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In an even more crowded than ever November gig schedule, it was still important to find time for this enticing double bill of two up and coming bands, both offering a fresh take on blues-influenced rock.
If 2015 was when headliners King King break out of cult status and into the mainstream, 2016 has seen young Brummies Broken Witt Rebels burst out of the starting gate and begin to build a real name for themselves. Making their entry at a rather early 720pm when the crowd was still funnelling in, they nevertheless went down extremely well.
‘Low’ and ‘Come On Over’ were crisp R’n'B influenced openers, but their biggest selling point is the remarkable vocals of floral-shirted Danny Core. His raw, expressive howl called to mind greats of days past such as Eric Burdon, Joe Cocker and even Roger Chapman, and like them, he seemed to be living out the emotions of the songs, with his facial contortions and falling to his knees.
Their songs were generally short and snappy, current single ‘Georgia Pine’ getting the best response, but ‘Getaway Man’ allowed rather introverted guitarist James Tranter more freedom, while a new song ‘Bang Bang’ promised much, having a greater variety of tempo than their other material.
With a sound and image that could see them straddle the classic rock market and a more alternative/indie audience, the future is bright. ‘Guns’ with its catchy ‘Burn Out Like A Cigarette’ chorus has already become their signature song while ‘Shake Me Down’ ended a fast-paced 40 minute set which confirmed their promise.
As the Assembly Hall, rapidly becoming one of my favourite London venues, filled I was struck that King King have built an older following despite being a relatively new band. I almost felt I had stumbled into a retirement party and a chap next to me was even the spit of Peter Alliss right down to his pastel jumper.
The London crowd were part of a privileged few to catch them, as the bulk of the winter tour was postponed when mainman Alan Nimmo suffered an inflammation of his vocal cords. He seemed delighted to be back in harness and even more jovial than ever, while despite apologising in advance that he was feeling his way back his voice seemed in pretty good shape and still had most of its trademark smoothness.
Opener ‘Lose Control’ had such a Bad Company feel I almost found myself singing the very similar chorus to ‘Honey Child’. Their cover of the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ ‘Wait On Time’ was more in a trad blues mould, but ‘Waking Up’ showed King King at their best, spacious arrangements with Alan’s soulful vocals and fluent, economical guitar work intertwining with the subtle Hammond organ promptings of his foil, ponytailed Dutchman Bob Fridzema.
Both ‘Rush Hour’, which generated a huge cheer, and the mellow ‘Long History of Love’ with the Hammond prominent were lengthy but never outstayed their welcome or drifted into self-indulgence. ‘More Than I Can Take’ stepped up the pace while ‘Who Stopped The Rain’ was another pleasant number enlivened as Alan took off into a typically mellifluous long solo.
He takes pride in his Glaswegian roots so it was appropriate that he covered a neglected classic by another Glaswegian who mixed rocking blues and soul in Frankie Miller’s ‘Jealousy’, which was a perfect fit.
Alan mentioned they were writing for a new album, but none was previewed tonight as they stuck to the tried and tested set. They dipped back into their first album for a funky ‘All Your Life’, the rhythm section of bassist Lindsay Coulson (a rather shadowy looking figure in his suit and shades) and drummer Wayne Proctor contributing to what became an extended jam.
The jewel in the King King crown though was the epic 12 minute set closer ‘Stranger To Love’, in which the band slowed the pace to a virtual standstill, Alan plucking his strings in near silence, before building it up again to a crescendo. As an example of the band’s musical sense of space and dynamics it could not have been bettered.
In contrast the sole encore ‘Let Love In’ had an almost danceable feel on the more R’n’B and soul influenced end of the blues spectrum, with Alan conducting a sing along that even got those in the balcony to their feet, before an early 10 o’clock finish allowed him to rest those vocal cords.
With a new King King chapter about to open, this was a definitive statement of how nicely they have evolved to date, and both they and the Broken Witt Rebels can expect to make further strides in 2017.
Review by Andy Nathan
Photos by Laurence Harvey
KING KING
With Special Guests “Broken Witt Rebels”
2017 UK TOUR DATES
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CARDIFF THE GLOBE
FRIDAY 13 JANUARY 2017
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BOX OFFICE: 0871 220 0260
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125 ALBANY ROAD, CARDIFF, SOUTH GLAMORGAN, CF24 3NS
THE GLOBE: OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FROME CHEESE & GRAIN
SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017
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MARKET YARD, FROME, SOMERSET, BA11 1BE
NORWICH WATERFRONT
FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2017
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139-141 KING STREET, NORWICH, NR1 1QH
http://waterfrontnorwich.webflow.io/
SOUTHAMPTON 1865
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4 2017
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BRUNSWICK SQUARE, SOUTHAMPTON, SO14 3AR
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EXETER PHOENIX
SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2017
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BRADNINCH PLACE, GANDY STREET, EXETER, EX4 3LS
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BRIGHTON OLD MARKET
FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2017
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11-A UPPER MARKET STREET, HOVE, BN3 1AS
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BILSTON ROBIN 2
SATURDAY MARCH 4 2017
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VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01902 401 211
20-28 MOUNT PLEASANT, BILSTON, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV14 7LJ
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
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”
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 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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