MOSES: Live at Water Rats, London

London’s MOSES signed of 2019 with a home city gig at Water Rats. It has been another year of great singles, and crucially, real creative growth.

Then, mid set, the bombshell was dropped. Frontman Victor announces lead guitarist Rory is playing his last show with the band. Two years ago, MOSES were very much a band that had a great frontman. On this night, they were tight as fuck, and it was Rory dying on his MOSES sword in glory.

Maybe it was supporting The Blinders in 2018 that turned the corner for Rory. Their slot with the Manchester/Doncaster three piece, all of equal greatness, returned MOSES to Cro Cro Land this past April ablaze. A spiteful punkiness permeated their rock n roll credentials to take them to another level. This power, was out in full force at Water Rats.

To date, MOSES have been a band who have been one paced. Luckily, it was always full tilt and exciting. ‘King Size’, ‘Cause You Got Me’ and singalong anthem ‘River Thames’ were all prime cuts of this energy. However, they’ve never fully done Victor’s song writing justice.

Now, with ‘Joy’ and ‘Findings’ in their live arsenal, they have the ability to take you on his emotional roller coaster. As he sings “give me hope, give me love, give me something that can help me find you” echoes of U2’s ‘Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ fill the room. His sense of loneliness in a city as overpopulated as London, is the modern day equivalent of Andrew Lincoln’s career defining performance as Egg in ‘This Life’.

What the future holds for MOSES post-Rory remains to be seen but, if this is all it was going to be, its how you sign off in style. It was Ali Cook scoring a ton in his last for England. With the growth shown in 2019 in the studio, it would be one hell of a waste though.

*image courtesy of Ana Ben Ana

Come At The King - Crazy Ugly Beautiful

London three piece Come At The King, release their debut EP ‘Crazy Ugly Beautiful’. Recorded at London Road Studios, it is released on the 15th November with a headline show the following night at Sebright Arms (London).

The title track is a gloriously filthy piece of rock n roll. If BRMC came from North London, this is how they would sound. Beset with pollution and the intense pace of life, Come At The King have set a huge marker for all future singles.

The EP is littered with some great rock n roll sloganeering. When ‘Hanging On’ decrees ‘feels like I’m always hanging on’, it’s done with such desperation you can feel the fingernails clenching in the mud. Meanwhile, on ‘Crazy Ugly Beautiful’, the defiant, my generation inspired ‘I do this better than you used to’

Despite having no budget, no label funding studio time, they have found a glorious way to change up their guitar sound on this epic intro to ‘Hanging On’. Although sonically worlds apart, the rebellious and drunkard spirit of Peter Green permeates throughout. Whereas, ‘Frauds’, suffers on the EP for lacking the star power of the other three.

The rock ‘n’ roll cover spectacularly went out of fashion in this decade. However, Shambolics now play ‘The Chain’, Lacuna Bloome play ‘She Bangs The Drums’ and The K’s play ‘Dirty Old Town’, its back! Rightly so too, it allows bands to cement their message in the early days. In this instance, it showcases how inventive the London three piece are.

Theatre Royal - Turn From Sleep

One of Medway’s true greats, Theatre Royal, returned last week with ‘Incidental Friend’ (Vacilando 68 Recordings) the lead single from their new EP of the same name.

Today, we look at the second track from the EP ‘Turn From Sleep’. Another fine example of what should be considered mainstream. infectious heartfelt melodies shimmering in the winter sun. It’s what we all thought The La’s might have achieved had they held it together.

Combining the spritely acoustic guitars of the The Woodtentops classic ‘Good Thing’ with the shimmering warmth of The Stands’ ‘I Need You’, they once again breathe fresh life into the Medway and Paisley genres.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Theatre Royal don’t make bad songs! Be sure to check them out at the Lexington supporting their Medway brothers in arms The Claim, January 4th 2020.

Kid Violet: Live at Water Rats, London

London’s Kid Violet kicked of Creation23’s Shambolics sold out night at the Water Rats last Thursday night.

There were moments when they truly threatened to outshine the headliners. The heavenly looping ‘Columbia’ meets ‘Cloudy Room’ psyche guitars of the opener ‘Be Happy’ showcased stadium filling rock n roll ambition. With togetherness and love at its core, it was for all the right reasons too!

