UNPLUGGED IN THE PARK HOTEL - 28 June 07

Rock was on the agenda for tonight's Unplugged session, with Red Sky Rebel from Rowhedge providing the cut and thrust of funk rock. They had prepared a special set of acoustic versions of their original material and a few surprise covers.

In this incarnation, I felt the band had a chance to show the breadth of their talents. We've seen the rock charge of the band at the May Festival and Club Crumpet, but here we had the drums played with brushes, giving the acoustic bass, clean guitar and vocal harmonies room to breathe. Daz's vocals are usually the strong point of their sound, blasting past the other instruments, but tonight you could really hear Nik's backing and the lyrics.

Unfortunately the Park Hotel wasn't big enough to swing much of a cat, but plenty of the audience bobbed up and down. It got the bar staff thumbs up as well, which is always the true indication of live music.

Thanks to the open mic players who once again came up with some great stuff and collaborated with musicians they've never played with before. Special mentions to Mitch, playing with Tim and Ticker, for not only improving his live performance but also playing a great original song. Keep it up Mitch!

Tim joined Mitch for a tribute to the loverly staff of the Park Hotel.


Ticker joined on the bass guitar.


Red Sky Rebel from Rowhedge - the other side of the of the river...


Great harmonies, powering drums and bass and accomplished guitar make Red Sky Rebel one of the best local rock acts around.


Usually playing much more full-on funk rock, their acoustic set showed a more skilled and considered performance. Nik's perormance of a Chilli Peppers song showed the talent throughout the band.


Dom, Dave and Ian start the post-watershed jamming.


On stage due to popular request, half of Rak blast out a few songs.