In News

Woodstock: Three Days Of Peace And Music – Director’s Cut

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard To say 1969 was a landmark year for several aspects of culture would be an understatement. Less than a month ago (as I write this) we marked the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, the Stonewall riots in New York ushered in a new era for the LGBT+...
August 15, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc Events presents Byzanthian Neckbeard, Granite Wolf, Burning At Both Ends and From Darkness – The Fermain Tavern – 09/08/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Byzanthian NeckbeardNine months ago Havoc Events returned from a decade long break with a night of heavy metal at The Fermain Tavern. Now, after a few other shows, they are back with another night of the heavy stuff featuring Byzanthian Neckbeard, Granite Wolf, Burning At Both Ends and From...
August 11, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Lords Of Chaos (presented by Clameur De Cinema)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The story of the early Norwegian Black Metal scene is one that has been told many times and from many different points of view, and that I have more than a familiarity with from reading articles in Kerrang, Metal Hammer, Terroizer and other magazines. One version I haven’t read...
August 9, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

IDLES – Mercedes Marxist/I Dream Guillotine

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Hot on the heels of what many are describing as the stand out set of this year’s Glastonbury festival, and for my money one of the most zeitgeist grabbing performances in those fields in Somerset from an upcoming British band in the best part of two decades, IDLES are...
August 7, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Electric Shakes – Rye And Dry/Trash

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Bournemouth based rockers The Electric Shakes have been back in Ed Deegan’s Gizzard Studios recently crafting the followup to their second album Electrohypnosis and it’s emerged in the form of double A-side single Rye And Dry/Trash. If you’re familiar with The Shakes past output you’ll know, generally, what to...
August 1, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Oliver Marson – Cocaine Romance

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Oliver Marson first came to my attention as part of the heavily Smiths inspired Guernsey based trio China Aster (that also gave us former Of Empires drummer George Le Page) several years ago. Since then he has, as many youngsters in Guernsey are wont to do, headed to the...
July 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Bruce Springsteen – Western Stars

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard For as long as I can remember Bruce Springsteen has been a part of my musical vocabulary, as I’m sure he is for many people born in the 1980s, however Western Stars marks the first new album from the New Jersey native since I first properly started exploring his...
July 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

JD And Folk – Inn Slide Out

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard JD & Folk have been plying their trade as, mostly, a duo for a few years now mixing their take on well known country songs with their own original material and have now released this, Inn Slide Out, their first collection of their own songs on CD. The band...
July 22, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

NoFX – Punk In Drublic

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard 25 years ago punk rock was, at least in the eyes of the mainstream, undergoing something of a resurgence. Green Day had just released Dookie and The Offspring had dropped Smash and into this, like the fly in the ointment they always seem to strive to be, came NoFX...
July 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Roots, Radicals And Rockers: How Skiffle Changed The World by Billy Bragg

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard During the late 1970s and early 1980s Billy Bragg rode the wave of DIY punk rock to establish himself as a new kind of protest singer for (excuse the pun) a New England. While firmly a part of the punk movement it’s easy to trace Bragg’s musical roots back...
July 18, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

King Nun, Track Not Found, The Recks, Savage Sons and Case On The Base – St James Concert Hall – 13/07/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard King NunWith the sun beating down outside it felt rather incongruous heading into St James on Saturday evening after a couple of the island’s big festival weekends, but with some upcoming visitors in King Nun, live favourites The Recks and Track Not Found, Chaos/Sound Guernsey Battle of the Bands...
July 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Ministry, 3Teeth and Grave Lines – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 06/07/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard MinistryIt’s nearly four years since I attended a show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire (The Wildhearts PHUQ anniversary show) and I always seem to forget how good a venue it is — big enough to feel like an event on the scale of those at Brixton Academy or the...
July 10, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Devotees, Teaspoonriverneck, No Ambition and About An Hour – The Fermain Tavern – 30/01/09

