Unity 10th August 2006

First off we at Unity have to thank our good friends "Sidearm" for organising such a great evening entertainment. Really it was nothing to do with us. They asked us if they could bring along their own support bands and put on a show, they organised the lot. Leaving us with just the background work to do.We'd also like to thank each and everyone of you (Audience) for showing your support and making this night one of the best ever. So here you all are. Well maybe not ALL. The first of "Sidearms" support acts was Deny The Accident. What can I say a fusion of Anarchic jazz punk and metal, with incredible energy. Jaw droppingly good. Although to be fair your Grandmother probably wouldn't like it even if they managed to persuade that lovely Val Doonican to do guest vocals. But it seemed we all loved them and we went wild.
Hang on! Give a chap a chance to take breath. The next band on stage "Aotea". More high energy manic madness this time with drum machine keeping some sort of order. The guitarists bouncing around the stage like the balls of a pin ball machine. I think they had a bit of equipment trouble, witness guitarist kicking ten bells out of the pedal rack. But who cared? They were great.
When I first read that "Sidearm" were due to play Unity tonight I was very excited. We've seen them a few times before and everytime they put in 100% effort. In a lot of bands there's the lead or front man and the rest are shoe gazers not so with any of the bands tonight and especially not so with Sidearm. Each one perfectly capable of taking the part of front man, in fact they seem to take turns, it's all very egalitarian. Now what happens to a band when they've toured for a few weeks and played everynight? They get better, they get tighter, more professional. "Sidearm" proved this point tonight. Even their trademark drum changeover went slickly without dropping a beat. What a show they put on. I can honestly say we haven't had a Unity night that had three bands with such enthusiasm, energy and entertainment value.


Rock on dudes

What's on this week

Greetings carbon based lifeforms (and others)!

Apologies for the lateness of this week's mailout - I just arrived back from Scotland last night having spent a week getting very wet feet walking in the bog lands of the highlands and being shouted at by sheep.

It's a very big week for the Muddy community this week, with the Glass Onion Music and Arts Community Centre (2 Burghley Road) due to open it's doors to the public for the first time! The Grand Opening will not take place until 16th September but this is your chance to come and have an early look around, ask any questions you may have and have a beer or two while your at it (or fair trade hot drinks....).

Artwork will be galleried in the bar throughout the weekend.

The bar will be open from 10am till 12 midnight this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there are some special events planned for the evenings from 8pm onwards - including something very special on Saturday! Read on for details of the evening events.

So what's gwanning in the boro?


Wednesday

The Pixie Folke Jam and open mic is assembling at Bar Lisboa (24 Lincoln Road) this evening. Entrance is free and doors are open from 8pm till late - bring your instruments or your ears.

Thursday

Unity at Lisboa is proud to be able to bring you the Peterborough stop off of a three band summer tour showcasing the talents of Unity favourites Sidearm along with experimental bods Aotea and Deny the Accident - it will be a very unusual show and is one definitely not to be missed. Entrace is still free (temporarily) so don't miss out! Doors open at 8pm for the jam session and when the live music finishes DJ Urb will take to the decks with an eclectic mash-up of styles.

Round the corner in Genevas Opaque are taking to the stage from 9pm onwards, it's only a quick trek between venues so why not check out both events? Entrance is free to both!

Friday

On Friday the first event ever to be held in The Glass Onion centre is taking place - with numerous quality acoustic acts on offer to tickle your ears and install a positive vibe into the bar! Entrance is free and music starts at 8pm so come down and check the place and the music out and help us start our centre off in true Muddy style - with music and a bit of a party!

If you still want more when the Onion kicks out at 12, Bish Bash Bosh are partying in Lisboa for the first time - having relocated from the recently shutdown Limit. Music on offer will be a diverse mix of hard and up for it electronic styles taking in hardcore, drum and bass, hard house/trance and no doubt lots more.

Meanwhile the Brewery Tap are have Dj Ollie Jones playing a selection of alternative music from 9pm till late. Entrance is free.

