This is it! The OXJAM BOURNEMOUTH TAKEOVER 2011! This will be the climax to our fundraising activity this year (okay, apart from the closing party the week after…), and looks set be be HUGE!! Last year we received mainly positive feedback from the Takeover, with two notable criticisms. One being the fact that the venues we used were too far apart, so the ‘Camden Crawl’ idea was unworkable due to buses being required! Secondly wristbands weren’t available on the door at each venue. Well, both of those things have been rectified. The six venues being used this year are all within easy walking distance of each other, and yes, wristbands can be purchased on the door at each of the venues. Win! Other improvements on last year will see more money being raised at the venues via raffle tickets, buckets, tins and merchandise for sale in the form of cds, calendars, t.shirts, cakes, (ox)jam and more. More specific info on these in the coming weeks.

Last year the Oxjam Bournemouth Team raised nearly £5500 (the fifth highest amount in the country). This year we set our target at £8000. Things are going unbelievably well, and whilst we’re resisting the temptation to reset our target, we’d really love to reach £10000. With the generosity and help of bands, venues, promoters and the lovely gig-going Bournemouth folk we think this is achievable!

So, what’s it all for? Since the first festival in 2006, Oxjam has raised more than £1.5 million in total for Oxfam’s work. That’s enough to buy 13,000 emergency shelters; 60,000 goats or 900 classrooms. Oxfam is a vibrant global movement of dedicated people fighting poverty. Together. From saving lives and developing projects that put poor people in charge of their lives and livelehoods to campaigning for change that lasts. Oxfam campaigns hard, putting pressure on leaders for real lasting change. For more information on all of Oxfam’s ongoing aid work and how your money will be spent, take a look at their website.

So, what do we have in store for you? Well, here’s how it’s looking for this year’s Oxjam Bournemouth Takeover. There are a few changes likely to happen here and there, and one or two tbcs, but this is it, the sound of something happening…

6 VENUES / 34 ARTISTS / 10 DJS / FREEWAY POETRY / GRUBNIUM / FACE-PAINTING / RAFFLE / MAGICIANS / MERCH STALLS & MORE!

SIXTY MILLION POSTCARDS
Doors midday
1.30 – Sofi Reed
2.15 – John Llewellyn
3.00 – Tim Somerfield
3.45 – Lauren Bannon
4.30 – Chris Woodford
5.15 – Krista Green
6.00 – Djs – This Scene Isn’t Dead
8.20 – Head Of A Cuban Trojan
9.10 – Dirty Jerkers
10.00 – Mutant Vinyl
10.50 – Disco’s Out (Murder’s In)
11.45 til close – No Fun djs

ON THE ROCKS
Doors 1pm
Grubnium 1 – 7pm
Dj/compere – Dapper Dan
7.30 – Wildfire
8.20 – The Luminaires
9.10 – Kentucky Fight Club
10.00 – Mobius Strip
10.50 – Peace, Love & Gloves

THE SPYRE
Doors 7pm
Dj The Chairman
7.30 – Masters Of None
8.20 – Not Made In China
9.10 – Animal Magic Tricks
10.00 – The Mother Ukers
10.50 – Michael Wookey

SMOKIN’ ACES
Doors 5pm
Blind Pig Hotswing Floorshow djs
8.20 – Dan Rumsey & The Bitter End
9.10 – Moll Story
10.00 – Mischa & His Merry Men
10.50 – Know One
11.30 til close – dj Leeroy

THE WINCHESTER
Doors 3pm
3.30 – 6.30 – Freeway Poets
7.30 – County Hospital
8.20 – Powdered Cows
9.10 – Spiders
10.00 – The Committee
10.50 – Animal Talent Show
11.30 til close – djs in two rooms

CHAMPIONS
Doors 7pm
Storefront djs
7.30 – MG & The Juggernauts
8.20 – The Sabres
9.10 – Constellation
10.00 – Yellowgroove
10.50 – The Neon Tigers

all bands/times are subject to change.

PRICE & TICKET DETAILS

Advance tickets are just £5 and are available up until midnight on 21 Oct. These will be exchanged on the Takeover day (at 60 Million Postcards from midday) for a wristband, which will allow you entry into all six venues.

Wristbands can also be purchased on the day at any venue for £6.

