Friday 15 May 2009

Luton Music Podcast week 3 is Live!


With Lovely Video! Enjoy!





This is the last Luton Music Pod on a while... But we'll be back i promise!


Blog updates on Liam Butler & Folk!


The link is the link here! Tell me what you think!

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Friday 8 May 2009

Luton Music Gig Guide! Metal weekender!


Luton Music News- Metal Shows for everyone!



Luton Music News and gig guide focuses on a pretty epic weekend of music ahead ran by D.T.A. The first show is today at the hat factory Headliners are Abadden , who Hail from Dunstable. Expect some pretty balls out thrashing from these dudes, next up is Versus Akira who are from Luton. I recently done a Luton music profile on Paul Wood the guitarist in the band, he’s a pretty cool guy and his band love playing tech inspired Metal of Skith and the like, they have a bunch of new songs which should go down well at this hometown show. Next up is Aghast! who are just from Hitchin, again close to Luton, their brand of death metal is tight and have plenty of gigs lined up, even as far a field as Leeds. Finally starting the party is In Remission who according to their myspace “there’s something for everyone as the band refuse to play within a predefined convention, and letting life dictate the tone, rather than fashion.”


I’ve decided to throw up a YouTube gem of Versus Akria and the song These Needles have just scratched the surface. The Video is pretty well made too, on zero budget.







The second show in D.T.A’s epic weekender is at the Students Union in Luton. Headliners Elements of Refusal are from Luton, and draw influences from the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan & Hopesfall. Next up is.Charlie Indestructible who draw influences from the likes of At The Drive in and Finch, lead singer Mark Sowden posses a pretty strong voice, so expect a big performance from these guys. Next up is Our Divide who amazingly is their only second live show, but now have a shed load of live dates coming soon, they draw some influences from the likes of Lamb of God & Trivium. Finally Decimate the Weak are at the foot of the bill as decribed on their myspace:. “Decimate The Weak are able to fuse the heaviest sounds with up beat grooves, creating a brutal, live energy.”So look forward to these lovely shows! Its only six pounds on the door for both & it’s crammed full of local talent well worth a look!


For a YouTube Gem I have decided to pick headliners Elements of Refusal and the track First Breath of water!

Luton Music Pod-Week 2! Bring the Metal!





Hello and welcome to this the second Luton Music Podcast! It’s been a pretty busy week for the Luton Music Pod & Blog, with loads of interviews conducted with various local musical Artists including the likes of Liam Butler . As well as venturing into video updates, which was unique I must say see my poor efforts below!


But this week’s pod looks at Luton’s blooming metal scene, the pod talks to Rich from the Legend of Ron Jeremy fresh from a show at the George the second. It’s a refreshing interview with Rich who cannot hide his excitement about the thought of pretty popular metal bands dwelling in the tiny George the second. They are playing this weekend at the Students union for D.T.A well worth a watch, they have bundles of dates coming up so be sure to see them!

We also chat to Phil Gordon , who is a mad crazy dubstep/ Electro/ whatever-he-feels-like DJ. Talking mainly about his Metal Loves in Luton, again showing much love for D.T.A & George the second. He highlights Eyes of a Traitor as Luton’s number Uno metal act to look out for. Finally a lovely interview with the rather nervous Side of the Sky conducted at BBC Three Counties Radio. I had a blast with these guys who where pretty frank about Charlie from Fightstar, as well as talking about their influences and the sort! I urge you to check them out they are pretty ace.

I hope you are enjoying the pods, I certainly enjoying putting them together and of course any feedback is welcome. The final pod next week and we will be talking to local Dj Fanni from all girl duo Fanny & Fifi, Also to Gareth Lloyd who is the presenter on the BBC introducing show, & the blog will be running previews with Luton’s new breed of folk inspired performers.


Here is the Pod! Enjoy!


As ever keep smiling, your scene needs you!

