This will end up as a non-linear piece. Mainly when I have a written thing in mind it gestates for a day or so, or appears fully formed at the moment of it’s birth pretty much without any critical capacity getting involved. A little like throwing fruit at a wall, some of it sticks and looks pretty, some of it drops into the dust.
I’ve mentioned in several previous posts my admiration for Six.By Seven. Their new album (Love and Peace and Sympathy) is a great record. Chris Olleys enthusiasm for the project has been immense and in no small part inspired by getting drummer Steve Hewitt from Placebo on board. Seeing them live brings sense to this enthusiasm.
But, skipping back an hour or so….
One of things that I’ve noticed and noted in previous ‘review’ posts is that even though I’ve turned out for the main event the starters have been surprising and impressive. From WTATDR & Variety Lights, there are a lot of really committed bands playing support the ticket sellers.
The SIx.By Seven gig had three openers but sadly I only arrived in time to catch Grey Hairs. As they came out to check their equipment I had made some tiny preconceptions which where shortly trampled into sticky mush by their utterly clear mission to leave the audience shaken by commitment and volume. I looked them up when I got home and found their website here Both available recordings are worth a look. I’m particularly impressed by any band that can pull off a fresh cover of a Pere Ubu classic.
Listen to their take on Final Solution here….
Six.By Seven played the new album Love and Peace and Sympathy. Chris Olley wore a hat that made me think of Fields of the Nephelim which is odd because I never saw them and don’t really recall any of their material. At a push I would wear a hat like that but would probably opt for something more Sam Spade given the choice. The Rescue Rooms have really invested in their sound system in recent years and don’t seem to have acquiesced to any H&S policies when it comes to volume (this being a good thing).
The set falls under awesome for filing. The band gave it their all, they had some great material that has a solid fingerprint but a good level of variation, and they are very skilled.
One of the stand out tracks on the album is Truce. I managed to film that one, and its here…………
This is the album version of the song…
Above all, a great night out. There is real music in the world and it’s nearer than you think.
Epilog
In a brave late night decision making style Chris Olley kindly agreed to a Twitter interview. The full text is included below. I think you’ll find it both incisive and informative.
@ChrisOlley1 Did you get the video to work eventfully? I need more words for the post. How about a twitter interview. I’ll be Richard Maddely.
@adrian4acn yeah, Truce, looks great. Who’s Richard Maddely?
@ChrisOlley1 Only someone totally committed to something other than idiocy could ask that. Well done. Interview has started.
@adrian4acn Is he part of Operation Yewtree?
@ChrisOlley1 That’s yet to suggested so let’s move on. @rescuerooms has really sorted its sound system out. So, tell us about the hat?
@adrian4acn @rescuerooms The hat is a Stetson I found on Brokeback Mountain.
@adrian4acn @rescuerooms Rescue Rooms was best venue of tour, best venue in UK I’d say! Amazing room, dressing room and PA soundman etc.
@ChrisOlley1 @rescuerooms Are you just saying that because you might bump into them in the Market Square? #Nottingham is a tight city.
@adrian4acn @rescuerooms No, we all thought that. Rock City is best venue in UK, I’ve always said that, to watch bands I mean, and play!!
@ChrisOlley1 @rescuerooms I agree. The National Trust has a preservation order on the carpet apparently….
@ChrisOlley1 Moving on, the new album has an iconic front cover. Is there a Beatles reference relating to the inner spread?
@adrian4acn No, it had all the lyrics on it but we used invisible ink. It was a fuck up but great for signing autographs on the tour!
@ChrisOlley1 The band is really well rehearsed and slay the songs. How did you meet Steve the drummer and does he come with a H&S policy?
@adrian4acn Knew him from Placebo days, touring with them, he’s a hard living man!
@ChrisOlley1 He certainly gave me a day & 1/2 of tintinitus. The tours over now, will you be doing more gigs soon, here or in other lands?
@adrian4acn Hopefully a bigger tour in November. We will also be playing in Poland in October.
@ChrisOlley1 Last question. You speak German. Is there a possibility that you could do a Helden and record Waffenstillstand?
@adrian4acn Waffenstillstand?
@ChrisOlley1 it’s the closest Google translate could get to ‘Truce’ It’s a shapely looking word.
@adrian4acn Oh yeah! Truce is Waffenstillstand. In the context of this song though it’s probably more like ‘Ruhe’.
@ChrisOlley1 That would better in the context of the song as well.
@ChrisOlley1 So on that note, Chris Olley, thank you and good night!
@adrian4acn Goodnight Adrian 🙂
adrian4 
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