The Sonics + Electric River @ The Institute, 28th July 2015

The Sonics

The responsibility of opening proceedings falls to the trio known as Electric River. Always a tough undertaking, particularly in this instance, when the many in attendance tonight will indeed have heard and seen most of it before, and will likely spot any attempt to masquerade as purveyors of authentic rock. This is an audience weaned on The Sonics, after all.

Electric River certainly look the part as they emerge on stage swathed in the go-to fabrics of choice for any rock band – leather and denim have the monopoly here – . The group offer up a sampling of songs taken from their 2014 album ‘The Faith & Patience’, all of which are delivered with an unquestionable sincerity. The lead singer and bassist is known as Sponge and has a voice reminiscent of Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon. I wonder if Sponge would welcome such a comparison, or whether the Fallon comparison is fast becoming the bane of his existence. “They” do say that we all have a look-a-like wondering amongst the 7 billion or so individuals that make up planet earth. It is not too difficult to imagine then, that we all might very well have a sound-a-like out there too. It must be very difficult for a musician to discover that they have a sound-a-like, added to that, the fact that said sound-a-like has already committed their sound to airwaves and cultural conscious of the world. Nevertheless, Electric River do a sterling job of readying the impressive turn out for the arrival of the legendary inspiration to many of your favourite garage and punk outfits, The Sonics.

It is remarkable to think that in the year 2015, Birmingham finds itself privy to The Sonics in a live setting, with sufficient original members to make the endeavour credible, and with an album of new material to promote – their first in almost 50 years -. The group emerge front and centre and are warmly received by the enthused crowd. Led by founder member on guitar, Larry Parypa is joined by Rob Lind and Gerry Roslie, both firmly associated with the most famous incarnation of the group. Dusty Watson fills in on the drums, whilst bass and occasional lead vocal duties fall to Freddie Dennis – also a member of The Kingsmen -.

All members strictly adhere to the dress code: a black country and western style shirt. It would seem that there is some room for movement as to the level of decoration that adorns each members shirt. Saxophonist Rob Lind wins hands down the competition for most ornate shirt.

The instantly recognisable ‘Cinderella’ is the chosen opener, affording Freddie Dennis the opportunity to justify his recruitment into The Sonics fold. The ferocious vocal performance from Dennis is matched by the legendary Gerry Roslie on ‘Shot Down’. The enormous presence of Rob Lind looms large as he shares the centre stage with Parypa, the former taking on the role of frontman duties for the between song banter, most of which will be dominated by plugging the new album or offering thanks to those in attendance for supporting the group in their recent resurgence.

Justifiably so, the setlist for tonight will look to heavily reference the new album. ‘Sugaree’, ‘Be A Woman’ and ‘Bad Betty’ sit timelessly between the more familiar favourites such as ‘Have Love Will Travel’, ‘Louie, Louie’ and ‘Psycho’. The group are tight in all the right places, but still maintain an air of imperfection which paradoxically, can only be achieved if you’re that good. The encore will see the band return to the stage with s mix of old and new material. ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’ is followed by ‘Strychnine’ and it is left to ‘The Witch’ to bring the night to a close. A privilege for all those in attendance and a two finger salute to those that would try to put an age limit on the right to rock.

 

Review: Chris Curtis

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