Dirty Stops Out – Dj Trev’s “Ba de ya, say do you remember, Ba de ya, dancing in September” what’s on guide into October.
Ima go straight in tonight with a band who are playing at The Blues Bar. They are called the Memphis Cruisers and if you are one of them people who drives an old car, has a really big quiff, or in the case of girls wear big flowery dresses and have that air of sexy unnatainability (which is from my perspective: all women) you should go and see them. I’ve been checking them out a bit online as I’ve run out of Rihanna records to listen to and they are excellent. I guess it’s Rockabuilly that they play, and for a fun night out I bet this will be brilliant. I just came back fro a few days in Brighton and there is a place down there called The Mesmerist that has cool different stuff like this on, and whilst I was in there I was reminded of the fact we have a venue that constantly puts on fun and interesting live music of our own that is always worth a visit.
Now this is going to seem like an open love letter to The Blues Bar, but I was at a loose end over what to listen to today – I’ve bought some excellent mad decent albums recently (Temples, Royal Blood, Kate Tempest, King 810 for example) but I’ve done them to death so I decided to check out all of the bands playing The Blues over the next 7 days. Really, this was a stupid thing to do as I’m not entirely sure I can even get there for any of the gigs this week (big week of “getting fit” planned, so 6 sit ups followed by a film and biscuits) but I’m certainly going to try to shuffle around some of my office work (writing “humoreous” facebook status updates and stalking girls who are too young for me… just to clarify, I mean like 19, 20, 21, I’m not THAT kind of Dj, even if I am from the 70’s) so I can get to some of these nights.
The Mentulls are playing on Friday, they look like a solid blues proposition, whilst on Saturday it is the long awaited return of Harrogate legend Jed Thomas who has had the last two weeks off, lazy get. Sunday see’s their regular full day of music, and if they haven’t got anyone confirmed yet for 6pm that’s ok as at 3pm they have Juggernautloveband and at 9pm its Fauns. Now as yet I’ve been unable to find any music from those guys but seriously, with the standard of the other bands playing this week sometimes you just have to trust that someone who clearly knows what they are doing, knows what they are doing, in this case, whosoever is in charge of booking the bands there. For example, on Tuesday there is a band called Hey Moon Stomper. Now, from the name I was expecting a Ska or Two tone band until I realized that they are actually called Hey Moon Shaker, and I just got it wrong. So as Hey Moon SHAKER is a name that leaves me drawing a blank as to what I should expect, I decided to check out their vimeo track “Colly Drop”.
Right, listen, this is what you call a SPOILER ALERT ‘cos I am gonna tell you what they do and really I don’t want to ruin the surprise, as when I watched it I genuinely actually jumped out of my chair and shouted at my house troll George (who’s all into Break Beats on hop hip and step dub and all that music the young listen to whilst not learning any bloody respect) “COME AND HEAR THIS!” so FIRST click this link and watch the video http://vimeo.com/76439405 …. right, have you don’t that? You’ve watched it yeah? RIGHT? I KNOW! How cool is that?!??! Actually since you’ve watched it I don’t need to tell you what they do, just that it looks AWESOME. They are at the Blues on Tuesday so I’m going to go after I finish my night class (I’m actually doing a creative writing class because.. well, you’ve read this column so far so you know why) and check these guys out. They have support on the night from Lence and Prose too, so this will be a blast. Before that on Monday the Blues has their jam night with Pete Oliver who is a top sort, but I’ve gone on about how much I like that night at some length before and so I am sure you will have been to it already, because that’s what you do: you follow my instruction to the letter don’t you? Now, write in the ‘payable to’ section: “Dj Trev’s miniature collectible Star Wars Figurines pyramid scheme” and post the cheque now, before you forget. If someone put a gun to my head and told me to pick 2 of this weeks gigs at the Blues, I’d definitely say The Memphis Cruises one tonight, and the Hey Moon Stomper one on Tuesday, but honestly, they are all going to be good, you really can’t go wrong there.
