Written By: NICK ASHTON
Photos By: NICK ASHTON
Nashville-based James Bruner starts the evening with a burst of energy, kicking off a well-received set with classy rocker Switchblade and the riffy Endless which makes an instant connection with the crowd. His band pack a punch too: guitarist Zach Mears impresses throwing out some tasty licks and shredding with the best, while bassist TJ Fink and drummer Sam Jenkins lend a sassy swing to the bottom end. The end result is that current single Eye in the Sky whizzes past in a blur and before you know it you are well and truly hooked. The pace changes for Wait For You which is slower and more introspective, showcasing James’ singer-songwriter credentials. This is the big emotive number with passionate vocals and an equally imploring guitar solo to match. Alibi, his biggest song to date, slowly builds the tension beginning with a stuttering riff that works towards a catchy chorus with a woah woah hook designed to get the crowd singing along. After a couple of new, as yet unreleased, songs in a similar classic pop-rock style, the set draws to a close with Better Days. Featuring some haunting slide guitar from Zach, this has a Southern gothic feel which evokes the steamy swamps of Louisiana and showcases another side to James’ songwriting. Having already toured with some big names in the States, I predict that you will be hearing more from James Bruner over the next 12 months or so.
As we approach 9pm, the tension in the packed main room at the Corporation becomes palpable. There is no space to move and people are hemmed in, ready and waiting for the stars of the show to burst onto the stage. The intro tape plays and the distinctive caws of a murder of crows echoes out across the room as one by one the band hit the stage and they launch into Let’s Go Psycho! Shane bounds across the stage, jumping on the step risers, Lloyd is a mass of blonde hair, Shiner and Dave grind out the riff while Ronnie pounds away at the back, a broad grin on his face. The Crows have landed! Man on Fire, Find a Way and Kingdom of Dust flash past in a blur; the energy in the room rising as the crowd enthusiastically sing back the words.
A key to the Crows’ success is the connection between Shane and the audience; he jumps into the photo pit and reaches out across the barrier at every opportunity, exchanging banter one minute and encouraging people to sing along the next. At one point he apologises to someone on the front row after he accidentally spits out the sweet that he was sucking during Go Get It. He is also genuinely grateful to hear from off stage that they have sold out the room, adding Sheffield to the list of capacity gigs on this tour. The rest of the band are equally up for it: Lloyd competes with Shane for time on the step risers at the front of the stage while Ronnie is a machine behind his huge double bass kit. Shiner and Dave stick to their spots on stage left and right, respectively, for most of the show focusing on churning out the riffs that drive the songs forward.
Tonight, as you would expect, we get to hear the singles from the forthcoming album live for the first time in most instances. No Surrender‘s melodic verses build towards a huge chorus and a dirty riff that breaks like a wave crashing over your head. Glass Heart sees Shane adding extra rhythm guitar on this light and airy tune that bounces along before segueing into the uplifting positivity of Dreaming. Then it’s back to the familiar rocky territory of Who Did It, Sin on Skin and a frenetic Go Get It which whips up a storm and has the crowd bouncing along to that huge riff. Once again Shane has the room in the palm of his hand and it’s clear from the look on everyone’s faces that they are having the time of their lives. But all too soon the end of the set approaches in the form of the introspective This Time I’m Ready, which gives everybody a chance to draw breath before attempting to sing along to See You Again and the inevitable closer Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Dead!
On the basis of tonight’s show and the long build up to release day, God Shaped Hole is going to be yet another chart-topping success for Those Damn Crows. The songs that have been released to date showcase the more melodic and reflective side of the Crows, so hopefully there will be some big riffing tunes too to provide a counterbalance once the album finally sees the light of day. Fortunately, we don’t have much longer to wait to find out.
Band Members
Shane Greenhall – Vocals
Ian ‘Shiner’ Thomas – Guitar
Dave Winchurch – Guitar
Lloyd Wood – Bass
Ronnie Huxford – Drums