In pictures: Oxjam Edinburgh

On Friday a few of us sampled the musical delicacies of Oxjam's Edinburgh takeover. Tomorrow we'll publish a podcast with our interviews from the night, but before that here's a chance to relive the occasion in pictures, courtesy of the talented photographers who helped us out.

Tip: click the icon in the bottom right for full-screen view.

Photographs: Lauren Hunter, Nick Mailer, Luke Joyce
Soundtrack: Meursault

Oxjam hits Aberdeen

So far the Aberdeen Oxjammers have held a Guitar Hero competition, taken over one of the city’s Dirty Hearts club nights and busked up the top of Ben Nevis.

Well, we say 'busked', but they organised sponsorship beforehand, because you can't always rely on passing hikers to chuck the odd coin in a guitar case.

The organisers believe that The Big Takeover, their flagship one-day multi venue event on October 25th, will be one of the biggest in the country. Seven of the city's venues are taking part with 20 bands all donating their time, including local stalwart Gerry Jablonski with his blues band, fun Americana types Captain Face and scene regulars The Marionettes, as well as an all-day busk on Belmont Street

Laura Darnell of the Aberdeen Oxjam team believes that there’s something for everyone and that this year is easily the best yet: "As for comparing it to previous years, there is no comparison. This year is bigger, better and should be huge!"

Words: Andrew Learmonth

The full roster of bands:

Brightstone / Headlight / Indikoda / Cheyenne Plains / The Clunk Funk Band / Incrediboy and the Forget Me Nots / Jake Taylor / Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band / The Marionettes / The Catch / Sonic Templars / Captain Face / The Form / Engraved / Shotgun Dawn / 3 Seasons / Shy & DRS / MC Mad Mickey / Amanda Duncan / Ross McKenzie

Oxjam: Five must-see bands

[Trapped in Kansas]

As you'll have hardly failed to notice if you're a regular reader, this weekend's live music calendar in Scotland is dominated by Oxjam.

Like other multi-venue festivals, seeing all the bands you want to see is practically impossible without some sort of teleportation machine.

And since we don't want you to end up like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly, here are our top five picks (that definitely don't clash)...


Conquering Animal Sound
Edinburgh (City Café), Friday, 4.10pm
Play: Your Friends, Conquering Animal Sound

What we said: "Recalling the minimalistic dalliances of Scandinavian progressives Múm, CAS are quite unlike anything you’ll hear in Scotland today."

Meursault
Edinburgh (The Bowery), Friday, 10pm
Play: William Henry Miller Pt1

What we said: "Other than their ferocious schedule, there are lots of reasons to love this band. Last year’s Pissing on Bonfires, Kissing with Tongues was a superb mixture of structured songwriting and strange electronic noises."

Yahweh
Glasgow (Sloan's), Saturday, 8.40pm
Play: Laps(e)

What we said: "For a bedroom recording the Yahweh album is an alt-folk revelation, combining the wry lyricism of Arab Strap with subtle bursts of electronica and sampling."

French Wives
Glasgow (The Admiral), Sunday, 7.15pm
Play: Halloween

What we said: "Overflowing with melody, their songs flutter the heart strings with grace and vigour; swooshing from dainty canticle to pulsing anthem without the bat of an indie-rock eyelid."

Trapped in Kansas
Glasgow (The Admiral), Sunday, 11.45pm
Play: Carpathia

What we said: "The guitar lines bleed off in countless directions like dabs of watercolour paint, while the rhythm slinks through unfathomable shifts and progressions."

Oxjam in Glasgow: 102 bands in two nights

[Yahweh. Photograph by Andrea Heins]

The sheer scale of Glasgow’s Oxjam Takeover is a daunting proposition. With over 100 bands playing a slew of venues across city in just 48 hours, the co-ordination required to maximise this two-day aural extravaganza will rival that of an Olympic standard synchronised swimming troupe.

Of course, in these capitalist climes where value for money is the whole enchilada, Oxjam’s west coast roster of tune-chugging rapscallions is the musical equivalent of a five fingered discount at Harrods - thrilling fun, with the added knowledge that you’re benefiting a greater good by not lining the pockets of an intolerably rich buffoon.

Mhairi Love, Glasgow volunteer Oxjam Regional Manager, says of the two day shindig: “In Glasgow we are spoiled for choice when it comes to music. It’s fantastic to be able to use the talent of local musicians to help raise so much money to fight poverty, and put on a great show at the same time. I’m really excited about our multi venue event. We have a great line up ranging from local talent to living legends.”

She’s not wrong. The parts that make up Glasgow Oxjam’s whole gleam with musical brilliance. A number of UtR favourites decorate this glittering roll call, including The Seventeenth Century, Barn Owl and the always exceptional Yaweh.

