| Bif Bam Pow @ The Chequers, Billericay 2nd May 2002 |
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| Billericay, pride of West Essex! Well, the Beer Mugs Scooter Club seem to think so. We were invited to go and see �Bif Bam Pow� at the Chequers in the High Street. To say the place was intimate would be an understatement. Compact venue aside, the atmosphere was friendly and the bar staff were cheerful. The band had set up in a corner behind the jukebox, so that if you stood right back on the step behind the main door you could see them over the fruit machine. I was prepared for an ordinary pub band. As they say, �The best laid plans of mice and mods��.� A full frontal assault started with a version of �Bert�s Apple Crumble� that would have satisfied the biggest appetite! It seemed strange starting with pudding first, but this was Billericay! Leaving no time to digest this, we went straight into �Run, run, run� - not easy on a full stomach. Suddenly there was the sweet taste of a Hammond sneaking around the corner, Jay being the pilot of this musical vehicle. There it stood, looking like my Granny�s sideboard and sounding like all the choirs of heaven (if they ever decided to take up the ivories!). It is amazing what the sight of a large organ can do to a young lady! |
| On they went, Rob�s vocals and lead guitar pulling us �Out of Control� as they belted out the old Milkshakes number. I spotted a very excited Uncle Festa, jumping up and down to this one. A couple more revival numbers then it was the bassist, Andy�s turn to sing lead vocals on �Action Woman�. We went through a �Heatwave� and into a song that both James Brown and The Who tried out before Bif Bam Pow found the right way to do it - �Just You and Me�. The rest of the first set was magnificent; a balanced mix of beat and soul. A superb version of �Sweet Soul Music� that had everyone bopping away, and they finished with �Cool Jerk�. I don�t think I have ever considered the song to be an outright declaration of war, but they gave it that edge. Throughout the powerful guitar and rippling Hammond, Lee provided a solid and potentially life-threatening assault from the drums. If there was ever a criminal conviction for solid rhythm provision, he should have been behind bars doing fifteen to life! In the break I had a quick chat with Rob, lead guitar and vocals. The guys have been together in this incarnation for about 18 months. They are all time served muso�s from other places. Bif Bam Pow was formed so that they could play the music that they love. They have been very well received on the scooter scene and love every minute of it! Second Set: We were back on the culinary theme, starting with Green Onions, done in a Bif style. This meant generous chunks of bass, slices of lead, seasoned with laid-back drums and all stewed in a Hammond stock. I did wonder where the main course was! We got through a bit of Kinks and some Motown. My personal highlight was the faithful rendition of �Big Bird�, this was a fitting tribute to Otis, and they did Eddie Floyd proud. Suddenly, the opening bars of �Tainted Love� stormed through the pub. Gloria Jones would have been very impressed. Marc Almond and Marilyn Manson would have run screaming to the Ladies! Bif showed us how it really should be done! Sorry girls, but this lot have got you beat! This song was sung with the passion it deserved! |
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| A change of style then as Jay gave us an interesting version of �Woolly Bully� - as he said, �tonight, Matthew, I�m going to be Cheech Marriott�. And very good it was too, in a kind of Mexican-Essex sort of way! Jay was also kind enough to give us a version of �Slow Down� that made you worry about the future of his vocal chords. But, hey, this is art! I believe the fag he called for was purely for medicinal purposes! �David Watts� made an appearance; I always thought he was a nice boy of �pure and noble creed�. Not so in Bif�s opinion. They made poor Dave sound like he had just got out of Borstal and was looking for revenge. I think I prefer him that way, mad, bad and dangerous to know! A sing-along to �All or Nothing� was announced. Chimpy (Specials SC) called for a song sheet, but seemed to manage without one! Two encores: �Psychotic Reaction� (and it was) and �Have Love� left us happily wondering when we could next partake of a Bif Bam Pow Feast. The night proved to be a two-course banquet that I devoured without counting calories or worrying about the washing-up. We didn�t stay for coffee but I bought a box of After Eights on the way home. What a night. Billericay, I think I love you! review by Missy Ray The boys will next be playing on - Thurs 9th May at The Castle, Tooting High St. - Sat 18th May Mods & Rockers Party, Witham Essex (contact Dave from Victorians SC for more info: 01376 517154) They will also be appearing at the �Spirit of �66� Scooter Run in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. For more info contact www.swf-scooter-club.co.uk |
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| Bif Bam Pow have their own website. Click on one of the pictures or use the link below: www.afterglow.co.uk |
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