Vintage Vibes and Modern Mastery: Eddie 9V Rocks The Komedia

May 28, 2024 rocknews

The Komedia, located in the Brighton Lanes is a long, thin cellar bar and perfect for a night of blues – jazz – rock from Atlanta native Eddie 9 Volts (or Eddie 9V).

Zac Schulze Gang

First to take to the tiny stage were the Zac Schulze Gang. Having built a reputation as one of the “hardest working bands in Kent”, guitarist Zac, bassist Ant Greenwell and drummer Ben Schulze (his brother), they rocked the place and got the audience well and truly warmed up for the headline act. It’s not difficult to see why the ‘Gang were nominated for three awards in the UK Blues Awards 2023.

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Vintage Vibes and Modern Mastery: Eddie 9V Rocks The Komedia

Eddie 9V has build his own reputation in recent years, and is widely regarded as an innovative player of the guitar who writes instantly catchy songs that resonate with his audience.

With his big sideburns and rose-tinted shades, Eddie looks like he’s been transported from the 1970’s, and some of his music reflects that. ‘Beg Borrow and Steal’ from the ‘Capricorn’ album opened the show and set the tone. It’s a tune that’s bathed in organ, and that lets Eddie’s voice and guitar shine though. ‘The Come Up’ and ‘Halo’ came next in quick succession. For anyone in any doubt, “Back home we call it jazz” said Eddie, which drew a cheer from the mixed Brighton crowd.

Eddie and the band are not afraid to share their influences, and we had some superb covers of songs by Blind Faith and Howlin’ Wolf – their take on ‘Miss James’ was inspired.

It’s in the originals, though, that Eddie’s take on this music shines. ‘Missouri’ was beautiful, with some incredibly soulful guitar playing. By the time they got to closing number ‘Saratoga’ they were in full flow and sounded like they could have gone on for hours. Alas, that was it and the Brighton crowd left happy and knowing they had witnessed some of the best bluesy, jazzy, funky tunes they are likely to hear this year.

We’re not sure when Eddie 9 Volts will be back in the UK, but be sure to catch them when they return!