Newtown Kings
November 16th 2007
The bleeding cockneys thought the gig up north was next to Watford gap so it took them a bit longer than they thought to get to Ashington (just kidding lads) so they arrived after an 11 hour marathon traffic fest to walk onto stage with no sound check, minimum fuss, and rip into the tasty contents of the goody bag that is their new album. we knew what to expect having had them up here before, but from a standing cold start they blasted the tunes with a feeling that they had spent the day chilling on the beach. the trumpet maestro was on lone duty due to sick leave but played like a demon, sweet and true or ripping it as required, the band as a whole oozed good nature and happy vibes, bass lines loosened the plaster work on the slower tunes and when they lifted the tempo not a foot in the house was still...SKANKING!! for tuneful melodic vocals and back to the 60s vibes this is THE band to see.
bY: Tony E
May 11th 2007
SAX AND TRUMPET LED OFF FOR THE SECOND SKA BAND ON AT THE 'ELEPHANT' IN AS MANY MONTHS,AND THE BEGINNING OF A REGULAR THING FOR US I HOPE.
SCOTTY ON KEYBOARDS FILLED IN A TRAD 60S SOUND HINTING TO THE OLDER GENERATION,BUT LOOK UP AND YOU WOULD SEE A GROUP OF YOUNG MUSICIANS WELL STEEPED IN A LOT OF STYLES,AND IT SHOWED THROUGH THE SET,WITH A JERRY DAMMERS FEEL TO THE ECLECTIC MIX,THE 9 PIECE REALLY INTO A REGGAE GROOVE AT TIMES,BUT THEN ALTON ELLIS AND THE LIKE WOULD PEEK THROUGH.
EVERY SONG A BLINDER,ENDING UP WITH THE CROWD ON THE FLOOR ,CHANTING THE LYRICS IN A FINE SINGALONG WITH CHRIS THE DYNAMIC LEAD SINGER WHO REFUSED TO ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT THROUGH THE SET. SO PROFESSIONAL AND TIGHT,IT REALLY SHOWS THAT THEY PLAY EVERY CHANCE......LOOK AT THE GIG LIST ON THEIR MY SPACE TO PROVE IT.
By: Tony E
