Summers End (UK) - Review of Bands

[Rick and Roll]

I'll finally taks a pass at this....been busy and it's been 2 weeks, so I better get something down before I forget. Also, I'll see the Flower Kings again tomorrow and I don't want to be confused

EZRA

They were ok, a fun opening band. Not particulary prog, but they did have two females dancing and singing. Mortis liked the emaciated blonde on the left, I particularly enjoyed the short black-haired lady on the right. And I had TWO very good reasons for that assessment. The guitarist was very good...as was the case with most of the Summers End bands, the keyboards were under-utilized.

CREDO

As you guessed, a Fish-style Marillion band. Very emotional singing...he was a scary dude. Big and sweaty (the Ezra guitarist sweated profusely too...Summer's Sweat more like it), his explanation of a song where he railed against a former flame was unnerving. Hopefully he doesn't have her address. the band was very tight, and the music was more to the emotion than gratuitous soloing. They were talented, but stayed within the song and what it called for. An entertaining band, I think they have an old record and one recently after a long hiatus.

WHITE WILLOW

I admittedly don't remember much from their Nearfest performance, except that it was pleasant and wasn't really heavy. Pretty much the same here. I watched the whole show, and the music was compelling if you paid attention, otherwise it goes right past you. The "new" singer is very good, and the husband/wife drummer/bass section is excellent.

John Mitchell/John Beck

This was an afterthought intially...I'd seen Mitchell a few times now and paired with Beck thought it would just be a reprise of the Kino/It Bites material, but it was that and much more. Beck is an astounding keyboard player, and Mitchell's singing was top-notch. It was very intimate, and a pleasure to watch. They did a rousing rendition of "Here Comes The Flood". I was told they did a Bowie song, but I thought I knew all of them, an no one has told me the title...so we'll see.

STRANGEFISH

I was apprehensive about the six bands a day format. At Rosfest they cut the bands to four per day, and the sound and timing are always dead-on. At Nearfest they cut a main act and have a 30-minute solo artist. So that works well. What Summers End did was to have Mitchell/Beck's equipment up after the break and have Strangefish go on 5 minutes after they finished. This enabled both artists to have an adequate soundcheck (during the dinner break) and save time. A wise move.

This was the band I came to see. It really didn't matter who was at the show, since my main focus was visitng Keith, Mortis and the UK, but having Strangefish play was a dream. They have a good following in the UK, with fans who play along with some of their songs. I'd been emailing Steve Taylor, the singer, back and forth for two months prior, and we had a conversation where Steve told me they'd have a stand in on bass (their regular player, Julien, had a show with the orchestra he plays with (he's also a violinist). I explained the story of Wally Pipp, the baseball player who in the 1920's went out of the Yankee lineup with an injury, to never play again since Lou Gehrig replaced him and played 15 consecutive seasons. So when anyone goes out, he's in danger of being "Pipped".

The reason I tell this is because after introducing the band, I yelled "Wally Pipp". Steve spots me and we have a conversation between songs, it was quite funny. That made up for the moron spilling beer on my leg (and others) and basically removing the center area from play.

Strangefish did "Listening to Ghosts", a favorite from "Full Scale". "Shifting Sands and Turning Tides" was the opener, "Wallflower" was played and I think "Oceans Deep". From "Fortune Telling" they played "This Is Me" and "Keep the Exits Clear" + "Ignorance of Bliss". "Take A Holiday" was the closer, with many in the crowd wearing silly hats. Beach toys were thrown around, and Mortis got a ring, and then got someone to ring Steve with it...amusing stuff.

All of that and Steve Taylor's antics (the air guitar, etc) may obscure the talent these guys possess. "Bob", the guitarist, has chops that make the band. What a performance.

I had a long chat with both Bob's (the keyboardist is also Bob), Steve, and Jonathan, the band liaison. I'm disappointed that Rosfest is booked for this year - they'd be perfect there. I put in a word for them to Chad at Nearfest, not expecting much, but a try nonetheless. They really want to play over here, but I think they should play a few dates to make it cost-effective. Maybe Orion will have them. I do know that since ProgDay may be a bit lightly attended for them, Nearfest or Rosfest is the way to go.

PENDRAGON

I'll need some help here...I know only a handful of Pendragon tunes, "Paintbox", etc. I watched probably 3/4 of the show....they're very polished and a great live act. I just don't connect with the music, and Nick Barrett, while a supreme talent, plays long, drawn-out leads like Neil Young, where he will play the same notes...but I don't want to be too critical - hopefully we can get a review by someone else.

