Well my ears are still ringing from two nights ago, so let me retell the events that have led me slightly closer to premature deafness.

This scene takes place at the Dry Bar, nestled on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter. It has never really been a live music bar, preferring to attract the lounging crowd, so with 10 bands on the bill
tonight, it promises to be interesting. The acts were split over 2 rooms; 5 bands in the main bar, and the rest were tucked downstairs in 'The Vault'. I spent my time upstairs; rather unfair on the bands downstairs I know, but hey even I can't be everywhere at once.

First on were Narcissus, they proved an excellent band to start off the evening, ably building an atmosphere up. They have just added a new keyboard player and his influence was evident with his synths covering up all the space left by the guitars and bass. Dry Bar's stage isn't the largest in Manchester and, with a couple of amplifier stacks and speakers on, made the five piece seem rather cramped - especially for a band that like to move about. It is
great to see a band enjoying themselves on stage and with three front men there was always something to watch. Somebody however at Dry bar thought it would be entertaining to keep the big screen projector running, and the band coped well when credits for a random short film started scrolling up the drummer and keyboardist!

Third to show were London's Renegade Playboys. Rather unfairly, in my opinion, these guys were advertised as a
Darkness support band. They are far better than that label implies. However having watched Young Heart Attack and now these guys, I can say that the Suffolk-based band sure can pick their support acts. Harking back to days before we knew about the Ozone layer, let
alone the hair spray fuelled hole in it, this was very American Metal, flowing hair, leather jacketed bassist waving his instrument around with all the phallic suggestion that rock and roll has accrued over the
past 50(sic) years. Fronted by an athletic and powerful performer with a some Maori face painting, they were a hugely entertaining act and if they are playing near you, go and watch them. Some of the guitarist's arpeggios were almost vintage Van Halen, and the whole sound had a kinda of Bon Jovi with dignity feel to them.

The other 3 acts, Free Mojo, For Tomorrows and Gods Of Good Living provide a decent variety of entertaining sounds, from driving blues rock, to laid back Californian melodic. However, due to confusion over set times and many out of date or non-existing web sites, I really have no clue which band was which. So a big call out to all bands; introduce yourself and make sure your website is available and up to date.

Anyway, till next time,

Love peace and Blues

tjm

Mancunian Blues Archive

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