The Commoners—Live—Stereo—noblepr

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson

The Commoners were a 4 piece roots rock outfit from Toronto, Canada, the boys began their journey into the world of music around a decade ago listening to bands like The Black Crowes, Derek Trucks, Marcus King & The Allman Brothers. The boys are a real force of nature with their deep blues filled riffs and powering vocals that really set them apart from the rest, they decided to bring in ‘in his own words ‘the most important member of the band’- Miles Evans – Branagh to fill the void that the Hammond style keys brings to this outfit.

I feel privileged to call these boys friends as we have spent so much time together as they navigated their way through the rock n blues world cutting their teeth with various support slots and dual headline slots. The boys are back on the road with their Ghosts On The Highway tour and tonight they crash their way into Glasgow and entertain us @ Stereo as they deliver their gritty, infectious rock noll to the fine folk of Glasgow, the room is packed to capacity as we await the arrival on stage of these 5 boys from Canada and as the lights dim & the PA fades the guys grab the mic and bellow out What’s Up Glasgow as we launch into –

Gone Without Warning – A slick clean bluesy guitar lick comes at us at a rate of noughts as this foot stomping rock n roll juggernaut crashes right into us. The killer rhythm section is commanding the room with a punchy snare drum beat that has deep bass kicks that let this rocking blues eruption tell it like it is, the fast paced fist pumping track brings us soulful vocals that really take this track to another level as the boys return to normal service with this fantastic Hammond tinges blues affair as we let the groove wrap itself around us as a slick, clean guitar lick oozes towards us as the boys just kick in the doors and bring us a rasping, foot stomping, groove laden monster track that wets or appetites as we roll into –

The Way I Am – Kicking in the doors from the off comes a sizzling Hammond style keys that are wrapped in a power drenched rhythm section that allows this track the room it needs to grow. The soaring blues rocker vocals really bring the heat as the boys pick up where they left off with a real foot stomping, blues laden rock n roll track that just ticks all the boxes with it’s gritty groove laden beat that is just phenomenal.

The boys are firing on all cylinders for sure as this soulful blues laden beast just takes us way back to the first time we saw these boys and thought how good are this unit. The crunching snare drum punches let the rhythm section drive this juggernaut onwards as the soulful keys instantly puts us at ease for sure, the 5 piece is just getting better and better with their foot stomping, fist pumping groove that just wants to make you get up and shake your booty and then some. We are tearing through this incredible set that has given us everything we wanted and more from these 5 dudes from across the pond as we stroll into –

Runnin Blind – Chris bellows out let’s go Glasgow as this pounding beast erupts and gives us a shredding, gritty guitar lick that has a deep, meaty bassline for company as this bruiser wakes up. The raspy vocals are filling every corner of the venue as the rhythm section kicks in and brings us a snare drum beat that is followed by cool cymbal crashes that really let this track break free, the place is really groovin to these boys as they bring us new music, old classics and just want to show us a real good time. The boys are just smiling from ear to ear as they deliver a slick, crisp no nonsense show that is getting better and better every time they come to our shores, the Hammond style keys are littered throughout the arrangement and really beef up the groove on this thundering track as the boys join in on backing vocals to really let this track pop as it just shows the boys in another light as we stroll into another new offering in the form of –

Just Watch Me – A nice, melodic groove eases through the intro as Chris takes the mic and unleashes his soulful vocals as the rhythm section commands the track from the back of the room. The Hammond keys are teasing us as they flow freely through the piece and really add depth to this bluesy, groover track, the funky bassis dropping mellow, dark, delicious tones that just wrap themselves around this fantastic track as the place just watches the stage as the boys kick in with a real thought provoking number that tells us that the boys have been spending time honing their signature style and it is paying off big time as Ross leans in and offloads with a sizzling solo that takes us into the next track –

Too Much – Ross steps forward and hits us with a real sludgy, slick, crisp guitar lick that lets the track open and let us feel the blues rollin through the intro as Chris lets his awesome vocals lead the way. The boys are just enjoying themselves and bringing us a real killer show that has all the trimmings with killer keys, deep meaty basslines and a real solid rhythm section that command the room as it controls the flow of this foot stomping rock n roller. The place is just watching the stage as the boys set out their stall and really sock it to us as we feel the energy roaring through the venue tonight, the musicality is just elevated a little with every new song they bring us and this shows us that they are really feeling the groove and honing their style to make each show even better, bigger and more rockier, the place is bouncing as we go into a real cracking track that is a crowd favourite –

Devil Teasin Me – Ross comes in as awesome slick cool guitar licks warm us up before Adam kicks in the doors with a fast and furious groove that lets this blues filled rocker track come to life. The full on bassline is handing us a real deep funk groove that fits this arrangement perfectly as the groove builds and builds as the boys give us more and more which is just incredible. The tinkering keys are flowing effortlessly through the intro and really letting this track breathe as the riffs become tighter and more intense as the boys really let go and bring us a real doosie that is just on the money. The place is feeling the love from the boys as they really pack a punch and bring us cool funky beats that are wrapped in soulful melodic vocals that are letting Glasgow know that The Commoners are in town and kickin ass with all they have and boy it shows, we roll into –

Too Soon To Know You – Kicking it up a notch comes this blues laden rocker track that lets the tone loose with incredible keys that just settle us into our stride for sure. The rasping guitar licks are opening this track up as the boys rally round and give it to us straight with no forgiveness as we feel the bassline drop in and hit us with epic grooves that wrap themselves around this oozing monster, the vocals are just raising the roof with their depth, tone and downright gritty velvet notes that allow this track to take us on the journey with the boys as we really get into this snare driven beast that brings in a solid bass kick that really lets this track soar. The boys are on fire as they really cut loose and let their musicianship drive this juggernaut right through us with it’s intense blues filled rock n roll themed tracks that just get better and better. As I said at the start of my review I call these boys friends and was asking them before the show would we be getting any surprises tonight and boy did they deliver, this is a show like no other as they just get better and better each time we see them, we roll into the title track now in the form of –

