Review of

Liquor & Poker

At “The Wheatsheaf”, Dunstable on: 11/06/05

By: Gaby

For anyone who has ever been to a Liquor & Poker gig before and after what for many was far too long a break this was most certainly the gig we were waiting for or should I say dying for

A night of pure un-adulterated musical bliss served up on a platter of exceptionally tight and unequivocal virtuosity that served to blast you from your seats to the inner rings of Saturn and back again.

Liquor & Poker are most definitely back with a storming rock / metal set that assaults the senses and takes no prisoners whatsoever!

For me this was their best gig yet and the hunger and passion for the music; which has become a trait of their style, fully intact, stronger and more powerful than ever before.

So where do I start? From the opening warm up there was something telling me that we were going to be in for a treat and I nor the punters present were going to be disappointed - not one single jot!

What can only be described as a blistering set of 80’s rock / metal covers delivered with sheer professionalism from the now established rock fivesome.

Shaun on vocals provided a passion-filled and accomplished performance with a range and style that would send many vocalists running to sign up for singing lessons in sheer envy.

His range, tone and pitch now totally complimenting the music and firmly establishing himself as the band’s front man engaging the highly appreciative audience and helping to take us through this much loved musical journey of rock classics.

Our twin axe bearing heroes Ade and Simon were evident; as always, throughout their sets delivering some of the finest string arrangements and sounds one could ever hope to hear.

For any guitar fan these two are gods, delivering a mesmerising guitar weaving performance of simply outstanding quality and one that would surely make the likes of Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood smile with delight.

Certainly makes the hair on the back of my neck stand upright!

On Bass guitar was Gary delivering a polished, steady and rock solid performance perfectly delivering those thunderous and knee trembling lower notes that gives such warmth and depth to the band’s sets.

Whilst last but by no means least was John on drums offering a fine, melodic and powerful percussion to the proceedings that was guaranteed to shake the most stubborn of cobwebs from your head from the very first salvo and if you were not already up and out of your seats, then this was the man who was going to make you.

It is rare to write a review without the least mention of criticism; written of course, in the best of intentions in the form of positive feedback but for once I am unable to and quite honestly am speechless.

Liquor & Poker rocked this evening and by the many comments made by others at the end of their performance so it seems they rocked their world too and myself and my girlfriend went home very happy bunnies with huge smiles on our faces and though our ears were buzzing; due to lack of ear plugs, the songs were still ringing in our heads for this was one night when ear plugs could stay in their box lest we miss a single note or chord.

Hand on heart I can honestly say that this is the finest 80’s rock /metal tribute band I have ever seen and would find it very hard to believe there is another band on these shores that even comes close. L&P has set the standard and the standard is very high indeed!

So with the gauntlet raised, who I ask is going to help promote and support these astonishing performers to the level and heights they really need or should I say ought to be!?

L&P are most definitely back and they are hungry and by last night’s performance, so are we, so why the wait, let’s bring it on!

Welcome back my friends, welcome back!