A Saturday night in Brighton. Three bands covering a wide taste, entry was just £4! A tremendous night with James Brett, Dirt Royal and The Dead Reds.
The Prince Albert – Three local Bands and artists
Dear esteemed reader – this is a long item with many pics from this one night out in Brighton.
Not quite sure what happened tonight as London band Dragster were due to appear. Then we in Scene Sussex towers started getting invites to come down to The Prince Albert, Brighton outfit Dirt Royal got in touch “come join us”. So I did. Camera loaded up and not knowing any of the other performers I was in a mood to find something new in Brighton. I was not to be disappointed. The entry fee was £4 – yep, that’s right £4! What can you do for that? Now theres a challenge for you!
Scene Sussex will always champion local and new music and those all important venues. So the three bands tonight, I will work through the show order starting with the headline act The Dead Reds.
The Dead Reds
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A Brighton based outfit and one I had not come across before. Excellent – I love hearing and seeing a local band for the first time. Their influences are anything that rocks and blues. Gotta love that logo.
These guys smoked it! They were just fabulous. An all out rock and roll assault at times, and a smokey bluesy feel in between. I missed having a word prior to their set as they started up and a few of us were oblivious to that fact. Once word got out we raced up stairs. The Dead Reds had stepped up to play out their set. Instantly these guys grabbed my attention. How have I missed these guys, The Dead Reds?
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band – from their Facebook page
Jeremy Green– Bass and Vocals.
Thomas Miles Woodbridge– Blues Harp.
Max Gibson– Lead Guitar.
Joss “Caveman Thunder God” Love – Drums.
The sound these guys made was breathtakingly good. Kind of old school rock and roll with a twist and an update. The constant brilliant harmonica playing added an interesting layer to the power from the guitars, bass and drums. This is addictive music at its best.
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A quick glimpse at the set list gave me an idea of the songs on the schedule tonight. There was an intro which sadly we missed and then Peasants Revolt, Shut It Down.
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Honey and the track Disobey ( an absolute storming track) from their latest release, were in there. The Dead Reds have released three albums – Dark Before The Dawn, Last Stand and Renegade Genesis.
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band seems to have been around for a little while now and they have been garnering good reviews and getting noticed for their live shows and releases.
The Dead Reds: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Sure, these guys have a that sun drenched porch from the deep south blues-edge to their sound, but it’s the sheer power of these four combining their sounds and beat that hooks you and knocks you a shot right between the eyes. Stand Up was again another face melter, and, in the heat of The Albert, the crowd rose up for this one.
The Dead Reds were brilliant. They jump out at you and stroke at your inner ear lovingly with truly brain rattling power. I love hearing a band for the first time and these guys showed me the reason why. The output all linked with some great vocals, some absolutely awesome guitar playing, the bass and drums working in total unison, and all topped off with the harmonica, make this a band to make you sit up and take notice from the hit of their first chord. Well played guys – you rocked it. I, and the crowd, loved every sweat soaked note of it.
Discover The Dead Reds:
The Dead Reds are on Facebook
The Dead Reds are on the WWW
DIRT ROYAL
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Brighton punk/rocker outfit were in the middle slot. A Dirt Royal set is always great fun, backed with some damn fine tunes, wicked hooks and vocals all topped off with some off the chart banter. One album released, and another is being finalised from the Brighton favourites. The band had been called in at the last minute due to last minute arrangements for the night as previously mentioned.
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Band:
Charlie Russell – Bass and Vocals
Leon Fenton – Guitars and Vocals
Loz Hood – Drums and Vocals
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Dirt Royal always pull in a crowd wherever they play, and quite rightly so. These guys work hard and play to a wide range of audience sizes across the city and beyond. It doesn’t matter to them how big the crowd – you will get the whole package every time. They really do deserve that “big break”. They, whilst waiting for the radio, are always out playing and doing what they love.
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
This was a feisty little set from them. They had a thirty minute slot and they were not going to waste a second of it. I love these guys and have seen them play many times, but, what they do is so unique and different every time it is never the same.
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The set tonight was made up of new material from the long overdue second album, and the single releases – and that included Waiting For The Radio and the quite magnificent Glory Days. The heat in the Albert began to increase as did the staccato attack from each song. Charlie and Leon both battling throat infections did not let that hold them back. They rocked! They punk rocked!
Dirt Royal: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
We had the Dirt Royal classics Girl in The Shop and Factory Fodder with the set rounding off with Lose Our Way. This song rallied the crowd as we danced and joined in with the song. They delivered giving the audience a taste of what Dirt Royal is all about. A stunning show which no doubt got them some new fans of the band and their music. Fabulous guys and I swear you get better and better every time I see you live.
“Dirt Royal, great band from Brighton” – Steve Lamacq (6 Music)”
“A really great Garage racket from Dirt Royal” -BBC Introducing”
“Brilliant, can i have a CD?” -Mick Jones”
Discover Dirt Royal:
Dirt Royal are on Facebook
James Brett
First up on the bill tonight was James Brett. James truly was a last minute add to the bill. So glad he could do it and come and play for us. I know James as bass player for Dan Cox and The Blackbirds, so it was a real surprise to see him out on his own with an acoustic guitar.
James Brett: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I always have so much admiration for any single musician who takes to the stage with an acoustic guitar for a solo slot. James did just that. He gave us an enchanting set of his own compositions. The songs full of emotion, humour and political views wrapped up with some super playing and a terrific vocal performance.
James Brett: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
He held the audience for his set and invited everyone to come in just a bit closer. We did. His songs were delightful and someone in the audience remarked how his style and sound was reminiscent of early Dylan. A couple of us kinda agreed with that view. Well played James and we hope to see you out there again with your guitar soon.
James Brett is on Facebook
Listen to James Brett on Soundcloud
And Finally…
A huge thanks to all three artists and bands for a terrific night of live music.
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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