Dundeelive

DUNDEE LIVE - WINTER WARMERS - Concert Highlights December 2006

CONTINUED from Part 1

Part of the reason that these live reviews - if you can call them that - are in this section as opposed to the normal concert reviews section, will become pretty obvious the moment you start reading them, since, for some bizarre reason, most of the gigs seemed to revolve around some very bizarre goings on - so, settle back and, while you might not actually get much out of this in live review terms, it doesn't half make jolly reading!!

  • INDEPENDENCE - Deacon Brodie's 16-12-06
    Tonight was my partner in crime Marina Mermaid's birthday night out. With a choice of live music that amounted to two cover bands, we elected to go to see Independence. Over two sets they played a time-spanning mix of rock and metal classics, all done with energy and enthusiasm, ensuring a good night out was had by all. But the night had a surprise in store for them that they couldn't have foretold - and will possibly not forget in a hurry!!
    They'd asked Marina if she wanted to perform a couple of songs with them, but she graciously declined. However, as part of our 20 or so throng, there was the welcome re-appearance, having moved to Glasgow for her job a few months back, of my good friend and singer-guitarist-bassist, Paula Knight. Not to miss the opportunity, she sauntered up and whispered into the singer's ear. Next thing we know, the singer is saying, with a certain amount of witty scepticism in his voice, "we've had a request from a lady caled Paula Knight who'd like to do a number, so let's have around of applause for Paula Knight". As Paula strapped on the guitar, chucked out a power chord or two and made ready, the audience applauded.
    Now imagine this - there's you in a band, some unknown bod walks up, plugs in, and tears the shit out of the electric guitar on an incendiary rendition of "Johnny B Goode". Honestly - the singer and guitarist's faces were a picture, as Paula atacked that guitar with a metallic ferocity and proceeded to play THE finest version of that old standard that I've heard in years, her vocal soaring out above the electrifying guitar lead, with Independence's rhythm section doing it more than justice. The applause that rang out afterwards was thunderous as Paula stepped off stage, grinning from ear to ear.
    The band carried on through everything from Thin Lizzy to The Proclaimers and a party atmosphere ensued as they provided exactly what the crowd wanted. But I won't forget Paula's performance in a long while - here's hoping that she finally finds a bassist and drummer in 2007 - 'coz it's gonna be dynamite if she does!

  • RUSH HOUR SOUL + SERGEANT + RISING SIGNS + LUVA ANNA + THE LAW - Yuppies 17-12-06
    Part of the Dundee Scene premier league with a special Christmas collective in advance of the Christmas weekend festivities. The reason that this is here and not in the proper concert review section is this - I've praised all these bands to the skies many times before now - and will do again. All the bands played well on the night - of that, there's no arguing. But - and here even The Law suffered a bit - they played to one of the most unresponsive audiences I'd seen in ages, even for so many people there, and you did get the distinct impression that there was no connection or spark coming back for the bands to feed on and generate. So, they all played well, didn't put a foot wrong and justified every bit of potential that each has to become major players - maybe it was me, maybe the audience, but the feel wasn't there and I didn't get inspired to write a darned thing!

