Coverup
Stonebroke
Simon and Beef
Evol
Altersketch
On Friday 2nd May Underpass played host to these five local MK acts. Their sets were about half an hour to forty five minutes long with Coverup first. As their name suggests they are a covers band singing various songs from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. If you're into covers their not bad. They had a nice sound coming out of the speakers and the singer had a good voice. I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't write their own material. After the gig I introduced myself to the singer but when I said hello and went to shake the bass players hand he never acknowledged me. I thought to myself why is this guy blanking me out and then I realized he was blind. I spoke briefly with them asking why they don't write their own stuff. They said they were happy doing what they were doing for now, but may in the future
Second up was Stonebroke. A four piece unit banging out original material with an Indie Rock feel to it. Before the gig a guy walked past accidentally picking up my drink. When I held my hand out and asked for it back he thought I was saying hello and went to shake my hand. Anyway this was the drummer for Stonebroke who was well having it on them skins. I always prefer it when a band does original stuff and that's what you get with Stonebroke. Later on I spoke with Simon the guitarist and he said they'll have more gigs in the future at the Pitz and with underpass at the Crauford Arms. Check em out on Myspace:
stone_broke@hotmail.co.uk
www.myspace.com/stonebrokeuk
Next was, well they don't actually have a name. They're a duo who I've decided to call Simon and Beef, that being their names. It was an acoustic session with Simon on guitar and Beef on bongos. Being a duo I didn't expect much but from the start I was blown away. The bongo's sounded fantastic and the singer was well animated and competent on his acoustic. They played about six tunes, three covers and three original. Unfortunately Beef is going away but Simon will be sticking around. I loved this performance and think that Simon has a great future ahead of him. Speaking to Simon beforehand I found out he is joining forces with F.I.N.K who will be playing here at the Crauford Arms on Friday 9th May. I hope he carry's on doing what he's doing. I had an interview with Simon and Beef afterwards. Click here to read interview Simon and Beef interview
The fourth act was Evol which is love spelt backwards. Personally I didn't think it would get any better than Simon and Beef's performance. I wouldn't say they were better but they were just as good. Their set consisted of one 25-30min track, no singing just music. They had an insane driven drum beat which has to rest on the lines of what I'd call 'Dark Dance'. Besides the beat was just two guitarists playing beautifully. I am a musician but I couldn't describe what they were doing, you'd have to see it for yourself and I would highly recommend seeing these guys. I'd say they have pretty much invented a new approach to music. At the moment they're calling it No-Wave Apart from the brilliant menacing sound, what's amazing about Evol is that the guitarists Max and Luke's set is all based around improvisation. They just play what they want over the top. Brilliant. I think they sounded like Radiohead meets Dance. After these guys had finished I was really starting to feel proud, proud to be a part of MK's music scene. Like Simon who played before them if these boys carry on the way they are, they have a bright future ahead of them.
Last but not least was Altersketch. Please forgive the poor pictures I've provided, my camera died and I had to use my mobile phone which just weren't cutting it. The crowd was most active when Altersketch played. These are Alternative Rock, which I thought sounded a little Rock meets Punk. They finished the night off as I presume as headliners of the entire show. These were also from Milton Keynes. Check them out on Myspace: www.myspace.com/altersketch
All in all it was a good night. I also met a cute little thing called Kioko who's from a band called Stanislav. They will be playing at the Pitz on 16th May in support of Krakajak. I'll have to try an make that. Underpass Promotions have a good set up at the Crauford Arms. It was £3 at the door, which is cheap. Underpass have got an event coming up on Saturday 10th May featuring up to 10 bands, starting from 4pm till late in the night. This again is only going to be £3 entry. Bargain. See you there Gef
Just so everyone knows Underpass Promotions have moved from Zaks to the Crauford Arms.
Click on photos for enlargement
