November was another busy month here at Gigslutz with lots of gigs, interviews and reviews going down and plenty of exciting plans being laid for the future. For me the highlight of the month would have to be spending an afternoon in the Happy Monday’s Warrington studio as they prepared themselves for their Bummed tour. Bummed is up there with my favorite albums ever so getting the full story of how it was made was a right treat for me (even if the stories were slightly sketchy due to them being “heavily sedated” at the time)! Mark, Paul, Gaz and Rowetta were perfect hosts and looked after the ‘slutz team brilliantly including a splendid cup of tea.
As always, thank you to all who have contributed, and to all who keep reading. Cheers! December looks like being another cracking month here, starting off with our radio show that is moving to Hoxton Radio on 5th December. Make sure you tune in folks! Cheers, Steve (Editor)
Dave ‘Am – Co Founder
My most pleasurable vibration for November was the journey to Liverpool to see the Charlatans at the incredible St George’s Hall. A gig away from home always feels a bit more of a pilgrimage, and this most definitely felt that way as it was a tribute to Jon Brookes. We’d been invited to DJ too which became a bit of a convoluted affair but nonetheless, it was a great night with some old faces popping up hither and dither but the highlight was meeting the support bands and seeing first hand their passion and belief in the Gigslutz ethos
Elliott Homer – Features Editor
A highlight of any November has got to be stepping into any of the few high street stores left in Britain not blaring out Slade, Wizzard and (God help us) “Wonderful Christmastime”. Despite being a massive curmudgeon this time of year I, like Ebenezer Scrooge, have found my cold heart warmed by a completely unexpected source: Jake Bugg. Yeah, he’s a surly lad and he’s got quite a gob on him but if he keeps delivering the tunes like those on ‘Shangri La’, I’ve got no complaints.
Bella Hutton – Contributor
Enter Shikari headlining UK Warped Tour. The band preformed better than ever on the Sunday which left me which a lot of bruises and battlescars but was so so worth it! Also they play Solidarity which made me and a lot of other dedicated fans very happy bunnies!
Amy Bryant – New Music Editor
For me, it was getting to know one of my favourite smaller artists a bit better – Son of Dave. Forever fascinating fans with a harmonica in hand, he released his sixth album ‘Blues at the Grand’, which feels even more fun and fresh live than it does on the album. You can read our interiew with him here (
Amelia Ward – News Editor
This month, in anticipation of their Bummed tour, Gigslutz spoke to Happy Mondays. Steve was lucky enough to come with me to their rehearsal studio in the lovely Warrington to the interview. The Happy Mondays’ reputation is not a myth, they genuinely were not on this planet during their early years! From letting animals out of the zoo, tales of arguing with The Stone Roses about which band had ‘The’ at the beginning and their ecstasy fuelled recording sessions in the 80s to the health benefits of avocado, the interview truly was one of the most hilarious things I’ve heard!
Mari Lane – Unsigned Artists Editor
Although November has been a month filled with some pretty awesome musical delights, I’m in no doubt as to what my highlight has been. Queens Of The Stone Age live at Wembley. The fourth time I’ve been lucky enough to see my second favourite band in the world, I was apprehensive that the band who’ve had more changes of line up than Lady Gaga has costume changes wouldn’t live up to my mega expectations. How wrong I was… Josh Homme and co failed to disappoint. They were actually more amazing than ever. Opening the set with the rarely played ‘Millionaire’ and going on to play all my favourites, Queens Of The Stone Age are a phenomenal live treat. Josh Homme may have mellowed, but he’s definitely still got it…
Allan Nersessian – Contributor
On Sunday 17th November I went along to the world-famous Metropolis studios in Chiswick to listen to a masterclass given by Eddie Kramer on his production techniques and memories with Jimi Hendrix. Sitting in the studio where people like Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Led Zeppelin and a whole host of others had recorded was incredible in itself, but to have the legendary producer Kramer show a small group of people intimate photos and regale stories of recording with Hendrix was an absolute pleasure. He then went on to play us the broken down versions of songs such as Purple Haze and Little Wing which he finally built up to the original piece. It was a truly extraordinary day and reaffirmed just how much of a talent Hendrix was.
Maz Healey – Contributor
I caught a blindingly good local alt rock/punk band – Open To Fire in Wednesbury West Midlands. Great gig in an unassuming pub. Excellent delivery of originals and covers with just the right amount of attitude. You can get their new split single (with my pal George Gadd) at Bandcamp .
In other news, this video cheered me up when I was feeling crap-tastic with a cold Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball (Chatroulette Version)
Marcella Sartore – Contributor
I started writing for Gigslutz, let’s say, a couple of weeks ago. Nonetheless, November has already given me its highlights. That is, Queens Of The Stone Age live at Webley Arena where they confirmed themselves as the kings (sorry, the queens) of rock. I also discovered Woodkid, whose name I had heard in the past only through ‘Assassin’s Creed’ soundtrack. Last, but not, least, I should mention Amanda Palmer, one of my favourite artistes as well as one of the coolest women in music business, who released a three disc live album of her collaboration with Neil Gaiman, ‘An Evening With Neil Gaiman And Amanda Palmer’.
Andy Chandler – Hijacker Records
My highlight this month was no doubt MØ’s performance at XOYO. She’s been on our radar for some time, but this was the first opportunity we’ve had to catch her live, and it was something very special indeed. Could even be up there for our gig of the year at this rate. It’s no wonder why people like Diplo have jumped onto the MØ steam train.
