Misty's Big Adventure
Encyclopedia
Misty's Big Adventure are an eight piece band from Birmingham
, England
. Their music is an eclectic mix of jazz
, lounge
, psychedelia
, two tone, pop
and punk
.
The current lineup is Grandmaster Gareth (real name Gareth Jones) (vocals), Hannah Baines (trumpet), Lucy Baines (saxophone), Lucy Bassett (keyboards), Matt Jones (bass), Sam Minnear (drums, percussion), Jonathan Kedge (guitar) and Erotic Volvo (dancer).
experimental music scene, Grandmaster Gareth formed the band in 1996 with his friend Sam Minnear. The name was taken from a story in the 1968 children's book The Magic Roundabout Annual about a kitten, Misty, who meets a dog with whom she becomes friends.
Misty's songs typically consist of Grandmaster Gareth singing in a deadpan, maudlin style accompanied by lively guitar, keyboards and brass players. They occasionally include samples and toy instruments in their songs. Contrasting with Gareth's dour lounge-singer act is the dancer Erotic Volvo. Dressed in a loose full-body red sack with numerous stuffed blue gloves attached, and his face painted blue, he dances continuously and in an exhaustingly frenetic manner, often moving around the audience. He occasionally also performs as a human beat box
.
All members of the band are trained musicians, and are predominantly based in the Moseley
suburb of Birmingham. The band's spiritual home was the Jug of Ale venue in Moseley, where they played regularly until it was shut down in 2008; fittingly, Misty's played the last ever gig there. They have played widely outside Birmingham too and since 2005 they have toured extensively around the UK with forays into Europe, and support slots for The Zutons
and The Magic Numbers
. They are managed by Mathew Priest
, the drummer with Dodgy
.
Their debut album, Misty's Big Adventure and Their Place in the Solar Hi-Fi System, was released in 2004 with production by Richard March of Bentley Rhythm Ace
and Matthew Eaton of Pram
. Their follow-up albums The Black Hole
(2005) and Funny Times (2007) were produced by Brian O'Shaughnessy whose production credits include Primal Scream
, Denim
and The Firm's "Star Trekkin'".
Gareth occasionally tours as Misty's Little Adventure with a stripped down band, featuring himself on guitar, backed by drums, trumpet and saxophone only.
In 2003, Gareth recorded the solo album Grandmaster Gareth Presents... An Introduction To Minute Melodies. This was accompanied by a John Peel
session entitled "Grandmaster Gareth's Monster Melody" a CDR EP of which was available to purchase from the band's website. A second album of minute melodies The Party Sounds Of Grandmaster Gareth was released on SL records in May 2006. This featured 29 tracks varying in length from 47 seconds to 1 minute 29 seconds. A bonus monster melody (different from the Peel session) was also included to end the album. Contributors to this album included the other members of Misty's, Brute Force, Jeffrey Lewis
, Dog Food's Mr Simon and Bom & His Magic Drumstick.
The humourist Dave Gorman
is a fan of Misty's Big Adventure and the DVD The Dave Gorman Collection features a special song and video as an extra. The song is titled "54 Dave Gormans". The band also provided the theme tune to his tv series Genius
.
In 2007 the BBC used the instrumental version of "Fashion Parade" as the music to their The Edwardians trailer, while ITV used the same version in their trailer for their reality show This Is David Gest. On radio, the instrumental version was used by The Geoff Show
on Virgin Radio
as backing music to one of their regular features. It has also been used as the soundtrack to an Irish anti-litter campaign.
, Broadcast
, Dog Food and Novak as teenage influences. Seven-piece Novak had an "anything goes" attitude combined with skilled musicianship that Misty's exhibit. Other influences include Raymond Scott
, Julian Cope
, The Beatles
, The Specials
, Joe Meek
and Can
during 2004. Some of these recordings are featured on City and Eastern Tapes (2008).
Misty's, and Gareth in particular, are strong supporters of the local Birmingham music scene.
Misty's 2006 single "Fashion Parade" features 3/4 of Northampton
indie-punk rockers The Retro Spankees, and a guest appearance by Noddy Holder
. The video also features The Teats.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Their music is an eclectic mix of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, lounge
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
, psychedelia
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
, two tone, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
.
The current lineup is Grandmaster Gareth (real name Gareth Jones) (vocals), Hannah Baines (trumpet), Lucy Baines (saxophone), Lucy Bassett (keyboards), Matt Jones (bass), Sam Minnear (drums, percussion), Jonathan Kedge (guitar) and Erotic Volvo (dancer).
