I only came across Me (Lewis Templeman – guitar,) John (Kinsella – Vocals/bass) & the drummer (Joao Soares Neto) 2 nights ago as I stood in Islington’s Fallen Angel bar with a drink in one hand and a notepad in the other, taking notes for a review, but saying that, I’m glad I did. Hard, funky blues in the styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan/Double Trouble and Jimi Hendrix they really know what they’re doing.
The demo holds four tracks of the aforementioned funky blues with crunching guitar riffs and smooth vocals held together with the rhythmic playing of lounge-y drums and soft basslines.
The demo starts with ‘Comes the Spring,’ a song that speaks of previous seasons and (I think) of how the warmer seasons help to make us feel uplifted or mentally strong with lyrics of “I walk up the beaten track/You cannot beat me down/You cannot hold me back.” Although slow and calm, it’s a rather positive sounding song (both lyrically and musically,) helping the listener to feel cheerful with high vocals, slow guitar riffs/licks and soft drumming.
You don’t get more Southern or randy than a rodeo and the sounds of (or similar to) SRV. ‘Rodeo’ is one of those songs you just know is inspired by the above and everything related to the Deep South. Despite usually having their own sound every decent band manages to write a song that could be mistaken for another (band) and this would probably be no different were it played on the radio without announcement.
With its lively guitars, singing about pretty girls, leaving the (randy) rodeo “with a smile” and being looked over when heading for the ride this is one of those “getting pumped up” songs; stick it on as you prepare to leave the house and things will be done much faster.
Ego taken a beaten recently or feeling a bit low? ‘King of this Town’ should help. Easily my favourite track on the demo (followed closely by ‘Rodeo’,) this is a good walking song. Although untested, I have a good feeling it’ll be a good song to stick on as you take a stroll along the Thames at night.
Unlike the previous two tracks this is much slower and calmer (hence the position of ‘walking track’) it tells a story of emotional letdowns before looking deep into [your] eyes, bearing emotions and realising I’m/you’re the king of this town. As I mentioned in my review of the recent gig, every blues band needs a ballad, and this is MJATB’s ballad.
Living Free is another walking song. It’s also another ballad which I can only figure is about someone living without the confinements that life throws at us. Lyrically it seems to talk of the loss of a friend and how they now live without the aforementioned confinements hence living/being free of such things. Calm and relaxing it’s a slow piece similar to that of ‘Comes the Spring’ as well as some of Hendrix’s slower stuff. The type of song that causes you to lean back in your chair and stare at the ceiling after spending hours in front of a computer screen.
When I discover a new band which I really like I usually find myself listening to them on repeat which is something I’ve been doing with this little demo. It’s a selection of lively, calm and head-clearing songs which any blues fan will like. What’s even better is that is you weren’t at the July 27th gig you can still listen to it on the band’s Facebook page (linked below.)
Having now seen Me, John and the Drummer live as well as heard their demo I can confirm that this is a band I’ll be keeping my eyes on for future gigs and releases and you should too.
Pete Kent Official 