. Not in the shops for a while but it's so good I could not keep in a secret and it's available from us via post or PayPal.

Now back in the UK Owen has gathered together a new band (including ex-San Lorenzo drummer Nick Stanley) and will be on tour soon to promote this release. The first date is a Rough Trade RoTa Showcase at the Notting Hill Arts Club, 21 Notting Hill Gate, London on Saturday 21st February. This FREE event runs from 4-8pm and also features Ben Calvert who soon embarks on another UK tour and Last of the Real Hard Men (described as sounding somewhere between John Fahey's outsider rajas and the uncanny rumblings of Neil Young's Dead Man soundtrack!)
More dates from Owen and Ben as I get them.

It's been a busy few months for The Workhouse. They've recorded sessions for XFM, John Peel and the BBC World Service. This week they're playing one of John Kennedy's XFM X-posure Nights for the show's fifth birthday (and imminent relaunch). The gig is at The Monarch, Chalk Farm, London on Wednesday 11th February and they will be playing with Explosions in the Sky and Trespassers William. The band will be playing more dates in April.

Last night was another fantastic Bearos Showcase in Birmingham. Headliners Calvados Beam Trio (below left) had not played a home town gig in a couple of years (actually their only gig in the last couple of years was a Radio One OneLive showcase in Brighton last year!) They've lost none of their crunching jazz-tinged math-rock edge that grinds together the likes of The Oxes and Don Cabellero into an awe inspiring spectacle. I'm currently negotiating the release of their debut album.

Providing support were Oxford's Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element and Bearwood's own "Regular" son, Pete Green. Sunnyvale Noise Sub-Element (above center) layered guitar, dual bass and vocal samples over a mixture of fractured and rock drum machine rhythms to great effect. A very impressive band that meld powerful riffs with dangerous rhythms.
"With The Regulars I always wanted to created a band that was a cross between Belle and Sebastian and The Ramones" explained Pete Green (above right) who opened the evening with an acoustic set. "It never happened" he continued, "we just split up instead! But at least I get to play Ramones songs." "Beat on the Brat" as an frail lullaby was one of the highlights of my evening. Pete plays again with Ben Calvert at The Bulls Head, Moseley, Birmingham on Thursday 12th February.
No showcase in March as we're all off to All Tomorrow's Parties.

More news as it happens - I'd better mention that The Workhouse/EITS show is totally sold out but don't forget Owen Tromans and Ben Calvert at RoTa on 21st February

02/08/04

Sorry we've been away so long though I'm reminded that in the bad old days the website often went a few months without an update. Anyway, I hope that you appreciate the revamped product page and that it will enhance your shopping experience and introduce you to releases you might have missed. I'll try and get a site with some mp3 tracks up and running in the next month as well.

Before I start on about my highlights of the last 6 months I'd better tell you about our latest release, "Hailah, Hailah", the debut album by James Summerfield (Bearos051). People may be familiar with James' previous band, Buick 6 (later to be renamed The Toques). Their love affair with Alt-Country and Bluegrass won them many an admirer and between 1999 - 2003 they released two singles and recorded two radio sessions for John Peel. James left the band in September 2003 to pursue a solo career. Since then he has written, recorded and produced this album. He plays the majority of the instruments on the album, including lap steel, banjo, piano and the Hammond. The album is a soulful mixture of musical influences, from contemporary Alt-Country to early Grateful Dead, with dark, occasionally ghostly undertones reminiscent of Low. He is touring this autumn with Ben Calvert and is also playing some dates in the next couple of weeks with Detroit's Deadstring Brothers. Here are few of James' confirmed dates:
Fri 13th Aug: The Shed, Gordon Arms Castle Road Bedford MK40 3QY supporting Amy Allison (www.eastwestpromotions.co.uk) £7
Mon 16th Aug: The Jug of Ale, Moseley supporting Dead String Brothers (www.deadstringbrothers.co.uk) £5/6
Sat 21st Aug: The Shed, Gordon Arms Castle Road Bedford MK40 3QY supporting Dead String Brothers. £7
Sun 7th Nov: Mac, Birmingham with Max Gilkes (double headline)

Back in February we were getting excited about two trips down to London. The first was to see The Workhouse support Explosions in the Sky on one of Jon Kennedy's X-Posure live nights. It was packed, it was hot, it was great! Technical problems led to a brief delay. Luckily Jon Kennedy and Chris from The Workhouse (left) had enough banter in them to keep us going. EITS sounded amazing but I was stuck by the stairs of the Camden Monarch and only caught the occasional glimpse of a bobbing head in one of the mirrors on the far wall.

