Wilbur's Fate @ Hoochie Coochie April 19.

(Review by Lance).
Jordie Cooke (gtr); Dave McKeague (dms); John Pope (bs/bs gtr); Matt Foster (ten/bs clt).

It were ne'er a fit night out for man nor beast - even the coolest of cats was huddled up to the CD (Cat Disc) player. However, I'm a fit knight so I ventured forth. My quest? To discover the Fate of Wilbur! Before this, however, I had to acquire some sugar free mints for 'er indoors, Simple task you may think?

Not in Newcastle! The Toon isn't a sugar free zone surprise, surprise! Jason's quest to find the Golden Fleece was child's play by comparison! After Fenwick's, Superdrug, WH Smith  and McColl's  failed to deliver I gave up and bought a pack of Tic Tacs.

I digress.

Wilbur's Fate are an adventurous band - they push the boundaries but don't quite exceed them. This for me is how it should be. Near the edge and peering into the vast unknown but hang on boys we're not quite ready yet to trust our gossamer wings.

They played some great numbers - my fave was the one about a puppet which Russell tells me was the first one Jordie ever wrote! Advice - don't set yourself such a high benchmark! I jest, his other comps were equally good as were tenorist Matt's.

John Pope played bass guitar as well as double bass even if he did - horror of horrors - occasionally use a bow! At one stage he pounded the bass's body with his fingers.

Matt on tenor blows it like midnight and he's emerging from the wreck of the Titanic.

The band could be playing Nearer My God To Thee but Matt is blowing what Coltrane would have blown if he'd been on the big ship.

The doomed passengers applaud and Matt says, "Okay - to the lifeboats - woman, children and saxophone players first....

I'm being facetious but it would be sad to see the band sink after the two frontmen fly off to Birmingham Uni. in September.

Getting back to Hoochie - another splendid night! Next week it's Zoe.

Photos.

Lance