t20 May & June ‘11 /FREE

PLUSGig Listings

Sunderland Live!Spark FM

CD and Live ReviewsTop fives

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EDITOREmma Howe

DESIGNCallum Brand

‘Big Gulp Graphic Design’ biggulpdesign@gmail.com

WORDSEmma Howe, Philip Jarvis,

Devon Glover, Nicola Wright

PHOTOGRAPHYMichael Gardener, Ian West,

Jazzy Lemon, Amy Brammalll

Manifesto Magazine29 Stockton Rd

Sunderland SR2 7AQ

Tel: 01915671777E-mail: info@manifestosunderland.com

www.manifestosunderland.com Facebook - ‘Manifesto Sunderland‘

Contents.

4- Top Tracks 6- This month... 9- Spotlight On10- Spark FM local music11- Sunderland Live!12- CD Reviews15- Live Reviews 17- Top Fives18- Gig Listings

May & June 2011Issue 20

1511

1009

How-do, my name’s Emma, I am the guest editor of this edition’s Manifesto. I work for Spark FM as the Producer of The Local Music Show as well as writing for several of the North East’s top music mags. For this edition I have selected my Top Local Tracks, reviewed this editions releases and wrote features for the brand spanking new Spark Local Live Music Night and the very exciting Sun-derland Live.....enjoy!

From the

Editor

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For this issue My Top Tracks come from Emma Howe, Producer of Spark FMs Local Music Show, North East music journalist and regular contrib-utor to the one and only Manifesto.

Cult Image - Faces If you tried to pigeon-hole this New-castle three piece, genres like post punk/new wave/indie would pop straight from your dictionary and smack that rat with wings in the beak. Ggenres that go only a short way in making this band one of my favourites on the North East music scene today. ‘Faces’ is a charismatic, charming and down-right Smiths/Curtis like track that has you reaching for your epileptic manual.

Air To Achillies - Holy GhostIn my opinion Airto Achillies are the strongest indie/synth outfit in North East music today. This talented lot erki twinges of the early work of my current favourite band on earth Arcade Fire. ‘Holy Ghost’ is an epic, stomping track that has you clambering to discover more from the Tyneside outfit. The band have confirmed to play Spark’s first ever Live Local Music Night on the 12th of May.

Russell and The Wolves - Call The TribeOO AH, OO OO OO, OO AH. I absolutely adore this track, actually ‘adore’ is not an adjective that should be associated with such crazed rock-punk noise. But god do I love it. Its fast pace is only halt-ed by regular chant-a-longs that have you reminiscing of, dare I say it, Hounds Of Love. The Stockton based band are

something a little bit different, a whole lot primal and most definitely brilliant.

Polarsets - Sunshine EyesThis mix from the magical Kitsune is the perfect release to showcase the Ibiza indie stylings of this Geordie 3 piece and catapult them onto the wider UK music scene. This is a release worthy of note and rotation up and down the country, I have been waiting for an anthem from these lads that hits all the summer notes and this one delivers on every level.

Young Liar-It’s Your IQ That’s In DangerWatching this band live is one of the most mind altering Local gigs I have been to since being involved in music. Young Liar are all about making decent noise for as long as is possible, it is the kind of music that changes the way you dance. Interlayered melodies and rhythms go nowehere taking away from the purity of the track.

Watchers - Sex SongI can safely say receiving this track has been one of my favourite email gifts so far this year. It’s progressive rock wreaks of top of the indie pops, Vaccines. The similarities between these North East treasures and one of the biggest bands in the UK today are glaring. It’s like hav-ing your northern Vaccine in your musi-cal aid box, feel free to give me the lurgy.

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ivy house

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Martin Longstaff Lake Poets

Grace Wakes PresenterLocal Music Show Spark FM

LISTENING TO...The New album ‘Helplessness Blues’ by Fleet Foxes. A band that I think are beyond excellent and inspire me massively, Fleet Foxes’ new album is set to be amazing based on the downloads & single I’ve heard already. I’m going to see them in Edinburgh with my brother & my mates later on in the year as well at Glastonbury so I predict I’ll be listening to them not just in the month of May!

READING...Unfortunately I haven’t had much time for the business of reading Novels lately as I’ve been quite busy with the music & other interests of mine. I do however try to make time for Poetry & a favourite I dip into as often as I can is ‘The Prelude’ by William Wordsworth. Written between 1798 & 1805, albeit published posthumously ‘The Prelude’ covers Wordsworth’s experience of life & charts his poetic development. Beautifully written & very inspiring stuff.

