The UFK City Rollers

Poco Loco – Chatham
21 January 2011


ARTISTS (in order...photos below)

UNLUCKY FRIED KITTEN
TONY WILKINSON
TWYDALL TEA
BOB COLLINS
GAVIN
DAVE READ
REAVSEY
ANDY WHITE














Poco Loco – Chatham
21 January 2011




I was looking forward to this event on the one hand, with great excitement and on the other, with some trepidation.

Some great artists and a promise of a fun evening in store, but also tinged with sadness on account of the recent passing of my good friend Andy Fraser’s (of UFK) wife Rio, who was indeed a good friend of mine too.

Tonight was not going to be some sombre wake, where everyone would look at the floor while tales of Rio’s deeds were retold in quiet tones. It was meant to be business as usual as a tribute to her and how indeed I am sure she would have wanted it.

Rio attended and recorded for posterity on her trusty camcorder many gigs in and around Medway and Kent in general and I must admit, I did miss her presence, good company and words of wisdom.

So with all this in mind, a bit of a review of the evening’s entertainment.

“Andy White” kicked off as usual, with his engrossing batch of covers and a smattering of original stuff. I love Andy’s style and musicianship, he always makes the songs interesting and has such a vast collection of songs memorized, and he always manages to surprise, by pulling out a unusual song to cover or a well known standard to sing along to.
Andy is always consistently so good and entertaining, I always enjoy his performances, tonight was no different.

“Reavsey” (Me). Seems strange reviewing myself, but here goes. Took me about 2 and half songs to get going, probably a combination of nerves and not hearing the vocals too well. Once I upped the volume on the vox, which also seemed to fix the nerves, I think I did ok. (editors's note....Reavsey did majestically and brought a few tears to the proceedings with his song for Rio)

I had written a song for Rio after she passed away and wanted to play it tonight. I have had a little of my own personal tragedy recently, and with that and the reality of Rio passing, singing a song about her and with my own personal situation, was not going to be easy. I thought about Andy Fraser, Rio’s husband, and how strong he had been and still was, and how my problems probably pale into insignificance when compared to losing one’s wife and my predicament seemed a whole lot easier. I don’t know what it sounded like to the people watching, but I was happy with it overall. I managed to get through the song “Wild Child” which I wrote for Rio without crumbling, receiving some nice comments from Andy after, which made my night.

“Dave Read”. I liked Dave’s stuff a lot and anyone even slightly familiar with the Medway music scene will know of Dave via that great band “The Claim”. A consummate performer, Dave effortlessly glided through his set, or so it seemed, even covering “Just like Oliver Reed” by the Dentists, whose guitarist Bob Collins sat about 6 feet away from him. A brave move from Dave...but he pulled it all off brilliantly.

“Twydall Tea”. A friend of the UFK family...a gem...straight out of the UFK Dollshouse. Like a home counties John Cooper Clark, his observational poetry was excellent. Loved his style and delivery and the content, as far as I am concerned, was as good as anything I have ever heard, very clever stuff. The material contained great depth, wry, cutting and very very funny. I sort of guessed at the Midget poem’s content before it happened; I was hoping he would go there, and he did, bloody marvellous!

“Tony Wilkinson”. A very short set by Tony,who has been on the local scene with The Bulletproof Detectives and The Crashtones, and who also played in a 90's incarnation of Andy's 80's band...Death In Venice. I really enjoyed the songs. Reminded me of The Jam a little on the first song, nice story based material and a good solid performance, would have been nice to hear more from Tony....who's guitar work also features on UFK's 2004 album 'Loserville.com'

“Bob Collins”. An impromptu short performance by Bob, who was very entertaining. Covers tonight for Bob, mainly ELO songs plus a great version of Joe Jackson's “Is she really going out with him”. I think it is fair to say that Bob was a little worse for wear, and at one point said something like “I don’t remember the words to this song, but that doesn’t matter”. He did remember the words and it was an interesting little set, which I enjoyed!

