Old, New, Borrowed and Bluesy
Verity/Bromham Band - Backstage, Kinross, 23rd March 2024
Verity/Bromham Band - Backstage, Kinross, 23rd March 2024
In a twist of classic rock fate, John Verity and Del Bromham, who live close to each other and have more than 110 years of combined career experience (and more stories, backstage tales and anecdotes than they have songs), only got together recently – and that was assumed to be for no more than a couple of festival shows in 2022, performing some of their own songs alongside a handful of classic rock and blues covers.
So well received were those initial shows however that Verity/Bromham has become a performing entity in its own right, one that dovetails with the schedules of the John Verity Band and, in Del Bromham’s case, The Blues Devils or the still much loved Stray (the greatest little rock band to never make it big).
It's also a unique situation – an exceptional covers band who also perform some of their own material.
But, additionally, given John Verity and Del Bromham are great songwriters with some seriously impressive solo albums on offer, it’s an absolute win-win, both on stage and at the merch desk, where you can grab copies of said solo albums and their recent, respective autobiographies (both well worth the read).
At the intimate, always welcoming Backstage venue in Kinross the band featured resident Verity/Bromham (and Stray) bassist Colin Kempster and the deputising Kev Hickman who, considering it was only his second show as well as carrying a full-blown head cold lurgy, was very impressive indeed (ever the trooper, Hickman went flat out on stage, but was out on his feet off it).
That the set would be a fun, highly entertaining and excellent mix & match of older and newer originals, borrowed classics and the blues, was evident from the off and the first flurry of songs.
A beefy version of Del Bromham’s 'The Ballad JD' from his Nine Yards solo album was followed by a great version of Blind Faith’s 'Can’t Find My Way Home' featuring Bromham in fine, high-voiced form and an outro of intertwined guitar solos over Colin Kempster and Kev Hickman’s lock-tight rhythm.
The spotlight then fell on John Verity for the melodic rock-blues of 'Sand In My Pocket '(from his excellent solo album Passion) and a gritty take of the Willie Dixon standard 'Hoochie Coochie Man,' where Verity showed he still has the voice, in blues spades.
So well received were those initial shows however that Verity/Bromham has become a performing entity in its own right, one that dovetails with the schedules of the John Verity Band and, in Del Bromham’s case, The Blues Devils or the still much loved Stray (the greatest little rock band to never make it big).
It's also a unique situation – an exceptional covers band who also perform some of their own material.
But, additionally, given John Verity and Del Bromham are great songwriters with some seriously impressive solo albums on offer, it’s an absolute win-win, both on stage and at the merch desk, where you can grab copies of said solo albums and their recent, respective autobiographies (both well worth the read).
At the intimate, always welcoming Backstage venue in Kinross the band featured resident Verity/Bromham (and Stray) bassist Colin Kempster and the deputising Kev Hickman who, considering it was only his second show as well as carrying a full-blown head cold lurgy, was very impressive indeed (ever the trooper, Hickman went flat out on stage, but was out on his feet off it).
That the set would be a fun, highly entertaining and excellent mix & match of older and newer originals, borrowed classics and the blues, was evident from the off and the first flurry of songs.
A beefy version of Del Bromham’s 'The Ballad JD' from his Nine Yards solo album was followed by a great version of Blind Faith’s 'Can’t Find My Way Home' featuring Bromham in fine, high-voiced form and an outro of intertwined guitar solos over Colin Kempster and Kev Hickman’s lock-tight rhythm.
The spotlight then fell on John Verity for the melodic rock-blues of 'Sand In My Pocket '(from his excellent solo album Passion) and a gritty take of the Willie Dixon standard 'Hoochie Coochie Man,' where Verity showed he still has the voice, in blues spades.
The first set concluded with a brace of originals from each frontman.
John Verity led the vocal and guitar charge on the Cream styled, Ginger Baker homage 'Red Devil' and the political finger pointing rhythm and blues of 'Big Stick' while Del Bromham encouraged the singalong on 'Everybody Has To Sing The Blues' and got cheeky on the blues-funky 'House Of Love' ("this song has a funky feel, and if you’re looking for a funky feel…")
Ladies and gentlemen, Del Bromham, rock guitarist, stand-up comedian and pretty good impressionist (Stanley Unwin and Norman Wisdom, to name but two).
