BEHIND THE SCENE

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

George Montague – Kintsugi – I’m The Envy

– Barn On The Farm – 2000 Trees -

Reviews, opinion and a massive gig guide for

August!

Issue #10 August 2014

THE ONLY FREE MAGAZINE

DEDICATED TO MUSIC IN

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE

BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE is 10 this month – we’ve reached double

figures! We’ve had a get-together and invited all our relatives around. Our aunties

have pinched our chubby cheeks and we’ve eaten so much jelly and ice-cream that

we fell asleep on the sofa wearing a pirate’s hat. It was quite the party. Now

that we are in double figures we have great plans for the magazine over the next

few months. Remember that we are the ONLY magazine DEDICATED to music in

Contact via e-mail: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/behindthesceneglos

Website: http://behindthesceneglos.webs.com

Cover photo: 2000 Trees Festival by Joe Singh

Web: www.snaprockandpop.co.uk

FB:http://www.facebook.com/pages/snaprockandpop

/284731497557?ref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/snaprockandpop

Issue #10 August 2014

NOTT THE NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

CAFÉ RENE, GLOUCESTER (Sunday 24th August)

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT THEN? It's

Cafe Rene's annual summer party!

THE REGULARS CALL IT: "The party

of the year!"

LIVE MUSIC PROVIDED BY: A live

samba band and DJs all day.

I’LL BE HUNGRY & THIRSTY: There’s

a BBQ, Caribbean food, all types of rum

and a special Black Beard Rum Punch.

SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET THE MEGABUS TO LONDON FOR IT? No, it's not

the Notting Hill Carnival, it's Nott The Notting Hill Carnival. It's in Gloucester.

What could be simpler?

TWO PINTS OF LAGER & A PACKET OF CRISPS PLEASE: £7.60 to you Sir

(well, to everybody actually).

BUT I WAN'T TO DRINK RED STRIPE: They'll have that in cans too at a special

Shebeen Bar. It is Nott The Notting Hill Carnival after all.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE. We’ve been attending gigs

here for 15 years and aren’t going anywhere.

Stick with us and enjoy the ride.

…IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE with CHARLIE BAXTER

FAVOURITE BAND/MUSICIAN…

There's just so many but if I had to pick

only one it would be I, The Lion.

Constantly gigging and always stunning,

these three chaps make a hell of a noise

and put on a fantastic show. I'm very

much looking forward to their next release.

BEST GIG YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO…

Frogfest every year! As for recent one off

shows I would pick Klaxons at 2 Pigs

because they were a huge influence on me

starting to make music, so to see them in

a small venue in my hometown was a

dream.

LAST GIG YOU WENT TO…

I've just got back from 2000 Trees

Festival, which was amazing. We have one

of the country's best small festivals right

on our doorstep and I highly recommend

everyone to check it out next year - I'll

definitely be going again!

GIVE YOURSELF A PLUG…

You can find me on Facebook and Twitter

and also check out my music on Bandcamp

and Soundcloud - just search for Charlie

Baxter. I'm also making new music with my

bands Oui Legionnaires and Last Night's

Victory, who are also on the

aforementioned websites. I'm always playing

live and hope to have a new solo record

out before the end of the year.

BEST THING ABOUT MUSIC…

The music scene here is just so friendly, I've made

such good friends with the bands and musicians

here, as well as gig promoters and everyone else

who makes music happen in Gloucestershire. It

really feels like a family. I've travelled around the

country playing music but nowhere has the same

combination of talent and supportiveness as here.

BEST KEPT SECRET…

I wanted to say Grumpy Whiskers but

I've just heard the sad news that they

have shut down. So I will just say

whatever the guys behind Grumpy

Whiskers decide to do next!

FAVOURITE VENUE/PUB...

The Frog & Fiddle is a true stalwart

of the local music scene, with local

and touring bands as well as festivals

and all dayers. I've had some of my

favourite nights at this venue, both as

a performer and as part of the

audience.

ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE

ABOUT MUSIC…

The same I would change about music

anywhere - I just wish more people

would check out their local venues at

the weekend instead of staying in

complaining that there's nothing to

do! It's such a shame when venues

shut down or bands break up because

the shows aren't attended in the

capacity that they deserve.

Having shared a billing with Rick Wakeman and Joss Stone at Henley Festival and

appeared at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, GEORGE MONTAGUE's summer has

been as busy as ever and seen him perform to ever increasing audiences. With a

residency at London Jazz Festival in November and album number two ready to go

(the follow up to 2012's 'Have You Met George?'), I caught up with George to ask

him about making music, funding albums and all that jazz.

Growing up, music was always played in the Montague household and George reels

off a list of artists as long as your arm that have shaped his music: from Earth

Wind & Fire, Madness and Prince to bands like Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Outkast,

then more recently Pharrell, One Republic and Gotye, the influences are diverse. "I

was classically taught double bass from age eleven, which gave me a grounding in

music theory with scales and chords and an idea of how music works. The piano was

the instrument I found by myself and escaped to when I probably should have been

doing my double bass practice, especially when I began deconstructing songs and

album piano books by bands like Coldplay. I wanted to try and write songs that

made me feel those kind of emotions. And once I started you could barely tear me

away from the keys."

Double bass at 11, piano at 13, guitar at 15 and later the ukulele too, George is a

true multi-instrumentalist which, if you've ever seen him live, you'll know for

yourself. "I picked up the guitar and went through the teen-rocker thing, but

always came back to the piano." Now, ten years since he started playing the piano

he has well over 100 songs in his repertoire which he says just keep on coming.

"I adore songwriting. That, combined with performing, is my passion. Some songs

literally just happen, I almost write it and play it at the same time. Those are

normally very catchy, honest and often big hits with my wonderful fans. But

sometimes they take some coaxing out of their shell. I have had songs that have

taken years before they were right, as well as ones that will never be heard. It’s

knowing which ones really make me feel something that I can translate to an

audience, whether that is deep emotion or just wanting to get up and have a good

old boogie!"

Soon those people will have a new George Montague album to boogie to. George

has started a PledgeMusic campaign to fund the recording of the album. The funds

are raised by the fans, with no money leaving their pockets until the final target is

reached. And in return for pre-ordering his new album, fans get access to behind

the scenes, exclusive bonus content. "People kept asking me, “Where is album two

George?” It wasn’t always the plan, I have had talks with labels, but then I kept

hearing more about how PledgeMusic would be great for us and my fans! It is

because of them that I will be working with the guy who Produced Coldplay’s X&Y

album! You should have seen my face when they mentioned they could put us in

touch." The new album is completely written,

rehearsed, gigged and ready to go. "We

just need the time in the studio. So

when we reach 100% on Pledge we can do

just that. Go in, record the music, make

the album and then send it out to

everyone who so kindly pre-ordered it and

made it possible. I think that is why

Pledge also really appealed to me, because

I love connecting and talking with the

lovely folk enjoying my music online, with

YouTube comments or on Twitter and

Facebook. I am so grateful to all those

kind people, and wanted to give more

back to them to say thank you for all

their support and love over the past few

years. Pledge seemed like a nice way to

do that."

When the album is released, George will continue his relentless gig schedule

accompanied by his full six-piece 'notsobigband' and himself on grand piano. However,

he'll still be performing solo and as a quintet, quartet, trio and duo too. "I love

the variety. That variety and changing up the sound is what makes it even more

fun. Of course I’d love to be playing a full arena tour with a big band and jazz

orchestra every night, but I actually really love also playing solo, especially summer

festivals with their great vibe, sometimes on Gloria (my acoustic guitar), stripping

back songs and leaping about barefoot, with a bass-drum at my feet and just

hammering out some tunes to good folk."

An upcoming residency at the London Jazz Festival will see George on the same

programme as Grammy award winning Snarky Puppy and Miles Davis collaborator

Marcus Miller. "I am truly honoured that they want me to play, let alone give me

the whole week to play all over London. It is going to be quite an amazing time,

and they always have a great line-up!"

