When a certain Geordie Ridley wrote a rousing ditty about the Blaydon races back in Victorian times, I would reckon it highly unlikely that he thought a century later his lyrics would be quoted to name one of the best young bands in the north east of the 21st century.
So here I am in 2010 in a cavern like bar in deepest Northumbria, trying to work out why 1862 rang a bell, and although fairly interested in the band starting on the stage, not really ready for the maturity and presence this lot could produce.
The bar (Bubbles in Ashington) can boast a healthy history of its own , with past performances by blues legends and rock gods, and these lads more than held their own in such company.
Its not every young band that have the bottle to perform songs that build from almost nothing to tremendous crescendo’s of rocking out, dragging the audience upwards with them as they go, and gradually flinging themselves physically around the stage, oblivious to the watchers, but in sure knowledge that they have joined them in the mayhem.
Starting with ’worldsend’, the fourpiece band had a Crazy Horse sort of feel, no lazy american accents though to pull you to quick comparisons, hard snare drove the song along nicely., with urgent lead vocals and chopped guitar bits keeping everyone interested. it was the oh so easy slide into ‘sky into sea’ that really caught my ear, none of the amateur pauses, just so well rehearsed washing over guitar and lazy basslines, building into superb solos and fast inserts.
The rhythm changes and coolly executed use of different guitar sounds, none abrasive, but carefully thought out and placed within the songs made the band a real joy to listen to.
The whole band rakes into rocking psychedelic without seeming to change gear, like a tiptronic auto, and when asked to return to the stage by an astounded audience, they then produce ‘lighthouse‘ which is almost Roddy Frame in its pop writing and execution..now that’s hard to achieve.

http://www.myspace.com/18hundred62

Aah aa luv bands me….

By Tony on February 20, 2010