"Ready to rock? We’re Doradus", and in they
kicked. With a vocal-only PA, the initial sound was exceptional: the right
levels, the right mix, just... just great! The three of them worked this small
room like it was a bigger industry-packed venue battling through interest in
isolated pockets and failing wedges. Rachel’s Jonette
Napolitano/Joan
Armatrading/Tracy
Chapman/Courtney-Love-in-places
vocals and star-spangled tele
with Darren and Toby in the engine room create some
seriously rockin’ alterna-pop that is worthy of much more punter support. Maybe
it was the early start... ««««
I had heard that RAH were a little heavier than the band
I know as Rah! and while they are two completely different bands,
tonight’s set was described by singer/guitarist Gavin as mellow.
And so it was until Dead, the third song of the set, after which the
fold-top came out, the effects pedals were cranked up and they flew straight
through the rest of their hour. Unfortunately the failing PA failed to fail
from Cut It Fine (Doradus’ last song) but this worked out
fine for RAH, even from my closer vantage point. RAH
kick butt in a pretty major way! They really enjoy what they do and Gavin
and Flea work really well together up front, especially during
the louder quicker-tempo tunes. A little more audience interaction and less
playing to the drummer would be better. But they have a track on Foghorn’s
latest Grow Your
Own "Fore!", so "do yourself a favour"... «««¾
Lixivius drew the last-on straw tonight. Having to
share a drummer with RAH you would have thought they would have
wanted a break for him, but no! The start was a little late as RAH
seemed to go a little longer, but Lixivius brought their five
pieces out and eventually launched into their "amplified semi-acoustic
rock & slow & eclectic and pop with brass and woodwind scattered
throughout" sound. It tended to drop the mood a little - having been given
two rock-styled bands it would appear that more was expected by the punters in
the room. But they must be doing something right, if they have actually played
in the venues where you see their stickers on sound desks and in the lavvies! «««
A great night for self-starting up-&-comers. The tour finished on
Saturday without Doradus but you will definitely be seeing these
names around a lot more!