Live & Unheard

Lighthouse, Poole

Featuring: Capulus, Inner City Smugglers, Charlie Cole

After a short break in August the local music platform Live & Unheard returns to the Sherling studio at the Lighthouse in Poole. The event is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Matt Black of Hangover Hill Recording Studio, who keeps his ear to the ground on what’s happening within the local music community. This enables him to bring us some of the best groundbreaking, grassroots acts around. This month he has once again brought together three eclectic acts that in all honesty would never normally be found on a bill together. The nature of this event is virtually anything goes and the variety of the event is what makes it so unique.

Charlie Cole 1–2

The first act tonight is Wimborne-based 41-year-old Mother and wife Charlie Cole, who has only recently released her debut EP “Significant” after following her dream to create music. Charlie juggles her busy family life with her passion for Rock ‘n Roll, which clearly gives her purpose and possibly a route to musical recognition. The audience respectfully gives a perfect hush in this beautifully acoustic studio theatre as she plays her first number “Long Way Home”, soon followed by another great original tune “Liberty”. Charlie’s music features a host of influences from all areas of the musical spectrum with rock and blues, along with a large slice of American Country at its heart. Armed with three guitars: a S-type electric, an acoustic and a custom made cigar box guitar created by local craftsman Zeff Neesom, Charlie shows off her considerable talents to this appreciative audience. There are plenty of highlights including some lovely slide work on “Caught On The Inside” and a passionate number called “Sanctuary”, written about her husband with the verses written some 10 years apart. You cannot fail to be charmed by her honest, heart on the sleeve approach; along with her considerable vocal talents and skilful string-work. Charlie leaves the stage with a big smile on her face along with a huge round of applause from the well-entertained crowd.

Next up we have the Inner City Smugglers; who started off playing gigs as a duo of Jenna (sax/vocals) and Magnus (Guitar/vocals), who have played extensively around the music festivals and venues of the South of England. When this gig was offered they decided they wanted to extend their band to include a rhythm section and electric guitar. With only three months to do this, they drafted in singer/songwriter Kez Hinton on bass, David Cole on guitar and Nick Scott on drums. After the rehearsals tonight is the full band’s debut show, showcasing a host of new original tunes. The five-piece band kick off confidently with “Heart Taker” and show a much fuller sound which really compliments the duo’s combined talents. There is a whole load of influences flying around with a host of varied tracks that are injected with a fresh vibrant sound featuring dance, reggae, folk, rock and much more. The duo’s vocals at times remind me a little of the “Beautiful South”, especially on the number “Dance Loud”; with the combined harmonies working well just like Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott did with all their hits in the 1990’s. The usually clean-cut duo slightly shock us with a hard-hitting tune called “Bad Mother Fucker” which shows a different side to them altogether. The whole band seems to work really well together, with the set showing plenty of potential for the future and hopefully a studio release for some of these new tracks.

Inner City Smugglers 1–2–3–4–5–6

After winning a local battle of the bands competition at the weekend 4-piece Bournemouth Rock band Capulus arrive on stage with an armoury of big tunes and brimming confidence, ready for their headline set. I have been to all but one of these events and I can honestly say as the band kick off with their opening number “Joker”, they are certainly one of the loudest bands to grace this stage. The tune is preceded by a hard-hitting, well put together intro film. The band feature two melodic effect-driven guitars and a solid rhythm section. The band show the audience just what they are made of with some great original numbers including “Black Book” and the epic “Apologies”, where vocalist Josh positively excels. They all work brilliantly together as a unit with plenty of on-stage chemistry and an enthusiastic energy that radiates from them out into the audience. There are a few well-selected covers which the band cleverly rework to embrace their own stylings. These include “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters, “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd and a fast-paced version of “Toxic” by Britney Spears. After 45 minutes on stage the band come to their final number and it’s the Tenacious D classic “Tribute”, which really ends the evening on a high. The audience by now are lapping up all this band have to offer and give a standing ovation as they finish and take their bows.

Capulus 1–2–3–4–5

The next “Live and Unheard” is on the 27th September in a Marquee in Bournemouth Gardens as part of the “Arts By The Sea” festival and features Ali & Mark from The Two Man Travelling Medicine show, Harper & Edwards and Emma Hardy. Tickets can be purchased here.

The October “Live and Unheard” event is back at the Lighthouse in Poole feauring DD Allen, Hengistbury and Tobias In Flight. Tickets can be purchased here.

Set Lists
Capulus
Joker
Beggar
Black Book
I Hope
Everlong (Foo Fighters)
Apologies
Petulia
Extinction
Serpent Tongue
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
It Was You
Toxic (Britney Spears)
Tribute (Tenacious D)

Inner City Smugglers
Heart Taker
For You
Late Night Casualty
Little Leaf
Dance Loud
See You Tonight
Find your way
All I Want
Bad Mother Fucker
Eyes of a Child

Charlie Cole
Long Way Home
Liberty
Straight Talkiní
Caught On The Inside
Sanctuary
Riding Shotgun
#41 Blues
Stand Up and be Counted

Videos