Big Boy Bloater has been around for quite a few years on the UK blues scene, as well as playing with other artists both live and as a session player in the studio. I am late to the party and he has only appeared on my radar in more recent years - via Team Rock Radio, and a live session on Nicky Horne's excellent show on the now defunct Vintage TV. More recently he was a DJ on the great and much missed Feedback Radio. His radio shows were great fun and showcased his love and deep knowledge of 1950's (and onwards) blues, rock & roll, and R&B. However, being a musician is his main gig and in the last ten years or so he has been recording and touring with his band The LiMiTs. Since he moved to France live appearances in the UK by Big Boy Bloater & the Limits have been scarce, and as I had never seen him play live this short UK tour with The Limits was too good to miss!
The sound mix on this tour is being done by ex-Team Rock engineer/producer, ex-Feedback Radio main man and now Primordial Radio presenter Adam Whalley - it sounds pretty good too - this boy know's what he is doing. The iconic 100 Club is the perfect venue for music like this having in the past hosted so many blues and rock legends. And me. But tonight we are here to see someone far more deserving of your time. Big Boy Bloater is one of those artists who other musicians go to see, and tonight I spot members of The Urban Voodoo Machine lurking in the crowd.
With several albums under their belts the band have plenty of material to choose from when picking their setlist. Most of tonight's set comes from the band's last two albums 'Luxury Hobo' and 'Pills'. The songs are old school R&B, rock & roll, and blues based, but with a more modern lyrical twist like 'Robot Girlfriend'. The music sounds quite bright, bouncy, and uplifting - but if you listen more closely the lyrics are often very dark and touch on subjects like mental heath issues and serial killers like in 'Pills', 'Insanely Happy' and 'Every Path Has It's Puddle'. There is some dark humour ('Robot Girlfriend' again) in there as well as dealing with matters of the heart - so it's not all doom and gloom. The lyrics are witty and often put a different twist on familiar social situations - there is plenty to digest as well as entertain with songs like the surely Chuck Berry inspired 'Oops Sorry', and 'I Love You (but I can't stand your friends'. 'It Came Outta The Swamp' is a cautionary monster tale in the blues tradition, while I can identify with songs like 'Messing With The Booze' and 'Friday Night's Alright For Drinking. I think most people will find some songs they can identify with - hopefully not including the ones about serial killers!
Bloater himself has an engaging personality and a good (if sometimes dark) sense of humour - you get the feeling he would be good company down at the pub while sinking a few beers. However, in spite of the sometimes dark subject matter, this is basically a rock & roll show - and rock & roll is meant to be fun! 'Devils Not Angels' is an all-out rocker to get your feet moving and tonight
is fun - for an hour or so we are well entertained by Bloater's friendly persona and charisma - he is one of those characters you can't not like. And the music is pretty good too;
Big Boy Bloater is an excellent guitarist and singer, while The Limits (Steven Oates, bass guitar & Matt Cowley, drums) provide a tight and dynamic rhythm section. This has been an enjoyable and entertaining evening of live music, and afterwards I enjoy a chat with Bloater himself - it's great to finally meet after thoroughly enjoying his radio show and all our intereactions. I also buy the exclusive limited edition 'Live' CD only available on this tour - although obviously it's not a recording from
this actual tour it makes a great souvenir of tonight's show.
Hopefully it won't be too long before
Big Boy Bloater returns to our shores for some more shows, but it's unlikely to be before next year...
In the meantime -
Feedback Radio may no longer be around, but look out for Big Boy Bloater temporarily back on the radio on another station soon... 😉
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