13th May Andy Hamilton (comedy) The Br k

15th May Organ recital Winchester

Cathedral

27th May Psychedelia Soul Ce ar

2nd June Ejectorseat arts festival Palmerston

park

2

18th May Soul 45 (vinyl only) Soul Ce ar

20th RPS shows Joiners

24-25th May Eastleigh festival of music The point

unti 26th May Oliver Mayflower

25th May Fei Comodo Joiners

26th May Burn the fl t Joiners

Brothers Flavour of Fr dom Avondale House10th May

Dear reader,

I would like to welcome you to

Southampton’s newest music publication.

We aim to provide you with an

alternative source of news, reviews and

articles. We strive to give a unique and

personal documentation of our city's personal documentation of our city's

music scene.

Southampton’s music scene is

something we a share; weather we are

involved in it or not it remains the same

for everyone. It is something we should

a take pride in, take our time to

explore and experience, and share with explore and experience, and share with

others.

We would like to co ect with as

many readers as po ible, in order to do

this we n d a wide range of content and

wri ers. If you have anything you f l

you would like to contribute to an

i ue, have any queries or questions or i ue, have any queries or questions or

are interested in writing for us.

Please contact us at SoCoZine@gmail.com

yours

Aaron

Richard

Piper

3

4. News

5. The Pipers

6. Fly Frankie

Fly-interview

7. Robin

Pai er

8-10.TAKEDOWN

11. Poster

12. Hang the

Bastard

13. Wake up to

talent

14.Why

Fanzine?

15. Vinyl

Revival?

16. SoCo

17. Photo of

the month

News

Music lovers in Southampton are likely to know of local bands such as ‘Not Advised’, ‘The Grace and Death of Us’ and ‘Drawings’. These bands, whilst good, don’t offer much to fans of music other than pop-punk/hardcore and the ‘scene’ in Southampton certainly seems to centre around these genres of music. However, dig a little

deeper and local music gems for fans of alternative music can be found. One such example is ‘The Pipers’ who recan be found. One such example is ‘The Pipers’ who re-leased their first single ‘Moonlight’ on a split 7” vinyl with Bleeding Gold Records a couple of months ago and have since released a new EP titled ‘Sunless Sea’. Fans of C86 twee indie-pop will love Sunless Sea’s collection of dreamy, romantic tunes tailor-made to soundtrack win-tery evenings spent inside. In ‘Cold Winds’ you can almost feel the leaves falling and Autumn turning to

Winter as the vocalist sings ‘hold my hand when the cold wind calls’, The more shoegaze vibe and guitar in title-track ‘Sunless Sea’ on the other hand evokes images of frost creeping around leaves and branches; Winter has

truly set in. In contrast, The Pipers’ earlier songs such as ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Best’ perfectly fit sun-drenched

summer days and long humid evenings; ‘think of the times that we kissed under moonlight...’. Whichever season you prefer, The Pipers are worth a listen. All songs are

available to download from their bandcamp; thepipers.bandcamp.com, or soundcloud;

soundcloud.com/pipers-1. Alternatively you can order ‘Moonlight’ from Bleeding Gold Records at

bleedinggoldrecords.com. bleedinggoldrecords.com.

5

6

7

By avoiding the repetitive and du monotony of having a of the stages and

bands based in one giant r m or ha a day, a failure that anyone who

remembers the ‘Give It a Name’ a dayers from a few years ago can a est to,

TakeDown instead a ears to take a leaf out of the already we established

and su e ful ‘Slam Dunk’ a dayers that take place at L ds University

campus and also in the last few years at Hatfield University. It o ers the

best of both worlds by situating stages throughout the maze of large r ms in

the campus building and ensuring there were several we stocked and sta ed

bars throughout. The curse of the unpredictable British weather and the mud

and rain a ociated with the traditional festival experience is avoided and and rain a ociated with the traditional festival experience is avoided and

by insuring that a the bands and stages are ind rs, the we ies and

umbre as can be safely left at home for the day. It is a set-up that once you

have a firm grasp of where a the di erent stages and r ms are and how to

get to them, works very we .

However, no ma er how we a festival is set up and organised, it lives and

dies on the strength of its bands. With no big name American bands to draw the

kids in, relying on an a British line-up could be s n as taking something of

a risk. Thankfu y for a involved the strength and variety on display at

TakeDown proves the UK cu ently boasts plenty of bands capable of nearly

(but not quite), se ing the day out and ensuring that no one is left longing

for any of the arguably larger overseas bands that are a earing on other for any of the arguably larger overseas bands that are a earing on other

similarly sized festivals over the coming months.

