CLOWNS Prince Albert Weds 2nd Dec
Featuring members of Brakes, The Poppycocks and Restlesslist, Clowns are without a doubt one of Brighton’s finest live bands, turning wherever they play into a sweaty, heaving mass. Oh and they rock like one mean bastard. For the uninitiated among you, expect peculiar and twisted tales set to dirty garage rock riffs, combining the rockabilly swagger of the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster with the pop sensibilities of early Squeeze. Disturbing yet darkly playful, if you haven’t had the live experience before then where the hell have you been? Prepare to be well and truly clowned. (IC)
FRANKMUSIK Concorde 2 Weds 2nd Dec
This South London 24-year old used to be a beatboxer known as Mr Mouth, but has since gone on to carve out a cleverly worked electro pop career. A social networking master, particularly Myspace, which he cleverly utilised to play a tour throughout the UK staying at nothing but his online friends’ (fans) houses on his travels. 2009 has been good to him, following the popularity boosting backing that comes with the BBC Sound Of 2009 poll, to Davina McCall, to the student Gay Pride association. (TR)
MADNESS Brighton Centre Weds 2nd Dec
This year’s warmly received concept album The Liberty Of Norton Folgatefinally gave Madness back some of the credibility they’d frittered away since their 90s reformation (the continuous nostalgia tours, Suggs’ questionable TV career). An intelligent, literate survey of London’s hidden histories, it unexpectedly aligned Madness with cultural chroniclers as diverse as Ackroyd, Wobble and Sinclair. It’ll probably be 80s hits all the way for this Christmas knees-up, but a deserved celebration nonetheless. (SH)
KING JAMES The Basement Fri 4th Dec
Making their debut Brighton appearance, King James is the new collaborative project between the Diamond Family Archive and Thirty Pounds of Bone. Theirs is a dusty, old-time sound – hymnal folk if you will, recalling tales of the weak, shamed and downtrodden but all in a strangely uplifting fashion with banjos, harmoniums, guitars and many voices combining in unison. If that wasn’t enough for you then an already spellbinding evening is made even more impressive with the inclusion of The Great Park in support. This is definitely one not to be missed. (IC)
PART CHIMP Engine Room Sat 5th Dec
South London’s greatest noise-punkers seem shy about revealing the full details of their composition, beyond chimp. Should we presume they are part human? No. The reason their make-up has not yet been fully disclosed is because much of it is flesh-eating Zombie. How else to explain new album Thriller, other than it being the sound of a band coming out of the closet dripping with shame and blood? You think they’re paying their last respects to Michael Jackson? Don’t be ridiculous. (BG)
PART CHIMP Engine Room Sat 5th Dec
Heavy sludge rock bastards Part Chimp have been ploughing a furrow of fuzzy amp sludge for the best part of the decade. Current album Thriller (presciently titled well in advance of the King Of Pop’s demise) continues their jokily offensive onslaught on the bass bins of the nation’s toilet circuit, rupturing guitars and eardrums alike. Support comes from Brighton’s Lamp, the expanded, electric trio developed from former acoustic guitar experimentalists -a+M. (SH)
MUM Concorde 2 Mon 7th Dec
Experimental Icelandic troubadours Múm (‘moom’) are at the forefront of cinematic soundscape, heavy with soaring harmonies and a warm, rich electronic thread. However, numerous line-up changes, most notably their former lead singer, have seen the band inevitably changing their style in a well-received musical departure capturing their life-affirming performances in their live show. Electronic washes, haunting melodies and whimsical cries go towards creating something of a religious experience. (AS)
STEPHEN MALKMUS Komedia Tues 8thDec
With the Pavement reunion dates fast approaching, the calls for Famethrowa and Date With Ikea promise to be deafening tonight. So did the scrum for a comeback get too loud for the band’s forever contraryfrontman or is it just (BG) that views their return with much cynicism? It’s almost as if the band planned it a decade ago, knowing Malkmus would have half the colour, vibrancy and wit on his own. Give it up man and bring on the major leagues. (BG)
BOB MOULD Concorde 2 Weds 9th Dec
If you don’t know this artist then you may well know the rippled influence of his work on many others, ranging from REM, to Pixies, to Nirvana. Emerging out of the 70s punk scenes, he first formed Husker Du, who remained something of a cult band. Later on he returned with a new group, Sugar, and released one of the best-kept secrets of 1992, the album Copper Blue. Investigate his back catalogue and you’re likely to find all the missing links of your rock collection. (TR)
LITTLE DRAGON Jam Weds 9th Dec How do the Swedes do it? It must be something they put in the pop, because with many of us still being peeled from the ceiling in the warm afterglow of Fever Ray’s self-titled album of the year contender, here comes Little Dragon. Fellow Gothenburg residents, the four-piece are less wired and weird, more Gang Gang Dance if they were fronted by a Japanese Lykke Li. They may be Little but tonight you can expect to see the Dragon roar. (BG)
