Egypt - Saturday 8 January 2005

Guitarist/singer Eric Chipulina and bassman Alan Fish started the band in 1987 and drummer Peter Correa joined them in 1991, with all three playing in Tony McPhee's Groundhogs in the mid-90s. With this pedigree their style is no surprise - straight-ahead, riff-heavy blues-rock delivered with sledge-hammer force. Subtle? Nope, but undeniably effective. I was particularly impressed with Eric's impassioned yet melodic vocals and accomplished guitar work - blistering speed but mostly keeping that bluesy edge, with dramatic use of wah-wah and controlled feedback. I liked their version of Zeppelin's "Ramble On" and a "Baby Please Don't Go" that owed a lot to Van Morrison's Them. Best of all were Eric's solo numbers after the break, a nice contrast to the relentless thunder of the power trio. If there is a criticism, it's that the backline were occasionally unresponsive to the spacious dynamics created by the guitarist and the odd passage that should have flown remained rooted to the ground. Nevertheless, a fun night!

Dave Kingsbury

www.therunninghorse.ukpub.net