Young Knives @ Rescue Rooms for NG

Supporting the Young Knives tonight are the wonderfully-entitled Ungdomskulen. They hail from Norway and by all accounts have more than a few screws loose. This theory is confirmed when their front man promises to: “blow our underwear off!" Er, steady on mate! They launch into a chaotic set where their enthusiasm cannot be doubted.

They clearly enjoy playing and the energy rubs off on the crowd as they leap all over the stage. Rarely pausing for breath, the sound at times simply resembles a wall of noise but they also produce some pleasing high pitched riffs and the drumming is a real highlight. Cowbells and wooden blocks adjourn the kit to give their performance a refreshing sense of originality.


And so to The Young Knives who stroll on looking exceptionally dapper in shirts and ties. As years go, 2007 hasn't been half bad for the indie-punk three-piece. A UK headline tour, appearances at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and a critically-acclaimed album that was nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize. Is it just me, or does that seem a tad greedy? The question now though, is whether they can keep up this phenomenal level of success. The Knives are currently recording that tricky second album, and it is one that promises to make or break their career. So many bands come and go after only the briefest of moments in the sun, so will Ashby De La Zouch's most famous export have what it takes to stick around?

The Rescue Rooms crowd eagerly await them and it seems strange that they are playing in such a small venue, giving their recent success (Rock City anyone?). A fair amount of new material was showcased tonight, mingled with tracks from that Mercury-nominated album, Voices Of Animals And Men. Predictably, the older songs go down better.

Recognised favourites such as Here Comes The Rumour Mill and The Decision get the crowd dancing at the front; the Knives' piercing guitars and in-your-face brashness goes down superbly. It is a highly energetic performance and the crowd cannot help but be swept up in the flow. New single Terra Firma is one of the highlights. Every band needs an anthem to push them to superstardom and this may well do it for them. It rockets along and the chorus promises to be instantly recognisable, expect to hear this on a TV advert, or at the very least, an episode of Hollyoaks.

However, with so few hits at their disposal the crowd are forced to calm down and simply listen to the new offerings. This is a problem the band themselves address, as lead singer Henry Dartnall casually quips: “You'll probably like this one when it's all over the telly." The band do their best to keep us entertained with Henry and his brother, the curiously named Thomas 'House Of Lords' Dartnall, constantly indulging in dry wit and amusing observations. This goes down well, ensuring that no-one gets bored and to be fair the new stuff shows a fair bit of promise.

Lightswitch and Up All Night in particular point to a bright future for the Knives and perhaps that tricky second album won't be so tricky after all. The newies display more pulsating riffs and there are a couple of slow numbers as well; the band developing and varying their style. Henry was probably right, when we get to know the new album we will be getting into these as much as the songs we already know. The encore ends with old favourite She's Attracted To which causes a frenzy at the front of the stage. One feels that there will be a few more crowd pleasers in the set when they next play Nottingham and they may not be playing such a small venue next time either.

Cutting Edge: Dan Palmer

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Blade_Trinity:_NG_Magazine_reviews_The_Young_Knives/

First Byline

Delighted to report that my Church story (slightly edited) gave me my first byline today, page 18 of the Nottingham Evening Post. Fingers crossed for the Dispatch on Friday. Get in!

Madagascar Piece Gets In

My piece on Madagascar made it into the Notts Post on Tuesday, as a bit of filler on page sixteen. Still bloody pleased with that! They have re-hashed it a bit and written it their own way but some of it is still mine. I only found out today when I searched for Madagascar on the Post website! I had given up on it getting in because it had been so long since I sent it. Luckily the CBJ had an old copy of tuesday's paper lying around which I was able to nick.

You can find it here if you are interested: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133965&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133948&contentPK=18746639&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

Even better though is that the story in its unedited form made page 3 of the Hucknall Dispatch, with a little bit on the front telling people to turn to page 3! Not bad eh, one story, one front page.....

Only downside was that neither piece included my name. On the Dispatch website it actually says that my piece is by someone else. I was pissed off all day but apparantly when uploading stories to a website it puts a name on there automatically, so they haven't just swindled my work.

http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/hucknall/Pub-regulars-on-African-odyssey.3417949.jp

Cheers!

Byron's Church

LORD BYRON'S HISTORIC CHURCH can hold services as normal this winter - after a global appeal for a new heating system paid off.

There were fears that services at the St Mary Magdalene Church, in Hucknall, would have to be shifted elsewhere as it would be too cold in the winter months.

The old heating system - based around cast iron pipes buried in the floor - broke down in March, meaning that £60,000 would be needed to fund a new one.

And Byron fans across the world have dug deep to ensure that the pews will not be empty this Christmas. The famous poet is buried at the Church, making it an important heritage site.

Around two thirds of the target has been raised so far, enough to keep the congregation in their rightful home. New boilers and radiators have already been installed, and the inside perimeter of the church will be heated by next week.