WATCHING...Re-runs of BBC’s ‘Wonders of The Universe’ with Prof. Brian Cox. I’ve always been a knowledge hound, I love learning about new things, I also love a bit of TV now & again and no one makes factual documen-taries better than the BBC. Prof. Cox’s Series on the phenomena of the Universe blows my mind, & because it’s made by passionate individuals with a love for music & an eye for style it even sounds & looks good.

GOING TO...This month I will be going to Evolution Festival, The Lake Poets are play-ing twice, once at Evolution Emerging on the 27th May at Cluny 2, and then again at the main festival 29th May at Spiller’s Wharf. I am very pleased to be playing the festival of course but I am also chuffed that many of my mates’ bands are pla ying the festival too i.e. Chased By Wolves, Cattle & Cane, Waiting For Winter & Vinyl Jacket. It can’t fail to be mint craic!

LISTENING TO...Let’s Buy Happiness lots and lots at the mo, I can’t get their single, ‘Six Wolves’ out of my head, plus they’re a local band, doing the region proud, which is always a plus! I’ve also just discovered the music of Bon Iver, I know I’m 2 years behind everyone else but his album, ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ is well worth a listen!

READING...Jimmy Nail’s Autobiography (again!) I try to avoid reading as much as possible, if I’m honest, but I’m a huge fan of this geordie and his life story has left me gobsmacked, a very juicy read!

WATCHING...Eastenders; my street cred has probably just gone out of the window now, but I’m a massive fan and not afraid to admit it! I’m also quite ad-dicted to the new comedy on BBC3; White Van Man starring Will Mellor, it’s a completely refreshing piece of comedy!

GOING TO...lots and lots of local North East gigs and of course Buskers evenings ! My last gig was Vinyl Jacket’s secret gig in Sunderland and I loved it! I’m also looking forward to going to Sunderland Live this year, should be cracking!

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Gallery CircusThis South Tyneside duo have just been confirmed to play at Sunderland Live, and as one of the most entertaining bands to watch Live in the North East, they thoroughly deserve their spot. Powerful as they are with their bluesy rock, the twin brothers Danielle and Graeme Ross have refined their sound to the extent that would have you believe they spent years in a whiskey refinery to smooth out their edges.With just the two lads making up Gallery Circus, you would be wrong to underestimate the power they throw from their minimilistic line-up, they leave it all on their stage, including lung matter and crashing symbols. Catch Gallery Circus at Sunderland Live on the 4th June @ Park Lane

Athletes In ParisThese Sunderland scamps have been spoiling us with gigs galore in recent months and they are about to treat us once again with a headline spot at Spark FM’s first Live Music Night AND joining the Gallery Circus boys at this years Sunderland Live. With the release of debut single ‘Borrowed Time’ back at the beginning of April, the lads have been running around injecting lucky audiences with their infectious hooky, bloody fun pop. These guys are tighter than the summer skirts you will see around town in this sunshine and just as cheeky. Led by the brilliantly sexy vocals of Matt, Mooch, Ross, Joakim and Chris will be right at the forefront of Sunder-land’s Summer music with a collection of ready-made sunshine anthems up their sleaves.

Take your pick....Athletes In Paris will be headlining Spark FM’s Local Music Night @The Ivy House 12th May and playing Sunderland Live 4th June @ Park Lane.

Spotlight on

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SPARKThere is no denying that the North East music scene is the strongest it has been, well since I was a sprog (a very very long-time ago). The cob-webs of the Future-heads and Maximo Parks success are fi-nally being blown from our stage doors with a pool of bands from all across the region making their mark on the North and beyond. Down at Spark FM the Local Music Show is proud as punch to be in-volved in the promotion and exposure of new music from Sunderland, Newcastle, Teeside, South Tyneside etc. To celebrate the strength of our lads and lasses with their instruments and singing and stuff, we have decided to put on a special Spark Night, down at one of the ever-present venues for Live music in Sunderland. Each month 4 bands will be hand-picked and invited to the Ivy House to show just why they are considered amongst

our very best. The night will also include guest DJ sets from Local Music Show pre-senter Grace Wakes, Producer Emma and other members of The Local Music Team.

Keeping our ears perked for emerg-ing talent is an important policy of the Local Music Show at Spark and over the past few months we have found some gems in our New Generation fea-ture. Along with the four bands con-firmed for the night, one New Genera-tion artist/band will be invited to play. So without further-ado here is the line-up for the first EVER Spark Live Mu-sic Night on the 12th of May at the Ivy House....its a stonker way to start!!!!!

