Rainbreakers First LP Face To Face

6th October - Hartlepool Supporters

It seems like it’s been ages since I last caught The Rainbreakers, by coincidence in Hartlepool, but it’s only just over two years. Well have to say, they’re deservedly busy and have whizzed through a couple of times, so maybe the time was right to catch them again. In between times, they slipped out a second EP, and are now hitting the road with a recently released full debut album. And they also changed lead guitar from Jack to Charlie (who looks not unlike a young Jet Harris….).

First time round, they showed a lot of early promise, certainly were the better of the two bands on that night. That grit and confidence has really grown over the last two years and they really delivered a powerful and polished set of modern Blues. Happy to note that they still include the Wood Brothers number Honey Jar in their set, with it’s tight changes… and also the sandwiching of Albert Collins in Hendrix’  Third Stone…. However, this was about the new album, Face To Face which they went almost right through, and a fine body of work they’ve produced. Ben’s voice has really lifted and matches well with Charlie’s fizzing guitar and powerhouse backing from Peter & Sam, moderated on the slower ballads, but booting the heavier end, which they were lacking a bit first time round; definitely a band to catch and to watch.