TAKE A LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPHS.
CLICK THE LINKS ON THE TOP RIGHT>> There's a lot at stake. The best band from tonight's battle will go through to the BurySOUND 2004 final, with £750 of equipment and two days in the West Suffolk College recording studio to be awarded to the winner. BLACK MOUNTAIN First on stage are Black Mountain (Sam Ault - Vocals, Matt Ault - Guitar, Matt Knox - Bass and Sam Welsh - Drums).  | | Black Mountain on stage at BurySOUND |
Their influences include Pearl Jam, Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin - and their version of Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' proved very popular with the crowd. After their performance I asked audience members Tom and Liam for their opinions:
"They're a very good band, but let down by the sound-person." said Tom. Liam seemed more enthusiastic: "They were well good - like totally rocking. They were playing what everyone wanted to hear, really. Everyone, was y'know, kicking it down." Back at Black Mountain's table, I asked them how they thought it went: "It was brilliant" said Sam the singer, "really good reaction from the crowd. It seemed like everyone enjoyed it. Just had a great time, really." More info:
http://www.blackmountainrock.co.uk POLARIS After a brief break, Polaris (Steph Hope - Guitar & Vocals, Harriet Smith - Drums & Vocals and Bonnie Chung - Bass Guitar) took to the stage.  | | Steph from Polaris, BurySOUND 2004 |
Their influences include Hope of the States, L7, Led Zepelin and RHCP. I really liked Polaris, their slightly ramshackle performance was very good - entertaining and soulful. Highly recommended. Shaun Giffin (from another band on tonight's bill - Despite Tuesday's Plan) was not so impressed. "I liked Polaris..." said Shaun. "The singer - she's amazing. They can construct their music, but I dunno... I think the singing has got power over the music. The music's good but it's not as good as I thought it would be. "Tonight there's been a lot of talent - at the moment I reckon Black Mountain are going to win." I found Polaris chatting on the steps of the Corn Exchange: "We've been going for about four months." said Steph, the lead singer. "The songs were written about four years ago - I wrote them with my sister, then she went off to university - so I had to find a band. "Tonight we played 'Red' (introduced as here's our blues song - it's called 'Red'), 'Mrs Eyeball', 'Ghost in my bedroom', 'Wrapped around my little finger', 'Suitcase', 'Troubles', 'Take it or leave it' and our cover 'King of the swingers'. "I was so shocked by the audience! It was like 'Oh my God! They know the words!' My sister would be so proud! "We were like 'What?!'. I spoke to some of them and said 'How do you know the words? Why were you singing?' 'And they said 'We downloaded all your songs!' Oh my God! "Who's good on tonight's bill? Secret Hairdressers are very very very good. They're Bury's famous band - we're scared of them! My cousin is in Despite Tuesday's Plan - they're also very good..." More info:
http://www.polaris-the-originals.tk
http://www.flowerpotmusic.co.uk IN FROM THE COLD In From The Cold (Dean Simmons - Vocals & Guitar, Russ Hinkins - Drums and Chris Hodson - Bass & Vocals) were next on stage.  | | Dean from 'In From The Cold' |
They describe their sound as "Guitar based rock with a splash of ska." Despite their use of the A-Team theme tune, I thought that, tonight, they were too organised - a bit dull. I asked audience member Simon Smith for his considered opinion:
"I thought they were really good," shouted Simon over the Libertines track being played by the DJ. "They really communicated with the audience - there was a lot of interaction. I really felt they were a band that I knew. They just seemed really accessible. They're really redolent of everything else from that genre..." Can you name a band that they sound like? "No." I'm still not sure if Simon was being sarcastic. THE JUDGES At the back of the hall sat the judges, one of whom was Paul - a journalist with the Bury Free Press newspaper. "I think they've all been really good tonight." said Paul. "It's nice to see an all girl band in the competition - it could be the first time there's been an all girl group. "Black Mountain are my favourite so far - they really rocked - they were very good!" DESPITE TUESDAY'S PLAN Despite Tuesday's Plan (John Reynolds - Lead Singer, Dan Rushmer - Bass, Shaun Giffin - Electric Guitar and Dan Hope - Drums) were fourth on stage. They describe their sound as "Punk rock metal."  | | John from Despite Tuesday's Plan |
'Plan' were popular with the crowd - with a very self-assured lead singer. I asked audience member Kim for her opinion: "Personally I think they were the best band" she said. "I think Shaun Giffin's guitar skills are the best out of everyone." So you know Shaun then? "No I don't actually know him - I came to see Black Mountain but I don't think they were as good as Despite Tuesday's Plan. "Their [Plan's] songs are really catchy - good tunes... I guess they were kind of good looking. Shaun was probably the best looking. They should win!" THE SECRET HAIRDRESSER Last on stage were The Secret Hairdresser (Jason - Guitar/Vocals & Bass, Lucy - Keyboards & Vocals, Richard - Vocals & Guitar, Lotty - Bass & Vocals and Chopper - Drums & Vocals). They describe their sound as "The best miaoowing, mooging, instrument-swapping, 5-part-harmonising, boy/girl, indie-rock soopergroop in the entire animal kingdom!!!"  | | The audience: Kim (centre) and friends |
I asked Anna (a friend of the 'Hairdressers') to tell me a little more about 'Bury's famous band'... "There's been a few changes since the Peel session" said Anna. "The guitarist went off to University in Liverpool so they had to get somebody else. He's called Richard - he's quite shy. "They're all quite shy. They're really into music - so they have to go on stage. A lot of the bands on tonight just really want to show off. "I'd like them to win - I think technically they're the best - but obviously I'm biased." More info:
http://www.thesecrethairdresser.co.uk/
http://www.laprecords.co.uk AND THE WINNER IS... The judges announced The Secret Hairdresser as the winners of the first heat of BurySOUND 2004 to enthusiastic cheers and boos from the crowd. I think they were worthy winners - it seemed obvious, as soon as they began to play their keyboards, that they were a 'proper' band - with their own indie-Moog sound. Even if they did seem a little too cool for school.  | | 'The Secret Hairdresser' or are they? |
I asked Jason, lead singer of the 'Hairdressers', to comment on their win. What's it like to emerge victorious? "Sweaty". No other comment to make? Does winning mean you go through to the next round? "No - we go through to the final. It means we go through to the final and we blow everyone away." And how are you going to do that? "With an air compressor."
So there you go. 'The Secret Hairdresser' triumphant and through to the next round, 'Black Mountain' the popular choice and 'Polaris' the band to look out for!
BURYSOUND 2004
AT THE BURY CORN EXCHANGE
HEAT TWO - Saturday 13th November 2004
'Animal Planet', 'Ionic', 'My Epic Enemy', 'Where's Jonny?' and 'Story So Far' will be on the bill. HEAT THREE - Friday 26th November
'Ashborn', 'Latah', '8 Lives Left', 'San Francisco' and 'The Fashion' will be on the bill. THE FINAL - Saturday 11th December 2004
The winning band from each of the three heats will be on the bill.
'Fur Elise' (BurySOUND 2003 Winner) will make a guest appearance. TICKETS
Ticket prices are £5 in advance (£6.50 on the door if there are any left) from the Bury St Edmunds bus and coach station, Hardcore Hobbies, MVC, Sounds Plus and Sunrise (all in Bury St Edmunds). Credit card line - Tourist Information Centre 01284 764667 (£5.50 including booking fee).
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