Soho Dukes Live Classic Grand Shockcity Productions

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

Soho Dukes are a ragtag rocking punk/blues/rock outfit from London who originally formed in 2017. The boys have gigged tirelessly & boisterously and have given us 2 independent releases, Bar Fights & Tuppenny Uprights in 2021 & Golden Age Of The Barbers Chair in 2024. The boys have been busy in the studio cooking up their new album, Nighthawks, Acrobats & Everything Under The Moon, which dropped a couple of weeks ago. The boys have decided to rattle some cages and are out on tour right now promoting the new record, and tonight they land in Glasgow at Classic Grand. Please settle yourself in as I cast my beady eye over this bunch of reprobates as they bring their infectious brand of rock ‘n’ roll to the fine folk of Glasgow. the place is packed and the energy is buzzing in the room as the house PA fades and the boys make their way onto the hallowed stage as the place goes mental. the boys tell us who they are and launch into –

Hope Sweet Camden Town – Kicking in the doors from the outset comes a shredding twin guitar riff that really gets the juices flowing with its foot-stomping rock ‘n’ roll groove. JB lets his rasping, gritty vocals lead the charge as this foot-stomping bruiser lets the track breathe as the boys settle into their stride and give it to us both barrels with a real infectious tone that is putting smiles on people’s faces for sure; the funky bassline is wrapping itself around the classic grand as Bomber gives us meaty funk grooves that just get the track moving. The rhythm section is controlling the room with its punchy snare drum beats that let the bass kicks get the track grooving. the boys are jumping all over the stage and really socking it to us as the killer keys section leans in and hits us with a sweet tone that really lets this gig come to life. up next –

Elaine – Shredding power riffs flow from the intro as a punchy bass kick lets the rhythm section make itself known to us as the raspy vocals come through and let the track breathe. Piano tones are again letting the musicality shine through as the track builds and really sizzles as we get into these boys as they deliver a honky-tonk groove piece; the sweet, mellow bassline is running freely with the twin guitar riffs and really gives the track depth as it wraps itself around the groove that is erupting from the boys as they leave their mark on this thigh-slapping, rocking monster that is just giving us a real soulful feeling. The boys are really enjoying themselves, as we can hear the real up running through the track as each member brings their own unique stamp for this classy number that just puts a smile on your face. up next –

Should Know Better – JB announces that if we haven’t met before, you are very welcome to the party as the track comes to life with a punchy snare drum beat as the bass kicks; let the track flourish. Bassline tones are pouring from the stage as Bomber drops killer grooves all over the stage as this fist-pumping rock ‘n’ roller grabs our attention as JB lets his mellow vocals lead the charge as this fantastic track warms up the Glasgow audience as the cool keys flow freely through the track and give it some depth. The crisp twin guitar licks are weaving their way through the track and letting us feel the good ol London groove as the tempo changes pace and the beat intensifies with ease as the boys let us know that they are here and ready to party as the place gets into these boys and what they are bringing to us tonight. the rhythm section is commanding the room as the funky beats really let the track come at us. we roll into –

Bovver Boys – We get straight down to business with a crunching guitar riff that lets the bassline drop in and back up this sizzling 6-piece unit as they deliver a foot-stomping beast that just gets you moving. JB lets his rasping, gritty vocals lead the charge as we get to grips with these Landan boys as they crash straight into Classic Grand and leave a mark on the fine folk of Glasgow. We have funky piano keys that just elevate the track somewhat as the boys just bounce off each other and tell their own story as a funky, deep bassline delivers a sludgy, meaty groove that just puts a smile on your face. The twin guitar riffs are adding depth to the track as the 6-piece really dazzles with their energy, swagger and cool attitude that just f around tonight. we are feeling the love from the boys as they thank us for coming out to watch them bring their infectious brand of rock n roll tonight which brings a huge cheer as we roll into –

Johnny Domino – A real glam rock intro as the slick, crisp guitar licks wander freely through the intro as JB brings his melodic vocals to this fist-pumping bruiser as the boys follow suit. The dark, meaty bassline drops in as Bomber gets all down and dirty as he drills down and lets the track tell its own story as the punchy snare drum kicks work ever so well with the bass beats that let the track flow easily through the venue. The boys are tearing through the set with ease as they show us what they are made of as the track changes tempo with a real laid-back midsection that really lets the guys cut loose and bring their imaginative brand of glam rock kicking and screaming into Glasgow tonight. The place is really showing these boys respect as they dance around and feel the energy oozing from every member tonight. The place is brimming with joy as the boys take us through their glistening set that has just taken us all by surprise as they take the applause and lead us into –

Suited & Booted – A cool guitar riff erupts from the off as the keys tinkle in the background as the boys shift through the gears and give us a punky, Madness-style track that just lets the boys do their thing. JB brings his unmistakable vocals to the show as he gives the track depth, swagger and bags of attitude as the boys set out their stall and really sock it to us; the funky bassline drops in with a real meaty groove that just gets the track moving and grooving as a cool, sweet guitar solo ripples through the venue as the boys give us a real cockney show that just gets better and better with each track that comes our way. The real infectious, toe-tapping groove is awesome as the place takes these boys to their hearts tonight as we dance around and feel the energy pouring from the stage tonight as we move into –

Sunday Magazines – JB kicks in the doors as this punk/glam bruiser comes for us with all it has as the vocals echo all round the venue as we feel the energy, swagger and attitude breeze through us as these boys show no sign of slowing down. The cool, mellow, dark bassline comes through and drops killer tones that really get the track moving as it puts a smile on your face as the boys just deliver hit after hit and do it with ease as they drive their juggernaut right through the heart of Glasgow tonight. The keys are lingering through the track and really balance out all that is going on up on the stage for sure. These boys just bring the noise and make no apologies about it as they deliver a killer set that is just what the doctor ordered on a dark Thursday night. JB thanks us for showing up and supporting them tonight and that brings a huge cheer as they kick up their heels and lead us into –

Excited (Ft Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell) – The place lights up as Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell saunters on stage and straps on his guitar as this foot-stomping rock ‘n’ roll beast comes to life as the track takes us down the road. The vocals are sharp and swift and have a cheeky tone as JB lets his swagger do the rest as the rhythm section leans in and brings a cool, punchy beat that lets the cymbal crashes rain down on us. Dave swaggers around the stage and lets his fingers do the talking as he hits us with a sleek, crisp solo that lets the boys blend in and really deliver a well-crafted, melodic, fist-pumping groove track that has depth and attitude as the funky bassline drops in with a real delicious tone that really grabs our attention as the boys take us into the last track of the evening –

A Stone’s Throw Away (Ft Spike & Bucket) – Spike steps up to the mic and brings out his harmonica as this slow-moving, melodic piece comes to life as the snare drum beats command the room as the boys dig deep and let the track do the talking. The vocals are awesome as Spike & JB tell their own tales as the lyrics weave their way through the arrangement and let us feel the depth of this fantastic track that has been Spiked for sure. The stage is packed and full of talent as the keys leave their mark on this killer track that is just a fine way to finish off a colourful gig that was just what the doctor ordered. The boys look like they have enjoyed themselves as Bucket steps up and offloads with a glistening, crisp, melodic solo that really captures what these boys are all about.

Soho Dukes –

Johnny ‘JB ‘ Barracuda – Vocals

Si Leach – Lead Guitar

Col ‘ The Duke ‘ Foster – Rhythm Guitar

Mark ‘Bomber’ Randon-Bass

Swerve – Keys

Ge Blackwell – Drums

Spike – Guest Vocals

Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell – Guest Guitar

Setlist –

Home Sweet Camden Town

Elaine