Review
LAST ORDERS REVIEW KINGS HEAD 14/5/11 by Siâni Stonehouse
Where better to start seeing Last Orders than the Kings Head, on Birds Street in Lichfield. After all, this is the lads second home. This was a gig where a high proportion of the audience knew the band personally. To newer faces it`s a fun night out with high quality rock music with an edge.
All band members Hail from the city; where they spent their formative years playing in the three legendary 80`s rock bands:
Early Daze, Virgil Splint and Bashful Alley.
The band are: John Whitehead- lead vocals and lead guitar, Greg Clements – lead guitar and vocals, Pete Whitehead - bass and vocals and Robin Baxter- drums, percussion and vocals.
The band gets the audience suitably warmed up with the popular Kaiser Chiefs “Ruby”
With the band having over 25 years of experience they know how to work a crowd. John, the front man makes clever ad-lib quips in between songs which are often very amusing.
Greg, the quirkily dressed guitarist is the soul of the band. He can confidently tackle a range of iconic guitar solos. His dedication to extensive rehearsal is clear, although he is certainly full of natural talent too.
Pete is a very competent bassist as well as vocalist.
Robin the drummer puts every ounce of energy into each number.
Although the band has been a rocking for some time, they all remain youthful, sustaining their boyish charm.
The band played a variety of covers spanning 4 decades. The band are note perfect with Queen Songs and Show off their skill of more up-to-date bands like Green Day and Kings of Leon.
Last Orders played the crowd pleasing punk-inspired “American idiot” which got the crowd really leaping around. Later on they played a slower heartfelt ballad of Green Day`s “When September Ends”.
The Band easily tackles the Beatles “Get Back” which is lapped up by the audience. At this point, I look around the pub, see some familiar faces, some new, but one thing is for sure everyone is singing or dancing or both.
The band shows their sense of humour by putting in little rock riffs that tease the audience... like AC/DC and then end up making it into a different tune. They are proficient to make whole songs with little segue ways.
Lots of the females got dancing to the Abba and Human league trip back to the 80s pop mid set,
The Guitar rock guitar riffs then started flowing again in the form of Bryan Adams “Run to You” and Queens anthemic “Fat bottomed girls”
Towards the end of the set Last orders performed a fantastically sound version of Ozzy Osbourne`s Crazy Train. To some of the crowd it`s a old favourite; to others it`s a new found gem.
What makes this band stand out is their energy and musical skill. Unlike other cover bands they interact beautifully with the audience. They are exciting to watch!
If this band had been around then I would definitely have had them playing at my wedding reception.
Where better to start seeing Last Orders than the Kings Head, on Birds Street in Lichfield. After all, this is the lads second home. This was a gig where a high proportion of the audience knew the band personally. To newer faces it`s a fun night out with high quality rock music with an edge.
All band members Hail from the city; where they spent their formative years playing in the three legendary 80`s rock bands:
Early Daze, Virgil Splint and Bashful Alley.
The band are: John Whitehead- lead vocals and lead guitar, Greg Clements – lead guitar and vocals, Pete Whitehead - bass and vocals and Robin Baxter- drums, percussion and vocals.
The band gets the audience suitably warmed up with the popular Kaiser Chiefs “Ruby”
With the band having over 25 years of experience they know how to work a crowd. John, the front man makes clever ad-lib quips in between songs which are often very amusing.
Greg, the quirkily dressed guitarist is the soul of the band. He can confidently tackle a range of iconic guitar solos. His dedication to extensive rehearsal is clear, although he is certainly full of natural talent too.
Pete is a very competent bassist as well as vocalist.
Robin the drummer puts every ounce of energy into each number.
Although the band has been a rocking for some time, they all remain youthful, sustaining their boyish charm.
The band played a variety of covers spanning 4 decades. The band are note perfect with Queen Songs and Show off their skill of more up-to-date bands like Green Day and Kings of Leon.
Last Orders played the crowd pleasing punk-inspired “American idiot” which got the crowd really leaping around. Later on they played a slower heartfelt ballad of Green Day`s “When September Ends”.
The Band easily tackles the Beatles “Get Back” which is lapped up by the audience. At this point, I look around the pub, see some familiar faces, some new, but one thing is for sure everyone is singing or dancing or both.
The band shows their sense of humour by putting in little rock riffs that tease the audience... like AC/DC and then end up making it into a different tune. They are proficient to make whole songs with little segue ways.
Lots of the females got dancing to the Abba and Human league trip back to the 80s pop mid set,
The Guitar rock guitar riffs then started flowing again in the form of Bryan Adams “Run to You” and Queens anthemic “Fat bottomed girls”
Towards the end of the set Last orders performed a fantastically sound version of Ozzy Osbourne`s Crazy Train. To some of the crowd it`s a old favourite; to others it`s a new found gem.
What makes this band stand out is their energy and musical skill. Unlike other cover bands they interact beautifully with the audience. They are exciting to watch!
If this band had been around then I would definitely have had them playing at my wedding reception.
