Monday's music in the Park

The Elliotts

We are "The Elliotts". A new indie band, i say new but we were formed by ancient fossils millions of years ago. Though we are old we still like to "rock down" quite regularly in our craaazy band practices, these usually consist of erotic dancing of some variety, often with whipping... Feel free to leave us any messages or comments, we will be more than happy to get back to you. We now have some new music for you to absorb into your brain holders. We now have an EP out with 5 songs for 2 squid. If you want a copy just email us "theelliottsmusic@googlemail.com" or just message us on here, byebye now xox

The Elliotts on MySpace

Levi Weaver

"I was born in Colorado, and moved to Texas when I was 4. I lived there for most of my formative years, growing up under the tutelage of a father who was both a professional cowboy and a preacher. I've been to 44 states, probably half of those in transit to rodeos.

I spent the better part of two years traveling in Latin America and Eastern Europe with a thrown-together band, learning to write songs while watching the world go by through the windows of trains and airplanes. I eventually moved back to Texas, and for 2 more years, I hit the Dallas scene with a band called Stories Of London. I learned how to record, how to play my instruments, how to fall in love, and how to write a love song. I suppose those are all necessary tools...

Eventually, the band broke up, as all bands do. I also split with my girlfriend of two years. I learned that a broken heart is not all my 19-year-old songwriter self of years ago thought it was cracked up to be. Two break-ups in a month taught me to feel broken. I learned devastation. I also learned writer's block and burn-out, and as a result I learned what it felt like to work a real job. .

I waited tables until I could follow my dreams to England. I re-learned to write songs. I remembered how to be an artist. I remembered how much I loved music, and was in love with performing it.

What I love is being able to resonate with people who have learned or are learning the things I have endured in my years on this planet. My music isn't world-changing. My voice won't ever win on any TV contests, and my perfectionist side wants me to add something about my musicianship never measuring up in my mind. But I am passionate about what I do. I love music. I love watching it being performed And even more than that, I love playing it."

Levi Weaver online

Ocean Plaine

4-piece Rock'n'Roll revivalists. Indie Rock, with grit and distortion

Straw Dogs

Fast, loud, fun, and full of energy. Based in Berkshire, UK, Straw Dogs play 3 chord pop punk. Live sets are classic punk covers of The Ramones, Sham 69, The Clash and Green Day etc, mixed up with their own material - click here for recorded samples.

Current lineup includes:
Chris Smith - bass and vocals
Tim Purcell - drums
Charlie Roberts - guitar

Straw Dogs online.

Empty Grey Space

A four piece rock/emo band mixed between the ages of 14-16 emerged from there local youth group based at the end of November 2004. They are currently working most fridays/saturdays in Mark's room coming up with fresh riffs, new material and playing through songs.

Sam spends most of his evenings fine tuning his current material whilst coming up with more emo style lyrics and putting them to music. With new material coming up all the time, Sam's writing at the best level he ever has, and a chance for Sam's acoustic songs to be heard over the Atlantic, Empty Grey Space can only go from strength to strength.

www.emptygreyspace.com

Sleepless

Having headlined at both Storm and Cafe de Paris in Leicester Square, Bristol Bierkeller and Southampton University, Sleepless' on-stage presence and character, coupled with their powerful, hook-laden rock songs are causing a buzz within the music industry already.

Sleepless were formed in the summer of 2003 by singer/songwriter Phil White. Since then they have created a loyal following who are willing to travel right across the south of England to support them.

Whilst the demo's will whet your appetite, their ice-cool, energy-filled live act will blow you away.

Second in Line

Second In Line were formed in July 2002 from the remains of other bands within the Newbury punk scene. Featuring Mr. T, Gareth, Rob and Matt. They played a few shows towards the end of 2002.

Stephen and Mike joined the band from Jan 2003, they played a lot of live dates in a very short time with not much practice and they went damn well. Due to commitments with their other band, Stephen and Mike left in April 2003. Chris and Thom then joined the Second In Line family. They played loads of shows during the year with the likes of Anti Flag, Conflict, Not Katies, Blaggers ITA, Grebo, Subhumans, Glueball and more.

