6/12/2014 Gasoline Queens, Swampstomper & Matty James @ The Unicorn

So after checking out a new venue in Barnet on Friday night, Saturday finds me back on more familiar ground in Camden - where at The Unicorn there is a variety of (bottled) ale at very reasonable prices. Free admission to see the bands too, so always a great value for money night out. Unfortunately I can't make it to Camden early enough to catch Far From Life who are the first band on. I have seen them before at this venue though (see an earlier Blog post) and although they aren't as rock 'n' roll as most the bands that play here they are worth a look. The first band I do see is Swampstomper.

This band play dirty gritty no-holds-barred punk 'n' roll. Frontman Paul Brightman put the band together a year or so ago, but the band imploded in early 2014. Now Swampstomper are back with a new lineup and some new songs to add to their original ones.

The band's sound is uncompromising and their frontman is brimming with attitude - expect to see more of this band's brand of fiery rock 'n' roll in 2015...

Next up is Matty James performing a solo acoustic set. This Irish singer/songwriter now based in Manchester has been working hard out on the road to support his debut album 'Last One To Die' and is tonight performing in Camden for at least the second time this year.

His style owes quite a bit to the more bluesy sides of Dogs D'Amour and the Rolling Stones, so if you like those bands then I think you'll find Matty James worth checking out.

Last on the bill tonight is another band who like Thunder seem to be really crap at splitting up! The Gasoline Queens like the previous act on tonight's bill do owe their sound at least a bit to Dogs D'Amour - who's 'Last Bandit' they do an excellent cover of, as well the the Stones - they do a great cover of 'Dead Flowers' too. However, this band have no shortage of great songs of their own.

Since splitting up for at least the second time earlier in 2014, they have now got back together for two shows and are now saying they will be playing occasionally if not regularly. Frontman Nigel has a new band called The Kult 45s and Dave Renegade has mostly been seen playing bass in the Healthy Junkies over the past year or so. Although they have other bands on the go now they still enjoy playing together for fun now and then. Long may this continue.

It's an enjoyable set of catchy rock 'n roll played with sincerity and enthusiasm. I'm glad this band haven't packed it in for good as some of their songs like 'Baby Moonrider' and 'Tip Of My Tongue' are too good to never be heard again. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see The Gasoline Queens back again...