Next Thursday 8th May World Unlimited bring The Grand Slambovians aka Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams to the H&H main stage.

Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams have been called  ”the hillbilly Pink Floyd,” which is an apt description, particularly if you throw in elements of Incredible String Band, Neil Young, The Band, Dylan, and maybe even some Frank Zappa as well.
The advent of “The Grand Slambovians” is both the band’s latest reincarnation and the title of their new soul stirring CD.

 Joziah Longo, (lead singer/songwriter for the band) describes the new collection of songs as, “A more extreme dose of what we’ve always been — a country prison music meets British invasion type of thing.” For the uninitiated, the band’s all over the map melodic avant folk conjures Tom Petty, Dinosour Jr., and a fuller Buffalo Tom, possessing an exotic instrumental arsenal in addition to standard rock regalia. Equal parts Washington Irving and Woodstock, the band taps a broad palette of styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to huge Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Playing art school roots rock, sometimes folk and quirkyAmericana, they possess an exotic instrumental arsenal (accordion, cello, mandolin, theremin) in addition to standard rock regalia.

They met at art school 1998, then settled together in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and formed Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The band has toured internationally as is known for its electrifying live performances, and strong original music. They have a devoted and ever expanding fan base. 

 In 2010, they brought their legendary Halloween show, The Grand Slambovian Extraterrestrial Hillbilly~Pirate Ball to London’s Electric Ballroom and NYC’s Gramercy Theater. “Saturday was a blast! I want you to know how great I thought your show was – you guys really made the Gramercy shine and ooze with your own personality.” – Harvey Leeds, Live Nation NYC

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There’s something in the water along the Hudson River which continues to inspire creative souls – bandleader and songwriter Longo, (known for tall tales and philosophising) is currently finishing his second musical with Broadway legend Theodore Mann scheduled to open at the Circle in The Square Theater inNew York City. Recently signed by the mighty Sony, Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams are shedding their skin and come out boldly as The Grand Slambovians. Unleashing their hauntingly signature songs on the world once again. Manically melodic, the bold, new songs knit into the band’s classics like an old paisley quilt wrapped around a very large family. Check out the band performing their single ‘Trans-Slambovian Bi-Polar Express’ live below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REtR8Q3riVo&list=PL75DBFA098BA31B9D

It all kicks off at 7:30pn next Thursday with advanced £12.50 tickets are on sale now, you can find them here.

This Saturday the 3rd May The Asbo Disco bring the Legendary Congo Natty to the H&H as part of their Dubwise Jungle Special series.

The ASBO Disco has been playing music for the crowds between Boomtown and Bristol for years and now it’s time for their debut show in Birmingham with the Legendary Reggae/Jungle artist Congo Natty. He’ll be joined by the original Lioness, Martha Cecilia from La La & The Boo Ya. Check out the video for his single ‘Junglist’ below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL4GQ5H0lkc

Support on the night comes from Aries, Jam Jah Soundsystem & The ASBO Disco resident DJs. Find your advanced £12 tickets here.

This Saturday 26th April Circles return to the H&H main stage with another D’n’B legend, Dillinja.

Karl Francis aka Dillinja is arguably the most prolific & high quality producer within the drum and bass scene (with over 500 releases produced since 1991), setting up Valve Recordings in partnership with long-term collaborator Lemon D (Kevin King), with whom he also designed and built the Valve Sound System. As well as the record label and sound system, Francis and King have also opened a specialist mastering and vinyl cutting studio, Ear2ground. Check out his single ‘Twist Em Out’ below;

https://soundcloud.com/renegade-hardware/dillinja-twist-em-out

With his unmissable thugged out style, heavy beats and of course his world renowned Valve Sound System this is a rare chance to catch the man himself in our intimate 250 club space. Advanced £7.50 tickets are on sale now, find them here.

Sons of Kemet come to the Hare & Hounds tonight as part of the Jazzlines programme in association with THSH.

Led by Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone and clarinet, Sons of Kemet are one of the most exciting bands in this rapidly growing area of jazz. Simple but very rhythmic themes build on the superb interaction between the two drummers, Seb Rochford and Tom Skinner and the completely original tuba playing of Oren Marshall. Check out the video for their single ‘Inner Babylon’ below;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJRrk3PMFdc

It all kicks off at 8:30pm with advanced tickets still on sale here.

The Crookes live in Sheffield and infamously found (most of) each other, bleary of eyed and dancing alone, on the indie dancefloor at the city’s Fuzz Club near the close of the previous decade. Five years, 40-odd songs and hundreds of live shows down the line The Crookes are now hardly lacking in fans, followers or worthwhile friends but their new album Soapbox still sees them revel in the role of loners.

The chest-beating sound of new album Soapbox shows there is fire in the eyes lurking behind those floppy fringes, packed full of stroppy riffs and emboldened stompings, for these are rebels who barely pause for breath. You may well have been hooked by The Crookes before: on the BBC 6 Music playlist, perhaps. Or maybe supporting Richard Hawley or Little Comets, or at SXSW, or on one of their many gentlemanly excursions around Europe, including a triumphant Birmingham show at The Sunflower Lounge.

