Alabama 3 bring broken Americana to Oxford
Alabama via Brixton, the transatlantic troupe brought their own take of Americana to Oxford.
It was My Name Is Earl handlebar moustaches aplenty at the Carling Academy, Oxford, to see Alabama 3 perform as part of their Mondays Don’t Mean Anything (MDMA) tour. I was meant to do an interview with the band, however in true rock n roll style, I was stood up, so I couldn’t ask them about the tour title, if the acronym came first or if it was just a happy coincidence.
For those of you who aren’t aware of the band, Soprano’s theme tune ‘Woke Up This Morning’ was penned and performed by them and have lent their music to many a programme and advertising campaign, giving Moby a run for his corporate dime. Despite this, there is something quite anarchic about this motley crew. The dressed like they ran through a fancy-dress shop grabbing what they could and it all worked well with their sound and on-stage presence.
Female co-singer Devlin Love looked devastatingly sexy in her backless top and skinny jeans. Especially next to founder member and vocalist Larry Love, who looked and danced like someone’s dad trying to be a gangster. I personally couldn’t take my eyes of keyboard player The Spirit, who looked like he just walked off the set of Clockwork Orange, his blasé stance and cool exterior just added to the intrigue.
It was a tight-set, as the band belted out acidhousecumcountyblues tune after tune. It was clear that the crowd loved it and they had a pretty solid fanbase, but the gig was rather civilised. They put on a phenomenal show, giving forgotten genres a new lease of life by fusing them together. The gig and sound is moody, rammed with attitude and born from obsession.
The band were together nearly ten years before being signed to One Little Indian and despite being played in many living rooms all over the world for years, never found commercial success. Seeing them perform, I don’t think they really mind, they love what they do and don’t care what you think. The gig held something of a jazz type influence; they effortlessly performed their songs while making it look like it was just thrown together.
I highly recommend this band, their music is dark and like nothing else you’ll hear, their performance is strong, raw and organic. Living up to the Soprano’s image and tag that was bestowed on them.
First published 13.12.2009
It was My Name Is Earl handlebar moustaches aplenty at the Carling Academy, Oxford, to see Alabama 3 perform as part of their Mondays Don’t Mean Anything (MDMA) tour. I was meant to do an interview with the band, however in true rock n roll style, I was stood up, so I couldn’t ask them about the tour title, if the acronym came first or if it was just a happy coincidence.
For those of you who aren’t aware of the band, Soprano’s theme tune ‘Woke Up This Morning’ was penned and performed by them and have lent their music to many a programme and advertising campaign, giving Moby a run for his corporate dime. Despite this, there is something quite anarchic about this motley crew. The dressed like they ran through a fancy-dress shop grabbing what they could and it all worked well with their sound and on-stage presence.
Female co-singer Devlin Love looked devastatingly sexy in her backless top and skinny jeans. Especially next to founder member and vocalist Larry Love, who looked and danced like someone’s dad trying to be a gangster. I personally couldn’t take my eyes of keyboard player The Spirit, who looked like he just walked off the set of Clockwork Orange, his blasé stance and cool exterior just added to the intrigue.
It was a tight-set, as the band belted out acidhousecumcountyblues tune after tune. It was clear that the crowd loved it and they had a pretty solid fanbase, but the gig was rather civilised. They put on a phenomenal show, giving forgotten genres a new lease of life by fusing them together. The gig and sound is moody, rammed with attitude and born from obsession.
The band were together nearly ten years before being signed to One Little Indian and despite being played in many living rooms all over the world for years, never found commercial success. Seeing them perform, I don’t think they really mind, they love what they do and don’t care what you think. The gig held something of a jazz type influence; they effortlessly performed their songs while making it look like it was just thrown together.
I highly recommend this band, their music is dark and like nothing else you’ll hear, their performance is strong, raw and organic. Living up to the Soprano’s image and tag that was bestowed on them.
First published 13.12.2009
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