IN THE CITY 2006


Click here to see the Poster

Location: Blue Cat Cafe, 17 Shaw Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4AG

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
It’s that time of year again... IN THE CITY, the international music convention kicks off the last weekend of October and we’re pleased to announce a bill of bands and performers that demonstrate just how vibrant and diverse new music is in 2006. Lined up, for your delight, we’ve got eight of the best new bands picked up recently on the blue cat extra-sensitive radar - not to mention four of Manchester’s most talented solo singer songwriters.

Most of these bands are already attracting mutterings of approval and awe from the industry and we’re expecting full houses every night so make sure you get down early to get yourself comfortable if you fancy checking out some of these exciting new bands.

Full details of the acts and their stage times can be found here. Doors open 8pm. Admission is free to all delegates and the general public.
SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

BLUE THATCHER onstage 10.15pm Myspace


Blue Thatcher are a kick ass Manchester based 4 piece in the classic 60s/70s Rock tradition! Utilising haunting Piano and Hammond sounds, combined with rock/blues/and latin edged guitar sounds backed up by a hard driving rhythm section. Lyrically the songs are about everything from old friends, to love and modern culture.

First formed back in August 2003, when Patrick O'Hare joined forces with his keyboard playing best mate Dan Hutchings, recruiting talented local drummer Ste James. Chilean bass icon Jorge Escobar completed the line up in summer 2004.

The songs you will hear are taken from Blue Thatcher's new EP 'Wayne/Gentle Surprise', recorded at the SSR studios in Manchester, produced by up-and-coming producer, Cormac Donnelly. Recently recommended by Clint Boon (formerly of The Inspiral Carpets) on his XFM radio show, it has been predicted that these four lads from Manchester will achieve great things.

Defining their sound as a sublime amalgamation of Cock Rock and Tuff Jazz, with influences ranging The Beatles to Cream, from Pink Floyd to Supergrass, The Who to Brian Wilson, the lads have been setting the stage alight in venues nationwide. The release of their new EP will firmly cement Blue Thatcher's reputation as one of the bands to watch out for in 2006.

IN THE FUR onstage 9.45pm Myspace


Randy, James, and Chris started In the Fur in 2003. Each with different but similar backgrounds, all with the same goal. They are determined to craft this band into an unstoppable machine with legs, and make great albums that can be cherished and remembered like the albums we grew up with (Randy Goodman - singer/guitarist)

Beatles, Bowie, Stones, T-rex, ELO, Roxy Music, Floyd are just a very small list of In the Furs influences. However, the greatest influence on the band, has been each other. These three strangers, who are now as close as brothers, have started something real and special.

Anyone who catches an In the Fur show agrees, that this band brings back that energy and comforting feeling that good things are to come in the future of rock music.

In the Fur is currently working on the release of their first E.P., which was half recorded at the Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, New York along with producers Charlie Brocco and Ken Coomer (Wilco). The other half recorded at Metropolitan Studio (aka Ruff Nation) in Bryn Mawr, Pa., produced by Walt Bass and In the Fur. Its just a matter of time. The music speaks for itself.

CARLY MAC onstage 9pm Myspace


Carly Mac is a 24 year old singer song-writer. Based in Manchester, born in Edinburgh, she has been performing and writing for ten years. Carly has played in a number of bands, playing original and cover material, but the thousandth time she was asked if she knew American Pie, she finally snapped and has been finding solace at the Blue Cat's original music only Blue Monday ever since.

Heavily influenced by a major love affair with jingly jangly indie, Carly Mac's work brings together girlie love songs and melancholy melodies with rousing choruses.
MONDAY 30 OCTOBER

THE TENDER BOX onstage 10.15pm Myspace


The band was formed by four Mexican-American childhood friends who grew up obsessing over synth pop and post punk groups of the 80s. Los Angeles had a small yet cultish scene of devout anglophile music fans and The Tender Box boys were at the forefront of the new Indie scene. The lush and despairing decadence of Britpop appealed to their sensibilities and their own personal histories.

Henceforth, The Tender Box would continue to immerse themselves in a veritable fusion of musical tastes and seemingly disparate cultures. They fine-tuned their recipe for success blending the two worlds effortlessly.

They have headlined hipster hot spot Café Bleu, been praised by L.A.s legendary D.J. Rodney Bingenheimer on his "Rodney On The Roq" radio show, been frequently spun on Indie 103.1 and Sirius Radio and have even landed a primo licensing spot on a Canadian Chevy commercial which featured their song Mister Sister all before signing a record deal.

The quartet recorded their debut album, The Score, with with British producer Warren Huart (Hot Hot Heat, The Thrills) A veritable Brit Pop masterpiece with catchy choruses, broody dance beats, latin rhythms and a special breed of South East LA angst that only The Tender Box could conjure.

FRIDAY'S GHOST onstage 9.45pm Myspace


They number 5. They live and hide upon old Merseyside. They are Friday's Ghost.

Music they make and sounds they employ. Deep, huge, vast sounds; shrill, pleading, whining sounds. They use big, quiet noise and small, loud noise. All these they manipulate and maintain in order to bestow the Ghost with its form.

Guitars they have, and keyboards and synths, wine bottles and drums, and multiple voices. They use this plethora of merry-noise-making equipment to forge music via their basement. Did I mention the basement? The basement is good, the basement is sound.

