EP Review: Scarecrow Boat – ‘Tell Me I’m Fine’

Hailing from Southampton indie punk four-piece Scarecrow Boat, consisting of Dominic James (Vocals/Guitar), Robin Prince (Vocals/Guitar), Toby Robinson (Vocals/Bass) and Tom Webb (Drums) have been gigging across the UK since forming in 2014, having already supported the likes of Sorority Noise, SWMRS and The Flatliners.

In late 2016 they headed into the studio to record their much-anticipated debut EP at The Ranch Production house with producer Dom Wright. ‘Tell Me I’m Fine’ is set to be released in a few weeks and the band have been kind enough to give me a sneak preview.

The opening track ‘Tap Tap Revenge’ (which I can only assume is named after the IOS/Android game) sets the tone for the EP with an energetic start. Clocking in at just 2 minutes and 29 seconds it makes for the shortest song on the record. Once the vocals kick in the song is immediately reminiscent of bands such as PUP and early Brand New. With a strong instrumental driving the chorus as James’ sings ‘It feels like finally I have a reason to live, and for once in my life I’m not scared of dying’

Having seen Scarecrow Boat live a handful of times, I was aware that ‘Han Solo’ is song about ‘being stabbed in the chest by someone you trusted’ (Star Wars spoilers). While this shows the witty side of the band, the song itself however captures a sense of anxiety and deficiency through the lyrics ‘I’ll never amount to anything/I’m sick of all this stress/You’re not the only one feeling insecure’

With the EP’s description stating that the record touches on subjects such as ‘lost love, not being good enough and hating someone so much you can only express it alphabetically’ it’s easy to work out which category track three, ‘Alphabetti Spaghetti’, falls into. Robin Prince takes over lead vocal duties, with comical lyrics shining throughout and a lead guitar that’s reminiscent of ‘Modern Baseball’s second album ‘You’re Gonna Miss It All’. For a track that’s so hostile I can guarantee you’ll be smiling as you listen.

With Prince still taking hold of lead vocal duties fourth track ‘Picture Perfect’ sees the complete opposite side of the spectrum. A love song that’s packed full of references all the way from Spider-Man to Romeo and Juliet. As well as a bridge that feels like a homage to Brand New track ‘Me VS Maradona Vs. Elvis’ that then kicks into an instrumental outro with a soaring guitar solo before Prince’ reinforces the lyric ‘it’s a picture perfect love story’ one last time.

Closing the EP is a re-recorded version of the band’s debut single ‘Loved’, recently premiered on BBC Introducing Solent. With a guitar riff that instantly hooks you in and a chorus that’s bound to be stuck in your head for days you can immediately understand why the track was chosen as their debut single. It’s also a brilliant note to end the EP on, especially upon finally hearing the lyric ‘tell me I’m fine’.

‘Tell Me I’m Fine’ is due to be released on March 23^rd, you can currently pre-order a copy over at: http://scarecrowboatuk.bigcartel.com/

The band are set to play an EP release show at the Joiners in Southampton on March 23rd. You can buy tickets to the show here - http://joiners.vticket.co.uk/

They will also be embarking on a short UK tour in support of the release. The dates are as follows:

April 7^th – The Unicorn, Camden.     

April 9^th – The Quadrant, Brighton.

April 10^th – Face Bar, Reading.

April 11^th – Gringos, Norwich.

Keep up with the band on Facebook and Twitter –

https://www.facebook.com/ScarecrowBoatPunk/

https://twitter.com/ScarecrowBoatUK

Gig Review: Deaf Havana @ 02 Forum – 24/02/17

The past six years have seen Deaf Havana play Reading and Leeds numerous times, headline 2000 Trees Festival and support Bruce Springsteen. After taking a much-needed break after the release and touring of 2013’s ‘Old Souls’ they have just burst back onto the scene with their fourth album ‘All These Countless Nights’.

The first time I saw Deaf Havana perform live was at the Audio in Brighton back in 2011, just before the release of their second album ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’. Last Friday I got to see them perform on the final show of their recent UK tour, a sold-out show at London’s 02 Forum, and the experience was a far cry from that club gig six years ago.

Opening their set with album opener ‘Ashes, Ashes’ accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar you could immediately hear the enthusiasm from the audience as the voices in the crowd powered over James Veck-Gilodi’s vocals. Once the first chorus kicked in it set the tone for the rest of the night and you could tell it was going to be special. 