We will also be selling raffle tickets, t.shirts, calendars and cds, plus other goodies, with all profits going towards our final total. We are offering ‘Golden Tickets’ for £15 which will get you a wristband, t.shirt, cd and calendar! Bargain!

Adv. tickets will soon be available in all venues, but can be purchased NOW from WeGotTickets…

£5 adv ticket – available here
£15 Golden ticket – available here

(please be aware there is a 10% booking fee, half of which is being donated to Oxfam by WeGotTickets)

Tickets are available to over 18s only.

For more info on the Oxjam Bournemouth Takeover, please email Livvy – oxjamlivvy@gmail.com or Tony – oxjambournemouth@gmail.com

Here’s a link to the event on Facebook – please spread the word if you’re coming, join the group and invite people along. Word of mouth works too… it’s good to talk.

Please keep an eye out for our upcoming fundraisers – at The Inferno, 60 Million Postcards, Bournemouth Fresher’s Fair and The Old Firestation – all in the next four weeks!
Thanks so much for everyone’s support and please spread the word!
Local music, global impact.

Cheers!
The Oxjam Bournemouth Team
x

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Rubber Soul is back. When bh one first launched, Solid Air’s weekly Thursday’s were at the height of their popularity, having long been the focal point for upcoming and well established original local bands. Then five years ago after an unbroken 300 week run, Rubber Soul came to an end, seemingly unable to remain inspired by a lack of passion for ground-breaking and alternative live music, instead focussing on it’s weekly acoustic sessions. Much like bh one, Solid Air appears to simply go with the flow, reacting to situations as they happen and simply doing what feels right. Since recently returning to the Cellar Bar (below Chaplins), it clearly felt right to relaunch Rubber Soul. A good decision. Oh, and before I forget… quality tunes Connie!

Debut performances usually make for good turnouts. Tonight there were two, so it was no surprise to walk into a packed Cellar Bar ten minutes before Doris stepped on stage. Doris are four girls and two boys playing 60s soul covers, not your usual Rubber Soul fare, but with the make-up of the band featuring a few well known faces from past and present original combos, Connie was not going to look this kindly gift horse in the mouth. Considering two of the Doris six were not just making Doris debuts but in fact their first performances ever, it would be unnecessarily churlish to be overly critical. With the gigging virgins being vocalists Sally & Sassy (or in Sassy’s case giggling virgin), and with a packed Cellar Bar already gazing admiringly at the array of stunning frocks on stage, the spotlight on them was intense.

Doris are made to play scooter rallies. They look great, their choice of well know and not so common mod & soul covers are well chosen (are Doris allowed to play songs by, um, Doris?), and once they have a handful of gigs under their belt the offers will no doubt come flooding in. The rhythm section is tight, and in Sally Meaden they have a singer with fantastic potential. The voice is definitely there – the confidence will come. Sally remained focussed throughout, Sassy couldn’t hold back the giggles, but for a debut performance this was hugely enjoyable. The crowd loved it. I see fun times ahead for Doris.

I have recently openly expressed my passion for music from a bygone era, and with The Committee featuring Mr Ruddock and Mr Rudd on twin axe and vocal action (both of whom share that passion), I was ready front and centre stage to be instantly won over. The Committee also feature Joey on vocals and multi-instruments, Thomas on kit and Albert, bass. A fine looking bunch of dandy progstars, they looked excited, they looked ready. The Cellar Bar was ready too; a distinct buzz of expectation in the post-Doris, pre-The Committee intermission kept the atmosphere energised.

Then they started, and I was instantly won over. Standing directly in front of Martin’s amp, his guitar was overly prominent in the mix (my ‘fault’), and for three or four songs the music was interspersed with feedback (not intentional), but what was clear was this was no ordinary band, these were not ordinary songs. Never have I seen Martin so ‘up’ for a gig (and I’ve seen Martin play, I dunno… a hundred times), and even the feedback issues couldn’t wipe the joy from his face. The Committee opened with a huge chunk of groovy progdelia (their word); prominent Small Faces riffs, backed by ridiculous (in a wonderful way) jazz and prog noodlings from Angus. Already they were mixing three or four late 60s/early 70s influences, and with Joey’s vocals adding a slightly post-punk/PJ Harvey dimension, well… my ears were smiling.

