Girl in The Garden at The Hobgoblin.

I'm so far behind with my Blog that I've interrupted myself - Saturday night saw us down at the Hobgoblin in Staines. It was sad really, because the refurbishment that was due in the summer is going ahead.

It means big changes - there will still be music but probably not the kind that's made The Hob so innovative.

It means this year will be the last 'Rockgoblin'......ever!

Last night we had a treat in a pared down '48 Hours', who normally are a loud, vibrant three piece heavy metal band.

Tonight they were down to just two, exchanging an acoustic guitar for metal. Actually it was still more than a bit metallic.

There were a few covers, it wasn't very quiet or restrained....classic Hob band.

Meanwhile, mainlining;

'Girl in the Garden', local band, regulars at The Hob, reunited with their old guitarist and playing in front of all their fans.

It all made for a very special Hobnight;

What always made The Hob special was the opportunity it gave to young bands, that it always chose innovation over what was safe and reliable and even though I usually didn't actually like the music........there was always a spark there.

Saturday night was certainly sparking;

 

 

There are some good nights planned from here to Christmas but you had probably better take advantage of them while you can.

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 

 

 

 



48 Hours, One Man and Cultural Other at The Hobgoblin.

 

 

Saturday night at The Hobgoblin, Staines, thank goodness it's back after a long, long summer of sport and it really was a classic Hob night too. 

 

This is 'One Man' - Matthew Williams from Egham;

 

Everybody wanted to take his picture - there was a queue.

As you can see, Mathew was playing an acoustic guitar with an array of effects pedals and 'loops' which gave him a chance to show off his virtuosity.

It's not my kind of thing; I like my music to have 'punch', to be immediate.

Everybody else thought he was great - Robyn told me it was like 'Accoustic Techno' and explained the different influences and styles he was playing. She's a big fan.

This is what I was there for; 48 Hours. I've seen them before - full of fire and excitement;

Lots of action making for a storming night;

Then there was 'Cultural Other' - much more thoughtful music;

Their influences come from all around the world and their music was lyrical and inventive.

 

A contrast to end the night but I still preferred 48 hours!

Three great bands (OK two and a half bands?), all local and all playing original material.

 

Check out this great venue for yourself.

 

Neil Harris

(a don't stop till you drop production)

 

Home:  helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

 

Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

 

 

 

A Stranger in a Strange land Part 2 - 48 Hours and 44 Fires at The Hobgoblin.

As I explained yesterday, this MOD decided to go to The Hobgoblin on Saturday to try out something new and very strange for me. This was;

Heavy metal

Not my sort of thing at all but I was there because 44 Fires had been recommended to me.

48 Hours, now that was good. Hard and heavy without being mindless metal;

Energy and action;

Smash it up, rage and fury;

This old punk rather liked that. But not as much as he liked;


44#fires

What's this lurking in the bag?

This was what's called 'Political metal' and I checked them out; they did a benefit concert for 'Occupy'. This is how they describe themselves; 

The 44 FIRES are a political Metal group,waking minds through our music. Bring groups together to form an army to bring the elite to their knees ...we spawned from the different styles of music we all grew up listening to, from Corrosion of conformity to soundgarden, Megadeth & Metallica to Rage against the Machine, Pantera to Clutch. This has made us into the band we are today.

So come join us fight for the world.....From those ashes the 44 Fires have risen, and with enough political metal to melt your face we are now ready to start ripping up stages around the world…so be ready .

Members

      Brian Small Vocals

       Jay Franklin Guitar

       Tony Hampton Bass

       Aaron Beard Drums

 

    Influences

      Soundgarden

       Clutch

       Metallica

       Megadeth

       Rage Against The Machine

       Danzig

       Pantera

       Alice in Chains

And there was real live Political Theatre;

Here's the lead singer;

These were angry songs about giant corporations and all the attacks on our freedoms. Good bass line too;

And all the way through, a little bit of this;

In spite of the Heavy Metal influences, the '44 Fires' gave me a set full of excitement, full of anger and idealism which I really enjoyed. Mind you I always preferred to do my subversion in a collar and tie but that's another story. If you click on any picture Blogger will give you a slideshow with a little better quality.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com

Contact:  neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

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