“Gavin Alexander/Rachel”. Gavin is a great performer who can do catchy own penned numbers along with covers. Very strong vocally and a great musician, fine performance tonight, joined by Rachel after his solo slot, who energetically covered some modern standards. Rachel was joined at one point by Andy White to accompany her on guitar.

“UFK”. UFK are Andy Fraser and Nautical Nick Hughes. I think I am right in saying that this is the first proper UFK gig since Rio...Andy’s wife... passed away. Tonight’s performance was a tribute to her.

Andy bedecked in UFK Tee shirt and Tartan Scarf, an accessory added in honour of Rio's love of Tartan. UFK were renaming themselves for one night only, “The UFK City Rollers”.
Nick was dressed in the manner of a Canadian logger complete with hat and checked shirt, which may have been to reflect the tartan theme of the evening, or maybe due to the fact that he has always wanted to be a lumberjack, but he’s ok.

UFK launched into the leviathan of a song called “Made in Russia”. This is a big song, with a exceptionally catchy refrain at the end.

Another UFK Staple “Loserville.com”, I love to see a crowd who haven’t seen UFK before when they suddenly realise what Andy is singing about, the lyrics are just brilliant and have people falling about laughing...and tonight was no exception. Not just people new to UFK of course, but part of the attraction of UFK is the lyrical content and its masterful delivery by Mr Fraser.

A very funny moment occurred during this song, when Andy fell to the ground in mock shock, whilst being confronted lyrically, by a photograph sent to him by a lonely heart. “Ughhh, pass the sick bucket”. Hilarious!

“To Whom It May Concern” a particular favourite of mine well performed also and Nick on guitars was excellent, improvising at every opportunity, with more pent up energy than a recently split atom.

“Underground worker” followed. Some people danced, some sang along, some just laughed.

“Happy Xmas”. Andy, aided by the mass of cards he nearly always uses to illustrate a song , proceeded to recount tales of all of our Christmases in a very charming manner. Again it’s the words that grab you, very evocative, bringing back memories long forgotten with a nice tune to accompany them.

“Life in My Town” the synergy between Nick and Andy is amazing, like two Weebles they wobble and dart across the stage avoiding each other by split second timing, telepathy or sheer luck. Whatever it is, they don’t fall down. Comic asides and false stops abound.

“People”. Another UFK favourite of mine, a great sing along track, wry, perceptive lyrics and well performed. Some nice banter with the audience during this and other songs.

“The Seventies”. A marathon of a song about....yes you guessed it...
A glove Puppet of Sooty was produced by Andy F and subsequently thrown to the floor and stamped upon; cries of “NO!” went up from the audience. Cooper may have chicken necks to bite, Ozzy will forever be known for chewing off a bat's head, but Fraser knows how to really hit the psyche, by destroying the childhood favourite of many a person. Maybe this had a deeper symbolic meaning and was a figurative sign of the ending of innocence which summed up the seventies for many? Or maybe it was just a cheap gimmick to get a laugh...You decide ;o)

The Seventies, is a very wordy song, that, like many UFK songs, gains and loses versus at every performance. Andy...played on as usual... illustrating the lyrics with his colourful cards, soon discarded in what looked like a small mountain of colour, piled up along with all the others from previous songs, stage left.

“Everybody's telling me to go to bed” was met with the audience response “Go to bed!”

Tonight was a lovely evening and I enjoyed it very much. Some great performances and a good laugh, just how Rio would have liked it. Well done to Andy for doing this gig, it cannot have been easy, but UFK did great, as did everyone.

Rio wherever you are, no one who knew you will ever forget you.

The Poco Loco is a great venue which I really like and they are great hosts. The work in progress for what will be the new stage area is a great development and I look forward to going back there again in the near future.

The Unlucky Fried Kitten Show (23/10/10)

Andy White/Unlucky Fried Kitten
23 October 2010
The Cherry Tree
Maidstone


The evening’s events were started off by Andy White.

Andy White played an excellent selection of songs from the vast encyclopaedic collection he has committed to memory. Andy always goes down very well wherever he plays (Hope I haven’t just jinxed you Andy!), always on form and always well received. A true pro. I happen to know that he was not too well on the day, but you would never have known it from his performance. An excellent set!