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Brett and Steve of TeaspoonriverneckThe last review (in terms of date of the event at least) revived from my old blog takes us back to January 2009 again and a show at The Fermain Tavern with an impressively mixed line up of Guernsey rock bands. The Fermain Tavern tonight...
July 8, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Chaos 15 – Pleinmont, Guernsey – 28-30/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After seemingly settling back into a winning formula last year, Chaos returned for a 15th time to the Pleinmont headland in Guernsey over the weekend of 28th to 30th June 2019. With two stages running for the three days it was possibly the most varied Chaos event yet with...
July 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Slim Pickings and The Honest Crooks – St James Concert Hall – 22/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksWhen it was announced that St James was staging a pirate themed ska party featuring well known Guernsey based band The Honest Crooks and visiting octet Slim Pickings, ‘complete with pirate ship,’ I expected maybe a few Jolly Rogers and some inventive fancy dress. Upon arriving at...
June 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BlackTopTales, Blue Mountains and JD And Folk – The Golden Lion – 15/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard BlackTopTalesWith festival season fast approaching three bands, BlackTopTales, Blue Mountains and JD & Folk, took over The Lion’s Den upstairs room at The Golden Lion for a bit of an unofficial warm up for this year’s Sark Folk Festival that happens at the beginning of July. Country influenced duo...
June 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks, Hot Plastic, Ukuladeez and Isle Stone – The Fermain Tavern – 14/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksThe last time The Fermain Tavern changed hands it was marked with a full refit for Guernsey longest running live music venue and a launch show featuring 70s British R’n’B legend Wilko Johnson. This time things have been less obvious, externally, but nonetheless, following a a few big...
June 18, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Dresden Dolls – A Is For Accident (8ft Records Edition)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After seeing punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls at Troxy in London last October I have now finally completed my collection of their records (at least as far as I’m likely to given the rarity of their self titled debut EP) with A Is For Accident. For clarity this...
June 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Cor Damme Lars – Tangled Lies

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The last year and half has seen the The Cor Damme Lars build a solid reputation for themselves on Guernsey’s music scene, first as a trio and then really hitting their stride as a five piece with bass (Tom Bradshaw) and drums (Andy Nicholson) added to their mandolin (Gemma...
June 14, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing at Arts Sunday – St Peter Port, Guernsey – 09/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Burning At Both EndsFor the fifth year in a row BBC Music Introducing was represented with a stage at Guernsey Arts Commission‘s Arts Sunday event. Matching the growing scope of BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands the stage featured five acts including performers from Guernsey, Jersey and Sark...
June 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Cor Damme Lars album launch – The Mariners Inn – 07/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Cor Damme LarsBarely a year and a half since their first show, at the 2018 Vale Earth Fair Unplugged event, The Cor Damme Lars launched their debut album, Tangled Lies, with a show at The Mariners Inn on The Bridge. Before they hit the stage though Dave ‘Duke’...
June 10, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Free Range Music – Jamie-Lee, Lucy and Claire, Jamie and Cheese and The Coalbox Generals – The Fermain Tavern – 17/01/09

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Coal Box Generals (at Chateau De Sound)This throwback to January 2009 looks at another of the Free Range Music series of shows including a selection of acoustic artists and an early outing for The Coalbox Generals… Over the past few months the Free Range Music brand, spear-headed by...
June 8, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Stray Cats – 40

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After great ‘comeback’ albums from both The Wildhearts and Rammstein dropped in May 2019 after a 10 year break, rockabilly revivalists Stray Cats outdid both and, almost out of the blue, marked their 40th anniversary with their first album of new material in 27 years, appropriately named 40. While...
May 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Rammstein – Untitled

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard It seems May 2019 is the month for big comebacks. So far The Wildhearts have broken a ten year silence for new material to give us the rather excellent Renaissance Men and still to come The Stray Cats are back to mark their 40th anniversary, now we can add...
May 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc Events presents Third Time Lucky and friends – The Fermain Tavern – 18/05/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Third Time LuckyThirteen years ago I started a section on the BBC Guernsey website called Guernsey Unsigned, since then it’s developed into the BBC Introducing radio shows for Guernsey and now the Channel Islands but, back in June 2006, the first live event I covered was headlined by Third...
May 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Cokie The Clown – You’re Welcome

