The HCB is not a conventional colliery band, coming as they
do from Hackney, an area noticeably short on pit-head wheels. Nor does it
follow brass band tradition; it adds elements from Eastern Europe, the American
marching band tradition, African and reggae rhythms and hot funk a la James
Brown’s Famous Flames. The band doesn’t have a fixed line up but draws from
members of a collective, which seems to be a thing these days down in that
London. Tonight’s line-up includes Luke Christie on drums, sousaphonist Ed
Ashby and Miguel Gorodi as second trumpet. The front line of alto and tenor
sax, two trumpets and two trombones isn’t built for comfort, it’s built for
noise.
Trumpeter Steve Pretty is the leader and MD for the night
and provides most of the non-covers in the set. The covers include Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box, and, because it’s that
time of year, and says Mr Pretty, it’s a contractual obligation, some Christmas
tunes, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The
Little Swallow (a Ukrainian carol; “A Ukrainian carol in Gateshead”, said
Steve, “that’ll show them.”) and Mistletoe
and Wine, the title of which was a bit of a cliffhanger until I recognised
it.
The arrangements are not all sound and fury as for some
tunes all the band except a soloist and rhythm section drop out before the
others climb back on board creeping up behind whoever’s in front to raise a
riot once again. They closed by disconnecting all the microphones and Christie
strapping on a snare drum to become a marching band. To Toto’s Africa they led us out of Sage 2 into
the foyer, to the bemusement of the crowd in Sage 1 who had been to see a
Luther Vandross tribute. I know where I would rather have been.
They promise to be back next year in the big hall next door
with a bigger band and a choir so that should be worth a visit.
I wandered out into the fag end of the cold snap, new T-shirt and CD in pockets wondering what they were going to change the name of the Sage to. The Onion, I presumed. Dave Sayer
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