Capsule 5th Birthday Party

Fri 17th December 2004
Capsule
The Theatre - Custard Factory



Well we just can’t believe we’ve been around for so long and been allowed to get away with it…….in order to celebrate and thank all those who have supported us over the years we’re throwing a party, and to help us do that we have some great surprises up our sleeves including live performances from Noise Noise Alore( probably the fruitiest band on the planet), Esquilax + friends, a final farewell from the legendary king of pop Floach and a set by PCM but not as you know them.
As well as special guest djs and some tasty cinematic treats courtesy of 7 inch cinema. Not forgetting a chance for you too to shine with some karaoke……

 

see below what a mess has occured at past capsule parties…
mmm a running theme of fashion faux pas

 

 

 
“Merzbow, David Grubbs, Mira Calix, Calvados Beam Trio, VVM, Oxes on Boxes, Fugazi, Godspeed, Kid 606, Black Dice, Melt Bananarama, Lydia Lunch, Lightning Bolt.

10 Years ago if you wanted to go see any of these or similar bands you would be taking a trip to London or nearby, better cities like Manchester, Edinburgh or Wolverhampton, and sleeping under some damp cardboard boxes at the station, or someone’s sticky lino kitchen floor because the last train back to Brum was at ten to nine. If you wanted music in Birmingham in the dark, dark days of 1995, you could choose from Bob Dylan at the NEC (£35.00 plus booking fee) or Ronnie Scott’s for Tony Hadley supported by King Pleasure and Broken Biscuit Boys any given Wednesday for £12.00 (drinks £4 per pint). Because let’s face it, in those days Birmingham WAS shit…

I certainly don’t recall anyone contesting the fact on website or elsewhere! In the last five years or so things have changed, big shops have been built, nice places to eat after 5pm have began to emerge, things have been painted white and broken biscuits have been banned from the city centre. And more importantly you can go to see good, interesting new music at a fair price, meet groovy, fun people and still have enough change from a twenty for a balti. It is almost exclusively the Capsule Girls who have made this happen. We should be grateful.

Posted on: 5/18/2004 4:29:19 AM http://www.chatarea.com/birminghamitsnotshit.m2258553

since 1999 Capsule have brought you live performances from::
polaris snail racing imbis bilge pump wonderland retail therapy billy mahonie calvados beam trio buick 6 do make say think epic 45 sand solway fifth active optics a silver mt zion frankie sparo oxes geiger counter andrea parker v/vm sir real l’altra rothko fly pan am karamasov DoTB chicks on speed echo boy luke vibert spirit caravan dukes of nothing for my brain kid 606 gold chains iacon gescom bola floach papa november brian duffy building transmissions freeform cave in deadsunrising check engine godspeed you black emperor! kepler techno animal jansky noise matt wand hood electric wizard warhorse mistress mum dntel people like us plaid richard devine chris clark russell haswell to rococo rot mike in mono clouddead reaching quiet boom bip + doseone radioinactive uncle john + whitelock banknotes david grubbs the toques venetian snares fanny teatowel fugazi retisonic gogo airheart push button objects kit clayton vikter duplaix charlie dark bugz in the attic nolan weekes pram numbers arcade grover fog nfl trio outhud little robot voice berg sans nipple tele:funken black dice oskada mira calix noxagt lydia lunch coil dj food LCD sound system the bug kid acne req PCM black galaxy spectrum orchestra the mighty junglator bathysphere piratehairwaves oxbow dalek desructro swarbots church of gary busey the rapture hecker pita hiaz vd_moth muziq frog pocket k-formation sightings death of a champion why? american heritage foe art of burning water sinners vs swimmers melt banana trencher esquilax bogdan raczynski astrobotnia mono scree lightning bolt envy hanged up polmo polpo elizabeth anka vajagic merzbow kaffe mathews + riz masten com.a ceephax shitmat knifehandchop irritant jade one marc almond selfish cunt Q and not u bullet union cylob dj x neil landstraumm harvey lane senor coconut + his orchestra spektrum zongamin christ dj scud panacea team shadetek british murder boys (surgeon + regis) panic dhh ward fast lady midaircondo frank cougar benn and cyan pelican jesu some girls das oath jega chevron minus the bear the murder of numinor dj/rupture ove naxx 5ive ramesses

