This Sunday at Under The Boardwalk sees the first of our monthly Americana nights, which will be taking place there on the first Sunday of every month. Doors open at 8pm and entry is free. The line up is as follows:

Sparkwood & 21

Spawned from a string of sessions around bass player Matt Babb's kitchen table, Sparkwood & 21 have steadily grown from a mass of acoustic guitars and bottles of wine into "Liverpool's best kept secret". Self described as "purveyors of harmonic melacholy", singer Dave Williams' haunting voice sits wonderfully with their beautifully country tinged mellow tunes. Their 2006 EP, simply titled 'E.P.' was given a 9 out of 10 rating by leading Americana website Americana-UK.com, who said of the record:

" Music so beautiful, you’ll be weeping into your shoes…

The new self-released E.P from Liverpool-based Sparkwood & 21 is a stunning set of songs that are catchier than rolling in a hedge full of sticky berries.

Revelling in melancholy, as is right and proper, the opening track, “Down on Love” is an upbeat lament to being all sad and alone: but actually it gets you totally in the mood to go out, find your man, hit him on the head with your club and drag him back to your cave for a night of fun and frolics.

In contrast, “All that Remains” is seriously beautiful and ghostly, with layer upon delicious layer of mandolins, haunting vocals, and some noticeably nifty drumming. Truly a thing of beauty.

Finally, "Save Me" begins quite sparsely (and yes, this too is melancholic, with numerous references to 'Aching souls' and the like), building into something altogether quite anthemic, including a Steeleye Span-esque vocal arrangement - NEVER a bad thing - and is likely to have the listener spinning round the room with arms wide open.

At the end of the day, this new EP is anything to go by, Sparkwood & 21 are set to do great things. Watch this space…"

www.myspace.com/sparkwoodand21


Dave Woodcock & The Dead Comedians

Sheffield/Rotherham band Dave Woodcock & The Dead Comedians have been doing great things this year. Born from Woodcock's split in early 2006 from previous band 'Taste Of Shotgun', they rounded off the year in fine style with a blistering performance at the recent 'Joe Strummer Night' at West Street Live. Soundaloud.com recently said "Dave has an onstage presence which few can touch, naturally laid back and cool, straight out of a Clint Eastwood movie". Woodcock's songs deal unflinchingly with love and its consequences - happiness, unhappiness, loss, loneliness and drinking. Debut album 'Wednesday's Child' is set to be released soon.

www.myspace.com/davewoodcockmusic

King Quentin

Local duo King Quentin will be opening the show. Described by Shefffield's premier music magazine, Sandman, as a slice of raw magic. Formed a few years ago they have quickly gained a reputation in Sheffield for their mix of roots and bluesy folk. Setting themselves apart form the glut of singer/songwriters by virtue of a distinct lyrical style and novel live setup (acoustic guiter + drums) they have grown a loyal following. Two full length albums have been recorded, the second, "King Quentin and the Defeat of the Primaeval Choas Monster" receiving excellent reviews. King Quentin exist to remind people what music is all about: emotion and memory making. There are no delusions of granduer, just authentic and honest lyrics and good music.

www.myspace.com/mightyquetin

Thi is tonight!

And next Sunday sees the next one...

As this coming Sunday will be the first of the month, that means it's Americana Night at Under The Boardwalk. Doors open at 8pm and entry is free, so come on down and treat your ears to the following:

The Tenderloin

Imagine the Happy Mondays doing Alt-Country. Say hello to The Tenderloin. Now resident in Leeds, The Tenderloin were originally put together about six years ago by Nick Wallace (piano and vocals), Mike Hurst (accordion, Rhodes and vocals) and Dave Bertram (guitar and vocals). Dave came up with the name Tenderloin after a district of his native San Francisco. Nick and Mike continued with the name back in West Yorkshire and continued to write play and perform in the area.

Although Nick is the only original member of Tenderloin, Mike travelled to play the accordion on a recent recording with Richard Formby (Spacemen 3, Herman Dune, Blue Skins). Dave Bertram also travels to England once a year to record his own songs with Nick and they have worked together ever since.

The Tenderloin continue to evolve with long standing members; Ged Crefin (drums, percussion and guitar ) and Don Mort (guitar and vocals) completeing the current line up along with Scottish singer/songwriter Neil McLarty who has been performing bass duties.

The Tenderloin have also been working with singer/songwriter Fuzzy Jones and will be releasing their first single with Post Records this year.

www.myspace.com/thetenderloin


Neil McLarty

Scottish singer/songwriter returns to Sheffield where you might have heard him supporting former HaveNot Liam Dullaghan at The Grapes back in December. Freshly armed with newly recorded demos featuring The Tenderloin whom also double as Neil's backing band, he has a busy year ahead as he looks to widen his profile on a National scale. This month he's also supporting New Orleans blues/folk singer Grayson Capps on part of his UK tour.

Neil has been writing and performing solo for around three years. After spending his teenage years and early twenties playing lead guitar for various indie rock bands, Neil decided to go it alone. Heavily influenced by Americana and Alternative Country, Neil's music is often compared to artists such as Steve Earle and Ryan Adams. Neil has also been described as having a laid back, traditional style of playing, something that complements his presence and ease on stage. Now based in Leeds, Neil has been building a reputation for himself as a quality performer and song writer. He has collaborated with a number of other acts including playing guitar for local Leeds band Pigzipper, providing lead vocals on a track for dance outfit Astro Base, and singing on an EP by Manchester based Baxter Trapp.

A few press quotes: “Any Port in a Storm has a beautiful country feel to it, and lyrics that I found rather touching”. Partly Porpoise Feb 2006. “Neil McLarty gave the candlelit crowd joyous splendour.” Glasswerk.co.uk Sep 2005 “Offerings such as this leave the crowd so mellow it's almost like opium has been vented into the club at points. Mclarty however has a superb way of lifting the spirits of his audience.” Leedsmusicforum.net Aug 2006 "Neil McLarty does a fine turn in proper rootsy Americana and is well worth seeing" TheBandWagon.co.uk Nov 2006.

www.myspace.com/neilmclarty


Damian Sackett

From London, but now resident in Sheffield, singer/songwriter Damian Sackett has been performing around the local scene for several years where he has played just about every venue going. In that time he has secured some very notable support slots, including opening for the likes of Billy Bragg, Mark Eitzel of American Music Club, The Pernice Brothers and leading UK Alt-Country type Peter Bruntnell. Among the artists he counts as influences on his simple melodic guitar based songs are R.E.M., The Beatles and Neil Young. Damian is currently recording new material and you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more of him in 2007.


Doors open at 8pm and entry is free.

And that next one is tomorrow night!