Doghouse Roses.

The Queens Tavern, Putnoe. Friday 31st January 2014.

It's a pay day end of month, wet Friday evening and, for a change, I am spending it at the Queen's Tavern in Putnoe. A fifties/sixties (?) traditional two bar pub in a residential area and only a short five minute taxi ride from the centre of Bedford. For tonight's host, DOGHOUSE ROSES, it represents the final few hours of their Dryathlon, a charity driven abstinence from alcohol which they have steadfastly kept to during the whole of January. I was, I admit, curious to see 'The Dogs' perform without the aid of their usual liquid crutch. Why it's akin to fish minus the chips, curry less the rice or Christmas dinner without sprouts.

Doghouse Roses comprise of four musicians who, at this point of their respective musical paths, have all united in a common collective purpose and, it seems, share the same aims and beliefs. Vocalist Sean Morris, as well as forging out his solo acoustic material, formerly fronted the popular punk 'n' rollers Wolf Law. Drummer Jim Morton has drummed for various bands including Sick On The Bus. Bassist Liam Burke is ex of 91 Pieces, Speedshot and also performs solo, with a recent support slot for Beans On Toast. Guitarist Mark Emsley tops the lot as he has played in quite a few bands including Andrew WK's touring band.

The lads assemble in this very comfortable lounge bar. It's almost like being in a large sized living room that would not seem out of place in a remake of the seventies Abigail's Party play. We may not have the chintz wallpaper, but the flowery curtains are of a bygone vintage. The lads fuelled up on a steady stream of caffeine with pints of cola. They open with the instrumental strains of "Lovin your work". This is a band who like their ink as tattooed arms adorn them all. Although written by Liam, I always feel from a personal angle, "Sons of liberty" gains from the loving larynx of Mr Morris. This is sadly denied tonight. "Down to Danny's" is personally handstamped by the tall and gangly 'Burkey' and his rasping vocals fill the room. At present, Doghouse Roses seem to be a hybrid of several things, Gaslight Anthem meets The Wildhearts. A true blueprint has not yet been formed. After a cover of the appropriately titled "Sick of drugs", they perform "Never look back". This is a song where Sean really shines. He may wear the facial features of a French rennaissance painter, but his Americana slant melts the ladies' hearts. In fact he can do no wrong. A cover of "Hey, hey, my, my" is a case in point. Normally I would go off in a ranting tangent at someone attempting to recreate 'The Godfather of grunge'. However, this fella spat it out with a respectful twang. Indeed, in the hands of this band "rock 'n' roll is here to stay", especially with a guitarist who adores his power chords and a drummer who is never ever dragging or fluffing his fills.

Unfortunately, in the past few years the local music scene has become a quieter and more sanitised place. Where are all the slightly dysfunctional bands (in a good way) of yore? A vacuum of identikit 'post everything' or the more irritating 'chavindie' rules now. "Swingin' the bottle" (even if it is only water tonight) is raucous and rowdy. "Back on the juice" has the charming and cherubic (well he is tonight) Burkey proclaiming defiantly "we soon will be!". The band look to leave with their signature tune of "Doghouse Roses". Although I tend to find this song too long and rather irritating, they milk their merited applause and appeal for more money to be thrown into the charity bucket. A man who appears to be a regular at the pub pulls out a twenty pound note and demands that the band "play some Hendrix". This is a rather leftfield request for Doghouse Roses, but they improvise superbly with Jimi and treat this generous fella to the Dylan penned "All along the watchtower". Tonight may have been the start of the Chinese new year of the horse, but here in Putnoe we had the night of the dogs!

For the record, Doghouse Roses have been raising money for Cancer Research UK, Mind and Great Ormond St Hospital. As a bonus, Sean and Mark opened the evening with a short acoustic set. Liam ended the night with a few songs as the lads counted down to the midnight hour and a welcome reconciliation with alcohol. Cheers!