The Brew live from Saturn

A Live gig from Saturn will look good on their CV, we in Germany though know that Brit Rockband ‘The Brew’ weren’t playing where no band has played before, but in fact in a German Megastore.  Since the band came complete for a full blooded show with amplifiers and electric guitars though, this might seem almost as odd as a Galactic Gig – but not so far to travel of course.

If you’ve read my previous reviews of the rockers from Grimsby you will know that A- The Brew are pretty loud and B – They jump a lot.  My first thoughts when I walk into the Hansa Ring Megastore are related to this:  A – The Classical Music section is on the floor right above the stage set up and B – The said  stage looks to be constructed by a toddler from a Christmas Edition Meccano building set.   Spectatorwise, the Classical Department actually provides a perfect ‘balcony’ to watch the band from.  Even better,  it’s also deserted before the first song is over.  An elderly gentleman flicking through the Beethoven concertos either headed downstairs to headbang frontstage or more likely, headed for the exit to avoid having his head banged involuntarily.  Either way it suits me fine. Just me, the soundman and the house photographer are left to survey the throng of music fans jostling for a good view below.

Young guitar wizard Jason Barwick is clearly enjoying himself, under the watchful eye of John Lennon (courtesy of a half dozen Greatest Hits posters) and I think the late Beatle would forgive the wry commercialism of an in-store gig and smile if he could see the enthusiasm on Barwick’s face.  As it is, the posters are to the young guitarists back and Lennon’s face remains deadpan.

The Saturn Manager told me that there have been a few such shows in the past, including OMD.  Musically, considering the location is a very big room filled with CD’s and DVD’s,  the sound is actually very reasonable and,  With the possible exception of  the dust on a few Count Basie CD’s in the Jazz Basement below, there is nothing and no-one to be disturbed.  Certainly any dust on the stage is getting a good beating from the band – bassist Tim (father of drummer Kurtis) has even joined Jason in the odd ‘air-jump’.  From my position now immediately above and behind the Band I can actually see the stage bend under the jumpers like a circus  trampoline.  Fortunately they both land at separate times and avoid a plunge into the Jazz special offer box immediately below.  Both stage and non Rock music lovers get a brief respite from the high energy with the plaintive  ‘Kam’ but volume is restored – along with stage jumping, for the album title track ‘A Million Dead Stars’.

So, six songs, a thank you from Tim to ‘Saturn’ for helping to promote Live music  and it’s autograph time.  Question time too – “Why the instore gig?” I ask Tim afterwards.  “Well we thought we needed a bit of practice.  We haven’t played in, oh, maybe three weeks now” he smiles.  Of course it’s also useful advertising for their November 25 gig at The Kantine in Cologne.  Last year the band played the much smaller Yardclub’ next door, so things are falling into place for total world domination and Arena tours in a year or so.  If you’re reading this Bonn promoters – book The Brew again while you still can.

Popularity: 19% [?]

The Brew – Strong Stuff

When the mighty Joe Bonamassa pulled the plug on Rockpalast last year it was good news for British trio ‚The Brew’ who subsequently had their entire set broadcast across the Nation.  They made a lot of fans who in turn made for a  crowded but enthusiastic crowd at the Harmonie on Wednesday.

A witty Festival organizer in Holland once referred to ‘The Brew’ as “The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit”.  Maybe that was just a little bit ‘über enthusiastic’ but it’s a pointer to both the band’s identity and it’s driving force so let me introduce this ‘Holy Trinity’:

The Father is Manager Tim Smith and The Son  is his son drummer Kurtis.  ‘The Holy Spirit’ is literally the spirit of the band – guitar virtuoso Jason Barwick.  That Kurtis and Jason are barely out of their teens is something you couldn’t tell from hearing the band on CD though since both have talent beyond their tender years in shovelfuls on their respective instruments.

If you read my report from that previously related to fateful show with Joe Bonamassa in Cologne last year you’ll know that I had lots of praise but also a few reservations about the band;  so one year and one new CD later how do they fare?

A mini tour of Cologne last year explains how the enthusiastic fan next to me has already seen them seven times.  He’s also had Jason sign his guitar – a true mark that someone is a guitar hero and some indication of just how highly rated this youngster is.  I’d seen it before but still it was a jolt to my senses to see Jason Barwick come onstage with the air of a keen to please schoolboy – and weave his guitar magic.  The sound is loud but, in contrast to last weekends at times ear shattering tone that had Crossroads fans running for earplugs, it’s not TOO loud.  In fact it’s perfect for Rock n Roll.

The sound was good last time in Cologne though.  What has changed since then is certainly the songs themselves.  Previous album ‘The Joker’ had a to my ears rather burdensome ‘Prog Rock’ sound out of the early 70’s.  It said “We have a great guitarist in our band, and a hard hitting drummer.  Close your eyes and we could be Led Zep”.    Well, this time around I could close my eyes and they were ‘The Brew’ which was a big step forward in my book.  Except that closing your eyes when ‘The Brew’ are onstage would be to miss half the show.  Had  Barwick’s parents known he would be bounding around the stage with such energy I’m sure they would have christened him ‘Tigger’ instead of Jason.  I came back from last year in Cologne very pleased with a shot of the lad caught leaping in mid-air.  Pleased until I checked the Internet that is and discovered everyone and their dog has a shot like it – even the posters show a grainy black and white airborn guitarist.

Here we come to my major concern about the band last time.  Pete Townsend’s mid-air leap, Jimi’s behind the back guitar, Jimmy’s violin bow, Stevie Ray’s initials on the guitar,  Tommy Aldridge with his bare handed drum solo…  They don’t set fire to the drum cymbal anymore “It caused some problems” was all Jason would admit later.  The point is, they don’t need all this theatre.  They have some excellent material now with catchy rockers like opener

“Every gig has a neighbour”, the CD title track “A million dead stars” and the moving “Kam”.  I’ll even forgive the continued use of a violin bow though on the strength of it’s use on “A smile to lift the doubt”.

A huge leap forward was also noticeable in the vocals from Barwick.  He reminds me physically of a young Gary Moore but the young GM had a singing style to frighten horses with (think ‘Murder in the Skies’ or ‘Fanatical Fascists’).  This was about the sixth straight gig in a row so I hope he uses it sparingly, but that voice is another reason to be cheerful for the future of The Brew and indeed for Rock music.  A thundering version of ‘Voodoo Child’ brought thunderous applause and no one would have condemned them for not coming back for a further encore even though it was only 10:15.  Return they did though  even if the previous number was un-toppable they continued because quite clearly they love playing rock n roll together.

The tour schedule looks pretty daunting with this Harmonie show coming in the middle of ten shows in succession.  There’s a long haul through Poland where the bands last CD was a chart success and not even room until September for the UK or the USA.  If these guys keep improving they will need to invent the 500 week year to keep up with demand.  I just hope the springs in Jasons heels can hold out.

Popularity: 34% [?]