ALiCE's Website
1. Raw Gallagher - 22/3/01
With no original rock or local talent to be found last weekend I was at the Leopard to see Raw Gallagher, a set of very accomplished blues musicians in the guise of a cover band to the late Rory Gallagher. For those of you not in the know, Rory Gallagher was a fine rock musician with blues and jazz influences coming from the folk traditions of Ireland. Although he never made it as big and commercially successful as some of his contemporaries, he has legions of fans all over the world, numerous websites dedicated to him (have a look!) and a fitting tribute in Raw Gallagher. Looking like Country Joe without his Fish, the lead singer and moustachioed axemeister seemed genuinely pleased to be there and grateful that the small but appreciative crowd had turned up to watch. Right from the intro to opener ‘Messing with the Kid’, my foot was a-tapping and I found myself eager to get home and dig out those old blues compilation LP’s my Dad gave me. I was never at an Isle Of Wight Festival, having been born in a later and crueller age, but last Friday night in The Leopard, if you shut your eyes, you could almost smell the peace and love. Rory Gallagher’s band was often compared to Cream and Ten Days After, and that was definitely coming across, with vocals reminiscent of Jack Bruce. This is music, man, dig it! So if cover bands are your thing, go and watch Raw Gallagher next time they’re in town, you won’t be disappointed.
On the Home Front – Those clean-cut crazy kids Brazil are having a fantastic time at no. 4 in the indie charts on Fierce Panda’s latest Compilation EP, “Cheffing & Blinding” with their song ‘school daze’. Here’s hoping they’ll play Doncaster again soon. Check out the latest news at www.wearebrazil.co.uk
If you’re in the mood for quality live rock this week, Saturday sees a trio of bright young things on at The Leopard. Playing alongside the Kerrang!–approved Dog Toffee, are the highly acclaimed thisGIRL who have just completed a UK tour for lockjaw records and Scotland’s Suburbia. With a £2 door, you’d be a fool to miss it.
Tuesday night at The Leopard sees Caffeine and Powder, sure to be a treat, see you there.
If your band are playing soon, drop me a line at alicecadwalader@hotmail.com, always supporting local talent.