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<\/a><\/p>\nLocated on the outskirts of Harrogate, The Empress might seem an unlikely venue for a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll album release show. But to be honest, it\u2019s perfect. The upstairs function room is homely, there are carpets, pictures on the wall and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see a dog sleeping by the fire if there weren\u2019t so many punters in the way. You see, this room is about twice the size of my living room and it\u2019s already packed as Damp take to the stage.<\/p>\n
Damp are a local four-piece band residing in the heavier end of the rock \u2018n\u2019 roll spectrum. To my ears, a heady mix of Kyuss and Mudhoney. Grungy, stoner rock goodness flows from the speakers as aptly named frontman Wolfgang wrings unworldly noted from his guitar and growls his way through 30 minutes of lo-fi stoner rock goodness. Ably backed by Modern Day Dukes man Rory on bass, George on guitars and Rob on drums, they sure have the tunes ladies and gentlemen. Great gang vocal choruses and face-melting riffage, what\u2019s not to like here? \u201cNo one wants a damp t-shirt, but we have dry ones for sale!\u201d announces the singer, prior to introducing the last number. Well said, that man.<\/p>\n
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Another new name is local funky monks PIPS. A late addition to the bill, replacing Rich Ragany & the Digressions. As guitarist Tom tells us after the opening song, PIPS have drunk 7 pints already; things might get interesting from here on in.<\/p>\n
With funky, slap bass and metallic riffage, the trio proceeds to bounce through a magnificent high energy set of songs that come on like Infectious Grooves jamming out with Primus. My brother would\u2019ve loved this band, he would\u2019ve wanted to join this band… hell, I want the drummer to join my band and I don\u2019t even have one!<\/p>\n
The likes of \u2018Soul Katt\u2019 and \u201920 Years\u2019 are delivered with the energy and precision of a seasoned live act. They handle the intricate passages with ease and you would never have guessed they were full of lager, they\u2019ve done this before methinks! The combination of Tom\u2019s Vernon Reid style guitar chops, the funky slap bass work of singer Chris and the imaginative and relentless pounding beats of Josh make PIPS a mesmerising band to watch, and certainly a band I will go out of my way to see again. I love it when bands excite and ignite on the night!<\/p>\n
No disrespect to the opening bands, but The Spangles are in a different league entirely. As far as I\u2019m concerned they have released the album of the year with \u2018#Sweet FA\u2019, and although there are imminent releases from The Wildhearts and Michael Monroe to come soon, The Spangles sure are contenders.<\/p>\n Was there ever any doubt that they could pull it off live? Nah, of course not. If you\u2019ve ever seen The Main Grains or The Idol Dead do their thing, then you know what these guys are capable of, and with an arsenal of great songs under their leather belts, it\u2019s a given that it will be an entertaining set at least. From the opening chords of \u2018Growing Up\u2019, it\u2019s raw, tight and exciting. Ever smiling guitarist Ben Marsden takes lead vocals for the majority of the set and does a mighty fine job. The Idol Dead singer Polly Phluid looks comfortable with a bass strapped on, the pair even has matching black Hagstrom guitars and a shirt & waistcoat combo going on. Behind them, drummer Ginna keeps the beat and delivers great backing vocals as always.<\/p>\n \u2018Get Over Yourself\u2019 follows, the first of many infectious shout-along choruses that make this Spangles show seem like a greatest hits set. Honestly, there is not one average song tonight, let alone a bad one.<\/p>\n As the energy levels rise, so do the heat levels, as the drunken packed room get rowdy, so do the band. I didn\u2019t pay attention to the song order they played, as I was having too much fun watching and singing along. Suffice to say they pretty much played the whole album, plus a few choice covers including The Sonics \u2018Have Love Will Travel\u2019, which was up there with Crazyhead\u2019s version.<\/p>\n Comedy banter between band and audience flows nicely; all three have always had a good rapport with their fans. The chants of \u201cRory! Rory!\u201d are swiftly put to bed by a smiling Ben, as he jokes about going home tonight with the Damp bass player, who also happens to be his former bandmate. Ginna and Ben even manage to slag each other off mid-song, during Green Day\u2019s \u2018FOD\u2019, in the middle of singing and playing.<\/p>\n As we reach the climax of the show, a visibly emotional Ben can barely sing the chorus of the magnificent single-to-be \u2018I Don\u2019t Wanna Go\u2019, a concerned Ginna watches his every move and has his back, covering the chorus when he can. <\/p>\n Hot and sweaty, exciting and euphoric, The Spangles delivered maximum rock \u2018n\u2019 roll tonight, in a pub in Harrogate, and I\u2019ll wager no music venue has been that packed in Harrogate for a long time. This time last year they weren\u2019t even a band, this time next year, who knows where they will be. Three eclectic local bands for 6 quid, who said rock \u2018n\u2019 roll is dead?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Author: Ben Hughes<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Singer Eloise Kerry joins them for a few tracks including awesome bubblegum -infused renditions of \u2018One Good Reason\u2019 and \u2018Hold My Hand\u2019. All their songs sound ace live, and the crowd already know the words. From the bubblegum pop of \u2018The Only One\u2019 to the heavier chanting choruses of \u2018Back On The Meds\u2019 and killer Ramones tribute \u2018Ramone\u2019, these are songs designed to make you smile and make you sing, job done.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n