A couple of live cd's were also recorded. Thom left due to commitments at the end of October 2003. Chris then moved onto drums with Alex joining on the drums - thus bringing you right up to date! In April 2004 Gareth went traveling to Australia, returning in Dec 2004.

In 2005 the band recruited Dan Hazard onto the drums and played 2005 as a 3 piece with Mr. T and Gareth switching over bass and guitar duties. After a lengthy process we finally recruited and old mate to play bass Ern - and 2006 brings new songs, a new line up and loads of gigs...

Second in Line online

Chris Howard

Chris Howard is an original mix of acoustic and rock. Self recorded, mixed and produced material carefully blended into some truly inspiring music that will keep you humming along for ages.

The first release of the new material - a balance of rock/alternative guitar based sing-alongs as well as the more chilled climactic and chilled acoustic/drum/bass style tracks. This is a great collection for those wanting to get a real flavour of what Chris Howard has to offer.

Amy Newton

Two years ago Amy recorded 8 solo acoustic tracks for a few friends that had requested some of her own material. This demo ended up selling over 1000 copies.

With the success of this, Amy formed her own record label (Monster Music) and recorded her debut album "Lost for Words". This will be officially launched at the Gold Coast Oceanfest, Croyde, North Devon on June 18th 2005.

It was recorded at Gateway studios, Kingston, London by respected engineer Steve Lowe, assisted by Gurjit Dhinsa with experienced musician and producer Derek Johnson (who she met after performing at the "Crown", Glastonbury Festival in 2004) Derek acquired some of London's finest musicians for the project: Alpheous Little (fretted/fretless bass), Chris Wilson (Piano), Jose Joyette (Drums)

All these musicians have extensive solo careers in their own right.

With this team of amazing people working along side her, Amy recorded 15 original tracks laying down all guitar parts and vocals. The result is not to be missed and once on sale will be available through this web site and selected record stores.

Amy Newton online

Miles Dark

Finding themselves abruptly without a band in 2005, former band mates Morgan Jones, Adam Martin and John Steiner found themselves with a line up stripped back to the bare essentials.

Not wanting to establish a blueprint of 'what to sound like', the band wrote and are continuing to write songs that draw heavily from their influences but are nonetheless, unmistakably Miles Dark.

Having played their first show downstairs at The Garage in October 2005, and with two E.P's currently available, Miles Dark hope to gig as often as is possible.

www.milesdark.com/

Product of Your Conduct

The band began their gigging career with a small gig at The Sweatbox.

They played and well and did themselves justice, considering at that time they had only been a band for 2 months. More time passed and more songs were written...More gigs passed and the band recorded an acoustic EP entitled "Enter the one starred dragon" We had to kick Will out of the band for personal reasons, leaving Ashley as the lead singer, shortly after Ray left and they found a new bassist Lee and now have wrote a couple more songs.

They have now finished recording their 6 track demo featuring the tracks: Intro, The Great Saiyaman, If I Were You I'd Tell Her She's Worth It, X-rays, Remembered Forever, Forgotten Never and Emotion To Three Decimal Places......This is available from our site (via paypal) and also at upcoming gigs for 4 so purchase a copy!!

Product of Your Conduct on MySpace

Simon Scardanelli

Simon Scardanelli enjoyed success in the late eighties with Anglo-Canadian duo Big Bam Boo (MCA) scoring a top 20 radio hit in the US in March 1989, after which the band re-located to New York. Following the demise of Big Bam Boo Scardanelli remained in New York , composing installation works for Art Events and experimental films, as well as performing at acoustic venues along the East Coast.

A regular at the infamous Lach's AntiFolk nights at the Sidewalk Café in New York's bohemian East Village , Scardanelli released the darkly challenging Eye Camera album (Red Line) in 1994. Scardanelli returned to London in 1995 before moving to Brighton to take a degree in 20th Century Music at Sussex University.

Disappearing from the live circuit, Scardanelli put his energies into experimenting with sonic-composition. He is currently writing up his PhD in Electro-acoustic & Acousmatic Composition at Birmingham University. A collection of his electro-acoustic works, Birmingham is a Great Place! is available in digital format only from his Digital Download Shop. The full album may be previewed for free! A CD release is planned for 2006.