Mitch Freeley- Editor Luton Music Pod/Blog

Thursday 7 May 2009

Luton Music profile-Phil Gordon


Luton Music Profile talks Pies, Naked Lunches and Metal!




Phil Gordon is a man with fingers, fingers in many musical pies. Some would compare him to Frey Bentos or any other leading pie maker like Pukka. But I don’t, I see him as one of the many people in Luton who have wide and varied musical differences which has crafted the person. So in this Luton music profile im looking at Phil Gordon seeing what makes him tick musically.



Phil very much like everyone who grew up in the late eighties in Luton had a love for those iconic pink flamingo’s high above the Arndale, But musically Phil grew up with the genre especially the Nu-metal flavours at the time. “I’ve always been into Metal, its part of my musical heritage.” Proudly claims Phil, whose tentative years was built up on attending the shows of D.T.A and fondly referring to seeing Enter Shakiri as the “Glory Days.” Musically Phil dipped in and out of styles and trends just like any teen listening to the likes of Grime, Indie, the horrific crossover Grindie & his secret passion old school Garage.


Fond of a Thursday night at local night spot Envy Phil is unashamedly a fan of modern & Old school Garage, “It all just reminds me of Luton for some stupid reason, its jokes you don’t have to take it seriously I certainly don’t but loads of people do in Luton which is even funnier.” Phil flew the nest away from Luton and onto the wonders of Birmingham which has definitely shaped his current musical passions.


Whilst away Phil spied friends such as Craig Watkins & David Boa expressing themselves though mixes and like a curious puppy he followed suit. He slowly stated Dj’ing Indie and heavier music, (Yours truly gave him his first hour slot) but soon Phil found his niche in mixing and mashing up, Dubstep Electro & stupid remixes of pop stars. Whilst hitting Birmingham alternative hotspots such as Panic & Subway City. Phil was soon making waves and starting hooking up with people who could make things happen in Brum. “I just got invited to play at Naked Lunch, and it was awesome, full of cool people and I’ve just been invited back.” Mixing in these styles of Old school baseline, Party Track and whatever in between has served to be Phil’s strength by mixing up what he does, “It’s a cliché but I genuinely like loads of different styles and I want to keep it like that.”


Keeping up his reputation as the Nightwolf, a name which is part anchored in Ron Burgundy a man Phil notes as a constant source of inspiration & some of his antics in the first year in Birmingham. “I came back from an evening of fun with a lady and I just got labelled it, it kinda stuck although I hate when people ask about it.” Looking to the future and it’s looking bright at a recent Dj gig I seen Phil chatting toRaffertie , a uber cool dubstep dj/ remixer who has the ear of Mary Ann-Hobbs. He’s also ‘down’ the amorously named Gutter Skank Crew whose rawkus party ethos is slowing making waves in Brum. So for Phil he’s taking it as it comes partying hard and laying down beats, and who could blame him. His ethos towards the music, his outlook to life and importantly his healthy respect for his roots is pretty unique, congratulations Mr Bentos, I mean Phil.


Phil gave me some tunes he was into recently!



1-Rolo Tomassi- I Love Turbulence


After so much talk about metal I thought it would be appropriate to include an example. The fact that this band are so young should be suprising enough, but the lead singer is also a hot girl haha. Rolo Tomassi and Throats are the best new UK metal bands in my opinion

2- Caspa feat. Dynamite MC : Rat-a-tat


I love going to raves where they have MC's hyping the crowd all night and think this captures that vibe perfectly.

3- Township Funk (Jayou VIP Remix)



This is definately one of the best songs of last year. There are so many remixes of this, but Jayou's version is my favourite. Wait for the drop when it properly kicks in, I cant wait to drop this next week at Rainbow and the Warehouse. Jayou's remix of Chase and Status' 'Eastern Jam' is definately worth checking out too.

Luton Music profile- Paul Kelly


The Luton Music Profile chats to Luton's own Paul Kelly On Springsteen, the Twang and socialising with the lads!



