Features

I must admit just the thought of bagpipes normally sees me diving for cover. The Wings chart-topper "Mull Of Kintyre" certainly didn't help in that respect. But in the hands of Stripey "Mac" Doog the bagpipes have certainly given the band their own identity and thankfully don't dominate proceedings. Red Flag 77's John "Fanny" Adams leads from the front with his trademark spikey guitar sound and it all hangs together very nicely in the hands of five musicians who're clearly enjoying themselves. Take it from me it's not easy to reproduce the excitement of a live gig onto CD but Whisky Chaser have more than managed it. It's also a nice touch by the band to include the voice of Steamboat landlady Val Bint calling time at the end of the final number. Val's been a staunch supporter of the Suffolk music scene for many, many years giving several bands, especially the younger ones, their first opportunity to play in public. Through thick and thin she's kept the faith. The Whisky Chaser CD comes highly recommended and so too does their website www.whiskychaser.net

The Open at The Drum & Monkey

The Drum & Monkey

I'm delighted to see the Drum & Monkey pub in Ipswich town centre back in business. Like the Steamboat it's helped keep Ipswich on the music map and last month I caught Liverpool group The Open there. Fronted by Steven Bayley, The Open are making some of the best music to come out of Merseyside since the heady days of the early eighties. Despite two excellent albums and some great press over the past three years or so the lads from Liverpool failed to pack the place out. They shouldn't be downhearted though. Ten years ago The Stereophonics played in front of a sparse crowd at The Drum and look what happened to them. The Open's St. Patrick's Day appearance in Ipswich saw them in fine form. Guest trumpeter Raymond Butcher's wonderful cameos on the first and final numbers were something to behold. The trumpet isn't widely used on its own in rock and pop which on this evidence is a crying shame. Perhaps more groups will cotton on. Just like The Stereophonics a decade ago The Open's set was a little on the short side. Also there weren't enough songs from the vastly under-rated debut album "The Silent Hours" but what we did hear was excellent and I firmly believe The Open have got what it takes to enjoy the same sort of profile as Snow Patrol. I wish all those involved with The Drum much success over the next couple of years. After that the place is earmarked for demolition so let's make the most of this great venue.