Four guys, 3 chords and two sets, well three actually… Basso!
Sunday 9th August 2.30pm at the Hove and Kingsway Bowls Club. This was important, this was the first live gig, a full on rock and roll gig in Brighton since lockdown. It was outside and the Bowls club had done a great job in setting this up. The crowd were suitable spaced on the lawns and on the few tables scattered around. It was hot, damn hot. The temperature soared to a balmy 32 degrees.
Who are Basso?
Who are Basso? Well you may not have heard of them for a while. They are made up of Long Tall Texans, A Piranha and Preachermen. Will, on drums said “we played the first gig at The Freebutt in ‘94 band finished in 96 and we had a 30 minute support slot last year. Three rehearsals in that many years!”
The Band:
Boggles ‘The Pumpkin’ Denman (vocals, guitar)
Garry ‘Cheeseman’ Watson(vocals, guitar)
Mike ‘Rock’ Roberts Vocals, Bass
Will ‘what’ve I broken this time?’ Moore. Drums.
Basso!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Basso!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Basso!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Basso!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Ok, so get four guys, four brilliant musicians plug ’em in and let them loose on the Bowling club lawns in Hove. Ladies and Gentlemen this was a tonic. Just what I and the hundred or so people had been waiting months for. Some live RnB blues and a generous slice of rock and roll.
Are you ready?
The guys powered up, took a last swig of cold beer, some mighty fine Hawaiian shirts were straightened and we were welcomed by Mike to the first live gig on the bands anniversary tour.
Down, Down, Down, / No More Running Away / Sweet Thang / Burning Some / Baby Please Come Home / Poor Mans Poison
Just a selection of tunes played to get things underway.
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The guys didn’t let up for one second during the first part of the set until Will broke his kick bass drum so an urgent repair was called for. An impromptu drinks break followed allowing Will to mastermind the repair work.
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Melting in the heat…
A truly glorious rhythm section from the guitarists with some great riffing, soloing and performances, they were pouring it on as if this is the most important gig ever, and when we look back in years to come surrounding COVID 19 perhaps it will be recognised as such! It was the first! Today no poor red LED lighting – it was all natural! And also no smoke machines, well apart from the couple of BBQs further across the lawns!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Will, sporting a Surfin Lungs T, at the back is supreme at what he does mashing about 4 pairs of drum sticks whilst working hard with Mike on bass. A top wall of sound from these guys, and considering how long it is since these guys last played together they were all 100% on point!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Set continues…
There is a nod to new wave, RnB, mod and a handful of almost 60s garage sounds. They deliver a set packed with guitars, slide guitars and a bass energy, with some superb drumming from Will. They also seem to very much enjoy what they are doing, which is a winning attitude to have. Basso certainly entertain. They have a set list packed with great songs. They entertained us in the melting heat with the music and at times hilarious banter. How could they not win over the crowd?
I Am The Blues / Looking back /Used To Do brought the first section to a close.
Band refreshments – 20 minutes earlier it was a bucket of ice!
A well deserved drink break followed and this also allowed Will to gaffer tape up a couple of his fingers – he plays those drums HARD! A well ordered and socially distanced queue for the bar wound its way across the lawn. The sun bursting back out from behind some cloud and the heat just continued rising in the afternoon.
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The guys came back a couple of clothes changed and we were away for the last section.
Switchboard Susan was up next and this had a real Rockpile feel to this Nick Lowe tune. The guys captured it brilliantly. Three Time Loser – a Rod Stewart cover followed by a Long Tall Texans hit Nothing Left But Bones. What a way to restart! A few folk were up dancing to that one, I can guarantee every foot was tapping out the rhythm for that one!
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Cheque Book / Bail You Out / Lose Control were up next.
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Twenty Yards Behind – another cover, the original done by Dr Feelgood if I recall correctly. Sticking with Dr Feegood up next was a Wilko Johnson number You’re In My Way. Both tracks delivered with pure class and sounding great.
Basso – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The last song we got was They Call It Rock and Roll.
A VIDEO!
Turn up the heat as Basso put it down!
The guys started to unstrap their gear. They were not getting away that easy “More” came the shout and Basso gave us another couple of songs to finish with. Mike ended up by thanking everyone who had made it to their last date on their anniversary tour! Brilliant!!
Some damn fine music drifted across Hove lawns that afternoon, thank you Basso. I and a load of people really needed some live rock and roll and you delivered! Thank you.
Lets hope we see the band again soon, they really are worth a watch and a listen.
Thank you to Basso
Thank you to Hove and Kingsway Bowls club
And Finally…
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Yeah they were great,well enjoyed it!!