UFK

Awoken from the figurative slumber of his day job by the promise of adulation, bright lights and Heineken, in from the moody backstreets of suburban Maidstone crept the sleeping monster that is Mr Fraser (aka Export).

Tonight, “The Kitten” were, Sam Crassweller (12 string bass) and Andy Export/Fraser (Vox), sporting matching hair colour (and matching underwear, allegedly) with Nifty Nick Hughes, on guitar and extreme headwear.

Sam (from Australia), had only had a brief rehearsal for the gig, so there was a potential for disaster due to unfamiliarity with the songs. Rest assured, Sammy was the true pro and all round “Good Sort” ...sorry, I mean “Good Sport” ;o)

“Made in Russia” kicked off the evening with a steady and heavily distorted bass riff from Sam, accompanied by a very lively Mr Hughes on new Guitar and new amp. In fact for a moment, I thought he may have literally “gone live” due to being inadvertently hooked up to the mains, but it was probably just excess natural energy (Or flatulence maybe?).

Andy eyed the audience in front of him, while assorted cameras, (still and video), captured the evening's proceedings. Sam forever steady on bass and Nick, who was particularly animated, joined Andy on backing vocals while performing lead fills, busy rhythmic runs and swapping hats all at the same time!

“Loserville” followed. Andy reiterated his usual spiel re the online dating agency and how he obtained his “Wife”, which was particularly poignant as he has been married 23 times and this gig was on the 23rd...and the song went on for 23 minutes.

Next up “My Town” followed by “The Seventies”, during which several 1970’s centric cuddly toys were produced and some unscripted banter ensued. He “doesn’t want to go to bed” and nor do we.

“Underground Worker” an old Export/Fraser/Export (and Hughes?) composition still does it for me. One of my UFK favourites. Andy “has been doing it for 24 years” he said. With the additional verses, it may now be 25.

“To Whom It May Concern” and “Happy Xmas” followed. Sam was performing small Bass improvisation/solos in between songs, solid stage right swelling the usual delicate sound of “The Kitten” almost to metallic proportions, whilst a very animated Nick Hughes jostled Andy in an attempt to topple him, in between sitting on stage and standing watching the band from the audience, while playing and chatting!

The Kitten sound was very heavy tonight with the addition of some massive bass lines from Sam while Nick pulled out all the stops on the guitar front, desperately vying for his piece of sonic ear space. Andy, as usual, excellent on vocals, solid between Sam and the whirling dervish that is Mr Hughes. Mr Fraser had a Ghandi like influence on proceedings, but of course possessed slightly more hair than Ghandi himself and lacked a loin cloth. (Although I have it on good authority that they both possessed a George Formby, “Turned Out Nice Again” 1941 Tour Tee shirt)

The nemesis of UFK, “Christine Keeler” followed. Not, the actual exhumed corpse of the socialite/escort who nearly brought down the government of course, but a song about her. I have seen this song started on many occasions, but alas, never finished. Something to do with the.....timing I believe?

“People”, probably my favourite UFK song, ended the actual pre planed set.

By this time, the Heineken was flowing thick through Mr Fraser's veins and the proceedings finally dissolved into the entertaining chaos, towards which it had been steadily heading all evening.
Nick took over for a while and went solo, Sam left for a short while (Probably for a fag?) Andy White joined Nick and Sam on stage, several songs where attempted and only half finished before others were started, it all became very spontaneous and the evening continued this way until The Kitten had eaten all the metaphorical Whiskas it could consume and was finally forced to retire to the comfy basket in the corner.

An excellent and entertaining evening, with a particularly spirited performance by all of The Kitten. Thanks also to all the lovely folk at the Cherry tree.

So for the next 24 hours I continued to subconsciously make up new verses to “People” just as I always do after a UFK gig....Damn you Fraser!

