Page 113 - Decadence

bass player on stage. The tracks they sent us are loud, raw and full of energy, but with a melodic undertone and lyrical content that would certainly make me explore the band more. Duke of Wolves have a had a busy year playing the London circuit gigs and a load of festivals, including Camden Rocks, Dot to Dot, The Isle of Wight Festival and a huge gig at Silverstone at the end of August.
We Uber from the west end to Camden’s Black Heart, which is a proper old school rock ‘n’ roll venue. The vibe is great as we walk in and the guys are at a table near the bar so we join them for a drink. They are keen to point out that this is a last-minute gig to try out a few new songs as the support slot so it might look a bit sparse, but we explain that makes it easier for us to shoot, so we are all good. Jim and Orlando tell me petrol head Tom has read the copy of Paddock Life cover
to cover and the guys introduce us to Sara; Dark Italian eyes, tattoos and piercings, if she can play bass half a good as she looks we are in for a good night. We nish our drinks and head upstairs to the venue.
The Duke of Wolves take to the stage and with a short intro from frontman Jim blast into their opening number, Toms rock steady drumming (on a full kit today) and Sara’s rolling bass laid down the foundation as Orlando and Jim‘s guitars built the momentum and the place blew up. I love gigs like this... small stage, but still plenty of movement. Three songs in and the place was full, Jim‘s vocal energy riding on the rocky groove as supercool Sara planted the basslines whilst backing up Jims vocal. They sound great on record, but live the guys take it to another level of pure energy.
Back in the bar and the guys are still buzzing from the short, but energetic show, they invite us to their headline gig at Hoxton Square, but due to our hectic schedule we can’t make it. Talking after the show the personalities of the Duke of Wolves are engaging, with cool in uences and great original ideas and energy. I can see why they are likened to the Queens of the Stone Age now... and that’s a big compliment. If you’re into live music and like it loud and energetic with melodic undertone go check them out at one of the small London gigs or maybe catch them on the festival circuit this summer. Or if you prefer to absorb your music in the car or at home then you can nd them on Spotify or YouTube. I’d love to see the Duke of Wolves on a big festival stage in front of a huge crowd as I know their stagecraft and presence would be mesmerising, they certainly tore the roof off the Black Heart.
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