Reflections on Audlem music scene

Audlem Online's music correspondent, Ian Haughey, has been reflecting on the local music scene. We will be publishing his thoughts over the next few days.

Here is his first instalment remembering a great gig with The Wash and Modern Alarms last year:

Sunday morning writes

Sunday morning writes, as I term these sketches, have played an important roll as snapshots back to the past as I roll on in years: the memory often has to be triggered into life these days. Once triggered though the sounds, atmosphere and the resulting emotions easily flood back.

As I look at the snowy landscape I can relive, in the true spirit of re-runs in other entertainment media, the opening music event to 2012. The 4th of February saw the snow fall on this Saturday night, the temperature dropped – but only outside the Scout & Guide Hall in Audlem. Inside the gigged rocked! For the handful of people that made it out on the one winter's night of 2012 – they had a ball.

The Wash

From the minute local band The Wash (pictured above) enticed you in with 'She's my religion', the temperature started to rise. With the main lights down, stage lights up, the Hall becomes transformed, front man Wayne Capper cut a formidable image through the laser lit haze, his unique vocal style drove through the band's set.

This band, which features local musicians, the Marshalls, anchoring the rhythm section, has really evolved in 2012 featuring in gigs around the northwest's music scene.

Modern Alarms.

One of the rising bands on the Manchester scene also played that night. With no introductions the stage erupted with Modern Alarms. (seen here to the right) anthemic 'Voodoo dancing monkey man', ask anyone who has witnessed this live in Audlem, it's a floor filler.

The band is tight, technically and emotionally, no doubt about the influences of Manchester bands that underlies Modern Alarms. sound, it's the added energy driven from their lyrics that metamorphosis front man Dom, creating memorable performances, whether an audience of one or thousands, this band performs and never fails to engage.

I recall I wrote "I'm not sure that this is reminiscent of one of those points in history, such as the legendary Sex Pistols gig at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall in June 1976: one of the most influential gigs of all time. Hundreds of people have claimed: "I was there." Given an estimated 35 – 45 people that night, but if ever it does, I will say "I was there".
Look out for Modern Alarms.

Ian continues his review tomorrow and through the week.

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