His Master’s Voice
So His Master’s Voice are back out gigging, and have to say, we at Sonic Den are pretty damn happy about that. We went along to their first show in a while at Ding Dong Lounge Saturday May 23rd.
After a brief hiatus, enforced due to lead guitarist Az Burns’ shoulder injury and surgery, His Master’s Voice were performing for the first time since February at Metal Ink Addicts Thrasher (M.I.A) presented by NZ Tattoo People Inc & Ding Dong Lounge. And what a gig it was!
It was great to see so many excited faces in the crowd, all eager to get their HMV fix. Over the last 18 months or so, this band has developed a loyal following and once Jesse Sorensen (Vocals and Guitar), Az Burns (Lead Guitar), Rene Harvey (Drums), and Brandon Bott (Bass) take to the stage it is easy to see why.
The band delivered an epic setlist. In addition to the 6 tracks available on the excellent Possession E.P. released in 2014 (Possession, Don’t Trust Myself, Follow Me Down, Morning, Summer Time and Lucid Dream), the enraptured crowd was also treated to some new material (I Don’t Mind, Mountain – the latter being performed for the first time) and crowd favourites Save My Soul, His Master’s Voice and Lonely Road.
The His Master’s Voice version of Rollin’ And Tumblin’ is kick ass, and at Ding Dong on Saturday night HMV continued to slay it with a couple of other unexpected and classily executed cover versions of Black Sabbath’s Fairies Wear Boots and the Doors’ Five to One/Backdoor Man. An ode to the great and recently passed Mr B.B. King was a special few moments in time – the band delivering a brilliant and heartfelt version of The Thrill is Gone.
The covers performed on Saturday speak volumes about some of these first class, talented musicians’ inspirations, but the exciting thing about His Master’s Voice and the combination of hard-hitting rock and blues that they deliver is that their original songs stand tall and proud right up there with the best.
The His Master’s Voice sound, vocals, lyrics and overall polished musicianship hail back to a time when giants walked the earth. Their live show hypnotically engaging and ever evolving, and their E.P. a must have in your music collection.
Yep, pretty enthralled with this band. Plenty more to look forward to from His Masters Voice. We’re sure of it.
Ding Dong Lounge Gig Photos
Photo credit and thanks to: Ding Dong Lounge and Fabricio Veltri
http://www.dingdongloungenz.com/
Upcoming Gigs
The Cabana, Napier, June 19, 2015
His Masters Voice with Heterodox and Blood Buffalo
http://www.facebook.com/events/818549728221409/
Altitude Bar, Hamilton, June 20, 2015
His Masters Voice with Blood Buffalo and The Defendants
http://www.facebook.com/events/472984756202373/
The Mayfair, New Plymouth, June 26, 2015
His Masters Voice with Slot Car, The Dirty Sweets and Blood Buffalo.
http://www.facebook.com/events/974570235920562/
Links:
Keep up to date with His Master’s Voice gig and music updates on FB:
http://www.facebook.com/hismastersvoicenz/
HMV Possession E.P. for sale here:
http://www.thedevilsmerch.com
Interview with HMV drummer and tattoo artist Rene Harvey:
http://inkedlife.nz/episodes/episode-four-nz-music-month/
Ding Dong Lounge
http://www.facebook.com/dingdongloungenz/
http://www.dingdongloungenz.com/
Fabricio Veltri Photography