(As published for Bournemouth Daily Echo)
They
may be getting more popular by the day, but Surrey ska group Fandangle
have proved they still have their feet firmly on the ground by playing
a charity fundraiser in aid of the NSPCC.
Performing
a selection of songs from debut album, Fly Away, the seven-piece had an
enthusiatic audience screaming their appreciation before they had even
finished their first song. Erratic dancing ensued as they played Cheap
Escape, Hello Goodbye and a cover of Sublime's What I Got.
Fandangle put their hearts and souls into every performance with hugely satisfying results.
Catch them at Mr C's in Poole on September 23.
Allana Cutter
(As published for PushToFire.com)
Fans
of Fandangle will know that the Surrey Ska band are constantly gigging
– and now even more so in the wake of their debut album, Fly Away.
Their dedication to their cause and their followers sees them zipping
up and down the United Kingdom on an almost daily basis, and tonight
they are headlining an NSPCC charity fundraiser, supported by a number
of bands from across the country.
Keyboardist Drew and
saxophonist Craig tell me that having arrived in Weymouth at four this
morning, the band have coped with the lack of sleep in different ways.
The majority have made friends with White Lightening and Sambuca,
whilst Drew has entertained himself with a game of “Poon Tang?” (don’t
ask), and frontman Adam has been sleeping solidly. Aside from this, the
band (with the exception of the sleeping Adam) have been mingling with
the crowd, getting their faces painted, selling merchandise and showing
their support for the other bands on tonight’s bill.
With the
charity event starting at 4pm, the audience are starting to wane by
10.30, and in spite of Lipstick Revolution’s best efforts, it’s clear
they are just holding out desperately in the hope that Fandangle will
grace the stage any moment now. It’s another hour before Fandangle
finally get to set up their stage, and the landlady isn’t happy because
the show is running late. I’ve been given the responsibility of looking
after Craig’s alto sax, and am just as desperate for them to begin
their set so that no harm comes to the beautiful woodwind masterpiece
in my possession.
At long last Fandangle begin their set with
new track FUBAR and the audience are instantly revived as though
caffeine has just been intravenously pumped into their bloodstreams.
Anyone who dares stand still is instantly swept into the skank pit, and
a form of organised chaos ensues.
With seven band members,
it’s hard to know where to look, but every one of them are so animated
it’s hard not to love what they do on stage. They rip through a number
of tracks from the album – crowd favourites I’m High, Pornstar’s
(Aren’t For Everyone), Cheap Escape and Hello Goodbye going down an
absolute storm – and although he still looks a little worse for wear,
vocalist and guitarist Adam still forms a compelling connection with
his audience. Guitarist Tom cannot get over the fact that so many
members of the crowd know their songs word for word, and the band
reward them with a stunning rendition of Sublime’s What I Got.
Having
failed to acknowledge a number of requests from the landlady to wrap
things up, Fandangle answer the audience’s request for them to play the
explosive Homeland Obscurity and eventually cut their set short by
concluding with the fantastic Oliver Twist.
I have to say that
I have a lot of respect for Fandangle. Each time I’ve seen them perform
live, they have boundless energy and give their all to please current
fans and get new ones on board. With a history of supporting big names
such as Reel Big Fish, Zebrahead and Less Than Jake, Fandangle could
easily have incredibly inflated egos, but the guys are so down to earth
and are willing to spend time with their fans to make their night out
that bit more special.
Another ska-tastic performance from Fandangle, and I have the skanking-related bruises to prove it!
Allana Cutter