Last Night NE-Scene where there to catch up with Three Great Bands and witness the launch of Adams new CD Swapping Stories

Adam has spent the last six months putting together his new Album Swapping Stories. The album is self produced and features various other good northeast artists by the like of Nick Pride (The Pimptones), Oz Cassidy (The Pimptones), Jon Pope (Is Shepard), Patrick Lawrence (The Eiderdowns) and Beth Cunningham. Five out of the 12 tracks reached the Semi Finals of the 2009 UK Songwriter Competition. At the age of 21 this is a pretty mean feat.

With influences from such as Conner Oberst ( Bright Eyes/Monsters of Folk) Frank Turner (Million Dead) and Noah and the Whale he is in good stead with his musical tastes. I cant help hearing a taint of Mike Scott (Waterboys) in his style.

Musically speaking Adam is a very versatile artist and no stringed instrument is safe in his hands. His instument list is pretty impressive to say the least. He not only plays them but has a FEEL for each one and plays them all with gusto and confidence.

The Gig at the Cluny2 was a very close knit affair. If you havent been to the Cluny2 I would guess it holds about 120 people so it is a very personal set when you play there. At times it felt like the gig was only being played for you. The sound in the place you could not fault the accoustics where excellent. I know after talking to the bands they didnt hear this the same way as us on stage but belive me the sound was spot on.

If this is Adams Debut album I will sure be keeping an eye out for any other releases.

Swapping Stories consists of 12 track

1. Swapping Stories 
2. We Lost Ourselves
3. We Cant Turn Back
4. Gloria
5. The Letter
6. Glass
7. Conscience
8. Best Mistake
9. I know
10. Amber
11. Everything I've Got
12. Farewell To A Stranger

You can buy this Album online at http://www.dontjumprecords.bigcartel.com/product/swapping-stories

You Can also find him on

The Polarsets are a fairly new band to the Scene

The Consist of 
Rob Howe - Vocals // Guitar
Mickey Smith - Bass // Vocals
James Rudd - Drums // Vocals

This is now the second time I have seen thses guys play and both times I have just loved there style and stage presence. It is hard to try and pigeon hole these guys into any sort of genre. The are unique and very fresh sounding. I have tried to describe them to a few friends and probably failed miserably every time.

The songs are crisp and clean fronted by Rob on vocals, he has a very pleasing tone, that makes you sit back and listen. At times a sort of falseto but not in a mika vein more unique captivating add to that his style in guitar and you cant get a better front man for the band. He has a very profound way of getting his music into your ears and the songs are catchy enough that you will be singing them weeks afterwards

Add to this Mickey on bass and James on Drums and the music just flows from them. The guys look as at easy on stage as the do standing at the bar being in front of a crowd just does not phase them in the slightest. They are also very at easy with each other which really comes across in there music and performances. If you havent seen these guys play yet I would strongly recommend catch them at a gig or have a listen to there stuff on MYspace.

Big thumbs up guys keep it up

You Can Find Polarsets on

The Saints & The Cynics

Consist of
Lead Vocals: Jane Silmon-Monerri
Lead Vocals: Rosalyn Grace Emerson
Lead Guitar: Adam Stevenson  
Drums: James Yeend
Bass/Vocals: Amin Abadi
Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals: John Atkinson

This was also the scond time we had seen this band perform

Quote from there Myspace page:
Saint and The Cynics are a female duo fronted band from Newcastle, who since forming less then a year ago have had an impact on the local music scene, playing notable gigs at the Evolution Festival, Sunderland Live Festival, Carling Academy Newcastle, The Sage Gateshead, The Cluny Newcastle and many others, building up an impressive fan base on the way. Blending a range of influences to create carefully crafted pop songs packed with hooks that are sure to get your feet moving and your heart pounding. We need to be seen live.

And who are we to argue. This band have captured a lot of influences and merged them into there own sound. With Jane and Rosalyn fronting the band you wouldnt expect much vocal input from the boys. Wrong the lads lend a great blend and backing to the songs and this works so well live. The Girls seem to love being up front and if you watch them during a performance they are constantly smiling at what looks like a private joke shared between themselve. So relaxed and in sync with each other that the sound just flows from them. I dont know who in the band writes the lyrics but my money is on the girls as they sing them with feeling and express the love for there work to the audience.

There music is varied and flows along touching on various styles and feelings. Whatever style they are playing tho you are in for a lovely journey to some place and time that you will relate to.

You Can Find Saints & The Cynics on