Scardanelli returned to the live scene in 2005, releasing HOBOHEMIA (Resonator Records), his first album in over 10 years. Scardanelli's songs combine gritty realism with soaring melody and quirky English eccentricity. Simon Scardanelli was given a rapturous welcome at the Wheaton Aston Festival , and at Festival at the Edge in 2005, and is currently touring acoustic clubs Nationwide. He has already been booked to appear at Wheaton Aston Festival 2006.

An outstanding performer, Simon Scardanelli has been building a strong reputation on the circuit throughout 2005. His new album scheduled for release in February 2006 will further consolidate his standing as one of the most interesting and innovative singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years.

"A voice as keenly jaded as Lou Reed's." Robert Knight - WBAI New York"

Simon Scardanelli's performance was particularly memorable. Powerful melodies, an impeccable vocal performance, decent song structures and lyrics that are actually worth listening to. Perfect." BBC Radio Berkshire

www.scardanelli.com/

Sodared

Dave Callaghan (bass guitar), Steve Guard (percussion/vocals) and Wes Goldthorpe (guitar/vocals) started out two years ago, with the addition of Chris Barlow (guitar/vocals), they found the line up they had been searching for and Sodared was born.

This collaboration has formulated a winning combination. The amalgamation of entwined guitar melodies, clear and passionate vocals, underpinned by solid rhythm that engages the audience.

Sodared on MySpace

UXL

UXL are hotly tipped to become one of the major young breakthrough acts of 2006. From Birmingham, the Tierney brothers formed UXL (formerly Elixir) over three years ago with friend Dan Clark and have evolved into an intriguing combination of energy and melody that draws on the varied musical influences of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Dylan, Hendrix, The Beatles and U2.

UXL had the usual start familiar to bands everywhere. Lots of rehearsing, recording demos, sending off demos, getting gigs, playing to three people audiences (two mates and the manager), dealing with eccentric sound engineers and loading unreliable vans in the early hours. Like most bands, UXL have also had their fair share of dodgy haircuts, mid-gig cock-ups, 10 minute sets due to over enthusiastic support acts, trawling dictionaries for new band names, spot outbreaks at photo time and general lurching from one crisis to another.

But their time together has also seen many great highs like playing at Sandwell Festival to over 20,000 people, meeting Metallica's sound engineer Mick Hughes, recording an acoustic set at the BBC studios, playing at Rockinbeerfest, the recent invite to support the legendary Wishbone Ash, the many positive reviews from the music press, and always the great support and enthusiasm shown by so many people over the times.

After all the above, 2006 sees the launch of their long awaited debut album recorded at Mad Hat Studios in Wolverhampton and due for release later this year on the independent Mab Records label. Their first single and accompanying video will be released shortly before and a tour is currently being organized in order to promote the album. Hopefully a very busy year lies ahead.

Described as both hard-hitting and heart-warming, UXL successfully manage to draw on all the best from their musical influences and fuse these elements with their own edgy, melodic and unique sound. Quite simply they play great rock music and as one reviewer commented recently, UXL are destined for major attention.

UXL on MySpace

Anna Neale

Anna Neale has performed her unique acoustic rock with gutsy soul delivery across the UK, USA and Ireland. Her playful performances and quirky lyrics have attracted the attention of an increasing number of fans with her live, TV and radio performances.

Following a stint as a touring member of the Dublin soul band The Commitments, it was Anna Neale's move to become a performer in her own right that has seen her lift her career to a new level including showcasing at In The City, Manchester 2004 and becoming a regular main stage performer at the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

2006 sees the release of Anna's new single Can You Read Me, collaborating with musicians such as Matt Pegg (Procol Harum, Ian Brown) and Paul Williams (Nitin Sawhney), supported with a full live, press and promotional campaign.
"....one of the freshest and most accomplished of the new generation of singer-songwriters." Oxford Mail
"Anna has an astonishing voice-.It is strong, emotional, soulful, and full of character..She is an exceptional talent." Coolnoise
"Anna seems to be pure soul driven and plays acoustic rock. Anastasia watch out. Anna is young and driven." Nightshift

Click here to visit Anna's website.