View Full Version : Band playing in Wick, 24th November 2007
bb1stwick
02-Nov-07, 17:45
I was speaking to my mates last night about the band on this month which we seen advertised in the Groat last week. The band Jyrojets www.jyrojets.com (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.jyrojets.com/) are playing live at the Waterfront on 24th November 07.
I was looking on their web site and seen that they have returned from a tour in the U.S.A. They were in Russia and Germany plus the U.K also. They are from Inverness so we believe. They have been on BBC Radio 2 and been the opening supporting band for Richard Ashcroft.
The last Jyrojets headline gig in Inverness was a complete riot, with about 1,000 fans filling The IronWorks. The band hav already headlined the BBC Radio Scotland stage at the Belladrum Festival, supported Dirty Pretty Things, The Kaiser Chiefs and The Ordinary Boys, played festivals in Spain and Moscow with live radio and TV broadcasts across Russia. Their music has been described as a heavy kick of Nirvana with Simon & Garfunkel harmonies, Beatles melodies and plenty of attitude, which pretty much sums up their diverse influences.
This will be good to see and its been a while since there has been a good band playing in Wick apart from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers back in July.
Let me know if anyone is going to see them.
1000 people? In the Ironworks? You're having a laugh! The capacity is 700(not to mention that it would be a very, very tight squeeze) and the touring bands that visit barely fill the place.
They are supposedly a good band. I dunno about the kick of Nirvana though...
theboysintheband
03-Nov-07, 13:04
But if their from Inverness theres a no bad chance they could gather a good crowd.
Indeed their is, but the fact that the place can only hold 700 people makes me think it's bull. I heard they played there and got a good crowd, but they didn't pack the place out.
The Jyrojets were the first band from Inverness to sign a record deal. They are currently signed to Songphonic records and have released an E.P and a single with the album due out this year. I bought the E.P afew months ago and quite liked it.
I would describe them as purely an indie/rock band. I can't see very many Nirvana influences in there and would argue that the PR team behind them have simply taken one of the most energetic live acts of all time (Nirvana) and one of the finest melody acts of all time (Simon & Garfunkel) and stuck them together to give the impression that these guys are amazing in both fields. However, while I don't see much influence from said acts, that doesn't mean I didn't like them.
Their very first Daily Record review said "Noel Gallagher would love to still be writing songs like this" and they were handpicked by Richard Ashcroft to support him at the SECC in Glasgow. By all acounts, a damn fine start for a Highland band who are just over 3 years old.
I could go on spouting this kind of rubbish at you, but, the best thing you could do is go along on the 24th and make your own mind up. Hype means nothing if the band can't back it up.
Their PR is a bit... well "see through" would be my expression.
They're not the first Inverness band to sign a deal. One in the 80s signed with a blues off-shoot of Virgin. Dionysus were signed too. And what about the Cinematics, who are from Dingwall and appeared on Letterman earlier this year?? If you count bands self releasing / small indies the list grows into the dozens.
They didn't headline the tent at Belladrum. I was there, it was mid-afternoon. Thats not a headline slot.
Plus....
I'm sorry but I don't see their achievements thus far as being anything of note. You can buy your way onto support slots.
But still, its good to see gigs on up here. And live music is always a winner.
That was my point by saying "I could go on spouting this kind of rubbish at you" as at the end of the day PR means nothing if you yourself think the band is rubbish. Just go and see them. It's been a long long time since a good quality rock band visited Wick.
The Pepsi Challenge
05-Nov-07, 18:58
Their PR is a bit... well "see through" would be my expression.
They're not the first Inverness band to sign a deal. One in the 80s signed with a blues off-shoot of Virgin. Dionysus were signed too. And what about the Cinematics, who are from Dingwall and appeared on Letterman earlier this year?? If you count bands self releasing / small indies the list grows into the dozens.
They didn't headline the tent at Belladrum. I was there, it was mid-afternoon. Thats not a headline slot.
Plus....
I'm sorry but I don't see their achievements thus far as being anything of note. You can buy your way onto support slots.
But still, its good to see gigs on up here. And live music is always a winner.
They ARE the first band from Inverness to sign a record deal with a Major record label.
Theboss said they were the first Inverness band to sign a deal, not a major record deal. WeeRob was right in what he was saying in response.
When you get a group like Hi Arts funding your cause, it's only a matter of time before you get somewhere.
