NICK GILROY KOMBO
Update: June, 1999
Contact: NICK GILROY
17 Walden Place
Welwyn Garden City
Herts Al8 7PG
Tel 01707 884643
fax 01707 695268
mobile 07769717202
Nick_Gilroy-1@sbphrd.com
Nick at Camden Town Hall, UK
IN REVIEW . . . THE NICK GILROY KOMBO
Tennessee Club, 30th October 1998
Unavoidable circumstances had prevented me from being able to see The Nick Gilroy Kombo since the release of their '5,000 Volts" 10" LP. Then in the space of a few weeks I was lucky enough to witness one of the most exciting bands on the British scene at the moment on two occasions. The first of these was at Camden Town Hall where the band was on the same bill as the legendary Wanda Jackson and Big Boy Bloater. I was so impressed by what I saw then that when I noticed they were booked to appear at the Tennessee Club on Friday 30th October 1998 it was a must for my diary. Considering the proximately of the Camden date a fair sized crowd turned out for the gig which justifies the popularity of this first class Kombo. The band were to play two sets, each of about an hours duration and interspersed by DJ White Sidewall's Record Hop.
At 10.30pm The Nick Gilroy Kombo took the stage and gave another powerhouse of a performance. The group consisting of such household names as Nick Gilroy on Vocals and Double Bass, Boz Boorer on Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals, Malcolm Chapman also on Lead Guitar and lastly Roger Van Niekerk on Drums.
With a big following of friends and work colleagues from Showtime Security Nick got proceedings underway with Say You Love Me, Echo In my Heart and Kombo Boogie following this up. With two of the top guitarists in the UK the Tennessee was about to be treated to a pulsating and dynamic night of rockabilly. Although suffering from a heavy cold Nick's voice sounded good as he continued on with Country Boy and Hep Cat. Boz took centre stage now for his popular instrumental Swamp Fly. Nick then called a guest singer up from out of the audience, Carlos of Carlos and the Bandidos. This is another band I have yet to see and after Carlos's rendition of Spark Plug I hope that time is not too far away. Nick then got the Club swinging once again with I Love You Just The Same and Sinful Baby, which brought the first half to a close.
The second set was just as frantic as the first, if not more so. It began with the duelling guitars of Boz and Malcolm whose impeccable picking complemented each other. The not yet mentioned drummer Roger provided the driving beat for Nick's vocals on Crazy Lovin' Daddy. Roger must go down as one of the best young drummers around today, he certainly caught my eye. Next came a song Nick wrote for his wife San I'm Your Man followed by Let's Make Some Love. 5000 Volt's the title track from his LP was given a brilliant rendition and had the crowd all joining in. She'll Put You In Your Grave saw Carlos go backstage during the number and plant a wide rimmed trilby hat on the head of Boz who carried on his guitar solo regardless of his impaired vision.
The friendly banter between the audience and the Kombo continued throughout the next number Teenage Bug, which in my opinion was the best number of the night, played with such drive and energy. During the guitar solo Boz's hat fell to the front of the stage which prompted several members of the audience to come forward and place coins in it to the amusement of everybody. At the end of the number Malcolm Chapman was not slow to come forward to empty the contents into his pocket. The final numbers of the set were Don't Go Wasting Time and Blue Swinging Mama and the pace was just as prolific. Nick's followers were not going to let it finish there and demanded more. Not much persuading was needed as Hot Chicks was announced as the encore number and I can see now why it has been chosen for inclusion on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame Vol. 2 CD. Another song in the Teenage Bug mode and another belting rocker ideally suited to the Kombo's style. The Nick Gilroy Kombo left the stage to a wonderful reception and I don't think it will be long before Ritchie invites them back again to the Tennessee. You never know Boz; you may even get a mention on the flyer next time.
What can I add to this review? Here we have a band consisting of not one but two top guitarists that any band would love to have in their line up. A drummer Second to none, young, energetic and enthusiastic and last but not least Nick Gilroy the leader of the outfit. Nick a good vocalist and slap-bass player who writes the majority of the songs the Kombo play. I think 1999 will be a big year for this band, I think they will go down a bomb with the American audiences once they appear at the Viva Las Vegas Weekender and hopefully this will lead to much bigger things for them.
-Rod Pyke
Nick Gilroy Kombo London's Hottest Rockin' act.
