The Tip - Big Red, London (UK) - 05 June 2019

This was my first time to see The Tip, having heard many good things about their performance at Camden Rocks. I have to say the reports were sound. This is a good time Rock 'n' Roll band with a vintage feel, really catchy songs and are also a super entertaining band to watch. It doesn't hurt that they look like seventies/eighties Rock stars too. Sporting animal skull totems, there's a New Orleans Steven Tyler style voodoo crossed with a Dog's D'amour feel about their look. Berny the vocalist is like a dark haired porn film version of Rod Stewart crossed with Tuk Smith (Biters). He doesn't sound like Rod, but like all the aforementioned has a great voice for Rock 'n' Roll and more that that has a real style about his moves with the guitar that squeals star X-factor quality. His brother Dixie on drums has a similar distinctive magnetic spark, standing, throwing, catching and twirling his sticks, he is a showman in his own right. They must be a killer tag team with the ladies who were busy at the front putting Tip giveaway stickers like pasties on their chests.

Having not heard any recorded material prior to the gig I had no preconceptions and was unaware at how much of a "Cock Roc"' band they are. Yes, with songs like 'Ride Tonight' and 'Favourite Sin' it's all about the sex, but this is something as a seventiess child and an eighties adolescent is something to which I am accustomed and is actually quite unusual from a band these days. There was a slight technical hitch which disabled the lead guitar so they carried on with a version of 'My Sherona' until it was replaced. Not put off, once they were back in business they came back with even greater vigor.

The use of liberal harmonica and Memphis style Blues added an integrity and cool edge with the music which is energetically and authentically presented. This felt like a new take on an old sound rather than a rehash and with their obvious passion they easily connecedt with the audience who were delighted to react on command and adored the band from the off. However, this is old-style black Blues crossed with Rock 'n' Roll of an AC/DC kind and a jumping forward hop added a Hard Rock sensibility that was right up my street. They are clearly aware of this influence, covering 'Whole Lotta Rosie' as part of the show. For the encore two girls invaded the stage reflecting the lyric 'Out Of Control'. The Tip clearly love the limelight and enjoy what they do. This is a vibe which chimes well with audiences. It was a relatively short set tonight, but I saw enough to know we haven't seen the last of The Tip.

Review and photo by Dawn Osborne