By David O’Neill
I have to say that Thekla is probably one of the most unique grass roots music venues I ever attend. It is an old cargo ship in the Mud Dock in Bristol. Originally bought by Viv Stanshall (of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah band and Master of Ceremonies on Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells commentary fame)and his wife Ki. It continues to provide a great place for gigs and tours. I have to say the sound is superb considering its an old metal box. Unusually, you feel like the ship is rocking when you walk up and down any of the stairs.
Anyway, on to the gig. The Hot One Two from Cambridge have been making a bit of a name for themselves over the past few years, having toured with Skam and Dead Mans Whiskey and now this tour with one of the hottest properties of Earache’s catalogue, Scarlet Rebels, is only going to enhance that reputation. A very tight five-piece unit (they had to be on the handkerchief sized piece of stage they were on) playing good solid rock songs was always going to go down well with The Rebel Club who turned out in force.
Kicking off with ‘Playing With Fire’, the opening bass/drum lines of Joe Chivers and Nick Blackburn had the audience by the ears before Simon West’s powerful vocals imparted a lyrical tirade on the audience. Add to this the gurning guitar faces of (the now departed) Kev Baker on rhythm and rock hard lead of Nick Manners and the audience knew they were in for a show.
‘Rolling Stone’ had a more blues-rock feel to it and a superb guitar solo at the breakdown, it reminded me of one of my other favourites of the moment, The Commoners. ‘God Forsaken Blues’ was a much heavier faster piece of rock with a blistering twin guitar drum opener and could easily be a crowd pleaser. I don’t know how Baker and Manners managed to swap places on the stage, they’re not small lads! However, they did it quickly and often throughout the set.
‘Is it Hot?’ was another one with a blistering guitar opener (and crowd duet with the hookline), typical in your face rock with rapidfire lyrical delivery from West was well supported by the rest of the band who looked like they were having the time of their lives. Finishing up with Tie Me down the guys had another belter of a track in the song. A great start to the evening and I’m sure I’ll come across them again very soon. They are really worth getting into the venue early for.
These guys are on tour throughout October and November,
Morganway are a six-piece band, also from Cambridge. Described in the media (and by vocalist SJ Mortimer) as “too rock for country and too country for rock” they have been developing quite a following on the live scene. Twins Kieran (vocals/lead guitar) and Callum Morgan (backing vocals/guitar/bass), Matt Brocklehurst (keyboards) and Ed Bullinger (Drums) make up the sextet. Opening up with a quite blues/roots rock track ‘Come Over’ was a great start, there were points with the guitar that reminded me of Cardinal Black (and it would be a good fit as a tour). SJ has a great vocal range on this track but the guitar riff was very cool. A great summer lying in a field in the sun track.
‘You Can Only Die Once’ is a bit more indie with Kieran taking the lead on vocals. Another well received track. A bit of a Fleetwood Mac sound to it too. ‘Hurricane’ was definitely more Mac than cheese too with great vocal harmonies supporting SJ on lead vocals who also had a bit more rasp in her lower register in parts but also soared like the hurricane winds she was singing about. The only thing missing from the live track was the violin piece that is on the album version. This was possibly my favourite track of theirs on the night.
A dirty guitar opening on ‘London Life’ reminded me of Tom Petty with Kieran on vocals again. Slowing it down, ‘Wait For Me’ (also minus the recorded violin) opened with a strong keyboard section before SJ picked up the faster vocals and the return of the rasp, it is also another great track flowing from high to low and backed on vocals really well.
‘Don’t Turn The Lights On Yet’ had a more ethereal feel to the guitar opening before the verses ebbed and flowed to the choruses and the vocals continued to have the grit from earlier tracks. ‘Feels Like Letting Go’ was definitely the most country of the track played, complete with twangy guitar and country drum rhythm. A real toe tapper of a track. The final track, ‘I Feel The Rain’ was a definite Fleetwood Mac opening rhythm and drum beat underpinning the strongest SJ vocal performance of the night, All it needed was the bass line from ‘The Chain’ at the breakdown and the circle would have been complete.
This will definitely not be the last time I see Morganway. They have a headline tour early next year.
Having experienced a phenomenally successful few years with both their albums reaching high in all charts from the official album listings to rock charts, this ten-gigs-in-ten-days tour supporting ‘Where The Colours Meet’ (WTCM) was always going to add to the rise and rise of Scarlet Rebels.
Prior to the band’s entry onto the stage, Wayne’s opening introduction was humble and very appreciative of the position they now find themselves in, a theme he returned to repeatedly throughout the set. The whole band are very thankful for their success when you talk to them, and they regularly do so at the end of their set. No fancy expensive meet and greet packages for these guys, and that is why they are loved wherever they go.
Kicking off with the first single from ‘WTCM’, ‘Secret Drug’ followed by ‘How Much Is Enough’ and ‘My House My Rules was a great start but going back to ‘I’m Alive’ and ‘Take You Home’ from ‘See Through Blue’ really got the crowd going.
A quick about face to ‘WTCM’ saw ‘Streets Of Fire’ opened up with a great guitar riff from Chris Jones before the heavily emotion filled voice of Wayne added to the feeling in the song. ‘Save Me’ has a serious Stereophonics sound to it and a great singalong hook. ‘Grace’ added some more emotion to the set and is rapidly becoming an audience favourite.
Yet another crowd favourite in ‘These Days’ had the fans joining in again before ‘Divide And Conquer’ and ‘It was Beautiful’ ended the main set. However, it wasn’t quite over as ‘Declining’ and ‘Let Me in’ were blasted out for the encore.
All in all a very good night was had by everyone, bands included.
- Scarlet Rebels have just announced an “early Christmas party” at The Patriot in Crumlin on Friday 22 November.
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