Luxury Stranger - Spanky Van Dykes, Nottingham, 15/11/2013
by Dave Goodwin
published: 14 / 12 / 2013
intro
Dave Goodwin enjoys an acoustic solo set from Luxury Stranger front man Simon York at old theatre Spanky Van Dykes in Nottingham
It is another cold night in Nottingham, but we venture out at the end of what has been a busy week. Tonight is something of a bonus night really. We climb the ample staircase into one of the city's lesser known venues, Spanky Van Dykes. The first thing to hit us is that it is dark. Very dark. But what a venue! Set partly in an old theatre, Spankys has a stage which is sideways to the crowd and a few feet above the bar, which is below to the left. At the back of the room is a painted caravan on top of what looks like an enormous goldfish bowl. The stage is even darker, and is overshadowed by a big round emblem above sporting the venue's name. We've been invited to an acoustic set from Simon York, the voice behind one of Nottingham's brightest and most rapidly developing acts, Luxury Stranger. Such is the ability and strong work ethic of Nottingham-born York that, while I have seen Luxury Stranger a few times now, I have been intrigued to hear what he sounds like on his own. In the band unit the strength of his vocals is plain to see, and he is totally at home in what the group are progressing on to. But what of the solo Simon York? His confidence knowing no boundaries, he wanders on the stage clutching a book of music sheets and a set list which he blindly ignores, opting to go with the flow in true York style. Looking totally at ease he cruises into 'Korruption', an older Luxury Stranger song from their 'Commitment and Discipline' album. It becomes clear straight from the off that he is just as at home on his own as he is with his band, and he slips in some dirty blues with a version of 'Nothing Holy', a single release from 2012. Next up he treats us to 'Pay the Price' which is a song he wrote for the first version of the third Luxury Stranger album, but has since been a staple of his prospering solo repertoire. Judging by his huge grin, he is enjoying himself as he tries out a new Luxury Stranger song 'A Triumph of the Heart' from his forthcoming third album,followed by a song from his solo album called 'The Path'. 'When the Lady Takes the Blame' is another York-penned Luxury Stranger song, which will again feature on the third album. He then triumphantly ends the set with something so new even the band themselves don't know it yet. A quick mention of the three other bands on the same bill. The night kicked off in proper Goth style with a duo from Leeds called the Witch Hunt, before Jordan Reyne, a solo female act from New Zealand, based in Birmingham followed. The headliners were the extraordinary Leeds-based March Violets. We caught up with Simon afterwards. "Looking back, it's actually quite surprising I hardly played much of my solo stuff - I did quite a bit of it at my last solo show the other night in Whitby." A statement that just compounds the fact that there is so much talent on show and so much more yet to be unleashed from York, who is one of Nottingham's best kept secrets with or without the Luxury of his Strangers.
Band Links:-
http://www.luxurystranger.net/index2.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/LuxuryStranger/
https://twitter.com/luxury_stranger
interviews |
Interview (2018) |
Nottingham-based alternative rock outfit Luxury Stranger speak to Dave Goodwin about their new line-up, intensive touring schedule and playing Europe. |
Interview Part 2 (2015) |
Interview Part 1 (2015) |
Interview (2013) |
live reviews |
(Supported by Desperate Journalist), Chameleon, Nottingham, 13/12/2014 |
Dave Goodwin watches Nottingham-based alternative rockers Luxury Stranger play a stunning set of classic and new material at the Chameleon in Nottingham |
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 6/12/2013 |
soundcloud
reviews |
Darkness Falls Upon the Light (2017) |
Long awaited third album from Nottingham post-punk act Luxury Stranger, which finds front man Simon York moving down darker roads than before but with occasional elements of light |
Face EP (2013) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
related articles |
Simon York: Feature (2014 |
In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin chats talks to Luxury Stranger front man Simon York about his favourite vinyl records |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart