SWG3, Glasgow, 25 September
The Red Rum Club
The Red Rum Club describe themselves as the ‘Mariachi Merseysiders’, though they also tick the box for being an alternative rock band with Fran Doran (vocals), Tom Williams (guitar and backing vocals), Michael McDermott (guitar and backing vocals), Simon Hepworth (bass guitar), Joe “the Blow” Corby (trumpet) and finally Neil Lawson (drums).
What sets them apart from their contemporaries though, is the superlative trumpet playing of Joe Corby. Some bands derive their energy from a charismatic front man and singer, others from the superb guitar playing of one or more of their group.
Few bands, there is a case for comparing them with The Zutons, derive their intensity and uniqueness from the trumpet playing of Corby. Songs come even more alive when he is on point.
The last time I saw the band they were crammed into a small stage as part of one of the regular summer street festivals in Glasgow. A basement venue, there was probably at most 50 people watching their performance that night. In a relatively short set, it was obvious this was a band on the way up and I’m delighted that this is one premonition that seems to have come true.
In a set of 23 songs covering their five-album recording career to date, the highlights were inevitably when the sound of trumpet could be heard taking the lead above bass, guitar and drums.
At times the instrumental interludes remind us of film scores from Sergio Leone or Quentin Tarantino. There’s that edginess of the sound of the trumpet that seems to set it apart from all the others on stage.
This is, however, not a one-man show. All the band exude the confidence of a group who have paid their dues touring incessantly to build a fan base that has enabled them to have the ‘Sold Out’ stickers on display at the SWG3 Galvanizers venue. A thousand or so jumping, waving hands in the air and singing along to the songs they have become so familiar with, even the latest ones from the recently released album Buck which understandably provides much of the set list.
The band kicked off their set with a bang, performing tracks old and new, including fan favourites ‘Night Calling’, ‘Crush’, ‘Kids Addicted’, ‘Vibrate’, and closing tracks ‘Would You Rather Be Lonely’ and ‘Vanilla’.
Collectively, the songs all offered a chance to get in the groove, to get those toes tapping and hips swaying and there is little doubt the years of playing together ensured the whole unit is as tight as possible on the night.
Fran Doran was quick to tell everyone about how they loved coming to the city, possibly their 15th gig of their career, and the fans responded in kind with loud adoring cheers. Throughout their time together they have managed to collect fans from across the age range and genders with old timers mixing seamlessly with those barely out of their teenage years.
As they completed their set, the band of Mariachi Scousers can be proud that they had delivered an electric set encapsulating why they are thought of as one of the best live acts currently touring, with a USP that sets them apart from so many others traveling along the same well-trodden path.
ItsYesAndMaybe
A Scots singer and keyboard player takes to the stage with a French guitarist…..
While it might seem like the first line of a poor joke, in truth the two young men kicked off a fine evening of music with some easy to like pop tunes that were distinct if not entirely original. They seemed to relish the crowd that grew in size before them and were totally unfazed by appearing so early on.
On the evidence of the time on stage, it would appear they already have a fan base that is likely to only grow as they continue to tour and record.
Brogeal
Falkirk based folk rock outfit provide that blend which takes traditional Scottish/Gaelic music and mixes it up with modern influences, part The Pogues, part Peat & Diesel. Their set is tinged with stories about where they come from and the challenges that brings and there’s a definite light heartedness to everything they play. The mix of guitar, bass and drums with accompanying squeeze box, tin whistle and other folk based instrumentation provides an entertaining sound. Toe tappers one and all and a warmup act who did what it said on the tin.
