Pipettes
Girl group the Pipettes recently returned to live work in a new line-up after a long absence. At a show at Fibbers in York to promote their forthcoming second album 'Earth vs Pipettes', Russell Ferguson is captivated by their infectious harmonies and current lo-fi electronic disco sound
Levellers
At his first Levellers show in nearly a decade, Russell Ferguson, having seen the folk punks through the best and then more leaden circumstances, finds them back on form at a gig at the Picturehouse in Holmfirth
Flore
Russell Ferguson finds discordant all girl trio the Vivian Girls quickly becoming dull and sliding into routine at a gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds
Fight Like Apes
Russell Ferguson watches Dublin-formed art rockers Fight Like Apes play a confused and disjointed, but somehow enjoyable set at the Cockpit 3 in Leeds
Whip
Despite Mancurian electronic group the Whip's debut album, 'X Marks the Destination', being one of the better albums of the year, Russell Ferguson finds them soon running out of steam at a gig at the Leeds Trash
Killing Joke
At the Filmore East in New York, Russell Ferguson watches Killing Joke, with all four of their original members back together for the first time since 1982, play two very different sets over two nights
Tad / Pussy Galore
At a support date to the Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Cockpit in Leeds, Russell Ferguson finds much to admire in Seattle based alternative rock trio the Blakes' unique combination of indie, grunge and 60's rock
Ejectorseat
With a new single 'Not My Girl' to promote, Derby-based indie band band Ejector Seat recently toured Britain. Russell Ferguson at Trash in Leeds finds that, while still relatively unexperienced, they have the potential yet to push ahead of their contemporaries
John Parkes
In the atmospheric backdrop of England's longest running folk club at the Bull and Bottle in Bradford, Russell Ferguson watches acoustic singer-songwriter John Parkes play an passionate, charged show of mainly political numbers
Sons And Daughters
At the Leeds Cockpit, Russell Ferguson sees Sons and Daughters on tour to promote their latest album, 'The Gift', live up to all expectations and after years of waiting in the wings move to centre stage
Exile Parade
At the Roadhouse in Manchester, Russell Ferguson watches Warrington-based newcomers Exile Parade sound like they have been playing gigs together for years with an impressive set of 60's and Britpop-influenced rock
Young Gods
Russell Ferguson finds the energy and power of both durable Swiss rockers the Young Gods and new band Undercut's performances totally compelling at Fibber's in York
Dartz
Despite Middlesborough angular guitar trio Dartz being tired and exhausted after a long touring schedule, Russell Ferguson finds much to be impressed by in a short, but fiery set at the Leeds Packhorse
NFD
NFD is new the band of former Fields of the Nephilim members Tony Pettit and Simon Rippen. Russell Ferguson at the Limelight in Crewe wtaches them play an in impresive set, but finds tyhem occasionally relying too much on past glories
Rhombus
Rhombus are an 80's-influenced Goth band. In the unusual environment of the Mexborough Civic Hall, Russell Ferguson watches them, despite playing to a tiny audience, win over several new fans
Hundred Reasons
New Pennyblackmusic writer Russell Ferguson is impressed by punk/metal act Hundred Reasons' passion and energy at a gig on their latest tour at the Sheffield Leadmill