You certainly couldn’t accuse The Crookes of shirking their tidy shirt-wearing duties: working to an agenda which would cause the shrinking three-gigs-and-out violets of East London palpitations. 2014 sees The Crookes deliver this here Soapbox longplayer, thereby become the first band to release three albums on Fierce Panda since the mighty Death Cab For Cutie a decade ago.

The Crookes Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

THE CROOKES PLAY HARE & HOUNDS BIRMINGHAM ON WEDS 23RD APRIL 2014, WITH SUPPORT FROM HIGH HAZELS. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE.

Watch the video for ‘Play Dumb’ below:

http://youtu.be/Zmn9F9vKxzU

On Wednesday 11th June we’ll be bringing Amp Fiddler to the Hare & Hounds main stage. Joseph “Amp” Fiddler is a musician who has an extensive list of credits that extends across a couple decades. Fiddler, who produces and sings in addition to doing the bulk of his duties on keyboards, organs, and pianos, has played on records by Prince, the Brand New Heavies, Ramsey Lewis, George Clinton, the P-Funk All Stars, the Dramatics, Primal Scream, Was (Not Was), and Too Short. Check out his single ‘Yeah!’ below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmby4f9YJzU

Advanced £15 tickets are on sale now, you can find them here.

The Toy Hearts return to the Hare & Hounds to celebrate the release of their brand new Austin, TX recorded EP, ‘Flyin’ Too High’ this Saturday 19th April.

The Toy Hearts core trio comprises of three Johnson family members, Hannah on lead vocals/mandolin, her sister Sophia on lead guitar/harmony vocals, and their father Stewart on Steel/Dobro/Banjo. The band has toured extensively across the UK, Europe and the USA, including a 5 month stint gigging in Austin, Texas in 2013. With four albums already under their belts, The Toy Hearts hit the road again in 2014 to promote their ‘Flyin’ Too High’ EP recorded in Austin, and inspired by the music of the Honky Tonks and Juke Joints where they were regular performers through out last summer. Check out the video for their single ‘What Goes Up Must Come Down’ below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC1p7eHzgCc

As it’s a Saturday night the the band will be playing slight later than usual with Doors at 8pm and The Toy Hearts playing around 9pm with a DJ on after the band til the early hours. Pick up your advanced £10 tickets here.

We’re delighted to announce that the last bank holiday in May 2014 will see Leftfoot take over the Hare & Hounds main room for three consecutive nights for a very special Leftfoot Weekender.

Kicking off the trio of shows will be Ben UFO on Friday 23rd May, who was recently placed number 10 in the Resident Advisor Top DJs of 2013 poll. Then on Saturday 24th May, Troumaca return to play live at the H&H for their single launch party alongside DJ sets from Leftfoot & This is Tmrw residents. To close the weekend Leftfoot will be joining forces with Soulfood Project to host The Hot 8 Brass Band on bank holiday Sunday 25th May in celebration of Soulfoods 4th Birthday. Sunday will also see a H&H stables takeover with a pop up cocktail bar, DJs & food courtesy of Soulfood Project. Check out Troumaca performing live on the Boiler Room last year below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtONzAVt0gQ

Tickets for all three shows are on sale now with Ben UFO costing £12.50 (available here), Troumaca £8 (available here) and The Hot 8 Brass Band £15 (available here). A limited amount of £25 weekend tickets have also been released, gaining entry to all three shows with a saving of over £10. You can find them on the links above.

We’re delight to announce that Counteract Magazine will be hosting their very own two day festival, Birmingham & Beyond, at the Hare & Hounds this June.

The first wave of bands who will be performing at the two day festival were announced this morning. Hull’s LIFE will BE headlining the Friday night while local band God Damn will headline Saturday night. Also joining LIFE on Friday is Curb, while Bad Grammar, LACED & DONG FANG are set to play alongside God Damn on Saturday. Check out the video for LIFE’s single ‘Money’ below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPymEmIdNxM

Birmingham & Beyond Festival takes place on Friday 20th and Saturday June 21st 2014, Tickets are on sale now,you can find them here.

Irish indie-folk four-piece Raglans have undergone a meteoric rise in popularity since their inception in 2010, going from a crowd pleasing, gig-opening favourite at Dublin’s Whelan’s hotspot to garnering widespread recognition across the UK.

The Long Live EP released in 2012 was bolstered by a collection of enthralling videos, but ultimately it was the EP’s standout ‘Digging Holes’, that started to get band recognition. The infectious single won widespread acclaim throughout the blogging world and forced their name as serious contenders amongst indie counterparts throughout 2013, winning them supports with the likes of The Courteeners and HAIM.

Raglans return in 2014 with the release their self-titled debut album, due out in March via Independent Records. Raglans, as an LP, encompasses the grouped vocals of The Lumineers, the multi-intrumentalist efforts of Of Monsters And Men, whilst highlighting the substantial post-punk camaraderie circa The Libertines. Raglans are now preparing to promote the album, setting off to support fellow bluesy wunderkinds The Strypes on a huge nationwide tour of the UK, followed by a string of headline UK dates in April, calling at Birmingham Hare & Hounds on Tues 15th.

Raglans Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

RAGLANS PLAY HARE & HOUNDS BIRMINGHAM ON TUES 15TH APRIL 2014, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE HEIST. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE.

Watch the video for new single ‘(Lady) Roll Back the Years’ below:

http://youtu.be/fYTxrVhDxQ0