LIVE BLOOD – New album from Tygers of Pan Tang

/ Alikivi

First rumble of thunder out of Whitley Bay was way back when their first single was recorded at the legendary Neat records in Wallsend. Now after nearly half a century the NWOBHM flag bearers Tygers of Pan Tang are not ready to throw the towel in just yet as they prepare to unleash a live album.

Vocalist Jack Meille explained “Recording a live album after all this time? I never thought I would experience it but with the Tygers I have learnt that the impossible is possible. ‘Live Blood’ captures all the energy we deliver while playing our favourite songs live and raw!” 

Recorded in summer 2023 at The Patriot in Wales, with guitarist Robb Weir, vocalist Jack Meille, drummer Craig Ellis, guitarist Francesco Marras and bass player Huw Holding, the set includes Euthanasia, Love Don’t Stay, Paris By Air and Love Potion No.9 from their first albums plus Edge of the World, Fire on the Horizon and A New Heartbeat from the latest album ‘Bloodlines’.

‘Live Blood’ will be released on April 26th 2024 via Mighty Music. The double LP includes three exclusive bonus tracks, it’s also available on CD and digital formats. Pre-orders and full track listing are available here.

Robb Weir added “Every time we play a show we’re asked when are we going to record a new live album. Our live show adds a new dimension to the old songs and allows us to stretch out a bit on the newer numbers”. 

The album will be preceded by two singles – the live favourite Gangland from their legendary album ‘Spellbound’ and Keeping Me Alive from ‘Ambush’.

For more info > 

Tygers Of Pan Tang – TargetShop

or check the official website >  

Tygers Of Pan Tang – The Official Site

Alikivi    February 2024

WOR BELLA HITS LONDON – the incredible story of heroic North East women footballers during WW1.

/ Alikivi
Catherine Dryden as ‘Wor Bella’.

Wor Bella, a tribute to the heroic North East women who played football during World War 1 is transferring to London. The play will be staged at the Bread and Roses Theatre, Clapham, before coming back up North to the prestigious 1200-seat Newcastle Theatre Royal in April. The play features a to-camera cameo by former Newcastle United footballer Alan Shearer.

Wor Bella is named after the show’s lead character Bella Reay who played centre forward for Blyth Spartans Ladies and scored 33 goals in 30 matches. She was the “Alan Shearer of her day”.

Wor Bella will star Catherine Dryden, who is currently performing with Jimmy Nail at Newcastle’s Live Theatre. Catherine, who hails from Chester le Street, is a RADA graduate and has toured number one venues nationally with The Pitman Painters and The Play That Goes Wrong.

Catherine explained “The play is a tribute to the million-plus women who stepped into exhausting and dangerous industrial work when men were conscripted in 1916”.

“They were selfless people who not only saved the war effort but raised money to support injured soldiers, widows, orphans and other charities by playing football.”

She continued “Factory teams of munitionettes formed on Teesside, County Durham, Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland to raise money for wartime charities. I’m delighted to be playing “Wor Bella.” 

It was an incredible time for women’s football, Blyth Spartans Ladies played Bolcklow Vaughan (Middlesbrough) in front of 18,000 people at the inaugural 1918 Munitionettes Cup final at St James’ Park, Newcastle, and later 22,000 at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough.

“Unfortunately, the FA scandalously banned women’s football in December 1921. It wasn’t unbanned until 1971!” added Catherine.

Written by Ed Waugh, (Dirty Dusting, Waiting For Gateaux and Alf Ramsay Knew My Grandfather – all co-written with Trevor Wood and the self-penned Hadaway Harry).

Ed added “We’ve had tremendous support for our talks from the likes of history societies, WI’s, U3As, libraries, football clubs and cultural groups. The response has been incredible.”

The play toured the North East in 2022 and received a number of reviews….
“A rollercoaster ride of laughter and euphoria to sadness and anger… mesmerising” said The Journal.
 

Kyle Crook, Blyth Phoenix Theatre Operational Manager, added “Rave reviews with both staff and customers. A must see!” and Katy Taylor, Artistic Director at Hexham Queen’s Hall Arts Centre “Brilliant…went down a storm with the audience”.

