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