The Clones version 2.0 showcase new material at Mill

Take any famous rock and roll band from the sixties, mix with a 70’s punk band and coat in any number of 90’s Britpop acts, and the chances are the finished article will sound something like The Clones.

Supporting The Shotgun Faeries at the Mill on Thursday night, The Clones stole the show with their ramshackle performance which, although far from perfect, demonstrated their ability to unashamedly encapsulate the past, and turn it into something fresh. The Clones take the attitudes and sounds of those that have gone before them and repackage them in a noisy, well-groomed box of rhythm and blues that could prove to be hot property in the future.

Relatively at ease

In their first gig since drafting in a new bassist two weeks ago, The Clones looked relatively at ease and, whilst not raising the roof or setting the world alight, new singer Billy looked and sounded at home in his new role as front man.

The set included songs such as Sweet, These girls don’t look like the ones in the magazines, Bowie-esque Hey-La and the set-closer Rockafella, a blues-fuelled crescendo ending with a searing and angry guitar solo, and a muddle of immaturely thrown instruments lying
across the stage.

Original sound

Although The Clones sound like they could have a great deal to offer, they need to concentrate on consistently producing a fresh, original sound, without falling head first into the tired world of Rock and Roll cliches.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy

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