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Review & Photos: The Red Lapels @ Power's Bar, Kilburn [Live]

Unsigned // '...a very talented bunch of lads that have crafted some vintage rock and roll tunes with a modern day twist, definitely ones to watch'

by ShenSalih, October 28th, 2012 and has been Read 817 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire November 8th, 2012.

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Sometimes it's not about big arena's, bright lights and heaving crowds. Sometimes, that's all totally irrelevant and last night as the mod's descended on a damp and soggy Kilburn, it was all about the music, the music of The Red Lapels.

In a dark corner of North West London sits a small, charming backstreet boozer that goes by the name of Power's Bar, and last night they played host to The Red Lapels, a 4-piece old school Rock N Roll band haling from South East London. They don't need the glamour and the glitz, not when their music is this bloody good; I feel like I've stumbled on a little gem and I want to share it with you, I'm nice like that.

I grabbed the lads for a quick chat before their set, keep your eyes peeled for the interview on AltSounds really soon!

Simple riffs and hook lines, straight up rock and roll grooves and a lead vocalist with a killer voice. There's nothing complicated about The Red Lapels, but there doesn't need to be, they're about having fun, taking you back to the 60's and infecting you all with their sound and charm, they certainly won me over.

Opening their set, which was extended due to a few bands dropping out (huzzah I say, more of TRL for the rest of us), 'Eyes Like Knives', I was instantly grabbed by their catchy riff and I think the crowd were too...I don't think they were expecting this and neither was I.

'Is It Just Me' next and lead singer / rhythm guitarist Richard Maddy really shows off his vocals on this track, which are reminiscent of a young Rod Stewart, Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics and Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes. These are some seriously talented lads, but I am just loving the simplicity of their music.

'Wayaya' plays and we're all dancing around, making it pretty hard for me trying take pictures too! But, it's a seriously infectious track that I woke up with in my head this morning! I'm reminded at one point during this track of "Molly's Chambers" by the Kings of Leon as Richard Maddy cry's "Oh she wants it, well I need it, oh she's going shy", was that a little twinkle in is eye?!

LISTEN // The Red Lapels - Wayaya

The mood simmers down a little with 'Hunter' and lead guitarist Harvey Lee really shows us what he's made of on this one, don't be fooled by this lads baby face; a frighteningly talented guitarist lies beneath!

WATCH // The Red Lapels - Hunter

The Red Lapels pick it up again with '2ft Tall', and I'm really hearing Alabama Shakes on this track. Tom Barnes on bass and Sean Spicer on drums really drive this track and The Red Lapels are so tight on this one, it's pretty fucking awesome!

LISTEN // The Red Lapels - 2ft Tall

"It Ain't Easy" is next up, and is possibly The Red Lapel's strongest track that has HIT written all over it! Richard's vocals are striking on this little number and I'm loving Harvey's vocal input too - it works so well with Richard's. Strong drum rolls from Sean build the song up, the band and crowd alike are loving this one and the boys are really going for it!

LISTEN // The Red Lapels - It Ain't Easy

Closing their set with "Boy With No Bruises" and I'm a little underwhelmed, it's a more down tempo offering and not a regular feature in their set, I guess it's due to the extended slot they've added this one in. It's good, but not a set closer. Shame. But still, what a brilliant set from The Red Lapels and what a great band they are. They're currently unsigned but I don't think that'll remain the case for long. The Red Lapels are a very talented bunch of lads that have crafted some vintage rock and roll tunes with a modern day twist, definitely ones to watch!