The racing riffs of ‘London Wonderground’ walked a glorious line in between The Rifles and Foals. Two distinct alternative crowds that don’t always mix were lured together with devilish effect. Meanwhile, the glam stomping power of ‘I Don’t Care’ is packed with the outcast party spirit of Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ and has hit written all over it. However, ‘Spaceman’ reached for the escapism of early Noel Gallagher song writing but fell short of the Chief’s early glory.

In frontman Billy Cotter, Kid Violet have an icon in the making. The menace of Liam’s vocals, Miles Kane’s strut and the endearing nature of Slaves’ Isaac Holman ooze from Cotter effortlessly. Despite his star quality, they had a gang mentality. Zac Smiths bass playing had dancefloor hooks at almost every time turn whilst, Pawel Plejewski and Charley Wilkinson’s shared guitar parts continually sparked off each off other.

Yes, yes we did mention them in the same breath as Oasis earlier. Are they there yet? No. When that spirit is ignited, we’re rightly getting fucking excited.

Shambolics: Water Rats, London

Fife four piece Shambolics brought their brand of dreamy rock n roll to the London’s Water Rats last Thursday. Signed to Alan McGee’s impeccable Creation23, the buzz was tangible for their first sold out London date.

Some bands are forever better live than they are on record. For Shambolics, it was more a case of let’s playing with their influences. ‘My Time Is Now’ goes from a Miles Kane anthem to a Donna Summer colossus live. Meanwhile, ‘Fight Inside of Me’ took the extravagance of the Roses ‘Second Coming’ and injected it with the pop-punk of The Buzzcocks.

The set hit magical heights when they combined modern day indie-punk with the 1970s West Coast USA. ‘Sandra Speed’ showcased the blossoming partnership of Lewis McDonald and Darren Forbes. The shimmering guitars of David Crosby and the excess of Stephen Stills combined on a tale of pure escapism, it was undeniable.

Latest single ‘Chasing A Disaster’, walked the tight rope being heavily reliant on The LA’s and The View but, it’s infectious melody was too good to reject. Toxic masculinity, a hot topic of recent times was washed away with warm embracing and carefree dancing during these blissful four minutes.

When Gerry Cinnamon burst onto the scene in 2017, he reminded everyone just how popular tales of everyday are.  On ’When She Goes Home’, we’re given even a bigger reminder. Via Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’, Shambolics lit up the Water Rats with their tale of a naive female protagonist. Put through their CSN harmonies and early hooks of The View, they’ve built a joyous set closer for life.

The big challenge for Shambolics now is, converting all this magic into a killer album. It’s inevitable right?

The Twang - If Confronted Just Go Mad

“Your face, your race, the way that you talk”

Birmingham’s The Twang return today with ‘If Confronted Just Go Mad’, their first album in five years! Mixed by Mint Royale’s Neil Claxton, a guest appearance from Polar Bear and two new female members of the band, would this be a great rebirth?

Lead single ‘Everytime’ suggests it might just be. Sonically, they’ve always had a connection with sunnier climates, whether it be the jangle of ‘Subscription’ or the Mondays inspired ‘Cloudy Room’. However, on ‘Everytime’, with new band member Cat Mctigue shining like a star, they’ve tapped into the cool crisp soul of the 80s. This is poolside cocktails magic.

As the album grows, it becomes apparent, this is perfect blend of update and re-connection rather than Ziggy to Aladdin Zane reinvention. ‘Time Waits’, takes the debuts exuberance and channels it via carnival beats. Meanwhile, ‘Lovin’ State’ has the romanticism and guitar jangle of ‘Jewellery Quarter’. What they both share is, an older head delivering them. A humbleness permeates the lyrics. An appreciation of family and friends and that love is all you need are prevalent throughout.

‘Dream’, arguably the best example of everything they were and all that they will be. Etheridge’s Shaun Ryder via Mike Skinner vocal delivery collides with the indomitable groove of the Roses’ ‘Fools Gold’. Then Cat Mctigue vocals lend a devilishly joyous fresh impetus. Anyone not raising a wry smile at ‘Morrissey, he is still just Stephen’ is a humour vacuum.

