When I was growing up and living at home with my parents, my mum never complained when I played loud music – you’d never hear her shouting up the stairs “turn that blooming racket down!!”
She would more likely be found gently humming to whatever noise I was making whilst slowly dancing & cooking up a storm in the kitchen. She’d embrace anything new and received it with an open mind, reasoning that absolutely anything, absolutely everything could be, and should be, a wonderful surprise.
Now it would be a lovely surprise if I was here to tell you that my Mum’s got a record out, that you are going to be surprised and overjoyed in equal measure when you hear it’s banging beat and marvel at her ability to spit on the mic. Sadly I can’t surprise you in this way – my mum doesn’t spit, she’s funny about things like that.
What I really want to tell you about is a band I saw recently who did that wonderful thing themselves – they surprised me – and in the nicest way.
I was the opening act at the all new Soundhouse @ The Bull, Colchester and joining me on the bill were some great bands (The 633, Cav OK) and in particular one I had yet to hear anything of before – Dead Cannons.
Seeing them pre-gig I liked the way they moved about as a unit, huddled together like it was them against the world – each of them sporting really long coats and massive scarves which made them stand out from the crowd.
Live on stage they had sadly ditched the long coats and scarfs (probably wisely, given the heat in the place) in favour of a uniform black and they were a most pleasant surprise. With songs of melody and fire, they put me in mind of The Golden Silvers having a mash up with The Police (the band, not the officers of the law).
They also were the tightest band I’d seen in a fair while with personality, charm and melodic pull a go-go. The honey-over-gravel vocals of singer Tom Disley went down a treat to these ears. If they can recreate some of the dizzy heights of their live performances on record I think you will be hearing a lot more of this band.
I do really like surprises. Thanks Mum ! Thanks Dead Cannons!