UFK/Andy White/Glenn Barnes/Dave Pickett/Chris Austin

Friday 16 January 2010

UFK Review – By Reasvey

Poco Loco

Turned up fairly early at this interesting venue. The crowd built gradually through the evening and looked already to be into enjoying a great night out. After the bad weather, I think we could all do with cheering up a bit.

Andy White kicked off with a mixture of his own stuff and some alternative classics excellently played and well executed as usual, followed by Glenn Barnes interesting and excellent set, ranging between instrumental numbers to full songs energetically delivered for full impact. Next up was Dave Pickett of the Flowing who did a few numbers in his own indomitable style.

UFK tonight were Andy Fraser (Export) and Nic Hughes (Ex of Cenet Rox).

By this time the audience seemed up for a bit of mid Kent banter from the maestro, who clad in long leather trench coat would not have looked out of place on the door at Madame Cyn's place or as an extra in the Matrix. Nic clad in large thick coat lurked stage right like some malevolent spirit looking for a victim. The pair cut a nice contrast against the almost Scandinavian sauna style wooden backdrop of the wall behind and the cantina type surroundings of the venue.

Anyway, a pensive Fraser eyed the audience to announce the first number. Ronnie Woods and his Russian girlfriend were mentioned and the show started “Rolling”...

Made In Russia - As always with UFK, it’s great to see the reaction (Which is usually good) to the excellent and very humorous lyrics from people that might not have heard UFK before and today was no exception. I caught a couple of comments like "Did he say...at the end” etc.
A lumbering beast of a song building slowly to the slightly increased tempo of the refrain, "Made In Russia", Which I must admit that even after hearing this song loads of times, still invokes in me the need to scream "Made In Russia" at the top of my voice along with the band. (Apologies for this Rio as you probably got this full in the ear!)

It must be said that Nic Hughes playing really compliments the UFK songs and increases their appeal along with some backing vocals and of course his 50% part of the 2 man team that at times appears to be the musical equivalent of a modern day Morecombe and Wise. Nic adds just the right amount of embellishment to the songs, without affecting Mr Frasers unique style of delivery, giving the stripped down line ups sound that added bit of colour.

Loserville came next with Andy explaining the slightly dubious origins of the dating agency run by his mother in law and stating that this is how he found his wife, much to the chagrin of his current wife in the audience of course...I love this song and the lyrics, another great “sing a long a Kitten” numbers. The slightly melancholy feel/mood of the song with the wistful refrain "Dot Com" twisted artfully into a humorous “Dot Cotton” sums up the essence of many UFK songs.

Underground worker, one of my favourite UFK songs, very catchy and well delivered which included the excellent lyric "He's an underground worker he knows Ben Jones" (a reference to the very talented local musician.) Well performed along with some great improvisation by Nic.

To Whom It May Concern - I was a gangster working for the Abbey National...hmmmm
Another great song with the infectious "I'm mad, I'm mad I think I'm on the turn, I'm mad, I'm mad, to whom it may concern". Some great audience interaction with this song finally finishing with the immortal line..."How many paranoid schizophrenics do you see in an English country sanatorium"

Life in My Town - Opens a veritable Pandora’s Box of options lyric wise, which never seems to be the same each time it’s performed. Dartford, Strood and many other Kent towns were mentioned prompting the audience to call out their own preferred location...You may have missed Gillingham Andy...or maybe that was intentional for artistic reasons?
In their enthusiasm, UFK forgot the last verse...but Andy F rescued it by explaining "I have memory-dyslexia so I need the cue cards". The exuberant audience intent on a great night out interacted with UFK throughout this one and there was even dancing!

Songs are Here to Stay - A clever UFK ruse to re use other songs and tunes swapping the lyrics completely as suits them. After all, why waste a good tune?
Quite an understated genius involved in this song, made up completely of song titles which linked in with each other to form ….another song!.... Excellent job!

People - Probably my favourite UFK song and what a song to end on. Andy flashing his very own hand crafted cue cards at the audience, (some of whom were dancing) emphasising the current topic of the lyric. The hilarious subject matter emphasising the humour in “everyday lives” and some interesting aspects of some of our more interesting fellow human beings...Its only people, indeed!

