Abbe May & The Rockin'Pneumonia @ Rosemount Hotel(03/07/09)

Mon 6th Jul, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Too lazy to go out again? We weren’t.
See what you missed in Shardelite’s gallery

Atmospheric smoke and island music billowed around the crowded bar upping the enthusiasm in the room. Bolstered by a line up of bands whose names read like stages of a big night out The Fags, Succulent Love Cunts, Mile End and The Painkillers had delivered impressive sets drawing in the crowds and making them hungry for more.

The main course was welcomed with whoops and hollers and from out of the darkness the slide of Abbe May’s guitar could be heard grazing the fret board.

Sauntering to the front of stage May cracked a smile at the eager throng heaving on the edge. Inspired by American blues and gospel music Jesus Gonna Be Here was smooth and reflective. After a long working week questions and pleading to the almighty was done in contemplation of the final inferno, although Oh Sweet Jaysus was country and funky due to the guitar heavy sound of The Rockin’ Pneumonia getting all ten toes tapping.

From the opening tracks, observation of May’s technical musicianship and lyricism has evidently improved over the past year through her diligence and wide reading of the blues.

Joining the core members of The Rockin’ Pneumonia onstage Alex Archer played violin for a beautifully timed and tempered A Blackout In Your Town. Costanza, had fans screaming in delight as guitarist K.T Rumble slashed it.

A real new tune with no name was floated to the audience and there was something Hawaii 5-0 to the Beach Boys Wipe Out but with grunt from the guitars and smutty lyrics. Asking for possible names for the song this reviewer ponders on Masturbator, it was a lyric and radio DJs would cringe prior to back announcing!

Recently plucked of her feathers May’s live rendition of Hawaiian Disease succeeded in being something that her mother might wince over. Throughout the track all gathered were getting their groove on while those humid around their nether regions were thrusting against strangers for a cure.

We Had A Real Good Time Together took the set back to raw blues where a gold distortion mic made May’s vocals even more raspy. Pete Stone’s bass gave the track a strong underpinning and with drummer Todd Pickett reliable and relentless this is one tight fucking unit.

Slugging a straight scotch as provided by Archer side stage Cast That Devil Out was performed under red harrowing lights and provided a great opportunity for a full band and audience sing along.

Howl And Moan had May trying not to pull her cum face as fallacious endings had all gasping, holding on and on in anxious amusement.

Suddenly solo on stage May took up a ukulele to perform the classic ode to love Dream A Little Dream Of Me through the distortion mic to sound like a 1930s wireless and was convincing all but for the very audible “oh shit”!

With band members returning to stage May expressed “this is the second last time we’re ever going to play this song, the next cover will be Cream by Prince”. So for the second last time Spoonful got the squeal of Archer’s bow and the stage was figuratively on fire.

Even if the grunt and grit of their live performance leaves you feel a little impotent this reviewer’s compelling recommendation to get out and see Abbe May & The Rockin’ Pneumonia remains unyielding.

Too lazy to go out again? We weren’t.
See what you missed in Shardelite’s gallery