The Split Squad featuring Clem Burke from Blondie plus Sebastian And The Poor Valley Marauders at The Cavern Club, Liverpool 

Thursday 7th July 2022

We’re back in Liverpool tonight after what seems like such a long time but can only be a month or so; it’s my favourite UK city and I’m happy to be back. It’s a whole feeling in Liverpool – the vibrant streets, the diversity, the history, culture and architecture, and above all its rich musical history. It’s just so inspiring. Walking from Lime Street Station through the bustling and colourful streets in the bright sunshine, already the sounds of live music are filtering out from the clubs and pubs. Matthew Street is a hive of creative energy. It’s really busy tonight; the pavements are filled with people enjoying drinks at tables al fresco in our unusually good weather. The iconic Cavern Club is our venue tonight. It’s always a good night at the Cavern, but tonight it’s special, it really does promise to be on another level, these performances are few and far between, but tonight (and I can’t quite believe we get to experience this)…but tonight we are seeing the Split Squad.

‘The Split Squad‘ are a dynamic rock n roll band from the United States, all 5 founding members being from other, well-established and very credible bands. The term ‘split squad’, as frontman and bassist Michael Giblin explains to me, comes from baseball when the squad split into 2 teams to enable them to play more games, so this term perfectly suits the band, given that they all come from other squads/bands and are involved in many projects. Michael also explains that the guys are quite widespread across the USA and with Keith Streng being Sweden based, this makes touring and performing live difficult, and with busy schedules of other bands added this makes a gig like tonight’s rare gold, and in such an iconic and intimate venue as the Cavern Club too!  I’m seriously looking forward to this!

Support – Sebastian And The Poor Valley Marauders. 

Mark Sebastian D’Lacy -vocals/guitar, Alison Crawford – vocals, Ben Parkinson – piano/backing vocals, Johnny Larsen – keys/acoustic guitar/backing vocals, Steven Bonacio – bass, Jake Simons – drums

So tonight’s first set is something completely different – local musicians, Sebastian and the Poor Valley Marauders. Initially, the set starts off with a real deep south feeling: American blues meets country. It’s a feel-good sound, real toe-tapping and dance-inducing. very stylised, very eclectic. All of our band members are wearing hats, and look right at home up on stage…there’s a real sense that this is gonna be fun! A brilliant sound, rich and textured, and having both male and female vocal really works. Alison s voice is sweet and warm like honey and lends itself perfectly to the country style. Mark’s is a rich, deep and characterful voice, often with a grate, like honey with brown sugar…the vocals complement each other superbly. There’s a great energy and such enthusiasm, there’s the feeling that these band members are all great friends and have the best of times performing…it just radiates from them. Interaction with the crowd is very genuine, friendly and witty, brimming with smiles throughout; they’re very likeable.

(Sebastian And The Poor Valley Marauders_Credit Lucy Bell)

As the songs are played, the styles and feels change – we have heartfelt and tender, slow-paced tracks where Mark’s vocal is really showcased. Real emotion comes through and the notes are held for lengthy periods, full-bodied and loud with a real gravel, which is exquisite. Going back to upbeat again, drumbeats are skippy; piano and violins add those real hoe-down feels, with Hammond organ sounds giving atmosphere. The guitar is bluesy and it honestly leaves us with goosebumps! It’s such a good energy, everyone’s dancing, clapping… with whoops from the band it really feels like an intimate barn shindig. Performance is nonstop, all band members are swaying, dancing, high kicking, guitars in the air and during the instrumental our frontman Mark is back to back with guitarist Johnny…rocking out!  “I remember dancing”, it’s explained, ‘’is a song about a gypsy.” Alison does the vocal alone during this one, it’s strong, nasal and sweet, often with a breathiness, then high notes are reached and held with ease. It’s stunning and totally captivating, we are transfixed. Real Bohemian vibes, Romany feels, very intense and a brilliant concept which is embraced in every sense. with stylised clapping, foot-stomping and almost flamenco-like feels, the cries and whoops take us to another world… of campfires and vardo wagons. 

We’ve been musically transported throughout this set too, so many different genres and styles and feels. Loved it, you cannot, not smile, you can’t not love this and we certainly can’t stand still! (Cowboy) hats off to these guys…for one foot-stomping, hat tilting, rip-roaring, varied, clever, musically tight and truly entertaining set. A fond farewell to Alison who mid-set announced it’s her final show. Good luck, Alison, and thank you Sebastian and the Poor Valley Marauders…Go see these guys…I urge you!

Setlist: I couldn’t speak, Beau from New Orleans, Brand new fool, Holding my breath, All the pretty lies, Fire in her eyes, I remember dancing, Boudoir Stomp, I forgive you, This is what the Blues look like, It’s You, Encore – Too far gone.

Headliner- The Split Squad 

Michael Giblin – vocals/bass, Keith Streng – vocal/guitar, Eddie Munoz – guitar/backing vocals, Clem Burke – drums, Josh Kantor – keys

No nonsense, in an utter fury of drums and an explosion of guitars the Split Squad make their presence felt (and heard) and it’s loud, it’s banging and it’s furious…God, I’ve been waiting for this! Wow…just wow! I mean, some of the coolest guys from such definitive and influential bands such as we have gathered here tonight, it was always gonna go off, but I’m still left feeling, well, just WOW! 

