Young, gifted and back (From Thisisdorset)

Young, gifted and back

10:18am Friday 27th January 2012 in Leisure By Nick Horton

IS it just me or does today feel like its January 58th? Doesn’t it drag on, eh? But fear not, there are lights coming over the horizon to brighten our mood and lift our sad and dreary lives.

Oh, maybe it is just me then… For example, if you’re playing upwards of 150 gigs a year you must be either: a: Supremely talented b: Hugely popular c: Have a reliable van called Sheila d: Young, fit and ambitious e: All of the above.

So step forward young New Forest folk/bluegrass outfit The Wishbones who tick all the above boxes and plenty more too.

Formed just under four years, the trio of Sam Burdekin (banjo/guitar/vocals) Alex Tilley (stand-up bass) and Phil Howell (lap steel guitar) have been friends since primary school days.

You may have caught them on one of their many live appearances in the south and west Dorset area and they will be returning next weekend for two dates.

On Friday, February 3, they’ll be entertaining the hairy blokes (and hairy women) at the Dorchester BeerEx festival at the Corn Exchange.

Staying in the county town, the band will be launching their latest CD Forever Bound, at the Victoria Inn the following night, Saturday, February 4.

Recorded in part at the famous Sawmills studio in Cornwall over the past six months, the album – their third – marks something of a departure for the band who have been favourably compared to mega-successful beardies Mumford and Son.

“Our original drummer left the band so our sound is more melodic, more folky, more rootsy,” says Sam.

“When we first started, we played punk songs but I was inspired to pick up the banjo by my great-grandmother,” he adds. So, A banJoe Strummer then. (See what I did there?) If you can’t wait till next weekend to see The Wishbones, there’s a couple of their songs at the online version of this page at www.dorsetecho.co.uk/leisure/music/livemusicandclubs And congratulations are due to The Devil’s Rejects, another band who are regulars on the live music circuit in south and west Dorset.

The Purbeck five-piece are through to the quarter finals of the Dorset Music Awards for best live act.

They competed against 40 other bands at the Centre Stage in Bournemouth and won the judges over with their infectious blend of folk, punk, gypsy and pirate tunes. Yee-haw...

The quarter finals will be held at The Winchester in Bournemouth over a couple of weekends next month with the final five bands having a gig-off at the O2 Academy, again in Bournemouth with the prize of dates at some of the country’s leading festivals and recording time at a top studio.

Violinist and accordian player Briony Ireland tells me: “It would be amazing if we got through to the next round and we are hoping that people who have seen and enjoyed us in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Bridport vote for us.”

You can do that, or vote for any of the other bands in the competition, online at www dorsetmusicawards.co.uk Blimey, all this talk of young musicians reminds me of my hard upbringing back in the day.

Local bullies would cover me in cherries, chocolate and cream. Yes, it was tough growing up in the gateaux....

Moving on, Big Al Whittle and Paul Openshaw’s debut gig at the Bryter Latte coffee bar in Dorchester last Wednesday afternoon was such a success, they’ve been asked back again this week, providing they can work out how to Sky Plus Countdown, that is.

And they’re inviting any other acoustic player to come and join them this Wednesday from 2.30pm to 5pm.

“Nothing too disruptive and nothing that you wouldn’t hear in the Edinburgh Wool Shop,” Big Al tells me.

And finally, Freezer play their final two gigs in the area this week, at Finns on Saturday and the Royal Exchange next Friday.

The band have asked me to say a big ‘thank you’ to the hundreds of punters who have enjoyed their gigs over the past two years. There: Job done.

Right, that’s it for this week. Till next time...