But really, Oxjam is not about the bands, the venues or, indeed, the price. No folks, [Ruffles up hair and puts on best Bob Geldof-at-his-most-stoic tone] this is about music and people uniting to make a difference in a world that can be achingly unjust. And, for this reason alone, you need to be there.

Words: Billy Hamilton

Oxjam Glasgow takes place this Saturday (24th) and Sunday (25th). Tickets are £8 and are available here.

The current line-up (subject to change) is as follows:

SATURDAY 24 OCT
2pm-12am
Venues 1-8

1. 13th Note (Acoustic Riot Stage) 3pm-11.30pm
Dave Hughes and the Renegade Folk Punk Band
Roscoe Vacant
El Bastardos
Judith Harron
Jimmy Richards
Billy Liar
Roberto Cassani
The Moth and the Mirror
Shambles Miller

2. Metropolitan 3pm-6pm
Martin John Henry (De Rosa)
Mike Nisbet
Jamie Keenan
Ben Chaddock

3.ABC - Polar Bar 3pm-6pm
Brother Louis Collective
John B McKenna
Full House
Mike and Solveig

4.Panoptican 6pm-8.30pm
Johnny Jack
Paul McGranaghan
Pure Brass
Compere TBC

5.Blackfriars 6pm-10pm
The Xcerts
Cuba Cuba
The LaFontaines
Atlas Skye
The Marder
Young States

6.The V Club 6pm-12.00am
My Cousin I Bid You Farewell
Esperanza
Lions.Chase.Tigers
Young States
Maple Leaves
Odeon Beat Club
Glider
Hidden Masters

7.The Vale 7pm-11.30pm
Vendor Defender
Homework
Ben TD
Gong Fei
The Reveres
Endor

8. Sloans (The Skinny Stage) 7pm-12am
Strike the Colours
Zoey Van Goey
The Low Miffs
Yahweh
Le Reno Amps
The Seventeenth Century

SUNDAY 25th OCT
2pm-3am
Venues 9-15

9.Brunswick Hotel Penthouse Suite
Emma Curran
Andrea Marini
Kristina Cox
Jamie Marshall
David Bova
Mark McCabe

10.Pivo Pivo 2pm-11.30
Tango in the Attic
The Deals
Schnapps
The Dull Fudds
Big Ned
Bwani Junction
Wilson Tan
Eddy and the T Bolts
The Black Delorean
The 123s
Three Blind Wolves
The Deneros
The Cellophanes

11.The Admiral 6pm-3am
Trapped in Kansas
Yoshi
The Social Services
Haight Ashbury
The Apologists
Alex Wayt
The French Wives
Castaway

12. Capitol 6pm-12am
Tempercalm
Nacional
Ming Ming and the Ching Chings
Call Me Ishmael
Barn Owl
Maple Leaves
Boycotts
Casino Brag
Man at the Window

13. McChuills 5.00pm-10.30pm
Nine Circles
My Actions Your Exit
Little Eskimos
Reginald
Bad Day?
Albino Monk
Fanzine Hero
The Dirt

14.Mono 6pm-12am
Attic Lights
El Dog
United Fruit
The Mode
Foxgang
The Meatmen
Man at the Window

15.Basuro Blanco(Brunswick Hotel basement) till 2am
Lowreck
Jan Cree
Gareth Whitehead
My Evil Twin
Chris Coulston

On the radar: Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers

Play: Heart Attack


Play: Hang the Noose


What makes a good band name? Well, according to Ali Downer of the splendidly-named central Scotland country-rock collective Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers, it’s the opportunity to annoy the naysayers.

“I had made a recording called Woodenbox and played some wee affairs under that alias,” he explains. “When the rest of the guys came on board we wrote some new songs and changed some of the older ones.

“We came up with a bit of a country thing and decided to call ourselves Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers – it was a bit of a laugh really but it’s stuck because a few people didn’t like it and that made it somehow more appealing for us.”

Downer and his bandmates Nick Dudman (drums/ukelele), Fraser McKirdy (bass/organ), Phil Cardwell (trumpet), Jordan Croan (electric guitar) and Sam Evans (sax) have gone from strength to strength and have built up a reputation for their raucous live shows since getting together at the beginning of 2008. This month sees the band take in some venues in Northern England – but they’re still managing to fit in a show as part of Oxjam’s Edinburgh Takeover.

“Oxfam is the undisputed king of charity music outlets and we are happy to be associated with the good name,” says Downer. “We played at Gimme Shelter last year too, and really loved the vibe.

“I hope there is a bit of cash available for the charity, and we will be doing our bit by having free CDs for people who come to the show.”

