On a Monday evening I take 2 of my girls dancing in Stockton from 5:45 to 6:45. Paul Smith played a free show in SOUND IT OUT RECORDS from 6:00 to 6:30. It couldn’t have been more convenient if he had rung me up and asked when I wanted him to play!!
He only did 4 songs but as it was free no one was complaining. His new album “Contradictions” is out and he has a gig at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton on Monday (31st August), with his band; The Intimations, to promote. He is very chatty and goes in to detail about each track. His lack of ego and self-deprecating remarks about how much better it will be with a full band allow the audience to feel more at home with an old friend rather than in the presence of a star. Although Maximo Park have been a bit quiet for a while they are still a big name and to see Paul in these humble surroundings is rather refreshing.
He performs four tracks; Coney Island (4th of July), Fill in the Blanks, The Deep End and Break me Down all from his new album out last week. They remind me of early Maximo Park which is good thing. He jokes about the songs, his management and confirms he is happy to be back re-connecting with Teesside.
As well as the gig in Stockton on Monday he has a whole tour lined up to promote the album. He then goes on the road with Maximo Park to promote the 10th anniversary of their debut “A Certain Trigger”.
I strongly recommend the new album and the tour. Also get yourself to Sound it Out Records, the last record shop on Teesside.

LINKS:

PAUL SMITH & THE INTIMATIONS: http://paulsmithmusic.eu/

SOUND IT OUT RECORDS: http://www.sounditoutrecords.co.uk/?gclid=CNWA-MfMxMcCFeoJwwodBZkLtQ

MAXIMO PARK: http://maximopark.com/

By peter on August 25, 2015