December, new year and beyond gigs in York

DECEMBER AT FIBBERS

Tue 05 - X-SEED + The Nosedivers + Duckporn
Excellent thrash-metal outfit now expanding in to hip-hop samples
territory as well. Influenced by System Of A Down and Helmet, you may have
caught 'em here supporting Napalm Death or standing in for The Almighty a
couple of weeks ago. £4 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113437012
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Thu 07 - NOEL FIELDING - PRESENTED BY TONY'S COMEDY CLUB
Born in 1973 in Westminster hospital, Noel Fielding spent most of his
childhood being chased by butterflies and moths who viewed him as a king.
At university he regularly dressed as Jesus to entertain the masses
(performing the CanCan on the cross). On stage he is a blur of boney-arsed
looseness immersed in gaily coloured hipsters, skimming the stage like a
shaved bush baby, spurting inexplicable tales of back to front rams legs,
underwater gunfights and Spanish fullstops on mopeds. His delivery is that
of an excited small child trying to impress an adult. In 96, Noel toured
with THE NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE COMEDY NETWORK, Britain’s biggest chain of
comedy clubs, and was a finalist in THE DAILY TELEGRAPH OPEN MIC AWARD,
Britain’s biggest comedy talent search. 1997 saw him starring alongside
Stewart Lee and Jenny Éclair on C5’s new stand up show THE COMEDY NETWORK,
starring in the first series of C4’s new stand up comedy show GAS and
headlining Edinburgh Festival's THE COMEDY ZONE (previously showcasing
Harry Hill and Mark Lamarr). The next year, Noel teamed with Julian
Barratt to write and star in their own show The Mighty Boosh at The
Edinburgh Festival which was a sell out success. Described as “the biggest
comic buzz at this years fringe” (Sunday Times), they won The Perrier
Award for Best Newcomer AND Noel was invited to perform at the world
famous MONTREAL ‘JUST FOR LAUGHS’ COMEDY FESTIVAL. Performing a three week
run at the prestigious SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL gained Best Comedy Of The
Year and The Independent On Sunday Critic’s Choice Award for Best Comedy,
as well as a Perrier Award Nomination in 1999. In addition, Noel Fielding
appeared alongside Robert Carlisle and Johnny Lee Miller in Plunkett &
MacLeane. And so to 2000, and Noel has just returned from the 2000
Edinburgh Festival where he performed AUTOBOOSH with Julian Barratt with
whom he has been commissioned to write and star in their own series for
BBC Radio. Following their success at THE SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL, Noel and
Julian were invited to return to Australia to perform at the prestigious
MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL in April. Their show was a sell out success and
went on to win them The Barry Humphries Award, Melbourne’s equivalent to
The Perrier Award, them being the first international artists to ever do
so. £9 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113257373
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Fri 08 - DISPOSABLE HEROES - METALLICA TRIBUTE + Divided By Zero Formed in
1980, Metallica were greatly influenced by DiamondHead, Iron Maiden, Angel
Witch, Samson and Saxon all of whom were part of The New Wave of British
Heavy Metal - at it's peak between 1979 and 1982. Their third album,
Master Of Puppets with it's inexorable, intense and melodic sound, forever
changed the face of "thrash metal" and an 8-minute track gave tonight's
band their name. Featuring anything up to TWO HOURS of Metallica Music
covering material from 1983's debut Kill 'Em All right through Master of
Puppets, …And Justice For All, Metallica, Load and Reload. Metallica are
the biggest rock band in the world and this North-East act, which has
appeared here twice already, more than does them justice - recommended! £4
advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=109314 or
from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Sat 09 - WATERSON CARTHY + Andi Aitchison
What a line-up. Ex-Steeleye Span and Albion Country Band member Martin
Carthy MBE and his family have bestrode the folk scene for decades. He
appears here with equally-revered wife Norma Waterson and daughter Eliza
Carthy who you may recall played here with her band last year shortly
after narrowly failing to scoop a Mercury Prize with her album "Red Rice".
The band is joined by Tim Van Eyken. £7.50 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=109348 or
from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Mon 11 - THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET + Brighton Beach / Modern Life DJs Tony
Pass & Grant Schofield
Ten years before anyone imagined what Propellerhead or Jamiroquai might
sound like, JTQ were producing sleazy cop-show tunes with a smart mixture
of Doorsy B3 Hammond organ, some big old trumpets and a sizeable smirk.
You don't even need to close your eyes to imagine the smell of burning
rubber on tarmac, the wail of sirens and the screech of getaway cars
taking corners on two wheels. These jazz-friendly Mod-squad groovers whose
music coined the term "acid jazz", collaborated with Tom Jones on "Looking
Out My Window" as well as appearing on the Austin Powers soundtracks.
James Taylor's soul-jazz and stinging instrumental brassy funk style
started with mod-revival band The Prisoners and continues to this day with
Spring 2000 release The Penthouse Suite. WE HAVE SIX JTQ ALBUMS TO GIVE
AWAY. JUST ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION "What make of organ is JT famously
associated with?". EMAIL YOUR ANSWER to fibbers@fibbers.co.uk. Draw held
on Tuesday morning. £10 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113467552
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Tue 12 - THE ALEXANDER KING PROJECT + Matrix + Walker
Alexander King's three piece AKP continue to occupy the dangerous ground
between art and rock with this performance in which they promise "nothing
less than total war" on apathy. Musically the power of Muse meets the
focus of Placebo and the melody and inventiveness of Mansun. Experimental
without sacrificing tune and saying more in a three-minute pop song than
many bands can in an 11 minute opus, AKP promises to be be succinct,
powerful and confrontational and to bring intellect back into rock in a
way that is accessible and thought provoking. So, if you're bored with
sloping-forehead swagger rock or pretending you've had a pre-frontal
labotomy to be cool, you'll dig this ...

