Gig Review: The Jordan Luck Band @ The Thirsty Dog Auckland 11/3/16

A cosy crowd congregated at K Rd’s The Thirsty Dog, with the promise of rock music from a man we all know, performing songs we all love, with a group simply called the Jordan Luck Band. The air was thick with unspoken anticipation, would Jordan be the man we know from 20 or 30 years ago, and would he sound any different? Well we didn’t have to wait long with the set kicking off with the brilliant Erotic and Jordan sounded great, just like he did in the eighties. We were treated to all the great Exponents songs, Who Loves Who The Most, Christchurch, Victoria, I’ll Say Goodbye, (Even Though I’m Blue) and Whatever Happened To Tracy, all these classics had everyone singing along and smiling to the wonderful feeling and memory these popular songs invoke.

The band played with vigour and enthusiasm and sounded alive and genuine with Bryan Bell providing joyous lead guitar and the bouncing Joe Walsh supporting with Electric and Acoustic guitars, which he expertly alternated without a hitch from song to song. The energetic and on time drumming from Beaver was superb throughout the night and the full bass sound from Rich Mixture was grunty and solid helping to power the rock vibe in every song.

A perfect tribute to Late Dave McArtney and Graham Brazier was delivered with a wonderful rendition of Hello Sailor’s Blue Lady. Jordan’s band really enjoy their work and they showed how great this song is, with its growing rhythm and intensity, a special mention to Brian Bell for providing the intrinsic guitar melody which he did with consummate ease and control. Jordan may have lost some of his pep and step but he still had his signature moves with his arms up in the air clapping and pointing to the sky, he also engaged with the crowd and enjoyed his place on stage with a mic and band of brothers to groove with.

Finishing with the greatest singalong kiwi classic Why Does Love Do This To Me which Jordan allowed the crowd to sing, which was belted out by the audience in rapturous appreciation and devotion to all those parties and sporting venues we had experienced to this tune in our pasts. But wait there’s more, first a late night surprise AC/DC classic Let There Be Rock which went off like a house on fire, then another superb kiwi classic with Th’ Dudes Be Mine Tonight phew what a great show it was. The Jordan Luck Band are touring all over NZ in April and May so get along to a show and enjoy a dose of a Kiwiana rock that you will leave you wanting more.

Well before Jordan hit the stage we were warmed up by two bands, first was Black Alpine who jumped up looking young and eager with hair everywhere, and although they looked like something out of Wayne’s World they rocked it up and relentlessly flanged their guitars with gusto. The thumping bass was turned up a bit too loud, but thankfully was in sync with his fellow hairy rockers throughout the set. When the trio of guitar welding men up front banged their heads in unison it almost made you dizzy, the music was old school rock played with a mischievous eighties flair, their sound is raw and real, and when they played their fast and tight riffs it did make you take notice.

Ekko Park were next with their high octane up-tempo rock songs which sounded so tight and vibrant, with the irrepressible Joe Walsh up front singing his heart out. Joe looks and sounds like he was born singing and playing a guitar, he is clearly in his element, up on stage performing his superb songs full of strong melody and meaning. The band are a tight unit, with the skilful Nick Douch providing faultless drumming in every song, he has such a fluent technique that provides power and panache that lets the music really takes flight. Joel Halstead’s lead guitar was drilling scorching riffs that hit the night air with blazing clarity, and when he grinded with Joe on the more rhythmic sections it sent shivers down my spine.  Joe proudly announced that Bryan Bell was on bass for the first time ever and also declared that “ironically the next song was written as an apology to him for drinking too much wine”, which was promptly toasted and then they launched into my favourite Ekko Park song My Crime which never fails to hook you with its bounding energy and catchy melody which only Mr Walsh and his charming Irish twang can provide.

Ekko Park deliver their songs with great energy and pride, they are clearly empowered by the music they create, they have fun and it’s infectious, and thus everyone really enjoyed their set. Later Joe and Bryan were back on stage with JLB and they never showed any glimpse of fatigue, they just bounded back into their work and gave it their all. Well done. NZ rocks.