Cool Beans - Dexter Dextrous and the Fingersmiths, Smiling Ivy & Chronicles of Graham @ The Red House

Disclaimer - My cousin is one of the founders of Chronicles of Graham

Event: Cool Beans Present.... Dexter Dextrous and the Fingersmiths!
Description: Gig
Location: 168 Solly Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire, S1 4BB
Address: The Red House

Coxstardelux.
Photo courtesy of Emily Louise Bryan

The Red House is one of my favourite pubs in Sheffield, and Chronicles of Graham one of my favourite bands - and I'm not just saying that because my cousin's in the band.  Right from the opening "Spit", in which Trickboi, Mr Icus, Little Teddy, Brogue the Rogue and whomever else gets up on stage with them to spit 16 bars each through to their finale, Little Teddy taking the lead on Snoop Doggy Dogg's "Lodi Dodi" with Coxstar Delux on the chorus, this was a tour de force.

Most of my favourites were played, from the aggression of the opener and doom metal of "Body in a Binbag", through to the reggae-inspired "Gimmie da Fing" and the crescendo of "Pick Up Little Teddy", this was one the their tightest performances, with the only slight downer for me the decreased volume on Teddy's mic following her first track.

Dave's keyboards were slick as always, and seemed to take on a far more prominent role in the songs than I was used to.  I imagine that this is a deliberate effort, and if so, it worked well.  Apron was somewhat hidden away around the corner, but his drumming was tight - he didn't drop a bollock all night.  Buddha Sez No and Didley Dee on backing vocals were (as always) fabulous, and the substitution of bouncing around like a pogo stick on a trampoline by a slow side-to-side sway following the latter belting out her own song, "Underbelly of Darkness" was most welcome, the song itself impeccably delivered as always.

Next up, Smiling Ivy.  I originally wanted to see these guys at Corporation of a bill featuring China Shop Bull and Stand Out Riot (And of course, Chronicles of Graham), but they had to pull out last minute, so I was buzzing to see them.  The dirt of Corp and the relative glitz of the Red House could not have been more different in many ways,  but they were nonetheless phenomenal.  Tonight, their frenetic brand of Ska sounded sublime, and with the crowd throwing themselves around at such a pace you could almost hear the sweat dripping from the walls and taste it in the air.  All their songs were very easy to dance to, whilst simultaneously not seeming over-familiar or generic.  The sax was sweet, the drums tight and the bass driving, whilst Dan on vocals and rhythm kept my attention, was witty and is, most importantly, a fantastic singer.

In between times, the Cool Beans DJ's kept the party flowing with dirty beats and a healthy sprinkling reggae, rock and funk.

Get down to the South Sea on St. Patrick's Day, and watch Smiling Ivy and Chronicles of Graham on the same stage again - you won't regret it, see you there!