Scotland and more

Moving into the final phase of the year and into the next phase of everything else; the new single has just been sent off today to be mastered. More on that later.

Our first gig in Scotland is in Glasgow on Wednesday, we're back at We Shall Overcome festival twice inside a week on 29th and 5th both gigs at The Station in Ashton and our second gig of the day on 5th is with Black Sonic Revolver at the last 'WTA?' of the year.

After that its recording again later in December to get moving along with the second half of the new album. And, adding nuances, plus a whole other dimension to what is already there.

We got work on four new songs underway at the last rehearsal and there are still more to follow.

Ticking along nicely.

Need to get moving on the single artwork and a video.

Killamonjambo heating it up at 'What's The Alternative?...THIS IS!' on 14th Nov.

The Speed Of Sound set was:
Only Everything, Overlooked, Shut All The Clubs, Day In Day Out, Checkered Land, Love, Uhrwerk, The Wargame, Little Miss Restless, Maid Of The Grey, Seen It All Before, Girl On The Roof, Sit By The River, There's No One There

Black Sonic Revolver have their 2nd album launch at the gig on 5th December.

WTA? November

We're live again on Saturday (14Nov) with Killamonjambo as our What's The Alternative? guest, seven piece hot ska funk to wake up the night. Ignore the chill in the air outside as Killamonjambo bring their raging hot ska-funk to Manchester.  August 2014 saw the release of their debut studio album “Fiesta Moon Landing” which reached number 16 on iTunes reggae/ska album chart. 2014 saw their Glastonbury debut on the Avalon Café and Croissant Neuf stages following which they were hotly tipped by BBC Radio 2’s Jonny Walker.

And The Speed Of Sound start the next five live shows of the solar year.

back in real time

We've finally caught up and are back where we were in September last year and the new album is starting to get beyond the demo stage at last. Dan Astles and Carrie Lawson with Aziz Ibrahim stepped in at the last moment - and massive thanks to them for doing so when The Remnants couldn't make the trip up north, we'll have another gig with them next year instead.
Set List :
I See You Everywhere That I Go
I Can't Say
Checkered Land
Chalk Circle
The War-game
Only Everything
Uhrwerk
Maid Of The Grey
Girl On The Roof
Love
Seen It All Before
There's No One There

September is a busy month, back in the studio recording and four gigs, stay tuned for updates
And big thanks to David Meyers for these live photographs.

What's The Alternative?...August

Two August What's The Alternative gigs: 15th is Chris Pope in his first Manchester/Salford appearance for 35 years playing a solo set ranging from The Chords, to Pope and Chords UK then 22nd has pure dirty garage punk from The Remnants making their northern debut.
The Speed Of Sound have been working on some new and reanimated material too so there'll be new stuff a go-go, and with Paul the new drummer everything is sounding new anyway.

 

Day In Day Out live acoustic version

A bit of video from 'What's The Alternative?...' IndependenTs Day: this is the acoustic version of Day In Day Out, it was strange loading the car up with so little stuff for this gig, no effects, no amps a refreshing change and change is what keeps music live. 
Day In Day Out was written in 1988 and is from the first album The Speed Of Sound At Tree Level.

ici Paris; ici Manchester

Paul made his Speed Of Sound debut drumming at our gig with French Boutik on Saturday, the next two gigs are acoustic so he will miss out on those and we'll be back loud again at the end of July. Massive thanks to Gabriela, Serge, Jean-Marc and Zelda (Icky couldn't make the trip) for coming over from Paris and filling the evening with Parisian smoothness, thanks to the Kings Arms and thanks to the audience that made it extra special.        

Set List:
I See You Everywhere That I Go
The Changes
Checkered Land
Sit By The River
Maid Of The Grey
Seen It All Before
Only Everything
Day In Day Out
Chalk Circle
Love
Girl On The Roof
There's No One There
French Boutik played a full set including their cover of The Clash's City Of The Dead , and the Kings Arms managed to look like the TopOfThePops studio for the night.

June visitors

Paris chic comes to Manchester as the undeniably cool and classy French Boutik make their NW UK debut at 'What's The Alternative?...' on 19th June. Fresh from a tour of Germany and bound for Dublin, Paris, Russia and Canada this is a special treat for music lovers in and around Greater Manchester. Plus; its the debut gig for The Speed Of Sound's new drummer so once again everything changes, we like to evolve. And thanks to French Boutik's label for giving us another mention in their newsletter in the 'Niters, Gigs And Other Do's I'd Like To Go Or Hang Around' section:

A preview in the Manchester Evening News:

 http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/event/what-s-the-alternative-this-is-june-guest-artist-french-boutik/

two years on

Raoul took up the sticks two years since last playing with us at a happy reunion on Saturday. Les BOF! made the trip down from Edinburgh to be May's guest band and garaged it up in a superb set including classics Brand New Cadillac, Jezebelle and Leaving' Here as well as a big chunk of their album. Thanks to Kings Arms and to Richard for doing the sound again, trickier than normal as some one had made off with their mic stands and thanks to everyone that turned out to a spectacular night.

set list:
Glide On By
The Wargame
Checkered Land
I Can't Say
Sit By The River
Uhrwerk
Love
Maid Of The Grey
Chalk Circle
Girl On The Roof
There's No One There

Les BOF! whipped everyone up beyond a frenzy - fantastic.

A Manchester debut for Les BOF!

