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Cornhill Music: Newspaper Article
General News.
The Mid Wales music scene is now officially on the up. A talented array of artists and bands are forming and convalescing rapidly, and with the recent creation of ShAdy Knights Promotions, a locally run promotion company and event organisers, things are going from strength to strength. Such promotional companies are vital for a bands progression, they are needed to take the burden off the musicians themselves, so they can focus on their music and leave the stressful and time-consuming event organising down to others. On the horizon sometime in August we will see a 12hour music feast (12pm-12am) that will showcase 15 of the hottest bands in Mid Wales. So keep your eyes fixed on your Brecon & Radnor Express for the latest news and information on forthcoming events, plus post gig reviews.
Gigs in Focus
Last Friday (14th July) it was once again The Hostages who took centre stage; this time they overran the Cornhill Pub in Rhayader. Rumours of the previous performance at this venue, which saw the normally cloistered Cornhill filled to the rafters, preceded the Hostages, and another bumper crowd was expected. Particularly on the back of a vivacious advertising campaign that saw local towns overrun with flyers and leaflets distributed on mass by the bands growing army of “groupies”. The weather was kind on what turned out to be a glorious summer evening and a swift decision to move the performance outside to the Cornhill beer garden was made.
First thing that I noticed upon arriving at the Cornhill was the diversity in the crowd; this was an audience of all ages, highlighting the multi-generation appeal that the Hostages seem to possess. Supporting The Hostages, and giving a vocally strong set, was Tom Hopkins. Unfortunately I only caught the final few songs but I could feel a universal appreciation from those in attendance towards the young musician.
The Hostages ambled into position, yet exploded into life. Space was at a premium for the band (partly due to the location, mostly due to the swelling crowd) but that didn’t stop another energetic, lively and skilled set that once again showed that The Hostages, given their current rate of improvement and growing repute, are a band going places. Quickly it was apparent that these four guys thrived in the enclosed environment. Tom Jones merged crowd and band into one entity with some shrewd and witty, but not over the top, interaction. The most intriguing thing about the band is their ability to flip from covers to their own tracks yet still perform a smooth flowing set, quite a skill. James Cox shone, as always, if it’s not skintight jeans, then he’ll proudly be showcasing his almost unnatural affliction to Ji-Sung Park with some dashing attire. If truth be told James can be a focal figure on any stage, he possesses an aura when he performs. As lead singer for Last Chance for Day he gets to unleash this aura, when on stage with The Hostage he isn’t necessarily overshadowed while performing, but seems, perhaps sublimely though maybe intentionally, to hold back. Bass guitarist Fearnley Evison on the other hand done anything but! At one point he displayed catlike agility and an apparent love for mountaineering as he climbed his way to a lofty position upon a wall and strummed from a dizzy high, before again exhibiting his feline tendencies as he leapt back down, somehow managing to continue his coherent bass playing throughout his expedition.
At the halfway point an intermission was called as an off-colour Simon Boss-Johnson took on water. This gave time for Tom Jones to perform a brief solo acoustic set which included a cover of The Eagles hit, Hotel California. It was a good time to take stock of Tom Jones’ vocal talents. He can change his tone and its deliverance at the drop of a hat. From the arrogant Indie vibe reminiscent of Alex Turner to a choral which drew a subtle similarity to Don Henley, but it is when he sings on the Hostages own tracks, Last the Night, Another Day In The Valley and You Should Really Know, that he comes into his own.
The Hostages’ remerged as a quartet and it was time for “THE” Four Kicks cover, which is quickly gaining cult status, and when you see it for yourself you will know why. Boss-Johnson drank water while Tom Jones went solo, that I can assure as I got the drink for him myself, but you would have been led to believe he drunk something far more intoxicating. Upon the Hostages return all signs of Boss-Johnson’s ailment were gone as he once again exploded into life, and anybody present will know, for future reference, that the front row of a Hostages’ gig is a dangerous place to be. Steve Jones can vouch for that; he may well be filing a GBH charge as he was all but physically abused by the flailing tambourine that is now a synonymous part of Boss-Johnson’s Hostages legacy! The band continued, Artic Monkeys covers, classic Hostages tracks, a plethora of musical genres performed masterfully once again. A collective sound of appreciation greeted The Hostages as the set came to an end, yet it was the baying audience who had the last say as they implored one final encore by the band, who duly obliged.
The Hostages have a busy weekend ahead of them; they play at The Groe Gathering in Rhayader on Friday 21st of July and at Rhayader Football Ground on Saturday 22nd of July. Both performances are part of Rhayader’s carnival celebrations. And finally, it’s time to finish this Gig in Focus on a forlorn note; Fridays Hostages’ gig was possibly the last with James Cox as a permanent member of the band. If you are lucky you might catch a guest appearance, but James and The Hostages are going their separate ways, no doubt taking differing paths up the same slope. If The Hostages recent performances, and James Cox’s overall ability, are anything to go by, it won’t be long before both parties converge once more to place their individual flags of achievement at the zenith of Mid Wales’ music mountain of immortality.
Band in Focus
Every time we do a gig review we will do a small band profile that will hopefully provide a more in-depth look into the makeup of the band. Obviously it makes sense for this weeks Band in Focus to be Rhayader’s own up and coming communal rebels, The Hostages, who are an Indie / Pop / Rock outfit. Lead singer, guitarist and “lyrical mastermind” is Tom Jones. Simon Boss-Johnson is accredited as drummer, percussionist and vocalist. Fearnley Evison strums bass and gives backing vocals and the departing James Cox plays guitar while also offering backing vocals. All four members hail from the Rhayader area of Mid Wales. The Hostages sight their influences as The Beatles, The Kinks, Kings of Leon, The Hives, John Lennon, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and The Subways. They play a wide range of covers, and also have a growing catalogue of tracks they’ve penned themselves. They have a 3-track demo CD doing the rounds and an E.P titled You Should Really Know. Several of the members are keen football fans, and even try their hand at playing when they have the time. Their website contains samplers of their music, downloads, further information and all contact details, the address is www.thehostages.co.uk
Copyright of Kevin Martin 2006
Published in the Brecon & Radnor Express 19th July 2006
Post Edited By Kev2012, Jul/30/2006, 11:36 pm
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Jul/22/2006, 11:05 am
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