A cover song is something that appeals to musicians at any level and at any point in their career and playing other people’s material is generally where it begins. The internet is filled with talented musicians hoping to jump-start their singing career by covering popular songs. People either like or dislike cover songs, but there is something amazing and special hearing a work colleague along with band members that I have never met before, belt out your favourite songs from your favourite artists and make it sound just as good as the original.
The evening began with a solid, packed audience at a popular local sports venue where the Rugby Final of England V South Africa was screened – but we won’t go into that result! Taking advantage of the inexpensive beverages at the bar, I grabbed a drink and headed towards the stage just in time to catch ‘Herding Cats’ fire up on schedule. Backed by the other five band members, Suzie wasted no time in launching their debut night with the first track Survivor ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ which, with the distinctive opening riff, instantly warmed the room and energised the audience. As the lights dimmed, all heads turned and eyes focused towards the stage as Suzie powerfully began to sing sending immediate shivers down your spine, this song was the perfect opener for the evening and along with the impressive guitar sounds from Bryan, Aaron and Bradley, Ryan keeping the groove on bass, whilst Dave pounded away on the skins, it ensured that the crowd would be hooked right from the start for a good night.
The songs from the first set continued to deliver an early knockout, warming the audience to sing and clap to classics ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ ‘Hotel California’ and then practically belting out to the song ‘Zombie.’ The first set of 10 closes with ‘Dakota’ which by then, both the audience and the band had settled into the ambience and atmosphere of the room.
Despite a twenty-minute interval, the audience seemed more than happy with what they heard from the first set and were fired up and excited to hear the next two sets of the night. The second set included more ‘rockier’ hits varying from the era’s of 60’s through to the 2000’s which enticed the audience to take to dance floor and shine their air guitar, head banging, hip-shaking skills and then complimented Suzie’s driving alt-rock numbers with a slower more emotive tune to ‘Black Velvet.’ Following this song, the band stepped up the pace to ‘Honky Tonk Women’ and not forgetting AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’ which such classics are always a crowd pleaser.
Tearing through the third set list following another interval, tracks like ‘Knocking On Heavens Door’ and ‘All Right Now’ allowed the band to up the intensity and undoubtedly save the best to last with hits ‘Whisky In The Jar’ ‘Sweet Child Of Mine’ and ‘Living On A Prayer’
‘Herding Cats’ certainly enticed the audience to jump from their seats and it soon became a singing-out-loud, foot stomping, clapping kind of evening. We went back in time to the 60’s through to the 2000’s and even some of the young folk enjoyed the ride too. Tonight, was their debut, lets hope this is the first of many shows for the future.
Set List 1
Eye of The Tiger – Survivor | Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival | Hotel California -Eagles | What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes | Times Like These-Foo Fighters | Every Breath You Take –Police | Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes | Zombie- The Cranberries | Never Tear Us Apart – INXS | Dakota- Stereophonics
Set List 2
Black Velvet- Alannah Myles | Lil Devil-The Cult | Johnny B Goode-Chuck Berry | Honky Tonk Women-The Rolling Stones | I Love Rock N Roll-Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | You Shook Me All Night Long- AC/DC | Summer of 69-Bryan Adams | Bad Moon Rising-Creedence Clearwater Revival | Rocking All Over The World- Status Quo | Life is A Highway- Rascal Flatts
Set List 3
Knocking On Heavens Door- Bob Dylan | China Grove-The Doobie Brothers | One World-RedOne | All Right Now-Free | You Give Love A Bad Name- Bon Jovi |Sweet Child Of Mine- Guns N Roses | Better- Screaming Jets | Whisky In The Jar- Thin Lizzy | Simply The Best- Tina Turner | Living On A Prayer-Bon Jovi
Vocals: Suzanne Kelly | Lead/Rhythm Guitar: Aaron Kruger | Lead Guitar: Bradley Du-Plooy | Bass: Ryan Holloway | Drums: Dave Henry | Rhythm Guitar: Bryan Jones