Saturday 20th December 2008
I’m a huge Alex Harvey fan. So much so that I’m in a tribute band (www.nsahb.com).
Back in the 90s I missed the chance to see The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Of course without Alex Harvey as he died back in 1982. They played the Venue in Edinburgh back then. I got a bit too wasted and wound up missing the gig. The stupidity of youth!
But anyway… my second chance came along last December. Conveniently they were playing a show in The Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh and it coincided with roughly the time I was going back to Scotland for Christmas. So, armed with tickets we turned up at the Liquid Rooms and were totally shocked to discover it had burned down the night before. Was I destined never to see these guys live. Fortunately and apparently by the skin of their teeth they had managed to escape unharmed and even book another venue. Directed by a kindly Edinburgh poliswoman, we found our way to Studio 24 where the gig was.
I can’t remember who the support were, but I think they were OK. I should look it up, but heck what a job… playing support to SAHB and with a totally partisan crowd who were by and large Harvey fanatics. Think a room mainly full of 45 to 60 something men complete with stripey t-shirts. It’s not often I get to feel a bit young these days, but, being a post-humous Harvey fan this was one such occasion! It was basically a big party for SAHB fans.
The band took the stage and they played all the old numbers. I must confess to feeling a bit sceptical about Mad Max the new singer, but he really does the job admirably. He’s not much of a singer to be honest but his madcap personality and balls make up for it. I’m sure Alex would have approved. Julian Saxby filled Zal’s shoes pretty well. Who quit in typical Zal Diva style. Actually I liked the softer edge to the guitars (Zal gets pretty heavy metal these days) which took the music much more towards the way the original numbers were. It was a good night, and the guys really still have it when it comes to belting out the numbers.
I managed to rattle off some videos, with not the best picture but decent sound (I had my Yamaha Pocktrax with me 🙂 ). I hope you like them.
Next:
Delilah:
Vambo: (hang on for the power cut – somehow it made for a great moment)