The Deans were coming off the back of a Tour that had taken in vast tracts of  mainland Europe that they covered in a beaten up Transit. Quite frankly by the time they arrived at the club on Friday for their penultimate gig of the tour they looked knackered. Maybe the travelling had taken it out of them and as a result they were a bit tetchy and seemed as though they’d have rather have been anywhere else except a small club in Wales. Maybe that’s their modus operandi , but we exchanged no more than a handful of words all night ( and those we did were to deal with their dissatisfaction with one thing or another). Nevertheless, as showtime approached the club filled up nicely and there was a definite air of anticipation in the audience.

Here’s a few observations on the band’s performance.

1. The band wear their Rory Gallagher influences firmly on their sleeves.
2. Gavin the guitarist is an exceptionally talented young musician who will doubtless earn a good living out of playing his instrument.
3. Their songwriting is not quite yet the finished article. Most of their material on first listening was pretty forgettable if I’m perfectly honest and only really took off during the guitar breaks.
4. The band were incredibly tight and well rehearsed especially given their refusal to use the on-stage monitors that were offered to them.
5. They should try to look as if they are enjoying their performance and communicate with the audience.
6.  Both bass player and drummer need space in the set to showcase their own   talents.

The Deans are walking a tightrope at the moment and really need to distance themselves from the Gallagher comparisons that threaten to drag them into “tribute band” territory.

Nevertheless the District audience gave the band a tremendous reception that hopefully send them on their way in a better mood than when the arrived.

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR REGULAR READERS:

In future you’ll be able to find all my blogs on the District Myspace site.(www.myspace.com/districtclub) .

It’s a real effort keeping one site up to date, let alone two, so in future your first port of call for all things District Club related should be the Myspace site.