Taking a position away from the stage, the mix improved, and for a debut performance this ranks as one of the best I’ve ever seen from a local band, possibly (even) eclipsing Zaardvark’s bow earlier this year. The Committee’s music is multi-dimensional, primarily it mixes both dreamy and ‘out there’ late 60s psychedelia with early 70s prog, but like many of the bands from whom they take their influences… Cream, Traffic, Yardbirds, there were elements of jazz and blues littered brilliantly throughout the songs, keeping everything fresh, everything from sounding formulaic. Joey’s flute made for some groovy Jethro Tull breakdowns (see video), whilst the playing and tightness throughout (considering this was their debut performance) was stunning; but for a couple of false endings it appeared faultless, and one of those came via a much deserved and demanded encore, and a song not yet finished.

The Committee won’t be for everyone, but they’re for me. Psych, prog, jazz, funk, blues and Joey’s faintly matter of fact vocals all make for something very special. The next Committee meeting is at Champions on Friday 23 September. I suggest you attend.

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This Bank Holiday weekend, the Oxjam Bournemouth fundraising campaign continues at Champions, with four fundraisers in four days. With our total now in excess of £4000, we’re well on our way to raising our £8000 target which will be put to fantastic use by Oxfam, including their ongoing aid in East Africa where more than 12 million people are currently facing life-threatening food shortages, following the worst drought in 60 years. £3000 from the Oxjam Bournemouth fund is on its way to Oxfam as I type, so thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far.

Here’s what we have planned over the Bank Holiday weekend at Champions. We’re hoping there’s something for most tastes, so please come and support quality local music and donate generously. Your money will save lives.

Friday 26 Aug: The Wishbones + New Volunteer + Joe Potter (Jouis) + Sofi Reed – £3 min. donation before 8.30, £4 after

Saturday 27 Aug: Peace, Love & Gloves + Dan Rumsey & The Bitter End + Stour State Of Mind – £3 min. donation before 8.30, £4 after

Sunday 28 Aug: Constellation + Electric Panda + Something Or Other + Sepia Daze – £3 min. donation before 8.30, £4 after

Monday 29 August: Monday Night Live! Superb live jazz & funk with FNUK + guests – free entry (donations welcome)

All gigs are 16+ only with doors at 7.30

Looking slightly further ahead we have some more superb fundraisers planned, including Oxjam Bournemouth vs No Fun at 60 Million Postcards (Sat 24 Sept), followed by The Fresher’s Fair at Bournemouth Uni (Sat 1 Oct) where we’ll be coordinating all the live music on the day. Then on Thur 6 Oct we’ll be hosting a very special event at the Old Firestation, where together with the Dorset African Caribbean Association and the BU African Caribbean Society we’ll be hosting a live event to help celebrate Black History Month. We’ll have more info on these events very soon.

Even more imminent is news about the Oxjam Bournemouth Takeover 2011! In the next few days we’ll be announcing the full line-up, and information on how you can buy advance tickets. Following on from the success of last year’s Takeover we’re determined to make this year even bigger and better… loads more details coming very soon!

Keep supporting Oxjam Bournemouth!
Local music, global impact.

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Okay, I’ll make a confession. My musical taste often struggles to escape from the late sixties, or to be precise (‘cos I love a bit of numerical precision) 1965-1972. Of course there’s hundreds of bands and albums I could mention from outside this era that I love, but there was a wonderful explosion of creativity in the late sixties, mixed with a generally free and expressive cultural vibe (plus most drugs were having a positive effect, artistically). So much was going on in the world that people had so much to say, and due to the changin’ times, for the first time young people’s voices were being heard. So much music from this era just feels good; it has beauty, energy and a positivity born from people feeling free to do what they want to do, to get loaded, to have a good time. Music felt real, not fake.

Okay, I could’ve kept that briefer. But, in large parts, the music of Jouis just reeks beautifully of the late sixties. Their latest four-track EP Kaleidoscopic Psychotropic mixes jazz and beat grooves, gentle psychedelia, and perfect four part Magical Mystery Tour-esque harmonies. Jouis’ music feels so goddam good, so wonderfully ‘up’, it’s a glorious musical rainbow without the rain.

