Just WOW - The Schizophonics are like nothing I've seen before!
Braving the heavy rain which turned the M3 into a river, I was so glad I took the advice of support band The Glorias to drive down to Southampton to see an incredible peformance from The Schizophonics!
Singer/guitarist Pat Beers and drummer Lety Beers formed the band in San Diego in 2009, and have worked tirelessly since then, playing hundreds of shows around the world. Musically they have created a potent cocktail of their favourite artists; Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, MC5, Little Richard, The Sonics and Iggy Pop & The Stooges. Visually they are like nothing I’ve seen before – Pat not only throws himself around on and off the stage like a whirling dervish, he also plays his guitar from EVERY possible angle!
Inviting local bands to support them on tour is The Schizophonics’ M.O. This evening we were delighted to have The Glorias from nearby Portsmouth opening the show! Following the release of their latest album ‘Songs For The Easily Pleased‘, The Glorias have a busy gigging year ahead.
It was great to hear a real variety in their set tonight, including 2020 single ‘Here Come The Blues‘ and ‘Trail of Tears‘ from their 2017 debut album ‘Life’ll Get Ya‘, alongside favourites from their new album, including one of mine, ‘Down The Star‘, captured on video below:
The Glorias enjoy playing to a crowd as much as we love watching them, and the guys were looking forward to seeing The Schizophonics as much as the rest of us, singing their praises highly having seen their sound check earlier.
Enlisting one of their many friends on bass (apologies I didn’t catch the lady’s name!), the core band of Pat and Lety have written some absolutely fabulous songs, combining their influences to come up with a set which is far more than the sum of its parts.
I must admit that my jaw dropped at their performance tonight – I knew they played great Punky, Funky Rock ‘n’ Roll, but nothing prepares you for the sheer energy of Pat, the reincarnation of Hendrix, jumping and rolling across the stage while playing guitar and simultaneously juggling the mic stand! How he didn’t get throttled by or lose his guitar lead is amazing..
The rhythm section kept it all together perfectly, providing the backdrop for crazy guitar solos and wild lyrics, while also singing backing vocals during the show. ‘Tight’ is an understatement as the band took live music to dizzying new heights!
It’s rare to see an audience all equally enraptured with the songs being played. Those familiar with The Schizophonics’ back catalogue and those entirely new to it were totally engaged – every one of the 17 numbers played had the band giving their utmost. Paying sincere tribute to the late MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, Pat launched into a truly brilliant funked-up version of ‘Looking At You‘, which had the audience grinning wider and dancing wilder.
At the end of the show a clearly exhausted Pat thanked us for coming to see them, thanked The Glorias for the loan of some of their kit, and thanked their driver and support team. Lety dashed to sell merch and speak with fans who queued eagerly to congratulate The Schizophonics on a truly outstanding performance.
The Schizophonics are on tour in the UK during the remainder of this month – see dates below – and I’d advise you to catch them if you possibly can! Thank you to both bands for a night of live music which restored my faith in the scene and lifted my spirits, and the weather which had improved by the time I made my way home!
Main Photo Credit: RUTH RAE
Tuesday 6 February: Brighton – The Albert
Wednesday 7 February: London – Moth Club
Thursday 8 February: Southampton – The Brook
Friday 9 February: Leeds – The Brudenell Social Club
Saturday 10 February: Birmingham – The Night Owl
Sunday 11 February: Edinburgh- Banshee Labyrinth
Tuesday 13 February: Sheffield – Yellow Arch
Wednesday 14 February: Hebden Bridge – Trades Club
Thursday 15 February: Newcastle – The Cluny
Friday 16 February: Stockton – NE Volume Music Bar
Saturday 17 February: Norwich – Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom
Sunday 18 February: Ramsgate – Ramsgate Music Hall
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Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
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