Syncrownized at the Bell and Crown Saturday 22/12/2007

The Bell and Crown Snaith was rocked by Captain Backfire and Syncrownized on the 22 of December.
Captain Backfire (Pictured) opened the night playing a set including every song the band knows. The set started well with the first four songs holding the audience and showing the band in a positive way with their talents and confidence showing. Then came ‘No Businessman’ which was going well until the introductions when two of the band decided to change the rhythm from the rehearsed baking to a swing version. This left the rest of the band stranded, stood looking at each other not sure where to go with the new direction, a rather unprofessional moment in what would have other wise been an above average set by the standards of this band. The second part of the set included two songs from the bands demo ‘Loose Change’ and ‘I’ll Be Waiting’, the set having opened with ‘Good Friday’, returned to the standard seen before ‘No Businessman’ and the audience seemed to appreciate what was being played.
After short break headliners Syncrownized took to the stage and played a set of covers ranging from The Clash and The Undertones, one of few bands not to completely destroy Teenage Kicks, to Led Zeppelin (The Top of the Pops theme, lol) and Neil Young. The high level of playing was however held back by the one monotone guitar sound used on every song. The large crowd who had been in attendance throughout were applauding throughout and singing along with the best known and their own personal favourite. The three piece looked like they were enjoying their set and managed to put a lot more energy into their performance then Captain Backfire, but in saying that there are six in Backfire and it was a small stage!
The quality of the night was high and the sound was great and I feel it was a night mostly enjoyed.

Funcktion Leeds!

The Trash Bar in Leeds hosted the first Funktion event in Leeds last Tuesday (the 18th), an event the organizer hopes will bring Funk based bands to venues around Leeds on a regular basis from February onwards.
The nigh opened with a four peace band consisting of three female singers, and a male acoustic guitarist. The level of singing was exceptional and probably the best on show all night. The sparse guitar playing was the perfect accompaniment to the vocal talents on show.
Second on the agenda were a four piece instrumental act who played mainly instrumental jams, with the exception of a randomly placed cover of Rage Against the Machines, ‘Bulls on Parade’ played when the keyboard player left the stage briefly mid set. Good musicianship was however obscured by the repetitive nature of the set which left me at least feeling a little board and disappointed by a band that seemed to have so much potential.
Third up were, a band readers will be more familiar with, Captain Backfire! This is where thing got interesting… The band took to the stage and played despite a crackly sound coming from the PA system during the first two songs, ‘Blue Room’ and ‘Good Love’ before having technical difficulties with an amp cutting out leaving the guitarist changing mid set. The band played their third song ‘Turn On the Light’ before the owner of a lead they had borrowed de-sided that they wanted it back, leaving the band again changing equipment again! This is getting stupid! Anyway back on with the set and a song that hasn’t been aired in a while the mighty ‘No Businessman’ where halfway through trumpet player Greg (who had been playing a previously committed to gig) arrived and snuck onto the stage with the rest of the band smiling. The introductions also took place moments later and the band each played a solo giving them time to reorganize. From this point on the band were lifted and the last three songs, ‘Good Friday’, ‘Loose Change’ and ‘I’ll Be Waiting’, were stormed through by the band who were lifted by the arrival of Greg and the complete line up being on the stage. The last three songs were the best received by the audience who seemed at this point to get into the music and enjoy the band.Finely White Men Can’t Funk took to the stage and played a stunning mixture of both originals and covers. The crowd were kept entertained for their hour plus set and the level skill possessed by all eight musicians was unbelievable, by far the best playing of the night. Classics such as ‘Funky Town’, and ‘Aint No Sunshine (when she’s gone)’ were the crowd pleasing covers best known to the audience. There isn’t much to say about this set apart from how good it was and that’s been said above.

Strictly Hardcore!