Wed 13 - THE JOHN ELLIS BIG BANG
An explosive 12-piece maverick and definitely unstuffy jazz/soul/r'n'b
ensemblethat burst on to the UK jazz scene in 1995 with music ranging from
Ellington to Sinatra to Zappa. John Ellis is a multi-instrumentalist,
Fender Rhodester, analogue keyboard player, bass player, guitarist and
English teacher, and has played keys for over 24 years - with influences
from Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone. He plays everything from jazz to
contempory, funk to classical, and plays with Hamish Stuart (Average White
Band) and Snake Davis. JEBB inhabit a world of infectious, hip swaying
grooves, of full on funk; they’re righteous blues preachermen, soul
brothers with Afro-Cuban sensibilities and a whole lot of swing. Three
saxes, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion. Imagine
Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, John Lee Hooker and The Art
Ensemble of Chicago all in a band together. Add a couple of vocalists and
now imagine this lot jamming with Zappa or Hendrix. That’s the JEBB sound.
Old style jazz spirit enlivened by modern attitude. And, if you’re
wondering why you haven’t heard of JEBB for a while, it’s because these
guys are so heavily in demand doing their ‘day jobs’, with the likes of
Primal Scream, Tom Jones, US3, Brand New Heavies, Herbaliser, Stan
Sulzman, Don Weller, Chaka Khan and Hefner. Jazz UK have pretty much got
JEBB sussed, ‘Good music – and great fun too’ £5 advance - tickets
available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=112956091
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Thu 14 - STONE COLD
Formed 6 years ago and progressing from covers to originals with two CD
releases "About Time" (Winner Best Reader's Demo Guitarist Magazine) and
"Audiogasm" (available in major chain stores including Virgin) this
explosive Manics/Terrorvision-esque rock band is ripping up venues. During
the writing of their last CD (recorded at Fairview with John Spence), at a
gig scheduled for the London Astoria they lost out by just 6 votes to
represent Britain in the European Finals of Emergence 2000. Phoenix-based
Dreamscape Records have signed the boys to a distribution deal and they
are heading over the pond in February. You may have last caught the band
here supporting the evergreen Dumpy's Rusty Nuts when, by popular opinion,
they blew the venue away

Fri 15 - CLOSED FOR PRIVATE PARTY You too can have us all to yourselves.

Sat 16 - THE CHAMELEONS + Kings of Hong Kong
Back in the early 80s, this band troubled the brickwork in venues across
the country with their emotionally fraught pre-stadium rock that was years
before its time. Guitarists Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies manufactured
expansive choral riffs, while drummer John Lever hammered the tom-tom and
snare as if trying to knock his drum-kit into a more interesting shape.
With singer-bassist Mark Burgess adding resonant vocal pleas and strong
basslines, the Chameleons made a defiant noise but, in the dandified 80s,
some blamed the band's eventual demise on a lack of image. They were just
four ordinary-looking blokes in drain-pipe jeans and tatty denim jackets.
Judging by a recent week-long comeback residency at the Manchester
Witchwood run by innovative promoter "Pod", their awesome live display of
power and delicacy hasn't been tempered by a 14-year absence. Mark Burgess
still delivers every word as if his life still depended on it and their
irreproachable two-hour sets were all about this nerve and bone. Yes, they
were one of the best bands to come out of Manchester long before
'Madchester' and the Stone Roses / Happy Mondays roadshow. Sometimes
nostalgia can be well worth the wait - their music mattered, their gigs
mattered, and - best of all - they meant what they said. Rock Trivia: The
Chameleons first appeared in York at the Tony Mallett-organised York Rock
Festival on the Knavesmire supporting Echo & The Bunnymen, Spear of
Destiny and Sisters of Mercy. (SOLD OUT)

Sun 17 - THE SURF SLUTS
Starting as an occasional party band but mutating in to a full-blown Dick
Dale meets The Damned bash. Hirsute lead singer Fez is the opposite of
Brian Wilson but surfs-up with plenty of a-umma-mow-mow a-umma-mow-mow and
glorious rock'n'roll theatre. Recommended.

Mon 18 - YCAT FASHION DEPARTMENT LAUNCH PARTY
York College of Arts and Technology HND students launch party. This is a
private function with fashion show and DJ. Advance tickets available from
the organisers.

Tue 19 - COGNAC
This just in, more details to follow ...

Wed 20 - COASTA + Embassy + DJ John Walker
The musical equivalent of a white-wall tyred Lambretta, their first CD EP
was produced by Shed Seven’s Alan Leach. Countrywide gigging (Sound
Republic, Dublin Castle, Manchester, Leeds etc..) has built this stylish,
early 70s Americana Mod-meets-Madchester act a fierce live reputation -
also witnessed by a packed UK Play Tent at Leeds Carling Festival 2000.
With a guitar-driven sound drenched in vocal harmony, they look like mods
and play like gods ...

Thu 21 - CLOSED FOR PRIVATE PARTY You too can have us all to yourselves!

Fri 22 - ANNUAL MOTORCYLE ACTION GROUP DINNER AND DANCE
Annual jelly and ice cream beano from our leather-clad chums in The
Motorcycle Action Group and, contrary to opinion in some quarters, a nicer
more well-humoured bunch of folk you couldn't wish to meet. The raffle is
always a bit boring but the company and music are matchless (no pun
intended). You can purchase advance tickets from members or pay on the
door, doors open 7.30pm, late bar. It genuinely is an excellent night!