The crispest guitar lines, clear and concise sound, soaring bass lines and the beats are being fired at us. The sound is real good American-style rock n roll, the 70s and 80s feeling New York punk/post-punk and new wave kind of rock n roll. It’s immense! There s no messing about, it’s straight from one song to the next, which means the fullest and a comprehensive set, up-tempo, really energetic, musically tight and so well finished in sound. Michael our frontman of ‘Cherry Twister And Parallax Project‘ tells me they haven’t had time to practice…my God, you would never know, this performance is so on point, a testament to their musicianship. I can detect so many influences, and with having such vast musical experience and from such rich backgrounds it’s no surprise. Of course, we have the obvious American rock n roll; punk and post-punk are clearly present, but also some classic rock feels, blues, really new wave sounding and alt-rock, dare I say country too, in that R.E.M country meets alt-rock style. 

The drumming drives the sound, it’s sharp, it’s fast-paced and it’s very clean. I must say, watching this legend perform his craft is very special. It feels somewhat nostalgic tonight, of maybe what it could have felt like in some cool underground New York basement club sometime in the 70s, of a fresh and exciting new sound beginning, it’s the closest I’ll ever get, so I’m taking it! 

The energy being thrown into this performance is a testament to these veteran band members, not one of them is still for a second. and they certainly brought the wilds with them too, jumping about the stage, high kicking and guitar swinging. The showmanship really comes through from lead guitarist Keith Streng –  I’m not gonna lie, I’m a huge fan of the Fleshtones so to see this famously cool and iconic guitar hero is the stuff of dreams. Dressed in glittery Cuban heels and a lime green satin shirt, this hipster is fascinating to watch. Spinning, guitar behind head, leaping from the drum platform throughout the set, it’s wild and free and so rock n roll. The musical tornado of this US finest super group has whipped up a frenzy and pulled us into it with them. Just as we think the dizzying heights of stage madness have been reached, Keith is now actually kicking down the barrier across the stage (whilst continuing to play) in a bid to jump into the crowd. Michael s vocal is smooth and steady, then at times soaring, almost glistening… I get Elvis Costello’s feel… the American accent comes through deliciously whilst he sings, it just adds to the rock n roll element.

Eddie Munoz of ‘The Plimsouls‘ adds that LA-style edge, his guitarmanship is beyond impressive, he plays and he plays hard, and oozes coolness! so many sounds can be heard and felt from the backgrounds of each member, and it works so well, that real punkiness of the Fleshtones, that shimmering Blondie style, that jagged edginess of the Plimsouls and the delectable smoothness and alt-rock sound of the baseball project. Josh Kanter wasn’t here tonight (he’s playing organ at the Boston Red Sox game) but the influence is present in the sound, and I can only imagine those keyboards live would have been just phenomenal. Rolling bass lines and mellow undertones of Cherry Twister and that ultimate crashing sound from Parallax Project. It’s all there, cleverly constructed within the sounds of something that is completely aside from any of that, a fresh sound all of its own, but with amazing elements from each band member within. It’s snappy and sassy and this venue tonight has been set alight by it! 

(The Split Squad_Credit: Lucy Bell)

Keith has now grabbed a chair, gotten it into the crowd, flung himself over the by now dilapidated barrier, landing on the said chair, and is now performing his guitar solo whilst standing on the chair in the middle of the crowd. still kicking and showboating. This man is cool…utter legend! Meanwhile on stage Eddie and Michael are throwing themselves about, jumping around, leaping, guitars in the air, whilst the ever-inspiring Clem smashes the hell out of his drum kit. It’s the stuff of gig dreams! I need to pinch myself, is this really actually happening? This stuff is of stadium tours in faraway lands, so to have this epic performance and incredible sound from across the Atlantic right before us in such an up close and personal venue is unusual. 

The set comes to a close, and the energy, performance and musical genius have not ceased tonight…then the guys return for an encore, and my God, what an encore? Blistering, hot, sizzling, and the best rock n roll I’ve witnessed! To screams, whooping and tremendous applause the guys give thanks and exit stage. Clem presents his drumsticks to a fan on his way off. The temperature in here reflects the performance we just witnessed, and a puddle of beer in front of the stage and plastic glasses were strewn about illustrate how wild it’s been…and the heavily sagging barrier across the stage! 

The rock and roller coaster that this band of legends brought here tonight was truly felt. I’m in total awe, I’m buzzing. It’s been bucket list shit this, tonight for me. The Split Squad’s latest album titled ‘Another Cinderella’ is well worth checking out. It’s an immense and diverse sound, with so many layers, textures and influences. As for seeing these legendary musical masters live, if ever there is that rare chance  – go grab it…with both hands. Honestly, stand out lifetime gig for me this, (and there have been many, many gigs). Bloody good show guys and I sincerely hope I get to one day experience this again, although tonight will never, ever be forgotten, I’m gonna treasure its musical memories. Thank you so much to The Split Squad.

Setlist: Superman, Hey DJ, Put it Down, Sorry She’s Mine, Sorrow, Showstopper, I Can’t Remember, Shaking Ship, Palpitation, Boys, Heroin, Million Miles, Stop Me, Next to the Moon, Now Hear This.

Review by Janet Harding & Photography by Lucy Bell

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