Bamboozle’s lead singer and double bass player, Serena (AKA The Bass Pixie) has been a huge influence in my music and has given me loads of support as I’ve learned to play double bass – I initially contacted her because I thought Bamboozle were brilliant and she was easily the best double bass player I’d come across. They are all fantastic humans, and I love their new independently-released EP, Bamboozled. Here’s my thoughts on each of the four tracks.
A reimagining of the 21 pilots song, ‘Heathens’ is a genrefluid wonder which still holds its rockabilly vibe as per the bands raison d’etre but brings in influences from pop and alt rock with a nice gothic touch. It starts with jingly bells and the voice of Serena. Her voice, which is slightly distorted at the start, gives the song an interesting edge and prepares you for what is to come. This isn’t purest rockabilly folks and no one promised it would be but then the rockabilly bass and rhythm kicks in and we’re ready to dance.
Listening to the intro of ‘Bleed’ you might expect to be skanking for the next 3 minutes, but it gradually eases into a beautiful melodic verse. It sparked a debate between my partner to try to pin down a genre. We settled on psychobilly-reggae-pop-ska – but who needs a genre. It’s brilliant! A great guitar riff in the background, which isn’t taking over and leaves space for the massively accomplished bass groove and funky drums. Maybe it’s funk? I dunno, but it’s great.
OK, we’re traversing back to the rockabilly that I’ve come to expect from this band. ‘Rockin Man’ is a fast song. As a double bass player, I honestly can’t comprehend how she plays as fast as she does but then sings so clearly and powerfully and in a completely different tempo – magic, that’s how.
Here we arrive at some good old rock and roll with ‘Ice Cold Bear’. Huge, fun and danceable, this Tarantino-esque song will be the one to get the dance floor swinging at a live show.
Speaking of live shows. Go see them, seriously do! You won’t know what you’re missing til you’ve seen them and then you won’t want to miss it again.
Gigs
Fri, July 5 – Skagen, DK
Sat, July 13 – Oundle, UK
Sun, July 14 – Carfiff, UK
Sat, July 20 – Folkestone, UK
Fri, August 2 – Stockbury, UK
Fri, August 16 – London, UK
Mon, August 26 – Bedford, UK