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the years NoFX have, along with increasingly blistering social and political commentary and their fair share of juvenile humour, featured a darker, often more personal, streak than many other bands who grew out the 1980s California punk rock scene. This now seems to have reached its peak with...
May 18, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Liberation Day Warm Up with The Recks, The Honest Crooks and Track Not Found – Imperial Hotel – 08/05/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Track Not FoundLiberation Day is always a busy one when it comes to live music and 2019 was no different, however in the past the night before has often been a rather quiet one. This year though that was different as The Imperial Hotel at Rocquaine chose Wednesday the...
May 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Rock of Ages 2 – Princess Royal Centre For The Performing Arts – 02/01/09

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Brutus Stonefist – TallpicturesAnother look back to early 2009 and the second Rock Of Ages event that definitely took a turn for the heavier with a selection of some of Guernsey’s top young metal bands of the time in Brutus Stonefist, Elmer Henley and Murder For 10, along with...
May 6, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Bright Orange Spectacle – She Could Get Better

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When retro rock ‘n’ rollers Of Empires called it a day at Sound At St James back in October they were joined in stage by a number of guests and little did we know then, that in amongst them was the nucleus of a new band, Bright Orange Spectacle....
May 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

L’Islet Records Presents To The Woods, Coastal Fire Dept and Isle Stone – The Fermain Tavern – 20/04/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard To The WoodsWhen a show is announced featuring a rare appearance from To The Woods, a grunge and indie inflected hard rocking trio who built a formidable reputation a couple of years ago, there is always something of a sense of anticipation. When you add to that a newly...
April 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Blues Cruise with Rawcuz Crowzz and The Fuzzey Group – The Fermain Tavern – 10/01/09

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Fuzzey GroupAnother throwback moment to early 2009 and another night advertised as a blues night but with The Fuzzey Group we were in for something more, along with Alderney punk-blues trio Rawcuz Crowzz featuring a young Robert J. Hunter. Though tonight was dubbed the Blues Cruise, traditional blues...
April 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Spoonful – The Doghouse – 09/01/09

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Spoonful mk 1Back to 2009 for this review, with blues band Spoonful at The Doghouse at a time when it seemed the venue was under threat of closure (for reference, at time of re-posting it’s still going strong) and the band themselves were appearing in a rare form with...
April 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Baghdaddies, The Recks and The Cor Damme Lars Take 2 – St James Concert Hall – 06/04/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard BaghdaddiesTowards the end of last year, just as St James was starting to establish itself as a venue of broader use once again, they held a mid-week event headlined by visiting act Baghdaddies. Despite being a Wednesday night it proved rather popular and it wasn’t long before a return...
April 10, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Robert J. Hunter – Good People and Hurricane

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Robert J. Hunter Band on stage in SpainThe last few years have seen Robert J. Hunter and his band not just gigging relentlessly (including a recent successful trip to Spain and some upcoming gigs even further afield) but also releasing a steady stream of records that have each...
April 6, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

St James Presents… Lord Vapour And The Buds In Bloom – St James Concert Hall – 30/03/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Lord Vapour and The Buds In BloomFor the second of their monthly St James Presents series the new managers at the concert hall, who have spearheaded something of a revolution in the concert hall, had booked Guernsey’s preeminent vintage style stoner rockers Lord Vapour. However, in the lead up...
April 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Elliot Falla and The Blue Valentines Single Launch – The Vault – 22/03/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Elliot Falla & The Blue ValentinesOver the last year Elliot Falla & The Blue Valentines have released a series of singles while gigging around Brighton. For their latest release, So Easy, they returned to Falla’s home island of Guernsey to launch the track with a show at The Vault....
March 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Elliot Falla And The Blue Valentines – So Easy

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard It’s been a couple of years since I had a close look at anything by Guernsey born singer songwriter Elliot Falla, but that isn’t because he’s been keeping quiet. Quite the contrary… after his debut EP Screaming At The Sky and regular gigs in Guernsey he made the move...
March 22, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Dan Ashplant – King Of The Country Road

