Preview

Last year we received a CD from a friend who recommended the band thereon as one of the best live acts he'd ever seen. The energy and playing on the disc were just unbelievable, so here they are.

Boz Boorer has been a musician's musician and renowned producer for many years, from his early rockabilly days in the 80's with the Polecats, via various liaisons with Kirsty MacColl, Adam Ant, Joan Armatrading and Edwyn Collins, and 12 years as sideman and producer for Morrissey (with whom he has just made a mammoth 4 month world tour).

Boz formed the Friends primarily to play a roots festival in Kilkenny, Ireland a few years back, and it was such a success that they've been back every year. They recorded a CD to be sold at the festival as a souvenir, which went down so well that a Japanese record label licensed it and released it over there.

Boz's wife Lynder on upright bass has played with various blues acts such as Shout Sister Shout and Little George. Lead vocalist Dibbs Preston is a long-time member of The Rockats, a US based rockabilly band and ,as a result, a lot of his time is spent in the States and Japan. On drums is Roger Van Niekerk, a veteran of the rock 'n' roll circuit having played with a lot of the big names of the 50's as well as his main band, Carlos and the Banditos. Last, but definitely not least, to complete the line up they have the unique talents of Sean Macgloin on violin, harmonica and bagpipes (yep, it's the same Sean who will be here with the Trojans in December!). Ever seen a band do Johnny B Goode with a bagpipe solo? Well it's something us here at Cambria Towers are sure as hell looking forward to! Don't miss this sensational live band, and check out Boz's website.

Review

Morrissey sideman Boz and his wonderful outfit brought us a stonking evening of warped rockabilly and fifties-style rock'n'roll, and got the 2003 season off to the best possible start. This is a fun band first and foremost, both for the players and the audience - and rhythm guitarist and lead singer Dibbs Preston was having more fun than most, enlivening the second set with repeated floor-splits (poor fella could barely walk the next morning) and other potentially dangerous stage antics. Also notable was Trojans man Sean McGloin on bagpipes (!) and violin, while Boz's wife Lynder held down a dual role as upright bassist and calming maternal figure. 'Johnny B Goode', 'Great Balls of Fire', 'Proud Mary', and Beatles and Stones covers poured out thick and fast, and Boz delivered a solo medley of Mozza's Greatest Hits to round off the evening - the entertainment level was set at maximum from start to finish. An excellent night!