Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls (New Slang at The Hippodrome, 6.8.2015)
I got home at 2:10am this morning after this gig. I'm getting too old for this shit. But Frank Turner was having a release show for his new record down in Kingston town, so what was I supposed to do?
Support came from singer-songwriters Chaz Palmer-Williams (quirky but likeable songs about payphones and getting too old for drink and drugs) and PJ Bond (like a young, less angry Tim Barry with a soulful southern US voice).
I had anticipated a brief solo performance from Frank at the "New Slang" club night but was treated to what was essentially a full band headline set. Starting with a raucous, brilliant rendition of "Get Better" from new record "Positive Songs For Negative People", it was a winning blend of fresh tracks and "the hits" (Frank threatened to play "Bat Out Of Hell" in its entirety, which I'd genuinely like to see him have a crack at). I'm planning on writing a review of PSFNP soon, but the songs showcased last night were very much as the title suggests, uplifting anthemic rock songs. I particularly enjoyed the Clive James inspired "Demons" and the piano driven lament of "Mittens" (not exactly upbeat, but hey, it's good to have light and shade).
It's been a while since I've seen Frank and The Sleeping Souls play such a comparatively small venue as The Hippodrome. This was a gloriously sweaty club show, the crowd rising to the occasion despite the lateness of the hour. The singalongs were loud and they were enormous. The show's highlights for me were the Springsteen inspired "Losing Days" and mandolin ballad "The Way I Tend To Be". I had to drag my weary legs to the bus stop just before the end, but by then I'd seen enough to add another show to a long list of joyous, life affirming rock and roll performances.
Support came from singer-songwriters Chaz Palmer-Williams (quirky but likeable songs about payphones and getting too old for drink and drugs) and PJ Bond (like a young, less angry Tim Barry with a soulful southern US voice).
I had anticipated a brief solo performance from Frank at the "New Slang" club night but was treated to what was essentially a full band headline set. Starting with a raucous, brilliant rendition of "Get Better" from new record "Positive Songs For Negative People", it was a winning blend of fresh tracks and "the hits" (Frank threatened to play "Bat Out Of Hell" in its entirety, which I'd genuinely like to see him have a crack at). I'm planning on writing a review of PSFNP soon, but the songs showcased last night were very much as the title suggests, uplifting anthemic rock songs. I particularly enjoyed the Clive James inspired "Demons" and the piano driven lament of "Mittens" (not exactly upbeat, but hey, it's good to have light and shade).
It's been a while since I've seen Frank and The Sleeping Souls play such a comparatively small venue as The Hippodrome. This was a gloriously sweaty club show, the crowd rising to the occasion despite the lateness of the hour. The singalongs were loud and they were enormous. The show's highlights for me were the Springsteen inspired "Losing Days" and mandolin ballad "The Way I Tend To Be". I had to drag my weary legs to the bus stop just before the end, but by then I'd seen enough to add another show to a long list of joyous, life affirming rock and roll performances.
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