Spiked had a major personel change in the autumn. This is their first gig with the new line-up with LJ on guitar and Sian taking on the Bass as well as vocals. It is in a sense a secret warm up gig (although I don't think it was very secret).  The bass ties Sian down a bit but she's stillquite active. Spiked have introduced a cover version of 'this charming man' which gives me an opportunity (as if one were needed) to tell the story of how I have been hearing the opening line as 'Tortured bicycle on a hillside' for many years. Only with the coming of the internet and the ready availability of written lyrics that I realised that Morrisey had been more mundane than I supposed and the real lyric was 'Punctured bicycle on a hillside'. Tortured Bicycle conjured up images of someone trying to ride up the hill....

Spiked are followed by Out of Embers, an all girl rock band who are quite enjoyable, but apart from probably being prettier don't really offer much differnt to the typical all boy rock band. Personally this genre is not a particular favourite of mine so maybe I shouldn't comment...but whats the point of doing a blog if you don't comment.

Spiked are down a guitar and bass.  Nikki and Hannah from Sirenide step in so the show can go on.

Today should have been Zapfest in Oxford, but it was cancelled, probably because there are just too many music festivals. To be fair it was quite cheap at  £20 for the all day affair.
Spiked are playing the Bedford River Festival, which is much wider than a music festival and free. They are playing at 4.30. When I investigate trains it turns out to be quite simple and reasonably priced. So I don't have to worry about parking and can have a drink. Not only that but I can catch up on writing up my blog on my laptop. At first it seems that I will miss the train due to the long queues at the machines to pick up tickets. Fortunately for me there has been a package alert and we are only just allowed on the platform as I retrieve my ticket. I manage to sit in the seat number that I have reserved for my return journey,  no-one argues, whoever had it booked has not turned up. It's a bit of a walk from the station, but I have maps and things printed off the internet. I arrive at the stage just as Spiked are unloading, so don't have to worry that I am at the wrong stage. It just gives me time for a leisurely trip to the bar.
Spiked play a fine set with lots of jumping in the air by everyone except Lolly the drummer. At one point Lolly intoduces the band and tells the crowd that they are from Hitchin, "Does anyone know where that is?" From the reaction it would seem that Hitchin is over the horizon as far as Bedford goes.
A quick ice-cream and it's a slow stroll back to the station. Whilst very convienient to have my laptop, it's a bit heavy to cart around.

I was undecided whether to go to this gig or to their date at the Cambridge Barfly on Tuesday. Cambridge is a bit far from West London on a weeknight; but before I had decided definitely I heard that the Tuesday gig was cancelled as the Cambridge Barfly is not putting on any gigs at the moment. Last time I was at Club 85 it was some sort of underage evening and the audience largely looked as if it were past their bedtime. Tonight the bar upstairs is open and there are people who look older than 20. This makes me feel more comfortable. Of corse Spiked are still only 16 and doing their GCSEs. Off stage they are kind of shy in a young sort of way, but on stage are confident and accomplished. There is some problem with the lights or at least the person operating them, which is a pity. Overall a nice relaxed evening and I get home at a respectable 11.30.

I think I have explained Spiked earlier in the week (monday). Due to the cancellation of Juju's gig I find that I have opportunities to choose from, including Spiked at a pub in Luton. I am assured that the other bands are also good (and friends of Spiked). Luton is not really very far - 40 minutes drive. Sometimes its good to get out of London. This pub is a real pub; as I am trying to pay my £2, the people in front of me turn away rather than paying (it would only have been a pound if they were students). And the beer is cheaper than anywhere in London. The lighting is a normal light with the shade taken off, but this outshines many of the trendy joints in Hoxton. It's a bit of a problem if the singer comes in front of the light, but otherwise pretty adequate.
Spiked kick off the evening with a bright and tuneful set. They are difficult to photograph not because the move a lot, but because I can't see any pattern in their movement. I suspect it's all a little random, but its all exciting and I relish the challange.
They are followed by a band from St Albans who appear to be a three-piece, but someone from the crowd joins them in the middle as a second guitarist (the guitar is ready so I doubt its not planned).
Idle Silver are an all-girl 3 piec; before they start they produce a fan from their luggage. This seems a bit bizarre as its not particularly warm (its smnowing outside), but when they get going it certainly heats up and the fan performs a necessary function. These girls certainly have tremendous energy. Lots of head-banging and generally thrashing around, which I always enjoy trying to capture with my camera.
Sirenide finish the evening with similar energy and spirit (but no fan). There are more of them and more microphone stands which clutters my view. The singer sets the microphone stand in front of the light, so I have to use flash.
A powerful and youthful evening, an astonishing number of pictures to process.

When I saw Spiked at the Dublin Castle supporting Vanilla Ride I took some pictures because they looked photogenic; an all girl band who jumped around alot. I only discovered later that they were all 16.  At the time I didn't really expect much of their music, although they seemed ok. As the pictures were quite good I myspace friended them. When I listened to their tunes I realised that I had been rathyer dismissive and stereo-typed them. There songs are actually quite catchy.
They don't seem to get into London much (may be connected with their age as most London venues are strictly 18+) so I thought I'd pop up to Hitchin to check them out properly. I timed things quite well, arriving just before they played and rushing off afterwards.
It seems I underestimated how much they do move. My pictures are quite poor. I can only think I have been complacent. I enjoy the band but am rather annoyed with mysel for not getting better pictures. I may have to travel out to Hertfordshire to prove that I can do decent pictures.

Sunday at the Dublin Castle. I arrive around 8, but the doors are not open yet. As there are supposed to be 5 bands on tonight this is a bit unsettling. It turns out 2 of the 5 bands have pulled out. This might have something to do with the drums; Vanilla Ride are drumless tonight as there is some problem with sharing drums (knowledgable people talk about 'backline' but I'm not sure what that means).The first band do have drums (they may belong to the second band, or the second band may use the drums of the first band, I think there is only one set of drums anyway). They are an all girl punky/grungey outfit from Hitchin called Spiked. They have dressed up and brought a fair crowd. They are all 16 according to their myspace and are lively.  Their live show is pretty good.

Spiked

After a brief break for a pint of London Pride, during which I miss the middle band (they sound rather heavy metal from the safety of the front bar) Vanilla Ride start their set with a slight stutter. The absence of drums must surely be responsible for the guitar and bass starting out of time. I've seen Vanilla Ride in several guises: Veronica on her own at the Bull & Gate, Veronica and Brett (Drums) at several venues, and now Veronica and Sachiko (Bass). I've also seen two versions of the 3 piece (Sachiko replaced Corinne in November 2007). Whilst I think they are best as a three piece the simplicity of Veronica's songs means they can be enjoyable in all these permutations. They seem to get a particularly good response from tonight's audience.

Vanilla Ride