Review Centre: Rock Bands

"Mi sono divertita un sacco.. solo al pensiero sorrido"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These guys were excellent! The band were great and everything went very smoothly. Would definitely recommend them! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"There’s more to Johnny Ticktin than meets the eye. Well-versed in the blues, having once served as lead guitar player for the legendary Louisiana Red, the open-minded Ticktin is a sponge, soaking up the subtle six-string nuances and intricacies of a multitude of genres—from surf to classic R&B, swing and even Mambo—on his eighth album with The Headhunters, That’s All I Need. It would feel right at home in any rough-and-tumble roadhouse. The title is borrowed from a song, covered here in all its dark, swampy glory, off Magic Sam’s 1967 iconic electric blues marvel West Side Soul. Watery, backwoods ripples of Sam’s tremolo guitar style and seductive rhythms meander through Creedence Clearwater Revival’s mysterious kudzu on Johnny & The Headhunters’ version, as Ticktin and company paddle up a lazy river of Bayou groove. Just as fluent in nasty rockabilly, they thrive in the sweltering heat of the 1957 obscurity “Chicken House,” giving it a warm buzz and making it rumble and swagger, while the lascivious, infectious funk of “Body and Fender” – a Doc Pomus/Duke Robillard joint originally built for soul crooner Johnny Adams – shakes all over and ogles the female form. A rousing, boogie-woogie version of Lowell Fulsom’s Chess Records’ hit “Rock ‘Em Dead” is wonderfully shambolic, and Ticktin rides the lightning of the Link Wray instrumental “Ace of Spaces” like a champ, gleefully wheeling through edgy garage-rock riffs with appropriate vim and vigor. What feel he and his band have for this material. There is not the slightest bit of indifference to it anywhere on this record. Not that they need it, but help arrives in the form of keyboardist Tam Sullivan, who wraps smoky, sensual organ and wraiths of piano around a soulful remake of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Lead Me On,” and singer Liz Springer, who joins her brazen vocals to Ticktin’s in the cheeky, but charming, duet “Watch and Chain.” And, with the solid machinery of a good backing band at work behind him, Ticktin can just let loose – witness the slide-guitar fury of their cover of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Money Maker.” For aficionados of tasteful guitar work and music that time shouldn’t have forgotten, this is what you need. —Peter Lindblad SPREAD THE NEWS! FacebookTwitter RELATED STORIES September 3rd, 2023 Rhythm & Roots Festival August 28th, 2023 Rhythm & Roots: Family Fave July 28th, 2023 When Rock & Roll is a Verb"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Cheers are a real talent and brought our night alive! Our first dance went so well that people thought we'd prepared it! The set list you'd put together was so on point and us, and the backing music was really great too - watching my bride lose it at my chemical romance and fallout boy and rock out entirely was a moment that will live on happily from the day. Thank you for all you did to help this run smoothly & to the band for ending our day with fun, laughter and love. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you very much for Carolina she was amazing and even brought someone with a guitar! My boss was really pleased."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I was amazed at how good these guys were. They absolutely rocked the place. Best act of the entire weekend by a mile. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Žana i Boris su nam svirali na vjenčanju. Ostali smo bez riječi. Držali su nas na nogama od početka do kraja. Boljeg benda ne bi mogli ni zamisliti. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These guys are great at bringing worship to a service. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This concert was pure madness! I highly recommend it and can't wait for the next one!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The best band we´ve ever seen live, what an energy they give. 5 star really Amazing"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Trace definitely helped make our wedding day exactly what we dreamed of! You guys were fantastic & everyone loved what you did, from the dinner music through to the dance stuff you certainly made it a party!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I like heavier music and you guys not only accommodated this for me in your setlist ,you combined it with an epic performance, you didn't just stand there you rocked it and every guest has come up to me and asked how did i find you . Sublime and so so talented. Thank you guys for making my party the best night for me and my close friends . Legends - Dominic Owen"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Saw them last night at Whistle Binkies. They were awesome!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Groove Collider provided a great evening of music at a recent NYE party. Awesome variety of songs and a cracking long set that kept everyone dancing, (I thought it was their last song of the night... 3 times!) Can't wait to hear them again."

Reply by Groove Collider
Much appreciated, Benedict, glad you enjoyed our performance

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"After carrying out extensive internet research for a britpop tribute band we choose to book Marblehead Johnson for our wedding and we genuinely couldn't have picked a better band for the occasion. From start to finish the guys had us all up dancing, singing and reminiscing of the 90's era with an array of awesome, hard hitting and incredibly accurate britpop classics. What a fantastic show they put on for us and if only we had been given a pound for every guest who commented on what a great band we had sourced! In addition to their undeniable musical talents, the way that the they dealt with our enquiries and kept us informed throughout the booking process was first class, something that we really appreciated during the stress of organising a wedding. A massive thank you to Marblehead Johnson - we truly hope to see you guys smashing out the tunes again some day."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: