Patrick Cooper reviews Harlow covers band The Undercovers at The Cock in Bishop’s Stortford
Patrick Cooper, aka The Cat in the Hat, headed to The Cock at Hockerill to see The Undercovers on Saturday March 15
Saturday night, I take my own advice and stroll down to The Cock at Hockerill. Nearby, a sign tells us that Dick Turpin drank here. Another one? All those pubs? How’d he find the time to rob any coaches? The Cock is a beamed, traditional boozer that predates Turpin by two centuries.
The Undercovers are a five-piece outta Harlow. They start off. Nought to sixty in the time it takes Josh to play the soaring intro to Sweet Child o’ Mine. A cover of AC/DC’s Highway to Hell charges up the batteries even more. Now we’re rockin’.
The outfit’s engine is the vocal range and enthusiasm of singer Lauren. She pauses to introduce their Followers’ Pick - they have a loyal band of giggers and Facebook followers who nominate one tune the band ain’t played before. And they have to do it unrehearsed. Tonight’s challenge is Dirty Little Secret and they smash it with aplomb. Lauren delivers with a real west coast grunge tone.
Folks are grooving now. Shout mashed up with Twist and…. Then Proud Mary to which James (keys) adds a Cajun seasoning of zydeco, mashed with Nutbush. Clever and fun. Joe’s stix and Alan’s bass supercharge I’m a Believer (can’t miss with that one). Time for a pint.
Round two starts with Stacy’s Mom. Lauren accentuates the yearning whine of a valley boy with a mom crush and a deluded opinion of his own sex appeal. Let’s rev it up with a helping of Black Eyed Peas and we did indeed get excited.
Lauren tells us “I shouldn’t have favourites, but I love” Believe and you can tell she does. A one-woman duet of throaty bluesmamma switching to Cher, ringing deep and clear. Now they’ve suctioned regulars out of the other side of the pub and the floor is full.
They outro with Angels. Strangers put arms round each others’ shoulders and sway and sing along.
It’s what pub gigs are about. Fun. Exciting. Loud. And this cat was feline good.
