Venue:
Moochers, Stourbridge
Date: 12/03/2015
39 years since I last saw him, at Hammy Odeon, then a Lost Planet Airman, here I was in a tiny dive bar watching one of my living legends, the King of Dieselbilly. With a fine pick-up band featuring ex-Bees Make Honey (and fellow Texan) Austin de Lone, on keys, ex-Chilli Willi and Roogalator Paul “Bassman” Riley on, um, bass, and Malcolm Mills on drums. Riley and Mills are also his record label bosses, as heads of never more AW Proper Records. Kicking straight off into some steaming twang, the set, split into 2 halves, alternated between his rock’n’roll and his country influences, with many a song from the Commander Cody days. The solid 4 to the floor rhythm section underpinned Kirchens astonishing forays into the lesser played areas of his beloved telecaster, playing the lower notes rather than the squeals and squiggles of usual rockest fare. Finishing the first half with his showstopping Hot Rod Lincoln, within which he evokes every player of said instrument, from Haggard to Hendrix, by way of Kings, Albert, Ben E and Billie Jean(!) De Lone also threw in some keyboard greats from Count Basie to Professor Longhair. I did wonder whether the placement at this stage of the set was to allow the band to get it out the way, so as to get on with what they really wanted to play in the 2nd half. If so that was fine by me.
During the 30 minute break, Kirchen mingled amiably with the “crowd”, signing his “Kirchendise” and seeming a thoroughly decent cove, belying his 50 tough years constantly on the road. And then they were back. No setlist apparent, I asked for “Mama” (hated Diesels) in the interval, it slotting swiftly in, garnishing a buzz of recognition. De Lone gradually warmed up, given a couple of his own songs in each set, adding a glorious glissando organ to his honky tonk piano. Lots more country tinged rock’n’roll and, with “Riot in Cell Block No. 9” and it was suddenly way past 11. Encores? Hell, yes, with a fabulous “Blowing in the Wind” running a force 10 gale into “Too Much Fun” As the song says, only one thing I ain’t ever done, ain’t ever had too much fun.
Damn right!
The audience:
Um, mature. Maybe 50 men of indeterminate everything except likely massive record collections, the odd spouse. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and probably the backbone of record fairs and 2nd hand vinyl emporia. Despite having seen Riley, in the Willis, in 73, and Kirchen in 76, I felt a mere boy. The venue seemed a refuge for such folk, at odds with its internet presence as a leading light of the Stourbridge fleshpots, serving decent beer at sensible prices, and an extensive range of Ham and Mustard crisps as repast. Bloody long drive home, tho’
It made me think..
Forget your megastars, it is Billy Kirchen and the like who are really keeping music alive. Praise and respect both to him and to record labels like Proper who nurture such talents.
41 and a half years since I last saw him at Reading festival. Saw him at Leeds last week, A splendid evening,
For Riot in Cell Block Number 9, he was joined by the support Rachael sage and Kelly Halloran, for a violin/guitar duel and duel keyboard duties with Austin.
Wonderfully written Retro.
Hi Retro, wish I had known about that one – would have joined you in a flash.
I’ve felt like I’ve had the ticket for tomorrow night’s gig clutched in my hand all week all screwed up in the middle and fanned out at the ends in a Beano style. I can’t wait, and now I know there’s a chance of shouting requests, I’m not sure he’ll be allowed to leave the building without doing Don’t Bump Wood. Thanks for ramping up the excitement even more. I really can’t remember when I last felt like this about a gig.
Don’t Bump Wood featured, my friend, worry not!
Excellent – I didn’t know these were the guys behind Proper Records.
Sadly no “Too Much Fun” last night but, welcome as it would have been, it wasn’t missed. I’m still grinning.
The support band “The Cains” were also excellent. Great value for money evening and I have no idea how much I paid for my ticket!
As I got into the car afterwards, I heard someone say “He didn’t do ‘I love the Sound Of Breaking Glass'”. Does he normally or was it a case of mistaken identity.
Superb review – The Hammer Of The Honky-Tonk Gods, as the man himself said. Like SteveT, I also wish I’d known he was on !