The exaggerated keyboard stabs and handclaps throughout opener ‘Who Shot The Monkey’ are even closer musically than the band are geographically to Isle Of Wight psych-pop combo The Bees. At its fullest tilt it swirls and whirls like a carousel ride spinning at roller-coaster speed. Like many of Jouis’ lyrics, the words paint pictures coloured in purple paisley… “well I believe in karma or something thereabout / I bought a lady a rich man’s drink and I got a kiss on the mouth”. Perfect psychedelic pop.

I’ve heard hundreds of bands who can harmonise. Give me a mic and even I could do it. But some groups are just made to sing together, whose voices compliment each other perfectly, and Jouis are one of those groups. ‘Medicine Man’ is a groovy little gem that highlights four voices working in perfect harmony. Vocally, it smacks of ’68 Beatles, but if you’re four fellas singing who are gonna smack of anything, that’s not a bad place to start. I can’t hear “Roll up, roll up” for anything, but much like the Mystery Tour is has that celebratory sense of freedom that radiates through the music.

Every time I listen to ‘5,878’ I expect the opening line to be “Golden Brown, texture like sun”. If The Stranglers did a jazz remix of said tune, it would do well to sound like this. Yup, a jazz remix with bonus harmonies. Lovely. ‘Hallelujah Ukulele’ almost blends the previous three tracks into one. Perfect vocals, hammonds, handclaps and psychedelic sing-a-longs in a track that undulates in a faintly ‘progressive’ manner. Carnival-prog, if you like. Which I do, very much.

Jouis are an absolute joy of a band. Kaleidoscopic Psychotropic brilliantly captures the band’s essence, yet the energy, colour and gorgeous harmonies that fills this EP so wonderfully come across even better on a live stage. If you ever get the chance, you really should go and dig Jouis.

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That was the best ever Endorse it in Dorset Festival. Easy. The comedown now is beginning to ease and real life seems okay again. My main focus for the weekend was with Oxjam at the Wig-On Casino Stage on Sunday, so I make no excuses for a slight bias in that direction, but from the moment I arrived on Friday at the box office and was ‘directed’ by a fella who seemed like an disorientated extra from The Deliverance, to leaving on Monday having experienced three months of fun in three days, this was an absolute blast.

Endorse it gets tweaked every year, and since the open air Main Stage was replaced by the indoor Desmond Dekker Stage three years ago, each minor adjustment has been an improvement; I’m sure Endorse it can get better, though I’m not too sure how. Self-cleansing loos, maybe. The Bus Bar Stage and Strummerville (the comfy sofa/campfire combo is almost a necessity at times) are both recent additions that get better each year, and Ladies Day on Sunday is probably my favourite day of the year; how so many butch, random, tattooed middle-aged heterosexual men get away with such inappropriate ‘touching up’ never ceases to amaze me. Men, if you don’t ‘do’ Ladies Day, do it next year, you’ll never go back.

At previous festivals I’ve been together enough to take notes. I’m far too old for mental notes to be of much use, but those are all I have so doing my best to remember far distant Friday… First up, New York ska legends The Toasters played a blinder to a packed DD Stage. Now, musically this type of old school punk and ska is Endorse it’s bread & butter. Anyone stupid enough to moan about it (I’m only saying this ‘cos I’ve been reading a few negative comments about it online) should maybe do one minute’s homework on Endorse it before buying a ticket. Otherwise, shut the fuck up.

The Sporadics too are perfect Endorse it fodder (only at Endorse it could ‘fodder’ be used as a compliment) with their dubby ska-punk stompers; the sizeable crowd responded with gusto, yet The Mother Ukers with their half-size guitars and silly cover songs took the roof off the Bus Bar. Their appeal is simple – ukes, jokes and songs people know – but there’s a charm and level of ingenuity that makes The Mother Ukers so godddam good. To be honest the rest of Friday was a tad messy. Too much of this, that and the other lead to many laughs, many strange phases and a general state of non compos mentis. Fun times and a mighty fine Friday.

Quinn’s Quinney were worth getting out of bed for on Saturday. Plenty of others seemed to agree though it was a shame they were on so early again (11am!). With a splattering of Pronghorn in the band I’m hoping their brilliantly silly sing-a-long skiffle covers will at least get an afternoon slot next year. New Volunteer bagged the midday slot at the DD Stage but their brand of alt-rock was probably a little too ‘mature’ for the waking Endorse it crowd. With a lunchtime choice of either melodic rock or brass-fuelled ska there’s only one winner at Endorse it, and Brighton’s bootiful Los Albertos brought the crowd back in big numbers.

