Penelopes   10 #1 Posted September 27, 2010 S.U.B. Events presents.....  Live -WHERE'S STRUTTER + THE MAFFA KINGS + ARKHAM KARVERS + DIGGING FOR ELVIS   ...Where's Strutter Back in October 2007, long time friends Paddy Neville, Lee Broadbent, Danny Green and Sean Hughes began writing and playing songs together locally in their home towns of Mossley, Uppermill and Oldham but it wasnt until a mad house party in Feb 2008 when a live snake named ''strutter'' was released causing panic and mayhem among partygoers especially when no one could find the snake, promoting cries of WHERE'S STRUTTER? and the band had its name and identity. As the band began to grow locally and more effort and time for the band required, Sean Hughes felt he couldnt commit as much time or effort to the band and new bassist (long time friend and suspected culprit of strutter's release at said party) Max Lees joined the band in Septemeber 2008. A busy time spent building up their fanbase, writing new songs and keeping their growing fanbase alive with random illegal gigs, in Feb 2009 they headlined(and sold out) Manchester Academy 3 and in July they headline Manchester academy 2 which also revealed a new direction for the band with the introduction of another new memeber, Howard Eastwood a keyboard and synth player which added a more mature sound to the band and pleased the nearly sold out Academy 2. In Septemeber 2009 the band wanted to expand signed a 5 year management deal with Crosshair Music and what followed in very quick succession were support slots with the view, Neville Staples of the specials, twisted wheel and the paddingtons. With more to come in 2010 and the release of the bands debut EP.  Listen Here http://www.myspace.com/wheresstrutter   Maffa Kings In late 2007, former DADDYRough guitarists Craig Johnson and Rich Wosik re-united following a phonecall which Craig revealed he had been writing material for a new project. He was keen to get Rich involved to help build the songs both musically and lyrically. Rich, yet to involve himself in another project since the dissolving of DADDYRough jumped at the chance. As ever the partnership flourished and much of The Maffa Kings early material was formed during these acoustic jam sessions, songs such as Soul Picnic, Black Or Blood and Let Go written as a duo. Inevitably the time came to move things on, and with the addition of another former DADDYRough member Matt Harris on drums and Ex Petty Thieves bassist Daz Hollingworth the original line up was complete. The Ol' session den of Abbey Lane studios in Derby now became the venue where the new material would begin to evolve. Songs such as Sirens and Kick In were developed in these early jams.  The name 'The Maffa Kings' was decided upon. An idea brought to the table by Matt after recalling an old Normanton pub "The Mafekin", an early DADDYRough rehearsal venue. Just a wee tinkering of the vernacular! They began touring throughout England in 2008 and early 2009. Notable performances included sell out gigs in their hometown of Derby, a sell out show at The Rescue Rooms in Nottingham as well as shows at Glastonbudget Festival and The Cockpit in Leeds. Recordings of this period included the 'Black Or Blood' demo featuring the tracks Black Or Blood, Uzi, Soul Picnic, Let Go, Non Prescribed and It's Alright. A short time later The Maffa Kings released the 'Titanium Halo' EP, a collection of five songs, Kick In, Sirens, Youth Gone Wild and re-recorded versions of Soul Picnic and Black Or Blood...  In 2009 the wind of change was whistling through The Maffa Kings camp. Their desire to expand the sound and diversify the influences within the group saw them once again look to the DADDYRough days, after discussions frontman Lee Moran was invited into the fold. Inevitably The Maffa Kings sound changed considerably. Moran, a very different vocalist brought a whole new range of styles to the table with his influences from Hip Hop, Dance, Soul and Reggae added to the mix of the more familiar Classic Rock, Southern Soul, indie sounds already within the group.  The Maffa Kings sound was now given time to grow, with Wosiks raspy vocal edge contrasting well with Moran’s alternative style and Johnson and Wosik's new found freedom on the guitar becoming the roots for The Maffa's now well renowned dual guitar sound. A break in gigging allowed Moran to put his own take on the current songs as well as the renewal of the Johnson/Moran writing partnership. The ensuing Abbey Lane sessions saw the birth of Moran penned songs such as Lust To Licks, The Volunteer and Vehicle Jam.  The new five piece took to the road with renewed vigour, gigging relentlessly through the rest of 2009. Supporting New Yorkers Glint and London’s Band Of Skulls amongst others. They played their first European date, the Torreveija Rock Festival in Spain and to more sell out crowds locally. The Maffa Kings visual side to their live shows grew ever more eye catching with Moran's charisma and Wosik's renewed freedom as showman on guitar.  