About the band
A long time fixture on the BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
experimental music scene, Grandmaster Gareth formed the band in 1996 with his friend Sam Minnear. The name was taken from a story in the 1968 children's book The Magic Roundabout Annual about a kitten, Misty, who meets a dog with whom she becomes friends.
Misty's songs typically consist of Grandmaster Gareth singing in a deadpan, maudlin style accompanied by lively guitar, keyboards and brass players. They occasionally include samples and toy instruments in their songs. Contrasting with Gareth's dour lounge-singer act is the dancer Erotic Volvo. Dressed in a loose full-body red sack with numerous stuffed blue gloves attached, and his face painted blue, he dances continuously and in an exhaustingly frenetic manner, often moving around the audience. He occasionally also performs as a human beat box
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
.
All members of the band are trained musicians, and are predominantly based in the Moseley
Moseley
Moseley is a suburb of Birmingham, England, two miles south of the city centre. The area is a popular cosmopolitan residential location and leisure destination, with a number of bars and restaurants...
suburb of Birmingham. The band's spiritual home was the Jug of Ale venue in Moseley, where they played regularly until it was shut down in 2008; fittingly, Misty's played the last ever gig there. They have played widely outside Birmingham too and since 2005 they have toured extensively around the UK with forays into Europe, and support slots for The Zutons
The Zutons
The Zutons are an English indie rock band from Liverpool. They were formed in 2001 but did not release their first album, Who Killed...... The Zutons?, until May 2004. They achieved their biggest hits with "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" and "Valerie", both taken from their second studio album...
and The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
. They are managed by Mathew Priest
Mathew Priest
Mathew Priest is an English drummer with the band Dodgy. He has also played with The Lightning Seeds, The Electric Soft Parade, The Yellow Moon Band and Ian McNabb in The Icicle Works....
, the drummer with Dodgy
Dodgy
Dodgy are an English power pop rock trio, that rose to prominence during the Britpop era of the 1990s, who are best known for their hits "Staying Out for the Summer", "If You're Thinking of Me", and "Good Enough"...
.
Their debut album, Misty's Big Adventure and Their Place in the Solar Hi-Fi System, was released in 2004 with production by Richard March of Bentley Rhythm Ace
Bentley Rhythm Ace
Bentley Rhythm Ace are a duo formed in Birmingham, England in 1997, consisting of Mike Stokes and Richard March.-Career:The band was formed in Birmingham by Richard March, formerly with the group Pop Will Eat Itself, and Mike Stokes, with guest appearances by James Atkin, a member of indie band EMF...
and Matthew Eaton of Pram
Pram (band)
Pram are an experimental band who formed in the Balsall Heath/Moseley area of Birmingham, England in 1990.-History:Originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Rosie Cuckston and Matt Eaton went to school together. They moved to Birmingham in the late 80s, schoolfriend Andy Weir keeping in touch...
. Their follow-up albums The Black Hole
The Black Hole (album)
The Black Hole is an album by Misty's Big Adventure, released in 2005. It is their second full studio release and contained the single "The Story Of Love".-Track listing:#"The Black Hole" - 4:37#"Never Stops Never Rests Never Sleeps" - 2:59...
(2005) and Funny Times (2007) were produced by Brian O'Shaughnessy whose production credits include Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
, Denim
Denim (band)
Denim is an American band based in Austin, Texas formed in 1970. 1980 saw some members of Denim join in a different project, "The Austin All-Stars". The All-Stars were a premiere party band in Austin, playing at the Steamboat on 6th street regularly...
and The Firm's "Star Trekkin'".
Gareth occasionally tours as Misty's Little Adventure with a stripped down band, featuring himself on guitar, backed by drums, trumpet and saxophone only.
In 2003, Gareth recorded the solo album Grandmaster Gareth Presents... An Introduction To Minute Melodies. This was accompanied by a John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
session entitled "Grandmaster Gareth's Monster Melody" a CDR EP of which was available to purchase from the band's website. A second album of minute melodies The Party Sounds Of Grandmaster Gareth was released on SL records in May 2006. This featured 29 tracks varying in length from 47 seconds to 1 minute 29 seconds. A bonus monster melody (different from the Peel session) was also included to end the album. Contributors to this album included the other members of Misty's, Brute Force, Jeffrey Lewis
Jeffrey Lewis
Jeffrey Lewis is an American singer/songwriter and comic book artist.-Early life:Lewis attended State University of New York at Purchase and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Literature...
, Dog Food's Mr Simon and Bom & His Magic Drumstick.
