FRANZ NICOLAY (The Hold Steady)

Event information

FRANZ NICOLAY (Brooklyn, NY)
That mustachioed man-about-town you've seen with The Hold Steady, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Anti-Social Music, and more, steps up to the spotlight and salutes.
'Yes, Nicolay is a man of distinctive appearance - half-cocked beret, Dali moustache, occasional goatee - and his first solo album exudes a suitably exuberant self-confidence. Few side projects have as much character as the witty and full-hearted Major General.' UNCUT
'Eclectic and ambitious but unshowy, Major General is about as satisfying as any solo effort from a member of an established band still killing it themselves as I can think of...Major General hits some massive highs and nary a single crushing low. Nicolay's skill at playing punk sage on one song and slightly troubled troubadour on the next is really something special.' - Pitchfork
'Recasting the windswept folk artist as someone with piratical swagger, he comes over like Nick Cave leading an American Pogues, and every see-saw rhythm is shot through with a potent, whisky-drenched drama. In other words, the man's a ham, but a terrific one.' - Q Magazine
www.myspace.com/franznicolay

ROOK & THE RAVENS (Manchester)
Classic Americana inspired bluesy rock that will remind you of Neil Young, the Band and CCR. They are currently recording their debut album and have been played on BBC Radio 6 and appeared at several cool festivals last year.
'Classic Americana inspired bluesy rock that will remind you of Neil Young, the Band and CCR.' - The Independent
www.myspace.com/rookandtheravens

DEXY & THE HAND ME DOWNS (London)
Sweetness and light in spades from Lewisham's finest Country Punk and his fine-tuned band.
'Joyous...should see him rise to ascendancy' Drowned In Sound
www.myspace.com/dexyspace

+ DJ Jimmy Ketchup (Backstreets)