review

It was a wet and rainy Wednesday evening but despite the miserable weather and folk cursing the traffic jam, there was a sizable turn out to see a band who, in my opinion, should be signed, rich and famous by now.

The setting is The Pleasure Unit situated at the hub of Bethnal Green High Street. But don’t let the bar’s small capacity, beer-stained dance floor and ripped sofas put you off. For this is the East End’s very own retro music venue; home to the likes of Peter Doherty (April 2004) and a platform for upcoming and unsigned new talent.

On a small podium near to the bar’s entrance, Benjie Smith, Nick Schaser and drummer Carl Sampson- A.K.A Jack Maggs are getting ready to perform their first live gig to a packed out audience full of locals.

After a nervous introduction, the band members are in full swing as they belt out the tracks ‘You are The One’, ‘Opening Today’, and ‘I Laughed’, all taken from their self-penned album. The strong vocals of Benjie and the electric sound of the bass and backing vocals provided by bassist Nick are fiercely passionate as they surprisingly compose themselves to entertain a cheering audience. ‘One for None 100,000’ starts off with drummer Carl bringing in the beat, which instantly draws you in and is reminiscent of the late 70s Jam to mid 90s Blur era.

‘Poor Suzie’ is a more mellow and chilled out tune and by far, the best track out of their live set. The band members give it their all and the powerful lyric, which tells the story of a badly drunk and hung over girl addicted to drugs, grabs the attention of the foot-tapping audience. Their unique style of indie, pop and punk keeps you entertained throughout the song. 

The band finishes off with ‘No Apparent Reason’ and ends their session with the ear-splitting sound of the electric guitar and drums -very rock n roll.

In an age where the music industry is swamped by cheesy, squeaky-clean boy bands, here is a group whose musical talent is infused with realism and originality. With a more refreshing and edgy sound, Jack Maggs picks up from where the likes of The Who and The Kinks left off  with hopes of re-introducing the world to the best of British music- All they need now is that dream record deal!

www.myspace.com/jackmaggs

Read our interview with Jack Maggs

Photographer: Benjie Smith

By Kavita Trivedi, MyVillage, 09th October