The Old No 7 Band
I doubt many of my readers would not have heard of The Old No 7 Band.
The guys have a pretty strong pedigree as a band and even bigger as individual players.
So with that in mind, expectations are high as I eagerly play for the first time the new CD ‘All Pretty Real’.
It’s a title that sums up this band completely, no gimmicks here mate, just the music.
Musically we have a rock (often Rock N Roll) vibe with a thick vein of country punk on the side.
The tracks “Reason”, “XVIII” “Pigtail” and “Boxcars” are in my opinion worth the cost the CD on their own.
I then gave up trying to pick my faves as it is pretty much the whole thing. Ritchie Hunt-King’s vocals put me in mind of a certain Joe Strummer, not that he actually sound like him but, like Joe, Ritchie has a quality snarl to his voice, like ‘I’m better than you man and I know something you don’t know’.
Add that to the exquisite musicianship on show here and it’s a combination of pure musical delight. All hail Ritchie Hunt-King – Vocals, Sam Smith – Lead Guitar, Nico – Drums, Tim Healey – Bass, Sean Pearce – Rhythm Guitar. More information from https://www.facebook.com/pg/TON7B/
Boys Dreaming Soul
Look out for an amazing new book from Neil Sheasby of Midlands-based blue/eyed soul band Stone Foundation.
Charting bass-man Neil’s music-themed experiences prior to the forming of Stone Foundation, Boys Dreaming Soul is a must-have read for its honest and thought-provoking approach to growing up at a time when dreams and ambition were a far-flung entity for working class youth during the Thatcher years; yet made all the more aspirational to attain.
With its witty anecdotal style, this book is destined to rekindle the trials, fun and musical soundtracks of youth for many readers. A music experience in print and a feast of nostalgia for all to enjoy and relate to.
Neil will be launch the book at The Coventry Music Museum, 2-Tone Village (80 Walsgrave Rd) on Saturday September 7 – 1pm. He will be talking about all things related to the book with esteemed writer Paolo Hewitt and there will also be an audience Q&A .
Admission to the museum, which is well worth a visit anyway, is £3, concessions £2, under 15s free. All proceeds go towards funding the future of the music museum. We are of course honoured to have this event at the museum.
Dill
Former Gods Toy’s front man Dill has just released his sixth batch of his unique experimental songs, entitled “Purrr-fection !”
While Perfection may be milking it a bit, as always Dill has given us yet another set of songs that can be disturbing and blissfully entertaining all in one go. His spiritual beliefs are much nearer the surface on this one.
Each track challengers the listener. Is this a collection of wild audio scribbling, or as I suspect a man on the edge of something unique and original? It’s CD 6 now and I’m no nearer the answer.
I suspect that this is why Dill and his enigmatic music is so very compelling. Often child-like, but always entertaining and never boring. Maybe CD 7 will give us the answer.
Check it out on Bandcamp https://iconoclastrecordsuk.bandcamp.com/album/purrr-fection
