Take a dash of Black Crowes (1990s), several slices of vintage Grateful Dead, a few shots of Doors-trippy keyboard, a glug of real authority (aka, The Band,) shake the cocktail thoroughly, and what do you get? THE COMMONERS.
We’ve described the Ontario classic roots ‘n’ blues-rock band as the “very substance of soul-rock, i.e. irrepressible, fullhearted, and positively authentic…”
We were fortunate to see the band perform at the legendary venue, the 100 Club, in London’s West End on Monday 30th October in support of Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton (their Death Wish Blues tour 2023.)
faultless execution & unwavering musical expression…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
With enough scuff & rollicking tunefulness to elevate it above the mediocre country-rock promises that are made by other acts, More Than Mistakes was a larruping, pepperishly rocky, and muzzily textured, riff-based rock-jostler. The performance at the 100 Club delivered uniqueness, efficacy, and quality musicianship.
Fan favorite Find a Better Way was a high-energy boogie that was inspirational in both lyrical & melodic aspects. It’s possibly the band’s happiest and hippiest number so it comes pre-packed with glazen brightness and rainbowlike promise. We thought it was a great way to open-out a dazzling show and brought amazing guitar flares delivered by the award-winning producer / engineer and guitar supremo Ross Citrullo.
Devil Teasin’ Me offered the packed-out London audience a host of amiable harmonies and a warm, welcoming, Southern charm; yet the lyrics alluded to a Faustian scenario in which an artist is convinced to renounce spiritual beliefs in favour of notoriety, prosperity, and success. Such is the depth of this band’s songs!
The set ranged from rugged schoolyard rock ‘n’ roll to homespun outdoory blues and countrified rock, all the while remaining remarkably steady, extremely well-paced, and full of the type of upbeat harmonies that have come to define this quality band.
“Body and Soul” had a slow-down melancholic quality and a brooding disposition yet was just as welcome as the more joy-filled tunes in this stunning show.
The most mature and responsible rock ‘n’ roll performance we have seen in long while was “Fill My Cup.” Chris Medhurst (main vocals and guitar) demonstrated a strong, lively, and valiant vocal. On this extraordinary number, this accomplished band’s musicianship was as tight as a garter strap. The whole crowd began dancing on tiptoes due to the upbeat rhythms and overall vivacity of this unique song.
This show was the essence of extraordinary skill, faultless execution, and unwavering musical expression.
File alongside Stillwater (Almost Famous) 😊
Words: © Neil Mach
All Images: © Chris Griffiths (Riff Photos)
RAW RAMP 