It was Gretsch-a-go-go in Glasgow’s Audio last night.
Four bands made up this showcase, each taking rock’n’roll/rockabilly as a base, and adapting it to their own ends.
The heat of the day was reflected with the venue turning into a veritable sweatbox. The searing heat was reflecting in the blistering performances from each band on the bill.
The Best Bad Influence
It was pleasing to see the venue packed from the off with The Best Bad Influence opening the night. The buzz around this band has been palpable, one I have been excited to see live since witnessing the busking videos they have posted on their social media pages. I’m pleased to say they did not disappoint treating us to an enthusiastically received (and played – Nyall Waldron is as animated on a full kit as he is busking) set of their own Stay Cats influenced rockabilly tunes interspersed with some quality covers. I expect to see a lot more of this band in the future, the world is theirs for the taking, and hard working too. They seem to play more gigs than there are days of the week. They have certainly filled a massive Stray Cats shaped hole in my gig-going calendar.
The Bikini Bottoms
This three-piece were followed by two-piece The Bikini Bottoms, continuing the unexpected influence of SpongeBob SquarePants as a source of band names. The band made the noise of a band at least twice their number proving size isn’t everything. The fun factor continued with the Bottoms seemingly enjoying playing their breakneck paced set as much as we did listening. As a glasses wearer myself I was impressed by The Atomic Flounder managing to keep his on his face as he put heart and soul into battering his kit, specs perched precariously on the end of his nose several times. They take the rockabilly sound and surf-garage-rock it up at speed creating their own mental cacophony, with a couple of covers, including Electric 6 hit Gay Bar.
I should note at this point, the price of the tickets was only £8 for tonight, so £2 a band. Well worth the money.
The Three ‘n’ Eights
This value for money continued as The Three ’n’ Eights took to the stage, initially as a 6-piece, increasing to a 7-piece half-way through the set. There was a real sense of a party atmosphere throughput the venue right from the off tonight. The Three ‘n’ Eights took that atmosphere and raised it several notches, raising the roof with their ska-infused rock’n’roll/rockabilly. Again, playing their own tracks interspersed with some cleverly chosen and consummately played covers including ska classics A Message to You, Rudy, Monkey Man and a magnificent version of the Pogues Fiesta. The crowd were bouncing, the intensity and heat off the scale by now, invoking a mass exodus into the cool night air for some much-needed oxygen.
The Hangmen
After another quick turnaround and it was the turn of The Hangmen to share their take on rock’n’roll – punk infused psychobilly. I have a thing for stand-up bass so any band that includes one as part of their line up ticks a box for me straight away. The Hangmen had a hard job to follow the three quality acts we’d already witnessed, add to that the fact that as I looked around, there appeared to be a fair number who hadn’t returned after nipping out for fresh air. This didn’t phase the band or those who remained to witness their incendiary assault on the eardrums with their sneering unholy racket inducing some energetic slam-dancing “down the front”.
A raucous end to a rowdy evening of riotous rockabilly infused rebellion.