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THE MAGNA CARTAS Friday 29th May, 2009 @ Marrs Bar, Worcester, ENGLAND. |
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Herefordshire rock band Mars Bonfire are carving out quite a name for themselves not only locally but also nationally, mainly through their hard working gig schedule that promotes their wonderful blend of retro rock. Tonight at the Marrs Bar in Worcester was an ideal opportunity to take a proper look at what these guys are offering and actually get to meet them properly for the first time. |
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But first, tonight’s support slot was filled by a new band called The Magna Cartas who after a long period of practice behind closed doors played their first gig. They presented a style of rock somewhere approaching Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Jesus and Mary Chain and early Oasis; it’s a sort of darkish, bluesy rock n’ roll hybrid of a gritty garage sound with an alternative indie hue. Although the band members have been around playing in other groups for some years, you could forgive them for the rather nervous and a totally unanimated performance on their maiden gig. While not particularly a genre of rock that excites me, they performed a competent set of songs that showed promise and brought a respectable appreciation from those watching. You feel sure you'll be seeing them again as they hone their art. |
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And so it was onto the headline band and within minutes of Mars Bonfire beginning their set, you saw the contrast that many gigs of experience make to a live performance. The band was relaxed, they flowed with the music and instantly connected with the crowd. |
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 MARS BONFIRE (Click image to enlarge) |
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It was a set that mixed their own original material with a sprinkling of classic covers and they all interchanged seamlessly with each other to produce a jam of songs that included the likes of Hendrix and Zeppelin and which were full of improvisations and tweaks so as to integrate them neatly into their own vibe. Undoubtedly their sound is that of the classic hard rock from the seventies and it is great to hear bands playing like that again, but four young lads don’t hide the era they have actually grown up in and it was equally nice to hear their subtle influences from the decades between then and now. They take the class from classic, injected it with twenty-first century impetuosity and then further invigorate it with the enthusiasm of youth. |
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The vocalist Martin Martyn was visually reminiscent of a cross between young versions of Robert Plant and Paul Rodgers, with all the expressive bravado, melodramatic stances and a gutsy delivery. His voice is much deeper and earthier with more of a gravely edge to it and this helps them define their own sound, as he powered his way through a charismatic show. The rhythm section of Karl Dixon on Bass and his brother Shane Dixon on Drums were as tight as you’d expect a relationship between brothers should be (and they were a couple of nice down-to-earth blokes too). Karl also performed backing vocals and took the opportunity to sing lead vocals on the occasional song, which provided a nice bit of variation to both what you saw and heard. Finally, Remi Harris looked every bit the quiet yet self-assured guitarist that every good rock band needs. He delivered the riffs and solos (of which there was plenty) that knitted all the other ingredients gracefully together. |
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