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Neil Brannigan or 'Bran' (to give him his usual nick) runs Bubbles bar in Ashington and is to all intensive purposes the mirror of Paul Smith here at the Three Tuns, creating the same welcoming atmosphere and providing much needed support to the live music scene in the North East. It was Bran's band H.E.D. (Heavy Ear Damage) that provided tonight's support slot.
H.E.D. proved them self to be a very competent live act, Bran looking completely relaxed on stage while both singing and playing guitar in impressive style. Playing a very tight and rhythmic style of rock orientated originals with lyrics that delve into the more serious aspects of life, H.E.D. are difficult to pigeon hole and the best advice I can give you is to go and see for yourself - you won't be disappointed.
Taking the stage a little later than billed, Skinny Molly are welcomed with a roar of expectancy that has built and built on the back of their previous performances at The Three Tuns, a tight little venue that I'm happy to say is also my local. However, do not make the mistake of dismissing this as a mere pub gig though as The Three Tuns has long been established as one of THE places to play in the North East, many high profile acts gracing it's intimate stage and experiencing the atmosphere that is the lifeblood of this wonderful venue.
Opening with the rip-roaring charge of "High Price Of Low Living" from their "No Good Deed" album, there is a real sense of the game having been raised since the last time they were here. Perhaps this is in no small part due to the recent recruitment of former Blackfoot guitarist Jay Johnson who has played with Mike many times over the last 20 odd years and brings a new angle to the Skinny Molly stage show.
Swapping lead vocals where appropriate and bringing several Blackfoot numbers into the set, Jay can certainly crank out a tune and really made his presence felt, even among such vaunted company. As an addition to the Skinny Molly camp, he is the smartest of fits.
At the soul of any good Southern rock band is a driving rhythm section and Skinny Molly are no exception to this rule, bassman Luke Bradshaw delivering a pulsating heartbeat for drummer Kurt Pietro to pound upon. As tight as the noose round an outlaws neck, these boys make it easy for the guys in front to shine.
With a smile that tells you so much about the man before he even opens his mouth, Mike Estes has the kind of Southern drawl that you usually find soaked in moonshine and is about as laid back. Among the many people I have met in the music business there are none I'd rather share a drink with, or that I enjoy seeing live more. Greeting me with a huge hug, asking me how I was and declaring "It's been too goddam long my friend" barely reflects the warmth Mike instills in all who meet him.
When it comes to performing live, the man has been there and worn out several T-shirts. Mike’s band, "Helen Highwater" (named by Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins) had played just about every club and had opened for almost every national Southern rock and outlaw country band throughout the Southeast and Midwest for ten years. While in high school, Mike became friends with the guys in the Rossington Collins Band (founded by Skynyrd plane crash survivors) who had decided to do the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour in 1987, bringing Helen Highwater on to open some shows for them.
In 1992 Mike began going on the road with Skynyrd to write songs for an upcoming album, and signed a publishing deal with Skynyrd guitarist Ed King’s company I Can’t Read Music. He had been writing for six months when he was asked to join the band as guitarist and spent the next three years touring, writing and recording with his favorite band, appearing on the '94 Capricorn release "Endangered Species" 95’s live recording "Southern Knights" and the "100 Minutes with Lynyrd Skynyrd" video.
Delivering a setlist that played like a trip through the American deep south, Skinny Molly delighted an absolutely jam packed Three Tuns audience, receiving levels of applause that few have ever heard before and gave a wonderful performance that will last longer in my memory than even the extended versions of the subliminal "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird" that came complete with probably the biggest wind downs I have heard in well over 20 years.
In a world full of has beens and wannabes, Mike Estes remains the real thing and with the current surge in popularity that Skinny Molly are enjoying, I for one can't wait to get my hooves on their new album "Haywire Riot" due for release this Spring. You can download a copy of their single "Mr. President" and find out more about the band by going to their website skinnymollyrocks.com
Photography courtesy of Jason Warnes at Scooby Snaps Photography UK
Current lineup : Mike Estes(guitar, vocals) Jay Johnson(guitar,vocals) Luke Bradshaw(bass) Kurt Pietro(drums)
Catch them live here :
Wednesday, 3 February. The Spirit of '66 in Verviers, Belgium
Thursday, 4 February. De Kade in Zaandam, Holland
Friday, 5 February. Boederij in Zoetermeer, Holland
Saturday, 6 February. Iduna in Drachten, Holland
Wednesday, 10 February. Robin 2 in Wolverhampton, UK
Thursday, 11 February. Phoenix in Exeter, UK
Friday, 12 February. The Acorn in Penzance, UK
Saturday, 13 February. The Wharf in Tavistock, UK
Sunday, 14 February. Guildhall in Gloucester, UK
Monday, 15 February. The Brook in Southampton, UK
Friday, 19 February. Sala Q in Sevilla, Spain
Saturday, 20 February. Sala Durango in Valencia, Spain
Monday, 22 February. Ropetackle Center in Worthing, UK
Tuesday, 23 February. Milkwoodjam in Swansea, Wales UK
Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010. Sevenoaks Plaza in Kent, UK
Friday, 26 February. Boom Boom Club in Sutton, UK
Saturday, 27 February. West Coast Live in Margate, UK
Sunday, 28 February. Beaverwood in Chiselhurst, UK
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