And I thought that Jazz music was just for old people. "Haha, well, I love jazz,

though I would not call myself jazz. I definitely have jazz influence, and am truly

honoured to play these superb jazz festivals. Even though I cannot place my genre

I am very happy the jazz community seem to be excepting me as a sort of second

cousin twice removed. I would say I have more Jazz Funk, Blues, R&B and Soul in

my music."

http://pledgemusic.com/georgemontague

http://www.georgemontague.com/

Although much of his time is spent in London, George is quick to note the virtues

of the Gloucestershire music scene. "My favourite gig I have played in

Gloucestershire was the Jazz Arena at Cheltenham Jazz Festival for an audience of

600 beautifully engaged, excited old and new fans! We are lucky to have such a

great original music scene in Gloucestershire championed by dedicated kind people. I

always have a ball going in and playing the BBC Radio Gloucestershire studio for

lovely encouraging folk like Claire Carter and Kate Justice. And Brewery Blues (at

New Brewery Arts) have always supported me and my music, as well as the Sundial

Theatre in Cirencester, the Everyman Theatre and The Frog and Fiddle in

Cheltenham. And of course we have some excellent festivals around here too like

the BBC Introducing stage at Wychwood. There is a lot of talent in this area.

Must be something in the water as they say.“

Don't I keep telling you that? Follow the links below for more information on

George Montague and his PledgeMusic campaign.

BARN ON THE FARM FESTIVAL

Over Farm, Gloucester - 6th June

It is Sunday morning and clearly a lot of people had too much of a good time at

Barn On The Farm Festival the previous night. As I wander up the track to the

entrance from the car park, I see bleary-eyed teenagers gingerly unzipping their

tents to glimpse the sunlight for the first time that day, whilst others sit

vacantly on the grass considering their next move – do they walk to the tap to

brush the taste of cider out of their mouths, or just lie down and hope that the

pain will go away? As for me, I’m fresh faced and ready to watch some bands…on a

farm…in Gloucester, a mere hop, skip and jump away from my house. I stop and

ponder that thought for a moment and think back to when I was a teenager. We

didn’t have the ‘next big things’ of folk and indie playing in a field around the

corner. We had Reading Festival - a long train ride away with crap nu-metal bands

all day and idiots shouting “bollocks” all night long in the campsite. Gloucestershire

– you don’t know how lucky you are.

In case it’s not already obvious, Barn On The Farm is held on an actual working

farm. The bands play in barns, there are huge tractor tyres to rest your weary

bum on and ostriches look at you inquisitively from behind a fence as you make

your way in. As country folk know, life on a farm starts early and as a result,

WINTER SPRINGS kicked things off at 11am with some happy folk-pop driven by

dual female vocalists. They played on the mezzanine level of a barn and everyone

listened attentively to songs that are so fresh that one was even written last

week. Soon after, FRANKIE DAVIES (pictured) and her band played some upbeat

country with massive choruses. She even threw in a Fleetwood Mac cover, which I

can only assume is played to mark the fact that today is the British Grand Prix.

Whereas JAKE ISAAC’s music is made for much bigger things altogether. Despite

some technical difficulties and a false start, he soon demonstrated his star quality

with some upbeat indie-pop. At the back of the room several girls screamed like he

was on the X-Factor (please stop, it’s a terrible habit) but you can kind of see

how he won them over. With his soulful voice and ability to switch tempos and

instruments effortlessly, it won’t be long before JAKE ISAAC’s name starts

cropping up more regularly.

KYLA LA GRANGE’s thumping beats and rumbling bass shook the sides of the main

stage barn and reverberated right through the corrugated metal. It was a quite

dramatic electro sound, like Florence Welch with plenty of machines. Quite the

opposite, back at the café stage, a small group whooped and hollered before MATT

WOODS had even played a song - he bashfully acknowledged them and persuaded

them not to clap along as it put him off his timing. He needed only an acoustic

guitar, a Ryan Adams-esque set of vocals and a great set of original songs to get

everyone’s attention as the sun set and the rain just about held off.

And with that, I wandered back past the ostriches and the small sea of tents to

the car park and I reflected on the fact that I didn’t see a single bad band at Barn

On The Farm. You get the sense that they’ve been categorically chosen for their

quality and, as a result, you can often hear a pin drop during performances (aside

from the occasional sound of a micro light plane taking off from the edge of the

festival field). There’s no litter, there’s little mud and every single person is there

for the music. What a lovely festival. I’ll be back next year.

Opening up the main stage was KES, whose

performance fell somewhere between enigmatic

and oddball. Taking cues from The Doors and

The Hold Steady, his tortured spoken word

seemed to split the opinion of the audience.

The same cannot be said for CHLOE FOY

(pictured), who performed over on the third

stage which doubled up as a chilled out café

bar. It’s probably 3 years since I’ve seen her

play and in that time she’s gathered together

a band and found a quite beautiful traditional

folk sound. I could have sat there with my cup

of tea and listened for hours.

Back on the main stage, KATE MILLAR played

an understated set of woozy, electronic music

with hints of the 80’s and The Gossip which

was easy to lose yourself in on a lazy Sunday

afternoon. Later on, PRIDES provided some

perfect energetic synth-pop that got people

moving, clapping and dancing. Their music is

clearly made for festivals like this.

WHO’D BE AN…OPEN

MIC HOST?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AN

OPEN MIC HOST?

I've been hosting open mics for probably

around seven years.

WHERE ARE YOU AN OPEN MIC

HOST?

I joint-host the open mics at the Cross

Keys Inn, off Southgate Street in

Gloucester, and the Gloucester

Guildhall's Musiclab.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT

BEING AN OPEN MIC HOST?

Being able to help people perform with

as much confidence as possible by being

positively supportive and by getting

them the best sound you can.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING ABOUT

BEING AN OPEN MIC HOST?

Having to tell late comers that they

won't get a chance to perform as you've

run out of time.

IS GLOUCESTERSHIRE A GOOD PLACE

TO BE AN OPEN MIC HOST?

Yes! In my experience there are great

performers across a wide range of music

styles, a warm and friendly audience and

supportive and enthusiastic

landlords/ladies.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE

NOT AN OPEN MIC HOST?

I perform in a number of bands, namely

Sons of the Delta and The Jigantics,

plus solo performances.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN

ASPIRING OPEN MIC HOST?

Have a list of performers to keep a keep

a running order, try and give people

equal time. If people want to change the

order they perform in they should agree

that with performers before them -

don't make the decision yourself as

people can accuse you of favouritism.

GIVE YOURSELF A PLUG!

I will, thanks! Check out the music I

make at www.markcolemusic.com,

www.sonsofthedelta.co.uk and

www.thejigantics.com Also, please find

and 'Like' the bands on Facebook - it

really helps get the word around.

WITH MARK COLE

"We're not really like anybody else we've heard around here. We're not punk, we're

not metal, we're not indie. We think there's something for everybody in our set

list. Lots of our songs use samples to add some depth, as we like our music to not

only be songs, but to act as soundscapes, evoking images and feelings in the

listener. We can sound pretty big for a 3 piece as a result!"

After originally forming through other bands and a chance meeting at a house party

(isn't that how most bands get together?), the trio stayed playing together and

formed Kintsugi. Tom is the main songwriting force and cites his influences as bands

like Biffy Clyro, Deftones, Hundred Reasons and Mogwai, but that's not to say

that he thinks that the band sound anything like that - in fact he often struggles

to explain to people what they sound like. "He generally resorts to playing them

something instead."

