Rock of Ages Radio Show

A packed house witnessed the first live performance of this new blues band which contains three members of the famous Salford band The Roach Twins.
The sound balance was good although Paul Ashton’s keyboards were a little low in the mix during the first set, but this was rectified in the second half. American Bass player Dave Luvin is certainly a great find for this band, it was his effortless playing expertise that made him more than just an anchor man for this very promising outfit.
Front man and vocalist Mike Bowden delivered clear and audible vocals throughout both sets with some verbal and musical interplay with Chris Roach on guitar who moved around the stage with the confidence and the swagger of guitarist hell bent on a good time. Rick Lacey on drums laid down some solid rhythm patterns in the engine room holding the band on course through some previously uncharted musical landscapes. One of these was an unusual cajun-zydeco song and an almost Dylanesque mid tempo ballad, sung with innermost emotion by Mike Bowden, which struck me as having a commercial crossover appeal should they commit this to their debut CD.
Another interesting song “New Orleans 1927” offered a homage to the early bluesmen with some interesting and complimentary lead work from Chris Roach. In my view this was a very competent performance by five talented and dedicated musicians who have laid the foundations for greater things to come. Quality original material always wins the day and within the crucible of live performance comes the elixir of musical euphoria, you can’t see it, you can’t touch it, but you certainly feel it, just ask Doctor Truth.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 10th, 2009 at 8:24 pm and is filed under BJ'S Blues Club. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.