The band’s two-piece brass section is among the many things that set them apart from many bands in the local scene. “Ultimately we want to create something different,” Downer explains.

“It’s great writing songs and pulling them together as a band then trying different ways of playing and recording them.

“We try to play a raucous live show to make our music different from how it is recorded too – we wanna have a different vibe.”

The band count themselves as big fans of experimental folk and blues acts such as Captain Beefheart and Dr Dog; and closer to home The Phantom Band. “They’re an inspiring, phenomenal force,” says Downer .

“I love music that uses harmony and interesting uses of instrumentation,” he adds.

“I became obsessed with the Serge Leone films a few years ago and the soundtracks by Ennio Morricone were so inspiring. I went out and bought the soundtracks on record and through of making a wee side project of music like that – the tracks I came up with ended up just becoming hybrids that we play in the band.”

Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers have recently finished recording their debut album, which will be released at the beginning of 2010. “It’s a good year to release an album, and we’re really excited to get it out there,” says Downer.

Words: Lisa-Marie Ferla

See the band play their Oxjam gig at Sneaky Pete's on Friday (23rd) at 9.15pm.

Auld Reekie set for Oxjam Takeover

All this week we'll be previewing the Oxjam festivities. First up, Billy Hamilton looks at the Edinburgh billing...

Edinburgh’s music scene has mushroomed so quickly over the past twelve months that this week’s Oxjam jamboree could moonlight as a who’s who of Auld Reekie’s musical glitterati.

With over 20 bands playing five venues throughout the city, the Oxfam-affiliated Oxjam Takeover offers punters the chance to familiarise themselves with the grassroots of Edinburgh’s expansive musical lawn, while chipping in to help the world’s poorest communities fight mother nature’s ire at the effects of badly planned mass-industrialisation, better known as climate change.

Ali Millar, Edinburgh Oxjam’s Regional Manager, says: “Oxjam Edinburgh 09 forms just one part of a movement taking place throughout the country. Here in Edinburgh we are lucky to have such a great musical community who are keen to come forward and help Oxfam to fight poverty. It’s a great way to raise money, have a good time and promote the talent that there is in the city at the moment.”

A smattering of worthy bands such as the omnipotent Meursault, Frightened Rabbit, Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers, Deadboy Robotics and Conquering Animal Sound have signed up to help promote the Oxjam cause.

Gigs are strewn across Cabaret Voltaire, Sneaky Pete’s, The Bowery, The Wee Red Bar and The City Cafe, and with a sling of scene-friendly local faces turning their hands to the wheels of steel the fun a frivolity is set to last all night.

Jamie Scott, one half of Conquering Animal Sound, explains his reason for getting involved.“Oxfam, to me, is one of the most fundamentally important charities we have... In addition to campaigning against the arms trade or social inequality, Oxfam and charities like it can be found in places where governments and politicians have failed their people, providing and caring for those who need it most. As a student in a prosperous western nation, I am very aware of how much better off I am than the vast majority of people on the planet, and it shames me to admit that I do very little to address this."

He continues: "In playing Oxjam, hopefuly I am in someway addressing my lack of charitable work and donations, and helping others to do so as well. It is all too easy to avoid charity workers in the street with sign up sheets or collection buckets, but when Oxjam comes right to our doors, into our social spaces, into our music, where these issues should rightly be, the least we can do is be part of it in some way."

Words: Billy Hamilton

Oxjam Edinburgh takes place on Friday 23 October 2009. Tickets are £7 and can be bought here.

The current line-up (which is subject to change) is as follows:

City Café
Conquering Animal Sound 4.10-4.55
Paper Beats Rock 6.30 - 7.15
The Last Battle 5.20 - 6.05
Pose Victorious 7.40 - 8.25
Le Reno Amps 8.50 - 9.45
Come on Gang 10 - 10.45

Sneaky Pete's
Chutes 7 - 7.40
The Little Kicks 8.05 - 8.50
Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers 9.15 - 10

Wee Red Bar
Snide Rhythms 7 - 7.40
The Shellsuit Massacre 8.05 - 8.50
My Electric Love Affair 9.15 - 10

The Bowery
The Occasional Flickers 6.30 - 7.15
Y'all is Fantasy Island 8.25 - 8.50
Jesus H Foxx 9.35 - 10
Meursault 10 - 10.45

Cabaret Voltaire
Dead Boy Robotics 5.45 - 6.30
Boycotts 6.55 - 7.40
Three Blind Wolves 8.05 - 8.50
Frightened Rabbit (Scott solo) 9.15 - 10

And if you can't wait till Friday there is an Oxjam preview gig at Sneaky Pete's tonight (Monday) with Super Adventure Club, Shields Up and Cuddly Shark.