Soundcheck with Jamie Harper

By [rrothery]

HAVE people never seen curly hair before?

Last week began in dramatic fashion as wide-eyed fuzzball Jamie Archer was unceremoniously culled from the nation-hypnotising snorefest that is X-Factor. That Archer has come to be defined more by his locks than his lungs was perhaps his downfall – but, like his hair, the poor lamb had slim control over it.

As I gazed up to the emptying heavens, arms held aloft, a solitary tear cascading down one cheek, struggling to cognate the injustice that had just been bestowed by the X-Factor Gods – the shock of Archer's departure was soon to be cushioned by having a chat with a very friendly man from North Devon about his new band.

"We formed in spring this year, we all just really missed being in a band."

I'm talking to Daniel Edmonds from The Midnight Toys — North Devon's latest exponents of everything that made rock classic. He's the drummer. And in a feat of multi-tasking that would make any woman blush, he's also the singer. That's like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. Upside down. While spinning plates with your feet. Or, like watching a weather report on the tele and actually taking in any of the information.

Yes, rising like spandex-baguettes in rock's fiery furnace are The Midnight Toys. Formerly of Aeroplane Blonde repute, Edmonds is joined by Stuart Clayton on bass (who tours with Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame), and Dean Boni on guitar (who also had a stint in North Devon's music scene with Rachel's Tattoo).

And in a bit of a backwards battle plan, they've recorded their debut album before they've played their first gig.

"It might be a strange way of doing things but our first sessions together were really prolific," explains Edmonds. "We wanted to capture that raw energy."

But now, with the album recorded, mixed, and ready to buy on iTunes and in local music shops, The Midnight Toys are launching the album with their first gig at Inn On The Square this Saturday (28th). Doors open at 9pm, and entry is free. If you like your rock a bit oldschool, go and involve yourself.

I may even go myself. Now that Archer has been dismissed it might be safe for me to go outside without having "JAMIE ARCHER!" yelled at me by people who should just bite the bullet and book their Specsavers appointment.