August 2009 saw the recording of the 'Every Black Cloud' EP. Haunted, The Volunteer, Lust To Licks and Vehicle Jam made up the track list, almost exclusively, lyrically penned by Moran, showing the shift in The Maffa's dynamic. The recording was testament to the dancier and reggae influenced rhythm section and mood but still showing the ballad and grungy Esq. sounds more akin to earlier Maffa work.  In early 2010 the changing winds were blowing again. Matt Harris, a great friend and original member stepped aside as drummer, unable to fulfil the increasing demands placed upon him. A sell out gig at The Bell in Derby saw Matt play his last show with the band. The search for a replacement ensued. After many auditions Moran stumbled across former Luxury Stranger sticksman, at the time without a band and looking. After one session with Owen Walton the rapport was immediate and lasting. Yet again a change of member brought a change of sound.  Owens new wave, post punk influences bringing a heavier increased tempo flavour to The Maffa's current music which is even more prominent in new writings. Heavier renditions of Vehicle Jam and Sirens were heard as well as up-tempo versions of The Volunteer and Lust To Licks. Again a break from gigging whilst writing commenced with Owen, numbers such as Flatline Beat, Horse To Town and Angel Sold Me A Lie were penned, all heavier, more full and more powerful moods. Daz on Bass finding far more scope with Owen coupled with Johnson and Wosik's experimentations with new sounds and setups also brought with it an effect on the writings. Again gigging took off, with the boys showing a change of tact'. Playing shows on a more concentrated and local scale, building followings in Birmingham, Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham as well as increasing their profile already known in their hometown.  A percussive slant was seen in the live shows, Moran/Walton often delivering variant percussive performances. The heavier, more aggressive ilk was demonstrated all the more often with Walton now on drums and a renewed live energy observed.  The Maffa Kings have never looked and sounded more in tune together. A new EP was quickly established and released in July 2010, entitled 'Writing the Wrongs' the EP fully demonstrated the heavier, up-tempo, stratospheric sounds people had become accustomed to. Horse To Town, Flatline Beat, Descending Into Echoes and a radio edited version of Lust To Licks were the tracks laid down. A very accurate document of The Maffa's changes.  More percussion was demonstrated throughout the recordings and although it’s more than often Moran delivering onstage it was a sharing of responsibilities in the studio between Walton/Moran and Wosik. Moran and Wosik also demonstrated their penchant for a contrasting harmony. More local sell outs, increased radio airplay and glowing reviews are the order of the day as the wagon keeps a rollin. At the time of this article, increased writing time is planned. Although never prolific a steady flow of songs have been emerging, some played live some not, some acoustic some not! Songs such as I Miss You have already been unveiled live as well as acoustic numbers Ocean Brave and Ol' Eagle Eye recently being demo'd. Watch this space...........  Listen Here http://www.myspace.com/themaffakings  Arkham Karvers t was in Sheffield, early 2009, that after realising at work that they were both musicians, bedroom singer-songwriter Dave Gash and drummer Ash Juleff began jamming in Dave’s grimy student house cellar. Songs that Dave had up his sleeve for years were now beginning to see the light of day, and after advertising for a bassist, Thom Davison made up a 3 piece that would go by the name Arkham Karvers. After longing for a fuller sound to their reggae influenced gutsy guitar music, Dave made a call to Greg Smith, a friend and guitarist he’d made on a Spanish beach 6 years previous. The now 4 piece quickly began to get a name for themselves on the Sheffield scene, playing high profile venues such as The Boardwalk, O2 Academy and Plug. With more exciting gigs lined up in 2010, Arkham Karvers are itching to wow crowds elsewhere. With influence drawn from a range of artists from The Police to Bedouin Soundclash and Milburn, Arkham Karvers’ endless offbeat energy never fails to get the crowd moving.  Listen Here http://www.myspace.com/arkhamkarvers  Digging For Elvis Hailing from the glorious town of Retford Nottinghamshire Digging For Elvis have come to rock your pop-tastic little socks off! In no particular order we are... James Henshaw - Vocals/Guitar Matt Hunter - Guitar/ Backing Vocals Matt Snowden - Bass/ Backing Vocals (when we let him) Adam Clark - Drums and muscle Taking influence from some of the greatest Pop Rock bands around such as Weezer, Foo Fighters, Feeder, Stereophonics and of course Bernie Clark. We try to keep our gigs fun and full of energy so every single person can have a bit of a sing along and a dance! Enjoy yourself, we certainly do! Be sure to check out our Myspace page  Listen Here http://www.myspace.com/diggingforelvis  Penelopes 53-55 Arundel Gate Sheffield S1 2PN  t 07845 880 677 e info@penelopes.info w http://www.penelopes.info  Doors 7pm £4 OTD/£3 Guest List. Add yourself to Penelopes guest list. Text YOUR NAME to 07845 880 677 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
