Dave Monks presents

Muddy Elephant

Frog Dylan and TARNS 

Wednesday 19th July 2023.

It’s another BBC Introducing for team NSG tonight, at the iconic Cavern Club situated on the famous Mathew Street in the beating heart of Liverpool’s city centre. It’s bustling and busy tonight, the street filled with people sitting out in the evening sunshine, and as we arrive at our venue there is a huge queue to enter – a good sign for a great night ahead! These Introducing nights are a must-see for any live music fan, featuring artists handpicked by Dave Monks from Radio Merseyside; all artists performing feature regularly on Dave’s show. There’s always a great atmosphere, excellent sound and varied genres – something for everyone. I’m here tonight for Muddy Elephant, who are a firm favourite of mine and just bring so much to each and every performance. Also tonight we have Frog Dylan and TARNS who are both new to me, but I look forward to discovering new musical treasures, which is a given at these Cavern Club events.

(Muddy Elephant_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Muddy Elephant: Sam Passey – vocal/guitar, Carlos Jones – guitar, Matt Webster – bass, Harry McNally – drum

When Muddy Elephant arrives on stage their presence is felt…cascading, shimmering guitars, pistol-fired drum beats and one epic vocal. It’s a sound that gets us up on our feet, is fast-paced, upbeat and feels good. Real indie rock with a slight art pop feel, with androgynous pop and art house thrown in for good measure. Very retro at times, but bang up to date at the same time. The energy that comes from within these 4 guys is impressive; everything is given throughout the entire performance and it’s infectious. We just can’t not sing along or be still to this! Carlos, our lead guitarist, goes all out; he’s all over this stage, bouncing around, bopping, up on the drum platform then jumping off, guitar swung about – every band needs a Carlos !! Matched equally by frontman, Sam, who exudes cool and holds our attention easily. The vocal is deep, echoey and full-bodied. Matt on bass does not stand still, and the new edition Harry is giving it some on the drum kit. We all love a high-energy band, and this is the best example of that! Crashing, often times dance, like beats drive the sound, an almost Block Party feel, then guitars keep it firmly indie rock, then a more holiday vibe sound, real earworm tunes like “When in Rome” which becomes the anthem of tonight as its chanted over and over by the crowd long after Muddy Elephant’s set is over. Genuinely this band bring something special each and every time and I’ll never tire of seeing them. Thank you again, Muddy Elephant.

Setlist: Killer Bee, Tusk, What you know (cover), Alice, When in Rome, Lonely, Helter Skelter

(Frog Dylan_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Frog Dylan: Sam – vocal/rhythm guitar, Jim – bass/backing vocal, Ashley – percussion, Jack – lead guitar, Zack – drums

This set begins with a backing track then slow, building, bass-driven, intense, more layering, steady, hard beats, then bang…it hits, and my God, let me tell you, it HITS. It’s completely all-encompassing, a mesmerising sound. Initially, it feels very 60s vibes, the Who style, then as it builds it’s changing, fluidly it’s become more 90s grunge, very atmospheric. Rumbling bass lines, pounding, in fact, it’s heart-stopping. Throughout this entire sound pure angst is conveyed. The vocal swings between steady and light with a heartbreaking edge, real emotion and suffering are conveyed (or is it vengeful plotting) then the most wonderful grate comes through and gravel tone. All band members are dressed in shirts and ties, charisma oozing from them, real swagger and this venue is swallowed up by the onstage presence…swagger wise it conjures up images of some musical Peaky Blinders, especially with Ashley, our percussionist, pacing about the stage in long leather jacket, commanding us with his tambourine (a tambourine breaks in half during the first song from the sheer vigour of this performance). A steadiness sits below this sound, an almost hypnotic feel takes us through this set, but atop of this, there’s a wildness. Band members go all out: Sam, our front man, often on his knees, guitar in the air, or writhing on the floor. It’s fascinating to watch.

So many feels, the obvious grunge, shoe gaze, that 60s rock n roll vibe, but folk and indie too. It’s so eclectic and works tremendously. Screams and cries throughout this set, it feels like we’ve all been transported somewhere else during this, It all feels a little bewildering, enchanting maybe? I bloody love this! Seriously blown away by this, and I really do need more Frog Dylan in my life.

Setlist: Venus, Want You Back, I’m Fine, Whiskey, The Medicine, Western, Falling Out, DPD

(TARNS_Credit: Lucy Bell)

TARNS: Jennifer Davies – vocal/keys, Echo String Quartet, Lara Simpson – violin 1, Aninka Rosa – violin 2, Sophia Dignam – viola, Selena Farnsworth – cello

Next up is something totally different; joined onstage by the Echo String Quartet is TARNS. It’s a very immersive sound right from the off. The strings really add to the eeriness of the whole sound, a very haunting feel. This is another set that’s completely absorbing and very atmospheric. The themes are deep and thought-provoking, about our relationship with technology, machines taking over (very psychological), about CCTV and social media, and unsurprisingly very inspired by George Orwell’s book ‘1984’. There is a very film score feel to this, it draws us in, right into its very heart, its depths and darkness, taking us on a ghostly musical journey. Joined onstage by fellow HAARM band member. Chris McIntosh, the mixture of male and female vocals works well, Jennifer’s own haunting and breathtaking voice aligns perfectly with the lower and slightly angst-feeling male vocal. A Beatles cover gives another dimension and brings spiritual feels and a real Eastern sound, showing the true versatility of musicianship here. Another member of HAARM,  Olly Gormon joins proceedings on keys for the final song “Step into the Light”.  Totally breathtaking vocal throughout, loud and far-reaching, and in this final song it’s soaring; the audience totally embraces it and joins in with the chorus. 

What an absolutely stunning set!  Very conceptual and truly captures and communicates an entire feel. Utterly stand out.

Setlist: Make Me Brand New (debut single), Stop Staring, Icarus, Under the Eyes of Machines, Mountains, Step into the Light

Review by Janet Harding

Photography by Lucy Bell

To view the entire photo gallery, click the numbers below the last bottom photo on the right or click on an image to see it larger and scroll through.