The previous tour, back in September should really have been called the "Before We Were Interruped" Tour, and from what I witnessed last night at Stockton ARC, instead of the "Big City Blues" Tour - "How To Make A (Sonic) Atomic Bomb" tour would have been a more accurate description.
The "detonator" was Federal Charm, who's powerful & raw twin leads must have served as a reminder to The Hoax of their early days when they were the "upstarts".
They led to the core of fissile material known as Well Hung Heart, or Robin Davey (simultaneous bass & lead guitar & keyboard pedals), Greta Valenti (powerhouse vocals) & Alex Thomas (driving drums). To be expected from one of Robin's side-projects, what was served wasn't blues as you'd know it, but a challenging and compelling mix of art/punk/blues, the likes of which I haven't heard this side of 1979.
Quick change of stage clothes, and on came the critical mass otherwise known as The Hoax. From the get-go, Hugh's plaintive harmonica wail being joined by the lead guitars of Jesse & Jon and the thundering backline of Mark & Robin, they had the ARC at their total command for the full 70 minutes of their main set. High energy Blues thundered round and got most of the standing audience dancing to some degree. It was the slower numbers like Swallow My Pride and Two Steps Back that showed how these once, raw primal guys have matured and developed into the band that is rightly claiming back their crown. Hugh really knows how to step back and really use the microphone to sculpt his fantastic vocals to full effect while also acting as the pivot for the see-sawing guitar exchanges between Jon & Jesse. Then they go back to whipping up a storm with powerhouse Hipslicker and Let Your Light Shine On that caused pieces of God knows what to drift down from the ARC ceiling.
Rumour has it, there's a team of structural engineers on hand for tonight's show at Newcastle Cluny - bands this good + a roomful of Geordies on a Friday night - anything can happen....
Swallow My Pride (Holmfirth) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiIYz0TAtUU
When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...