REVIEW 17/6/02


      
 We bring you tales of a Monday night
      at the Num Num club in York... A hugely enjoyable night of bands
      at the Theatre Royal under the bizarre name of the Num Num club,
      an idea of Chris Helme so naturally, his new band were the main
      attraction. This was to be the debut York appearance of the fully
      plugged in and fully staffed The Yards.

      
...Approaching 10.30 and the main band
      is due on the main stage. The Yards are in fully staffed and
      fully plugged mode, the line up being Chris Helme (Vocals, Guitar),
      Paul Banks (Guitar), Stu Fletcher (Bass), and then take your
      pick from John Miller, Matt Mc Gaughey, James Lindsay, John Hargreaves.
      I forget who's who but one is a drummer, one a keyboardist /
      vocals, one a cello player (honestly) and one a violist! The
      set was basically familiar, having being aired in main at the

      acoustic gig in Leeds a few weeks previous but the addition of
      electricity, keys, backing vocals and the strings bring a very
      polished feel to the songs. My first impression was that this
      is how Radiohead would sound if they remembered to write tunes
      and didnt leave their finger on the monotony button too long.
      I dont feel anyone will walk away from a Yards gig feeling blown
      away, they won't have that effect. I think they have the potential
      though to attract a particular, musically astute audience. I
      accept that sounds a bit snobby but isn't meant as such. They
      are treading a line that not too many bands can go down, and
      for me The Yards pull it off. Many will leave their gigs like
      I did, quietly impressed and wanting to know when we can see
      them again, certainly the buzz was interesting in the bar afterwards
      as I listened in...

      
While Shed Sounds casually sipped on its
      strictly non alcoholic drink, Stu Fletcher was scooping up his
      bass, scuttling up the stairs to play with his other band Hectic,
      where, incest fans take note, he joined Rob Willows, one time
      guitarist with Paul's post Sheds band The Rising, and also Fraser
      Smith, current keys man with the aforementioned Shed club Seven.
      Their brand of acid funk is not my bag,as they say, so we say
      our farewells and potter off into the York night.

      
Review by Dave Butterfield