Skinny Lister – Live Review
Touring their 4th album, Skinny Lister arrived at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea with a highly impressive and lively show.
Skinny Lister – Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea
As the band came on stage, it was obvious there’s soon to be an unofficial 7th member joining Skinny Lister. With co-singer Lorna Thomas bouncing around while heavily pregnant, she quite understandably excused herself from the stage periodically to take things easy.
That said, despite the initial burst of energy it appears tracks from “The Story Is…” take on a slightly different direction than earlier releases. Throwing in a couple of new tunes early on, initially, the band weren’t quite as folk driven as previous albums. As such, Skinny Lister at the Wedgewood Rooms took a little while to get going for personal tastes, but it was certainly worth the wait!
Lyrically the new release has its ups and downs, “Diesel Vehicle” comes with a storytelling sentiment that somewhat misses the mark. Meanwhile “Second Amendment” quite rightly questions America’s gun laws in a catchy upbeat number. Its content something lead singer Dan Heptinstall points out had somewhat of a divided reaction when played over in the US.
Skinny Lister – Wedgewood Rooms
Skinny Lister – “The Story is…” Out Now!
However, it was as Skinny Lister returned to slightly earlier material things really took off. There’s no doubting the bands’ stage presence, between Dan and Lorna there’s a tight partnership. All the while melodeon player Max Thomas hurls himself towards the audience, encouraging the crowd to get involved.
The response is fantastic, most of the Wedgewood Rooms sing along to every word and as Skinny Lister love a hand clap, the fans duly responded. This is true working man’s music, with the Irish Pogue’s and Dropkick Murphy’s thrown in… and a drop of alcohol.
In particular “Six Whisky’s” has a thigh-slapping post-work, Friday down the pub, shindig about it. While “George’s Glass” comes with a communal drink handed around the entire Wedgewood Rooms. Even when performing the never-ending sea shanty “John Kanaka”, Skinny Lister are highly entertaining.
It’s nothing against the new album really, just the sense of audience comradery was really apparent when the band returned to their previous material. Resulting in a superb night out, where you could feel the love from both stage and floor, during a band Mr Teeth would happily go and see live again.
Skinny Lister – “The Story is…” Out Now!
