I’m someone who witnessed the genesis of Beta Fest in the sweaty and charmingly cramped Shan’s Barn, Taddiport, where a few bands got together for music, drink and good times, then saw it grow to a three-day sell-out extravaganza at The Palladium Club, Bideford last year. So I was rather excited to see how the festival would transfer to the 500-capacity venue The Factory, Barnstaple. 

Dick Narnia kicked off the proceedings with his crowd-pleasing acoustic set on the Thursday night, including Little Brown Town, Baby Got Back and his goosebump-inducing cover of Love Someone by Dub FX. Dirty Colours changed up their setlist with more originals, which went down well (though I did have a soft spot for their version of Enola Gay). I was ridiculously glad to see Jackdaws return to the stage, making angst sound uber-cool with a new bassist and their personal dancer Eli on top bendy form. Anti-Caste rocked their little socks off, and Upbeat Allstars got the crowd moving with their super-fast, super-fun ska tunes. The Dead Betas cracked out all the classics for the headline slot that night: A Night on the Town, Bideford College, Chav Chant, The Ego Song... It was a testament to how far the festival has progressed in its own right to see them relinquish their usual Saturday headline slot. Well done, bays. 

On Friday, Baddadz were first up, followed by a bit of indie-rock from The Confused. This was the first time I’ve seen them play and I was very impressed with their sound, especially the vocals. The crowd liked their Arctic Monkeys cover a lot. The Julies were back after a short hiatus, it was good to see them doing their thing again - their French love ballad Enculez Moi always goes down a treat. Another band I hadn’t seen for a while was All Friends Are Enemies; my favourite thing about watching them is seeing someone rock out hard with a MacBook. And their synths. Unfortunately I had to leave at this point, but I have been told by many a person that Leeds-based band Castrovalva were awesome, and that headliners Scholars put on their usual insanely enthusiastic show for their Devonshire fans. I know there were a fair few groupies in the audience. I definitely look forward to seeing them when they come back down our way. 

Saturday was the big one: Essex-based alternative rock band InMe were headlining just days ahead of their new album release and UK-wide tour. And yes, it all kicked off here in Barnstaple, North Devon. (In case you didn’t know: I was lucky enough to have a chat with Dave and Gazz from InMe before the show, read what they said in my previous post). There was a definite hardcore theme to the Saturday: The Ghosts of Our Fathers rocked out so ridiculously hard that vocalist Sam was bleeding from the head, but that didn’t stop him from jumping the barrier and serenading the audience. As always, awesome shredding from Phil. We witnessed the last ever gig of She Called Shotgun, and I got their Jessie J cover of Do It Like a Dude stuck in my head for days. Dutch Courage stormed the stage with much chest-beating and growling, and I had the pleasure of seeing punk-rock band Fighting Fiction for the first time, and really liked what I heard. Sadly I had to leave at this point (I know, I know, what kind of music bloggeh am I?) but again, I was assured from many a reliable source that Chapters of Eden were on top form that night (will catch you next time guys!) and that InMe went down a storm. It was awesome to have them play in Barnstaple and attract a wider crowd of people; I’m hoping to catch them at some point on their tour, maybe Exeter! 

Have to give a shout out to Tobias of Black Hole Promotions for organising such a massive event and working tirelessly to promote the North Devon music scene with ventures like this, Curtis for keeping the smooth running of the show behind the scenes, and everyone else who gave their time to help or came along to show support. You all rock.

Next up at the Factory: Lethal Bizzle. Yeah, you heard me right!

InMe have played some of the UK’s biggest festivals, Sonisphere, Reading, Download... are you excited for Beta Fest, North Devon?

Gazz: Yeah, we only did three shows last year. We’ve just been working on the album so obviously gagging to get out live. We start touring on Tuesday, so it’s a nice warm up.
Dave: When we actually start the tour, we’ll have played some of the new songs off The Pride. The last date of the tour is March 31st, we’re back for about a week, and then we’re off to Europe for three weeks.

You used to be called ‘Drowned’ back in the day, and you had to change your name because another band already had it, so how did the name InMe come about?

Dave: It was the old bass player, really. We came up with loads of crap names; it was hard to think of something that suddenly sticks. He just suddenly went ‘InMe’ but as one word. At the time I was nineteen and bored of thinking of names, so I just went yeah, sure. And after a while, you don’t think of the words ‘InMe’, you associate it with the band themselves. It becomes the band.

What’s been your best experience of playing a festival?