Owen Troman's and Ben Calvert's soiree at RoTa (right and below) was a far more chilled affair. A wonderful evening of mellow folk and passionate Americana. Ben played a solo set and Owen was gradually joined by a full band ending with a storming rendition of "John's on the bridge" that sent us on our way with a spring in our step and ringing in our ears.

March and April were dominated by the two All Tomorrow's Parties weekends and a wonderful week in-between walking on the South Downs (I'd recommend everybody to take an extra day or so to explore the beautiful countryside around the south coast) My highlights of the weekends were Ella Guru, Lightning Bolt, Arthur Lee, Mogwai, James Yorkston, the pub, the weather and our luxury chalet (first weekend only!)

It's at this point that life got really hectic with holidays, conferences, an ever growing garden and a lodger in the computer room!
I had a fantastic time in New York and was lucky to catch two of my musical heroes, Horace Silver playing at the Blue Note Club and Patti Smith on one of 4 nights she did at Warsaw, a small Polish club in Brooklyn. Both performers exuded class with the wonderful non chattering (and non smoking) American audiences. Just sorry I did not have my camera with me.
At the end of May it was back down to London for a couple of weekends. The Workhouse at RoTa was another triumph and Throbbing Gristle at The Astoria was very wierd. Shame that the Camber Sands weekend did not happen but fingers crossed for next year.

June is always a quiet month so I went on holiday again and really got behind! I'm currently contributing a "Gig of the fortnight" preview to Birmingham's "What's On" but to date have only managed to get to 3 of my last 5 month's picks.(The editor had told me that I couldn't just plug Bearos bands time after time. "No problem," I said, "all the local ones have split up!") However I did find time to get to Supersonic which rates as one of the top days out of the year. Always an eclectic mix of art and music it has a sort of Barcelona Sonar feel about it. Jenny and Lisa from Capsule had picked some great bands but I feel they penalised the early arrivals by clustering all the best stuff in the early hours of the following morning. The event really got me excited with PCM followed by Senor Coconut and his Orchestra (Kraftwerk cha-cha-cha anybody?) and finally a crushing set by Panacea finishing at around 4.15am! We danced and drank until the very end but lucky for my liver and the promoters pocket that I did not discover the hospitality bar until 9pm! Do check out the Capsule link if you are in or around Birmingham.

So what's next then? There's three new releases in the pipeline. Bearos049 is the debut album by Souvaris, a 7-piece from around the East Midlands who play a jazzed-up funky version of Explosions in the Sky (my words, not theirs) It's a really fresh take on what can often be a rather tired genre. It's going to have some lovely card packaging which is what's taking the time. Bearos050 is my first 7" in a while and is a single split between The Workhouse and Inch Blue (people who got to The Workhouse dates earlier this year will have seen Stuart from Inch Blue stand in temporarily for Mark whist he was abroad) The Workhouse need no introduction and Inch Blue are a classic Interpol/Chameleons indie-rock explosion waiting to happen. We're just waiting on The Workhouse track and that will be with you ASAP. In the meantime I've agreed to do a CD EP with Inch Blue which will be on the site any week now. Hopefully there will be some live dates to support these releases and I'll keep you up to date as I get any news.

Off to the Green Man festival in a couple of weeks (Hay on Wye 21st-22nd August). It looks like the best open air festival of the year. More news next time and a preview of Oxford's Audioscope festival in aid of Shelter (Zodiac 2nd October)

15/09/04

Autumn is rapidly approaching and the releases are coming thick and fast! This month sees the release of Inch Blue's debut for Bearos Records, "Walking Backwards" (Bearos050). Last seen supporting The Workhouse in London and Birmingham this 4-piece are soon to hit the road and set the world alight.
Inch Blue have harnessed the doomy magnificence of the Chameleons, the House of Love's spectral chic and the expansive stadium dynamic of early U2. Bleeding these reference points together with the choice ingredients of prime cut indie pop rock they create something that goes beyond the mere three minute pop thrill. They have recently finished recording new tracks with producer Rich 'bad boy' Haines. Rich has worked with bands like Radiohead, Supergrass & The Workhouse. The band are also featured on a Bearos split single with The Workhouse to be released next month (see below) with an album to follow in early 2005.
Also available is Inch Blue's self financed debut CD single, "Three Songs About Dreams, Lovers & The Sea". A worthy companion to the Bearos release - grab it while you can!

