Campus Band Spotlight
Juliet Bravo
Who? Dom Shaw: Guitar, Steve Chan: Drums/Percussion/Samples, Ben Nichols: Bass, Marc Sanders: Vocals
What? Apparently it’s “Progressive brown noise”. To clarify, they’re influenced by Refused, Tool, At the drive-in, Mike Patton, Twin Peaks.
How? Dom and Ben were fresher neighbors. Brought together by Derwents paper walls, their shared musical tastes forged a bond to rival Frodo and Sam. One day Bandsoc threw up Steve and original vocalist Ed. When Ed ran away, Marc valiantly stepped in and took his place, completing the current line-up.
Where? They killed it at Certificate 18 and one campus event early last year.
Sing to us! “Walking either side of trees, separation is killing me.” Abandonment issues do poignant lyrics make.
Quality of life for bands on campus? They commend Bandsoc for all their best efforts with sourcing equipment and practice space. Unfortunately, Dramasoc and others hoard central hall, leaving rehearsals in Town as the impractical and expensive alternative. “You’d think it would be easy enough to have one or two dedicated rehearsal rooms on campus in the evenings”, they whimper.
Fancy your chances at BOTB? “We think there is a good chance for one of the less well-known bands to win this year as quite a few of the bigger bands that have been successful in the last couple of years either aren’t around anymore or haven’t entered.”
How do we stalk you? www.myspace.com/forgetaboutthemovement and they’re BOTB on Thursday 1st February.
Magic P and The Innuendoes
Who? Aaron Berry: Fiddle, Martin Coumbe: Guitar, Phil Merriman: Bass.
What? They claim “progressive-jazz tinged, folk-metal funk that the bastard spawn of Michael Flatley would dance to.” That’s that, then.
How? Like many University tales it begins with alcohol… “Aaron got drunk, and went upstairs with his fiddle.” At 3 a.m. these things often make sense, only to become the victim of alcohol induced amnesia the next day. In this case, however, the mood lasted and the friends Aaron made on his fiddling mission formed Magic P the very next morning.
Where? To be found at intimate venues like Goodricke Cell Block C, The Side of the Lake, and Wentworth.
Sing to us! Unfortunately with all those genres there isn’t any room left for lyrics.
Quality of life for bands on campus? The band have felt the squeeze of the bar closures, “it’s harder for new bands to gain a foothold and exposure” explains Aaron, “although there are still good opportunities in Woodstock and BOTB there could be more live music events with established headliners and support slots for newer bands.”
Do you fancy your chances at BOTB? The boys aren’t taking the competition too seriously, “it’s a chance to make music, entertain a crowd, enjoy ourselves play on the same bill as other good musicians; if we get through, so be it.” However, as a questionable incentive for supporting them, Phil reveals that “if we win Aaron and Martin will strip naked and run through campus.”
We need to see more! Check out www.myspace.com/magicpandtheinnuendoes, and see them at BOTB on Tuesday 30th. January.
