Tennessee Bilko (Review) Big Fun in the Back Room The Cannon Newport Pagnell 21 June 08

Tennessee Bilko

Tennessee Bilko weren't headlining on Saturday but this was the band I'd gone to see. I'd seen and met them at the Cannon a few weeks earlier and was looking forward to hearing more of them.
I wasn't disappointed. They were great. They had good chord changes, catchy melodies and generally a cool and unique all round sound, and rare round MK and Newport. It's what I would call a kinda ska-ish reggae-ish and maybe in places punk-ish type of groove, which is well refreshing. The Tennessee Bilko line-up consists of: Matt on drums, Sean on bass, Jonny on guitar and vocals and Shaun's twin brother (Though you wouldn't believe me if you saw them) Craig on guitar and vocals.

Tennessee Bilko Bilko History

They were the first to play out of the three bands of the evening and didn't kick off until about 9.20pm. I noticed that the Cannons back room was full only during the Tennessee Bilko performance. They've only been going about a year and a half and are a band influenced by the likes of 'Sublime' and 'Still Pulse.' One of the highlights of their young music career was actually playing at the Cannon at a gig called the 'Parklife Afterparty.' The Cannons back room was heaving at this time. In fact, overflowing. So a lot of people turning up were having to be denied access. Check em out, they'll be playing on the 26 July at Castlemead Court at a gig called 'Big fun in the Sun.' They are looking to record so anyone who knows anywhere please contact Craig on craigsanderson21@yahoo.co.uk

The Shapes

Next up was the Shapes fairly well known band from out of town who sounded a lot like Bloc Party.They sounded professional. The last song they played was the best but I didn't find out what it was called. The room seemed to half in size when the last two bands played but they carried on regardless. I think it was during this gig that Brian the host of the night who was keeping the sound system in check pulled out packs of fluorescent wrist band thingy's that he just threw out into the crowd. These band thingy's landed in peoples pints. But the crowd had fun with them, even making specs and necklaces and so on. The Shapes have got a few gigs lined up in MK so have a listen to them and check out their gig listing on myspace.com/theshapes

New Groove Formation

Just before the final band came on a couple of people set up in the car park to put on a fire work display. This was all part of the Big Fun in the Back Room hosted by Brian who also joined in on the firework display. www.bigfunwithbrian although it wasn't fireworks, more like giant sparklers. Then the New Groove Formation started. They sounded like a mix of Hendrix meets The Specials meets Bob Marley. These also sounded pro. I loved the Didgeridoo song, brilliant. They were a very full unit with 8 players in all. At the moment they're about as big as The Shapes. Well when it comes to profile views on myspace anyway. Find out where New Groove Formation are playing next on their myspace page www.myspace.com/newgrooveformation

Tennessee Bilko and Cannon Newport Photos

Click on photos for enlargement

Comments from the crowd
"Alright, tight knit, good musicians"
Sean on the Shapes

"Pretty good, I say yes"
Matt on the Shapes

"Amazing, loved em"
Mel on Tennesse Bilko"

"Great, always varied, wicked"
Kerry Ford on Tennessee Bilko

"High energy pumping, sweaty"
Craig on the Shapes

"Really good, always good"
Anonymous on Tennessee Bilko

"Liked the Shapes, liked new groove formation, loved Tennessee Bilko"
gef@miltonkeynes.com

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Reviewed by Gef