Jared James Nichols – Live @ The Cathouse

Review By Darren McIntyre

Jared James Nichols is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from East Troy, Wisconsin who came to our attention in 2013 after moving to LA in 2010 and winning the Gibson Les Paul Tribute Contest and the Musicians Institute Most Outstanding Player Award.

Jared is best known for his pick-less guitar playing technique and is rarely seen without his Epiphone Les Paul, “Old Glory” or his Gibson Les Paul “Ole Red”, Jared has been tearing up stages around the world for the last 10 years and recently delivered to us his self titled album “Jared James Nichols”, tonight Jared drops into Glasgow at the world-famous Cathouse to bring us his sizzling guitar soaked brand of rock n roll that will surely take the roof of this place tonight.

As the intro music blares through the house PA Jared and the boys enter the stage to rapturous applause from this near sold-out crowd, Jared bellows out ‘How are you Glasgow’ to which the crowd responds with Let’s Go, Jared tells us it’s great to be back in Glasgow again as he launches into –

Jared James Nichols brought his fiery brand of blues-infused rock to The Cathouse, and it was a night to remember for any fan of electrifying guitar work and soulful vocals. The atmosphere was electric, the energy flowing, and the music was downright scorching.

Nichols, with his signature Les Paul and his flowing locks, is a formidable presence on stage. His guitar prowess is undeniable, and it’s clear that he’s poured his heart and soul into mastering the instrument. From the moment he stepped on stage, his fingers were like lightning bolts dancing on the strings, delivering powerful riffs and searing solos that reverberated through the venue.

The setlist was a mix of his original tracks and well-chosen covers that paid tribute to his blues and rock influences. Tracks like “Easy Come Easy Go”, “My Delusion” & “Down The Drain” really got things moving & demonstrated Nichols’ ability to infuse modern blues-rock with a raw, emotional depth, Jared was clearly in the mood tonight as his energy was pouring from the stage and boy did the crowd lap it.

“Hard Wired” came next and this prompted Jared to venture onto the barrier where he shredded his way through this blistering track and even had time to high-5 some punters as he ripped through this classic track, next up was “Throw Me To The Wolves” and this got the crowd all hot and bothered as we just stood in awe of this fantastic musician as he tore through The Cathouse with ease.

As Jared stopped for a minute to chat and thank us for coming out we applauded as a way of us showing our gratitude for this giant of a man giving us a Sunday night to remember as he dived straight back into “Skin & Bone”, “Bad Roots” which gave us another chance to get up close and personal as he came to the barrier and hit us with his searing guitar licks that brought this place to life tonight let me tell you.

Step forward Louis as he dropped some sweet and heavy basslines on us that gave us the classic “Honey Forgive Me” which was a personal story from the man himself, this track had us all fixed on the stage as this trio delivered a real heart-tugging track that gave us meaty bass grooves coupled with colossal vocals that ended with a sizzling guitar solo that brought the house down.

As we tore through the set list we were presented with the epic “Shadow Dancer” as we let this rock n roll juggernaut plough straight through the heart of Glasgow and hit us with the last two killer tracks in the form of “Keep Your Lights On” & finishing with the thunderous “Nails In The Coffin” that brought to an end a riveting night of slick, clean guitar work that was steeped in a pounding rhythm section all wrapped in epic basslines that drove us into the last track of the evening.

“War Pigs” was the perfect way to end this powering night of guitar-driven riffs, and powering vocals and all presented to us with a cool rhythm section that gave us a night to remember for a long time to come.

Nichols’ band was equally tight, providing a rock-solid foundation for his virtuosic guitar work. The rhythm section was relentless, and the chemistry between the musicians was evident. This cohesion allowed Nichols to stretch out and explore new dimensions within each song, extending them into thrilling jam sessions.

The crowd at The Cathouse was fully engaged and enthusiastic, clapping, singing along, and swaying to the rhythm. It was a testament to the universal appeal of Nichols’ music. People from all walks of life were united by the shared experience of his live performance.

Jared James Nichols at The Cathouse was a night of searing guitar solos, impassioned vocals, and a whole lot of heart. It was a reminder of the enduring power of blues and rock music in the 21st century. If you have the opportunity to see Nichols live, don’t miss it. His brand of blues-infused rock is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s a performer who leaves it all on the stage.

Jared James Nichols  –

                                    Jared James Nichols  –  Guitar / Vocals

                                    Louis Collins  –  Bass / Backing Vocals

                                    Ryan Rice  –  Drums

Setlist  –

            Easy Come Easy Go

            My Delusion

            Down The Drain

            Hard Wired

            Throw Me To The Wolves

            Skin n Bone

            Bad Roots

            Honey Forgive Me

            Shadow Dancer

            Keep Your Lights On

            Nails In The Coffin             War Pigs(Sabbath Cover)