and art work from::
ben javens lisa meyer jenny moore ian richards claire smith wunderkammer
shepard fairey aka giant marok from lodown magazine chris drury – fingathing
johnny fu momoko mr scruff pete fowler toby paterson adam neate nick taylor
will sweeney tom barwick pete hellicar harry GFM darryl smith wig worland
rich holland marjie de hass foz simon true rolf gehlhaar jonah bruker-cohen
matt watkins + lucy mclauchlan- beat 13 steven barich chu tom gauld sadim habib andrew james jones al murphy otonashi the out crowd pete bachelor prime objective

 

 



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Capsule 5 years on – Colin Tudor

It is so easy now to mull over the relative merits of the DJ Rupture or Lightning Bolt gig on in town tonight. 5 years ago the idea of a regular flow of cutting edge, vital new music flowing through Birmingham was a fantasy. Over the intervening years Capsule have proved to be diligent and energetic supporters of quality music with the ears of true fans and DIY commitment we should all applaud.

Over 5 years Capsule have presented 86 events. Capsule has presented artists from a range of genres and a mixture of established and emergent artists, with an emphasis on the experimental side of each genre. Capsule have built up a reputation for bringing international / national talent to the West Midlands and for being instrumental in the development of the current experimental music scene in the region. Every one of these events has featured regional artists, they are fundamental to Capsules activities and to the creative scene within the West Midlands.

Capsule are Lisa Meyer & Jenny Moore, they create, curate and facilitate Capsule events and collaborations with energy, wit and positive spirit. Whether it be art installations, organizing trips to Sonar, co-promotions with local promoters, Cinema or cultural events.

Jenny explains “Exhibitions have also been high on the list of things we like to do. Giant was an early high point because we were so thrilled to have an exhibition by an artist whose work we really admired, and equally so with the Lodown and Unabomber shows. The Lodown opening event was one to remember, we hired Sumo suits for people to have sumo fights in what is now the Custard Factory reception, it all got quite messy towards the end of the evening. ” Merzbow, Coil, Fugazi, Godspeed, Kid 606, People Like Us, Melt Banana, Lydia Lunch, and a host of other great, good and ghastly acts have passed through the Custard Factory home of Capsule over the last five years. Now we expect to be greeted by Japanese freaks, teutonic goatees and taciturn Wire types as we assemble to witness the latest US undergound phenomenon/Bedroom Terrorist.

As a Capsule event regular explains “10 Years ago if you wanted to go see any of these or similar bands you would be taking a trip to London or nearby, better cities like Manchester, Edinburgh or Wolverhampton, and sleeping under some damp cardboard boxes at the station, or someone’s sticky lino kitchen floor because the last train back to Brum was at ten to nine.”

There is a thin line between fan and promoter. The reason Capsule are 5 years old at all is that there was nothing of interest to your curious music devotee in Birmingham in 1999. The last recourse of a frustrated music fan is to do-it-yourself. If there are no good gigs here then we should put some on ourselves! This is the point at which Capsule become an inspiration to anyone in a musical ‘backwater’ – Start something yourself and bring the music to you.

Early nights featured the likes of Snail Racing, Bilge Pump, Buick 6 and do make say think. Discerning music fans emerged from the woodwork and a scene was set.

Events such as this formed the platform from which to build a reputation. This in turn raised the bar on the acts that could be brought to town.