I’m fully aware that having dedicated the opening extended paragraph to The Blues, I’m going to get some messages from people, in some cases people I actually work for, in other cases people to whom I am not contractually obliged, asking why I never list their gigs. If I don’t list a gig, it is because I don’t know about it. I make notes of what I see is on, and I do cruise the internet like George Michael in a public convenience in a rather lame 1990’s reference, but please, only send me irate messages about gigs I’ve not listed if you have actually told me about it in the first place, that’s fair isn’t it? You can message me on facebook.com/djtrev and frankly I would be glad to hear from you as it simply makes my life easier. If you would like to make your life worse you can “follow” my occasional blogging at facebook.com/djtrevuk but be aware that there is content of an adult, infantile nature suitable only form mature childish audiences who have lots of time on their hands.
Friday night really has quite a lot going on, let’s start further afield:
In Ripon The Curzon Theatre has the monthly Geek Movie quiz. I am told by fair and impartial sources who sell me delicious cup cakes that this is really busy, and since I’ve no idea what else is going on in Ripon since ye wakeman failed to waketh me, I would recommend that.
In Knaresborough it is that time of the month again for Henshaw’s Arts & Craft Centre’s Friday Night Mix. This time around they have Hench, Lobo, Oblivion & Jamie Bevan and His band all playing live, aided and abetted by the fully liscensed bar and the good people who work at Henshaws’.
Back into Harrogate, you have several options. Toppermost amongst them would be – for fans of house, disco and techno – Playtime at Retro Bar, up on Commercial Street. Whilst it is on Commercial Street this is very definitely NOT a commercial night with proper house DJ’s doing their stuff, this month they have Tom Kirby in as the guest, alongside the Playtime residents who are also the guys who run the night. They aren’t doing it for the money these lads do it for the love and that alone is admirable, and the fact they have been running this night for so long is testament to the following they have built up and the work they put in. Meanwhile The Den has got Kwame D live. The Den is really starting to roll out a fair few live gigs, for example on Saturday there, there is a double bill featuring Lilac’s Daughter followed by Graham Hudson. It is a fairly rare appearance from Graham Hudson so will be worth checking out, apparently he will be playing “all the classics” which as a Dj I know little about.
Speaking of me actually djing, which I still do from time to time you know (just in another town at a place you wouldn’t have heard of -unless you regularly read this column in which case you will be damn-hell-ass sick of hearing about it) I am actually back at The Den myself NEXT Thursday doing my stupid “time of the month” Quizzle. It’s a very silly night but the last one was really good and it might be nice to see you there to watch me fall on my arse again. I’m also playing this Sunday at Rehab if you fancy, the last couple of weeks have been pretty good in fairness, so this week will probably suck like an Octopus.
To clear up a couple of things, Saturday nights on the top floor of Rehab now have Dj Max Czernic. Last week I said it was Toby Skinner taking over, but like me he has gotten a bunch of work in Manchester, so I don’t know how i confused the two; nevertheless Max is probably Harrogate’s brightest party Dj Prospect so I’m sure he’ll smash it there. Also, rumors have been flying that Rock Box on Tuesdays with Jaye Selway is coming to an end. I can EXCLUSIVELY reveal happily that that is very much NOT the case, Rock Box is keeping going, it’s just that they’ve changed the flyers and it’s also now free to get in; someone obviously just got confused along the way, and for once it wasn’t me!
Before I get off, you may have noticed that The Pub formerly known as The Devonshire Arms is getting done out. In another EXCLUSIVE bit, I can actually reveal that the guys who are doing this are the chaps who people my age and a shade younger (and, if there is anyone still alive, older that me) will remember having a nightclub in town called Jimmy’s. Now, if you remember Jimmy’s you will remember that it was from a different age, where people danced on bars, bars were packed with customers, DJ’s talked a lot on microphones, beer was cheaper, hot snow fell up and every night you went home with a different beautiful lady. Like me (unlike me) they have grown up, matured and have got a very cool plan for the place, which will be specializing in Craft Beers, Real Ales and Sociable events. It sounds like it is going to be a traditional pub but with a modern twist, elements of live entertainment, vinyl only nights, traditional pub things like Quizzes, retro novelties like Board Games and games consoles; industry standards like live music, more contemporary things like Jazz and Swing nights, plus events that the punters suggest they want on. At the moment this is all speculation as they are in there working away to tidy up the venue and build a welcoming pub, but it’s a great location in one of the oldest licensed premises in the area, and is also near enough the already excellent Swan on the Stray and The Empress to make a nice little “Beermuda” triangle of lost nights and mysterious magical occurrences. I’m hoping to get a proper press release from these guys next week so I’ll be able to tell you a bit more, but I’m hopeful that this will be another welcome addition to the Harrogate night life scene that has seen some good additions recently.
