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Reverend and the Makers
Sheffield Leadmill
27 May 2007Got down to the Leadmill last night nice and early to catch the two local support bands, Gas Club and The Hosts. Neither disappointed – two names on the Sheffield scene to look out for. If the number of photographers in the press pit was anything to go by (six), then The Hosts are tipped for great things. Shipper, who is surely Hank Marvin's Grandson by way of John Cooper Clarke strolled onto the stage, picked up his guitar and played an intro as the rest of the band took position. Suited and booted the band of five wouldn’t look out of place on Six-Five Special (ask your granny!). Their music, whilst definitely having a modern approach, is in places reminiscent of the Small Faces or a less chirpy Gerry and the Pacemakers. Great melodies, and catchy lyrics, definitely a band to look out for.
Reverend and the Makers were heartily greeted by their home town crowd, who didn’t let up all night. The Reverend did what the Reverend does best, commenting on the every day goings on of Northern Sheffield starting with the man-loving/hating “Miss Brown”, through to the more seedier side of Brits abroad on “18 – 30”. The band were joined on stage by the funky Steve Edwards (Cloud 9 and Little Frankenstein) for “Open Your Window” about letting go of the girlfriend who changes when she goes off to Uni.
Along with crowd pleasers “Bandits” (about addiction to the one arm variety) and “He Said He Loved Me” (finding out the guy you set your heart on has buggered off with your friend) every song had the crowd dancing. Recent chart-making ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World’ was no exception. Noteable omissions to the set were “Julian’s Got A Gti” and one of my personal favourites “The Machine”. With the set running at just over an hour, and ending with ‘State of Things’ there was certainly room to add both songs earlier in the show, leaving Champion and State of Things for a traditional encore – but maybe that’s not the Reverend’s way.
www.myspace.com/gasclub
www.myspace.com/thehosts
www.myspace.com/reverendmusic
www.iamreverend.com