Words and Pictures: Adrian Hextall / MindHex Media
A triple bill of immensely and markedly different music greeted us at the Assembly in Camden. Home to the former, blood, sweat and tears venue, the Barfly, someone had the sense to revamp the sound, the lighting and the stage layout and when the renamed venue reopened, the changes were everything for the better. Gigs from years ago would have been immersed in darkness, if you were lucky, someone would occasionally swap the green light bulb for a red one just to mix things up and the sound, was crackly as hell. Fast forward to to 2024, the Assembly has great beer on tap, even more in bottles in the fridge, has a great pre-gig atmosphere downstairs in the pub and remains a true grass roots venue that showcases up and coming new music that the London scene needs to sit up and pay attention to.
First up…
The Ed Bennett Band
With Marquee Records putting Ed’s music out this year, the future looks bright for the British native, born on an army base in Germany. With, according to his bio on the label’s page, the family constantly moving between the UK and Europe it’s no surprise that Ed was never able to really set-down roots leaving him quite the free-spirit and as a result, that’s been channeled into his music.
His set was an excellent blend of indie rock with some truly soulful moments, thanks in no small part to the addition of some wicked sax playing in the band as well.
Check out latest single ‘Small Stuff’ below:
Mad Morning
Our second act of the night were making their debut live appearance. Rising from the ashes of Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons, Mad Morning are a four piece with, for me at least, a very familiar musician behind the biscuit tins. Paul White, the man with the FINEST hand crafted beard in music, is also the drummer with Bootyard Bandits. Whilst I don’t know Rob’s former outfit, I’m a huge BB fan so it was with great interest that we got to see Mad Morning’s debut live performance.
Nowadays, ‘debut’ is often taken with a pinch of salt because so many talented musicians chop and change who they work and perform with and Mad Morning is no exception. This wasn’t a group of teens gingerly taking to the stage for the very first time, this was a four-piece of talented performers who clearly have a connection with each other and it shows. The music was entertaining, uplifting and happily slapped the crowd in the face with a short but punchy set list.
Opening with ‘The Circle’, ‘Wet Sugar’ followed with ‘Near the Sun’, ‘Midnight Rider’ and ‘Four Walls’ following before ’11’ closed out the show. One to watch out for.
The Heat Inc.
With the band’s second album currently in production, the future looks bright for the band with roots in Italy, France, Germany and the UK. It’s that international flavour, with musical tastes that cut across Bowie, Sabbath, Iggy & The Stooges, The Doors and more that makes this band of the THE most exciting artists playing at the moment. With festival dates including Planet Rockstock and Call of the Wild coming up, it looks like 2024 could well be the band’s year.
If you know their music, you’ll know that it keeps you on your toes, especially when played on shuffle as you never quite know what the focus is going to be, the style that’s going to drift from the speakers and subtly burrow into your brain for the rest of the day. What we do know is that the man with one of the finest voices in music stands front and centre and channels vibe and energy of his bandmates perfectly. Check out their music for proof – if it’s needed.
The set contained a mix of old and new material with the newer tracks suggesting that the as yet unnamed follow up to ‘Asleep In The Ejector Seat’ should be petty special. Personal favourite, ‘Draw Blood For Proof’, a track that I truly hope never leaves their setlist was also backed up with ’98’, ‘Ultraviolence’ and more. ‘Little Knuckle Charlie’ showcased the punk rock elements that underpin the songs, giving the band their edge and making sure they stand out from the crowd.
Drawing the crowd close to the stage, Dodd, as always, made the the people present feel like they were as much part of the show as the band and it’s that approach that leaves a lasting memory in the mind. It’s also something creates something of a rod for their backs as well because The Heat Inc. now have to deliver this at each and every show going forward. No pressure lads but your subjects expect!
If the band are new to you, head to Call of the Wild on May 24th. Details can be found on the band’s page and that of the festival:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHeatInc/
https://callofthewildfestival.com/
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