It was the best parts of two years ago that I was spending an evening in a pub in Perth with no intention of seeing any live music when I heard this god almighty thunder located in the back ‘live room’ of the pub.
Curious to explore who was playing this brooding, loud and soulful blues music I apprehensively shuffled my feet into their domain.
And when I mean ‘their domain’, I of course mean, Black Cat Bone’s domain.
Since that night I have often trailed off into thought about where that band is, what they are doing now and when will they release their next piece of recorded music.
In December of 2017 Black Cat Bone released Get Your Kicks Sessions,a five track EP that is the entourage surrounding their debut album Growl,which was recorded and dispatched in 2015.
There are very stark differences between the two releases.
Firstly, the overall sound is far denser as there has been some developments in the rhythm section with the addition of a new guitarist and, the drummer now resides behind a drum kit where as before he would comfortably play on a Cajun.
Secondly, it feels like the band has matured and I honest don’t mean that in a derogatively bad way, more in a way that I feel their music is better representing themselves and what they are actually like when you go and see them live.
Thirdly, (I promise I’ll make this last point and stop listing everything off) its just genuinely good blues music.
When you listen to ‘Love My Baby’ for example it has that bouncy yet, somewhat reserved guitar riff at the beginning but with a drum roll on the snare the song rolls out into this fat serving of raw, beefy blues talent.
If you are afraid that Black Cat Bone wont hold the original traditions of blues music then fear not because Get Your Kicks is an 8 minute slow, passionately driven song that even includes a few harmonica solos, while ‘Hipshake’, need I say anymore? It’s self-explanatory, put it on and dance but ideally find a partner because it’s always a questionable look when someone dances alone.
Words: Craig Carrington-Porter
