DOGHOUSE AT THE LOFT MATLOCK
FILLING venues can be daunting; especially for local gangs, as even when everything’s free support isn’t always there. Thankfully, Matlock’s The loft was full as the Doghouse boys made some noise with The Mac at the back kicking his drums into gear with opener ZZ Top’s Gimme All Your Lovin’, followed closely with the Elvis and more recently Kickin’ Valentina hit, Burning Love.
Playing twenty six tunes and it has to be said with considerable ease, these lads really can play as heads were held high and the songs kept flowing. Many bands opt for the obvious so variety is key, which Doghouse know, hence playing the Tiffany cover I Think We’re Alone Now and the classic Footloose, along with stuff by U2 and AC/DC.
Intermission over, Doghouse reconvened with Pulp’s Common People and Pump It Up, a personal favourite and I wasn’t alone. Huge backing vocals from the Matlock Masses helped this likeable five some, brothers Matt and Eddie Hatch, guitarists Pete Bunting and Gaz Brown, and all held together nicely by the rear gunner Matt McKenzie, keep the tempo high, In fact, in places rear gunner Matt just kept thumping the tubs as songs seamlessly knitted together, an approval from this critic. With the end in sight they let fly with Mr. Brightside, Sex On Fire and closed proceedings with The Beatles hit, Twist And Shout.
Having been a unit for well over a decade the Doghouse boys do it right. We had good backing vocals, smiles, nice quips from front man Eddie and great audience participation, which if you don’t have that, the night isn’t going to be great. For my hard earned, the night was that and more.
