The King’s Head Hotel Louth

It’s almost a year since Point Blank were last here and they brought with them the coldest snap of the year plus a good covering of snow and a new bass player. The usual format of a couple of sets with the first set of ten covers which I completely missed and finished, I was told by several people, with the best Neil Young’s “Rocking In The Free World” that they had ever heard…high praise indeed. Also there was a track called “Gravity” and I have absolutely no idea which version they played, if you know please post here.

The second set included a great track and was superbly played, from their 1969 album Willy and the Poor Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son”, excellent stuff, insofar as I am concerned they could play this all night long! Hopefully we’ll see this band back again later in the year.

First Set

1. Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
2. Cigarettes & Alcohol - Oasis
3. Time Of Your Life - Greenday
4. She’s So Lovely - Scouting For Girls
5. 20th Century Boy - T. Rex
6. What A Life - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
7. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
8. Gravity - Embrace
9. Laid - James
10. Rocking In The Free World - Neil Young

Second Set

1. Molly’s Chambers - Kings Of Leon
2. Rock N Roll - Led Zeppelin
3. Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson
4. Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns N’ Roses
5. Valerie - Amy Winehouse
6. Rocks Off - The Rolling Stones
7. Mr Brightside - The Killers
8. Highway To Hell - AC/DC
9. Times Like These - Foo Fighters
10. Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
11. Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner
12. Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
13. Dakota - Stereophonics

On the weekend when many Kings’ regulars were at the Rock and Blues weekend at Butlins, Skegness classic rock covers’ band Hooch debuted at The Kings. They came highly recommended and some of us had even heard a demo cd, could they really deliver what they seem to promise? The simple answer is, yes, with several first-timers and just look with what they finished the first set and started the second:

First Set

1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash - Rolling Stones

2. Tush - ZZ Top

3. Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream

5. Let’s Work (Stick) Together - Wilbert Harrison & Canned Heat

6. Wishing Well - Free

7. Down To The Doctors - Dr. Feelgood

8. Black Magic Woman - Santana

9. Come Together - Beatles

10. Moby Dick - Led Zeppelin

11. Bring It On Home - Witten by Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson & Led Zeppelin

12. Stone Fox Chase - Area Code 615 (Old Grey Whistle Test Theme)

Second Set

1. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones

2. Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh

3. Just Got Paid - ZZ Top

4. The Hunter - Free

5. Superstition - Stevie Wonder

6. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

7. Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters

8. Walkin’ By Myself - Jimmy Rogers

9. Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones

10. Highway To Hell - AC/DC

11. Alright Now - Free

12. Oh Well - Fleetwood Mac

13. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin

14. Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf

15. Roadhouse Blues - The Doors

17. Wild Thing - Troggs

18. A real tease with the opening riff from Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix

You’ve got to admit that’s one heck of a play list, add The Stones’ “Midnight Rambler” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” and you have a couple of superb driving cds. Many thanks to Hooch with great vocals, drums, guitars and harmonica, for all of you who missed them they should be back on Friday 16th March.

I was not present however I have several reliable reports that once again D.O.G.’s sound engineering simply did not do them justice…again. The last couple of times they have played their sound was below par and for a such an experienced band surely it is not beyond their means to get it right?

I’d be interested in reading others’ views who were not up close and personal, thanks.

ADDENDUM SUNDAY NIGHT

I’m told the vocals and guitars were fine however the drums were non-existent even up to the first column/post/near the back door!

Any more views other than let BB at ‘em?

The coldest night of the winter so far and a very, very packed and steamy Kings with several different party groups out for the night as welll as Kloutish (Kloutensian?) supporters meant that the bar staff were in for an extremely busy time.

Most people are aware of the wide range of songs Klout perform except for one,  this time they introduced a new tune towards the end of the second set and I haven’t a clue what it was therefore if anyone knows, obviously the band do but I forgot to ask, then let us know.

Last time they performed I was very critical of their sound quality which was fine in the mosh however from halfway down the bar both vocals and guitars were lost although the drums were fine. Once again the drums were fine, the guitars were mostly audible however still not enough and especially on some of the fine riffs they play they were just not loud enough. They must have turned-up their volume towards the end since the guitars on the last few numbers were much, much better.

Congratulations to Kev for getting through the night even though his voice was very strained on some numbers however he has been suffering from one of the blessed sore throats for a couple of months which doesn’t help whatsoever…here’s a tip Kev, give up the ciggies:-)

Update 17th January 2012

The next scheduled date for Klout was Saturday July 7th during The Louth Music Festival however they’ve can’t do that therefore don’t be at all surprised if they appear again before then.

A new year and a new band to The Kings about whom we knew nothing except a recommendation from a very popular Kings band, just what would we get on an unexpectedly mild January night?

Quite simply, and most probably, the best harmonies and medleys we’ve ever had. Just For Kicks are not a one genre covers’ band, they’re not a rock, pop or tribute band, certainly they do covers in their original style however they are, simply, so much more. A trio comprising of a drummer, two guitarists and a keyboard, yep, the bass player also does the keyboard, for extremely well-crafted and executed songs with the main vocals being equally shared between the drummer and lead and who have obviously practiced, and practiced and practiced, seamless, well-rehearsed and melded lyrics. An absolute joy to watch and listen to.

I would say at least 50%, maybe 60 or even 70% of their covers have never been attempted at The Kings, you would probably know them all, they’ve not been done because they are such awesome and classic tracks to tackle and featured three and four track medleys from bands such as ELO, Queen, Beach Boys, Take That, Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, Sam Cooke, The Glitter Band, Sweet, Hollies, Bryan Adams and Wings.

Needless to say the regulars to a person were enthused by Just For Kicks and can’t wait for them to return with even more of their repertoire. I have the feeling that they’ll not have that long to wait.