Churchwarden Brian Hinsley (correct) was quick to praise the contributions of the fundraisers. "We owe this to the generosity of the local people, church members, and admirers of Byron's work" he said.

Reverend Linda Church (correct) has expressed her thanks and appreciation on the church's website.

Donations flooded in from as far afield as Canada, as well as from residents of Hucknall itself. The church held events such as race nights, barn dances and concerts which proved extremely popular.

Maureen Crisp (correct), secretary of the International Byron Society, was also quick to praise the support of the people at this "wonderful church".

Lord Byron died in 1834 aged 36 and is still considered as one of the world's greatest poets. Anyone who would like to donate to the church can do so by calling (0115) 9634 385.

Super Furry Animals @ Rock City for NG

Not many bands last more than a decade and still manage to remain at the top of their game, but the Super Furry Animals have. While other groups have come and gone, their records gathering dust in record store bargain bins across the country, the Furries’ show of mayhem, music and general madness has gone from strength to strength. Hey Venus! is their eighth album and the sound, as fresh as ever, is still packing out venues across the country.

The crowd at Nottingham’s Rock City is testament to that and everyone excitedly settles in to watch the unique Welsh quintet do their thing. You never know quite what to expect at a Furries gig, with space helmets, golf carts and yeti costumes all being part of previous shows. Hmm, shouldn't be boring then!

Turquoise and purple lighting combine with electro sounds to build the mood and the band stroll out, led by the astonishingly hairy Gruff Rhys. They launch into mood setting opener Baby Ate My Eightball, an infectiously catchy track from the new record, and follow it up with the rocky Golden Retriever, a popular one that gets the crowd immediately on side.

Tracks new and old follow, and it becomes clear that the Furries are a well oiled machine; their sound is polished and they play with a professionalism that other bands would do well to match. Something seems missing though and it's the wackiness and crowd interaction that I was expecting. Rhys hasn't addressed us much so far and the crowd, although rapturously applauding each song, are not dancing around and getting into it as much as I would have thought.

A Welsh flag briefly appears but this is about as exciting as the audience gets. The quick-fire opening track on Hey Venus!, Gateway Song, leads straight in to the latest single Run Away, and this raises the spirits a bit. The latter is a gem of a track which slots in alongside other Furries classics with ease, but this aside I'm starting to wonder if the boys are ever going to pick up the pace.

I was wrong to doubt them! Things are taken up a notch when the robotic vocals of Juxtaposed With U rouse the crowd into life and Show Your Hand, another new track, keeps up the tempo perfectly. Receptacle For The Respectable whips things up to a fever pitch, complete with carrot munching sound effects from Gruff, and the guys cross their guitars as they take the crowd by the scruff of the neck.

The band go for a break but fortunately manage to keep up the momentum on their return. The space helmet comes out and Gruff stands at the front arms raised, saluting his crowd. Ah, here is the craziness! Rings Around The World is stunning as is Neo Consumer, the band pulling off a stormer in the closing stages. The slower singalongs of If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You and Hello Sunshine act as the calm before the storm as the inevitable chaos fest of crowd favourite The Man Don't Give A F**k occurs.

It has everyone jumping around like loons and the helmet is back out, band and crowd as one. It would have been a fitting finale but the lads find time to squeeze in Keep The Cosmic Trigger Happy, before strutting off stage with a sign reading "Thanks Nottingham, from S.F.A". In reality, we should be the ones thanking them.

Newiddiadurwr: Dan Palmer Ffotograffydd: Lisa Mayfield

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Diolch:_NG_Magazine_reviews_Super_Furry_Animals/

Madagascar

TWO INTREPID ADVENTURERS have set their sights on an African odyssey - and their dreams have been backed by their local pub.

Tommy Walker, (26), and Justin Henson, (30) (both correct), from Hucknall, are planning a life changing ten week trip to Madagascar to work for the charity Azafady.

The boys need to raise £2000 each to make the journey this April and the Green Dragon pub, in Watnall Road, has been a crucial part of the fundraising.

The lads are regulars at the pub which has spearheaded many initiatives - including a sale where old glasses were brought up from the cellars, cleaned, and then sold on. Money from pool players raised £40 and a collection pot at the end of the bar over £200. A car wash was also held in the car park.

Mr Henson heralded the pub's involvement. "Everyone has been behind us” he said.

"After another bad day at work we just wanted to do something worthwhile and achieve something. The pub has been great, keen to help as much as possible" he added.

Madagascar lies in the Indian ocean off the South-Eastern coast of Africa and is the world's fourth largest island. It is home to a hugely diverse range of animal and plant life but is also one of the world's poorest countries. Azafady looks to address conservational issues with schemes aimed at preserving the country's forests and endangered species. But they also help the indigenous population with programmes such as Aids awareness.

Green Dragon landlady Jacqueline Duchemin (correct), said that her pub's involvement was simply about "Helping the local people". Anyone wishing to donate to Tommy and Justin can do so by contacting Azafady on (0)208 9606 629 or by popping into the pub.