Sat 23 - TUNG + Police Chief (tbc)
Local hip hop crew Tung, fresh from a Radio 1 Evening Session 'and Radio
One requested Xmas carol cover, (We Three Kings) return for their 'Xmas
Rapping' feature which also happens to be their 100th live show. As you'd
expect from such a milestone gig, a top bill is lined up, including Scots
beat-meisters 'Police Chief' who come across like the b*st*rd offspring of
Propellerheads/FatBoy Slim/Bentley Rhythm Ace/Happy Mondays... they're
sure to get some booty shakin...Tung are, if you didn't already know, the
mightiest thing to hit York in recent years and it's only a matter of time
before the whole country has to endorse the words of Kerrang - "the best
live band in Britain". They supported The Bloodhound Gang and played to
nearly 15000 people earlier in the year. Tung's heavy hip-hop brew reminds
of Beastie Boys/Cypress Hill but draws on so many more influences from
Hendrix to present day. John Fryer (Nine Inch Nails/White Zombie) has just
produced their new material, and 'Badmouth' will be included on Metal
Hammer's January cover mount CD (out Dec 1st). Here's what Kerrang! has to
say, " UK's best kept rap core secret … a corrosive mix of Korn, Beastie
Boys, Cypress Hill … elastic spaz dance rhythms …" And Melody Maker, "The
coolest, funkiest, most insane rap-punk-metal-techno outfit in the UK …
get into them now and you'll look cool as •••• when they're headlining
Wembley in a few years …mobbed by crowds the likes of Slipknot would cream
for..." £4 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113476014
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Sun 24 - THE NOSEDIVERS HELP THE NEEDY GIG WITH THE NOSEDIVERS + Monkey
Jam
You couldn't take 'em home for tea with your mum. It's not been safe to
stand within ten feet of the stage when they're playing. They are the
re-incarnation of the early Pistols and you take your chances as to
whether it's all going to fall apart on the night. They're also what
rock'n'roll used to be all about but A FATAL FLAW HAS BEEN DISCOVERED!
Yes, a small beating heart has been discovered deep within Dan's hat and
the boys are doing this gig for charidee. If you bring foodstuffs for
redistribution amongst the needy on Xmas Day you can get in without
parting with the readies, otherwise it's £4 (and don't bring just a small
tin of My Mum's Beans, it won't work). On a serious note, doff your cap to
this gesture at exactly the right time of year. Respect.

Tue 26 - SKOOL DISCO WIV BRYUN STUBBZ
foLLowinG on fRomm last yeeRz suKsessfuLL ivEnt and agaYN OrgUnized bi
Bryun STubz itz Mebbe kwIte chEEp if yOR in yoonIForm lIke sort of yu no
chekkIT owt Big Up no woT I'm sAYing waZzuUuup

Fri 28 - MATRIX + Tuxedo Hurricane + Griffin's Bridge
This just in, more details to follow ...

Sat 30 - HUGE
The greatest party band in the world ... probably. Advance tix purchase
for this gig is almost compulsory as it will sell out. £6 advance -
tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113485305
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue.

Fri 31 - THE LO BEAMS + Breathe
A re-run of probably one of the best ever New Year's Eve gigs at Fibbs in
1998. A terrific atmosphere - what else can you say when Fibbs is on top
form? There's really nowhere else quite like it. Advance tix are now on
sale and purchase is strongly recommended. LIGGERS BEWARE - NO GUEST LIST.
£5 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113437025
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue



JANUARY AT FIBBERS

Fri 05 - CLOSED FOR PRIVATE PARTY
You too can have us all to yourselves and it doesn't cost a fortune!

Sat 06 - THE GROWLERS
What a seamless groove this blues band has, they have a great toe-tapping
feel to their music and definitely no pretentious stuff going on -
thoroughly recommended. You'll have already caught them at Fibbs
supporting Wilko Johnson and Aynsley Lister.

Wed 10 - THE WEBB BROTHERS
Justin and Christian Webb are the offspring of the lyrically legendary
Jimmy "MacArthur Park" Webb and music is in their blood and their bones.
But from the space age sub-psychedelic swamp of the opening and title
track of their 1999 debut album Beyond The Biosphere, through the Super
Furry Animals-style shamble of Sour Grapes to the mammoth and magical
climactic moment of I'm Over And I Know It, a journey into their world of
sound is a good bit stranger and less green than the pastures of MacArthur
Park. The Webb Brothers' famous father Jimmy was a well-respected
songwriter for the likes of Glen Campbell (Wichita Linesman) and actor
Richard Harris and they exhibit the same penchant for heartbreaking tunes.
'Cold Fingers' combines their all-American vocals over a frantic rock
backdrop whereas on the other side of the coin, on 'What Have We Become',
the brothers' voices join tearfully to send hearts-a-melting. With a
succession of Justin's beautifully polished changes and Christian's pained
vocalising, what emerges is a reanimation of the spirit of a greater
songwriting era. £5 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=112954040
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Thu 11 - SIZER BARKER + Four Day Hombre
Imagine the tunefulness of Beck and fuse it with a blend of Lou Reed joy
(!) and a beat-up Bowie - you have the new sentimentality. Carl Brown
(vocals/nylon/shrute), Tim Bruzon (acoustic & electric bass/recorder),
Chris Jago (drums/zither/bass) and Maria Hughes (bass) make "music made
from the bits everyone threw away , funky short wave not smart FM -
cutting edge low fidelity". Sizer Barker began life in Nov 99 at a
Liverpool drum 'n' bass night and now the vibe has fallen in to place and
everyone knows it . Now attracting producers , pluggers , labels and
publishers they have secured Simon Mayo’s Song of the Week, student radio
network coverage and Radio 2 and Virgin Radio Single of the Week.