Goldblade rocked The Junction in York Sunday night.
The crowd of Punks in attendance were treated to a feast of three punk bands the first was;
Poison who when they got it together were good and very entertaining, but at some points were self-confessed as under rehearsed, but then they are a punk rock band so that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The second were ‘Whisky on Blood’ an Irish style band who sounded very repetitive, yet played some excellent songs which stood out and were great listening.

Then Third up GOLDBLADE!
The crowd go mad as John Robb takes to the stage and the band launch into Strictly Hardcore. The level of playing put the other two bands in the shadows. Singing ensued and the crowed were jumping all night, stopping briefly to sing Happy Birthday to a seven year old fan who was invited onto the stage.
A level of energy seen at every few other gigs emanated from the stage, band members jumping from monitors, dancing, and jumping into the crowd to allow them to sing into the microphone.
The energy from the stage was re-paid by the crowd who jumped, danced and sang the choruses to most of the songs and John Robb sitting back and enjoying them.
Awesome night, Goldblade are a band not to be missed live, but learn at least some of the ‘Rebel Songs’ album first!

Tandem at the Bull

Local band Tandem played the Black Bull South Milford last Saturday night.
They played a stunning set of covers including, ‘Oliver’s Army’, ‘Stray Cat Strut’ and a Beatles Medley and various other well known covers and sing-along favourites.
Precision playing on a mixture of guitars, keyboard, and saxophone showed the skills possessed by the musicians, and made the music excellent listening for everyone.
The gig had a high energy level (despite one member of the pair being on crutches and sitting down throughout the set.) which the crowd couldn’t help but be infected with left the whole room was singing and dancing along.
The whole night was well organised, well received, and well played, look of Tandem playing near you soon!

New Gigs anounced

Captain Backfire have anounced more gigs in recent days. The curent confermed dates for the band are listed bellow;

22 Dec 2007 20:00, The Bell and Crown, 18 Market Place, Snaith, Snaith, DN14 9HE

12 Jan 2008 20:00, BOTB National Semi-final, Club NME Sunderland

15 Feb 2008 20:00, Dirty Beaver, Santiago Leeds, Cost : £4

27 Feb 2008 20:00, Under The Boardwalk,Sheffield

18 Apr 2008 18:00, Private Function, Selby

Get your self to one or more gigs to see them play their uniqe blend Jazz/Funk/Blues/Rock.

The Cavern

Liverpool is home to 'The most famous club in the world' The Cavern, the club decorate in a vast amount of Beatles merchandise is in its-self farly a fairly typical venue, but one with a well known history (not to be entered into here).
The famous club played host to a six band line up of talent from across the country all of whom played great sets, but the one were interested in was of course Captain Backfire.
They played a reversed set starting in usual closer, and EP first track, 'Good Friday' and ending with 'Blue Room'. They went down well with the crowd who were there to see the other bands as well as family and friends. Rachel Furner, a young sold female who played the slot before Backfire had a similer sound and style and the audiances for both band were mutualy apreciative.
A quality sound enginer and one of the best PA and backline setups they have ever played through pushed the band on to play one of the best performances of thier carrer. The playing was presise and the energy omited from the stage was massive as the band were hyped to be playing such a presigius venue.
The evening was great and if you check out the bands myspace, see right, you will more then likely find links to the other bands who played alongside them that night.

Attention Liverpool!

Attention Liverpool! Tommorow night will be your first chance to see Captain Backfire play live... they will be appearing at The Cavern club with doors opening at 8:00pm, there will be various bands playing on the night so get down there and check them out.
For a pre-view click Captain Backfire in the links section on the right!