Going to Russia sounds great, but did they strike up any form of distribution deal? Nope, from what I've been informed, they never. Why travel all those miles and not set something in place to distribute your CD? However, at least they can go home and say "I played in Russia" and their mates will be in awe.
I've heard the stuff they do, they're good at it and it's very well produced(money... superb!) but it does nothing personally for me.
Is this one of the "big bands" that the Waterfront have been promising? Bit of a bad sell if it's the case.
Finally got round to going to their website today, and was pleasantly surprised tbh. I was expecting something very similar to the curly-haired indie wimp kid style thats big at the moment. There are obvious elements of that stuff there, but the guitars are in tune and somehow reminds me of the britpop that i was into when i was a young scamp (shed seven, oasis, bluetones, supernaturals) and some other slightly americanish type mainstream in there somewhere. Had a phonecall from the man who runs the Waterfront a couple of weeks ago and Im actually looking forward to playing the gig now.
foreveruntitled
05-Nov-07, 23:19
You seem terribly determined to put them down jeid.
You seem terribly determined to put them down jeid.
If I wanted to put them down, I would. You seem determined to like them, You don't see me moaning about it.
I've got nothing against the band tbh. This is a public forum, I'm just voicing opinion... I am allowed to do that... right?
foreveruntitled
05-Nov-07, 23:31
If I wanted to put them down, I would. You seem determined to like them, You don't see me moaning about it.
I've got nothing against the band tbh. This is a public forum, I'm just voicing opinion... I am allowed to do that... right?
I dont think that that comment is moaning, more of a statement or suggestion.
I actually dont like them. Just think its ecouraging signed bands are coming to Wick, instead of picking up negatives about it and trying to slate them.
I'm not actually slating them. I've never slagged their music. I said it wasn't to my taste. In fact, I went as far as to say that they're good at what they do... is that slating a band these days? If I wanted to slate them, I would've said that I think they're crap, but I never.
I also, before you jump in and think so, never slated them by saying "they never got a distribution deal" in Russia, I slated the people around them. In fact, that's what I've done all along. I'm sure the boys are nice chaps, but the people around them need to get a grip, assuming everything I've heard about them is true.
EDIT: I should also say, yeah, I agree that it's good that Wick are taking in A band. I'll be waiting to see how it does, hope it goes well.
I have my opinions, and I'm quite entitled to air them. Tough if you find that they don't agree with your opinion.
The Pepsi Challenge
06-Nov-07, 07:06
Theboss said they were the first Inverness band to sign a deal, not a major record deal. WeeRob was right in what he was saying in response.
When you get a group like Hi Arts funding your cause, it's only a matter of time before you get somewhere.
Going to Russia sounds great, but did they strike up any form of distribution deal? Nope, from what I've been informed, they never. Why travel all those miles and not set something in place to distribute your CD? However, at least they can go home and say "I played in Russia" and their mates will be in awe.
I've heard the stuff they do, they're good at it and it's very well produced(money... superb!) but it does nothing personally for me.
Is this one of the "big bands" that the Waterfront have been promising? Bit of a bad sell if it's the case.
There's a big, big difference between signing with a small label and a major one, Jeid. Am not sure how much money their company is pumping into them in terms of marketing - a big deal when you sign with a major - but am still not too sure how much money Hi-Arts is putting into them also. Probably not much, given what they pay me as a contributor for them :)
They ARE the first band from Inverness to sign a record deal with a Major record label.
Taken from the songphonic myspace site:
"we are an independent record label"
NOT a major.
The Pepsi Challenge
06-Nov-07, 13:51
Whatever they say, any label owned by Osmand Kent, and with £1.5 million pounds pumped into it doesn't come across as an indie. It's hardly SL Records, is it?
Jeemag_USA
06-Nov-07, 19:09
I heard the band before through a friend of mine from Nairn who knows the band, I listened to their stuff on myspace and they are very very good, to my taste anyway, I thought their songs were great. Thought they had a very Stereophonics feel to them.
I think whatever type of record deal they have is neither here nor there, the fact they can put on a show and give you a good night out is surely all that matters isn't it?
http://www.jyrojets.com (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.jyrojets.com)
http://www.myspace.com/jyrojets (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.myspace.com/jyrojets)
http://www.bebo.com/Jyrojets (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.bebo.com/Jyrojets)
theboysintheband
06-Nov-07, 22:37
Who are the curly haired indie wimp kids with out of tune guitars that are big at the moment?
