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.