Fri 12 - THE T & B SPECIALISTS
Established, local acid-jazz and funk outfit. Very James Taylor Quartet,
The Funky Meters, Mother Earth, Brand New Heavies and Corduroy etc…

Sat 13 - KIM DOLPHIN + Probemeister + Strudel
At the close of ' 98 by Anton Witter (vocals/keyboards/programming,
ex-Groovetwins) and Roger Griffiths (guitar, ex-FMB) the seed came to
fruition in mid ' 99 with the line up being completed by Rich Deardon
(bass) and James Hunt (keyboards). Influenced by the likes of Gary
Numan/Depeche Mode/Mansun/NIN, Kim Dolphins music is "full" and awash with
dark synths, heavy loops, industrial noise and choppy guitars - best
described as "dark pop".

Mon 15 - MENISCUS + to be confirmed
Organised by Mary Brandon and featuring entirely bands 16yrs and under.
Please note that soft drinks only will be served!

Tue 16 - THE FRANK AND WALTERS + 5'4"
Six or seven years ago three charming young blokes wandered over to London
from Cork, blabbered on about The Beatles, The Beatles and yet more
Beatles, banged out a string of indecently poppy records and were
supported by Suede and Radiohead. And then as if destined to become indie
cult figureheads they vanished as sleekly as they arrived. The funny thing
is that were the Frankies' debuting now we would be reaching for the
Britpop Bible Of Oblivion and proclaiming them to the heights. ...
Produced by PJ Harvey's old producer Flood (also Smashing Pumpkins' Melon
Collie album), they might be slightly more muscular and marginally less
barmy than before, but that doesn't mean they're about to relinquish their
grip on the simplest of choruses, the sneakiest of guitar solos or the
jauntiest of melodic joys. Even All Saints recorded a version of The Frank
and Walters' 'Paradise' …

Fri 19 - WHOLE LOTTA LED
Formed in 1993, Whole Lotta Led are quick to say that they are not a
look-a-like band, but they are definitely a sound-a-like band. You'll get
the whole range of Led Zeppelin music in a two hour show including such
classics as Over the Hills And Far Away, Black Dog and Whole Lotta Love;
moody 12-bars and the kind of rockers that had the head bangers in full
hair-flying mode back in the Seventies. Singer Lee Addison IS Robert Plant
and guitarist Nick Ferris handles the Jimmy Page slot with ease combining
the buzzy, fat sound of Zep IV with the echoey rawness and urgency of I
and II. Geoff Hunt reproduces the John Paul Jones thump and also plays
keyboards on a spot-on version of Stairway to Heaven. This band is up
there with the great tribute acts of the UK, Limehouse Lizzy included!

Sat 20 - Closed for private party

Fri 26 - :HERE MAGAZINE PRESENTS "A MADONNA TRIBUTE EVENING FOR CHARITY"
Organised by :here magazine in aid of the registered metal health charity
York & District Mind. Late bar. More details as soon as we have 'em but
expect it to be similar to the excellent Shed Seven Tribute Charity Night
held at Fibbers when various performers were judged on their individual
interpretations of the Shed anthems. A fantastic light-hearted Madonna
evening with a serious intent but lots of good music and fun.


FEBRUARY AT FIBBERS

Thu 01 - MEDICINE HAT
Hard-edged London "outlaw-country" band genuinely rooted in their music
and it's history. Indeed, their latest album 'Bone Dry' was conceived
during a trip of discovery to the Indian reservation of the US northern
plains. This ain't no Garth Brooks line-dancing fodder (!) and rock fans
will enjoy their raw power and dazzling musicianship. You may have caught
them here a few years ago supporting Albert Lee, no less, when they did a
version of Country Boy which rivalled the master. Listeners to Bob Harris
and Johnny Walker will also be familiar with this excellent act. Details
of their releases and others in a similar vein can be found on the
maverick label Way Out West.

Fri 02 - BLUERYDER
This just in, more details to follow ...

Sat 03 - THE BOBAK CUT
The Bobak Cut are creating quite a stir at the moment as now, more than
ever, they seem to have their own sound with final piece in the puzzle -
guitarist Simon Keddy. The band say "When he joined the electricity was
immediate and the finite balance between subtlety and strength had finally
been found, and with stunning results". Long summer nights composing and
rehearsing new material at The Jam Factory has produced "contemporary
guitar music not dissimilar to the The Verve and The Stone Roses, but with
an edge reminiscent of 70s rock n roll. The folk tinges and ballsy bluster
of Led Zeppelin spring to mind".

Sat 10 - THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTHMARTINS
As the name suggests, a tribute to the music of The Beautiful South and
The Housemartins, both of Hull's finest. And what a good band, too - we've
heard the stuff. Complete with excellent female singer, all the
arrangements and the feel are intact. Here's what Times journo Mike
Pattenden had to say, "You're nobody in the '90s music scene unless you
have your own tribute band, and tonight the Beautiful South have come down
to Putney's Half Moon to meet the group that pays homage to them. They
play versions of both Hull bands' songs, something The Beautiful South
flatly refused to do with The Housemartins' material. The harmonies are
tight, the voices blend together nicely and the crowd applaud. Paul
Heaton, stood at the bar, applauds loudest of all. The Beautiful
Southmartins are good value, and their counterparts find it hilarious (and
flattering) that anyone else should bother performing their songs." The
band has an enormous repertoire from both acts including Old Red Eyes is
Back, A Little Time, Perfect 10, Don't Marry Her, Rotterdam, Let Love
Speak Up Itself, You Keep It All In and I'll Sail This Ship Alone from The
Beautiful South. Old Housemartin faves Caravan Of Love, Happy Hour and
People Get Ready are there as well as lots of other material. In fact, as
this is being written we're reminded again just how much quality material
Paul Heaton is responsible for. £5 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113466213
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Wed 14 - TUNG + Breathe + The Surf Sluts
There's a chance you may not believe this line-up but it's happening.
Happy Boithday Mugsy, bring a violin or a red rose, it's up to you.
Possible one of the most explosive (and entertaining) local band line-ups
of recent years. Forget the candlelit dinner - bring her here and you'll
have more fun.

