Theatrics, Jazz and Shoegazing!

The past few weeks has brought a wide range in musical styles, ranging from Alice Cooper theatrics, through 20's and 30's Jazz and ending up with French shoegazing!

First up we had Alice Coopers Nightmare, formed from some long established musicians and bands to initially support the TOMA Fund charity. I got involved by offering to develop the website and produce some promotional material and naturally my wife (Sheelagh) and I would be going along to the gig at The Customs House in South Shields on April 11th.

Took the Metro all the way round from Whitley Bay to South Shields and it didn't take anywhere near as long as we feared it might so we headed to The Steamboat for pre gig drinks. Now I have to say something about this pub, quirky doesn't do it justice, decked out with shipping memorabilia including a rather bizare display cabinet in one of the rooms I can recommend the pub as being well worth a visit. Oh and the choice of ales was excellent too!

A couple of drinks later we headed down to the Customs House, a few people milling around and a pretty good atmosphere as everyone smiled and greeted each other.

We took our seats and waited for the band to appear, typically the start time was delayed so a chance for another drink this time in the Customs House bar. No sooner were the drinks finished than the call was made that the band would be on soon. A fair audience was already seated and we didn't wait long before the band burst on stage. This was everything you would expect from a Alice Cooper tribute band, plus a whole lot more. Every detail, from costumes to props to ghouls and Alice being beheaded, hung, injected and generally 'dealt with' for his misdemeanors. A quick mention must go to Brian Ross of Blitzkrieg and Satan. Not only did he look the part but his vocals were spot on too. In fact the whole band were excellent. It was a great night raising money for a worthy cause.

Just over a week later we were off to see the Vieux Carré Jazzmen celebrating their 60th Anniversary, that's longer than The Rolling Stones!

Okay, I know jazz isn't everyones cup of tea, but these guys can really and I do mean really play. We got a couple of different line ups of the band as they brought in band members old and new. The VCJ ran through three great set of Blues and Jazz standards which not only got the audience swinging along but towards the end of the set most of them were up on their feet dancing or maybe more accuratley 'jiving' away to the sounds from the stage.

Though these two gigs had been good, the one I was really looking forward to was Alcest at the Oran Mór in Glasgow.

Travelling up with Sheelagh, we were meeting my son and his girlfriend to take in this one. A filling meal before hand at the Squid and Whale and we were ready for the gig.

There was a support band, Falloch, they were okay from what I remember but the vocals kind of let everything down a bit. Still I hadn't travelled up to Glasgow to see them so it didn't really matter.

Before long Alcest took to the stage opening with Opale from their latest album and they sounded awesome. Tighter than when I'd last seen them and even a bit audience interaction. the set list took in songs from all their 4 albums but the real highlight for me was the encore, a excellent version of Autre Temps and finishing with Deliverance.

This was another of those classic gigs, audience all 'up for it', band on top form and a small venue where sound and vision were excellent.

If you ever get the chance, go see this band you won't be disappointed.