Saturday

Saturday night sees something very special land at the Glass Onion! Theatre Group "Get a Real Job" are stopping here for a very intimate performance of their new play "Growing Up With Martin". This is a quick stop off on their way to Edinburgh to perform the play as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play is described as "a charmingly dark new comedy for the expectant generation....the world has so much to offer, but sometimes is it worth the effort?". The performance starts at 8pm and entrance will be a mere £3 (or only £2 with a Muddy membership card). After the play DJ's will take the decks for a groovy night of diverse styles to lay you back and pick you up. This is a rare chance to see something of it's kind in the boro - don't miss out.

Lisboa is also playing host to Pixie Skin again on Saturday night - with THC travelling from the horsedrawn camp in Somerset to take the headline slot, with Emma Harper (a folk soloist from Bristol) and Heather McVey (acoustic soloist from Cambridge) also on the bill. Local support comes from Abi and Stacey of Point of Origin. Door times will be 8pm till 5am and entrance will be £3.

Round the corner in the Brewery Tap, Dj Ottis presents "Cookin" - bringing his unique style and of good tunes from 9pm till late. Entrance is free.

Sunday

Sunday night at the Onion is Cinema night - with films showing in the specially blacked out bar - a wide variety of films will be offered and it is for those there to opt on what is shown. Entrance to the night will be £3, or £2 with a Muddy membership card. A perfectly relaxed way to finish your weekend.

If music is more what you're after check out the newly combined Deep Roots/Unity Acoustic session at Lisboa - with acoustic performances and Dj's playing all kinds of laid back grooves from folk through ambient through hip-hop through dub. Entrance is free. Doors open 7pm.

....and finally

Don't forget the bar at the Onion is open all day as well as for these events from Friday to Sunday - and will not be open again until the Grand Opening on 16th September - come and check out YOUR centre.

Peace love unity and respect.

--
www.muddypromotions.org.uk
www.unityrocks.blogspot.com
www.systemabuse.co.uk
www.play-skool.org.uk
www.boro-bands.co.uk

UNity Acoustic Sunday 6th August

We're loving it at Unity Acoustic. It's so laid back and relaxed. We kick off at 4:00pm in the afternoon with a barbecue courtesy Louis and actually the feasting goes on until at least 8:oopm. which is great if you can't be bothered to cook for yourselves on a Sunday.
Richard ()above left)continues to find amazing acts to entertain us. This is Tim playing his own compositions. Slightly reminiscent of Al Stewart. The rest of the photos are of a few people chilling out and relaxing at the end of the weekend.

Unity 03/08/06

Unity rocks. It really did tonight. We only had two acts on stage tonight but they were great. But first we've got you guys who make all this possible. Here's a montage of some of the people, including a lot of new friends, who made it. The up and coming "Quarto and" You may notice the bass player of "Quarto And" as the very same one from Unity favourites "Dakota". So it's Danny on guitar and vocals ripping it up whilst for some strange reason they gave video cam duties to their drummer. Now anyone can hold a camera. But not anyone can play drums as well as their video camera man. When he finally did come on stage for their last song they rocked. Pretty damned good before but with the drummer it was certainly turned up a notch.
Following "Quarto And" we had on the Unity stage "The Fun Machines" (as recommended by The Evil One) The highlight (for me anyway) was their blistering performance of Led Zepellins "whole lotta love", fantastic.

Cool to be uncool

So you're all hip cats. (as they used to say in the fifties) You know your music and you're proud of your choices. But come on, can you admit to loving some of those cheesy uncool songs? Well you can now, without losing face or cool points because Q magazine has just published it's top ten uncool songs that it's cool to love.

1. ELO - Livin' Thing
2. Boston - More Than A Feeling
3. S Club 7 - Don't Stop Movin'
4. 10cc - I'm Not In Love
5. Gary Glitter - Rock'n'Roll Part 2
6. Foreigner - Cold As Ice
7. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
8. Status Quo - Whatever You Want
9. Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
10. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive

All I can say is Thank God Chris De Burghs "Lady in Red" isn't on the list

Sunday Unity Acoustic

Unity Acoustic is bedding in very nicely at Bar Lisboa. It's so much more relaxed. Tonight at Unity we had on stage the wonderful Rory Kelly from South Africa. Actually he was originally from Zimbabwe. He used to stuff live snakes down his shorts as a kid and take them home. That's how hard he is. Until one bit him in the balls. So he took up guitar instead of snake hunting. That's him inbetween Mike Da hat and Delbert Montage who's on acoustic bass. Yes I know you're thinking "Mike Da Hat he's a photographer." Well Mike Da Hat was playing guitar whilst you were all in nappies. Tonights photos were taken by Luke of Glass Onion and Muddy promotions fame. Mike Da Hat couldn't take photos of himself now could he? Yes I know he's a leg end. But he can't do miracles. On stage after Rory was Irene Rae. She came just to chill out but ended up playing a blinding set. Then it was RKG the Rory Kelly Group so called because they couldn't think of another name. Although "The Plebs" was mentioned. Featuring the aforementioned Rory Kelly, Delbert Montage and Mike Da hat. You may notice a photo that was obviously not taken at Bar Lisboa, that was "The Plebs" being Billy two gigs, playing earlier at Goodbarns Yard Charity day. To round off the evening "Istari" played featuring Mike Da Hats Daughter, Abi, with Richard and Terena on tin whistle. That was Terena on tin whistle not Richard he was on guitar. The highlight being their rendition of Gnarls Barkleys "Crazy". The fun continues next week. Be there or... be somewhere else.

Rock on dudes.

Myspace of the day

Myspace of the day comes to you this time from Southampton where you will find The Delays. Pure pop remiscent of the 60's with soaring harmonies. Great vocals. Great guitar work. Beautiful.

check them out The Delays

What's on this week

Greetings sand monsters and sea snakes!

An early mail out this week as I'm off to Scotland for a few days...... yippee!

The Muddy crew are gearing up towards a busy few weeks preparing for the official grand opening of the Glass Onion, which will take place on the 16th and 17th of September. There's going to be a chance to get a sneak preview of the venue when the doors open next weekend (11/12/13 August).

Friday the 11th will be an open mic session, welcoming music to Muddy's happy home for the first time, while the Saturday will host a very special one-off event, with a performance of "Growing up with Martin" an original domestic comedy play stopping at the boro for a night before heading to Edinburgh.

More details will follow next week so keep your eyes peeled and tell the whole world!

We'd also like to take this oppotunity to thank everybody who made the Cancer/Leo Party such a lovely event last weekend - much fun was had by all and the profits from the event will assist us greatly in making the Glass Onion ready for opening.

So what's on in the boro?

Tuesday

Tuesday night's is open mic night at the Comet - Garton End Road, Dogsthorpe. Entrance is free and a diverse collection of characters gather each week to play together.

Wednesday

The Pixie Folke are coming to Lisboa (24 Lincoln Road, next to Curry Masters) on Wednesday night for acoustic jamming and open mic bizzle from 8pm onwards. Entrance is free.

By the way, I'm told that the open mic night at Xoo Bar has finished so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed if you turn up there looking for music.

Further afield, Opaque are playing at The Man in the Moon in Cambridge. For more info check out www.bandopaque.com

Thursday

This week Unity (at Lisboa) has the prvilege of presenting a rare acoustic performance from Quarto And (former winners of Fidds Band of theYear) as well as up and coming new band The Fun Machines. Entrance is free and doors open for the Unity Jam session at 8pm.

Over the road at the Park it's time for another of the Ptown Showcase nights - brought to you by Diesel City Promotions and Vortex. This time around there are three bands on offer - the wonderful Sidearm (who are coming to Unity next week btw), State of Freedom, and young rock chicks The Playful Rays. Entrance will cost you £3, unless you have a flyer in which case it will cost you £2.50.

Friday

If drum and bass mentalism is your Friday flavour be sure to check out System Abuse - newly relocated to Lisboa in the wake of the Limit's shutdown. The SA regulars will serve up a guaranteed selection of the filthiest basslines and hardest beats. Advance tickets (see www.systemabuse.co.uk) are £4 and it will be more on the door.

Round the corner at the Brewery Tap Dj Ollie will be serving up "Soul Grooves" from the decks for your listening and dancing pleasure.

Saturday

Also relocating from Limit to Lisboa this weekend are Safe and Sound - a local deep house crew. Doors are 9pm till 5am.

