Spin Doctors - Sun Jan 27th, The Fleece

Wow it’s a little over 20 years since the release of multi-platinum debut ‘Pocketful of Kryptonite’ which introduced us to the slacker funk/rock of New York’s Spin Doctors.  Back in the UK to tour new blues album ‘If The River Was Whiskey’, the one-time proclaimed biggest US non-grunge band of the early 90’s can still sell out the Fleece with their unusual mix of stoner jams and improv blues.

The band have often found it hard to shake off the unfairly attributed novelty tag after the success of the devilishly catchy ‘Two Princes’ and as they take to the stage it’s apparent that time hasn’t been too unkind to the aging rockers.  The livewire Chris Barron limbers up with his back to the audience as the band launch into fan favourite ‘What Time Is It?’  At this point it’s clear why such stretching was necessary as between visits to the microphone; Barron unveils a John Cleese style round-house kick that would draw cheerleader envy.  No longer looking with the appearance of Swampy’s younger brother, the playful singer twitches about the stage comically looking uncannily like Simon Pegg in ‘Shaun Of The Dead.’

Backed by impressive guitarist Eric Schenkman -every inch the rock star with Carlos Puyol’s permed mop and with Flying V in hand, the group cruise through much of the first album to the delight of the rowdy audience.  Its been over 8 years since their last album together but there’s no sign of any rustiness and whilst beefy bassist Mark White is pre-occupied with goading some young lads by the side of the stage, the band are pretty tight.  The trademark bluesy jams threaten to de-rail the early momentum with a needless extension of ‘Shinbone Alley’ but with Barron leaping around the stage, his voice as strong as ever; they just about pull it off. 

There’s a change of pace for the fantastic Creedence Clearwater Revival cover ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ which although not too dissimilar to the original, goes down a storm.  Shortly after, a familiar snare roll brings the inevitable as Barron declares ‘Some people seem to like this one’ as they launch into ‘Two Princes’.  Like a more tolerable ‘Place Your Hands’ by Reef it leads to the frontman orchestrating a well participated sing-back of ‘Just go ahead now’.  Hits out of the way, the band move the set away from the early Red Hot Chili Peppers funk and into heavy blues territory.  Overblown pompous guitar solo’s galore and a showcase from each band member ensures they hit on almost every rock’n’roll cliché possible as Barron admires his bandmates from the back of the stage.

 

Finishing with a 3 track encore that includes bonkers funk-fest ‘Yo Mama’s a Pyjama’ its an enjoyable performance by rock’s forgotten heroes.  Though their time at the top was fleeting their technical musicianship and ability to make the crowd smile remains intact.  After a long studio hiatus, the band seems re-invigorated and content with what Barron admits was always their real ambition, ‘to play blues for a living and not have to get a real job.’

Kindly published by Venue website
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-s/20124-spin-doctors

Best Track: Click on link below:

Spin Doctors - 'What Time Is It?'

 

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Yes Rebels - The Old Bookshop, Friday 25th January.

Thunderous drums and scorching guitars violently shake the chandelier of trumpets, trombones and french horns above the bar as Bristol rock hopes Yes Rebels storm Bedminster's hottest venue, the fantastically quirky Old Bookshop.

Bobby Anderson’s latest band is here to rock.  From the early strains of a lengthy sound-check through to the final unequivocal ovation it’s a real wonder that the entirety of the bonkers décor nailed to the walls of 65 North Street has remained intact.  Oars, stuffed animals, typewriters and crockery teeter above a sweaty capacity crowd in the boozy Friday night haze as the band take to the postage stamp sized stage.

Together now for over 3 years, Yes Rebels are now an established ‘must-see’ indie/rock live act across the city.  Former Fortune Drive singer Anderson can yell with the best of them but throughout the set it’s clear that his voice has real soul.  Not surprising when you consider that his mother is one-time Young Disciples and Brand New Heavies singer Carleen Anderson, herself the god-daughter of soul legend James Brown.  By no means the only talent in the band however; big boned sticksman Des Rodgers punishes the drums as if he is out to destroy them.  Guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Kurias provides great harmonies and some bookshop-storming solos whilst accomplished lanky bassist Steve Handover provides the chugging dirty groove that drives them forward.