More than any other festival I know, what makes Endorse it so ridiculously pleasurable is the atmosphere created by the thousands who attend religiously, year after year. Most seem like festie veterans (if 30/40 somethings can be called veterans) who know how to have fun without being idiots. Or maybe they know how to be idiots without being dicks. Sure, there’s some messy behaviour and more than your average amount of pissing in bushes and general debauchery, but you’ll not find more smiles in a large field anywhere in the world than you’ll see at Endorse it. The majority of the afternoon was spent exploring, soaking up the festival, loving the smiles. In amongst cider, rum and beautiful people, I spent my time smashing crockery and dipping into the mighty fine Cash Converted and Henry’s Phonograph.

From what I remember Disco’s Out (Murder’s In) played at lunchtime last year, on the back of their DMA success. This year’s late evening slot was a credit to the band’s ongoing success, built on their sheer energy and incredible ability to entertain. They brought a huge local crowd to the Wildcat Stage and stormed it… Steve’s foray into the front barriers looked destined for some crowd-surfing, but that can wait ‘til next year. This year a well-deserved encore sufficed. Another DoMi win. Dubheart or New Model Army was the next choice. As much as I’m an admirer of the former, there was only going to be one winner. The last time I saw NMA was 1985, and performing as Slade The Leveller, lead singer Justin Sullivan scared me shitless. This time the fear was gone, but the intensity in his eyes was just as ferocious. If there’s a more believable frontman than Justin Sullivan I’ve yet to see him, and that’s a big fuckin’ compliment. I wanted more from their debut album Vengeance, but twenty-six years on New Model Army are still one hell of a live band.

Saturday night was mostly spent on a sofa in Strummerville, but that’s a whole different story. Waking up on Sunday, I was like a kid at Christmas. Oxjam at Endorse it was always going to be a highlight for me personally, and I’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to Lamma and the Endorse it crew for letting us take over the Wig-On Casino Stage again, and giving us a completely free rein with regards to the line-up. Speaking on behalf of the Oxjam Bournemouth team I’d also like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to the Wig-On and donated so generously to Oxfam, and in particular to the wonderful bands who also donated and did us proud. The turnout and general atmosphere around the Wig-On this year was superb, and thanks to everyone’s efforts just a smidge under £400 was raised on the day. Bloody Fantastic!!

Last year when Mischa rocked up at 12.30 just a handful were there to watch. This year when Jonny Neesom kicked off, a sizeable crowd were there and thanks to Jonny’s prompts… donating generously. Now, there’s not a lot of jazz going down at Endorse it, and to be able to bring Zaardvark and Jouis (who have a very individual alt-jazz sound) to the festie was a personal highlight. I love both bands, and regardless of them playing as part of Oxjam were two of my faves over the weekend. A huge crowd came to see Pachango who clearly loved the experience… positivity flooding from the stage. Know One had the unenviable task of taking dub lovers away from Dubheart on the DD Stage, and those who chose the Wig-On responded brilliantly, skanking madly. BigFace Reggae really should’ve played ‘Buttery Biscuit Base’, apart from that played another Oxjam blinder, and finally Lady Winwoods Maggot repeated their superb set from last year – same stage, same time, same result – a packed Wig-On loving the Maggots.

What I got up to for the next few hours is none of your business, but from what I heard the Bus Bar was the place to be with The Wurzels, Guns Of Navarone and particularly Curst Sons storming it. I surfaced to see Subgiant do what they always do – rock a packed DD Stage whilst Citizen Fish were doing similar things in the Bus Bar. Too tired (yeah… lightweight) to enjoy Randy & Earl in the Wig-On Casino I took my garlic wedges and enjoyed the relative calm outside. I lived it, I loved it, I missed loads, but came away with nothing but a smile, a warm glow and a desire for life to just be like the Endorse it in Dorset Festival.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Steve (all photos are by Dreadlock Photography) for being an amazing photographer and a wonderful human being. Once he’s fully recovered from the weekend, check out his facebook page for an album full of stunning photos from Endorse it.

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