Edinburgh Under Surveillance: November

what better places to seek refuge from the impending big chill ...

Feature by Dave Kerr | 12 Nov 2006

Brrr, it's frickin' cold eh? Well, what better place to seek refuge from the impending big chill than the Warchild benefit at Bannermans on the 4th, featuring sets from The Rushes and The Last Great Wilderness for a kick off, this promises to be an evening of quality music.

Another performance to look out for this month, if you enjoy a bit of sleaze punk rock a la Stooges/Pixies - an evening with Isa and the Filthy Tongues (ex-Goodbye Mr McKenzie) could be just what you're after. Bolshy, brassy sets are their trademark and a fierce energy surrounds them on stage, check them out at Cabaret Voltaire on Friday the 10th. Another intriguing bunch to catch this month are Benbecula's Genaro. Fresh from an appearance at last month's Spectrum festival, they display some of their mesmerising layered hooks at Whistlebinkies on the Thursday the 16th.

Meanwhile, Ego have big plans to take full advantage of their newly fitted stage and "trouser flapping sound system" as their live music programme gears up with gigs from local lads Jakil on the 17th and The Sadies on the 1st of December. Of the spruced up venue, events manager Ruari tells us; "We aim to join the live circuit as a 500 capacity venue, and being an original ballroom there are no pillars in sight, giving everyone maximum viewing. It's exciting as the room still has a lot of the features from way back in the 1920s giving it a real classic feel."

Speaking of gigs in a club, Departure Lounge at The Caves offer some solid crossover appeal this month with a live appearance by Talc on Friday the 24th, modern soul to knock your socks off - and you can't beat the breathtaking environs of The Caves (foolishly left out of our venue guide last issue).

If that lot isn't curing your frostbite, there's a rare opportunity to catch a low key gig by devilish alternative pop merchants Dawn of the Replicants (hot on the heels of their superb singles compilation) over at Henry's Cellar Bar on Sunday the 12th. Then, on the 29th, experimentalist outfit Found star in the Electric proms at Cabaret Voltaire.