With Boxing Day at the Donkey no longer an option, Nick Whitfield’s Drugstore Cowboys decanted to the International in Leicester on 29^th of December for their annual yuletide knees-up.

In fact, it was a rather stella line-up with the show begun by John Lewis’ solo set. Mr. Lewis was typically wonderful, with his stomp box and fantastic guitar playing creating a deceptively full sound. John was then joined on stage by Nick Whitfield on bass and Damien Claridge, also of Drugstore Cowboys’ fame on drums. They really are a wonderful trio. The highlight of John’s set from my perspective was his stellar rendition of Chills and Fever, made famous by Tom Jones, with its extraordinary number of key changes. John Lewis is a complete treasure.

Next to the stage were Cromer’s finest the McCurdy Brothers. For a two-piece outfit, these boys create quite a racket. They are firmly in the blues camp and so seem perfectly at ease playing tracks like ZZ Top’s Tush, although the majority of their set is self-penned. He is a fine guitarist whether playing normal or slide guitar. The person next to me raised the question of whether a third member of the band, specifically a bass playing, would be a welcome addition? I was inclined to agree, aesthetically it would fill the stage and musically it would round out the sound. Of course, the band will not do this, but I am of the view that two-piece outfits with the notable exception of the Flat Duo-Jets, the Black Keys, the White Stripes and the Courettes, would usually benefit from a third member. Nevertheless, the band puts on a fine show.

To the headline act, Leicester’s own, the Drugstore Cowboys. First things first, this is a trio of very fine musicians indeed. Band-leader, Nick Whitfield, is one of the finest pickers around and Sam French is an extremely skilled slapper of the ol’ doghouse bass, and completing the line-up on drums is the superb Damian Claridge. In addition to playing some of their own material the band plays quite a lot of covers this evening, partly in response to requests from the crowd. Alongside ‘Tore Up’ by the Paladins, we are treated to ‘Rockin Around With Ollie Vee’ by Buddy Holly, ‘Bankrobber’ by the Clash, ‘Human Fly’ by the Cramps, and ‘Paradise City’ by Guns n’ Roses, amongst others. All of these diverse songs are delivered with the Drugstore Cowboys’ considerable aplomb. Indeed, they are nothing short of superb. Moreover it has been a good turnout especially for that tricky period between Christmas and New Year. An absolutely splendid night down Leicester way,

Nick Kemp