The Kombo have entertained audiences worldwide with their unique brand of hard hitting music. Using two lead guitars, slap bass and stomping drums their music takes no prisoners delivering a "Wild Rock n roll White label rockabilly"sound. The band formed in December 1996 and have rapidly become one of today's Premier rockin outfits. Their debut gig was in May 1997 at the Hemby Weekender .This coincided with their debut vinyl album, "5000 Volts". Consisting of self penned material the album got rave reviews and sold over 1000 copies worldwide in the first year. Tracks from the album were soon played by many rockabilly DJs "Say you Love Me" and "Sinful Baby" soon became club hits.
1998 has been a busy year - last February they were back in the studio cutting a new album. The spring saw them playing the Bristol all-dayer supporting Ronnie Dawson. They headlined the Birmingham all-dayer in August.98. In October 98 they successfully toured Germany. On returning they played the prestigous Camden Town Hall supporting Wanda Jackson on her UK exclusive.
1999 promises to be a busy year with performances lined up at VIVA LAS VEGAS in April, backing Mac Curtis in Vegas and at several European Rockin Festivals later in the year. A new CD album is to be released shortly before VLV. Here is a preview of "Crazy Lovin Daddy" soon out on NV Records.
The Nick Gilroy Kombo is not just another identikit rockabilly band, rehashing the same cover versions as every other bunch of wannabe greaseballs. These guys live the rocking man's life at 130 MPH. They are steeped in the rich traditions of rockabilly, blues, rock'n'roll, western music. Their passion for the one true church of bop saturates this record. So is it 'authentic rockabilly' I hear you ask?
The songs themselves are certainly authentic enough; they are about authentic emotions; real love, real hate, genuine joy, true blues. Close your eyes and suddenly you are there; it's spring 1957, in a hell-hot barn just off route 66, bopping to the local anti-heroes playing their finest custom-pressed rockers.
Your heart doesn't beat, it slaps with the thunk of Nick's doghouse bass. Your breath is inflamed with the searing heat of Boz and Malcolm's intricate guitar licks. Your feet twitch involuntarily to the relentless pounding of Roger's drums. And through it all, weaving like the silken kiss of a razor sharp switchblade, is Nick Gilroy's unmistakable voice. Listen to the lusty power of 'Gonna Make Some Love', the dark angst of 'Come Back', the lonesome heartache of 'Silent Telephone'. Go ape to the just-for-the-sheer-bloody-joy-of-it, breakneck wildness of Kombo Boogie and Crazy Lovin' Daddy.
Even when the Nick Gilroy Kombo tackles other peoples' material, they make it their own. No dull carbon copies here, these songs are as refreshing as a cold glass of beer on a hot Tennessee night. To take a pop standard like Billy Fury's 'Don't Knock Upon My Door' and turn it into a thundering bopping-blues snarl is a master stroke; the first listen is like getting a haymaker punch from your grandma.
The previous track record of each of the Kombo-men reads like a best-of-British rocking masterclass. Nick first came to our attention as the pulse of the Blue Rhythm Boys. Roger's work with the Bop Shack Stompers proved to be one of Fury records hottest sellers. Malcolm has backed just about every rockabilly legend going, from Ronnie Dawson to Curtis Gordon. He has also provided the meat on many a contemporary record hop classic. It is no wonder that the mighty Deke Dickerson has spoken of his admiration for Malcolm's skill. The same can also be said for the semi-legendary Boz Boorer. Perhaps best known as guitarist for the hugely successful Polecats, he is a constant feature of the live music scene throughout the Rockin' planet. His skills are in demand amongst the biggest names in popular music today.
Congratulations, hepster. You take your fun SERIOUSLY! You've got class, style, taste. You've got this record.
Bill Smoker!
A Discography of the Nick Gilroy Kombo:
"Crazy Lovin Daddy" CD Album - NV Records - NVcd16 (tobe released march 99)
"5000 Volts " - 12" vinyl Album - NGK Records - NGK001
"Cattin Around" (compilation CD) Pink and Black Records ("You'll Never Know",) ("I'm Out Looking for Love")
"Friday Nite Rumble Vol 2" (Compilation CD) Run Wild records. ("Teenage Bug")
"Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Vol 2" (compilation CD) (Hot Chicks")
17 Walden Place
Welwyn Garden City
Herts Al8 7PG
Tel 01707 884643
fax 01707 695268
mobile 07769717202
Nick_Gilroy-1@sbphrd.com
