Don't blink or you will miss us! If you're getting behind on the news, don't forget to check out the archive section.
And without more ado ... welcome to issue 11.
Bookmark this page 'cos it's meat and bread to you.
The rumours are true, Scary Roj is starting a course of T'ai chi ch'uan instruction under the indirect tutorship of Master Tan Ching Ngee.
As part of his wind-down regime following their appearance at 'T in the Dark' Roj is intending to learn Cheng Man-ch'ing Form, the most popular style of T'ai chi practiced in the West.
In an official statement Roj explained. "Through the study of T'ai chi I hope to get mind and body working together to improve balance, stability, flexibility, and skill. The aim is to reduce stress and avoid mental and physical tension, while at the same time helping to cultivate inner spiritual strength and creativity."
When asked if it would help him with barre chords, he responded, "No comment!"
Beer or spirits?
Beer.
Steps or S Club 7?
S Club 7
Do you have any pets?
No.
Kylie or Danni Minogue?
Kyli-eeee.
What's the hardest thing about being in a band?
Playing!
Who is your guitar hero?
Alex Lifeson.
Are the Beatles the best band of all time?
No.
Who are?
(We don't play) Rush.
If you had to emigrate where would you go?
New Zealand
SCARY is a rock band based in York, England. The band currently consists of two full-time members; lead guitarist Paul "Noodler" Martin and rhythm guitarist Roger "Sorry" Butler-Ellis. They both double up on vocals
.No band can exist in isolation, and even musical minimalists such as SCARY need a back-up team to provide vital assistance. So here are the folks that help make us rock:-
You want unrivalled online coverage of the world's finest festival? NME.COM has it. Their microsite already includes all the latest news, the full line-up and previews of every act on the bill. Who knows, you might see Scary Roj!
Currently the band are in hiatus following their successful outdoor gig 'T in the Dark' held in Scotland on 4th August. See the review section for full details. Scary Roj is due to embark on holiday, coming back into the country in time for the Carling Leeds festival at August Bank Holiday weekend.
In keeping with their current "no charge" policy, SCARY continue to offer free admission to their micro-gigs.
Dateline: 4th August 2001
Early doors and the band are up. By half past eight (that's AM), they are on their way to Blackness Castle ready to put in some serious walking. Over the Firth of Forth the sky hangs like an upturned metallic bowl, cloud lowering and obscuring the far hills.
By mid-day the band are back on-site. The bouncy castle has been inflated, vast spreads of food have been assembled, and tables groan under the weight of beers and spirits. Roj and Paul are unpacking their gear and preparing the small stage. Chairs spring out of nowhere. The sound check begins. The sky is threatening. Almost taunting they play 'Why does it always rain on me?', but you don't mess with Mother Nature. Catastrophe!
Great black clouds roll relentlessly in from the East. In typical Scottish style the rain falls in drops hard enough to draw blood. The band frantically cover up their gear and run for shelter. Power to the stage is cut and the bouncy castle deflated and covered.
Noses are pressed anxiously against glass as the clouds drag themselves ponderously across the skies. Miraculously, the sable curtains draw back to reveal brilliant blue streaked with rag-rolled white. The time is 15:00, the gates are open, the punters are arriving, the castle is up, the band breathe again.
Originally SCARY were due to play two three-quarter hour sets, but the prevailing weather has them nervous and they decide at the last moment to switch to a full-on one and a half hours. At 17:00 they take to the stage. Good luck mascots are tethered to the microphone stands, one a mole, the other a toad. The crowd start drawing nearer, some taking seats, others preferring to stand. The first chords ring out and with a soaring wail they roar into 'Cigarettes and Alcohol'.
It's a stroke of genius, the crowd are behind them already. They end on a crashing E and Roj sends his plectrum spinning into the audience with delight. Then, a priceless moment, the plectrum is picked up by a four year-old boy (called Liam, spooky?) who approaches the stage and hands back the 'lost' plectrum.
And now we're cooking, 'White Room', 'What's the Frequency Kenneth?' and 'Acquiesce'. A pause for breath and they slow things down a bit. 'Driving with the brakes on', 'Half the world away'. Roj slings his guitar behind his back and grabs the mic stand with both hands, time for 'Ziggy Stardust' sans lightning streaks on his face, thank god! Then the air explodes as Paul's guitar thunderclaps into 'Seven days in the Sun', they soar, they are sublime.
Another poignant moment now. They are playing 'Wonderful Tonight' and members of the audience are actually dancing! The light fails a little. It's looking dodgy again. The comic take on 'When you say nothing at all' is counter-poised by their harmonies. Some are singing along. How long can their luck hold?
'Just looking' and a tumescent nimbus roils overhead. The rain falls, softly at first, then increasing in density as SCARY refuse to budge. The audience is concerned and are calling for them to stop and kill the power. Roj snarls a final /it keeps me smiling/ and frustrated they rage off stage throwing covers and umbrellas over their gear as they leave.
There's a furious snap, and fizz of beer bottles being opened as the band try to put more liquid inside themselves than has fallen on their heads. But Lady Luck is enjoying the gig and she ensures that a high, firm wind disperses the rain and Mr Sun beats furiously down to dry everything out. Within twenty minutes the boys are back, and how!
They detonate into 'Fade Away', destroy ears with 'Crush with eyeliner'. Then Roj slings his guitar behind him again and Paul grinds moodily into 'Inside'. The final chord hangs suspended over the silent crowd, Roj leaps into the air and Paul chainsaws into 'Basket Case'. Surely it can't get any better then this? But it does. The final, searing song of the set, the newly added 'Rock 'n' Roll Star', a blistering tirade, a climax of ear-bleeding proportions.
That's it. They're off the stage. Running for shelter now as the crowd move in. Reactions too slow. They are cut off and herded back onto the stage. The audience bay for more. What follows is not so much an encore, they never planned for that. Rather a more laid back 30 minutes of low-key tunes, mostly unrehearsed, but honestly played for all that. A haunting 'Virgina Plain', a rock solid 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door', a wonderful 'Wonderwall', a louche 'Local boy in the photograph'. A perfectly rounded afternoon, a mellow evenings end.
At seven thirty they are allowed off-stage, ending a grueling two hours session. Roj's voice is reduced to a whisper, Paul's wrist needs constant flexing. They stow their gear quickly and it's as though they were never there. Two more faces mingle with the crowd, beers in hand, quiet conversation. SCARY, now that's what I call an 'Invisible Band'.
Complaints? Well they did wake up a 12 month-old baby, when they stopped playing! Band naughtiness? Well not really, although they did manage to fit five adults in a 'Bob the Builder's pop-up shovel' tent. All in all a very civilised bash with the emphasis on enjoyment. Three cheers for the boys, hip hip ...
Lorna Doone
Umm, someone's been playing with the FX
Driving with the brakes on
Taking the applause
Finale of "Knockn' on Heaven's door"
Scary Paul ready for the rider
Scary Roj and the lovely Charlotte