Feature: Them Is Me
(www
WORDS
.Wa
&
yAheadPhotogr
PHOTOS BY
aph
LUKE
y.com)
YATES
cheeky music, reminiscent of The Fr
Meanwhile, Allegro are in full swing. Catch
atellis and
y,
K
in a v
A
aiser Chiefs, but with a more earth
ustin, the photogenic lead singer, giv
y feel to it.
es it his all
whilst occasionally flashing a tattoo that claims
ery passionate and energetic performance,
are pla
“Rock Music Sa
ying mostly to an empt
ves Lives”. Undeservedly, Allegro
non-smoking, drinking
y floor. The
few are politely
listening to their
music from the bar
“W
some are tapping
,
their feet, and
occasionally
b
ho’
y enquires of the friendly doorman,
s playing this evening?” a passer- some ev
politely clap
en
band endured
. The
quietly corrected b
“Reef” comes the prompt reply
outside Maidstone club; ‘The Loft
. Quickly and
’.
their ‘support
photographers, he adds “Erm -
y two bystander band cross’ -
I mean - Them Is Me! br
could be easily forgiven,
” He on a prettavely, and put
performance.
y solid
hugely successful UK band,
however. Reef were a
A short time
Hands” still a firm student
their anthem “Place Your after
fa
an
heard o
vourite – it can still be Me saunter on stage with a cheery w
y attempt at a gr
, without
andiose entrance, Them Is
system during interv
ver many a P
als.
A suddenly-siz
ave to the
that two of the band, Stringer and Bessant, are
eable crowd. First impressions are
Inside the club is dark and moody very, very tall.
floor is entirely empty and a few people are
, the dance
propping up the florescent neon-lit bar at one
They launch into a dark and moody rendition of
end of the room. The smoking area door flaps to
‘Burning Through Black’
and fro; thanks to Smok
awakens, and the crowd is instantly hook
. The club suddenly
the potential audience for the support acts are
efree England most of Young ladies start dancing, hoping to get Gary’
ed.
outside ex
attention, whilst guys nod their heads
s
bad breath.
ercising their right to poor health and
response, and a v
appreciatively to the beat. It is an instant
ery positive one.
Vocalist Gary Stringer delivers a solid blend of
then as the chorus tak
strong bottom end, almost oper
es off, that “Marmite
atic vocals, and
v
alongside the escalating music, sending prickles
oice” of old - the “Reef sound” - soars away
his v
down the back of y
oice is precise, controlled and powerful, and
our neck. Everything about
he remains one of the most impressiv
unique rock vocalists around.
e and
v
At the other end of the stage, fellow Reef
the audience, a real-life olde-
eteran and bassist, Jack Bessant towers abo
worlde bearded
ve
King Neptune, ha
giant who reassembles a rock 'n' roll v
ving discarded his trident and
ersion of
p20 | The Gig Guide | October - November
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