Danny O And The Astrotones at The Festing Southsea REVIEW: '˜This is what real live music is about'
A packed, sold-out room above a spit-and-sawdust pub in deepest Southsea is the place to be as far as I am concerned.
Even better, the band's DJ is playing proper vinyl, a rockin' collection of wonderful rockabilly and rock'n'roll cuts that makes you realise why bands like The Cramps loved the genre so much.
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Hide AdThe audience looked cool too '“ sharp tailored suits with the shirt collars just right and quiffs with not a hair out of place.
Support band Gary 7Â serve up the perfect appetiser of garage-rock instrumentals to warm up for the main act.
The amps and guitars may be vintage but Danny O and The Astrotones are anything but. Indeed, this young band have added a freshness and vitality to what sometimes, in my experience, can be a dated live experience.
Lead singer Danny Dawkins certainly has star quality, and reminded me of a young Chris Isaac of Wicked Game-fame. Equally at home with or without a guitar he is a natural performer and has a great rapport with the crowd.
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Hide AdSong themes are similar to to '˜50s bands, Teenage Obsolescence and Drinkin' On A School Night, but are delivered with a style, panache and exuberance that is really exciting.
Danny and the boys will be back at the Dockyard Club in March 2019, and are well worth a look.