There's a big, big difference between signing with a small label and a major one, Jeid. Am not sure how much money their company is pumping into them in terms of marketing - a big deal when you sign with a major - but am still not too sure how much money Hi-Arts is putting into them also. Probably not much, given what they pay me as a contributor for them :)
I'm pretty sure Hi-Arts would've pumped a few quid into them to boost the interest in Highland music... they tend to look after things that will look after them, perhaps I'm getting confused with some other Highland organisation.
Taken from the songphonic myspace site:
"we are an independent record label"
NOT a major.
WeeRob wins here...
Whatever they say, any label owned by Osmand Kent, and with £1.5 million pounds pumped into it doesn't come across as an indie. It's hardly SL Records, is it?
They say they are independent... that's enough to prove that they are.
Who are the curly haired indie wimp kids with out of tune guitars that are big at the moment?
Oh, you ken... those whiny kids who sing about America... "ooooh, whine whine America"
The Pepsi Challenge
07-Nov-07, 11:45
I'm pretty sure Hi-Arts would've pumped a few quid into them to boost the interest in Highland music... they tend to look after things that will look after them, perhaps I'm getting confused with some other Highland organisation.
WeeRob wins here...
They say they are independent... that's enough to prove that they are.
Oh, you ken... those whiny kids who sing about America... "ooooh, whine whine America"
In fairness, those who told me the band were signed to a major label were those whose opinions and thoughts I trust. Fair dos. We can't be right all the time. However, instead of resulting to petty name-calling, as some are want to do when they've been proved wrong, I'll hold my hand up.
rob murray
08-Nov-07, 11:57
Excellent that the Waterfront are putting the JJ's on, this will test the market to see if there is any interest locally in going to see original bands. If the gig is a success Wick may gain access to more up and comming bands. I saw the JJ's and didnt like them, too contrived and copyist for me la...but then at 50 its often hard to hear something I really like.
malcolm_R
10-Nov-07, 22:21
Hey Guys, I'm from Inverness & have seen the band & know them too. They're a great little band & are the 1st indie band from Inverness to sign 'a major record deal' (5 albums) without having to move away from their hometown to do it. Songphonic are an indie label who offered a major deal when they seen the band play in Inverness. (The Cinematics are from Dingwall & they moved to Glasgow before signing with TVT.)
They headlined the BBC Scotland tent at Belladrum 'last' year, this year they had a slot on the hothouse stage in the afternoon.
The Ironworks holds 1000 people (according to the website) when the upstairs balcony is open, as far as I know it is usually closed to the public when touring bands visit but as Jyrojets were shooting a video it was opened & believe me..it was packed. There's a video of 'dead on arrival' live on youtube.
The Nirvana reference I think comes from the energy of their live shows I think.
I'm fairly sure Hi-Arts don't 'pump money into them' as they are the same as any other touring band, 'hiring vans etc', & as for getting a distribution deal in Russia????? Don't think that's why they played there.....they got a song on a big movie soundtrack out of it though.
Richard Ashcroft liked the band & handpicked them from a selection he was given by his Agents...they didn't buy their way onto it I can promise you that.
They said they might be playing acoustically in a bar in Wick before the Waterfront gig, really good acoustic with the harmonies & stuff. Not sure which pub though.
Anyway, Just thought I'd let you all know the craic & there are a few of us coming up for the gig as they haven't played Inverness for a year & we can't wait any longer, so just come along - if you like them, great, if not, no harm done....They're certainly woth watching even if you don't like their sounds! Good guys & trying to put the Highlands on the map.
Cheers!
Malcolm.
theboysintheband
10-Nov-07, 22:59
Im pretty sure its the Blackstairs before the Waterfront
Douglas Cowie
12-Nov-07, 08:58
"Im pretty sure its the Blackstairs before the Waterfront"
Don't think it's the Blackstairs as Liquid Blue are booked to play there on the 24th, that's why they had to turn down the support slot in the Waterfront on the 24th.
guitarzan
12-Nov-07, 10:24
i hadn't realised liquid blue were playing in the blackstairs that night but i heard a vicious rumour also that the jyrojets were doin an acoustic set in there before the waterfront gig...
For some reasno, I get the feeling it'll be the Silver Darling.
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Nov-07, 10:47
They're a great little band & are the 1st indie band from Inverness to sign 'a major record deal' (5 albums) without having to move away from their hometown to do it. Songphonic are an indie label who offered a major deal when they seen the band play in Inverness.
Indie? Major? Are the words a little out of context or what?
Indie? Major? Are the words a little out of context or what?