Again a song I am unable to prevent myself from fan like chanting "People, People" at full volume into some poor sods ear along with the song, so infectious is this number. A great way to end the evening.

Andy F finished the set with the information “If you get a message on your computer saying 'Naked Susan Boyle Pictures' please DO NOT OPEN THE FILE....as it could contain pictures of Susan Boyle...naked!". As usual education and health and safety are always at the heart of UFK's manifesto.

A very entertaining evening indeed with a great crowd who had no problem enjoying themselves. A very strong line up for the whole evening really enjoyable.
Mr Fraser, devoid of his full dose of “medicine” due to having to drive, looked very sprightly and focused on proceedings, put on a great performance and matched by Hughesie's excellent accompaniment, made for a special night. Stage size prevented the usual walkabout by Andy F and Nic is also a prowler, eyeing the audience as he paces back and forward like some caged and slightly mad Siberian Tiger which had been holed up in a 6ft by 10 cage in a Kazakhstani Zoo for 25 years or so, adding to the underlying tension of the performance.
In my opinion, the current batch of songs are the strongest UFK set I have heard so far and the newer songs are every bit as good as anything they have produced in the past. It’s not just the excellent songs, but the cue cards and banter as well as the spirited performance that makes the whole UFK experience a pleasant one.

So remember next time you feel like punching that annoying fucker next to you in the queue...Its only People...bless em ;o)



Review by Gods little helper “Reavsey” peace be with you…

Unlucky Fried Kitten @ The Command House, Chatham

Unlucky Fried Kitten

The Command House - Chatham

30 August 2009

Lee palmer - bass
James palmer - guitar
James Hayward - drums
Andy Export - Vox

Today we were in for a treat. UFK and the revolving door policy they practice had a few more spins than usual, namely James on drums, James on Guitars and Lee on Bass.
This was their first public performance together, so in the words of International rescue, "Anything Can Happen in the Next half hour" and probably will.

What did happen was the first full band performance of UFK for many years. Having witnessed the stripped down version of UFK, (I prefer Andy with clothes on though) the added personnel gave the songs a whole new dimension.

Andy Export came on like some punked up Morris dancer, coupling a nice hat (probably a remnant from his early Morris period) with yellow doc martins. Ian Dury's face beamed from his t shirt, and at times, Andy performed what appeared to be a swaying dance with some nifty footwork, dragging him back from what looked to be a certain fall at the last moment defying “Newton’s laws”.

An excellent crisp compressed guitar sound from "Guitar James" cut through the overcast Chatham day to signal the start of proceedings, Export with some surprisingly nimble footwork found his feet and launched into "People".

A great rendition of "To Whom It May Concern" followed with the immortal last line "How many paranoid schizophrenics can you see in an English Country Sanatorium"

"Made In Russia" sounded great with the growling guitar and slightly traditional Russian arrangement, building momentum until the final refrain...Little Paul McCartney did indeed play in Russia.

Next came an old Martini Slutz (A previous Andy Export fronted band) classic, "Underground Worker" where the amazing mental dexterity of Mr Export enabled him to give vent to an on the spot couplet which included Ben Jones and The Rolling Stones
The man is a legend

Next came "Loserville.com"

A sad melancholic song where love is sought on the “World Wide Web”. It tells of the bleakness and isolation of the "relationship less" and the let down when you find that your ideal date is in fact an aging chain smoker from a popular TV soap opera.

During "Loserville.com", Export decided to extend the stage area and climbed down onto terra firma below. As interesting as this was, I don’t think I was alone in wondering how he would get back onto the stage again. Like a true pro, in a short musical interlude Export placed the mic on stage and legged it across to the stairs at the side of the stage where he sprung up them to be re united with the mic back on stage, in perfect time to finish the song with the final words “Dot Cotton".

I expect him to say that this was all meticulously planned of course...

The set closed with "My Town". UFK songs are nothing but educational of course and the ever helpful Mr Export pointed towards the location of various places like "Gillingham" and "Strood" while singing, therefore pre empting any doubts the audience might have as to their approximate location...Rock and geography always seem fitting bedfellows to me.

