Thee Jenerators and The John Wesley Stone at the De La Rue - 2 August 2008

Guernsey has had many bands over the years who are out there to be a bit different from the pack. One that springs to mind in the current musical climate is The John Wesley Stone whose mix of upbeat tunes I can only think to describe as country-and-western-rockbilly-bluegrass-skiffle-pop.

Their show at the Thomas De La Rue in St Peter Port on August 2nd 2008 was a prime example of that. Mixing a range of instruments, including a banjo, violin, electric guitar and upright ‘tea-chest’ bass the bands music is the kind of thing that makes your foot tap regardless of what your brain wants it to do.

A mention really has to go out to the bass the band used – homemade from an old crate, a broom handle and a piece of wire and played in typically unique style by Mark ‘Hillbill’ Le Gallez it really adds a true feeling of the makeshift style of skiffle and bluegrass to the band.

Despite the basic kit and feel good approach the band have some great songs in their catalogue which proves they are something more than the gimmicky novelty act they may at first appear - as, and in the right situation I could see them filling a dance floor – though tonight’s audience seemed more intent on kicking back with a beer and enjoying the show.

The real highlight of the bands set musically was, in my opinion, ‘Caffeine, Benzedrine, Nicotine and a Little Bit of Luck’, which summed up everything this band is about – great music, high energy and a good sense of humour.

After a short break the alter egos of The John Wesley Stone’s Hillbill and Lynchburg were back on stage with Thee Jenerators and, as ever, they didn’t disappoint.

With the energy levels high from the off and Mark Le Gallez off the ‘stage’ and into the crowd by the second song, things got going very quickly and soon quite a few were up and dancing, and many stayed there throughout.

With many of the bands now classic tracks from their two albums rubbing up along side newer numbers the band provided something for everyone, including a duet version of ‘French Disco’ featuring The Swallows’ Rachel Cumberland-Dodd.

The new tracks the band played stood up extremely well with the ‘classic’ material and featured some new things including more use of the dual vocal aspect of Mark Le Gallez and Steve Lynch all the while not dropping the energy levels and keeping people dancing.

As ever Thee Jenerators showed why they are one of the most popular and talked about bands in Guernsey as they left people wanting more in the De La Rue.