Sugarmen LIVE on a boat @ Cooking Soup 29.3.14

This is one of the stranger but more charismatic nights Gigslutz has covered over the last year. Tonight’s venue happens to be an anchored boat on the River Thames on the iconic Embankment of London. Sea legs at the ready and life jacket on hand we board the boat ready for the unexpected.

From the outside it was hard to sea how a band would be able to play on the boat let alone accounting for a capacity crowd ready to watch. However, once below deck the intimate area served as a great way of hosting bands and punters alike.

All 3 bands on the strong Cooking Soup line up were on fine form and the crowd were well oiled by the time headliners Sugarmen took to the stage. By stage I mean a small area given to the bands to try and play without knocking each other out with their instruments, or the crowd for the matter.

Sugarmen had made their way down from Liverpool with their 60s inspired rock n roll repertoire in tow and sharp suits freshly pressed. In an age whereby The Strypes and other such bands are wearing their influences on their sleeves in an overly obvious way, Sugarmen manage to encompase the best elements but they also manage do it in a way which makes them sound now and a hell of a lot more relevant than any of the peers.

Although I’ve mentioned a 60’s influence, and I could’ve easily been transported back to the 100 club circa 69, Sugarmen show clear influences from all decades. There is a definite Clash influence apparent and guitarist Shay showing off some top Wilko Johnson moves to boot.

They thrashed and smashed their way through an energetic and hectic set like men on a mission, grabbing the boat by the oars (if it was big enough to have any) with the crowd edging closer and closer, which spurred the group on further. By the end of the set the people at the front were practically on the drummers lap.

This was Sugarmen’s debut London outing and there will certainly be more to follow. Stand out songs such as ‘Circuit Queen’ point to a big future for the Liverpudlians with a sound, energy and look in short supply with the current crop of bands at the forefront of the indie scene. Expect to here more of this bunch.