THE B-SIDE BUMPER BACKTRACK 2017 - PART ONE

Whoever you talk to, and whatever they’re into, the consensus seems to be that 2017 has been an incredible year for the East Anglian DIY music scene. We spoke to promoters, writers, DJs and artists from around the region about their favourite albums, tracks, gigs and moments from the last 12 months, including The State, The Glitter Shop, Blue Mean Eyes, Sun Scream, Young States, Lemondaze, Druids, Italian Books, Gaffa Tape Sandy, SuperGlu and more… 

ANDY GUY

The State’s man.
www.thestateuk.com

Albums of the Year: Marilyn Manson – ‘Heaven Upside Down’; Gary Numan – ‘Savage (Songs from a Broken World)’; 3 Teeth – ‘Shutdown.exe’; Chelsea Wolfe – ‘Hiss Spun’.

Tracks of the Year: ’16 Psyche’ by Chelsea Wolfe; ‘We Know Where You Fucking Live’ by Marilyn Manson.

Gigs of the Year: The Psychedelic Furs at Norwich Waterfront; Gary Numan at Norwich LCR.

Moments of the Year: The State performing ‘A Forest’ with Thy Last Drop (at Bury St Edmunds Constitutional Club) was a big highlight of the year; a night I will never forget.

Tips for 2018: Eliminate things and activities that are a waste of your time. Eliminate the inner voice that says “I can’t; It’s impossible”. Eliminate the naysayers, liars, and people who do you harm in your life. Then you will be able to run toward your full potential and embrace it with both arms.

BARNY CUTTER

The Glitter Shop keeper. 
www.soundcloud.com/theglittershop

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice’s second album ‘Visions of a Life’ was magical. There’s no real specific genre there, but the album still sounds incredibly cohesive.

Tracks of the Year: ‘#1 Anime Dad’ by Huckleberry Harrison, taken from (debut album) ‘What The Huck’. He literally does whatever the fuck he wants and I appreciate that a lot.

Gigs of the Year: I don’t get to relax during many local gigs as I’m usually working at them, but Tundra at the Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds was amazing as it was just a bunch of friends having a shit-ton of fun. My favourite gig I played was with [former band] Fortunato at the Bury Fringe Festival All-Dayer; it was probably the best performance we ever put on.

Moments of the Year: Working with Suburban Minds on their debut EP and touring for five months with them, playing session guitar.

Tips for 2018: The Japanese House is releasing her debut album and I can’t wait! There’s a big Imogen Heap vibe there.  Also, keep your eyes and ears out for a lot more from The Glitter Shop!

BLUE MEAN EYES

Riff-mongous escapade-cravers.
www.bluemeaneyes.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year:
Toby Powell (guitar/vocals): My favourite album of the year was Biffy Clyro, ‘Ellipsis’. Although technically released in 2016, this is the only album I have listened to and loved throughout 2017. This is my favourite album because it’s a perfect example of how a band can reinvent their sound when they release a new album and still reach out and gain new fans as well as please the old ones.
Charlie Douglas (drums/vocals): 'To The Bone’ by Steven Wilson. It’s one of the best examples of progressive rock with a pop twist. It has some very interesting chord progressions, amazing vocals and vocal harmonies and represents to me a significant change in style from his normal jazz style.
Lauren Bradford (bass/vocals): Mine is Liam Gallagher, 'As You Were’. I listened to this album the whole way through rather than just picking songs from it like I normally do, and it’s just so good. I absolutely loved Oasis, but I can definitely say there are songs from this album that I prefer over some Oasis songs. I love the melodies, harmonies and lyrics in particular because that’s what I always listen for in music as a vocalist.

