www.newcontinental.org.uk

Anyone Can Play Guitar

Anyone Can Play Guitar is the acclaimed film about the Oxford music community, which has been steadily producing genre-defining bands of the highest quality and integrity for almost 30 years.  

Ride - who created (and indirectly named) the Shoegaze genre, Talulah Gosh (T.L.B.'s personal faves) - the enfant terribles of Riot Grrl, Brit pop legends Supergrass - Britpop legends, Creation Records alt-rock heroes Swervedriver, current Post-Punk/Math Rock bigwigs Foals and - oh yeah - Radiohead all came directly from this one scene.  They built and took inspiration from it, they got support and and encouragement from it, they cut their teeth in its venues and ultimately were launched into worldwide success from it.

Anyone Can Play Guitar covers all of those bands, interviewing all the main players, along with their less successful friends and contemporaries and the promoters, managers, journalists, record label owners and gig goers.  It's a labour of love, made DIY style by local video store owner Jon Spira, painstakingly put together on a low budget over a number of years.  It refuses to mythologise and explores the harh realities of the music industry and what can be achieved with community.  From the D.I.Y. spirit of the early 80s right through to the controversial recent corporatisation of Oxford's best-loved venue, ACPG tracks 3 decades of highs and lows in a punchy, really enagaging style.

Bonus: the film is narrated by cult comedian Stewart Lee!         

Live : Mark Gardener and The Rock of Travolta

Mark Gardener

Mark was vocalist/guitartist of shoegaze legends Ride, the first Creation records band to crossover to chart success, and feature heavily in Anyone Can Play Guitar.  After a ridiculously succesful period in the early 90s, Ride didn't get to grips with the Britpop era and split in 1995 amidst personal tensions between Mark and the other songwriter Andy Bell.  

Mark was later in The Animalhouse between 1997 and 2000 playing a unique version of 60s psychedelica, Britrock and electronics.  Following a spell living in France, Mark collaborated with Oxford band Goldrush in 2005 on a solo album, 'These Beautiful Ghosts'.  Lately Mark's been playing old and new songs solo and he'll be doing an acoustic show for us at the Continental.

The Rock of Travolta

When we thought about choosing another Oxford band to go with the film, we initially had a short list of 2, Rock of Travolta and the Tender Trap, so we couldn't be more delighted at the way it's turned out!

Known for being one of the most notable UK instrumental rock bands, The Rock Of Travolta have been making use of big rock riffs, neo-classical flourishes and quiet/loud dynamics since their first gig at the Truck festival in July 2000.

Within a year and a half of that show, The Rock Of Travolta had played in front of 45,000 supporting Radiohead at their immense South Park gig, released two records, headlined Truck Festival, performed at In The City, recorded a John Peel Session and featured at No.48 in his Festive Fifty.

The following two EPs and the Uluru album were released to much critical acclaim, backed by UK‐wide tours that were complemented by sell‐out shows at their hometown Zodiac venue.

A significant line‐up change spurred the band into taking a new approach to writing new material and taking it on the road – their debut gaining them critical acclaim in the local press and from the BBC. Renowned for their powerful live shows, headline gigs in London venues followed and media were quick to pick up on the excitement, with the band featuring on BBC Radio Oxford, MTV2, Channel4 and on BBC South Today news. Taking a DIY approach, the band entered a self‐imposed exile, taking time to ensure that the new record did justice to the vision. The results speak for themselves. The new album ‘Fine Lines’ establishes a new era for The Rock of Travolta, and the band are already set to build on this with a number of new tracks already finished and ready to record.          

Although they've gigged extensively in the South of England since reactivating in 2010, its been a long time since this terrific band have vetured further afield.  We're privileged to present Rock of Travolta's first Northern show since 2003.   Now featuring cello and keys from new recruit Jennie Bates, this is going to be a really memorable show.  

Tuesday 22nd November - 7pm - £4 (students) and £5

http://www.therockoftravolta.com 

Advance Tickets:  £4 (students)/£5 others    Door £6/£7