13/12/2007 GMT @ The Standard

Subject	GMT @ The Standard
PostedDate	12/13/2007
	This was the first proper GMT gig I've been to, although I saw them when Alex Kane played guitar with them a couple of years ago at a CliveAid event at the Ruskin Arms. This band have been highly recomended by a few people of good musical taste (Taz in particular) so I was looking forward to this gig although it was a fairly spur of the moment thing as I was planning to stay in this night. I was quite surprised there weren't more people present at The Standard on this Friday night to see such a good band - the only familiar face was Jo Squirrel, who must go to as many gigs as I do! I went to this show not really knowing any of the songs apart from the ones featured on MySpace, but I still really enjoyed it! GMT consist of Robin Guy, John McCoy, and Bernie Torme - all top musicians in their own right. Put them together and you've got a great band! There seems to be a terrific chemistry between them onstage, and this makes them a really tight and powerful unit. Journeyman drum-whore Robin Guy is a bit of a legend in muso circles and seems to have played in nearly every band in the country at some point - he is also arguably the best drummer in the UK. John McCoy first got noticed as the bassist in Ian Gillan's band back in the day. He is a big man and a formidable presence on stage - looking and sounding like he ought to be in ZZ Top. He doesn't pose or pull shapes or anything, just walks about now and then and plays really solidly - but he has that rare thing - real stage presence. Bernie Torme has played guitar with many of the biggest names in rock - including Ozzy. He also appeared on Top Of The Pops along with John McCoy when they both played with Gillan. He has also established a succesful solo career and recorded a few albums as well as working with many other big names. GMT work really well together and there is plenty of showmanship on display (even from the drummer) but without going over the top - unlike some bands who make an effort to put on a good show GMT really have the musical skills to back it up. In no way does this cover up for a lack of talent or invention as it does with certain bands. In spite of the high standard of musicianship on display here, the actual sound of GMT live is very basic and raw - vintage Marshall amps and next to no use of effects. Bernie has a very sparse pedalboard which he barely touched for the entire show - the sound is basically just his battered Stratocaster blasting straight though an ancient Marshall valve head and 4x12. It's all he needs, and he says so much more through that simple setup than other guitarists using racks of highly expensive state-of-the-art amps and effects. He just lets the music do the talking - very loudly! Interestingly, although Bernie has a spare guitar standing ready at the back of the stage - it remains untouched and he plays the entire show of well over an hour on the same old guitar. It barely even needs tuning up. Pity more bands can't manage this. John McCoy's setup is nearly as simple - a battered old Precision Bass blasting through one vintage Marshall & 4x12 and a more modern Marshal bass amp and what looks like a 4x15 cabinet. No effects, just a classic mean and dirty bass sound. Robin Guy's kit isn't that large - but you wouldn't think so to hear him play it! He manages so cram at least nine cymbals + high-hat into it though. And I've never heard a cowbell deployed at a speed like that before! The other two in the band were actually so loud that I could hardly hear one of this country's best drummers - apart from in the drum solo. Unlike his bandmate, Mr McCoy does actually change guitars - although I think this is purely for visual effect rather than any technical reason. Halfway through the set he appears with one of the most fantastic instruments I've ever seen! The elephant guitar! It gets better - after a few songs his bass is smokin' - literally. I was really enjoying this gig already from a musical perspective and digging the band's performance and showmanship - and now this as well! Even though I wasn't familiar with the band's material, I have thoroughly enjoyed GMT's show tonight and will definitely be going to see them again.