ditch the drums part 2 = a pretty good sequel

So can you believe that last week played host to the second ditch the drums down at The Hideaway? It seems only yesterday that I was sweating over the idea of putting on a new night, but it's fair to say that so far so good....though that is easy say when yo have the likes of Dear Winesburg, Tom Phonetic and Eddie Halliday happy to put on an evenings entertainment for you.

Tom Phonetic played his heart through an electrifying set - forget first gig jitters as he belted tunes out of his 6 strings faster than a new kitchen for Samantha Cameron at no 10. Expect plenty of Tom Phonetic mania to take hold of Tuckshop Community Radio this summer.

Second up was the always impressive Eddie Halliday who was taking a break out from his heavy recording sessions with post rock band Wayter. A more stripped down version of his lo-fi folky pop than we normally see, however it was stripped down lo-fi folky pop of the highest order so everyone was pretty happy.

Words can't really describe how fantastic Dear Winesburg are, one american attendee on the night said to me "this band are so totally fresh - I'm like so excited" and quite frankly I think everyone who was down to witness their set will all agree with that perfectly expressed sentence. Things are looking good for Dear Winesburg, plenty of plays on Radio 6, a cracking new album and a load more new fans for ditch the drums. Tuckshop have spent quite a bit if time with them this year but I'm not to sure how long we'll have this luxury as plenty of new suitors are now knocking on their door.

More info can be found on the usual Facebook and Myspace sites......

Dear Winesburg footage filmed in the freezing cold

THE WOODS - Dear Winesburg - Dark Water III + IV from Jamie Williams on Vimeo.

So finally the Tuckshop Community team have some footage to show of us filming Chris from Dear Winesburg in Sub-Zero temperatures on Hampstead Heath way back in January. I remember it being incredibly cold to shoot, but now looking at the footage, I realise it was certainly worth the potential frost bite.

Phonetically speaking with Tom Phonetic

Tom Phonetic will be opening proceedings at ditch the drums on Thursday May 22nd. A modern gentleman known for perfectly crafted anti pop recordings, Mr Phonetic kindly gave us a few minutes of his time to talk men with ferrets and healthy breakfasts..

Hello Tom Phonetic, if you were running for Parliament what would your manifesto be?
Free Prozac for London bus drivers, free i-tunes (with artists somehow still getting paid?!!), abolition of the tory party.

Who do you think is going to win the world cup?
It would feel bizarre to go into a summer football tournament without a completely misplaced sense of optimism, so....England of course! (Spain).

What do you think this years must have accessory is for every young man?
I saw a man walking a ferret the other day. It could catch on....

What was the funniest thing to happen to you today?
My girlfriend having to get up at 3 am to catch a flight while I happily snoozed away.

Are you looking forward to playing at ditch the drums?
Most definitely, although it's my first solo gig, so come down and see a man on the edge!

Health specialists believes that every day should start with a healthy breakfast, what do you start your day with?
I actually started today with a healthy bowl of muesli. I'm trying to get in shape for Ditch the Drums!

What three bands do you think everyone should listen to right now?
The Bonfire band, Fever Ray, Motley Crue

Where are you from originally and what is the local landmark?
I'm from south-east London, so I guess it would have to be the Crystal Palace Tower or the giant, bird shit covered cat, that sits atop the Catford centre.

Where can we find you and what are the plans for Tom Phonetic in the future?
You can find me at www.myspace.com/tomphonetic, and you can also on twitter. In terms of the future, I'm planning a shed load of gigs over the summer and looking forward to working on some new material and maybe putting an e.p. out. Watch this space.

If you fancy coming to see Tom play at ditch the drums, please come down to The Hideaway on Thursday May 22nd. For more information, please visit us on facebook here.

