The Neighbourhood Strange, Oddcuts & Rarities

Oddcuts and Rarities is the latest release from Salisbury's sons of psychedelia The Neighbourhood Strange, and it's flipping great. With three fabulous 7'' vinyl singles under their belts The Neighbourhood Strange have yet to release an album; having seen them perform live several times, and knowing they definitely have the material, that's a crime if you ask me. The release of Oddcuts and Rarities goes some ways to putting that right, consummate musicians skilled at their craft, what you have here are eight tracks of top quality modernist psychedelia with a garage aesthetic, all performed with the Strange's trade mark energy and panache. I can't recommend this album or the band highly enough. If this is what they describe as 'a collection of out takes and demos' just imagine how good a The Neighbourhood Strange Album would be. Vinyl release of course, no pressure.

Russian Spy 7" By The Neighbourhood Strange

Those premier psychedelic sons of Salisbury 'The Neighbourhood Strange' are back with a vengeance with their fabulous 7" release, the topical 'Russian Spy'. If you've seen the band perform live you'll know they're a tight outfit of  consummate musicians delivering their brand of high quality mod-esque psychedelia with panache and brio. That flavour comes across beautifully in both Russian Spy and the flip sides 'Many Secrets' (as well as all the bonus material available on the CD EP release).

The 'A' side 'Russian Spy' has a melody echoing the folk sound of the steppe or that moment in a 60's TV drama when the 'Reds' appear, and a fantastic chorus with an appropriately Red Army sounding harmony, throughout the track is peppered with nods to recent dramatic events in Salisbury and references to the east/west political dichotomy. Russian Spy is a modern cold war classic born of the attempted assassination by nerve agent of 'hero of Russia' and double agent/former spy Sergei Skripal. Though the novichok wasn't strong enough to take out Skripal, what is powerfully strong is this track, which works beautifully both musically and lyrically. The 'B' side 'Many Secrets' ostensibly has a great Mod revival (of the late 70's) feel to it, played at an energetic pace and sung with gusto, also buried in there is that intelligent punk sound I'd associate with bands like The Damned at their peak. Although throughout Bob's wonderful organ ensures the sensibilities of the modernist hey day are maintained. Bob's organ is perfect at conjuring a genuine mid 60's British sound and atmosphere, which to me has a timeless appeal and consistently shines on every track. Whilst, front man Marcus has the perfect demeanour and voice to deliver this punchy fast paced style of mod infused psychedelic pop rock with a side serving of punky asthetic, and he has the swagger to match. We should remember though that a great band is gestalt, created by the contributions all the band members, and so it is with 'The Strange'. Dazman on bass and Matt on drums ensure by their solid performances that the rhythm section on all the tracks is tight and drives the numbers along at an appropriate velocity. Whilst guitarist Mark provides some great guitar riffs, as well as wonderfully proficient and expertly performed string work throughout. Splendid stuff, man!

The Neighbourhood Strange have done it again, they've nailed it. The band deserve more acclaim, it's a wonder to me that The Neighbourhood Strange aren't better known, they really should be. Russian Spy along with their previous 2 single releases showcase their manifest talents as writers and musicians, and their fabulous live performances always hit the spot. There's nothing not to love about this band and their beautifully crafted sound, a sound so broad in appeal that it transcends genre boundaries.  They're all nice fellows to boot. 

Russian Spy is available now on bandcamp as a 7" vinyl single or CD EP, each comes with a digital download of the EP's 5 tracks (Russian Spy, Many Secrets, Mary Mary, Walk On Water, Desert Sand). You can also get a copy of the 7" vinyl single on The Neighbourhood Strange website. I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping that a LP with be forthcoming, it really should, I know the band easily has enough top quality material. Fingers crossed, ay. To be honest where you buy Russian Spy isn't important, that you make certain you do buy it is the paramount thing, don't miss out on this gem (while you're about it check out their previous singles too), bag yourself a copy today! And make sure you catch one of their live performances too, I guarantee you wont be disappointed.