Athletes In Paris Air To AchilliesThe Langtails We Beat The SystemAshleigh Lowes

Local Music Night @ Ivy House

Air To Achillies

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Sunderland LiveJust because we can, we

are going to spend the start of Summer boasting all about how great music is in Sunderland. How are we going to do that? With three whole weekends of live music showcasing our talent, and if that wasn’t enough for the people of Sunderland and beyond, it will be absolutely free! The Sunderland Live Fringe Fes-tival will give everyone the chance to experience free live performances between the 27 May and 17 June, with a variety of events tak-ing place throughout the City to ensure there is a little bit of something for every-one across Mackem land.

First up is Squares and Corners. This will be a pro-gramme of street entertain-

ment taking place across the city from Park Lane, High Street West and The Bridges Shopping Centre. From the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday you could find a busker on every cor-ner as you walk from the bridge to city centre. There will even be a whole host of entertainers at St Peters Campus on Saturday 28th and Monday 30th of May, for the lucky folk heading to the Stadium Of Light concerts.

The first of our festival type-events Party In The Park, takes place on Sunday 29th May at Mowbray Park. It will be the perfect day to bring down a rug and picnic for an afternoon of live music from some of the region’s finest indie folk acts and singer songwriters. Confirmed are

Dates to remember...

Squares and Corners(Various locations)- Ongoing from May 17th

Party In The Park (Mowbray Park) - Sunday 29th May

Sounds Of Park Lane (Park Lane)- Saturday 4th June

Chased by Wolves, Sharks Took The Rest, Cattle & Cane, Matt Stalker & Fables, Mor-ris Ford and Rebecca Young. Sunderland University’s ra-dio station, Spark FM will be entertaining in between acts, with guest DJ slots.

The Festivals reaches a climax on Saturday 4th June with Sounds Of Park Lane. The line up is packed with again this year with those con-firmed including the likes of catchy indie-pop band Mausi, bluesy rockers Gallery Circus and the well fancied Bronze Medal, as well as guest DJ’s from Manifesto and local venue residents. It should be another corker of a gig to close the festival in style.

Mausi

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CD ReviewsLibrium -Demo EPThis is a simple and direct demo. No messing about with clever pots and pans on these tracks. The intro of second track Foreign Tongue shows a talent in the band to capture a good riff and base their song firmly around it, however the vocals are still a little raw and this shows throughout the EP. This is a slow burner but time spent gigging locally and devel-oping a tighter sound will put their music in a much healthier position for the next demo. 2/5

Pilots - White Knuckle Grip (Single)I was more than enamoured with this track. A beat driven gem laced with unique percussion and an elaborate melody. There is a touch of Ska once the track begins to flow, then all of a sud-den you are swept away in an opulent harmony and rapture of synth. B side One, Two, Three is equally impressive as the 4 piece pick up the pace and smash you with stomping percussion and catchy guitar riffs not too dissimilar to the Police. 5/5

Roy Smiles -Angel Of The North (demo single)A stripped down, ass-naked Jimmy Nail immediately runs through your mind high fiving an equally nude Gazza, as soon as the first vocals kick in on this

track (and that’s never a pretty sight!). Northern tones would be an under-statement; this single would be best played prior to derby days as Smiles pays homage to his hometown. Not much can be said about the musicality of the track with the dumbed down acoustics dwarfed by a Geordie accent as recognis-able as Ant & Dec’s. 2/5

Vintage Revolution- Life At Stake EP10 tracks would suggest more a first re-lease than an EP, however once you give it a listen you see it is an emerging band buried in the depths of development. This band have potential, and that’s why this release is a little puzzling to say the least. It evokes the age old question of demo’s and EP’s and when is it right for a band in its early stages to release some-thing when they might not be ready. A decent effort and expect the next release to query whether you are listening to the same band, it will be on another level altogether. 3/5

Athletes In Paris-Borrowed Time (Single)Finally, pop-indie 5 piece, Athletes In Paris quench our thirst for their hook laden pop with the release of debut single ‘Borrowed Time’. These guys are as tight as your nanas stitching. Borrowed Time is full of synthy, latin pop that im-mediately draws you into a sing-along with the sometimes soulful, occasion-ally native-narrative of Matt Robson. It

by Emma Howe

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CD Reviewsis a perfect example of what danceable indie-pop should be today. 5/5