DARWIN'S RADIO

Opened up Day 2. Immediately reminded me of Enchant. Long songs, very melodic, but the unlike Enchant, the guitarist is also the singer, and Doug Ott of Enchant is a brilliant guitarist and carries the band. These guys were very talented....and their instrumental passages, while devoid of extended solos, were quite contrasting with the semi-pop of the verses. As is the case with most newer bands, they have a small bit of heaviness, especially on the bass and drums. I liked them, but even more after Mortis made me the CD....it's a great CD that I will play on the show as soon as I can.

PURE REASON REVOLUTUION

I was not impressed. The exchanging of instruments after every song (guitars, bass, and keys)was amusing, but everybody made the same sounds. From the pixie female Bassist to the Cobain-looking guitarist, they all droned. I was expecting vibrancy, I got feedback hum and monochromatic noise. They had melody, but it was completely hidden by the volume. And finally the drummer, while beating the shit out of the drums, just beat them in one spot all show. More on that in the next band....

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, if they had another engagement, but Ididn't see them at all before or after the show talking to anyone. Since I don't know anything about them personally, I will not speculate, but their stage presence seemed a bit uppity. Kids love em though. Just remind me to take a break at Nearfest.

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD

The surprise of the show. On the last one or two records they have a new guitarist, Eddie Mulder. He was amazing. As soon as I heard a note, I thought Dave Gilmour. Turns out he plays in a Floyd cover band also. But he's not a knockoff, he's got a distinct style. And to boot, they played an instumental, about 8-10 minutes called "Don't Forget Us". I later emailed Edo, the keyboardist, because I couldn't find it on their records. He said Eddie wrote it for the next record. After that song played, I went over to Mortis and said "that was the best song I heard in three months".

The band is comprised of musicians in their late 40's, and have been around a while. They were at Baja but I'd never heard anything by them, I'll certainly check them out. I also put in a word to get them over here, they deserve to be on a bill. They have an annual festival in Holland, hope the European Moonies can attend.

Margaret Boomsma is a fine singer and harkens back to Renaissance, that style. Her flute adds a lot to the sound.

The one who who really wowed me was Koen Roozen, the drummer. Like Barriemore Barlow, he is an amazing technician. The gratuitous use of the bell tree notwithstanding (three times lol), I have NEVER seen a drummer use every bit of the kit, and not only that, fitting what the piece needed. I made sure to seek him out after the show and we talked for a while. He's a general studies teacher by day, and really seemed down to earth. I try not to make musicians uncomfortable with praise, after all they hear the same thing all the time "You were great man". But I made it a point to tell him what I thought, and it was good to hear he actually tries to play in that manner. Maybe the years of continuous concertgoing is finally making me have a decent ear If you ever see this band watch him, he's a talent.

GUY MANNING

Another nice surprise. He was the "acoustic set" for this day, but he had a keyboadist, sax player, guitarist, flutist (from Molly Bloom, what a great player), and a bassist (a cool acoustic fretless). Guy carried the set with his powerful voice, and another "sweater"! I thought the band was rather underused, but if they were all doing things at once, it wouldn't be a modest set I guess. He's a great songwriter.

ALSO EDEN

I have to be honest. Although one of the event organizers is the singer for this band, I found them to be paint by numbers Neo. Neo-lite. Very talented, vibrant music, but all the same - no variation. A lot of it was probably that I was relaxing after the previous two bands, but still, I wasn't that slayed.

FLOWER KINGS

First the setlist, not in order, and from memory (I almost stole the paper but let it lie)....

Psychedelic Postcard
Mommy Leave The Light On
Jealousy
The Flower King
World of Adventures (excerpt)
Ghost of the Red Cloud
I Am the Sun
End on a High Note
Paradox Hotel
Life Will Kill You
Pioneers of Aviation
Touch My Heaven

There may have been a few more. As you can see, not many old songs, nothing off some of their newer ones even. But I've had the good fortune of seeing them four times prior, and I've seen Stardust, More to this World, all of Garden of Dreams. That and the fact that they have so many great songs, well they can play chopsticks and it would still be fun.

Hasse Froberg handled most of the vocals, he's become the prominent voice. But when Roine sang he was spot-on. Jealousy and Mommy from the last record, he did a magnificent job with.

Every time I see them Roine has one song where he devastates me with a guitar lead. Last year it was "Blade of Cain". This time it was Touch My Heaven. A Tomas Bodin song with Hasse on masterful vocals, it finishes with a Roine guitar masterpiece. It was amazing. Roine's recent style, especially on his solo record, is bluesy, and he was right there all night.

