In the eighties and early nineties the Brit rock scene was littered with bands like Voodoo Six; bands that, despite being at the top of their trades seemingly had no chance of the mega success that they deserved simply because they weren't American. A brief spot on Top of the Pops was the most these bands could hope for, fame wise, and, unfair state of affairs or not, that's what most of them achieved.


Twenty odd years later the game has changed. We all live in David Frost's global village now and, for a band like Voodoo Six releasing this EP on their own terms and as a digital download only, the world would appear to be everyone's oyster.

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In simple terms, there's no reason why V6 can't be huge. Opening title track 'Falling Knives' is a case in point; despite having a classically large amount of British-sounding bollocks in the engine room (bassist Tony Newton and drummer Dave Cavill drive the whole thing along in suitably rumbling style) the track itself has the classy feel of primetime hard rock from the southern states of the US.

Frontman Luke Purdie may well hail from Plumstead for all I know, but his classy, unforced vocal style is sure to appeal to American audiences brought up on a steady diet of the good stuff pumped into their ears twenty four hours a day by the wireless. The man simply has a great voice for this kind of stuff, and his performance on second track 'Sharp Sand' (not, sadly, a paean to patio building) is utterly top notch.

'Feed My Soul' ups the intensity a touch in the guitar stakes with some frantic soloing, but it's a five year old song and the difference between it and the two new songs that preceded it, whilst not vast, is enough to tell you the this band is taking big steps in the right direction.

'No Friend Of Mine' allows Purdie to demonstrate his skills again – which he does in fine style, natch – but you are left wondering why Voodoo Six remains comparatively unknown whilst bloated nonsense like Black Stone Cherry (who plough a similar sonic furrow to our heroes) gest all the plaudits. Maybe that state of affairs I was mentioning earlier hasn't changed so much...

If that's the case, then it's up to you, me, our next door neighbours and community leaders to change matters. On the evidence of this EP, Voodoo Six should be huge – their next full length album is going to be a monster, of that I'm sure - but we have to be a bit more proactive in playing out role in this thing. The best way to do that is to buy 'Falling Knives' as soon as you can. Go to it.



21.11.11

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