Review of mod, ska and soul covers band The MultiTones at The Half Moon in Bishop’s Stortford
Patrick Cooper, aka The Cat in the Hat, went to The Half Moon in North Street, Bishop’s Stortford, to see mod, ska and soul covers band The MultiTones on Saturday April 19
Saturday Night. I’m back in the Long Room at the Half Moon for The MultiTones. The name suggests a mod feel and this is confirmed by the target in the o of their logo and the band’s natty attire.
They start at a run with Hush and followers are dancing by the third “nah”. We’re told to put on our Hi-Heel Sneakers and a red dress, they charge into You Really Got Me and there’s no pause before Kula Shaker’s Hey Dude.
Vinny the Vocals souls up The Stranglers’ 96 Tears, backed by buzzin’ Hammond-style keys and then we’re Walking in the Sunshine and remembering Bad Manners. I gotta pause for breath, but they don’t.
What stops you in your tracks about this band is Vinny the Vocals. Classic long-sleeve polo, maroon with two broad stripes of blue, and mod-fringe barnet. He’s stepped out of our past but is in his early 20s. He loves this stuff. He leaves the low stage, dances with the crowd, pulls high kicks and spins Northern Soul-style as he wails Seven Days Too Long then begs for Mercy. So do I. Phew, it’s a break and time for a pint.
All the while we been treated to Tony’s toney sax. He’s channelling classic lounge lizard: Hawaiian shirt, spray-on strides, pointy hooves topped with a snapbrim straw. Shoutouts too for Ian on guitar, Sam the stix, bassman Mark and Mr Keys.
Vinny sends A Message to You, Rudy and the floor is full of happy skankers going into overdrive as he delivers Gangsters. A gigger tells me he’d been a rude boy back in the day - “Me too”, says I.
Now they’re doing Start and the singer’s accent has changed from authentic Coventry to accurate Woking as he homages the Modfather. Gotta hand it to the lad.
They thunder into One Step Beyond. Saxdemonium from Tony’s tones and action on the dancefloor. Then they’re walkin all over…us.
The Cat takes his hat off to The MultiTones. Go and enjoy them too.