Now events like Fugazi, Chicks On Speed, Godspeed you Black Emporer! or Kid 606 were possible. This inexorable rise has been managed with restraint and culminates in the mighty Supersonic Festival. Now an annual event which has featured a stellar cast including Coil, Deadsunrising, Luke Vibert, DJ Scud and Senor Coconut and His Orchestra.

Of all these what have been the favourites from the promoters point of view ? Jenny again,

“With Capsule and Cake we worked with Ian Francis who asked us to come and do an alternative event for the Birmingham Film and Television Festival. We mixed live music with relevant films (and cake!), it is one of our favourites for several reasons, firstly it was a predominantly Birmingham line up and it was a sell out show, It was good to do an event in a non music venue puts a twist on the whole night. There was a really good atmosphere the whole evening.”

“The first Supersonic Festival was a big achievement for us and made us feel excited about what we were doing. Fugazi was the most star struck we have ever been, meeting our teenage heroes.”

The credibility of the Capsule events is an aspect which the Capsule Girls are keen not to compromise. As events like Supersonic have become larger scale, 2004 was over 3 days, they have worked to balance the expectations of the audience, the level of quality they are associated with and the commercial necessities of running larger music events. One thing is certain though, the people who benefit are the music fans of the West Midlands. One recent comment from a Birmingham Culture Discussion Forum says it all

“It’s true though that their programming has been consistently interesting and helped to open a space for more dynamic and ‘cutting edge’ performers in Birmingham, which has traditionally tended to go along a rather conservative path in relation to music…”

An important factor in the respect which Capsule events are afforded is the sheer variety of artists that they have put on. There is no scene promotion or fashion following here, just high caliber artists with a proven track record for engaging live events. The only thing that links Electric Wizard, DJ Shitmat, Senor Coconut, Marc Almond and Matt Wand is that any discerning music fan should see them.

To celebrate 5 years as Birminghams musical curators there is a party featuring Friends of the stars, Noise Noise Alore, Esquilax, Floach and PCM. As the girls themselves put it

Well we just can’t believe we’ve been around for so long and been allowed to get away with it…….in order to celebrate and thank all those who have supported us over the years we’re throwing a party including a final farewell from the legendary king of pop Floach and a set by PCM but not as you know them.”

Again this event confirms Capsules commitment to local music and the people who come through the door to support the artists and events.

Over the last five years or so things have changed, now, you can go to see good, interesting new music at a fair price, meet groovy, fun people and still have enough change from a twenty for a balti. It is almost exclusively the Capsule Girls who have made this happen. We should be grateful.



  

Contact Links Forum Stuff to buy Consultancy About us Past projects Coming up Home

 

Capsule 5 years on – Colin Tudor

It is so easy now to mull over the relative merits of the DJ Rupture or Lightning Bolt gig on in town tonight. 5 years ago the idea of a regular flow of cutting edge, vital new music flowing through Birmingham was a fantasy. Over the intervening years Capsule have proved to be diligent and energetic supporters of quality music with the ears of true fans and DIY commitment we should all applaud.

Over 5 years Capsule have presented 86 events. Capsule has presented artists from a range of genres and a mixture of established and emergent artists, with an emphasis on the experimental side of each genre. Capsule have built up a reputation for bringing international / national talent to the West Midlands and for being instrumental in the development of the current experimental music scene in the region. Every one of these events has featured regional artists, they are fundamental to Capsules activities and to the creative scene within the West Midlands.

Capsule are Lisa Meyer & Jenny Moore, they create, curate and facilitate Capsule events and collaborations with energy, wit and positive spirit. Whether it be art installations, organizing trips to Sonar, co-promotions with local promoters, Cinema or cultural events.

Jenny explains “Exhibitions have also been high on the list of things we like to do. Giant was an early high point because we were so thrilled to have an exhibition by an artist whose work we really admired, and equally so with the Lodown and Unabomber shows. The Lodown opening event was one to remember, we hired Sumo suits for people to have sumo fights in what is now the Custard Factory reception, it all got quite messy towards the end of the evening. ” Merzbow, Coil, Fugazi, Godspeed, Kid 606, People Like Us, Melt Banana, Lydia Lunch, and a host of other great, good and ghastly acts have passed through the Custard Factory home of Capsule over the last five years. Now we expect to be greeted by Japanese freaks, teutonic goatees and taciturn Wire types as we assemble to witness the latest US undergound phenomenon/Bedroom Terrorist.

