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Rock for You 3:570:00/3:57
The accomplished rhythm section of bassist and backing vocalist Steve Farquhar and drummer Jim Coucher was spot on, like a well-oiled machine.
The band formed in 2010 has been entertaining on the pub and club circuit and have an extensive repertoire to suit every occasion as good bands seem to do these days.
Covers from ZZ TOP, THIN LIZZY, STATUS QUO, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, JIMI HENDRIX and FREE just to give you a taster.
The bands performance was well delivered and professionally executed; now I’m a fan of the CLAN.
Keith Blackledge
National &International music reviewer
CRAIG MCDONALD - guitar / vocals
STEVE FARQUHAR - bass / vocals
JIM COUCHER - DRUMS
They began with an original number, ROCK FOR YOU and immediately caught everyone’s attention both in the lounge and the vault. It was an excellent opener which we videoed and it is such a lively up-tempo number that no one could sit still for the duration.
WISHING WELL was a cracking cover and it is no surprise that THE CLAN are so highly regarded around the NORTHWEST. Craig on vocals never stood still for a minute, leaping and hopping about like a true rock star. His solo album “PIES, PASTIES & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL” (accompanied by STEVE on bass) is a little gem and I am currently playing it to death in the car.
One of my favourite covers of the night was undoubtedly THE CULT’S LITTLE DEVIL, it was nothing short of brilliant and it was unusual that so early into the set the gathered crowd were well into the atmosphere, foot tapping and head rocking was the norm.
Covers of STATUS QUO followed by another original song followed and I am sure that a new army of fans were created here . I haven’t seen so much excitement at the GOOSE for a long time . Everyone, including me were having a great time and the atmosphere was getting better and better as the set went on. A much tighter cover of THE SULTANS OF SWING converted any non-believers, if there was any, that they were witnessing something special. The guitar solos were awesome and some of the crowd who couldn’t contain themselves danced in the corners and vault of the GOOSE. A great slow finale to the song that deviated away from the original was greeted with tremendous applause and cheering .
SHARP DRESSED MAN / PARANOID were next in the set and even the young kids in the vault, perched on their dad shoulders, bouncing up and down and savouring the brilliant atmosphere. They finished off the first set with a dedication to the creator of MARSHALL amps. and played PURPLE HAZE. To say it went down well was a massive understatement and everyone descended on the bar for refills before the commencement of the second set.
BORN TO BE WILD followed by another original THE FEW started the second set and by now it was obvious that a lot if not all of those there, were enjoying the original songs just as much if not more than the covers.
A defining moment of this set was SUMMER OF ’69 and even the most po faced of customers couldn’t help but smile and succumb to the foot tapping / head nodding phenomena that had now possessed the entire pub.
The dancing area was full now when SWEET HOME ALABAHMA was played and with backing vocals provided by most of the pub who also appreciated the spectacle of some very pretty ladies gyrating on the dance floor enjoying themselves.
The smoke machine had kicked off by now and coupled with CRAIG’S solos, it was stunning to watch.
The solos on THE CHAIN made it into a brilliant instrumental that everyone loved and showed how much by whistles and cheers when it finished.
BREAKING THE LAW & DON’T FEAR THE REAPER (including plenty of cowbell action for a change) were excellent covers and the raccoon tail on CRAIG’s guitar was in full swing as he used every available inch of stage space while STEVE on bass adopted a truly iconic rock star stance as he played with impeccable gusto .
JIM on the drums kicked off GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN’ done in their own style and the lasers fired up which enhanced their reputation not only as great musicians but also as great entertainers and exhibitionists.
There could only be one song for the encore, with the smoke still lingering it had to be SMOKE ON THE WATER, it was so enthralling , CRAIG whipping his guitar with the amp lead and then generating superb feedback by rubbing his guitar on the monitor below him.
It was a brilliant and exciting gig thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. I love THE CLAN and can’t wait to see their stage show again because that’s exactly what it was, not just a performance.