BB Blackdog - Live At Cask Corner 25.10.13 (Gig Review)

BB BLACKDOG

Cask Corner, Doncaster 25.10.13

One drummer and two bass players might seem an unusual line up for a rock group, but in this instance it is all that is required to create a unique,totally original sound and concept.

In an attempt to describe their music i am reminded of many things, the lead bassist and vocalist Dale Rowles has the vocal harmony of Jack Bruce mingled with the non folkish stylings of Ian Anderson, whilst his outstanding ability at playing a rickenbacker bass as a lead guitar (reminscent of Lemmy way back in 1973!) with the addition of say Geezer Butler and Les Claypool. Creating amazing sounds by what from my angle appeared to be a wah wah pedal and phaser f/x unit, he also threw in some slide guitar work, something which i have never seen on a bass in 36 years of going to gig's.

The second bassist Molly May Hooper ranges from the traditional job of a bass player to turning her hand to rhythm playing with some added f/x for extra depth.

Axel Boldt plays an unconventional drum kit, holding solid and rhythmic patterns throughout (also operating the bands self contained PA system and mixing desk) and perhaps more shockingly actually manages to wear more pink items than Sky London did when he was in King Lizard a few years back.

So to the music, some songs worked as pure seventies psychedelia harking back to the legendary Hawkwind (during one song i found myself singing 'Time we Left' in my head due to the hypnotic basswork) blended with german art rockers Can, others were in the hard rock style, i managed to pick out elements of Black Sabbath and Primus.

There were a few comical songs and a reggae number broken up by some blast beats and heavy riffing.

As to the lyrical content which ranged from Politics (Dale is a member of the Monster Raving Loony Party) to Ex Wives and some roosters coming to a nasty end at the farm!

We should also not forget Sex (and lets face it who would want to forget such a thing?) with songs about Gimps and Speed Dating showing the loving and caring side of initial relationship contact, the woman wanting security and romance, the man wanting to tie her up and err well you get the idea.

The final elements making the perfect evening were the humorous quips from dale in between songs I (imagine Viv Stanshall doing an impression of Graham Chapman) and crowd participation with members of the audience invited to wear rooster hats and dance like chickens and also a conga line running throughout the venue.

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SCREAMING EAGLES, ANASTASIA WALKER Live At Cask Corner 17.08.13 (Gig Review)

SCREAMING EAGLES, ANASTASIA WALKER Cask Corner, Doncaster 17.08.13

THE VENUE
Have to say something about Cask Corner because it was an amazing venue to walk into, it was like being back in the great rock clubs in Camden and the West End, Part 'The Dev' and part 'Crobar', so to find a place with that kind of vibe in Doncaster was a real surprise.
The walls are covered in old posters, strange objects, a dummy in diving gear, a rack of ties and old vinyl records everywhere.The celing has beer mats glued to it!
Add to that friendly staff and an array of beers from all over the world, they also have a local ale from the Doncaster Brewery called "Sand House" which after one taste became our drink of the night.

Upstairs we enter a different world, called the 'Bordello Cocktail Lounge' its decked out like a private room at the Moulin Rouge with comfy chairs, chandeliers and mirrors.

ANASTASIA WALKER Anastasia is the frontwoman to the indie rock group Bang Bang Romeo, when the band are not playing she grabs her guitar and does a solo set of covers. Kicking off with 'Crazy' she belts out a huge voice, this continues through a short set that included a very clever and slow melodic take on the grease hit 'You're The One That I Want'.

SCREAMING EAGLES

Paul Johnson (Heritage/Saxon) has put together a new line up of his band and tonight they play as if they have doing it for years!

Thumping through their first set we get some cracking versions of 'Doctor Doctor' a medley that started with 'Wig Wam Bam' and a break neck speed take on the Eagles 'Get Over It'.

What was noticable was the "Fun" element, not only were the band enjoying every second but the packed venue as well, some on stage antics between Paul and drummer Stuart and plenty of crowd interaction, stage invasions and sing a longs.

After a twenty minute break they came back, this second set was the one many had come to hear as it featured many Saxon hits like 'Dallas 1 PM', '747 Strangers In The Night', 'Where Are They Now', 'Suzi Hold On' and 'Rock N Roll Gypsy', all i have to say superb versions that erupted the whole place!

Also in the set were covers of 'Panama' with some amazing guitar work from lead player Bill, a solid version of 'Enter Sandman' with an expert performance from drummer Stuart and an extended jam between lead guitar and rhythm guitar playing from Callum Johnson (Paul's son), whose confidence seemed to grow as the evening progressed, at one point joined onstage by an air guitaring fan.

Throw in a brief Blues jam, a few bars of 'The Trooper' and the evening ended with 'Whisky In The Jar' and 'Highway To Hell'.

A brilliant evenings entertainment and a band definately worth seeing live.