Tracks of the Year:
Toby: Firstly, Boy Azooga’s 'Face Behind Her Cigarette’ - this song was Huw Stephens’ pick of the week in early December and as I drove home with the radio on, I was astounded with how good the song actually is. The band have reinvented and are destined to breathe new life into the indie genre.  Secondly,  'Man’s Not Hot’ by Big Shaq - I’ve chosen this song because music doesn’t have to be taken seriously to be a hit. The guy created a character, and people loved it. What David Bowie did with Ziggy Stardust is what this guy has done but in the modern age.
Charlie: My favourite tracks are gonna have to be 'Speak To Me’ by Amy Lee and 'Havana’ by Camilla Cabello.
Lauren: Tonight Alive’s 'Temple’.  This is the first song they released from their upcoming album 'Underworld’. I’ve loved Tonight Alive since my early teens and I’ve never been able to stop listening to them since! This song is so powerful and so different from their last album and I just fell instantly fell in love with it. Also ‘Crack My Heart’, the second song to be released from the album - the vocals are so powerful and effortless, and Jenna McDougall has such an amazing voice.

Gigs of the Year:
Toby: Superglu Fundraiser (‘Help SuperGlu Get To SXSW’, Bury St Edmunds Hunter Club, 25th February).  We weren’t just paying a gig; we were raising money for SuperGlu to go and do what they love, and I hope every other band would do the same.
Charlie: My favourite gigs to play were Eddy Fest with the Harry Slater Band and Norwich Waterfront with Blue Mean Eyes. My favourite gigs to see were Bad Touch at London Borderline and Evanecsence at Hammersmith Apollo.
Lauren: Bury Fringe Festival.  I’m taking this bit a little closer to home because it was such a pleasure to play, and even more more of a pleasure to stay and watch everyone else who played, such as Sun Scream, Superglu, Goldblume and Suburban Minds.

Moments of the Year:
Toby: Charlie joining the band. Having somebody come in who loves playing our music as much as we do has pushed the band into a better and healthier direction.
Charlie: My favourite musical moment is probably a 15-minute improvised drum solo at a gig in the summer with The Harry Slater Band.
Lauren: Superglu Fundraiser. They’re such lovely people and it was an absolute honour helping out to raise money to get them over to SXSW. They were all so thankful and appreciative to everyone involved, because all anyone wants to do is make music and get it out there to be heard.  SuperGlu have completely blossomed in that respect and it’s been wonderful seeing that happen.

Tips for 2018:
Toby: People need to learn to get along despite their difference in opinions. Everybody has their own opinion, and you have every right to express your own, so respect that and let them have it, there is no need to force yours upon them.  Also: listen out for Boy Azooga.
Charlie: As for what to listen out for in 2018, well… it’s gotta be Blue Mean Eyes!  And Tool might finally release their new album so look out for that.
Lauren: My tips are: check out the new Tonight Alive album 'Underworld’ when it’s released in the new year because they’re just such a good band. Also, just listen to the whole of 'As You Were’ on repeat for the rest of your life.

CATHERINE LINDLEY-NEILSON

Bass ninja, Gaffa Tape Sandy.
www.gaffatapesandy.co.uk

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice - ‘Visions of Life’; Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; Idles - Brutalism

Tracks of the Year: ‘Dreams’ by Superglu; ‘Yuk Foo’ by Wolf Alice; ‘Bellyache’ by Billie Eilish; ‘Well Done’ by Idles.

Moments of the Year: Playing with Fortunato at Bury Fringe Festival, with Horse Party at The Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds, Glastonbury (with Gaffa Tape Sandy), and GTS’s most recent headline Hunter Club gig. Going to get soppy and say it was a privilege to play all of them. 

Gigs of the Year: Indoor Pets (formerly known as Get Inuit) and Pinegrove, both at London Lexington; Suburban Minds EP Launch and last gig at The Hunter Club.

Tip for 2018: If you haven’t already, MAKE A BAND.

