The Priscillas – live at Concorde 2 – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Priscillas
A Priscillas gig is always hugely entertaining. Their sets will whisk you back in time with a tint of rock n roll, 60s fun and 70’s Glam and Punk. The sets are always full of energy and and a stunning array of finely tuned pop songs, all delivered on stage with verve and a dash of feisty charm. Music can be fun, and a night out with The Priscillas, well the fun is always guaranteed.
The band have released singles two of which were played on Radio 1, BBC 6Music, and others. The girls have also played sessions for Marc Riley on BBC 6Music. They have a brilliant album 10,000 volts out now and hopefully, after chatting with Jen new material is in the pipeline (can’t wait!). The band has toured extensively, and have played with bands including The Cramps, The Damned, The Rezillos, The 5,6,7,8s, and were once supported by James Blunt……
Jenny Drag – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Priscillas: The Band
Jenny Drag – lead vocals,
Valkyrie – guitar and backing vocals,
Taylor – bass and backing vocals,
Jola ( drummer for Adam Ant) was covering for Lisa Lux – drums
This was going to be a very short set Jen advised, about 30 minutes in duration “and we can do 9 in that time”. I didn’t care dear reader as I love these guys and it was almost 2 years to the day since we last met up. Jen, nursing an injured shoulder heavily wrapped in tape – which kinda looked great with the leather outfit she was wearing, led the guys onto the stage at Concorde 2 in Brighton. A bottle of red in hand. Lights were dimmed and the smoke machine whirred into life!
Jenny Drag and Taylor – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Priscillas: The Set
The band took their places and Jola hit the skins counting The Priscillas into the first song, Gonna Rip Up Your Photograph. Jen prowls the stage, she turns her back on the crowd and gyrates and slinks across the stage whilst giving the crowd a huge smile, which can light up a room. Her vocals tonight, as always, were just fabulous. Valkyrie on guitar duties is always a joy to watch as she powers out the chords and some damn fine backing vocals. She doesn’t keep still for a second, and tonight, although at times obscured by the over indulgent smoke machine and poor stage left lighting we could definitely hear her. She would step out into full view from time to time to interact with Jen. I had last seen Val when she was playing bass for Lene Lovich band.
Valkyrie – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Taylor played some pretty mean bass guitar and also those backing vocals which when combined with everyone else help to give that over all Priscillas sound. Next up is a favourite track of mine (All The Way To) Holloway. This was followed up and counted in quickly by a fabulous track from their album called Timing. No time for a Jen Drag chat with the crowd tonight.
Taylor – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The lady at the back tonight was Jola, filling in for Lisa Lux. She is part of Adam Ant’s dual-drummer team and she brings powerful rhythms, iconic styling and topped with a mass of blonde hair. Jola’s driving sense of timing formed the basic heartbeat of the set tonight. Some great patterns in there and fills and worked tightly with Taylor. Fly in my Drink was up next, not heard that one performed live before!
Jola – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Wheres Lydia? is always great live – the chant “ice cream – Coca Cola” filled the venue, hands clapping, feet stomping and the band fired into this song with full force. Y.O.Y was up next and a warm tribute to Pete Shelley was introduced by Jen and she delivered the song on the spot where I last saw Pete perform, the song was You Say You Don’t Love Me. I think he may have enjoyed that. Jen was close friends with Pete and so must have been tricky for her to do it, but The Priscillas gave it all they had and did the song proud.
The Priscillas: In Slides!
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- Jen
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- Valkyrie
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- Taylor
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- Jola
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- Valkyrie
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- The Priscillas
A quick check of the watch confirmed that the 30 minute slot was nearly up. It was great to see The Priscillas had drawn in a sizeable crowd by now as we launched into Superhero. Again another track from the fine album 10,000 Volts. Jen launched into this one with everything and the band stepped it up another notch and with “Just Give Me A Kisssssss…” and one of the most purrrrfect purrs from Jen. This song fired everyone up. This is a song that shoulda been… (check out the brilliant video on You Tube!).
Jenny Drag – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And the last song of the night All My Friends Are Zombies. A perfect ending to such a short but sweet set.
Make no mistake, The Priscillas are fantastic, professional musicians and singers. They want to have fun, and they want the audience to have fun and enjoy themselves and the music. They are an exciting band to watch. They performed an energetic 30 minute set full of excitement and energy with gusto and glamour. The Priscillas manage to sit on the boundaries of punk, rock n roll, and pop, they pull together to create balanced songs, attitude, and an audience friendly beat.
The Priscillas: A Video
And Finally…
These ladies ALWAYS put on a powerful, impressive show and always receive much deserved applause, and Concorde 2 really showed their appreciation by shouts of more! Jimmy didn’t turn up in a dress but never mind. It was hot in Concorde 2 but the Priscillas made it absolutely sizzle for 30 minutes tonight. Every night is a Saturday night with these guys – Thank you!
The Priscillas are on Facebook here!
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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