This specially recorded radio programme, broadcasted at the Elbandito Christmas Party 2005, where the top bar of The Hub provided solid refuge from the live madness going on downstairs.

Review of the gig from BBC Gloucestershire:

Festive mayhem with Elbandito
By William Vickers
Fast-rising Cheltenham label Elbandito celebrated the festive season with a typically eclectic night of music and dancing at the Hub.


To those in the know, the independent and local record label Elbandito and its near-infamous shows are a veritable goldmine for viewing and enjoying what Cheltenham has to offer in the way of new, independent music.

With regular shows hosted at The Hub, Elbandito is on a mission to support and showcase local bands and artists. So on the 20th of December they embraced the spirit of the season with a Christmas Elbandito Party for all to enjoy.

New to the scene and playing their first ever gig, ‘Fuzz’ slid out of their musical dry dock and into their maiden voyage as the first band to play. Understandably the beginning was shaky due to nerves, especially for the lead singer, although he soon gained a more confident stage presence as the songs progressed.

However, the remainder of the band were, from the very start, highly confident in their respective roles, performing well and remaining entirely professional. They helped to deliver a powerful and engaging set to those of us lucky enough to see it.

Their songs were catchy and held together well; they had many of us tapping something by its conclusion, which came all too soon.

No strangers to The Hub’s stage or to playing in front of large crowds, Fiktion & Darkee MC were quick to raise the tempo with their own unique blend of breakcore and ingenious freestyle rap.

On first sight, it was clear they were both avid fans of large t-shirts – but any attention that was previously focused on their clothing soon switched, irrevocably, to their music.

Fiktion delivered an arresting and all-enveloping blend of heavy beats and ear-piercing melody that was complimented excellently by the swift rhymes of Darkee MC which helped to liven the crowd further still. Yet, despite all this, their set did appear to lack the essential energy of previous appearances.


After this, d.ash soon appeared. d.ash are, without a doubt, a unique band. Their set was technically flawless and exuded good humour, their rhythmic and complex lyrics playing their part in that respect.

A song of particular note was ‘Fused’; which spoke about watching static and setting things to automatic. The overall feeling of their set was one of relaxation and mild apathy that calmed many of us after Fiktion and Darkee MC.

Hilarity

Then finally, after a long wait, Puppy Bucket & Donny Choonara appeared on the stage and promptly unleashed their unique sounds which are best described (by themselves) as “the thinking man’s Goldie Lookin’ Chain.”

They aren’t wrong there. Hilarity shortly ensued as they began with a set that was full to the brim with witty and amusing songs.

Particular favourites of the crowd were, “Potato”, “Deli Life” and “It’s Xmas (Don’t F****** Moan)” that, aside from keeping us well entertained with their funny lyrics, showed us all how talented these two musicians really are.

They also spared no expenses with decorations, the stage was adorned with tinsel, a “reindeer” made an appearance and everyone paying to enter that night also received a copy of their new album entitled “Past Away” which allowed all of us to take home our own small piece of Puppy and Donny’s musical goodness.

Essentially, Elbandito is a very small, very independent label in Cheltenham that provides (to those who seek it) a fantastic and constantly surprising range of music that comes straight from the ‘heart of Gloucestershire’: Cheltenham.

And if the Christmas Party was anything to go by, then the future for local music is looking very bright indeed.

www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2006/01/13/bandito_feature.shtml