Gazz: In 2010 we played one of the smaller stages at Sonisphere. We thought we were gonna play to 400 people and when we walked out on that stage, there were 1,500 people in there and another 500 people trying to get in. The press ignore us quite a bit because we’re not fashionable, but put us out there and people will enjoy it. Then 2011, Sonisphere upped us to the third biggest stage. It was 5,500 capcity and we were one in, one out, at 2 in the afternoon on Sunday.
Dave: It was very strange; In Flames were on the other stage and to look out there and think ‘How come 5,500 people have chosen to see us?’ It’s life affirming in a way; we’re still relevant to people.

Who has the worse habits out of all of you?

Dave: Well, Gazz has some strange ones. We made up the ‘Gazz-ism’ because he’s away with the fairies. For me, I’ve been biting my nails since I was four or five, and they’re just a state.  Si’s feet can get a little bit... interesting when he’s been travelling. Gazz just does silly things; but I’d say it’s a perk, it’s a day-brightener. Greg’s bad habit is bluntness, sometimes you’re like ‘There was no need for that...’
Gazz: ‘Now the band are crying! They went over by 30 seconds, Greg, now they’ve all given up. They’ve smashed their guitars, they’ve left, got office jobs.’
Dave: But, you know, we’re human beings, we have the same habits as anyone else.

Well done to everyone who braved the cold and wet to venture to The Wrey for some punk, it wasn’t the most packed of gigs but those who turned up were enthusiastic! Black Hole Promotions’ Tobias got two bands from Beta Fest 2011.5 back in Devon for a second round, with local boys Dirty Colours to support.

So, a healthy dose of 80s covers to start, from Dirty Colours. I had 'Enola Gay' in my head for the whole weekend after watching them, pretty impressive, it wasn’t even blasted out by the punk afterwards. Personal favourites are definitely their Smiths and 'London Calling' covers.

Next up, we had 2 Sick Monkeys from Swindon: frenetic, shouty punk with a bassist and drummer. These guys had some adoring fans in the ranks from their Beta Fest performance (*cough* Harry *cough*) and delivered observations of societal idiosyncrasies with their music (as only befits a punk outfit). Loved their cover of 'American Idiot', sped up and complete with mumbled lyrics. Pleasure to have you back in Devon!

Finally, Detached... this ska-punk six-piece has my approval because of a) their use of horns, b) they are Welsh and therefore have awesome accents and c) their logo is a slow loris. Me? Easily pleased? Never! But seriously, Detached are a party onstage, tons of enthusiasm, tons of fun, tons of skanking ensued. They were happy to give us an encore, and pointed out how many girls there were in the audience (I think there were 2 guys vs. 15 odd girls) and I felt proud that my gender were awesome at representing the North Devon music scene, haha. Good stuff, again, nice to see them back!

My next post will probably be in the shiny new year of 2012, so have a great Christmas and New Year, eat lots of chocolate and be merry. Bye for now!

This gig was a bit of an impromptu thing organised the night before, so I ambled down to the Palladium without the intention of doing a blog. However, this was before I witnessed Baby Godzilla... [Apologies to Dolly Dagger Experience whom I missed, hope to catch you soon.]

Baby Godzilla are a ‘bluesy-hardcore’ band from Nottingham, who came to Bideford as part of a gig swap when The Dead Betas played there on tour. I think my friend Steff’s observation summed it up best:

‘They have loads of energy but no spacial awareness.’

The whole of the Palladium was their stage; I was sitting at the side and I nearly got hit by a swinging guitar many a time. They lurched and jumped around, dragging the mic stands, even marching offstage chanting after the first song, the drummer hauling along the floor tom and bashing it with his fist when he lost a stick. At one point, the lead singer leaned on Steff’s knee to scream. This crazy, frenetic energy  and noise was infectious, and pretty darn awesome considering the Pally wasn’t as full as usual. And their sound worked. It reminded me of the crazier end of QOTSA in places, quiet bits punctuated by seesawing riffs. (Only flaw was mispronouncing ‘Bideford’ but we can forgive them because they also said it was very nice here). Not so much a band as an experience, complete with full audience participation whether they wanted to or not...

Anti-Caste finished the night off, an alternative punk/hardcore four-piece playing their second gig. They had a lot to live up to but did valiantly, rocking their socks off (albeit in a more conventional way than their predecessors). You could tell these guys were having a lot of fun onstage; you can catch them at Beta Fest 2012 on 16th February - I look forward to it!

