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Rimshot

Venue: The Royal Oak
Town: Hampton
Date: 10/01/14
Website: www.facebook.com/tony.m.chick

Many who know me will be aware that I'm a fan of a band known as "Strawbs". They've had so many line-up changes over the years that it is almost impossible to find a band that doesn't have some links to them, particularly around the Strawberry Hill area where they took their name from. My last review on Fatea was for the final performance of The Ginny Brown Band, who featured Richard Hudson, who used to drum with the Strawbs

As one band retires, another forms. I was lucky enough to witness the birth (well alright, it was their second gig, but who's counting?) of yet another Strawb related band, this time at the Royal Oak in Hampton. This one features Chas Cronk, bassist from the current Strawbs line up.

It's a three piece band, led by Martin Taylor on acoustic guitar and lead vocals. (Note - this isn't the same guy as Martyn Taylor who plays with yet another Strawbs related band: Ruthless Blues) and with Tony Chick (aka Major Baldini) on drums. Chas, of course, on bass, bass pedals and support vocals. I happen to know Tony quite well as he is the drummer for Shifty Little Sister, one of my favorite local bands (I've yet to write a review of them on Fatea - hopefully will rectify soon).

Martin announced the band as "Tonight we're going to be called Rimshot. Next month we could be called something completely different". A rimshot is the sound you make when you hit the skin and edge of a drum simultaneously, and is often used to mean the "da dum" sound at the end of the old musical style jokes. Sadly, it's also a type of porn film, so don't go looking for images on Google.

Knowing two of the band, I had high hopes that I would enjoy Rimshot, and they didn't disappoint. They played mainly covers, but drawn from a really eclectic range of sources. Clapton, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole, Lynrd Skynrd, The Verve, Sting, Eagles, Soft Cell, Tubeway Army, Kings Of Leon, Crowded House, Stevie Wonder, The Travelling Willburys, Richard Ashcroft, The Beatles, The Stones, Doobie Brothers, Cab Calloway and even Alanis Morisstette.

They were joined for a couple of songs by a young lady introduced only as Betty. She is a great addition, being really enthusiastic and energetic. Tony runs an open mic night, so I suspect that she is a regular there.

Martin has a great gravelly voice, ideal for this type of bluesy jazz (or jazzy blues?). They played two very long sets, finishing at almost twenty to midnight, so there was no time for an encore, even though the audience were quite insistant.

Set List
Layla (acoustic version)
A Song For Lovers
Come Together
Mercy Mercy Me
Nature Boy
Ain't No Sunshine
Hotel California
Sweet Home Alabama
Long Train Running
Weather With You
Minnie The Moocher

Shape Of My Heart
Ironic
Far Enough - Martin Taylor original
Tainted Love
Superstition
Not Fade Away
Are Friends Electric?
Sex On Fire
Living For The City
Bittersweet Symphony
Lay Down Sally
End Of The Line
Runaround Sue

Pete Bradley