This Luton music profile is a bit of a exclusive I must say, I’ve managed to get a man in a band who hasn’t even preformed live yet. So expect some big live performances in the following months in Luton. This is a profile on Paul Kelly whom is the lead singer in the band Agile Beast , formed in Nottingham but firmly rooted in Luton culture they play laddish indie focusing on the important things in life, socialising.


Paul’s experience of live music was a carbon copy of mine (See Last week’s blog ) studiously working away at Cardinal Newman High school in the day & hitting up The Well come the weekend for a nice dose of live music, and the occasional underage pint. “It was such a great atmosphere, I mean getting served was a great bonus and made a great change of scene from the Four Hourshoes.”(Luton's mecca for underage drinking at the time) Other early memories where centred around following around his cousins band Too Far Gone & listening to the music of Bob Dylan, Leanard Cohen & importantly the Boss Bruce Springsteen. “Sometimes when I came in early from a night & Brucie and the E-street band would be playing mega loud and my dad just listening away, he’s a huge influence.”


Paul continued to play in various bands before forming the rather fantastically named Agile Beast with pals Martin Gibbons and Luton’s famous streaker Little Dan . All of whom had a shared a passion for the music of Oasis, and the Arctic Monkeys. But also the City of Nottingham where Paul is currently studying along with a couple of other Luton mates, having personally been up myself to see other friends you get a strange home away from home feeling. I’ve often bumped into the lads often on mass socialising away in a whole host of venues and they are always fun. Something that is very much on the top of the bands list of subject matter.


Social commentary is the name of the game with the beast and the three songs available on their Myspace shows they have musical talent. Imagine a Arctic Monkeys fronted by Mike Skinner and your nearly there, “I just love that witty story telling style it’s witty and a style I think you can relate too it more and it’s artistic…” Pauses Paul as a rhye smile slowly developes across his face. “Ill be honest I cant sing, im rubbish.” He later confesses. But Luton is all the band know in many ways with the songs all having some reference to this fine town.



In the lyrics you’ll find the same wit and scally charm which defines the sound of the band and Paul is pretty clear on the subject matter “I don’t want to write songs about things that didn’t happen to me, that’s shit. Most of our songs are written about recent events from Luton, there is always some gossip going down.” Pushed about performing live and Paul is certain that aint going to happen soon, “To be fair I want to get a few more songs written, I wanna impress the people im playing too.” Secretly it seems that the band are itching to get going as just before our conversations ends Paul Pipes up “oh about the live music thing, I cant wait to be honest just playing to our friends and having a big session afterwards.” Currently it’s all on hold as Paul’s out helping Saudi Arabia with something bussiness related but come the end of summer the Beast should be about Luton. Currently they only have 30 friends on Myspace so get on the bandwagon with a pint in your hand.


Paul Also threw me some youtube gems my way... so enjoy!

1. The Twang-Two Lovers- One of the lads favourite bands, and it's hard not to see why in this video. Got Danny Dyer in it!




Two Lovers



2 Arctic Monkeys-Fluorescent Adolescent- Massive influence on my writing, loved the first demo's of these guys their new album aint to shabby either.





3. Bruce Springsteen-Dancing in the Dark: A classic, firm memories of home with this tune!

Friday 1 May 2009

Luton Gig Guide! May 1st Bowfinger & Dividing the Line



Saturday 2nd of May Bowfinger play at the George the second. Expect some smooth 60’s inspired Mod and Ska tunes, they have played a few gigs recently so should be in tip top form for this one! It’s also only free so you have no excuse not to miss it! This is the video all you know. Enjoy the Organs!






Same Day D.T.A are putting on some pretty top draw scremo & metal talent at the Students union headlining on the night are Kents Dividing the Line this is their track here my words, they are touring all over this fair land in the coming months and are tipped for big things! It’s only £6.00 for 4 bands that’s pretty good value!