| Tonight headlining at the Barfly are Elevator Suite. Nothing against them, but they're
not the reason we're here, no, we're here to see the London debut gig of Hedrock Valley Beats from Northern Ireland. The first band on are Earl though. I don't catch too much of their set so I can't say much. What I hear isn't too impressing though. As the guys from HVB, Decky (keyboards), Frankie (DJ and samples) and Foxy (bass guitar), are getting ready the venue gets fuller and fuller, although not many people here seem to know who Hedrock Valley Beats are. I personally am very curious how they gonna do, after seeing them at Glastonbury Festival 2 month ago where they played at the very cruel time of 10.45 am on Sunday morning! So this is gonna be my first 'evening HVB gig' and I don't quite know what to expect. The lights switch off and the Hedrocks storm on stage and start their set with some wicked beats and then kick off with the first track. My first impression: wow! This is amazing! They play their forthcoming single Coming thru (my stereo) now, a track currently going around on a few whitelabels a very danceable, old skool hip hop influenced track with a catchy sample. King of Rock comes on with a fast always repeating vocal sample building up the track and cool beats.
Now Funk It (in da house), my favourite HVB track. To say that I was completely buzzing and couldn't stop dancing now would be a complete understatement. HVB have this sound that just works very well live, and although its just the three guys, a keyboarder, a DJ and a bass player, no 'front man', no MC and none of them is ever saying anything to the audience, it just works! Now also played is the probably most well-known HVB track: Radio Beatbox, great!
Next tune to get the masses dancing is Rhode Island Swing, with the famous 'give the DJ a break' sample. The audience is cheering after every track only to be surprised with another great tune before the Hedrocks then end their set with Where's the Punk Rock?. Nice one! Catch Hedrock Valley Beats live at the Camden Underworld 5th September 2000 supporting Alpine Stars and check out their website : www.hedrockvalleybeats.com |