DAVEY HAMMOND

Cambridge 105fm’s Smelly gentleman. www.cambridge105.co.uk/shows/flowerpot

Albums & Tracks of the Year:  
Album of the Year for me is the second release from The Granite Shore, called 'Suspended Second’ (Occultation Records). When Nick Halliwell started writing for this album, he had a vague idea of addressing the issue of anxiety in his songs. With the Brexit referendum happening at around the same time, the songs became more focused on the big issue of the day, dealing with all the emotions felt by someone who clearly felt the outcome was the worst possible one. Disbelief, despondency, anxiety, confusion and sadness all ultimately give way to defiance during the course of the nine tracks. This is a quietly angry album, but in it’s own way it’s as subversive as, say, the Sex Pistols getting to number one, in that it uses a much more subtle method in getting it’s message across by avoiding the sloganeering or shouting from the barricades to crashing chords that might be expected from such a release.Instead, the listener is treated to a soundtrack that takes classic Abba from the mid to late 70’s as it’s template, adding in hints of prog rock along the way. That, to these ears, the vocalist has shades of Bing Crosby only adds warmth and emotion that enforces the feelings being conveyed. Throw in references to the likes of Philip Larkin and Shakespeare, not to mention a nod to the aforementioned Sex Pistols (the opening to 'Performance of a Lifetime’ uses the same BBC sample of a marching band that is used on 'Holidays in the Sun’, only slowed down a little) and The Clash and you have a piece of work that has a rare depth and intelligence with some outstanding performances and moments packing a real emotional punch.

Similarly commenting on happenings in Europe and over the pond is 'Euromillions’- from the excellent debut album by LIFE called 'Popular Music’- which is one of the standout tracks of the year. With a sneering, in your face vocal and added spoken word parts, it addresses the state of the world in a very different way to The Granite Shore. A pounding bass line coupled with thundering drums drive the song along with guitars alternating between 'phasers set to stun’ and 'all out attack’ settings. The lyrics rip into the racists and right wing nationalists that support the likes of Trump, Farage et al. The band are a tremendous, life affirming proposition on stage- I just wish I could pogo like I did 40 years ago.

Looking closer to home, two releases that stand out are 'John Doe’ by The Mammoth Penguins and 'Interstellar Fuzz Star’ by Psychic Lemon. The former is the second long player from Emma Kupa’s band and is a concept album about a man who disappears, feared dead, only to return years later. All the songs are from the perspective of different people that knew the man and are titled as such ie. ‘The Child’, ‘The Ex’, ‘The Wife’, ‘The Line Manager’ etc, giving a hefty emotional clout to proceedings. Musically, the template has been expanded with more electric guitars, synths and piano added by 'Friends’ as well as regular band members. I’m hoping to catch the band live locally in the not too distant future.  The latter is the first release from what what will be Psychic Lemon’s second album, due to be unleashed in January. This is a head spinning assault on the senses with elements of heavy psychedelia, space rock and kraut rock melded into a wholly satisfying and thrilling 10 minute ride, a bit like a roller coaster ride with all the slow, uphill bits taken out. I eagerly await the album, 'Frequency Rhythm Distortion Delay’- a title that pretty much sums up the music.

Gigs of the Year:
As a family man with 4 young children, I don’t get to gigs as often as I’d like, so I tend to be really selective about the ones I attend. Humber St Sesh in Hull was the event of the year for me, especially as it’s my home town and holding the title of City of Culture for 2017. Highlights were many, including Tom Skelly, Crooked Weather, Fonda 500 and LIFE. The event is held over one day, with 14 different stages (indoor and outdoor, various capacities) and around 200 bands playing. You can get early bird tickets for next years event in August for £5. Yep, that’s what I said- £5. You’d be mad not to.  

As for gig of the year…as I mentioned, being so selective means I’m rarely disappointed so this is a tough one. I’ll plump for Dave Graney and Clare Moore at O'Rileys in Hull, a venue also used for boxing events. Bit of an unusual one this as I had a hand in setting it up. Following my failure to secure a gig in Cambridge (Oxjam was going on at the time, all venues fully booked), I contacted Lou Duffy Howard (former Red Guitars bassist) to see if she could recommend any promoters in Hull. She not so much bit my hand off as ripped it from the shoulder. Turns out Lou had toured with Dave in the 80’s and was very keen on supporting again. I met a few old friends from Hull and Bob Osborne of German Shepherd Records (who travelled over from Eccles) and enjoyed a cracking gig from the Aussie legends (formerly fronting The Moodists, Coral Snakes, The Mistly etc) backed by Orange Juice’s Malcolm Ross and Giorgio 'The Dove’ Valentino. Lou’s latest band, Loudhailer Electric Company, provided excellent support.