The Neighbourhood Strange @ Angola 76 Shaftesbury 12.8.2017

We'd not visited Shaftebury for a gig before and I was very interested to check the place out, and was looking forward to The Neighbourhood Strange who always do a good turn. The Angola '76 is set in a side street in central Shaftesbury, and is a small bar/gastro type affair, with an upstairs seating area, with eating, drinking and performance area on the ground floor, as well as a good sized partially covered outside courtyard. Nice place, great for intimate performances, with friendly staff and really friendly clientèle; we'd only been there 5 minutes and people were chatting to us; that says a lot for a place. Yeah, really friendly folk.

The Neighbourhood Strange are a five piece: Marcus on guitar and vocals, Mark on guitar, Bob on organ, The Dazman on bass and Will on drums. Lead singer Marcus remarked that he had been a Mod in his youth, and you can definitely hear mod sensibilities in the bands sound, not just that warm 60's mod sound, but also the sharper sound of revivalist modernism of the late 70's early 80's. I was a mod too, and feel a particular love for those sounds; they resonate. The Neighbourhood Strange's sound is a perfect and skilful blend of both mod periods, at the introduction of acid and the psychedelia that spawned; it's a really great sound they've created and they dispense it perfectly. Every track worked, 'let's get high' has a solid early/mid 60's feel to it, and sounded really tight, which songs like that need.  Whereas 'Wythes Sky' is a nice mid 60's west coast flavoured guitar and organ number and has a much more fluid vibe to it. And then there's 'one last chance',which is loaded with late 70's mod/post mod feeling, (it's  got a real 'Squeeze' quality to it). Their tracks are short and direct, well layered and packed with depth, not mention nice portions of psychedelic flare. Very listen-able, the audience were loving it. Short tracks mean lots of tracks in a set, which I dig just as much as hour long jam track, The Neighbourhood Strange performed 17 tracks, each masterfully delivered by a band of talented musicians who obviously love the music they perform. And why would you, it's freaking good. A top quality gig all round, I thoroughly recommend them.  

The bass player was saying they were hoping to gig with legendary Californian psych rockers Cartlon Melton next spring, which when last we saw the on the same bill was a splendid evening of music, and certainly one for the diary.  The band have also got a single out in autumn and an album out next year, both things to look forward too. The bands last 2 singles (both released on vinyl, which was nice) are excellent, and worth giving a listen here. I've seen The Neighbourhood Strange a few times now, they started off good and have kept on improving. Check them out, you'll have a good night. And if you're in Shaftesbury, check out Angola '76, it's important to support small venues. 

The Neighbourhood Strange

A nice surprise to return home to after a damp walk under sullen skies. The latest 7'' waxing from Salisbury's premier psychedelic garage combo, The Neighbourhood Strange. A nice high grade cardboard sleeve with a colourfully tripped out cover houses a quality heavy weight vinyl. This second single is a double 'A' sider of glorious 60's infused psychedelia, and complements nicely their earlier release. Both tracks are organ heavy, guitar driven numbers with tight drumming, though both very different. The A side's 'let's get high' is quite a dancey number with a cellar club feel to it, great organ and jangly guitar give this track a really nice groovy feel to it, great vocals too. You can help but move to it. The AA side 'One last chance' has a slower feel to it, a lamenting number with an appropriately heavier feel to it, there's a heavier garage guitar sound on this one and some tidy drumming, again nice organ and vocals. Very happy with it. Thing is, listening to it just makes you want more, I want to hear what an album would sound like...bloody good I'd imagine. If not an album, at least an EP. Anyway, don't take my word buy a copy here. 

Ulysses and The Neighbourhood Strange @ The Winchester Gate, Salisbury 25.11.16

Blimey! That was a night out, and some; good company, good music, good venue and if I'm honest, too much alcohol on a near empty stomach. The evening was Ulysses and The Neighbourhood Strange at The Winchester Gate in Salisbury.  We'd seen The Neighbourhood Strange supporting Carlton Melton last year in another Salisbury venue and knew them to be good, and I'd been looking forward to catching Ulysses for some time now (I was hoping to catch them earlier in the year with Magic Bus). The Winchester Gate was a new venue for us and we were pleased to find it; a fine establishment and venue by all accounts,  manned by friendly staff (who humorously served drinks in a variety of inappropriate glasses, I had shots served in a standard whiskey glass, a wine glass and several in half pint classes, by far the funniest) and equally congenial patrons. We'll be watching for more at the Winchester Gate.

