Latest news with #AndrewVickers
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Mark Lamarr defines band's sound of 'Southern Boogie Rock'
With the Leader's Next Big Thing feature, we hope to showcase some of the talent in Wrexham and Flintshire. If you are a group of musicians or solo singer that would love a boost towards your big break, the Leader wants to hear from you. We are looking to put the Next Big Thing on music fans' radar, just remember us when you get to the top! Read more: Crimson Katana slice into the Wrexham music scene To be in with the chance to feature, email a few details and contact number to In the spotlight this week is The Loving Cup, a rising country rock band, with members from Wrexham and Flintshire, "spilling soul, heartbreak, and big hooks across the UK - one hard goodbye at a time". The line-up features: Jaz Livesey - lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Andrew Vickers - lead guitar, backing vocals; Giz Catterall - lead guitar, backing vocals; Andy Whitfield - bass; and Nick Lauro - drums. North Wales country rock band The Loving Cup. Is there a story behind the band name The Loving Cup? It was a nod to The Rolling Stones - like they took their name from an old Muddy Waters song, we did the same to them. Loving Cup is a tune from the Stones' Exile on Main St. 1972 LP - a key influence for us when we first started out. And the connotations are positive, we're all drinking from the same well, love and music all mixed together but it works on a few different levels metaphorically, it's all good. Your musical influences? Too many to single out, we have this shared love of classic 60s/70s melody and harmony, drawing influences from country, blues, rock, and soul which feeds into the way each of us write. It's hard to pin it down to one style but we did a session for Mark Lamarr on BBC Radio 2 and he described our sound as "Southern Boogie Rock". We like that. Who do you admire in the industry? Kudos to any bands out there independently writing, performing, recording and promoting their own stuff. Fewer people than ever seem to want to go out and watch a band at a grass roots venue now, and yet they'd pay hundreds to go and watch a stadium gig or a tribute act. It's really sad to be honest. There's something special and intimate about discovering a new band for yourself and getting to see them up close in a small venue - that's when you feel the energy and become part of it. Read more: Wrexham band members grew up with parents' love of music What do you enjoy about performing? We've been playing so long together now that there's this kind of telepathic understanding, even when we've planned and rehearsed something a certain way, sometimes there might be a spontaneous shift in gear, maybe it's the way the guitars sound together or the reaction from the audience, whatever, you get carried away and it lifts the whole performance to another level - that's when the goosebumps hit. There's also something very gratifying about seeing people in the crowd singing your words back at you, something you created that's now become theirs. Is performing a full-time job? No but it's a full-time obsession. Where can people catch you live in the coming months? Locally, at Dee Fest, Saturday August 23; The Swinging Arm (Birkenhead), September 14, and Stanley's Cask (Wallasey), September 26. We're taking a short break after that to focus on recording - we have a huge backlog of songs and we hope to release a new album in 2026. Favourite song of yours? Maybe Hard Goodbye from our second album. It's an emotionally charged heartbreak song with a bit of everything - hooky chorus, harmonies, soaring guitars, epic crescendo - but we are all really pleased with our recent release, It's About Time, which has this Byrds/Big Star shimmer with a kind of Stone Roses 1989 filter. We're made up as well as we've just heard it's on the Wrexham AFC STōK Racecourse playlist, so it will be belting out there in the coming season! Read more: Did you rock out at the Racecourse with Motorhead? Thoughts on the Wrexham/North Wales music scene? It's tougher than ever for bands. You have to be passionate about what you're doing for no other reason than you love it. Smaller venues are struggling to support independent writers and performers these days, and particularly bands. If you love the sound and feel of a great rock and roll band, come and see us. And if you can't come and see us, follow us on social media. Anything else we should know? Our latest single, Don't Put It Off, is out now on all digital platforms - it's been described as a sort of hidden gem vibe from The Last Waltz, kinda like if Dylan or Johnny Cash had stepped up to the mic backed up by Little Feat or The James Gang. We tried to keep it as authentic as possible with all the old vintage gear, and it has this narrative of a fleeting connection, seizing the moment, following your instincts and refusing to live with regrets. It's been going down well at our recent shows. • You can hear Don't Put It Off and more music from The Loving Cup on Spotify: For more information, follow the band on Facebook or Instagram.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where do things stand with the Buc-ee's planned for Oak Creek? Here's the latest.