Tips for 2018:
One of my favourite songwriters of recent years is James Burling who works under the band name The Seven Twenty. His debut album was released in 2015 to some acclaim, and rightly so. It was very ambitious: James enlisted the help of a mariachi band for one track and flew to New York to record a choir for another while my favourite track on the album had a great Velvet Underground feel to it. I am reliably informed he has album number two ready for release early(ish) in the New Year and also has two other albums written and recorded. Without doubt one to watch and, being Cambridge based, should also be gigging in the area in 2018.

EMILY WALLACE

Guitarmeister general, Sun Scream.
www.sunscreamband.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; The Magic Ray - ‘The Magic Ray’; PINS - ‘Bad Thing’; The Babe Rainbow - ‘The Babe Rainbow’; Here Lies Man - ‘Here Lies Man’; Kyanos - ‘Elevator to Japan’.

Tracks of the Year: Paramore - ‘Fake Happy’; Something Leather - ‘Shotgun Persona’; The Babe Rainbow - ‘Johnny Says Stay Cool’; Ezra Furman - ‘Love You So Bad’; King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - ‘Doom City’; The Moonlandingz - ‘Sweet Saturn Mine’; Kevin Morby - ‘City Music’.

Gigs of the Year: Pond at End of the Road.  The Avalanches at Kentish Town Forum. Death Valley girls in Brighton. Dingus Khan in Bury St Edmunds. The Babe Rainbow in Brighton. Weaves.

Moments of the Year: Recording tracks with Theo Verney which incidentally lead to Tom [Lawrence, Sun Scream bassist] falling down the crack of a sofa in Brighton and discovering a new psychedelic realm.

Tips for 2018: MAKE THINGS! KEEP LISTENING TO MUSIC!! DONT BE ASHAMED, EVEN IF ITS ABBA - EMBRACE ABBA WITH EVERY FIBRE OF YOUR BEING!!! [Just to clarify, there is NO SHAME whatsoever in loving Abba. - 70s Disco Ed.]

FRANCINE CARREL

B-Side’s interrogator-in-chief.

Albums of the Year: Fightmilk - ‘Pity Party’; Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Spring Killing’(Literally everyone will be saying this, right? Fuck it, they deserve it.)

Tracks of the Year: Shiners - ‘Just Got Paid’; Fightmilk - ‘Pity Party’ (again); Gaffa Tape Sandy - ‘Manager’; Jack Rundell - ‘Cold Coffee’.

Gigs of the Year: Blackballed, at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket. Supported by the Wilsons, who are always awesome - but the main event was such a weird, superb surprise. Left me absolutely buzzing.

Moments of the Year: Getting to interview Justin Sullivan for B-Side was pretty fucking cool. As well as being very talented, he’s the most quotable man I’ve ever interviewed, and - as a writer - I appreciate that in a person.

Tips for 2018: Hoping for more from Jack Rundell - an album of Suffolk country music would be very welcome. Also keeping an eye on Thy Last Drop, who’ve been making noises about another album once they’ve re-released (2013 debut EP) ‘Dead Drunk for Two’.

GEORGIA LEEDER

Young States frontbassist.
www.youngstates.co.uk

Albums of the Year: Pvris - ‘All We Know of Heaven and All We Need of Hell’; Nothing but Thieves - ‘Broken Machine’; Paramore - ‘After Laughter’; Halsey - ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom’; Royal Blood - ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’

Songs of the Year: Halsey - ‘Don’t Play’; Demi Lovato - ‘Cry Baby’; The Regrettes -  ‘Seashore’; Will Joseph Cook - ‘Plastic’; Pvris - ‘Same Soul’.

Gigs of the Year: Busted at Norwich UEA; Mallory Knox at Norwich UEA; Yonaka at Norwich Waterfront Studio; Pvris at O2 Academy Brixton; Milk Teeth at Norwich Epic Studios.

Moment of the Year: During our hometown show at the Waterfront Studio, I told the crowd that I was going to sing something and they had to repeat after me, I then went to sing the chorus of ‘Over It By Now’, and I couldn’t even finish the first three words before the entire crowd joined in. It really took me by surprise and is something I definitely won’t be forgetting. That whole show was pretty special!

New Years’ resolutions: Go to more gigs, play more shows and write more!

