Its fairly criminal that The Manning bar is probably only about half-full when Nunchukka Superfly saunter onstage, but they don’t give a hoot as they crank into their first offering, a rolling lumbering beast called ‘Soul Song’.
The next tune starts with a teeth rattling Bass riff, which continues to rattle your fillings throughout. As we continue, theres a tune with a catchy ‘Na Na Na’ chorus, demonstrating that the boys have the length & breadth of this rock ‘n roll thing pretty much covered. As Ray & Blackie have been playing together for the best part of 40 years at this point, they have a connection that’s pretty much impossible to mimic. As a result the songs seem like they can stretch out or fly off on tangents on a whim with barely a 2nd thought.
Lastly, we get a newer tune with a jaunty groove called ‘What’s your week like’ before a trippy outro Jam. Catching Nunchukka Superfly is seeing the product of thousands of hours of Jamming & Playing, combined with a hearty dollop of ‘not giving a s#!t’ , the result is always gratifying !
I only had an inkling of what The Neptune Power Federation were going to bring, and Im pretty glad I went into this one cold, as the surprise factor only elevated the show! The band, looking like your run of the mill Hard-rock band, launch into a big doomy intro and all’s looking as per programme… when over my shoulder, coming in from the venue entrance, is what I can only describe as a cross between a ghost from the Marie Celeste, and The Santa Muerte from Mexican folklore…long gown & gloves, a hat decorated with fairy lights & coral on top, with a deathly white complexion, and eyes that peer through your soul! She descends into the crowd holding a glowing ball, blessing punters as she goes before she appears on stage
What follows is pretty a spectacular pastiche of 70’s & 80’s classic rock & metal. Think Zeppelin, Sabbath, Rainbow, Dio et al. The songs are all impressive, dynamic & catchy as all get-out, The guitarists have all the vitality of the classic twin guitar bands, and a dynamic rhythm section underpinning it all… with the dramatic presence of ‘Screaming Loz Sutch’ up front. I look about and the Manning is pretty much full by now, and the balcony outside, is empty… clearly the bizarre cabaret onstage, has everyone’s attention.
A Grandiose ‘Way of the Wizard’, the thrashy ‘Neath a Shin Ei Sun’, ‘We shall triumph’ and ‘Rat Queen’ are stand outs,. To finish, we get a tarted up version of ‘I put a spell on you’, which ends to a crowd going nuts. These guys will be playing stages this size under their own steam before too long.
After the flamboyant theatrics just on display, Earthless are a far more cerebral proposition. Indeed, judging by the wafting smell of various herbal remedies being partaken beforehand, some of the punters were looking forward to some serious contemplation during this show.
Tonight we get ‘Night Parade of One Hundred Demons’ in full (all 3 songs… suites if you will). The album is based on a book of Japanese ghost stories, and the mood of the music perfectly paints that supernatural picture.
From the initial Wah drenched intro, the stage & room are bathed in a psychedelic lightshow. This is a truly unique band in front of their own crowd, so they have free reign to go where they please, and the packed room are mesmerized.
Guitarist Isiah Mitchell (last seen playing for the Black Crowes on their recent tour), has a supremely delicate touch, able to change the mood in an instant with some whammy bar or effects adjustments, as the music goes through its heights & valleys, the big drums also prove a particularly Japanese feel.
It’s a rare treat to experience a set piece like this… hearing an album played in full is more of a journey than a destination, Earthless seem to be taking cues from classical & jazz pieces more than traditional rock music.
If you want your horizons broadened, and wish to be taken on a musical tour of the supernatural, then this show is a ‘do not miss’
Photos by Adam Sivewright | Review by Biggs
Earthless
he Neptune Power Federation, Nunchukka Superfly