Mausi- Follow Me Home (Single)Recorded down at Blank Studio’s this track is a trademark of the Mausi sound. Led by fantastically chic vocals of Daisy Finetto and joined by guitarist brother Thomas, the four piece produce un-mistakable intertwining boy/girl vocals paired with buoyant melodies which ends in a little ditty track to catch the attention of any happy ear within a 100 mile radius. A fun track that would appeal to the masses of the North East, more so than most unsigned material, basically your mam, dad, nana and gold-fish would find it pretty difficult to dislike this single. 4/5

Head Of Light Entertainment-I Am Liberated (Album)Singer/songwriter Carl Green releases this solo debut, after his departure from band The Close-Ups in 2006. Looking more like a mature sophisticated Moby on the cover, I was expecting a similar sound with a twist. Well, if Moby were still in the days of his minimalistic ap-proach to music, I would have been spot on. Green avoids normal convention and instead goes for complete eccentricity, which works a treat. Complimented bril-liantly by witty lyrics, this is a very posi-tive feeling album, with Green adopting a chirpy attitude to suggestions of life’s challenging experiences. 3/5

Chapman Family- Burn Your Town (Album)Stockton On Tees finest release debut album Burn Your Town, and there is no doubting these guys are now a family firmly on the radars of all of those out-side of the North East. It’s a blistering, thunderous and well produced album that makes you immediately want to join the Chapman Family cult. Brooding and darkly atmospheric, the bass carries all ten tracks on the album as the guitar and drums regularly build crescendos to leave you completely compelled to go and sit in a dark corner somewhere and

rock. 5/5

Coal Train-Carry You On My ShouldersThird release from the Sunderland four piece is actually a re-working of a track from TAV. The single was made available on April 11th with a B- Side offering fea-turing the beautiful vocals of cherub- like fellow mackem Martin Longstaff of the Lake Poets. That B-side in itself makes this worth a purchase but you can also expect Wilco-esque influences that have become part of the Coal Train sound, partnered with their typical lyrical sharp-ness. The lads have recently embarked on a European tour to coincide with the release, but have very kindly left us with a sound to soften the blow and await the return of, in my opinion, one of the best bands to come out of Sunderland in recent years. 4/5

by Emma Howe

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live ReviewsDutch Uncleswith Young British Artists, We Beat The System and Vintage Revolution27/02/2011 - Cosa Nostra, Sunderland

We Beat The System

Vintage Revolution are first on the bill. Brooding and grand, their songs are full of pedal-driven guitar riffs, the effects of their self-professed influences U2 espe-cially evident. Second are We Beat the Sys-tem. Performing with a swagger and stage presence beyond their years, the band are a tight unit and have already carved out a distinctive style, with keyboards add-ing ambience and an atmospheric new-wave flair. The final support act comes in post-hardcore Manchurians Young British Artists, whose fuzzy shoegazing sound is

aired with a startling urgency. Relentless, intelligent and packing a thrashing live show, made all the more exciting by the very real prospect that someone could lose an eye. Opening with ‘Sting’, Dutch Uncles finally arrive, busting out tracks from their debut album (along with some wicked dance moves). The new songs sit nicely alongside the older ones, and they even roll out a rarely-played song espe-cially for Sunderland. With a live show as effervescent and spirited as theirs it’s easy to see why we love having them back

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5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5live ReviewsOld Friends/Bookends #8: Dan Michaelson and The Coastguards with The Wooden Sky and Chased By Wolves05/03/2011 @ The Little Room, Independent, S’Land

Dave Mcpherson09/03/2011 @ Trillians, Newcastle

First to the stage at Trillians is support act Howard James Kenny. This young mans form of melancholy folk music grabs the entire rooms attention and with songs such as “Good Fortune” and “Digits Points” being reminiscent of Solo Thom Yorke material the future seems very bright for Howard James Kenny. Next to the stage is Dave Mcpherson who is well known across the world for fronting Essex based alternative-rockers

Inme. Dave blasts through an hour long acoustic set consisting of most of his new solo album as well as a handful of Inme songs. Tonight a completely different side has been shown to this musicians musical talents and it stands out from any other singer/songwriter I’ve heard in years. If you like acts such as Ray La-montagne and City and Colour then you will like Dave Mcpherson’s solo material

