So another charity event, but be honest, who attended the event to support the cause, as opposed to those who
turned up to see 3 stalwarts of the north west
gig scene? First up are Icons, now an all too
seldom experience due to minor difficulties
such as band members living at opposite ends
of the country. The spiky fretwork of Julian
Loafer and Kester overlay the caustic, at times
acerbic lyrics in a tuneful, sparkling,
performance.
At times aggression pours from the speakers,
without the hint of physical violence.
Alternating with faux Greek type style of "Billy
Slagg". A constantly revised set list realises an
always different performance, so having
dispensed with a truncated rendition of
traditional set closer "Billy Slagg" mid way
through the set, allows "House Doubles" brings
down the curtain
Quickly following on is the joyous shamble
known as Valerie. Strangely enough, the only
verse (yes verse, not song) that the triumvirate
of Josie (vocal), Vicki (bass) & Elvis (drum)
have actually practiced together sounds pretty
decent.
Professionalism and Valerie are not two words normally used in the same
sentence, but the disparate collection of songs, and importantly visuals, allows
for a different kind of entertainment. Their die hard followers look forward to
seeing Josie bounce around the stage, knock things over, whilst Elvis first
stands there, hitting ONE drum before going walkabout into the audience with
same drum. Fun
Sheer exuberance and a sense of fun punctuate the "set" if it can be called
that. A solo rendition of 30 seconds from "Teenage Kicks" played on the single
string of Vicki's bass turns the crowd silent in attention, before resulting in a
rousing round of cheers.
From the end of the M62 are Flamingo 50, blasting like the engines of a 747
plane at takeoff, crushing any embers of wimpishness and sensibility
Most people secretly have a have a Motorhead favourite song (Mines' the Ace
of Spades) and Louise rocks with the style of Lemmy, snarling upwards into
the microphone, adopting the cock rock, splayed legs guitar pose perfectly.