Ryan's Gig Guide - July 2019

with LOCAL BANDS PICKED FOR RUSSIA FESTIVAL Birmingham’s TheTwang , Riscas & The Assist recently swapped the Midlands for the Urals as they headed to Russia to perform at one of the country’s most distinguished festivals. The Ural International Music Night Festival took place in the city of Ekaterinburg on Friday 28 June. The appearances came under the UK-Russia Year of Music and aim to build on the existing links between Birmingham and Ekaterinburg and saw the three acts perform on the main stage of the Ural Music Night Festival, as well as playing other cities within the Urals. Helping to organise has been leading Music PR firm Hey Honey, who have collaborated with the British Embassy in Ekaterin- burg. Consul General Richard Dewell said:“Being from Birmingham myself, I am excited to see some of our best bands getting the opportunity to repre- sent the city at an international festival. I hope their visit will help to strengthen the links between Ekaterinburg and Birmingham.”  www.facebook.com/riscasuk  www.facebook.com/TheAssistBand  www.facebook.com/thetwang  www.facebook.com/HeyHoneyPR The Assist The Twang Riscas New Single: Blind Love by Giant And The Georges Just when you think a band could not get any broad- er in style, in new single Blind Love, Giant And The Georges slide effortlessly from an Eastern vibe to a light reggae beat, then to 80s power-pop and Pink Floyd-esque atmospherics. It feels too short though! I personally think that to give each segment the jus- tice it deserves it needs longer than the 3 minutes 8 seconds it comes in at. Admittedly, being any longer might kill off any chance it had of getting any airplay but there’s enough ideas in it that they could be ex- panded to two or even three separate singles rather than just one - there’s a challenge for you lads! Giant And The Georges are a superb band that given the time, I’m convinced could produce a gazillion hit sin- gles and make a load of money for themselves and the label that takes a chance on them. Fat BlokeWith NoTattoos  www.giantandthegeorges.co.uk OUT NOW! Friday 12th July The Victoria, Birmingham Sam Lambeth is playing a charity fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust and NOT NORMAL NOT OK and says this will be his final gig :O Sam has been on the local scene for ten years playing in bands such as The Monobloggers, Quinn &Winona and supported, reviewed and staged shows for many local bands but now it seems after this show, where he'll be support- ed by BryonyWilliams and Paul Beaumont, he plans to, his own words, "slide back into anonymity". Sam said "It’s for Teenage Cancer Trust and NOT NORMAL NOT OK, it’ll be my final gig" ...we've heard that before Sam ;-) We hope he comes back on the scene at some point in the future and hope Brum gives him a great send off! ONE MORE, NO MORE? New Single: Waiting Around by The Space This is a fantastic tune and I especially love the vocals, which remind me of a great track from ancient histo- ry - ‘Goodnight Goodnight’ by Hot Hot Heat (2005 I think).This is the bands second single, and Singer and lyricist Jack Crutchley says: “The new song is about the anticipation and emotion you feel before meeting someone you’re attracted to. I try to craft the words carefully to depict relatable situations in my own way - I want our lyrics to be unique.” The track was re- corded by producer Simon Henley in Base Studios, Stourbridge, who also produced their debut track ‘False Reality’. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this band! Fat BlokeWith NoTattoos  www.facebook.com/thespacebandoriginal OUT NOW! New EP: White Cisgender Heterronormativity Kills by Raphaella Kornarskis The new EP from Raphaella Kornarskis is just bril- liant.These days it can be difficult to find music with a social conscience that’s also upbeat and you can dance to but this band has it in bucket loads! It’s modern ska-punk at its finest. Fat BlokeWith NoTattoos  www.raphaellakornarskis.bandcamp.com OUT NOW! New Single: Daylight by Mallavora A new band to me, Birmingham’s Mallavora have produced a great track here. Unmistakably modern alt-rock with a classic undercurrent that I’d imagine Black Sabbath would sound like if they were starting out today. Apparently, the band’s following began in rowdy student pubs. On the basis of this song alone, there’s every chance of seeing them grace huge fes- tivals & stadiums around the world. Fat BlokeWith NoTattoos  www.mallavora.com OUT JULY 10th The Songs Of Anger And Redemption series continues to bring the best UK con- temporary alt-folk at Katie Fitzgerald’s in Stourbridge... Thursday 4th July Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life + The Headsticks Two Friday 12th July The Newcranes + Paul Henshaw Saturday 13th July Alcohol Licks + Balsall Heathens Our regular reviews section “TheVer- dict” by Nick JTownsend will be back next month. Nick was injured during his bands’ latest video shoot & we wish Nick a speedy recovery ! A VERDICT: www.ryansgigguide.com rgg Jul 2019 33 www.ryansgigguide.com 32 rgg Jul 2019