Review: 3 minute read
Last night the
Rock Bottom Risers played an intimate set at one of London's most famous music venues, The Water Rats. The little place in King's Cross houses a low stage, a pub out front and a history of great indie musicians playing there before they got a little less indie.
An audience of dedicated fans, and some new ones were introduced to songs from the band's upcoming EP,
Elephont in the Room, which made up the half-hour set. The band was endearing, their songs a unique blend of bluesy rock, with nods to the greats, and even a little folksy type middle 8 that prompted a lot of country-western dancing in the middle of
International Jungle. A technical proficiency - drummer John Butcher played flawlessly, looking either completely focused, almost entranced with his drumkit, other times staring off into space, muscle memory taking over as he crept off to the wonder land, and guitarist, Kane Scott boasted technique switching between feathering and sliding in bouts of rockish-ness.
Civ James Clegg did a solid job as frontman. He interacted with the crowd, picking out the guys who double clapped, and throwing girls into violent dance with his Johnny Depp eyes. But he wasn't the only one channeling Hollywood; Greg Kirby had a Fran Capitanelli kind of vibe going - a little too cool and smooth, but it balanced Scott's animated actions on the other side of the stage (the swaying bops and faces he made definitely added to the performance).
Back Behind the Line proved to be an audience favourite, perhaps demanding the biggest reaction. Understandably. A lot of different musical influences were obvious in this single, but combined to make something beautifully fun, something that makes you want to get up and do anything or everything. It didn't just evoke emotions, it encouraged a sense of action. So everybody moved.
It was an interesting set up - you see each band member individually and you wouldn't place them together, but they got on stage, and start playing and you just had to smile and sway along. They are one of those bands that really enjoys playing - you can see it in their faces - and in the genuine respect they show their audience.
There were a couple instances of feedback, but a band in their stride, it didn't throw them off a second. There was a lot of drunken dancing, and some very worrying sober dancing. It was an intimate gig, with a special feel, closing with shouts of "One more! One more!"
The songs to watch out for:
Same Old Road and
Back Behind the Line.
