Clam: Clam is a common name for several kinds of bivalve molluscs. The word is often applied only to those that are edible and live as infauna, spending most of their lives partially buried in the sand of the ocean floor.This band is formed of five Clams and having lain hidden for years tonight was the night to dust off the sand, crank up the valve amps and open up to the world.
Revealing themselves at the Jameson in West London it was clear from the queues that there was an instant appetite for this new musical venture and this friendly local became the place to be and The Clams tonight's hot ticket.
With their backs to the throng 'Peter Gunn' was the perfect opener. The 1958 TV theme tune popularised by Duane Eddy provided a steady rhythmic instrumental easing The Clams into life. A quick instrument swap between Robin Kennedy and Malachi Smyth the latter relinquishing guitar for bass and 'You Know Im no Good' followed with Emma Nicolet confidently taking to sultry vocal duties. Ed Lascelles' shone on keys, frequent solos delivered with an ease that belied his technical expertise.
Moving into the 60's Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons classic 'Beggin' saw The Clams hit full stride and with Blondie's 1979 number one 'Heart of Glass' next to feel The Clams makeover. Jim Salkeld provided an impeccable back beat to this rhythm section with Smyth sporting a hastily tied bandana and plectrum hanging from his lip, a true musician if ever I saw one.
The well worked set delighted the crowd with hits mainly concentrating on the glory days of the 60's. 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' by Bob Dylan from the legendary 'Blonde on Blonde' album saw Robin Kennedy take on vocal duties and acoustic guitar, while the ever-delightful 'People Are Strange' had the packed out Jameson singing in approval. A steamy rendition of 'Fever' and The Coral's more recent feel-good 'Dreaming Of You' still echoed that sixties vibe as did The Lovin' Spoonful's 'Summer In The City' showcasing The Clam's homage to a rich musical tapestry remembered and celebrated with smiles all-round.
'Tainted Love' and encore 'House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals closed an alluring set. Promoted as the Clams Live and Raw - surely the title of a future live album - all proceeds of tonights show went to worthy cause
The Rhythm Studio. This sell-out debut gig was the perfect introduction to the sound of The Clams and as raucous applause subsided and the Topside DJ's took to the decks Clamology became the main topic of conversation at the bar.
Clamology:
The art of defining the next song the Clams should undertake.Set listPeter Gunn - Henry Mancini
You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
Beggin' - Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina
Heart of Glass - Blondie
Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again - Bob Dylan
People Are Strange - The Doors
Fever - Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell
Beat Me Till I’m Blue - The Mohawks
Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
Dreaming Of You - The Coral
Summer In The City - The Lovin' Spoonful
Tainted Love - Ed Cobb
Encore
House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
The Clams are:
Malachi Smyth - Bass
Ed Lascelles - Keys
Emma Nicolet - Vocals
Robin Kennedy - Guitar / Vocals
Jim Salkeld - Drums