Any groups interested in hearing a talk are asked to contact Ed via the official website > http://www.worbella.co.uk

For Theatre Royal tickets google > ‘Theatre Royal Wor Bella’ for London tickets visit > www.worbella.co.uk

Alikivi   February 2024

BLOOD TIES for the GODFATHERS OF THRASH – RAVEN

/ Alikivi

After 50 years in the business what gets you up in the morning?

It’s in our blood. We love being on the road and the whole process. But it’s really all about those few hours on stage. We may have been doing this for 50 years but believe me, it never gets old and we never take it for granted. We are incredibly lucky and humbled by the fact that we get the opportunity to go out and play our music all over the world! …explained Chief headbanger John Gallagher (bass & vocals)

Released in June 2023 All Hell’s Breaking Loose is Raven’s latest and 15th album.

The new album has been received incredibly well, possibly the best reviews ever and the fan reaction has been equally manic!

This year the trio are preparing for a road assault on the USA and Europe. Sharing the UK bill are Girlschool, that will bring back memories from 1982 when Raven opened?

Yeah looking forward to the UK dates in February. It’s a triple headliner with Girlschool and Alcatrazz so that’s gonna be fun as we are all mates and of course we’ve toured with Girlschool a few times!

What songs are on the set list – any surprises?

We are slotting in more new songs as we go and hope to add at least one or two oldies that we’ve either rarely or never done live too.

Are there any venues/cities that you haven’t played before?

We’ll hit the usual stomping grounds of Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Southampton – which I think we only did once before in 1982 which was with Girlschool!

Following that is the US tour in March through to May which will be a stormer and Japan at the end of May followed by a brace of Euro festivals!

Check the official website for albums, merch & tour dates >

https://ravenlunatics.com/

Alikivi    January 2024

THE CASINO ROYALE COLLECTION with former Greedsville songwriter & guitarist Clive Jackson.

/ Alikivi / 2 Comments

Back In September 2023 Ged Cook from Newcastle was looking to track down Greedsville to discuss re-releasing their 1994 album. His idea was to make it available on digital platforms as originally it was only out on CD.

Steve Wallace, (guitarist, For Gods Sake/Penetration) heard about this and knew the Greedsville lead singer Peter Turner so put him in touch with Ged explained Clive.

(Clive talked to this site last June about Greedsville).

A SLICE OF LIFE in conversation with ex Greedsville songwriter & guitarist Clive Jackson. | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Clive added…Ged is involved with Demolition Records which has links to Sony Music. He is the brother of the late Eric Cook, who along with Tony Bray signed both For God’s Sake and Greedsville to the Bleeding Hearts label in the 1990’s.

What started it all off was when Ged discovered a box full of Eric’s DAT Master tapes of band’s that were on the Bleeding Hearts label. Initial contact was made between Ged and Peter then the rest of Greedsville to see if we were all o.k. about its release. Everyone was fine about it and the album was released on all major platforms in December 2023.

Why do you think Ged was interested in re-releasing the album?

Knowing that it had never reached an audience in the digital era he was aware you could only buy a second hand CD  online and thought it was too good an album to not get out there.

Luckily, the original DAT Master Tape had not deteriorated and a straight transfer to online, digital formats took place.

Although not ‘remastered’ the original album was mastered to such a high quality at Trinity Heights studios by producer Fred Purser and Andy Carpenter (bassist, Greedsville) there were no sound quality issues.

What did you think when you first heard Ged’s plans?

Along with the rest of the band I was very surprised at hearing about Ged’s interest, its 30 years since anything has happened. 

I think discovering and listening to Eric’s recording archive motivated him and he felt that it deserved a worldwide, streaming/download accessibility.

What are your hopes for the re-release –  getting the band back together?

Although the band as a whole are pleased that it’s available on all major platforms now, it doesn’t have a promotion or marketing strategy attached to it. This means it’s a distribution situation only, the numbers regarding streams and downloads are a key issue. 

To be brutally honest at present, there is no real desire or incentive for the band to reform in any capacity – but who knows what the future might hold!