The diminutive front-man is a charismatic presence on stage; vocally reminiscent of a richer, fuller Kele Okereke with the slightly sinister edge of Josh Homme. Although they lack the killer tunes to make a commercial breakthrough the band play with limitless energy and look like they’re enjoying the occasion.  A throwback to the 70’s with a twist of 90’s garage rock, it’s not hard to see the influences on their fuzzy soft-metal sound. Whilst it’s not wholly groundbreaking stuff, there’s no doubt that the crowd are having a ball.  Monster choruses and Led Zep rockouts with some savage percussion prove hard to resist for most and the versatile Anderson spits like the world is about to end. 

For the most part it’s a potent mix of classic rock and power pop-punk, solid, sometimes stodgy but with enough bite to keep the audience enthralled in the welcome sauna of the kooky venue.  Raucous highlight and finale ‘Out of the Gun’ has a Queens Of The Stone Age menace married with the deep grungy scuzz of Nevermind-era Nirvana that has the audience bouncing and pints spilling.  Hot-footing it to the exit to grab some much needed (freezing) air its obvious that the band have given it their all.  The vintage retro cool of the Old Bookshop proves the perfect partner to the band’s raucous homage to the past; Yes Rebels, yes please.

Kindly published by Venue
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-y/20079-yes-rebels

Best Track: Click on link below
Yes Rebels - Out of the gun

Jimmy Goodrich / Lonely Tourist - Fri 11th Jan, The Grain Barge, Bristol

A couple of acoustic treats on the rejuvenated Grain Barge tonight to fight off the winter blues sees the return of Canadian class act Jimmy Goodrich and much-loved Glaswegian troubadour Lonely Tourist.

 

 

Paul Tierney aka The Lonely Tourist (in contrast to what his pseudonym suggests) actually appears to be enjoying living in Bristol.  Gigging heavily across town, his carefully crafted storytelling and whirlwind guitar has justifiably earned him respect as the star turn in the support slot. Playing to an enthusiastic but sparse audience below deck, Tierney has the poetic sensibilities of ex-Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble with a frantic Johnny Cash powerdrive. Playing tracks from much improved second solo album 'I Live Where You Are' we are taken on a trip inside the mind of an artist lamenting false dawns of hitting the big time and coming to terms with no longer being a young man.

Foot-tapping standout 'Rattling Around' has a clutch of memorable metaphors that echo his struggle for success including my favourite; 'I've added up the change in life's guitar case, 2 buttons a euro and 85 pence, it's just as well I'm doing this for fun, cos someone's making money when I make none.'  It’s melancholic stuff at times but when it’s delivered with Jimmy Carr one-liners and a blistering pace, it’s hard not to warm to the self-deprecating Scotsman. 

 



 

Headliner Jimmy Goodrich cuts an imposing figure on the tiny stage as he mezmerises the audience with his offbeat indie-acoustic set drawing heavily on 2011’s excellent ‘Goneland’ album.  Goodrich has a deliciously clean almost alpine guitar style, sometimes drifting into Segovia territory whilst harbouring a timeless, soulful croon oozing quality.  ‘Blind to the time anew’ with grooving Indian rhythms and wandering vocals is a unique trip delivered with almost nonchalant ease.  Having toured with Rufus Wainwright, who proves to be a weighty influence on tonight’s main act, Goodrich also brings with him the aforementioned impressively nimble guitar work and one of music’s most tuneful whistles to tonight’s performance (found on a plethora of tracks including the serene ‘Sing High Sing Low’).

 

The confident singer, with more than a passing resemblance to a youthful Sting/Mike Rutherford, holds the crowd well as he takes us on a journey of his life covering life in Canada, touring the world and settling down in Bristol.  ‘Goneland’ is an awkward listen for proud patriots in the audience as Goodrich gives a tongue-in-cheek critique on his newly adopted county; ‘All of my dreams of a green pleasant land are dying of boredom in council tax bands.’  Best track ‘Her Fire Has Gone’ is a creative mix of Latino strumming, wistful lyrics and a luscious Jeff Buckley-esque vocal performance that draws generous applause.  Tailor-made for such an intimate venue, Goodrich pushes the evening’s curfew and leaves no doubt that whilst not wholly original he is more than capable of writing complex bittersweet odes with enough of an edge to commit the audience. 

It’s a very promising start to the year for the Grain Barge with two top talents raising the bar for 2013.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-g/20051-jimmy-goodirchlonely-tourist
 

Best Tracks: Click link to watch/hear

 

Lonely Tourist - Rattling Around

Jimmy Goodrich - Her Fire Has Gone

 

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