Jared's Choice

La Folie & Weekend at Bukowski's

A couple of weeks prior to this, Sandman asked me if I'd like to write a short piece on two Sheffield based bands that I'm liking at the moment, and after a lot of thought I decided to write about a pair of acts that each have potential for contrasting reasons; namely that one band are made up of a bunch of affable good guys and the other band are archetypal English bad boys.

These two contrasting templates in music are obvious and have been in place for years, and there's always been room for both simultaneously. Rudimentary examples can be found in the mid 60s when those nice Liverpudlians the Beatles (who, after allegedly discovering acid later in their career showed their very own Hyde side to their early boy-band Jekyll), flourished alongside the metrosexual party animal tendencies of the Rolling Stones. Then in the mid 90s when the artisan hip fatigue of Blur tangled with simianesque oiks Oasis. In fact it's that commonplace that I don't feel the need to resort to hyperbole and elaborate further....

So, on that note and without further ado, I'm pleased to reveal that batting for the good team we have Weekend At Bukowskis a bunch of splendid gentlemen who radiate warmth and charm, making waves on the local Sheffield scene with their accessible and catchy brand of romantic blues rock. Formed from the ashes of several erstwhile Sheffield acts including Repeat After Me and Crowley's Dead, the bookish foursome take their name from a hypothetical visit to the abode of their favourite author Charles, who, in stark contrast to the band's shared persona, penned hatred fuelled tomes of vitriol about miscreants including The Post Office and Ham on Rye.

What appeals to me personally about this band is that they are a great example for other bands new to the music scene as they are master networkers. Regularly seen out and about in the pubs, bars and music venues of Sheffield's city centre they have built themselves and ever-growing loyal fanbase of friends and drinking buddies for whom a Bukowskis' gig is an essential and prestigious event on the social calendar. They are a working example of how important being friendly, hard working and hard playing is to unsigned bands. What's more, their legions of pals and adoring female fans are not just turning up to support their new friends, they are actually furnished with a strong set of thoroughly enjoyable songs including recent vinyl release Claudia, where singer Ken croons Morrissey style about a young lady of the same name.

Clubbing for the bad boys we have the neo-Dickensian reprobates La Folie who are a Strokes style dirty rock n' roll ensemble hailing from the quaint village of Penistone and composing of singer / guitarist / organist Nick, lead guitarist / synth player Jacko, bassist Manny and drummer Dan. Recent lowlights for this band include thieving from supermarkets and petrol stations, grief from the police for trespassing on private land and several run-ins with taxi drivers including an infamous mobile phone movie where Manny gets chinned by one such irate cabbie as Nick gets covered in baked beans and chips (yes, the video is as bonkers as it sounds!).

What appeals to me personally about this band is that they're punk; they just don't give a f**k. They're loud, brash, offensive and in your face and make music that reflects this in every way; including an eponymous song about 90s children's TV cartoon Count Duckula, and if that's not the epitome of punk, I don't know what is! These guys are dangerous, and should not be approached, you have been warned! You must, however, go to one of their live shows because you won't be disappointed!

Words by Jared O'Mara
Pics by Mark Tighe

www.myspace.com/weekenatbukowskis

www.myspace.com/lafolieband