Captain Backfire - I'll Be Waiting

Captain Backfire - I'll Be Waiting Selby Town Hall. Check out
www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk

Not Rock 'n' Roll

Kinch, Captain Backfire and From Adam made up the lineup for their last gig at Dr Wu's wednesday night.
Opening duo From Adam played a strong set which was overshadowed by poor sound quality and the fact that they were playing to the wrong audiece who soon started to talk drowning out the music and leaving the band to struggle on practicaly unheard.
The awful sound quality continued as Captain Backfire took to the stage though the volume increased and people seemed to pay more attention. The band played well enough and even incorporated a inpromtue jam as one of the guitarists changed amps. The launch of their new CD, selling at £2:00 each (not being given away as previously stated) went down well and a number were sold to both confremed fans and bar residents.
Headlining act Kinch sounded the best but the sound also hampered them. Dispite this their exilent level of playing was maintained and a preview of a new song they are working on was played. Managing two encores its fair to say they went down well with the crowd.

Kinch and Captain Backfire to Play Last Wu’s Gig

Leeds based bands Kinch and Captain Backfire are to bring their funky/blues sounds to Dr Wu’s (Call Lane, Leeds) tomorrow night (Wednesday 28th November) for the last time before the venue closes down later this year. The four band line up will also include White Men Can't Funk (replacement for The Acutones) and From Adam, and will see the official CD launch of the Captain Backfire EP recorded at Hull University earlier this month.
The gig will start at 8:00pm; entry will be free, and just as an added sweetener lollipops will be given away to all who want them.

Backfire Release Demo!

The Funky Blues sounds of Captain Backfire have now been released in the form of their first demo which features Good Friday, I’ll Be Waiting, and Loose Change. Recorded at Hull University and produced by Henry Bourne, the high quality recording and precision playing of these demos shows the band at their very best, outside of live performance.
The tracks are currently available to download free at www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk along with an acoustic version of I’ll be waiting recorded by the band themselves, Or to get your hands on a CD of the tracks check them and friends Kinch www.myspace.com/kinchuk out at Dr Wu’s Leeds on the 28th November at 8:00pm.

Demo

Captain Backfire have just recived their brand new demo disk so watch out for it apearing online at www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk in the next week...

Good Friday Night!

It’s coming up to bonfire night and alongside the fireworks Selby’s under 20s last night saw an explosion of music at the Town Hall.
The bill featured three bands.
Hometown Heroes ripped up the stage playing Pop-Punk tunes written themselves and featuring Sum 41 and Blink 182 covers. They entertained the crowd well and even had a small circle pit going in front of the stage.
Captain Backfire, pictured, fresh from recording a demo CD played their usual high quality Funk/Blues engaging the crowd in dancing and ended on a high with Good Friday, to which the audience were encouraged to sing along, and a cover of Kinchs’, Its Not Rock and Roll which seems to be the encore song of choice over recent gigs, and always goes down well.
Finally major label band Last Gang took to the stage, bringing their own take in the Indie music scene to a crowd who received them with high energy and expectations. The original material flowed seamlessly from one song to another and was lapped up by exited fans who my never get to see the band in a venue that size again.
The high quality of the music was added to by the excellent sound quality produced by the sound engineer. And with the event being part of a chain being organised at the venue Selby teenagers have something to look forward to. Check: http://www.myspace.com/townhallgigs for information on upcoming gigs.

Oxjam Leeds

Captain Backfire www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk , Kinch www.myspace.com/kinchuk and
Chichino www.myspace.com/chichino1 played the Royal Park Cellar Leeds in aid of Oxfam, raising £155 for the charity from the £3 door sales.
The bands played 30 to 40 minute sets consisting of some of the funkiest blues produced by Leeds bands today.
Captain Backfire (Above) opened the evening with Blue Room, stormed through there best known songs and ended with the crowd pleaser Good Friday.
The way was then paved for Kinch (Bellow) whose
high energy set featured Not Rock And Roll and Work It Out.
Headlining were Chichino who played a funky mix of songs which enticed members of the audience to dance, whilst still showing their skills as musicians.
Captain Backfire are next week heading into the studio to record a fresh demo before playing Selby Town Hall with majoir label band Last Gang, and Kinch are heading around the country playing shows.

