11

Pre-modern Men

We had drought warnings from the water companies on Wednesday so it should've been obvious that it would piss it down on Thursday and it did. Arriving at the Hall of Beards, I mean the Purple Turtle, drenched and cursing my luck I was cheered to hear that Slabdragger's last minute replacements Enos had just started their set. An ear pleasing swirling metallic stomp with touches of classic rock ensued over the next thirty minutes. Neck muscles duly stretched in time for the night's next support group: Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight. Although that name may be instructive as to this three piece's sound I'm still not sure about. Playing a bass heavy stoner rock like an Electric Wizard that's discovered levity the Croydon gents end their cracking set with a song based challenge in a chorus of "Want Another Drink?".

Given the circumstances, blackest night doused with heavy rain; a gig with doom legend Scott 'Wino' Weinrich and his cohorts seems appropriate. Taking to the stage around 10pm with that famous mane greying but still intact and white SG Wino is every inch the rock legend. He is aided and abetted by long-time friend Jim Karow and a suitably weathered looking rhythm section. Premonition 13 started with track one, side one of their debut disc 'B.E.A.U.T.Y' its patient e-bowed intro giving away to the first of many bong-worthy riffs and extended jams. Fixated on the crowd with the same sort of thousand yard stare you get with Mark Lanegan, Wino's singing and playing is of the highest order as is that of his partner Jim Karow. The inhale/exhale, slow grooves continued through 'Clay Pigeons' before they up the tempo for the one-two punch of 'Deranged Rock N' Roller' and 'Modern Man' with Karow taking vocal duties on the latter.

Wino mumbled early in the set that there would be "a little jamming if we've got time" and sure enough it arrives on the spacey 'La Hechicera de la Jeringa' where Karow and Wino show just how simpatico their fluid guitar playing can be as they trade solos. After a brief trip to the dressing room Premonition 13 return bemoaning the 11pm curfew for a one song encore that consists of an instrumental wig out where Motorhead style intensity dissolves into a narcotic Sabbath groove. The set might have been short but it was high on quality confirming that this is yet another Wino project to keep an eye on.