We’re back at the excellent Aces n Eights for tonight’s sold-out gig by Texan troubadour Tommy Hale. Last year’s gig at the same venue was a highlight of my gigging year so the anticipation was high.

Opening tonight’s proceedings are Richard Davies and the Dissidents. I’ve seen Richard numerous times playing with Marc Valentine, but tonight is the first time that I’m seeing the former Tiny Monroe / The Snakes guitarist perform with his own band. The band’s debut ‘Human Traffic’ was released back in 2020 but was impeded by the global pandemic, so it is very welcome that the band are back for a few gigs to promote their recent ‘High Times and Misdemeanours’ album.   Richard Davies & the Dissidents - Mar 25 Between Chris Cannon’s drums and Neil Scully’s keyboards, the five piece more than fill the tiny stage with guitarist Nick Beere needing to stand beside it for the duration of the set. The tiny gap at the front of the stage is left for Richard and former Last Great Dreamers’ bassist, Tim Emery. Richard Davies & the Dissidents - Mar 25 First song, ‘Russian Roulette’ is a tribute to Brian James who left us earlier this month. It’s an excellent version of the Lords of the New Church song – The Damned and the Lords are two of my favourite bands and Brian James was an icon to my teenage self. ‘Suburbia’ from the new album follows and is a pleasant slice of Americana. ‘Soldier of Fortune’ raises the tempo and sonically ploughs the same territory as Marc Valentine’s back catalogue.

Richard Davies & the Dissidents - Mar 25 The hand clap intro ‘21^st Century Man’ more than matches the song’s killer riff and is topped off by a nice guitar solo. Organ led ‘Born to Drown’ gives Neil plenty of room to shine as does the excellent cover of The Bryds ‘Lover of the Bayou’. The alt-country vibe continues with ‘Human Traffic’ before the band perform a very enjoyable version of Alejandro Escovedo’s ‘Heartbreak Smile’. Finishing the night with the toe tapping ‘Way of the Wild’ and its theme of fighting to survive, the band have put together a very enjoyable set. I look forward to seeing them again. Richard Davies & the Dissidents - Mar 25 Tommy Hale is a bit of an anglophile and used Wiltshire based The Snakes (and Richard Davies’ former band) to record both his excellent ‘Magnificent Bastard’ and ‘All at Sea’ albums. The former Swank Deluxe singer is accompanied by The Snakes tonight with guitarists Simon Moor and Nick Beere (more than earning his money tonight), Johnny O’Sullivan on bass and Dan Tilbury on drums. Tommy Hale & The Magnificent Bastards - Mar 25 Opening songs ‘Magnificent Bastard’ and ‘Ringmaster’ have a feel of prime Mott the Hoople. Tommy in his (ridiculously hot) polyester Mexican made suit and Stetson gives the air of a southern TV evangelist eager to separate you from your hard-earned cash. The impassioned pleas no doubt converted a few more punters to his cause. Moving away from the Americana of the first two songs. ‘Now You Know’ reminds me a little of Alice Cooper’s early eighties (and much forgotten) new wave period. Tommy Hale & The Magnificent Bastards - Mar 25 Continuing the new wave vibe, ‘World Won’t Wait’ channels The Knack and is a fun excursion. ‘Beauty in Darkness’ and ‘Homecoming Mum’ slow the pace right down, the latter preceded by an introduction to this Texan tradition.  ‘Sonrisas y Sunshine’ pleasantly shuffles along whilst ‘Last Town Before the Border’ is one of those songs you expect to hear in a smoke-filled truck stop bar way off the beaten track. ‘Silver Clouds’ continues the laid-back feel with Tommy’s passionate vocals taking the lead. Tommy Hale & The Magnificent Bastards - Mar 25 ‘Backburner’ takes us back into rock territory with heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, a throbbing bass line and an ever-pulsating finale. ‘Let’s Start a Fire’ has an altogether sleazier feel to it as it slowly builds up to its chorus. Changing pace altogether is an excellent version of Roxy Music’s ‘Virginia Plain’. ‘Hideaway’, the opening track from ‘All at Sea’ returns to the rock roots and channels elements of Iggy Pop (although not his song of the same name). Tommy Hale & The Magnificent Bastards - Mar 25 ‘Where Were You Yesterday’ has a nice skiffle feel to it before the alt country stomp of ‘Libertine’ brings the set to a close. The band fleetingly shuffle around the stage (there’s really no point leaving it for the box room that is the green room) before breaking into a most welcome version of ‘If I Stay Too Long’.

It’s a fitting end to an evening of outstanding music. Tommy Hale & The Magnificent Bastards - Mar 25