3 Blind Mice

The Thames was on the ebb, the barge had settled in its mooring for the evening and the lights of London twinkled on the almost still surface of the river. The candle-lit interior beckoned and people were already tucking into their food as Steve Jones played some great guitar. What amazed me was the complete absence of the usual background noise that support acts have to battle with ... being ignored by someone droning on about their recent coup in the office politics. There was none of that - just a bunch of people clearly enjoying what they were listening to.

The atmosphere was mellow and relaxed and I felt myself sinking into a very comfy seat and ... breathing out. The food turned out to be literally irresistible and I was still demolishing a superb turkey and ham pie as 3BM took to the stage. It was clear that they too felt the atmosphere in the place and were soon adding to it with their lovely blend of chilled out tracks amongst the funky beats. These guys were having an absolute ball ... and it showed! The double act of Lyndon and Alex in between the songs was
hilarious, bizarre and highly educational. I loved Lyndon's stories of "other gigs that he had enjoyed less than this one!" On occasions, I forgot that we were there to see a band ... enjoying the banter between the two of them. But this was a night when you had to be there to 'get it'!

I certainly 'get' 3BM. They are nothing short of the real thing in all respects. If you intend to leave the comfort of your own home on at least one occasion in the next few months, then I would urge you to go to a 3BM gig. Some of the finest songwriting and musicianship that I have enjoyed for some time - and I go to lot of gigs. The rhythm section is tight and smooth - with some lovely slinky bass riffs. Ian's sax playing will melt the coldest heart. Lyndon's keyboards are nothing short of inspirational, and if you want to hear how an electro-acoustic guitar should be played - watch how Alex makes it look effortless. The vocals and harmonies are simply to die for - Lyndon's emotional voice brought more than the odd tear to the room at times. Alex has the gift of story telling through his songs. When you listen - you know he is compelled to tell the story ... and you want to hear how it ends. As well as all of that - they always have great
supporting musicians with them.

It is so sad that we have a non-music industry at the moment. 3BM would not pass the age test (over 21) and would probably frighten the life out of most of the cloth-eared graduates who parade themselves as 'A&R' talent scouts. So will these guys make it beyond their current scene? That is largely up to you ... if you continue to buy concert tickets they will have to play larger venues, if you download their songs they will have to be given a place in the new charts, if you buy their CD - they will be able to pay their bills. I know ... you just wanted to pass some time having a vicarious experience ... but now your interest has been aroused and you are wondering just how good are these guys?

- Dutch Van Spall, Big Help Music

- e-reviews

3 Blind Mice at The White Lion, St Albans on Tue 9th Aug 05   

... (in your life? As 3 Blind Mice?) Well, I certainly didn't. Not live, anyway. Three guys - guitar, keys, drums - all singing with solid, rich harmonies, exceeded all my expectations of a pub gig. This was more like being at Shepherd's Bush Empire or somewhere that the sound is superb and lush, the performers are top of their class, and you get that supercharged, intimate feeling of being in a medium-sized venue with your (musical) idols.

But this was Tuesday night in a comfy pub in St Albans, we hadn't paid to get in, we were bursting at the seams in the small (80 or so capacity) olde worlde venue... but we got the intimate feeling anyway.

Guitarist Alex presented most of the songs with a kindly banter, maintaining audience engagement and continuity. This 3 piece sounded more like a 4 or 5 piece, due mainly to the excellent, tight playing, the gorgeously generous 3-part vocal harmonies, and, basically, brilliant musicianship. The arrangements - snappy, co-ordinated, dynamic and surprising - were noted by several of us who were listening while we supped. This was the 'lite' version, with only a snare drum, and no bass player or unexpected fiddle/bagpipe/ukulele (there are rumours, you see).

In a nutshell, 3BM reminded me of Bruce Hornsby, The Lilac Time/Stephen Duffy, CSNY, Semisonic (oh yes), The Beatles ('Emily Has Compassion Fatigue' is haunting), Brian Eno/Talking Heads, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra... oh I don't know, my entire record collection of melodic, semi-acoustic, rocky, stimulating pop that I've foraged over the years.

To summarise: Technically superb. Emotionally uplifting. Intellectually stimulating. Musically gifted. I stayed up half the night listening to their CD. Buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it. Tell them the editor sent you. Tell them anything you like. But please, please go and see 3 Blind Mice. You'd be deaf not to...
Mac MacLaren, Lemonrock Editor, Thu 11th Aug 05 - Lemonrock