ARTISAN

8th Aug 2007

Line Up

Paul SMITH                                                Vocals

John HUNT                                                 Drums/Bvox

Paul CHAMBERS                                       Lead Guitar

Rory RUDDOCK                                        Bass
These are four young lads from the local Durham area, but having only been together since November last year, I had a little difficulty finding anything out about them prior to tonight’s performance. Eventually I found their site on MySpace and indeed sampled two of their own tracks from the site, and what I heard was not three bad. It was with a little trepidation then that they commenced their sound check with the mixing units behind them – always dangerous, especially in the Quaker, but what they produced sounded O.K, (thanks to Mum).
Set 1
So off we set with ‘Fire and Water’ by Free. Now I had a chat with the lads beforehand expressing my observations on tribute bands and doing cover versions, and the choice is simply do it as close to the mark as possible or interpret the songs your own way. Bearing in mind this song is quite regularly performed at The Quaker, this was a good effort with a very good feel to the backing and good vocals, not a bad start. Cream’s ‘White Room’ followed immediately, and already I was getting a very good feeling to the night, with Paul’s vocals and gyrations providing a focal point, and Rory’s bass linking well with the drums. There was excellent use of distortion on Paul’s lead, one of the better and energetic versions heard at The Quaker. From the well known to the more obscure, ‘Down to Mexico’ by Paul Gilbert. (ex Mr.Big), got us a good lead intro. to a very busy song, with an excellent bass fill-in – a song I don’t think heard before here. Bad Company’s ‘Feel Like Making Love’ came next. This danger number has all the pitfalls of just another cover version played at varying levels of expertise across the band members. What I want to hear is the emphasis is on the downward strikes leading to the chorus – this was spot on. John’s backing vocals and harmonies with Paul were also about right. Their own ‘All I Need’ (already heard on the web-site) came next. This was an excellent song ( the only down-side for me was the ‘Aww..aww’ bridge in the middle), well performed and appreciated by the crowd. Led Zeppelin made an appearance to the set list with ‘Good Times, Bad Times’. Again well played, although the lead could have done with a bit more volume on the solo. Paul’s vocals were good enough, but well backed up by the harmonies and rhythm section. Next came the surprise of the night, ‘Crazy’ by Gnarls Barclay. This rock interpretation was absolutely tremendous!!! We had everything from a mixture of guitar styles to a very tight and driving rhythm supporting great vocals. It was a little disappointing then, that this was followed by what I considered was their worst song of the night, ‘Brown Sugar’ by the Rolling Stones, which was basic in comparison, though admittedly, how do you follow that? Maybe they should have played one of their own as they did next with ‘Hear My Call’. This song had a very strong rock bass line interwoven with a good underlying melody, and if the first two songs are anything to go by, there is a very strong song-writing talent there. A strong rock version of The Eagles ‘Get Over It’ followed (i.e. without the hint of Southern C&W), everything was together on this one. As was the band on Deep Purple’s ‘Tie Your Mother Down’, although I thought Paul’s vocals were a touch strained on the higher notes. Another very good song, of their own, came next, entitled ‘Under the Orange Sun’. The first set finished with Free’s ‘Can’t Get Enough of your Love’, again, overall a version as close to the mark as you can get.
Set 2

With anticipation up to a fairly high level, the lads didn’t kick off running with ‘The Boys are Back in Town’ by Thin Lizzy. Although the rhythm and guitar link was more than adequate, I thought, the whole song was laboured almost to the point of doing it by numbers. All my concerns were washed away immediately, by their next own number, ‘Blind Man’.

Of their own songs, this was definitely the best. With good lyrics, vocals and consistent rhythm, the only thing lacking was consideration to be given to use of an effects pedal on lead, as though it is clear that Paul is a very good guitarist, his solo’s are not as biting, dominant or different as maybe they could be. A vibrant interpretation of Free’s ‘Wishing Well’ ensured that this group would never be considered as an also ran with this song. They slowed down matters to what they described as a ballad with another of their songs, ‘Give Me Strength’. I’ve got to say their own numbers are very good. ‘Foxy Lady’ by Jimi Hendrix was another well

interpreted and executed song. The Free’s ‘The Hunter’ , again, a classic number well played with very good use of distortion and tight backing, with vocals suggesting inner strength. ‘Indie Kings’, followed, with it’s rapid base line complimenting the vocals, this was another strong own number. ‘Loco Breathe’ by Rory Gallagher, much to the delight of certain members of the audience, came next, including an excellent bass line and drum solo. Thin Lizzy’s ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ had already been highlighted to me as containing something special. Unfortunately Marty made his appearance, without air guitar, as backing vocals – surely this wasn’t it.? But NO!!! The highlight was both Paul and Rory swapping guitars mid-song…..unique, and you couldn’t see or hear the break. The mixture of AC/DC’s ‘Thunder’ and ‘Highway to Hell’ worked very well. ‘Johnny Be Goode’ by Chuck Berry finished the official set list on a high note.

We had encore numbers of  Black Bottom Girls by Queen and Alright Now by Free plus a unanimous demand for a repeat of Crazy.

 For a group that has only been together for a matter of months, this was a thoroughly professional performance, and included six original songs to a very high standard. Having the charisma of youth and enthusiasm, these lads could have a very good future, and I don’t just mean on the pub and club circuit. I am not naïve enough to think that this is the finished product, but they have a style already reminiscent of another new group to the headline performances – The Answer. As mentioned before, there is no criticism of any of the lad’s ability to perform which was excellent, just have a look at varying the lead guitars effects from just distortion and clean. A small observation on what was one of the best overall acts we have seen.

Gazinho