How do you classify The Webb Brothers? Classic songsmiths or just jokey popsters? Either way they've drawn a massive crowd to a sweltering Dingwalls, and with torches beaming through a smoke filled stage, Webbs Justin and Christiaan come peering out of the mist, scanning the audience for their band mates.
Yep, what was once a duo has now become a rock'n'rolling five piece, bowl haircuts all round, natch, but a proper band nonetheless. And with a new found spirit of punk (and as will become apparent, Jack Daniels) coursing through their veins, the feisty fivesome launch into the smiley power pop of 'Come On Over'. Followed by the unseasonable choice of 'Summer People' the
sweltering masses aren't thrown into an emotional frenzy.
Sure, they're no metal monsters, but The Webb Brothers are all about harmonies. Integral to every song they play tonight, the addition of little brother James turns tracks like 'Liar's Club' into mini-Beach Boy masterclasses, melodies and harmonies becoming indistinguishable from each other. Sadly though, the Webbs don't yet have the back catalogue of the brothers Wilson and it's not long before a lack of up tempo songs and some worryingly perfect singing start a slow exodus to the bar.
Just as writers find it hard to pigeonhole The Webb Brothers, it seems like the band are facing the same problem. One minute they're pulling heart-strings with 'All The Cocaine In The World' and the next minute Christiaan's in the crowd doing his best (but still not too hot) Iggy Pop impression.
Luckily, the substantial amount of alcohol being consumed by all on stage is taking its toll and the rocky flavouring given to new single 'I Can't Believe Your Gone' creates the happiest song heard all night.
So as Justin and Christiaan stagger on stage for their encore, all is good in the world. A shambolic cover of Guided By Voices' 'Hot Freaks' followed by a rousing, if loose, rendition of 'I'm Over and I Know It' sees Christiaan collapsed on the floor, a combination of expended energy and strong liquor. Not a perfect evening, but damn good fun.
IMAGES: OLLY HEWITT
