This Weekend's Events (7th to 9th December)
By Lawrence on Thu 6 Dec
Hi Everyone
December has certainly arrived with a bang. As I speak, the disembodied voice of Andy Williams is telling shoppers that "it's the most wonderful time of the year. (I'm partial to a bit of Andy Williams, but it's a little disconcerting to hear him sing about "scary ghost stories. And tales of the glories of the Christmases long, long ago" when you just want socks) A soft drink company will be driving a load of trucks around with their logo on it, the Salvation Army will unleash their trumpet players from their underground lair, and somebody is rushing from the pub to the bookies so they can place an ill-advised bet on a white Christmas.
But that, dear readers, is not all for it's also time again for I, your humble narrator, to let you know what's happening at the Rising Sun this weekend...
Friday sees the ARE YOU LISTENING? CHRISTMAS BASH
Join us for a night of live music, merriment & fundraising for Reading Mencap with three Are You Listening? Festival favourites...
ANIMAL HOUSE
'Filled with bolshy energy' - Clash Magazine
'Snarling, hedonistic Garage rock' - Gigwise
Australian indie-rockers Animal House create a raucous, energy-fuelled sound. Their songs are filled with witty lyrical storytelling, racing riffs and infectious choruses. A high-energy garage-infused sound, reminiscent of the likes of The Strokes and The Raconteurs.
Finally settled in the UK, Animal House have already supported the likes of Courtney Barnett, Surfer Blood and Drenge to name a few. They have also received praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac, BBC6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and Sean Keaveny, NME, DIY and Clash.
Animal House enjoy a party and especially a festive one!
KILL COMMITTEE
Kill Committee are a musical manifesto of hope with a set of three minute post-punk anthems - cut through with stolen hooks from the '60s, the bubbling subversion of early Teardrop Explodes and the underdog swagger of a down and out Ian McCulloch demanding to be crowned King. From the garage underground of the sixties, the best bits of post-punk, and the definitive list of the only bands that have ever mattered. Johnny Marr was recently spotted with their album as well!
SELF HELP
Self Help punk pops it with the jagged edges left on. Wacky garage pop of the highest lo-fi calibre, apparently.
The unusual combination of a fierce female rhythm section and the shouty but sensitive boys on guitar soon started to make waves and attract the attention of local music hero Ronan Munro, BBC’s Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson and Dave Gilyeat, as well as ardent fans who turn up to every show.
We're open at 8pm and it'll cost you a £5 donation to Reading Mencap at the dor
Saturday sees another Christmas bash courtesy of CLUB VELOCITY
Another helping of one of the best band nights in town. Not only will there be an abundance of shizzle, christmas joy and mince pies but also the following musical delights
THE KEEP CATS
"Best New Band In Reading" so says Delphine Sneer from the Evergreen Standard on Sunday culture pull-out
HARROLAND
"Best New Band In Reading" according to Django Woke from Online Petition Weekly
THE SONIC FLOWERS
"Best New Band In Reading" is the considered opinion of Jean-Marc Van der Kerkhoff of Red-Hot Rocking Now! which I am reliably informed, is Antwerp's biggest selling journal devoted to Christian Donk, Folk-Grindcore Fusion and 5-a-side Table Tennis.
We're open at 8pm and it'll cost you £7 on the door, or £5 if you go in advance to www.wegottickets.co.uk
Finally on Sunday, it's time for another DIVERSITY SOCIAL
The Diversity Social is a new, accessible social club for adults with mobility issues. The Social will be held monthly and there will be music, snacks and a bar.
The club is run by Luisa from the Messy Club and her friend Steph, who is a wheelchair user with limited mobility due to cerebral palsy.
Steph and Luisa met and became friends 3 years ago at the Move Up group.
Luisa said - Steph is one of the most independent women I have ever met. She never complains and gives great advice. We always have lots of laughs.
Over time we've always worked out a way to try the new things Steph wants to do, whether it's jewellery making or painting water colour and it's from this determination that The Diversity Social has been born.
We would like our social club to grow into something special. We have big dreams of nights out, a supper club, film nights and live music. We're both so grateful to our wonderful Rising Sun Arts Centre family for all the help and support they've given us and for giving the social a home.
We'll be open from 6.30pm, and it's absolutely FREE!
Come and join our gang!
That's everything for another week, just to remind you that we are, as always, at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST (If you pop it into your satnav or Google, we shall magically appear!)
Have a nice weekend!
