08 September 2013 (gig)
09 September 2013
The Hoax are a superb band on record and an even better one live – the set at Putney’s famous Half Moon had a capacity crowd going apeshit.
The band feature two superb guitarists in Jon Amor and Jesse Davey as well as frontman Hugh Coltman’s vocals and harp and I have to say that I haven’t heard a Blues band with as much conviction and sheer ballsiness since Stephen Dale Petit’s High Voltage Band – this band rocks with a capital everything.
They played most of the numbers from their fine new album and I was particularly struck by just how good a guitarist Jesse Davey is – Jon Amor I know well enough from the Jon Amor Blues Band but Davey was a revelation; he might look like Gong era Steve Hillage but he has all the chops of Alvin Lee or Tony McPhee.
Favourite numbers on the night were a terrific ‘Give Me A Drink’ and a dark and powerful ‘Two Steps Back’
If the band are playing anywhere in reach then they are not to be missed – outstanding.
The support for the evening was Robin Davey’s side project, Well Hung Heart and the two of them kicked the evening off with a brilliant set. Robin on guitar and the sheer power and passion of vocalist Greta Valenti made a wonderful noise that was not quite Blues, not quite punk or grunge but somehow featured the best of all those forms. ‘Creep’ was exceptional.