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With the abundance of music schools in Guernsey giving young musicians a chance to explore things away from the traditional classical basis of the school’s music service, it’s no surprise that more and more youngsters are once again forming bands or creating their own music. One such performer is...
March 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Rock Of Ages 1 – Princess Royal Centre For The Performing Arts – 24/10/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Danny of About An HourMy final revived review (for now at least) from 2008, this one was the first night of a new series of events giving access to live music in an all ages setting. The Rock of Ages shows went on for a few years, moving venue...
March 17, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

About An Hour and Lydia Pugh – Barbados Night Club – 19/10/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Lydia PughMy second to last review revived from 2008 and possibly the only live music event I can remember happening at Barbados at the rather awkward time of around midnight on a Sunday night/Monday morning… With everyone involved in local music always seemingly going on about the lack of...
March 15, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Free Range Music – The Fermain Tavern – 18/10/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The John Wesley StoneBack in 2008 The Fermain Tavern started a series of regular monthly events in different styles of music. We’ve already seen reviews from blues nights and one of the Discharge nights focussing on punk but this comes from the first ‘Free Range Music’ night which featured...
March 14, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Black March featuring From Darkness, Ironfoot, Of Abscess And Amputation and Gentle Suburban Boys – The Fermain Tavern – 09/03/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard From DarknessLate last year Havoc Events staged a metal night at The Fermain Tavern and it obviously inspired others as, with a very similar line up, Black March was announced once again highlighting the heavier side of Guernsey music scene that is, arguably, less seen today than it was...
March 13, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Peppered Ant Legs and Swallows – De La Rue – 15/10/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard SwallowsBack to Autumn 2008 to a rocking night at the De La Rue with Guernsey’s premier lady band along with old school hard rockers The Peppered Ant Legs With the Thomas De La Rue fast becoming the premier venue for live music in St Peter Port many had gathered...
March 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Discharge Punk Night – The Fermain Tavern – 04/10/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard 2 Minutes 2 LateIt wasn’t just blues at The Fermain Tavern in autumn 2008, here two of the island’s prime punk acts of the year took to the stage as the guys behind the Discharge events (and fanzine) who were and still are heavily involved in the scene in...
March 10, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Spoonful – The Fermain Tavern – 13/09/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard SpoonfulAnother blues night at The Fermain Tavern from back in 2008 – I mention a ‘recent renovation’ of the venue here, this was a precursor to the major overhaul that took place a little while later, just in case the photo of the crowd throws your perception of time...
March 8, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc Presents… Kings, Coastal Fire Dept, Vice and Kiya Ashton – The Fermain Tavern – 02/03/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard KingsBack in November Havoc Events revived themselves after a few years away from organising shows with a metal night at The Fermain Tavern harking back to their former glory days. At the time though they were already saying they had plans to put on shows with a broader appeal...
March 6, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Bluez Crewz with Spoonful and Rawcuz Crowzz – The Fermain Tavern – 16/08/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Rawcuz Crowzz on stage at Chaos 2009Another of my revived reviews originally poster elsewhere, heading back to a time when The Fermain Tavern became the heart of something of a revived blues scene in the islands with what I think was the Guernsey debut of a certain Robert J....
March 5, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Finale – Princess Royal Centre For The Performing Arts – 08/08/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard FireFly (and guest vocalist)A further in my blogs reviving old, lost, gig reviews from 2008 and 2009. This one was a farewell show for Firefly who had made quite a name for themselves over the space of a few years and was held at the Princess Royal Centre For...
March 3, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Thee Jenerators and The John Wesley Stone – De La Rue – 02/02/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Thee JeneratorsAnother from the archive that is otherwise somewhat lost to time so I’m reviving here for better or worse… a rocking looking night at the De La Rue by the looks of things (as ever largely unedited unless I’m making no sense whatsoever or have spelling or grammar...
February 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Eleanor Foundation present The Recks, The Cor Damme Lars, Episode 2 and Nick Coleman – The Fermain Tavern – 15/02/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksIt feels like an age since I last ventured up to The Fermain Tavern as, for a number of reasons, it seems bands have been focussing on shows in and around town more over the last few months (though the Tav is hardly a great distance out-of-town, but...
February 18, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Wildhearts – Dislocated (single)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Ten years ago, when The Wildhearts released their last album Chutzpah, the very concept of their ‘classic’ line up (Ginger, CJ, Ritch and Danny – who recorded much of PHUQ and toured Earth Vs…) reforming was unimaginable. Now though, several solo and side projects and a slew of excellent...
February 14, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Granite Wolf and Gentle Suburban Boys – The Vault – 01/02/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Gentle Suburban BoysAfter a quiet first month of the year for music in Guernsey February started with a bang as a pair of the island’s heavier bands newcomers Gentle Suburban Boys and comparative veterans Granite Wolf, did their best to tear the roof off The Vault on Friday 1st....
February 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Hollie Lucia – Scales-Weights

