It’s the usual packed crowd at The Cockpit, awaiting The Bluetones. For a band who some might think to be yesterday’s men, it’s a big turnout, the band’s following have clearly stuck with them over the last 10 years.
First up are M.A.S.S., taking the stage in a ruffle of 70’s vintage ACDC t-shorts and punky power pop Clash like riffs. I think they are best described as some bizarre genetic experiment involving the aforementioned Clash, Blondie, Siouxie and The Banshees, and Hazel O’Connor (with a small amount of the DNA of Doris Day according to my wife – although that bit I can’t spot) However – it’s more rock and roll than Rock Hudson, being pretty vintage stuff – but none the worse for that – following a faithful blueprint set down 25 years ago is not necessarily guaranteed a successful outcome, but here it is achieved with considerable gusto.
They power through their first few songs, and – after the fourth song, “Fake Talk”, pause to ask “Have you heard of us?” There’s a fair number of enthusiastic cheers from the crowd and the singer, genuinely surprised tells us that “Normally it’s …” and gives the old Shooting Stars “tumbleweed” mime!
They continue with “I don’t wanna wait anymore” and their excellent 1st single “Hey Gravity” which I have heard before and loved. “Something Tells me” is also excellent. They have that 70’s punk pop ethic that we at W&H love so much. The songs are powered along by their Glenda Jackson lookalike (male) drummer and it’s chiselled cheekbones and dishevelled hair all round for the guitarists. The singer is totally 70s retro – it’s like Debbie Harry never got old and fat (one day I’ll tell you my tale about meeting her in a Tibettan Vegetarian restaurant in New York and not even recognising her!)
This is an excellent band, doing what they do well – maybe it’s nothing new, but something old and borrowed, but at least it’s a welcome thing while we wait for something blue! Here’s hoping they get to be the bride one day – rather than the bridesmaid!
The Bluetones saunter on after a short interlude, showing their charisma and stage presence from the off. The first song “Carn’t Be Trusted” blasts out and I can’t help wishing I’d been to see them 10 years ago. They are tight, solid and a good object lesson for all the younger bands in tunesmithery and musicianship. They are as good live as I always thought they would be from their records.
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“Fastboy” and “Liquid Lips” the new double A side follow in quick succession, both are superb tracks showing progression from their earlier stuff, as does “I love the city” and “Big Problem” a song about … “a big problem” according to Mark. Cheers for that – it’s good to know the background of a song in detail. We are presented with an explanation of the S&M and Satsuma references to “You’re No Fun Anymore” which is excellent stuff.
“Home Fire’s Burning” gets a rapturous response, although – to be honest – the new songs are as well received as the old ones, such is the crowds devotion to all things Blue. My one regret is that they don’t play “Slight Return” my favourite Bluetones song, although they do play “Bluetonic” as these are the songs that introduced them to me years ago. I suppose it must get boring playing your early or best known stuff nightly for 10 years but all the same – James continued playing “Sit Down” to the end and many fans expect and indeed come for that.
They do however put on a fantastic show, harmonising vocals, spot on guitar work with the minimum fuss and a sense of humour and humility intact. This is what live music should be, I only wish I hadn’t waited 10 years to get in on the Bluetones live thing.
If they’re in a town near you – which given the size of their tour they probably are – get down and see them!
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