TOTEM PHASE 2

This photo, taken in The Dolphin last year, shows the members of legendary Whitby band Sludge Ghaut reunited after many years of seperation. In 1993 they released an LP called Spunkmonkey on their own Rangam Records label. However a better example of their energetic output was the earlier EP Totem Phase, released on Rangam in 1992. All the tracks were recorded in July of that year at Studio 64 in Middlesbrough. It stands as a far more coherent whole than the later LP which was made up of various recordings from different studios collected together.

Chris, Heath, Cooky, Kev and Alan - Sludge Ghaut

So that difficult second LP still needs to be made, therefore a reunion, or at least a single solitary gig is required to start the (glitter)ball rolling. I mean, if it's OK for My Bloody Valentine, surely Sludge Ghaut can pull it off now they're all finally living in the same vicinity again?

For your listening pleasure, here's a track from Totem Phase, and very good it is too.

Can't Breathe from Totem Phase

A CALL TO ARMS

Despite the arctic conditions and the confusion about whether punters would have to pay or not (in the end it was free entry), Friday's gig at the Rifle Club went down an absolute storm. It was the biggest and best turnout for live music in Whitby for ages. Everyone had a good time, although maybe some paracetamols and Alker-Seltzer were required by certain individuals in the morning, and the bands were great.

Dogs and Diamonds

This isn't meant as a review of the performances, it's more of an appreciation of what went right for a change. Certainly the creation of a Facebook page focused on the Whitby music scene has brought people together. Also there appear to be more bands around at the moment keen to play live.

Jon Horne

One of the best things about the night was that it felt completely inclusive. Some of us with tweed jackets, beards, bald heads and spectacles were quite happy watching the night unfold with our pints of Guinness and John Smith's as youngsters cavorted on the dancefloor. A slightly sinister bust of Elvis which was at the front of the stage for some reason, served as a prop for many of the ribald shenanigans.

Transcended

One of the things about this town is that everyone knows everyone else, not necessarily by name, but often we've seen each other around town in one capacity or another. In some ways the atmosphere captured that feeling of a club. Everyone was there for the music and the only slightly threatening incident was a loud bang when an amp fused during Jon Horne's set.

Breezersletjes

With these things in mind it seemed right and proper to attempt to reignite the engines of the old Whitby Popwatch blog and leave it idling in the drive whilst scraping the ice off with an old Live at The Fairmead cassette case. Hopefully, fueled by a few more good gigs and some choice reviews and interviews, it'll keep on going for a bit longer before finally fizzling out.

Ten Foot Tom and the Leprosy Crooks

If anyone wants to review the gig on Friday or anything else connected to Whitby's musical underground, please Tweet me (there's a button at the top of the blog somewhere). Photos, particularly ones that haven't already appeared online, are most welcome. Articles about pertinent issues are welcome too.

It isn't a forum for slagging people off and the aim is to stay positive, honest and unified. Any opinions will be the personal views of the authors.