This review from Liverpool Sight and Sound, and the two private blogs I’ve re-posted below were a great encouragement to us on the road.
It made it feel that it was worthwhile to have dragged my friends, who spent their time and money [and often had to do some heavy convincing of the folks at their 'day jobs'], 5,000 miles to go on this big, crazy tour.
Thank you to Liverpool Sight and Sound, Minty and the Beeb, and Sister Bluebird for the kind words!
from Liverpool Sight and Sound :
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
The title of Lords of the back stage at The Cavern of this year’s International Pop Overthrow might be fought over with the same ferocity as men would have squabbled, bickered and fought over the throne of England in the days when such things mattered, arguably though one of the main contenders would surely be the inventive and insanely talented Blake Jones & The Trike Shop.
Certainly the best name of a band to feature at the 13th annual I.P.O. in Liverpool, the music is strangely addictive also, a smorgasbord of delight that lingers in the ether and in the mind long after the day has folded into history; the day may never be captured again but the freshness of the music on offer by this terrific group will somehow remain floating in the memory ether.
The spectre and ghostly shape of a Theremin cast its long shadow over the stage and to some may have looked like a dusty relic more attuned to the sound of the Progressive than the sounds of California power pop but the audience were soon to be enamoured by this musical nectar, an instrument that always seems to be in the hands of Heath Robinson when not played with concentration and skill.
With songs titles such as Even Van Helsing (Needs a Piece of Cake Every Now & Then), Ross Used to Play Us His Frank Zappa Records/Cold Pepsi and Crutouns and Every Train Stop and lively, almost as surreal as could be expected, version of The Beatles song I am the Walrus, the set was one of tremendous, energetic and animated pleasure. It offered everything in search of a smile and the added bonus of Maxi Dunn joining the band for a while on stage did much to make the smile broad and the cheering from fellow I.P.O. stable mates The Fast Camels only ensured that this really was a gig to remember.
Some sets are memorable for the songs, some for the display and others for what you learn about your hopefully increasing range of music compatibility, rarely do you get an afternoon in which all three are combined and delivered with such overwhelming heart. A terrific set by one of the quirkiest, supremely enjoyable acts of this year’s I.P.O.
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop will be performing at Zanzibar on Friday 22nd May.
Ian D. Hall
on the larger "Back Stage" of the Cavern Club
from the blog: “Minty and the Beeb”
This is another band who don’t turn the amps all the way up, and we could hear every instrument and vocal. With a flute and a Theremin alongside the traditional “pop” instruments we loved this band.
and from the blog: “Sister Bluebird”
thank you Sister Bluebird for this pic of the band on the 'front stage'
Sunday at International Pop Overthrow Liverpool 2015
A set full of fab tunes was rounded off with a Theremin version of Goldfinger and the song Ross Used To Play Us His Frank Zappa Records which is kind of epic.
I edged forward down one side of the Cavern to grab footage of the theremin on my phone.