Those Damn Crows Glasgow Cathouse Feb 2020
Written by Duncan MacKellar on February 12, 2020
Those Damn Crows | Glasgow Cathouse Feb 5th 2020
Support: Florence Black | Tribeless
(Images Copyright Dunk MacKellar|Keep It Rock)
Getting To The Gig
On an unassuming Wednesday night some might assume there is not much going on.
However, that just isn’t true.
Glasgow (as do most other U.K. cities) has a vibrant cultured scene of arts and music as well as many other genres and sub niches. But tonight, it’s gig night.
I’m Dunk MacKellar, presenter of Keep It Rock on TotalRock and I was on my way to meet up with former guest presenter Ryan RocKs to catch a band that we are both big fans of and play regularly on our shows. Welsh rockers Those Damn Crows!
If you’ve not been keeping an eye on the up and comers in the ‘New Rock’ or the unsigned “Home Grown Rock Music” scene, then you may not have heard that name.
I donned my grey denim kilt, straightened my sporran and kilt socks, pumped up my Reebok Pumps and made sure I had a RocK amount of black eyeliner on…
(Less than Alice Cooper, less than Captain Jack Sparrow, less than Johnny Depp on stage with the Hollywood Vampires but more than the average guy next door).
…and set out for the city.
Ryan RocKs
A denim kilt… is that not a skirt? (Just saying Ryan) .. I was on photo duty so I donned my many pocketed combats – can never have too many pockets- flung on my Sons Of Liberty T-shirt, grabbed my camera and jumped in the car.
With two football matches on in town I ended up stuck in tailbacks (not exactly rock n roll) and I didn’t think I was going to make it but, thankfully, I did… albeit a little late haha!
Dunk MacKellar
Both Ryan and myself have a similar remit and goal in that we both love Rock based music and like to play and promote both classic and new artists.
I had heard of them a few years back during my Twitter search for new music in 2016, and and I was really happy when I heard them being tipped as one to watch by a national rock outlet before the release of their 2018 Album – Murder and the Motive (2018 Earache Records Ltd) (it’s one of the few albums I actually pre-ordered and purchased that year) and have been tracking their progress ever since.
I see a lot of live bands throughout the course of a year (that’s one of the lucky perks of being a radio show host, I get to live my hobby) but I was particularly looking forward to this one.
Ryan
The Point of No Return Tour:
There were Two support acts, Tribeless and Florence Black, Before the “Crows” headliner.
Both were obviously decent bands, their levels however were far from perfect. This was compounded further and became more obvious when Those Damn Crows started because their sound levels were close to spot on.
The set-list was nigh on perfect in that it blended older and brand new tracks to create a tapestry of Rock awesomeness.
We even snuck a wee pic of the set-list just for you guys!
As I’ve said… It was photo duty for me so I’ll leave it to Ryan RocKs to tell you all about how the gig went down.
Ryan: Thanks Dunk
Well, I’m not going to comment on every song individually (although I took enough notes that I could) However I will put a spot light on some of the Highlights that come to my mind.
Who Did It? – Brilliant from the start, a very strong opener.
The Band and the front man in particular had ‘Bags of Charisma’
The crowd were singing along to every word.
Behind these Walls
They encouraged an old school Sing along – The sound was really epic,
Next up, a we heard their First Ever Single – Fear – Timing and crowd participation was on point.
It really felt like we were hearing something special.
Vocal Quality – Front Man Shane is Epic.
Then we heard one from the New album,
Set in Stone – It has a real American 90’s Rock vibe in a good way. Picking up on the Grunge sound
Burn It To The Ground!!
(Strong hook) In this song Shane went out into the Crowd and provided a lot of high entertainment/energy.
Sitting next to each other in the set list we’re;
Never Win – The Bands New Single and a welcome Piano Track
And
Blink Of an Eye (purple rain) – Another piano track and one of my favourites from the band. They started off the song with a short rendition of Purple Rain and seamlessly transitioned into Blink of an Eye
I Love how the lead singer brings another dimension with the piano. Really shows of his vocal and musical talent.
Ryan RocKs
Sin On Skin – This song had the Crowd in sync, clapping along with the opening, just willing the band on.
Massive energy throughout this one, Shane was out front of stage on the barrier and most certainly would have been out in the crowd. If not for the wired mic.
Go Get It – had a heavier grittier sound.. really loved it. The driving guitar felt like metal. It felt like the volume was turned up for this song. (That wasn’t necessarily a good thing for the rest of the set.) Felt like some of the levels were thrown off because of it. Most noticeably the bass guitar and back line. Not that anyone else in the crowd noticed or cared.
Then to finish
3 Tracks in Quick Succession:
Don’t Give a Damn – returning to the older album material, all the energy and awesomeness.
Breakaway – even with the wired mic, Shane got as far in the crowd as he could and led an in crowd sing along – (Freddie Style) woooaaahhhhahhhahahaha
Last song of the Set,
RocK N Roll Ain’t Dead – and what a True Story. This song is another favourite of mine from the band and I’m SO glad they finished on it.🤘
Perfect Finisher 🤘
So. To round up.
The band is tight, their timing is great, they have the ability to drive and hit hard and then pull back, bringing plenty of depth of light and shade and I can’t emphasise enough how much of a pleasure it is when the piano is used.
Both of the songs that used it were stand out winners (Blink of an Eye and Never Win).
Not only did it highlight how good a vocalist can be in the middle of a full on Rock fest by changing up the feel and tempo, It also demonstrated the versatility they have and the potential longevity they could have.
The Point Of No Return Tour heavily SOLD OUT and it’s easy to see why.
BAND MEMBERS
Shane Greenhall – Vocals
Ronnie Huxford – Drums
Ian ‘Shiner’ Thomas – Guitar
Lloyd Wood – Bass
David Winchurch – Guitar
If you like rock music (an I suspect you do if you chose to read this review and read this far)
Those Damn Crows are one of the best ‘New Rock’ bands on the scene right now.
If you like classic rock, or the Foo Fighters, Matchbox Twenty, Queens Of the Stoneage, Nickleback, Stone Sour and so on, then you will like this band. There’s a definite Corey Taylor vibe to the vocal. And you’ll love the guitar driven music.
Visit the official website to buy tickets, merch and albums (and ultimately support the band)
Ryan “I fancy myself a purple vinyl”
Dunk ” I’ve played the CD to death… might need a new one!”
The New Album – Point Of No Return was released on the 7th of February 2020
Written by Ryan Rocks and Dunk MacKellar
All Pics Copyright Dunk MacKellar | Keep It Rock
