Life for the nightclubber was almost different in the late 60’s: a dance, a drink and at least one fight witnessed.

It was also a time when recording artists had it tough: especially in The Joiners.

So say Carole and Den, a couple who frequented this historic venue in 1967 and then experienced music’s waves of change as they swept through Southampton over the following decades.

I met them last Saturday evening during Grey Matter and they told me about the Joiner’s DJ who would destroy any single that the punters didn’t like.

He even had a special slot he could roll these offending items of vinyl down.

Its an amusing story and one which leaves you gasping to know which songs were literally a dance floor smash and if the DJ actually paid good money for these 45s of despair.

And to meet a couple still enjoying live music 40 years later is another reason to celebrate.

Although the slightly scary though that if you are 19 now, the equivalent will be going to The Joiners in 2051.

So will you fly by jetpack? And will the 80’s still be popular on every radio station?

Back in the present, there are two Christmas spectaculars for festive frolicking.

Delays are at The Brook supported by Sean McGowan and Oresteia.

Or you could check out Mintsouth’s Christmas party at Guava Bar and enjoy Heathward who recently won “Live Session Of The Year” on BBC Introducing.

Either way have a smashing Christmas!

Cult comedy show ‘The Inbetweeners‘ gave a very humorous, yet magnified sense of what life is currently like when you’re young and have undirected energy to burn on new experiences.

If the four lead characters had some mates in a band, it would have to be Southampton’s ‘SomaHigh‘.

Like that very successful programme they are ‘of the now’ – SomaHigh weave great riffs around lyrics that pick the meat from people’s lives.

For example in ‘Flashback Tuesday‘ you’ll hear: “Screaming after your ex while he’s having a fight with the wall.”
Flashback Tuesday by Soma High

You’ll find more gems in ‘Paper Chaser’ (hear below) and ‘Lo Fat’ and all of the other songs which appear on their debut album “Secrets That Didn’t Happen” (released November 7th)

This disc and digital download is only 29 minutes long but if you are into tight, indie flavoured new wave, with a touch of the pathos delivered by Brit pop, then you are bound to be playing these tracks repeatedly.

They are written by singer/guitarist Sean Strugnell who’s accompanied by Leon Azor on bass, Paul Wolf keyboards and Ryan Smith driving it along with the drums.

SomaHigh launch the album tonight at The Joiners and, as Ryan explained, “this headline show is incredibly special. We’re only giving Southampton fans first listen and will be selling advance copies along with limited edition Somahigh merchandise.”

It could be another classic Joiners evening when you have the opportunity to catch a band just before they explode onto the music scene.

Find out more at www.somahighlive.com

Paper Chaser by Soma High

First published in the Southern Daily Echo, Friday 30th September 2011

First published in the Southern Daily Echo, Friday 25th July 2010

You know you’re getting old when you drop your biro beside a mosh pit… and try to pick it up.

And when the mosh is in full swing you have to watch your back, front and ball point pen in The Joiners!

The whirling revellers beside me were propelled by Southampton’s ‘Kids Can’t Fly’ one of six bands competing in Southampton Takedown.

Up for grabs was the chance to support Welsh band ‘The Blackout’ at the Takedown Festival in Salisbury on 24^th July.

As a judge I was delighted to see all entrants approaching the event at full steam and, whatever time you walked in, you would have thought it was the headliners on stage.

But for me ‘Kids Can’t Fly’ ticked all the essential boxes: attitude, songs and entertainment.

With 50% of the vote coming from the audience their win was confirmation that many there agreed.

They mix Ska-punk with an infectious attitude that causes the body to pogo with a smile on the face.

Surprisingly they’re formed around a brass section of Ryan (trombone) and Dave (saxophone) who told me: “We’re trying to be something original, adding a horn section to a pop-punk backing, rather than copying bands of the past.”

The brass also gives a touch of class (and proper metal) and completes a line-up whose infectious energy engages the audience while playing songs that lodge in the memory.

This band might claim to lack the ability of flight but they definitely walk the walk.

With the first pressing of their debut EP almost sold out and a couple of great supports lined up things are looking good for the Southampton trio Broken Links.

And for front man Mark Lawrence it is even more bizarre as the band are quite new out of the box: “people can’t believe we’ve only been together since December”

Another aspect people might not believe is that their EP is a home recording which you’ll find suitably metal in an indie style.

“Based on the CD,” Mark told me, “people think we’re heavy, but we’re on the wavelength as Muse. We have a pop element but are also dark. Live you’ll find some songs that veer towards Joy Division.”

The four song collection can also be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon as the band use the site TuneCore.com.

Its a fee based service that gives you the opportunity sell your songs on these essential sites. All you have to do is create the buzz and Broken Links are putting every effort into that.

The next step is this Wednesday (29th April) supporting Scottish band ‘The Cinematics‘ at the Hamptons.

Then on May 22^nd it’s possible Mark’s gig of the year as they support ‘My Vitriol‘ at The Joiners.

“This was the band of my teenage years, their music has so much depth. So when I heard they were playing The Joiners I really hassled the venue for the gig.”

With such determination they’ll go far.