What looked to be the beginning of a washout at Jive turned into a fine evening for a Wednesday. Support band Booster opened to a crowd of thirty or so, which trickled into more as their set continued. Not phased by the ‘gross!’ which issued forth from a female punter when singer and drummer Shawn kindly informed the crowd that there was ‘plenty of Shawn to go ‘round’, they played a solid set, with Zeppelin saturated song She’s a Live One a highlight.
The first thing I noticed about Pinky Beecroft and the White Russians was that they were an interesting looking band. Pinky at the front and centre was in a red tartan jacket that matched his keyboard, Bassist Ben T looked like he belonged with the Sex Pistols, Nick Stewart on guitars to the Chili peppers and Christian McBride on the drums looked like Elvis Costello himself.
Pinky came across as instantly likeable, joking with and engaging the crowd; he showed he was a well seasoned front man, even though at times battling with his keyboard like a grandpa trying to figure out a computer.
They started out strong with Real Good Time from their new album Somethin’ Somewhere Better; following with a well received Machine Gun Fellacio cover Unsent Letter. They kept the night going with more keyboard driven rock tracks dealing with heartbreak, hangovers ( This Hangover the title of one of their songs) and yes.. a healthy dose of sex. Pinky at one stage confided that ‘the reason we do all this is to pick up after the show’. Their ‘one dance song for the evening’ was a cover of Duran Duran’s Girls on Film, which did get everyone up and dancing.
They came out for an encore after which the band stayed, had a beer and chatted with fans.
Despite Pinky’s claim that the band was a studio band, and that they were still getting their live show together, they played a great set. Pinky was entertaining and engaging, and the band was tight. Of special note was Christian McBride’s creative drumming, at times playing more like a percussionist, further diversifying their sound. All in all, a good show with a relaxed atmosphere.
