Never be surprised by what happens next!
Hidden largely from the sights for the past two years, locked away in recording studios, swapping members and ditching new material before it became old material. This is a band many of the population probably haven't seen, heard or heard of. And now what have they done? They've only changed their name and announced one of the biggest gigs of their careers. Who said a little rebranding doesn't work? (Me!...every time a band changes it's name))
Since 2009, as The Drellas of Scott and co. sum total amounted to an eleven date UK tour on the back of a 7" double-A vinyl, an album that has been recorded and rerecorded endlessly and yet to see the light of day, and a handful of local cameo appearances, most recently supporting past-it punk rockers The Buzzcocks and Liverpool old-wave jewels Deaf School. The question on a lot of people's lips "is this band a stalling catalytic engine or a rumbling jet about to ignite?" The evidence and track record would suggest the former yet recent events suggest different.
What is categorically undeniable from where I stand out front is there is no better band in Liverpool at present. A lack of regular tours, new releases is tantamount to criminal behaviour and surely to be addressed beyond this relaunch. The fact still remains this band is locked up behind closed doors penning some of the most retrospective twisted modernistic songs of the current musical spectrum. Anyone who has been lucky enough to hear Boy in a Bodybag can bear witness.
Iggy Pop headlines Chester Rocks Day 2So if you think £50 for a single day ticket at Chester Rocks to see a bunch of washed-up rockers (excluding Iggy Pop who couldn't be washed up if he went out like Robert Maxwell) is about as good value as a Liverpool Soundcity 2011 VIP wristband, you're not alone. Just don't be forgiven for slotting The Red Scare into the same category as Broudie, McCullough. These guy may be flogging dead horses but Scott is a devious little fucker with tricks up his sleeve so watch out Deva!
That said last month at Liverpool's largest gig-specific venue the psychobilly/jazz/punk/lounge quintet opened for Deaf School and stunned crowds with a rendition of Neighbourhood, the top ten hit for Scott in the 90's hayday of Space. It was a typically bopping version unique to The [then and final outing of] Drellas. It seems that although Tommy Scott and The Red Scare is likely to embrace its hit-pop roots wrangle them into a fusion of molten sax, psychobilly bass and rock drums this will drum up a fat PRS cheque for all concerned.
And then where it goes from there is anyone's guess!