GRAEME MCLOUGHLIN

BBC Introducing in Suffolk presenter and all-round chap.
www.bbc.co.uk/radiosuffolk

Albums of the Year: It’s a tough one. A two horse race earlier in the year for me between ‘Constraint’ by Plaitum and ‘Pink’ by Rad Pitt, but I think the recent release from Izzy’s Daughter (‘Luna’) might edge it! Let’s just have all three and listen to them simultaneously.

Tracks of the year: I was in love with ‘Killing Me’ from Crystal Bats as soon as the bass kicked in; the whole three and a half minutes or so is just perfection. ‘Water Bottle’ by Gaffa Tape Sandy was this year as well, wasn’t it? It’s the opening piece on their fabulous ‘Spring Killing’ EP, which is actually packed with track of the year contenders. Rad Pitt’s ‘Hick Mucknall’ is also a tune, and I think ‘Are You There’ - the opening track from the Izzy’s Daughter record - might just be the most beautiful track we’ve ever played on BBC Introducing.

Moments of the Year: I think this one has to come from the Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds where we celebrated the 10th anniversary of BBC Introducing with a live broadcast and gig in early October.  Gaffa Tape Sandy and Cathedrals and Cars both performed incredible sets to a truly supportive and bouncing audience. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces – all happy as well! It was also nice to take BBC Introducing to the beach during the summer and watch Amethysts and Phil Jackson, among others, perform on the bandstand for Aldeburgh Music.

Tips for 2018: Bessie Turner continues to be one to watch, and now that some of the nationals appear to be on board, it could be a big year for her. I’d also hope and expect to see Gaffa Tape Sandy at more major festivals. They belong on the big stage.

ISIS DE CHASTELAIN & ROSIE HEARD-EDWARDS

Lemondaze’s twin guitar heroes.
www.lemondaze.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: Wolf Alice - ‘Visions of a Life’; Slowdive - ’Slowdive’.

Tracks of the Year: Peace - ‘From Under Liquid Glass’; MGMT - ‘Little Dark Age’ (Rosie); King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - ‘Loyalty’ (Isis).

Gigs of the Year: Wolf Alice, Ride, Slowdive, The Stone Roses, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bloody Knees.

Moments of the Year: NMG Awards (Isis fell down the stairs.) Drunk interview on Cambridge 105.  When people actually turned up to our headline gig at (Cambridge’s) The Blue Moon.

JAY GOODRICH

Thighmaster frontman and bass-thrust specialist, Druids.
www.soundcloud.com/druidstheband

Albums of the Year: ‘Pinewood Smile’ by The Darkness. It’s true rock and the kinda rock that makes you wanna rock more and more like you’ve never rocked before. I’m not one for words, although I understand they’re kinda needed. On first listen I was caught by how it is so well constructed musically and clearly a fantabulous recording of a band playing the shit outta the songs. That’s rare today in an age of digital perfection. Anyway, on second listen I hear all the words and there’s some interesting subject matters present. It’s a must listen for anyone who needs a bit of rock. Check their vids too, they’re really serious and bound to put you in a terrible mood.

Tracks of the Year: ‘Colors’ by Beck. Probably because BBC 6music bashed me in the face with it so often, but no, seriously, it’s pretty sweet. The whole album is to be honest. A nice contrast to The Darkness with a production that’ll make you go “mmmm, oh yeah” but in a different way.

Gigs of the Year: I joined some friends I vaguely like, and went to see Public Service Broadcasting. I would have included them in album of the year (PSB, not my friends) but I didn’t think (new album) ‘Every Valley’ was so great. However, seeing and hearing it live really brought it all together for me and the new material they played is on a par with older stuff.

Moments of the Year: Well, I’ve spoken enough of other bands, so I’m gonna have to say something regarding Druids. Joel (Kurta, drums) and I thought it’d be a great idea to shoot a sci-fi inspired music video for our new EP title track, ‘Up To Mars’, in spandex morph suits ’n’ all. Anyway, we filmed over at a place called Harkstead Shores in Suffolk accompanied by two friends dressed as aliens. It’s quite something - the sort of something that’ll question the meaning of life. Sort of. Anyway, these dog walkers walked past and asked what we were up to, like that kinda shiz doesn’t happen down those parts regularly or something. Outrageous.

