Here are photos from our final birthday event which took place at Vivid, much merriment was had by all and the 6pm start certainly left a few folks a wee bit tipsy by the end. All the acts were local inhabitants, all were superb and just goes to show that Birmingham should be very proud of the wealth of talent that exists on our very doorstep. Special mention to Brian Duffy of the Modified Toy Orchestra, who despite extreme back pain and a haze of very strong pain killers played an absolutely storming set. It was an exhausting month and we should all be grateful that we will be 10 but once – a massive word of thanks to so many people that were involved in making these celebrations so much fun.

VBS travels into Australia’s outback in search of the aboriginal youth gangs of Wadeye, all of which have taken their name, dress, and overall attitude from the 1980’s and 90’s golden age of heavy metal.

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.

From all of us at Capsule HQ (4 if you include Frank the Pup) wishing you a wonderful new year!
Loads of top notch events coming your way…watch this space.

But in the meantime to keep you amused and fight back the January back to work blues:

Well our 10th birthday celebrations are now over, it’s been a blast! Thanks to all those artists that performed, to VIVID for hosting us and to all of you that attended it was indeed a marathon of aural delights.
(photos from our closing party to follow)
We’ve had a wonderful year with some fantastic and memorable performances, far too many highlights to mention (37 in total) – however a special mention must go to the SUBLIME FREQUENCIES show, SUPERSONIC Festival 09 and the Making Do event at New Art Gallery Walsall.

2010 is shaping up to be a pretty special year, already confirmed are BARONESS who will kick off proceedings in mid January at the Hare & Hounds, followed by THE EX & BRASS UNBOUND, Krautrock legends CLUSTER will be performing at Town Hall Birmingham. EYEHATEGOD will be making their first appearance in over 10 years in April at the Asylum and this is just for starters. We have plenty more treats up our sleeves including announcements for SUPERSONIC 2010. But for now have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year – thanks for your support.
The Capsule Team X

Last night was what we hope is the first of many ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ events, which aims to put a name to a face and hear about some of the exciting stuff people are doing in Birmingham. We had presentations from Dan Davies Hash Brum, Ben Waddington a local historian, a new housing co-op which as of yet has no name, illustrator Ben Javens, Sara Fowles of Needles & Hooks/Stitches & Hos, Sarah one third of a new collective of music promoters Heat & Light, graphic designer Mark Murphy, Jon Bounds of Birminghams Not Shit.com, Stuart & Ben from First Fold Records, the remarkable Kipple and Charlie and her cake orchestra.

This event was in co-hosted with Created In Birmingham at VIVID

So the birthday celebrations come to an end tomorrow and for the closing party we are keeping things local – so if you’re not from round these parts it’s time for an education in Birmingham underground music. Showcasing both acts that have stalked Capsule shows since the early days and the brand spanking new, this frenzied party of dark lords, Barbie dolls, sweat and growls should round things off nicely.

Doors are at 6 – yep it’s an early one. There’s a free gift to the first 100 through the door plus a raffle, short films and snacks to go alongside the wealth of incredible local artists.

Many folks have asked for a running order so here is an approx one give or take 5/10 minutes:

Doors 6.00pm
6.45 pm Stinky Weasel Teats
7.45 pm Una Corda
8.55 pm Kipple
9.10pm Health & Efficiency
10.10pm Modified Toy Orchestra
11.20pm PCM
1.00 am Curfew
This will be sprinkled with various DJ sets – expect a fair bit of reach and grab action!

Last few tickets available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we all just talked a bit more? I feel so distant from you. What the devil are you up to? If you’re doing something super awesome, got some plans under your creative sleeves, putting on interesting gigs, exhibitions and the like then tell people about it at this little talky talky chit chat in association with Created In Birmingham.

Featured folks include ATTA Girl, Scott Johnson aka Film Ficciones, Stephen Earl Rogers, James Yarker of Stans Cafe, local historian Ben Waddington, illustrator extraordinaire Ben Javens to name but a few.

In the interval, pindec will be playing her Cake Orchestra: a cake-music interface for people without much musical ability but with an interest in cakes (i.e. pindec). The Cake Orchestra is composed of several sets of cakes, each with an instrument noise pre-assigned. Moving the cakes around on the playing surface triggers the instruments. Guaranteed to be more edible than a real orchestra.
This is a FREE EVENT
6.30 – 9.00pm at VIVID, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth
There are still a few places left you must RSVP admin[at]capsule.org.uk with KMKY in the subject