The Samurai Seven and My Drug Hell

My Drug Hell are quite suitably named...since they'd probably be my bad 'trip' if I ever take drugs. They play dreary, plodding music, influenced by the 60s, and every song sounded the same. They had loads of gaps in between the songs, and didn't seem to be that well rehersed. The band did not have that much of a stage presence and the music didn't help either. The bassline of one song sounded like the theme music from The Big Breakfast while in another they were trying to be like the Beach Boys, but failing miserbly. They were so professional that they'd even forgot to play their forthcoming single too. And all this from a group who were supposed to be big in America. On this showing America can keep them, and save the rest of the UK from this type of unimaginative bands.

The Samurai Seven, however, get better with every live show. They played about 10 songs, including impromptu ones See You, because 'that's what Wycombe Wanderers said to Oxford City today' and the encore, Juve Lost that Lovin Feeling. The band are getting more and more confindent, and with that amount of energy you couldn't not love them. While Matt behaves like a little puppy, wandering around the stage and jumping up and down, Simon and Jimmy do their bit in the talking. AND they've sorted out the syncronised posing in their new single too! You know it's been a good gig when your ears are still ringing an hour after the end of the gig, and you are still excited about what you have seen. The Samurai Seven have proved a few things tonight, that pop music does not have to be boring, and that after Dustball splits up they will be there to become the most popular unsigned local group....let's just hope they don't go the same way.

2004 update: My Drug Hell would like nunuworld to point out that this review was written over 5 years ago. At the time of this review the band performed with a stand in bassist, and they are much better now (according to Tim My Drug Hell).


Related Links for the Samurai Seven
Samurai Seven live review (October 1999)
Samurai Seven live review (January 2000)
Samurai Seven live review (May 2000)
single review

The Samurai Seven website


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