All the Jim Jims in this town or should I say all the Jim Jims on My town did exceptionally well...As did Lee on bass.

In all seriousness, UFK (a self confessed POP band) make very wry and witty songs with excellent catchy tunes and can make 8 minutes seem like an eternity ;o)...Andy Export, the songwriter and vocalist, often adds verses spontaneously so you never really know what you are going to get, which I thinks adds to the fun.

Down on one knee (or sometimes both), the singer bares his soul clutching at his chest, eyes skyward. Bemoaning the loss of some eastern European maid or other, like a speech impediment cured Kevin Rowland searching for the lost Soul rebels. Sometimes the drama is quite intense, only with UFK, it may just mean that Andy is looking for his missing contact lens again...

Well done to all at UFK...and not forgetting the ever present and today 5th member of UFK, Rio "Fellini" Fraser who with arms of steel, fortified by Lambert and Butler and the odd Dolly Mixture, tirelessly captures the melee on stage for posterity.

Set List

People
To whom it may concern
Made in Russia
Underground worker
Loserville
Life in my town

Review by Reavsey...a UFK Follower ;o

Unlucky Fried Kitten @ Cherry Tree

We are lucky enough to have been graced with another gig review from our esteemed peer...Reavsey.
Reavsey is a singer-songwriter and social writer from London...now residing in the Medway Towns. Much of his own work can be found on Reverbnation and MySpace and Last FM and other sites...just by searching for "Reavsey"
Here's his take on the Unlucky Fried Kitten gig at The Cherry Tree on May 9th 2009.

Cherry Tree Pub – Tonbridge Rd - Maidstone

Andy Export (UFK) and Andy White

The genius song smith that is Andy Export and founder of Unlucky Fried Kitten along
with the excellent guitar man and performer Andy White

Leave your Jellied Eels on the counter and scuttle from the van to the stage, toot
suite!

The duo blasted off with Loserville.com an old UFK
favourite…a tentative Export fixed the crowd in his sights while exclaiming
“Click a mouse to find a spouse”, maybe there were a few guilty faces hiding
behind their pint pots?

Sounding out the crowd, Andy E stepped up a gear and with Andy W’s solid chops
backing him, ran through great versions of 3 Am and also “To whom it may
concern” (a personal favourite of mine), Shooting Star Amongst others…

Having performed a fine, if maybe subdued set by his standards, Andy Export stepped
down to allow Andy White to play solo.

Andy White performed some modern classics which the boisterous crowd really
appreciated, singing along with him at one point.
An excellent set by Andy White, whose style of playing is competent and aggressive,
which certainly went down well in the bustle of a busy Saturday night at the Cherry
Tree and held the audiences attention. Great choice of songs and great response to
his performance from the locals.

After Andy Exports tactical retreat to re energise, imbibed with a drop of the old
amber medicine, Export’s evil twin returned to the stage with renewed vigour and
much gusto…

Looking like a shaven headed Nelson on the prow of the Victory; he surveyed his
“Trafalgar” and battle commenced.

“Made in Russia” sent some metaphorical shrapnel barwards and the audience
responded… Andy E gesturing and falling to his knees like some tormented Bingo
caller, animated the songs while Andy W, with wry smile on his face, bashed out the
power chords.

Now he meant business and we saw the old charm of Andy Export shine through as he
bantered with the audience and at one point during a classic rendition of
“People”, got lost somewhere in the Saloon bar due to the wonder that is the
Wireless Microphone, in fact he was narrowly prevented from performing the remainder
of the gig from the Tonbridge Rd!

Several numbers later and after the impossible to follow rendition of “People”
(In which the audience chanted “People People” providing backing vocals) the
show wound down.

There were even cries for such UFK staples as “I am a Robot” from the locals.

UFK punching above their combined numbers but probably sufficiently enough for their
combined weight, responded to the final bell and time, the one who “flexes like a
whore”, fell metaphorically winking to the floor, energy spent.