Tips for 2018: Remember which days the bins go out. I was caught out twice this year and I’m still pretty angry about it.  In addition to that, Ken at The Rehearsal Rooms (in Bury St Edmunds) is a really nice guy. Rehearse there! And The LP (also in Bury) is pretty cool to eat at. So, eat there! I have every faith these places will be as cool if not cooler in 2018.  Also, I heard a band called, Oranje. They were recording at Punch Studios (in Ipswich) and sounded like they have more potential than a Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewell. Watch that space.

JAY VOLUNTEER

Bringer of the noise, Italian Books.
www.trenchartnoise.bandcamp.com

Album of the Year: Koufar - ‘Lebanon For The Lebanese’.  Recorded in 2015 but released on vinyl by Unrest early 2017 (so that counts right?!). One of the most challenging records I’ve ever owned in terms of the recording itself, the subject matter and artwork…  This record lead to lots of reading.

Track of the Year:  I was exposed to so much music that I didn’t know existed this year, so although recorded a while back, I’m going to break the rules and say Iron Fist Of The Sun’s ‘Smile Like Sword’.

Gig of the Year:  The two day festival ‘United Forces Of Industrial 4’ at Electrowerkz London, which I attended on my own at the end of April.

Moment of the Year:  I was lucky enough to see Ryan Jordan perform ‘Possession Trance’ several times last year…. Seeing this for the first time at NNNNN blew my mind!

Tip for 2018:  London pop-punk band Wonk Unit will be a household name by the end of the year!

JOEL CLAYTON

Thrill-hunter at Trapped Animal Records and CambridgeBands.com
www.trappedanimal.com

Albums of the Year: Bodycount - ‘Bloodlust’; Throwing Stuff  - ‘Fit Fine And Well’; Daniel Gadd - ‘As If In A Dream I Drifted At Sea’.

Tracks of the Year: No Halo - ‘Sorority Noise’; The Baby Seals - ‘My Labia Is Lopsided But I Don’t Mind’; Projector - ‘Love’.

Gigs of the Year: Metallica at London O2 and Guns ’n’ Roses at the Olympic Park.  

Moment of the Year: Launching The Baby Seals into space.

Tips for 2018: Fresh, Night Flight, IDER, Kerry Devine, Daniel Gadd, Maija Sofia, Trapped Animal (obvs).  

KRISTA SIÂN LYNCH

SuperGlu’s low-end lynchpin.
www.supergluband.bandcamp.com

Albums of the Year: ‘The Ooz’ by King Kruel and probs Taylor Swift. I haven’t listened to it yet but I imagine it’s wicked. Has anyone ever watched her solo acoustic stuff on YouTube? She’s insanely good

Tracks of the Year: ‘The Strangle of Anna’ by The Moonlandingz. Big fan of The Fat Whites and even bigger fan of these guys and girls.

Gigs of the Year: Dingus Khan at the Arts Centre Colchester; maybe I’m biased, but they are probably the best band on the planet.  The Fall at KoKo London would have probably been on this list but Mark E Smith was ill so it was cancelled - gutted. John Cooper Clarke at Colchester Arts Centre was bloody amazing.  Newish bands I weirdly didn’t see enough and will make an effort to see more emerging acts next year. I really enjoyed watching Dream Wife at Latitude though as well as The Magic Gang.  Best ever ever moment was seeing Gaffa Tape Sandy on TV at Glastonbury - I was so super happy and proud of them.

Moments of the Year: Landing in the USA for the for the time ever and exploring Austin Texas with my best friends and band members [SuperGlu], playing SXSW to packed out audiences… totally bizarre and definitely not something I could have ever predicted I would do. It really was incredible and I feel so so lucky to have had such an amazing opportunity. Also, eating lunch backstage sat next to (ok… well kinda near) Brian Molko. I didn’t embarrass myself by saying hello - but every part of me wanted to.

Tips for 2018: Have loads of fun and try not too worry to much, enjoy your friends and make the most of what and who you have around you.

Click here for Part Two, featuring Fightmilk, Graceland, Desperate Journalist, Sophie Mahon, Kulk, The Interesting Times Gang, Kyanos, Clown Smash Everything, F.O.X and more!

Words & Collage: Seymour Quigley