For One Mike Only

at

Warrington Irish Club

02/06/2023

Tonight is the return of the locally loved charity event, the annual full band event of ‘For One Mike Only‘, looked forward to by the local music scene. It’s always a brilliant night. With a stellar lineup being a staple, you can expect to discover new bands to fall in love with along with revisiting firm favourites on the local circuit. With 4 full bands and an acoustic set tonight, yet again it’s a jam-packed, must-see event and great value with proceeds going to the Warrington branch of the Autistic Society.

For One Mike Only is now in its 8th year and is gaining huge momentum. It’s a Warrington-based event, held annually to raise monies and awareness for the Warrington branch of the National Autistic Society. It’s all in honour of Mike Carter, a local musician who sadly passed eight years ago, as a tribute to his memory and to raise funds for the Autistic Society which was very close to him and also helped and supported his family.

(The Young Ones_Credit: Orange Projects)

Starting out initially as a group of local musicians who all knew and loved Mike, over the years it’s grown and become something much bigger. It now includes performers of all genres, backgrounds and ages and often has acts from outside the local area, all performing totally voluntarily in aid of the charity. It’s a brilliant event, organised by Mike’s Mum, the inspirational Sam Heathcote, and highlights a wealth of talent. It’s a real celebration of music, is totally inclusive and is a very fitting tribute to Mike. Tonight the event is being held at the Warrington Irish Club.

Alan Jacob
First up is Alan Jacob, doing a solo acoustic set, joined by Bhav Thaker from Mademaker. Al has immense stage presence and is brilliant with a crowd, really getting everyone into the spirit and singing along. Managing to make covers his own, mixed with his own original material, it’s an upbeat and joyous set. With strumming guitars and superb vocals, it’s an indie pop feeling, although often I get David Bowie feels. Holding loud and full notes for lengthy periods effortlessly, and well known around these parts for getting any party started and really bringing the fun vibes, Al certainly does that and effortlessly.

Mademaker: Guitar/lead vocal – James Parry, Drums/backing vocal – Bhav Thaker

A completely different direction now, a relatively new 2 piece band are next – Madekaker – and they’re getting talked about a lot. I’ve been keen to catch these guys live and I’m not disappointed. I mean, WOW! For a 2 piece, this is some sound! It’s explosive…it fills this venue! Explosive, real grunge sounds, fuzzing, loud, and the drumming is bloody incredible! It’s attention-grabbing, completely absorbing stuff and fascinating to watch. The vocal is angsty, expressive, sorrowful and angry. James alternates from shoegazing to out-and-out head banging. Guitar lines are so edgy, crunching and raw. The obvious comparison is Nirvana as there is a real 90s American grunge feel, but an undertone of late 60s rock and even some 70s rock/metal. It all works spectacularly and this has been a ‘stop us in our tracks’ kind of set. I cannot wait to see Mademaker again (happily I’ll be doing so tomorrow), a real stand-out band, an utterly banging set from start to finish. My new fav band!

Set List: Intro, You’ve Got a Lot of Explaining to Do, Rude by all Accounts, Hall Lane, Hurt if I Know, Muddy Shoes, Lake Placid Smile, Grew, Pavement Date.

(Tiknotok_Credit: Orange Projects)

Ticnotoc: Mark (Hodge) Hodgkins – Vocals, Tony (Fen) Fennel – Guitar, Nick Cork – Bass, Dez (The Box) Ryan – Drums

Another huge shift in genre again with this next set, we’re going all-out punk. Ticnotoc is another band I’ve just not managed to see until tonight, but I do love a good punk gig, so it’s right up my street. Real vintage original punk feels of the late 70s and early 80s style, wild feeling era. Yes! Explosive sounds, hard but skippy beats. There’s a gritty feel, all original tracks, guitars fast and aggressive. The vocal alternates from an angry, loud and aggressive tone but then there s a slight Tim Booth sound to the vocal that comes and goes. Real fast-paced, a whirlwind of a set. People are tapping their feet, clapping and loving the punk cries of a real attention-grabbing set with lots of energy thrown in. Think Ruts DC era early punk and that’s the vibe I get from this. Great sound, and a great set.

Set List: Graveyard, Slave to the Wage, Liar Cheat, the Pusher, Peterloo, Misery, Fake News, Outta Control.

The Seminals: Vocals – Bobby Muscart, Lead guitar – Owen Egan, Bass – Charlie Fogg, Drums – Arron Flynn

The Seminals bring their own brand of 90s Madchester meets Limp Bizkit meets angry punk grunge with a bounce and a funky feel…and it works brilliantly. Energy is off the scale throughout this set. Fast-paced, and crazed (in the best way) this band pack punches, they light a fuse of musical excitement and it goes off. Bobby is one showman, diving around on and off stage. His vocal is even and steady, then free and light, then rasping and screaming. We literally have it all in this set. Real feel good, impossible to sit still, with soaring bass lines, jagged guitars and rapid drum sequences very reminiscent of the Stone Roses. Brilliant original tracks that feel like anthems. Really brought the wilds to this tonight, but then that’s just what these guys do. Real thrills and spills. I bloody love a Seminals gig! Get to one soon, they deliver!

Setlist: State Of Mind, Some Seeds Don’t Grow, All On You, King Of Nothing, Alice, Snapdragon Soul.

(The Seminals_Credit: Orange Projects)

The Young Ones: George Young – vocal, Greg Dixon – guitar, Rob Clark – keys, Joe Owen – bass, Matt Earl – drums

These guys are the coolest, most funkiest covers band your are likely to see. I just love them! They truly make each song their own, putting a real funk edge and cool slant on a wide variety of genres. A full set list which flew by, a real crowd-pleaser set with properly sing-along type vibes. A very tight sound musically and loads of energy, most band members also being in other original bands as well as this. George as a frontman is full of charisma and his vocal is impressive; a huge range, is well-controlled and has that raspiness and gravel tone that really puts the character into each song performed, brimming with fun and feel-good but throwing some wilds in for good measure. Such a likeable bunch and have a real rock n roll feel. Loved it!

Set List: Crazy, Half the world away, Hey Ya, OMG, Sweet Dreams mash-up, Superstition mash-up, Reach mash-up, Wicked game mash-up, Bittersweet.

Review by Janet Harding

Photography byOrange Projects

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