Good Karma Club lives up it's name
Abbie McCarthy presents Good Karma Club, The Islington, London
May 2017 starring The Blinders, 485C and Motherhood
Back story; Eight Days A Week after 485C came and played for TheZineUK’s first live music social – a Sisteray guerilla gig - in January 2016, Good Karma Club launched. We took to it immediately. GKC 001 fused great new bands to check out, a crowd of musicians, music lovers, dancing, cheering, drinking, chatting and laughing in equal measures. It felt, on both occasions (and many more early last year), like the guitar bands game was being raised. In our eyes, Abbie McCarthy is a new music guru giving women in music a very good name. A promoter who really promotes!
Suddenly it’s May ‘17 and GKC 017 already – good times really do fly. Good Karma Club is about to create another magic "heaven'17" moment. It feels like the start of Summer, as before the show, friends hang n hug outside the bar in the early evening sunshine. For a few hours, we are in our own parallel dimension of the music world. We can escape the "reality" of the news for a while, laugh/rock together, and breathe.
a variety of zeenagers; friends, musicians, industry, media on a summer's afternoon...
GKC is a gathering of like minded souls. An excited mix of friends, old and new, who are not only infected with music, but also document it's fame free creators like the inspiring cultural heritage that they already are. There are industry and scouts, with their ear to the ground, in the mix and Good Karma Clubbers, who know that Abbie selects line ups from the angle of a passionate music fan. What’s not to love?
In the venue, things kick off with Motherhood. It’s the Liverpool band’s first trip to London with their uplifting indie beats and tunes (a little taster of, below), which couldn’t soundtrack this moment better. Today may also the first really clear blue sky hot day of the year.
Next on stage are the aforementioned 485C. A young quintet from London's East End’s Essex borders who deal in the multi layered aural dynamics of rhythm, vocals and strings. We are in luck, TheZineUK not only gets a new writer that evening, but a classical musician who brings a whole new angle of perception to our love of rock n roll. So, without further ado;
485C and The Blinders at Good Karma Club by Monefa Walker
If you have not yet heard of 485C (above) I guarantee you won’t be forgetting them after they’ve completed a live set. As soon as they got on stage, they exuded a confidence that got everyone’s attention and attracted more listeners from outside, into the venue.
With opener, ‘Kids On The Beach’, they have guitar riffs that are very catchy, and a relief for the ears. Immediately the crowd joins in, visibly following the beat - a good sign that everyone is engaged. The riff is heard throughout the whole song, creating the perfect base melody. This allows the vocals and other instruments to build textures full of depth and cohesion.
Their next song - ‘In My Cell’ - carries the spirit of the rockabilly 50s era, with the certainty and assuredness of the '70s, taking key elements of both decades and blending them perfectly with the band's own character. They jump ahead after, carrying a lovely Blues effect on ‘Primal Concerns’, with smooth vocals and chord progressions that touch and lift the spirit of everyone in the room.
The crowd is certainly projecting the emotions being played to them. One song that you will definitely hear again this summer, is ‘American Walls'. Very much a feel good song that’s straight to the point, while telling a story… the kind of road movie soundtrack you’d expect to hear travelling on Route 66.
Throughout the show, 485C displayed catchy bridges, rhythms and electrifying dynamics, with their audience singing along and reciprocating the energy being made in the room. With the vocal acrobatics of ‘She’ll Lie’, then ‘Manic ‘Filters’, they absolutely ended their set on an extremely high note!
The Blinders
In the new music know? Then I’m pretty sure have heard the name in the ether by now - especially this year. If not, a tip; These charismatic and intelligent lads from Doncaster are taking 2017 by storm. They have firmly laid foundations, found their rhythm and are launching with ferocity.
Their presence is known - and felt - as soon as they begin their first song ‘Gotta Get Through’. People are shouting the words back. It’s a prelude of what’s to come. This band start off simple, then add myriad intricate layers of emotion, transposition and soul sharing that will have you wanting to seem them over and over. The set is full of interludes demonstrating their expertise at changing tempo and making sure the crowd keeps up, slows down and then back up again. Everyone is kept on their toes, for all the right reasons. The vocals are raw and heartfelt over the intricate workings of the guitar, bass and drums. A definite influence of The Doors, especially during a bridge augmented by a beat poet monologue.
You can see why this band are attracting an ever growing fan base. They have no veil. Astute of their environment and surroundings, they share workings of the mind that so many people in the room can relate to. Caring intensely, and having no fear of showcasing this through their music. I promise you, after they’ve finished you’ll want to download and stream their singles. A song that is definitely growing in popularity is ‘Ramona Flowers. It epitomises their signature raw sound and emotions. Only an equal reciprocation feels acceptable in the room. Deep bass and repeating phrases with an expressive guitar solo - getting their point across with a stunning Hendrix style throughout. It leaves a lasting impression.
A definite summer and festival anthem is brand new song, ‘Brave New World'. Depicting where people are are, and where they can be. The difference between acting on hate and acting on love. Charged with a political vibe, but for all the right reasons. The crowd certainly agrees, vociferously. The Blinders write about what they observe and experience.
The audience loves every moment. The intensity does not die down, not even in their last song of the night, 'Brutus'. It speaks from the heart and touches the soul of many as a mosh pit is created out of nowhere. Always a good sign. Lyrics soaked in history and a determination for change. A well needed message for all of us. Good karma was signed, sealed and delivered. Till next time!
485C, The Blinders and friends after the show
For details and ticket link for the next Good Karma Club, which showcases three 'Ones To Watch' names, monthly at The Islington in London, keep an eye on facebook.com/GoodKarmaClub1 For host, Abbie McCarthy (BBC Radio), facebook.com/HelloAbbieMcCarthy/
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