So what does Kintsugi actually mean? "The word Kintsugi comes from the Japanese

art of mending broken pottery with seams of gold or silver, with the resulting

piece often being more beautiful than the original. It's used as a philosophy to

mean that something can be better in the long run as a result of having been

broken in the first place. This resonates with us, both as musicians and as people,

so seemed a good choice for us.“

The band have just released their first single, 'When We Were Young' which is

available via digital download. "It's about revisiting somewhere where you used to

spend a lot of time in your youth, and realising that the reality of the place is

different now compared to your memory, and how that affects your relationship

with that place." The band have also released some early demo tracks for their EP

Life for a new band can be hard. You

settle on a name you like, type it in to

Google and find that it's been taken by

a death metal band from Finland. You

try to get some gigs, but the venue

won't put you on because you don't

have any recordings. You don't have any

recordings because you've spent all of

your money on rehearsal studios. You

invite all of your friends to 'Like' your

Facebook page, but only 13 do and you

feel instantly rejected. You've got to

keep plugging away. You've got to have

the right attitude. And it seems like

KINTSUGI, a relatively new alternative

rock band from Cheltenham have that.

Tom, James and Rich that make up the

band gave me an insight into what it's

like to be a new band in Gloucestershire.

KINTSUGI

And finally, what's next for Kingsugi? "Record our EP properly. Gigs, gigs, and more

gigs - we'd love a slot at a local festival. We'd also love to take our music further

afield, perhaps to London. We're playing both The Fleece in Bristol, and at Oxjam

Didcot in August, so it's a step in the right direction! Above all else, our plans

involve continuing to write and perform music that we love playing and which makes

us feel awesome."

on their website which were recorded and mixed at Tom's home studio at his house

in Gloucester. "It's very much a DIY job but Tom loves the mixing and production

side of the band equally as much as the playing. Although, we'd love to hear what

we sound like mixed professionally and get into a professional recording studio and

record our EP properly!“

How easy is it for a relatively new band to get gigs in Gloucestershire? "On the

whole it's been relatively tricky to be honest, but that's not to say that it's

difficult - it just requires a lot of effort, flexibility and persistence to keep

contacting venues and promoters until something comes up. Bands can't expect

offers to come flying in, so they need to put in the legwork on that side of

things. We try to keep up a steady social media presence and spread the word of

gigs. Good communication with venues and promoters helps, so we try to make sure

we're clear on that front. We do however think more could be done to promote

gigs early, and with the right information - adverts with 'sounds like', or 'for fans

of’ type information - we think this will help people take a chance on new bands in

the area and give them time to make sure they don't have other arrangements."

Locally, the band pick out

Empire, Reign of Fury and

Evesham-based Baron

Greenback as some of their

favourites. "We really like 2

Pigs in Cheltenham too. It's

an excellent venue with

great staff and a fantastic

sound. We also loved the

intimacy of Grumpy

Whiskers which has now

sadly closed. Hopefully we'll

get a chance to play some

other venues like The Frog

and Fiddle at some point.

To hear tracks from KINTSUGI, please visit:

www.kintsugiband.com

www.facebook.com/kintsugiband.

BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE RECOMMENDS…

VENA PORTAE August 15th

The Goods Shed, Stroud THE ME! ME! ME’S!

August 9th

2 Pigs, Cheltenham

KING PLEASURE

& THE BISCUIT

BOYS August 1st

Café Rene, Gloucester

SCOTT JAMES & THE

REVOLUTION August 23rd

Royal Oak, Bishop’s Cleeve

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

1st Soul Strutters, King Pleasure &

The Biscuit Boys, Steve Ajao

Blues Giants

Café Rene Gloucester Blues

1st Sean Saye Globe Stonehouse Classic covers

1st Fred Robert’s Family, Polly &

Flo

Bell Inn Cheltenham Acoustic

1st Huntley Beer Festival feat:

Leanne Jackson All About Gaga,

Thrill Collins, Indigo Kings

(6pm)

Huntley

Cricket Club

Huntley Festival

1st Clair Le Brocq Band Dick

Whittington

Gloucester Blues

1st Which One’s Gerry? New Inn Gloucester Covers

1st Steve & The Achievers Ale House Stroud Blues Roots

1st Filthy Rokkit Vaults Cirencester Rock covers

1st Gordon Wood Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Blues

1st Tommy Lewis Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Pop covers

1st World Government Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Funk Soul

1st Strange Things Frighten Us,

DJ’s Eddie & Tom

SMV Subtone Cheltenham Pop punk

1st Dom Pipkin The Convent South

Woodchester

Roots Blues

1st Synergy Strand Cheltenham World

1st Vinestock feat: Galloping Cows,

Hard Stairs, Clay Gods, Alex

Petrie, Gareth Harper,

Colourmejordan (6pm)

The Vine Cheltenham Festival

1st Soul Strutters Café Rene Gloucester Funk Soul

1st Short & Sweet The Royal Charlton

Kings

Soul covers

1st Ed Arnold Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

1st Adam Cross O’Neills Cheltenham Acoustic

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

1st Memphis Fairview Cheltenham Covers

2nd 24 Pesos, King Size Slim, The

Clarksville Mountain Band, Funke

& The Two Tone Baby, Lewis

Creaven, Will Edmunds Trio,

Solid Gone (2pm)

Café Rene Gloucester Blues

2nd Texas Flood, Apherium,

Standing To Fall, Kill For

Trophies

Lower George

Inn

Gloucester Hard Rock

2nd Stretch Brewery Stroud Americana

2nd Huntley Beer Festival feat: The

Rating, The Lushtones, Muso

Centrale, One Direction

Adventure (4.30pm)

Huntley

Cricket Club

Huntley Festival

2nd No Parkin’ Blues Band New Inn

Courtyard

Gloucester Blues

2nd CCTV Allstars Prince Albert Stroud Ska Folk

2nd Summerfest feat: Red Seas

Fire, Heaven Asunder, Aurora,

We Define A Martyr, Five Miles

North Of Nowhere, Sharkface

(3pm)

Frog & Fiddle Cheltenham Festival

2nd Which One’s Gerry? The Station Gloucester Covers

2nd Shark Dentist Bayshill Cheltenham Blues Rock

2nd Mark Walby Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

2nd Summerfest feat: Freeze The

Atlantic, The Hook-Line Riot,

Welcome Back Delta, Giants,

Milk Teeth & more! (6pm)

2 Pigs Cheltenham Festival

2nd Fake Republic Albion House Cheltenham Covers

2nd The Red Shift, Which One’s

Gerry?

O’Neils Cheltenham Covers

2nd Cam Beer Festival feat:

Fracture, Severn Soul, Boogie

Bop Boys

Cam Sports

Club

Cam Covers Rock

‘n’ Roll

2nd Otis Mack & The Tubby

Bluesters

Ruardean

Sports &

Social Club

Drybrook Blues

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

2nd Adam Cross The Quaich Cheltenham Acoustic

2nd Standing To Fall Lower George

Inn

Gloucester Hard Rock

2nd The Rumblestrutters Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Blues

2nd Vince Freeman Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Singer

songwriter

2nd Deckajam SMV Subtone Cheltenham Live Drum &

Bass

2nd Vinestock feat: King Solomon,

Charlie Baxter, Lighter Thieves,

Jim Blair, The Hawthornes,

Black Rose & more! (12.30pm)

The Vine Cheltenham Festival

3rd Lionfest feat: The Stand,

Harper’s Ferry, Josh Morgan,

Beat Harlows, Ed Hanfrey

(3.30pm)

The Lion Cinderford Festival

3rd Oil Slick Fire, Rollo Markee

(4.30pm)

Fountain Inn Gloucester Blues

3rd Red Dog (6pm) Railway Inn Newnham Blues

3rd Emily (3.30pm) Albion House Cheltenham Covers

3rd Open Mic (4.30pm)

Big Jim & The Blues Breakers

Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Blues

3rd JB2 Exmouth Arms Cheltenham Jazz

3rd Lionfest feat: Loose Covers,

Drawing Of The Three, Devon

Cassells, Tom Browning, Dan &

Kate (3.30pm)

The Lion Cinderford Festival

3rd Vinestock feat: Edd Donovan &

The Wandering Moles, Richard

Abberline, Ghost Mind, Flying

Down Trio (3pm)