The band have just announce a couple of London dates to support the single releases:
Thursday 21st Oct The Dirty Rider @ Southern K, 205 Kilburn High Road
Wednesday 17th Nov Dead or Alive @ The Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon Street, Picadilly
More details can be found on the Inch Blue website and you can sign up for their mailing list for up to date information as well as browsing the mp3 tracks.

We've also recently done an interview with the band (pictured right) which you can find here, thanks to Mark Wilkinson for the great pictures. The band don't pull any punches as they lay into the current music scene and explain why doom and gloom are back - just in time for the raincoat season!

Next month sees the long awaited The Workhouse/Inch Blue split single (Bearos052) which features an exclusive Inch Blue track and "Aberdeen" by The Workhouse. This is a newly recorded song that was debuted on this years John Peel session and was one of the live tracks featured on John Kennedy's X-posure Live on XFM. It's one of their few vocal tracks with Curtis-esque vocals perfectly complementing the trademark chiming guitars. It's limited to 500 and I don't expect it to be around for too long!

The other release is the even longer awaited album by Souvaris, "I Felt Nothing At All" (Bearos049). The band has already released hugely successful singles with Telesphere Records and Awkward Silence. The album is a lush mixture of Krautrock rhythms, Padjo-esque dreamscapes and Godspeedy crescendo though not necessarily all at the same time! Details of the bands tour can be found on their website. Imminent dates with Stafraenn Hakon are worth a special mention:
Wednesday 29th September Flapper & Firkin, Birmingham
Saturday 2nd October Rota @ Notting Hill Arts Club, London
The London gig runs from 4-8 pm and is free!

If that's sorted out all you London types for 2nd October then the rest of us must be heading to Oxford for this year's Audioscope. Now in it's fourth year this all day event in aid of Shelter boast it's most impressive line up ever. As if Can's Damo Suzuki as headliner was not enough he's joined by Oxes, The Telescopes, Bikini Atoll, Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies and many more. All the details and some great potted biogs of all the bands involved can be found on their website. I'll be there, selling my wares and enjoying the occasional alcoholic beverage - better catch me early!

Stuck in Birmingham? Here's a few great gigs coming up over the next few weeks:
Saturday 18th September: Jeffrey Lewis, M.J. Hibbert & Pete Green (ex-Regular) @ Jug of Ale
Saturday 25th September: Misty's Big Adventure & Friends of the Stars (new name for The Toques) @ Jug of Ale
Wednesday 29th September: Stafraenn Hakon, Souvaris & Dialect @ Flapper & Firkin
Sunday 3rd October: Oxes, Calvados Beam Trio & Yellowbelly @ Medicine Bar

10/10/04

Two long awaited releases finally see the light of day this month. The first is the debut album by Souvaris "I Felt Nothing At All" (Bearos049). They exploring tone, melody, rhythm and noise in vast and intricately constructed arrangements designed to envelop and overwhelm the audience - you don't so much listen to their music as feel it. The obvious reference points are gods of post-rock like Labradford, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, AerialM and Mogwai. In the presence of such big boys of the scene it's something of a feat in itself that Souvaris have managed to carve their initials into the playground post-rock tree. They impressed John Peel with their debut demo CD-R which went straight from post tray to play list. Since this the band have released singles for Telesphere Records and a split 7" with The Workhouse on Awkward Silence. The CD comes in a digipac and the cover and booklet are exclusive John Porcellino comic drawings.
The band have recently played dates with Stafraenn Hakon and have got the following dates over the next few weeks:
Sunday 24th October - Brown's, Coventry
Tuesday 4th November - The Cabaret, Nottingham
There are also dates in Bristol and Birmingham awaiting confirmation but unfortunately the two Scottish dates for later this week have been cancelled. More news as I get it or you can log onto the Souvaris website

