There’s enough about the 22-20s to make you want to hate them before hearing them. Fresh-faced ex-public schoolboys signed on the back of a three-track demo after an intense bidding war, and whose seven-track debut live (!) album ends on a cover of Slim Harpo’s “King Bee”. Oh goodness, let us count the ways… except, this is quite excellent stuff.
Recorded at various venues earlier this year, this mini feast unveils a trio whose love of groovy 1960s Chess blues has been reflected through the metallic, grey lens of their upbringing in lonely Lincoln. Singer/guitarist Martin Trimble writes songs of a singeing romantic vindictiveness (witness the acid bite of “Such A Fool” and “22 Days”) and the rhythm section of drummer James Irving and bassist Glen Bartup power things along with the repetitive swing of Hendrix’s Experience. We await their studio debut with some anticipation.