Release Launch Party

And the single launch gig was a blast; in the community space at Levenshulme Old Library, with a pop-up bar provided by Inspire (and selling Emmeline cocktails). A wonderful acoustic set by Turner ahead of their single launch and John Broadhurst's first gig in The Speed Of Sound's drum chair... Thanks to all who turned out and made it a magical evening and helped raise some money for The Pankhurst Centre/Manchester Women's Aid. Single link here. Set List:

Tomorrow's World
Impossible Past
I'm Real
Last Orders
Smokescreen
Opium Eyes
Uhrwerk
Charlotte
Only Everything
Leaf Blower
Day In Day Out
Wired And Tired
Love
Shadow Factory
The Day The Earth Caught Fire
I Don't Want Your Attentions

Welcome to John B. Sixteen songs down in the first gig; a bit of catching up to do on some more of the back-catalogue and then we're of on the new songs journey again. Exciting.

We didn't want to use a traditional music venue fir the single launch something more community related was much more appropriate for a double-A-side single the could not have originated within the 'music industry' which is itself part of the problem with incessant objectification and repression of artistic creativity. Rise up. Rebel. DIY music is always where the interesting music lives.

Giant thanks to Turner for playing a fabulous set before us including their first single as a band 'Don't You Ever Stop' and a selection from their forthcoming album. Art is not a competition, it is about inspiring each other.
Turner's single is here

acoustic and out of the ordinary

A gig with a difference - The Speed Of Sound and Turner are both playing an acoustic performance in the Drawing Room of Elizabeth Gaskell's House at 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW on   Thursday 7th April 

Ticket link : https://www.quaytickets.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=E21164D6-A427-4CAC-8500-9DE8ED429030 A song so new that it is too late to be on the next album will be unveiled and new LP songs will make their live debut. The recently restored Victorian Villa has hosted contemporary music since the 1850's house guests include Charlotte Bronte and Charles Halle, marinaded in atmosphere, steeped in time. 

Be quick!

IndependenTs Day at the Fringe

It was a hot night at Kings Arms on stage and off at IndependenTs Day; the "What's The Alternative?..." acoustic special for Greater Manchester Fringe, ending with a grand finale of everyone singing Sympathy For The Devil in a completely unrehearsed and spontaneous closing shot.

The Speed Of Sound opened proceedings with an acoustic drum-less set

Love,
The Wargame,
Seen It All Before,
Day In Day Out
and
returned three hours later for the finale.

Troy Fridge played his first Manchester gig for 25 years and delighted with his beautifully quirky Diana's Kiss about building a time machine to visit Diana Rigg in 1966 and Wishing Boy... a song so memorable that it reminded Jason Edge he'd seen Troy at The Witchwood in 1989

and a rare treat as Rob Coleman was coaxed out of his reclusive-ness to play 
Luke Gallagher performed songs from his forthcoming EP as well as starting his set with the highly appropriate choice of Heatwave followed by Richie Syrett's remarkable blend of Anglicania 

 

Una Baines and her current band Poppycock gave a completely eclectic set ranging from flute driven incense powered floating gossamer lightness to jungle rhythm fuzz drenched menace.

 

Jason Edge of The Electric Stars did a solo set (partly accompanied by Louise Turner on backing vocals) giving an airing to new songs from the as yet unreleased second album as well as stripped away versions of Stoned Again and Isolation from the first.

Turner performed her own set with just piano accompaniment including new songs from her imminent debut album before the grand finale closed the night. Spectacular. A whole festival packed into one evening. And certainly in the words of The Electric Stars it was Beautiful Music For Beautiful People.

 
If you missed the acoustic special the electric Triple Bill is 25th July also at the Kings Arms.

Alternative Poster

Greater Manchester Fringe opens today and runs throughout July, its in its 4th year and goes from strength to strength, we've got two shows this year - Saturday (4th) sees IndepentenTs Day three hours of acoustic independent music with a twist... Turner will be playing songs from her debut album still being recorded, Jason Edge will be playing songs from The Electric Stars forthcoming 2nd album, Poppycock (Una Baines founder member of The Fall), Death To The Strange (fresh from their headline gig at The Ritz), Richie Syrett, Luke Gallagher, Paul Coonium, Rob Coleman and Troy Fridge and DJ Kaiser Matt all join us in a one day indoor festival of IndependenTs. Doors are at 7pm ands we will start at 7pm, at Pub Of The Year winner the Kings Arms.

 

We thought you'd like a look at The Guitar Poster which owes a debt to Man Ray; as does any picture with an f-hole and a curve and was the original design, we went with the superb picture of Turner (taken by Shay Rowan at a previous 'What's The Alternative?...') because it says exactly what the gig is about.

25th July has a return visit from Millie Manders, she played a solo set at the very first 'What's The Alternative?...' at Greater Manchester Fringe last year, this time she's bringing her whole band and her ability to hold an audience with her high energy ska-punk is quite something to behold, this will be really special. But there is more! We also have The See No Evils garage punk from Heavy Soul Records and The Speed Of Sound back to the normal electrified line up making it a triple bill of Fringe-worthy proportions, another three hour epic with each band playing a full set, doors at 7pm on at 7pm.
Long Live Fringe!

seeing stars

Rock and Roll slick and glam The Electric Stars did their thing they shook some new songs out of the tune bag and kicked off their series of gigs culminating in their new album expected in the summer. Their first show since September was for 'What's The Alternative?...' Ace stuff, hot and groovy.
Top to see so many cool people turn out for them too. Turner made a guest appearance stepping out of the audience and grabbing a mic to add backing vocals. Much more than a gig; its a happening.

