Savaging it up...

I tripped myself off to see the Savage Nomads played their single launch of tension in the middle at the Notting Hill Arts Club the other day.

I have to say their door policy is infuriating, having to always have an ID handy even when you are well over age and then get it scanned as well smacks more of surveillance culture than a good time.

Anyway, let's hope the venue see the light, there are plenty of others that only require you to have ID on you, slightly less gestapo.  

The Wholls

Before the nomads were up it was the turn of The Wholls, who warmed up into something quite special.

 They were a little bit Arctic Monkeys lyrics wise, with initially only a few more musical breaks and twangs of Mexican flavour.

Their playing was tight and proficient.

Early on it was not inspirational, but solid.

The main guitarist when he played reminded me of Finley Quaye.

They later burst into a entertaining and lively Mexican wide boy mash up called Emily.  

Nomadic

There was testostorone everywhere by the time the Nomadic lads came on.

They've added a little to their repetoire since last I saw them, many eons ago, there are guitar songs woven with more orchestration.

 They also have a new keyboardist with a trumpet, a big thumbs up to that development, especially the trumpet.

On one new track there was a jazzy vibe that was far out of character and Billy's drumming in this really shines.

Surprise cover

They even snuck in a Paul Simon cover out of the blue.

The Savage Nomads are definitely growing in a really good way.

Hats off.