One of the great cult bands, Leafhound are still very much a going concern, but tour frustratingly infrequently. This show was on singer Pete French’s stamping ground, though the younger generation who have picked up on Leafhound as an influence on the stone rock movement were almost totally absent. Instead this club, which pays homage to the sixties roots of the likes of the Stones and Yardbirds in this part of suburban London sometimes called ‘God’s Own Borough’, played host to its usual clientele of mature years.

Opener ’105 Degrees’ with a typically sweet solo from guitarist Luke Rayner led into a lengthy ‘Work That Body’ with several changes of tempo, from their classic ‘Growers Of Mushroom’ album from the turn of the seventies. Pete is the only remaining member from those days but as well as still looking the rock god part, his voice has aged extraordinarily well at a time of life when many of the great classic rock vocalists are sadly losing it.

However most of the first set featured songs from the reunion album ‘Unleashed’ which I still hope may be followed up after nearly a decade,  including the slow burning,  bluesy ‘Nickels And Dimes’.  Many of the songs,  notably ‘Stop Look And Listen’ had a distinct Cream feel particularly in Luke’s guitar work,  and though the ‘Crossroads’ influence in ‘Too Many Rock n Roll Times’ was arguably too blatant, it certainly got a few people practising their dance moves before a lengthy ‘With A Minute To Go’ closed the first set.

One of the pleasures of Leafhound is the opportunity the arrangements of the song afford to hear each instrument clearly.  Jim Rowland’s drumming is precise and subtle while the newest band member Pete Herbert cuts a unique figure, swinging his bass around and stomping on the stage, looking like a cross between Wilko Johnson and the Pub Landlord, but in highly effective fashion, even playing a mini solo in the middle of ‘Overtime’.

The second half of the set focused more on their vintage days including the Zeppelin-esque ‘Stagnant Pool’, the huge, dark riff of ‘Freelance Fiend’ and closing song  ‘Drowned My Life In Fear’.  ‘Barricades’ rocked harder than expected while ‘Evil’ from Pete’s days with Cactus put the heavy into heavy blues. In contrast ‘Decision/Indecision’, a warm up for his summer shows with a new Atomic Rooster line up, had a mellow, reflective feel.

There was a solitary encore but surprisingly of a cover in ‘You Really Got Me’. It was a lively version but I was a tad disappointed that many of their own mainstays such as ‘Breakthrough’ and ‘Growers Of Mushroom’ were omitted as a result. Nevertheless the band had been on good form, demonstrating that the Leafhound cult legend is still very much alive and in safe hands.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 17 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 19 November 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
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Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

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Power Plays w/c 25 November 2024

KING KRAKEN Chainsaw Saviour (indie)
BEBORN BETON American Girls (Dependent Records)
SMASH INTO PIECES Maze Of Feels (indie)
WELSH WOLF When You Cry (indie)
DREAMING OF CITRA Bitter (indie)
OFF LIGHTS Love You Sober (indie)
THUNDERMOTHER Dead Or Alive (AFM Records)
SKAM Selfish Friend (indie)
SORRY X Bring Me To Life (SBG Records)

Featured Albums w/c 25 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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