‘It Feels Like You’re Wasting My Time’ witnesses their archetypal shimmering guitars and soaring vocals, but, with this measured approach, they bring a new sense of identity. Lyrically, despite obviously being a personal tale, fans will be hard pressed not to give way to feelings of angst The Twang (and their peers) were too readily discarded by the industry.

As Phil Etheridge sings ‘I give you everything sweat tears blood…it feels like I’m wasting my time’, thoughts of The Enemy, Glasvegas, Reverend & The Makers, The Rifles and The Courteeners great bands, all maligned will come to the surface. Despite this, Etheridge offers a way through:

 “It seems like we’re aint out time / I see now, you aint on my side”

With hooks like this, and younger audiences alive with excitement for DMAs, Gerry Cinnamon and The Shambolics, not only is The Twang’s return well timed, it seems heaven sent to unite generations of outsiders.

DMA's - Silver

The surprise package of the decade, DMA’s return to sprinkle hope and sunshine on the dreary UK winter skylines once more. Their latest single ‘Silver’, released via Infectious Music, is the leadoff single to their upcoming third album.

No one can touch Thomas O’Dell’s right now. His soft but intensely emotive vocals cut through every ounce of election bullshit we’re fed at present. The story, an almost a modern take on Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, looks back on a failed relationship and how they consume the male protagonist’s mind years later.

The torment within the lines ‘It’s funny that I think of you right now / Knowing all the years that turned to clouds’ is agonising. It will set minds racing to the one who got away immediately and questions of how it all slipped away will lurk painfully.

Thankfully, through the soaring closing stages, they offer a chink of light:

“How do I redefine
All my love for you
I guess I look to the sun with you
How do I realise”

Their que sera sera moment will drag you from unatoned realms to sun-drenched climates instantly.  

If there is a sweeter sound than The DMA’s, by all means, let us know, we bet you’re wrong!

Theatre Royal - Incidental Friend

One of Medway’s true greats, Theatre Royal, return today with their new single ‘Incidental Friend’. It’s the leadoff single from their upcoming 4 track EP, released 22nd November via Vacilando 68 Recordings.

It’s the first release since 2018’s spritely jangle pop double A-side release of ‘All For Forward’ and ‘Better Say Goodbye’. Jarring in comparison, as, gone are their archetypal Big Star melodies. However, the adopted slower pace serves them well. It’s a chance for front man Oliver Burgess to prove just how adorable his vocals are. Full of romance and idealism, you’ll be hard pressed not to think of your one true love has he sings ‘dreamt of the places we’d go / we walked in the untouched snow’.

The stripped back, almost bluesy affair brings to mind their Medway peers The Claim, who they will be supporting in January at the Lexington. It’s almost the perfect sonic for them. The sumptuous harmonica anchors them into their grey industrial landscapes which, in turn, allows the lyrical romanticism to escape further.

I you can’t wait for the January gig with The Claim, they will be supporting the legendary Woodentops at The Lexington 9th November.

MOSES – You Need L

London’s MOSES have returned today with their new single ‘You Need L’ via Anti-Fragile Music. Recorded at Garden Studios, they once more stepped into the recording booth with the legendary Gavin Monaghan.

If ever there was a band ready for a slot across mainstream airwaves, it was MOSES. Always scintillating and emotionally uplifting live, they have continually delivered the goods for 18 months. Now, on ‘You Need L’, they have delivered their most creatively daring single to date.

Lyrically, it’s so delicate, whilst all around them is warped psyche-punk mayhem. If ever there was a musical indictment of the times, this was it! In 2018, they put out the eye catching ‘River Thames’ and ‘Cause You Got Me’. Raucous and lovable indie-punk, nothing new, but right in a slot of high quality anthems to be loved. Here though, they’ve said “to hell with that” and made academy sized singles sound underground and deranged.  

Just as you expect a clichéd thrash of the guitars, they pivot away to pastures new. It’s more challenging and interesting than all of their previous infectious work. Prime example being the dystopian ‘oooooooohhhhhhhhhs’. It’s not as spiky as IDLES and not as Melodic as The DMA’s but, there’s a tightrope being walked here that deserves equal respect.

They round of another captivating year at the Water Rats (London) Friday 22nd November. Expect a warped frenzy of a party!

*Image courtesy of Ana Ban Ana

Gazelle - Have You Found Forever Now?