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Cover artwork by Mikal DyasDecember 2018 saw more music released by artists and bands from Guernsey than I can recall in one such focussed period, so that’s why it’s taken me a while to get to this one. Hollie Lucia first came to my attention as half of ‘dream-pop’...
January 19, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Blacksmith – Chapter One EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Power metal, in its myriad variations, is and I think always will be a strange beast, and it’s into this world that Guernsey trio Blacksmith (Adam Powell – Guitar and vocals, Iain Baxter – bass and vocals, Josh Davies – drums) have leaped feet first with their debut release,...
January 8, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Music In Guernsey In 2018

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A year ago, when I was writing my review of music in Guernsey in 2017, I commented that it felt like a year when the bands and musicians in and from the island had all, collectively, taken a great step forward I terms of the quality of what was...
December 27, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Insurrection – Age Of Fear

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With a wall of distorted noises we are ushered into Insurrection’s Age Of Fear, the hardcore band’s second full album, thirty years in from their self-titled debut. That thirty years saw the band split for a long while but then reform around a decade ago to play sporadic live...
December 22, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Mike’s Magic Trip – With My Headphones In

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard For the better part of the last year guitarist and songwriter Mike Meinke (most well-known as frontman of the Buffalo Huddleston band) has been travelling Europe working on the music he has now released under the rather suitable name of Mike’s Magic Trip and an album called With My...
December 20, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Lord Vapour – Semuta

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Two and half years ago, already with a formidable live reputation, psychedelic hard rock trio Lord Vapour put out a debut album, Mill Street Blues, that hinted at great things to come. Since then it’s seemed they’ve been on stage somewhere every weekend (including a tour in Europe) and...
December 18, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks – Crook, Line And Sinker EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the last few years The Honest Crooks have made their now formidable reputation almost exclusive off the back of their live shows (with the exception of a couple of fairly lo-fi demo tracks which have since been removed from circulation). Throughout all that time there has often been...
December 16, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BLAKALASKA – Joyride EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Three years ago, having gained an impressive reputation through their live shows, electro-rockers BLAKALASKA unleashed their debut EP, Machine, with much fanfare and praise. Since then the band have been comparatively quiet, though they’ve still found opportunity to complete a couple of mini-tours of the south of England and...
December 14, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks EP Launch and ‘Office Christmas Party’ – The Vault – 08/12/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksThree days on from the launch of Kiya Ashton’s debut EP, and in the midst of a month packed with new music release from Guernsey based artists including Lord Vapour, Insurrection, BLAKALASKA and more, The Honest Crooks released their first EP proper, Crook, Line And Sinker, with...
December 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Kiya Ashton EP Launch with The Cor Damme Lars, Gregory Harrison and Elisha Horsepool – The Doghouse – 05/12/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Kiya AshtonAfter the previous week’s mid-week show at St James it was time for another Wednesday night outing, this time at The Doghouse to celebrate the release of Sweet Decadence, the debut EP from 15-year-old musician and songwriter Kiya Ashton, along with support in the night from The Cor...
December 8, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Kiya Ashton – Sweet Decadence EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the last couple of years Kiya Ashton has gone from attending the shows organised by Sound Guernsey to being one of the most interesting performers at them. As well as this she has appeared at both Chaos and the Vale Earth Fair while becoming a recognisable member of...
December 4, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Baghdaddies, The Recks and The Cor Damme Lars – St James Concert Hall – 28/11/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Baghdaddies at St JamesIn recent years at least, mid-week in Guernsey has, when it comes to music, largely been reserved for more low-key events like acoustic showcases or open mic nights. So, when St James announced a show with Newcastle’s Baghdaddies along with perennial party starters The Recks and...
December 2, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc Events Metal Night – The Fermain Tavern – 17/11/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Gentle Suburban BoysA decade ago Guernsey’s metal scene was a place packed with heavy metal bands, with the likes of Iron Cobra, Astral Casket, Ferox and more regularly gracing stages. Staging shows for theses bands, amongst others, were Havoc Events, made up of Martyn Brown (now seen non guitar...
November 20, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Gay Army and Thee Jenerators – The Vault – 10/11/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Thee JeneratorsHeading into The Vault in St Peter Port on Saturday night one might be forgiving for thinking there’d be a nostalgic air to proceedings as this line up, Gay Army and Thee Jenerators, is one that has happened more than a few times over the years and, one...
November 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Burning At Both Ends – Hail Apathy

