A sad day when a band you've loved decide to go on indefinite hiatus with the following statement:
"Hey friends. We've been building up to telling you this, and it's hard to say, but we've decided, after our remaining dates, to take indefinite time off the road. We've been going full throttle for over 10 years, and now it’s time to put some love and care into other projects ...
Ruth Lyon has started to make a name as a solo artist. Her music has been described by the likes of Line Of Best Fit as “offbeat, sophisticated anti-folk”. Big things are happening next year. Squeezebox Rosie is starting a new business Fantasy Fibre Mill, growing and spinning her own flax crop into sustainable regenerative linen yarn and clothes! Tommy Arch, on the pots and pans, is kicking out on his own, re-born as a soulful country vagabond. There are rumours on the psychedelic grapevine that Nicky's band Alian Pizza Van will beaming back down to earth next year. You’ll find bass player Phoebe, drinking red wine in a long black coat playing bluegrass festival near you, with her old-time duo, Errant Moose. Conrad, band founder and dancing monkey, in his own words, is "off fishing” …
We started this band in 2009 for a laugh, a way to avoid life’s responsibility for a summer, in a small, smoky kitchen in Leamington Spa! What a trip it's been since. We will never be able to thank you enough for the love, support and encouragement you have given to us. It has been the experience of our lives. We hope to be back one day with new records and new memories to make, but for now, let’s get sweaty for the last rodeo ...
All dates (including two special shows in London and Newcastle next year) are on sale. Please don't miss out on this tour, it really is the last chance to dance - www.holymolyandthecrackers.com
But, we won’t say goodbye, only see you down the road. X"
And so the Solid Gold Tour became The Last Rodeo Tour.
The three of us began our evening in Taste of Chennai, the new Indian restaurant in the former Kama Sutra site on Sauchiehall Street. It was handy for the venue, the CCA, which was just across the street. I thought the venue doors opened at 7.00 pm so we didn't head over till 7.15 pm. Turns out the correct opening time was 7.30 pm, later delayed to 7.40 pm. Some people (my wife) get annoyed by the wait but I was pleased. We were first in the queue. Result!
The room at the CCA felt like a good space for a concert, with a high ceiling but otherwise compact, the stage raised sufficiently high for the band to be seen. A ramp on the right reminded me that lead singer Ruth had mobility issues and that, the last time we saw the band, in Audio, Conrad had had to carry her onto the stage in a fireman's lift. Such undignified means would not be required tonight.
Tommy Arch provided tonight's support. Just him and his guitar, with little preparation in the way of banter. He came across like an adept busker, singing and playing mostly his own material. I was a bit bored and, at one point, discovered my leg had gone to sleep. I nearly toppled over when it failed to provide the support I expected. He would probably come across better accompanied by a full band. (I'd forgotten he was also Holy Moly's drummer).
The crowd was sparse for the support but filled nicely by the time the band took to the stage at 9 o'clock. It wasn't a sell-out but those that were there made up for it with volume and enthusiasm. I never noticed Ruth in her electric buggy as she zipped towards the ramp, the rest of the band using the steps, so Bob had to nudge me out of the way. Sorry, Ruth.
Then the party started. They totally lived up to their blurb: Holy Moly and the Crackers are the fiery folk-rockers who have become renowned for their blazing live shows with influences by the honest grit of Woody Guthrie, the gypsy burlesque of Gogol Bordello & the spectral clarity of Joni Mitchell.
The band dynamic is full of energy, bouncing about, revelling in their music. It shows in their faces how much they enjoy their performances. Conrad's loving glances towards Ruth conveyed his deep respect for her. I can totally understand where he's coming from. Her voice is beguiling. It's sad to think they'll soon be gone, as Ruth chases a solo career. Conrad declared they'd of course be back one day but I could sense his feeling of loss.
It was another great gig, albeit bittersweet and short.
There were a few oddballs in the crowd. One older gentleman with a gammy leg walked across the space in front of the stage and attempted to climb onto the ramp, initially over, then under the retractable barrier. Struggling, he eventually managed it and proceeded to stagger up the slope, taking pictures of the band. I wondered how far he would get before security intervened. They didn't need to. He stopped just short of the stage, took his pictures then retired down the ramp, where he danced and clapped awkwardly to the music, eventually slipping back under the barrier, returning to his original position on the far side. Fair play to him, he got what he wanted.
After the show, a punter lifted the nearest setlist from the stage. I noticed three others elsewhere and expressed a desire to have one. Bob did the honours for me, heading up the ramp to remove the one on the right. Cheers mate.
Ticket Price: £15 (£17.62 inc fees, from See Tickets).
Setlist:
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| Support, Tommy Arch |
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| Holy Moly & The Crackers |
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| Calls for the guitarist to return having forgotten the bow |
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| The last bow for Glasgow |