The set list was topped heavy with tracks from ‘All These Countless Nights’, so much so that just four more songs and the album in its entirety would have been performed. It’s clear that singles ‘Trigger’ and ‘Fever’ have quickly become fan favourites. Both of which the band delivered with infectious amounts of energy, proving that they not only know how to write a fantastic record but they also know exactly how to translate their new songs live. 

With a whopping eighteen song set list they still left plenty of room for old favourites including; ‘22’, ‘I’m a Bore, Mostly’ and ‘Mildred’ which claimed to be some of the liveliest of the night.

Never one to hold back lyrically and unafraid to lay himself bare, ‘St Paul’s, ‘Anemophobia’ and ‘Happiness’ captured just that as the latter saw Veck-Golidi reflect on past struggles with alcohol and the affect it’s had on personal relationships, in what was one of the most emotional songs of the night.
  

Ending the set with ‘Hunstanton Pier’ was a cathartic moment. As the song drew to a close the crowd were ushered to sing the chorus back to the band a final time, not only did it sound magnificent but you could tell just how overwhelmed each member of the band was by what was happening. Throughout the night, they kept reinforcing the fact that London was home to them and it was clear that they were more than happy to be home.

Storming back onto the stage to close the night with an encore consisting of ‘Boston Square’, ‘SING’ and finally ending the show with ‘All These Countless Nights’ closing track ‘Pensacola, 2013’ saw the set finishing just as strongly as it began and only seemed to leave the audience wanting more.

Veck-Gilodi revealed that once the touring cycle of ‘Old Souls’ had ended Deaf Havana’s future was all but clear. Stating that ‘We didn’t know if we’d make another record, we didn’t know if we’d do another tour’ and admitting that their fans wanting them to return willed them to start writing what would eventually become ‘All These Countless Nights’, I think it’s safe to say that everyone in the room was beyond glad that they had decided to carry on. 

Matilda the Musical - Review

Matilda tells the tale of miracle Matilda, who can read books far beyond her years, her family however would much prefer it if she’d just be quiet and watch telly. Matilda soon finds herself starting school and coming face to face with the truly revolting Miss Trunchbull. While teacher, Miss Honey, tries to prove Matilda’s brilliance to the likes of her parents, Matilda and her school friends find themselves trying to survive the wrath of Miss Trunchbull. All while doing what’s most important – standing up for what’s right.

The performance was led by Sara Sheen as Matilda, she carried the show magnificently portraying Matilda with a strong righteous attitude, a big dose of mischief and an infectious personality. Sheen delivered some wonderful vocal performances throughout, including ‘Naughty’ and ‘Quiet’.

The absolute highlight of the show for me was the children’s ensemble. Just seeing the enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment each child put into their performance was enough to make me want to return to see the production time and time again. Max Brophy delivered a hilarious performance as Bruce Bogtrotter, particularly when Miss Trunchbull forced him to eat a humongous chocolate cake. The rest of the class cheering for him as he did inciting the first act’s closing song ‘Bruce’. Olivia Calladine-Smith delivered a wonderful performance as Lavender, my favourite moment taking place just before the second act of the story began when she ‘just couldn’t wait’ to tell us what was going to happen, but I won’t spoil that for you.

Michael Begley and Rebecca Thornhill are more than memorable as Matilda’s less than likeable parents, and Miria Parvin is heart-warming as school teacher Miss Honey delivering excellent vocal performances including the heart-wrenching ‘My House’.

Craige Els stole the show for me, portraying a hilarious and positivity terrifying Miss Trunchbull. Whether reminding Miss Honey and the children of the correct way to throw ‘The Hammer’, re-enforcing the fact that you should ‘always keep your feet inside the line’ or telling Bruce that he should have thought about it before he ‘made a pact with Satan’ and decided to steal her cake, Els’ had me laughing through every scene. When I wasn’t awfully scared, that is.

All in all, Matilda is a fantastic production that I honestly cannot praise enough. With both an adult and children cast bustling with talent, songs that will stay in your head for days to come (particularly the kids victorious anthem ‘Revolting Children’) and a heart-warming story that will constantly remind you ‘don’t let a little something like little stop you’ a night seeing Matilda is guaranteed to be a night you won’t forget.