All photographs by Matt Addinell.
Article by Larissa Rowe.

Skief Promotions are back and covering new ground with an event at The Volks on the seafront.  It’s a local charity this time and their work is close to the hearts of everyone in the music industry.

Rhythmix is one of the UK’s leading music charities, delivering a large range of music making opportunities for young people across the South East region. Since 1999, Rhythmix has worked with more than 40,000 young people, enabling their creative activity through music and developing their personal and social skills.  They have, unfortunately for them, been in the news not so long ago following a legal battle with the dark overlord Simon Cowell, as he tried to steal the Rhythmix name from them for one of his latest robot creations, now Littlemix.  Having wanted to raise money for them for a long time and with a lot of bands keen to contribute, we had to find the perfect new venue.

Right on the sea front on a sunny spring evening, The Volks made the perfect setting for chilling  out, having a few drinks – oh and going mental, moshing and climbing on amps.  If you were unfortunate enough to miss out on this experience let us fill you in.

The night started with Stone Angels (ft. Connor) leaping back onto the stage after a short break from gigging. Boy was everyone pleased to see them back!  Bringing the rock sound of the deep south of America to the south coast of England Stone Angels’ powerful vocals and crisp guitars filled the Volks with their anthemic ballads and fast paced romps.  Strutting across the stage with confidence, you could tell these guys should never have left the stage.

Next up Here in Venice filled the venue with the energy and sound of their progressive metal stylings.  The range of the band’s music really impressed on the night.  Jumping from melodic vocals to epic rock outs, the band were able to appeal to a wide audience and bring new elements to the genre.  Wide ranging vocals with strong backing from the drummer (made all the more impressive by his keeping up a relentless , energetic rhythm whilst singing)gave all the songs weight and authority over the crowd.

In Dynamics have always provided an energetic stage performance and this was no exception.  The highlight was a stirring performance of their slower favourite Oceans, which was much appreciated by the crowd. They also treated us to new songs including a punchy number called Love Money which we hope to hear more of in the very near future.  Their set finished on a high with Stay; an incredibly powerful song blasting its way right to the back and further cementing In Dynamics’ reputation as one of the finer bands sweeping their way across Brighton’s local music scene.

Idiom came all the way from Devon to be with us for the evening and yet caused enough of a storm over here in Brighton to bring a mosh pit full of fans and two members of the legendary Welsh Rock band Skindred with them (much to our fangirl excitement!).   And what a mosh pit it was: with the lead singer of the band Matt Sharland right in the centre roaring, jumping and dancing with the crowd as they chanted the words back at him, fists raised high and lungs screaming.   These guys bring the metal and they do it loud but they keep the punch riffs and catchy melodies that set them apart from many of the scene’s heavier bands; their chants stay with you rather than getting lost in the sound.  This is credit to Grant Knight’s pounding bass and Kris Gibbs’ brilliant riff combing combined with Dan Harrison’s lightening drumming to form a dynamic and edgy sound.   Look out for these guys: there’s no doubt from their performance with us that they’ll be going on to bigger and better things (and when I say look out you might be looking out atop a huge speaker if its the lead singer you’re trying to keep an eye on!).

Finally the long-awaited headliner Dead Empire took to the stage and we were pushed back by a wall of avid fans headbanging in true rocker style, long hair swirling along with the vigorous lead Chris Bowden.   There were a lot of crowd pleasers to get the fans going   like The Breach and Break This Town.  The flair of Daniel Muraszko’s drums with the frenetic guitar playing of Tom Panton and Chris Terry complements the angry bass of Seb O’brien to pour forth a powerful yet grungy sound.
All good things have to come to an end and the set, and so the night’s live music, came to an explosive finish on the unforgettable Inside Your Head.

Now no event is complete without a great set of tunes to cover the bands making busy with their equipment in between sets and to warm everyone up for the big event.  We have a very special regular DJ superstar at our events now; Preston Kersey of Jackhammer Promotions.  Bringing us tunes that got even the bands’ horns in the air between sets, Preston’s experience shone through.  Of course that’s all nothing compared to his, now signature at our events, inclusion of Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life to end the night perfectly.  I think this might be our theme song.

The night was a huge success raising £215.63 - a fantastic achievement for Skief Promotions and all those involved.   The main thing though is that this money will really help Rhythmix in the invaluable work they do aiding disadvantaged young people (and in fighting off future attacks of corporate greed – so fuck you Simon Cowell!)

If, like us, you can’t believe it was all over so quick and want to relive the night we will have information on bands, photos and even some video footage from the event all to come so you can revel in the memories and get psyched ready for the next one!