We know it’s only November, but, whatever, we’re done for the year (well, for gigs anyway). Thanks to all who came along to our final gig of the year last night. Torche, Part Chimp and Stinky Wizzleteat was a badass way to end the year.

We’ve had some really great gigs this year, Supersonic Festival was a phenomenal success and Home of Metal is coming together VERY nicely (watch this space for exciting announcements next year). Huge thanks to all who’ve played for us, volunteered and of course attended the shows – see you again next year!

Here’s just some of the shows from 2010

Eyehategod at The Asylum in April

Silver Apples at Hare & Hounds in August

Cluster at Town Hall in February

Baroness at Hare & Hounds in January

Phosphorescent at Hare & Hounds in June

Atsuhiro Ito at VIVID in March

Modified Toy Orchestra at Town Hall in September

And of course there was Supersonic Festival in October – check out the collective memory for photos, videos and reviews

See you all next year for, amongst others, Kayo Dot, Blood Ceremony and Arbouretum – get tickets for these shows here

There has always been a healthy fanbase of stoner rock in all its different sub-genres and splintered factions in Birmingham, aided in no small part to the sterling work done by promoters Capsule, who have consistently provided a stage for some of the worlds finest artists in this field. After winding down 2009 with appearances by Electric Wizard, Isis and Sunn o))) amongst others, and with a Baroness show in January, you’d have been forgiven for assuming there’d be more to follow swiftly in their wake. But nothing. Bit of IDM, some Krautrock legends. And then, out of the blue, confirmation that Capsule had nefariously been toying with us. Waiting to drop their bomb.

Eyehategod are playing Birmingham.
….
No doubt about it, this was not a show for the unconverted. EHG’s sound and ethos is extreme, aggressive and unashamed. They write anthems for the sick, for the outcasts and losers of the world; and for what the band lack in the way of financial success or just plain good luck, they take their reward in the love and respect that everyone here threw their way for every minute of the set. And probably a fair bit of drugs as well. This was a show for the fans, and if you own even a single Eyehategod CD you should have been here, it was truly amazing.

Read the full review on Brum Live by Duncan Wilkins photos by Katja Ogrin

Thanks to all who came to see Mono on Tuesday at The Asylum – an all consuming perfomance brilliantly opened by the high priestess of folk doom Rose Kemp.

Last Saturday saw the stellar line up of Autechre, Russell Haswell & Rob Hall. Autechre played their usual trick of playing in complete darkness, hence the lack of photographic evidence here but it was great to see so many people braving the cold and raving to the early hours.

Before that Atsuhiro Ito created a phenomenal audio visual spectacle in VIVID, and it was particularly great to see such a great turn out for such a niche show – who says Birmingham’s  shit? Great local support came from Nicholas Bullen and Windscale.

Thanks to Mark Hoy for the above photographs
Next Capsule show? Well it’s only Eyehategod isn’t it? Tickets are selling FAST for this so get them while you can from theticketsellers or our friends at Swordfish Records & Polar Bear

We’re delighted to announce a show with Japanese band MONO for Tuesday 16th March. After last years sell out show at the Hare & Hounds, we’ve made sure that they’ll be no disappointed punters this time round with the show taking place at The Asylum in Hockley,  Birmingham.
Tickets available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk

Mono are a Japanese instrumental rock band formed in 1999 in Tokyo, Kantō, Honshū. The band consists of Takaakira Goto (electric guitar), Yoda (electric guitar), Tamaki Kunishi (bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel), and Yasunori Takada (drum kit, glockenspiel, synthesizer).

The band’s style of instrumental rock music is influenced by the genres of experimental rock and shoegazing, as well as by both the classical and contemporary classical periods of classical music, and also by noise and minimalism. Mono’s sound is characterised by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make use of reverb, distortion and delay effects. Mono’s live performances are renowned for their intensity, both in their playing and in their dynamics.

I’ve actually seen grown men at Roadburn Festival be moved to tears while watching them.

Efterklang – Cutting Ice To Snow from Rumraket on Vimeo.
It is directed by Jeremiah Zagar and produced by Herzliya Films

Efterklang play in Birmingham on Thursday 29th of October at The Asylum in Hockley, support from Nancy Elizabeth.
Advanced tickets from www.thetisketsellers.co.uk Polar Bear in Kings Heath + Swordfish Birmingham city Centre

Ok folks we have a number of shows coming up over the next couple of months and we’re pretty stoked on the selection.

Kicking off with ELECTRIC WIZARD,  a crushing behemoth of funeral march psychedelia with support from Canadian flute-tinged witch rock, BLOOD CEREMONY – think Jethro Tull mixed with Sabbath!
Be aware that this show is selling very fast and our capacity is limited!

A welcome return by Capsule favourites FUCK BUTTONS, with support from ZUN ZUN EGUI, a  heavy dance band, they fire up mighty, eternal grooves worthy of some dust-caked Lagos street jam. THEO – Taut, chugging guitar loops layer up with frenetic tapping patterns that interweave in spiralling complexity.

STARLESS & BIBLE BLACK have drawn together the sounds of ‘70s Topanga Canyon country-rock, ‘80s Mancunian jangle, and space-age psychedelic drones to make a dynamic, warm and woodsy sound. Support from FOX, intimate, acoustic-led songwriting combining a wide variety of instruments, including guitars, banjo, percussion, keyboards, theremin, mandolin + new Birmingham based collective Health & Efficiency, who combine banjo, two basses, two guitars, synths, samplers and more effects and loop pedals.

ISIS are back in Brum, expect heavy, slow and brutal sounds, whilst hypnotising and entrancing you all with their live show. They will be bringing with them a very special support act – more news on that soon. This will be our first show at The Asylum in Hockley, which we’re really excited about using, good beer prices & great PA.

EFTERKLANG with support from NANCY ELIZABETH will also be taking place at the Asylum on the following night – expect an upbeat atmosphere and with  a sense of hope and optimism, these guys will leave you with a massive smile on your face – what more could you want from a gig.

These are just for starters – also confirmed for November DAMIEN JURADO, WOODS/ESPERS/THE CAVE SINGERS + OXBOW

Tickets can be bought in advanced from www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Polar Bear – York Road, Kings Heath
Swordfish – Birmingham city centre