Erics Fermented Thoughts……..
Saturdays fundraising gig at The White Rock Theatre was a massive success and a treat of comedic excellence for the people lucky enough to get one of the 1066 seats available, for this one off fundraising show. Jo Brand topped the bill, also appearing were Angela Barnes, the winner of BBC radio 2s new comedy award 2011 and Quincy, a London stand-up comic that also presents, writes and acts.
31st March – The Carlisle Hastings
To celebrate the launch of their new e.p. ‘Rise’ Expandis are back after a 30 year break.
Now a two piece, the amazing ‘John Wilde’ aka ‘Psychomouse’ on vocals and multi talented ‘Phil Thornton’ on guitar, keyboards and any number of taped oddities. They take their influences from ‘Talking Heads’, ‘Kraftwerk’, ‘D.A.F.’ and ‘Yellow Magic Orchestra’. With a high energy mystic trippy throbbing sound that works its way into your brain and won’t go away, moving you like nothing else. All eyes were transfixed on John, who was in full make up and Disney ears. Dancing around like a man possessed, with a nightmarish evil menacing grin and managing to contort his body in all manner of positions. The stand out track for me is the more mellow ‘Prayer Mat’ from the new cd with John’s vocals at their very best. They also treated us to some covers ‘Prince’ ‘sign o the times’ , Pink Floyd’s ‘set the controls for the heart of the sun’ and Hawkwinds ‘master of the universe’. Some old classics were played including the disturbing ‘everything stops for baby’ and ‘I don’t mind the noise’ which is always loved by the crowd. Expandis are back and stronger than ever. Don’t forget they will be playing ‘The Big Green Cardigan Festival’ later in the year.
Johnny Mason
Featured in Hastings Observer 19th April 2013