Take it from me, Barnstaple was a tad hyped for this one. Black Hole Promotions mastermind Tobias promoted the shizz out of this gig, being that a) it was the first Black Hole gig in The Factory and b) the headliners were Bristol-based reggae/dub band Laid Blak, whose recently accompanied Mr Ed Sheeran on tour. The 500-capacity venue, with two projector screens flanking the stage, was quite the change from The Palladium or The Wrey, but a band like Laid Blak can definitely draw a hefty enough crowd. I owe an apology to Dick Narnia, the first act of the night, because I missed his set. No doubt I will catch him and his acoustic antics again soon though. 

I arrived at The Factory just in time for Gypsy Unit. A hip-hop collective from Bristol, they comprised of a DJ and two female vocalists (one clad in leopard print, the other in a festive Santa onzie). I got invited to watch the action from backstage; the barriers were pressed with people raving to the dubstep. I don’t think North Devon has many acts like this, so it went down well with the locals. 

Seven-piece Laid Blak looked pretty darn impressive on stage; as soon as they started playing the crowd became a sweaty, happy, skanking organism. And that’s what these guys were all about. They stopped a song a few minutes in because someone started getting rough.

‘If you came here to fight, you can jog on,’ the band told this individual, before they got kicked out. ‘It’s all about the love, bruv. It’s all about the love, sis.’

The band played on. The crowd got down low to Get Down Low. Everyone sang along to Three Little Birds and went wild for Red, the song recently covered by Ed Sheeran. Laid Blak were a band who completely engaged with the audience, serenading us by throwing in a reference to Barnstaple in every song, and emanating a vibrant, infectious energy. They loved what they were doing, and the crowd loved them. Even if you weren’t usually a fan of ska or dub, you could still enjoy their set and the general vibe (whilst having a cheeky little skank).

A massive well done to Tobias for successfully pulling off this gig, it was a exciting precursor to Beta Fest 2012, which is also going to be in The Factory. Alternative-metal band InMe are headlining on the last night, Scholars are back, and of course, The Dead Betas will be rocking out after their hiatus and drummer change. The North Devon music scene is getting bigger and better and louder, and I’m excited to be here to chronicle it!

This week my attention was drawn to Barnstaple four-piece alt rock band Unnamed Heroes and their recent EP 'Bi-Polar Bear'. Citing influences such as Brand New, 30 Seconds to Mars and Foo Fighters, I've never had the pleasure of seeing these guys live before, but after giving their music a listen, I want to. Bi-Polar Bear is a five-track EP recorded at Severe Zero musician Luke Bond's Big Green Door Studio in Woolsery (so the production is great for a start). These guys are pretty tight at what they do, and can do quiet or loud, heavy or slow equally as well, making the EP a varied mix of sounds. I think my favourite track is 'The Getaway' for its evocative lyrics and build-up to a driving, heavy chorus. Another highlight is 'Kick, Face, Hurt, Nose' for being generally rather mosh-worthy, while 'Janie' is more of a lighthearted anthem with a catchy chorus. Well worth a look!

You can give the EP a listen on their Myspace, check them out on Facebook or download it via iTunes.

There was a definite air of groupie giddiness at Scholars being back in Bideford, having rocked Beta Fest 2011.5 earlier this year. This time they were stopping off at the Palladium for their November tour, going on to the likes of Exeter, Birmingham and Norwich. More on them later.

Acoustic solo-act Julian kicked off the proceedings with some charming covers as varied as Stone Sour to Mumford and Sons. Next up were The Ghosts of our Fathers, with some angst-ridden, death-growling hardcore, with a few covers, some originals and loyal fans who moshed their little hearts out. Special heads-up goes to front-man Sam for his impassioned performance that took him striding into the audience to scream in their midst, and guitarist Phil for some impressive soloing (and knowledge of how to make a good honey-roast ham).

Dirty Colours took to the stage next, with one member wearing a Damned t-shirt and another wearing a Smiths one, you knew they were going to have good taste. And that they did. There were covers of ‘This Charming Man’ and ‘Enola Gay’, and well-loved finale of ‘London Calling’ which got everyone in the crowd jumping and yelling along. Their originals were in the same upbeat, 80s-alternative vein; it’s a decade I’m very biased to musically.

Scholars, Scholars, Scholars. Having won over the Palladium crowd with their Beta Fest performance in July, they were back for round two as part of their tour. These guys are noise, rock and pints of sweaty enthusiasm (not to mention rather photogenic) - instant energy in the room when they start playing. Their repertoire includes a stage-fight, much pointing at and serenading of the audience, and the whole band getting involved in some drum action. They also shared a Terry’s Chocolate Orange with the crowd. So yeah, if you like your music loud, awesome and compulsively catchy, look no further. I will stop gushing now, promise. (Though I have to quickly boast about my epic Scholars’ wolf jumper I purchased, which can be found here.) Come back to Bideford soon please guys, best of luck on the rest of your tour.