  • HENNISI + PAULA KNIGHT - Satchmo's 21-12-06

    It took Dundee indie legends Hennisi a long time to recruit a new bassist and get back into action. A low-key gig in the summer proved that they were more than ready, and this was now only the second gig in 2006 - ironically as a finale for the bassist, Dave, who's leaving the band temporarily. So, to an enthusiastic, packed Satchmo's crowd, Hennisi's Cath on drums, Don on vocals, Dave on bass and Michael on guitar played what can only be described as a stunning set. With Don as the animated, energetic and fired-up vocal tour-de-force, Cath laying down some storming drum patterns and sensational cymbal work, while Michael was flying out everything from power chords to Fripp-esque cutting-edge solos as Dave laid down the foundations for all this to work, you saw in action as individual and as classy a Dundee indie band as you'll see. I couldn't help thinking that, if there was one band around here made up of largely older musicians compared with the younger bands, to which the younger and unique bands could aspire, it's Hennisi. Through a steaming set of originals that included new and old material, of which one track - the first I ever saw the band play around 2 or 3 years back - sounded every bit as powerful, intricate and fresh as it did back then. Their live favourite "Bubblegum Rock" with its many twists and turns, simply powered out and took on a whole new lease of life. We've definitely not seen the last of this band - and you'd be so advised to catch them next time - whenever that is.
    Before that, Paula Knight had been specially invited to play an acoustic set. Looking great, she sat down and played a 40 minute set of originals and covers to a strongly enthusiastic and listening audience. "Lady Of Rage", the old Same Differents fave, was the best acoustic version I've heard her do, while her cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone" still sounds just brilliant in her hands. A brand new song, written only a few days ago, was stunning with its cascading vocal chorus and immediately accessible structure, while throughout her guitar work was heartfelt, strong and full sounding. A great set from one of the best female musicians, singers and composers in Scotland, never mind Dundee.

  • HANGING ELVIS - Sheridan's (or whatever it's called now) 22-12-06
    Friday night and the group of people with whom I'm working are on a night out - so, at Charlene's suggestion, we go see a group called Hanging Elvis, a covers band who she said are rather fine, and whose name I'd not come across before. For those that don't know, they play modern chart-based indie covers and the odd foray into contemporary chart-based rock and punk. Now I'll bet you're thinking "well, Buck Rogers do all that" - and you'd be right. But I tell you this - from the moment that Hanging Elvis started the set with a really heartfelt and faithful rendition of the first single taken from the latest Snow Patrol album (of which I've clean forgotten the title), you were thinking "hang on - this band is playing like they mean it!!" And they did too!! Through two sets ranging from Arctic Monkeys and The Kooks to Green Day and beyond, they played a crowd-pleasing set of modern indie covers with respect, feeling and strength. In this world of cover bands, definitely one to watch and hopefully they'll progress to bigger venues - they certainly deserve it on this showing.

  • THE UNKNOWN + PAGE 6 + LUVA ANNA + VAARSTRAAT 69 - The Doghouse 23-12-06
    I missed The Unknown and goodness only knows what was going on, but when Vaarstraat had still not started at quarter past midnight, I left.So, I caught just two of the bands - hence the reason the review's here!
    Page 6 were on first, but let's mention Luva Anna - you get the feeling that it would now be impossible for this band to play a less than engaging, exciting and heartfelt gig. From the rousing opener through to the floor-shaking closer via some building ballads and tightly knit stompers, they had the audience in the palms of their hands, with Dave Webster's guitar work and vocal taking the lion's share of the leads - and a good time was had by all - if you don't know this band yet, then refer to some of my previous live reviews - then get to see them!!
    However, Page 6 were something special. Free to walk the large Doghosue stage they whirled, strode and danced their way through one of the most blistering sets of funk-rock-dance that they've ever played - and it was amazing. To a crowd wanting to dance, they elected to concentrate on the more uptempo songs and even brought back a couple of oldies which, when added to the roar of the new material, sounded every bit as fresh and vibrant. But this was a sizzler even for the revitalised Page 6 as that wicked funk bass hit you squarely in the stomach and the rhythm section dared you not to dance. Meanwhile the guitarist was providing some seriously tasty licks and the whole thing was topped by a strong and clear vocal performance from one of the most energetic, exciting and strong singers on the whole Dundee scene - moving around the stage to such a degree, you'd swear someone had plugged him into the electric supply!! For the festive season, they even added a cover of "Rocky Robin" (or whatever it is - the old Jacksons number, anyway) that sounded way better than the original, losing its tweeness and adding some belting grooves to make it their own. Ending with an absolute stormer of a song, this was a truly awesome set from a Dundee band for whom 2007 must surely bring great things - and rightfully earning them the accolade of "most improved Dundee band of 2006".

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