Total disregarders of comfort zones that we are, we added a brand new song into the set that John & Kevin had only played through twice before and Jonny (massive thanks for sitting in on our drum stool again, much appreciated) hadn't played at all. It went good. Shut All The Clubs is about cultural vandalism ripping the heart out of city centres replacing pubs and clubs with glass fronted gym's and business opporunities. It will be coming out again.
Set List:

Only Everything
Shut All The Clubs
Girl On The Roof
Checkered Land
Sit By The River
Love
Maid Of The Grey
Day In Day Out
The Wargame
There's No One There

What's Next? Les Bof! on 9th May
http://www.lesbof.fr/

Bright lights and action

Live photo's from 'What's The Alternative?...THIS IS!'
With Turner playing I'm Real one of ours that hadn't had an airing for 25 years
Fantastic.
Set List:
The Changes
Sit By The River
Checkpoint Charlie
Glide On By
Maid Of The Grey
Seen It All Before
Day In Day Out
Checkered Land
Love
Girl On The Roof
I'm Real (with turner)
There's No One There

January What's The Alternative in The News

Manchester Evening News :
Neat.
click here to see on their website

Reject corporate pop and revel in true independence.

Salford chanteuse Turner is ear catching, eye catching and described as "One to watch" in John Robb's Louder Than War website; Turner invites you to sample her excellence in wistful melancholic joy.

Meanwhile Manchester's The Speed Of Sound continue to ply their original music that manages to cross the Velvet Underground with The Jam and Neil Young with Siouxsie & The Banshees in their own idiosyncratic manner.

Live from 9pm 

With DJ after the live music continuing til late

£7 (£4 concessions)

Turner: This is Turner... Born and bred in Audenshaw Tameside, Turner was introduced to the world with music coursing through her veins & even as a young girl was spoon-fed delicious melody's from the greats such as Dusty Springfield, Scott Walker, Blondie, The Beach Boys to name but a few!

After moving up the road to Salford & a chance meeting with Guy Garvey at a recording studio Louise was asked to appear on the Mercury Prize-winning & platinum-selling album 'The Seldom Seen Kid' with Elbow from then on Turner made many Manchester connections with even Peter Hook asking to jam sometime!

Salford-based Louise then teamed up with the successful "Art&Soul" band DC Fontana from 2012-2013 and enjoyed a busy action packed year gigging around the country, appearing at numerous venues including the 100 Club London and Euro YeYe festival in Spain and receiving fantastic reviews for the bands EP Pentagram Man which was produced by Julian Cope's Guitarist Donald Ross Skinner & working closely with 60's legend Don Fardon.

She already enjoys a successful career as an in-demand session singer...& with a string of collaborations and guest appearances on tunes featuring Primal Scream's Denise Johnson, Manc Poet and songwriter Edward Barton, Bluebird Kid Clark & The Electric Stars.

Indeed, her crystalize vocals and powerful lungs have appeared on numerous records but despite her prowess as a much sought-after studio singer this Salford Chanteuse decided to step out on her own with her debut Minin Album This Is Turner.

Turner has had an action packed 2014 building her platform and becoming the first female solo artist to sign with respected indie label Detour Records.

The 6 track album was produced by another respected Manchester face - Yves Altana (The Chameleons/I Am Kloot/Mark Burgess) and showcases the many sides of Turner, all part of her vintage charm, one minute classic Dusty, the next epic Scott Walker style ballads & just for good measure a track that could easily fit into the next Bond Film.

Ear catching, eye catching and described as 'One to watch' in John Robb's Louder Than War Turner invites you to sample her excellence in wistful melancholic joy.
www.thisisturner.com
www.facebook.com/thisisturner.com
www.youtube.com/turnerfilm
www.twitter.com/turnersalford

"Turner is one to watch out for" - LOUDER THAN WAR

"With her platinum bob, panda kohl eyes and expressive voice... Part Dusty/Part Debbie Harry, she's very adaptable to many styles and sounds" - NO OTHER PRESS

"This is Turner! And Ladies & Gentlemen, we should be glad, For here is an artist who is far more than a singer songwriter. Turner is an icon in waiting. She is totally out of step with the mass produced, unit shifting pop of today and that Music Lovers is a good thing ! Turner's songs are dripping in melody & emotion. Lyrically she can be both disturbing and mysterious, without ever losing her knack for a killer hook. Her 2013 take  on bohemian suss, make her the perfect antidote to the TV conveyor belt of shame !" - TONY SALT (Manchester Underground Scene)

The Speed Of Sound:  Purveyors of original independent Manchester music since 1989 with various lineup changes along the way but always retaining the same guitar/vocal combination of founder John Armstrong, Kevin Roache is the bands longest serving bass player and the pair are now joined by 18 year old powerhouse drummer Owen Deane.

"A cool mix of punk and The Byrds 5th Dimension LP" - LORD LITTER Radio DJ Berlin Germany

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear a erger between Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Lou Reed?... The vocals are dark and melancholy - they have an intense quality that makes me stop everything I'm doing and just listen. The music surrounding the words pulls me along like a tide, making me drift away from reality without feeling that I have an option" MUSICVSTHEWORLD BLOG

"Quite a modern folk rock feel with a definite dash of 80's post punk/alt thrown in... vocally there is a hint of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, bit of Jagger, great sound. Musically the sound alternates between Rock; verging on heavy/psych to alt/punk with some great instrumentation along the way." MADFERRETS MUSICBLOG

http://www.reverbnation.com/thespeedofsound

http://thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com/