Nashville, Tennessee, often hailed as “Music City”, has a rich history with country and folk. The fusion of the two, rock and roll, welcomed a band from across the pond. Demob Happy graced Nashville with their electrifying presence. Hailing from the UK, Demob Happy brought a taste of the rock legacy to Music City, which left a mark on the music scene that night.
Supporting Death Above 1979, they were welcomed into the rock scene at The Basement East. Their performance was nothing short of a rock and roll revolution. The minute you walked in, the sound of pedal boards filled the room. From the moment they stepped on the stage, they were there to perform. Rock fans, who were aged young to old, could not believe the raw talent that was on the stage. From fur coats to red lipstick to leather jackets, fans were present within the music. Matthew Mercantonio, Adam Godfrey, and Thomas Armstrong connected with fans on the most personal level.
The chemistry within the band themselves and the crowd was immense. They seamlessly transitioned between songs that held anthemic guitar driven tracks. The lead vocalist's charismatic stage presence was matched only by the raw power of their voice. With hints from the grittiness of Queens of the Stone Age and the groove of The Dead Weathers, this was a rock and roll performance. You can see there is a realm of determination within the band. Demob Happy transcended the audience beyond measure.
Their new album, Divine Machine, welcomed them into a new era which was evident. Their trans-Atlantic journey to Nashville was a beautiful success. It was a night that showcased the band's exceptional talent and their ability to bridge the gap between continents, proving that rock music has a place in any musical soundscape. Demob Happy is a complete force. Oh, the force of rock and roll.
- Gabrielle Sanchez
Photos courtesy of Abbie Murphy (For Bell Music Magazine)