The
last of 3 gigs in 3 different towns over 4 nights was a Saturday evening jaunt
down the South Coast to likely my favourite venue, the splendidly scuzzy
Joiner’s Arms, to catch up again with Scots indie combo Honeyblood. Just over 2
years since my only previous experience, and it had been an eventful time for
them; the previous 2-piece had reduced to a 1-piece (!) consisting of just
vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Stina Tweeddale, yet she’d soldiered on with her
now-solo project, recording a new album “In Plain Sight” for 2019. A slight
disappointment was that the scheduled release date was for the end of May,
after most of the tour had concluded, but I was happy to trust in Stina’s
effervescent song-writing talent and go for this gig anyway!
Fellow
Honeyblood fan Rich Carter actually booked a ticket this time, but had to blow
out as it was his wedding anniversary. T’uh, excuses, excuses…! Stuart was at a
loose end (whilst waiting to pick his wife up from Heathrow in the small
hours!) so happily took up the offer of a free ticket, and a sunny drive down
the A34. We made such good time that we parked up almost directly outside the
venue before the 8pm “free” parking started, so lurked by the motor until the
legal hour before hitting the dark and dry ice-enveloped classic old “L”-shaped
back room, already busy early doors with a high amount of female gig-goers.
Good! Not so good, however, were support Feet, on at 8.30; a 5-piece sporting
an entertaining selection of hats, but not so much in the way of memorable
tuneage. Their opener sounded like 3 songs (a quietly pastoral start, a Spacehog-like
mid-paced alt-rocker and a faster cinematic bit recalling My Life Story)
clumsily gorilla-glued together, and subsequent numbers felt a bit Britpop-era
Blur-like, quirkily English and 60’s referencing, but all in all a bit dull.
Stuart was of a similar mind, so we repaired to the bar to chat, popping back
into the venue after Feet finished to get a good spot, house left, for this
sell-out gig, ironically behind the same chap who totally lost his shit (!)
dancing sweatily next to me at the Martha gig here back in July 2017 (gig
1,045)!
Had
a quick loo trip then spotted a familiar face behind the bar; none other than
Sean McGowan, star of February’s Level 3 gig (no. 1,123)! Enjoyed a quick chat
with this most affable of gents (Sean intoning in his Ian Dury cockernee,
“awright mate, ‘ow are ya! Course I remember you, how could I forget that
accent!” Look who’s talking mate!) before leaving him to his “day job” and
wandering back in for Stina and her girls’ entrance onstage at 9.30. Stina,
strikingly feline of features and sporting a flowing black/red patterned dress,
kicked into the undulating bouncy pop of “Sea Hearts”, and our friend
immediately demonstrated Martha aren’t the only band he loses his shit to,
pogoing up and down like Zebedee on acid from note one. Clearly Southampton’s
Jeff, albeit about 3 feet shorter, happily for the likes of us standing behind
him! Clearly buoyed by the reaction, Stina announced, “Southampton! It’s been
too long! How are you!”, deftly dealt with a couple of idiot remarks from some
knuckleheads behind us, then kicked up a gear with newie “The Third Degree”, an
impressive NYC New Wavey scuzz-rocker with an insistent, “drama drama baby”
hook, boding well for the new album (which Stina plugged on numerous occasions
tonight – and why not!).
Oldie
“Walking At Midnight” was a creepy noir movie soundtrack and a mid-set
highlight, as was the flippant “Super Rat” (for which Stina invited singalongs
from the enthusiastic crowd) and newie “Gibberish”, a Veruca Salt-esque
post-grunge glam stomp and possibly my favourite of the new numbers. However,
following a surprisingly rocky yet lilting “Fall Forever”, things really kicked
on with a roaring finish to the set; a big, bouncy “Babes Never Die”, a
terrific, swaggering “Killer Bangs” featuring a lengthy, tongue-in-cheek
pregnant pause, and a superb set closer, the soaring infectious hook of “Ready
For The Magic”. By now, our bouncy friend had been sucked into a happy moshpit,
and I was up against the stage, throwing a few hand-jive shapes and eliciting
an approving nod from drummer Debbie! Fulsome praise to the crowd from an
elated Stina at the end of this fine set, and I grabbed her set-list, having
checked with the couple leaning on the stage next to me that their daughter
didn’t want it! Hmmm, that’s not like me, must be going a bit soft in my old
age…!
Great
stuff, and a quick pic and signed list with the merch stand-bound and
predictably besieged band preceded a swift drive home, dropping Stuart off for
his drive to Heathrow. Home just after midnight after a splendid Honeyblood
gig; in all honesty better than expected, particularly the last third. New album
sounds tasty! A damn fine way to end a hectic 3-gig extended weekend – now hopefully
I can get some sleep!
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