The Roadhouse

THE ROADHOUSE, LONDON - 23rd August 2004 . The Sham were on fire...

I knew as soon as I saw the size of the speakers that I would be blown away! It was a really great venue, and a fantastic gig. The band played the same set as at most of their recent gigs, but there was a new passion and intensity in the sound.
I really wanted to get more into the music on this occasion, and I don't think it was entirely down to the quality of the sound system that I got so much out of it:
The Sham were on fire at the Roadhouse!
 
In Hiding from me, Si's guitar soared high above the melody, interweaving with David's trademark searing vocals. Jake was driving the rhythm with the keyboards, a relentless momentum towards an exhilarating, exhausting climax. Fallen Angel and Upbeat Beat, darker and more sinister in tone, kept up the frenetic pace.
At one point it looked as though Jake was going to push the keyboard through the stage: the boys were clearly having a blast, and the audience loved it!

The beat in Little Blue was slower and steadier; Ed's drums and Jay’s bass underpinning some nifty, almost frivolous guitar and an infectious tune. That led into the lovely ballad, Only a Boy. Piano and acoustic guitar carried the strong melodic theme, and John's vocals harmonised sweetly with David's; this time, however, Si struck a melancholy tone with his guitar that gave the song a bitter, touching edge.

Then it was my favourite number, the wistful Star: David's voice yearning for that which might have been and cannot be, dramatically countered by the urgent rhythm and strident playing, which builds towards a dramatic, discordant culmination that is at once uplifting and disturbing.

All too soon it was the last song, Goodbye Baby: another change of tone, as it's witty, pungent and upbeat, and the tune just sticks in your brain. It will make a great single, but personally, I'm looking forward to the album! What a brilliant night.

Bet