The Vine Cheltenham Festival

3rd Russ Kirk (12.00) Tunnel House

Inn

Cirencester Country

4th Connie Lush, Spikedrivers, Keith

Thompson’s Band, Matt Woosey

Band, Steve Morrison, Damon T

Café Rene Gloucester Blues

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

6th Open Mic Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Open Mic

6th Tom Browning Café Rene Gloucester Acoustic

6th Open Mic with Gordon Wood Bayshill Cheltenham Open Mic

7th Leon Daye Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Acoustic

7th Flight Of K Soho Bar Cheltenham Covers

8th Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar Prince Albert Stroud Folk

8th Sound & The Sirens Queen Vic Stroud Covers

8th Bob Smith’s ‘Beerfest’ Open mic Miner’s Arms Whitecroft Open Mic

8th Marie Lister Trio Monty’s Cheltenham Soul Blues

8th Profound Poets, Benji & Hibbz,

White Spice, The Corfields,

Future Talk , Kirsty Clinch,

Jimmy Moore, Charlie Anne

Vaults Cirencester Singer

songwriter

8th I’m The Envy SMV Subtone Cheltenham Hard Rock

8th John D’Ambrosio (6pm) Exmouth Arms Cheltenham Acoustic

8th The Furtive, Frazer Lepford Cotswold Inn Cheltenham Acoustic

8th Waiting For Kate, King Solomon Fish & Fiddle Cheltenham Ska Reggae

8th Lakefest inc: Buzzcocks, Lee

‘Scratch’ Perry, Young Kato,

Coco & The Butterfeats & more

Croft Farm

Waterpark

Tewkesbury Festival

8th Delicate Holly, Standing To Fall,

Loic, Jay Mansfield

2 Pigs Cheltenham Indie rock

8th Michigan Avenue Brunswick Gloucester Blues

8th Arankas Cackle Café Rene Gloucester Reggae

8th Jacob Wellfair, Spencer Rees Slug & Lettuce Cheltenham Acoustic

8th Subduction Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Ska

8th Fred Robert’s Family, The

Jellyfish

Bell Inn Cheltenham Acoustic

9th Jennifer T Nag’s Head Longhope Pop covers

9th Zephyr Brunswick Gloucester Blues Rock

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

9th Binomial Stoney’s Cirencester Synth-pop

covers

9th Lakefest inc: Shed Seven,

Lightning Seeds, Neville Staple,

Erica, Victorian Dad + more!

Croft Farm

Waterpark

Tewkesbury Festival

9th John D’Ambrasio Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

9th Funkbomb St Paul’s

Tavern

Cheltenham Funky covers

9th Parc Royale, The Penny Black,

Spark The Sale

SMV Subtone Cheltenham Pop punk

9th Which One’s Gerry? Tuffley Rovers

Sports Club

Gloucester Covers

9th DB Smith Blues Trio Bayshill Cheltenham Blues

9th The Vigil, The Me Me Me’s!

Honey

2 Pigs Cheltenham Rock

9th The Two Anchors Brewery Stroud Sea shanties

10th Will Kinn (3.30pm) Albion House Cheltenham Pop covers

10th Open Mic with Bexley (6pm) Railway Inn Newnham Open Mic

10th The Pushy Doctors Stroud Valleys

Artspace

Stroud Jazz

10th Broken Boat Prince Albert Stroud Folk

10th Lakefest inc: Fun Lovin

Criminals, Roving Crows, Gaz

Brookfield, Edd Donovan & The

Wandering Moles + more!

Croft Farm

Waterpark

Tewkesbury Festival

13th Open Mic Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Open Mic

13th Gypsies of Bohemia Café Rene Gloucester Acoustic

covers

13th Drawing Of The Three, Ben

Maggs, Alex Petrie, Russ Poole

Bayshill Cheltenham Singer

songwriter

14th Renny Jackson Prince Albert Stroud Singer

songwriter

14th Alex Taylor Soho Bar Cheltenham Singer

songwriter

15th Fiona Bevan, Kal Lavelle Frog & Fiddle Cheltenham Singer

songwriter

15th Bukky Leo & Black Egypt The Convent South

Woodchester

Afro Beat

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

15th The Grass Snakes Brunswick Gloucester Bluegrass

15th Which One’s Gerry? The Old Badger Eastington Covers

15th Vena Portae, The Diamond Road The Goods

Shed

Stroud Alt-folk

15th Kickin Radios Café Rene Gloucester Indie Rock

15th The Luke Doherty Band Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Classic Rock

15th The Wizards of Delight Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Weird &

Wonderful

15th The Smokey Mountain Boys,

Boys In The Wood

SMV Subtone Cheltenham Country

Roots

15th Fred Robert’s Family, Ethemia Bell Inn Cheltenham Acoustic

15th John D’Ambrasio Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

15th Synergy The Royal Charlton

Kings

World

16th Hired Guns, Erica, Halfway To

Here

2 Pigs Cheltenham Hard Rock

16th Mizen Experience Miner’s Arms Whitecroft Acoustic

16th Galloping Cows St Paul’s

Tavern

Cheltenham Covers

16th Alex Taylor Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Singer

songwriter

16th Binomial Farmer’s Arms Birtsmorton Synth-pop

covers

16th Tuff Lov Albion House Cheltenham Covers

16th Karu Railway Inn Newnham Rock

16th Snowblind (Black Sabbath

Tribute)

Hillview Music

Venue

Cheltenham Rock Metal

16th Five Miles North Of Nowhere,

Eden In Progress, Floorboards

SMV Subtone Cheltenham Heavy Rock

16th Beggarman’s Beard, Defy All

Reason, Beneath The Divine,

Hunter’s Grace

Lower George

Inn

Gloucester Rock Metal

16th Damson Sky Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

16th Powerslaves (Iron Maiden

tribute)

Brunswick Gloucester Heavy metal

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

16th Swing From Paris Brewery Stroud Jazz swing

16th Too Rock For Country Bayshill Cheltenham Rock

16th Which One’s Gerry? Nag’s Head Longhope Covers

17th Marcus T (3.30pm) Albion House Cheltenham Covers

17th Hungry Folk Miner’s Arms Whitecroft Folk

18th Hattie Briggs, Philip Douch Painswick

Centre

Painswick Storytelling

& Folk

18th Vena Portae (2pm) Rise Records Cheltenham Alt-folk

20th Paul Newman’s Jam Night Bayshill Cheltenham Open Mic

20th Open Mic Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Open Mic

20th Life O’Reilly Folk Jam The Royal Charlton

Kings

Irish

20th Gloucester Acoustic Showcase Café Rene Gloucester Acoustic

20th Young Guns Guildhall Gloucester Pop rock

21st A Willhelm Scream, Darko,

Stillbust

Guildhall Gloucester Hard rock

21st Cut The Funk The Convent South

Woodchester

Jazz Funk

21st David Julien Soho Bar Cheltenham Acoustic

22nd Benny J Hayes Prince Albert Stroud Punk rock

22nd KSH & The Going Goods SMV Subtone Cheltenham Acoustic hip-

hop

22nd Swanfest feat: Michigan Avenue,

Them Spitfires, The

Hawthornes, Middle Aged Angst,

Show Openers (6pm)

