There are so many musicians out there who are not household names, but significantly talented and with a love of their trade and a desire to bring their music to the people. Two who impressed me in the last year or two and made me curious to explore further were Jack J Hutchinson and Matt Pearce. So it was great news for me that the two announced an extensive co-headlining tour billed as ‘a double shot of Jack’n’Matt’. Despite the fact they had already played a couple of gigs in the Home Counties, there was a decent turnout for the London show at The Grace.

Jack J Hutchinson went first, leading a power trio: in his fedora hat and beard he looks like a southern bluesman, yet despite coming to prominence through the blues rock route he is just as much a singer songwriter, a fact proven by most recent album ‘Battles’. It was well represented with the big riff of opener ‘Don’t let the F***ers Get You Down’, ‘Constellation’, ‘Days Are Gone’ which he admitted was his favourite and had an excellent hook, and ‘Running On Empty’.

To that point he had been solid rather than spectacular but the gig really picked up momentum with ‘Road To Hell’, with a menacing Bad Company vibe and the first of a number of extended solos where he posed on the edge of the stage, and ‘Love Is the Law’ with the band going into something of a jam.

Unusually perhaps in this genre he is also a confirmed fan of nineties Britpop and after admitting that the title of the latter was lifted from John Squire, played a respectable cover of Paul Weller’s ‘Out of the Sinking’ (which I always associate with Sky Sports Super Sunday back in the day!) where the rhythm section of Phil Wilson and Greg Smith excelled.

Going back to a pair from his debut ‘Paint No Fiction’ album from some years back, ‘Deal With the Devil’ had a heavier, darker riff, and ‘Hip Slicker’ was more commercial with a slight southern rock feel. The highlight of the set though was surely ‘I Will Follow You’, a ballad written in honour of his Dad which then built into an epic solo and considering the size of the crowd an impressively loud audience call and response.

Unfortunately the 10pm curfew meant he had to chop the odd song but ‘Overdrive’ and ‘Call Of the Wild’, with an excellent melodic hook ended a highly impressive set, evidence that he is both a fine musician and a very engaging character with a nice line in self-deprecating storytelling.

After a very short changeover the cramped stage which had comfortably coped with Jack’s power trio was altogether more crowded for Matt Pearce and the Mutiny as the dapper, trilby-sporting singer and guitarist led a six-piece band. Opener ‘Got a Thing Going On’ was a rush of riotous R’n’B energy with the sound of Peter Back’s saxophone dominant even though he was confined to near darkness on the edge of the stage.

‘Never Get Away From Love’ had a strong funk undertow, and ‘All the Gods’ a little bluesier. However, as with Jack, the band really got into their stride a few songs in as ‘Promised Land’ featured some great musicianship, culminating in a jam between Matt’s classic Les Paul and Chris Burgham on keys.

What makes The Mutiny particularly interesting is the way they blend a number of classic musical influences into a unique melting pot. So ‘Bring It All To Me’ was the soul ballad with the harmony vocals of Matt and Daliah Sherrington creating a rich sound, while ‘Ordinary Blues’ was anything but, instead a superlative jam reminding me of Glenn Hughes at his funkiest. ‘From Here To the Moon’ was a little rockier with an impressive closing section as Matt’s slide playing competed with Pete’s sax.

‘A Better Way’ saw more of those funky grooves, while ‘King Of the World’ rocked a bit harder and was a reminder that as a lead guitarist Matt has a pedigree in Voodoo Six and a host of other names. The mood was increasingly loose both on stage and in the crowd so it was time for a well-chosen cover in ‘Drift Away’ which had people swaying.

‘Scarecrowing’ was a full-blown rock out and after band intros segued seamlessly into a cover of ‘Oh Well’. Sadly, the curfew necessitated a premature end to a set of a shade over an hour which was unfortunate as a real groove had been developing, and you could feel in the air the way the band and the audience relaxed and fed off each other’s energy.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable night proving that the club shows are so much more intimate and rewarding than larger gigs. I can fully recommend you catch either or both of these fine gentlemen, their excellent bands and original sounds if you can.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

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Power Plays w/c 19 May 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Juliet (Eonian Records)
THE PERPS The Culture (Golden Robot Records)
HALFLIFE Nothing New (indie)
EMMMA Wednesday’s Child (indie)
PLASTIC HEART Hear My Call (indie)
COMING UP ROSES Tired (INH Records)

Featured Albums w/c 19 May 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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