This is my first visit to the New Zanzibar Club, it feels odd not to see Tony Butler on the door and even odder to walk into a completely different place. Gone are the seats and booth areas and in its place is a big rectangle of a brick lined and metal roofed box. The stage is in the same place but looks smaller, the bar still runs down the same side but is a lot straighter, simpler affair. One point of note is the photo of Tony given pride of place behind the bar.
We are there to see two bands in a free Sunday night gig. It's not a large attendance considering it's free which is a bit sad as both set of musicians are about to give it their all to entertain those that have made it down on this cold, wet, windy Sunday.
First up are then exotically named Dan Bobby and the Aesthetic Knobs. They live up to their name in that they are a fun outfit. There’s much on stage banter, a bass player that propels himself around the stage and club and seems to relish in trying to kiss his band members. Their Green Day meets retro rock stylings are played with verve but early on they show signs of having technical problems. The sound we get out front is somewhat muffled and mushy and it seems to be an acoustics or PA issue. The sound engineer appears to be trying everything to sort it but as both bands have a similar issue we’re not sure if its not the house PA itself that’s at issue. Bibby and his cohort carry on giving it all at full tilt. The songs are fast, well played and catchy and its a good feeling they engender.
The Ruby Tears, the online collaboration and brainchild of Mancunian musician John Goodfellow and Liverpool guitarist and songwriter Jeff Skellon given band form over a few recent gigs. They have a post punk feel to them, there’s hints of Wire and Gang of Four there and a high sense of melody. These are good songs and shine through the slightly muffled sound, and they skill of the musicians is obvious. There’s some banter and the band are at home on stage and show signs off enjoying themselves as do the audience (which has grown in size a bit by the time they hit the stage) and this vibe is passed on to those watching. Somewhat good to just let a band you’ve not heard before wash over you and just plain start enjoying it.
Words Richie Yates, Photos Richie Yates and Adrian Wharton.
Links:
The Ruby Tears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therubytears
Bandcamp: https://therubytears.bandcamp.com
Dan Bobby and the Aesthetic Knobs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanBibbyMusic
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