Rapture - Unknown Promotions, November 2003

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Features - unknown promotions

a quiet night in

scorpion guitars

Unknown Promotions

	Unknown Promotions… Is a non-profit arts organisation promoting the work of unsigned and original artists. Bringing you news of all the latest musical happenings.
	NEWS, live review, reviews "For Martin" The ‘For Martin’ benefit gig at Bognor’s Riverside was a complete sell out and by all accounts an excellent evening. The amount of support for this event highlighting the respect with which Martin was held and the community spirit within the musical fraternity. Two new Unknown Promotions events starting this month - An Open Jam session in association with Ben of Scorpion Guitars will be held at the Cave, St Pancras, Chichester each Thursday, hosted by Ben. As of Monday the 8th of Dec we will be hosting a fortnightly Open Mic at the Four Chesnuts – alternating with our Bull sessions – 1st Dec & 15th Dec
	LIVE REVIEW, news, reviews THE JOIN, LEWIS & ASH @ The Cave 31/10 On Halloween all the creatures of the night came out of the woodwork and 'The Cave' was transformed into a scary underworld full of freaks, ghouls and monsters(see left) , for an evening of musical trick and treat. Following the "acoustic guitar wizardry" of the mega talented Lewis & Ash, the Join took the stage amidst dry ice, make up and pulsating laser light trickery. It was all guns blazing from the off, like a space rock Status Quo with the band powered by guest drummer Nigel Rippon. The Join have the rare power to excite and entertain and are always unpredictable - "at one point there were seven psychedelic shaman on stage …writhing amid a dual sax attack". They dare to be different and "Yogurt Voodoo is an awesome tune". And then with a puff of smoke and flash of light they were gone...
	BIKINI ATOLL & URBAN SWALLOW…Were the latest matadors in Battle of the Bands at the Punch House. BIKINI ATOLL are a no nonsense death metal outfit who rock hard - "9:30 I am scared… 9:45 developing nervous twitch… still very scared… 10:15…I give in, Satan has my soul." – Rox. "Raw! Drummer is bad!" – VIP Vinyl. "Wanted to hear more of the drum and bass heavy metal." – Cabco. "Darker, faster, harder, Yarghhhhhhh!" – Unknown. URBAN SWALLOW are at the other end of the spectrum… with a classy mature sound - "Very easy to swallow." – Punch House "Professors of pop, a fine tapestry of beautifully woven sound finished with a craftsman’s touch" – Unknown, "Happy angst" – Cabco. "Very together & polished. Well-structured tunes with a big sound" – Airtight. The competition culminates this month.
	REVIEWS, live review , news Johnny 4 - Disco Screamer A simple downward guitar run reverberates and the anticipation builds as the song floats effortlessly into flight on the wings of sweet harmony and restrained playing. The jangling guitars, sublime harmonies and simple hooks make this a perfect guitar pop record, it’s alt-pop country reminiscent of the Byrds. I like the way the lead vocal is not too prominent in the mix and the tune is carried by the harmony, it rests momentarily before again taking off with a guitar riff that builds and builds - superb. The b-side ‘Riot’ is a nosier, Radiohead style tune but still has plenty of moments, for instance the Morrisey-esque falsetto. A single that again confirms our faith in the talent of this area, Johnny 4 could well be the next band to put Chichester on the national music map. johnny4.co.uk If you’re looking for a Xmas Stocking Filler,… what better way than to purchase an album from a quality local band… These are our top ten recommendations - - - > MUSKOKA - Isn’t It Beautiful Out There well crafted indie/lofi electronica, Radiohead style £7 – muskoka.co.uk GRIFTER - Into The Grifterzone big bright funky pop-rock, Bowie/U2 style £5 – unknownuk.com URBAN SWALLOW - Alive classy, grandiose indie pop, Coldplay style urbanswallow.com Unknown Promotions - ORIGIN UNKNOWN 20 track compilation featuring all the best local bands £3 – unknownuk.com BAILEY - 2002 sophisticated mellow indie pop, Beatles style £5 – baileyofficial.com TBFKA TONIC - Movers & Shakers accessible jazz pop, Ben Folds/Jools Holland style £10 – pineappleproductions.com SWANK - Songs From the Closet clever and humorous mix of pop, rap and soul, like Prince meets the Beastie Boys £2 – unknownuk.com Stink Records - STINK SAMPLE Portsmouth based indie compilation £3 – stinkrecords.com INDIGO SUN - Talking In Whispers accomplished indie rock, Coldplay style £5 – indigosun.co.uk SPACE BABY vs THE JOIN - Live ambient techno meets psychedelic space rock £3 – unknownuk.com Order from the websites, unknownuk.com or try Helter Skelter in Chichester or Mikes Music in Bognor… Happy Shopping.
	Further news and reviews can be found at Unknownuk.com. The reviews and news can be discussed at the newly established ‘unknownpromotions’ yahoo group - http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/unknownpromotions - where you can also vote for your favourite band at Rox 2003. Until next time, …and more musical news and reviews……rock on Send any news, gig dates/event details or cd's to: – contact matt@unknownuk.com