In News

Seven Day Riot – The Vault – 20/06/20

Seven Day RiotThree months and six days since the last live music event I attended before ‘lockdown’ St Peter Port was back to life with many bars and pubs marking the event with a healthy dose of noise. While there were plenty of options what felt like the first place to fully advertise and get back to business as usual...
June 23, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Last Of The Light Brigade – The Brink

When they released Last Laugh in 2014, despite the title, I’m not sure anyone thought it would be the swan song for indie rockers Last Of The Light Brigade. As their gigs (away from the wedding band circuit) became fewer and further between though, and the individual members pursued other interests (with quite some success) it seemed like that might...
June 19, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Kiya Ashton – Anchor

Back in December 2018 Kiya Ashton released her debut EP, Sweet Decadence, to quite some positive response. Since then she has become even more of a fixture of Guernsey’s live music scene and, during the current break from live public events, has been a big part of the Upload Festival CI series of online streaming gigs which she’s now followed...
June 1, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

May 2020 Playlist

Click here to listen to my full 2020 playlist on Spotify Another strange month comes to an end but, at least where I’m living, on a more positive note as things start to reopen (though we await any kind of announcement about full scale gigs happening again). With that in mind I have another motley selection of tracks that I’ve...
May 30, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Brave Yesterday – Everything, All At Once EP

Jersey based five-piece Brave Yesterday have been busy building a reputation for their poppier end of indie rock for the past decade and, while they’ve been quieter on record the last couple of years, have been busy playing live but now they are back with four track EP Everything, All At Once. Lead single My Vice starts things off with...
May 24, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Nemesis – The Fermain Tavern – 28/04/07

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Danny and Brin of NemesisAfter it came up and caused some conversation in a flashback post on Instagram recently, and I noticed the original version of this review had dropped off the BBC website where it was originally posted, I thought I’d revisit this show from April 2007 when...
May 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Coastal Fire Dept – You Are Stuck

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Relatively hot on the heels of their debut ‘mini-album’ Control, Coastal Fire Dept. are back with a new single (a lead in to their upcoming new album), You Are Stuck. Since we last heard from the band on record they seem to have further solidified their line up with...
May 2, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

April 2020 playlist

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the playlist on Spotify Another strange month in April as life under so-called ‘lockdown’ continues to one degree or another around a fair amount of the world. Thankfully there has been a lot of new music entering my world, along with a chance...
April 28, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Tantale – One Moment (Live At St James Concert Hall)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The last decade has seen Tantale develop their ‘ambient grunge’ sound across three full albums (and an early EP) to become a band with a formidable reputation both on record and on stage – their debut album launch show at The Fermain Tavern in 2012 has long remained a...
April 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Teaspoonriverneck – Sunset’s Trip and IV

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard While out for my so-called ‘government mandated’ two hours of outside time and exercise a few days ago (and let’s be honest two hours of dedicated exercise is something unfamiliar to most of us, even now) it struck me that while I have always enjoyed Teaspoonriverneck’s two EPs Sunset’s...
April 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

March 2020 Playlist

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the Spotify playlist To say March has been an odd month for all of us would be an understatement but with that, and particularly before everything kicked off in earnest, there was a lot of great music going on that I’ve distilled into...
March 31, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Kings – American Rust EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When Guernsey based pop band Kings released their first set of songs they did so as a series of singles they described as being Season 1, rather like a TV show. For their second release though that have been a bit more conventional as they’ve dropped four new tracks...
March 27, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club: March 2020 – The Golden Lion – 03/03/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Two years ago Guernsey Gigs launched their monthly Unplugged Club at The Golden Lion (read about that first one here) as something of an alternative to the many (and still increasing) other open mic nights that take place each week around St Peter Port. Rather than just a place...
March 7, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Sound At St James 2 – St James Concert Hall – 22/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The first Sound At St James festival, a little under a year and a half ago, marked something of a relaunch of St James (or at least the perception of it) as a venue for more than classical music and rather staid, traditional entertainment. Since then a range of...
February 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc presents Terrible Stuntman, Lifejacket, Kings and The Crowband – The Fermain Tavern – 15/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard KingsAs storm Dennis began to give the island a battering Havoc Events took over The Fermain Tavern for the first time this year for a genuinely varied night of live music with The Crowband, Kings, Lifejacket and Terrible Stuntman. While the storm (and no doubt other less obvious factors)...
February 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Parish 13 – A Rum Do

