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Last updated 08/01/2012 18:35:36

               Keep it live                                                                                                                                                                                   

4Kicks/ The Kraakens  “Rock For Haiti” at The Lincoln Imp  - Friday 29th January 2010

We take a lot of things for granted in this country don’t we? Yes, we moan about things such as the weather, the economy, the bus service and rip-off car park charges, but generally, compared with many other countries, the UK ain’t that bad. We have lush green countryside, rolling hills (with the exception of Lincolnshire) and decent living standards. We don’t have a dictatorial government (well not quite anyway) or uncontrollable inflation and food is in good supply. Nor do we have earthquakes!

For as far back as I can remember, the musical community in Scunthorpe has always been very swift to organise an event to raise funds for any major natural disaster and it commendably came up trumps once more with the “Rock For Haiti” event held at The Lincoln Imp recently featuring The Kraakens and 2009 Rock Open winners 4Kicks.

The Kraakens were first up and this was a first viewing for me, which is poor form really considering they’ve been together (apparently) since 1963! The band lined-up as Dave Rowe (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Cliff Chappell (bass), Ritchie Chappell (drums/backing vocals) and the evergreen Steve Bird (guitar/vocals) and their set was made up of 60’s covers which they played with such a raw edginess that it somehow made them sound very modern. Ritchie Chappell’s drumming was solid throughout, a very not-60’s style, but it fitted perfectly and it was good fun to watch too. I’ve only ever known Steve Bird as a DJ (and a fine one at that) so it seemed a little strange at first seeing him do “the live music thing” for real but that soon changed and after the first few numbers Steve Bird the guitar player was awarded his rightful place in my mind’s virtual archive. There were classic tunes a plenty with Messrs Bird & Rowe sharing lead vocals on “You Can’t Do That”, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “You Really Got Me” and a cracking version (lovingly introduced by Steve as his Auntie Doris’s favourite) “Gimme Some Lovin’”. Good set guys.

Next up were 4Kicks, a young band who I’ve narrowly missed seeing twice and one who seem to be doing well of late. They lined up as Christos Spiteri (lead vocals/guitar), Ryan Locker (guitar), Chris Garbutt (guitar), Joel Thompson (bass) with Chris Francis on drums. Playing a shortened set they opened with the excellent “Time of Your Life” featuring a snappy guitar riff (which I remembered from The Rock Open) before slotting neatly into a cover of The Arctic Monkeys’ “Leave Before The Lights Come On”. Christos picked up an acoustic for the slower paced “All I ever Needed” and the band finished off with the upbeat “No Matter How” and the hugely enjoyable “Lez”. I liked the Spiteri vocals which became stronger as the set progressed and I thought tonight's showing was a much better all-round performance than in their recent Rock Open Final success. This was a good show by 4Kicks who have recently made the Live & Unsigned Regional Final at Sheffield City Hall on March 21st and are due to record at Cottage Studios in Leeds shortly. Catch these guys if you can.

I don’t know the final figure but I do know that “Rock For Haiti” raised over £100. A big “Well Done” to everyone who took part and to all those who supported it. Keep it live.


PJF

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