The Swan Cheltenham Festival

22nd Bobby G Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Rock ‘n’ Roll

22nd Solid Gone Brunswick Gloucester Blues

22nd The Stiff Joints Café Rene Gloucester Ska

22nd Which One’s Gerry? Black Horse Inn Nibley Covers

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

22nd Binomial Vaults Cirencester Synth-pop

covers

22nd Beer & Cricket Festival: Errol’s

Kitchen, The Watts

Miserden

Cricket Club

Miserden Funk covers

22nd Which One’s Gerry? Black Horse Inn Nibley Covers

22nd Short, Sweet & Curly (6pm) Exmouth Arms Cheltenham Acoustic

22nd Alex Petrie Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

23rd Witcombe Cider Fest inc: Goldie

Lookin’ Chain, Ballzee, Jawjee,

Charlie Baxter, Check Da Cone,

Matt Bond, Son Of Jack, Emi

McDade, Michigan Avenue,

Ethemia

Witcombe Gloucester Festival

23rd Gravy Train Lakeside Café Tewkesbury Rock covers

23rd The Red Shift Coach &

Horses

Bourton on

the Water

Covers

23rd Concrete Jungle Festival: Laid

Blak, 1Eye, New Town Kings,

Imperial Leisure, Troy Ellis, The

Simmertones, Captain Accident

& The Disasters, King Solomon,

Strange Tenants, Alieghicia

Scott, SN Dubstation

Guildhall Gloucester Ska Reggae

23rd Brynley Thomas Globe Stonehouse Acoustic rock

covers

23rd Vince Freeman Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

23rd Royal Forest Beer Fest inc: Lar

Hughes, Peter Hale, Innocent

Bystanders, Dixons Of Dock

Green, Bexley Terrell, Damon

Thomas, Beat Harlows, Solid

Gone (4pm)

Miner’s Arms Whitecroft Festival

23rd Adam Okin Lakeside

Brasserie

South Cerney Swing covers

23rd Soulville Express Albion House Cheltenham Soul

23rd Subduction Brewery Stroud Reggae

23rd Subway The Hatherley Cheltenham Covers

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

23rd Beer & Sausage Fest inc: Alice

Barlow, Vince Freeman, Mike

Maddams, Scott James & The

Revolution, Corduroy Kings,

David Jullen (1pm)

Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Singer

songwriter

23rd Velvet Love & The Memphis

One

Strand Cheltenham Soul

Motown

23rd Beer & Cricket Festival: King

Solomon Band

Miserden

Cricket Club

Miserden Reggae

23rd Swanfest feat: Galloping Cows,

The Pillars, Delicate Holly, 5$

Shake, Small Talk Robot,

Because Band, That Eaton

Jones Fellow, The

Plunderphonics, Huw Thomas,

Rock Foundry (12pm)

The Swan Cheltenham Festival

23rd Huw Edward Thomas, Because SMV Subtone Cheltenham Acoustic

Indie

23rd Treefest inc: In Situ, Gordon

Wood, Emily McGrory, The Hot

Tin Roofs, Corky, Ells & The

Southern Wild, Louise Latham,

Nicky Swann, Cadbury Sisters,

Rob Richings. (10.40am)

Westonbirt

Arboretum

Tetbury Festival

23rd Which One’s Gerry? Five Alls Cheltenham Covers

24th Over The Hill Lakeside Café Tewkesbury Covers

24th Brian Black, CJ (2.45pm) Albion House Cheltenham Covers

24th Jennifer T Cinderford

Rugby Club

Cinderford Pop covers

24th Treefest inc: The Shudders,

Mischa & His Merry Men, David

Waddington, Blind River Scare,

Mouton Gater, Missin’ Rosie,

Charlie-Anne, Andrew Davies,

Christine Kinder (10.50am)

Westonbirt

Arboretum

Tetbury Festival

24th Which One’s Gerry? (5pm) The Crown Lechlade Covers

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

24th Which One’s Gerry? (8pm) Old Spot Dursley Covess

24th Beer & Cricket Festival: Vital

Logistics

Miserden

Cricket Club

Miserden Covers

24th Brian Black Royal Oak Bishop’s

Cleeve

Covers

24th Witcombe Cider Fest inc:

Sonique, Duke, Alec Pritchard,

Josh Flowers & The Wild,

Smith & Jones, DJDZ, Edd

Donovan & The Wandering

Moles, Normanton Street, King

Solomon.

Witcombe Gloucester Festival

24th Swanfest feat: Oui Legionnaires,

Tommy Drums, Aural Candy,

The Red Shift, The Timbres,

Alex Petrie, Charlie Baxter, I’m

The Envy, Polly Anna

Gannaway-Pitts, Adam Cross,

Folkin’ Amazing, Rock Foundry

(12pm)

The Swan Cheltenham Festival

24th Shootin’ The Crow Railway Inn Newnham Rock

Country

24th Bon Giovi (Bon Jovi Tribute) Kingshill Dursley Hair Rock

24th Nott The Notting Hill Carnival Café Rene Gloucester Festival

24th Dave Clifford Globe Stonehouse Pop rock

covers

25th Treefest inc: Nick Felix, Leon

Daye, Alison Hustwitt, Keith

Hyett, Newquay Times, Darren

Hodge, Smith & Jones. (11am)

Westonbirt

Arboretum

Tetbury Festival

25th Swanfest feat: The Furtive,

Stressechoes, John Madden, The

Wanted Men, Black Rose, Fred

Roberts’ Family (12pm)

The Swan Cheltenham Festival

25th Thrill Collins (6pm) The Royal Charlton

Kings

Skiffle

Covers

27th Open Mic Cross Keys Inn Gloucester Open Mic

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

27th Mike Parker Café Rene Gloucester Americana

27th Johnny Duff’s Open Mic Bayshill Cheltenham Open Mic

28th Flight Of K Soho Bar Cheltenham Covers

28th Vince Freeman Lakeside

Brasserie

South Cerney Singer

songwriter

29th Stroud Fringe Fest: Largo

Embargo, I The Lion, Four Mile

House

Bank Gardens Stroud Festival

29th DMA, Odile Rault Brunswick Gloucester Not sure

29th Edd Donovan & The Wandering

Moles

The Convent South

Woodchester

Folk

29th The Bob Porter Project Brewery Stroud Americana

29th Victoria Bolley Globe Stonehouse Pop soul

covers

29th Mark Walby Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

29th Stroud Outer Fringe: The

Dustmites, Thee Pulsations, The

Red Propellers, Jibberish

(5.30)

Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Rock

29th Which One’s Gerry? St Oswald’s

Village

Gloucester Covers

29th Mystic Royals Café Rene Gloucester Reggae

29th Open Mic Miner’s Hall Cinderford Open Mic

30th Jennifer T Belfry Littledean Pop covers

30th The Red Shift Ox House Wine

Bar

Northleach Covers

30th Too Rock For Country Lakeside Café Tewkesbury Covers

30th This Way Up Albion House Cheltenham Covers

30th Stroud Outer Fringe: Chinese

Burn, Thee Ones, Soul

Destroyers (6pm)

Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Punk, R&B

30th Chris Webb Monty’s Cheltenham Acoustic

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

30th Metallica Reloaded (Tribute) Hillview Music

Venue

Cheltenham Metal Thrash

30th Vapor Miner’s Arms Whitecroft Acoustic

30th Knebakeye SMV Subtone Cheltenham Britpop

covers

30th Stroud Fringe Fest: The

Outcast Band, Jam Tidy, The

Leaking Machine, Ben Maggs,

The Convulsions, The Indigo

Kings, Small Talk Robot, Pete

Taylor

Bank Gardens Stroud Festival

30th Which One’s Gerry? The Wharf Over Covers

30th Phoenix Festival inc: Miracle

Master

Abbey Gardens Cirencester Festival

30th Isolation + support Lower George

Inn

Gloucester Hard rock

30th Reuben Lovett, Calum Lewis,

Ed Hanfrey, Grace Palmer

2 Pigs Cheltenham Singer

songwriter

30th ODi Prince Albert Stroud Folk

30th Sound & The Sirens Old George Inn South Cerney Covers

30th Emily Mew Bayshill Cheltenham Singer

songwriter

31st Stroud Fringe Fest: Steve &

The Achievers, Missin’ Rosie,

Benita Johnson, Hattie Briggs,

Clutching At Straws, Sarana

VerLin, Becky Syson, Taeppeda

Bank Gardens Stroud Festival

31st Phoenix Festival inc: Sound &

The Sirens, Duke, Thrill Collins,

Future Talk, Curious Little Big

Band + more!

