Live And Unheard, Poole Lighthouse
There’s nothing better than live music, it is raw energy and raw energy feeds the soul. That’s how I feel about the monthly Live and Unheard at the Lighthouse Poole. This gem of an event tends to be my go-to pick me up on the last Thursday of the month, each month. MTV unplugged-esque, this cosy but fully equipped studio venue often sees a band give us something special, whilst a fully engaged audience lean in to hear every note.
Organised by Matt Black and Mel Berkhauer of Hangover Hill, we often get introduced to a new band to follow…. and the last event in April was no different. Introduced by Matt Black, Si Genaro (the only host who is introduced each month but needs no introduction!) kicked off the proceedings. Three very different sounds from three diverse genres of music.
We started with RuffDog Elliot who describes himself on his Facebook profile as a “Planet Earth-based, Anti-fascist Vegan, Punk-Folker, Singer/songwriter” and that’s exactly what we got! He opens the show by waving his “Free Palestine” flag, before he launches into his first song “Watermelon Sky”. Including the line “I’m a simple man, with a simple song” about the wrongs of war, he reminds us that all children should be able to run free. Inspired by the likes of Billy Bragg and Frank Turner, we are treated to a raft of songs to make us reflect and think about the wrongs in society and the ineptitude of the establishment. His voice is gravelly and deep, with a beautiful melodic tone in the quieter moments. Then came “Old England” and has us all chanting like we did at school, around me I could the see the hands tapping out the beat on knees connected to tapping feet.
For his last three songs he was joined by Norny, who added a new voice to the cause with her harmonic backing vocal. Using an electric drumbeat, “Glitch” was more spoken word. Finishing the set with his current single “Straight and Narrow” about life’s ups and downs and he encouraged us all to stare life down and say bollocks! What a treat he was in this politically correct, overly offended world! On Facebook RuffDog promoted this gig by saying “I may be banned worldwide (on Youtube) for my overtly political content … but I ain’t been banned from Poole yet”, and let’s hope he never is! Whilst there are people like RuffDog in this world, there is hope! If you want to catch up with him soon, he will be supporting Nick Capaldi at the Tivoli Theatre on the 5th September.
The Raid – To steal a line from Si Genaro, when The Raid got started you would have been forgiven for thinking you had landed back in the early 90’s at the height of the Indie/Brit Pop era. With influences ranging from Kasabian and Oasis, through to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones it was all in there. Having just passed their year anniversary of their first gig, the band played several songs off their first album and treated us to a couple of pre-releases.
Opening the set with “Ringmaster” from their debut album, we were invited to “Roll up, roll up” whilst the “wall of guitars” gave us a taste of the tunes to come. For those of us who grew up in this era it was back to the sounds of our teens. “Dressed to Kill” started with a solo drum beat and the guitars adding in a continuous sound, whilst the lyric takes centre stage. “I’m not here by your demand, I came by my own will” reflecting the belligerent attitude of the era. After a new song called “Whistleblower” we were back to the album. “My Love” brought a slower and slightly less in yer face lull before we launched full-on back into another new track “Right behind the Sun”. All too quickly we reached the final song of “White Knuckle Ride”. With a full-on sound that carries you along with them, I’m excited to see where this band goes with its second album. Hailing from Poole, the band consists of Pete (Lead vocals/guitar), Luke (backing vocals/guitar), Steve A. (Bass) and Steve B. (Drums). You can catch The Raid on Hope FM radio show on the 8th May.
KingsFoil – Having caught some of the hype on this relatively new band I was really looking forward seeing them. Four very talented and keen-minded musicians, all melded together with the lead vocals of the well-known Tim Somerfield. Having only heard the debut single, I was excited as to what we were going to get. This band were tight, delivering song after song beautifully blended into eachother, starting and building to a crescendo; exquisite guitar playing equally matched by Tim’s voice, whose range is vast.
Jim Steinman-esque, these songs felt epic – almost anthem-like, with a hint of theatre. I was so engrossed it took me about four songs to remember I had to make some notes to remember it all! “Lost in Paradise” (I was!), a great mix of both lead acoustic and electric guitar sounds, with softer tones when the vocal took centre stage. This was followed by “Physical”, the next single to be released in July. “Karma Sea” had a slightly more mellow feel to it with some great electric guitar, before the vocals lifted it to a new level. A short base riff merged this into “Burn”. This band are beautifully crafted and played like they are having fun.
An encore was called for and it didn’t disappoint. After “Whips and Chains’ with classic guitar dance moves, they finished on their debut single “Warriors”. As suggested in the promo prior to the event, go see these guys soon to catch them at grass roots level because they are going places. Catch them live next at The Belvedere in Weymouth on the 17th May.
A big shout out to the Lighthouse staff behind the light and sound desk, these guys always deliver.
Set Lists
Kingsfoil
Ten Foot Diamond Strong
Fearless
Heartbreak Sugar
The Groove
Lost in Paradise
Physical
Flux
Colourblind
Karma Sea
Burn
Find your Way
Whips and Chains
Warriors
The Raid
Ringmaster
Dressed to Kill
Holy Roller
Whistleblower
Howling at the Moon
My Love
Right Behind the Sun
White Knuckle Ride
RuffDog Elliot
Watermelon Sky
Gammon and Chips
Flowers on the Door
Midnight City Walker
Old England
Glitch
Song for a Busing Poet
Straight and Narrow
Book your tickets now for the next “Live and Unheard” on the Thursday 30th May, featuring energetic The Bomo Swing; our very own host Si Genaro will sing songs from his new album and we see the welcome return of Millie Watson to The Sherling Studio. Purchase your tickets here.
Links
https://www.facebook.com/KingsfoilUK
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089637627718
https://www.facebook.com/RuffdogElliott
Article by Guest Reviewer Maria Primmer
Photography by Lynn Bert