The Casino Royale Collection > https://open.spotify.com/album/0EvzQ7Xw0mB0JT3XJYuqWB?si=mdxXvIVdQPOjO5enYReyag&nd=1&dlsi=43907d992ea04fd8

Alikivi    January 2024

HIDE – new album release from Amateur Ornithologist

/ Alikivi

North East prog popsters Amateur Ornithologist release new album Hide on 19th January 2024, with the single Time To Talk out on Friday 12th Jan.

Amateur Ornithologist are a weird pop group. Starting as Daniel Clifford’s solo project, AO has grown to perform as anything from a five-piece to an octet. Due to their adventurous approach to densely-layered, harmony-filled pop the band have earned comparisons to Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and local heroes Field Music

Fusing pop, orchestral, jazz and rock influences to create a grand melodic sound, the band have found a home for their unique musical expressions.

The band have featured on the cover of NARC Magazine, sold-out live shows, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Radio Wigwam and a host of radio stations.

Hide reveals ten adventurous songs they’ve crafted creating an album that’s “widescreen” and “richly melodic” (NARC Magazine) with “lush and varied instrumentation” (Dirge).

First single, If It Looks Like Magic, is a slice of gothic post-punk about the Cottingley Fairies and received airplay from BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Follow-up The Word is Love deals with deceivingly simple matters of the heart to an acoustic Latin backdrop. Third single Time To Talk (12th Jan) charts the difficulties of modern communication, reflected in sharp key and time changes, jerky rhythms and squealing sax.

Hide also features collaborations with musicians from across the North East scene. A Hidden Path, Hide and When They Fall feature cello by Marianne Kell (Belle Skies) and violins by Patrick Lawrence (Detroit Tourist Board). Drums were recorded by youngster Harrison Mitchell (The Strands), with rhythm guitar, percussion and backing vocals by regular collaborator Georgia Foster Adams.

AO’s successful crowdfunding campaign saw the band offer handmade crochet birds and avian Lino-prints in return for the money needed to make and release Hide.

In his South Shields studio, Harbourmaster co-produced the album with lead songwriter Daniel Clifford during summer 2023. Gravel footsteps, handclaps and percussion were recorded for a number of tracks by Crowdfunder supporters, who were treated to cups of tea and biscuits with the band as they worked.

Amateur Ornithologist release Hide on 19th January across all major digital platforms, and on limited edition cassette and CD from the AO Bandcamp. They play a sold out show at The Globe, Newcastle, on the same day with Marc Bird and This Little Bird.

AO line up > Daniel Clifford – vocals, Liam Slack – keys & vocals, Maddie Smyth – viola & vocals, Chris Perriman – bass, Louis Young – guitar, Rob Bailey – saxophones, Theo Nolan – drums, Giovanni Onofri – guitar.

Link to interview in May 2021 with songwriter Daniel Clifford talking about the release of the debut album by Amateur Ornithologist >

BIRDWATCHING with singer & songwriter Amateur Ornithologist | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Alikivi   January 2024.

500 NOT OUT

/ Alikivi

The end of 2023 is nearly upon us as I post the last blog of the year and coincidentally the 500th since starting in 2017. As well as wishing a great Christmas and New Year it’s a BIG thanks to everyone who took the time out to add their story to the site and all the readers around the world who have made it a success.

I’d also like to mention the recent plaque awarded to The Tube placed on Newcastle’s City Road where the Tyne Tees TV studio used to be. Many North East musicians were inspired by the live music show, Toy Dolls, Kane Gang, Tygers of Pan Tang and Dance Class to name a few got to play live. Plus behind the scenes some of the production staff were Geordies adding an extra Tyneside flavour to the programme.

The influence that The Tube had on me and many other people in the North East can’t be underestimated, so we give a salute to the ground breaking, never to be forgotten, legendary Tube and all who sailed in her.

Finally to close the book on this year it’s over and out from me with al’ the best for 2024!

Alikivi   December 2023.

MUSIC FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

/ Alikivi

A handful of releases this year by North East bands include the Godfathers of Thrash, Raven, who unchained their latest album All Hell’s Breaking Loose, John Gallagher (bass/vocals) explained…

”We released the album on 30th June and are really proud of the way this one came out and came together. Basically between the three of us we did everything except the mix. Wrote, arranged, performed, produced and Mike recorded it! We’re looking forward to playing a lot more of the songs live starting in Blighty in February”.

