Since their last recording, the Rival Joustas have been busy touring the country, recording a new demo, and may even have found the time to take their first tentative steps into the world of the wet-shave. Armed with one of the most electrifying performances on the live circuit, their latest recording is actually incredibly important. […]
After some initial problems getting into the venue (my name isn’t on the door despite assurances that it would be), I’m eventually let in and head straight for the bar… if not for a drink, certainly for warmth and something to lean on. It doesn’t seem very busy for what I thought was a relatively […]
Coming in off a freezing Highbury Corner, and climbing ‘Upstairs’ at The Garage, I was warmly greeted with the no nonsense rock of Carmen Pimps. Catching the end of a truncated set (due to a faulty bass drum), it was clear that this was a straight forward rock band, unafraid to wear their influences their […]
Tonight The Joiners was all about writhing, swearing, and reluctant audience participation. With the stage in darkness, Southampton four-piece Sarah Jane Smith launched straight in with heavy guitars, loud drums, and barely audible shouted lyrics. Looking a bit like a foreign band, possibly German, SJS’s mid-song references to current affairs went down like the C-word […]
With a reputation that includes energetic live performances, hooky disco-rock tunes, and jeans that are tight on the legs but pulled half-way down the arse, the Rival Joustas have finally decided to grace us with a demo. Well, better late than never says I. So, what can we glean from this dusty tome that someone’s […]
It must have been a hard week, as the crowd were a lacklustre bunch on this Thursday night. The lethargy continued despite excellent renditions of songs that are now becoming Rival Jousta classics, such as ‘Clarity’, and a brace of outstanding new compositions. The front man had plenty to say between the songs, which all […]
The Joiners was the venue for another impressive mix, with Inhalate opening the evening with their heavy grinding riffs. Although these guys are still being held back by some drumming that lacks variation and doesn’t have the tightness that is demonstrated between guitar and bass, the drummer has clearly been working on the problem and […]
Black Andrew started this epic six band night with a display of raw potential that may or may not come to fruition. The problem isn’t with the way the songs are put together, in fact they had all the right ideas, but they aren’t yet a finished product. The main point on the checklist for […]
The Joiners was host to an exceptional line up for the first ever SouthSCENE Presents gig. Newcomers Kumiss were openers and they are an apparently talented band. With a mix of old and new material, some of the songs managed to shine in a performance effusive of their minor years. The talents of bass player […]
Kicking off the penultimate Southampton heat of the Emergenza battle of the bands and hoping for a slot in the semi-finals, Stanxa got off to a musically good start. The guitars and bass were commendable. The two guitarists played off each other well, with solid rhythms and picky hooks. Sadly, the drums lost their way […]