The Outlaw Orchestra & Warner E Hodges Band
The Greystones, Sheffield – Friday 24th May 2019
Review by; Hungryasabadger
​
Well, where do I start with this one? I attended this gig in order to see The Outlaw Orchestra again having been introduced to them at last years’ Hard Rock Hell C.R.O.W.S event at Sheffield’s O2 Academy. Their set at C.R.O.W.S was the highlight of the weekend and they are due to return to the venue at this years’ event but this time will be gracing the main stage.
​
The first thing that was noticeable when the Orchestra boys hit the stage was a line-up change in the banjo department, the affable, and all round nice guy, Pete. I didn’t catch Pete’s surname but was reliably informed by lead singer/guitarist Dave Roux that the band discovered him on a Dorset farm plucking away and in turn plucked him from obscurity. I’m sure there’s some artistic licence in that story however, due to Dave’s penchant for a good tall tale!
Anyway, once on stage, the guys kicked off a rip-roaring set full of toe-tappin’, country tinged, southern rock and roll. They opened with ‘See You In Hell’ complete with their now trademark brief, but seamless, segue into Cliff Richard’s ‘Devil Woman’ before launching into a fantastic cover of Aerosmith’s ‘Hangman Jury’.
​
The sing-along tunes just kept a rollin’ after this opening one-two salvo with the band unleashing ‘Whiskey Drinkin’ Liar’ closely followed by ‘Laughing All The Way To The Gallows’ which was featured on their recent three track EP release The Devil Made Me Do It. ‘Gallows’ was written by the band’s double bass playing bassist Alex Bartle and it is a fantastic tune. In fact I challenge anyone to stand still during it and not to shout the chorus out loud. If you manage to do both then I’m sorry to inform you that you may well be dead inside!
​
Anyone who has seen the Orchestra previously will know that a big part of the guy’s appeal is frontman and guitarist Dave’s hilarious and often self-deprecating stage patois. Unfortunately tonight’s stage times didn’t leave much room for nattering between songs as the boys crammed in as many of their self-styled ‘heavygrass’ tunes in their 30 minute set as they could. Dave still made time however for some hilarious banter between the band and the audience and I certainly hope these comedic touches remain a part of their sets in the future as I firmly believe this is one of the reasons people love the band and take to them so quickly.
​
The set was rounded out with the country boogie of ‘Burn The House Down’, ‘Willie Nelson’ and the fantastic hoe-down tune ‘Milk My Cow’ before the set was closed with the third song from the band’s aforementioned LP ‘Back To Georgia’ complete with a smutty anecdote about Dave’s missus giving him an ‘oil change’ on a deserted desert highway. TMI Dave. TMI!
​
The band left the stage with infectious smiles on the faces having clearly enjoyed their latest conversion of a room full of strangers into Outlaw Orchestra fans. A great time was had by all and if you haven’t checked out the band yet I implore you to do so – you won’t regret it. As for me I’ll see you at Ramblin’ Man Fair on the Rising Stage boys and I can’t wait!
So, having attended the gig to see the support act, I was intrigued to watch the headliner Warner E Hodges and his band. I will be honest here I knew very little about Mr Hodges prior to the night and didn’t really know what to expect.
I had the fortune of bumping into Warner prior to the gig when he was setting up his merch stand in the bar area and the first thing that struck me was what a bloody nice bloke he is! Down to earth, gregarious and a proper Southern Gent. A short conversation with Warner revealed to me that he is better known as the guitarist in both Jason Ringenberg’s band Jason and The Scorchers and Dan Baird’s Homemade Sin, both of whom Warner is soon to tour with in the UK.
So, with autographed poster in hand, I watched as Warner and his British based band took to the stage at The Greystones and proceeded to absolutely nail it. I wasn’t familiar with many of the songs in the set but my word the band put on a great show and Warner’s guitar playing and indeed his singing is top notch and left me wondering why I had never heard of them before! I may not have heard them before but I am definitely interested in purchasing some albums and hearing from them some more.
​
​
Warner and his band scorched through a set list consisting of his own originals, Dan Baird compositions and numerous tracks from his assorted collaborations over the years. Warner also doesn’t shy away from the odd cover song in his set and I must say the covers are an eclectic mix to say the least. I can’t recall the last hard rock band I saw that would have the cojones to cover The Beatles’ ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’ and Cheap Trick’s ‘I Want You to Want Me’ in the same show. Add in the odd AC/DC track and along with the original songs such as ‘Money, Mississippi’ you’ve got a ready-made southern tinged party on your hands.
​
Warner may be celebrating being 27 years sober but he and his band’s brand of party tunes is no doubt responsible for copious amounts of alcohol being consumed and also for a fair few hangovers the morning after – trust me I’m nursing one as I write this!!
​
You can check out the Outlaw Orchestra this summer at Ramblin’ Man Fair, Kent and at HRH C.R.O.W.S, Sheffield where Warner E Hodges will be appearing with both Jason and The Scorchers and Dan Baird.
A great night with two great bands at a great local, grassroots venue. Just great!