On the Monster Energy stage local heroes ‘Not Advised’ have recently become

‘Natives’ and their new name and the handful of new songs they debt here today

a ear to breath fresh air into the band. They hit the stage ru ing with a new

song and are gr ted by an enthusiastic crowd who s m to lap up their slightly

more indie-mainstream new sound. Prior to them the fast-rising ‘Don Bronco’

put on a set which left those in a endance under no i usion as to why they are

cu ently making big waves in the music industry at the moment. Later on cu ently making big waves in the music industry at the moment. Later on

‘Canterbury’, a band who despite having b n around for a few years now, exude

a youthful charm and just s m to get be er and be er, leaving you to wonder

just why they haven’t quite s med to have achieved the level of su e and

recognition some of their p rs have.A that s ms to be mi ing from their set

is that one big ‘hit’ song to take them to the next level. ‘Lower Then Atlantis’

are a band who are already we on their way to such heights and with a new album

out this year, their first on a major label, 2012 could we be theirs for the

taking if the reception to their powerful set is anything to go by. Boasting

arguably the largest crowd of the day, the ever-more grungy pop-rock stylings

of Frontman Mike Duce and co’s newer material shows much promise and a vast

improvement over their older more ‘hardcore-by-numbers sound’. It is ‘Deaf improvement over their older more ‘hardcore-by-numbers sound’. It is ‘Deaf

Havana’ though who ultimately steal the show. The now five piece, rounded out

by the a ition of Frontman James Veck -Gilodi’s brother Ma hew on guitar and

backing vocals, draw almost exclusively on songs from this years magnificent

second album ‘F ls and Worthle Liars’, any doubts as to how the new material

would be received quickly disa ear as the crowd sing almost every word of the

new songs back to a visibly moved James.

Old song, and former crowd favourite ‘Friends Like These’ is given a stri ed

down re-working which shows just how far they’ve come as song writers and

musicians. It is the closing ‘Hunstanton Pier’ however, which provides the

set’s, and in fact the days, musical highlight, and as an emotive James cr ns

the anthemic chorus it becomes clear that you won’t hear a be er song by any

band a day and it’s a song that deserves to be heard on stages much bi er

then this. If todays show stealing set is anything to go by, you’d be a f l then this. If todays show stealing set is anything to go by, you’d be a f l

ind d to mi Deaf Havana’s forthcoming UK headline tour.

While The Monster Energy stage was home to many of the most popular and best

performances of the day, the sma er stages held some gems to, with the likes

of the hotly ti ed a girl Evarose on the Southampton music stage, and the

melodic metal-core of Bury tomo ow and Fei-Comodo on the Guitar Central and

Big Deal Clothing stages respectively. Sadly the sound on these stage tended

to not do justice to a lot of the bands and to rob many of them of their power.

It would a ear that dodgy festival sound is just as hit and mi ind rs as

it is out.

As the closing re ae metal sounds of Festival headliners Skindread

ring out of the main r m and the crowd starts to slowly disperse, it’s

clear from the sweaty bodies and smiley faces a around that the

day has b n a su e . A plethora of home grown talent has laid

waste to the University of Southampton today and

ha ily those in a endance can safely claim

that the UK rock scene in safe hands for the that the UK rock scene in safe hands for the

fores able future. Let’s hope for the fans

and the bands that Takedown returns promptly

again next year as on the strength todays

showing it makes a welcome a ition

to the UKs blo oming

festival scene.

The Joiners, Southampton, March 15th

Fundamenta y we were just a couple of disquieted hipsters trying

to a e the reputable pit of flailing limbs and raw a re ion

that comprise a Hang the Bastard gig. Myself and Aaron covertly

sli ed into the venue - like the two ho its entering the fiery,

hostile landscapes of Mordor. Confronted by a wa of a mixed herd

of thrash, hardcore and metal fans, and the o unwi ing vagabond

from other social circles separating us from the stage- we from other social circles separating us from the stage- we

a e ed a secret tu el to bypa them.

Contrasting with what we'd heard of the band: an orgy of

unadulterated chaos and bl dshed - the crowd (whilst large and

imposing) s med strangely docile. I felt as though I could engage

in conversation with one of these folk on cu ent a airs or the

weather - as o osed to having my fibula bone ruthle ly ri ed

from my leg and forced into my eye. On stage, the band members from my leg and forced into my eye. On stage, the band members

were casua y toying with their instruments admits the expecting

cha er of the audience - producing brief bursts of raucous static

like caveman confusedly striking together rocks in an a empt to

produce flame.

Then the flame sparked. Like an enraged Jack-in-the-box the front

man, Chris emerged with a ba age of profanity - co anding the

audience to gather round and prepare for combat. An eruption of audience to gather round and prepare for combat. An eruption of

instrumental onslaught tore into the crowd with Chris's voice

a uming the a ailing force at the forefront of the a ault.

Reminiscent of the film 28 Days Later, the once pa ive beings

amongst the audience detonated - overcome with rage they thrashed

and kicked, s mingly intent on destroying anyone unfortunate

enough to be within close proximity. The pace was relentle - with

each instrument pounding down without remorse whilst quietly each instrument pounding down without remorse whilst quietly

echoing the sounds of Black Sa ath and Integrity. The adrenaline

inducing ordeal meant that it s med as though there was a lapse

in time - once the band had let up it felt as though we found refuge

from a place we weren't sure we'd actua y b n to.

The experience was strangely cathartic - we left f ling slightly

scared yet exhilarated, and instinctively wanted to yield to the

frenzy once more.frenzy once more.

