INFO | Punching Preachers Rock Covers Band

MEET THE BAND

Craig Giovanelli

Lead Vocals

Mark Hughes

Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Matthew Reinhardt

Lead Guitar/Harp/Backing Vocals

Andrea turco - Drums

Fabio Puglia - Bass/Backing Vocals

Total Knockout The Bank, New Southgate on Fri 2nd Nov 12

Pub and club owners would be wise to sign up this five-piece outfit before they move on to bigger things. The Punching Preachers are a young, lively energetic band with a real passion for music and entertaining their audiences. The Bank have realised their enormous potential and have booked the North London rock group for several more functions. And that came as no surprise after watching their dynamic two sets of mainly rock classics.

The band kicked off the first set with the Counting Crowes' version of the Otis Redding classic "Hard To Handle" and followed it with two rock standards: Thin Lizzy's "Don't Believe A Word" and the Doobies' "Long Train Running".

The quintet were brave enough to tackle an Elbow song, "Grounds For Divorce" and made a decent job of it. More rock classics followed, including Free's "Wishing Well" and "Alright Now", Z Z Top's "Tush" and Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out".

The lead vocals, supplied by live wire Craig Giovanelli, were outstanding and it was great to hear that the former actor was not drowned out by the four musicians. "Sweet Home Alabama" closed the set and Mark Hughes (in full Halloween costume) and Matt Reinhardt shared lead guitar duties demonstrating their many skills on the instrument.

The second half started with a surprise. Craig, who appeared in the West End 25th anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Show, went back to his roots performing "Sweet Transvestite" from the ghoulish show, acting his way superbly through the song. Other notable triumphs were Reef's "Place Your Hands" and Snow Patrol's "You're All I Have", both of which were interpreted expertly and Gary Moore's rocking-blues number "Walking By Myself" had a great harmonica solo by Matt.

Randall Boenig works hard behind the scenes providing bass guitar, occasional keyboards and backing vocals while shock of the night was that drummer Dave Hattee was making his debut on drums. There was no way anyone in the pub would have known that, as his performance was faultless.

The Punching Preachers made a terrific job of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers' "Danni California" and pub regulars thoroughly enjoyed the explosive ending with numbers like the Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" and the Kings of Leon's "Sex On Fire".

If you like your rock played in a lively, punchy manner the Preachers are the band for you.

Colin Fenn, DJ, journalist, Mon 12th Nov 12