LIVE REVIEW: Los Straitjackets & Big Sandy

Surf rock played by musicians clad in Mexican wrestling masks accompanied on vocals by the king of the West Coast rockabilly scene. An intriguing prospect? Quite!
Following a stellar support set from Lurgan duo The Bonnevilles, Los Straitjackets kick off proceedings with a high octane sonic blitzkrieg. From the offset, the slickness of the performance is striking and airtight – not a semiquaver dropped. Also impressive is how the troupe manage to synchronise their stage moves whilst executing this flawless set.
An explosive welcome marks the arrival of Big Sandy, who strides majestically onto the stage. The larger than life crooner wins the crowd over in a heartbeat with his effusive stage banter and overt charm. An impassioned ‘Chica Aboratada’ and bewitching ‘Lonely Teardrops’ prove he has the vocal chops to back up his braggadocio. And the liver too, it seems, as he downs nearly a pint of tequila.
Los Straitjackets are a musical tour de force. The duelling guitars of Eddie Angel and Greg Townson are a delight for the eyes and ears, as their fingers flit effortlessly along the fretboard. Drummer Chris Sprague gets to flex his muscle for a delectable solo, which ends with him front of stage playing a pint glass.
In a night of numerous highlights, a rollicking 'Bule Bule' and combustive 'La Plaga (Good Golly Miss Molly)' stand out but also memorable are the more playful moments – never have the Batman and Magnificent Seven themes sounded more invigorating!

Get your next Big Sandy fix when he returns to The Grand Social on July 23 with his Fly-Rite Boys