To be honest, as a reader I'm not keen. The bits that are about your music are quite insipid, and the whole relies too much on cliche:"nagging self-doubt", "constant striving", "won't save your life,but" are all phrases that get used so much they're pretty much idiomatic. What I mean is, the piece should be unique and more reflective of you. It should have some imaginative and memorable turns of phrase and stylistic flow, like your music, rather than rolling out hackneyed compliments. Your sound is vibrant, inventive, energised – it needs words that mirror that. Not too sure about the language regarding the band, either – partners in crime, unshackled constraints, courses being navigated. It's music, not the Amistad.Keep down the grandiosity, pump up the Jubb.
Sorry if this is c**tishly critical and unhelpful. What your mate's written would definitely suffice, I just think it could and should be more than sufficient. Which has now put me in the awkward position of making out I know best. When I don't.
Reviews
To put not too fine a point on it, Si Jubb Carruthers set a new benchmark for the standard of composition in the area with the The Dirty Sleeves. Si and the band have both since parted company, of course, but both sides continue to make vital visceral music.Demonstration is just Si and a guitar- or Si and a piano, on Her Indoors - at it fair crackles with immediacy and urgency. On the face of it, upon hearing opening track State of My Union, the most cogent comparison seems to be with Billy Bragg. Si dispatches his songs with a similar passion and pride, sings with blunt honesty and favours a crunchy, heavily-reverberated electric guitar sound. However, as a songwriter Si's narrative voice is very much his own.Malarkey, Dear Friend Of Mine and Her Indoors are deeply personal vignettes which in lesser hands could be almost uncomfortable, but are punchy little victories when spat forth by Si. And what a singularly observant eye the man has: To Paraphrase Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Jubb is in the detail.MARCO ROSSI - DORSET EVENING ECHOWe stepped into the recently re-named ‘Monarch’ bar/venue on Camden high street and were met by a man of unassuming appearance, in smart clothes and glasses. He didn't seem to quite fit in with the over the top, ‘poseur’ style of the pub, with its bleached blonde hair-dos and tight men’s trousers. And he’s the first support act. On the surface things wern't looking all that promising.Then this man - Si Jubb Carruthers - pulls out a stunning electric guitar and starts strumming. That’s when you forget the gelled quiffs and pointy shoes and realise the real style is in the music. This guy hit me from the first strum. He combines great guitar melody with amazing lyrics that 'just make sense'. I was captivated and I wasn't the only one: the attention of the small yet challenging audience was held firmly and relentlessly in his semi-acoustic punk grasp. All ears were on him.Si combines cool and upbeat yet simple melodies, jangly guitar chords and vocals delivered in a bemused yet emphatic tone and thoroughly London accent. I was blown away by some of this guy's fervently punk spirited lyrics; often tender and heartfelt, they somehow manage to be just spot on with what they're trying to say. One tune compares ex-lovers to old scratched records that will never play properly again (I missed the title and the lyrics - apologies, but it was a definite highlight). I was also struck by the line "they say the bands amazing but they're too afraid to dance". "Box-room Bedroom Heroes" continues with the rock and roll vibe, as a salute to lost youth trapped in little rooms with big dreams. This all reminds me of the impassioned punk spirit of Frank Turner. And I love Frank Turner."Malarkey" is carried along by understated guitar with a pulse and melody which dip and fall. Cute riffs and rhythms "It's about to get a bit 6/8!" says Si; all made this set a great listening experience. The harsh, sharp, semi-acoustic sound of his guitar was reminiscent of some of the more mellow tunes from early Libertines or Razorlight. I thought some of the more upbeat songs would definitely benefit from a band accompaniment, whereas others would sound best toned down a little on a purely acoustic instrument, to match the softer quality of the lyrics and harmony. However the understated and moderate voicing of Si's guitar more than got his point across. The less than moderate applause throughout his set confirmed this.Before going solo, Si has been on tour with Babyshambles. This is his latest musical project and he's on a mini tour in London now. If you are bit of a jaded youth like me, or you like a bit of rock or punk but your feeling a little more mellow today, go and see him! You need to see him live for the full 'Si Jubb experience'! It will be well worth the trip.Rated more than 4/5!Sarah Rayner - WWW.XTASTER.CO.UK