Voodoo are also playing in the Brewery Tap on Saturday - they are one of the finest rock covers bands in the boro so if you haven't seen them yet don't miss out.


Sunday

The acoustic sessions formerly taking place on Sundays at the Solstice (run by Rich - Unity) have also made the move to Lisboa - joining forces with the Deep Roots bods to offer a free entrance weekly event of chilled out grooves and acoustic performances from the cream of the crop of local talent. Doors open 7pm with a barbeque running in Lisboa's garden.

....and Finally

Last week I gave a big build up to the very funny and informative new music video from Corneilius - only to neglect to put up the link for it......oops. You can find the video here

Also, our friends at Carbon Logic records (home to Tammy Garcia) have set up a web space for musicians to share and promote their music. They would love to see musicians and bands making use of this service and it will also become a great place to find new music so check it out. If you wish to upload while the site is still in its infancy you will need to use a special passcode I've been given permission to give out, please reply to this mail if you would like to be given the code. You can check the site out at www.beta.carbonlogic.co.uk

Anyhoo, till next time:

Peace love unity and respect.
--
www.muddypromotions.org.uk
www.myspace.com/unityrocks
www.systemabuse.co.uk
www.play-skool.org.uk
www.boro-bands.co.uk

Pirates Of The Boro

The New film "Pirates Of the Boro" out soon. Starring Chopper Depp, Richard Bloom and Kiera Twicenightly.

"Momentous film!" - The Kingston Gleener
"It had me in tears" - Coarse Fishing magazine
"Pity they didn't do their own stunts. It might have saved me the bother of seeing the film." - The Times
"The Muppets of the Boro would have been a better film." - Esquire magazine
"Twicenightly set me on fire, it's the last time I ask her for a light." - Barry Norman
"Wichard Blooms Wascally wobber was wotten." - Jonathon Woss

Unity 27th July 2006

What a night first off we had the wonderful Groove Cartel funking it up. We've seen them before but they're always welcome on our stage.
A band never before seen in Peterborough. All the from Yorkshire to play for us. The Neumes.In case you're interested the name "Neumes" comes from an Early system of musical notation. A neume being an inflective mark on a musical score. You probably wont find it in most dictionaries so you'll have to take my word for it. Anyway they were brilliant. You can't pigeon hole them into Folk or Jazz or Rock or anything because they play just about everything from laid back slow jazz to uptight and fast ska. Brilliant and judging by the crowds reaction I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see them back in the boro pretty soon. Here they are....


I hope you can see these pictures. It seems the ISP is having problems right now.

Rock on dudes

The big Apology

It seems I have overstepped the mark and I find I am forced to make a full and unequivocal retraction of everything I have said about The Evil One, sorry, James Chadwick. It's not that I am scared of the repercussions involving the boiled blood of virgins. It's just that I don't want my throat ripped out. So I apologise unreservedly. James Chadwick is a Saint. He is the salt of the earth. Move over Mother Theresa. This boy is coming through. There seems to be a ground swell of opinion. I don't know how many people he's paid off but I've been getting some very odd mail lately. Threatening mail. Mail that leaves no doubt in the mind that if I continue with this vendetta against him, I wont be your official photographer for much longer. I'll be pushing up daisies. So I hereby declare my gullt in this. I was maliscious and vindictive. I was jealous of his natural talent and was hell bent on destroying his character. For this I apologise. It was all lies. James Chadwick is a saint. He is good to his mother. If anyone is evil, it's me, for daring to suggest that such a paragon of virtue has any part in evil doings. So please, for my sake, refrain from chanting "The Evil One" when he gets up on stage. Don't cower in his presence. He wont turn you to stone as I suggested. He has willpower. He has everything. It's just my own feeling of inadequacy that made me do it. And to prove what a saint he is here's a photo taken by a pilot friend of mine.
Mind you I'm worried about that Mark Roberts. He doesn't have a halo. I'm sure he's Evil. Look don't take any chances. Treat him like normal, like the excellent guy you always thought he was. You'll be pretty safe. It's the quiet ones who are the worst.

Just to cheer up Corneilius. Bob Geldof had to cancel two gigs in Italy because only 45 people turned up for a 12,000 capacity gig. Oh how the mighty fall!

Rock on dudes

Unity Acoustic

Things are happening at the Solstice. We don't know what. But it's not good. For this reason Richards Acoustic night has moved back home to Bar Lisboa on Sundays. We're calling it "Unity Acoustic" to distinguish it from "Unity (Rocks)". It's the same team an' everyfing. Except we do things acoustically on Sundays and Rock it up on Thursdays.
You may have noticed we announced Unityrocks is fully booked until October. Not so Unity Acoustic, we still have slots available if anyone wants to play.
Also we'd like to thank the Sunday Lisboa guys for letting us share their night. I think it worked out quite nicely. and here's the proof....
Here we have playing tonight in between Skins marvellous toons. The talented Chris Barrie. Followed by our good friends Andy Whittle and Rebecca.

Meanwhile many apologies for the lack of pictures. It seems the trouble started when I posted the picture of The Evil One in Demon mode. Threats were made and the drinking of boiled virgins blood was mentioned. I am convinced that The Evil One cursed the site and made everything go tits up. But after a long struggle I think it's fixed. Well I can see the pics now. Now then where's me garlic and me 'oly water?

The Week Ahead

Greetings penguins and carrots!

Big thanks to all of you who made the Cancer/Leo Party such a lovely (if a little warm) event this Saturday.

There's a lot of change going on in our city's nightlife at the moment - with Radius no longer hosting local live music (within six weeks of opening!), Limit closing as of this Saturday, Richard's Unity acoustic sessions relocating to Lisboa as of this Sunday, Brewery Tap capaigning against demolition and changes in management all over the place the city is in a great deal of flux.

In amongst all of this chaos lets have a look what's on this week to tickle your fancy while the world changes around your ears:

(as always if you would lilke to unsubscribe to this list please reply "unsubscibe")

Tuesday

Tuesday night's is time for open mic night at the Comet (Garton End Road, Dogsthorpe). Entrance is free so turn up with your ears and instruments for a great night.

Wednesday

In the second instalment of open mic sessions for the week, James Chadwick is hosting Music Jam at Xoo Bar (downstairs from City & County Club, Priestgate). Entrance is free and doors open at 8pm.

Meanwhile (and afterwards) the Pixie Folke are gathered at Lisboa from 9pm for acoustic jamming and friendly frolics. Entrance is free here too.

Thursday

Unity at Lisboa has a very special line-up this week. The Neumes are a five piece folk and jazz based band travelling all they way from Yorkshire to entertain the comm-unity here in the boro ( www.myspace.com/theneumes ). Also on the bill are the wonderful Groove Cartel ( www.myspace.com/groovecartel ) who brought this year's Grassroots Festival to such a great close a few weeks back.

The electric jam is returning to Unity this week as well so get there early (open 8pm). Entrance is free (for the last time, from next week there will be a small charge to be decided).

When Unity finishes DJ Urb will take over to bring us through to the early hours of Friday morning.

Down the road in Cambridge The Portland Arms is home to a Syd Barrett tribute night following Syd's sudden death. The line-up consists of music and videos by and inspired by Syd - including Mr Zed ( www.myspace.com/mrzed ), Skellington Stef, Brock & Opaque ( www.bandopaque.com ). Door tax is £3 (proceeds to Cancer Research).

Friday

Point of Origin ( www.myspace.com/pointoforigin123 ) are returning to Bogarts this Friday night - with live music starting at 9pm. Entrance and the funk are free, and the skanking will be smiley.

Over the road in Lisboa Contact are up for another session of experimental electronic music and techno. The line-up this time around includes BrokenShields ( http://www.myspace.com/brokenshields ) Sys-ex (www.inceptiverecords.com ) Peddlebreaker ( http://www.myspace.com/peddlebreaker ) Staticnoise (www.myspace.com/staticnoisk9) Loki 23 & DJ Horse. Doors are open 9pm till 5am.

The Brewery Tap are hosting another session of "All Funked Up" with Dj Matt, entrance is free.

Saturday

Peterborough's Punk Club, residents at the Triangle for many years, are holding their first night at Lisboa on Saturday, with a three band line-up of punk ska and oi! including The Black Maria's. Door times are 9pm till 5am.

