The Dellburgoes

@ The Hairy Lemon, May 30th 2003

Review by Dayglozine

Johnny Virgin enters the performance arena, looking way cooler than anyone has a right to. And Johnny is really styli at jumping and playing guitar at the same time, earning his rightful place and adding his stamp to the infusion of energy that goes into each Dellburgoes song.

So now we're all drinking earthy moonshine and it's classic guitars and vocal explosions all the way. It's a heliotherapeutic atmosphere that is a dazzling hot 'n' sweaty relief from the cold dampness outside. We're soon revving like hotrods on Route 66 with the wild frolicking guitars being co-navigated alongside Leighton's drumming and Rex's lead vocals punctuating the dense wall of sound. Perhaps some of us are more like a classic '56 Chevrolet, but if you look under the bonnet, and no matter what your driving preference is, there is still the same echo of a simpler time. Some of the songs seem to be faster than a speeding bullet and over before you can say, "is it a bird, is it a plane...?" but the death defying leaps from one skyscraper song to another just keeps the momentum going, and on reflection, perhaps it just feels that way because all the best experiences in life are over way too fast.

Back to Paddy MacAloon, | Some things hurt more than cars and girls | ~ cars and girls aren't the only things that hurt. The loss of glam garage surf's up music played its part in hurting a music industry that has been known to rely upon trotting out and heavily marketing stale makeovers that may be pleasantly amusing for the first five minutes but still manage to leave a feeling of wanting something else. Throw out your Elizabeth Arden and Nutrimetics kit and come on over to the natural glow side of life. The Dellburgoes are amongst the avant-garde revivalists of a style that has been long overdue for a fresh and significant comeback.

Peppered amongst the originals are Elvis and Beatles tunes (Baby Lets Play House, Hey Bulldog) that are reconfigured and reconnoitred Dellburgoes style and that impart a sense of endearing familiarity with a freshly squeezed thrilling edge. Whether its a Dellburgoes original or a cover, for the punter the show is a whole body experience from start to finish. Ya just gotta love their rendition of Comanche, (check out the Pulp Fiction soundtrack if you are too young to remember Peter Green)...

Catching The Dellburgoes live should be on your "must do" list if you know what's good for you and a liner note to add to that list - keep your expectations high and you won't be disappointed.

Review by Dayglozine