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard I first encountered the Jersey based five-piece Parish 13 at the Sark Roots Festival back in 2017 when I made note of their unconventional appearance and approach as looking like something from Royston Vasey in The League Of Gentlemen. While maybe a little extreme, that description still seems to...
February 16, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair Unplugged 2020 – The Fermain Tavern – 08/02/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard UkuladeezThe Vale Earth Fair‘s annual unplugged night has become almost as much a part of the Guernsey music calendar as the summer festival itself, albeit with slightly less fanfare. Every year comes with its own surprised and highlights which in the past have ranged from The John Wesley Stone...
February 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Independent Venue Week with Beach Riot, Stone Cold Fiction, The Tarantulips and Case On The Base – St James Concert Hall – 01/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The TarantulipsFor the past six years Independent Venue Week has been championing bars, clubs, pubs and, for want of a better word, music halls up and down the UK that are run independently of major sponsors and support grass roots music both from their own neck of the woods...
February 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

L’Islet Records Acoustic Night: Coastal Fire Dept, John Le Sauvage and Rachel Dawson – The Vault – 31/01/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Coastal Fire Dept go acoustic(ish)After rounding off their 2019 with a very noisy night at The Fermain Tavern, L’Islet Records started the new year in slightly more low key fashion with an acoustic night at The Vault (though they still managed to fit in a good dose of their...
February 4, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Fool In Love EP – Joe Corbin

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Fool In Love sees Guernsey/London based singer-songwriter Joe Corbin pick up where his debut EP, Brixton Sky, left off — marrying blues with more relaxed styles to make something of his own. Still Get High starts things off and, while it can be an invigorating stomp of a track...
January 29, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: January 2020 – Joe Corbin and Flexagon

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Joe Corbin in the studioClick here to listen to the show For my edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands I took a look at two new releases from artists from the islands along with tracks from a range of acts. Joe Corbin joined me in session...
January 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 18/01/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Clameur De HaroAfter attending Saturday’s show from Guernsey’s own not-quite-bluegrass rock ‘n’ roll band Clameur De Haro, I can’t help but feel a little guilty for spoiling their ongoing joke about the lack of coverage the band have received over the last year or so — that said, even...
January 22, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 18/01/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Clameur De HaroAfter attending Saturday’s show from Guernsey’s own not-quite-bluegrass rock ‘n’ roll band Clameur De Haro, I can’t help but feel a little guilty for spoiling their ongoing joke about the lack of coverage the band have received over the last year or so — that said, even...
January 22, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Head Of Helier – Self-titled EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Channel Islands has long fostered a music scene featuring some of the heaviest sounds going from Guernsey’s Earthcorpse to Jersey’s Masticated and Demise Of Sanity you’re likely never far away from someone with an interest in the darker side of music. With that though the notion of one...
January 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks and Mojo – The Imperial Hotel – 31/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksWhile I’ll admit I’m normally happier seeing in the new year relatively quietly with Jools Holland’s Hootenany or similar this year The Recks rounding off their best year yet alongside newer band Mojo was enough to lure me out to The Imperial Hotel and the wilds of Rocquaine....
January 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

L’Islet Records presents From Darkness, Coastal Fire Dept and Terrible Stuntman – The Fermain Tavern – 28/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Coastal Fire DeptThe period of time between Christmas and New Year, euphemistically but aptly referred to by some as ‘Chrimbo-limbo,’ can be a strange one for live music. In the past it’s seen rowdy and raucous highlight of the year events such as Dead Sea Skulls return visit to...
January 1, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: December 2019 – Live Session Special

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For my December 2019 edition of BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands I presented a look back at some of the best of the live sessions we’ve featured across the year. Along with the sessions recorded in our studio from the...
December 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Music in Guernsey in 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After a couple of years where music in Guernsey had upped its game, across the board, to a level that continues to surprise many visitors to the island, or those who hear Guernsey based bands when they venture away, 2019 has had to me a slightly different feel. While...
December 28, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Hot Juice – This Is What You Want