The Brewery Tap is hosting "Cookin", with Dj Ottis providing the beats and grooves.

The FuNktional boys are in town and outside under canvas @ The Old Still down Westgate Arcade. The night will run from 7 till 2, starting with some funky laid back grooves to chill in the basking Sun to some full on funked up vocal house!! Funktional residents J Stanford, Murray the Man and Garry Keiller will be joined by Steve Andrews (Miss Moneypennys) & Jon Solo (Manumission). Door tax is £3 all night with entries up until 12am. Dress to dance!

Sunday

Richard's Acoustic Sunday (normally held at Solstice) is joining up with Deep Roots at Lisboa this Sunday. Entrance is free and as well as quality acoustic performances the Deep Roots crew will be playing a diverse selection of grooves from hip-hop to blues to ambient. Doors are 6pm till late.

.....and Finally

Check out this link - it's a satirical video based around a song written and performed by Corneilius, who some of you may have had the pleasure of listening to at Unity a few months back or at the Grassroots Festival. The video is highlighting some conflicts of interest within the music/politics fusion led by figureheads Bob Geldof and Bono - enlightening, thought provoking and more than capable of raising a smile.

Till next time - peace love unity and respect.

--
www.muddypromotions.org.uk
www.unityrocks.blogspot.com
www.systemabuse.co.uk
www.play-skool.org.uk
www.boro-bands.co.uk

Muddy Promotions Cancer Leo Party

Things keep on happening. This time we have the first of the Muddy Promotions Zodiac Parties. Moony tells me it's going to be a monthly event. Someone asked me "is this Unity or is it Muddy promotions?" Hmmmm I can see why there's confusion. Muddy promotions, Unity, Playskool and Pixyskin overlap quite considerably. So it's only natural that we here at Unity promote Muddy and vice versa. We're all batting on the same team. IN view of the fact that this event was to celebrate peoples birthdays I've concentrated on the people rather than the acts this time. After all it's your birthday we're celebrating. So here you are, those with birthdays and those with unbirthdays. Here's some more of you having a great time.
OK some of the bands who came to entertain you. First row: Columbian Necktie. Second Row: Irene Rae. Third Row: Sympathy for Mr Vengeance. I got there late (ish) so you've missed out on pics of Circus, Elgin, Julian Stone, but see if you can spot them in the crowd montages having fun. Tallulah Rendall and her new band. Believe it or not they only had one rehearsal and this was their first gig together. Awesome. Here's pics of Carrie Tree. Although if you look carefully she's featured already in the papparrazzi montages. Beautiful girl, beautiful playing, beautiful voice. Just after she'd played a song that I could barely hear above the hurricane, that was the industrial fan I'd sensibly positioned myself next to, she said "..and that was one of my louder songs..." Next time I'll stand next to the speakers.


You know I haven't really paid a lot of attention to the DJs. I haven't given them the credit they deserve. I confess I thought they just stuck on a cd played it then stuck on another. But recently I've been impressed by their knowledge of music and their great taste. It's been a steep learning curve for me. The likes of Simon and Dom (OK Skin and DJ URb) have turned me on to all sorts of music I've never considered before. So get yourselves down to the Bar Lisboa and get some music into your souls.

Now here's an opportunity for you guys to get involved. In August 90% of the Unity and Muddy team are off on their UK tour leaving approximately just me to run things. Unity will carry on but it would be a great help if we could have a few volounteers to help keep things going. Get in contact with Richard or Shaggy if you're interested. See contact links top right.


Ok we're republishing all the pictures so maybe this time you can see them.
That's it for now.

Peace Love and Unity

The Evil One

Some say he's a Saint. Some say he's a paragon of virtue. There are even those who claim he is the son of God. His initials are no coincedence. There are even those who hold him up on a pedestal proclaiming him to be the epitomy of everything that is clean pure and wholesome. There are those that say the camera doesn't lie. I caught "The Evil One" off guard. This shot was taken moments before he lunged at me trying to rip out my throat. I barely managed to escape with my life. Luckily he confused my bottle of Volvic with holy water and backed off. Be warned.