Steel Pulse
Copperworm, from sunny Warrington no less are a group of three fellas combining their talents to offer a nostalgic, and retrospective aspect to rock. I’ll mention the bassist first as they normally get left behind, Brent Copson is he who is charge of the chunky basslines, Andy Wood is hiding behind the drumkit ( out you come sunshine) and leader of the pack is Peter Wolfe ( see what I did there, clever eh?). Born in 2015 -the band that is – they have hammered away at their craft and are now ready to share some of the produce.
Citing influences such as Cream, Led Zeppelin and my own Aston heroes, Black Sabbath what we have here is a salute to the past and an insight into where it all began. Y’see my friends, Rock ‘N Roll has its roots in the blues, from the hard-working, honest folk who didn’t shy away from a day’s graft. The suntan was not a sign of wealth, but a sign of blood, sweat and tears and dignity in knowing you had put in the hours.
I begin with ‘Pulse’ which instantly transports you to a dank, worn out and tired looking room, but one where all the legends had recorded their songs before. The heritage screams at you like a wailing banshee, you cannot ignore where you came from and those with a deep regard and affinity for rock music cannot refute the music of Copperworm.
They take an altogether different approach but an important one, I think, as they don’t seem to be too caught up in the modern vibes, that can verge on mediocrity. ‘Indian Sky’ has a haunting, enigmatic quality, a little King Gizzard in tone and resonance and with that deep, husky voice (oh my….). Incorporating soulful and R & B characteristics, again these are elements that have determined the modern rock genre as we know it, the band shape their unique and ‘stand out from the crowd’ musicianship.
The last song for review is ‘One Life’ and vocalist Peter tells us ‘you got one life, you got one chance, you got one hope, live it well’ as we end this voyage of re-discovery for the time being. They are wise words indeed and maybe it is time to bring everyone in from the rain.
Copperworm – songs available through Spotify.