Buc-ee's is trying to build in Oak Creek but there's a delay in the final approvals for 'the Disneyland of gas stations.' Angela Janik, project coordinator for Buc-ee's, made the "Disneyland" comparison during an early meeting for the proposed 74,000-square-foot store which includes a fueling plaza of 120 gas pumps. It would be constructed on nearly 30 acres near West Elm Road and South 27th Street, just west of the interstate. Here's what to know: Buc-ee's is hoping to open its 24/7 store and fueling plaza in early 2027 and is expected to employ between 175 and 225 full-time workers. The City of Oak Creek put out a timeline for when various approvals for Buc-ee's were up for discussion. These dates have come and gone: Jan. 28 the Plan Commission passed resolutions to change the property to commercial use from business park in the city's comprehensive plan. It was also rezoned from primarily agricultural to B-6 Interchange Regional Retail District. March 18: Oak Creek's Common Council voted in favor of amending the city's 2020 comprehensive plan land use for the three properties and a rezoning application for retail use. May 20: Following the Plan Commission's recommended approval in April, a conditional use permit for the fueling plaza and convenience store was approved by the Oak Creek Common Council. The council also approved a certified survey map for the project combining the three parcels into two lots and an outlot. Oak Creek City Administrator Andrew Vickers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 2 the city's timeline for local reviews and approvals was to conclude June 10 with a site plan and building review in front of the Plan Commission. However, the timeline hit a speed bump with a traffic analysis. 'This final, public step has been delayed as (the Wisconsin Department of Transportation) and Buc-ee's continue working toward what the Traffic Impact Analysis will require for road improvements,' Vickers said via email. He noted city staff will create an agenda for the Plan Commission meeting once the DOT accepts the traffic impact analysis. Vickers said the city doesn't anticipate any issues with the analysis, noting "those traffic data exchanges and iterative engineering processes are mostly between DOT and Buc-ee's." Some neighbors who are opposed to the proposed project have decided to band together as Oak Creek Neighbors United and sue the city. The lawsuit was filed April 11 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court and alleges the rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment were only to benefit the property owner and called it 'illegal spot zoning.' The plaintiffs want a declaratory judgment that the 2020 comprehensive plan amendment approval and rezoning be voided by the court, according to the lawsuit. The suit is ongoing with the city filing a motion to dismiss the case and Oak Creek Neighbors United having until Aug. 4 to reply, according to online court records. Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's the latest on the proposed Buc-ee's in Oak Creek
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buc-ee's in Oak Creek; leaders discuss rezoning for proposed site
The Brief Oak Creek leaders announced a planned Buc-ee's travel center last week. On Tuesday night, Jan. 28, Oak Creek's Planning Commission discussed the rezoning for the proposed Buc-ee's site at its meeting. If all goes well, the Buc-ee's would open in early 2027. OAK CREEK, Wis. - Last week, it was announced there are plans to bring a Buc-ee's travel center to Oak Creek. What we know On Tuesday night, Jan. 28, the City of Oak Creek's Planning Commission discussed the rezoning for the proposed Buc-ee's site at its meeting. The commission approved recommending the full common council rezone for the land east of 27th and south of Elm, mostly from agricultural to commercial. But it did not go without some controversy. What they're saying Some neighbors are worried about what other Buc-ee's could bring to the city. They're worried about the ripple effects, whether it's crime, noise or light pollution – and especially traffic. "We were told this was a residential area," said Oak Creek resident Sara Shreve. "How are you guys going to guarantee that that won't be negatively impacted with this business?" The meeting focused on a number of questions and concerns from homeowners living about 1,000 feet north, or on nearby Oakwood Road. Big picture view The city said it's trying to balance everyone's best interests. "From everybody in this community — it's overwhelmingly positive," city administrator Andrew Vickers said. "So the idea going forward is — how can we strike a balance between what's good for the greater community and how we can come in to mitigate the concerns?" What's next There's still a long way to go. These recommendations go to the full common council, which means they'll be subject to public hearings as soon as mid-March. If all goes well, the Buc-ee's would open in early 2027. The Source FOX6 News attended the meeting.