Loserville.com was the encore and the circle had been
squared whatever that might mean?

A very entertaining evening and a great combination of Andy E’s unique style and
song writing and Andy W’s excellent and edgy guitar, which really complimented
each other to form another great Unlucky Fried Kitten event.

Oh yes and thanks to Westlife for inspiration…

Review By Reavsey (A UFK Follower ;o)

UFK @ Zebra Bar

UFK - Zebra Bar 17 Sep Maidstone

I hope you dont mind me doing this...

I arrived just in time for Mr Fraser to buy me a drink a few seconds before he stepped on stage and after I had trekked half way accross England (well 3 counties of it anyway) to get there. The timing was perfect.

UFK were Justin and Andy and were the opening act.

Mr Fraser was the consumate pro bantering with the audience (and at one point blending with them as one) interesting to note, that the UFK audience was the largest of the evening of all the 4 bands on. Justin was solid on guitar and vocals a suitable foil to the naughty Mr Fraser's high jinx. Additional vocals provided by what appeared to be a member of the audience but was an eX Band member.

All of the songs were well played/performed by UFK with Andy turnining on his unique style and charm which made me chuckle on more than one occasion.

The lovely Rio was filming proceedings so hopefully we will see some clips of the gig soon. several photographers were also snapping away which included the trusty Medway photo man Phil Dillon.

The highlights for me were "Loserville" and particularly the epic ending to "Made In Russia" which was still running around in my head when I woke up this morning (You subliminal bastard! ;o)...The song is very informative (which is not unusual with UFK songs) and lists some of the famous and very lovely things that Russia has given/done/ To and made for us....

I particularly liked the line something like "My Cat was spayed in Russia"... classic!

Seriously though, it was a great performance and very very entertaining..not just a singer..not just a band...but and all round entertainment package.

If you didnt say "Little Paul McCartney got laid in Russia" I wish you had of as thats what I thought you said...and laughed myself shitless.

I hope you do it all again soon I really did enjoy it and meeting up with Rio and yourself and assorted lovely Kent folk.

This was a review from South-East writer Reavsey.
Reavsey is also a singer-songwriter and his work can be found on ReverbNation, LastFM, Myspace and YouTube

Didi Bergman/The Flowing/Unlucky Fried Kitten

The Good Intent

10 June 2009


Didi Bergman

The Flowing

Unlucky Fried Kitten

A small intimate venue and a mix of very different styles worked very well.

Didi Bergman performed her original and haunting songs. For me the songs are very well constructed with a lovely melody, great lyrics and have great depth. A very talented artist and always a pleasure to watch.

The Flowing are for me quite unique, with Dave's gravel voice and a great acoustic sound on occasions sounding a little like Leonard Cohen meets Bob Marley and that would still be very far from summing up their sound, but probably the best I can offer for the moment.

The Flowing played a faultless set which was most enjoyable and they are certainly a band I will watch again. As with all 3 of the acts on tonight, they have produced some great original material, well crafted and performed songs in a unique style.

Unlucky Fried Kitten were the final act on and worth waiting for. Andy Export was certainly on form backed by the trusty guitar of Andy White.

Andy Export as the front man of UFK is a great character and the gig is as much about the performance as the songs, which add an extra dimension to UFK making them such fun to watch, along with their quirky tongue in cheek lyrics and very catchy songs. Andy Export was on fire busting the moves as if he were a young, (if somewhat rotund), Michael Jackson, and at one point becoming performer and audience at the same time, while pacing the bar space like a demented Olympic speed walker focused on gold. Very humorous and the banter was as usual side splitting.

The only down side was that the set had to be kept short due to time constraints at the venue.

An excellent and very enjoyable evening organized by Andy White with 3 great acts which I hope can be replicated in the future.


Review by Reavsey…



More on the acts mentioned.

Di Di Bergman

www.myspace.com/didibergman

The Flowing

www.myspace.com/theflowing

UFK

www.myspace.com/ufkex

Andy White

www.myspace.com/andywhitenoise