HERE COME THE STEVE EGGS
It was a wild night at The Oval, Croydon when fans booked tables in advance and took their places for the best view of the stage. But then it’s always a ‘wild night’ when the Steve Eggs Band are in town and ready to rock.
On a frenzied Friday (October 8th) the band, much revived after its Lock Down absence, unveiled not only a powerful new sound but a selection of songs from their latest album Lazarus Lights.
What was new? Drummer Mark Taylor revealed his punk rock roots with a decidedly more aggressive attack on his cool Gretsch kit. Peter Wass exchanged his Paul McCartney style violin bass guitar for a more beefy Fender Jazz Bass, while Jon Kershaw proudly unveiled his brand new Translucent Blue PRS SE Standard 24 lead guitar.
All this inspired lead singer, guitarist, harmonica player and composer in chief Steve Eggs to give an especially rousing performance. The front man tackled a range of songs that included popular covers of rock standards as well as his own songs from all the SEB albums released over the past few years.
They kicked off with ‘Good Intentions’ featured on their Live At The Boom Boom Club (2017) album, always a rousing ‘opener’ for any gig, hotly pursued by ‘Falling Into You’ from Hometown Skyline (2014). When Steve introduced ‘I Believe’ a song off their first album recorded ten years ago he said: “I know we don’t look old enough. Pete was only 15 years old at the time but here we are, still making music.”
ONE HORSE TOWN
Next came a rousing ‘One Horse Town’ from the new CD which Steve cheerfully advised was on sale at the venue. “Remember, it’s getting close to Christmas boys and girls – only £10.” On this occasion Pete refrained from joking about ‘One hoarse voice.’
‘A Whole Lotta Nothing’ and ‘Wrap My Arms Around You’ were extra tasters from Lazarus Lights then came Pete’s catchy ‘Here Comes The Rain’ another gem from Hometown Skyline. This featured an exciting solo from Jon that built to a stormy climax. “Well, we warned you about the weather” said Steve amidst a cloud burst of applause.
‘The Ballad Of Wah Wah Banjo’ a favourite from We Humans (2019) was performed with due alacrity and ‘Nobody Makes It On Their Own’ evolved into an extended rave up greeted by cheers and whistles.
Steve played his trusty harmonica on the poignant ‘Same Old Shoes’ as he sang one of his finest songs: ‘Crying over the same old blues, putting on the same old shoes….every Monday morning it’s the same old me.’ Jon added a passionate guitar solo complementing Steve’s vocals thus creating one of the outstanding performances of the night.
The first set concluded with ‘American Girl’ the band’s ever popular tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers sparking another outburst of Kershawian guitar and powerhouse drumming from Mark that left the audience eager for more.
The second set included ‘Slippin’ Away’ a more mellow and funky theme, the upbeat ‘Slip Stream’ followed by an ambitious arrangement of ‘We Humans’.
In between came some rockin’ covers including Glen Campbell’s million selling ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ and the Small Faces ‘All Or Nothing’ Peter Wass singing Steve Marriott’s lyrics with roaring enthusiasm.
The band had tried out the song for the first time only a couple of nights earlier during rehearsal. But Steve Marriott would have approved, as did the entire audience when the SEB gave their all, one more time.