FAT FREDDY’S DROP

Last Friday 5^th of December New Zealand band Fat Freddy’s Drop finished their European Tour in the Roundhouse, London.

After touring all around Europe during almost four months, the Kiwis performed an awesome last show in London.

The venue, The Roundhouse in Camden Town, was full of people willing to see a band with one of the best shows of the year.

Their first album Based on a true story (2005) is a perfect mix of reggae, dub, soul and even electronic sounds.  Due to its popular success and musical quality, the band was awarded with several prizes in their country, and consequently their became worldwide popular acclaimed.

TIME TO BREAK IT OUT

It was nine o’clock, and the seven members of the band appeared on the stage; first was the MPC and pre-recordings DJ: he started to play warm dub beats. Secondly keyboards and guitar: adding details and feeling to the sound. Then came out the drummer, and the doubt if he could coordinate himself with the DJ was automatically erased. The connection was simply perfect.

Lastly the wind section (sax, trumpet and trombone) and the singer appeared on stage. And with them, the sound of Fat Freddy’s Drop and its personality invaded the place. The sweet voice of Joe Dukie fitted perfectly on the reggae music and dub of the first three songs.

Afterwards, and during the whole concert, the Jamaican sounds were mixed with refinement, going from soul to blues, funk, hip hop or even organic drum and bass. As the album ‘Based on a True Story’ is.

‘I WANNA JAM WID YOU’

But like every good band, Fat Freddys tried to give the audience something extra when performing. And they played some songs like Ernie in a very different way, mixed with house-dub music, and making dance everybody on the place. It was one of the best moments of the night.

They continued playing and jamming at the same time. One could see how sometimes they were talking to each other and deciding what to play or how to conduct the song: depending on the audience and how they reacted to the music.

One of the last songs was driven from the reggae towards techno sounds with some details of rhythm & blues but with an organic base. And people, they were dancing possessed by the sound.

Special mention needs to be done to the trombonist, whom didn’t stop dancing with a funky style and was the spirit of the band.

Last song was an easy one, but with all the soul and feeling of the band and a game of lights very suggesting and colourful.

It was one of the best gigs of the year. No doubt. A must-see.

NO SLEEP ‘TIL HAMMERSMITH

Last weekend Motörhead performed at The Hammersmith Apollo in London. The well-known band did an amazing concert, showing skills and sending to the audience a clear message: they still rock hard.

It was twenty past 9 at the Apollo, and the venue was full of old school rockers. You know; this kind of people with long hair, black jackets with badges and skinny jeans. Outside it was plenty of Harley Davidson style motorcycles.

Although in the UK it’s specifically forbidden to smoke in closed places, some of the assistants were breaking the law. One could say that a rock concert is not a proper rock concert without a beer and a fag.

OLD SCHOOL ROCKERS

The band trio came out on stage at 9.30pm, and first song to play was Iron Fist, a demonstration of power and a declaration of intentions. Next song was Rock Out, one of the two songs they played from their last album Motorizer. The introduction was done and people were ready to enjoy.

People started to excite themselves and once the ambient was hot, Motörhead shown the best of them and played the most recognized hits such as Bomber, Metropolis, Fire Fire, Doctor Rock, Deaf Forever, Rock ‘n’ roll, Sacrifice, Overmight Sensation and The Hammer.

In between some of the songs, they stopped to do some instrument solos. First was guitar player Phill Campbell who did a impressive plucking and played some awesome sounds.

Mikkey Dee, the drummer, did a five-minutes solo that amazed everyone who was on the place. It was a lesson of rhythm, force and coordination. He knew how to interact with the public and how to translate into sound everything that the rock attitude represents.

PUNK STYLE

They did also a cover of The Sex Pistols and played God save the Queen. They dedicated it to Steve Jones and also to all what monarchy represents in the UK and they dislike.

Lemmy Kilmister, 63, the bass player and leader of the band, sang with his characteristic broken voice, and gave some funny speeches to the audience, whether commentating the credit crunch or criticizing politicians.

One of the best moments was when they performed Dogs and some girls dressed like rockers came out on scene and started to dance with sticks on fire and to do several fireworks. After that they left the stage, but the people still wanted more.

Hammersmith Apollo is a really big theatre converted into a concert venue that gives the audience a perfect sound. Also visibility is good for those who aren’t so tall; there’s two levels, and the stalls has a step slope so if you’re not tall enough you can stay on the back and still can see properly. If you want to sit you can do it in the upper floor, if you want to stand you can dance in the ground floor.

After the break they played an acoustic song called The Whorehouse blues, which people particularly enjoyed because Lemmy played the harmonica like a original country-bluesman, while the other two members played the guitar.

GREAT END OF PARTY

Last two songs were the most waited and danced by the audience; they first played The Ace of Spades, a fast rock song that has become the anthem of the band. The girls came out again on stage and did some more fireworks, and danced all over the place. Last song was Overkill, another powerful song that some other famous bands have covered and that was elongated for the public pleasure.

The end was tremendous; Lemmy and Phil in the middle of the stage shooting the audience with their guitars and Mikkey beating hard the drum set.

Definitely, a night to remember. Now I can tick off one of the must-see rock bands.