Illegal music site shut down!

sighted on http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/


British and Dutch police have closed down one of the world's biggest illegal music file sharing websites - operating from a flat in Middlesbrough.
Police and music industry investigators believe the site was run by a 24-year-old IT worker, who has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and infringement of copyright law. The site's servers, based in Amsterdam, were seized in raids last week.
Around 180,000 people were members of Oink.cd, the world's biggest source of pirated pre-release chart albums, which leaked more than 60 major albums onto the internet so far this year, according to police.Users, who were only admitted to the private website if they could prove they had music to offer, retained membership by continuously posting tracks.
"OiNK was central to the illegal distribution of pre-release music online," said Jeremy Banks, head of the internet anti-piracy unit of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which participated in the investigation.
"This was not a case of friends sharing music for pleasure. This was a worldwide network that got hold of music they did not own the rights to and posted it online."
The Interpol-coordinated raids followed a two-year investigation by the British Phonographic Industry and the IFPI.
Pre-release leaks have become one of the most damaging forms of piracy for the music industry. According to industry figures, music sales have fallen by more than a third in the past six years.
Pre-release piracy is particularly feared by the music industry as it leads to unauthorised mixes or unfinished versions of songs.
Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, head of crime with Cleveland Police, said: "While some might view this type of act as a victimless crime there is no such thing - as the cost of an enterprise such as this will be added to the cost of any legitimate purchases further down the line.
"This is big business - with hundreds of thousands being made."
Thanks for the info to Telegraph.co.uk.

Ross Noble! Liverpool to the Country

Liverpool and Vue cinemas across the country saw Ross Noble proved himself to be one of the funniest stand-up comedians around today!
Interacting with the audience and performing scripted material he held the crowd superbly, except for one woman in Liverpool who left and never came back! Having never seen him before and only attended because a friend asked me along I have to admit to being a bit sceptical, but right from the word go it was a laugh every ten seconds.
The show was mainly based around the various ‘gifts’, left on stage by the crowd, which Ross then proceeded to mock and comment on both offensively and defensively.
The large reliance on audience participation was also compounded at the shows very end when Ross took a member of the audiences mobile read out the number and encouraged people watching in the cinemas to phone in and ask him questions, and this was not an ITV scam!
Everyone who attended was raving about how good the show was on their way out and I would recommend the comedian to anyone who likes comedy, people like the not so funny Jimmy Carr could learn a thing or two.

Backfire Marathon

It’s been a while (three weeks to be precise), but Captain Backfire Returned playing a 2 hour acoustic marathon last night at Prohibition, Leeds.
The band were due to play with three other bands, all of whom failed to show leaving the Backfire boys to fill the whole night, playing form 8 till 10. The band gave it everything they had playing covers including, Hit Me Baby One More Time, and I’m A Believer, as well as original material such as Blue Moon, I’ll Be Waiting and Good Friday.
The high quality of the sound made the night all the more enjoyable for everyone concerned and the band left the stage happy with their performance and to applause and appreciation from the audience members.
Playing acoustic is only part of the Backfire package, but with their bassist and drummer away at university a full band set was ruled out, thought they will be back together soon.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk

Captain Backfire! Last 2 full band gigs before Uni!!!

Captain Backfire!
Last 2 full band gigs before Uni!!!

15 Sep 2007, 20:00
Selby,
Cost: FREE

Backfire and Phish Tacko join forces and take on Selby babbyyy =D

16 Sep 2007, 20:00
Leeds,
Cost : TBA
Cough Syrup

Gotta be worth a look!!!!