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A little over two years ago, and after only a short time together as a band, Burning At Both Ends released a debut album that marked them as a band to watch. Since then their reputation has grown considerably not just through a series of stand out performances at...
November 8, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Sound At St James – St James Concert Hall, Guernsey – 27-28/10/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Of Empires on the main stageFor as long as I can remember St James, the impressive looking former church on the main road into St Peter Port, has been the home of classical music in Guernsey with rarely anything even bordering on pop gracing its impressive main hall, or...
November 2, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Guernsey Photography Festival Closing Party – Old Tax Office – 20/10/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Richey Powers of The RecksThe past few years have seen the Guernsey Photography Festival take over different, empty and abandoned, spaces around St Peter Port to exhibit a wide range from works from photographers of various styles with collections from all over the world (including Guernsey). 2018 was no...
October 25, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Out Of The Box – Various Artists

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Every few years it seems someone strikes on the idea of releasing a compilation album celebrating something of Guernsey’s music scene. From the Guernsey Rock Album in the early 1980s through Twist Records GBG series they have acted as a glimpse into what’s happening in the island’s ‘scene’ at...
October 13, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks vs Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 05/10/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With the summer festival season now well and truly in the rear view mirror it seems to have become a bit of a tradition for The Vault to put on a particularly great night as we move into autumn. Last year it came from SugarSlam and Granite Wolf, and...
October 7, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

2018 Summer of Music in Guernsey

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksI’m sure it’s a trend I’ve mentioned in the past but more than ever the ‘summer festival season’ in Guernsey is, like it’s larger counterparts in the U.K. and Europe, getting longer and more packed each year. Barely a weekend went by without some event happening and...
October 1, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Guitar Music Is Dead – The Fermain Tavern – 22/09/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RiskPresented by the possibly fictional record label L’islet Records, Guitar Music Is Dead! was something of an ironic name for this event at The Fermain Tavern, as it featured four bands spanning a wide range of unarguably guitar based sounds. The first of these was a rare outing...
September 25, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Citizen-X – Giant Steps EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard For a few years the being known only as Citizen-X has been marking out a groove both in his local scene and in the wider, if somewhat niche, world of iOS produced electronic music. In that time he’s played most of Guernsey’s main festivals and events as well as...
September 21, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Sark Roots Festival 2018 – 14-16/09/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Sark Roots FestivalFor a third year a field at the north-eastern most point of the tiny island of Sark was converted for the weekend into one of the most relaxed and convivial festivals sites I’ve ever encountered, for the Sark Roots Festival. Once again the event featured three days...
September 19, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Robert J. Hunter – Say What? (live)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With four full length albums and a few EPs already under his belt, Alderney born bluesman Robert J. Hunter has taken the slightly unconventional (for an independent artist at least) step of releasing a live album, capturing his and his band’s live set as it stands in the summer...
September 13, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair 2018 – Vale Castle – 25-26/08/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Imperial Leisure at the Vale Earth FairFor the second year in a row the 2018 Vale Earth Fair, marking the Channel Island’s longest running music festival’s 42nd year, was split across two days with the first day again being run by Sound Guernsey and the second being the long-established...
August 28, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Joe Corbin – Brixton Sky EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A little over a decade ago, when I first began reporting on music in Guernsey, one name was going round as being the next big thing to watch, particularly as a guitarist, Joe (then going by JJ) Corbin. At the time ‘JJ’ was fronting The Spitshine Blues Band and...
August 24, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks present… – The Fermain Tavern – 17/08/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksWith one mini-tour, a set at Latitude Festival and several of the Guernsey’s main summer festivals behind them, The Recks returned to The Fermain Tavern for a rare indoor summer show with three of the island’s top up and coming bands. It may not mean much to many,...
August 18, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair at Rocquaine Regatta – 04/08/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Vale Earth Fair at Rocquaine RegattaFor as many years as I care to remember the Rocquaine Regatta has concluded with a barbecue in the field opposite the iconic Fort Grey with live musical entertainment provided by the Vale Earth Fair. After last year’s somewhat dampened event, summer 2018 has...
August 8, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Japanese Invasion Night – The Fermain Tavern – 21/07/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard PUNiKTwo years ago Japanese punk rockers PUNiK made a huge impression with their performance at the 12th Chaos weekend and right away talk of their return to the island began. It’s taken two years but on Saturday night that’s what happened at The Fermain Tavern as PUNiK returned along...
July 24, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Lord Vapour and Coastal Fire Dept. – The Vault – 14/07/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Lord VapourThere’s something about the combination of a hot and sweaty summer night, a small bar and loud music that makes for a great combination and that was certainly in evidence on Saturday 14th July 2018 as Lord Vapour and Coastal Fire Dept took to the stage at The...
July 16, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Mudstock 2008 – Pleinmont, Guernsey – 12/07/08