Leicester's Gazelle have been tearing through 2019 like a whirlwind. Their new single is no let-up either. 'Have You Found Forever Now?', recorded with the legendary Gavin Monaghan sees them build upon then intelligent working class lyrics and escapist rock n roll.

On their debut EP ' Young Blood', an army of influences (The Enemy, The Rifles, The Courteeners) outlined their outsider credentials. Whilst musically, 'Forever' remains in this mold, lyrically it takes Tom Clarke’s Lowry-esque depictions and Liam Fray’s emotive every-man styles to stride out beyond them both.

Musically, the rasping guitars of The Rifles and The Enemy remain in the early part: kicking and screaming their way to hearts and minds. However, the combination of Noel Gallagher's key changes, The Cure-esque solo and the raucous production of Suepergrass circa 'Life On Other Planets' breeds life into their sound.

Lyrically though, is where 'Forever' shines. Ryan Dunn has combined a Clarke and Weller sharpness with the universality of Gallagher, the wit of Damon Albarn and a huge splice of Ashcroft at his “fuck you” best.

The tension Dunn builds from images of internal hurricanes is palpable. In the mire of Brexit, the poor are being left behind, not buy Dunn! This romantic tale hits the brink (“can we turn it around”) and then fires them back into the sunset with the line “Don’t let go if you’ve found forever now”.

Britain has felt so shit, for so long, the modernised messages of ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘Live Forever’ will bring tears to your eyes. ‘Forever’ leaves you with the notion that nothing can stand in your way. Gazelle have hit a vein of form here that simply put, has to elevate them to big audiences, now!

Rats: Nambucca, London

Liverpool’s Rats headlined This Feeling’s 13th birthday party recently. Just under two years ago, they played the same venue to under 10 people. This time, a packed crowd was buzzing in anticipation!

The night had been electric with stellar slots from Cleargreen, Howlers and Lacuna Bloome, then Rats just tore the place apart with their brand of rock n roll and punk.

Crowd favourites ‘Weekend’ and ‘Figure It Out’ served the braying crowd with a fix of bangers. The latter, showcases just how far this band can go. On record, it has The DMA’s debut album at its core, live, it becomes a raucous monster of an anthem. Meanwhile., ‘Weekend’, with hooks at every turn, united the crowd in a sea of mayhem.

It’s on their last release ‘Jack’ though where they defined their set and the purpose of This Feeling. Full of risk and great social comment, it turned a desperate fight against the pressures zero hours contracts into a performance of righteous punk rock. The cameo from Skinny Man lifted the song to another plain and took the crowd somewhere truly special.

This Feeling are not the only ones putting on nights like this but, they are the best at it. They have backed Rats from opening a night to 10 people all the way through to virtually selling out Nambucca. It was a beautiful sight and a reminder, do not let tossers in the mainstream tell you bands are cyclical. They are always there and they need nourishing. Rats are now beyond their fledgling status and ready to support big bands before owning the tour circuit themselves!

 *Image courtesy of @ChrisDriverPhoto

Gerry Cinnamon – Sun Queen

The wait had been so long that, our thoughts turned to misapprehension regarding Gerry Cinnamon’s return. So, when ‘Sun Queen’ landed in our laps, it was with tense moment loading it up.

We needn’t have worried. Released 2 weeks ago via Little Runaway Records, the 34-year-old Glaswegian looks set to continue his miraculous journey to the hearts of these fair isles.

With pressure on to deliver, Cinnamon has delivered his most effortless pop song to date. The vocal hook of the chorus is as sumptuous as they come. The female protagonist dreaming of James Dean conjures sun kissed nostalgia that’s impossible not to fall in love with.

As with his debut, and especially his live shows, the glory of ‘Sun Queen’ lies within the heart of the man delivering it. The tag of ‘one of us’ has never been more relevant than with Cinnamon. His lyrics and melodies walk our streets. They daydream of escape, they romanticise summer and recapture teenage romances.

Welcome back Lord Protector of Britain’s soul!

Useless Cities – How To Feel

Self-professed miserabilists Useless Cities returned last month with their latest single ‘How To Feel’. Produced by Paul Tipler, (Placebo / The Horrors / Idlewild) they have taken their brand of indie to the next level.

