Swindon Music

Afte such a shameful Thusday to my name, to say I was really up fo seeing Napoleon In Rags is an understatement...

The fact their singer had a dodgy throat, and couldn't make the show, was a real shitter for me.

I got to venue, again dead on 6pm. Desk already zeroed - and projector proudly projecting "Loaded Promotions" there was little to do except wait.

I fire up the PC and check out the (two) bands, and blow me backwards down the river avon, if I can't find the names to instruments on the bands websites - ahh! That was after 10 minutes of searching for their correct myspaces! Luckily City Riot were under the Loaded myspace...

The Alfonz still hadn't collected their drums from the night before, so a quick phone call and one of the lovely chaps came and picked it up - I apologised perfusely again for the night before, and again heard of their desire to get out of Swindon and tour proper!

Anyway - I set up the mics, and at 7pm City Riot roll in, 1 hour again after I got there - why do we even have a 6pm load in time? Becuase its a good convienent time before 8.30 doors? YES - So please take note!

Turns out The City Riot have had an offer from Terra 45 to open.... Only the promoters, due to the headliner pulling out, can not decide the order of play!!

This indecision goes on for nearly an hour.

I get the drummer to set up, and sort out their backline, knowing I can change things about if need be, The Vegas turn up with their kit too. Finally TCR have spoke to the bands (Terra 45 get their just in the nick of time) and we whirl through a sound check for TCR

It was a weird one - their bassist has a pod, even though he has a combo bass amp - the pod is simulating a bass sound. Why not just use the amp? He asked for it to be mic'ed as thats what they usually do... So I made him D/I it, as it would sound better... He didn't really care, and trotted off to the font bar, with the rest of the band. It sounded fine btw.

The Vegas sounded a more solid affair in their brief but professional soundcheck, and also made headway for the front bar.

Up step Terra45 - a trio of guys, and one very small grrl. They play Psychobilly punky ditties akin to the B-52's, their guitarist is definatly a goth, and so must be the singer due to pale complexion and stunning red lips. They are a mature band, with the bassist having seen many gigs, by all accounts, and the drummer having seen as many pies. All good musicians, and I'll hold my hands up and say the myspace was not that promosing, turned out to be very agreeable indeed. Im not a lunitic fan, but it wasn't as bad as my gut told me to begin with!

Terra45 were due to start at 9.15, after finishing a sound check at 8.45 - 15 after the doors were open... They took to the stage, and preceeded to not make a note of sound for 15 minutes, due to the guitarist changing a 9volt battery in his guitar... I didn't even realise electric guitars had them, and note for the future mate - do it before you take to the stage.

They played a very competent set of previously mentioned B-52's psychobilly country punk, to a sparce but receptive audience - this set was meant to be their band practice, but they got a gig instead - Now thats something I like about Swindon!

Up next came The Vegas, who were from Winchester? They were very good - had a good rock sound, with some v.good vocals, and had I known the songs better I would of probably enjoyed it more - it was tight and accomplished and intelegent rock. Worth keeping tabs on them if they come to play again.

Lastly were The City Riot.

How much had they had to drink? The fact the bassist could barely stand spoke volumes - and despite this he could still play very well. I've mixed far worse bassist's who wern't drunk.

If your local you will definatly know them already, they have been promoting for 18 months now? Its big epic Oasis style lad rock. For funsies I messed about with the effect's unit, and whacked on A LOT of delay on the drums (kick and snare o/h), giving them a massive epic stadium sound - which complimented their overall sound. The singer sung with a swagger, as you'd expect and the guitarist had some good riffs and licks. Overall I can't remember a song now - but there were certainly some crowd highlights...

I seriously messed about with the lighting aswell - giving it that final touch. I hate that desk, one wrong button and you put the band in complete darkness, and it takes 3 songs to figure out how to reset the desk, but no such things happened tonight, and what was a very good mix of sound from me (if I do say so myself - im getting used to that PA now) the band seemed to enjoy it, and the crowd did too - It was a similar attendence to the night before, obviously something to do with the weekend?!