Eddie 9V / The Bodega / Nottingham
Another night in Nottingham, and a trip up Pelham Street to The Bodega for a bit of a surprise. Coming in to this show, I knew very little about either band, and was excited to see what was on offer.
First up in support we have Gillingham trio The Zac Schulze Gang, who are Zac (guitar and vocals), brother Ben (drums) and Ant on bass. We dive right into the opening track Hole in my Pocket and immediately it’s clear that The Zac Schulze Gang have some serious talent !
Zac spits out some glorious blues riffs with ease whilst Ant is animated as he delivers some glorious smooth and groovy bass notes. This is followed by another of their own tracks in Woman and Zac is gliding up and down the fretboard with ease.
All this is backed up by some slick drums from Ben which pulls everything together solidly. Another original track and the 2022 single Ballyshannon Blues which is a great mix of sounds, starting off slow before building in pace and tone.
Zacs voice is fantastic too, able to deliver slower and emotional lines, but also blasting out some highs. Visually, they’re a fun band to watch, although incredibly solid performers, there’s an element of fun in their performance which I love.
As we draw to a close, Zac tells us about his love for Dr Feelgood, we get a brilliant rendition of the classic She Does It Right with its intense rhythm and thumping bass line. Another cover, this time of the great Rory Gallagher and Messin with the kid. Finally we get a track from another of Zac’s favourites, this time Fleetwood Mac, and in particular, the Peter Green era, with a beautiful version of Oh Well. The crowd are loving every second.
A short, but incredible set, from an extremely talented band, who I’m sure are going to make a big hit on the scene in years to come.
You can catch The Zac Schulze Gang live later in the year, when they accompany Samantha Fish on her UK tour in October.
Setlist
Hole In My Pocket
Woman
Dry Spell
Ballyshannon Blues
Walking the Dog
She Does It Right (Dr Feelgood)
Messin with the kid (Rory Gallgher)
Oh Well (Peter Green Fleetwood Mac)
It doesn’t take long for the set to be made ready for tonight’s headliners, Eddie 9V and they head up onto the stage. Eddie strikes an imposing figure dressed in black with his hair slicked back and impressive mutton chops and shades.
The set kicks off with Beg Borrow and Steal and it’s clear to see Eddie is an exceptional strat player. On keyboard we have Chad Mason using that iconic Hammond sound with some nifty finger work up and down the keys. On bass is a Jason Momoa in the form of Lane, who lays down some slick and deep tones Kelly’ on bass is smiling away as he strokes his short scale bass guitar, he too is sporting dark glasses. Matching in perfectly with that bass tone is drummer David ‘Alabanimal’ Green.
Eddie is hitting form now and delivering some exceptional blues riffs especially in the likes of Missouri and Lo-Fi Love which has a wonderful laid back groove to it. The performance is tight and slick and I loved Chad’s keyboard skills.
Introducing each and every track, Eddie tells us we’re heading on a trip into Mississippi for the start of Delta which as you’d expect has some wonderful southern licks and rattling vocals in it. Next up on our musical tour of the world, Eddie informs us we’re heading into Memphis Tennessee, for Left My Soul in Memphis with a wonderful groovy sound to it
The atmosphere is electric now, as we enjoy a couple of covers in Hold On (by Alabama Shakes) and Driving Wheel (a Roosevelt Sykes cover). The elements all work together perfectly, keys and bass supplementing Eddies exceptional guitar skills perfectly.
At this point, Zac Schulze steps up onto the stage with his strat to play alongside Eddie for a couple of tracks, first up is a cover of the classic Howlin’ Wolf track Miss James, followed by a cover of Blind Faith’s Can't Find My Way Home. It’s as if Zac and Eddie have played together for years, their styles complimenting each other – its just mesmerizing !
Next is the title track from the 2021 album “Little Black Flies” which is followed by Saratoga a catchy number and everyone is moving now. Eddie 9V are not just a great blues rock band, but there’s some other subtle influences in there, with funk and soul in the mix, making a unique sound.
Unfortunately, it’s a student night and there’s a curfew in place and the set gets short sadly, with Yella Alligator being the final track, yet another slick and emotionally delivered performance. There’s just time for Eddie to thank the crowd, and the show is over.
Both Zac and Eddie hang around for ages afterwards, chatting to the audience and signing albums and CDs. Its been an incredible night of blues guitar, from two exceptionally talented artists.
The downside is of course, I always end up spending far too much at the merch table, and spend the 35min drive home, thinking up excuses to explain the two signed vinyl’s in my bag….. lol
Setlist
Beg Borrow and Steal
The Come Up
Halo
Missouri
Lo-Fi Love
Delta
Left My Soul in Memphis
Hold On (Alabama Shakes cover)
Driving Wheel (Roosevelt Sykes cover)
Miss James (Howlin’ Wolf cover) (with Zac Schulze)
Can't Find My Way Home (Blind Faith cover) (with Zac Shulze)
Little Black Flies
Saratoga
Yella Alligator
