Reviewed on 5th March 2007.

Eagles Of Death Metal

Live at Leeds Metropolitan University on Sunday, 4th March 2007

All dressed in black; sultry with stiff motions, Mother Vulpine's heavy QOTSA style guitars lap over some gorgeous male to female harmonies. The band tease the crowd as to their origins, finally saying towards the end of their short set that they are from Leeds, creating a chorus of "Yorkshire, Yorkshire", which was last heard here for The Pigeon Detectives and of course the pioneers of the football-stroke-gig chant the Kaiser Chiefs. Though the look and persistent drum beat are leaning towards the indie side of things, the gruff guitars and sweet melodies give this band a sound of their own. The variation of these is if you wanted to look at the sun (don't ask why, I'm only saying), but can only manage quick glimpses. The tunes make you want to listen, but go too close and the sound could destroy your ears.

Eager for the Eagles we are. Punctual and ready for liftoff, the Californians take to the stage, with Jesse Hughes looking generally surprised at the enthusiasm of the large crowd. Four band members are here, but the one on the drums does not sport ginger hair, nor does the one on bass. No, Josh 'Baby Duck' Hommes is not here; a thing I have gotten used to, for the last three times I have caught these guys during separate tours he was absent too.

Not that this makes them any less popular. To check out a band just for a peek at a member of a more famous band is very sad. Especially as QOTSA came about after these boisterous blokes. Though I mentioned the noticeable lack of ginger hair, there is no deficit of actual hair (well, precise for three quarters of the band, sorry Dave); flowing locks, gelled back dos, and handle bar moustaches are all on show, and constantly being groomed throughout the set. Yes much pride is taken in their appearance. The sunglasses are removed and replaced several times, when the bright lights are on and when playing respectively (surely it should be the other way around?).

Never standing still for a moment, bassist Brian 'Big Hands' O'Connor is a large man to frolic about onstage. Occasionally he kneels his mighty self down to create a little feedback from his amp. 'Darlin' David Catching has got the skill of playing the guitar vertically down to a tee. Gene 'Teen Dream' Trautman is a better man to look at behind the drums in my opinion than Hommes (a few of the other ladies may agree). The nicknames remind me of The Simpson's Halloween Specials, and shows off the nature of this fun-loving group.

As for Hughes; he's lapping up the attention from the excited crowd, praising them maybe a little too much (especially when the bloody "Yorkshire, Yorkshire" chants flare up again. Don't you see, it makes us look dumb in Leeds, like we are proud to state the bleeding obvious. Leave it alone now).

The upbeat cover of Stealers Wheel's 'Stuck In The Middle With You (renamed 'Stuck in The Metal' by EODM) fits in nicely with the blues/garage rock sound of the band who actually class themselves as The Eagles who play Death Metal. I see them as just good old-fashioned rock and roll, with a great sense of humour. 'English Girl' is appropriate for Hughes' constant references to the pretty ladies in the crowd.

For all the faces and names that you can associate with this band; Dave Grohl, Jack Black, Brody Dalle; the band can make it on their own without this hype. Josh Hommes' name has probably helped, but judging by the crowd tonight his absence is at most noted but soon forgotten. Flamboyant rock and roll at its best.