Wednesday 08/12/04 The Black Velvets @ Barfly, Liverpool

December 13, 2004 by Davina Earl

The Black Velvets have got everything going for them; one of the campest, most superb band names of recent times, a newly released single packaged in genuine black velvet, Michelle McManus sized dollops of praise from the country’s music press ... With this in mind, it was understandable why the scrupulously groomed and violently blow-dried front-man Paul Carden was looking more than a little smug tonight. What was less understandable was why he insisted on dancing like he’d pooed his pants, but hey, nobody’s perfect.

The Velvets are all about robust rock and roll and dependably spewed forth a reliably retro set of upbeat tunes, the highlight of which was undeniably the glittering single ‘Get On Your Life.’ If this song were a savoury snack, it would be Pringles. We all know that the manufacturing bods smother them in some sort of addictive stuff which ensures that you can eat four hundred thousand in a row without ever feeling sick of them. ‘Get On Your Life’ is just the same; it’s ludicrously simple but it you’ll be left insatiably humming that de nur nur nur de nur nur nur, dum dum’ bass-line for at least the next nine years. Mark my word.

Setting this golden rock nugget aside, the rest was more modest – substantial and entertaining – but nothing else stood out so majestically. They’ve got everything going for them and the world at the feet, and the Barfly audience tonight were giving a rapturous reception to their home boys, but strangely enough, that elusive magic which elevates a good gig to a great gig was missing. Whether this was related to Paul’s surprising dancing, we will never know.

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