The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth
It is hard to believe that The Hoosiers album “The Trick to Life” is celebrating it’s ten year Anniversary. It spawned a host of infectious radio friendly singles that got into our heads and hearts. As well as the vinyl and 2cd re-release, the band are part way through a 27 date UK tour and tonight they arrive at Bournemouth’s Old Fire Station to play in front of a packed crowd of adoring fans.
Tonight’s support band are local boys “Greyside”, who themselves only formed last year and so far have already graced the stages of many local music venues and a couple of major festivals. They have also released their impressive debut 5 track “Balloon” EP. There is no shame in the fact that the four guys seem a little nervous as they walk on stage, as this is one of the biggest gigs that they have played to date. The four-piece bravely open with a brand new track called “Click”, which immediately fills the room with a lovely effect-laden guitar sound and grabs the attention of the audience.
Guitarist Joe Grange looks out over the near sell-out crowd with a smile and I’m sure he’s thinking, I could get used to this. For him his musical interests started with The Hoosiers and the first album he purchased was “The Trick to Life”, so tonight is indeed a real treat to be opening for them. Frontman Brandon Moss interacts well with the audience getting them to clap along as the band launch into EP opener “Tunnel”. They create a unique sound with atmospheric guitars; coupled with the rock-solid rhythms matched with Brandon’s well delivered varied vocal range. These guys have an infectious youthful energy about them and the audience really seems to be enjoying their set. All too soon their time on stage comes to an end and finishing with a song all about Bournemouth called “Little Town”, the band leave the stage to plenty of positive applause.
At 9pm sharp the well-attired band “The Hoosiers” take to the stage in their colourful suits to huge cheers from the excited crowd. There are no surprises here as we know what we are going to get and the band are to play the whole of the album “The Trick to Life” from start to finish. They kick off with what is usually an encore tune “Worried About Ray” and the crowd sing the popular tune right back at the band, who seem genuinely excited by the crowd’s huge reaction. The momentum is kept up with big tunes “Worse Case Scenario” and “Goodbye Mr A”, before bringing things down with a lovely acoustic version of “Clinging to Life”. Their sound reminds me of bands like “Sparks” and “ELO” whose song creations have also stood the test of time. The band finish with the final title track off the album before leaving the stage. The crowd, of course, want more and there is plenty of noise urging their return.
The encores include some gems from other parts of The Hoosiers back catalogue; including a great version of “Somewhere in the Distance”, which is coupled with the “Womack & Womack” tune ìTeardropsî and includes a great funky solo from local Bournemouth bassist Leighton Allen. The set also includes a rarely played “The Trick to Life” outtake in the form of “Rules”; which thanks to YouTube, some of the audience know the words to. The set ends on a high with a really spirited version of “Choices”. The band bid their farewells and give thanks to the audience before leaving stage right to reflect on what has been a fantastic night of celebration for a great album.
Set Lists
The Hoosiers
Worried About Ray
Worst Case Scenario
Run Rabbit Run
Goodbye Mr A
A Sadness Runs Through Him
Clinging on for Life
Cops and Robbers
Everything Goes Dark
Killer
The Trick to Life
Encore:
Money to be Made
Pristine
Somewhere In The Distance
Rules
Up To No Good
Choices
Greyside
Click
You Remind Me
Tunnel
Stage Named Jessica
Toy Story Skies
Seaside Cities
Little Town
Video
Links
http://www.thehoosiers.com
https://www.facebook.com/greysideband
Words, Pictures & Videos by David Chinery (Chinners)
