The Zac Shulze Gang / The Bodega / Nottingham
I was heading back to the Bodega in Nottingham tonight for a show I was determined not to miss. I had seen The Zac Schulze Gang twice before, first at the Bodega supporting American guitarist Eddie 9V, and then again at Rock City supporting Samantha Fish. This time, the Gang were on the road as headliners !
To support the Gang, we had a band new to me – The Whiskey Flowers. They are Aiden Pryor (guitar & vocals) Steph Ashcroft (guitar & vocals), Elliot Clark (bass) and Ben Hart (drums) and they delivered a powerful set of blues, rock Americana. All four had a fantastic chemistry blending sounds perfectly. Pryor and Ashcroft almost work as one, not lead and rhythm, but as equal partners, each able to blast out some incredible tones. And they seemed so at ease on the stage, smiling and laughing – thoroughly enjoying the moment. And that’s what we did too, and what’s not to like ? Some outstanding vocals and guitar riffs to die for. They played a mix of covers and their own original material to the great delight of the Nottingham crowd.
The mix of styles and influences worked so well, with Perfect Imperfections, a slower, more expressive number with lyrics packed with emotion. Then there is the more full on rock styling of tracks such as Broken Bones with its powerful, driving riffs and some gritty powerful bass lines. The power continues with Alive, with some incredible vocals from Steph as Aiden delivers some killer riffs.
The mix of styles and influences continues with the blues infused More with its soulful beautiful raw nature, a real highlight of the set.
As The Whiskey Flowers drew their set to a close, we ended on a couple of stunning covers of Rory Gallagher classics, first off - I Fall Apart. I LOVED their interpretation of this classic track, dripping with blues tones it builds from a gentle almost acoustic start to a full on maelstrom with the whole band energetically delivering some killer beats and riffs.
Then finally, its The Devil Made Me Do It, and what a finisher ! If anyone came not knowing what to expect from the Whiskey Flowers, they were fully engaged now. This is a band with great skills and a sense of fun, who so clearly love what they do. The Devil Made Me Do It was a tour de force, Ben’s drumming was spot on driving the track on supporting the guitars from Aiden and Steph perfectly. Its full of power and energy and delivered with style and panache.
Wow, what a start from the Whiskey Flowers. The intimate Bodega is alive with an electric crackle in the air, as the stage is prepared for tonight’s headliners The Zac Schulze Gang. From Gillingham in Kent, the ‘gang’ are Zac Schulze (guitar and vocals), Ant Gunnarsson Greenwell (bass and vocals), and Zac’s brother Ben (drums). Over the last few years, Zac and his gang have built a solid reputation as a touring band, delivering some of the best hard-hitting, upbeat blues rock you could hope to find.
Having set up ready, Zac paces the stage, silently playing out some riffs, preparing himself and dispelling the nerves. If pre-show Zac is nervous, as soon as that amp fires up, the nerves dissipate immediately, and his personality comes to the fore.
As they rip into their recent single Woman you immediately know exactly what The Zac Schulze gang is all about….. power, emotion, and the sexiest blues rock you can find on the live circuit. Zac lives every note, his face contorting with each stretched note, living the music.
Hole in My Pocket is a real treat, introduced as a song about gambling in Vegas it highlights Zac’s lyrical skills. The lines are dark and have a humorous edge as the guitar drives out an infectious tone. Zac’s ability as a story teller is second to none.
Along with the original material are some fantastic covers too. One highlight being Walking the Dog by Rufus Thomas. But what brings these classics to life, is the unique take Zac gives to them. This one mixes blues with an almost punk-like influence, giving it a wonderful chaotic edge.
Many of the crowd have seen Zag and the Gang before and the atmosphere is electric. The place is packed (not bad for a Sunday night) and each track is met with cheers and raucous appaulse.
One of my favourites of the night is Hellhounds on My Tail a fantastic track packed with Louisiana blues influence. Deep down south, dripping with bayou tones, it delivers raw, Robert Johnson influenced blues with style. As ever Ant Gunnarsson, replspendant in his Sunderland AFC 2014 League Cup Final shirt lays down some killer bass licks.
Art turns to vocal lead for Framed. The change in style is dramatic, with his vocals being smooth and rich against Zac’s more intense style. Its captivating, so much so, that half way through you almost don’t realise they shift it up a gear and dive into a four song medley ! You suddenly realise there’s something different happening and you realise you’re listening to Rush’s Spirit of Radio. Then just as you settle into the new vibe, it shifts and Day Tripper hits us, before the atmosphere shifts completely for a section of the Metallica classic Enter Sandman before the section concludes with the ever popular Guns ‘n Roses classic Sweet Child of Mine. The skill to switch between styles and tempos is incredible and the crowd are loving it, singing along.
The mains et closes with another wonderful cover, this time it’s Junior Well’s Messing With the Kid which transitions into the Peer Green number Oh Well. His cover of Junior’s classic is impressive, its down right dirty and just dripping with some impressive slide guitar work, before we switch it up to the more delicate and intricate delivery of the Peter Green classic.
As the show comes to a close, Zac calls up Aiden from The Whiskey Flowers to join him on stage and the pair deliver a stunning version of the Rory Gallagher classic Bad Penny. The two, both very expressive players, bounce off each other with ease as they jam together. The already lively crowd are moving and nodding along as they play off each other, clearly having a whale of a time.
And then, its all over. Time for a final photo with the crowd before Zac heads to the merch table to chat and relax with fans and friends alike. A stunning night. Two bands totally in tune with each other, and some of the best blues guitar skills you could ever hope to witness.
Zac Schulze and the Gang are a tour de force, and a live experience not to miss.
Setlist
Woman
High roller
Hole in my pocket
Take what I want
Walking the dog
She does it right
Hellhounds on my trail
The rocker
Dry spell
Off the handle
Framed
Ballyshannon blues
Messin with the kid
Oh well
Bad penny
