Woodenbox with a fistful of fivers: Strange name, great band. From darkest Glasgow they come. Big beards, checky shirts, lush harmonies and a debut album to surely get them noticed before too long. They headline another great night at The Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough. On the bill tonight were The Heavy Dense, Temujin and Treetop Flyers. All 3 will feature on thenorthernline in the near future. Tonight though belongs to Woodenbox. It is their 3rd, I think, appearance on Teesside in the past year and they have gone from strength to strength. Tonight they had their debut album to promote. Released on the legendary Electric Honey label based at Stow College in Glasgow (Previous releases have been by Belle and Sebastian and Biffy Clyro)  “Home and the Wild Hunt” is a superb collection of punchy, folky and, dare I say, Pop songs. (Pop as in popular, or about to be) Hear some choice cuts at: http://www.myspace.com/awoodenbox.  Tonight they allow us to hear the whole album as I think they intend people to hear it. In the live venue. A small club with the audience and band interacting over some great tunes and more than a few pints of ale. They are a good time live band in the same vein as The Pogues, The Men they couldn’t hang and those forgotten men Green on Red. They also have the sing-along choruses of  a Travis. (This is a compliment by the way. Despite being done to death The Man who…. is a great album and a number of Woodenboxes songs remind me of this). Tonight we find all 6 members of Woodenbox on duty. They add the brass section of Phil Cardwell and Sam Evans who don’t always tour with the band. This bolsters the sound and allows them to replicate the album on stage. The album is not out until the 6th of April but has been available to buy at their gigs. Those lucky enough to own it already know how good it is. Those that don’t will have to go out and find out. Best tracks on the album were also the best tracks live i.e. most of them. One of my favourites is “My Mule”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9qBCmnMxs captured here live on youtube. It closes the album and has a real sea shanty, stomping beat to it. Great in the studio and on the stage.

“Twisted Mile” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZo0kYTE1iQ caught here live on the Marc Riley show is another great tune. My favourite is currently “Hang the Noose”,  and yes, it is as cheery as the title makes out. Many will lump Woodenbox in with a host of new bands; Mumfords, Stornoway etc. This is understandable but also a shame as they have a sound and persona all of their own. As an encore the drummer, Nick Dudman, comes on for a solo slot with his ukulele. This sets the female parts of the audience into raptures. Photo to the left should tell you why. But hey, they are not just pretty faces but a refreshing blast of what a good time live band should be like. I look forward to seeing them again, soon.

The gig was the latest put on by those wonderful people The Kids are Solid Gold. http://www.myspace.com/thekidsaresolidgold They have 2 gigs coming up that are definitely worth a look.  See below for dates. See their myspace for tickets. Looking forward to a great year.

By peter on March 25, 2010