The stars have aligned once again to bring back a pairing we last saw together in 2009. Yes that’s right folks, GLATZE return to support the one and only MELT BANANA this May 27th at the Rainbow Warehouse, in what can only be described as sweet, sweet déjà vu. Back then this was the first time Sam Underwood (the musical man/loon behind Glatze) had performed at a Capsule event. Since then Sam’s been involved with numerous other Capsule events through his other projects which include Ore, MortonUnderwood &

also If Wet which will be brought along to Supersonic Festival this May.

We caught up with Sam to talk about his upcoming performance with Glatze. See our mini Q & A below. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.

5 years on, what’s it like knowing you’ll be back sharing the stage at a Capsule gig with Melt Banana all over again?

It means a lot to me. I have warm memories of my first encounter as an artist with Capsule and I have been a Melt Banana fan for many moons. Capsule have continued to support me since that day and I can’t wait to dust Glatze off for another outing alongside Melt Banana; for old times’ sake.

Sam, you’re a busy man…you build instruments (MortonUnderwood), play in Ore and also run your own monthly event, If Wet, which will be transported to Supersonic Festival later this May. How do you balance all of these different projects and where does Glatze fit in?

Off the back of my sabbatical I had all these amazing strands I could pursue. For a while I did just that; I just kept throwing them against the wall to see what stuck. That’s hard work though, as I was essentially saying YES to everything. Now I have a clearer idea of what aspects really appeal to me I have started saying NO to some stuff, in order to concentrate my efforts. This makes my life easier and my output more focussed. Glatze is quite distinct in all this, he just lurks on the side-lines waiting for fun opportunities to

play. He’s my light relief.

Image courtesy of Pete Ashton: Taken in 2009 during Glatze’s last performance alongside Melt Banana.

Who are some of your musical (or otherwise) influences?

Glatze is all about attention grabbing, energetic live performances so draws influences from the likes of Henry Rollins, Afrirampo, rave DJs such as Sy and Slipmatt, and of course Melt Banana!

How do you go about writing a song? Do you jam and figure stuff out that way or is the writing process much more structured?

As Glatze, my music always has half an eye on what the live aspects of it will be. It mainly starts with studio production, although tunes range from fully improvised pieces that are constructed entirely live to heavily produced dancefloor vibes with me just twatting about over the top!

What can people expect from Glatze live?

Glatze is older and wiser now so expect more madcap inventions and theatricalities than ever before, and the usual fun-at-all-costs mentality!

For tickets to see MELT BANANA plus GLATZE and THRILLING HEADGEAR go here.

Terrorizer magazine have published a review of the OM and ORE trio show, by Kez Whelan. In a word ‘stunning’.

We’ve got a score of great gigs coming up, including Adrian Utley on 26th Nov at Library of Birmingham, performing Terry Riley’s ‘In C’ and Shellac + Helen Money on Monday 25th November at Rainbow Warehouse. Rounding up this trio of excellent shows is OM, always a fantastic live band, they’re joined by Lichens. Support comes from doom tuba group ORE, who will be playing as a trio.

“Just three years into their dual-tuba project, Birmingham’s ORE continue to evolve rapidly. From early drone/doom beginnings their music has lately drawn inspiration from Indian classical music and other improvisational influences to become something much more difficult to define.

Autumn 2013 sees them celebrating the release of their new double A side 7″ in collaboration with Japanese noise master KK Null on Endtyme Records, and for this performance they will be joined on drums by regular live collaborator Lydia Glanville.”

Listen to a sample of their record with KK NULL, a project born out of their collaborative performance with the Japanese noise artists and Zeni Geva frontman at Supersonic 2012.

Tickets for OM + ORE at Rainbow Warehouse are available via www.theticketsellers.co.uk

We’re really pleased to invite doom tuba group ORE back to support the mighty OM on Tuesday 26th November. Last September, ORE set the perfect opening atmosphere for a gorgeous OM set at the Rainbow, and their brass take on doom left a real impression on OM who requested their return!

Just three years into their dual-tuba project, Birmingham’s ORE continue to evolve rapidly. From early drone/doom beginnings their music has lately drawn inspiration from Indian classical music and other improvisational influences to become something much more difficult to define.

Autumn 2013 sees them celebrating the release of their new double A side 7″ in collaboration with Japanese noise master KK Null on Endtyme Records (a record born from their Supersonic 2012 collaboration), and for this performance they will be joined on drums by regular live collaborator and jazz percussionist Lydia Glanville.

OM and ORE will play the Rainbow Warehouse on Tuesday 26th November, tickets are available via www.theticketsellers.co.uk

We’re very pleased to announce that tuba duo ORE will support OM at their gig at the Rainbow Warehouse on Tuesday 25 September, adding to the abstract doom theme of the night. Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss out – https://www.theticketsellers.co.uk

They have recently released their first EP ‘Beyond Tree and Stone’, which can be purchased digitally via http://oretubadoom.bandcamp.com/

You can also catch ORE in a special collaboration with Japanese noise maestro KK Null at this year’s Supersonic Festival. Read more about that here http://www.supersonicfestival.com/line-up/special-performances/ore-and-kk-null

Thanks to all who made it on Sunday for our event at IKON. Part of the gallery’s Autumn Almanac series, celebrating the city’s cultural activity, we were invited to program a night of music and sound art. This seemed a wonderful way to round off our wonderful Home of Metal year, celebrating the sound of Birmingham with two exciting performances that explored the concept of Heavy Metal and created something entirely new.

Fresh from their Supersonic debut, Ore played their tuba doom. Referencing Metal, Classical and Experimental sounds.

Andrew Moscardo Parker took inspiration from the newly reformed godfathers of Metal, taking the first three notes of the song ‘Black Sabbath’ ( these notes were known as the Devil’s Intervals in Medieval times) and creating a 30 minute string piece. Eight string players surrounded the audience to create a truly immersive piece of work.

Capsule’s very own Ms Sara Fowles (centre) contributes viola

Huge thanks to all the players, to SOUNDkitchen for contributing field recordings based around the notion of ‘Metal’ and to IKON.

Join us this Sunday as part of Ikon Gallerys Autumn Almanac. Capsule present an evening inspired by the sound of Birmingham (visit https://third.co.uk/ for more info) its industrial heritage and metal origins.

Andrew Moscardo-Parker performs as Lash Frenzy. Central to his sound work is a rejection of

narrative and a focus upon the present, the ‘now’. His work as Lash Frenzy explores the action of playing, turning performances into immersive, participatory events. For this performance, Andrew will be paying tribute to Birmingham musical history, as the piece will work around the first 3 notes of the song ‘Black Sabbath’. These particular 3 notes are called Tritones and were known in Medieval times as the ‘Devil’s Intervals’.

Ore are a drone doom tuba group. The Sound of Ore can be heard where classical, experimental and metal musics engage. The material is rare; a synthesis of musical elements. Ore forge the power and depth of brass with the care of craftsmen. It is the sound of Birmingham: its industrial heritage, metal-working origins and creative innovation. Listen HERE

In addition you will be able to hear a selection of works by SOUNDkitchen, in response to Capsule’s Home of Metal project, sound artists have submitted material based on the notions of ‘metal’.

Tickets available online HERE and will also be available on the door.
The event begins at 8:00pm.