9/9/2023 | The Sensational Alex Harvey Experience | Review by Kev White |
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were a Punk/Rock band with elements of Glam and musical theatre that formed in Glasgow in 1972, they were very much a cult band who had a loyal following. They are also considered to be highly influential and had a notable impact on such musical icons as the late Bon Scott (AC/DC), Nick Cave, John Lydo and The Cult.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Experience formed in Glasgow in 2013, the current line-up is Andy Massie (lead vocals), David Cowan (keyboards), Nelson McFarlane (bass), Chris Killen (drums) and Brian Cartwright (guitar).
Massie and Cartwright went all out looking very much like Alex Harvey spotting the military coat and black and white striped jumper and guitarist Zal Cleminson complete with cat suit and clown make-up. SAHE have clearly meticulously studied SAHB, their sound faithfully recreates the original and mannerisms of the original group members.
This writer never got to see Alex Harvey but did get to see SAHB fronted by Max Maxwell from The Shamen a couple of times in the early 2000s and became a convert.
Opening with the iconic 'The Faith Healer', a dramatic song which only gets better with age and a great statement of intend the next two hours saw the group delving into the rich SAHB back catalogue mixing the well known songs with deep cuts. Massie/Harvey was very much the ring master paying homage to SAHB and cracking jokes in between the songs, the crowd warmed to him instantly.
Hearing such classics as 'Midnight Moses', 'Return Of The Tomahawk Kid', 'Midnight Moses', 'N.E.X.T', 'Action Strasse', the stunning 'Isobel Goudie' and 'Framed' reminded this writer what great tracks they are and how good and special SAHB were. Cleminson really is a criminally underrated guitarist.
The band bowed out with 'Amos Moses', the audience were cheering and shouting for more. SAHE returned to the stage for an encore which included the mighty 'Boston Tea Party' which saw Massie encouraging a mass sing-a-long and ended with the brilliantly tongue-in-cheek 'Delilah'.
SAHE are superb live it is little wonder that they are considered to be one of the best tribute bands on the circuit.
A cracking night indeed, they will almost certainly return to this venue in the not too distant future.