This page is dedicated to the County where I have lived and worked for the past 30 years. During that time, I have stood and watched gigs in some of the most iconic venues in the County:
THE ODEON CHELMSFORD
CHANCELLOR HALL
THE ARMY & NAVY
THE ARTS CENTRE
THE OLIVER TWIST
THE Y CLUB
THE ESPLANADE
CROCS
CLIFFS PAVILION
And seen countless numbers of bands perform, some that have become household names some that are just remembered fondly in their home County:
THE PRODIGY
NITZER EBB
DEPECHE MODE
BLUR
ANOREXIA
STARS ON SUNDAY
Today the music scene in Essex, is just vibrant and just as diverse. This page hopes to reflect that.
MATT HERBERT - Matt Herbert one of the best known and most talented artists on the Essex music scene. Playing 12 string acoustic guitar and performing his own songs, Matt's combination of blues/rock/ folk, mark him out as a performer of massive potential. Hopefully we will soon see Matt back out live and playing new material.
CAT HOUSE - Cat House have kept things relatively low-key so far - their Myspace reveals nothing but their music. A deliberate decision not to immerse themselves in London's over-saturated music scene has seen them instead inject life into Chelmsford's once non-existent scene, hosting packed, dancefloor-decimating clubnights at the town's 'Barhouse' venue.
The band recently moved into their very own studio space ('The Cattery') in a barn on the outskirts of Chelmsford, where they are currently recording their debut album and remixing other people's tunes. With the band's artwork done by guitarist Luke Hatley, the music produced by front man Christian and the band currently being self-managed, Cat House are DIY to the core
www.myspace.com/cathousetheband
DINOSAUR ACT - Dinosaur Act are a band from Chelmsford in Essex. They juggle around between Mandolins, Ukuleles, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Violin, Organ, Glockenspiels, Recorders, Drums, Hand Claps and Foot Stomps to create a kind of French/Folk influenced Pop.
Since they started gigging in Summer 2009, Dinosaur Act have built up a nice little local following which they hope to expand beyond their home county's border with upcoming shows in London. The band have also been nominated for the prize of Best Band at the Panic Awards 2010.
www.myspace.com/dinosauractmusic
THE WHITE GOSPEL - Their name was inspired by the sound of Joe Cocker's album, With A Little Help From My Friends. The White Gospel are an Essex band, fronted by singer/songwriter David Arscott. Of French and English blood, his writing seems to bare the emotional melancholy from the Parisian cobblestone alleys to the streets of London's over-spill county, Essex. Consisting of an acrobatic voice, the shimmer and twang of guitars, bass, drums and fundamental elements, the organ and piano, TWG deliver an altogether more vintage sound with a heartfelt, well-studied approach to their special brand of music. Citing bands and artists as eclectic as Love, The Icicle Works, The Smiths, Rufus Wainwright, The Czars, Bill Withers, TalkTalk, Jeff Buckley, My Morning Jacket, Aretha Franklin, REM, Northern Soul/Motown, Grant Lee Buffalo and Richard Ashcroft as definite sources of inspiration for the writing; the band stitch together a tapestry of these colours and styles onto Arscott's canvas of classic, hook laden, melodious songs.
BLOOM - Based in Essex, this band evoke the sound and passion of bands such as Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon. They are currently in the studio with producer Jessica Corcoran putting the finishing touches to their 2nd album.
BARHOUSE CHELMSFORD - Barhouse is one of Chelmsford's leading music venues, the first music venue in the town dedicated to both live and cutting edge music, and is the only local venue to offer 2 rooms of different music on the same night
The downstairs 'Live Room' is kitted out with a full live music set-up complete with stage, inhouse PA system, sound engineer and booth plus lighting system. The upstairs 'Lounge' is heavily influenced by the underground dance music scene with industry standard DJ set-up, laser and smoke machine. While outside in the garden there are couches, graffiti, pool table and outdoor bar.
Barhouse is also a meeting place for like minded people that enjoy the less commercial side of the Essex dancefloor and is also a place to pick up the local and national music mags & zines
Music you can expect to hear at Barhouse includes indie, electro, rock, house, techno, hip hop, disco, breaks, electronica, dubstep and more. There is also the weekly 'Writers Bench' night which is the first Chelmsford occasion to witness LIVE GRAFFITI from some of the leading local writers
Barhouse have also set up a record label to promote the bands that play there.