Abbey Gardens Cirencester Festival

PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL!

WE’VE COLLATED ALL OF THESE GIGS A MONTH AHEAD

AND SOMETIMES THINGS CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE!

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GIG GUIDE FOR AUGUST

Date Bands Venue Town Genre

31st Stroud Outer Fringe: Mustard,

Stretch Allegro, Mudfolk, The

Scrutineers, Doctors Slash &

Payne, Thee Watts, Popgang,

Art Of Mix, Floydi Davis Jr. &

Dom Peringon (1pm)

Crown &

Sceptre

Stroud Festival

31st Sax Appeal (3.30pm) Albion House Cheltenham Jazz covers

31st Katey Brooks, Kara J Richards

(2pm)

Black Book

Café

Stroud Acoustic Folk

IF YOUR GIG ISN’T LISTED IT’S BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T SEND IT

TO ME! HERE’S MY E-MAIL FOR NEXT MONTH…

behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk

If you use our gig guide to inform your website, radio show, blog

etc, then we’d love for you to give us a credit. It’ll make the hours

spent collating it worth it and spread the word that little further!

2000 TREES FESTIVAL Upcote Farm, Cheltenham 11th – 13th July 2014

As I do my best not to miss the right turning that I miss every July, I feel a

sense of deja vu I've been getting for the last six years. Once again I'm driving to

2000 Trees and I know that as soon as I've gone past those 'Stay in 2nd Gear'

signs, negotiated the rocky track without destroying the undercarriage of my car

and handed in a crumpled five pound note to the girl in a hi-vis vest, I can take

my spot in the car park and enjoy one of the best festivals for new music in the

country. I know that I say this a lot, but it is literally on our doorstep.

The Thursday night at 2000 Trees is an intimate affair. As people start to arrive,

the traders serve their first customers and the two tents that are open host

familiar festival bands and some comedy. The tents gradually fill up through the

evening as the acts turn from relative unknowns (for example, the Pavement-esque

WILDCAT STRIKE) to very well knowns (headliners DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS

PIP). Of the bands I see, OXYGEN THIEF gets a

rousing reception for his/their beefed up

Reuben gone acoustic sound and THE

RETROSPECTIVE SOUNDTRACK PLAYERS

go down nearly as well with slices of book

and film themed pop-rock. It's like a game

of charades up there - song one, film, three

words, first word rhymes with 'tool.' But

the top of the pops is clearly BEN

MARWOOD, the self-effacing singer-

songwriter from Reading who 2000 Trees

has taken to like a long lost son. Even his

sound check gets cheers and applause, and a

rip-roaring 'Oh My Days' is the highlight of

a sing along packed set from a genius at

clever wordplay. I don't quite understand

why young lads in the crowds who are

wearing vests decide to punch each other in

the nether regions, but each to their own -

personally, I preferred to watch the bands.

On Friday the festival site begins to fill up so I make my way to the new and

improved Croft (the stage formerly known as the Greenhouse), located far enough

from the hubbub of the general festival that it feels like you're away from it all.

The sound is now so much better that you can sit outside of the tent, soak up

the sun and still hear the bands loud and clear. Or, if you are the woman I see at

3 in the afternoon clutching 10 shots of Sambuca between her fingers, get

absolutely hammered whist DANCING YEARS play some gentle folk in the

background. [Ben Marwood photo above by Craig Simmonds]

The Forest Sessions is the other part of the site where you can recover from the

6 pints of Badger's Bottom cider you drank the night before. In amidst trees and

hammocks, bands play stripped down acoustic sets whilst everyone just kind of lies

down and falls asleep. ERGO SCHMIDT and THE CADBURY SISTERS (who even

ventured into the crowd for one song) are the pick of the bunch that I see.

"We're representing the mellower side of 2000 Trees," remarks the lead

singer/keyboardist of ERGO SCHMIDT. He isn't wrong.

I wander down to the main stage to catch ITCH, whose set is immediately cut

short as everything goes kaput (technical term). If this was 5 years ago he would

have jumped in the crowd and played acoustically on his ukulele, but he isn't in the

King Blues any more so he says his thanks and leaves the stage. Back at the Croft,

EUGENE QUELL bash out a wall of distortion and feedback which is a bit much for

me. So I use the eco-toilet (quite simply a hay bale to aim at for the fellas whilst

you dodge the wasps who circle around your old man – and no, I didn't take my

dad with me). I overhear a conversation in which a young lady is explaining the

principle behind 'straight edge' for her friends who had never heard the term. "If

you're 12 then you're just not old enough to drink. But if you're older than 12 and

don't drink then you're straight edge," she says, slurring her words slightly. I'm not

sure Earth Crisis would agree with that, but anyway...DAVE MCPHERSON from

INME (a man who clearly does not live a straight edge lifestyle judging by the

disappointment on his face when he knocks over his can of Carlsberg mid-set)

performs the first of many sets over the weekend. Road-hardened and with a

wealth of experience, McPherson engages the massive crowd that has gathered on

the hill with a mix of old and new material of heart-on-sleeve acoustic rock.

Saturday for me begins with SAM

GREEN & THE MIDNIGHT HEIST

performing a lively set of 'folk and roll'

at the Croft. Whether it's the hay bales

or the slide guitar that does it I'm not

entirely sure, but people spring to life

and dance to some modern bluegrass.

Well, all except one girl who is curled up

on the floor in the foetal position whilst

everyone around her is doing the dosey

doe. One too many last night, perhaps?

When no encore is performed there are

plenty of boos (the crowd clearly have

no idea of strict festival set timings)

and then they settle down and form an

orderly queue to buy CDs - a very

middle class riot. Unfortunately,

DOLOMITE MINOR (not a chord that

I've ever played on my guitar) have to

follow that and suffer initially with an

unfortunate clash between themselves,

Jamie Lenman, Wolf Alice and Public

Service Broadcasting on the other

stages. Undeterred, the grungy two-

piece from Southampton thrash out a

dirty, rock 'n' roll sound and by the end

of their set the sparse crowd has grown

into a decent one with even a small

moshpit at the front. I guess that's the

power of good, simple music - it just

draws you in. The long haired frontman

pulls his guitar strap from over his head

and drops the instrument on the floor

before walking off with all of the

incredulity of Kurt Cobain.

We wait whilst CRAZY ARM soundtrack

all 37 of their instruments, including a

double-bass, banjo and a shaker (the

trickiest of all to sound check - you've

got to get that shakin' right). Tonight

is CRAZY ARM featuring EMILY

BARKER, an amalgamation of their rock

stuff and their country stuff. The lead

singer is dressed all in black and looks

like James Hetfield, yet sounds like

Bruce Springsteen on 'The Seeger

Sessions' album. These are punk &

western songs. All around me blokes

with identikit beards sing along at the

top of their lungs to 'Song Of Choice'

whilst 'Fields Of June' gets the punk

rock treatment. EMILY BARKER rounds

it off by launching herself into the

crowd for a spot of crowd surfing and

everyone that is there gets the sense

that they've just witnessed something

magical. I've probably seen 100 sets at

2000 Trees over the years and without

a doubt this makes my top three.

There's not a lot of point seeing

anything else after that (it would be

like doing 20 minutes on the treadmill

after you've just ran a marathon) but I

catch a little of FRIGHTENED RABBIT

on the main stage who seem like nice

guys and their particular brand of indie-

rock goes down well with a large crowd.

For a moment I ponder how I’ve now

watched FRIGHTENED RABBIT more

times than fellow Scottish indie band

Belle & Sebastian. I only have myself to

blame. So I make my way for home and

as I drive in second gear over those

rocks and cobbles again, I thank the rock

gods that after 15 years of going to

gigs, there are still bands out there

that make me feel like I did when I was

16. And it happens every year on a

farm on the outskirts of Cheltenham.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=55_Fs10w64aVmM&tbnid=_pHFVhMkSGxhjM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.123rf.com/photo_3640107_golden-ticket-for-an-event-on-a-black-background.html&ei=QUIDU6GoIMSe0QWHx4DAAg&bvm=bv.61535280,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNHxX2eloHQ58BPI6DzR8eSCUAXe_w&ust=1392808882970648

THE SMOKEY

MOUNTAIN BOYS

SMV SUBTONE,

CHELTENHAM

15th AUGUST

ALSO ON THE BILL: Boys In The Wood

- Local hip-hop/ska.