Righto, I’m off out now, why don’t you go out too? Here’s what’s on:
Listings
Thursday 25th September
Blues Bar, live music from The Memphis Cruisers
Curzon Theatre, Ripon, The Geek Movie quiz.
FRIDAY 26th September
Retro Bar, commercial Street, Playtime House Night with Tom Kirby + Residents.
Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre Knaresborough, The Friday Night Mix, with Hench, Lobo, Oblivion & Jamie Bevan and His band.
The Den, Kwame D live.
Moko Lounge, Shakalaka Boom “Old School Party” night with a dodgy name.
Blue Bar, The Mentulls live, free entry.
Lure Bar, Shuffle with Toby Skinner. House, Breaks & Funk.
Rehab Nightclub, “Electro Circus” dance Night. Free entry.
SATURDAY 27th September
Blues Bar, The Return of the Jed Thomas Blues Band.
The Den, double bill, Lilac’s Daughter followed by Graham Hudson live.
Rift & Co. Bar, front bar Dj Tex (Soul & R’n’B), main room Disco Dave (upfront dance and chart) free entry.
Viper Rooms, Angel Lee & Neil Jaques upstairs, Harvey Westwood Downstairs. Door charge applies, or contact the venue for guest list before 11pm.
Moko Lounge, Drop Out house night. Door charge applies, or contact the venue for guest list before 11pm.
Rehab nightclub, two floors of music: Top Floor : Max Czernic 10pm ‘til 4am.Downstairs: Doors open 9pm with Pop & Dance music from Djs Wayne & James. Free entry.
SUNDAY 28th September
Blues Bar, live all day: Juggernautloveband 3pm, TBC 6pm & Fauns rouge at 9pm.
Rehab Nightclub, Dj Trev’s Sunday Social, whatever music happens to be working that night, interspersed by terrible requests 10pm til late/early.
Viper Rooms. Peek-a-Boo R’n’B night.
Hales Pub, live acoustic night.
Fat Badger, Cold Bath Road, Pub Quiz.
MONDAY 29th September
The Harlow Inn, Otley road, Pub Quiz.
So! Bar, Otley Road, Pub Quiz.
Rehab, late bar.
Blues Bar, fully hosted fully entertaining open mic session, hosted by Pete Oliver.
Moko Lounge nightclub, Karaoke.
TUESDAY 30th September
The Blues Bar, Hey Moon Shaker with support from Lence & Prose, Free entry.
The Tap n’ Spile pub, folk night.
Pitcher & Piano Re:Session cheap drinks night.
Rehab nightclub, Dj Max Czernic.
Moko Lounge Nightclub, “Skint” main room upfront dance and electro, PLUS SCI-FI special in the VIP Room Rock Box Rock night Dj Jaye Selway.
Rift & Co. Bar, “Back to Rev’s” House Night, Half Price Drinks with Toby Skinner.
Coach and Horses Pie and Peas night with proceeds to Martin’s House Children’s Hospice.
WEDNESDAY 1st October
Remark to someone how the nights are “really drawing in”
The Harlow Pub “Midweek Madness” pub quiz with Dj Tim Paul.
The Regency Pub, big screen quiz.
Rehab nightclub, Dj Max Czernic. Anything goes party set with Harrogate’s next big hair.
The Blues Bar, live music from the Paul Middleton Angst band .
Thanks for reading, drink responsibly and don’t be loose with your affections.
Trev x x x
