There are some musicians whose name and reputation alone makes you want to sell your granny for a ticket and Dan Baird is one of them. He’s currently touring the UK with his band, the Homemade Sin and boy does he put on a show. He’s 65 in December but you’d never guess, especially when chatting to him and you can hear our exclusive interview below.
The support for this date was a young guy from Newport called Joe Kelly, solo tonight rather than with his band The Royal Pharmacy and what a talent! With echoes of Jack Savoretti and the great Bob Dylan in his delivery, complete with harmonica, he keeps the audience with him as he gives us songs like debut single ‘Devil At My Door’, ‘Home’ and ‘Kings Road’. His version of Neil Young’s ‘Heart Of Gold’ further emphasises the strength of his voice – keep your eyes open for the new album from him and The Royal Pharmacy; the songs he played tonight were strong enough solo and I personally can’t wait to hear them fleshed out with the band in tow. One to watch!
Joe Kelly
After a short wait and with minimum fuss, Dan Baird was with us, together with Homemade Sin. Featuring Warner Hodges on guitar, looking every inch a rock star, Mauro Magellan on drums and newest member Sean Savacool on bass, they proceeded to tear the Globe a new one. Twelve months ago, they had played this same venue and Baird was so ill with his leukemia that he had to miss the soundcheck, yet managed to put on an amazing show and Hodges was quick to thank the crowd for their love and support on that day.
Complete with regulation hat, Baird and his Telecaster (which he was restringing as we chatted earlier in the evening – check the interview below) blazed into action with a number from his old band the Georgia Satellites, ‘The Myth Of Love’. It’s fantastic seeing a tight band who all enjoy what they’re doing and play with a smile on their face. Hodges is an excellent foil for Baird as they both swap playing rhythm and soloing and indeed proceeds to amaze us with his style and technique through some superb solos.
Dan Baird and the Homemade Sin
We’re treated to numbers from their brand new album, ‘Screamer’, with ‘Adilyda’, ‘Up In Your Kitchen’ and ‘You’re Goin’ Down’, before we get a song that most people remember Dan Baird for, ‘I Love You Period’. More rocking tunes just flow from the stage as the audience dance, sing and even air guitar along to – ‘Crooked Smile’, ‘Shake It Till It’s Sore’ and ‘Moving Right Along’. Back to the new album we go for ‘Good Problem To Have’ and ‘You Broke It’ and then Baird announces to the crowd that there is an 11pm curfew in place at the Globe, this being at 10.20pm and that the band are going to play right up to the hour. A comment that is met with a huge cheer. So we get ‘Bust Your Heart’ and ‘Everlovin’ Mind’ from the new record and the night is completed with a 12 minute version of the old Georgia Satellites number ‘Railroad Steel’, which brings the house down. Imagine some of today’s rock musicians doing this on a small club stage. To say this performance was brilliant isn’t going over the top – if you were there or you caught the band anywhere else on this leg of their UK tour, you know just how good they are.
After a short trip to Spain, Germany and Switzerland, they’re back over here in December for another six dates and I strongly urge you to catch them before Dan Baird hangs up his guitar for good. A fabulous night!
All photography courtesy of Morag Farley – check the gallery for all the pics (midlandsmetalheads.com/dan-baird-and-the-homemade-sin-joe-kelly)
Check out the exclusive interview with Dan Baird –
