Ventnor Blog

Continuing to receive great reviews [here's another], it’s finally time for the public to be able to get their greasy mitts on a copy of The Bees’ third and long awaited album, Octopus.

As part of my week-long birthday celebrations a couple of weeks ago, Simon surprised me by whisking me up to London for a couple of days. The purpose of heading up to the big smoke was to see my favourite Ventnor band, The Bees, play live at the London Astoria. It was two years ago to the day that we last saw them play on the mainland, that time at Brixton Academy.

Luckily this time, we were able to get much closer to the front of the stage, right in the middle of the throbbing action. It was a tight squeeze, if the folks in front or behind you were dancing, then you were too, but thoroughly enjoyable.

The music was, of course, superb. We’d heard several of the new tracks already on MySpace, but seeing and hearing them being delivered live, is just how I love my music. And true to form, The Bees delivered in style.

Very catchy and sure to be huge hits, Left Foot Step Down and Who Cares What the Question is? had the crowds bobbing, jumping and bouncing up, down, left and right. Mingled in with classics such as A Mina Menina (from the first album) and These Are The Ghosts (from the second) with new greats such as Love in the Harbour (any hidden meanings there lads?) and Hot One.

There was the usual switching around of roles between the lads, (you just can’t keep Paul off the drums) with Fletch (Aaron Fletcher) providing more vocals than on the last two albums. Tim Parkin delivered quality brass in the form of trumpet and sax (I think?) and vocals.

Kris Birkin, seemed to be in an antigravity bubble, struggling to keep hold of his guitar as it kept flying high above his head (a la Hendrix) certainly pleasing his huge number of fans in the crowd. Warren ‘Woz’ Hampshire might’ve been hiding behind his keyboard, but he was working up a storm on the old ebony and ivories. Finally, Clev, lurking at the back of the stage behind the drum kit, so unassuming, but providing incredible percussion and clearly a big dub influence coming through strong on tracks like Left Foot Step Down.

Great to see Tom Gardner from The Motion Pictures providing percussion and vocal support, next to two talented saxophonists.

Octopus is available from Amazon for £8.98 with free delivery if you spend over £15 (so why not treat your Mum or Dad to a copy?)

If you can’t wait for your CD to arrive, check their MySpace where you can hear all the tracks off the new album.

Music, Overseas, Ventnor