Gig review: ELECTRIC BOYS, Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

Since they reformed in 2009, Sweden’s own self proclaimed funk-o-metallers Electric Boys have been regular visitors to these shores, with this tour at least their fourth by my reckoning including festival appearances. Perhaps it is this over familiarity that has led to some disappointing turnouts at their London shows, with even the Underworld only filling to around half capacity with a late surge of people.

The latecomers missed a fine set from Norfolk band  Bad Touch who were a revelation to me. I vaguely remember seeing them on a previous occasion when for all their enthusiasm there was little to set them apart from other glam metal revivalists like New Device and JettBlack.

Bad Touch - Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

However on this occasion they revealed new depths as the set wore on – as well as being tight with some spot on backing vocals and the admittedly reserved Rob Glendinning letting loose with some fine solos, what really surprised was the bluesy feel to their work on the likes of ‘Waste My Time’ and ‘Someone Somewhere’.

Particularly impressive was ‘Halfway Home’ with a countrified intro worthy of the Stones or Faces, although at times the Black Crowes vibe was a tad too pronounced with ‘Good On Me’ owing a tad too much to ‘Jealous Again’.  Singer Stevie Sparrow, with facial topiary that made him look like Justin Hawkins playing one of the Three Musketeers, had a commanding stage presence and a strong voice.

Bad Touch - Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

They only made one false step with a cover of ‘Rock and Roll’, which though competent enough was one for the Friday night  pub circuit, before the hard hitting ‘Down’ ended a set that marks them out as a band to watch with more to offer than many of their more hyped contemporaries.

Headliners Electric Boys now boast all of their original members, but to prove this was mo mere nostalgia trip they opened with a pair of songs from their new Starflight United release in ‘Spaced Out’ and the catchy ‘Desire’. ‘Knee Deep In You’ got the older material off to a rather false start, but ‘Mary In The Mystery World’’s psychedelic feel was enhanced by some spontaneous jamming.

Electric Boys - Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

The never changing Conny Bloom remains one of rock’s coolest stars, his curls and nonchalant attitude giving him the air of a glam metal Ian Hunter and when he took to lead guitar his solos bounced off the more restrained but incessant rhythms of the more low-key Franco Santuione.

Electric Boys - Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

Of the post comeback material ‘If Only She Was Lonely’ also impressed and ‘Angel In An Armoured Suit’ went down very well with even a singalong, but it was the older songs, particularly from the debut , that people had come to hear.

‘Electrified’ got into a marvellous groove, calling to mind Toys In The Attic-era Aerosmith before ‘Rags to Riches’ got the crowd singing along and ‘Captain of My Soul’ saw the band get into the sort of jamming grooves that few heavy rock bands can.

Electric Boys - Camden Underworld, London, 26 September 2014

However to my surprise that was the end of the set, barring a solitary albeit lengthy encore of ‘All Lips and Hips’ which took the set length to a shade over an hour, well short of the ‘union rate’ for a band with several albums behind them. As the Underworld crowd joyfully shook their thing, it was easy to be transported back to our younger days when this was a guaranteed dance floor filler at rock clubs.

Far from being stuck in a rut, Conny and Co have still got that swing, but next time a longer set would ease the slight sense of disappointment I left with on this occasion.

 Review and photos by Andy Nathan


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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

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



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 3 March 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 5 March 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”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

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


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.