Drowned in Sound - Slow Club review

Drowned in Sound's Sheffield correspondent, Rob Webb, reviewed Slow Club's performance on The Steel Stage at the Leadmill in Sheffield. Of course one of my pictures of the night was used to accompany the piece.

The review of the evening can be seen here.

The night didn't start as smoothly as I'd hoped. A few of the usual Leadmill guestlist issues (even the band's manager was left off the list) had to be sorted, but eventually all was well.

Sheffield two-piece Slow Club combine harmonic vocal work with their own inimitable anti-folk style. Percussion comes in the form of 'found-stuff'. A chair and glass bottles, amongst other things are utilised. I for one really enjoyed their performance, as it seems Rob did too.

More information about the band and some tunes can be found on their MySpace.

Drowned in Sound - Decemberists review

Rob Webb's account of the evening can be seen here.

It tickled me that Rob, felt it appropriate to mention my frustration at the band's control over the venue that evening. When I arrived, the security informed me that I wouldn't be allowed into the pit, at the request of the band. No problem, I thought, I've shot many a gig from the crowd before, there's no reason why this one should be any different. It'll just be a little more stressful, that's all. Lucky I brought plenty of tobacco with me eh?

It was just as I was entering that I was then informed, "oh, and the venue is no smoking tonight, also at the request of the band."...

Arrrrgh!

To be fair, the Leadmill has never been such a pleasant place. The air was clean, and the crowd was attentive (except for a few fellow smokers, getting tetchier as time passed!).

Maybe this whole public smoking ban malarkey isn't such a bad idea after all. I'd better hurry up and quit in time!

Music Mart - February 2007 edition

The 'On Stage' section of this month's edition of Music Mart magazine contains an image I took at The Milburn Christmas Party, held at the Fusion and Foundry in Sheffield University Student's Union.

The accompanying review, written by Rob Webb, explains how Milburn have become 'one of those Marmite bands'. All things considered, it was a good gig. The crowd were as mental as they always are for Milburn's live performances, plus the tinsel and free festive headgear added to the fun.

The picture on the right is one I took of the setlist for the night. The tongue-in-cheek song name conversions pretty much sums up their attitude for the night. I wish more bands were able to take things a little less seriously like this!

Important news for Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens owners.

It seems this one slipped through most other photography website's nets.

Canon have issued a recall on certain 24-105mm f/4L lenses. Apparently early versions of the lens will exhibit excessive amounts of flare in strong backlit situations (like a gig for example). Further details of the recall can be found on Canon's website here.

Any of the earlier models affected can be shipped back off to Canon for a free repair.