22 February 2016 (gig)
22 February 2016
As I walk on to the sticky, beer soaked floor of The Garage, Department S are in full swing. Having re-formed in 2007 with a few changes to their line up, they are now gigging regularly and releasing new material. Other than ‘Is Vic There’, I knew little about them but they certainly provided an entertaining and well received slot with their more recently penned tunes standing out.
Then it was on to the main event. Now into their fourth decade and looking as lean and mean as ever, The Godfathers took the stage and true to form ripped straight into ‘Cos I Said So’ with Pete Coyne’s raucous vocals dominating the stage. Fast and furious, they belted out the classics highlighting once again the remarkable depth and breadth of their back catalogue. From the psychedelic ‘Strangest Boy’ and the contemplative and more recent release ‘Rewind Time’ to the ruggedness of ‘I’m Unsatisfied’ and ‘Lonely Man’, to the rock ‘n’ roll mover and shaker, ‘Walking Talking Johnny Cash Blues’ and the crowd is on its toes just like back in the glory days.
‘This song is a big kiss to you!’ A tender moment from the often menacing front man as he introduces ‘She Gives Me Love.
The Godfathers never fail to deliver and have stayed refreshingly true to their rock n roll and personal principals. The evening nears an end with the inspirational ‘I Want Everything’ a notable highlight. Pete brings the evening’s proceedings to a close with a ‘Birth School Work Death’ dedication to David Bowie, himself a fan present at several gigs and drawing inspiration for Tin Machine directly from the band.
Powerful on stage and charming off it, the Coyne brothers deliver music in the fast lane. Long may it continue.
