The Sunshine Underground/The Benjamin’s/Maxiumum Danger Project @ Brudenell Social Club

December 13, 2007 by Kevin Benson

Well, well well, Christmas has come early. This was possibly the best kept secret on the planet up until a couple of weeks ago. Word had certainly gotten around. The crowd was full of local celebrities tonight. Just a quick glance around the room left you feeling literally star struck, with Micky P Kerr and Alex Carter (of Hollyoaks fame) mingling with the locals of Hyde Park without a care in the world. The Engine Rooms returned once for a special Christmas Show and what a show it was… It really was delight to see the Brudenell Social packed to capacity tonight for what turned out to be an absolute classic.

With the temperatures outside proving seemingly unbearable it was great to see so many eager fans queuing outside, despite the freezing temperatures. It was strictly a first come first served basis and for those lucky people who managed to scramble inside it was certainly well worth the wait. Tonight’s showcase featured The Benjamin’s, a pleasant acoustic duo that delighted the huge crowd with their soft sounding melodies and pleasant tone, the Maximum Danger Project, who provided a splendid interlude to the action with their brand of folksy, acoustic, bongo driven pop and finally the highlight of the evening, the band that everybody had been waiting for, the one, the only Sunshine Underground.

Tonight’s gig was somewhat of a warm up for TSU, with a date lined up in Manchester with Bez and the Mondays the following evening. They have had three months off playing live, busy writing new material for their forthcoming ‘difficult’ second album. A warm up is just what they, and we need; since it’s so fucking cold outside! Their return to the Brudenell, a venue that has meant a lot to them over the course of their career, was marked by a brilliant set that featured plenty of new material, much to the delight of the adoring crowd. The gig had it all. With Christmas fast approaching, the spirit of the festive season was fully captured and the whole place had an excellent buzz about it.

The hosts for tonight’s show were the pioneers of the Engine Rooms, Liam and Dodge. The night has a lot of history and it was great to see their old friends the TSU come down a treat
the fans to an excellent show.

The night was kicked off by The Benjamin’s. a classy duo, featuring part of O Fracas. They strummed through their set with ease and really got the night off to a good start. Honest tunes, skilfully delivered. Everybody seemed to be happy to be there and the warm atmosphere that the Brudenell creates was amplified by the smiles on the faces of the crowd. Next up was the Maximum Danger Project, an acoustic
driven collective from Leeds/Leicester, who provided a unique and interesting set with folk rhythms and easy listening melodic music that really suited the whole occasion. The band featured an array of instruments including a flute, a clarinet, a cello and even a violin. It seemed the only thing missing was a composer waving his magic wand to guide the band through their illustrious set. But this band didn’t need any composer. They ploughed through their set with professionalism and ease and the crowd were certainly appreciative for their efforts. They really added to the party like atmosphere of the occasion.

The music took a break for a few minutes as organisers of the night, Liam and Dodge had a special treat up their sleeves for the crowd. It came in the form of an informal pub quiz. Tonight’s host for this most special of quizzes was none other that Father ‘Dodge’ Christmas himself. Just imagine it. Father Christmas has slipped out, not long after Mrs Claus had nodded off, and jumped in his sleigh and flew down to Leeds, landing on the roof and slipping down the chimney to deliver the most special present of all. Who
would have thought that Santa Claus was such a dark horse?! The quiz delivered a welcome break from the music and the crowd geared itself up for their early Christmas present.

“Can we get the bass player up here please? The show just isn’t the same without the bass player!” screamed Liam. Sunshine Daley emerged from the crowd with a wry smile and before long the ‘Sunnies’ were ready to begin their set.

This band has enjoyed so much success over the past two years and it is always a delight to see them. They really gave the crowd something back tonight, even if singer Craig was nursing a sore throat. They launched into a new song for the intro and the response from the crowd was immediate. The song was fast, as expected, pounding and electric. The crowd tossed and turned as the band poured out some of its new
material and interlaced their set with classic songs ‘Put You in Your Place’ , ‘Borders’ and ‘I Ain’t Losing Any
Sleep’, which featured a guest singer from the crowd and a sort of stage invasion that brought with it laughter and cheers form the crowd. The fans were really treated tonight with the new material, which seemed a little operatic at times but nonetheless soaked up with adoration by the crowd. It really was a special set tonight, and for those lucky people who just happen to be more observant than others; it really was a gig to remember. You couldn’t have asked for a better time of year to see a band that really are reaching out to their fans and providing them with such excellent music. With 2008 staring at them down the barrel, let’s hope the Sunnie’s can emulate their appearance tonight every step of the way. Upon leaving the Brudenell tonight, not one person seemed unhappy and I cannot blame a single one of
them. Besides…. It’s Christmassss!