Just for the record.
And for purpose of definition.

Dead Billy doesn’t do grunge.
Dead Billy doesn’t do metal.
Dead Billy doesn’t do emo (whatever the fuck that is?).
Dead Billy doesn’t do  post rock.

Dead Billy likes abrasive guitars.
Dead Billy likes sludgey guitars.
Dead Billy likes indie (like it used to be).
Dead Billy likes electronics.

This is approaching a remit.  Or something.  I don’t know.  I don’t think Dead Billy needs one.  But after some thought I needed to clarify some of the reasons I am doing Dead Billy.

First up - The Dead Billy Club has taken the plunge we now have a little group over on Facebook. Do click the link and join up if you are facebook inclined. You will be able to keep up with Deadbilly goings on over there. Deadbilly will also get it’s own mailing list shortly - for the purposes of Dead Billy Information.

The 2nd Dead Billy night is fast approaching. The full line up should be ready to be announced shortly. But this is what Dead Billy has lined up thus far:

Epideme (Brighton)

A bass-less three piece that make a unholy, but structured, racket. With released on Jonson Family and Unlabel. The bands recent double A side single “000-0 / Threatenings” alerted me to their thrilling guitar driven sound.

“Two guitars, one drum, much yelling, and a boil of fuzz and stutter that will not be denied.” - The Wire

Palehorse (London)

A two bass fuelled band. They’ve been making noise (through various line-up changes) since 2000. With releases on Eyes of Sound. This quartet are an oldschool sludge noise band. A little like something John Peel would have played.

“This band is bloody marvellous” - Bigmouth Zine

Scul Hazzards (London - was Brisbane)

Scul Hazzards played the first Dead Billy night. They were amazing. So amazing I asked them back to 2nd night. I am delighted they said ‘yes’. For fans of Shellac and Big Black. They’re loud. They’re tight. Above all else they’re a stunning live band.

“By far one of Australia’s most impressive bands at the moment, their thunderous, animalistic rock was absolutely captivating and entrancing…” FasterLouder (Australia) Live Review June 2007

With the first night disappearing into the memories. I had pretty much decided at the end of the first one that I was going to do another DEAD BILLY club. And for good or bad, I’ve decided to steer clear of Kilburn. It’s just too awkward for me (and others) it seems to get too and from. And that’s a shame as I really enjoyed The Good Ship.

The next night is due to happen at The Miller near London Bridge, SE1. A little more central. I’ve been there for a couple of gigs and it’s a nice little upstairs above a pub. The line-up is being worked on at the moment. And if all the pieces fall into place - it’s going to be a cracker. This is all happening on a Wednesday, 6th August. Be sure to mark the date in your diary.

Where does the time go?
It’s already nearly a month since the first Dead Billy Club.
It was a reasonable success.
Thanks to those that came down.
I will have pictures on here sooner, rather than later.

Scul Hazzards were easily the band of the night for me. They’re something a little bit special. I really need to see them again. Enjoyed the other bands, too. Jesus Knives and Untitled1961. Sky Comes King were down to a one man show - and so it was hard to judge them on their solo set. Thanks goes out to all the bands that played. I received a really nice message from Untitled 1961:

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Wednesday, and how much I was impressed by the way you put on your gigs. The bands were all amazing (Scul Hazzards are definitely in the top 3 bands we’ve ever played with), and I thought the way you ran it was perfect - you were clearly all about the music but kept everything running really well. Not a lot more to say, really. I was just impressed.

Ahh, that’s the reason I do these things. Happy bands. And happy gig-goers.

Tickets will be on sale shortly from We Got Tickets for £4.00 plus 50p booking fee.
It will be £5 on the door.
All taking place at The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR. Map.

Untitled1961 http://www.myspace.com/untitled1961

“Think Biffy Clyro only without the cheese, think iLiKETRAiNS but without the holding back, think Shellac but with more effects pedals, think “this is bloody great” and then go and see them live and be blown away all over again.” GodIsInTheTVZine.co.uk

Scul Hazzards http://www.myspace.com/sculhazzards

“A three piece from Australia. Focused, raw and almost nostalgic and they could be homage freaks! (think the best of Steve Albini). Scul Hazzards are one of those edgy jagged pointy rusty-edged violently noisy, relentlessly dense, good, low end staccato bands that violently jab (and jab and jab) at you.” - The Organ

Jesus Knives http://www.myspace.com/jesusknives

“London based feedbackprogressivepostrockaggressivehardcore alternaterocknoise. 2 Northern 1 Southern, shouting, not shouting, rhythmic, even more rhythmic, instrumental, semi-instrumental, homemade recordings. Put together from the remains of other noisy bands.” Their My Space page

Sky Comes King http://www.myspace.com/skycomesking

A storm of crunchy guitars that see fit to combine the post rock leanings of Mogwai/Godspeed! with a more traditional rock sound.

You can get to the venue via Tubes, Trains and Buses:
Brondesbury - North London Silverlink (1 minute)
Kilburn - Jubilee Line (3 mins)
Kilburn High Road - British Rail (9 mins)
Kilburn Park - Bakerloo Line (11 mins)

Buses: 16, 31, 32, 98, 189, 206, 316, 328 plus numerous night buses to the west end.

The first DEAD BILLY Club will happen on 26th March 2008.
It’s going to happen at The Good Ship in Kilburn.
No bands confirmed as yet - but I have plenty in mind.
Details to follow.

DEAD BILLY is go.
I have squared up the idea with those who needed the idea squaring with.
Hopefully the venue will fall into place in the next week or so.
I am aiming for a late March/early April start date.
We shall see what happens.
I have a few bands in mind already.
Exciting Times.

I have had more thoughts on the club and it really is something I want to do. I just need a cheap venue. And when I mean cheap, I mean really cheap. I have one venue in mind, it’s just a matter of getting the right date. Then I think I will be ready to go public with the DEAD BILLY club. It just feels like something I have to try. It might not work. It might be a disaster. But I won’t know until I have given it a go.

This is all just a mess of vague ideas. I am not sure I am even going to do this. But I know I want to do this. I know I want to try and make DEAD BILLY something. In my head I have a venue in mind. I have a desire to try this out. To see whether a DEAD BILLY night could work. I am not sure I want to do this on my own. I am not sure I can do this on my own. But I think I will have to try and do it on my own. Just to see. Maybe if it works I will find someone to do this with. Someone else who likes their music loud and abrasive. Just Maybe.