Rock The House

Harewood House Leeds was rocked last Friday as Iggy & The Stooges took to the stage. The one day festival was held in a bid to raise money for and awareness of the Children’s Society charity which gives disadvantaged children a better childhood.
The bands were all up for the show sounding as if they were putting everything into their performances with local band The Sunshine Underground and Idlewild as the best of the rest, Iggy and The Stooges were by far the standout band of the day.
Iggy looked as if it was still 1969 throwing himself into the audience and straddling the bass amp. When invited to join the band on stage halfway through the set the audience obliged in their hundreds leaving security at the front of the stage in disarray, before politely returning to the crowd when instructed to by Iggy, a gesture which shows the respect he still commands to this day.
Even without all of this the quality of the bands playing would have been enough to make this show one not to have missed. Playing all the Stooges favourites including 1969, I Wanna Be Your Dog (two different versions), and 1970 the band had the songs so tight that even when it was impossible to separate them from the crowed not one cue was missed, and the music carried on as if nothing was happening.
Finishing the set Iggy strutted off stage with the crowed still screaming and shouting for more.
Everything about the day made it one of those events which you just hope raised more money then anyone involved could have hoped for.
For information on the Children’s Society visit

http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/

A Taste of Touring

Captain Backfire got their first taste of life on the road playing consecutive nights in Harrogate and Hull Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Headlining the Blues Bar in Harrogate Tuesday night the band was on good form nearly every song in their impressive arsenal. The lack of travelling fans or even well known covers didn’t stop members of the local audience form dancing in-front of the stage as the band played.
Following this up they travelled to Hull Wednesday to play with old friends Kinch and a local band called The Seagulls, both of whom were also at their best.
Looking to the future the next gig for Captain Backfire (currently confirmed) is on the 16th September at Dr Wu’s in Leeds. For More information click below for their myspace
www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk

Return of the Backfire

After a three week break Captain Backfire played a charity event held at Dr Wu’s bar Leeds. The Festival style event featured local bands playing to raise money for a children’s charity and seemed to be a success.
Backfire played an afternoon slot to a full house consisting of fans and other local people supporting the other bands. Half hour of their own material was all they needed to win over the viewers. Look out for them at Harrogate Blues bar this Tuesday night, and check out their myspace (www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk)

Wasted at the Well!

Smashed out power chords and an air of contempt were order of the day at Josephs Well, Leeds where an All Day Punk Benefit Gig, lasting 9hours and featuring Sick On The Bus and Drongos For Europe, took place raising money to help fund Release a drug help line for people trying to give up their addiction.
The bands ranged from Hardcore Street Punk to the more traditional 70’s style and members were hanging out in the crowed they were willing to talk (and get drunk) with their followers or anyone who wanted more information about the course.
The headlining acts were both out standing with Drongos For Europe playing an awesome set featuring Wasted, Hope and Glory, and Any Town Any Street, whilst the crowed went wild. Sick On The Bus were also given a similar response as they pounded through their set with high energy and a visible belief in what they were saying and the course they were involved with on the night.
The best moment however was when the lead singer of Assert told the audience they could cheer louder if they wanted too, only to be greeted by a single voice replying ‘Fuck Off!’
Punk Rock is still very much alive and contempt!

Never Mind the Bollocks… Bites Back!

According to http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ the Sex Pistols will re-release there punk breaking album Never Mind the Bollocks...Here's the Sex Pistols on the 29th October this year. The band will be marking the 30th anniversary of punk rock by reissuing the LP along with a 7” of Submission as was the state of the original 50,000 copies released back in 1977.
Four Singles Holidays In The Sun, Pretty Vacant, Anarchy In The UK and God Save The Queen will also be re-released throughout October also marking the anniversary.

Roots Reggae!

Jamaican roots reggae band Toots and The Maytals last night played an awesome show at The Cockpit in Leeds. Playing to a sell out crowd the band were on top form, even when lead singer Toots adlibbed whole verses and even songs the band were all on the same wavelength keeping up with every change, and stepping it up to double time at the wave of a hand. Crazy dancing, with Toots pulling out some great moves, and audience participation were also a large part of the night with the crowd being encouraged to sing with and back to the band, at the front of the stage Toots was leaning over shaking hands and showing his appreciation to the fans who had come to support the band. In his words spoken from stage, ‘Thank you for coming out tonight, after all, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you, and you all wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us!’.
The show closed with the classic Monkey Man and a jam through 54-46 That’s My Number both of which were greeted with a burst of frantic dancing and singing by the crowed, before rapturous applauses as the band said their final goodbyes and left the stage.
An outstanding show for both the quality of the band and audience, all of whom had an amazing experience.

