The Pretty Things

Recently, one of the most under-rated bands of the 60's reformed and played several sold out gigs at Shepherds Bush Empire and Hammersmith Apollo. All this happened because after several decades, their late 1968 psychedelic concept album,and masterpiece finally received the recognition it was due.......this band was The Zombies, the album 'Oddesey and Oracle'...

Similarly, The Pretty Things own '68 concept album, 'S.F Sorrow' has recently received the plaudits of the critics and seen them play the album in it's entirity on a number of occasions. Sadly, The Pretty Things don't seem to have received the same exposure the Zombies received and should rightly feel cheated that they're not playing similar venues. However, for the humble fan this means that we get the chance to witness the 60's legends in a venue as intimate Londons legendary 100 club.

The Malchicks ( featuring a few members of the Pretty Things ) warm up the sold out crowd nicely with some classy blues originals and a couple of great covers thrown in ( they do a particularly soulful version of 'House of the Rising Sun' ). The core of the band consists of young songwriters Scarlett Wrench (vocals) and George Perez (guitar) and are well worth checking out.

The Pretty Things were the original bad boys of Rock n Roll. Guitarist Dick Taylor was an original Rolling Stone and kept the attitude when he left the band. Along with vocalist Phil May, these two have on and off been touring, and recording for the past 40 years. So, as the band approach the stage I'm eager to see if they still have the hunger and attitude to meet my high expectations of The Pretty Things live.

They kick off with 'Beat Goes On' from most recent (2007) album 'Balboa island', with it's intro of pounding drums and crunching dirty guitar riff it's clear the guys mean business. Phil's vocals kick in with "back in 1964, we came crashing through the door....." and it's clear the passion with which he delivers those vocals that there's plenty of doors out there to be crashed down yet...If I didn't know otherwise I'd have sworn this was an old classic from '66.

Early rock n roller 'Don't Bring Me Down' is followed by psychedelic gem, 'Alexander' from their Electric Banana guise - the band recorded a number of albums under this pseudonym, for use in film soundtracks in the 60s.

Next up is 'Defecting Grey', a quirky chunk of psych which didn't quite make 'SF Sorrow' but is now thankfully available on the re-release. This starts off the 'SF Sorrow' section in which we get treated to another 5 numbers from the album including the title track. Dick plays the intro to shrieks and cheers from the crowd, now the gig is well underway. From the melancholy of 'Loneliest Person' to the hollering in 'Baron Saturday' the band manage to recreate sound and feel of the album magnificently. If you don't already own it, your record collection deserves it!

Throughout the rest of the show we get a cross section of the band's back catalogue, from a couple of Bo Diddley covers ( 'Bring it to Jerome' and Road Runner') which remind us of their early rock n roll influences,( in fact they took their name from Bo Diddley's '55 track 'Pretty Thing') through to their '99 track, and set closer 'Passion of Love'.

Although highlights for me are the all out dirty R+B of 'Come see Me' and the awesome 'LSD'. Ideally I'd love to have heard more than one track from 'SF Sorrow' follow up (and equally as good) 'Parachute', but I'm a happy man when they play my favorite song from that album - 'Cries From The Midnight Circus' This meandering funky blues jam of a song sounds fantastic live even without the keyboards, and I discover I'm luckier than I think when I discover this isn't a regular on the set list.

Tonight the band have proved they are still a formidable force. Most 60's survivors wouldn't play with a 10th of the passion these guys do, in fact neither would a lot of their contemporaries! Theres a rawness in the performance which just reeks of pure rock n roll. Taylor's classic guitar playing and Mays empassioned angry vocals are accompanied superbly by George Perez of the Malchicks (bass), Frank Holland (guitar) and Jack Greenwood, who positively beats the shit out of his drum kit. The bands manager Mark St John finishes off the Pretty Things sound providing percussion and backing vocals.

If you weren't around at the time to witness a 60s band giving it their all, then go and check out the Pretty Things live experience cos I'm guessing it might be as close as you'll get.

SET LIST -

Beat Goes On
Don't Bring Me Down
Alexander
Defecting Grey
S.F Sorrow
She Said Good Morning
Balloon Burning
Baron Saturday
Loneliest Person
Cries From The Midnight Circus
Come See Me
Midnight To Six Man
Bring It To Jerome
LSD / Old Man Going
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Road Runner
Rosalyn
Passion Of Love