Jurassic answers from Last Dinosaur

If you've never heard Last Dinosaur before then you are all in for a real treat as their debut album Hooray! for Happiness has been busy receiving rave reviews from all ends of the music media spectrum since it was released last month. Having been sent a copy of their hard work, Tuckshop can honestly say that Hooray! for Happiness is one killer record, in fact it's sharper than a set of gnashers pulled from the mouth of any T-Rex.

Below they talk dinosaurs (obviously), about recording their record and their love of 90's R&B


Ok last dinosaur, lets get the obvious questions out of the way, do you know what was the last dinosaur to survive?
Jamie: Some people say the Komodo dragon is technically a dinosaur.. but i'm going to go with Parkinson.
Luke: Denver. Easy


Would you like to introduce yourselves?
Jamie: We're two 20-somethings from Essex who mess around with a multi-track recorder past bed time.
Luke: Hello, i'm the taller one

What is your favourite dinosaur?
Luke: The big one that cant see you when you're not moving or so Jurassic Park would have you believe
Jamie: Dinosaurs are like ice cream. There's nothing quite like a cold one on a hot day.

Have you ever visited the British Museum?
Luke: Why yes we have. We also have evidence of this event.


So your rather excellent album has just been released, have you enjoyed the whole process, what were the high/low points of putting an album out?
Jamie: I love recording and experimenting and it's really great when people are into what you've created. The worst thing about releasing an album is finally putting something you've worked on for years out there. Up until then it's yours but as soon as you left go of it you'll never look at it in the same way again.

Where can we buy this great album and where can one find you on the internet?
Jamie: Hooray! for Happiness is available to buy from Rough Trade, shops and online as well as digitally from iTunes, Amazon, Play and all those places and you can find us at myspace.com/thelastdinosauruk.

What is your favourite 90’s r&b record?
Jamie: It's a four way cross between You Make Me Wanna by Usher, How Deep Is Your Love For Me by Dru Hill, No Diggity by Blackstreet and an En Vogue song I can't remember the name of.
Luke: Raphael Saadiq ft Q-Tip - Get Involved

I’ve been told that one of the torture techniques of the us military is to chain one to the floor and play really loud repetitive music until one confesses. If you were kidnapped for withholding important information what record would bring you close to surrendering?

Jamie: The idea of being forced to listen to the T-Mobile advert that plays before some programmes on e4 for anything longer than 20 seconds makes me want to be sick into my own trousers.
Luke: Cartoons - Witch Doctor

Are there any other bands you think we should have a listen to and what are your prediction for this years world cup?
Jamie: Definitely check out Halla Norðfjörð (myspace.com/hallaboa), Jonathan Havens (myspace.com/jonnyhavensmusic), Bright Spark Destroyer (myspace.com/brightsparkdestroyer) and Jess Bryant (myspace.com/jkcbryant), as well as..
Luke: Kidsaredead, Inlets, LOVE SICK. All great bands.

South America has great history on African soil but England are the best so i would have to say Spain.

debut delirium for ditch the drums

So, I totally appreciate that It's been a while in getting anything up but for those of you that were unable to make it the first ditch the drums at the Hideaway will know it was a real beauty. It admittedly did get off to a slightly slow start but once Dominic Weeks opened proceedings the punters started to take the slightly sinister steps down into the basement of the Hideaway.

Joe innes proved to be the perfect middle man, providing us with his own take on English anti folk, happily conversing with the ditch the drums audience and telling stories over the backdrop of his guitar on every day life and observations. Be sure to check him out at www.myspace.com/joeinnes and expect him to be playing at a venue hopefully near you all.

The night was perfectly capped off by Tom Mansi and the Ice Breakers who very kindly took time out of their hectic rehearsel schedule (upcoming UK tour to promote new album). Tom plucked his double bass, whilst the drums tapped away, and the guitar and keyboard played the lazy blues. Having just finished their new album which was recorded with Steven Krakovic, the Ice Breakers played a selection of new and old material keeping their admirers sweet and soulful well into the night.

Fore more information about our night ditch the drums you can join us on facebook and also myspace.

Here also are some more pics of the evening....