Fri 16 - INERTIA CRISIS
Explosive Muse,Bush and Nirvana outfit, lots of press and record company
interest. Just in, more details to follow.

Sat 17 - NO SURPRISES - RADIOHEAD TRIBUTE + Zane
Back by demand from their previous two gigs here. Uncannily accurate but
it's not just about playing the right notes (which they do perfectly to
every nuance), this band seems to give every song the right feel as well.
Highly recommended!

Tue 27 - CHRIS SMITHER Chris Smither, three decades as a performing
songwriter, first flourished in the streets and coffee houses of Boston in
the mid-60s, ". "I'd loved acoustic music - specifically the blues - ever
since I first heard Lightnin' Hopkins' Blues In The Bottle album. I
couldn't believe the sound Hopkins got. At first I thought it was two guys
playing guitar. My style - to a degree - came out of trying to imitate
that sound I heard." There he forged lifelong friendships with Bonnie
Raitt (who has made Smither's "Love Me Like A Man" a signature song of
hers, and refers to Chris as "my Eric Clapton"), Eric von Schmidt, Jim
Rooney. Smither's first albums, I'm A Stranger, Too! (1971) and Don't It
Drag On (1972) were released on Poppy Records, the home of kindred spirit
Townes Van Zandt and reissued in 1997. By the time Smither recorded his
third album, Honeysuckle Dog, with Lowell George and Dr. John helping out,
United Artists had absorbed Poppy and dropped much of their roster. To
this day the record has never been released and his next record would not
be made until 1985, the spare It Ain't Easy. The early 90s marked a return
to touring and consistently brilliant albums like 1991's Another Way To
Find You, Happier Blue (AFIM Best Folk Recording 1993) and Up On The
Lowdown in 1995 the first of three albums to be recorded with producer
Stephen Bruton at The Hit Shack in Austin. The release of Small
Revelations garnered concert dates with B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Nanci
Griffith, and the hugely successful "Monsters of Folk" tour with Ramblin'
Jack Elliott, Dave Alvin, and Tom Russell. Emmylou Harris recorded his
song "Slow Surprise" for The Horse Whisperer and added another gold record
to Chris's wall. In 1999, Chris released Drive You Home Again and toured
with John Prine and Joan Baez. "Smither's roots are as blue as they come"
- Rolling Stone. "Think of a wandering Zen troubadour with a blue guitar,
a hot finger-picking style and a gravelly voice that could make any
material sound deep and cool" - Associated Press. "One of the finest
interpreters of classic blues and contemporary roots" - Chicago Tribune.
Sitting alone with that stunning blue guitar and feet stamping out the
beat, Chris Smither has quietly achieved mythical blues status.
Recommended. £8 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113508274
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue


MARCH AT FIBBERS

Tue 06 - COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE
Reading-based band whose live show has been blowing away audiences for the
last year or so, making critics come out with such claims as “they are
what you wish Oasis still were” and “I quite like the one who sits down”
You might have caught 'em here recently on support duty with Coasta. They
definitely rock, but then it’s a bit cleverer than that, so let’s call
them space punk for now. Imagine a balance not too far from recent indie
rock / baggy hybrids with some flourishes of "Air" type dripping keyboards
and there have even been some Radiohead comparisons (in their rockier,
"The Bends" moments) combining with theremin electronica keyboards
reminiscent at times of Pink Floyd They slip easily between paces, even
within single songs - at times more punk rock and at times at a more
ballady tempo. Psyched-out SFA-tinged rock, anyone?

Fri 09 - FOUR DAY HOMBRE
This is the music we'll be listening to in two years time and, honestly,
you just can't pigeonhole it. Variously described as alternative country
to REM, from Massive Attack to "too aggressive for me and I used to like
thrash metal!", their two guitars, two lead vocals, bass, drums, keyboards
and decks combine in a glorious noise of melody, sweat and emotion. Not
content with a hundred gigs last year, Radio 1 Evening Session airplay and
being described by one London promoter as "one of the few Northern bands
that is easily recognisable on the London circuit", they also achieved the
Independent's "Hot 5" Tickets Recommendation for their London debut.
Supports with JJ72, Seafood, The Frames, Chuck Prophet and Baby Bird as
well as constant gigging have earned them a huge following and brilliant
reviews as well as offers of a London residency and the main support on a
One Little Indian national tour. With two CDs on sale, talk of a single
release later in the year and continual touring it seems the only thing
holding fdH back is lack of hours in a day. We've begged you to see bands
here before (Coldplay, Travis, Reef, Stereophonics etc etc) and now we're
on our knees again - highly recommended, life-affirming, essential.

