Reviewed on 16th December 2004.

Bad Beat Revue

Live at Joseph's Well on Wednesday, 15th December 2004

There are about a dozen people in the room but I think somebody has forgotten to tell Bad Beat Revue's front man. From the start of this gig to the end it looks as if he is performing to a packed Times Square on New Year's Eve. With a satellite link broadcasting the gig to every household and cinema in the world. With aliens watching from space too.

So often you see bands who have great tunes but no presence. Bad Beat Revue do a fine line in crunchy, hip shaking rock with memorable melodies. It's got all the foot tapping pop qualities of The Futureheads but despatched in a snarling rock swagger. It's a credit rather than a minor point that I don't really pay too much attention to the rhythm section, they get their heads down at the back of the stage and keep it all locked in. Nothing too fancy yet without being dull or monotonous, they keep the engine rolling whilst the guitarist-singer-guitarist, three across the front formation, deliver the goods. Both guitarists add backing vocals and some foot stomping to give the band a good visual appeal and energy.

Back to the singer though. He's superfly TNT, he guns of the Navarronne... you know the rest. Foot up on the monitor and leering out at the crowd, his voice is a rich rock rasp with a decent range (we get some nice falsetto "Ooooh ooooh's" which can only ever be good). He's like Angus Young unleashed from his guitar, jumping and shimmying cross the stage, shirt gradually edging closer to removal throughout the set. His tambourine skills are impeccable, beating it against his chest, his arse and pulling off two stunning catches as it is returned from the crowd and swinging it straight back in time with the beat.

Closing the set with the awesome "Still Cheatin" and a rousing rendition of AC/DC's "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" you feel that this is a band that will slay audiences. They have the tunes to be a very good band indeed. They're all smiling though as they know they have the frontman to be a great band.