Thursday 5th February 2009
The Ketton Ox, Yarm

The Ketton Ox played host to an Uncovered Tracks CD Launch on 5th February. Featured bands of the night were Gin Soaked Boy and The Purnells, both of whom are featured on the album Uncovered Tracks. We had a wonderful turn out for the event even though The Ketton Ox stopped the live music evenings last year. Tonight appeared to have appealed to Yarm and we attracted a mixed crowd to the party.

Up first Gin Soaked Boy played a 45 minute set made up of their trademark, gritty indie rock tunes. The beauty of Gin Soaked Boy is that every time you see them live they just get better! With a recent change in drummer the guys took to the stage area at The Ketton Ox and blew the audience away with their performance. Dave Kidd, lead vocalist belts out the tunes with a style all of his own, his unique vocals perfectly matched to the style of music, this guy is an all round entertainer and with harmonies provided by kid brother Rob they now have a sound that has matured over the last year. Backed up by Darren on Bass and new Drummer Dean the band appears to have solidified and are producing tunes that are both strong lyrically and outstanding musically.

The Purnells - a band who should be more well known locally than they actually are - took to the stage next. The Purnells are a band to be reckoned with, they deliver a set made up of dark edged, up-beat songs which linger in your mind. Highly entertaining, this band is made up of four suberbly talented musicians and coupled with the distinctive vocals from lead singer Stu, produce a defined sound that is streets ahead of many of their contemporaries. Punchy bass-lines add to the overall band dynamic and a refreshing touch is the use of a Harmonica and acoustic guitar which compliments the electric, solid drumming from Ricky complete this four piece and The Purnells as a band never dissapoint their audience.

Ironically the last time we showcased these two bands together we had to move venues from The Princess Alice to Doc Browns after the cover band scheduled to appear failed to turn up. These two bands played to a packed out pub who had expected to see a band playing the usual tired classic rock covers. Instead they were treated to two of the highest quality, local original bands and from the comments made both during and after the performances were extremely well received.

All in all the UT Party at The Ketton Ox was a huge success and we hope to return there very soon to showcase more of our local talent. A great venue with a great audience and well suited to host live music.

Review by AT for North East Live   

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