The humourist Dave Gorman
Dave Gorman
David James Gorman is an English author, stand-up comedian and presenter. He has performed comedy shows on stage in which he tells stories of extreme adventures and presents the evidence to the audience in order to prove to them that they are true stories...
is a fan of Misty's Big Adventure and the DVD The Dave Gorman Collection features a special song and video as an extra. The song is titled "54 Dave Gormans". The band also provided the theme tune to his tv series Genius
Genius (TV series)
Genius is a comedy game show on BBC Two, adapted from the original radio series hosted by the comedian Dave Gorman. On Genius, members of the public submit a range of unusual ideas and inventions for Gorman and guest celebrity judges to decide whether the idea is "Genius"...
.
In 2007 the BBC used the instrumental version of "Fashion Parade" as the music to their The Edwardians trailer, while ITV used the same version in their trailer for their reality show This Is David Gest. On radio, the instrumental version was used by The Geoff Show
The Geoff Show
The Geoff Show was a humorous radio program, broadcast on Absolute Radio from 3 January 2006 to 25 September 2008.The show ran for three hours, between 10pm and 1am, Monday to Thursday. Presented by Geoff Lloyd, it also featured his 'symposium', comprising himself, Annabel Port and his producer...
on Virgin Radio
Virgin Radio
Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...
as backing music to one of their regular features. It has also been used as the soundtrack to an Irish anti-litter campaign.
Influences
Gareth cites local Birmingham bands PramPram (band)
Pram are an experimental band who formed in the Balsall Heath/Moseley area of Birmingham, England in 1990.-History:Originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Rosie Cuckston and Matt Eaton went to school together. They moved to Birmingham in the late 80s, schoolfriend Andy Weir keeping in touch...
, Broadcast
Broadcast (band)
Broadcast are an electronic music band, founded in Birmingham, England. Original members were Trish Keenan , Roj Stevens , Tim Felton and James Cargill . Various drummers played with the band, including Keith York, Phil Jenkins, Jeremy Barnes, Steve Perkins, and Neil Bullock...
, Dog Food and Novak as teenage influences. Seven-piece Novak had an "anything goes" attitude combined with skilled musicianship that Misty's exhibit. Other influences include Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott was an American composer, band leader, pianist, engineer, recording studio maverick, and electronic instrument inventor....
, Julian Cope
Julian Cope
Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
, Joe Meek
Joe Meek
Robert George "Joe" Meek was a pioneering English record producer and songwriter....
and Can
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
Extracurricular
Grandmaster Gareth worked as producer with antifolk artist Jeffrey LewisJeffrey Lewis
Jeffrey Lewis is an American singer/songwriter and comic book artist.-Early life:Lewis attended State University of New York at Purchase and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Literature...
during 2004. Some of these recordings are featured on City and Eastern Tapes (2008).
Misty's, and Gareth in particular, are strong supporters of the local Birmingham music scene.
Misty's 2006 single "Fashion Parade" features 3/4 of Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
indie-punk rockers The Retro Spankees, and a guest appearance by Noddy Holder
Noddy Holder
Neville John "Noddy" Holder MBE is an English musician and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist with the rock band Slade....
. The video also features The Teats.
Albums
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Allsorts | 2003 | self released |
| Misty's Big Adventure and Their Place in the Solar Hi-fi System | 2004 | SL Records |
| The Black Hole The Black Hole (album) The Black Hole is an album by Misty's Big Adventure, released in 2005. It is their second full studio release and contained the single "The Story Of Love".-Track listing:#"The Black Hole" - 4:37#"Never Stops Never Rests Never Sleeps" - 2:59... |
2005 | SL Records/T.A.R.G.O. Records |
| Grumpy Fun | 2006 | self released |
| Funny Times | 2007 | Grumpy Fun Recordings |
| Grumpier Fun | 2007 | Grumpy Fun Recordings |
| Television's People | 2008 | Grumpy Fun Recordings/SL Records |
| Grumpiest Fun | 2010 | Grumpy Fun Recordings |
| The Family Amusement Centre | 2011 |
Singles
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| "I am Cool With A Capital C" | 2004 | Awkward Records |
| "Night Time Better Than the Daytime/I Killed the Neighbours" | 2004 | Awkward Records |
| "Hey Man" | 2005 | SL Records |
| "The Story of Love" | 2005 | SL Records |
| "Where Do Jam Jars Go at Xmas Time" | 2005 | SL Records |
| "Fashion Parade" | 2006 | Sunday Best Records Sunday Best (music company) Sunday Best is the British music company founded and run by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. Its primary business is as a record label, but it also stages regular club nights and is the flagship organisation behind the UK music festival Bestival, which takes place on the Isle of Wight each... |
| "I Can't Bring The Time Back/Serious Thing" | 2007 | Club Fandango Records |
| "Between Me and You" | 2008 | Club Fandango Records |