Squeal at LIVEtheVenue (Durban)

Do you remember blanket shirts? Do you remember the Undertaker from WWE? (He seemed to just keep coming back to wrestle over and over again.)
Do you remember Nokia 3310’s?
Do you remember when the internet had just started?

If you remember those things; then you may just remember the band, Squeal.

Friday, 23rd May 2014, at LIVETheVenue was so rad! (If you are from the 90’s then you know the word: rad)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a nostalgic show to be at. When the frontman, Dave Birch walked on the expectant crowded cheered enthusiastically. (Yes, this gig was actually happening!)

9 years ago was Squeal’s last gig. I must admit, Dave has aged (said respectively) but my goodness his voice is still so incredible!

Like good wine it seemed his vocals had matured!

The set started with the opening track of Squeal’s 1995 debut album: Long Pig. KILLING THE LIGHT>

It was awesome how the words came back to all the crowd as we sang along. (As each song started, I thought “Hey, I remember that song too!)

The band rocked out for about an hour going through all their fan favourites and singles: Necessary, Man and Woman, Candy, See Saw, Runners and Believer.

They ended their main show with their BEST HIT (I am sure a lot of people would agree): Long Pig.

See the video here:

(See, a younger version of Dave there 😉

After that song they walked off (encore expected), and came back on ending off with two newer songs.

LIVE, a brilliant venue for bands, most definitely rocked this past Friday!

After that I really enjoyed the DJ’s choice of music (as the band packed up.)
And I could see by the others on the dance floor; that they were loving it too!

He must have been from our era. We danced along to REM (Radio Free Europe), the Pixies (Gigantic), Pearl Jam (Rear View Mirror), Violent Femmes (Country Death Song), The Cure, Nirvana (Lithium), Soul Asylum (Somebody to show) and my favourite to bust odd dance moves too was “It’s the end of the world as we know it” by REM!

What a kiff evening!
Shot Squeal! Shot LIVE, and big up to that DJ!

Humour me

I must chuckle to myself.
And you can hear (read) about it too.
I am a bachelor.
I know lots of people.
I am friends with a few girls. Its just the way it is.
Tonight I did a big rookie mistake.
Without thinking much of it…
I invited 3 lady friends to come to the Dear Reader gig.
Turns out on the night there were 4 girls I knew from different times in my life.
Was so awkward and funny.
I had to be a social butterfly and flutter from one lady to another…

I must have looked like a pimp…

Ah. humour me.
This bachelor life…

A bit of Hope with Fetish

This is a week overdue
Last Saturday, my friend and I headed off to watch some local bands at LIVEtheVenue

The line up being
1) Shannon Hope
2) Scarlet Hill
3) Fetish

I went for 2 reasons, really. I love the different / non commercial sound of Fetish.
Plus, knowing that Fetish, were touring in SA, was a nostalgic thing for me. Its been about 12 years since I have seen them play live.
(After having spoken to Michelle Breeze at the gig, saying she had been in London for 11 years), I understood their silence.
So when i first discovered them, back in matric, I adored the song: Never Enough.
Yes, that album is pretty old (1997).
So I had to purchase: Little Heart.
Only 38 mins long, but packed with great melodies and that unique Fetish sound.

I had also seen one or two music videos and interviews of Shannon Hope, so I was most certainly keen to see how she performed.

Now that night at LIVEtheVenue was really quiet. I’d say there were around 100 – 120 people. Not very packed at all.
However, that “empty” space represented my mood last Saturday.
I had, had a busy week and so to just be at a gig, where I could chill… and not pushed and bumped by a masssive crowd, was perfect.

So sitting on the balcony, I sipped on my beer and was blown away by the amazing (really it is) voice and piano playing of Shannon Hope.

She has a really soulful voice. And you can hear her sing with all her heart and emotion. Amazing!! In some cases I almost want to say, I notice an Adele (likness) to her “heart on her sleeve” lyrics and vocals.

Here is a very short snippet that I recorded of her:

Shannon Hope had mentioned that Michelle Breeze from Fetish is an idol of hers, so it was obviously special seeing them sing together:

After her, Scarlet Hill came on, rocking the minimual crowd. I really liked their long riffs of music before and after the vocals. Reminded me of what Biffy Clyro do with their songs.
These lads will go far, of they press on!

So the moment arrives as Michelle steps on stage with her band.
What a thrilling show!

Starting the set with the opening track from Little Heart: Something Perfect.
An eerie start, in true Fetish style.

Some of the other songs they jammed were: Blue Blanket, Never Enough, Merry Go Round, Over the Edge among a few others.

I really did like the Rihanna (Diamonds) cover that they did:

Impressed! All and all, a good show.
Thanks Ladies, and Gents.