Frank Black. Patti Smith. Richard Hawley.
Just three of the names to have graced the Jack Daniel’s birthday line-ups in recent years, these artists and more have set a pretty impressive standard for this year’s trio to beat. And excitement levels are rightly sky-high as Clash mills around pre-gig, wondering what these three men will come up with.
Jon McClure, who will later open proceedings on stage, is also rather excitable hours earlier, as we crowd into a lift in the plush exclusivity of east London establishment Shoreditch House. We are heading to the fourth floor so the Rev can take part in a cocktail master class.
Twenty minutes later, with a newly created ‘Marmalade Sun’ in his hand, McClure is goading Clash to get behind the bar for a go. ‘The Metrosexual,’ the aptly named (it was very pink) Clash cocktail, is a tasty little concoction, and the professional bartender seems suitably impressed with our efforts. “It’s a tough life this int’ it?” deadpans McClure, “Every day’s like this for me!”
“I used to work in a bar,” he continues, “but it weren’t as posh as this, it were ‘sup up and fuck off’ when I were in charge!” As talk turns tonight’s gig, the Reverend and The Makers front man reverts to one of his favourite subjects- the state of the music industry. “Warner Brothers is owned by a French waste disposal company, so to think that the industry’s not corporate is just not true.” So what is different about Jack Daniel’s and why did he agree to take part? “It’s gotta be a cool brand for me to work with, nobody can have an issue with JD, so there’s no problem morally or anything. Plus the more I can work with brands the better it is.” And why is that? “’Cos it means I can fuck wi’ music industry more, which is good for me.” It is genuinely refreshing to hear McClure’s opinions, and his keenness to air them to all and sundry is more than apparent. Eager to make his point he may be, but McClure is right to highlight that he is not like most of his contemporaries. Identity, ideals and ethos are all important to him, but equally obvious is his love of music.
“They’re just a proper band, of real, proper musicians,” he says of the New Silver Cornet Band, who needed “no more than an hour with me- they’re that good professionally.” Each artist will perform a set with the Silver Cornet Band, mixing their own material and some carefully chosen covers, something McClure is eager to tell us about. “I chose tunes I’m into,” he says, before a quick fire rundown. ‘Psychotic Reaction’ by Count Five- “A massive tune for me, I love my 60s psych.” John Lennon’s ‘I Found Out’- “It’s just Lennon telling all these dickheads what’s what, great tune.” Finally, ‘This House Is Not A Motel’ the seminal Love track- “That album’s one of the best ever made, and Arthur Lee is a complete God.”
The Rev goes on to speak highly of Carl Barat and Brett Anderson, but saves special mention for former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, who will join him for a bratty version of ‘Pretty Vacant’ later on. “Phenomenal lads, and Glen Matlock, Sex Pistols, I’m a massive fan – end of story, let’s ‘ave it!”
Fast forward a few hours and McClure is leaning into the crowd, bellowing the lyrics to ‘Pretty Vacant’ whilst a silver haired, suited Matlock plucks out the bass line behind him. McClure is clearly enjoying himself and is quick to urge the crowd to “move yourselves!” before concluding that he’s dealing with a “right typical London crowd.” And he has a point, the venue is filling up nicely but for some reason, most are content to remain almost stationery sipping the complimentary cocktails. Order is restored when he introduces ‘Heavyweight Champion Of The World’ which, along with the Pistols cover is a highlight of his set.
Following the Rev is former Suede man Brett Anderson who is also keen to coax the crowd out of its shell. Every inch the 90s legend, Anderson struts around the stage belting out solo material and Suede classics, culminating in a lively version of ‘Trash.’ Powerful and smoky, his voice suits the intimacy of the occasion to a tee; he sounds great and is clearly enjoying having the band behind him, and the widescreen atmosphere they add to his heartfelt tunes.
The New Silver Cornet band take up most of the stage, only leaving a front man sized space at the front. Having worked with Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones, these all-American veterans offer some serious musical muscle. Offsetting the cowboy shirts of these grizzly players are a striking strings section and a trio of female voices led by a charismatic keyboard player. To say this musical accompaniment is unique is an understatement, and much the better for tonight’s performers.
Carl Barat has become something of an enigma since the demise of post-Libertines project Dirty Pretty Things. Having recently put rumours of the reformation of his former band on ice, Barat is currently working on his first solo material. However, his affection for the good old days is there for all to see tonight when he introduces the Libertines song of the same name. The crowd reacts excitedly, as they did moments earlier when a touching rendition of ‘What Katie Did’ left everyone longing for the return of Albion’s favourite sons.
But this was not a Libertines showcase, far from it. Mr Hudson and the Library and The Noisettes were both covered with ease and aplomb, with Barat applying his distinctive vocal to both with impressive results. Charming as ever, his interaction with the crowd prompted the best reaction of the night, before Anderson and McClure joined him onstage for an encore of The Velvet Underground’s ‘Venus In Furs.’
The quality of the musicianship on display, and of the authors of those songs covered, made for a fitting birthday celebration for the man they call Mr. Jack. Who needs ‘Happy Birthday’ when you can have the Pistols and Velvet Underground?
Words by Ben Homewood
Photo by Debbie Bragg