Wednesday 10/05/06 The Deadbeats @ Cobham Club, London

Major excitement is floating in Gigwise's tiny oggled brain over tonight's gig.  Since winning Glastonbury Unsigned a couple o' years back, The Deadbeats have carefully bided their time over creating their new work. While many bands would have rush-released an album, the Deadbeats gingerly released an EP, and are currently walled up at the Hit Factory in Wales, working on an album for release next year.

As a result, any situation where you get to hear new material from this great band is always one of excitement. So different from anything else around at the moment, but not historically so, with clear lines of similarity with Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds and Jackson Browne. This is a rich, west-coast vibe, with a dose of fast-paced country rhythm and blues thrown in, and there aren't a lot of bands pursuing this sound right now.
 
Despite misplacing bass player Dom early on (an earlier confrontation sees me directing him to the women's toilets where he seemed a little worse for wear), the boys get off to a cracking start on stage, with their iconic hats giving them a signature look. The new material doesn't fail to disappoint, with the new single ‘Backdoor Honey’ having a pleasant swagger to it. Old favourites like 'Million Dollar Man' still hold their gold dust. It's hard to believe these boys are from Manchester rather than various rocking chairs on the porches of dusty deep-South American homes. The boys take control of the stage and make the most of their space, and by the end are largely all on their feet rocking out to a very appreciative audience. This is bluesey-fuzz, with the King of Leon-like protagonists gargling with Jack Daniels as they go. The vocalists, Sam, Jo and Luke all whoop and halloo (no, really) along with their set, letting you know they are really into their sound, and you should be too. The sound is still clean though, and well arranged as the vast variety of strains growl along with each other to support their easy-living harmonies.

It’s barely believable  that we have to wait a year for an album. However, with the new single out, at least there will be something to distract us until then.