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.

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