Remaining Act of Resistance – A Evening of Music To Bear in mind Simon Holliday

‘Remaining Act of Resistance – A Evening of Music To Bear in mind Simon Holliday 

Friday 6 December 2024 on the Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, with all proceeds going to The LifeHouse

From a musical standpoint, that is gonna be a fully cracking gig! Noisy guitars a-plenty and nice tunes and that indefinable, underground essence of us towards the remainder of the world. There’ll simply be one individual lacking.  There solely in spirit.

Musician & songwriter Simon Holliday died on 15 March 2024 and this celebration of his life and music options most, if not all, of the bands he was part of through the years.

Though he was from Portsmouth initially he lived in North London for a few years and was part of the noisy, messy scene that included the Too Pure label bands within the early 1990’s.

His band The Unbelievers contributed a monitor to the very first Too Pure launch – a stay compilation album referred to as Now Thats Disgusting Music – Dwell At The Sausage Machine, which featured Mega Metropolis 4, Snuff, Silverfish and th’ Religion Healers. It was earlier than the label signed PJ Harvey.

After that he performed bass in Artwork Journey & The Static Sound who sound like the best cult band you’ve by no means heard of.  Or I’d by no means heard of, regardless of the actual fact LTW reviewed them in 2017.

…their knack for societal commentary, righteous anger and political rage pulls from a broader musical palette than simply ‘70s punk. With a blistering stage presence that manages to be each confrontational and inclusive, the band’s recorded efforts are not any much less spectacular, and positively no much less instant. (c) Sarah Lay for LTW

There’s a large again catalogue to take a look at on Bandcamp and I can’t wait to see them stay on 6 December.

I solely met Simon a pair occasions in recent times when he returned to Portsmouth and fashioned the Milton Underground Resistance with Steve Duffield, Pete Hutchinson and later Matt Loten. Their first album, confusingly referred to as ‘Demo‘ I reviewed right here. I adored his songs, as you may inform. And his vocals.

“It’s a bit Syd Barrett, a bit Peter Perrett however is simply so good (Tries to think about an analogy that’s not the outdated -a voice like honey dripping off a spoon…)”. It was a bit embarrassing once I met him after writing that. However like most big abilities on the periphery of success as a musician he appeared only a nice bloke, a bit shy, however keen about his band, in that Pompey custom of self-deprecation.

A later launch, underneath the title Microwave Wankers was Si and mates at their most Lo-Fi. The EP was ‘recorded on a telephone’. I reviewed it right here – and was more than happy when Simon accredited.  “Thanks for the incredible assessment each nail hit on the top.”

It was a shock when Simon handed – as detailed on this assessment of his mates and bandmates The Wonky People who went forward and performed a charity gig 24 hours after information of his demise broke.

The Pompey storage scene from The Delicate Mannered Janitors onwards has all the time had a wide range of bands made up from the identical pool of musicians and the Milton Underground Resistance / The Wonky People are the easiest of the lot, and this ‘last’ efficiency underneath the Resistance title shall be emotional however lots of enjoyable.  There could be cock-ups and banter however the songs are priceless and basic.

A full supporting forged on the sixth embrace  Simons nieces who’re the band Skinny Lady Food plan (taking part in a DJ set), and Southsea band The Elephant Cage in addition to bunch of reprobates referred to as Thee Jake Legs (who embrace varied members of the Delicate Mannered Janitors and Thee Lonely Hearts)

My head’s filled with metropolis noise / However, I nonetheless hear your voice… 

Tickets from Right here – lets pack the place – solely a tenner.

Shambotic / Outdated Unhealthy Habits have right now made the next accessible once more to obtain at a knockdown worth.

Milton Underground Resistance – Demo
Microwave Wankers EP

All phrases Ged Babey

I used to be late getting this piece collectively so if any of Simons household, mates and former band-mates need to add to this piece to pay tribute to the person and the artist, message me on Fb or depart a remark.  xx  (GB)