I took up the Friday Session's offer to act as a judge at the Pershore Battle of the Bands last Friday at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre. What a great venue! It was packed with heaps of local enthusiasm and six bands to choose from. Same Old StoryIt was a nervous start by the first band Same Old Story. Some shaky timing and tuning, but I liked their good minor-key sound, which was helped by an excellent front-man. The VespersThe event was organised by Sam Fowles of the Vespers, who unfortunately were busy reorganising their lineup and set the same evening! They had a cracking Half Man Half Biscuit-sounding opening number, but they were a bit exposed in parts. If they can get it together, they'll be worth looking out for. Meek| "Star of the night has to be The Meek's drummer, who is just 13-years-old." | | Andy O'Hare |
Star of the night has to be The Meek's drummer, who is just 13-years-old. A bit pomp-rockish, but shades of Sabbath and Nirvana kept the interest level going for the hairiest band on the night. Time For HeroesThird place went to Time For Heroes. There was a great audience rapport for their good 'dirty' Rage Against The Machine-sounds. I actually liked the way their singer was learning the lyrics to a couple of numbers as the set progressed; music making in action before your eyes. SlapstixRunners-up were the quirky and thrashy ska-punksters Slapstix. Their happy-go-lucky sound reminded me of Toasted Egg Sandwich. The bassist had a few crowd-pleasing tricks up his sleeve, and I liked the 'parting of the audience' at the end. KnapkinUnanimous winners, however, were the funky-death-metal outfit Knapkin, though you wouldn't have guessed it from their false start. They delivered an amazing sound through modest equipment, have great attitude, a fantastic guitarist, slap-bassist and vocals, plus a really tight rhythm. I liked the brief Hammerhorror/MonsterMash variation halfway through - nice! They say their equipment problems is down to being cursed. I should imagine that'd earn them brownie points on the death-metal scene! Things to watch out for this weekend | | Toasted Egg Sandwich |
The Capital at the Blower in Worcester on Thursday, the Dandelion Killers at The Rainbow in Leominster or Toasted Egg Sandwich at Karlo's in Hereford on Friday. Toasted Egg Sandwich play the Rainbow on Saturday, and it's Wreckless Eric on Sunday at The Marrs Bar. Upcoming next Thursday 28 is Tastyhead at The Imperial in Hereford, and my birthday treat on Friday 29 is The Labels and Bitchpups at The Bunch of Grapes in Bristol - I'll let you know how it goes! You can listen to all of the latest music from across the two counties on the Friday Session, 7-9pm, BBC Hereford & Worcester. You can also listen on demand at a time that suits you. | 
