Simon ParkinTHE BROWNIESNorwich Arts Centre, SaturdayFollowing the sold out Barlights album launch a couple of weeks ago, NR One have really pulled out the stops with this one.Simon Parkin
THE BROWNIES
Norwich Arts Centre, Saturday
Following the sold out Barlights album launch a couple of weeks ago, NR One have really pulled out the stops with this one.
The Brownies will be previewing their new album, Ourknife Yourback, and single, Cougar, well in advance of their official release dates. Expect Shouty pop punk with plenty of Riot Grrrl lyrical bite all covered in an avalanche of glowing pop hooks
They'll be joined by returning heroes Bearsuit, fresh from their latest American adventures and an appearance at the prestigious SXSW festival in Texas.
The stop-start boy-girl cutie-killer six-piece can be relied upon to provide everything from cinematic waltzes to catchy electro disco and hard punk screaming riot grrrl noise.
Also on the all-Norwich bill are New Wave popsters Uh Ohs, whose deadly mix of dirty riffs, sleazy post-punk urgency and sexy pop is infectious, and feisty pop-punks Glory Glory.
All this and chocolate brownies for early arrivals.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thebrownies
BLABBERMOUTH
Cider Shed, Saturday
Blabbermouth - aka Steve Thompson, has been writing and performing for many years. He could be called folk, but to do would be to limit the scope of his music.
His off kilter songs, dominated by laid back acoustic guitar and excitable banjo, are punctuated with funny barbs and over-arching irony. Singing like early Neil Young, he sings with the duplicity of emotional seriousness and grins to the punch line only you know.
His live performances have always been an unpredictable and thought-provoking experiences, featuring his trademark deadpan humour and philosophical asides. Plus he has the voice of an angel.
His last album, My Dancing Heart, tackled the staple subjects of love, death and furniture buying dilemmas. There were songs about decaying relationship and the mini dramas of everyday life. Thompson writes lyrics with dark twists that take his songs in unexpected directions.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/therealblabbermouth
THE KABEEDIES
B2, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
One of Norwich's favourite and best upcoming bands, The Kabeedies like nothing more than doing things a bit different, and here they've teamed up with Tilting Sky to do just that.
Over a three night residency to coincide with the release of new single Little Brains on Monday, they'll be playing to a different themed colour scheme each night: red on Tuesday, white on Wednesday and blue on Thursday.
There will be a different on-stage colour scheme at each gig, with three different fantastic support bands, and a different set from the band each night.
The band have been road testing new songs, including Petroleum Jelly, Comic Splendour and We Make Our Own Adventures, so expect them to feature at some point.
Support on Tuesday comes from Vanilla Kick, Tawny Owl and Magpied. Cine Club, Lunaire and Ducky Vodka line-up on Tuesday; with Uh Ohs, Cold Hands and Francis & Louis joining in blue Thursday. Entry is by advance ticket only.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thekabeedies
ELIZA CARTHY BAND
Norwich Arts Centre, Thursday
Yorkshire-born and Edinburgh-based, Eliza Carthy grew up immersed in the world of traditional music - her parents are legendary folk performers Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson - so she hardly fail to be inspired.
But her success has been remarkable even with such a head start.
She is twice-nominated for a prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize ('Red Rice' Topic/1998 and 'Anglicana'/2003) Eliza is also the winner of more than five BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Describing herself simply as a 'modern British musician', Eliza is only just beginning to reach the height of her musical powers. During a 15-year career she has become one of the most dazzling and recognised folk musicians of a generation. She has revitalised and made folk music relevant to new audiences and has captured the most hardened of dissenters with intelligent, charismatic and boundary-crossing performance.
Support comes from Duotone.
t Further listening: www.eliza-carthy.com
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
t April 10
Elephant Talk (folk) - Cider Shed
Liquer (Cure tribute) - Brickmakers
The Arcadians (indie) - B2
The Punktures (punk/ska) - Blueberry
Marble Heart (rock) - Marquee
Clickshaft (indie/funk) - Bedfords
Voodo Hand (rock) - King Edward VII
Replica (rock) - Heartsease
Johnny Jump (blues/rock/folk) - The Nelson
Magic Bus (60s-90s) - Regal
G (vocal group) - Maid Marion
Keno Kings (blues) - Walnut Tree Shades
t April 11
World's Apart (rock) - Brickmakers
Lick & A Promise (rock) - King Edward VII
Oceans Upon Us (metal/rock) - Marquee
Karma Rhino (rock/funk) - The Stanley
The Foolish (indie) - Blueberry
Liza Wolfe (rock/pop) - Silver Road Cottage
Lou & The Diamonds (60s) - Arkwrights
t April 12
Ducky Vodka/Kapok/Dirty Havana (12pm) - Blue Lounge
Nausia/Platform One/Spitfire (7.30pm) - Blue Lounge
Escape To Sea (ambient) - Queen Charlotte
This Is Hell (hardcore) - Marquee
Night of Punk: feat. Dirty Love (punk) - King Edward VII
Hellcat/Hollow+ more (rock/charity) - Boundary
The Proposition (alt country) - Cider Shed
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers
t April 13
Easter Monday Bash: feat. Replica + more (local charity) - Brickmakers
V8 Rumble (rockabilly) - The Talk
Thrash Bank Holiday: feat. Denounce + more (metal) - Queen Charlotte
iBand (rock) - Brickmakers
t April 14
Jeniferevr (goth) - Queen Charlotte
t April 15
The Rockingbirds (alt country) - Arts Centre
Into The Depths (metal) - Marquee
EMBA (rock/indie) - Queen Charlotte
t April 16
Egypt (blues/rock) - Walnut Tree Shades
Catch 22 (ska/punk) - Queen Charlotte
King Size Papas (jazz/blues) - Brickmakers
After Hours Blues Band (blues) - walnut Tree Shades
Pinky Umbrella (world/folk) - Rumsey Wells
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