DAN BAIRD AND HOMEMADE SIN/ THE QUIREBOYS /DIAMOND DOGS
Borderline, London 26 May 2008
Even playing larger venues in their heyday in the late 80's and early
90's, both the Quireboys and Georgia Satellites managed to create a
bar-room vibe with their good time rock n roll, and a double header of the
Quireboys and ex-Satellites singer Dan Baird and his Homemade Sin band in
the intimate surroundings of the Borderline was therefore unmissable.
To cap it all, excellent support was provided by Swedish band Diamond
Dogs, who with a saxophonist and charismatic frontman came over as a
mix of the Rolling Stones and Hanoi Rocks. Moreover, the way all three
bands stumbled on stage during the other bands' sets added to the loose
atmosphere.
Both headliners played an hour and ten minutes, with the Quireboys
going on first having closed the show the night before. Despite
innumerable line-up changes over the years, they are still led by the
laddish charm, trademark bandana and husky voice of Spike, and instantly
got the crowd going with their best-known hit 7 O'clock.
With the exception of Tramps and Thieves from their overlooked
second album, their set focused around the familiar classics from their debut A
little Bit of What You Fancy and their new Homewreckers and Heartbreakers
release.
Many of the new songs were surprisingly impressive and seemed
the freshest things they had done in a while, including I love This Dirty Town,
Late night Saturday Call and especially the laid-back but catchy Mona Lisa
Smiled, with an air of early 70's Rod Stewart to it.
The set built to a crescendo with There She Goes Again with Diamond Dogs'
saxophonist guesting, Hey You (their biggest chart hit yet one I'd almost
forgotten) with Guy Griffin shining on slide guitar despite his worrying
likeness to Russell Brand, and I don't Love You Anymore which got the full power
chorded big ballad treatment.
As usual, Sex Party closed their set, but with a difference, as
sundry other band members hit the stage and Paul Guerin and Dan Baird's
guitarist Warner Hodges went on a guitar jam worthy of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the
Outlaws.
Truth be told, I had been more looking forward to seeing Dan Baird, who
got off to a flying start with solo songs Julie and Lucky and I Love you Period.
Hodges, the ex Jason and the Scorchers guitarist, gave his band a fiercer edge
than normal and fellow ex Satellite Mauro Magellan was superb on drums.
However, other than a rattling Railroad Steel old Satellites
songs were thinner on the ground than on previous tours, while a number of the
new numbers outstayed their welcome in the manner of some of Neil Young's
lengthy rocking out epics. However Finish What you Started returned the familiar
Dan Baird groove, and closing with the irresistible pair of Keep Your Hands to
Yourself and Battleship Chains with a now very husky Spike duetting sent
everyone home happy.
All in all a night that embodied the spirit of rock'n'roll at its best, with the
Quireboys taking the honours on points.
Review by Andy Nathan
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