Welcome to this, the first instalment of our regular look around the UK putting the spotlight on the great music scenes we have here.  In this issue we take a closer look at Kingston upon Hull, or ‘Ull to those that know it a bit better. 

We want to help put Hull back on the map where it belongs – kind of on the nose-ie thing above the big, potato filled chin-ie bit on the right (sorry – couldn’t resist!).  Seriously though, the scene in Hull has always been rich and varied.  Partly down to its relative isolation and partly down to a healthy scepticism about everywhere else.  It’s long been looked down on by the mainstream press and for no good reason… but they’re wrong!  And it’s time it stopped!!

For a long time the only things the ‘outside world’ knew about the Hull scene was The Housemartins / Beautiful South (Paul Heaton), Fine Young Cannibals (and they’re from Birmingham!) and Mick Ronson of David Bowie fame.  But Hull life didn’t stop with Roland Gift’s appearance in Heartbeat.  More recently The Paddingtons broke out across the Humber and made a big noise, only to find their time with Mercury not quite to their liking.  Now recording under their own banner of Mama Bear Records, their second album ‘No Mundane Options’ was released in November.  See www.myspace.com/thepaddingtons for details.

Systemyk (www.myspace.com/systemyk) and Pitiful Reign (www.myspace.com/pitifulreign)  are two more Hull acts that have recently found themselves embraced by the record industry.

The latest Hull band to have courted record company attention are The Cliques (www.myspace.com/thecliquesband) who are currently working on an album and single to be released later this year.

Hull has always had more than it’s fair share of great venues.   The Adelphi and The Lamp (formerly Blue Lamp) have become legendary on the underground music scene, drawing bands and crowds from far afield. There are also a good number of other venues offering great playing opportunities for local and travelling bands alike. Venues such as the Linnet and Lark, with its weekly ‘Sesh’, Sharkeys and Durty Nellys have all given more bands some fantastic playing options.

One of the most refreshing things about Hull is the fantastic support network that exists behind the music.  Great online resources such as Music HQ, Hull Vibe and This Is Ull have contributed massively over the years.  Whether by providing promotion for gigs and music nights or by reporting on what’s happening and getting larger audience turnouts, they have done a great service to their city.  We ourselves have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received while compiling this article, both by organisations such as Music HQ and The Urban Collective as well as the bands themselves.

The Urban Collective is another great aspect to the Hull music scene. Operating from the Warren Centre, the project is part of the national British Music Collective. It offers young musicians the chance to hone their skills, produce albums, gain recording experience, and just meet up and work together.

Alongside the performance activities, the project has also given young people the ability to learn production techniques and organise events such as the popular Love Music Hate Racism event in the City Hall. More information can be found through the Urban Collective’s website http://www.britishurbancollective.com/city/hull