LIGHTNING BOLT Audio Fri 11th Dec
Back in the UK once again at the behest of ATP (this date falls between two successive weekend appearances at the festival), Lightning Bolt shoot along to Brighton to melt more minds at Audio. The duo’s preference for setting up on venue floors rather than on stage can make it impossible to see anything more than flailing fan bodies from a few feet back, but their trademark ultra overdriven noise attack is devastating wherever you stand. (SH)
LIGHTNING BOLT Audio Fri 11th Dec
Imagine being a roadie in Lightning Bolt, Rhode Island’s, if not the world’s, greatest demented guerrilla noise duo. OK, so you’ve only got a couple of instruments to look after but both have to be set up in the middle of the crowd. Would you tell an Oasis fan he’s gonna have to move or you will have the support act’s kit erected on his foot? And as for cleaning out the drummer’s spit-drenched mask every night. Well, don’t get me started. (BG)
STATUS QUO Brighton Centre Fri 11thDec
With Chas & Dave (RIP) no longer, who next to stagger on pointlessly hoping for a knighthood? Step forward Status Quo, who rocked Glastonbury to within ten miles of its life this summer and are still the real deal, apparently. “What always comes to mind is Oasis”, said Francis Rossi recently. “Bored shitless they look. I’m not saying they’re a bad band, but that to me isn’t rock’n’roll.” Exactly. Liam Gallagher should go bald immediately, save for a nasty rat’s-tail. BG
ALTERNATIVE TV Engine Room Sat 12th Dec
Mark Perry’s first wave punk group were seminal in the true sense of the word, sowing seeds in the undergrowth of British culture that continued to blossom in the intervening decades. ATV’s classic early singles served as templates for many 80s garage bands, while the links Perry made between post-punk experimentalism and the free festival scene spread ATV’s influence wider still. A line can be drawn from Perry’s groundbreaking Sniffin’ Glue ‘zine to the SOURCE in your hand too. (SH)
LILY ALLEN Brighton Centre Sun 13thDec
We’ve all dreamt about pop stars. SOURCE used to spend as much time hanging out with Bono as he did his parents as a kid. Thankfully, brain surgery means that doesn’t happen anymore. More recently, Lily Allen has become a companion in the land of nod. Much vilified for her supposed nepotistic rise to fame and lack of talent, we’d happily dismiss both accusations, particularly if it gave us another shot at an illicit fumble tonight. Yes, the girlfriend knows. (BG)
THE BOOKHOUSE BOYS Freebutt Sun 13th Dec
Like a blood-soaked Tarantino soundtrack, the ethereal hypodermic needle that resuscitates here comes way of nine members, two drum kits and an orchestral brass section. The Bookhouse Boys have perfected a sound of intense theatrical dramatics, laden with passion and sensual demands. The haunting noir sound has it all, shining with mariachi trumpets, ebullient jittery skiffle beats and psychobilly echoes that transcend structured reality. Catch them at a calm moment and then brace yourself for a storm. (AS)
THE HORRORS Concorde 2 Sun 13th Dec
Say what you like about these five posh boys with their trademark winkle pickers, black goth clothing and bowl haircuts, but there’s no denying their 2009 sophomore album, Primary Colours, turned out to be one of the surprise stars of the year. Critical acclaim was followed by a Mercury Music prize nomination and a corner was turned in the wider national opinion. We fully expect to see the usual committed lookalike fans joined this time around by a batch of well-earned new followers. (TR)
PARAMORE Brighton Centre Thurs 17th Dec
Featuring heavily on the movie soundtrack to the teenage literary sensation of our time (Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series, of course), this gig by well scrubbed US college rock kids Paramore is inevitably long sold out. The combination of Meyer’s celibate vampire tales and Paramore’s moral metal (the band are proud Christians) makes up the highly acceptable face of pseudo-alternative American culture these days. Parents, you have nothing to fear. Rock fans, run to the hills. (SH)
THE PADDINGTONS Freebutt Thurs 17thDec
The best things in life are free and, whilst society remains in the grips of the credit crunch, such clichés should be embraced. This is made so much easier by The Paddingtons’ decision to release single Shame About Elle, from second album No Mundane Options, for free and then celebrating with a fully-fledged tour. While Germany banked their November dates, December sees the band back on their native soil. You will of course have to pay for your ticket… (AL)
BAD MANNERS Concorde 2 Sun 20th Dec
They’re back…again! Well Buster Bloodvessel, (only original member) is certainly still around. Forming in the mid 70s amongst the 2-Tone explosion, Bad Manners somehow crept between the gaps, albeit with some super big hits. Although seen as somewhat of a novelty act in their heyday that doesn’t take away from the impressive back catalogue. And so pushing their latest greatest hits collection Walking In The Sun I’m sure the bald, big-bodied Buster will no doubt revel in another chance for live obscenity. (AS)
WORDS BY BEN GILBERT, IAN CHAMBERS, BEN GILBERT, STUART HUGGETT, AMY LAVELLE, THE RECOMMENDER, ADAM STRANDT