BEADY EYE – Webster Hall, NY – 23rd June 2011

In terms of an intro, I have pretty much said it all in the previous album review – http://scoaustin.blogspot.com/2011/03/album-review-beady-eye-different-gear.html and gig review - http://scoaustin.blogspot.com/2011/06/beady-eye-letterman-theater-broadway-ny.html. My deep rooted love for, ‘Oasis’ and keen interest on both siblings progress in life after, ‘Oasis’ has already been shared on this blog. It is perhaps something of a surprise that, Liam got ahead of the game in moving on and releasing new music. In recruiting former, ‘Oasis’ band mates,  Gem Archer (‘Heavy Stereo’ and ‘Oasis’) and Andy Bell (‘Ride’, ‘Hurricane#1’ and ‘Oasis’) and supplementing these two talents with Chris Sharrock (‘The Icicle Works’, ‘The La’s’, ‘The Wild Swans’, ‘Wild Party’ and ‘The Lightning Seeds’), Liam really has struck gold. The undeniable truth is, ‘Beady Eye’ are an extremely talented group of musicians. In the previous review, my focus and plaudits were very much geared to the eminent front man, but in this review, I hope to comprehend that this is by no means a one man show. It’s also worth noting, that while on stage two other, ‘Beady Eye’s’ are present in Jeff Wooton on bass (‘Gorillaz’) and Matt Jones (‘Ultrasound’) on keyboard. They too bring something to the party.

The band’s debut album, ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’, released in February is by no means in my ‘top albums’ category just yet, but it’s a very decent debut with a few cracking tracks. Collectively sharing the songwriting between Gallagher, Archer and, Bell makes complete sense. The trio have all written and performed self written songs with their various projects in the past to varying degrees of success, but collectively, they seem to have delivered the goods on this album.

We took our seats (found suitable standing spot) upstairs in Webster Hall. Having seen the band up close and personal the previous night, a different vantage point seemed like the sensible decision. Thirty minutes prior to going on, Liam brushed fleetingly past me in his notorious swagger. Shortly after, 'Stone Roses', 'Resurrection' bellowed from the sound system. Great stuff and elevated the anticipation of the forthcoming, Beady Eye’ in the room.

The crowd was made up of an extremely diverse bunch. From the bearded and unwashed to mods; fedora wearing hipsters to baseball cap clad hip-hopsters. Indeed, 'Smiths' bass guitarist, Andy Rourke was spotted and ambushed briefly by a friend of mine. Apparently he was in good form and still passionate about his music. 

Starting with the very popular, ‘Four Letter Word’ the crowd got comfortable with the notion that they were in for a treat. As per the previous night, there was no real desire for mid song or between song banter as they zipped onwards with, ‘Beatles And Stones’ which went down really well with the packed house. Perhaps much of the adulation is a touch of reminiscing. I mean, who wouldn't enjoy a track where two masters of music are referred to? You have to love it. B-side to, 'The Roller’ was up next and admittedly, it’s the first time I had heard, ‘Two Of A Kind’ which is poppy, with well composed lyrics – “I’m on my way, To save my love, She rides my wave, I swim above.” This was a warm up to, ‘The Roller’ itself which is a fantastic song.  It’s somewhat sleepy and sultry, yet manages to be upbeat and invigorating as well. Liam shakes hands with an ecstatic crowd afterwards...we are seeing the evolution of man unfold before our eyes. What happened to the LG of old?

'Wind Up Dream' took us through the midway point and, Liam is in good harmony with, Gem on this one. My only complaint being that it’s missing the harmonica from the album version which takes something away from this track. Its like, 'Masterplan' without harmonica...just a little hollow. ‘Bring The Light’ is a firm favourite with me...the high octane keys from, Jones and general sound is wonderful…and I love the guitar riff by, Gem immediately following the chorus. ‘'Standing On The Edge Of The Noise' was introduced as 'Standing On The Fucking Edge Of The Noise' and the aggression of the vocals on this song are ideal for Liam. They changed the mic after this one...good chance he may have blown it with that song. 

‘Kill For A Dream’ is along the balladry lines of, ‘Champagne Supernova’ or ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘The Beat Goes On’ is another more chilled offering. Liam paying his candid respects an appreciation midway through the song to a banner simply displaying the songs title. Despite the fandans in the audience bellowing for ‘Wonderwall’ (probably on the lower end of my favourite, ‘Oasis’ tunes) and one Scottish idiot (yes, we have our fair share) with his strong, harsh Glaswegian accent directly behind me persistently screaming, “I love you, Liam…I love you”, this more charismatic than before front man maintained his focus on the performance at hand and, ‘Beady Eye’.

‘The Morning Son’ echo and distortion worked brilliantly in this mellow, psychedelic tune with the now enigmatic front man closing with "I'm not just sayin’ it...fcukin’ top place" in reference to NYC as he left the stage for the first time. An encore was demanded and supplied. Introducing, ‘Wigwam’ by asking the audience, "where's the cavalries?" To that point, I do like the military like drum beat from, Sharrock before Liam wraps this up with his impeccable, "I'm coming up" finale on the track. 'World Of Twist' cover, ‘Sons Of The Stage’ is announced as the last song with Liam announcing "getting out of here before I catch a cold. You guys are the bollocks." Incidentally, the last part if this quotation is extremely high praise of an ecstatic crowd.

The live act is solid and this band are tighter than a Scotsman pouring out a fine malt. Depending on my mood, ‘The Roller’, ‘Bring The Light’ and, ‘The Beat Goes On’ are among my, ‘Beady Eye’ preferences. That said, ‘Beatles And Stones’ and ‘Standing On The Edge Of The Noise’ are serious contenders to the pack with the slow burning, ‘Wigwam’ not too far away.

 

With news that, ‘Beady Eye’ have begun working on material for a second album, I am more than satisfied with what I have seen and heard this past week and look forward to much more from this multi talented band. Liam and Gem in particular (hard to tell with the poker faced, Bell) are clearly enjoying the music in a different way to what they did with Oasis. Instead of, in between song bickering with his older brother, Liam and Gem are often sharing a word or three and seemingly having a ball performing on stage together. Rating 9/10 (not as intimate, but more songs and more atmos in this rundown, but raw and reliable venue)

Set List:

Four Letter Word

Beatles And Stones

Millionaire

Two Of A Kind

For Anyone

The Roller

Wind Up Dream

Bring The Light

Standing On The Edge Of The Noise

Kill For A Dream

Three Ring Circus

TheBeat Goes On

Man Of Misery

The Morning Son

Encore:

Wigwam

Sons Of The Stage (World Of Twist cover)