THE B-SIDE MONDAY MEGAMIX

This week, self-confessed grinch Paul Jenkins is listening to some classic bluesy rock ‘n’ roll, shouty hardcore, indie and post-rock in an attempt to avoid hearing any C******** songs (except Slade; there is ALWAYS time for Slade). 

THE QUIREBOYS - GRACIE B

OK, time to blow my B-Side credibility, perhaps [absolutely not; there is no such thing – Cred Ed]: The first band I ever saw playing a small club and the first band I ever helped out was The Quireboys. As a callow, spotty teen in 1980-forget about it, more interested in thrash-metal and UKHC than classic, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll, I found myself buying their ‘Mayfair’ single in Shades Records (RIP) in Soho. A member of the band - I am convinced it was Ginger, later of The Wildhearts, but I am told it was more likely Guy Bailey - saw me and asked me if I wanted to hand out fliers in return for free entry to a Marquee show that night. Well, of course I did and thirty-plus years on they remain one of my favourite bands. I was lucky enough to spend four nights on tour with QBs earlier this year (working with support band Last Great Dreamers); Ginger and Guy Bailey may be long gone, and the Stones-fronted-by-Rod schtick may not be everyone’s cup o’ tea but they still put on a top, top show 

See them live at: Norwich Waterfront (doing an acoustic show), 23^rd Dec.
Now listen to: ‘White Trash Blues’ LP.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter - Website

REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN - HECTIC DANGER DAY 

From the sublime to the ridiculous - or maybe vice versa - Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man [named after a splendidly awful 1980 cult sci-fi movie – Hollywood Ed.] are one of the most exciting live bands I have seen for a long time and almost certainly the best band I have seen at the “new” Owl Sanctuary in Norwich. Hardcore played at lightspeed this may be and the lyrics can be deadly serious, but there is also a sense of fun here. The turn-out for their last outing at the Owl was pretty pathetic. Don’t let it be the same next time. 

See them live at: Norwich Owl Sanctuary, 3^rd Dec.
Now listen to: ‘Colossal Velocity’ LP.
Follow: Facebook - Twitter - Website

HAPPY COLOURED MARBLES - LET ME IN

Named after a Ween song, Happy Coloured Marbles are a band I’ve followed for a while now and have seen ’em develop into a properly powerful power-trio.  This under-watched video was released in 2016, and deserves more attention. 

See them live at: Norwich Epic Studios, 27th Jan.
Now listen to: ;Can’t Seem To Shake You’, streaming.
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud 

NEW SCIENTISTS - AGAIN 

Right, I haven’t seen ‘em yet but everyone I know who has seen New Scientists says they a bloody amazing live. So, here it is. Make up your own minds.

See them live at: Norwich Epic Studios, 27th Jan.
Now listen to: ‘Miniature People’, on SoundCloud
Follow: Facebook – Twitter

KNOWPEACE - PAVE THE RAINFOREST 

Raging hardcore from King’s Lynn, I first saw Knowpeace support the mighty Ho99o9 (AKA Horror 999) and come close to blowing them away. Good stuff. 

See them live at: Norwich Owl Sanctuary, 30^th Dec (Free Movement skateboard fundraiser).
Now listen to: ‘It Gets Worse’ EP, streaming.  
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Bandcamp 

THE WOLF NUMBER – DEL MARS 

Described as instrumental-psych-rock, I’d be more inclined to class this trio from Norwich as post-rock, whatever the chuff that means these days. Regardless, The Wolf Number Name are preparing for their first Arts Centre headliner in the new year, and it should be a good one.
See them live at: Norwich Arts Centre, 19^th Jan.  
Now listen to: ‘The Bunker Sessions’ EP, streaming.
Follow: Facebook – Twitter – Website   

Photo: Revenge of the Psychotronic Man (from Facebook)