Music Matters Awards.. “THE PETES”
Best Local Album: ‘Following Shadows’ Luna Kiss
‘Following Shadows” was a defining album for this mighty Coventry outfit. They describe their music as Alternative Rock, I describe it as ‘stunning’. I loved their 2011 LP ‘Echoes Of Sound’, but things have moved on. A superb album.
Best Local Single: ‘Scattered Lines’ The Loaded
Coventry alternative band The Loaded gave us ‘Scattered Lines’, a superb song that has a powerful lyric about mental health.
It’s refreshing that this subject is not only talked about but sung about too. And apart from being a great piece of music, proceeds went to mental health charity Mind.
Best live small(er) gig: Neville Staple Band at Godiva.
If ever a gig had raw heartbreaking emotion running through it, then it was this gig.
Just one day after the death of his beloved grandson Fidel, Neville Staple took the heartbreaking decision to play this gig.
Empathy and sadness aside, it turned out musically to be one of his greatest gigs. With every word hitting its mark.
Massive praise also goes to Neville’s wife Christine, who still managed to address the huge crowd. So erudite and succinct despite her obvious emotional state.
Best huge live gig: Rolling Stones/Specials at the Ricoh
Yeah it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but we all loved it. What was not to like on that hot summer night, the greatest ska band in the world (The Specials), followed by the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.
Loved the way Jagger had done his homework, and even ‘Beduff’ got a shout out. It was a historic gig and I’m glad I was there.
Best local artist: Matt Cattell
Matt Cattell is a genius. His music carries an air of familiarity and uneasiness at the same time (not easy to pull that one off).
His music is atmospheric, thought provoking and timeless, and his production work exemplary. Matt has been around many years now, but next year I hope to see him hit the next phase in his wonderful career.
Best new artist: Duck Thieves
Yes they are quirky, yes they are something very different, and that’s why I like them, and why they are the Coventry Music Museum’s Artists of the Month.
There is no doubt that they are firing on all cylinders when that play live, but that’s not to say that their recorded work lacks humour and originality.
This year was a great year for them, next year could be even bigger.
Outstanding contribution to local music: Pete Clemons/Trevor Teasdel.
They often work as a team, but they are very much two individuals who have tirelessly promoted local music from way back when.
Trev Teasdel ran the Coventry music mag Hobo in the 1970s and helped organise the Herbert’s ‘More Than 2-Tones’ exhibition in 2009.
Despite now living in the North east, he still keeps his archive right up-to-date.
Pete Clemons has written much on the local scene, especially about the 1960s and 1970s and was part of The Coventry Music Wall of Fame panel.
From newspaper to online, his knowledge and passion for all things musical never diminishes. They both very much deserve this.
