Railway Tavern, Winchester
A short 40 minute trip down the M27/M3 takes us to Winchester and a great grassroots venue called the Railway Inn. Tonight seems like a Hangover Hill winter outing with Matt Black and his wife Mel along with Si Genaro all in attendance. The reason is that one of Dorset’s finest exports Chris Payn and his band The Parade are headlining tonight, along with support of Bournemouth supergroup Kingsfoil. I’ve been here quite a few times before, there is plenty of parking once you have navigated the Town’s one way system. The venue itself has two live music rooms and puts on largely original music virtually every night of the week. The venue has been hosting gigs since the 1970’s and has accommodated some of the greatest talents from the UK and International scene.
This evening’s support is definitely worth getting in early for, it is somewhat of a supergroup featuring some of the finest flair that Dorset has to offer. Frontman is singer/song writer Tim Somerfield, with Wrestler/Disorder drummer/venue owner Dan “Sully” Sullivan on drums, top musical all rounder Jack Grace on Bass (that rhymes) along with Mikey Ball and Joe Mann on joint lead electric guitars. Kicking off with “Ten Foot Diamond Strong”, Tim appeals for the crowd to move forward nearer the stage and we all duly oblige. The band has evolved since forming and Tim, an accomplished guitar player himself has changed tack and become the free moving frontman. With two pretty amazing guitar players in the band this made sense, this really works as charismatic Tim can concentrate of his significant vocals and whipping up the crowd.
Tracks like “Colourblind” and “The Groove” hark back to tracks written in Tim’s solo days with the band giving the songs a significant musical injection. The band are a creative hot bed of talent and each member brings so much to the stage, with this five-piece confidently delivery a thrilling set full of highlights. One cannot fail to enjoy all the two guitarists have to offer, with both of them bringing some impressive atmospheric sounds to proceedings. Along with pulling some significant poses to further enchant the audience, the rhythm section holds everything together with some well executed, powerfully implemented patterns. Newer tracks like “Flux”, a Classic Rock and Blues-style track with some epic guitar solos and some phonemical vocals from Tim. One of the set highlights is their last number “Find Your Way”, an initially smouldering number that builds to a dynamic rocking conclusion. One of those songs that just stays with you, a track where you can feel every ounce of emotion being poured out from the band. Well the support was worth the entry money alone….so our headliners are a bonus….
To give a total declaration on the headliner, I’ve known Chris since he was a about 12/13 when I first saw him play with his then band “Bad Magic”. The shy off-stage teenager came up to me nervously at a gig after reading my review and thanked me for all the positives I noted. I’ve since become good friends with his parents, working on all manner of music projects with them at Hangover Hill. I’ve watched Chris grow and evolve into a fine young man and look on him like a proud Uncle. I wish him all the success he so thoroughly deserves and feel at some point in his career, he will make a big name for himself in the music industry.
Tonight is part of a tour that has seen Chris and the band take to the road, entering some venues they have never played before including Suburbia in Southampton, The Jericho in Oxford, The Phoenix in Exeter and now the Railway Tavern. His band features his long time wingman, the imposing Sam Churches on guitar, Duncan Petrus on bass and Paul “ZAK” Miller on drums. Opening with “Scream”, the out of this area band has pulled quite a crowd and there are plenty of excited fans singing along from the start. The band are a joy to watch and faultlessly play together.
Chris has an impressive vocal range and he tackles each song with renewed enthusiasm. With his natural talent on guitar or on piano, (he is a fine pianist like his Dad) he shows the impressed crowd what a fine entertainer he is. Infectious tracks like “Choose”, “Pow Pow Pow Pow” and the brilliant recent single “Breakfast” all get an airing tonight. We are treated to a fine medley of Rock songs from some of Chris’s favourite bands. The band really seem to enjoy this and provide some expert instrumental backing to Chris’s powerful vocal perfectly.
Now it’s only November, but The Darkness played “Christmas (Don’t Let The Bells End) in June at The Download festival a few years back. So Chris for the final encore dons a Christmas hat and delivers a fine version of his future hit, Christmas song “Bottoms Up (It’s Christmas Time)”. The song is an ear worm with a catchy chorus and I’d be surprised if Justin Hawkins was not a big influence in this. This ends what has been a fantastic evening and the bands next outing will be in February at a big Live & Unheard Legends gig at the Lighthouse in Poole….miss it at your peril!!
Set Lists
Chris Payn & The Parade
Scream
Clowns
Pow Pow Pow Pow
Choose
Breakfast
Arrows
World is Still Mine (Solo)
We Are The Monarchy
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
Man In A Box (Alice In Chains)
War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin)
Back In Black (AC/DC)
Talk is Cheap
Bottoms Up (It’s Christmas Time)
Kingsfoil
Ten Foot Diamond Strong
Fearless
Physical
Colourblind
Heartbreak Sugar
Flux
The Groove
Warriors
Whips & Chains
Find Your Way
Videos
Links
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisPaynOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/KingsfoilUK
Article, Pictures & Media By David Chinery (Chinners)
