Dodgy – The Half Moon Putney – 050821

(faint electrical crackling)…
Hello…

(louder electrical crackling)…
Is anyone out there?...

(loud beeping and white noise)…
Begin transmission…

If anyone can hear this message, we are attempting to find a way back…

A couple of years ago we encountered a sub-space anomaly which sent us through a rift in space/time to an alternate dimension. Here we found an exact replica of Earth, its development appears to have taken the same path as our own sweet home up to a point of approximately 2019 - Around the time the meteor struck our Earth - forcing us all to work together to ensure the survival of humanity. 

This alternate Earth didn’t get struck by the meteor. They have been experiencing instead a more fractured path of events. As a consequence of rampant consumerism and a misplaced drive for acquisition of wealth; misinformation, propaganda and overpopulation begat a dystopian isolationist existence where gathering and human contact were prohibited. But the human spirit is strong – the natural survival instinct and compassion have prevailed, bringing people back to people. Just yesterday a small team of us were sent on an away mission to Putney in Southwest London to witness this remarkable phenomenon…

With caution we entered the edifice known as The Half Moon. Wherein we encountered a gathering of convivial pioneers here to witness the rebirth of Live Music…

Enter stage right Dodgy the advanced guard in this musical renaissance…

Clearly pleased to be back in business, Dodgy proceeded to deliver sonic delight with good humour and aplomb to the delight of the capacity audience.

The band were tight, delivering finely crafted pop gems with apparent ease. After some good-natured banter with the sound crew some niggles with the bands monitoring system were quickly ironed out – not that you’d have known – the sound out front was superb!

Clarity!

All elements…

Effortless skilful drumming – check!

Sonorous melodic bass – check!

Silky smooth acoustic guitar – check!

Soaring stratospheric Stratocaster – check!

Sweet vocal harmonies – check!

Add to this the keyboards/trombone courtesy of Graham which provided a sonic layer that helped knit together these elements of the band to great effect – everyone needs a Graham! In addition to a Graham, Dodgy also appeared to be in possession of a fully functioning Martin Clunes, who quipped – “The only way to defeat the menace of C*v*d is with sustained guitar solos” which gets my vote!

In summary tonight saw a perfect blend of upbeat pop infused with some sweetly melancholic psychedelic leanings born from a seemingly instinctual/innate grasp of melodic composition…

Most haunting melody award goes to – If You’re Thinking of Me – sublime!

Well Dodgy!

A tonic for jaded / weary souls.

End transmission.

Over…

EiTC.

Images:

Gig Review – Dodgy – Jamm Brixton -25th April 2015.

Gig Review – Dodgy – Jamm Brixton -25th April 2015.

After a brief afternoon mission seconded to Mi5 with KiB and BnS, we made our way to Spain for Tapas. At Victoria they went North whilst EiTC went South.

Arriving in Brixton, taking a chance upon following a meandering trail which lead directly to the establishment known as Jamm, where, as luck would have it, they had pineapple in stock and also, Dodgy were performing too!

sisteray

A path opened up to the front of the stage where support band Sisteray were witnessed delivering a set of energetic rocky pop (with just a hint of Buzzcocks to these ears). Ones to watch out for!

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Then Dodgy took to the stage much to the delight of the audience, starting proceedings with a super – If You’re Thinking of Me. They quickly settled in and proceeded to deliver a set comprised of a mix of old, recent and new songs.

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Up next a highly atmospheric What Became Of You? Into a stonking In A Room, then the brilliantly psychedelic Ain’t No Longer Asking. Nigel announced that they were going to give us three new songs tonight and kicked off with the first – Where Shall I Begin? Another question next, with the sweet finger picking and harmonies of Did It Have To Be This Way?

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It’s interesting to note the consistency of Dodgy’s material and how well they deliver this live; always a strong emphasis on the melody, with great interplay and contrast between the acoustic and electric guitars, underpinned by Mathew’s solid and expressive drums and a steady bass, all topped with their impressive vocal harmonies.

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More new stuff with the heavier and rocking You Give Drugs A Bad Name (a possible working title for their new album). Then back to 94 for a slick So Let Me Go Far.

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Leading us up to the hits; Staying Out For The Summer and (you only need one song… we’ve got hundreds of songs!…) – Good Enough.

And then they were gone…

But of course the crowd were baying for more…

And they came back with the great pop of Only A Heartbeat. A cover next with Van Morrison’s Stoned Me. An impromptu instrument change with Andy taking over bass duties while Bassist Stu traversed the stage to concentrate on harmonica as they finished with a fabulous rendition of Homegrown in honour of the dedicated pair of fans who’d made it down from Glasgow for the show tonight.

Well Dodgy innit!? Super-duper in fact!

Over…

EiTC.