I remember when I were a lad, there was a bunch of us hanging around in this squat getting stoned when one day somebody got this idea he'd get rich selling underground records and magazines. "Richard" I says "it'll never work, you aint gonna make a fortune selling Furry Freak Brothers magazines to students".
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Nov-07, 13:48
i hadn't realised liquid blue were playing in the blackstairs that night but i heard a vicious rumour also that the jyrojets were doin an acoustic set in there before the waterfront gig...
I don't wish to damage anyone's pride, but given few gigs are on in Wick, wouldn't it be sensible to support Jyrojets and do the Blackstairs gig at another date? Seems churlish, to me.
Have to agree with Pepsi. It's up to Liquid Blue how they organise there affairs but... if it was me i'd of taken the support over the Blackstairs. If Jyrojets had liked you they may have asked you to do the support on further dates. One of the best ways for a geographically challenged bands to obtain gigs is to befriend bands from other citis and areas. Could be missing a good opportunity here... Good luck to the bands chosen for the support though. I'll be there.
Douglas Cowie
12-Nov-07, 15:12
When the gig in the Waterfront was offered they were very vague about the whole thing and no headlining band was named true we could have taken the gig and cancelled the Blackstairs but that isn't a very professional thing to do plus the Blackstairs have been very supportive of Liquid Blue to the point where they helped fund the bands trip to the Ultimate Chill final.
In my book loyalty counts for a lot and I'm sure if the Waterfront gig is a success they will be offered another slot.
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Nov-07, 15:17
Agree with your principles, Douglas, but am sure those at the Blackstairs (aka Kirsty) could cut you some slack on this occasion. Such support slots won't come along often; am sure Kirsty wouldn't begrudge the band 'getting on', as it were.
guitarzan
12-Nov-07, 15:45
a wise man once told me nice guys finish last... oh no wait it was that bloke from green day...
Douglas Cowie
12-Nov-07, 15:47
She probably would have Pepsi but as I said it was a bit vague when they phoned and it's all academic now anyway as the posters have been printed for the Waterfront gig.
The Waterfront did say that they hoped to this sort of a thing on a regular basis so I'm sure there will be more support slots.
Robert Sutherland is doing his best to stage a regular gig with visiting bands and one or two support slots for local groups. He has also arranged a regular 10k rig for every gig. The continuation of this idea depends entirely on support from local people and musicians. His weekly open night sessions in the Silver Darlings also gives local musos a platform to perform.
Although he is obviously after increased profits, he also wants to help the local music scene and should be given every support. One thing he does not need is the negativity generated by some of the posts in this thread.
I don't think the "negativity" on this thread will affect the outcome of the gig in the longrun G2. I don't even think it's negativity... I think it was more a case of folk correcting the colourful promotion that had accompanied the band.
I do agree though that to have further touring bands visiting Wick, us locals need to support what the man is trying to do. All the best to him.
I assume we'll see you there G2?
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Nov-07, 18:35
She probably would have Pepsi but as I said it was a bit vague when they phoned and it's all academic now anyway as the posters have been printed for the Waterfront gig.
The Waterfront did say that they hoped to this sort of a thing on a regular basis so I'm sure there will be more support slots.
Here's hoping so, Douglas. It takes a lot of money to get commercial, touring bands up to the Far North. I wish them well.
I don't think the "negativity" on this thread will affect the outcome of the gig in the longrun G2. I don't even think it's negativity... I think it was more a case of folk correcting the colourful promotion that had accompanied the band.
I do agree though that to have further touring bands visiting Wick, us locals need to support what the man is trying to do. All the best to him.
I assume we'll see you there G2?
Your point has been taken but isn't such colouful promotion normal in this business?
No, although Robert has invited me to the gig, I don't think there is much chance of this old man going to such an event. We are, however, supplying the PA and Isaac is mixing so we are doing our bit, so to speak.
Future events will be mixed by Dave Grant, ex-Invershin Hotel, who has a Mackie and Sampson rig which is rated at 10K .
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Nov-07, 18:46
1000 people? In the Ironworks? You're having a laugh! The capacity is 700(not to mention that it would be a very, very tight squeeze) and the touring bands that visit barely fill the place.
They are supposedly a good band. I dunno about the kick of Nirvana though...
Out of interest, do those at the Ironworks promote all the shows that are staged there? If not, then capacity is, usually, down to the promoters' decision. For example, the Liquid Room in Edinburgh has a capacity of 750 (for their own shows), though different promoters have differentiating views on capacity: DF: 600; Regular: 500; PCL: 700. There's various reasons for this, many of which I can't be bothered to go into.
However, it does help smaller touring bands to put a ticket limit on their show. Why? Well, if a band play a 750-capacity venue like the Liquid Room - and say they choose to limit the amount of tickets to 400 tickets - it might not make them as much money, but it will give them the right to say they're playing sold out shows at well-respected venues on the national touring circuit. It's a tad cynical and many a band do it in order to further their career.
When Jyrojets played Edinburgh last (Cabaret Voltaire) approx 250 people came to see them. I know this because I asked the venue manager. If they managed to pull 500 people along to their show in Inverness then they're doing great. I hope they get a good crowd when they come to Caithness.
I was not aware of that Pepsi... interesting stuff. I'm pretty sure most of the shows are promoted through Steve at the Ironworks, or at least, he does most of the running about after touring bands.
It's £10 for the Jyrojets gig in Wick... how much was a ticket in Cabaret Voltaire Pepsi?
theboysintheband
12-Nov-07, 21:05
Most bands I've seen at their level at Cab Vol were about 7 quid.
I was thinkin' that the may get a decent crowd in the Wick purely because their goin' to be on quite late (1 O'Clock, so I've heard?) and they'd get the usual Waterfront crew...but If its a tenner entry I'm not sure what like it'll be. U know what like folk can be!
Hopefully its good. I'll be there a squint!
The problem with bands on at that time, especially in a place where most people go to dance, is that they'll all moan for music to dance to. "What time does the band finish?" etc... it's unfortunate.
The Pepsi Challenge
13-Nov-07, 00:01
Exactly. And every reason the evening should start at 7pm and end at 10pm. It's pretty much the way it's happening everywhere else, and would give the 'clubbers', for want of a better word, to indulge in whatever it is they do afterwards.
The Jyrojets gig at Cabaret Voltaire incidentally was £8 plus £1.50 booking fee (if ordered online or bought at Ripping Records or Tickets Scotland). It was £9 on the door.
It's also the way things work when we put gigs on in Thurso. Start early, finish early which allows the bands to get their stuff out of the way and if they choose to do so, go and get drunk.
I'm sure we'll hear mixed reports about how much of a success etc it is.
theboysintheband
13-Nov-07, 02:52
Im not 100% sure they are on Later but I could have sworn one of the support bands told me THEY were on about 11ish, and theres 2 supports.
Perhaps everyone will be pished enough to forget how 500 miles and Chelsea Dagger go once the band start...Havin' said that they'll be loads o folk in at that time who wont even see the stage through lack of unblurred vision and likely think it the DJ anyway!
Are there any Thurso-ers(?) goin' through, Jeid?
Who's supporting?
I think theboss is going through, but that's all I know.
The Pepsi Challenge
13-Nov-07, 13:09
Why not throw your band into the 'front, as it were, Jeid? Dinnae ask ye dinnae get.
I think "Betsy Twinkler" and "Colin" are doing the support for it. Don't think Astronot would've suited the style anyway.
Perhaps not biy, but I'd rather go see a gig with a bit of variation rather than 3 bands who, in my opinion, sound quite similar.
The Pepsi Challenge
14-Nov-07, 09:43
I used to think that way, too, Jeid. Then one day - say if you're playing in an Italian alt-country band for example - you come up against some hyperactive metal-heads from Livingston half your age, plus an abstract carnival-gyspy band from Romania. After that, your interest in varied bills will rapidly decrease. These days most promoters try to compile bills of bands, who, though they might sound different to each other, are, at the end of the day, all batting within the same ball-park. It's the subtle differences between the bands that makes for curious listening. 8 out of 10 bills usually work.
Astronot perhaps need to meet some of these promoters... all the ones we meet put us on with Indie bands or pop bands.
theboysintheband
14-Nov-07, 22:33
Its the same with us! Rarely do we ever play on a bill with bands of the style!
Wat was ur bill at the Bannermans gig like? they usually get it wrong!
The other bands were pretty pish. One of them were in fact, awful. The other band were ok, but tried to hard to be funny instead of trying to be good.
theboysintheband
15-Nov-07, 21:24
Were they rock tho?
I wasna in Edinburgh when you were playin' by the way. Otherwise i'd have been there!
Nah, one was more of an indie/pop band and the other band was pop with a synth player.
No worries man, we'll be back down at some point
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