Famous for its music scene and its never-ending flow of tourists and party-goers, Camden has a history of being at the centre of established cultural movements, and there is still not a better place to be if you are looking to discover new music. Sunday night is one of those nights when London is cooling down after a very sunny weekend, as we set off to the Camden Assembly to The Stoned Crows new single release show.
The Stoned Crows can be described as a healthy mix of The Yardbirds, Dr Feelgood, The Stones. Throw a bit of The Clash and The Stooges in too for good measure. Their sound comes from a time when rock’n’roll was raw and screamed of revolution, and by that, we mean the sixties of course. Intrigued? Just sit down for a second and take a deep breath, because you’ll be very surprised to hear that the people behind this mature and well-constructed 60s garage rock sound are just about twenty-one years old.
As surprising as their youth seems, it is not as surprising as the quality of their performance. Filled with attitude and energy, they deliver their music like a slap in the face. Some people say rock’n’roll is dead and buried, but The Stoned Crows will prove you wrong and will do so in under a minute.
The quartet, formed by Keaton Smout on lead guitar and vocals, Harry Chard on bass, Ron Cleron on guitar and Bernie Zakaras on drums, is headlining tonight and celebrating the release of their new single Blind. They get on stage without a ceremony and go straight to the essentials. Keaton’s voice is reminiscent of Eric Burdon‘s screams and wails, while Ron jumps about on stage, throwing his guitar in the air and nearly into the faces of a mind-blown audience.
Every song goes down fast, loud and wild. They play the three songs available online, as well as the rest of their repertoire. Their energy is rapidly transferred to the public, and soon, everyone at the Camden Assembly is dancing and shaking.
Speaking of which, would you like some more? Of course you do, that is why every band on earth does an encore. But The Stoned Crows have already proven that they are not like every band. They are joined on stage by the very talented Meyer Dancers, a group of authentic gogo-dancers who already participated in the filming of the video for the new single.
The energy goes up a notch as the girls shimmy and shake with the band for the last three songs of the gig. They look absolutely fantastic, just as if they came straight from The Sixties and parked their time machine down the street.
What a great and unique way to send off a new single! It is safe to say that the Stoned Crows know how to put on a proper rock’n’roll show and they are on for a very promising future in the scene. Be sure to catch them soon, we can guarantee you will not regret it!
Live Review and Photography by Pauline di Silvestro of The Stoned Crows At Camden Assembly on Sunday 30th June 2019