Whiskey Falls in London,UK

16 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on Whiskey Falls in London,UK

In my own words to Seven after the show: “ May I just say – WOW!”.

Having spent most of the day in various Starbucks stores had me plenty caffeinated for the second of last week’s gigs. As I still had some work to sort out, I went a little earlier and in my hyperactive state got everything done within 15 minutes. It gave me a bit of time to hang out with road trip friends and talk about music with fellow addicts. (Incidentally, I am writing this on the train after the show on the way to a friend’s house to the sound of some drunk girl throwing up in the bathroom. Charming.)

Whiskey Falls is made up of Seven Williams, Buck Johnson, Wally Brandt and Damon Johnson. This band has only been playing together for about 2 years but I’d defy anyone to notice that when you see them live. Anyone who hasn’t just been told by me, that is.

Before I forget, please, do go check out their website: http://www.whiskeyfallsmusic.com

As stated in a previous review, I love The Borderline, so I don’t mind having to hang out there at all. During the first support act, who aside from being a bit bland also managed to use a racist term, I was rescued by the tour manager because it was time for Brian to go do the interview. It started with Buck and Seven, joined a few minutes later by Wally and Damon. What wonderful guys! The interview was really great, I think it will be a superb introduction for these guys to UK audiences. We tried to do some promo shots for our websites but the head of security showed up whose one regret in life must be that he wasn’t around in Germany in the 1940s. He kicked us out for not having “a backstage pass”. Is he kidding? If this was the O2 Arena and the Stones were playing and we had no business being back there, then fine. But in this case we were clearly working with the band and just stood in a corridor which is actually the entire “backstage” area. I clearly was not the only one who had too much coffee that day. We went back into the venue during the second support slot but I had to get out for a while to find something to eat.

I got back just in time to see Whiskey Falls take the stage. Having only heard the CD a few times and with no idea how the audience were going to react, it was clear they, and I, were loving it even before the opener “Falling Into You” finished. A few songs later, things were slowed down with “Highway 59” which I have been known to skip on the CD but this live version was much more passionate and so much better. During song intros and in the slower songs, the perfect harmonies really make these guys stand out from bands with a similar sound.

The debut CD doesn’t begin to do them justice and everyone must try their best to go see them live as soon as possible. As I’ve said elsewhere: if they are anywhere near you, with ‘near’ including anywhere you can get to within 24hrs travel, please go see them. Even though this was an acoustic set, the sound was much heavier and fuller than on the, in my opinion, slightly too ‘light’ record. But then I guess it was tailored to country radio.

By my personal favourite “The Champ”, the place was rocking along. I was halfway up the stairs to get some good pictures and it was so much fun watching people dancing and enjoying themselves. I can only imagine what the view must be like from a stage and see a crowd singing along to your own songs. The crowd reaction got stronger and stronger; they definitely convinced quite a few people that night.

Along with material from the CD, they played some new songs of which the absolutely fantastic “Hell Billy” must surely be a future single! “Last Train Running” featured more of those magnificent harmonies before the show closed with “Let the Whiskey Fall”, which is the perfect song for a venue like that. There was one (planned) encore of “Sweet Home Alabama” which as far as I could see, every single person was singing along to.

A few minutes later the band came back out to talk to fans and sell CDs and t-shirts. I hope they sold many, they deserve every reward for their hard work. And thanks again guys (and Kim) for making sure the promo picture did happen after all!

[Whiskey Falls]
Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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