They are young in years and old in days, poor of pocket, rich in enthusiasm.

So now you know about James, David, Joel, Alex and Tom. You know about their oft-mentioned basement, their musically-music and their predilection for good noise making. So listen, and know that all the world of Friday's Ghost is good. Because it is.

The band have supported Misty's Big Adventure and Gene Loves Jezebel as well as being played on BBC Radio Merseyside.

JAKE MATTISON onstage 9pm Myspace


Jake Mattison is a 27 year old singer/songwriter. After years playing in the bands Hooker, The Valves, The Acrobats and The Bug, it is only now, as a solo artist that his song writing talents have been allowed to flourish.

His songs are emotive and capture the imagination, but at the same time remain true to himself and his life experiences. Jake’s working-class roots and time spent with young offenders has provided him with the kind of ammunition that many of his contemporaries lack.

At a time when most commercial singer/songwriters are lamenting over lost loves, Jake’s songs cover a range of themes. Whilst capable of the heart wrenching love songs, he also strikes a blow for the darker side of acoustic balladry with songs like ‘Home Is Where the Hatred Is’ and ‘Black & White Stills’, about heroin addiction and murder respectively.

The recent addition of a string section (Semay & Alex from The Earlies) has provided another dimension and only serves to emphasise the mood of each song, whether adding a haunting chill or glowing warmth.

After spending the latter part of 2005 recording new material, 2006 could prove to be a significant year for Jake, with the imminent release of his new EP, ‘Black And White Stills,’ and several gigs planned around the country.
TUES 31 OCTOBER

MUG onstage 10.15pm Myspace


MUG have been together for 2 years and feature Stuart on vocals/guitar, Dan on lead guitar, Dave on bass and Public on drums. MUG play a cocktail of urban indie and suburban soul overlaid with observations on life in the 21st century, highlights to date have been a support slot with indie legends the "Undertones" and a live slot on Wythenshawe FM. Currently unsigned they have a self-produced demo CD available at their shows.

SOUND OF SUPERSTRING onstage 9.45pm Myspace


Combining the enigmatic with the charismatic, the pretentious with common sense, acoustic rawness with the massively anthemic, The Sound of Superstring could equally be described as Radiohead having a great day out, the Dixie Chicks with balls or the Flaming Lips just after Yoshimi had defeated the pink robots. Light-hearted one moment, screaming emotion the next, The Sound of Superstring are a musical rollercoaster ride more exhilarating than the Pepsi Max Big One. Based in Blackpool, currently playing venues all over the UK.

Their new album "Meanwhile, Back at the ranch..." is available at their gigs.

BECCA WILLIAMS onstage 9pm Myspace


I'm originally from North Wales which is my true home and I go back to those rolling Welsh hills as often as I can. I write and perform my own songs which I like to think of as kinda folky, occasionally bluesy and always good! I've been writing for about 8 years now and performing for about the same. Manchester has become my base, although I do branch out across the north west when I get the chance.

At 12 I managed to persuade my Dad to buy me a guitar for Christmas on the proviso that I actually played it. A few lessons followed, and it seemed there was no stopping me. At 14 I joined a school band as the singer, and soon enough was rocking out at many a concert. Around this time I discovered folk music and set about trying to write my own material. Inspiration came mainly from my surroundings, it's amazing what a few snow capped welsh mountains can do for you.

Ten years, a little more life experience and a whole heap of songs later and I'm now located in Chorlton, Manchester. Having made a few mates on the circuit and done more than my fair share of gigs, I am still writing and recording and generally having a whale of a time.
WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER

MILKTHIEF onstage 10.15pm Myspace


Late nights, early mornings and even later afternoons have brought us together. Friendships forged and cemented in the bars, cafes and strip clubs of Paris and on the turntables and tequilla's in Liverpool. So many late nights and a million laughs. Within all this there is the passion to make music and to explore it's possibilities and endless outcomes.

Milkthief is a growing and developing entity not a packaged made to fit commodity. Where we'll end up who knows but one thing's for sure we'll enjoy the ride and tip the waiter. We hope you like what we're doing and see we're not trying to just paint by numbers or follow the herd. We're doing our own thing in our own way and we hope it can touch some of you in the way other songwriters, musicians, poets and performers have influenced us and made a difference to our lives. We're all on a journey and this is a one way ticket no refunds and no last minute deals. So embrace it, live it and love it.

JOYCE onstage 9.45pm Myspace


Combining their many influences into a mix of electronica and acoustic songs - intimate and at the same time edgy when necessary, Joyce are a new band based in North West England.

Having completed their first EP – ‘Box Of Memories’, the band are gigging around Liverpool and Manchester, and recording a second EP using their own studio. Musically the band are keen to create dance music grooves, with the feel and freedom of playing in a live band.

With new songs being written all the time, the second EP will be available soon. Latest info, pics and new music can be found at myspace.com/joyceuk or you can email info@joyceband.co.uk

JASON DUNKLEY onstage 9pm Myspace


Jason Dunkley is an acoustic singer/songwriter based in Manchester and a Blue Cat regular. Influences include Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Stephen Fretwell, Prince and Stevie Wonder.