A
review of a gig doesn’t have to be just about the band – no matter how good
they might be! On Sunday it was a local
gig for a local band – but in a venue that can only be described as “quirky” –
also fascinating, weird, amazing and fun!
The
band were Gasoline and Matches in their duo format singing a mix of their own
original music from their first ep and their forthcoming album, classic country
covers and some wonderful arrangements of classic songs. Particular treats were a slowed down “Livin’ On
A Prayer”, Steve channelling Johnny Cash for “Folsom Prison Blues” and tracks
from the new album – “Smiling Viper” and “Gentlemen are Patient Wolves”.
So
to the venue. Fletchers Arcade has been a feature of the Birmingham Lickey
Hills since 1920. Still owned by the same family – the owner is affectionately
known as “Fletch” – the arcade also now contains JoeJoeJims Bar which is growing
as the place to go for music, comedy and anything else that Fletch decides to
put on!
As
the name suggests, Fletchers Arcade contains games…but what a collection of
games! PacMan, Space Invaders, Out Run
and more – I can relive my teenage years when I should have been studying but
clearly wasn’t! Personal favourites for
both myself and Francesca are the pinball machines – its how “Silverball
Country” got its name – though whilst I favour the Guns’n’Roses game Francesca
can be found on the adjacent Adams Family.
In addition to the retro games, penny falls and separate room of slot
machines, the arcade also has relics of bygone days – a pedal car on the wall,
a vespa by the stage, 50s celebrity cut-outs dotted around and a wheel of Fortune
by the toilets
The
new stage has replaced the very crazy golf (which will be replaced soon) and the
wooden letters spelling the band’s name are a very nice touch! The bar is well stocked with a range of gins
as well as well the drinks you’d expect to find, the seats are retro and one
seat is a cowboy saddle – very appropriate for Gasoline & Matches’
appearance. The pizza kitchen and varied
menu complete the offering – the pizza are fresh and the hots dogs massive!
With
so many music venues being rather samey – slow bar service, sticky floor, dubious
toilets, rubbish view – it is refreshing to visit a venue with character,
especially one where you can wipe out aliens during the interval!
Fletchers
Arcade/JoeJoeJims Bar can be fund at the foot of the Lickey Hills in Rednal,
Birmingham. Keep up with their future
plans on Facebook and their website.
Gasoline
& Matches can be found at Summer Festivals and in the studio finishing off
their eagerly awaited new album
Rik was reliving his misspent youth while listening to contemporary country music... Sundays don't get much better
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