Interview and Live Gig Review : Francijn Suermondt
Enuff Z’Nuff – Camden Underworld Sep 2nd
Chip Z’nuff: Singer/ Electric bass guitar
Tory Stoffregen: Guitar
Alex Kane: Guitar
Dan Hill: Drums
Enuff Z’Nuff have been part of the musical landscape ever since they very first burst on to the music scene in 1989 in a technicolour, psychedelic, kaleidoscope of rock n roll. With their offering in 2016 ‘Clown’s Lounge’ which was the first without Donnie Vie singing for the band, many wondered how the Enuff Z’ gang would continue…but boy we need not have worried! Chip has taken control of the singing reins and after a super interview with the man himself before the gig at Camden Underworld, I waited in anticipation for the Blue Island song bringers to hit the stage.
The Underworld is a venue which I count within my top five in the world, alongside others such as The Paradiso in Amsterdam and The Whiskey in LA. So, it is no wonder that Chip always likes to play here whenever the band come over to the UK. The Camden Underworld has the feel of the CBGB’s about it, especially backstage with the stickered walls and punk rock vibe, where I was lucky enough to meet Chip for an interview.
A great chat, hampered slightly with the running of a massive fan to keep the room cool that has of course had a knock on effect on the Audio. Check it out below;
After the interview we headed back into the main venue and…. like a collection of over excited teenagers at their first gig, Tory (guitar), Alex (guitar) and Dan (drums) bounded on to the stage with enthusiasm, making way for the entrance of the king of cool himself, Chip.
Treats from the most recent Enuff Z’ album such as ‘Metalheart’ and ‘Diamond Boy’, the main track from the album from the lads last year and also my favourite from that album, were executed to perfection live.
With newer tracks perfectly intertwined with much loved classics such as ‘Kiss the Clown’, the set was pitch perfect for those die-hard fans in the crowd of the Underworld.
Entertaining in their deliverance of this festival of fun, a very impressive Chip stood behind Tory at one point wrapping his arms around him and playing his guitar for him….. groovy! And talking of groovy, ‘In the Groove’, that most raunchy of tracks from the self-titled album of 1989, never fails to deliver as one of the sexiest songs played live of all time in my view!
Favourites such as ‘Baby Loves You’, ‘Fly High Michelle’ and ‘New Thing’ were laid at our feet with superb style and picked up with fervour from the rockers at the Underworld to do with what they wished, which is my case was dancing like a blissful loony!
Although I was disappointed at the lack of ‘For Now’, the band more than made up for this with a superb gem of a cover of ‘The Jean Genie’.
Enuff Z’Nuff are refreshing in their youthful enthusiasm (although they are not in their 20’s), their lack of self-importance (although they are one of the most important rock bands of the last 30 years) and their desire to deliver a great rock n roll show for the fans. I for one will never have enough of Enuff Z’Nuff and cannot wait for them to cross the pond again to entertain us in the only way they know how.
Finally, if you were at the show and noticed the scarf Chip was wearing, one that showcased his entire career, check out the second and final part of the video interview below when he was presented with it.
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