As had been hinted at by John Verity towards the first set’s end, the second set was an opportunity for full-voiced, audience participation, and the Kinross crowd did not disappoint.
Following a rumbunctious rendition of Mountain’s 'Mississippi Queen' (with a blistering solo apiece from the frontmen), J.J. Cale’s 'Cocaine' (a staple of John Verity’s live set), a rockin' 'Bad Case Of Loving You' and the Bromham led 'Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo' all allowed for big chorus singalongs.
John Verity’s Argent days were then covered (see what I did there?) via 'Hold Your Head Up' ("Norman!" - if you know you know) and 'God Gave Rock And Roll To You' (the original version, not the lyrically butchered rework 'claimed' by the once circus rockers now sock puppets, KISS).
'Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City' (dedicated to Bernie Marsden) was another singalong highlight, while 'Rocky Mountain Way' (another John Verity set staple) was bolstered by Del Bromham's nifty slide work and a talk-box solo that nodded directly to the Joe Walsh original.
The amps went up one and the energy was lifted for the run in, which featured a hard driving, drum pedal down cover of 'Old Time Rock And Roll' and John Verity’s now trademark Hendrix tribute/ 'Star Spangled Banner' (here incorporating 'God Save The King'), leading to a weighty rendition of 'Purple Haze,' with both guitarists giving it plenty.
A quick-fire encore of 'Rock And Roll' (with classic Bonzo start and finish from Kev Hickman) brought the show to a close; a near two-hour reminder that whether playing respectfully rearranged covers, or delivering their own material, John Verity and Del Bromham remain rock and roll forces to be reckoned with.
Long may their fun-filled, music playing, storytelling partnership continue.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credit: Raymond Meyer
John Verity led the vocal and guitar charge on the Cream styled, Ginger Baker homage 'Red Devil' and the political finger pointing rhythm and blues of 'Big Stick' while Del Bromham encouraged the singalong on 'Everybody Has To Sing The Blues' and got cheeky on the blues-funky 'House Of Love' ("this song has a funky feel, and if you’re looking for a funky feel…")
Ladies and gentlemen, Del Bromham, rock guitarist, stand-up comedian and pretty good impressionist (Stanley Unwin and Norman Wisdom, to name but two).
As had been hinted at by John Verity towards the first set’s end, the second set was an opportunity for full-voiced, audience participation, and the Kinross crowd did not disappoint.
Following a rumbunctious rendition of Mountain’s 'Mississippi Queen' (with a blistering solo apiece from the frontmen), J.J. Cale’s 'Cocaine' (a staple of John Verity’s live set), a rockin' 'Bad Case Of Loving You' and the Bromham led 'Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo' all allowed for big chorus singalongs.
John Verity’s Argent days were then covered (see what I did there?) via 'Hold Your Head Up' ("Norman!" - if you know you know) and 'God Gave Rock And Roll To You' (the original version, not the lyrically butchered rework 'claimed' by the once circus rockers now sock puppets, KISS).
'Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City' (dedicated to Bernie Marsden) was another singalong highlight, while 'Rocky Mountain Way' (another John Verity set staple) was bolstered by Del Bromham's nifty slide work and a talk-box solo that nodded directly to the Joe Walsh original.
The amps went up one and the energy was lifted for the run in, which featured a hard driving, drum pedal down cover of 'Old Time Rock And Roll' and John Verity’s now trademark Hendrix tribute/ 'Star Spangled Banner' (here incorporating 'God Save The King'), leading to a weighty rendition of 'Purple Haze,' with both guitarists giving it plenty.
A quick-fire encore of 'Rock And Roll' (with classic Bonzo start and finish from Kev Hickman) brought the show to a close; a near two-hour reminder that whether playing respectfully rearranged covers, or delivering their own material, John Verity and Del Bromham remain rock and roll forces to be reckoned with.
Long may their fun-filled, music playing, storytelling partnership continue.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credit: Raymond Meyer