The Bonnevilles - Live and Loud at Sneaky Pete's

 

I can never get over just how much sheer rock'n'roll noise the Bonnevilles make. The economy of one guitar and one drum kit combined with powerful playing of Andy and Chris produces a visceral music that clears away not just the cobwebs but everything in it's path.

Opening their set with 'Down to the River' and 'Good Suits and Fighting Boots' their garage punk blues rock sound does not mess around - at one point Andy asks Chris 'what time is it?' and the answer comes back '20 past 9' which brings the retort 'what? fuck we're playing these songs too fast!' 

The set covers the run of albums so far released and these songs are more than road tested but still as fresh and exhilarating as when I first saw them in Leith Franklin Cricket Club years ago (when I  realised there were only two Bonnevilles making that incredible racket). 

Tonight was the opening night of their UK tour and the energy was incredible. They did pace themselves with a slow 'Kneel at the Altar' and a long story of two fan boys playing at Junior Kimbrough's Juke Joint during a US tour. There's some audience participation when Andy descends from the stage and some new songs from a forthcoming album and its a wrap. The Bonnevilles are easily one of the most powerful live acts you can hope to see - no pretention just maximum rock'n'blues. How was your Tuesday night?

https://thebonnevilles.co.uk/

The Bonnevilles at the Banshee Labyrinth 4th February 2022

This gig was a release - a release from Covid, a release from the isolation that the pandemic brought . This was a release from all of that anxiety. As Andy said 'What the **** was all that about?' 

The Bonnevilles are primal - a scream of the purest rock'n'roll that takes it to the maximum every time. I've never seen them and thought they were better last time. Andy and Chris always hit their mark and serve up a brand of garage blues punk that is such a full and joyous sound that is at once a nod to the past but a clear full steam ahead with a noise that is astonishing when you realise this is made by just two guys from Lurgan. Do yourself a favour catch the Bonnevilles live sometime. Really. Do.

Support was from the sublime Mudlow who produce a swamp or estuary interpretation of of punk blues and all the better for that. They created a joyous (that word again) racket that set the scene nicely for the Bonnevilles maelstrom to follow.

Suffice to say a very, very good night.

The Bonnevilles at Leith Depot

The Bonnevilles are a phenomenon - a punk blues whirlwind of drums/guitar/voice that lifts the roof, blows out the walls and fills you with joy. This duo out of Lurgan purvey a form of blues infused rock'n'roll with the volume way past 11 that is irresistible, lacerating and life affirming.  If you are going to see a band play down and dirty rock'n'roll you'd be hard pushed, very hard pushed to find a better band just now.

I've been lucky enough to see the Bonnevilles four times and each time I am astounded by their visceral attack and the sheer enjoyment they display as they storm through their songs. Tonight they started at full pelt, with hardly time to take breath between songs reaching a frenzied height with a inspired cover of 'Money (that's what I want)' before slowing things down with live staple 'Kneel at the Alter'. And that was only halfway through the set! More power to Andy and Chris who make the Bonnevilles a must see band. They'll be back - don't miss them!

Shout out too to tonight's support Mudlow. The perfect support with their take on swamp blues with a funky (in a good and dirty way obvs) backbeat they groaned, moaned and howled through a high power set and won new fans. Fabulous!  

https://thebonnevilles.co.uk/

http://www.mudlow.co.uk/