SOLD out and just days after their debut album hit the shelves, Glasgow’s very own Phil Campbell fronted The Temperance Movement at their Glasgow gig; fedora hat, sheepskin coat, sweat and all.
An impressive merch stand meets you as you enter the Òran Mór venue; affordable t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags branding the lyrics “Trouble was my only friend” slung by piles of vinyl’s, cd’s and even cassette tapes offering a nostalgic back-catalogue fit for anyone with a spare few bucks.
I politely squeeze myself through the crowd, consisting mainly of black Temperance Movement t-shirts and leather jackets, sweat filling the humid air like the heat from opening an oven door.
As the band burst on stage, it becomes clear that this was definitely the wrong place for a jumper or a coat. Lead vocalist Campbell is grinning in awe of the turn out; he struts with his head held high with a pair of aviators, a sheepskin coat and fedora, not to underscore the rest of the bands choice of dapper yet grizzly shirt,beard and tilted hat attire; a decent combination.
Welcoming the crowd, buzzing, they waste no time and jump straight into Midnight Black Fender’s whaling , hand claps trembling the air, and hi-hats cutting through your stomach.
Ignoring the barriers, the band encourage the crowd to enjoy themselves, they immediately hit out with slick and slidey Morning Riders- southern and smooth- this is one to take on the road.
Flustered by the reception, the next song up is Older Than I Think – just to give everyone a chance to catch some breath, a swift Fender to Gibson strap manoeuvre is occupied on-stage, the crowd ease up and are feeling educated yet entertained, all eye’s to the centre and the bar is quiet and contently facing forward.
Fronting the driven five-piece, crowd control is a must; Campbell comes to terms on some classy behaviour – levelling the atmosphere with “I shouldn’t be swearing, sorry for swearing Mum, she’s here…”
Campbell breaks the claps and thanks everyone for coming, he dedicates his next song to a friend, the crowd begin chanting “Oh Oh Oh”, snappy and intriguing Know For Sure is laid back with a push from behind, shrugging shoulders to the back bone beat and the prancing slide guitar, pint’s tumbled around in their containers.
Seven songs in and I’m gasping for air, followed by a perch of smokers in the entrance to the venue, all I can hear is talk of the bands new album hitting the charts, heavy breathers debating the chart position and gathering excitement amongst each other.
I retreat from the cold and submerge myself in a sold out musk that can only be described as the heater being left on in a tour bus.
The band wiping sweat from their faces, realise the spicy clothes should have stayed in Vegas -as the heat is picking up, a waist coat is tossed to the floor amongst guitar pedals, shades tucked away, and fur coat to the back of an amp; we are staring down the barrel of The Temperance Movement, pure attitude – Campbell now baring his black and white temperance movement t-shirt – Not giving a damn, ready for mayhem, keeping his composure solid, he grabs his hat and puts it back on with a cheeky grin.
The acoustic is pulled out from the dark as if magic, one strum and again the bar is silent. “I really like this, the way everyone is just spread out along the sides, you can see photo’s on the walls..Peter Green, and Bob Dylan, This is a cool place.”
He strums once more and serenades the audience with Lovers & Fighters – pulling on the heart strings and shining some light on the darker side of The Movement, the melody is smooth and eases the impatience of getting any closer to the stage for a photo.
The band blasted through the set, more and more energy burned like a furnace as the night progressed, until stepping it up a notch with some additional percussion including some tambourine and shakers – they ignite with Only Friend.
Every member of the band began gunning different shapes and moves to the notes and thuds from the drums, Potashnick and Sayer were the first to go. Grasping the grind of pepper to the back of his throat, Phil whips his hand through his hair, only to look like a blonde Sid Vicious; hair spiking high.
Pride is next and everything is in full swing, all concept of time has gone as its all about the music, the lyrical content “We got nothing’ to hide, all my pride” gives off a warm homely vibe, reverting back to basics and bringing a bit of soul into the mix, it creates a sway in the sea of heads, the sound guy is in relief.
To finish off the night, the band climax with Serenity – it takes the hard nut and cracks it for the overly indulged audience who got more than expected for their money. Easy listening and a cool down for the crowd, this is certainly a mark in history for the lads and the fans, this show was definitely a milestone in bigger things to come.
