PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
I guess if you are going to wait 30 years to come and play the UK, the gig had better be better than okay. Rest assured, then, that if you are planning to take in The Kentucky Headhunters on their first ever UK tour, including a set at the upcoming Ramblin’ Man Fair, then they are without question one of the hottest, tightest bands you are ever likely to witness live.
Added to this are the band’s Special Guests, Bad Touch. Although being a tad more recent in their formation at six years and one complete album with another on the way, this does not diminish their abilities whatsoever.
From the opening chords of Waste My Time, right the way through to a stonking, rocking balls out closer of Down, the Norwich based Rock Blues outfit delivered a faultless 40 minute set which again underlined why it is they are becoming so highly regarded on the live circuit.
An added bonus was the inclusion of three new tracks from their yet-to-be-released second album, Truth Be Told, which arrives in the autumn. Made To Break maybe a more traditional rock out tune but if anything is going to mark the album as being exceptional on this evidence, it is without question going to be 99%. Honestly, with Rob Glendinning and Seeks’ magnificently controlled guitar work deliciously complimenting Steve Westwood’s rich, soul cracked vocals, this is a track destined to blow the roof from many a venue.
With an absolutely thumping version of Preacher – George Drewry on drums and Bailey’s masterful bass work underpinning the track’s excellence – the only tinge of disappointment lies in the fact that, this time around, there’s no Sweet Little Secret on the set list.
This notwithstanding, though, Bad Touch are unquestionably fated for a fantastic future that will undoubtedly bring yet more acclaim their way.
So, from the flatlands of Norfolk to the deep south of America and the Bluegrass Country Rock created by The Kentucky Headhunters, who kicked off their set exactly the way it was to continue, with a phenomenal version of Jimmy Reed’s Big Boss Man getting The Chester Live Rooms jumping.
What you really notice is that the band – Richard and Fred Young (rhythm guitar, vocals / drums) along with Greg Martin (lead guitar, vocals) and Doug Phelps (bass guitar, vocals) – are just so in tune with each other, it’s as though they seamlessly joined by an invisible bond.
The rich variances in vocal styles all help keep things moving along more than a little briskly and, for a bunch of guys nearly able to claim their bus passes in this country, boy can they still rock out.
With songs such as Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine, a superb version of The Animals’ House of the Rising Sun, a skin splitting, tub trembling drum solo and a fabulous closing rendition of The Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down in their repertoire, what’s not to like?
So with the audience walking away with massive smiles plastered across their happy faces, it can only now be hoped that The Kentucky Headhunters’ fears of flying have been well and truly overcome so that they don’t leave it too long to play this side of the water again.
A truly outstanding night of quite exceptional music all round.
Setlist.
