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New Brighton boys reviving the blues
By LUKE POLLITT he blues never really died. They just moved over the water. Jiving their way over the River Mersey, Wirral band Razzmatazz are crashing onto the rich scene that is the Liverpool music scene. And they are not going unnoticed. Having recently signed with Merseyside based record label Evol, the group of lads are gaining traction and it is no secret as to why. You don’t have to look much farther than the frontman, Will Robinson. The New Brighton native brings buckets full of energy onto the stage with him. A perfect blend of Presley and Morrison, Robbo captivates the crowd with moves that wouldn’t look out of place if he was next up on the Ed Sullivan show. Armed with his maraca, Will forcibly shakes the groove into all those who dare listen, strong vocals lend themselves perfectly to the old-style rock and roll that the band blesses everybody with. Whilst catching up with Will, he told MNL about what it’s like to finally getting stuck in with gigs: “Since we started really getting tunes together, I was so desperate to get out on stage. For me personally I don’t feel like I’d be able to show people what the music is really like. Don’t get me wrong though, being in the studio, recording tunes is always an experience, but nothing is like being on stage and putting on a performance.” And put on a performance they do. For lead
Kynaston, known as ‘Kyno’. After listening to him jam for less than a minute it’s clear to see he is something special. Since a very young age Kyno has been extraordinarily gifted on his guitar, he told MNL: “I’ve always loved it, but I really feel the last couple of years have brought me to a peak. I’ve been much more focused on finding the sound I want to play. People like Clapton properly inspired my direction. But nothing comes close to the blues. Hands the genre I draw on the most.” It’s the way Ben manages to merge the traditional emotions of blues into a raw rock and roll blend. It is such an exciting listen. During their support slot in Jimmy’s, Bold Street, last week the revellers were treated to a barrage of authentic rock and roll, with a dab of funk for good measure, right from the off. From the moment Will bounced on stage, arms raised in a “lets ‘av’ it” attitude everyone knew
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they were in for a performance. The rumble of the bass guitar opened the first score. Despite being my first time hearing it, the song felt almost instantly recognisable. The bluesy riff and cut-throat lyrics injected energy into the intimate crowd in the underground venue. Will’s personality added to the electric feeling in the crowd, dancing round the stage with a Bez like attitude and joking with the crowd. What struck me most however was the way the band interacted with each other. It wasn’t entirely obvious at first, but you could see the band glance at on and other with the largest of smiles. You just knew the lads were having the time of their lives.
Facts of the Razz
This taste of performing has got me hooked
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Will and the boys between songs at Jimmy’s last week
Since debuting at the Future Yard festival earlier this summer, the group have been performing regularly around New Brighton’s recently renovated Victorian Quarter, in and around Victoria Road. This includes a weekly residency at bar and record shop, Rockpoint Records. Earlier this month the band performed at the opening of The Anti-Super-Supermarket, also on Victoria Road. This venue, previously a home to Budgens supermarket, has been revamped into a niche market and gig area. If you haven’t already checked out the Victorian Quarter in New Brighton, I cannot recommend it enough. The same goes for Future Yard in Birkenhead. As their saying goes, the fututre IS Birkenhead. Look out for Razzmatazz in the future. Take it from me, you will be entertained.
Ben Kynaston taking the roof off Jimmy’s last week
1. Formed in the auntmn of 2020, Razzmamatazz started out of a basement in Kensington 2. The proudly Wirral bred band perform weekly in Rockpoint Records, New Brighton 3. Both Will and Ben went to the same school together and have been friends for what they say is “far too long already” 4. Alongside the band, Will is also doing a degree at LJMU.
Photos © Luke Pollitt 15