The other release is The Workhouse/Inch Blue split 7" (Bearos052). The Workhouse present one of their few vocal tracks, "Aberdeen" first heard on their 2004 John Peel session. As I mentioned last month the Curtis-esque vocals perfectly complement the trademark chiming guitars.The track is taken from their second album which will be released on Devil In The Woods in early 2005.
The Inch Blue track, "I'm A Dead Leaf Waiting To Fall" is more downbeat and doomy than the other songs currently available and was chosen by the band to fit in with The Workhouse's track. It's limited to 500 and I don't expect it to be around for too long!
Here are some gigs to support this release:
Thursday 21st Oct The Dirty Rider @ Southern K, 205 Kilburn High Road (Inch Blue)
Wednesday 27th Oct Club Fandango @ The Verge, 147 Kentish Town Road, Camden (Inch Blue & The Workhouse)
Wednesday 17th Nov Dead or Alive @ The Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon Street, Picadilly (Inch Blue)
More details can be found on the Inch Blue and The Workhouse websites.

The next releases i'll be working on are the retrospectives by Baxxter and The Starries as well as trying again to get an album's worth of noodling jazz metal from the Calvados Beam Trio archive. To continue the nostalgia trip i've also organised a Bearos Reunited Night at the Jug of Ale on Friday 26th November. Confirmed so far are San Lorenzo and Jameson. The Christmas gig will be on Friday 17th December, again at the Jug of Ale. I'm still working on the line up and there will be a very limited CD for sale on the night and through the website.

Cogratulations to everybody involved in Audioscope 04 which was last weekend in Oxford. Sunnyvale Noise Sub Element and Youth Movie Soundtrack Strategies have both come on in leaps and bounds, The Telescopes and Vibracathedral Orchestra hummed and whirred and Large Numbers threw in everything including the kitchen sink for a wonderfully entertaining set of electro-pop. Thanks to Yannis from The Edmund Fitzgerald for keeing me supplied with biscuits and beer making running the Bearos stall an even more enjoyable experience!

Gig of the month must go to the Catapult Club 15th Anniversary Show at The Academy in Birmingham on Tuesday 19th October which features King Adora, Copter, Misty's Big Adventure and Distophia. Arthur Tapp's been organising gigs since 1989 and The Jug of Ale in Moseley has played host to Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, Mega City 4, Bis, Kula Shaker and many many more. Arthur's been the genial host of many a Bearos night so thanks to him and best wishes for the next 15 years!

14/11/04

Happy days in 2000. Left to right - Simon, John, Anita (producer), Charlie, Tom It was with great sadness that we all heard about John Peel's death last month. He'd been an invaluable supporter of Bearos right from the start playing, in true Peelie style, "The Doc is flying", the b side of our debut release, Jameson's "Silverado" - his preference, not one of his occasional slips! What other DJ would actually listen to a b side, let alone put aside time to play it - and he sent Christmas cards! This man was certainly not from Planet BBC!
He continued to cast a critical eye over the Bearos releases, playing all the ones you thought he'd hate and very few of the ones you'd put money on him playing. Grover, The Workhouse and The Toques all got to record sessions down at Maida Vale and Saloon not only recorded a live set but made it to the top of his 2002 Festive Fifty.
One of our most enduring and endearing memories was when he was in Birmingham for MusicLive in May 2000. Simon from Grover had asked him if he'd like to come for a balti with us - only if we'd take him record shopping first, he replied! Simon told me that the look on the faces of staff and fellow customers was hilarious as they visited every record shop in town. We were all waiting, quaking in our boots in a local pub; in walks John, and in classic style put us all at our ease by admitting how nervous and excited he'd been about meeting us! Many bottles of red wine were drunk (he was still a bit squifffy when interviewed on Midlands Today later that night) and we adjourned for our curry at the Nirala on the Alcester Road, who opened especially for us. There were members of Pram, Tele:funken, Grover and my friend Charlie from Berlin who'd only arrived that morning and was well impressed at my star-studded lifestyle! John's quote of the day on seeing a family-sized naan bread for the first time, "That's not a naan bread. That's a fucking sleeping bag." (Before you accuse me of exaggerating, John's actually holding a 'medium' naan, there's about a third of the 'family' naan left on the table and needed two waiters to bring it in!)
We managed to keep in touch through trips to Maida Vale, festivals and that week-long alcohol-fueled marathon that was BBC OneMusic 2001 in Birmingham. He is irreplaceable and we will miss him very much.

