Fox North Coalition

A world weary minstrel bemoans the state of the world and that no-man's land in which he finds himself. A plaintive, echoing harmonica answers his laments as tumbleweed blows across the dustbowl of his psyche and snags in the windmills of his mind. Welcome to 'Pleading For Sympathy', the opening salvo from the strangely-titled, 'A Block For The Wigs', debut platter from York-based Fox North Coalition.

The aural equivalent of The Grapes Of Wrath, this is sepia-tinged and redolent of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and the Great Depression. We're a little surprised, actually, that it doesn't come with a free collectors' pack of food stamps...

With a touch of the late, truly great, Hank Williams and even the shade of the arguably greater John Lee Hooker, invoked in the shuffled, back-beat arrangements favoured by our trio, this is music drenched with pathos, poignancy and a wistfulness that no men under the age of forty have any business feeling.

Stand-out track, as far as we at Soundsphere Towers are concerned, is track two, 'The Heist', lifted to impressive, maybe even great, heights, by a superb female guest vocalist (Carissa Broadwater). But let's consider the chaps, for a moment; vocals are the responsibility of Tim Fox, who also doubles as a mean exponent of country-blues harmonica. Steve Earl (cool) and hints of David Gray (sorry, Tim) emerge as his concise and off-beat lyrical tales unfold. The North segment of the Coalition is taken care of by Vin North whose stomping, yet restrained, occasionally barre-chord, strums are the element probably most responsible for the earlier John Lee Hooker comparisons. The final 33.3 per cent of the triumvirate, and we use the word deliberately, given that the Fox North Coalition was also the name of the UK administration that governed in 1783, is filled by drummer, Steve Bradley. The song's sparse instrumentation add considerably to the Depression-era atmosphere of slim pickings. 'The Heist' is no flash in the pan, either; 'Vampire', while allegorical, will still have you clearing those pesky blood-sucking critters from the hay barn, quick sharp, while instrumental, 'Desert Blues', is the perfect soundtrack to some serious Sunday-afternoon-rocking-chair-on-the-porch action.

Less, for once, really is more. And while the tracks' similarity to each other is apparent, this continuity actually works in the album's favour; there is a pervasive and strangely alluring atmosphere of melancholy, and a bleak satisfaction is definitely to be had listening to the album in one sitting. Chuck in two, well-chosen covers, Steve Earl's 'CCKMP' and Jim White's 'A Perfect Day To Chase Tornadoes' and you'll get the message. Mood music, then, most certainly and very well done at that.

Here's a winner, from a trio with great potential and If you've ever pictured yourself in denim dungarees, a straw hat on the bonce, desultorily trundling along on a donkey and cart, with a ragamuffin band of malnourished and pasty-faced waifs in tow, then this is the album for you. For the rest of us, well, pass the moonshine, Grandpaw, and let's go round again. It's sure worth the trip.

You know, and I guess this shouldn’t be the case since British people popularized Blues-Rock, but I really didn’t expect to come across a Blues-Folk album from some dudes in York, UK. But, I did.

Fox North Coalition’s A Block For The Wigs is exactly that, but it’s more. It’s incredibly haunting and tortured music. It’s passionate and feels like the burn of whiskey. It’s fucking brilliant, is what it is! It’s like Ryan Adams x Dallas Green x Dustin Kensrue with a little Bob Dylan for garnish.

The heart and soul of this music is big and sincere, respectively, right down to the core of its jingle-jangle grooviness.

All of the songs are wonderful, but it’s “A Perfect Day To Chase Tornados” that takes the cake. With all of the tornadic activity in the United States recently, and all of the major damage as a result of it, this song hits home in my heart both metaphorically and quite literally.

This is another album that you should buy immediately. Don’t even think. Just buy it.
and here is the band camp link
http://foxnorthcoalitionband.bandcamp.com/album/a-block-for-the-wigs
cheers
Tim Fox

Fox North Coalition have left behind the legacy of Hijak Oscar and moved on to develop their own style of harmonica driven blues that sounds unlike anything else of its genre out on the scene today. Tim Fox’s lyrics have taken on a darker and more dangerous edge that are complemented by Vin North’s distorted acoustic riffery. The trio is completed by Steve Bradley on drums and percussion, making a return to recording and performing after a long hiatus.

Like an unwilling phoenix from the ashes, Fox North Coalition have left behind the legacy of Hijak Oscar and moved on to develop their own style of harmonica driven blues that sounds unlike anything else of its genre out on the scene today. Tim Fox’s lyrics have taken on a darker and more dangerous edge that are complemented by Vin North’s distorted acoustic riffery. The trio is completed by Steve Bradley on drums and percussion, making a return to recording and performing after a long hiatus. FNC will be playing at The Waggon and Horses, Lawrence Street, York on Saturday 9th October.

The band are currently recording their self-produced debut album “A Block for the Wigs”, which boasts a number of new compositions, including the foot stomping blues-rockers ’Pleading For Sympathy’, ‘Melancholy Tree’ and ‘The Heist’ alongside darker and bleaker acoustic cuts like ‘An Eye for an Eye’. Some choice cover versions are thrown in for good measure. Steve Earle’s ‘CCKMP’ is given the full FNC treatment while Jim White’s beautiful song ‘A Perfect Day to Chase Tornadoes’ could have been written by the band themselves.

