Feature
Vintage Trouble: Here Comes Trouble
The band’s debut CD title; “The Bomb Shelter Sessions,” seems quite apt. Their live shows are like an incendiary device, setting fire to venues they are filling across the UK with their blazing performances, after a seizure-inducing appearance on a certain late night live BBC TV music show back in April.
Imagine Led Zep’ with James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Iggy Pop, a Ramone or a Jagger as guest frontman. Add a shed load of arrogance and attitude, akin to the rawest punk band of the 70s. You might then be half way toward sussing what Vintage Trouble are all about. There is no bullshit with these boys. They do not need PR hype. It is all there on that stage, and in that CD. No words required.
Backed by heavyweight US management, who steered the careers of the likes of James Brown, Bon Jovi, Kiss and Guns n' Roses, this four-piece from LA are on a mission. With a forgotten mantra that says: “Music gotta make you feel good.”
They say they don’t do shows. They provide a party. They bring the music – primitive soul - and the energy, but you gotta match it and you WILL be part of the action. Not spectators. And guess what? You might just get lucky. VT singer Ty Taylor says there are “sexual encounters” at their gigs, such is the excitement generated from that stage. The audience are sucked in (ohh err missus) and are part of the frenzied orgy of excitement. “We ask people to come and party with us, we hope they enjoy our songs and they seem to start dancing straight away. That is the key. We don’t do shows. We have a party. We do whatever we can to make people feel like they are the most exciting people in the world. That’s our mission. We grew up with artists who worked that way, and treated their audience as part of the show.” Ty says we are all on a “first date” at a Vintage Trouble show.
"It’s a fun time. You go to a new city, some people know you and some people don’t. We aim to get people to cuddle up with us, and with others. It is a first date, and you got to get to know each other, and figure out what to do, and how to act."
So, what about this sexual encounter I am promised? “It is not just up to us. We get you to a point where it is no problem in that environment, to snag a lady and hook up with each other at the end of the night. We will get you hot, sweating, wet and horny. It is as much up to you as us. I will look at you in the show, see if you are giving in. I wanna see your head back, see you sweating, and if you are doing what you should and you got no girl; I’ll put my hand in my pocket and give a girl 100 bucks to go home with you. There’s your guarantee.
"But you got to show these ladies what you are made of, dancing, moving, letting go, partying and then I am sure I’ll get to save my 100 bucks…” You are on mate. Start saving TT.
They toured with Bon Jovi for their UK arena dates. Brian May is a fan and invited them to open for his tour. Ty joined Queen for Freddie’s posthumous 65th birthday celebrations. They joined Bootsy Collins and Thin Lizzy for shows here. They did 2 shows in Hyde Park in 2 days. 400,000 people in the UK saw them, at 80 shows in 100 days! Their debut album, recorded in just three days, charted in the UK album chart Top 40. The amazing thing; the band is less than a year old!
The band are Ty Taylor on vocals, Nalle Colt on guitars, Rick Barrio on bass and Richard Danielson on drums. Go party with VT, and you just might wake up next day with a new friend! I must wear clean boxers………….
TO READ MORE FROM VINTAGE TROUBLE JUST CLICK BELOW TO ORDER YOUR COPY OF BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE'S END OF YEAR EDITION
www.vintagetrouble.com
PHOTOS: MICK HUTSON
Words SIMON REDLEY