Tom Argent has taken the destructive guitars of Shame’s debut album ‘Songs of Praise’ and given them room to breathe. This slower, more melodic approach moves away from Shame’s angst and, into a more pensive realm. Once Corneila Bent’s keys come into play, the beauty levels are significantly raised.

The duo repeat this pattern on vocal duty too. Argent has a fragility that’s sits between Tom Smith (Editors) and Ian Curtis. As he sings ‘it’s a nice dream’ about the start of a romance, you can’t help but feel he expects it to come crashing down. Then, like an angel, Bent glides in to sprinkle affection and restore the hope for this burgeoning relationship.

Be sure to check them out at Werkhaus (London) on the 14th November.

Eilis Frawley – Illusions

Berlin based percussionist Eilis Frawley (Party Fears & I Drew Blank) releases her debut single ‘Illusions’ from her forthcoming EP via Reckless Yes Records.

Bold and distinct from the off, Frawley has combined a unique blend of spoken word and the Avant Garde pop of Flying Lizzards and tUnE-yArDs. Despite the left field approach to music and production, Frawley has anchored her lyrics in the everyday.

She tackles the stresses of projecting our best selves on social media and simultaneously neglecting the nourishment of the soul. Better still, rather than offer clichés about living for the weekend, Frawley offers up a savage indictment of how over worked and pressured we are:

“One free evening and we ruin our livers to forget”

This is a rare piece of alt-pop. It’s accessible and weird simultaneously. It is absolutely ripe to freshen up BBC6 Music.

The Crooks – Nevermind

“I seem to get this feeling I just cant explain”

Chesterfield outfit The Crooks, fresh from selling out their This Feeling’s 13th birthday this past Saturday, release their new single ‘Nevermind’ on Friday.

In 1994, when Liam sang ‘you and I are gonna live forever’, the world changed. Ambition and escapism combined on Noel’s story of two best friends who ‘see things they’ll never see’. The universality of its message (plus the great melody) became all things to all people.

It was amazing time of hope and unity. Job security was a thing, pay rises could be earned. Unlike 2019! Having a job for longer than 12 months is a fucking achievement these days! Thank god, no, thank The Crooks for this single!

Despite being less personal than the heroes of Live Forever’s tale, it’s not less gallant. Defiantly drawing the line in the sand, they shall be pushed no further! Furthermore, when the guitars soar, they offer a helping hand off the canvas for everyone to stand up to the torrent of shit we’re being made to live through.  

Musically, Hurricane #1’s classic ’Step Into My World’ and Embrace’s ‘The Last Gas’ leaps of the page as this track triumphant builds. However, its within the all-inclusive clarion call where its beauty lays. As Jacko sings ‘remember things are easy, don’t get left behind’, it’s hard not to be overcome with emotion. Thoughts of friends, lovers, family will flash before your eyes on this truly defining moment for the band!

Their next gig is 2nd November, again for the brilliant folk of This Feeling, it is not to be missed!

Cleargreen: Nambucca, London

Manchester’s Cleargreen made the journey to North London’s Nambucca for This Feeling’s 13th birthday this past Saturday. Man alive it was something to treasure!

Some bands will strive for years to deliver a set like this. The attitude, the heart, and, quality outshone nearly all established acts of the moment.

Everything culminated on their cover of Jorja Smith’s ‘Blue Lights’. The contrasting vocal styles of Ali Staley and Liam McIver were joyous. McIver’s, fired up by the injustice received by his friend, delivered a truly menacing performance! This was perfectly offset by frontman Ali Staley’s embracing and inviting vocals. Throw in Josh Howarth’s stunning and destructive guitar solo and it was hard to define this as anything other than special.

There were lighter moments of the set, notably on the ‘Mersey Paradise’ inspired ‘(To Be Understood) In My Paradise. The Squire-esque guitars jangled away with inescapable infectiousness. Meanwhile, Staley announced himself as the next great rock n roll frontman. Whilst all around him was the attitude and rock n roll swagger, there stood a man inviting a crowd into their dreams of freedom. The emotion he conjures from the lines ‘it all means nothing / if you’re not here anymore’ was a real moment.

A defining one? Probably not, there is too much drive and the ability for this is to be it. People of Manchester, do not miss their show with Creation23’s The Shambolics on 6th November at Night People

*Image courtesy of Alan Wells

The Raintree County - Lay In The Tall Grass

Leed’s hottest prospects The Raintree County are back with their third single ‘Lay In The Tall Grass’. With some killer This Feeling shows under their belt, can they transfer this confidence to the studio?

