This is, of course, Mark Refoy's other band, featuring Jon Mattock and Ray Dickerty, his old colleagues from Spiritualised. Their label has landed them a showcase date at the Dublin Castle in London on Saturday 4th December, so it seemed only logical that they take the Friday slot at Masters of Budvar to give them a chance to warm up for that, while simultaneously rocking our socks off.

Admirers of the talented Miss Best, do not despair: The Sunshine Valley Dance Band will be playing for us in the New Year.

The return of Mark Refoy, Jon Mattock and Ray Dickerty. Last time these psychedelic desperados played the club, the joint was heaving with people and the mighty roar of the DREAMWEAPON was in full effect. Now on the eve of a London showcase(Saturday night at the Dublin Castle, London readers) they are back to rock the Labour Club. As you already know, these musicians have the most ludicrous pedigree, involving Spacemen 3, Damo Suzuki, Spiritualized, The Tell Tale Hearts and the Pet Shop Boys. Their skills, their inventiveness and their tireless enthusiasm make Slipstream a must-see.

The Short Wave Set (onstage 9:30pm)

Possibly the most radical act that we have presented at Masters of Budvar. Shrouded in secrecy, conspiracy, smokescreen and black misinformation, the Short Wave Set makes its world debut right here in our little nightclub. Fans of Suicide, Sonic Boom and David Voorhaus, look out. This is pure electronic avant-gardening hell in your back yard.

David Voorhaus, Ron Grainer, Marty Rev, Throbbing Gristle...your boys have taken a Hell of a beating! Here, at what is supposed to be "acoustic night" (Aaaah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!) we present the truly terrifying electronica of the Short Wave Band. An outrage against music, snare drums, all that shit, Doktor Freakbeat's nameless tide of malevolent noise will leave you slack-jawed with disbelief, disgust and maybe even some deviant delight.

Ghost Train (onstage 9:00pm)

Oh, it all looks so sweet and tranquil at nine o'clock as the much-loved lonesome cowpokes of NN1 make their way onstage for another delicious helping of country blues and campfire western swing. Come early, keep quiet. You'll be glad.

Completing a bill of rampant psychedelic mayhem we have the awesome Ghost Train. Influenced by Machine Head, Metallica and The Chambers Brothers and driven by a ferocious cocktail of DMT and PCP, they represent the most brutal, pared-down take on psych-metal since...well, since The Reverend Gary Davis. Only kidding, folks. It's that lovely lonesome prairie stuff they do. Come early and give yourself a treat.

Masters of Budvar - Free on the First Friday of every month. Top quality acts of all varieties from around the globe. There's not much point your missing it.

Reviews of Slipstream’s album Transcendental (Enraptured Records 2003)

Jason Pierce may have been the architect but Spiritualized guitarist Mark Refoy was the labourer who gave 1992’s Laser Guided Melodies its luminous sparkle. A decade on, Transcendental finds him still floating amid Velvet Underground crescendos and twinkling, richly romantic space rock ("Everything And Anything"). Graphic novel guru Alan Moore also makes a surprising cameo, reciting Edmund Blunden’s poem "Clare’s Ghost". A far-flung branch on the Spacemen 3/Spiritualized family tree definitely worth investigating.

****

UNCUT Magazine August 2003

This album drifts dreamily into the consciousness like a love symphony from beyond the stars equipped with the emotions of loneliness and imprisonment as burdened upon Bowie’s ‘Major Tom’, yet possessing a subtle essence of 60’s West Coast pop in its most potent and purist form. ’Transcendental’ is equally warming as it is soft to touch, depth wise it shares a common thread with the Bunnymen’s monumental ‘Ocean Rain’ for simplistic intensity and tender appeal. Weave into that elegant tapestry the insular drone nuances of Spacemen 3’s ‘Recurring’ and Spiritualized’s ‘Laser Guided Melodies’ and you have an album that flutters in a triumphant haze at every given corner.

LOSING TODAY Magazine, August 2003
Credit: pat