31/5/2007 Local pub rock.

Subject	Local pub rock.
PostedDate	5/31/2007
	Went to a local gig for a change - something I used to do all the time, but there really isn't much going on in Barnet these days. The Bell & Buck is one of the few places left round here that books live bands - it's not perfect as a venue and there are quite a few things that could easily be improved, but there isn't much else in Barnet at the moment. Very few local pubs have proper live bands (as opposed to so called 'live' music) these days. . There is nothing on offer apart from cover bands, and most of them are very mediocre. It's OK to wander down to the pub now and again and see a rock or blues cover band, but you soon get bored if you do it regularly as they all play the same songs. Most are excellent musicians, but with little or no stage presence or charisma. The Fabulous Feedback Band are the exception to the rule - one of the very few cover bands actually worth going to see. They have been playing in Barnet for over ten years now, and these days spread their wings much farther afield - regularly playing at the bigger and better west end venues. Their setlist content has changed in style over the years - now containing far less ROCK and far more current indie favourites from the Xfm and Virgin radio playlists - along with a few classic 60's and 70's tunes. Modern rock doesn't get a look-in. They can usually be persuaded to drop in some classic rock if asked though - tonight finishing with Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' and AC/DC's 'Highway To Hell'. This highly experienced band make most other cover bands look pretty lame - they are excellent musicians, but so are most their peers. What makes them so good is their banter and charisma. This is a band brimming with personality, and they always look like they are having the time of their life up on stage. This rubs off on the audience, and everybody ends up having a good time. So many pub bands just look like they are going through the motions and just doing it for some extra cash on the side, but this lot look like they genuinely love what they do. They are easily the most entertaining band you can see in Barnet these days. This is pretty much the only band which can get a good crowd into a Barnet pub at the moment as they have a well established following built up over many years - they seem to create a good atmosphere which other cover bands can only aspire to. I met some friends and had a good night in the pub, also enjoying some great live music and reasonable beer plus a late licence - it's a shame there aren't more nights like this locally any more. It's great to be able to enjoy a night like this and only have to walk a few minutes and be back home! Oh well, back into Camden and the west end for my next few gigs I suppose...

PS: This pub has since closed.