The Swamp Born Assassins @ Audio, Glasgow, Saturday,19th August 2017

The Swamp Born Assassins: Audio, Glasgow, Saturday, 19th August 2017

Having missed out on seeing the guys at the album launch in December 2016

at the same venue, Audio in Glasgow and knowing the quality of musicians involved in the band, this was a good time to catch up with The Swamp Born Assassins and check out the Smell The Mud album in 'the flesh' so to speak. In July 2017 the band announced via their website the departure of live bass player Willie Campbell (of Crackerman fame) and to be replaced by legendary Maiden Scotland and Last Alibi bass player Allen Bell. So this being the first home town gig with a new line up how would it go? With The Swamp Born Assassins opening up tonight's three band bill. comprising also of Fire Exit Glasgow punk legends now in there 40th year and who (Li’l Charlie) aka Charlie Moffat lead singer and harmonic player with The Swamp Born Assassins, has also been providing harmonica backing duties for them, while gigging with them over the last year, plus the excellent Sensational Alex Harvey Experience, probably the best SAHB covers / tribute band doing the rounds; it was an expectant crowd waiting for the gigs kick off.

Having known Charlie Moffat (Li’l Charlie) from his fronting days of the excellent blues rock covers band The Easy Riders, plus seeing his daughter Kirsty who used to provide backing vocals for the Easy Riders and now one of the Swampettes (the Swamp Born Assassins backing singers), who also provided the sleeve design for the Smell The Mud album, as well as having a band of her own called Gold Dust; I knew things couldn't really go wrong.

Stand out tracks of the set 'Out in The Rain' a song renowned blues metal rockers Clutch would be proud to have written and performed as a set opener. 'Crawl' a blues mash up of RL Burnside, The Cult and Motorhead, a fuzzed up low-slung burning a hole in your sour-mashed coked' addled brain, sighting flashbacks, for me anyway, of my old fav Glasgow rock club, The Venue, providing reminiscent therapy of those dark smokey night club deranged slugged up; long lost teen nights and days; or should that be hazed of yore(?)! Anyway, sentiment carried on by the bands fab title track of their debut album 'Smell The Mud' built on a treacle like thick consistency that slithers and slimes all over your brain; funny thing listening to this, it sounded like Ozzy Osbourne recreating his earlier Black Sabbath days but something he might have written with Zakk Wylde - a palpable hit (get him to cover it guys and live of the royalties - seriously its that good) and if he won't do it; Alice Copper will! 'Land of The Six Gun' a historical perspective on the plight of North American Red Indians, laying bare the whiteman's thirst for gold, its conquest of the west and eventual subjugation and pacification of Native Americas resigned to dwell on reservations. Story telling with an incisive lyrical barb, accompanied by a pounding Native American rhythmic beat; authentic in its delivery and execution. Last but by no means least 'The Gator Hole' a stomping fusion of The Wildhearts meet The Quireboys, rasped up tonight by the combined vocal talents of the assembled tramps and thieves of the audience, who on an invitation from Li'l Charlie for a stage invasion sing along. dually oblige and combing with the band to belt out a stormer of a rabble rousing finale. Brilliant!

I could have asked for a press pack to review the album via my Glasgow Prog & Blues Review website but I didn't. I actually bought the album and band T-shirt at tonight's gig, every little penny helps and its 25 quid better in the bands pocket; rather than mine. It gave me a chance to listen to the tracks direct from the CD via my own sound system rather than via the bands website or You Tube channel, where you can if you wish dive straight in and listen to it (I highly recommend you buy the album). There have been a number of reviews of the album one to look out for on the bands website is from Belgium rock DJ Mick Duterck of Radio Quartz, he showed up for a quick lead vocal tonight on a mid set cover of AC/DC's 'Hells Bells'; now if he's coming all the way from Belgium then they must be good (gedit)!

All I can add to the already published reviews is, if you love Clutch, who the Swamp Born Assassins could be easily distant cousins of (and should cover the driving 'Never Ever Never' from the Smell The Mud album), or the likes of RL Burnside, The Black Crowes and hypnotically if not oddly symbiotic relations, The North Mississippi All Stars, who played Glasgow @ The Venue at Oran Mor, just a few months back, he same venue where you will be able to catch The Swamp Born Assassins support Zal Cleminson's Sin' Dogs on Dec 5th 2017; then shake your money maker in to gear and get a ticket for this forthcoming pre Christmas swampy blues fest(NOW)! If for nothing else than a chance to hear the bands stand out slow burner 'Clara Belle Lee' almost 10 minutes of slinking, creeping, ice laden sensuous; malevolence (I think I know someone quite like her and she scares the shit out of me). It really should not be soon before The Swamp Born Assassins start topping their own bill, catch them while you can, while they are still a relatively underground band, because when they surface into the sunlight as a headling act, they are going to stab you in the back; while melting the big fat cheesy grin on your face while doing it. And guess what(?), prepared to be assassinated; you'll enjoy every minute of it when it happens!

As a foot note to the night, a special mention to Jayne McConnell for helping with the ticket for the show and New Hell Fire Club contributor and Fat Man Rock Show host on the Myrock Radio network Mr Campbell Stewart out celebrating his birthday.

The Swamp Born Assassins album Smell The Mud is out on Carnivora Records and is available via the bands;website http://www.swampbornassassins.com

Words, Pictures and Video: Stewart Eadie The Glasgow Prog & Blues Website,