Yes Sir Boss - Fleece, Thursday 3rd April

There’s something about adopted Bristolians Yes Sir Boss that just oozes fun.  Matt Sellors’ gang knows how to work a crowd and arrive well-armed with trumpet, sax, melodicas, what looks like a child’s xylophone and some outrageously catchy tunes.  Opening their UK tour at a busy Fleece with the launch of second album ‘King In A Rocking Chair,’ the quintet have now added the sound of the mid-west to their ever-expanding tally of genres.  Inspired by Bristol favourites Babyhead, the group has amassed a loyal following drawn in by their energetic live shows that somehow manage to blend elements of ska, indie, reggae, swing jazz, blues and pop without making a huge mess.

Signed to Stoned Records, the label created by fellow Devon-bred Joss Stone, has worked out well for the band and a more than decent duet with the marmite singer on their debut has helped them reach into a wider mainstream audience.  Since then they’ve played Glastonbury, performed sessions on Radio One and toured Europe honing their versatile craft.  Tonight they kick off with the bouncy ‘Buy It Up’ –an amusing attack on over the counter culture “you got no personality so you get your tits out on TV, but those things are like Zepellins ready to explode in the jet stream.”  Moving on and the new bluesy stuff comes to the fore with the quiet cowboy lilt of ‘Feel The Love’ and Sellors gravelly vocals just about win over the noisy chatter from those just here to skank. 

The shift from ska to blues doesn’t seem to have lost them too much of their appeal though and any hint of a mid-set lull is quickly dispelled with a near-perfect version of Pulp Fiction soundtrack classic ‘Misirlou’ which brings the house down with Sellors fingers working over-time and First’s blazing trumpet leaving everyone beaming.  “Not Guilty” holds within it a lyrical reference to the bands name and with a political overtone shows that its not just about meshing together whatever they can find in the music cupboard.  The horns take centre stage on the reggae-tinged track which somehow moves from a rasping Cuban trumpet solo to a throbbing RHCP funk/rock salvo.

“Is everyone up for something really filthy?” cries Sellors as the band lurch into standout track ‘Dirty Grave’ with signature mischievous horns and what sounds like the thumping bassline borrowed from ‘Eye Of The Tiger.’  This is the band at their best whipping up bluesy grooves that get the crowd moving amid Sellors’ whiskey-ravaged, menacing deep-south vocal; filthy indeed.  A few skanks later and we’re nearing the end as drummer Reuben heads around the back of the bar, clearly shattered, only to be hauled back for a curfew smashing second encore which sees a cheeky oik invades the stage to instigate one last venue-wide boogie.  And so concludes a thoroughly enjoyable musical taster menu from one of the cities best who are sure to cement their reputation this summer as firm festival favourites.

Best track: Click on link below
Yes Sir Boss - 'Dirty Grave'

Buy albums here:
Yes Sir Boss - 'King In A Rocking Chair'
Yes Sir Boss - 'Desperation State'

Kindly published by Bristol 24-7
http://www.bristol247.com/2014/04/09/review-yes-sir-boss-fleece-bristol-62831/