Rebel Truce rock the Guildhall!
Guildhall, Gloucester. - Friday 5th October 2007
Tonight I was meant to be reviewing two bands at The Guildhall, "Rebel Truce" and "The Sex Pistols Experience". What I didn't count on was my sister can't read route map instructions and that quite a bit of the city centre is pedestrianised or one way systems and I left Bristol in plenty of time! So apologies to "Rebel Truce" I did miss the first couple of songs from your set but that doesn't deter what I saw that night.
"Rebel Truce" formed in 1997 and their aim is to recreate the experience of The Clash live on stage. Sadly I don't have photographic proof of this because the Guildhall floor absorbs music vibration and bounces right through you. Photos I did take came out blurry, so I abandoned the idea of any pictures. The ones you see with this review are kindly supplied by Jerry and Rebel Truce.
From the floor you have a great view of the band. Jerry as Joe Strummer, Lee in the trilby hat as Mick Jones, Wayne as Paul Siminon and Rick as drummer Topper Headon. The light show that accompanies the band only enhances the performance further. The show is fast and furious and as for the music, you feel that through the vibration of the floor as well as hearing it. The audience are absorbing every single minute and "Rebel Truce" have them eating out of their hand. They interact with the audience with great ease and the crowd are very responsive with what they like and want to hear.
From when I arrive "Janie Jones" is being performed, followed by "What's My Name" and "Bored With The USA". This band really is a tribute to "The Clash". The sound is crisp and clear. They have the look - although not look-a-likes - and sound close to the original. My sister Jo was very surprised saying "he really sounds like Joe Strummer, close your eyes and listen". There is also a certain swagger in movement and great energy coming from the stage mixed with the sounds of rock 'n' roll, reggae, soul, punk, along with political and real life statements in the songs of an angry and rebellious era that still hangs around in a different disguise.
"Rebel Truce" get an extra point for performing "Rock The Casbah" a real foot stomper but they didn't play "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" much to Jo's disappointment. It lost out on the audience vote to the song "Somebody Got Murdered". They also did a superb performance of "Tommy Gun" with the drummer emulating the sound of a Tommy gun with the drums.
Other songs such as "I Fought The Law", "English Civil War" and "White Riot" were performed with great gusto and the crowd had no intention of letting "Rebel Truce" leave the stage that easily. They did an encore of "Complete Control" and "White City Rockers" before vacating the stage to make way for "The Sex Pistols Experience". This double bill certainly gives value for money for a great night out.
As for "Rebel Truce", what can I say. Putting the tribute band bit aside without all the Clash stuff, as a band on it's own they are great musicians. They made it all their own as if it was their own material they were performing and for a tribute to do that it is difficult. Everybody in that band belongs and anyone can see why "Rebel Truce" are true quality because they have recreated 'The Clash' experience live on stage and if you don't believe me then check them out for yourselves.
Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill
Copyright: Kacey-O'Neill (c) 2007. All written work and photos not to be used without my permission.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment