aaamusic | On 11, Oct 2010

Adam Ficek is most commonly known to the general public for his day-job as drummer in notorious British rock act Babyshambles. As a member of the band fronted by Pete Doherty, the most talked- and written-about rock star of our time, Adam has seen the best and worst of life at the casualty-laden core of the music industry, but what many people don’t know is he is also a talented multi-instrumentalist who writes and performs beautifully crafted songs under the nom-de-plume of Roses Kings Castles.
Originally conceived as a creative outlet whilst Babyshambles were on holiday, Roses Kings Castles became something more than a means of occupying himself during down time. “I continually write, whether it’s big band arrangements, electro riffs or folk-pop songs. I just needed an avenue to walk down.”
The Roses Kings Castles sound is lost somewhere between Belle & Sebastian’s pastoral warmth and the hallucinatory six-string invocations of Syd Barrett, and manages to blissfully combine astute acoustic pop melodies with the finest elements of classic British songwriting.
Adam’s eponymus debut album has sold more than 3,000 copies since its release in September 2008 and a number of dates around Europe and America has seen him picking up many new fans across the globe. A string of low-key UK and Scandinavian shows in Spring 2009 saw Adam previewing new material, and working with a full band.
Following the release of a 6 track limited edition cassette only release (!) in May 2009, Adam re-entered the studio and cut a number of tracks. The first fruits of his labour were released as the ‘Apples & Engines’ EP, and a new album, Suburban Time Bombs was recorded in the months that followed.
The first single from the album, ‘One Born Every Minute’ was issued on 3rd May, and will be followed by an album this autumn.
www.adamficek.com/roses-kings-castles.php
www.myspace.com/roseskingscastles

2010 Battle Of The Bands winners, Littlemores are are a 4 piece from York. Mr Jack Williams bangs the drums. Kai West slaps the bass, Conor Hirons twangs the guitar and Ben blows his own trumpet.
Delivering a sound which is very difficult to categorize, they blend jangly guitars, bass driven rhythms, top quality percussion and the accompaniment of trumpets and accordions to deliver a Ska infused, Mod like approach to Indie music with the lyrical poetry of new wave Punk, delivered with a vocal grit and warmth that makes this music for the masses.
With musical influence taken from the likes of The Clash, The Jam, The Specials, and Billy Bragg, this group take some of the best bits from the best around and chuck them all into their eclectic mix.
www.myspace.com/littlemores

Martin Wainwright has been playing and writing songs with various bands including the York based Pop-Punk band 3DaysForward and Leeds based rock/metal act Index:Code for the last 6 years or so. He has also started taking to the stage alone with this new solo project.
www.myspace.com/martinwainwrightacoustic

£8 advance / £10 on the door.
Tickets are available online now via TicketWeb and at face value in person direct from Stereo.

Stereo is a ten minute walk from York train station, with the nearest public car park being the Union Terrace car park situated on Clarence Street (a five minute walk from the venue). The flat rate for evening (6.00pm to 8.00am) parking there is just £2 (FREE if you have a parking discount badge for York residents).

www.screamingtarts.com