PRICE: It's FREE!

FOR FANS OF: Country & Western,

Hank Williams and the TV show

Rawhide.

WHERE CAN I BUY A STETSON FOR

THE GIG?: Oh, come on now. But if

you're actually serious, try Cotswold

Costumes in Stroud.

I THOUGHT SUBTONE WAS A CLUB:

Since Sound Music Venue closed, they

are now putting on gigs at Subtone

from 8.45 on Friday and Saturday

nights before the clubbers arrive.

PARKING: Behind the venue, it's free

after 6pm on Montpellier Street.

DID YOU KNOW? That The Smokey

Mountain Boys have a CD available called

'Live From Peterborough'? It is genuinely

the only thing to ever come out of

Peterborough.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: Didn't you

hear me? It's FREE!

T

E

X

A

S

F

L

O

O

D

LOWER GEORGE INN,

GLOUCESTER

2nd AUGUST

ALSO ON THE BILL: Apherium from

Yeovil and local bands Standing To Fall

and Kill For Trophies.

GENRE: Hard rock and heavy metal.

THEY DESCRIBE THEMSELVES:

“Blistering guitar playing, coupled with

extravagant bass lines and all this

backed by thundering drums. Pure raw

energy.”

WHAT SHALL I WEAR? Your

battered Iron Maiden 1988 UK tour

t-shirt should do nicely.

SINCE WHEN HAS IT FLOODED IN

TEXAS? Good point, well made.

IS THERE REALLY A FREE BUFFET?

Normally, yes.

DIDN’T THE VENUE USED TO BE

CALLED…? The Pig Inn The City.

WHAT TIME DOES IT OPEN? 8pm

and it’s free entry all night.

FINALLY, LET ME GET THIS RIGHT,

THERE WILL BE SAUSAGE ROLLS?

Yes!!!

Dear Behind The Scene Gloucestershire,

I am a 21 year old male and love going to gigs with my mates and don’t mind

paying a few quid to get in. The only problem is that when I am having a

conversation I often have to shout over the bands to be heard. Would it be

considered impolite to ask the sound guy to turn it down a bit so that we can

talk about the football during the gig?

Yours,

Gary

Dear Gary,

Just exactly what planet are you on? You PAY to go to a gig and then TALK

over the bands? If I was the sound guy I would shove a microphone right up

your backside and throw you out by your collar. If you want to chat, do it in

Wetherspoons. Otherwise, shut up and show some respect.

Thanks for writing in,

BTS Glos

Dear Behind The Scene Gloucestershire,

I’m going to watch my favourite band next week. Is it acceptable to wear one

of their t-shirts to the gig?

From Mary (aged 17 ½)

Dear Mary,

No, it is NEVER acceptable. It is not a uniform. A band t-shirt is a tool to a)

support the band financially, b) a conversation starter when you go to

University and c) to look cool and aloof at OTHER band’s gigs.

Thanks for writing in,

BTS Glos

behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk

VINESTOCK returns to THE VINE

in CHELTENHAM on 1st – 3rd of

August for its 10th year.

For the fourth year running, the

CHELTENHAM UNDERGROUND

have been involved in putting

together the three day indoor

festival (this year in conjunction

with other local promoters

CALMER*). As usual there

promises to be live music, alcohol

and turf running through the pub.

Oh, and the whole thing is free

too (assuming that you are over

18).

VINESTOCK is a fundraiser for

PoD Charity and WellChild. I spoke

to Erin from PoD Charity to find

out exactly what they do.

Where will the money go?

“Last year the money that we raised at

Vinestock allowed PoD Charity to provide

meals for 30 school pupils and 10 street

children in Nepal for one year and

supported ongoing elephant research in

South Africa. This year at Vinestock we

are hoping to raise money to support

the Children’s Home that we work with

in Belize to allow them to provide

support for more abused, neglected and

abandoned children and to build a new

enclosure which will allow our Elephant

Care project in Thailand to rescue an

elephant from the tourist industry.”

What is PoD Charity and who does

you support?

“PoD Charity is based in

Cheltenham and was established to

provide additional funding to the

charities and NGOs that PoD

Volunteer supports. We support

local initiatives improving the lives

of people and animals and helping

to conserve the environment in 9

countries worldwide (Belize,

Cambodia, Ghana, India, Nepal,

Peru, South Africa, Thailand and

Vietnam).”

PoD Charity : http://www.podvolunteer.org/pod-charity.html

If you would like to get involved personally then you can do this by volunteering

on the projects overseas through PoD Volunteer: http://www.podvolunteer.org/

For information on WellChild please visit: https://www.wellchild.org.uk/

Who to look out for at VINESTOCK…

For fans of: Frank Turner,

Mumford & Sons, Billy Bragg.

THE

HAWTHORNES

For fans of: Early Sun Johnny Cash,

two fifths of the white stripes and

as much of JB Lenoir as can be

handled

HARD STAIRS

EDD

DONOVAN &

THE

WANDERING

MOLES

GIVEAWAY!!!

On August 4th Edd Donovan & The Wandering Moles release the second single off

the album ‘Something To Take The Edge Off.’ Titled ‘The Stone,’ it’ melodies and

harmonies make it a great example of the instantly catchy folk they’re known for.

When asked about the song, Edd said, "The Stone is a celebration of life; our

existence; our self; that we are born and then we die and the bit in the middle,

well that’s up to you. But the lyrics implores us to make the most of it and get

creative."

The EP also features a cover of ‘It Must Be Love’ and a

reworking of ‘The Stone.’ Dubbed as a summer version, it

demonstrates the band’s pop sensibilities as an upbeat reggae

rhythm runs through the song. See our gig guide for the

band’s final summer dates in Gloucestershire before a tour in

the Autumn.

To be in with a chance of winning a signed promo copy of

‘The Stone,’ just e-mail your name to: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk

Festival season rolls on in Gloucestershire with LAKEFEST, a showcase for local and

national acts. The headliners each day are:

The Mystery Train Radio show on Severn FM

Every Sunday from 10.00pm-12.00am, THE MYSTERY TRAIN RADIO SHOW

plays host to the best local and national songwriters, old and new.

If you miss the show then you can catch up by visiting Severn FM’s ‘Listen

Again’ facility.

http://www.severnfm.com/ http://www.themysterytrainradioshow.com

6th July 2014

Ethemia, Moments (Quirk Of Fate) https://www.facebook.com/Ethemia

Sundae Club, Everything is Fine (Single)

https://www.facebook.com/sundaeclub

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTS PLAYED ON THE MYSTERY

TRAIN RADIO SHOW IN JULY…

27th July 2014

Dan Hartland, Caught In The Rigging (Young Man's Game)

http://www.danhartland.com/

Juey, Gin - (recorded live for the show in 2012) http://www.iamjuey.com/

20th July 2014

Edd Donovan And The Wandering Moles, The Stone (Something To Take The

Edge Off) http://www.edddonovan.co.uk/

Now We're Older, Megan Lloyd Davies (Single)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Lloyd-Davies/102675233252617

LAKEFEST - Croft Farm Waterpark, Tewkesbury

8th, 9th, 10th August

Buzzcocks, Shed Seven and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. But

more importantly, [spunge], Edd Donovan & The

Wandering Moles, Blue Horyzon & The Roving Crows

represent Gloucestershire. For more information visit:

www.lakefest.co.uk

I’M THE ENVY

The next few months will be busy for Gloucestershire 5-piece I'M THE

ENVY as they are set to release their new EP, 'Evolve.' Following on

from previous releases in 2012 and 2013, which were well received

and propelled them to 45th overall in the Download Festival Red Bull

band competition, the band have now settled on a line-up for this

release.

