It could be argued that 1967 was the year popular music changed – so may great songs and albums were released that year – Sgt Pepper, Forever changes, Are you experienced?, Axis:Bold as Love, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Velvet Underground & Nico plus debut albums by The Grateful Dead and The Doors. So this year was chosen by local musicians in Medway as the topic for one of their irregular theme nights at the Barge in Gillingham.
Over 20 local groups or musicians appeared at a full to overflowing venue performing songs from 1967 either as exact reproductions of the original or performed in their own unique style. The event was organised by local musician and photographer Phil Dillon who as well as organising the event ran around like a crazy person all night and even found time to perform and take photographs!! It was part of the collective that is known as Medway Eyes that organised the Look at Medway exhibition a few months ago.
Among the highlights of the evening was Andy White who had become Syd Barrett for the night performing Interstellar Overdrive and Bike from Pink Floyd’s first album before being joined by Unlucky Fried Kitten for a version of Arnold Layne. Also enjoyable was the skiffle versions of Jimi Hendrix and Captain Beefheart songs presented by “skiffcore” group Bender Crack Corn and a version of the Velvet Underground’s Waiting for my man performed by Justin Fun on a Bazouki!
Outstanding performances were put in by all of the artists appearing and the evening was concluded in great style by Ben Jones with an incredible version of Good Vibrations (ok we’ll gloss over the fact that it was actually released in 1966) which he built up layer by layer using a Head Rush sample pedal. All in all a really enjoyable evening and given that a majority of the musicians weren’t even thought of in 1967 let alone born and the rest of us were probably only kids (I was only 5) it is a indication of the power of the music from this era abd it;s ability to touch our psyche. Here’s looking forward to the next one – wonder what the theme will be.
You can see more of my pictures here
And there is a video of the night here