The Karma Effect/Silveroller/Damp Matches

The Portland Arms, Cambridge

April 8^th 2025

Review By Smudge Smith

Wednesday night in Cambridge brought some of the best the UK has to offer the tour package of The Karma Effect and Silveroller. The Karma Effect have recently released their second album through Earache Records and as part of the deal they have also re-released their debut which has been given a major re-mix and re-master making it sound immense.

First up were Damp Matches from Norwich who entertained us with a diverse mix of what they call raucous-indie-trash-hop-alt rock and they’re not wrong. All their songs had all that and more. The singer – I didn’t get her name – lived the songs and at times she was sweet and sultry before becoming a psycho bitch. They’ve got some good songs too with ‘Temper Tantrum’, ‘Shut Your Mouth’ and ‘Melting’ particular highlights.

Not only does The Portland Arms serve great beer they are also a time machine. Silveroller strolled onto the stage, and we were catapulted back to 1970. The band wore flares, cheese cloth shirts, Afghan coats and singer Jonnie Hodson has the most amazing ‘barnet’ which caused a whole load of hair envy. He has a voice too which channels the blues, soul and whole lotta Paul Rodgers.

Kicking off with the rockin’ ‘Outside’ Hodson left the stage because he forgot his ‘gob iron’ for ‘Trouble Follows Us’. I can only imagine that this was what it felt like at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. ‘Nobody’s Business’ had a loose Stonesy feel then ‘Black Crow’ brought some beautiful warm Hammond into the mix. ‘Come On Come In’ was a huge dose of blue-eyed soul before they opened up the blues power on the chorus. Set closer ‘Hold’ is an absolute banger that left us wanting more.

The Karma Effect brought a load more of that 70’s classic rock with frontman Henry Gottelier bringing his superb pipes along with some fluid guitar work. ‘Livin’ It Up’ was the perfect start which continued with ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Wrong Again’ which were all whiskey n beer-soaked rockers. Things got low down and dirty on ‘Doubt She’s Coming Back’ before both Gottelier and guitarist Robbie Blake changed their weapons of choice for ‘See You Again’ where Gottelier played with his ‘wah-wah’ pedal then ‘Black Crow’ was straight from the groin. ‘Shine On’ was a huge Humble Pie fest only bigger and louder before the huge ‘Mercy’. I had to leave during the bluesy strains of ‘Testify’ – but I had seen enough to know what a superb live band The Karma Effect are.

All three bands were impressive and I’m sure the relatively small crowd will talk about this night for a while yet. Yeah, it was retro, but they all played with a fire and a feel that was obvious and more than welcome.