The previous two efforts have seen their influences laid bare. Enjoyable as they are, it’s here their own identity begins to stand up next to their heroes. The scouse rock n roll of The Real People remains but, they have a more measured approach. The sophisticated backing vocals demonstrate a band considering their every move, the results, a far more soulful sound enhancing their working class sounds.

As the closing psyche guitars swirl, the excitement of what this band could become grow steadfast. They have opened the doors for so many possibilities. Eight minute Andy Bell (Ride) guitar parts or Lee Mavers three-minute pop dittys could all emerge from this.

Despite the onset of winter, the future is blossoming for The Raintree County.

Miles Kane: Electric Ballroom, London

Dressed resplendently as Kevin Rowlands, Liverpool outrider Miles Kane strode onto the Electric Ballroom, reminding everyone the difference between mortal an immortal.

The joyous funk of ‘Coup De Grace’ brought The Smiths classic ‘Barbarism Begins at Home’ to life until Kane’s anarchic vocals took it to away to something more visceral. The venom remained high on the classic ‘Inhaler’ and ‘Come Closer’. He is unstoppable in this mood!

It is however, on the poppier moments where his ability to hold a crowd in the palm of his hand truly shine. With help from Jamie T, he takes the Camden crowd on a roller coaster of emotions on ‘Too Little Too Late’. On the acoustic version of ‘Killing The Joke’ and slow building ‘Colour of the Trap’, he united the crowd in an almost hymnal singalong.

Everything came together on the soaring pop majesty of ‘Rearrange’. Kane’s ability to channel 60s pop past into something vibrant, sexy and violent was at its peak here.

With a huge support slot alongside Liam Gallagher imminent, the jury will be out on who is the best frontman of today!

Lacuna Bloome: Nambucca, London

Brighton’s Lacuna Bloome took time out from recording their new EP to play This Feeling’s 13th birthday party at Nambucca this past Saturday.

With the spirit of Stone Roses in their hearts, they delivered their brand shimmering rock n roll with aplomb.

The latest single ‘Plastic’ was a stunning piece of rock n roll and social comment. By the time frontman Niall bellows ‘yes it’s changing’, this crowd is either rushing with excitement or frantically messaging their mates to check them out.

Whatever they’ve have doing in the studio is paying dividends. Former singles ‘I Am’ and ‘Find Your Way’ sounded crisper and more dynamic than ever. Perhaps set-closer, a storming cover of ‘She Bangs The Drums’, has shown them their songs are can stack alongside Manchester’s finest. 

With the EP coming in the new year, 2020 is shaping up bloody nicely indeed.

*Image courtesy of @shotbybutch

The Spitfires: Live in Southend

Watford​ three piece The Spitfires returned to Chinnery’s in Southend this past Saturday.

They came on the trail of their new single ‘Enough is Enough’, would it be enough to keep them in the hearts of Essex’s mods?

Roaring out of the traps with crowd favourite ‘Last Goodbye’ and ‘The New Age’. The fury of The Jam and melodic rumble of The Rifles combined with their playfulness to kick-start the dancing. A word that became omnipresent throughout.

New single ‘Enough is Enough’ took the defiant spirit of Hard-Fi’s debut ‘Stars of CCTV’ and threw in, well, everything! The brass, at times hinging on the love of Frankie Knuckles and at others, drawing upon ska, funk and soul they have become famed for. It’s such a raucous carnival affair that, it sets frontman Billy Sullivan freer than ever before.

Remember, their 4th album is imminent, this isn’t a band with a new sheen, this is one with crowd favourites. Nothing touched the vibrancy of the crowd’s reaction than on ‘Enough is Enough’.

Speaking of crowd favourites, ‘Something Worth Fighting For’ was sounding more desolate than ever, clinging to the last shred of hope in a world gone bat shit. Meanwhile. The blistering guitar solo on ‘Return To Me’ and the euphoria of ‘On My Mind’ defy all logic of the working classes in recent years. Social comment and escapist rebellion should always meet these standards!

It’s fair to say, they left Southend as favourite adopted sons

*Image coutesy of Tony Briggs