THE NEW MUSICAL BOX

THE GRASS ROOTS OF LIVE MUSIC

Despite the decline in the number of music venues across the country (see an earlier blog right here: Last Call For Live Music), I remain impressed by the number of bands and artists out there who work hard at keeping the scene going.

I'm not talking about cabaret bands or wannabee TV stars, but the keen and enthusiastic range of acts determined to be both creative and entertaining. These are acts who mix their own songs with a wise selection of covers, acts for whom musicianship and skill is as important as the performance - and, let's be honest, acts who are often more accomplished and honest than many who have somehow achieved chart success.  

Portsmouth band Bemis playing live at The Mayford Arms, Woking, Surrey.
Front man Gareth Howells in full flow, Dan Ogus watching

Often gigging at a moment's notice in some back-street dive - or bundling instruments and gear into a van to head off to some distant part of the county - the economics of survival is a precarious one. Hard working bands who deliver the goods - and have members who can make time to get to gigs, attend rehearsals and deal with all the other peripheral stuff - are rare indeed. And it's no wonder that line-ups change, people fall out through "musical differences" ("we were musical - he was *different*") and the impetus may stutter from time to time. But, through all of this - and throw in venues with indifferent crowds who prefer to talk loudly rather than pay attention -  it's pleasing to see a goodly number of stalwart acts who plough onwards and, in their own way, achieve a level of consistency and success. I've mentioned the always excellent Lizzards down in Bournemouth previously (and in times gone by, I could have added Ringwood's Black Bart and many others) - but quite by coincidence a band I first saw in 2009 happened to be playing the other night at a pub venue less than a mile from where I was visiting family over in Surrey. As our American friends have said so often, it was a no-brainer and thus it was off down to The Mayford Arms in Woking, an edge-of-town venue that I'd first been to over twenty years back. Run by a music-savvy landlord, it was clear that the focus would be on the band rather than the need to push people through the restaurant or to cater for the darts team or those wanting to play pool. Music was the purpose of the evening - and the band? Bemis, a Portsmouth based outfit fronted by Gareth Howells.

Psychedelic Man - Gareth Howells (right) and
Dan Ogus (left)

When I first saw Bemis, they were a pretty good harmony duo - all folk and folk-rock with a bit of a feel of Simon & Garfunkel about them, albeit, unafraid to throw in edgier and more raucous material when the moment presented itself. Today, they're a five-piece indie rock band - and Gareth is the only member of the original line-up still with them. But as he's the front man, lyricist, lead singer and a fine rhythm guitarist, it's not hard to see that he's the driving force to keeping the show on the road.But even the best laid plans come adrift in the world of gigging and playing and tonight, they were sans drummer (Nathan Shervill) who was apparently "lost" somewhere in Europe. And this is the stuff  you never see on TV shows, in talent fests  and all the rest, the day-to-day trials and challenges of keeping everything going. So on this Saturday night, four members - all playing guitars - lead, rhythm, bass and in Dan Ogus, a multi-instrumentalist who was playing acoustic guitar.

The band were fresh from having played at Guilfest, one of the larger regional festivals, and the following day they were off to Southsea for another event, underlining again the need to travel, be flexible and grab opportunities whenever they present themselves. A few hardened fans made it up from Portsmouth and environs, others drifted in from the local area and a decent audience was in the offing. This isn't a review of  Bemis themselves - although there will be elements of that - but more a look at this sort of musical microcosm that's repeated across the country. Bemis have done this quite a few times, although this line-up has only been in place since January and it was interesting to see the careful and studied glances they gave each other at certain points during the first set. They'd had precious little time to set-up and get the sound-mix right, they'd have to cope without a drummer and the odd L-shape of the main bar made it difficult  for most punters to get a clear view. Oh, and the toilets were located either side of the make-shift stage which meant fans and non-fans alike had to criss-cross the sight-lines on a regular basis.

Dan Ogus in full flight

That first set , a mix of covers and several fine originals, took a while to take off. Individually,  members were doing their thing, but it didn't  always gel as a tight band. Gareth's in between songs banter was a bit lost in a fairly muddy sounding PA - but, there was no lacking of desire, no lacking of enthusiasm and skill and, slowly, it all, started coming right. Covers were often treated to different arrangements and treatment (which is always good) and in Mark Finn, they have a highly talented and effective lead guitarist. He did have an awkward spot at the back corner of the stage and his unassuming nature led him to almost hide his skills away behind the others. But his studied playing - unassuming and subtle at times, driving and forceful at others - provided an excellent focus to several numbers, including a good work out on Neil Young's Rockin' In The Free World. 

Bassist Mike Rogers
On acoustic guitar
- and vocals too

Bassist Mike Rogers was also an intriguing player, full of contrasts. His playing was simple and effective, no fripperies or awkward runs - and he also sang lead on a couple of numbers. Indeed, with three effective vocalist on display, there was a fine display of harmonies, variety in tone and and intensity. Dan Ogus - mainly on acoustic guitar - in particular looked the part and added some welcome vocal diversions.

After the break, the sound somehow seemed to have resolved itself, the band sounded tighter and more together and the choice of songs upped the tempo. More covers than originals - although they more than held their own in the mix - and some definite crowd-pleasers which got vocal additions from some and lively dancing from others. That great Band number The Weight went down really well - as did Werewolves of London, the encore piece and fascinatingly seeing some clever additions to Warren Zevon's original lyrics. Gareth didn't only list Lon Chaney Junior as someone who had played a werewolf in a Hollywood movie - but also, other actors who had done likewise. And it was both noticed and appreciated.

So, if this isn't a review, what is it?

Bemis - Mark Finn, Dan Ogus, Gareth Howells, Mike Rogers

As I noted earlier, it's a microcosm of gigs repeated up and down the land. Good musicians delivering the goods in a small venue, winning the audience over and providing fine entertainment with an eclectic and careful choice of material. It's how bands start out, how some make a living, others using it as stepping stone to bigger things - and importantly, the sort of thing that punters and pubs should actively support if we want quality live music to survive into the future. There isn't anything quite like being up close to the action, being part of an event rather than a mere participant miles away from a distant stage. There's an immediacy, a cohesive feel that rocks around the venue, a chance to admire and enjoy as much as laugh along with humour and honest errors too. It's not perfect, it's not antiseptic and precise, but it is lively and hot, varied and exciting - and in the case of this gig, seemingly over far too quickly.

The true grass roots of music - and something to be admired and promoted whenever the chance arises.

Alan Dorey

5th August 2014

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