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Back in September Jersey rockers Hot Juice released the single Small Town Blues, followed not long after by the full record This Is What You Want. Clocking in at only 23 minutes the trio (vocalist/guitarist Shay Barker, drummer Harvey Dellar and bass player Tay Broksi) don’t mess about and...
December 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks Christmas Party – The Fermain Tavern – 21/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksAfter missing a couple of other Christmas gigs for a few reasons I headed out to the last of the bigger ones on the weekend before the big day as ska band The Honest Crooks took over The Fermain Tavern for their festive bash. It was my...
December 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Coastal Fire Dept – Control

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the last five years, since their rather inauspicious debut supporting Last Of The Light Brigade, the world’s finest (and possibly only) purveyors of self-styled ‘Grunge From The Vale’, Coastal Fire Dept, have been through something of a rotating cast of line ups centred on frontman and chief songwriter...
December 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

PigsX7, Teaspoonriverneck, Brunt and Track Not Found – St James Concert Hall – 30/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs PigsEvery now and again a gig comes around that seems to catch everyone’s imagination more than the usual and, a few months ago, when St James Concert Hall announced they’d booked the awkwardly but brilliantly named Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs...
December 5, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: November 2019 – Track Not Found and Brunt

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Track Not Found in the studioClick here to listen to the show On my BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands show for November 2019 we had a live session, a preview a new album and a listen to some of the acts I caught at BBC Music Introducing...
December 1, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – November 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Another mix of things from doom to jazz to ‘Madchester’ this month. In brand new things there’s music from The Other World’s debut EP The Silver Tree, the debut single from the brilliantly named Those Fucking Snowflakes, the title track from the new Byzanthian Neckbeard album, a preview of...
November 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Brunt – Ataraxy

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard By their own admission, and fitting of much of their music, instrumental psychedelic doom three-piece Brunt aren’t a band to rush things, being (in a positive way) something of the musical version of JRR Tolkien’s Ents. Now, three years on from the release of three track EP Blackbeard comes...
November 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Those Fucking Snowflakes – Stop Being Dickheads To Each Other (single)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Having first heard of Those Fucking Snowflakes (aka Those Snowflakes for the more sensitive and Twitter) thanks to Tom Robinson at BBC Music Introducing Live earlier in the month I instantly vowed to look up their debut single, Stop Being Dickheads To Each Other, and I was not disappointed....
November 22, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Mods vs Rockers: The Risk and Coastal Fire Dept – The Vault – 15/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Colin Leach and Mark Le Gallez of The RiskAfter a run of bigger gigs both in Guernsey and further afield there was something refreshing about heading back into a smaller venue on a cold November night to catch what was billed the next chapter in the supposed ongoing conflict...
November 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Other World – The Silver Tree EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A little under a year ago guitarist and singer-songwriter Mike Meinke released With My Headphone’s In under the banner of Mike’s Magic Trip that saw him taking the sonic template he established leading Buffalo Huddleston in a slightly different direction, including teaming up with harpist Alicia Du Coustel on...
November 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Byzanthian Neckbeard – Minaton

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After a five year break from recordings Byzanthian Neckbeard have released two in as many months first the Extinction EP and now the full length album, Minaton. Continuing some of the themes of their From The Clutches Of Oblivion debut they start the album with a great wrong footing...
November 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing Live – Tobacco Dock, London – 31/10-2/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the past 13 years being part of BBC Music Introducing has afforded me some unique opportunities, from visiting Abbey Road Studios to recently going Maida Vale Studios as The Recks recorded a live session there – BBC Music Introducing Live though was a rather different, but nonetheless impressive...
November 6, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

St James Presents… The Space Pirates Of Rocquaine – St James Concert Hall – 26/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Space Pirates Of RocquaineWhile we have been spoiled somewhat with notable and highly enjoyable live music events so far this year every now and then one comes along that stands out from the rest and St. James Presents… The Space Pirates Of Rocquaine is certainly one of those....
November 2, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: October 2019 – Byzanthian Neckbeard and WaterColour Matchbox

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Byzanthian NeckbeardClick here to watch the show For my BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands show in October 2019 we celebrated a couple of the heavier bands to have released new music in the islands in recent weeks. First was Byzanthian Neckbeard who, after a five year break...
October 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

