| Battle
of the Bands Carnival Day 4th Aug |
I was asked to be one of five judges for the
'Battle of the Bands' competition on Carnival Day. We were so lucky, the weather was
wonderful. I settled down in my Gorilla outfit (yes, I'm afraid so) to watch ten bands
take on the title. Events like this bring to the fore the bands that do their own music
(though we heard some covers that day). UJO were first on stage. They come from
Mundesley and are three piece: Vocal/Guitar; Bass and Drums. A three-piece band can sound
both clear and simple but also run the risk of sounding thin with few opportunities for
interplay. This band did well and produced pretty standard Punk but with a tight, warm and
lively sound. A good start. Next came Kickstart who fronted Guitar/Vocal
1,Guitar/Vocal 2,Bass and Drums. Second guitar had a problem with his effects pedal. A new
battery before each gig is important. This aside the band played a really nice slower
number, which impressed the audience. The occasional dropping of the tempo spoilt their
dynamics but I feel this band has a good future. Fast rock once more. Thirdly came
Bottom Draw. Their front man sported an acoustic guitar with vocal, the rest being
Keyboard/Vocal; Guitar 2; Bass and Drums. They didn't make the most of the semi-acoustic
guitar because keyboard was sometimes too strong but it was all well structured and
played. They'd taken runner-up in the Great Yarmouth Battle of the Bands and I could see
why. Their stuff was mostly covers (very Coldplay in essence). The audience took to it.
Cutback followed.3-piece: Guitar/Vocal; Bass and Drum/Vocal. They were very tight
and harmonic with fresh air running between them, allowing clear definition in their
original style. It was impressive. Their sound was funk/rock and carried well.
Overboard 3 arrived next. I know this band and their songwriter Patrick Moody who will one
day wake up and realise he's a creative genius. Putting it together in a three piece
(Guitar/Vocal; Bass/Vocal and Drums) is another matter. Their strong material was
sometimes drowned in a careless driving sound but the overall effect was tight (vital in
this stuff) and they had fun on stage. Great potential here. Rare Blood Group came
next. They've only been together for a few weeks and I encouraged them to enter. You have
to start the journey somewhere and they did. They had good drive and the understated
ability of Harry Cowper Johnson will catch us all out before long (watch that space) but
lack of time together showed in their problems with balance. I see great potential here as
they are all excellent musicians. Fast rock once more. Emerge arrived and were big
on stage. They had a clever use of speech rather than vocal and had a strong sound. They
had a Reggae/Punk sound but changes in tempo and style lost the audience. Some small
changes will give this band good results. Running in several directions confuses but
'Arabic John' said, "Good". False Start, took it off stage, always a good ploy
but the music wasn't there and their antics failed to deliver. You have to give them
credit for being there and they will learn from it. Your Loss came next and their
three-piece line-up worked well. Bass/Vocal; Guitar and Drums. Their musicianship was
immediate and their good, confident use of dynamics was impressive. I loved the very
original and harmonic guitar playing for its contribution. A change of guitar with a
dropped D worked well. All original material. Light, driving rock, impressive. The
last band on stage was Intense: four-piece with female Vocal, Guitar, Drums and Bass.
Their sound was tight, popular and smooth but lacked an attacking edge, which is the only
way you can win something like this. Fortunately there is a good market for a band fronted
by a stunning girl and playing the right stuff well. They'll go far with this medium rock
which they played well.
So who won? 1) Cutback 2) Your Loss 3) Best Potential Band:Bottom Draw. We more or
less agreed but my own vote was: reversal of 1 and 2 and I voted 3 the same. It was well
organised by the very enthusiastic Jane and the professional mixing and day long vigil of
the boys from local heroes, Razor Sharp. My every need was catered for including a lovely
lunch. Thank you. |
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| THE ROYAL AIRFORCES ASSOCIATION |
Sheringham & District Branch.
Covering Cromer, Holt & Sheringham and all surrounding villages. The Branch held
a Summer Lunch at The Pheasant Hotel, Kelling on Tuesday, 27th July.
Fifty two Members and Friends were present including past President Air Marshal Sir Roy
Austen-Smith and Lady Austen-Smith.
As the President, Sir Colin Turner was unable to attend, the Chairman, Derek Shrigley
welcomed theAssociation’s guests, David and Pamela Keys, whose Party for the Branch
at Cley Old Hall in June raised over £400 for the Branch’s 2004 Wings Week Appeal.
The Chairman laid much emphasis on the Branch’s forthcoming Wings Week Appeal
commencing on 23rd August with a week of collections on Cromer Pier and two weeks of House
to House collections commencing on the 6th September and Street collections in Cromer ,
Holt and Sheringham on Saturday, 18th September
The Battle of Britain Church Service will be held at St Peters, Sheringham on Sunday 19th
September at 3.00pm. The Church Parade will form up in Station Road Car Park at 2.30pm and
will march off at 2.45pm. |
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