Monday night. In Camden? Yes - it's a 'School night'. Guess what? Getting to bed an hour or so later now and then won't kill you. Yes really - you'd be surprised. Apparently, Monday night is 'Blues Night' at
The Unicorn. Which is odd as I'd describe neither of these acts as 'blues bands' - although of course being 'rock' means their music is blues based if you dig down deep enough. I like blues, but that's not why I'm here. A few weeks ago at another band's gig I randomly discovered an amazing but unknown American band who had been hard at work touring the UK's toilet circuit. I told a musician friend of mine about this band as I thought he might like them, particularly as his own band and the US act are both power trios. So I was quite surprised when a few weeks later both bands turned up on the same bill at one of my favourite Camden venues! Coincidence?
My friend's band were on first. They are called Lord Algae - formerly the 'The Lord Algae Review'. They are a rock covers band, but a very good one. They put their own twist on the songs they cover, and don't play all the same tired old standards that most rock covers acts play. The set is very varied, veering from 1950's rock & roll, to James Brown, and the next minute they could be playing Motörhead!
The standard of musicianship is very high - frontman Max plays bass like Jack Bruce, while singing with a much grittier bluesy voice. Guitarist Jimmy reminds me of the late Gary Moore at his hardest rocking and most bluesy, while the drummer does the best Keith Moon impression I've ever seen - without actually making and effort to look like 'Moon the Loon'. This is a top quality band, and the music is played with a rare and genuine passion for the songs. This band is well worth catching if you see they are playing in a London pub near you
Next up we have a very different power trio, but an amazingly good one! There are only a handful of people there to see the bands in this Camden pup on a Monday night, but
Porcelain Hill play this gig as if it's a packed out sweaty club show on a Saturday night!
The energy level is sky high from the moment these guys hit the stage!
From what I have seen so far, this band play every show as if their lives depended on it - even to a handful of people in a pub on a Monday night. This band take no prisoners!
The songs are their own apart from one or two covers, but this band are
so good that it doesn't matter if you've never heard their songs before.
Porcelaine Hill put on
a show, but they don't need fancy clothes, lights, or stage props -
they are the show. The frontman puts a new twist on the old 'playing-guitar-behind-your-head' trick and plays a whole song (including a pretty good guitar solo) with his guitar behind his back. And makes it look easy.
The music is basically ROCK, but with funk, soul, and blues mixed in. If you can imagine the Jimi Hendrix Experience crossed with Cream then you are in the same ball park. The musicianship is electrifying!
These guys play like they mean it.
This is how you play rock 'n' roll!
Go and see this band if they head your way - you won't regret it. They are coming back to the UK in spring 2019.
People who won't go out 'because it's a school night' are missing out BIG TIME!
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