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The pit kicking off at MudstockAnother flashback from my archive originally written for BBC Guernsey Unsigned (the forerunner to BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey) going back a decade to one of Guernsey’s more minor ‘festival’ style events, Mudstock. This was a biker party of a sort with a lot...
July 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Savage Sons – Howlin’ EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Savage Sons emerged onto the scene about a year ago as a full band and quickly set about bringing their own take on the blues to Guernsey’s pub circuit. Now they have released their debut EP, Howlin’, and continue that trend on record. The band combine a classic blues...
July 10, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Chaos 14 – Pleinmont, Guernsey – 29/06-01/07/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Now in its 14th year I think it’s safe to say that, after the Vale Earth Fair, Chaos (aka Chaos Weekend or Chaos Festival) is one of the most established events in the Channel Islands music calendar regularly attracting visitors from Jersey, the U.K. and mainland Europe. Over that...
July 4, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Tiger Army – Dark Paradise EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard As Tiger Army albums tend to come along only every once in a while an EP from the band two years after their last full album, V…, is always going to be something for fans to celebrate. With that in mind the band held a pair of special shows,...
June 26, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Dolmens and Track Not Found – The Golden Lion – 22/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard DolmensWith the exception of a one-off event featuring Brunt last autumn it’s been a long a time since the downstairs bar at The Golden Lion has welcomed any of Guernsey’s original hard rock acts. So, when they announced a weekend of the heavier stuff, there was some sense of...
June 24, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Seigneur Hedge Veg – Eggs And Honeycomb

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard This latest band on Guernsey’s (sort of) folk scene also seem to be, in one sense, it’s most enigmatic. Seigneur Hedge Veg are a band whose name I’ve heard in vague mentions for a little while but had never heard anything from until, a few weeks ago, their leader...
June 18, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing at Arts Sunday 2018 – 10/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard UkuladeezFor a fourth year BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey was part of Guernsey Arts Commission‘s Arts Sunday event on 10th June. The event, this year focussed on the theme of ‘Express Yourself’, took over the St Peter Port seafront from 10 until 4 and featured a showcase of pretty...
June 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Sound In The Market – Market Square, St Peter Port – 02/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard KingsIn the past there has been something of a tradition of energetic live music performances in the heart of St Peter Port. From the likes of My Generation being famously photographed in Church Square in the 1960s to the Market Rock events in the 90s there was often a...
June 4, 2018 by Tom Girard