The Bottom Bull and SKP
So having got Greg TLD to drive like a madman, we arrived at The Bottom Bull (Breightmet?)
at about 10.30.
This pub is not far from my sisters house and I have been driving past it for quite a while now, but I also noticed when it was 'done up'. The room where the bands play is pretty spacious, with a decent sized playing area for the band and raised seating at the back (where we sat). Chris is the guy driving the venue on the music side, and once again a very friendly bloke, eager to show off the video camera they use to record every band and interested in what bands we were in and what we thought of the venue. If I got the gist of it right, there will be in house PA there soon, along with lighting.
It really helps when the people at the venue are welcoming to not just the bands that are playing, but also the punters. I'd certainly go to watch another band there.
SKP - well, what can I say that hasn't been said before? The reason bands like this get good reviews is not because we are 'back slapping' or 'blowing smoke', it's because they are bloody good!
Scott may be the shy retiring type, but put him on a stage and he can't half sing! He is also a great guitarist and frontman who banters with the crowd.
Paul is a seriously good bass player AND guitarist and plays with obvious enjoyment. He also plays keyboards, but we missed that :-(
Karen keeps it all together with punchy beats and fills AND sings backing rather too well for my liking.
Their second set kicked off with a stonking version of 'Morning Glory' and took us on a very much indie voyage through classics like 'All The Small Things', 'Teenage Dirtbag', 'Are you Gonna Go My Way', 'By The way', 'Are You Going To be My Girl' and 'Not 19 Forever'. I thought the encore of 'Purple Rain' with Paul and Scott swapping instruments was just perfect.
I find reviewing bands like SKP harder than other genres, because they are so musically close to what 'Kingpin' do, so I want to like them, but I also want to hate them and I can't help comparing the way they play a song to the way we do.
So I'll just leave it that both IainRkid and GregTLD were most impressed and want to see the whole set next time.
My turn tonight!!
Love to all
Alyerpal