Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Who’s Who (scroll down for a video)
“From The Railway Hotel, Harrow, West London, 1996; to The Hammersmith Apollo, in 2016 and onwards; Who’s Who, the longest established Who Band in the UK, have received incredible reactions across Europe and beyond for their exciting live performances. Pete Townshend’s leaping and Roger Daltrey’s microphone whirling antics have all but transformed the standard of tribute shows and set a benchmark within the genre for others to follow.
Widely recognised and respected by their musical peers and acknowledged by members of The Who and those close to the band, as the group that most interprets the songs of Pete Townshend and the legendary live performances of The Who with honesty and integrity.”
Who’s Who: The Band
Gary – Vocals / Harmonica
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Pete – Guitar / Vocals
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Moonie – Drums/vocals
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Terry – Bass / vocals
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
“Fans of the band include Simon Townshend, Doug Sandom (The Detours), Peter “Dougal” Butler (Keith Moons’ right hand man), John Schollar (Beachcombers), Alison Entwistle and the Moon Family. Singer Gary, has been personally praised by Pete Townshend and he also played with Roger and the late John Entwhistle at The Who Convention in Shepherds Bush in 1995.”
Who’s Who: The Set
Now it was a Saturday evening, the Saturday after Christmas and the City was still pretty quiet, not many folk about. I arrived a Concorde 2 and saw a few people outside as they do, pre-gig drink, chat, ciggy. Inside the venue it was pretty busy I have to say. Brilliant! A good audience was lined up for these guys which was great to see.
The band came on, a quick hello and we were off into a set spanning most of the musical career from The Who.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Quadrophenia and more…
The first few songs came at us quickly and the set started up with I Cant Explain, and an Eddy Cochrane cover of Summertime Blues. A fabulous opening of RnB classics. The first thing that hits you is the authenticity of the sound these guys create. Baba O’Reily was up next. It was then a step forward to Quadrophenia as we had a medley of 5.15 and Love, Reign o’er Me. These two songs were delivered totally on point and sparked up the audience for the the next 90 minutes of singing and dancing.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Now, I have to make comment on Pete. His guitar playing was off the chart. He produced some of the most authentic Who sounding guitar work I have heard. He also pulled off some fine Townsend moves – leaps, wind-milling his arms and those high kicks, which cannot have been easy in that boiler suit. He made his SG sing, howl and produce some damn fine sounds, superb. It was then back in time for Substitute and Happy Jack joined in with I’m A Boy.
Who Are You?
The set was blistering along with some song information and inter band banter between those numbers. We were then thoroughly entertained with Who Are You. I have to agree with comments about Gary and his vocal work. Stunning delivery throughout matching Daltreys range with ease. No microphone swirling for us tonight, but a terrific set of vocals.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Tommy
Amazing Journey and Sparks were on this well put together set list. It had been clearly put together to ensure maximum satisfaction for the crowd. Then it was on the train to Brighton for a shot at the tables with Pinball Wizard. This one naturally drew a huge cheer from the crowd. This was followed with I’m Free. Included was also Holiday Camp allowing the man at the back to join in with the vocals! The man at the back? I am talking about Moonie!
Moonie was extraordinary. I never saw The Who live but have seen much of them on video etc. This guy, Moonie, had it dear reader! The style and expressions were perfectly tuned. He must have spent hours watching Keith play. He lived up to his name by providing an authentic sound and look.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Moonie prides himself on complete authenticity when drumming styles and kit specification is concerned. The kit(s) he plays are completely identical to the original spec, all the way down to the nuts and bolts that hold it together and represent a labour of love, and you can see behind him a huge gong used in the set.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
We’re Not Gonna Take It and then Gary invited us all to join in for a sing-a-long for Behind Blue Eyes. Working with Mooney was the man on Bass Guitar, Terry. He provided an authentic sound from his bass giving some real gut shaking patterns and fills. He and his bass playing prowess complete the wonderful sounds we were being treated to tonight!
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And Finally…
A quick glance at the watch and it was almost the end of the set. We had time for two more numbers and we had My Generation, which had the crowd gleefully joining in with the “why don’t you…” section. Well done Brighton, you never disappoint. The last song of the night was the mighty Wont Get Fooled Again. What a showstopper!
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Well, I have to admit, I enjoyed that! Who’s Who created a brilliant atmosphere with their class performance married with a top set listing. Those 90 minutes just flew by! There was no walk off back on for an encore as time was so tight. The only thing missing was the smashing up of instruments or equipment! But apart from that this was a solid show.
A Video:
A short mixer of Who’s Who performing live!
With the raw power, passion and soul of the members that make up Who’s Who, I am happy to confirm that these guys deliver. Thoroughly recommend these guys if they play near you. Check them out.
Who’s Who: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Keep up to date or find out more on the Who’s Who website.
Guests/Support: Strange Brew
A treat for me as I had not heard of these guys before. A local band called Strange Brew. A four piece made up from local musicians from around Hove and Shoreham.
Strange Brew: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The mission of Strange Brew is to faithfully recreate music by some of the best bands of the 70’s (and late 60’s), but avoiding the well-worn favourites that are standard pub covers fare. It’s a risky strategy, in terms of pleasing the fair-weather gig-goer, but already Strange Brew are delighting music fans wherever they play, with deeper-cuts from the legends of the best era of Rock.
Strange Brew: The Band
Onboard are Camille Phillips on drums, also the Ramonas. Ian and Oliver, the guitars, rhythm and bass section. Local, Lee Pryor took the mic, he is also from various outfits such as Whole Lotta Led, Freed, Copperhead, and Bad Attitude. They formed the very ‘Strange Brew’ that has been the band line up from 2018.
Strange Brew: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
These guys pulled in the crowd within a couple of great classics. We had a brilliant selection of rock classics ranging from ZZ Top to Black Sabbath. I truly loved hearing Schools Out done by these guys, it and along with the set was bloody brilliant! The smoke and heavy backlighting obscured members of the band from time to time – but we could hear you! Some top notch guitars and bass for all the tracks tonight. Lee was so damn cool. He effortlessly powered his vocals through the tracks. And at the back is Camille. You couldn’t really get yourself a better drummer. This lady is pure class and pure power.
Well played Strange Brew and as they said back in the era they recreate, “You Rock”. Well, yes actually that fits. Indeed – You Rock! A most enjoyable rock out 30 minute set.
I have given these guys a cheeky follow on Facebook – why don’t you? Then you can find out when and where they are playing and go check them out.
Black Rabbit Productions hosted the evening. They work hard promoting live music on the south coast. They are a promotion company with years of experience putting on music shows. Tonight was superb, and so good to see a local band being given support/guest slot. Great job guys!
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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