As a Capsule event regular explains “10 Years ago if you wanted to go see any of these or similar bands you would be taking a trip to London or nearby, better cities like Manchester, Edinburgh or Wolverhampton, and sleeping under some damp cardboard boxes at the station, or someone’s sticky lino kitchen floor because the last train back to Brum was at ten to nine.”

There is a thin line between fan and promoter. The reason Capsule are 5 years old at all is that there was nothing of interest to your curious music devotee in Birmingham in 1999. The last recourse of a frustrated music fan is to do-it-yourself. If there are no good gigs here then we should put some on ourselves! This is the point at which Capsule become an inspiration to anyone in a musical ‘backwater’ – Start something yourself and bring the music to you.

Early nights featured the likes of Snail Racing, Bilge Pump, Buick 6 and do make say think. Discerning music fans emerged from the woodwork and a scene was set.

Events such as this formed the platform from which to build a reputation. This in turn raised the bar on the acts that could be brought to town.

Now events like Fugazi, Chicks On Speed, Godspeed you Black Emporer! or Kid 606 were possible. This inexorable rise has been managed with restraint and culminates in the mighty Supersonic Festival. Now an annual event which has featured a stellar cast including Coil, Deadsunrising, Luke Vibert, DJ Scud and Senor Coconut and His Orchestra.

Of all these what have been the favourites from the promoters point of view ? Jenny again,

“With Capsule and Cake we worked with Ian Francis who asked us to come and do an alternative event for the Birmingham Film and Television Festival. We mixed live music with relevant films (and cake!), it is one of our favourites for several reasons, firstly it was a predominantly Birmingham line up and it was a sell out show, It was good to do an event in a non music venue puts a twist on the whole night. There was a really good atmosphere the whole evening.”

“The first Supersonic Festival was a big achievement for us and made us feel excited about what we were doing. Fugazi was the most star struck we have ever been, meeting our teenage heroes.”

The credibility of the Capsule events is an aspect which the Capsule Girls are keen not to compromise. As events like Supersonic have become larger scale, 2004 was over 3 days, they have worked to balance the expectations of the audience, the level of quality they are associated with and the commercial necessities of running larger music events. One thing is certain though, the people who benefit are the music fans of the West Midlands. One recent comment from a Birmingham Culture Discussion Forum says it all

“It’s true though that their programming has been consistently interesting and helped to open a space for more dynamic and ‘cutting edge’ performers in Birmingham, which has traditionally tended to go along a rather conservative path in relation to music…”

An important factor in the respect which Capsule events are afforded is the sheer variety of artists that they have put on. There is no scene promotion or fashion following here, just high caliber artists with a proven track record for engaging live events. The only thing that links Electric Wizard, DJ Shitmat, Senor Coconut, Marc Almond and Matt Wand is that any discerning music fan should see them.

To celebrate 5 years as Birminghams musical curators there is a party featuring Friends of the stars, Noise Noise Alore, Esquilax, Floach and PCM. As the girls themselves put it

Well we just can’t believe we’ve been around for so long and been allowed to get away with it…….in order to celebrate and thank all those who have supported us over the years we’re throwing a party including a final farewell from the legendary king of pop Floach and a set by PCM but not as you know them.”

Again this event confirms Capsules commitment to local music and the people who come through the door to support the artists and events.

Over the last five years or so things have changed, now, you can go to see good, interesting new music at a fair price, meet groovy, fun people and still have enough change from a twenty for a balti. It is almost exclusively the Capsule Girls who have made this happen. We should be grateful.