Go to> All Hell’s Breaking Loose by Raven: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl

Punk band The Fauves put out Resistance 22, Bri (bass) said…

”Since our album ‘Resistance 22’ was released on 1st July 2023 we’ve had some fantastic reviews. We sold out the first batch of CDs in the first two months, selling them in the UK and abroad. We’ve also released a live album recorded at The Bunker in March this year”.

Go to> https://thefauves1.bandcamp.com/

Durham duo Lowefeye released Northern Crown in October. Songwriter & vocalist Carol Nichol explained…

“I suppose it’s a celebration of the working class featuring the great kitchen sink actor Albert Finney. There is grit in some tracks but there is always the cinematic feel and storytelling all done DIY”.

Go to>  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lowfeye1/northern-crown-2

Memphis Calling is the latest release (27 October) from R&B singer & songwriter Emma Wilson.

“From Teesside I travelled to Memphis, got into a cab and asked to go to 639 Madison Avenue…the home of the iconic ‘Sam Phillips Recording Studios” explained Emma.

“The great Sam Phillips built the studio in 1960. I was invited to record my album there and it truly was a magical experience”.

“Memphis influenced this album, the musicians of the HI Rhythm Section, the producer – Scott Bomar, the wonderful STAX console. I was the English girl obsessed with Rhythm & Blues music who got to sing there and make a beautiful record. I hope you enjoy listening to it” .

Go to>  https://propermusic.com/products/emmawilson-memphiscalling (Best for UK or Europe)

https://selectohits.com/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=38220&fbclid=IwAR2i0KjWX4AYG5DbgBwCoZgGEQlbI2pQ5YKmAL3YJWfG5-klj103RjfOsoo (Best for USA)

Downloads here>

https://EmmaWilson.lnk.to/MemphisCallingFB

Mythra released Temples of Madness on Classic Metal Records in April. John Roach (guitarist) explained…

“The album was written and recorded pre-pandemic so mixing and mastering was delayed due to Covid lockdowns in 2020, but strangely relevant to today. After recommendation from Satan guitarist Russ Tippin, who we shared stages with, it was finally mixed by David Curle at First Avenue Studio in Newcastle”.

“Also available is a limited number of 500 numbered copies of a double CD album of ‘Death & Destiny’ and a live recording of our reunion gig at Brofest 2015”.

Go to>  www.mythra.bigcartel.com

Alikivi   November 2023

A GEORDIE EVENING with Ray Laidlaw, Carol Malia & Ed Waugh

/ Alikivi
Ray Laidlaw, Carol Malia & Ed Waugh.

Marden High school in North Shields will host an evening of stories told by three Geordie voices. Founding member of Lindisfarne, Ray Laidlaw, BBC local news reader Carol Malia and international playwright Ed Waugh. Each have a connection to Monkhouse Primary, North Shields, so it’s fitting that all proceeds from the event go to the school.

As well as finding international fame with Lindisfarne, North Shields lad Ray Laidlaw is producer of Geordie institutions Sunday for Sammy and Christmas in the Cathedral. Ray was recently part of the creative team that won a Royal Television Society Award for the brilliant BBC 4 documentary, The Alan Hull Story.

Born in Tynemouth, Carol was a former Marden High school pupil. A regular on our TV screens since 1997, Carol has lots of funny stories to tell, a real Geordie institution.

Ed Waugh has produced 21 professional plays including Dirty Dusting (co-written with Trevor Wood). In January it’ll be performed at Whitley Bay Playhouse and his self-penned play Wor Bella will grace London and Newcastle Theatre Royal in April. Ed also writes comedy sketches for Sunday for Sammy and Christmas at the Cathedral.

Ed Waugh said “In April 2022 my lovely daughter in law Rachelle died aged 34. The school has been brilliantly supportive of my two grandchildren who have attended Monkhouse Primary. It’s an excellent school which thrives on developing the children and giving them new experiences either via extra-curricular activities like football, gardening and archery to name just a few examples, or encouraging them in school time to be active in the arts. I just wanted to do something as a thank you. Both Ray and Carol immediately said yes, which was brilliant of them. It’ll be a great night.”

