THE BRITISH BEATLES FAN CLUB EDITOR-PETER NASH
I recently caught the gig by the Counterfeit Beatles on December 18th 2009 at The Standard in Walthamstow…
I have to say that they are one of the most authentic Beatles tribute bands that I have yet seen. Not only do they have a left-handed Paul, which is always a bonus, but this group play the Beatles music with a genuine enthusiasm and passion - which can be sadly lacking in some tribute acts who simply go through the motions.
Although the Counterfeit Beatles are renowned for their stage show and costume changes, on this occasion the band treated us to something extra special…a "Hamburg" set. This was a brilliant way to start the gig, with the band wearing leather jackets and blasting their way through a catalogue of amphetamine fuelled rock & roll – the raucous atmosphere of the Hamburg clubs in 1961 was captured perfectly – only the flying bottles and fights in the crowd were missing. The band worked themselves and the audience into a sweat with an onslaught of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and numerous other rock and roll classics, plus early Lennon and McCartney stompers such as 'One After 909' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'. The band's red hot performance and the crowds reaction were equally wild!
After a much needed break the Counterfeit Beatles came back on wearing their "Shea Stadium" jackets and treated us to a wide-ranging set of Beatles material from the period 1963 to 1966. This band don't just churn out the obvious hits, but present a wide-ranging set list of superb Beatles album tracks and obscure but fabulous b-sides. It's great to hear songs that even the Beatles themselves never played live performed so well by the Counterfeit's.
The concert was exceptionally enjoyable and entertaining in both the musicianship and the humour that was put across. After two extended sets the crowd were still baying for more, so as a bonus the Counterfeit Beatles gave us a short selection from their 1967 to 1970 repertoire, keeping the place rockin' with scorching renditions of 'Get Back', 'Old Brown Shoe' and 'Revolution'…and asking if there were any "requests"? A voice yelled out 'Helter Skelter', as if a challenge to the band, which was responded to with a finger blistering version!!
The crowd went home happy…the band went home a stone lighter!
Pete Nash: Editor British Beatles Fan Club magazine
www.britishbeatlesfanclub.co.uk 20/12/2009