Review by Gareth Howells for Nov2006 Edition of Music Eye

The Cool Banana Junkyard Show

Friday 29th September 2006 @ the barn (behind the Milton arms) Portsmouth

What a night! A huge mix of people gathered together to have a great time. The night was filled with stunning visuals, a varied palette of quality music from live performers, DJs, spinners & jugglers working with UV lighted tubes that blended nicely. There is a sense of adventure that is becoming a regular feature of the CB (Cool Banana) calendar. Draped across the two rooms of the Milton Barn were painted backdrops that looked straight out of the late 60s, TVs with psychedelic Warholesque images on them by Arturo Casciaro, balloons and umbrellas strewn across the ceiling and walls, UV lights colouring the rooms and adding to the trippy effect, canvases and the huge CB backdrop behind the performers. The dress code for the evening was combat gear, which worked well as the sense of an "event" was heightened by the effort made by most of the people that came. Matt Whittenham Cool Banana's singer/songwriter/front man was the master of ceremonies.

Nick Courtney started the evening with a short set. It fell to Dirty Hippy and his mates Brad & Gareth to finish the first set of live music before the DJs appeared. A roaring version of Comfortably Numb was the highlight of their solid set. DJ Jol-E and DJ JC were next up with a drum and base set; by the end of it they had the crowd of people dancing frantically at the front. A testament to CB’s open attitude and the quality of music produced by the DJs. Jay Munday followed them with a set of nicely delivered songs from the likes of Paul Weller and Stereophonics. Steve Young was next. He did a beautiful version of John Martyn's "I Don't Wanna Know" plus the Neil Young related material. Red Letter Day followed; The lead singer played the crowd well, dancing and clapping his hands infectiously, while belting out the acoustic versions of his band's punk sound.

More music from the DJs followed, this time with Reulens Rudebwoy. All three played blinding sets of frantic, festival style beats that had a huge crowd dancing. Cool Banana was the last band to appear, the hosts of the evening. The spinners Emily, Pete & Teza performed to CB. Their eclectic and distinctive mix of guitar, bass, didgeridoo, djembe drum, harmonica, mandolin and occasional flute, they rattled through the highlights of their repertoire, from their hugely popular "Pink Burger Bar" to a Tom Petty classic "Running down a dream". Nick closed the evening with "Laughing Policeman". A great fitting end to a truly varied, open, imaginative night. Matt’s concept and collaborations combined with Cool Banana's effort paid off with the large crowd they attracted and the good vibe around the Barn that night. The Next Cool Banana Junkyard Show will be their Halloween Party with dress theme “Anti-Heroes & Super Villains” Friday 3rd November @ the Barn. For more information check out www.thejunkyardshow.com or click link below

Review by Gareth Howells