Just one release this month, James Summerfield's follow up to "Hailah, Hailah" (Bearos051) It's a live EP imaginatively titled "Hailah, Hailah Live EP" (Bearos053)and it's a special treat for all those of you who loved the debut album on which he played the majority of the instruments. Initially a solo live artist he has since recruited Sophia Johnson and Jamie Fekete from The Toy Hearts for gigs around the UK. The songs from the album developed a whole new perspective and this EP is an attempt to capture that sound and atmosphere . Recorded on 18th October 2003, totally live at Rich Bitch Studios in Birmingham with Sophia playing dobro and Jamie on mandolin. The CD runs at just over 20 minutes and features "Why do we?", "Whistling for Xmas", "Saltwater Running" and "This House I Pass" from the album and "Son 'o' Gold", a taster of his new album to be released in early 2005. All for the price of a 7" single - what more could you ask for?!
James is headlining a Bearos Acoustic Night at The Bull's Head in Moseley on 25th November when he'll be joined by Simon Fox/Clair Horton duet, Ben Calvert and ex-Starrie Richard Burke who's making quite a name for himself on the local solo circuit - more about him below.

Big news this month is the success we've had in organising the Bearos Bands Reunited gig. It's at The Jug of Ale, Moseley on 26th November and features San Lorenzo (original trio), Baxxter (Geordie from The Starries joins Greg and Steve) with special guests, and my current favourites, The Edmund Fitzgerald.

There's an interview with Owen and Nick from San Lorenzo where they talk about life after San Lorenzo and what it's like to be back together again.
Big thumbs down to Jameson who couldn't get it together in time though thumbs up to San Lorenzo and Baxxter who look like they are back with us for a while and are back in the studio. For those of you who can't wait for new recordings there's the San Lorenzo singles compilation "The Sea is a Map" (Bearos024) Next month also sees the release of the long delayed retrospectives by Baxxter (Bearos044) and The Starries(Bearos054) I'll let you know release dates for those as soon as I get them - hopefully we'll have them on sale at the gig.
There's a free Baxxter gig at The Adam & Eve in Digbeth, Birmingham this Tuesday (16th) if you're up for a taster!

Another release to look out for next month is the debut solo release by ex-Starrie Richard Burke (left). Called "Roscrea" (Bearos055) - which incidentally was the name of a short lived post Starries band with the three original members - it's a heartfelt collection of his solo material delivered with his characteristic Irish lilt. I'd always raved about his song writing ability, so often swamped by the chaos and confusion that surrounded The Starries, and I think this confirms that reputation. It was produced by James Summerfield and will be available as a mid price CD towards the end of the month.

Work is well under way for the Bearos Christmas release (Bearos056) which will be an ultra-limited Christmas tree shaped CD, suitably gentle to accompany any polite festive soiree. I've already got an excellent track from Ben Calvert and Bentley Rhythm Ace and commitments from Simon Fox, Gavin Baker (freezing his nuts off in Oslo) and James Summerfield. Still trying to sort out the final lineup for the Christmas Gig on 17th December. Inch Blue are confirmed for a return visit and I'll hopefully have it all sown up by the end of the month.

Sorry to end, as I began, on a sad note but I was upset to hear that Saloon have decided to call it a day. They were frequent visitors to Birmingham and always gracious and welcome guests at Bearos Towers. For the last year the band had slimmed down to Adam and Amanda and whilst not hanging up their Moogs for good they don't feel that they can continue under that name. There's talk of a singles compilation so keep you eyes on their website for news of that and any future projects.

