REVIEW: Albert Hammond Jr - ULU
- Posted on July 16, 2007 4:30 PM
- 0 comments
Albert Hammond Jr
ULU London
July 11th 2007
Review by Katie Spain
The hardest thing about reviewing gigs is tip-toeing the fine line between 'enjoying a gig' and 'observing' it. Sometimes you see gigs you don't want to. Other times you see bands you've been dying to witness and don't want the pressure of remembering every minor detail.
Last night, I discovered that sometimes you just don't have a choice. Occasionally a band doesn't leave decisions in your hands, the crowd around you don't take no for an answer and notebooks are a no go. Some frontmen immerse you in their performance so completely that you forget where you are... and who you are. Albert Hammond Jr is one of them and the sole reason I'm now feeling the pressure of a sweat-soaked, guitar-packed memory lapse. Okay, so there was beer involved but this is London, I am young and hell, I was at the ULU - you can't do a University Union without a pint or four for 'old time's sake'.
I'll do my best. Welcome to my trip down dodgy memory lane...
When my German friend emailed me with a week's notice before his London visit, I told him to scan the many gigs on offer in London and take his pick. The plan was simple... back to back gigs and nothing more. Four years ago, we met over music, we bonded over music and our friendship will continue through music. We'll be the two old grey hairs you see waving their walking sticks at festivals - wrinkled, burnt out and stuffed to the mothball infused threads with memories. He chose Albert Hammond Jr. and I rejoiced - our Thursday night was sealed. We dragged along a Swede (because every event needs one) and prepared for a night with a master.
Albert Hammond Jr is a one-man musical institution. Most know him as the guitarist for The Strokes and while he still plays rhythm and occasionally lead with the band, he widened his reach in 2006 with the release of his debut solo album 'Yours To Keep'. A busy man then…
The solo move is a good thing too; it suits him. As he takes to the stage we're met with an alluring frontman - decked in white and topped with a shaggy head of dark curl. His guitar is strung high, his energy levels are higher and the already heaving crowd turns wild. They're up for it and he's aware of it... we're a few sweaty bodies from the front and the cold stares of 'don't you dare edge past me' from my neighbours turns to Hammond Jr induced smiles. "Hi!", "Nice to meet you", "F*** this is amazing!" the Dutch guy to my left screams. It's impromptu friendship... my notebook takes a dive for the depths of my pockets and I make a quick decision; gig long and hard - it'll all come back to you later.
The backdrop is serene... a calm, natural setting for musical mayhem. The band attacks their instruments with intensity - Josh Lattanzi on bass and Matt Romano on drums whilst the man at the centre of attention shows no sign of weariness. He's been on the road since October 2005 so the fresh vibe is admirable.
The gig is a frenzied blur - and I'm a solo fan in the making but "Back To The 101" and "Everyone Gets A Star" are recognisable to the best of us. This mix of Blues and Rock packs a punch that'd get my Nanna on her feet. I turn to my mate and hug him - thanks for the tip boy! Albert Hammond Jr is for anyone that has ever picked up a guitar and dreamt of making it big. It's for the lovers of a catchy riff, for those who wish they could hold a guitar high and dance below their fingertip sewn masterpieces.
The crowd loves it but as pumped up as I am, I can't bring myself to join the masses as they pile on stage for an end of gig 'moment'. Unperturbed, the band plays on; surely worth a medal of bravery? A mob of stampeding uni-goers is nightmare material. I hear Kirsten Dunst was at the gig - I hope the A-list view was as good as the average punter’s.
It's over far too quickly; beer soaked, sweat soaked and beaming we emerge as musical war veterans. We're battle-scarred and shaky but somehow, proud in the knowledge that we've helped make history.
Most self respecting soldiers know when it's time to retreat... but several hours in a backstreet London Indie club proved that we are not in that logical league. I'd have invited Miss Dunst but something tells me her civilian submergence only stretches so far.
Were you there? Did your memory survive better (shame on you). Tell us about your Albert Hammond Jr experience in the comments section.
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