This was the final gig in the epic run of Black Hole Promotions' Half Term Takeover, with a Halloween theme and it was free. My oh my, they do spoil us. (I felt very unoriginal in my ripped, blood-stained zombie t-shirt because it seemed to be a universal costume. Oh well!) London-based band White Powder Gold were meant to be kicking off the proceedings, but when they arrived at the Wrey, they deemed the PA to be too inferior and left. All I can say is that it was their loss. 

Luckily, Chapters of Eden and The Dead Betas, two of North Devon's best loved bands, could rock out enough for ten bands. And they did just that. 

Chapters of Eden took to the stage in suitably gory make-up. Maybe it was the snub from the first band, maybe it was the big crowd of fans ready to enjoy the free gig, maybe it was even a bit of both, but Chapters threw themselves into the set and stormed the stage with their growling, pounding songs, and the mosh quickly got violent. Their make-up looked even gorier by the time they were done; mixed with a healthy amount of sweat. Nom!

The Dead Betas have been a source of speculation of late: are they splitting up? Is this the end? Hell no. This was their last gig with drummer Aidan, and by gum did they make it a good un' - I think that one of the most awesome things for a local band would be to see the crowd chanting along to their lyrics; The Dead Betas get to enjoy this at their gigs. They played all the classics: A Night on the Town, Bunny Boiler, 15... I think the crowd was really appreciative of the free gig, everyone was dancing. And if you were there, count yourself privileged, this gig was both Chapters of Eden and The Dead Betas' last performance of 2011. Chapters are working on new material and the Betas are on hiatus while they hunt for a new drummer. You'll get to see both bands at Beta Fest 2012 though, never fear.


Nice one guys, both bands did us proud!

This was the penultimate gig in Black Hole Promotions' epic Half Term Takeover, and it was the first one I'd managed to make it to. Shame on me. When I arrived, singer Harri was serenading the crowd with her acoustic cover of Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer, and then it was Mr Scott Xander Linn's turn to take to the stage with his acoustic rock delights. He cracked out a couple of songs from his new EP 'Ashes of Saturday Night' - I think my favourite song was 'Hell is a Lonely Place' - it has a chorus that makes you want to start shimmying against something. I also enjoyed new track 'Sanctuary in the City' about his experience of Edinburgh; very evocative lyrics. You can download his EP for £3 here.

Following in the vein of solo acts armed with acoustic guitars, Dick Narnia was up next, crooning away covers as varied as Afroman to Marvin Gaye to Tenacious D, as well as his own material. 'Little Brown Town', his song about a night out in Bideford, always goes down well with the local crowd. Personal favourite was his cover of Dub FX' 'Love Someone'; made me break out in goosebumps. 

Lastly, we had Upbeat Allstars, a female-fronted 'skate-ska/punk' band based in the southwest. These guys were a party of a band, with fast frenetic beats and singer Christie's rather epic vocal range, the crowd became a messy, sweaty mass of skanking. And best of all, they were a band who were loving every minute of doing their thing; it was infectious! Would love to see these guys back here soon.

I rushed from the bus to The Wrey Arms, not wanting to miss The Ghosts of Our Fathers make their debut as an ‘emotive hard punk’ four-piece. And I was not disappointed. Front-man Sam, who you will witness moshing and gesticulating at the front of most local gigs, was suitably angry and shouty, roaring into the audience and curling up in the foetal position. Oh yes. Couple this with some elaborate guitar jiggery-pokery and you have a pretty cool sound. Looking forward to seeing much more of them.

Next up was All Friends Are Enemies; I do love these guys for their synths and female lead singer with blue hair. It was guitarist Jay’s birthday, and this was aptly celebrated with a t-shirt worn by the drummer, and lots of birthday-related heckling from the crowd. They did a cover of 99 Problems by Jay-Z/Linkin Park, which went down well with the crowd and myself, as that song is a guilty favourite.

She Called Shotgun stormed the stage with their many loyal fans; by the second song there seemed to be more people dancing around behind them than in front of them. They may be young, but they’re a well-loved band who can definitely pull in a good crowd. And I always have their cover of Do It Like A Dude stuck in my head for days afterwards. Good stuff.

Finally, the headliners Chapters of Eden. Again, rather good at drawing in a crowd of ardent fans. I had to wedge myself at the side of the stage to take photos and avoid getting battered/covered in man-sweat. These guys rocked out, caused circle pits and general mayhem. I left with my ears ringing and a slight headache, and I mean that as the highest compliment to a hardcore band.

Another good ‘un from Black Hole Promotions, keep them coming!