Sat 10 - THE HAMSTERS
Remember that first time you heard a band that sent tingles down your
spine with an enormous guitar sound filling your head as a rhythm section
kicked so hard you couldn't stand still? It happens every time with The
Hamsters. Blues rock so bluesy, rocky, loud, ballsy you never want them to
stop. This isn't a 35 minute indie shower fresh on the road or a
manufactured boy band - THIS IS REAL. And if you like real music from real
musicians who've been there, done that and worn out the T-shirt, this gig
might just be for you. But be early or get a ticket, you may be the last
one on earth to find out about them …

Thu 22 - DAVE SWARBRICK AND MARTIN CARTHY
Londoner Dave Swarbrick has had a lifelong passion for folk music and was
working and recording with legends such as Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and
Charles Parker even from his early printing apprenticeship days. He joined
the Ian Campbell Folk Group in the early 60's and, in 1966, teamed up with
Martin Carthy and this remarkable pairing played an important part in the
tremendous shake- up of British folk at that time. When they parted in
1969 Dave joined Fairport Convention and his contribution to folk and
folk/rock music is legendary and well documented. In 1984 Dave left
Fairport and, along with Kevin Dempsey, Chris Leslie and Martin Jenkins,
formed Whippersnapper a group renowned for its drive and acoustic prowess,
but left in 1989 to concentrate on solo work and revive his partnership
with Martin Carthy. In the early 90s Dave and Martin were members of the
folk "supergroup" Band Of Hope along with such luminaries as Roy Bailey,
Steafan Hannigan, John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinson. In 1993 Dave moved
to the Australian Blue Mountains and began working with Alistair Hulett,
producing the highly acclaimed "Saturday Johnny and Jimmy The Rat" and
"The Cold Grey Light Of Dawn". £7 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113466147
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Sat 24 - THE ROLLIN' CLONES
Back by demand from their sensational gig in November 2000, The Rollin'
Clones live the part from the moment they walk in the venue …. Formed in
April 1997 to celebrate the music of one of the most successful rock bands
in history and, like their idols, have a dynamic stage show, packed full
of classic Rolling Stones songs, performed with vitality and energy,
together with colourful costumes and imaginative stage presentation.
Already the subjects of an ITV mini-documentary (er … "Rockumentary?), the
band's players also have some find playing credits including session work
with Ray Davies, Francis Rossi and Mike D'Abo. NME said, "A storming set",
The Daily Mail said "The Clones stole the show ... outstanding" and the
final compliment comes from the RSSA - "This band managed to re-create the
Stones at their most prolific and do it with all the passion and raw
energy of the real thing. Great fun, fine musicians and an excellent
choice of songs ... not to be missed".


APRIL AT FIBBERS

Thu 12 - OH SUSANNA + Hayley Hutchinson
Suzie Ungerleider's voice has been described as somewhere between a
lonesome whistle and a delta moan. When asked about that touch of
Appalachia she replies,"I would tell you that I got it all from my
Grandmother, but she ain't much of a singer". Born in Massachusetts and
raised in Vancouver, she has twisted traditional folk idioms into tales of
her personal quests after years of listening to the blues, early country,
honky tonk, & mountain balladry. She says, "I want to communicate some
kind of eerie beauty. The kind of beauty you had in folk music - in
spirituals, blues and in mountain ballads - intense and terrifying music
that evokes mystery". The press are unanimous in their admiration - "
ghostly tales from the dark end of the street … about pain you can't
forget and places you can never go back to … her companions are the likes
of Johnny Cash or Robert Johnson … mixing the poetic exuberance of a young
Tom Waits and plenty of Jimmie Rogers/Hank Williams rootsiness … writes in
blood and sings like it hurts." And from BILLBOARD, "Her narrative force,
incisive and amazingly detailed lyrics, and simple musical approach mark
her as an artist to watch." If you're a fan of The Handsome Family and The
Willard Grant Conspiracy this could just be your thing. Recommended.

Fri 20 - DUMPY'S RUSTY NUTS
Chaucer would have appreciated Graham 'Dumpy' Dunnell. No taller than a
pub counter, not much wider than a barrel and hairier than a sozzled St.
Bernard, the aptly named Dumpy is an ale-swilling vulgarian whose idea of
heaven is to tread the boards of any handy pub stage and gee up the pissed
populous with a ready array of abusive banter. Devoid of all philosophical
and political intricacies, Dumpy's rabbit is of the rude and ribald
persuasion, delivered with coarse good humour betwixt a brazenly
unfashionable battery of blues and boogies cut with hefty hard rockers.
The man himself garrottes a mean Gibson and he demonstrates his passion
for British motorbikes with a pioneering, raspberry-blowing impersonation
of same, developed when he was a humble mechanic in the dim and distant
past. Biker rock? Well, Dumpy was a 60s greaser, and the band attracted
hoards of their 80s equivalents, a connection confirmed on vinyl via the
The Blues Band's Cool King label, first with a sprightly cover of Mike
Sarne's 'Just For Kicks' in June '82 and then with the self-penned paean
to motorcycle mecca Boxhill, 'Boxhill Or Bust'. Released in mid-September
to coincide with their national tour with the Blues Band, the single was
enhanced with references to such haute cuisine delicacies as 'a cup of
splosh and a greasy dog', and was adequately summed up by Lemmy who dubbed
it "Chas and Dave backed by Status Quo". "We're not a street level band,"
the Wolfie Smith of rock explains. "We're gutter level, we appeal to
people in the gutter." Yup, 50% covers and 50% originals, their set is a
populist delight that goes down like the Belgrano anywhere beer is drunk
and posers are frowned on.


MAY AT FIBBERS

Mon 28 - SAMAID 2000, ACTS TO BE CONFIRMED
And what better way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday than listening to live
music, acoustic and electric, at Fibbers? Following on from 98's immensely
successful fundraiser for The Samaritans, here's another chance to smooth
your passage through the pearly gates by doing your bit for charidee.
Donations during the day, £3 at night. LOcal acts interested in performing
should, in the first instance, contact Rachel on 07730 912246.



