A ChristMashed Miracle - The Birth of Gigwise

nd so, it came to pass, nigh on four seasons ago, that three Gigwise men followed the night star to the North, to discover the birth of the New King of music websites. With them, they bore gifts of Gold quality listings, Frank-an-incendiary reviews of live performances and Myrrh-aculous Mashed clubnights.

The three Gigwise men, Saint Andrew, Saint Michael and Saint Simon, went on to spread the word of the New Faith to the people, and lo and behold, others with Gigwise skills apparent became converted, and became known as the Disciples of this joyous New Faith.

Soon, to the newborn Internet infant, hundreds of followers flocked, and proclaimed it to be The King of the entire musical site world. They came to worship the doctrine of extensive local venue listings, in-depth information for bands, fantastic features and forum, notes on current news and special events, services available to all, games, and, most importantly, a considerable amount of consistently controversial reviews of live performances, witnessed by scribes of renowned talent and ability. It is widely known that the Disciple scribe Saint Shifty has been witnessed healing the musically crippled!

Whilst followers of Other faiths cast the holy land of Merseyside to the Beelzebub pits of cliché, scribed only as 'scally', 'cosmic' and 'shell-suit laden', the New Faith of Gigwise stoutly proclaimed, "No! Followers! There Is More To Behold On These Shores! Do Not Shroud Your Minds With The Doctrine Of Others! Open Your Minds And Be Enlightened With Us!"

From then on, the Disciples of the New Faith documented spirits with the gift of music, renowned for their good deeds in the city and beyond. Followers decreed utmost importance to the local sightings of Pinhole, Flamingo 50, Iconoclast, Purple Gekko, Mazuma Fly, Mighty Saguaro, Atonal, Odega, Voo, Cock Off, Kling Klang, and Paul Wilkes, to name but a few. Visitations from national and international guests took place also, in the establishments of the Masque, the new Barfly, Zanzibar, and the revamped University/Academy. And while the Lomax/L2 bid a fond farewell, the Picket and the Cavern remained determinedly dire. Followers were treated to incredible performances by Ikara Colt, The Hives, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, The Libertines, Coldplay, The Vines, The Von Bondies, Gary Numan, Hundred Reasons, Polyphonic Spree, the late, great Joe Strummer, and more.

Local spirits soon held international acclaim before the New Faith's ever-documenting eyes. From the Bandwagon, came The Bandits, The Coral, Tramp Attack, The Zutons, The Stands, and The Hokum Clones, and started a revolution. First major reports of The Catheters, Swearing At Motorists and The Apes were detailed and displayed by the unbounded devotion of the faithful Gigwise Disciples, the number of which had grown to twenty or more.

Immense gatherings of idolatrous people were also observed by the New Faith, enjoying the clubnights of Chibuku, Electrovoodoo, Bugged Out, Liquidation/Uptight and Frat Party. Then the New Faith of Gigwise gave birth to its own child; Mashed. This progeny of Gigwise resided in the Masque, and thoroughly lived-up to its name, hosting devilish performances by the likes of...
Purple Gekko, Animal Orchestra, Lorimer,
Mazuma Fly, The Mighty Saguaro, The Casual Terraces,
Dopamine, Morning Star, The Brothers With Different Mothers,
No, Iconoclast, Pinhole and The Big Wheels.....
what sights to behold on such a night!

The New Faith of Gigwise casts its omniscient gaze over all. When tours by powerhouses such as The Beatings, The Libertines, The Moonies, JJ72, and The Pattern came to these lands, Gigwise Disciples were there immediately with the interviews, bringing the paying public spiritually closer to their beloved.

'Tis true people, stick resolutely by the words of your new electronic Bible, step into the effervescent Gigwise light, you followers so devout, and spread the word to the heathen unbelievers. A new age is here, go forth and multiply the will of your Godwise into the next year! Hallelujah!

Documented by Brendon Hooper, A.D. 2002