Censored/The Starrlings - Rendez-Vous, Matlock Its a rainy night in Matlock, where all roads are heading to the excellent little venue that is Rendez-Vous. There's an expectant crowd in the house for tonight's pre-festival warm up gig. A solid fan base is in evidence. Its a vibe that exudes positive energy. In the midst of it all is the “Censored Barmy Army”. The travelling support who have been there from the beginning.
Ilkestonia Perry Boys to a man, they grace every gig that Censored play. The spearhead - Sam The Man, Big Jim and Johnny Boy (yes, the one the song's named after) - and the rest can be relied upon to be in the crowd cheering the three onstage on for all they're worth. And they sense the big time is on its way. The night kicks off with pure quality - first up are The Starrlings. They're a five piece from the same Derbyshire town as Censored. They deliver an accomplished mix of rock at its traditional best with a soulful heart and youthful dynamism. In places they offer a reminder of The Faces at their Ronnie Lane-esque finest, in others they have a feel of the classic Spencer Davies mid sixties Hammond fuelled groove.
Tunes of particular note include “Looking Through Me” and “Cool Cats”. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/thestarrlings. They‘re well worth it. And then it's Censored, the trio who seem to be conquering all before them. And the news is that they're stronger than ever. The new tunes from earlier this year - “When You Come Along”, “Seen The Light” and the awesome “Your Eyes Are Made Of Gold” - have been incorporated in their live set with ease. They sit neatly alongside established songs such as “All You Have To Do Is Ask” and “Get It On”. But they are not a band to rest on their laurels. There are more additions to the repertoire. “Play The Game” is an infectious tune about their neighbouring Nottingham. And “Time On My Hands” has that Beatles/Small Faces/Kinks feel that they do so well. In Matlock they are on fire. They have a confidence that tells the world they know they're about to break into something big. Watch them belt out “Johnny Boy”, slow it down for Nathan's acoustic “Something Sweet”, and get the adrenalin pumping again for their Sam Cooke cover “Shake”.
Not forgetting Matt's superb rendition of “English Rose” and older tunes such as “SOS“. Then they start to jam and its pure Humble Pie meets early Led Zeppelin - and the unmistakeable “Whole Lotta Love” - from Matt and Nathan's flamboyance on the frets, to Chris's full on mastery of the rhythm known as pure groove on the skins. You can't wait to see them gracing the nation's TV screens. We may not have to wait too long. When you read this, they'll be in the midst of a nationwide NME college tour. And who knows what will come along after it all. Something for the Barmy Army to cheer, no doubt. They're mad for it. Rob Massey