MUSIC MATTERS: Alternative Sounds III, Godiva 2019 and The Institutes - The Coventry Observer

MUSIC MATTERS: Alternative Sounds III, Godiva 2019 and The Institutes

Coventry Editorial 12th Jul, 2019   0

Alternative Sounds III

I would personally like to welcome part three of the Alternative Sounds compilation set.

Another superb album made up of donated tracks from various Coventry and Warwickshire musicians, but this one is extra special as it comes with the latest issue of the 80s Cov fanzine ‘Alternative Sounds’, so history is being made here.

After some 40 years, the pause button is finally released and the fanzine rolls off the copier again, bringing everything up-to-date (it’s a great read too).




The album is full of gems, slicing across the musical genres. There’s an original punk classic from Squad and ‘Red Alert’, rock from Sophie Corona and the track ‘Pictures & Postcards’, even rap from Junior NRB and the superb ‘Senset’, plus everything in-between.

A few words here won’t do this amazing offering any justice, it’s packed with gems. I dare you to play ‘Cloudy & Grey’ by the Pink Umbrellas and not be hooked.


There are a few tracks that will see you reaching for the sleeve to find out where this off-the-wall music is coming from (e.g: ‘The Money Tree’ by The Trees, ‘Yellow Bird Absurd’ performed by The Real Neil Bradley).

The project is created by Attrition’s Martin Bowes, Chris Sidwell from Crokodile tears and Nigel Meffen. This album is dedicated to Gus Chambers, gone too soon, so it’s right he features on the Mantra Sect track ‘Soho Assassin’ and Squad’s ‘Red Alert’. It’s limited edition (and I have number one) and a bargain at only £6 (yes, a CD and fanzine).

It’s available from The Coventry Music Museum and on Bandcamp, search for ‘Alternative Sounds’.

Full tracklist is: Squad – Red Alert, RudeSix – Chelsea, Mantra Sect – Soho Assassin, Bron Area – Different Phrases, Eyeless in Gaza – Long Calling Summer, Gunther Prague – Assignment, The Trees – The Money Tree, My Favourite Things – Syd, Neil Bradley – Yellow Bird Absurd, Junior NRB – Sensei, Boxhead – Boxhead, The Abstracts – In The Papers, Superhooch – Sir Dickie, Lost The Plot – Focus, Sophie Corona – Pictures And Postcards, X Certs – It’s the Weekend, Cary Lord – Single Bed, Pink Umbrellas – Cloudy and Grey, Jackdaw with Crowbar – Fame of Drones, Daffodill – Summer Sunrise and Ray King Soul Band- Jordan River Over There.

Godiva 2019

Well all hail another great Godiva.. there were changes and admission charges this year of course, but out in the field it was business as usual.

It was fitting in this 40 Years of 2-Tone that the line up included the likes of Barbdwire, Riddimstone, Rooted N Booted, Ruder Than U, Tippa Irie and Roddy Radiation who all gave us great sets and showed us why we have subwoofer speakers.

Then of course on Sunday the amazing Selecter with Rhoda Dakar gave us an incredible set under the Godiva sunshine.

It was a shame about Jay1 (cancelled on Saturday night due to ‘overcrowding’ and health and safety concerns in tent).

I tried to get some words from the man but he was chilling before his set, a set that sadly never happened, it’s a good lesson in the world of music.

He was booked as a rising star months ago, but by the time he hit Godiva he had two top 20 hits under his belt and he was the real deal.

I recall a unknown band called Slade once being booked for £60, only to hit the charts and attract thousands and then having to honour the lowly £60 fee.

Those who are disappointed (including me) will get a chance to see Jay1 at The Empire in October. So my faves of Godiva 2019, Selecter, Barbdwire, Brass hip Flask, Sugarhill Gang, Dodgy, Wilde, Reece Bahia and Levellers.

The Institutes

The Institutes are Reid Currie – Vocals, Andy Hall – Guitar/Vocals, Andy Lowe – Bass and Kirk Savage – Drums… pedigree indeed and the new video ‘No Fear’ is a bit special, as you would expect from a band of this high calibre.

Formed in December 2018, their rise has been fast and now with a set of tour dates it’s a chance to find out what all the fuss is about.

They play July 11 – Coventry Cathedral Specials pre-gig, July 19 – The Vic – Birmingham, August 8 – Raw Sound TV : live YouTube performance, Aug 30 – The Vic – Birmingham w/Hyde and September 20 – The Tin Arts (Covtember Festival) – Coventry.

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