Back to the Westgarth Social Club for what promises to be a
decent gig tonight. Great little venue that consistently puts on decent bands
by promotors that are working hard to bring live music to Middlesbrough.
As usual the Westgarth’s windows are rattling as I approach.
Not sure what’s going on in the upstairs venue (it’s loud) but tonight’s gig is
downstairs.
Sound Reaction are on stage delivering their 60’s mod influenced
rock. Standing at the bar buying a drink I hear the lyrics “Punk rock radio, we’re
dressed up and ready to go.” And then “Buzzcocks said they’ll always love you
more.” The mere mention of the greatest band in the world means I like Sound Reaction
straight away. For now. Punk rock they aint. Guitar heavy garage rock they are.
Pub rock. In fact, the more I listen to them I’m not sure which genre they fit
in. A quick check of their Facebook page
confirms my opinion – “…enjoy playing a few different genres of music.” I find
my mind wandering. Credit to them though – when they’re asked by people in the
crowd to play a song by Kings Of Leon they don’t. No covers tonight, original
songs only. It’s a good attitude to have.
Sound Reaction 4 track Walking The Streets EP
here.
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| Sound Reaction |
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| Sound Reaction |
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| Sound Reaction |
King Mojo are loud. And fast. Powerful and catchy. Guitar
driven garage rock with more than an appreciative nod towards The Jam, Small Faces
etc. Songs such as ‘The Reaper’, ‘Ejector Seat’, ‘No Turning Back’, ‘5th
Time Around’ are delivered with energy by four clearly talented musicians. The
inclusion of a Hammond organ, driven along by the increasingly enthusiastic
Tetley, take them a step higher than most such bands. They’re tight and as they
blast through their set they seem to get more and more in to what they are
doing. King Mojo grab the audience and by the time they close with ‘Like You
Always’ they’ve drummed up a great atmosphere.
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| King Mojo |
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| King Mojo |
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| King Mojo |
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| King Mojo |
The Fallen Leaves are brilliant. They get better and better.
It’s all helped by the superb sound. It really is good and makes you wonder
why, if someone can get a PA to sound this good in a tiny room that probably
holds 100 people max, big venues with big budgets so often get it wrong.
The Fallen Leaves have a new album out. ‘What We’ve all Been
Waiting For’ isn’t officially released until later in the month but it’s for
sale tonight and we’re treated to some songs from it. 'Prodigal Son', 'Lavender
Girl', 'Motorcycle Girl' slot in perfectly alongside favourites such as ‘Trouble’
and ‘My Phantoms’. “Simple songs for
complex people”. I’m not sure these songs are simple. They’re tight, tuneful,
foot tappingly catchy, loud, danceable, sing alongable, jangly garage punk
songs. Rob Green’s unique voice complements Rob Symmons infectious guitar
playing. Symmons really does give his Telecaster hell. Matthew Karas on bass
and Buddy Ascott on drums provide a tight, infectious backdrop to the vocals
and guitar. Whilst acknowledging the influence of early Who and bands such as
the Ramones it’s fair to say that The Fallen Leaves are unique. The Fallen
Leaves sound like The Fallen Leaves.
At 50 minutes it’s a short set. But it’s a great set.
Promoter Dave Griffiths said later that The Fallen Leaves reckoned it was the
best they’d ever played. Imagine just how good that actually is.
Brilliant gig.
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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| The Fallen Leaves |
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