First up were Ulysses, a four piece rock combo out of Bath via the 1970's. Ulysses channel a variety of rich and diverse 70's musical flavours, polish them up a touch, put a contemporary spin on them and loose them with love on an  audience.  Tonight’s audience who filled the low ceilinged room were hungry for what was being served, enjoying every bit of it, plenty of dancing smiley faces showing their approval between tracks with thunderous applause. The band played tracks of their current, and hugely listen-able, album 'Law and Order' and kept us entertained inbetween with witty banter and a story about a car which as I remember was never resolved. All round a top band both live and on cassette, yeah, that's right cassette!  A great performance, I'll be looking out for them again. Next up were The Neighbourhood Strange a psychedelic/garage beat combo out of Salisbury via the days of future past, again diverse musical flavours at play, blended with care and skill, this time from a decade earlier, there's certainly an echo of the mid/late 60's going on, what's created can only be described as, nice (as said by the Jazz guy on the fast show). I enjoyed  The Neighbourhood Strange when I saw them last, and I enjoyed them even more so this time around.  Again, the audience loved it, the room was packed with dancing smiley faces, great atmosphere, home audience an' all. The nature of the songs, the names of which are unknown to be (but for the few I've listened to online), bridged time, in essence late 60's tunes though feeling very current and contemporary, all of them beautifully crafted, were a joy to listen to. I hope there's an album on the way. Both bands created immersive atmospheres in which you could really experience and enjoy the music to its full, well, it's definitely music to be enjoyed. Top night, bravo to all involved.    

Carlton Melton + The Neighbourhood Strange + Carpet @ The Old Ale House, Salisbury

 

You'd think listening to most radio stations or what the television radiates, that our current musical landscape was entirely populated by auto-tuned generic corporate pulp. Though step outside and look beyond the barren musical landscape the media promotes and you find that that is not the case, and that there's a wonderfully rich musical world going on out there in independent venues and at small festivals. Take Carlton Melton. A good friend of mine, who's in the know on things psychedelic, turned me on to Carlton Melton and when an opportunity to see them perform life locally arose, naturally I took it.  

Carlton Melton are a three piece heavy psych band from the West coast of America: Andy Duvall on drums (although starting and finishing on guitar), Rich Millman on lead (and synth/keyboard) and bass man Clint Golden. Their set started slowly with a hypnotic number of guitar and synth, setting the stage and gently sliding you out of one reality and into the Carlton Melton-verse. Then boom!, and we were off, carried by Andy's heavy drumming and Clint's rhythmic bass we were off down the colourful psychedelic tunnels created by Rick's frantic guitar noodlings. Far f*cking out, man. Carlton Melton really know how to rock. Andy bashed away at the drums like a man possessed, Rick wasn't still long enough to get a clear shot of him, in fact, I think he was actually fazing in and out of our reality and Clint, well, Clint's conscientious deep bass vibe kept the band safely tethered in this reality.  They all appeared to be loving it; the crowd were certainly loving it, it was a sea of smiley fly catching faces, blown away by the sonic storm emanating from the stage. We were served a feast of deep psychedelic fare until we returned to where we started, with the band playing a hypnotic guitar and synth number. Then, all too soon, it was over and we were back in the room. Afterwards I took the opportunity to talk to the guys and thank them, what nice fellows, very humble. They all said they'd be back in April, so there's a date for your diary. Carlton Melton nice guys doing top shelf psychedelic music; does what it says on the label.

There were also two support bands on the bill. The first were a band called Carpet, I have to be honest and I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't paying much attention to them and so can't really do a review of justice, although what I heard sounded fine. Next were The Neighbourhood Strange. The Neighbourhood Strange sounded to me like an old style 60's psychedelic garage band, with short, fast paced numbers played with a real retro feel to them and tons of gusto. That's no criticism, I thoroughly enjoyed their set which was delivered very competently.

And the venue? The Old Ale House in Salisbury, a venue of the type I've described and enthused about in previous gig posts, a smallish, friendly pub venue with friendly staff, a good atmosphere and a willingness to put on a wide range of bands. All round a great night. I'll certainly keep my eye out for Carlton Melton and The Neighbourhood Strange, both well worth venturing out for; as well as keeping my eye on who's playing the Old Ale House.