Ethanol @ Gershwin Room, EspyHotel, 03/02/06

Sat 4th Feb, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Last night they lit up the Espy’s Gershwin room with their soulful funk rock sound. I could have easily mistaken my location for somewhere like the Monterey Pop festival back in the sixities listening to the new wave of blues/funk rock music that had emerged from bands like Big Brother and the Holding Company. Like the music from that era, Ethanol produce that jazzy drumming and funky balladry. The influences of Sly Stone, who himself was at the top of the funk-soul-rock train and the father of funk James Brown came through strong. Ethanol’s lead guitarist shot out with that classic fender sound drizzled with ripe distortion and riding between a strong soulful lead voice who was charismatic enough to steal the spotlight himself.

Technically the band is tight and the songs are well constructed with swinging melodies coupled with a groove that hallmarks that true funk sound. There were many songs with lengthy instramentals but, unlike jazz instramentals, the funk and groove carried on as they played as a unified unit.There is quirkiness to the band too, lyrically comical in many instances like the song entitled Boobs which was a highlight and was received with a roaring applause by the punters, even the girls. The songs are fun and entertaining and delivered in a cheeky fashion at times.

The outgoing lead singer exhibits a wild energy which cirtainly motivated the audience to keep thier attention focused on him. Not only was the audience worked by him, but he also moved around the stage to each of the band members, motivating and enticing them to give a little more. So with sweat dripping, and instruments taking a pounding, the stage was well and trully giving off the right vibes. The audience loved it and even the bar staff were dancing between pouring beers. To say the least the show was absorbing and exhilarating. To describe it in a nutshell I would say it was sound on acid!

Do yourself a favour and catch them at a live gig. This band is one hell of a crowd pleaser.