KneeJerk Reaction
Welcome to the KneeJerk Reaction website. Keeping toes tapping in the North East since 2005
Garrick's Head, North Shields. 30/08/08
Review By Thrust.
All bands should play the Garrick's Head at least once. They have a critical band of ladies I call the gyrating grannies. They turn up to most gigs and always show their enthusiasm. If they really like the band they dance and they don't care who sees them.
They love their music and were almost coming to blows before the main event arguing over who sang “The Letter”.
I have seen lots of bands here and always believed that despite the best efforts of others that FM were the preferred band of these SAGA critics.
I was wrong.
The Garricks belongs to Knee Jerk Reaction.
It took less than 90 seconds of the first track, a punchy opener, Vertigo, to get the ladies to their feet. And most stayed that way for both sets. What better endorsement can there be? The young ladies with the band, the Jerkettes, stayed resolutely on their seats for the night
I have seen Knee Jerk Reaction loads of times. More times than they have had drummers so you can tell that that's a lot! Today was the first time I had seen them with this seasons model, Ade, who thumped away and made his presence felt behind Richie the front man (ooerr missus!) He really showed his skill in the drum solo during Rock 'n' Roll - Led Zeppelin. It's fair to say he compliments the others.
With a dodgy leg I had got there early for a seat rather than loitering near the ladies loo as normal and it is fair to say the sound was pretty naff during the sound check but was spot on when the music started after the Happy Days theme tune faded out. That's what sound checks and a decent sound man (who can sing a bit) are all about.
The set list remains pretty static, a function of drummers having to learn it before leaving I guess, and KJR play stuff you all will know.. Most made an impact on the singles charts when it was probably the most important thing in your world.
Fortunately they excluded the one track they do I absolutely hate but I did hear amongst others a varied set list comprising
Rosalie - Thin Lizzy
Word Up – Cameo
Dakota - Stereophonics
Substitute - The Who
Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe
Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
My Sharona - The Knack
Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
Sweet Child O Mine - Guns 'n' Roses
Come As You Are - Nirvana
Whiskey In The Jar - Thin Lizzy
Highway To Hell - AC/DC
Ever Fallen In Love...? - Buzzcocks
Special mention must go to Eruption/You Really Got Me - Van Halen/The Kinks which rocks along fantastically after a short virtuoso guitar performance from the elegantly attired guitar/keyboard playing Graeme.
I 'm A Believer - The Monkees does the same although I still maintain the Shrek version would go down better.
Basketcase - Green Day sees soundman Gareth on step ladder.
And Born To Be Wild/Eleanor Rigby - Steppenwolf/The Beatles used to be sublime when it went back to Born to be Wild to end with but now just sounds great with just 2 of the 3 elements.
KJR never fail to deliver. If you are one of the few who haven't seen them go see them. If you want to see them with gyrating grannies then see them at the Garricks.
They didn't play any Box Tops though, not that the grans minded!
All bands should play the Garrick's Head at least once. They have a critical band of ladies I call the gyrating grannies. They turn up to most gigs and always show their enthusiasm. If they really like the band they dance and they don't care who sees them.
They love their music and were almost coming to blows before the main event arguing over who sang “The Letter”.
I have seen lots of bands here and always believed that despite the best efforts of others that FM were the preferred band of these SAGA critics.
I was wrong.
The Garricks belongs to Knee Jerk Reaction.
It took less than 90 seconds of the first track, a punchy opener, Vertigo, to get the ladies to their feet. And most stayed that way for both sets. What better endorsement can there be? The young ladies with the band, the Jerkettes, stayed resolutely on their seats for the night
I have seen Knee Jerk Reaction loads of times. More times than they have had drummers so you can tell that that's a lot! Today was the first time I had seen them with this seasons model, Ade, who thumped away and made his presence felt behind Richie the front man (ooerr missus!) He really showed his skill in the drum solo during Rock 'n' Roll - Led Zeppelin. It's fair to say he compliments the others.
With a dodgy leg I had got there early for a seat rather than loitering near the ladies loo as normal and it is fair to say the sound was pretty naff during the sound check but was spot on when the music started after the Happy Days theme tune faded out. That's what sound checks and a decent sound man (who can sing a bit) are all about.
The set list remains pretty static, a function of drummers having to learn it before leaving I guess, and KJR play stuff you all will know.. Most made an impact on the singles charts when it was probably the most important thing in your world.
Fortunately they excluded the one track they do I absolutely hate but I did hear amongst others a varied set list comprising
Rosalie - Thin Lizzy
Word Up – Cameo
Dakota - Stereophonics
Substitute - The Who
Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe
Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
My Sharona - The Knack
Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
Sweet Child O Mine - Guns 'n' Roses
Come As You Are - Nirvana
Whiskey In The Jar - Thin Lizzy
Highway To Hell - AC/DC
Ever Fallen In Love...? - Buzzcocks
Special mention must go to Eruption/You Really Got Me - Van Halen/The Kinks which rocks along fantastically after a short virtuoso guitar performance from the elegantly attired guitar/keyboard playing Graeme.
I 'm A Believer - The Monkees does the same although I still maintain the Shrek version would go down better.
Basketcase - Green Day sees soundman Gareth on step ladder.
And Born To Be Wild/Eleanor Rigby - Steppenwolf/The Beatles used to be sublime when it went back to Born to be Wild to end with but now just sounds great with just 2 of the 3 elements.
KJR never fail to deliver. If you are one of the few who haven't seen them go see them. If you want to see them with gyrating grannies then see them at the Garricks.
They didn't play any Box Tops though, not that the grans minded!