The band are currently recording their self-produced debut album “A Block for the Wigs”, which boasts a number of new compositions, including the foot stomping blues-rockers ’Pleading For Sympathy’, ‘Melancholy Tree’ and ‘The Heist’ alongside darker and bleaker acoustic cuts like ‘An Eye for an Eye’. Some choice cover versions are thrown in for good measure. Steve Earle’s ‘CCKMP’ is given the full FNC treatment while Jim White’s beautiful song ‘A Perfect Day to Chase Tornadoes’ could have been written by the band themselves.

Hi Gene,

Thanks for the names and address- your cards and CDS will be in the post shortly :)
Thank you so much for your kind words re our performance! You're right- a better compliment we could not hope to have and I'm delighted and touched we were so well received.
All down to you for putting such a fine stage together!
Please consider Claire Cameron Band confirmed for next year's Limetree Festival for JBS- we could do an electric and acoustic set if you like?
I'll tell the guys that weekend is yours as soon as you have the dates.
Thanks again, hope you're having a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon,
Best Regards

Claire x

Cleve Freckleton
without doubt JB's was the place to be at Limetree 2011...what a brilliant job you and the crew did Gene...gonna tap you for a gig next year xxx

Hi Karen and the team
Just to say a big thank you to you for a great festival. I personally loved the Jazz and Blues club. Looking forward to seeing you next year. Please pass thanks to the others.
Best wishes
Angela Zajac Travelling Homeopaths

Hi Gene,

Now that the dust has settled [ or is that mud !!!] on the Limetree Festival, just wanted to say a few words as I feel feedback is as important to you as indeed it is to us.

Firstly on behalf of Cold Flame, a huge thank you for giving the band the opportunity to play an acoustic set on your stage on the Sunday.I didnt realise until after we had gone off that there was an opportunity to play for a few minutes longer due to the delay in getting the next band on. Am not sure that my head was quite screwed on at the time due to the 11th hour arrival of our drummer compounded by the fact that he was taken to the wrong stage by the box office staff...such is life. Anyway despite this we all thoroughly enjoyed the gig and were glad to be a part of the JB's experience.

In regard to the festival itself I was quite impressed on a number of levels.Clearly Limetree has been going for a number of years and yet I had never heard of it before this year. It was certainly great to see and enjoy a festival that catered for all ages and interests getting back to the original style of festivals back in the 60's and 70's. Sure there were things that could be looked at and improved for future events but no festival is flawless. The general approach, camarederie and family feel present was for me enough to wish that I should have camped over the whole weekend.

JB's stage itself was in my opinion head and shoulders over everything else that made up Limetree.That is not to knock any other stage or presentation.Its just that the attention to detail, knowledge and awareness of both musician and punter was top class. Added to that of course were the varied acts you put on over the weekend.Unfortunately I only had the chance to see a few of these acts on the Sunday and had to leave around 8.30pm but we were all really impressed by the quality of performance as well as the respect shown by the audience who listened to the different acts showcased. This is not achieved without huge effort in both organisation and logistics. My compliments to you and your crew for putting in the time and effort you did...Quite simply it was really worth it as the packed tent fully testified throughout the day.

And finally...hope that you also feel upbeat about last weekend and that whatever you plan next gets the same kind of positive response from all concerned. It goes without saying that should the opportunity arise, the band would love to be a part of future JB promotions.

Best wishes...Patrick and Cold Flame.

Hello Gene, just a quick message to thank you for the Limetree Festival. It was a pleasure to help out and the JB World Stage was widely acknowledged as the best stage at the festival - even Sean said that!
Please let me know when I can have a look at the video of The Cottonhouse Shakers gig or if you upload it to you tube.
Take care,
Gary

Hi Gene,

Thank you for a fantastic show on Sunday! We really loved it- it is playing gigs like JBS that remind us why we do it so thank you :)

So I can send you all a CD as a thank you for making it such a special gig for us please?

Much appreciated,

Thank you

Claire X

Hi Claire
It was a pleasure to have you on the Jb's stage, I was stood at the back bar listening to your set
along with a couple of friends, your harmonies brought them to tears a finer compliment you could not wish to hear.
X

Dannie Dee posted on your Wall.
"Pleasure to meet ya Gene. Gotta say your tent was superb! It was so good i couldn't get in there half the time! Hope to see ya soon and experience some more of that JBs vibe! Take care!"

Ria Spencer posted on your Wall.
"Loved your tent at Limetree... well done to you all...! Please can you tell Ian from your camp thanks for looking after a damsel in distress and sorry I never got to say bye! See you next year xxx"

Flowerei Suldin
Melissa here ! Was sorry to leave without saying good bye to you ! Hope you're well resting now and very happy of your part in the festival, loved your tent and i wasn't the only one if i noticed well ! Take care xxx.

Sarah Freckleton posted on your Wall.
"Well ya nailed that one my love how wonderful was the atmosphere at jb's loved every minute xxx"

Nathan Richards posted to Gene Guilfoyle
The JB tent was amazing!! I have never seen anything quite like it at a festival before. Do know that it was appreciated by all and please please please do it again next year!

Queerinspace Bet Lynch Stage
Class Act JB's xx big up big love & big thanks to all the crew for making it so xxxxxxx