29/11/04

We have been so busy but it's all been worth it! We've got 3 of our 4 final releases of 2004 ready, two of which we've been promising for ages. The first was going to be the Baxxter retrospective but as they've just reformed we're calling it their first album! Baxxter specialise in punky stuff with the hurricane force of At The Drive-In and the offbeat pop sensibilities of Seafood. "Action:re-action" (Bearos044) is virtually the complete recordings 1997-2002 from their first song, "I am a black faced gibbon renowned for my fighting skills" to the last recording, just called "New Song". Having so obviously run out of song titles they were promptly tucked up in bed for a well deserved two-year nap. The CD includes remastered versions of the two Bearos 7" singles, two additional tracks from the "Russian Song" sessions and the long lost "Big Wednesday" demos, Kelly Southern's last recordings before being nicked by Twist! Four live tracks finish the CD including their riotous version of "Silent Night" from the 2000 Bearos Xmas Party. The band have played a series of great live shows in the Midlands over the last couple of months including last week's Bearos Showcase (see below) and look set to tour in the New Year and also find some time for further recording.

No such luck in getting the next lot to reform. Between 1997 and 2002 The Starries were one of the finest live acts around. Simon Williams famously described them in the NME as "Idlewild falling down a flight of stairs, falling off a mountain." The chaos and confusion that erupted both on stage and in the audience too often hid great songs and wry, sad tales of modern life, loves and losses. "Our Darkest Hours" (Bearos054) is a journey; from the spikey pop of "After the Strap", their Bearos debut, through Fierce Panda and local compilation releases to the majestic pomp of "Let's Break Up" this 23-track collection is the most anticipated Bearos release in many a year. Think of it as the greatest hits from three imaginary classic albums!
In case you are wondering what has happened to the individual members of The Starries - Paul Shipley was playing with hard-core emo band Death Of A Champion (no up to date information I'm afraid), Steve Kelly left in 2000, replaced Kelly in Baxxter and currently moonlights in his own band Koala Grip and Greg Ikin (drummer from 2000) plays with Will To Rally with most of The ex-Regulars - I can feel a 'Rock Family Tree' coming on at some stage! Which only leaves us with...

Richard Burke from The Starries releases his debut mini-album "Roscrea" (Bearos055). Richard was one of the original members of The Starries though has kept a low profile since their split in 2002. His songwriting ability shines through this collection of folk tinged numbers and his lilting Irish brogue is all the better for the ravages of five years of with Birmingham's top emo band. He was the guest performer on James Summerfield's debut album, "Hailah, Hailah" (Bearos051), performing "Tired of Life". James returns the compliment by producing this mini-album. I'll admit it's not cheery stuff but you'll have to go a long way to find a voice and a talent as authentic as this.

Richard was one of the performers at last week's Bearos Acoustic Night at The Bull's Head in Moseley, Birmingham. An intimate affair for Ben Calvert's fortnightly 'Bohemian Jukebox' night but I prefer the quiet ones as everyone gets a seat on the big leather sofas and people seem to avoid the temptation to yack inanely during the acts!
Ben Calvert opened the night with a mixture of old material and tracks from "Festive Road", a work in progress set for release next spring. Simon Fox (Grover)& Clair Horton have a wonderful student bedsit feel reminiscent of early Everything But The Girl with that everso subtle touch of huskiness complimented by Simon's picked guitar and banjo. James Summerfield completed the quartet of acts; an increasingly powerful and confident performer who weaves classic and contemporary Americana and folk into an entrancing spectacle of passion and talent. Highlight of the night for me was "Son 'o' Gold" from the live EP (Bearos053). Here's a couple of pictures:

The Other big night of last week was the Bearos Reunited Gig at The Jug of Ale in Moseley featuring the recently reformed Baxxter, San Lorenzo's first gig in over three years and special guests The Edmund Fitzgerald.

No quiet guitars tonight as all the acts gave their all in a spectacular display of extreme guitar abuse and vocal chord gravelling! The Edmund Fitzgerald (above right)play a tight and intricate Shellac style math-rock - they dive off early as tomorrow's a recording day, they leave a pile of CDs which sell like hot cakes! I've often thought that Baxxter and San Lorenzo share a lot of common ground but have got there by totally different routes. Baxxter (above left) have been practicing (shock!!) but it's still an exercise in taming demons and doubts! San Lorenzo (above centre), on the other hand is more about unleashing primal forces; mild-mannered Owen Tromans initially can't even encourage an errant woman off the stage but as the set progresses he starts to smolder and by the end he's flaming white hot. It's so great to see San Lorenzo together again. Owen, Nick and Liz look as if they belong together - musically it's unbeatable as Mogwai, The Fall, Talking Heads and Yo La Tengo all take turns or rudely jostle for attention. If you are around the Midlands see if you can get to their next gig at The Marrs Bar in Worcester on 28th December. There will be a few more in the new year and the band look like they are making longer term plans.