"As the band members changed so did the music and we finally found

a group of young musicians that understood each other." The

aforementioned EPs went from being, "light and fun," to "heavy yet

melodic." But the 'Evolve' EP, produced by guitarist Sam Corder, aims

to push things on further for the rock band. "We decided it was time

for a new EP and that Sam would produce it himself. The band have

now used many different influences and ideas to create a new vibe on

rock music. Not to give too much away but elements of the EP will

certainly grab the listener and is full of surprises." The band even

travelled to Bournemouth to record vocals with Pash Stratton of

Saint The Sinner.

https://www.facebook.com/imtheenvy

https://twitter.com/Im_The_Envy

Having supported The Dead Lay Waiting in Cheltenham and Altered Sky

in Bristol, the band are beginning to spread their wings and hit towns

and cities further afield than Gloucestershire. "It's hard starting out as

a band, especially in Cheltenham. Getting gigs for the first time isn't

really a problem, it's the impression you leave behind. You MUST

persevere because the results really pay off and that gig you were

waiting for will come. We tend to play in venues in Bristol, Birmingham

and Wolverhampton. Cheltenham's Sound Music Venue really look after

the bands that play there so if we were to have a favourite that

would be it."

As well as releasing their new EP in the Autumn (which will be available

on ITunes and as hard copies at gigs), the band plan to record a music

video for the track 'I Knew.' "We have invested in merchandise,

equipment and props on stage for our live performances to really give

the best show we can. We are also playing a festival in Greece in 2015

so that will really be an experience to remember."

I’M THE ENVY play

the following dates:

8th August SMV

Subtone, Cheltenham

9th August The

Louisiana, Bristol

16th August The

Fleece, Bristol

30th October The

Robin 2,

Wolverhampton

(supporting Anti

Nowhere League)

Follow the magazine on Twitter @behindsceneglos

SOUND AND THE SIRENS

SOUND AND THE SIRENS are a covers band who are playing multiple gigs in

Gloucestershire this August. If that's your thing, then read on to hear what Heidi

(one of the two vocalists from the band) says about their busy summer.

"We're not JUST a covers band though, you won’t catch all the familiar ‘done to

death' songs. We cover six decades of music - pop, rock and indie." With the ages

of the band between 24 and 52, choosing a set of songs to perform has ended up

with an eclectic mix.

At only 3 years old, Sound and the

Sirens have moved fast from performing

in quiet big country pubs to festivals in

front of thousands of people. "To us,

every venue is treated with the same

professional dedication. None of us are

full time musicians so every gig is

booked and played because we want to

be there, not because we need to be

there! We are six friends with a

mutual interest who put a lot of hard

work into our hobby, because of this we

have great fun at every gig and fun is

infectious!"

So if you fancy hearing and dancing to

some lively pop, rock and indie covers in

the summer, where can you catch

SOUND AND THE SIRENS? "Our first

August stop is The Tunnel House, in

Coates Near Cirencester on 1st August

as part of a three day music, beer and

cider festival. Then on the 8th August

we are playing at a personal favourite of

ours, The Queen Vic in Stroud, which is

always a great crowd who dance to our

sound check and don’t stop all night."

Then on the 30th August the band are opening the ‘Day of Smiles’, a charity

event at The Old George Inn, South Cerney. The event raises money for Down’s

Syndrome via a Scooter and Classic Car Rally with camping. "We'll follow that by a

swift drive to Royal Wootton Bassett for an evening gig at The Waggon and

Horses!" says Heidi.

www.facebook.com/soundandthesirens1

www.soundandthesirens.com

"Finally, on 31st August we

are squeezing the last ounce

of energy out of the crowd at

The Phoenix Festival, Abbey

Grounds, Cirencester. As the

last act on (and our 4th gig

of the Bank Holiday), it will

be quite some finale and we

will have a film crew in tow,

so brace yourselves!"

And if you're on holiday in

August, don't worry, because

SOUND AND THE SIRENS

will be back at the Brunswick

in Gloucester on 28th

November.

With throwaway pop-punk songs like ‘L.A.

Party’ and ‘Wilmington Summer Break,’

you’d be forgiven for thinking that

cLOSERS are from some sunny town in the

USA. In fact, they’re from some sunny

town in Italy. Whilst not exactly a hot-bed

for pop-punk bands, being from Europe

didn’t do Sweden’s Millencolin any harm in

the late 90’s (although how cLOSERS

found their way to Cheltenham based

Screamlite Records I’ll never know).

In fact, Millencolin aren’t a bad starting

point if you want an indication of how

cLOSERS sound. The vocals are more

awkward in their delivery but the

musicianship ticks all of the boxes for that

Fat Wreck/Epitaph sound. There are hooks,

songs about girls and a general vibe of,

“We’re young and having fun.” However,

(L.A. Party/cLOSERS or

LOSERS E.P)

www.facebook.com/weareclosers

https://twitter.com/we_are_cLOSERS

what the EP really lacks is a bit of variety and one really killer track.

OLD GIG PHOTOS

Every Tuesday there

used to be free gigs in

the back room of

Peppers in Cheltenham.

Local bands played and

brought their mates

with them. It wasn’t

called supporting your

local scene or anything

like that, it was just

kind of what we did

because nobody had

invented Facebook yet.

HAMSTER WITH MANGE at Peppers, Cheltenham The long, hot summer of 2001 (aren’t they all when you’re young?)

My mate’s band were called Hamster With Mange and didn’t take

themselves too seriously (how could you with a name like that?). You

may now know this room as ‘the back of Copa’ or ‘where The Study

used to be’ depending on your age.

Sadly, to the best of my knowledge,

nobody moshes under a hanging basket

there anymore but why not grab an

expensive pint of foreign lager and start

a mosh pit there next Friday night?

PHOENIX FESTIVAL Abbey Grounds, Cirencester -30th & 31st August

The Phoenix Festival takes place on the 30th and 31st of August in Cirencester’s

Abbey Grounds. The whole event is FREE to enter and features over 30 local bands

and musicians over the course of two days. The Saturday is headlined by Miracle

Master, a rock band from Germany, whilst Sunday’s bill is topped by local beat-box

band Duke.

“Last year the first Phoenix Festival created a real buzz and was a huge success

with over 18,500 people attending. This year we expect it to be even more

successful as the excitement and anticipation grow in the build up to the event,”

said Clare Bartlett, volunteer event manager.

In fact, the whole event is run by volunteers, including 10 young people from

Ozone Cirencester that make up the festival committee.

As well as live music, there will be a festival bar with real ales brewed by the

award winning Corinium Ales and crafts and gifts stalls. In the skies will be Breitling

Wing Walkers from Cirencester and on the ground various side-shows such as a

Rodeo Donkey, Gladiator Jousting, Circus Skills, Bouncy Castle and a pop-up skate

park.

Finally, on Friday 8th August there is a pre-festival launch party at The Vaults in

Cirencester with music from the popular Profound Poets.

To see a full list of artists, traders, activities and supporters visit

http://www.phoenix-festival.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/Phoenix.Festival.Ciren

https://twitter.com/ThePhoenix_Fest

Content created by

BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

E-mail: behindthesceneglos@yahoo.co.uk

Twitter: @behindsceneglos

Facebook: facebook.com/behindthesceneglos

Website: http://behindthesceneglos.webs.com/

Tumblr: behindthesceneglos.tumblr.com/

Photos that have been credited have been used with permission. Photos

that are not credited were either taken by me, given with some

permission (e.g. “Use a photo from our Facebook page”) or found on

Google images. If you want an image removed because it belongs to

you, contact me and I’ll do so.

BEHIND THE SCENE GLOUCESTERSHIRE

ISSUE #10 AUGUST 2014