FRANZ NICOLAY (The Hold Steady)

Event information

FRANZ NICOLAY (Brooklyn, NY)
That mustachioed man-about-town you've seen with The Hold Steady, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Anti-Social Music, and more, steps up to the spotlight and salutes.
He's taking a night off from touring with labelmate Mark Eitzel (American Music Club) to play songs from his debut solo album 'Major General' (Decor Records).
'Yes, Nicolay is a man of distinctive appearance - half-cocked beret, Dali moustache, occasional goatee - and his first solo album exudes a suitably exuberant self-confidence. Few side projects have as much character as the witty and full-hearted Major General.' UNCUT - Debut Album of the Month
Eclectic and ambitious but unshowy, Major General is about as satisfying as any solo effort from a member of an established band still killing it themselves as I can think of...Major General hits some massive highs and nary a single crushing low. Nicolay's skill at playing punk sage on one song and slightly troubled troubadour on the next is really something special. - Pitchfork
Recasting the windswept folk artist as someone with piratical swagger, he comes over like Nick Cave leading an American Pogues, and every see-saw rhythm is shot through with a potent, whisky-drenched drama. In other words, the man's a ham, but a terrific one. - Q Magazine
www.myspace.com/franznicolay

DEXY & THE HAND ME DOWNS (London)
Sweetness and light in spades from Lewisham's finest Country Punk.
'Joyous...should see him rise to ascendancy' Drowned In Sound
www.myspace.com/dexyspace

SHAUN GRIMSLEY
Bar room alt.country with a south London twist.
www.myspace.com/26557562

DJ; Jimmy Ketchup (Backstreets)
www.myspace.com/backstreets_london