Les BOF! make their Manchester Debut at What's The Alternative on 9th May, The guest band for May is Edinburgh’s Les Bof! Fronted by Laurent Mombel of Marseilles accompanied by three ex-Thanes; their album Nous Sommes… was described as “a damn fine collection of snotty rock’n’roll” by Shindig! “wailing harp, searing guitar licks and groovy organ… the heart-pounding rhythms and spine-tingling guitar runs will have Dr Feelgood and Hamburg-era Beatles fans alike drooling for more”

A first visit to Manchester for Les Bof! - a Scottish quartet playing French garage-punk on a German label, Les Bof! “sound like a psychedelic, trippy blend of The Kinks swapping chat-up lines on a cultural school exchange with Jacque Dutronc.” The List (Edinburgh)

“Look no further to satisfy your 1960s French language garage-rock needs than this sharply attired combo from Edinburgh, fronted by the super suave Laurent Mombel and featuring members of the cult beat revivalists The Thanes and Preston Pfanz & the Seaton Sands.” Their debut album “recorded in their own custom-built studio for that authentic period fuzz, is le dernier cri in distorted guitars, groovy go-go dance, percussive safari, crunchy mod stomp and 13^th Floor Elevatoresqu bluesy psych.” The Scotsman

“Scotland’s premier Francophone retro-garage outfit the full pelt sounds will delight admirers of The Kinks early work and Billy Childish’s oeuvre as well as those that just like to get their yé-yé’s out” Mojo

‘BOF!’ literally translates as `don’t care!' or `not interested!' but this is not a group without interest, but a group universally rejected by the established order - a situation, we are sure, you all know too well and with which you can only sympathize.

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/

Electric Easter

Easter Saturday sees the next 'What's The Alternative?...' as The Electric Stars visit, and play their first gig of the year, they will be unleashing a selection of new songs for their second album so this is an exclusive, a chance to hear them first.

and, if you want to hear a preview there's a radio interview and session here

Live with Little Sparrow

What's The Alaternative?...THIS IS! with Little Sparrow adding some other worldly vocals to Day In Day Out, before playing her own shimmering set.
The Speed Of Sound set was:
Only Everything
Chalk Circle
Checkered Land
I Can't Say
Maid Of The Grey
Girl On The Roof
Seen It All Before
Love
Day In Day Out (with Little Sparrow)
There's No One There

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

Whats The Alternative?... THIS IS! in the Manchester Evening News

The Manchester Evening News has a preview of February's What's The Alternative?... gig with Little Sparrow:

You can read it on their website here

Reject corporate pop and revel in true independence.

South Manchester's Little Sparrow has developed into a uniquely talented artist through her imaginative song writing and the captivating delivery demonstrated in her live performances.

The delicately crafted songs contained within her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ and her new EP ’Struck Gold’ combine flawless vocals, angelic strings and tender harmonies, taking listeners on a journey from heart breaking sadness to uplifting joy.

And 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.

Both will play 40 minute sets.

Live from 9pm.

Little Sparrow is as captivating to watch as she is to listen to.
Her beautifully emotive use of expression mirrors the sincerity of her delivery, making her someone not to be missed.
Her delicately crafted songs are created with a combination of flawless vocals, strings, guitars, percussion and tender harmonies.

Singer-songwriter Katie Ware adopted the name Little Sparrow about four years ago as she felt it characteristic of the sound she was beginning to create and the direction in which she wished to travel.
Drawing upon influences as diverse as Kate Bush, All About Eve and PJ Harvey she creates songs that are filled with a blend of styles, woven into the colourful tapestry of her music, often with a mysterious fairy tale quality.

Her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ features brand new tracks written for the album and also those which have become favourites through her live performances.

She recently released her new EP 'Struck Gold' which along with the title track (taken from her album) contains two previously unreleased tracks.

www.itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wishing-tree/id871212909
www.uklittlesparrow.bandcamp.com/album/struck-gold-ep

A growing amount of media attention and live appearances in 2014 culminated in her making an appearance at the beautiful Union Chapel in London.

2015 promises to be a very exciting year for Little Sparrow.
www.littlesparrow.org/
www.twitter.com/uklittlesparrow
www.facebook.com/singinglittlesparrow
www.youtube.com/user/uklittlesparrow

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 merger 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://thespeedofsounduk.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.reverbnation.com/thespeedofsound

http://thespeedofsound.bandcamp.com/

£7.00 (£4.00 concessions)

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/

What's The Alternative

Live with Greater Manchester Fringe at The Kings Arms Salford, 27 July 2014

Set List:

Girl On The Roof
Maid Of The Grey
I See You Everywhere That I Go
I Can't Say
Love
Checkered Land
Only Everything
Chalk Circle
Sit By The River
There's No One There

It was pretty hot, I couldn't read the set list because my eyes were full of sweat, we missed out Checkered Land and did it out of sequence at the end instead. Felt good though. I've not seen a picture with Pete in yet but you can see his knee and elbow in this one.

The Repeat Offenders high octane delivery and their third gig in thirty hours having played Pretty Green and Liverpool Calling the day before.


Millie Manders perfect pop a real entertainer, give her a crowd and she will make them hers. Her first gig in Manchester for a year and endured a five hour journey to do it.


The Getsettes great harmonies with a 60's vibe, it was going to be an acoustic set anyway, but became a duet when their bass player got food poisoning the day before. Craig on the right is normally their drummer.

Anticipation

We should have had The Swiines as well  but their travel plans got scuppered at the last moment and they couldn't get over from Nottingham. Another time.

Rock And Roll Lounge DJ'd before and after the sets, superb venue Thanks Fringe and Thanks Kings Arms.

Waiting to get in and set up.
Very un-Salford weather, Lowry never painted it like that, but it is just across the river from famously sunny Manchester.