12

13

14

Vinyl revival?Since the start of the nineties Vinyl, and other physical formats such as the CD,

have taken a significant down-turn in terms of sales. Recently however vinyl can be

said to have had a revival with sales up 50% a ua y over the past few years. So,

what are the po ible reasons for this revival and is there any longevity in it?

1) Vinyl a ributes.

Artwork:

A vinyl releases can have gate fold sl ves, posters, sl ve notes and picture disks.A vinyl releases can have gate fold sl ves, posters, sl ve notes and picture disks.

Creating a much more a ealing product to those with a love for music. There is a

po ibility for special releases and rare misprints, these po ibilities ca ot

ha en digita y.

Tangibility:

You can lend your records to a friend, your purchase f ls physica y substantial;

the music takes a material rather than digital representation. Within your hands you

hold a aspects of timing, tempo and timbre. hold a aspects of timing, tempo and timbre.

Sound quality:

Vinyl hosts superior audio quality, a egedly the greatest of any format. Warm

crackles and uncompre ed analogue fidelities give the record a humanised and

un-compromised sonica y rich sound

2) Physical co ection:

Co ection within the former generation was a laborious and, (within your p r

group) an indication of investment-in-culture. A library would have to be built over group) an indication of investment-in-culture. A library would have to be built over

many years. If you wanted a record you had to physica y buy the copy BUT only after

you had searched relentle ly for the album you desired. The chase (pursuit of the

record) and reward (the finding and purchasing of the artefact) are practices not

present within cu ent digital consumption. The practices of consumption and

co ection are unique to vinyl; the co oi eur’s chronology is reflected in their

co ection, every choice and period of their life represented by certain discs.

Co ection of physical formats then can act as a biography in a tangible form, with Co ection of physical formats then can act as a biography in a tangible form, with

your invested interest in music showcased and a arent for a to s . An iTunes

library does not serve such an impactful or socia y resonating demonstration of

your love for music, nor does it a ear as authentic.

3) Economic climate:

Within this cu ent economic climate what people want is value for money, something

that wi retain capital value and represent money they have exchanged. Vinyl can

o er these.o er these.

4) Retro trend:

Hipsters squander away money in a bid to a ear authentic. They love the vinyl format

as it fulfils their retrospective tastes. The vinyl sits alongside analogue cameras

and vintage clothes used to individualise and define themselves separate from

mainstream culture.

5) Nostalgic

The older generation, perhaps in an a empt to regain some youth, have also turned backThe older generation, perhaps in an a empt to regain some youth, have also turned back

to the vinyl. When wi your dad be heading into the loft to bring down and dust of

his old turn table? Nostalgia is a powerful emotion, believed by many to be the sole

force driving this resurgence.

These factors, I f l, are just a few driving the 'vinyl revival'. If this continues

vinyl may be our main physica y format once again.

Want to join the revival in Southampton?

Oxfam music: 1 East St. SO143HEOxfam music: 1 East St. SO143HE

B H Records: 88 Old Northampton Rd, SO140NZ

Monthly record fair at ‘Arthouse’ 2nd Sunday of every month.

15

SoCo Music Project has run and b n involved in hundreds of creative projects

over the last few years, ranging from early years storyte ing to

intergenerational film making. We’ve worked with large funding bodies such as

Big Lo ery, Youth Music and local authorities.

Our main focus is music and providing positive o ortunities for a , and it’s

with our cultural partners acro the region that we are developing a

creative o er that enriches lives acro the city and beyond.creative o er that enriches lives acro the city and beyond.

Our main projects right now include:

The Creative Hub

In the heart of Southampton, the Hub is a unique space for creative activity.

A central point for musicians, film makers, producers and performers... we

regularly host showcase events on our stage, record balcony se ions for up

and coming acts and provide tuition and workshops in a wide range of creative

activities. It’s a place to m t, practice, explore, create and perform.activities. It’s a place to m t, practice, explore, create and perform.

Hightown Studios

Based in Thornhi , at the Hightown Co unity Centre, Hightown Studios is

close to completion and wi be a state of the art recording and learning

facility, consisting of a 24 track fu y digital recording suite with live

r m, vocal b th and drum b th, plus a learning suite containing 6 iMacs

loaded with creative software.

The Creative AcademyThe Creative Academy

A redited creative courses for young people... We deliver Arts Awards up to

Gold level for those wanting a qualification in a creative subject, whether

its music, film, radio, visual arts or a combination.

Youth Music Power Play

We’ be working with Southampton Music Services an the Turner Sims Concert

ha to deliver a range of exciting and engaging music workshops acro the

city... more information coming s n...city... more information coming s n...

@socomusic

07505066778

/socomusicproject

16

Please get

in touch:

Photo Of the MonthKirsty bridge’s photo of the band ‘Made by Giants’

flickr.com/photos/be efantaisie

faceb k.com/Madebygiants

FREE EP DOWNLOAD: h p://madebygiants.bandcamp.com/

17

Send your entry to SoCoZine@gmail.com for a chnce tohave it featured.

Next i ue...

THE BOAT THAT ROCKED