MOTUS
The Dream.
Friday the eleventh of April.
Destination downtown Leeds.
Mission to see as many bands as possible.
Targets, Cockpit and New Roscoe.
Minders, Mitton and Rix.
First objective, beer.
So, I was knocking the ale back as though it was going out of fashion, Clear Blue Skies were playing just the other side of the doorway, only a few yards from where I was stood, but we had just arrived and were still getting everybody together, I was lost in the world of my pint glass but what music I could hear sounded very tight and professional. We were still knocking back the beers when Rivers came on stage but I turned more into the doorway to watch these guys and two girl singers perform, again a good solid sounding band, nice to hear some girl harmonies, they had a touch of the seventies punk / new wave feel about them. I was impressed with their standards.
Right just got enough time to get another beer in before Otherside come on stage. I moved in close to the front of the stage and got my camera out, out came Phil and the lads, Chris Mitton their former drummer stood by me and Mick Rix managed to squeeze in with another round of lagers, and we were rocking.
Armed with a new set with some new songs the lads carved out their magic to an appreciating audience. Otherside have this atmospheric feel to their ballad style numbers, I think this comes from them covering a couple of U2 songs. The overall sound sounded well good, well balanced and well proportioned, very professional lads.
After rounding everybody up and a quick chat with the band, Chris, Mick and me headed across town to the Roscoe, where Motus were playing. So in we went and me I went straight into the toilet, man I needed a p’, then I went into the concert room where the band were already into their second set of the night. We stood at the bar so we could consume more beer faster.
The band sounded like a top class act, a drummer that was solid ( Ely ), a bassist that could rock ( Mike Stringer ), a guitarist that was magic ( Graham Charman ), and a singer that was pure class ( Liz Charman ). There is not many bands around, including the big names, that can sound this good live, but this band were amazing. You may think that it is easy to mix guitar, bass and drums as well as get the vocals to sit perfectly on top, but their sound guy had it nailed.
Motus play a mixture of classic rock ballads, from Message In A Bottle by the Police to Motorhead’s Ace Of Spades, The Who and Led Zep. Then they play their own songs too, they sound like they are already rock classics and anthems, these songs are better written than most of the top bands, and performed better too. In fact I don’t know how this band was overlooked by the major labels, considering some of the bands that they have signed over the years that just curl up and die.
After the show Liz the singer came over to talk to me and gave me a copy of their album, Content. I must say that the CD and it’s packaging is totally professional, fantastic sleeve design. The actual recording is almost, and so close to, the perfect rock classic anthem and ballad production. Whether you are Sabbath, Purple, The Who or Meatloaf you would be happy with this production. I can’t find a bad word to say about these guys.
One thing that surprised me was that Liz still had a voice after singing with so much power, I reckon that it’s down to her total control of her vocal chords. Not many girls can sing this good, and not many men too. Charming Charman, the red rose of rock, what a great bunch of guys and I look forward to shooting you all soon.
( except for Liz, maybe she would like a lift home ).
I can dream,
Steve.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I DO IT ?
Gigs - 9.00pm start unless otherwise indicated
Please check with the venues before making your journey
May 2008:
Sat 10th Tut & Shive - Yeadon
June 2008:
Sun 8th New Roscoe - Leeds 3.00pm start
Fri 27th The Crimea Tavern - Castleford
July 2008:
Fri 4th New Roscoe - Leeds
Sat 19th Brewery Tap - Idle, Bradford
Sun 20th Waterloo Bowling Club - Huddersfield 3.30pm start
Fri 25th The Lion - Castleford
August 2008:
Fri 1st YORKSHIRE PUDDING RALLY - Hesley Wood Scout Camp, Chapeltown, Sheffield
Sat 2nd The Ringway - Horsforth, Leeds
September 2008:
Sat 6th Tut & Shive - Yeadon
Sun 28th The Lion - Castleford 5.30pm start
October 2008:
Sun 5th New Roscoe - Leeds 3.00pm start
November 2008:
Sat 1st New Roscoe - Leeds
Fri 7th The Mallard - Doncaster
December 2008:
Sat 13th Tut & Shive - Yeadon
Fri 19th New Roscoe - Leeds
Sat 20th Brewery Tap - Idle, Bradford
Wed 31st New Years Eve - TBC
also
also
Make a free website at Freewebs.com