Dark Mills Festival at Merton Abbey Mills

Early start this morning as we all headed off from Eltham to South Wimbledon to attend the first ever Dark Mills Festival at Merton Abbey Mills, a freebie alternative festival with 10 bands, stalls etc

We got there in good time so had breakfast outside and watched the stage being set up. It was a lovely location:



The band stand:


Some dude dressed up for the day:


Nickie Hobbs and I at the Devolution stall:


Was nice to see some of my old Evo pals there too: Peter, Neil, Sam, James and co

So here's the full run down of the acts:


IN THE BLACK
Had a very garage rock feel about them and there were a good way to blast the day off.
Unfortunately they were told to turn it down which sucked big time and then they were shut down after two songs after a neighbour complained about the noise. Not a good way to start the day and I felt really sorry for them. They weren't too downhearted though, they stayed for the day, had a chat with them a couple of times and they were a good laugh.



See all the photos here: 050909InTheBlackDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/intheblackband


SIX TOES
Six Toes are a folk/acoustic band named becuase one of the guitarists had six toes "allegedly". Pretty good, kept the noise down so no complaints from neighbours. Had some catchy tunes and great harmonies.




See all the photos here: 050909SixToesDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/sixtoes1


KOMMAND+KONTROL
I felt really sorry for these guys. They were an electronic industrial band who had everything working against them. First cock up was them being introduced as Command& Conquer (obviously confused with the old video game but this was rectified). Who ever heard of EBM industrial music being played quietly (and in the sun!). The sound was really quiet for them and you could see their frustration but fair play to them, they stuck it out. Would love to see them in a proper club.



See all the photos here: 050909KommandKontrolDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/kommandkontrol


DR. JONES
These guys were in danger of being cut before they even started performing as the guitarist took ages to turn his amp down and started swearing on stage. Sounding a little like Dr. Feelgood in places these guys played good honest blues rock and would make a beer festival and pub band.



See all the photos here: 050909DrJonesDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/drjoneses


PSIDERALICA
These guys flew in from Spain this morning which was an amazing feat. Having spoken to the singer later on in the day they literally arrived in time to get changed and walk onstage! Singer seemed quite nervous but she recovered well.
It was an enjoyable set and they did an interesting version of Alice Cooper's Poison.



See all the photos here: 050909PsideralicaDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/psideralica


CALATRILLOZ
Hailing from Brazil, these guys were crazy. They had a very theatrical, almost operatic stage show with funky rhythms and haunting goth melodies. Really hard to describe what they sounded like but they were fun fun fun!



See all the photos here: 050909CalatrillozDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/calatrilloz


IMPRINT
Imprint were the last band that were having to play under the sound reduction and after them it was going to be LOUD! Thankfully Imprint were a very mellow soft band so they were the pefect way to end the "blackout". They went down really well. Slow twirling soundscape and lots of almost eastern/operatic vocals, Bjork-esque in places.



See all the photos here: 050909ImprintDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/imprintuk


THE VEIL
Sound restrictions off and what a way to go!
This band were really really good. French femme metal band with a female vocalist who sounded a lot like Emilie Autumn at times.




Sam with Jensara Swann from The Veil


See all the photos here: 050909TheVeilDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/theveilonline


UNTIL I WAKE
Sort of Muse sounding band especially the singer who also reminded me of Tommy Gnosis from Hedwig. Not my cup of tea but the bands rent a mob enjoyed it! Not even harmony guitars at the end could save them in my eyes and I wasn't impressed that they were allowed to over run when nobody else had.



See all the photos here: 050909UntilIWakeDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace/wake1984


MALEFICENT
I really like this band! Recently got their CD and have seen them at Gotham 10. It was a great set and the crowd really enjoyed it.




Sam with Martini of Maleficent (bit blurry but I didn't take it!)


See all the photos here: 050909MaleficentDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/maleficentband


SATANIC SLUTS EXTREME
Satanic Sluts Extreme came out to do a fire show which was pretty impressive




Sam was delighted to be able to get his photo taken with them afterwards:


See all the photos here: 050909SatanicSlutsDarkMills
This gallery also contains the photos from their additional fire performance with Global Citizen.

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/satanicslutsofficial


GLOBAL CITIZEN
Very good elecronic goth industrial band. They did an awesome cover of Gary Numan's Metal. Despite starting to overrun they managed to do one more number and had the Satanic Sluts Extreme come out and do another fire show which was even better as it was dark.



See all the photos here: 050909GlobalCitizenDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/globalcitizenuk

Following Global Citizen and the Satanic Sluts Extreme performance there was a quick fire spinning exhibition:




NOBLESSE OBLIGE
Quite a strange sounding band, very original style. 80s tinged, guitar electronica - fuck knows how you describe it! Creepy/bizarre/wrong lyrics, "Daddy, daddy, daddy, don't touch me, it feels funny". Entertaining to watch though.



See all the photos here: 050909NoblesseObligeDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.noblesseoblige.co.uk/


THE EDEN HOUSE
Folk goth is alive and well. I was REALLY looking forward to seeing The Eden House so was very disappointed for them to announce that Julianne Regan couldn't be there. They were good though and put on a good set.



See all the photos here: 050909TheEdenHouseDarkMills

Check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/theedenhouseuk

Afterwards Sam and Aaron had their pics taken with Psidarelica and also the compere:




Gemima asleep on the tube:


On our return to Eltham Sam decided it was time for a new competition: