By Chaos, Freelance WriterDOWNSTAIRS PUT in a short but stellar set last Tuesday at the Village Café, Liguanea during the weekly 'Open Microphone' Tuesday night.
Playing to a less packed than usual house, the band decided to make it an all original night and, with one exception, stuck to that rule. After a few minutes spent tuning up, they opened with Jones saying: "We're going in for some very soothing R&B music."
Yeah, right.
With Jones dressed all in black, including a pair of shades, the band started off with their original Cradle - and damn can they play. With Bas playing a wicked lead guitar, Brian Jones on vocals and rhythm guitar, Andrew Campbell on bass and Alvin Peart on the skins, the four combined to create a sonic, rocking riot. Jones' vocals were clearer than usual, but a young lady behind The Gleaner complained she could not understand a word he was singing. Then again, she also confessed to not having an affinity for heavy metal/rock music.
It was the best The Gleaner has heard Downstairs play and that is saying a lot. Bas was cool, calm and collected as he just stood there and laid down amazing riffs and Campbell was more relaxed than ever, needing only a wall to lean on to make his aura of nonchalance complete. Peart beat the skins in perfect time and the foursome created rock music that made one want to 'headbang' and just go crazy.
What's The Time followed before Jones announced that "Tonight is an original night. We have a second CD (their first was Reggae Metal) out soon, but nuff a unno nuh even know seh we have a first CD", eliciting laughter from those on-hand.
One young lady stood stage front and centre and let the music move her, writhing her body in interesting ways as the band rocked. A version of a song from their upcoming CD, Drugs and Poison, was up next and it was an aural delight, power chords spilling over bass riffs, with Jones eliciting a riff or two of his own on the rhythm guitar while delivering what seems to be an ode to depression.
The break from the 'originals' rule came with a cover of Billy Idol's Rebel Yell, a song which was a surprise enough to cause racing entrepreneur Steven Gunter to comment: "Do you realise how long it is since I've heard somebody cover Billy Idol?" Downstairs incorporated a drum and bass solo into the song, which also impressed, before moving into Blood. Another song from their upcoming CD, tentatively titled Peace Be Still followed, which was another sonic delight.
Jones then threw his jacket to the ground before the band launched into Ride The Train, creating yet another rollicking, raucous cacophony of sound that had heads bopping and bodies moving.
That was the last song, unfortunately for some, but as Campbell put it, they "...kept it short and sweet, leave them wanting more."
'Open Microphone' night also featured outstanding performances from LNS - Lydia and Shema Sutherland - deejay Beenie Man's sisters; an acoustic set from Stanley James Brown - 'Brother Man'; Maxidos, ICE Water, Quizz, Blood, Kiki and a stunning blues set from Keisha Patterson.