Ahead of their return to the studio, Chased by Wolves debut two brand new songs, including one lead by backing singer Emma Williams. A mix of modern rock and old, anguished country chord changes, they’re in keeping with CBW’s haunting, otherworldly bluegrass sound. Toronto’s, The Wooden Sky also return. Wistful, delicate and brimming with soul, it’s the sort of stuff that moves a room to silence. Despite the organic tenor of their music, their performance wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s delivered nothing but sincerity whether playing a gorgeously stark track like ‘Evening Hymn’ or a bois-

terous rock’n’roll number reminiscent of the old-timey sounds of The Gaslight An-them.That nostalgic, freewheeling hue is also shared by headliners, London’s Dan Michaelson and The Coastguards. Dish-ing out tales of failed romance and self-deprecation Michaelson and co cover the rarely plumbed depths of love and loss with a darkly humorous bluesy vibe, at once heart-breaking and sardonic. Briefly hindered by a false start, blamed by the band on a mixture of optimism and cider, their set, and the night on the whole, proves an irrefutable success.

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Cal’s Top 5 Places To Sleep

1. Practice Room2. Toilet 3. On your ex’s door step4. Nana’s house5. Your car

Rob’s Top 5 Songs with the word ‘love’ in the title1. I Love Carpets Me - Franks Factory Flooring2. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner 3. All You Need Is Love - The Beatles4. Whats Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner5. It Must Be Love - Madness

Goggsy’s Top 5 Ways To Have Your Toast1. Lurpak only!2. Cheese on3. Beans on4. With Nutella5. French

Gareth’s Top 5 Meats

1. Parma Ham2. Mixed Kebab3. Spam4. Pigeon5. Meat the parents

Craig’s Top 5 Takeaways

1. Thai2. Fish & Chips3. Ronnies 25p Sarnie4. Random ‘pull’ in town5. Bakers Oven – Curry and Chips

Tom’s Top 5 Reasons For Socks

1. Hold your satsuma and nuts2. Keep your toes cosey3. Alternative underwear4. Throw at your mam5. Wipe up your tea

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ToP Fives

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MAY & JUNEGig Listings

2nd May,Bank Holiday All Dayer @ The Ivy HouseFREE, 4pm

6th MaySounds Of Rum@ Independent£5, 7.30pm

6th MayVintage revolution+ Yel-lowstone + Liberty Circus + Jamie Devine @ Washington Arts Centre£4, 8pm

7th MayHot Club De Paris@ Bar 1£6.50, 7.30pm

12th MaySpark Local Music Night- Airto Achillies+Athletes In Paris+Langtails+We Beat The System@ The Ivy HouseFree, 8pm

13th MayOld Friends Bookends- Emil Friis@ The Little Room Inde-pendent £4, 8pm

21st MayTribes @ Independent£4, 7pm

22nd MayThe Victorian English Gentlemans Club @ Independent8pm, £4

26th MayManifesto Night with Charles Hat & Hungry ghosts @ The Ivy HouseFREE, 8pm

27th MayWhole Lotta Led @ Independent£10, 7.30pm

27th, 28th, 30th MayTake That @ Stadium Of Light

29th MaySunderland Live- Cattle & Cane+ Sharks Took The Rest + Matt Stalker & The Fables + Chased By Wolves@ Mowbray ParkFree

30th MayBank Holiday Weekender- Sonner + The Silence +Liars Lie + Sean Wilkinson + Daytona Riots + Others, FREE, 4pm

30th MaySunderland Soul & Funk sessions with Nick Pride & The Pimptones, Soul Tech-nique + Village soul Djs @ Mowbray ParkFREE, 12 noon

3rd JuneHothouse with Ray Van Hustler, The Langtails, Zenith, Dalro @ Washington Arts Centre FREE, 8pm

4th JuneSunderland Live: Mausi+ The Castells+ Gallery Circus+Shift Static+ Vintage Revolution + others@ Park LaneFREE, 12pm-5pm

9th JuneSpark Local Music Night- Paul Liddell+ Peculiar Disco Moves+Natasha Haws

10th June Thomas Tantrum @ Independent£6, 7.30pm

11th June Skiny Twins Festival The Stranglers+ The Sunshine Underground+ The Rifles+The Beat+Detroit Social Club@ Rainton Meadows Arena

17th JuneKings Of Leon@ Stadium Of Light

23rd JuneManifesto Night- TBC @ The Ivy HouseFREE, 8pm

24th JuneKazabian Live in Cosa (Kasa-bian Tribute act) @ Cosa Nostra£7, 8pm

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