THE BLUES BAR, MONTPELLIER PARADE, HARROGATE (just down from Betty's)

Open all day and night for possibly the best laid-back atmosphere in town
and this is the area's original and longest established non-formula
Amsterdam-style (without the "other" menu!) cafe bar. If you're taking a
trip to The Blues for the first time, head down the main road in to the
town centre (with The Stray on your left) and turn left opposite The
Cenotaph but BEFORE the pedestrian crossing! "Bettys" is on this corner,
as well. Probably the funkiest, coolest little bar around and the only
licensee in the country ever to run a bar with a completely green head (we
kid you not

EVERY THURSDAY - THE PAUL MIDDLETON BAND
Rootsy, down-to-earth blues from some of the best players in the area.
This every-Thursday residency started as an informal jam and has grown in
to one of the best examples of local practitioners of the blues and r'n'b
showing how it's really done - from the soul. Fibbers-goers might have
caught 'em with ex-Dr Feelgood/Blockheads guitarist Wilko Johnson and Gwyn
Ashton recently - excellent.

EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON - LIVE MUSIC
Who knows what you'll get. Could be blues, could be jazz, could be folk,
could be somebody swinging from the rafters. Who knows.

EVERY MONDAY - JAZZITUDE
Laid-back fusion of hip-hop, r'n'b and trad to avant garde. Good players
a nice feel to the night. That's nice, Max.



DECEMBER AT YORK BARBICAN CENTRE
Wed 06 and Thu 07 JOOLS HOLLAND RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA + Cosmic
Harmony with Chris Holland (SOLD OUT)

Fri 08 and Sat 09 POSTMAN PAT
For those of you that don't already know, Postman Pat is a modern British
cartoon legend, created for TV by Ivor Wood, and based on the original
stories written by John Cunliffe. The stories are about a postman called
Pat who delivers mail in a small idyllic village, Pencaster, in the Lake
District. Postman Pat & "and his black and white cat", Jess, are joined by
a host of familiar characters like Mrs Goggins, Ted Glen, Reverend Timms,
Dorothy Thompson and Granny Dryden. We have tickets on sale at only £5.50
- a special online price, exclusive to the Fibbers website. £5.50 advance
- tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?show=96516 or from our
Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Sun 10 - CAROL CONCERT
This year's concert features St Georges RC Primary School, local soloist
Brian Elliott, York Light Opera, Haxby Church Choir and Michael Platt on
the authorium. Master of Ceremonies is Andrew Foster and the Musical
Director is John Warbuton. £4.00 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=112986080
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Wed 13 - SAS BAND CHRISTMAS PARTY + Special Guests
In the true tradition of music festivities in the run-up to Christmas,
this year sees the first UK tour of the infamous SAS Band. Known as
"musician's musicians" and "band to the stars", The SAS Band have
performed with an array of superstars, including Keith Richards, Paul
McCartney, Phil Collins, Elton John and Queen. The 2000 SAS Band Tour will
feature guest artists Paul Young, Madeline Bell, Marillion's Fish, Chris
Thompson (Manfred Mann) and the fabulous FABBA girls. Further guest
artists will be announced in the coming weeks. The SAS Band was formed by
Spike Edney, former keyboard player with Queen. From the original line-up
of Cozy Powell (Rainbow, Black Sabbath), Neil Murray on bass (Whitesnake),
Jamie Moscs (Eric Burdon) and Edney they have gone on to become the band
requested by the stars. They recently played at Phil Collins' wedding in
Switzerland and Mika Hakkinen chose them to perform at his Formula One
World Championship Victory Party in 1999. For all true party animals and
music lovers, the Christmas show looks set to be a right cracker. £13.50
advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113250084
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue


JANUARY AT YORK BARBICAN CENTRE

Sun 28 - RUSSELL WATSON
This show has been rescheduled from Thursday November 30 2000 - sorry, we
do not have any further details. Tickets are still valid for this new date
ar refunds are available from your point of purchase until Thursday
December 7 2000. Russell Watson is about to become a household name.
Billed as the greatest thing since sliced bread (Hovis, mind – he is a
proper Northern Boy), “Salford’s answer to Pavarotti” has everything
necessary to become one of the biggest classical superstars ever -
handsome, personable, charming, and the owner of one of the biggest
English tenor voices ever. Debut album, The Voice, is certain to top the
classical charts and must surely leave Andrea Bocelli quaking in his
boots. His singing career started in the pubs and working men’s club of
the industrial North-West of England, but a love of classical music drove
him to break away from the Michael Bolton and Meatloaf covers and set his
sights on a singing career with an operatic twist. In 1999 he sang to
92,000 spectators at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona before the European
Cup Final, and he also sang before every England game in the recent Rugby
Union World Cup finals. It is a meteoric rise for the man who admits that
if somebody had told him a few years ago he’d be singing opera he’d have
replied “No way, get out of it!” but the fame is by no means undeserved.
His voice is remarkably full-bodied for a singer of his age and his innate
musicianship is abundantly clear. The repertoire on the new disc
constitutes a pleasantly eclectic mix: ‘Barcelona’, with Shaun Ryder
(originally a hit for Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe), sits quite
comfortably next to ‘La Donna e Mobile’ from Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ and of
course the tour de force ‘Nessun Dorma’ from Puccini’s ‘Turandot’. The
arrangements and production, courtesy of Nick Patrick, are slick, but
nonetheless tasteful. Whatever ‘it’ is, Russell Watson has 'it', and one
thing’s for sure: it’s going to sell by t’bucketload! £25.00, £22.00 and
£17.50 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113264078
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Wed 31 - MELANIE C Melanie C
Spice Girl, solo artist and pop icon hits York! £16.50 advance - tickets
available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113250106
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue


FEBRUARY AT YORK BARBICAN CENTRE

Fri 02 - V.I.P.'S OF JAZZ
Featuring Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, The Chris Barber Jazz & Blues Band
and The Dutch Swing College Band. Three of the finest trad jazz bands join
forces for one unforgettable concert. Between them they boast an amazing
track record - Kenny Ball has been entertaining audiences for 42 years,
whilst Chris Barber recently celebrated 50 years as a band leader. They
are joined by the newly reformed Dutch Swing College Band under the
direction of Bob Kaper. Simply unmissable. £13.50 advance - tickets
available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113444129
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Sat 03 - MIKEY GRAHAM
Mikey Graham has enjoyed massive success across the globe in Boyzone but
with their departure, for the time being, he now aims to progress his
singer-songwriter talents in the solo limelight. Dublin born in 1972, he
learnt song and dance at stage school from 5 years old and appeared in
various adverts before joining a theatrical company. Leaving school at 16
he discovered his true passion - the guitar. Inspired by artists such as
U2, Thin Lizzy, The Boomtown Rats, The Police and Fleetwood Mac, Mikey
fronted a number of local bands but was 21 when he auditioned for Boyzone
- the "Irish Take That". He sang "Careless Whisper", "Layla" "2 Out Of 3
Ain't Bad", and joined three months later and hit after hit followed
selling more than 11 million albums and selling out worldwide tours with
five No 1 singles. Throughout the six Boyzone years Mikey's talent went
largely unnoticed, until he started performing self-penned material solo
during the concerts. He rapidly gained interest as a reputable singer
songwriter and whilst not comparing himself with anyone, cites Clapton,
Sting and Dylan as influences. Mikey's music is from the heart and one
thing's for sure - he's going to surprise a lot of people, being a new and
refreshing talent of our time. His follow up to "You're My Angel",
released October 30, will be "If You'd Only", from forthcoming album "Meet
Me Half Way" released November 20. £12.50 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113250129
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue

Fri 23 - THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW
Featuring Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits (I'm Into Something Good,
Wonderful World), Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich (Bend It, Legend of
Xanadu), Wayne Fontana (Game of Love, She Needs Love), Dave Berry (The
Crying Game, Baby It's You). This is the show's 16th anniversary!


MARCH AT YORK BARBICAN CENTRE

Thu 30 - TOPLOADER
The contenders for Best British Band come to York Barbican Centre. Their
smash hit anthem "Dancing In the Moonlight" was in the charts for a month
earlier this year and was followed by their debut album "Onka's Big Moka"
which crashed into the charts at Number 5 in May. Signed in 1998 by Sony's
S2, Toploader were spotted by Paul Weller who asked the band to support
him on his '99 tour. After their introductory single "Achilles Heel" was
released in May of that year they toured incessantly (twice at Fibbers!),
played a Kosovo benefit gig alongside Travis and Stereophonics and blazed
through festival shows at Glastonbury and Reading. Toploader formed in
1997 in their home town of Eastbourne. "The thing about Eastbourne" says
singer-keyboardist Joseph Washbourne, "is you've got the sea and the downs
and the countryside so the chilled factor is quite high. So a lot of
lyrics are kind of coming from that perspective, either escapism or
looking out to somewhere else". The album is a blend of giant, poignant,
string-lifted ballads and energised rootsy blues rock. It rocks ("Let the
People Know"), it grooves ("Dancing In The Moonlight"), it contemplates
("High Flying Bird") and it giggles in the bathtub ("Floating Away").
£11.50 advance - tickets available
ONLINE:http://www.fibbers.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cgi?performance=113421187
or from our Ticketline on 01904 466149 or from the venue


MAY AT YORK BARBICAN CENTRE

Thu 24 - ERIC BIBB
"He sings as if he doesn't even have a dachshund on his trail, creating
some of the most untroubled-sounding blues this side of the Rev. Gary
Davis. Bibb is just about stunning" - LOS ANGELES TIMES … Eric Bibb, a 49
year-old native New Yorker, is a comparatively new face on the acoustic
blues scene, and already his extraordinary talent and positive approach to
the blues has drawn critical acclaim and comparison with Ry Cooder, Keb Mo
and Taj Mahal. Since the 1996 London Blues Festival, he has quickly become
a leading light in the current revival of acoustic blues music. Winning
Best Newcomer (British Blues Awards), Bibb was described as "discreetly
awesome" and "a total original" drawing on the deep roots of American
Blues and Folk tradition. Eric's uncle is world famous jazz
pianist/composer John Lewis (Modern Jazz Quartet) and singer/activist Paul
Robeson his godfather so it's not surprising that the young Bibb was
inspired and influenced by Odetta, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Earl
Robinson, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins and many others. He recalls a
conversation with Bob Dylan, at age 11, whose guitar playing advice to him
was to "Keep it simple, forget all the fancy stuff." At 19 he played the
Paris cafes on his way to Sweden where he settled for two decades,
returning to New York only for a brief 5-year stay in the 80's writing and
opening for headliners such as The Persuasions, Etta James. Since that
London Blues Festival, Eric has toured Canada, Europe and the UK including
Cambridge, Glastonbury and world-famous Guinness Blues Festival in Dublin,
where he was a headliner. A performance by Eric Bibb purveys soul and
gospel-infused, folk-country blues embracing the sound and spirit of the
legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mississippi John Hurt, Son House and
Reverend Gary Davis. Recommended. (£14.50 and £12.50 advance).

Pour me a drink and I'll tell you some lies …