Tuesday 3 May 2011
Sunday 10 April 2011
Saturday 9 April 2011
Live Review: Pearl Handled Revolver/Trouble With Tuesday - The Red Lion: Stevenage
I arrived at the Red Lion in Stevenage – to watch two bands from Stevenage & Bedford respectively. Is this relevant to the Luton Scene? Yes! ;)
I’ve been to this pub a few times on gig night now and it’s always busy considering it’s a school night. Also a fair few punters are there to enjoy original music – even though a lot still gather outside. (Not as bad as a certain other pub *cough cough* The White Swan: Aylesbury!) It also has a decent sound despite the bands being confined to a compact stage facing the back entrance.
With only putting on two bands in one evening it gives each a chance to play longer sets and it also makes the night less tiring. These gig nights that have up to 5 bands I personally find exhausting.
Trouble With Tuesday
Stevenage’s very own Trouble With Tuesday I would best describe as an Indie band reminiscent of groups in the 90’s i.e. Oasis & Ocean Colour Scene that in turn were influenced heavily by the 60’s groups: The Kinks, The Small Faces etc. I would say this is a wise move as the genre appears to be making a return to the Mainstream. (Beady Eye, Arctic Monkeys new material etc)
This three piece were solid with a mix of well structured tunes – they opened up with a very memorable track called Lonely Man that showcased the decent vocal range of the singer; Adam Compton. He also played Lead guitar and looked well at ease with both duties.
I enjoyed every song they played and they threw a couple of slow tracks into the mix which is risky as it could lose some of the crowd but it showed a variety to their material.
The drumming was simple but effective and the Bassist looked like he could fit in well with ZZTop. Offered the backbone to the band but wasn’t quite as tight as the other members.
Pearl Handled Revolver
I think a considerable amount of people still believe that original bands that gig in pubs are only good enough to do just that. Maybe that was the case 20 years ago – now I think it’s just down to plain luck.
A good example is Pearl Handled Revolver. Here they are playing to 50 people, maybe more? Now take a look at Saint Jude; another Blues group that are getting all the press at the moment. They’re currently touring Europe and will be playing the High Voltage festival this year. Are they really that much better? Material and ability live? I wouldn’t say so.
Pearl Handled Revolver are a pure Rock Blues band, heavily influenced by bands such as the Yardbirds and in particular the Doors, especially with a Hammond Organ playing a major part.
They began the set with a couple of numbers that were very groovy, foot tapping stuff but mid tempo – maybe would work better put in the middle but still you knew you were in for a treat.
The singer: Lee Vernon has very unique gruff vocals which gives the band its identify. I’ve been use to hearing a more soulful voice before but of course it’s more common.
Things got really into gear by the third song: I Never Loved You Anyway. The intro does remind me a lot of Joe Cockers version “A Little Help From My Friends” but once the song kicks into the verse all is forgotten and you’re left with a fantansic uplifting track – that should be heard on mainstream radio all over the country.
What an excellent bunch of musicians being on top of their game with their instruments - all combining together to bring a very tight performance. A nice touch came when the bassist picked up a guitar for one song and the bass notes were performed by the Keyboardist – again reminding me of the Doors.
The rest of the set ended strongly with a mix of mid tempo groove and uplifting tracks.
Some people will argue there aren’t many other directions they can go – but how long as Blues been going for – 100 years!?
Friday 8 April 2011
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