The event will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 @ 7.30pm at Marden High School, Hartington Road, North Shields, NE30 3RZ.

Tickets are only £10 and available from >

Register on Eventbrite

Alikivi   November 2023

TO THE MOON with L.A. composer/producer Richard E

/ Alikivi

“I’ve been living in Los Angeles since 2010 after marrying my LA woman, Sheila. I was born in Yorkshire but from the age of 10 grew up in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Then went to art college in Newcastle where I spent a good portion of my grant on seeing as many bands as I could at the City Hall”.

Richard E, Newcastle City Hall tickets.

“1979 was a great year for me. Finally getting out of small town Newton Aycliffe to live in Newcastle for a year doing a foundation course in art and design. I just dived right into the music scene and saw as many bands as I could”. 

“Penetration I loved, Pauline was my punk crush! And they were local heroes who lived in a town 5 miles down the road. Roxy Music were supported by a band called The Tourists featuring a certain Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox! “

“The Jam were the only band to force security to let the kids actually dance in the aisles. They were usually very strict at the City Hall, but Weller took them on, mid set, and somehow made it happen”. 

“I wish Punilux had done more. I bought Puppet Life when it came out. I included it in one of my recent radio shows, it still sounds so fresh. I also got to be at an epic concert that year that wasn’t in Newcastle. Led Zeppelin at Knebworth!”

Richard is composer/producer for award winning band Annabel (lee), which he created with his American wife, singer, lyricist and composer Sheila Ellis.

Their debut album released in 2015 on Ninja Tune Records won the UK’s Dead Albatross Music Prize, chosen from over 700 releases in the UK and Eire.

“During lockdown I had the time to record my first solo album harking back to my roots fronting a post punk, indie rock band in London in the late 80s” said Richard. 

Hoochmongers press shot 1990.

“I was moved to start writing my own songs again to express my discontent with world events over the past few years, encompassing rock, post punk, electronic and psychedelic influences”.

“The album features bass guitar on four tracks by David J ex- Bauhaus / Love & Rockets who became a friend after hearing a track by Annabel (lee) on LA’s independent radio station KCRW. I was also lucky enough to get David Bowie’s pianist Mike Garson to play on The Great Showing.”

Richard added “The video for my debut solo single was officially released on November 17th. Some people have said it has a Floydian vibe, and I felt myself once it was finished it made me think of George Harrison jamming with the Floyd”.

“ Jon Dalton, who you have previously interviewed on this site plays on the track and will be in my live band. I’m also producing his new album. Jon can be seen in the video playing his spacey guitar part in a very interesting way!”

Richard E – To The Moon 

Contact >

https://annabel-lee.bandcamp.com/album/if-music-presents-by-the-sea-and-other-solitary-places

Alikivi    November 2023

THE SOUND OF A LANDSCAPE with author MiE Fielding

/ Alikivi

‘The Sound of a Landscape’ is a new book by artist, author and sound recordist Mie Fielding, who co-authored ‘Closest Thing to Heaven’ about the Newcastle music scene, which featured on this site in December 2020.

CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN – New Book on ’70s-’80s Newcastle Music Scene | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

In ‘Sound of a Landscape’ Fielding pictures the Northumberland coast in all its wild splendour. His unique artwork is complimented by Cullercoats poet Harry Gallagher.

“I got to know Harry as he played the late Tom Hadaway (My wife’s uncle) in a theatre production. As I’ve recorded bird sounds and produced avant-garde music for over 30 years, it was a natural idea to put these artistic elements together” explained Mie Fielding.

MiE Fielding

The book is further enhanced with sound recordings by scanning the accompanying QR code, bringing ‘The Sound of a landscape’.

“The book also gave me a chance to produce two specially written pieces of sound art. One portraying Storm Arwen and the other lamenting the demise of a way of life, once a common sight along the Northumberland coast – the Cullercoats Ghosts” added Fielding.

“As for the sounds in the book, they took nearly a year to capture using an ‘Ambisonic, microphone and other technical equipment”. 

An exhibition about the book featuring its poetry, art and sound is held at Newcastle Central Library from 14 -20 December 2023.

Alikivi   November 2023