Backfire Rock Wu’s

Fresh on the heels of their Winning Post Battle of the Bands victory last Thursday Captain Backfire last night rocked Dr Wu’s in Leeds. The band impressed fans and casual observers alike with their hour long set including seven of their own songs and two covers including an impromptu romp through a song by friends and local band Kinch (www.myspace.com/kinchuk).
Playing at Josephs Well this Thursday they have got to be worth a look check out their myspace at www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk.

Good Friday for Backfire!

Captain Backfire last night stormed to victory in the regional final of The Winning Post Battle of the Bands. Playing a half hour set containing only one cover song they beat off three other local bands, in a result hinging on judges and public vote, to secure their place in the national semi-final. Leaping into the air when the result was announced, the band members were delighted and can’t wait to play in the next stage of the competition, taking place in Sunderland on the 12th of January next year. Going strong they will be playing around the Leeds and York area in the next few weeks so long onto www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk to hear the band see the dates local to your area.

Prince gives record industry a kicking

The record industry is currently up in arms after the release of the new Prince CD in yesterdays Mail on Sunday. It seems that giving the CD away free with the paper is seen as letting down all the major companies who have supported the artist (according the BBC News).
Large companies are predicting this as the next step in the sale of music and claming that it will destroy the traditional record shop. Surely the shear number of bands releasing albums means that this is not possible for them all to distribute their material in this way, and it is far more likely that the downloading of mp3s will destroy record/CD shops before the releasing of music in the popular press!
Prince it seems is trying to give back the fans who have supported him over the years and will probably also gain new fans, meaning more sales if his next album is released using the traditional method, not to mention the amount of money that the industry will make when the afore mentioned new fans buy his back catalogue or greatest hits CDs.
It would appear that the industry is concerned, perhaps obviously, purely with the loss of revenue, and is failing to adapt to the new methods bands are using to get there work heard. Lets face facts if the internet hasn’t destroyed them it seems unlikely, though they lost a large amount of income, that this will.

Die Hard 4.0 Review

Large scale set stunts coupled with an interesting storyline allow the viewer to sit back and watch this audio-visual spectacular with ease.
John McClane is as quick witted and no-nonsense as he ever was and the other characters come to life around him creating an interesting juxtaposition of old and new ways of doing things. The old school style of McClane who does not understand a lot of what is going on around him and just wants to do his job references the previous films with his comments and his history being discussed, whilst the modern world is represented by the villain and shows the power of the computer at its worst.
Acting in the film is of a high quality but the story is a little predictable which leads to some second guessing of what will come next, but that’s only the same as a lot of Hollywood films.
Overall a film to see if you want to sit back relax and not think too much about what is happening, but just not the same without the famous white vest.

New Captain Backfire Song

There is now a new song on the Captain Backfire myspace (www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk) It's a live recording of an origianl of their song 'Loose Change'. Check it out.

Captain Backfire

Blues/Jazz/Rock bands Captain Backfire (See links for myspace) have reached the Battle of the Bands Final at The Winning Post in York. Taking place on the 19th of July the final pits them against three other local bands for the chance to win £500 and a place in the national final. Playing a set made up of mainly their own written material the band are elated to have won over the audience vote, which gave them this opportunity. They also have a gig lined up at The Eclectic Lounge Leeds on the 15th of July, so check them out.
The band members Eddie Ball – Drums, Richie Bennett - Guitar and Vocals, Joe Carter – Vocals, Reece Jacob - Guitar and Vocals, and Chris Newsom – Bass, have all attended Sherburn High School where they were involved in providing music for productions, and also played in various bands before joining together and creating Captain Backfire and playing starting to play in the areas around York, Selby and Leeds.
www.myspace.com/captainbackfireuk