JD Set - Band on the Wall, Manchester, 13/5/2011
by Dixie Ernill
published: 18 / 5 / 2011

intro
At the JD Set in Manchester, which was sponsored by Jack Daniels, Dixie Ernill watches Stone Roses/Primal Scream bass legend Mani and an assortment of other local musicians play an often superb set of Smiths' covers
As far as tribute nights go, this was pretty special as bass legend Mani recruited a collection of musicians to interpret the music of arguably Manchester's finest group, the Smiths. Opening proceedings were up and coming Northampton band the Moons who delivered fairly accurate readings of four classic singles in the shape of 'Ask', 'The Boy with a Thorn in His Side', 'Hand In Glove' and 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out'. Next up were Kid British who thrillingly put their own reggae/ska stamp on another clutch of well known numbers and clearly flying in the face of Morrissey's "Reggae Is Vile" statement from yesteryear. Whilst not a form of music I would normally warm to, hearing songs such as 'Girlfriend in a Coma' and 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable' re-invented in this way was an unexpected highlight. Having guested on a couple of the earlier tracks, Mani finally headed up the final act that featured Gary Briggs (former frontman of Haven) and the Enemy's Tom Clarke. Briggs worked his way through 'London', 'Shoplifters of the World' and a riotous take on 'Panic', while Clarke belted out a superb 'This Charming Man' and final track 'How Soon Is Now?' that despite featuring Smith's drummer Mike Joyce struggled to match up to the original. With free JD and cokes and souvenir T-shirts, this was a job well done. More information can be found at the www.thejdset.co.uk.
Picture Gallery:-




live reviews |
Troubadour, London, 5/7/2011 |
![]() |
Sarah Mwangi watches young Classic American Rock revivalists Filligar play an anthemic, yet often too familiar-sounding set at the Troubadour in London |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Cathode Ray - Interview
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Allan Clarke - Interview
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
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