Rock of Ages Radio Show

This was the third appearance at BJ’s for Sly Fox an ‘up and coming’ Blues/Rock combo who blend a healthy mix of covers with their own well crafted compositions. They brought a decent lighting rig and smoke machine, which was used sparingly within the confines of The Hop Pocket Stage area, but as always it is the musical performance that counts with another full house of discerning ‘live music’ devotees!

Sly Fox did not disappoint, and delivered a very lively and competent first set with both guitarists working well with the solid rhythm section. The highlight of the first set was the last song a vintage Status Quo song “A Year” which is an atmospheric song which builds slowly, allowing lead guitarist Mick Walsh to show the audience his superb fretboard skills in taking the song to it’s ultimate climax.

The second set was certainly more upbeat, enerjetic and rocky moving up a gear as the band started to perform more of their own original compositions which stood up well against some of the earlier ’standards’.

Dave Bridge is the Sly Fox main songwriter, rhythm guitarist and vocalist who apart from being an excellent songwriter exudes a confidence and professionalism in introducing the songs and fronting the band in an almost laid back style, which is non the less engaging and entertaining. Both guitarists complement each other with Mick Walsh providing the ‘iceing on the cake’ with some dazzling lead runs.

Broc Manhood on bass was as solid as a bassman can be without trying to overplay, keeping it simple and effective, along with new high calibre drummer Ian Fletcher who provided a dynamic rhythm section for the guitars to work with. The sound man Andy Bridge had the levels just right.

My overall impression is that Sly Fox is a band that has now forged it’s own musical identity, with strains of early Quo in my ears I really feel that they are vocally an English sounding band which gives them their own individual quaint identity.

 The Fox is an endangered species, but Sly Fox has found it’s own special niche to ensure it’s musical survival and continues to develop it’s talent to entertain.  

 www.sly-fox.org