Funky rock n blues band The Swamp Stompers breezed into The Charles Hotel on Tuesday night for a third appearance at the Perth Blues Club that many will never forget. The charismatic trio are currently touring their outstanding EP “Shadows on the Wall” throughout the Southwest of WA, before appearing at Blues at Bridgetown, this coming weekend. The lads from Wollongong stomped their way through a thoroughly entertaining and at times brilliant 14-song set, mixing their catchy blues-rock with cool guitar riffs, lapsteel playing, spiral didgeridoos and strong vocals from all three members.
The set opened with only Corey Legge (guitar & vocals) and Oli Morley-Sattler (drums & vocals) to be seen, as they started the evening off with the first track from “Shadows”, the fast paced “Wishing I Had You”. It was as I looked around the venue I finally spotted the third member of the band, Luke Ligtenberg (bass, didgeridoo & vocals), as he travelled a full circle of the Charles Hotel thumping his basslines out effortlessly. Immediately the dance floor started filling, as their entertaining set continued with the title track “Shadows on the Wall” before Ligtenberg took the vocal reigns for the next couple of tracks, starting with “Call Me Up” before the first of three cover songs for the night, in the form of Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign”.
“Fly” was up next with the gorgeous sounds of Luke’s spiral didgeridoo encapsulating the room, before drummer Oli took the vocals on my favourite track off the EP, the hypnotic and chilled out “Wave”. Our second visit to the land of cover tracks was in the form of John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” mixed with a 58 second “hidden track’ off the EP called “Generic Blues Man” and more outlandish floor antics from Ligtenberg as he joined the audience for a full on dance off, while still playing his bass. “Game of Life”, “Hey” & “I’ll Finish You Boy” followed, as the guys continued their high quality & energetic performance. “Swamp Stomp Boogie” and Joe Walsh’s “Funk 49” ended the set before being called out for a two song encore of “Plenty More Fish in the Sea” & “Sweet November”.
This was a solid, tight and highly enjoyable performance from The Swamp Stompers tonight. They worked hard, played well and talked to the crowd like seasoned pros who had been in the business for many years. The songs were strong & original and all in the room enjoyed what they were hearing and watching, judging by the CDs being purchased at the merch desk. A credit must all go to Perth Blues Club for inviting the band to play once again. I look forward to their next visit.
Set List: Wishing I Had You, Shadows on the Wall, Call Me Up, Born Under a Bad Sign, Fly, Wave, Boom Boom, Game of Life, Hey, I’ll Finish You Boy, Swamp Stomp Boogie, Funk #49
Encore: Plenty More Fish in the Sea, Sweet November
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Linda Dunjey Photography
