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| The Cedars live |
Natty jacketed vocalist, Adam Jay, performs opening number Don’t Be A Victim with a recognisably Gallagher-inspired moodiness; the Remembrance poppy pinned to his collar helping to maintain a rather subdued feel to the start of things.
Surliness soon gives way to swagger though as the vamping guitar chorus of Mexico shimmers from the P.A. Said jacket is removed and Jay is transformed, as if the act of disrobing awakens the frontman from a particularly revitalising doze.
Suddenly he’s channelling the impish spirit of a Brown and the Apollonian body moves of an Ashcroft with rare flair and charisma. But then The Cedars are very much more about late 80s ‘Carpets and ‘Roses Psychedelic indie than any mid-90s pub rock. Which is certainly no bad thing.
Within the postage-stamp confines of The Bodega stage the band rapidly finds its feet to deliver an energised and engaging collection of songs. Guitarist Luke Saunders shows off a nice-line in Bernard Butler twanging; backed up with assurance stage right by chum Dave Fox.
But it’s skinsman Dave Amos who’s the outstanding character this evening. He delivers a thumpingly accomplished performance that’s so Moon-esque in its fervour, you would swear you could spot his tongue hanging out a various points during the set. Complete with bassist, George Buchanan, The Cedars possess a rhythm section to put real groove in the gravy.
Newer track When I’m Feeling Low points at a promising focus for future direction, and Leaves rounds things off very nicely indeed.
In all, it’s a confident and cohesive performance from a band with plenty going for them. Ready to leave the stage, Jay reapplies his jacket and salutes the audience before refastening the poppy. But he’s got one last thing to say as he goes:
“There’s someone in from the Leftlion tonight. Well…review THAT!”
Consider it done.
The Cedars played at The Bodega on Saturday 12 November 2011.
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