Thanks to those of you who have contacted me saying you enjoyed my appearance on Kerrang 105.2's Unsigned Show a couple of Sundays ago. I had a great time and even though there's loads of me on the cutting room floor I think it made sense. We got to play some Inch Blue and James Summerfield and this week they included "Just Like Rheticus" from Owen Tromans' most recent solo album "Place" (Bearos048) Have a listen, have a think, give Loz and Rob a shout - you can even ask them to get me back on if you're really kind!

Don't forget the Bearos Christmas Show which is Friday 17th December at The Jug of Ale and features Souvaris, Inch Blue and a few festive tunes to start. The Bearos Christmas CD (Bearos056) is shaping up nicely - can't decide which is stranger; James Summerfield's bluegrass "Silent Night" or Gavin from Billy Mahonnie's deadpan (yes, even more dead pan than Jona Lewis) "You'll always find me in the kitchen at parties". This is very limited Christmas tree shaped CDR in hand made packaging and the inclusion of Bentley Rhythm Ace might mean we'll run into problems if we do a proper pressing. It'll be £5 if you want to reserve a copy (probably best to e mail if you are sending a cheque) and will be out the second week in December.

Don't expect any replies this weekend as I'm off to All Tomorrow's Parties at Camber Sands - might see some of you there - hopefully selling records somewhere warm on the Sunday morning.

30/11/04 (now with added Geordie!)

Sorry for the cryptic header but I've just had ex-Starrie Geordie on the phone, rather upset that I'd forgotten to include him in my "The Starries - where are they now?" piece below. Please don't take it personally, it was very late when I wrote it!

Here's what the self confessed "Jack of Twiddle" has been up to:
Having played with Greg Baxxter in the short lived Palomar13, he has now joined the reformed Baxxter as full time member. He also has his own band, Tian Tian, with Vanessa, Lianne and Kelly from Twist though I suspect he still harbours those secret dreams of being a rap star!

14/12/04

Just in time for Christmas and our last release of the year is here. The CD, "Christmas Folk & Old December's Bearness" (Bearos056) features 6 tracks with a winter/Christmas twist from James Summerfield's Bluegrass take on "Silent Night" to Gavin (Billy Mahonie/Glider/Jet Johnson) Baker's deadpan version of the Jona Lewie's classic. Long term unlikely collaborators, Bentley Rhythm Ace, step out from behind the mixing desk to contribute their distinctive sound to Ben Calvert's vocals. Grandmaster Gareth from Misty's Big Adventure did the arrangement with contributions from the band's string section. Another of Ben's tracks is also featured in it's raw form. I'm told that "Homespun Song" will be orchestrated prior to inclusion on his new album "Festive Road" to be released April/May next year. Simon Fox from Grover swaps sweeping guitar chords for gently plucked acoustic sounds and hands over vocal duties to rising star, Clair Horton, creating something that is half Camden bedsit, half Greenwich Village coffee bar. Richard Burke closes proceedings with an excellent track from his debut album "Roscrea" (Bearos055).
As if that wasn't enough the CD is Christmas tree shaped, in hand made festive packaging, includes an exclusive Xmas badge and is limited to only 50 copies. Hurry, Hurry!

The Bearos Christmas gig is at the end of this week at The Jug of Ale in Birmingham. It features Godspeedy post-rockers, Souvaris, and the Bunnymen/Chameleons raincoat-rock of Inch Blue. The evening will be opened with some short festive acoustic sets by Richard Burke, James Summerfield and a couple of other guests. It'll probably be a little less anarchistic than in previous years (nudity, profanity, mad comperes and lots of bands splitting up) but I guarantee a great night!

Hello to everyone that I met at Camber Sands last weekend. Wasn't as cold as I thought it'd be and we ended up selling records outside the Queen Vic pub again on the Sunday - must admit I've not been that well since and we must find somewhere indoors for the February ATP!

Bearos News Archive 2004

15/01/04