Restless – Acoustic strumming chords make themselves known as this country filled blues rocker comes at us with a real soulful vocal that just instantly puts us at ease. The slick crisp musicianship is oozing quality as the boys kick it up a notch with this real sludgy groove filled rocker track that really lets us know what these boys are all about, we have a full on bassline wrapping itself around this epic arrangement that is sending out all the right notes as we have a punchy rhythm section that is handing us solid snare drum beats that really let this track breathe. The slick, clean guitar licks are delivering a well thought out melodic rumbling that just takes us to another place as we feel the epic vocals of Chris as he powers through this killer number with ease as the boys bring us a real country , blues affair that just ticks all the boxes. Next up in the soul searching monster –

See You Again – The track unfolds with sweet, melodic acoustic strumming chords that set the scene as we feel the emotion pouring from this highly personal piece of music. Chris comes in and delivers a real soulful, gravelly blues infused vocal tone that just allows this track to breathe, the rhythm section is hitting us with solid snare drum beats that lets the cool Hammond style keys tell their own story as they instantly lift this track to another level with their soulful blues feel that just gives us goosebumps. The boys are back and firing on all cylinders with this epic composition that brings a real deep country, blues eruption that just flows effortlessly through this fantastic track, the backing vocals are incredible as Ben, Miles really leave their mark on this personal piece of music.The gig is showing no signs of slowing down as the boys deliver stonker after stonker as we feel the love pouring from the stage as the boys take us into –

Ghosts On The Highway – As we rumble through the set Chris chats with us and tells us that him and the boys look out and see a wall of Commoners merch which is just awesome as he introduces us to another belting beast. A crunching guitar riff opens the track as Chris leans in with his fabulous gravelly, blues vocals that let this track erupt and bering the rockin blues to us tonight, we have sweet, clean Hammond style keys that are littered throughout the track as the rhythm section brings the groove with it’s punchy snare / bass kicks that really give the arrangement swagger and attitude. The place is loving the material and the vibe of these 5 dudes from Canada as Ross hits us with a crisp, clean solo that gets us all warm and fuzzy as Miles takes charge with a colossal blues style keys solo that just elevates the track as we just fix our eyes on the stage as the boys shift through the gears and hit us with a real sludgy, bluesy tone that just gets better and better as the boys climb the ladder or rock n roll greatness, they are hurtling through the setlist and lead us into –

Fill My Cup – A shredding power riffed intro gets this bad boy on the move as killer keys flow effortlessly through the intro as soulful bluesy vocals deliver big time. The rhythm section is coming at us with solid snare drum punches that bring bass kicks that accompany us with cymbal crashes that just set this track on fire. Bass grooves are handing us sweet deep plundering grooves that just wrap themselves around this colossal slab of pure blues rock that just seperates the men from the boys as we are taken on a journey as the boys really give us all they have as slick clean guitar licks are pouring into this epic arrangement as the glossy riffs and astounding melodies really take us to another place for sure. We have sensational backing vocals that really set this track apart right now as we really dig this impressive groove and husky gravelly vocals that are bringing this track kicking and screaming towards us. We come to the last track or so we think as the boys finish us off with the title track from their last offering that has just sealed the deal for us tonight as the boys come together to hit us with –

Find A Better Way – A real bluesy gritty rocking riff pours through the intro as slick cool Hammond style keys linger and let this track open and flow. Gravelly soulful vocals come through and just electrify this cool punchy blues rocker track as we get cool shredding chords that work well with a deep plundering bass groove that is just exceptional as they deliver this funk laden beast with ease. Snare drum punches are filling the air as the bass kicks combine well with cymbal crashes that drive this blues juggernaut forward and really let this colossal slab of blues rock kick in the doors and let the groove flow. Awesome bluesy keys are spilling into this fantastic arrangement as killer backing vocals really lift this rasping beast as it builds and builds with ease as this fantastic track brings the swagger and sass that lets us know that these boys are here and here to stay. As the place erupts in a wall of applause and hollering, the boys again thank us for coming out to support them as they deliver their final track in the form of –

Shake You Off – A crunching sludgy guitar riff erupts as this thundering rock n roll juggernaut brings the groove to this fantastic new offering which is just bubbling under the surface. The rhythm section is commanding the room as the boys let themselves go and bring us a real rock n roll bruiser that is ticking all the boxes for sure, the dark, brooding bassline is handing us a real soulful groove that just mixes well with this fast paced monster track that just follows a thread that the boys have created. The rasping vocals are just building and building as this eruption is destroying everything in it’s path as the thundering beats let this gig erupt into life, the crunching riffs are running freely with maximum damage coming at us as this incredible new offering just tells us that these boys are the real deal as we have awesome keys that just wrap themselves around this epic composition as the added bonus of melodic backing vocals really delivers this crunching beast that just keeps building and building, the place is just simmering with joy as the boys smile from ear to ear as they take the applause and leave the stage and bid us farewell.

The Commoners –

Chris Medhurst – Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Ross Hayes Citrullo – Lead Guitar
Ben Spiller – Bass
Miles Evans – Branagh – Keys
Adam Cannon – Drums / Percussion / BV

Setlist –

Gone Without Warning

The Way I Am

Runnin Blind

Just Watch Me

Too Much

Devil Teasin Me

Too Soon To Know You

Restless

See You Again

Ghosts On The Highway

Fill My Cup