Artist: The Needful Things

Venue: Legends, Newcastle 

Date: 22nd May 2010

The word Supergroup has always been associated with household names and major labels but this is about to change, as the underground music scene now has it’s own supergroup in the form of The Needful Things. The band has brought together members of Drugdealer Cheerleader, Teenage Casket Company, Kitty Hudson, Dead Identities and Phluid to deliver a healthy lashing of high octane, none stop rock n' roll.

It was purely by chance that we got to know about this gig at all.  A quick message via MySpace from lead signer Hilda of Drugdealer Cheerleader inviting us along to check out his new band was the only invitation we needed.  Had he not dropped us a quick line we'd have been none the wiser, as as we certainly didn't see the show advertised anywhere locally.

Being familiar with all the band members in their various bands we knew that The Needful Things certainly had the talent behind them individually, but together could they cut the mustard, you bet your life they can!.  

 

Despite the lack of support bands, (even though two were listed none turned up), the band didn’t let this stop them giving us a taste of the best the underground rock scene has to offer, featuring a set jammed packed with familiar songs and great rock covers.

The band opened up their account with something familiar a storming rendition of Kitty Hudson’s ‘Rock Motherfucker’, a real kick-ass opening barrage, with Hilda his usual manic self on vocals, while Laney pulled no punches on the bass, joining them on stage were the twin guitar assault of Keef and Oz, who delivered the sleaze, while Xander pounded the skins into submission .... and this was only the first song of the set! 

It was time for a little Drugdealer Cheerleader with one of my favourites from the bands 'Enjoy The Time You Waste' album, ‘Fireworks’.  Again ballsy driven rock n' roll with Keef firing on all six on this one, while Hilda showed just what a great showman he is, leading from the front.

It was time for a touch of Teenage Casket Company with ‘Thank You For Nothin’, before really picking up the pace with the Dead Identities track ‘Long Way Out’, which saw Keef making the most of the limited space he had on the tiny stage.

I said the band did a couple of cover songs and the first of these was a thumping sleazy version of KISS’s 'Love Gun’ on which Oz showed off his guitar skills.  

The band kicked major ass despite the lack of numbers in the venue, but these guys are pro’s they came to have fun and rock and that’s just what they did as the continued with great tracks like Drugdealer Cheerleaders ‘LMFAO', the classics ‘Hard As A Rock’ and the Ramones ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’, all of them sounded great and totally rocked.  

The band rounded off the set with Teenage Casket Company’s ‘Don’t Look At Me That Way’.  This capped off a great set and despite the lack of support and a sizable crowd, they came, they played and they conquered those in attendance.  The band can be proud to say they more than fulfilled their Mission Statement To Entertain & have lots of FUN!

So if you see these guys listed to play a venue near you and you're into good time high energy rock n' roll, then I highly recommend you check them out.  I can't think of a better way I'd like to spend my Saturday evening than with a band that get the blood pumping and the body shaking.

 

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