On
Sunday 19th December, despite the cold, the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge
supported a large turnout for the ‘Big Ass Hebden Bridge Christmas Concert
2010’. Organised by Patrick McCallion and Billy Painter, the evening was a
fundraising event for the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.
The
night was kicked off by ‘One Stop Railway’, a new band from Huddersfield and
first-timers to Hebden Bridge. Wearing Santa hats, they covered popular
favourites like Bloc Party’s ‘Banquet’ and Arctic Monkey’s ‘I bet that you’d
look good on the dance floor’. A very energetic band , their set was thoroughly
enjoyed by the crowd, leaving everyone ready for more musical talent.
Next
up were ‘Frontier Psychiatrists’ who opened with a festive song called ‘The Frontier
Psychiatrists are very jolly at Christmastime’. Featuring heavily distorted
guitar and quirky vocals, the Frontier Psychiatrists were an epic presence
onstage, with lead vocals Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe even leaping off the stage to
join in with the dancing crowd partway through the set. After their
performance, Freddy said “It’s been really fun, we’re really appreciative there
was such a good turnout.”
Following
them were the local favourites ‘Fishing For Bishops’. Described as ‘a heady mix
of Zorbic Ska and Foot-Stomping Klezmer’, Fishing for Bishops were truly
spectacular to watch and listen to. One by one, the band members took to the
stage and took up the starting tune with their instruments. This included a
four piece brass section (with trumpets, saxophone and trombone) a harmonica
and a accordion. The band are well known for involving the audience in their
gigs, and this time was no exception. Call and response melodies went down
particularly well, as did the jumping along with the drums - which literally
had the Trades Club shaking! It was Fishing For Bishops’ second time at the
Trades Club, and they brought several new songs with them, as well as old
favourites. A cover of “Call Me Home” - originally performed by ‘the Cat
Empire’, (one of the many bands which have inspired Fishing For Bishops) - was
a new addition to their repertoire. Isaac Rose (left) said “It’s just been
really good to get the whole of the band together and do a gig for charity” As
always, Fishing For Bishops were absolutely fantastic, getting the whole crowd
dancing along and joining in. The band has both a Facebook and a MySpace page,
and do many gigs in and around the Calderdale area, so they’re well worth
checking out.
Rounding
the evening off was a set by Patrick McCallion’s band “Small Words”. They did
covers of several very famous songs, from
MGMT’s ‘Kids’ to ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, a favourite from Glee. One of
the real highlights of the night was Patrick’s own song “Fresh in my Mind”
(available on iTunes and a total must-listen) which was a huge hit with all the
audience. Patrick also played solo for one of his songs, he really was an
exceptionally strong performer. Small Words finished with a rendition of ‘God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ but with a Rock style twist, a suitable finish to a
very well received and much enjoyed evening.
Thank you’s go to Patrick
McCallion and Billy Painter for organising the night, the Trades Club, all the
Band members for their fantastic performances, and the crowd for braving the
winter weather to come down and watch the event. A fantastic evening!
Joe Cotton
