Venue: Pacific Road
Date: 21st November 2002
[website]

Supporting a name star - Wilko Johnson - can be a daunting task for a band, knowing that the audience is very likely to be impatient for the arrival of the star turn. The Chain Gang knocked this theory into touch right away with an excellent short set of power and enthusiasm. Locally based in Merseyside, the four piece Chain Gang arrived on stage at Pacific Road and immediately bounced into the start of their fast paced energetic set. It comprised a number of originals, mostly based around R'n'B songs including Crawlin', Graveyard Man, Midnight Train and Baby I Don't Care (hope these are the right names, so apologies to the Chain Gang if their not!). The band definitely showed their influence and homage to the UK pub rock scene of the 1970's when band like Dr Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe and Brinsley Schwarz belted out some great tunes. This is no way decrying The Chain Gang as they produced a solid and well-received set.

As a guitar festival, special mention is made to guitarist; Eddie Harrison whose chugging chord and lead work really set the band off to a flyer. He was ably supported 'the man in black' on vocals, Jon Genno, Mick Saunders, bass player - and tail gunner in a US film about a WW2 Flying Fortress, and ace drummer and beat boy, Tony O'Keefe - all in all a band which blends very nicely, thank you! The Chain Gang have a new album released 'They Came From Out Of Town' which is well worth hunting down, and a visit to their highly original website - will give you all the info you need. Must mention that Wilko Johnson at the end of his set went out of his way to thank the boys and lash heaps of praise on The Chain Gang as an excellent band - well said Wilko and I think we all agree!

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