As usual the band is top shelf. Markus Lilliquist on drums follows in a long line of FK drummers. Solid, overshadowed by all the other talent in the band, but when he plays a solo or is otherwise featured, you see just how good he is. Jonas Reingold, no need to repeat it..he's a magician. Weraing that SAME hat again (he told me earlier that day it had a tag saying "DO NOT WASH" And Tomas, he's just always there. I think he tries to make the others laugh, then when they reciprocate, he ignores them. A playful sort. Roine really depends on him, and the two have a synchronicity that is perfect. Sometimes I think Roine is amused by Hasse's rock and roll antics, but he always has Tomas to lean on.

Hasse has a deadly voice. Plus he's getting more to do in each song, and he's a vital part of the show. He was key in suggesting Psychedelic Postcard, a really obscure track.

Probably my favorite song this time was "End on a High Note", with a great singalong yeahhhhh in it. A fairly rocked out show, kick started by Paradox Hotel as the opener.

Last thing...when they played the encore I was going to say "see you in two weeks", but lost my nerve. Then they played a second encore and as they were exiting the stage I said it (after all I didn't want to confuse them when I see them tomorrow in a different country). Roine stops and says, "Where?" I said Virginia...he wanted to know where I was from and I said "Baltimore" (at least he didn't say "What the hell are you doing in Bilston" like everyone else in town.. He floored that I was all the way over to see a concert.

They're billed as the "Reigning Kings of Progessive Rock" but sometimes they don't realize that the bill fits, and what hold they have live.

OK, that's my cliff notes (hahaha)....

[mossy]

Thank you, Rick.

You write a great review full of interesting details for us poor saps who couldn't be there.

I always enjoy them.

[podakayne]

what sis said. always a good reading for each band...keep us posted on your Flower King sitings, glad you mustered the courage to tell em you'd see them in 2wks.

poda

[GuyM]

Hey! it was hot up there and we were a bit rushed onto the stage..ok :0)

Glad you liked the songs..that is the real reason for being there (for me)

The band play a very important part in bringing them to life but (as you rightly observed) we did not want to get too complex with the arrangements...
a) because it WAS the acoustic slot
b) I wanted to provide a contrast and some blessed relief to those that were 'progged out'

I was very glad to see that the song off my new album got a rousing response which bodies well!

Met loads of very nice people there too

Cya
Guy

Excellent review Rickster. Exactly as I remember it, although I must admit that during a lot of the White Willow set I was out the back talking to the lovely merchandising seller and partaking in a few (more) pints of the Nigerian Lager.

Guy, I'd like to add my own thanks to you and your band for a terrific set. It was really good to get a bit of acoustic relief which set me up nicely for the Flower Kings set. We had a short chat over by the food desk and I hope to see you again some time soon.

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD

The surprise of the show. On the last one or two records they have a new guitarist, Eddie Mulder. He was amazing. As soon as I heard a note, I thought Dave Gilmour. Turns out he plays in a Floyd cover band also. But he's not a knockoff, he's got a distinct style. And to boot, they played an instumental, about 8-10 minutes called "Don't Forget Us". I later emailed Edo, the keyboardist, because I couldn't find it on their records. He said Eddie wrote it for the next record. After that song played, I went over to Mortis and said "that was the best song I heard in three months".

The band is comprised of musicians in their late 40's, and have been around a while. They were at Baja but I'd never heard anything by them, I'll certainly check them out. I also put in a word to get them over here, they deserve to be on a bill. They have an annual festival in Holland, hope the European Moonies can attend.

Margaret Boomsma is a fine singer and harkens back to Renaissance, that style. Her flute adds a lot to the sound.

The one who who really wowed me was Koen Roozen, the drummer. Like Barriemore Barlow, he is an amazing technician. The gratuitous use of the bell tree notwithstanding (three times lol), I have NEVER seen a drummer use every bit of the kit, and not only that, fitting what the piece needed. I made sure to seek him out after the show and we talked for a while. He's a general studies teacher by day, and really seemed down to earth. I try not to make musicians uncomfortable with praise, after all they hear the same thing all the time "You were great man". But I made it a point to tell him what I thought, and it was good to hear he actually tries to play in that manner. Maybe the years of continuous concertgoing is finally making me have a decent ear If you ever see this band watch him, he's a talent.

I thought you might enjoy them. They were a very pleasant surprise to me when they played Baja Prog. I only wish I could have stayed around for their set; especially, since they really did want me to photograph them again. Perhaps soon at some other event.

I only wish that I had known before setting off to Riff's Bar in Swindon that Nick Barrett was heading down to the same gig. He told me there that they left after Flamborough Head. Oh well, wise after the event as usual.