St James Presents… WaterColour Matchbox Album Launch with Isle Stone, Case On The Base and Rachel Dawson – St James Concert Hall – 28/09/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard WaterColour MatchboxSince St James Concert Hall started their ‘Presents…’ series of events showcasing Guernsey bands in a different way a few have certainly stood out; the inaugural one from Track Not Found saw them present their music as time line showing their songwriting evolving while Lord Vapour became the...
October 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – September 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A real mix of stuff added to the playlist this month from several, possibly unlikely sources. From the Channel Islands there are tracks from Guernsey’s WaterColour Matchbox who put out their new album Pathways and from Jersey there are new singles from Hot Plastic (Time Bomb) and Hot Juice...
September 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands – September 2019 – Nick Coleman and Coastal Fire Dept

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Nick Coleman on BBC IntroducingClick here to listen to the show For my edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands for September 2019 I featured two up and coming acts from Guernsey with rather different styles. In session was Nick Coleman who’s made a name for himself...
September 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

WaterColour Matchbox – Pathways

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Back in 2017, when they released their debut album Fragments, Artefacts & Ruins, WaterColour Matchbox was little more than a two piece studio project for Peter Mitchell and Mikey Ferbrache just beginning to look into expanding to live performances. Now, as they release their second full length record, Pathways,...
September 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Byzanthian Neckbeard – Extinction EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Five years ago Byzanthian Neckbeard dropped their debut album, From The Clutches Of Oblivion, the waves of which carried them as far as the Blookdstock metal festival in Derbyshire and The Underworld in Camden. Since then, despite the loss of one guitarist, the trio have continued to cement their...
September 23, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – August 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Another busy month for music with a load of new music topped off with the longest running festival in the Channel Islands, the Vale Earth Fair, means another packed playlist. From and inspired by the Earth Fair is music from The King Blues, The Wakes and Lifejacket. Byzanthian Neckbeard...
August 31, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair Weekend 2019 – 24-25/08/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Neville Staple BandFor the third year in a row the Vale Earth Fair expanded to a two day event with the main festival, this year celebrating 43 years, in its usual place at the Vale Castle on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend but with Sound...
August 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands – August 2019 – Unplugged Club, Hip Hop Coffee Shop and Tadhg Daly

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For my edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands for August 2019 there was a packed line up. Rather than the usual live, acoustic session in the studio I headed to the Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club and recorded some tracks...
August 25, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair 2007 – Vale Castle – 26/08/07

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard BabyheadAs we approach the 2019 Vale Earth Fair, and I noticed some of my first review of the festival back in 2007 has dropped off the BBC website, I thought I’d revive it here. From the sounds of this it was a packed year and I can only imagine...
August 23, 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

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

Playlist – July 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With a festival and a lot going on, my July playlist has become a bumper one with double the number of tracks than normal. As ever some of these have more specific reason to be here while others are just songs that happened to pop up and strike a...
July 30, 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

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

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

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands – June 2019 – Arts Sunday and Sark Folk Festival

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For my latest stint in the hot seat on BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands I had two features in amongst the music. First was a look back at three of the five artists who played the BBC Introducing on Arts...
June 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – June 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Another packed and varied selection this month featuring, I think, more Channel Island acts than usual too. Monty Taft made an impression when he playing the BBC Music Introducing stage on Arts Sunday so his latest single Bloom is included and his fellow islanders from Jersey, Hot Plastic, feature...
June 28, 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 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

Playlist – May 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard May 2019 has been a varied one musically for me but has been highlighted by a trio of what could be called comeback albums. First came The Wildhearts’ Renaissance Men that saw the unlikeliest band of 90s Britrock survivors unleash possibly their best album in two decades. Then German...
May 31, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands – May 2019 – The Cor Damme Lars

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Cor Damme Lars in the studioClick here to listen to the show This month I was back across all Channel Islands once again for BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands with new music from Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Alderney all represented (I’ve still not got anything from...
May 26, 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

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

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

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: March 2019 – Elliot Falla and Burning At Both Ends

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Burning At Both Ends and Elliot FallaClick here to listen to the show On the March edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey I featured two live sessions as well as the usual range of tracks from artists from the islands. Elliot Falla joined me to talk about his...
March 31, 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

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